Laser receiver using a smart device

• US 9,146,106 B2
• Filed: 12/11/2013
• Issued: 09/29/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Spectra Precision Inc. (Trimble Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited (Trimble Inc.)
• Inventors: Bank, Michael David
• Primary Examiner(s): Bennett, G. Bradley
• Application Number:
  US14/103,545
• Publication Number:
  US 20150160009A1
• Time in Patent Office: 657 Days
• Field of Search: 332/90, 33293-296
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 15/002 Active optical surveying means optical plumbing G01C15/105
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 15/006 Detectors therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 15/06 Surveyors' staffs; Movable markers

Abstract

A smart device is disclosed which contains a digital camera with an active electronic viewscreen that displays the detected image, in which the camera can sense laser light beams. The smart device has the capability receiving and executing an application program that allows the camera to be used as a grade elevation detector, in which the camera can sense a laser light beam that effectively forms a plane of laser light which defines an “on-grade” elevation for a jobsite. The user can determine this on-grade elevation by running the APP and viewing the display screen to find the (rotating or static) laser beam. An automated APP system can capture the on-grade elevation using a sequence of images that include a grade rod measurement paired with laser beam intensity detection images.

Claims

1. A computer system used for determining an on-grade elevation on a jobsite, said system comprising:

(a) a smart device, having a processing circuit, a memory circuit, an input/output circuit, an electronic camera with a plurality of photosensors, an electronic viewfinder that is visible to a human user, at least one sensor for detecting physical movement of said smart device, and at least one of a display or an audio output device;

(b) a laser transmitter that emits at least one laser beam in at least one predetermined direction, and creates an effective plane of laser light at an elevation which is defined as being On-Grade;

(c) wherein;

while said human user attempts to place said smart device in a location so as to intercept said effective plane of laser light, said processing circuit is configured to display an image on said electronic viewfinder, based on electromagnetic radiation signals that impact said electronic camera, and said image is viewable by said human user to provide a coarse position for placing said smart device within said effective plane of laser light; and

(d) wherein;

said processing circuit is further configured to determine if said effective plane of laser light is impacting said electronic camera at a more fine position, and if so, based upon a first signal from said at least one sensor, to determine if said smart device is moving up, down, or is being held still, and if said smart device is physically held still at the On-Grade elevation, then to indicate that said smart device is On-Grade, using said at least one of a display or an audio output device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein:

(a) when said processing circuit is determining if said effective plane of laser light is impacting said electronic camera at a more fine position; and

(b) if so, based upon a first signal from said at least one sensor, to determine if said smart device is moving up, down, or is being held still, and;

(i) if moving up, to indicate that said smart device is Above Grade, using said at least one of a display or an audio output device;

or

(ii) if moving down, to indicate that said smart device is Below Grade, using said at least one of a display or an audio output device;

or

(iii) if being held still, to indicate that said smart device is On-Grade, using said at least one of a display or an audio output device.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one sensor for detecting physical movement of said smart device comprises an accelerometer.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one of a display or an audio output device comprises a touch screen display that shows a plurality of visible symbols to said human user, including at least three symbols:

(i) for Above Grade, (ii) for Below Grade, and (iii) for On-Grade.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one of a display or an audio output device comprises a speaker that emits a plurality of audio signals to said human user, including at least three distinct audio sounds:

(i) for Above Grade, (ii) for Below Grade, and (iii) for On-Grade.

6. The system of claim 2, wherein:

said processing circuit is further configured;

(a) based upon said first signal from said at least one sensor, to determine if said smart device is moving up or down; and

(b) to assist said human user to place said smart device at said On-Grade elevation at a more refined position, by indicating a very slow and short movement direction to said human user, by;

(i) if moving up, indicating that said smart device is Below Grade, using said at least one of a display or an audio output device;

or

(ii) if moving down, indicating that said smart device is Above Grade, using said at least one of a display or an audio output device.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein said at least one of a display or an audio output device comprises a touch screen display that shows a plurality of visible symbols to said human user, including at least three symbols:

(i) for Close Above Grade, (ii) for Close Below Grade, and (iii) for On-Grade.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a second sensor for detecting a physical tilt angle of said smart device, and a third sensor for detecting a physical roll angle of said smart device;

wherein;

said processing circuit is further configured;

(a) based upon a second signal from said second sensor, to determine a present tilt angle of said smart device, and to indicate said present tilt angle using said at least one of a display or an audio output device; and

(b) based upon a third signal from said third sensor, to determine a present roll angle of said smart device, and to indicate said present roll angle using said at least one of a display or an audio output device.

