Laser operation for survey instruments
First Claim
1. A method of automatically selecting operating parameters for a surveying instrument, comprising the steps of:
- measuring a current environmental value for at least one environmental parameter outside the surveying instrument;
selecting a range of test values for at least one operating parameter using the current environmental value;
firing series of test pulses using test values selected from the range of test values;
measuring an average delay for each series of test pulses; and
using the average delay to select optimal test values and setting those optimal test values as the operating parameters for the surveying instrument.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The performance of a laser scanner is optimized in the field by automatically determining appropriate laser parameters for the scan location. A laser control system uses information such as the environmental temperature to select an appropriate range of start points for various laser parameters, such as pump temperature and laser currents. Test pulses over that range can be used to determine optimal operating parameters. In order to also meet safety regulations, the laser control system can use information such as range and pulse timing information to fire regularly spaced pulses that do not exceed acceptable exposure limits. Alternatively, the laser can be operated at a regular speed of about 24 Hz, or can be operated in burst mode where a burst of pulses creates what appears to be a brighter scan spot, but the time delay between bursts allows time for a blink reflex.
29 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method of automatically selecting operating parameters for a surveying instrument, comprising the steps of:
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measuring a current environmental value for at least one environmental parameter outside the surveying instrument;
selecting a range of test values for at least one operating parameter using the current environmental value;
firing series of test pulses using test values selected from the range of test values;
measuring an average delay for each series of test pulses; and
using the average delay to select optimal test values and setting those optimal test values as the operating parameters for the surveying instrument. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method of automatically selecting operating parameters for a surveying instrument, comprising the steps of:
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positioning the surveying instrument near an object to be scanned;
firing at least one test pulse in order to determine a current operating value for at least one first operating parameter of the laser scanner;
measuring a current environmental value for at least one environmental parameter; and
using the current operating value and the current environmental value to automatically determine an optimal value for at least one second operating parameter. - View Dependent Claims (6)
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7. A system for automatically selecting operating parameters for a laser scanner, comprising:
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an optical transceiver including a laser for emitting a scan pulse and a detector for receiving a reflected portion of the scan pulse;
a laser temperature detection device positioned relative to the laser to determine a current operating temperature of the laser;
a laser temperature regulation device positioned relative to the laser to adjust the current operating temperature of the laser;
an external temperature sensor operable to determine an environmental temperature about the laser scanner; and
a laser control device in communication with the optical transceiver, laser temperature regulation device, laser temperature detection device, and external temperature sensor, the laser control device operable to use the environmental temperature and operating temperature to automatically select an optimal operating temperature for the laser. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A system for automatically selecting operating parameters for a laser scanner, comprising:
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an optical transceiver including a laser for emitting a scan pulse and a detector for receiving a reflected portion of the scan pulse;
a laser parameter measurement device operable to determine a current operating value for at least one first laser operating parameter;
an environmental parameter measurement device operable to determine an environmental value for at least one environmental parameter; and
a laser control device in communication with the optical transceiver, laser parameter measurement device, and environmental parameter measurement device, the laser control device operable to use the environmental value and current operating value to automatically select an optimal value for at least one second operating parameter.
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13. A system according to claim 13, wherein:
the at least one second operating parameter includes at least one of the at least one first operating parameters.
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14. A method of safely operating a laser scanner, comprising the steps of:
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determining range information for a first scan point;
determining an orientation of a beam steering portion of the laser scanner;
using the range information and orientation to predict a location of a subsequent scan point; and
waiting to fire the laser scanner for the next scan point until the separation between the first scan point and subsequent scan point reaches a minimum safety threshold. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of safely operating a laser scanner, comprising the steps of:
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determining a first position of a first scan point on an object being scanned;
estimating a second position for a second scan point on the object; and
delaying firing of the laser scanner for the second scan point until an estimated separation between the first scan point and subsequent scan point reaches a minimum safety threshold.
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19. A method of safely operating a laser scanner, comprising the steps of:
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firing a first burst of pulses toward an object to be scanned;
collecting range data for the first burst of pulses;
determining a safe time when a firing of a subsequent pulse will not exceed a safety threshold for the laser scanner; and
firing a second burst of pulses toward the scan point after reaching the safe time. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification