Patent ID: 6134507
Filing Date: 2000-10-17
Classification: G01B,G01S

Abstract:
A sensor calibration system for calibrating a non-contact sensor having a sensing zone associated with a non-contact sensor reference frame, with respect to an external reference frame, comprising:a reference indicia disposed in fixed relation to said external reference frame;a laser tracker having a calibration field of observation associated with a laser tracker reference frame, said laser tracker being positionable at a vantage point such that said reference indicia is within the calibration field of observation;a target framework for placement coincidentally within the calibration field of observation of said laser tracker and within the sensing zone of said non-contact sensor;a coordinate transformation system coupled to said laser tracker for collecting data from said laser tracker regarding the position of said reference indicia within said laser tracker reference frame for establishing a first translational relationship between the laser tracker reference frame and the external reference frame;said coordinate transformation system further being adapted for collecting data from the laser tracker and the non-contact sensor regarding the position of said target framework within the laser tracker reference frame and the non-contact sensor reference frame, respectively, when said target framework is in at least three noncolinear positions, for establishing a second translational relationship between the laser tracker reference frame and the non-contact sensor reference frame; andsaid coordinate transformation system utilizing said first and second translational relationships for determining a third translational relationship between the external reference frame and the non-contact sensor reference frame, said third translational relationship enabling said coordinate transformation system to convert measurement data from said non-contact sensor to said external reference frame and thereby calibrate the non-contact sensor with respect to the external reference frame.