Integrated laser mapping tablet and method of use

• US 20050038627A1
• Filed: 08/14/2003
• Published: 02/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rubicon Digital Mapping Associates
• Original Assignee: Rubicon Digital Mapping Associates
• Inventors: Rivers, Mark, Brimhall, George
• Granted Patent: US 6,895,356 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/150
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 15/002 Active optical surveying means optical plumbing G01C15/105
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/36 with phase comparison between the received signal and the contemporaneously transmitted signal
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/89 for mapping or imaging

Abstract

An integrated digital mapping device contains a personal pen tablet computer (PC), GPS receiver, tilt meter (liquid filled or accelerometer-based), compass and laser range finder integrated into a single housing. The laser range finder is combined with a visible laser to provide convenient aiming. The device also includes a trigger to initiate a measurement cycle. In response to activation of a measurement cycle, the GPS receiver determines the precise location of the measurement device while the other components provide a measurement of tilt angle (up or down inclination pitch), azimuth, and distance an object or area of interest. The roll (left or right sideways tilt) of the tilt meter also provides information when the tablet is aligned with planar objects. The data from a measurement cycle is converted into a predetermined data format for use with the conventional digital mapping software application program operating within the PC.

Claims

1. An integrated digital mapping system comprising:

a housing sized to be held in the hands of an individual;

a portable computer contained within the housing and having a display visible from outside the housing;

a tilt meter positioned within the housing and operably coupled to the computer, the tilt meter providing tilt data indicative of an angular tilt orientation of the housing,

a compass positioned within the housing and operably coupled to the computer, the compass providing compass data indicative of a compass orientation of the housing when selectively activated;

a laser positioned within the housing and operably coupled to the computer, the laser providing range data indicative of a range from the housing to a target when selectively activated;

an aiming member coupled to the housing to permit aiming of the integrated system at the target; and

a trigger coupled to the housing to initiate a measurement when activated, the trigger selectively activating the laser to provide range data to the computer and causing the tilt meter and compass to provide tilt data and compass data to the computer.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a global positioning system (GPS) receiver positioned within the housing and operably coupled to the computer, the GPS receiver configured to provide position information indicative of the position of the integrated system when selectively activated;

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the laser is a phase difference laser.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the laser is a pulsed laser.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the aiming member comprises a sight mounted on an external portion of the housing to permit aiming of the system at the target.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the aiming member comprises an aiming laser contained within the housing and configured to generate a visible light when selectively activated in response to activation of the trigger to permit aiming of the system at the target.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the tilt meter and the compass are integrated into a single unit, the integrated unit providing the tilt data and the compass data to the computer when selectively activated.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the tilt meter provides a measure of the pitch and the roll of the housing.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a data conversion processor to convert the data received into a predetermined format.

10. The system of claim 8 wherein the predetermined format is ASCII string data.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the trigger is configured for manual activation by a user.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein the trigger is automatically activated.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the trigger is automatically activated at a predetermined rate.

14. A digital mapping method comprising:

aiming a housing, containing measurement instruments, at a selected target;

activating a trigger coupled to the housing to initiate a measurement;

in response to the activation, measuring an angular tilt orientation of the housing using a tilt meter positioned within the housing;

in response to the activation, measuring a compass orientation of the housing using a compass positioned within the housing;

in response to the activation, measuring a range from the housing to the target using a laser positioned within the housing; and

providing range data related to the range, tilt data related to the tilt and compass data related to the compass orientation to a portable computer contained within the housing and having a display visible from outside the housing.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising providing the range data, tilt data and compass data are to a mapping application program in the portable computer.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising determining the position of the housing in response to the activation using a global positioning system (GPS) receiver positioned within the housing.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising position data related to the determined position to a mapping application program in the portable computer.

18. The method of claim 14 wherein the aiming the housing comprises aiming a visible light at the selected target in response to the activation.

19. The method of claim 14 wherein the angular tilt orientation comprises the pitch and the roll of the housing.

20. The method of claim 14, further comprising converting the data received into a predetermined format for use with a mapping application program.

21. The method of claim 14 wherein activating the trigger comprises sensing manual activation by a user.

22. The method of claim 14 wherein activating the trigger comprises automatically activating the trigger.