Distance based position sensing
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus comprising:
- first and second targets each comprising a retro reflector arrays;
a laser distance meter (LDM) configured to emit a laser beam and to determine first and second distances between the LDM and the first and second targets, respectively, such that the targets reflect the laser beam back to the LDM, wherein the first and second targets have known positions in three dimensions with respect to a reference plane relative to which the LDM is located;
a trilateration unit configured to compute a two dimensional position of the LDM relative to the targets based, at least in part, on the first and second distances; and
where the first and second targets are configured to intermittently shield the retro reflector arrays from the laser beam.
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Abstract
Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with distance based position measurement are described. In one embodiment, an apparatus is configured to be positioned proximate a feature of interest. The apparatus includes a laser distance meter (LDM) configured to emit a laser beam and to determine first and second distances between the LDM and first and second targets. The first and second targets have known positions in three dimensions with respect to a reference plane from which the LDM is located. The apparatus also includes a trilateration unit configured to compute a two dimensional position of the LDM relative to the targets based, at least in part, on the first and second distances.
5 Citations
21 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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first and second targets each comprising a retro reflector arrays; a laser distance meter (LDM) configured to emit a laser beam and to determine first and second distances between the LDM and the first and second targets, respectively, such that the targets reflect the laser beam back to the LDM, wherein the first and second targets have known positions in three dimensions with respect to a reference plane relative to which the LDM is located; a trilateration unit configured to compute a two dimensional position of the LDM relative to the targets based, at least in part, on the first and second distances; and where the first and second targets are configured to intermittently shield the retro reflector arrays from the laser beam. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method comprising:
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emitting, with a laser plane emitter, a reference plane; positioning an LDM proximate to a feature of interest and at a known position with respect to the reference plane; determining first and second distances between the LDM and first and second targets, respectively, the first and second targets having known positions in three dimensions with respect to the reference plane; and computing a two dimensional position of the LDM relative to the first and second targets based, at least in part, on the first and second distances. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A position measuring system comprising:
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first and second reflective targets configured to reflect light from a laser beam; and a position calculation unit configured to be positioned proximate a feature of interest, the position calculation unit comprising; a sight through which the feature of interest is visible when the position calculation unit is aligned with the feature of interest; an LDM configured to emit a laser beam and to determine first and second distances between the first and second targets based on a property of light reflected back from the first and second targets, wherein the first and second targets have known positions in three dimensions with respect to the reference plane; a trilateration unit configured to compute a two dimensional position of the LDM relative to the targets based, at least in part, on the first and second distances; and a graphical user interface unit configured to display the two dimensional position of the LDM as the survey unit is moved on the reference plane. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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17. An apparatus comprising:
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first and second reflective targets; a laser distance meter (LDM) configured to emit a laser beam and to determine first and second distances between the LDM and the first and second reflective targets, respectively, such that the targets reflect the laser beam back to the LDM, wherein the first and second targets have known positions in three dimensions with respect to a reference plane relative to which the LDM is located; a trilateration unit configured to compute a two dimensional position of the LDM relative to the targets based, at least in part, on the first and second distances; and where the LDM comprises a circular polarizer that acts on the laser beam to produce circular polarized light having a selected hand orientation and where the first and second targets comprise a quarter wave retarder film that acts on a reflected laser beam emitted by the targets to produce circular polarized light having the selected hand orientation. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification