Apparatus (1) for checking the dimensions and/or shape of a complex-shaped body (3), comprising a checking support (5) on which the body to be checked is positioned, a robotic system (8) with an optical assembly (17) and a memory unit (19) for storing reference data relating to a reference shape of the body. A processing and control unit (18) controls movements of the optical assembly so as to obtain dimensional values relating to the body at predetermined measuring points, these dimensional values then being compared with the reference data stored in the memory unit. The apparatus further comprises reference elements (35) defined in the checking support in predetermined positions and a distance sensor (17) for acquiring actual positions of said reference elements. Local compensation parameters for correcting positioning errors of the robotic system are calculated for each of the reference elements on the basis of the predetermined positions and the actual positions acquired. A method for checking the dimensions and/or shape of a complex-shaped body by using the above described apparatus includes a calibration phase of the robotic system to calculate the local compensation parameters, a phase for collecting the reference data related to the predetermined measuring points and a dimensional checking phase of the body. The reference data collecting phase and the dimensional checking phase take into consideration the local compensation parameters.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a measuring apparatus capable of easily restoring the tracking state when the tracking state of the target is interrupted. One aspect of the present invention is a measuring apparatus that emits a light beam toward a target, captures and tracks the target, and measures the three-dimensional coordinates of the target. The measuring apparatus includes: a light source for emitting light beam; an angle control unit for controlling the emission angle of the light beam emitted from the light source so as to track the moving target; an imaging unit for capturing the target or the vicinity of the target, and a recognition unit for recognizing the target or the specific portion including the target from an image captured by the imaging unit. The angle control unit controls the emission angle of the light beam so as to emit light beam toward the target or the specific portion including the target recognized by the recognition unit when the tracking of the target is released.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a measuring apparatus capable of easily restoring the tracking state when the tracking state of the target is interrupted. One aspect of the present invention is a measuring apparatus that emits a light beam toward a target, captures and tracks the target, and measures the three-dimensional coordinates of the target. The measuring apparatus includes: a light source for emitting light beam; an angle control unit for controlling the emission angle of the light beam emitted from the light source so as to track the moving target; an imaging unit for capturing the target or the vicinity of the target, and a recognition unit for recognizing the target or the specific portion including the target from an image captured by the imaging unit. The angle control unit controls the emission angle of the light beam so as to emit light beam toward the target or the specific portion including the target recognized by the recognition unit when the tracking of the target is released.

Techniques for determining a depth of a buried asset are provided. A first point on an AR model of the buried asset is identified. The first point is where a depth of the buried asset is to be determined. An AR device is used to determine coordinates of a second point on a surface corresponding to the first point on the AR model. Coordinates of a third point on the buried asset corresponding to the first point on the AR model are determined. The depth of the buried asset is determined based on the coordinates of the second point on the surface and coordinates of the third point on the buried asset.

Techniques for determining a depth of a buried asset are provided. A first point on an AR model of the buried asset is identified. The first point is where a depth of the buried asset is to be determined. An AR device is used to determine coordinates of a second point on a surface corresponding to the first point on the AR model. Coordinates of a third point on the buried asset corresponding to the first point on the AR model are determined. The depth of the buried asset is determined based on the coordinates of the second point on the surface and coordinates of the third point on the buried asset.

A process for determining and indicating an incremental point on a target surface comprises independently rotating a first laser to project a first laser point on the target surface; independently rotating a second laser to project a second laser point on the target surface; measuring an angle of rotation for each of the first laser and the second laser; and based on the measured angle of rotation for each of the first laser and the second laser, calculating a target angle of rotation corresponding to an incremental point between the first laser point and the second laser point on the target surface. A third laser is independently rotated until it reaches the target angle of rotation and projects a third laser point at the incremental point on the target surface.

An image capturing apparatus includes: a coordinate value acquisition unit acquiring first coordinate values serving as position information of a moving target; an image capturing unit capturing an image of the target; a direction and distance calculation unit calculating a direction of an optical axis that connects the target and the image capturing unit and a distance between the target and the image capturing unit on the optical axis based on the first coordinate values and second coordinate values serving as position information of the image capturing unit; an attitude control unit controlling an attitude of the image capturing unit based on the calculated direction of the optical axis; and an imaging magnification setting unit setting an imaging magnification of the target in the image capturing unit based on the calculated distance, wherein the image of the target is captured while changing the imaging magnification and the attitude.

An image capturing apparatus includes: a coordinate value acquisition unit acquiring first coordinate values serving as position information of a moving target; an image capturing unit capturing an image of the target; a direction and distance calculation unit calculating a direction of an optical axis that connects the target and the image capturing unit and a distance between the target and the image capturing unit on the optical axis based on the first coordinate values and second coordinate values serving as position information of the image capturing unit; an attitude control unit controlling an attitude of the image capturing unit based on the calculated direction of the optical axis; and an imaging magnification setting unit setting an imaging magnification of the target in the image capturing unit based on the calculated distance, wherein the image of the target is captured while changing the imaging magnification and the attitude.

A calibration method for an industrial robot includes receiving a first model of the industrial robot, the first model is synchronized with an attitude state of the industrial robot located at a specific position in an actual environment; receiving an environment model around the industrial robot, the environment model including a second model of the industrial robot; obtaining registration information of the second model, at least by selecting at least three corresponding non-collinear point pairs in the first model and the second model to perform registration; and based on the registration information, calibrating a coordinate system of the environment model to a base coordinate system of the industrial robot.

A calibration method for an industrial robot includes receiving a first model of the industrial robot, the first model is synchronized with an attitude state of the industrial robot located at a specific position in an actual environment; receiving an environment model around the industrial robot, the environment model including a second model of the industrial robot; obtaining registration information of the second model, at least by selecting at least three corresponding non-collinear point pairs in the first model and the second model to perform registration; and based on the registration information, calibrating a coordinate system of the environment model to a base coordinate system of the industrial robot.