9. A computer system used for determining an on-grade elevation on a jobsite, said system comprising:

(a) a smart device, having a processing circuit, a memory circuit, an input/output circuit, a first electronic camera with a plurality of photosensors, a second electronic camera with a plurality of photosensors, an electronic viewfinder that is visible to a human user, and a user-controlled input device, wherein said first electronic camera is mounted on said smart device so as to face in a first direction and said second electronic camera is mounted on said smart device so as to face in a second direction in which said first direction is different than said second direction;

(b) a laser transmitter that emits at least one laser beam in at least one predetermined direction, and creates an effective plane of laser light at an elevation which is defined as being On-Grade;

(c) a grade rod having visible graduations along its longitudinal axis, said grade rod being placed at said jobsite on the opposite side of said smart device from said laser transmitter;

(d) wherein;

while said human user attempts to place said smart device in a location and first orientation so as to intercept said effective plane of laser light, said processing circuit is configured to display an image on said electronic viewfinder, based on electromagnetic radiation signals that impact said first electronic camera, and said image is viewable by said human user to provide a position for placing said smart device within said effective plane of laser light, which will be designated as an On-Grade position;

(e) wherein;

while maintaining said smart device in said first orientation, upon activation of said user-controlled input device by said human user, said processing circuit is further configured to;

(i) receive a signal from said user-controlled input device, (ii) then to activate said second electronic camera which acquires an image of said grade rod, and (iii) to store said image in said memory circuit.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said processing circuit is further configured to perform image analysis on said image that was stored in said memory circuit, thereby capturing a numeric value for said On-Grade elevation with respect to said grade rod.

11. The system of claim 10, further comprising a display on said smart device, and wherein said processing circuit is further configured to display said numeric value for said On-Grade elevation.

12. The system of claim 9, further comprising a display on said smart device, and wherein said processing circuit is further configured to display said image.

13. The system of claim 12, further comprising:

a first sensor for detecting a physical tilt angle of said smart device, and a second sensor for detecting a physical roll angle of said smart device;

wherein;

said processing circuit is further configured;

(a) based upon a first signal from said first sensor, to determine a present tilt angle of said smart device, and to indicate said present tilt angle using said at least one of a display or an audio output device;

(b) based upon a second signal from said second sensor, to determine a present roll angle of said smart device, and to indicate said present roll angle using said at least one of a display or an audio output device; and

(c) upon activation of said user-controlled input device by said human user;

(i) to activate said second electronic camera which acquires a roll-angle and tilt-angle corrected image of said grade rod, and (ii) to display said roll-angle and tilt-angle corrected image.

14. The system of claim 9, further comprising:

a first sensor for detecting a physical tilt angle of said smart device, and a second sensor for detecting a physical roll angle of said smart device;

wherein;

said processing circuit is further configured;

(a) based upon a first signal from said first sensor, to determine a present tilt angle of said smart device, and to indicate said present tilt angle using said at least one of a display or an audio output device;

(b) based upon a second signal from said second sensor, to determine a present roll angle of said smart device, and to indicate said present roll angle using said at least one of a display or an audio output device; and

(c) upon activation of said user-controlled input device by said human user;

(i) to activate said second electronic camera which acquires a roll-angle and tilt-angle corrected image of said grade rod, and (ii) to store said roll-angle and tilt-angle corrected image in said memory circuit.

15. The system of claim 9, wherein said first direction is substantially opposite said second direction.

16. A method for determining an on-grade elevation on a jobsite, said method comprising:

(a) providing a smart device, having a processing circuit, a memory circuit, an input/output circuit, an electronic camera with a plurality of photosensors, an electronic viewfinder that is visible to a human user, an output device that is (i) visible, or (ii) audible, or (iii) visible and audible, and an outer housing having a physical feature for visibly indicating a predetermined elevation with respect to said electronic camera;

(b) providing a laser transmitter that emits at least one laser beam in at least one predetermined direction, and thereby creates an effective plane of laser light at an elevation which is defined as being On-Grade;

(c) attempting to place said smart device in a location so as to intercept said effective plane of laser light, by;

(i) displaying, under the control of said processing circuit, an image on said electronic viewfinder, based on electromagnetic radiation signals that impact said electronic camera; and

(ii) viewing said image so as to provide a coarse position for placing said smart device within said effective plane of laser light; and

(d) moving said smart device in smaller distance increments so as to find a more fine position where said effective plane of laser light is impacting said electronic camera, by;

(i) while viewing said image on said electronic viewfinder, slowly moving said smart device up and down until centering said effective plane of laser light onto said camera, as determined by said human user;

(ii) holding said smart device still after said smart device has been centered, and designating that position as being On-Grade; and

(e) using said physical feature of said outer housing of said smart device as a reference position, and marking that position on said jobsite to thereby indicate a relative On-Grade elevation.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said step of marking a relative On-Grade elevation comprises one of:

(a) placing a mark directly at said On-Grade elevation; and

(b) placing a mark at a position that is offset by a predetermined distance, wherein said predetermined distance is determined by said human user.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein said step of marking a relative On-Grade elevation comprises one of:

(a) placing a mark directly at said On-Grade elevation; and

(b) placing a mark at a position that is offset by a predetermined distance, wherein said predetermined distance corresponds to said predetermined elevation that is with respect to said electronic camera.

