System and method for calibrating a laser transmitter
US6043874A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 10, 1998 |
| Grant date | Mar 28, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 10, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01C15/004
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A system and method for checking and calibrating, if necessary, the orientation of a rotating laser beam as projected by a laser transmitter is provided. The laser transmitter is initially adjusted so that the rotating laser beam defines a plane which will be substantially horizontal if the transmitter is properly calibrated. A retroreflective target is positioned a predetermined distance from the transmitter. A known point on the transmitter is aligned in the direction of the retroreflective target. The laser beam is reflected from the retroreflective target back to the laser transmitter. A photodetecting system within the laser transmitter generates a signal representative of the position of the laser beam on the target. The laser transmitter is then rotated about a reference axis until the position of the laser beam on the target is determined with respect to each of the remaining coordinate axes. A processor is programmed to generate a calibration signal in response to the signals from the photodetecting system. The calibration signal may be used to indicate that the laser transmitter needs to be calibrated, or to provide an indication of how to calibrate the laser transmitter.…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.