The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 20, 2001
Filed:
Apr. 20, 2000
Charles S. Slemon, Encinitas, CA (US);
W. James Frandsen, San Diego, CA (US);
James John Glover, La Mesa, CA (US);
Volution, San Diego, CA (US);
Abstract
An optical device for establishing a spatial orientation for a drill bit includes at least three light sources and two cameras. The first light source is used to silhouette the drill bit; a second light source is used to generate a reflection from a primary facet of the drill bit; and a third light source is used to generate a reflection from the margin of the drill bit. In sequence, the first camera responds to the first light source to establish an axial position for the drill bit on the axis. The second camera then responds to the second light source to establish a gross rotational position for the drill bit on its axis. Finally, the first camera is again used. This time it establishes a precise rotational position for the drill bit on its axis to establish the spatial orientation for the drill bit.