MOBILE MEASUREMENT DEVICES, INSTRUMENTS AND METHODS
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A data capture method including:
- a) mounting a rangefinder module to a portable device, the rangefinder module including a laser rangefinder emitting and detecting a rangefinder beam and the portable device including a camera and a display, such that, in a mounted state, the laser rangefinder and camera are in fixed relation to each other;
b) determining a direction of the laser rangefinder by;
i. capturing one or more alignment images using the camera;
ii. determining from the image or images a position of the rangefinder beam in the image or images; and
iii. determining from the position a laser rangefinder direction relative to the camera; and
c) capturing data by;
i. displaying an image from the camera on the display with a marker, the marker and the determined laser rangefinder direction being aligned such that the apparatus is arranged to be pointed by a user towards a target by aligning the marker with the target; and
ii. capturing substantially simultaneously an image including the target using the camera and a range to the target using the laser rangefinder.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A portable instrument or apparatus includes a portable device and a rangefinder module. The rangefinder module can be attached to the portable device, which may be any suitable smartphone, tablet or other consumer electronics device having a camera. By suitable alignment of the rangefinder and camera, the device is capable of capturing accurate data over significant ranges, including for example an image of a target together with position information concerning the target.
35 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A data capture method including:
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a) mounting a rangefinder module to a portable device, the rangefinder module including a laser rangefinder emitting and detecting a rangefinder beam and the portable device including a camera and a display, such that, in a mounted state, the laser rangefinder and camera are in fixed relation to each other; b) determining a direction of the laser rangefinder by; i. capturing one or more alignment images using the camera; ii. determining from the image or images a position of the rangefinder beam in the image or images; and iii. determining from the position a laser rangefinder direction relative to the camera; and c) capturing data by; i. displaying an image from the camera on the display with a marker, the marker and the determined laser rangefinder direction being aligned such that the apparatus is arranged to be pointed by a user towards a target by aligning the marker with the target; and ii. capturing substantially simultaneously an image including the target using the camera and a range to the target using the laser rangefinder. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. In a measurement apparatus including:
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i. a portable device including; a. a camera; b. a display; c. a processor; and d. memory; and ii. a rangefinder module including; a. a laser rangefinder emitting a rangefinder beam; and iii. a mounting arrangement for mounting the rangefinder module to the portable device such that, in a mounted state, the laser rangefinder and camera are in fixed relation to each other; the apparatus being configured to implement a wired or wireless communications link between the portable device and the rangefinder module; a method including; i. determining a direction of the laser rangefinder by; i. capturing one or more alignment images using the camera; ii. determining from the image or images a position of the rangefinder beam in the image or images; and iii. determining from the position a laser rangefinder direction relative to the camera; and ii. capturing data by; i. displaying an image from the camera on the display with a marker, the marker and the determined laser rangefinder direction being aligned such that the apparatus is arranged to be pointed by a user towards a target by aligning the marker with the target; and ii. capturing substantially simultaneously an image including the target using the camera and a range to the target using the laser rangefinder.
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20. A computer readable medium having encoded thereon computer readable instructions that when executed on a portable device including a processor, a camera and a display, with an attached laser rangefinder module, are arranged to:
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i) cause, in response to detection of an alignment capture instruction; a) capture of one or more alignment images using the camera; b) the processor to determine from the image or images a position of the rangefinder beam in the image or images; and c) the processor to determine from the position a laser rangefinder direction relative to the camera; and ii) cause a marker and the determined laser rangefinder direction to be aligned such that the apparatus is arranged to be pointed by a user towards a target by aligning the marker with the target; and iii) cause, in response to a data capture instruction; a) substantially simultaneous capture of an image including the target using the camera and a range to the target using the laser rangefinder. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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21. A method of aligning a camera and one or more orientation sensors in a portable apparatus, including:
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a) capturing a first set of orientation parameters with the portable apparatus in a first position and a first orientation while aiming the portable apparatus at a second position; b) capturing a second set of orientation parameters with the portable apparatus in the first position and a second orientation while aiming the portable apparatus at the second position; c) capturing a third set of orientation parameters with the portable apparatus in the second position and the first orientation while aiming the portable apparatus at the first position; d) capturing a fourth set of orientation parameters with the portable apparatus in the second position and the second orientation while aiming the portable apparatus at the first position; e) from the differences between the four sets of orientation parameters, determining one or more offsets for the one or more orientation sensors.
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24. A laser rangefinder module configured for attachment to a portable device including a camera having an optical axis, the module including:
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a laser rangefinder substantially aligned on a rangefinder axis; and one or more optical elements positioned to redirect light so as to substantially align the rangefinder axis and a camera optical axis when the laser range finder module is mounted on a portable device. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification