Laser transmitter incorporating auto scan dither zone
US6091487A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 9, 1997 |
| Grant date | Jul 18, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 9, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01S7/484
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A laser transmitter and a method of transmitting a reference laser beam are provided comprising an auto scan dither mode. According to one aspect of the present invention, a laser transmitter is provided comprising a laser detection module, an optical system, and a controller. The laser detection module is operative to produce a reflected laser beam signal. The optical system is arranged to generate a reference laser beam selectively in one of a search mode and a target dither mode and to direct a reflected laser beam to the laser detection module. The optical system defines a rotational axis and the reference beam projects radially from the rotational axis. The search mode is characterized by movement of the reference beam through a rotational arc defined about the rotational axis and the target dither mode is characterized by movement of the reference beam through a dither zone occupying a portion of the rotational arc. The controller is programmed to produce selectively one of a target-sighted signal and a target-missing signal and produce a rotary position signal indicative of the position of the reference beam relative to the rotational arc. The controller is also programmed t…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.