Patent ID: 9360301
Filing Date: 2016-06-07
CPC Classification: G01B,G01C,G01S,G06F,G06K,G06T

Claim Text:
1. A laser tracker comprising: a structure rotatable about a first axis and a second axis; a first light source is coupled to the structure, the first light source being configured to launch a first light beam from the structure; a distance meter is operably coupled to the first light source; a first angular encoder is operably coupled to the structure to measure a first angle of rotation about the first axis; a second angular encoder is operably coupled to the structure to measure a second angle of rotation about the second axis; a projector is operably coupled to the structure that projects a two-dimensional pattern of light, the projector being configured to project the two-dimensional pattern of light simultaneously with the first beam of light; a first camera operably coupled to the structure; a processor and computer readable media operably coupled to the structure, wherein the processor is responsive to executable computer instructions to determine three-dimensional coordinates of an object illuminated by the two-dimensional pattern of light and to determine a distance to a target based at least in part on a measurement by the distance meter.