A Method and Apparatus for Cooperative Usage of Multiple Distance Meters
First Claim
1. A device for estimating a first angle (α
- ) between a reference line defined by first and second points and a first surface or a first object, the device comprising;
a first distance meter for measuring a first distance (d1) along a first line from the first point to the first surface or the first object;
a second distance meter for measuring a second distance (d2) along a second line from the second point to the first surface or the first object;
software and a processor for executing the software, the processor being coupled to receive representations of the first and second distances, respectively, from the first and second distance meters;
a display coupled to the processor for visually displaying data from the processor; and
a single enclosure housing the first and second distance meters, the processor, and the display,wherein the first and second lines are substantially parallel to one another, and the device is operative to calculate, by the processor, the estimated first angle (α
) based on the first distance (d1) and the second distance (d2), and to display the estimated first angle (α
) or a function thereof by the display.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for an angle meter cooperatively using two or more non-contact distance meters for measuring distances to a surface along substantially parallel lines. The measured distances are used for estimating or calculating the angle to the surface and the distance to the surface. The distance meters may use optical means, where a visible or non-visible light or laser beam is emitted and received, acoustical means, where an audible or ultrasound sound is emitted and received, or an electromagnetic scheme, where radar beam is transmitted and received. The distances may be estimated using a Time-of-Flight (TOF), homodyne or heterodyne phase detection schemes. The distance meters may share the same correlator, signal conditioning circuits, or the same sensor. Two or more angle meters may be used defining parallel or perpendicular measurement planes, for measuring angles between surfaces, and for estimating physical dimensions such as length, area or volume.
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Citations
51 Claims
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1. A device for estimating a first angle (α
- ) between a reference line defined by first and second points and a first surface or a first object, the device comprising;
a first distance meter for measuring a first distance (d1) along a first line from the first point to the first surface or the first object; a second distance meter for measuring a second distance (d2) along a second line from the second point to the first surface or the first object; software and a processor for executing the software, the processor being coupled to receive representations of the first and second distances, respectively, from the first and second distance meters; a display coupled to the processor for visually displaying data from the processor; and a single enclosure housing the first and second distance meters, the processor, and the display, wherein the first and second lines are substantially parallel to one another, and the device is operative to calculate, by the processor, the estimated first angle (α
) based on the first distance (d1) and the second distance (d2), and to display the estimated first angle (α
) or a function thereof by the display. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50)
- ) between a reference line defined by first and second points and a first surface or a first object, the device comprising;
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51-662. -662. (canceled)
Specification