Remote indicator for a laser alignment system

• US 4,653,910 A
• Filed: 10/18/1985
• Issued: 03/31/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/1985
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited (Trimble Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Spectra-Physics Incorporated (MKS Instruments Incorporated)
• Inventors: Poling, Mark E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Buczinski, Stephen C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wallace, Linda J.
• Application Number:
  US06/788,753
• Time in Patent Office: 529 Days
• Field of Search: 356/4, 356/5, 356/152, 33/293, 33/294
• US Class Current: 356/141.3
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 15/006 Detectors therefor

Abstract

A laser alignment system includes a remote indicator to display the alignment data when the main receiver is out of sight. The remote indicator receives both operating power and alignment data through a connecting cable to the main receiver. A Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) is used in the remote indicator because of its inherently low power consumption. To make the LCD visible under conditions of reduced ambient lighting, a light source illuminates the LCD from behind. A lighting control circuit turns the light source on only when alignment data is present in order to limit battery drain on the main receiver.

Claims

1. A remote indicator for the main receiver of a laser alignment system the combination comprising:

connecting means between the main receiver and the remote indicator, said connecting means being operable to supply power to the remote indicator and to transmit to the remote indicator alignment data indicative of the relative alignment detected by the main receiver;

an LCD in the remote indicator coupled to the connecting means and operable to provide a visual indication of the alignment data;

illuminating means located in back of the LCD operable when turned on to make the LCD visible under conditions of reduced ambient light; and

switching means connected to said illuminating means and said connecting means and being operable to turn the illuminating means on if the alignment data is present and to turn the illuminating means off if the alignment data is not present.

2. The remote indicator as recited in claim 1 wherein the alignment data contains indications of Low, for below level, High, for above level, and On, for on level.

3. The remote indicator as recited in claim 1 wherein the switch means includes a timer operable to keep the illuminating means turned on for a pre-determined time after the alignment data is no longer present.

4. The remote indicator as recited in claim 3 wherein the timer includes a resistor, capacitor network.

5. The remote indicator as recited in claim 1 wherein the illuminating means includes a light emitting diode.