Laser remote command system and targets therefor

• US 6,085,155 A
• Filed: 03/18/1997
• Issued: 07/04/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Topcon
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Topcon
• Inventors: Ohtomo, Fumio, Hayase, Shinichi
• Primary Examiner(s): Swann, Tod R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Smithers, Matthew
• Application Number:
  US08/819,254
• Time in Patent Office: 1,204 Days
• Field of Search: 702/40, 356/399, 356/400, 356/139.1, 356/139.03, 356/141.1, 356/141.2, 342/5, 342/6
• US Class Current: 702/40
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 15/004 Reference lines, planes or sectors

Abstract

The present invention relates to a laser irradiating device and a target device, and particularly to a laser irradiating device capable of performing remote control without using a radio remote controller. A plurality of reflective pattern members are prepared wherein combination reflective members respectively composed of reflective portions A for storing the direction of polarization and reflecting it, and polarizing-direction conversion reflective portions C for converting the direction of polarization and reflecting it are arranged. The combination reflective members of the individual reflective pattern members are respectively made different in arrangement from one another. Further, the reflective pattern member corresponding to a command to be transferred to the laser irradiating device reflects identification reflected light corresponding to the command onto the laser irradiating device, whereby the laser irradiating device can be remote-controlled.

Claims

1. A target device for a laser remote command system, for reflecting a laser beam produced from a laser irradiating device, comprising:

a reflective pattern formed from at least four reflective pattern members including reflective portions A and irreflective portions B,

said reflective portions A of said each reflective pattern member being different in arrangement from said irreflective portions B thereof,

said reflective pattern corresponding to one of a plurality of commands to be transferred to said laser irradiating device.

4. A target device as claimed in claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein said plurality of reflective pattern members are arranged in a unique arrangement for each of said plurality of commands.

2. A target device for a laser remote command system for reflecting a laser beam produced from a laser irradiating device, comprising:

a plurality of reflective patterns formed from a plurality of pattern members including reflective portions A for maintaining the direction of polarization and reflecting it, irreflective portions B and polarizing-direction conversion reflective portions C for converting the direction of polarization and reflecting it,

said reflective portions A of said reflective pattern being different in arrangement from said irreflective portions B thereof,

said reflective pattern corresponding to one of a plurality of commands to be transferred to said laser irradiating device and reflecting identification reflected light corresponding to the command onto said laser irradiating device.

3. A target device for a laser remote command system, for reflecting a laser beam produced from a laser irradiating device, comprising:

a plurality of reflective pattern members including combination reflective members respectively composed of reflective portions A for maintaining the direction of polarization and reflecting it, and polarizing-direction conversion reflective portions C for converting the direction of polarization and reflecting it are arranged,

said combination reflective members of said individual reflective pattern members being respectively different in arrangement from one another,

each of said reflective pattern members corresponding to one of a plurality of commands to be transferred to said laser irradiating device.

5. A laser remote command system comprising:

a laser body, the laser body including a laser irradiating source, a laser receiver, and a controller operatively coupled to said laser receiver;

a plurality of target devices, said target devices having one of a plurality of patterns corresponding to one of a plurality of commands, one of said commands being transferred to said controller when a signal from said laser irradiating source is incident on a selected one of said plurality of targets and at least a portion of the signal is reflected to said laser receiver in accordance with said pattern.

6. The laser remote command system of claim 5, wherein said patterns include a plurality of reflective portions and a plurality of non-reflective portions arranged to correspond to one of said plurality of commands.

7. The laser remote command system of claim 5, wherein said patterns include a plurality of reflective portions, a plurality irreflective portions and at least one polarization-direction conversion portion arranged to correspond to one of said plurality of commands.

8. The laser remote command system of claims 6 or 7, wherein a number of reflective portions correspond to one of said plurality of commands.

9. The laser remote command system of claims 6 or 7, wherein a spacing of said plurality of reflective portions correspond to one of said plurality of commands.

10. The laser remote command system of claims 6 or 7, wherein a width of said plurality of reflective portions correspond to one of said plurality of commands.

11. The laser remote command system of claims 6 or 7, wherein said target device includes at least one window portion, and within said at least one window portion at least one of said patterns is presented.