SMART CUBE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention is related to a smart cube that is a rapid and precision laser calibration device. PRIOR ART

In present systems, laser sources can have different structures. For example point, line, or cross laser structures (formed of two, line lasers being positioned vertically to each other). In the prior art systems that include a single photodiode for each surface is used. However, it is not possible to determine the laser as linear using a single photodiode.

It is possible to control if the laser exactly centers with the photodiode by using a single photodiode, however, it is not possible to obtain information regarding the absolute position of the laser. Another condition that is experienced in present systems is that laser systems that move can only be determined or laser determination is carried out by means of the robotic arm, depending on the movement of the robotic arm. However, it cannot be determined for sure if the deviation determined during laser determination depending on the movement of the robotic arm, arises from the position of the cube or the robotic arm.

Phantoms that have alignment lines thereon are used for laser control and calibration. The determination of the centering of the laser that is projected on the lines that are available on the present phantoms is made by visual observation. However, when performing calibration of the laser source that is at a remote distance, it is difficult to determine the centering on this phantom. Therefore, after each adjustment, the centering must be controlled by coming close to the phantom and as a result the calibration time increases, and the precision of calibration decreases.

On the other hand, it is difficult to use large-sized laser calibration devices in routine applications. The laser calibration devices that are used during the installation of laser systems are not suitable for the routine usage of laser systems that experience shifting of position in time. In present systems, in order to center the lasers, a plastic cube and lines that have been drawn on said cube in order to determine the position of the laser have been provided. However, the measurements carried out by means of this system are tests that can be carried out as visual observation by the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to a smart cube that is a rapid and precise laser calibration device that has been developed to eliminate the disadvantages mentioned above and to provide new advantages to the related technical field.

The usage of the photodiode arrays in the invention when performing laser determination and calibration enables to determine both the position and the angle of the laser with high resolution, without having to move them, by placing them using a special geometry. It is not possible to obtain information regarding the absolute position of the laser by using a single photodiode. As a result, instead of using a single photodiode in the Smart Cube System, an array of photodiodes that are placed side by side have been used. Due to their structures, the positions of laser systems may shift in time, and they need to be checked routinely and if necessary they need to be calibrated. The most important novelty provided by the Smart Cube System is that the laser can be determined digitally from several points by means of the photodiode arrays (the general name given for the photodiodes that have been positioned side by side) and thereby the precise calibration and control can be carried out at a very short period of time. Therefore it is possible to be used with ease in routine controls and the calibration of laser systems. As a result, as a reference, the Smart Cube System can be used in all of the systems that utilize lasers and it can be used in all fields that perform measurements, treatment, diagnosis, etc by using the laser system as reference.

All kinds of laser sources (red, blue, green, etc.) can be determined by the Smart Cube System. Moreover, both mobile and fixed laser sources such as those mounted on a wall, table, etc., can be determined.

A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises at least a lamp that is located on each of the photodiode arrays (4) which enables to determine if the laser is positioned on the exact correct position on the photodiode array (4) and determines instantaneously the exact location of the laser in order to show the position of the laser to the user. Other preferred embodiments of the invention are as follows,

Said digital screen is an information and control touch screen,

Said globe is made of tungsten, alloy or metal instead of steel,

Said cube comprises photodiode arrays on 4 different surfaces thereof,

Said communication system is an infrared or Bluetooth system,

At least one sphere is present right at the center of the 4 surfaces of said smart cube,

Said main electronic card which uses the data received from the two photodiode arrays that have been positioned on the same line in order to determine the angular position of the laser,

Positioning of said photodiode arrays as a cross in order to reach higher resolution,

Positioning at least 2 photodiode arrays on each surface of said smart cube, Positioning of the photodiode arrays side by side on 4 different surfaces of said smart cube,

Said photodiode arrays are combined photodiodes that take measurements without leaving space between photodiodes.

Said photodiode arrays are positioned at a 45-degree angle according to the incidence angle of the laser,

Said inclinometer is two-axis inclinometer,

Said photodiode arrays are positioned side by side in order to take measurements without moving,

Said photodiode arrays have at least 3 lamps thereon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES In Figure 1 , the Smart Cube is shown from i. The left top view ii. Top view iii. Right top view iv. Left view v. Front view vi. Right view vii. Left bottom view viii. Bottom view ix. Right bottom view Figure 2 shows the perspective view of the Smart Cube.

Figure 3 shows the rear face perspective view of the Smart Cube. Figure 4 shows the rear surface view of the Smart Cube.

Figure 5 shows the top surface view of the Smart Cube. Figure 6, shows the side (right/left) view of the Smart Cube. Figure 7 shows the sectional view of the Smart Cube.

