Low cost 2D position measurement system and method

US6545751B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• ARCSECOND, INC. · US

Inventors

• Sean Beliveau · Leesburg, US
• Edward Barrientos · Great Falls, US
• Yvan J. Beliveau · Blacksburg, US
• Thomas M. Hedges · Great Falls, US
• Eric J. Lundberg · Blacksburg, US
• Edmund S. Pendleton · Arlington, US
• Timothy Pratt · Blacksburg, US
• Rick Slater · Reston, US
• Michael J. Sobel · Annandale, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 26, 2001
• Grant date: Apr 8, 2003
• Expiry date: Feb 26, 2021

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01C15/002
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An improved low cost theodolite position measurement system and process which is particularly useful in enabling a single operator to conveniently set up the system and calculate elevation (el) and azimuth (az) angle data. Only a single optical transmitter is positioned within a predetermined workspace thus significantly decreasing equipment costs and setup time. The single transmitter is positioned and leveled at a predetermined point in the workspace. In operation the single rotatably mounted transmitter head illuminates the workspace volume with a pair of spaced apart precalibrated fan beams which sweep the space and a periodically emitted reference strobe pulse. At least one optical receiver is selectively positionable within said workspace so that during each revolution of said single transmitter head said receiver receives a first position strike and a second position strike of said fan beams. To determine elevation angle data, tracker logic means responsive to said receiver determines a first tie interval separation between receiving said first position strike and said second position strike and calculation means for converting said first time separation interval into an ele…