Patent ID: 8198617
Filing Date: 2012-06-12
Classification: B64F,G01C

Abstract:
1. A method for locating a component located underneath a surface of a target object using a pointing instrument having an aim point axis and having an instrument coordinate system, wherein the method comprises: a) selecting a component located underneath a surface of the target object, the target object having a target object coordinate system, and the component having a known position in the target object coordinate system; b) calculating an inverse calibration matrix which transforms a position defined in the target object coordinate system to a position defined in the instrument coordinate system; c) calculating an orientation of the aim point axis of the instrument in the instrument coordinate system for the aim point axis of the instrument to be aligned with the component using at least the inverse calibration matrix, the position of the component in the target object coordinate system, and inverse kinematics of the instrument; and d) rotating the aim point axis of the instrument to the calculated orientation.