US 11,860,276 B2
Method of operating a coordinate measurement device
Kenneth Steffey, Longwood, FL (US); Robert E. Bridges, Kenneth Square, PA (US); and David H. Parker, Earlysville, VA (US)
Assigned to FARO Technologies, Inc., Lake Mary, FL (US)
Filed by FARO Technologies, Inc., Lake Mary, FL (US)
Filed on Jul. 22, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/383,070.
Application 17/383,070 is a continuation of application No. 16/394,674, filed on Apr. 25, 2019, granted, now 11,333,761.
Application 16/394,674 is a continuation of application No. 15/675,988, filed on Aug. 14, 2017, granted, now 10,663,588.
Application 15/675,988 is a continuation of application No. 14/697,807, filed on Apr. 28, 2015, granted, now 9,746,560, issued on Aug. 29, 2017.
Application 14/697,807 is a continuation in part of application No. 13/765,014, filed on Feb. 12, 2013, granted, now 9,036,134, issued on May 19, 2015.
Prior Publication US 2021/0349215 A1, Nov. 11, 2021
Int. Cl. G01S 17/42 (2006.01); G01C 15/00 (2006.01); G01S 17/66 (2006.01); G01S 17/89 (2020.01); G01S 7/48 (2006.01); G01S 7/481 (2006.01); G01B 11/00 (2006.01); G01S 17/87 (2020.01); G01S 17/86 (2020.01)
CPC G01S 17/42 (2013.01) [G01B 11/002 (2013.01); G01C 15/002 (2013.01); G01S 7/4808 (2013.01); G01S 7/4813 (2013.01); G01S 7/4817 (2013.01); G01S 7/4818 (2013.01); G01S 17/66 (2013.01); G01S 17/86 (2020.01); G01S 17/87 (2013.01); G01S 17/89 (2013.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. Method of operating a coordinate measurement device, the method comprising:
selecting a mode on the coordinate measurement device, the mode including a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation, the first mode of operation using a visible laser light for determining a first distance to a retroreflective target based at least in part on the speed of light, the second mode of operation using a near infrared spectrum of light for determining a second distance to a surface that diffusely scatters light emitted from the coordinate measurement device;
emitting a first light from the coordinate measurement device, the coordinate measurement device having at least one light source and at least one optical detector;
measuring at least two angles associated with the emitting of the first light;
receiving a second light with the optical detector, wherein the second light is a reflection of the first light off of the retroreflective target or the surface that diffusely scatters light emitted from the coordinate measurement device based at least in part on the mode of the coordinate measurement device;
determining the first distance or the second distance based at least in part on the selected mode, the emitting of the first light, and the receiving of the second light; and
determining three dimensional coordinates of at least one point in the environment based at least in part on the measuring of the at least two angles and the determination of the first distance or the second distance.