Patent ID: 8576380
Filing Date: 2013-11-05
Classification: G01B,G01C,G01J,G01S,G06F,H04N

Abstract:
1. A method for optically communicating, from a user to a six degree-of-freedom laser tracker, a command to control operation of the six degree-of-freedom laser tracker with steps comprising: providing the six degree-of-freedom laser tracker, the six degree-of-freedom laser tracker having providing a six degree-of-freedom target having a retroreflector; directing the first light beam to the retroreflector by the first motor and the second motor; receiving the first portion of the first light beam; measuring the first angle of rotation and the second angle of rotation; determining by the processor a first distance from the six degree-of-freedom laser tracker to the target by the distance meter, based at least in part on the received first portion of the first light beam; determining by the processor a first set of translational coordinates of the target based at least in part on the first distance, the measured first angle of rotation, and the measured second angle of rotation; providing a rule of correspondence between a plurality of commands and a plurality of pose patterns of the six degree-of-freedom target, wherein each of the plurality of pose patterns includes a change in at least one orientational coordinate from a first pose of the six degree-of-freedom target to a second pose of the six degree-of-freedom target, each pose of the six degree-of-freedom target having six coordinates-three translational coordinates and three orientational coordinates; selecting by the user a first command from among the plurality of commands, the first command corresponding to a first pose pattern; measuring a first set of orientational coordinates of the first pose of the six degree-of-freedom target with the six degree-of-freedom laser tracker at a first time; changing, by the user between the first time and a second time, according to the first pose pattern, from the first pose of the six degree-of-freedom target to the second pose of the six degree-of-freedom target; measuring a second set of orientational coordinates of the second pose of the six degree-of-freedom target with the six degree-of-freedom laser tracker at the second time; determining the first command based at least in part on a difference between the second set of orientational coordinates and the first set of orientational coordinates according to the rule of correspondence; and executing the first command by the six degree-of-freedom laser tracker.