Laser frame tracer

Abstract

A laser frame tracer ( 12 ) including a laser measuring unit ( 20 ) with a laser ( 36 ) and one or more cameras ( 38, 40 ) for optically measuring dimensions of eyeglass frames ( 10 ). A frame carrier ( 22 ) is provided for moving the eyeglass frames ( 10 ) through a laser line emitted by the laser ( 36 ). The frame carrier ( 22 ) includes a linear carriage ( 44 ) and a rotary carriage ( 88 ). Movement of the linear carriage ( 44 ) and the rotary carriage ( 88 ) are controlled by an on-board computer ( 116 ) which collects image data from the one or more cameras ( 38, 40 ). Image data is processed to determine a 3 D model from which selected dimensions for the eyeglass frames ( 10 ) may be measured. The dimensions may be stored in a cloud database for access by others in cutting lenses to fit the eyeglass frames ( 10 ).

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A laser frame tracer, comprising:
 a laser measuring unit including a laser and a camera, the laser selectively emitting laser light and the camera recording images of the laser light reflected from an eyeglass frame passed through the laser light;   a linear carriage comprising:
 a moveable platform; and 
 a linear drive motor coupled to the platform, to move the platform with respect to the laser measuring unit; 
   a rotary carriage mounted to the platform, the rotary carriage including a carrier pivotally mounted to the platform and a rotary motor connected to the carrier, the rotary carriage rotating the carrier to one or more selected angular positions with respect to the laser measuring unit;   a clamp shaped to removably secure the eyeglass frame to the carrier; and   a data processing unit storing the recorded images from the camera.   
     
     
         2 . The laser frame tracer according to  claim 1 , wherein;
 the linear drive motor has a drive shaft; and   the linear carriage further comprises:
 two carriage brackets between which is disposed the moveable platform; 
 two rods and a lead screw which extend in parallel between the two carriage brackets; 
 a drive nut fixedly secured to the platform, and rotatably receiving the lead screw; and 
 a motor coupling securing the drive shaft of the linear drive motor to the lead screw. 
   
     
     
         3 . The laser frame tracer according to  claim 2 , wherein the rotary carriage further comprises:
 a first bracket and a second bracket mounted to the platform;   a motor bracket secured to the first bracket and to which the rotary motor is secured; and   the first and second brackets are spaced apart and pivotally secure the carrier therebetween.   
     
     
         4 . The laser frame tracer according to  claim 3 , wherein the data processing unit constructs a 3D model from the recorded images and determines selected measurements representing dimensions for the eyeglass frame based on the 3D model. 
     
     
         5 . The laser frame tracer according to  claim 4 , further comprising an enclosure housing the laser measuring unit, the linear carriage, and the rotary carriage, the laser measuring unit further comprising a mounting frame mounted in a fixed position relative to the enclosure housing, the mounting frame including a laser mounting bracket shaped to secure the laser and a camera mounting bracket shaped to secure the camera. 
     
     
         6 . The laser frame tracer according to  claim 5 , wherein the linear drive motor is a stepper motor and the rotary motor is a servo motor. 
     
     
         7 . A laser frame tracer, comprising:
 a laser measuring unit including a laser and a camera, the laser selectively emitting laser light and the camera recording images of the laser light reflected from an eyeglass frame passed through the laser light;   a linear carriage including;
 a platform, wherein the platform is movable laterally; and 
 a linear drive motor coupled to the platform, to move the platform with respect to the laser measuring unit; 
   a rotary carriage mounted to the platform, the rotary carriage including a carrier pivotally mounted to the platform and a rotary motor connected to the carrier, the rotary carriage rotating the carrier to one or more selected angular positions with respect to the laser measuring unit;   a clamp shaped to removably secure the eyeglass frame to the carrier;   a data processing unit storing the recorded images from the camera and controlling the movement of the linear and rotary carriages; and   a data link electrically connecting the at least one camera and the data processing unit and communicating the images recorded by the at least one camera to the data processing unit, the data processing unit storing the recorded images communicated from the at least one camera.   
     
