Appeal No. 2004-0278 Page 12
Application No. 09/626,362
Greer further teaches (column 8, line 42, to column 9, line 11) that:
Referring to FIG. 9, the system for providing this virtual image sensor
positioning feature is illustrated. FIG. 9 is a software block diagram showing the
components that may be used to generate the virtual image. The desired position
of the feature sensor is stored in data structure 500 as a vector representing the
six degrees of freedom (x, y, z, pitch, yaw and roll) needed to specify the position
and orientation of the feature sensor. The desired position data can be
predetermined by calibration using an existing workpiece, such as a master part.
However, in many applications it may be more expedient to supply the sensor
position data directly from the computer-aided design workstation that is used to
generate the manufactured workpiece specifications. In this regard, CAD
workstation 502 is illustrated in FIG. 9.
Meanwhile, the software system must also ascertain the current position
of the feature sensor and this information is stored in data structure 504, also as
a vector representing the six degrees of freedom. The current position of the
feature sensor is generated using data that is captured in real time from the
calibration sensor array and the feature sensor being positioned. Specifically, the
sensor array is used to detect the reference indicia that are related to the
external reference frame. These data are stored in data structure 506.
The portable reference target is placed in front of the feature sensor; it
may be physically attached to the front of the sensor by means of a convenient
bracket, if desired. As will be seen, the precise positioning of the reference target
in front of the feature sensor is not critical. The light-emitting diodes at the
vertices of the reference target are sequentially illuminated and read by the
sensor array. These data are captured as reference target LED data and stored
in data structure 508.
Finally, the feature sensor is used to project structured light onto the
reference target and the reflected pattern returned from that target is read by the
feature sensor as structured light data. These data are stored in data structure
510.
In the rejection of claims 6 to 11 and 15 to 20 based on Greer, the examiner
(final rejection, pp. 5-6) determined that (1) the claimed sensor/emitter was readable on
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Last modified: November 3, 2007