Figure 8 shows the cross-section view of the Smart Cube.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 Digital Screen

2 Lamp that shows that the laser or shadow is at the incorrect position

3 Lamp that shows that the laser or shadow is at the correct position

4 Photodiode Array

5 Height adjustable motorized feet

6 Inclinometer

7 Main electronic card

8 Globe

9 Sensor card DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The novelty of the invention has been described with examples that shall not limit the scope of the invention and which have been intended to only clarify the subject matter of the invention. The present invention is related to a smart cube which is a rapid and precise laser calibration device that can be used in all fields that can perform measurements, treatments, and diagnosis etc.

The Smart Cube System is formed of photodiode arrays (4) that include photodiodes that sense the laser on 4 different surfaces, and at least 1 inclinometer (6) and a digital screen (1) from which the entire system can be controlled. The photodiode arrays (4) that are placed on the smart cube, have been arranged as a cross in order to reach higher resolution, however, said photodiode arrays can be positioned at different angles. At least 2 photodiode arrays (4) have been used on each surface of said smart cube, the number of the photodiode arrays, their positions and the distances between them may vary according to the application to be carried out. By means of the photodiode arrays (4) located on the developed Smart Cube System, the laser is sensed digitally and its position is determined. By means of the photodiode arrays (4) that are located on 4 different surfaces of the smart cube, the centering of the line laser received from 4 different sources can be carried out rapidly, with precision. A steel (metal, tungsten, or alloy can be used) globe (8) is available right at the center of the 4 surfaces of the smart cube. The images of the 4 steel globes (8) obtained via X-ray is used when the cube is desired to be positioned to the reference point using an X-ray. After the smart cube is positioned according to the X-ray image of the globes (8), the lasers are automatically calibrated according to this position. The globe (8) can be made of steel or metal.

By means of the developed Smart Cube System, the position of the laser is digitally determined, and thereby rapid and precise calibration is enabled. The communication between the laser source and the photodiode arrays (4) is carried out by the laser itself. The smart cube comprises a main electronic card (7) that controls all sensors and a sensor card (9) that enables to receive and read data, on which the photodiode arrays (4) are attached. By means of the main electronic card (7) that includes this sensor card (9) and the communication system, the data received from the laser source is determined digitally. The exact position of the laser on the photodiode arrays (4) is determined by the algorithm available in the main electronic card (7). The position of the laser can be determined digitally by means of said algorithm without moving the photodiode arrays (4), the smart cube, or the laser source. By this means the exact position of the laser projected on each photodiode array (4) can be determined. The data received from the two photodiode arrays (4) that have been positioned on the same line is used in order to determine the angular position of the laser. The angular position of the line laser is determined by using the equation of the line whose two points are known. By this means both the position and the angle of the line laser can be determined. The obtained digital data is transferred by remote communication (infrared, Bluetooth, etc) to the moveable laser source, thereby enabling the laser source to be brought to the correct position. The Smart Cube needs to be placed on the reference point in order to determine the source of the actual deviation. The positioning of the smart cube on the reference point may vary according to the system on which the lasers are used. For example in Medical LINAC devices, the lasers are centered on a central point called the concentric point. In order to adjust this central point in the Medical LINAC device, a shadow called a crosshair shaped like a plus is used. By means of the photodiode arrays (4) located on the developed Smart Cube, the crosshair can also be determined digitally. The Smart Cube is positioned at the center of the device according to the crosshair. The difference of the laser position to the crosshair gives the deviation amount according to the photodiode arrays (4) whose geometric positions on the smart cube have been ascertained.

After the Smart Cube System is positioned at the desired point where the laser is desired to be centered, angular correction is performed automatically by means of the height-adjustable motorized feet (5) that move up and down During angular correction, the data received from the two- axes inclinometer (6) located on the Smart Cube, shown in Figure 7 is used. The data received from the inclinometer (6) is used by the main electronic card (7) and a command is transmitted to the motorized feet (5) that can move up and down. The main electronic card (7) moves the motorized feet (5) in order to ensure that the angle of the cube at the two axes is 0 degrees.

It is ensured that the calibration and test results are independent of the user, not only because 2 axes inclinometer (6) are used to position the Smart Cube System in the angular correct position, but also the laser measurement is carried out digitally.