     
         8 . The laser frame tracer according to  claim 7 , wherein:
 the rotary carriage further comprises:
 a first bracket and a second bracket mounted to the platform; 
 a motor bracket secured to the first bracket and to which the rotary motor is secured; 
 the first and second brackets are spaced apart and pivotally secure the carrier therebetween. 
   
     
     
         9 . The laser frame tracer according to  claim 8 , wherein the data processing unit constructs a 3D model from the recorded images and determines selected measurements representing dimensions for the eyeglass frame based on the 3D model. 
     
     
         10 . The laser frame tracer according to  claim 9 , wherein the data processing unit emits control signals which control operation of the linear and rotary carriages. 
     
     
         11 . The laser frame tracer according to  claim 10 , further comprising an enclosure housing the laser measuring unit, the linear carriage, and the rotary carriage, the laser measuring unit further comprising a mounting frame mounted in a fixed position relative to the enclosure housing, the mounting frame including a laser mounting bracket shaped to secure the laser and a camera mounting bracket shaped to secure the camera. 
     
     
         12 . The laser frame tracer according to  claim 11 , wherein the linear drive motor is a stepper motor and the rotary motor is a servo motor. 
     
     
         13 . A laser frame tracer, comprising:
 a data processing unit providing control signals and rotary control signals;   a laser measuring unit including a laser selectively emitting a laser line and at least one camera, the at least one camera recording images of the laser line reflected from an eyeglass frame passed through the laser line;   a linear carriage including:
 a platform; 
 two carriage brackets; 
 two rods and a lead screw which extend in parallel between the two carriage brackets; 
 a drive nut fixedly secured to the platform, the drive nut shaped to rotatably receive the lead screw, the platform further including bearings slidably receiving respective ones of the two rods; 
 a motor mount; 
 a linear drive motor having a drive shaft; and 
 a motor coupling shaped to secure the drive shaft of the linear drive motor to the lead screw, wherein the control signals from the data processing system apply power signals to operate the linear drive motor and turn the lead screw; 
   a rotary carriage, the rotary carriage rotating the carrier to one or more selected angular positions with respect to the laser measuring unit;   a clamp mounted to the carrier and shaped to removably secure the eyeglass frame to the carrier for moving therewith through the laser line; and   a data link electrically connecting the at least one camera and the data processing unit.   
     
     
         14 . The laser frame tracer according to  claim 13 , wherein the rotary carriage comprises:
 a carrier pivotally mounted to the platform;   a rotary motor connected to the carrier; and   the rotary control signals applying power signals to operate the rotary motor and rotate the carrier to one or more selected angular positions with respect to the laser measuring unit.   
     
     
         15 . The laser frame tracer according to  claim 14 , wherein the rotary carriage further comprises:
 first and second brackets mounted to the platform spaced apart and adapted to pivotally securing the rotary carrier there-between; and   a motor bracket secured to the first bracket and to which the rotary motor is secured.   
     
     
         16 . The laser frame tracer according to  claim 14 , wherein the linear drive motor is a stepper motor and the rotary motor is a servo motor. 
     
     
         17 . The laser frame tracer according to  claim 13 , wherein the data link communicates the images recorded by the at least one camera to the data processing unit, the data processing unit storing the recorded images communicated from the at least one camera. 
     
     
         18 . The laser frame tracer according to  claim 17 , wherein the data processing unit constructs a 3D model from the stored images and determines selected measurements representing dimensions for the eyeglass frame based on the 3D model. 
     
     
         19 . The laser frame tracer according to  claim 13  further comprising:
 an enclosure housing the laser measuring unit, the linear carriage, and the rotary carriage. 
 
     
     
         20 . The laser frame tracer according to  claim 19 , wherein the laser measuring unit further comprising a mounting frame mounted in a fixed position relative to the enclosure housing, the mounting frame including a laser mounting bracket shaped to secure the laser and at least one camera mounting bracket shaped to secure the at least one camera in spaced apart relation to focus the laser and the at least one camera on a selected lineal location.