Hand-held distance-measurement device with an enhanced viewfinde

Details Hand-held distance-measurement device with an enhanced viewfinde Hand-held distance-measurement device with an enhanced viewfinde

1997-05-30

1999-04-27

Buczinski, Stephen C.

Optics: measuring and testing

Range or remote distance finding

With photodetection

356 501, 3561381, 356143, G01C 308, G01C 106

Patent

active

058984844

ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to a portable, hand-held distance-measurement apparatus comprising a laser range finder which is aimed by an active viewfinder. The active viewfinder improves the accuracy of the range finder by giving the user more visual feedback and thus allowing the user better control over the ranging operation. Under user command, the viewfinder enters a targeting mode wherein the user is presented with a illuminated targeting indicator inside the viewfinder. The indicator is superimposed upon the field-of-view seen through the viewfinder. In the targeting mode, the user aims the range finder by placing the targeting indicator on the object to be ranged. Once the device is aimed, the user commands the distance-measurement device to execute a distance measurement cycle. In one embodiment, targeting indicator flashes in various ways to indicate the quality of the data being obtained during the distance measurement cycle. When enough data has been obtained to compute the distance, then the targeting indicator turns off, letting the user know that the display has been updated.

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