Optics: measuring and testing – Range or remote distance finding – With photodetection
Patent
1996-09-03
1999-08-03
Buczinski, Stephen C.
Optics: measuring and testing
Range or remote distance finding
With photodetection
33241, 359428, G01C 308, F41G 132, G02F 103
Patent
active
059332247
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to a portable, hand-held distance-measurement apparatus utilizing a laser range finder. The distance-measurement apparatus executes a number of distance-measurement cycles. In each cycle, a capacitor begins charging at approximately the same time that a light pulse is generated. An analog-to-digital converter generates a digital representation of the capacitor voltage at approximately the same time that a reflected light pulse is received. The lowest and the highest digital values are discarded and the remaining digital values are averaged and scaled to produce a distance measurement. A reflective target may be used at a remote location to reflect the light beam back to the distance-measurement apparatus. The distance-measurement apparatus has several power saving features that facilitate convenient battery operation. The distance-measurement apparatus may also have a view finder.
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Goodman William L.
Harris Steven E.
Hines Robin H.
Korba Anthony R.
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