The automatic calibration of the laser source can be carried out by means of the remote communication system (infrared, Bluetooth, etc) that is integrated to the main electronic card (7) which is located within the Smart Cube System. As it can be seen in Figure 5, at least 3 lamps are provided on each of the photodiode arrays (4) which enable to determine if the laser is positioned on the exact correct position on the photodiode array (4) and which determines instantaneously the exact location of the laser. The lamp includes the lamp (3) that shows that the laser or shadow is at the correct position and the lamp (2) that shows that the laser or shadow is at the incorrect position. 3 lamps have been positioned on each photodiode array (4) in order to show the user the position of the laser whose position has been sensed by the photodiode arrays (4) and determined by the Main electronic card (7) and the sensor card (9). The lamp (3) that is shown in Figure 5 is the at least one lamp (3) that shows that the laser or the shadow is in the correct position and shows that the laser passes through the exact center of the photodiode arrays (4) in order to show the user the position of the laser whose position has been sensed by the photodiode arrays (4) and determined by the Main electronic card (7) and the sensor card (9). The lamp numbered (2) is the at least one lamp (2) that shows that the laser or the shadow is in the incorrect position and shows that the position of the laser on each photodiode array (4) and the direction of deflection of the laser instantaneously in order to show the user the position of the laser whose position has been sensed by the photodiode arrays (4) and determined by the Main electronic card (7) and the sensor card (9). For example, if the lamp on the right side of the lamps located on the photodiode array (4) is lit up, the laser shifts towards the right. Photodiode arrays (4) (the photodiode arrays have been positioned side by side and by this means photodiodes are combined photodiodes that can take measurements without having space between them) have been used in 4 different surfaces in the Smart Cube System. A photodiode array (4) is positioned on the +X, -X, +Y and -Y axes (in each photodiode array (4) any desired number of photodiodes and arrays having different distances between them can be available ) thereby the position or angle of the point, line or cross laser passing over these axes are able to be determined. The photodiode arrays that are positioned according to the +X, -X, +Y, and -Y axes can be positioned on different places on the cube surface, and different combinations can be provided.

By means of the photodiode arrays (4) used in the Smart Cube System the line or cross laser projected thereon can be determined at any axis. As a result, it is possible to correct the position and sense the laser without moving the Smart Cube System or the reference laser source.

The smart cube is able to determine the source of the actual deviation by staying fixed during all measurements. In the case that the number of laser sources that need to be centered increases, a system can be developed where photodiode arrays can be applied on pentagon, hexagon, and octagon-shaped surfaces instead of cube surfaces such as the surfaces of the Smart Cube. Photodiode arrays don’t have to be present on each surface. Although it may differ according to the application, photodiode arrays are provided on 4 surfaces of the smart cube. The photodiode arrays (4) are positioned at a 45-degree angle according to the incidence angle of the laser, thereby the distance between the centers of the photodiodes is reduced and higher resolution is obtained. A 45-degree angle according to the incidence angle of the laser is not an obligation, therefore they can be positioned in a cross and can be positioned at different angles. The digital angular corrections at the area where the cube is positioned can be carried out by means of the 2 axes inclinometer (6) that is placed inside the smart cube. By this means it is ensured that the calibration and test results are independent of the user as the Smart Cube System is in the angular correct position and as the laser measurement is carried out digitally. Our invention can be used in any field where the laser system is used. The centering of laser sources received from 4 different axes is provided by means of the Smart Cube. If laser calibration is to be carried out on a single surface, it can be done so with the smart cube and the surface where the laser that is to be calibrated only can be used without using the other surfaces. It is possible to align 1 laser received from the source by means of the Smart Cube.

A Smart Cube System for laser calibration according to the information provided above is characterized by comprising;

A digital screen (1) from which the entire system is controlled,

At least an array of photodiodes (4) that are formed from at least a photodiode on the surface, that can be placed at different angles on any area of the surface according to the incidence angle of the laser, at least a photodiode received from the source and at least a photodiode that senses the laser that enables the laser to be centered and that also digitally determines the cross-hair,

Height adjustable motorized feet (5) that move up and down in order to automatically perform angle correction after the Smart Cube System is positioned at the desired point where the laser is desired to be centered,

At least an inclinometer (6) that is placed inside the Smart Cube which enables to perform digital angular corrections at the area where the cube is positioned,

A main electronic card (7) that controls all sensors, that can move up and down using the data received from the inclinometer (6), and that can send commands to the motorized feet (5), that ensures that the angle of the cube on the two axes are 0 by moving the motorized feet (5), that digitally determines the data received from the laser source, and ensures to determine the absolute position of the laser incidence on each photodiode array (4),

At least a steel globe (8) that is positioned right at the center of the at least one surface of the Smart Cube, that uses the images obtained via the X-ray if the cube is desired to be positioned to the reference point using an X-ray,

A sensor card (9) that enables to receive and read data, where said card is disposed in the main card (7) within the Smart Cube, on which the photodiode arrays (4) are attached,

A communication system that can be integrated onto the main card (7) within the Smart Cube System, that enables communication with the laser source in order to perform automatic calibration.