19. The method of claim 16, while moving said smart device in smaller distance increments so as to find a more fine position, further comprising the steps of:

(a) by using image pixel data that is created by said electronic camera, determining whether said smart device is Above Grade, or Below Grade, or On-Grade, and based upon that determination;

(b) if Above Grade, then indicating said smart device is Above Grade, using said at least one of a display or an audio output device;

or

(c) if Below Grade, then indicating said smart device is Below Grade, using said at least one of a display or an audio output device;

or

(d) if On-Grade, then indicating said smart device is On-Grade, using said at least one of a display or an audio output device.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein said step of using pixel data to determine whether said smart device is Above Grade, or Below Grade, or On-Grade comprises the steps of:

(a) if a density of said pixel data is substantially centered at said plurality of photosensors of said electronic camera, then determining said smart device is On-Grade;

or

(b) if a density of said pixel data is above a horizontal centerline of said plurality of photosensors of said electronic camera, then determining said smart device is Below Grade;

or

(c) if a density of said pixel data is below said horizontal centerline of said plurality of photosensors of said electronic camera, then determining said smart device is Above Grade.

21. The method of claim 19, while moving said smart device in yet smaller distance increments so as to find a more refined position, further comprising the steps of:

(a) by using image pixel data that is created by said electronic camera, determining whether said smart device is Close Above Grade, or Close Below Grade, or On-Grade, and based upon that determination;

(b) if Close Above Grade, then indicating said smart device is Close Above Grade, using said at least one of a display or an audio output device;

or

(c) if Close Below Grade, then indicating said smart device is Close Below Grade, using said at least one of a display or an audio output device;

or

(d) if On-Grade, then indicating said smart device is On-Grade, using said at least one of a display or an audio output device.

22. A computer system used for determining an on-grade elevation on a jobsite, said system comprising:

(a) a laser transmitter that emits at least one laser beam in at least one predetermined direction, and creates an effective plane of laser light at an elevation which is defined as being On-Grade;

(b) a grade rod having visible graduations along its longitudinal axis, said grade rod being placed at a user-selected point of interest of said jobsite; and

(c) a smart device, having a processing circuit, a memory circuit, an input/output circuit, a first electronic camera with a plurality of photosensors, and a second electronic camera with a plurality of photosensors, wherein said first electronic camera is mounted on said smart device so as to face in a first direction and said second electronic camera is mounted on said smart device so as to face in a second direction, in which said first direction is different than said second direction;

(d) wherein;

a user holds said smart device such that said first direction is generally facing said laser transmitter and said second direction is generally facing said grade rod;

(e) wherein said processing circuit is configured;

(i) to detect a Start command;

(ii) using said first and second electronic cameras, to initiate a sequence by photographing a plurality of images while said user moves said smart device through said effective plane of laser light;

(iii) to create a plurality of paired images, such that each image taken by said first electronic camera is paired with a corresponding image taken in near-real time by said second electronic camera;

(iv) to measure an intensity of each of said plurality of images taken by said first electronic camera, and to determine which of said first electronic camera images had a maximum value of intensity as compared to all other of said first electronic camera images;

(v) to select said first electronic camera image which exhibited said maximum value of intensity, along with its corresponding paired second electronic camera image showing said grade rod, and designating those images as an On-Grade pair;

(vi) from said On-Grade pair of images, to store said second electronic camera image in said memory circuit; and

(vii) to terminate said sequence of photographing said plurality of images.

23. The computer system of claim 22, wherein said processing circuit is further configured to perform image analysis on said second electronic camera image that was stored in said memory circuit, thereby capturing a numeric value for said On-Grade elevation with respect to said grade rod.

24. The computer system of claim 22, further comprising:

at least one sensor for detecting at least one of;

(a) a physical tilt angle of said smart device, and (b) a physical roll angle of said smart device;

(c) wherein, said processing circuit is further configured;

(i) to calculate a correction value for at least one of said physical tilt angle of said smart device and said physical roll angle of said smart device; and

(ii) to apply said correction value to an indicated On-Grade position that was stored in said second electronic camera image.