Laser transmitter incorporating target dither
US6121598A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 25, 1999 |
| Grant date | Sep 19, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 25, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01C15/004
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A laser beam transmitting system is provided comprising at least one target, a laser detection module, an optical system, a rotary encoder, a dither zone memory, and a controller. 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 laser beam reflected from the target to the laser detection module. The search mode is characterized by movement of the reference beam through a rotational arc defined about a central rotational axis and the target dither mode is characterized by movement of the reference beam through a selected discrete portion of the rotational arc. The rotary encoder is arranged to produce a rotary signal indicative of a rotary position of the reference beam relative to the rotational arc. The controller is programmed to identify a position of the at least one target based upon the reflected laser beam signal and the rotary signal, establish a dither zone associated with the target position, store data indicative of the established dither zone in the dither zone memory, establish a dither time associated with the dither zone, and cause the optical system to operate in the target…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.