Low cost laser range finder system architecture
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A laser range finder apparatus comprising:
- receiver means including a detector and means for providing a plurality of output signals indicative of the state of said receiver means, said receiver means being responsive to at least one calibration signal to adjust the performance thereof; and
means for generating a laser pulse, for receiving a return pulse and supplying at least a portion of the return pulse to said detector;
power supply means for selectively supplying power to said means for generating said laser pulse, to said receiver means, and to said detector in response to a plurality of power control signals; and
programmed controller means responsive to said output signals for calibrating said receiver means by supplying said at least one calibration signal to said receiver means and for selectively supplying said power control signals to said power supply means.
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Abstract
A laser range finder including a receiver for detecting a return pulse and providing an output signal indicative thereof, a single integrated circuit digital range counter chip connected to receive the output signal from the receiver, a power supply unit for powering the receiver and range counter chip, and a single-chip microcontroller for selectively sequencing application of power to the receiver and to the range counter chip, for controlling laser firing, and for automatically recalibrating the receiver.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A laser range finder apparatus comprising:
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receiver means including a detector and means for providing a plurality of output signals indicative of the state of said receiver means, said receiver means being responsive to at least one calibration signal to adjust the performance thereof; and means for generating a laser pulse, for receiving a return pulse and supplying at least a portion of the return pulse to said detector; power supply means for selectively supplying power to said means for generating said laser pulse, to said receiver means, and to said detector in response to a plurality of power control signals; and programmed controller means responsive to said output signals for calibrating said receiver means by supplying said at least one calibration signal to said receiver means and for selectively supplying said power control signals to said power supply means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. In a laser range finder apparatus comprising means for generating and outputting a laser pulse, a receiver means for receiving and detecting an optical return pulse and providing a signal indicative of the detection of a said return pulse, a range counter means for counting the interval between an output laser pulse and a return pulse, and power supply means for powering said generating means, receiver means, and range counter means, the improvement comprising:
means for sequencing the application of power to said receiver means and range counter means and for recalibrating said receiver means during a plurality of selected time intervals. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of controlling laser range finder apparatus including a receiver comprising the steps of:
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monitoring the state of said receiver under control of a stored program; periodically recalibrating said receiver under control of said stored program; and sequencing the application of power to said receiver and range counter under control of said stored program. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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22. A laser range finder apparatus comprising:
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receiver means for detecting a return pulse and providing an output signal indicative thereof; a single integrated circuit chip connected to receive said signal from said receiver means and having a digital range counter and digital return storage circuitry fabricated therein; a power supply means for powering said receiver means and integrated circuit chip; and a single-chip programmed processor means for sequencing power to said receiver means and integrated circuit chip, for controlling laser firing, and for recalibrating said receiver means. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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Specification