JPH04504755A - handheld laser rangefinder - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] hand belt laser rangefinder This invention is self-contained and has an appropriate size for hand belt use (to be held in the hand). Regarding weight laser distance meter. One aspect of this invention is for surveying applications (particularly rock formations). Not only stone surface surveying, but also road construction, mining, forest management, hydrographic surveying, and marine operations. The purpose of method 2 is to measure moving objects such as motor vehicles. is configured to measure the speed of.

Consists of a laser source and a detector, the distance to the target determines the transmission and reflection of laser pulses. from the target object, calculated by measuring the time interval between the detection of the signal Laser rangefinders based on the time of flight of reflected laser pulses are known.

The distance to the target is equal to the value obtained by multiplying the time interval by the speed of light and dividing by 2. stomach. One such device is the Measurement Devices Li Used for m1ted's "Q-uarr7man (registered trademark)" rock surface surveying system. It is used. This system consists of a laser distance mounted on a rotatable yoke. It is equipped with a sensor that measures the vertical inclination and horizontal angle of the points lined up. The entire rock surface can be surveyed from a single location, and the fk data is The planned blasthole and/or actual blasthole is used to measure overburden rock etc. Can be used with the hole position.

The “Quarriman” device is relatively large and expensive, and must be mounted on a tripod when in use. An external electronic data logger and power source are required. this invention One of the purposes of this is to be able to perform the same surveying functions as existing surveying equipment such as those mentioned above. We offer a rangefinder that is significantly more compact than conventional products, is less expensive, and can be held in your hand. It is to provide.

Other purposes include similar types of hardware configured to measure the speed of moving targets. is to provide a belt laser rangefinder.

Therefore, the present invention provides a laser for transmitting a laser signal to a target; Detector means for detecting the reflection of a signal from a target; A micrometer that measures the elapsed time between the detection of a signal and calculates its distance from the target device. The processor means to store multiple calculated distances and other data related to this. optical aiming means for aiming the axis of the laser signal at the target; , input means for entering reference data related to the measured distance, and Consists of a visual display means for displaying data such as distance and suitable for hand belts. Provides a laser distance device consisting of a self-contained device with size and weight. Ru.

In embodiments of the invention particularly intended for surveying applications, the apparatus further comprises: comprising an inclinometer for measuring inclination relative to a surface, memory means of which are associated with each measured distance; is configured to memorize the slope of the slope. In this case, the input means preferably Enter reference data regarding the intended target and the height at which the device will be held during use. can.

In other embodiments, particularly aimed at measuring the speed of a moving target, the device comprises: Furthermore, the elapsed time between successive measurements on the target is measured, and the two measured distances are A means of calculating the speed at which the target is moving from the difference between and the elapsed time between We are prepared.

The device of the invention incorporates a laser, a detector and aiming means, and The transmitting lens attached to the detector and the receiving lens attached to the detector are arranged side by side, and the lens located on either side of the body and configured to receive the batteries that power the device and that are handheld. Preferably, the battery housing is configured to form a lip. stomach.

The data input means are preferably arranged on the underside of the main body part together with a visual indicator. It is a keyboard that has been installed.

The surveying device includes an inclinometer, preferably an electrolyte level sensor, and a housing. It is stored inside the housing.

The aiming device is preferably located on the back side of the main body part and is directed through the transmitting lens. It has an eyepiece lens configured to aim at the signal axis.

Also preferably a second visual table viewable through the aiming eyepiece. An indicator is provided.

Aspects of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of the device of the invention in hand-held use. .

2 is a bottom perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1; FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of the optical equipment for measuring distance and aiming the device of the present invention. Ru.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram showing the connections of the various elements of the device of the invention.

Figure 5 is a diagram showing the usage of this invention device when surveying the rock surface on which blasting operations will be performed. It is.

Figure 6 shows a rock surface created from data collected using the device disclosed in this application. FIG. 2 is a computer-generated isometric view.

FIG. 7 is a collection of computer-generated horizontal cross-sections of the rock faces of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a collection of computer-generated vertical cross-sections of the rock faces of FIG.

FIG. 9 shows the storage sediment composition created from the data using the device disclosed in this application. The chest measurement is made by computer.

FIG. 10 is a plan contour map of the storage deposit of FIG. 9.

The invention will be explained with reference to the drawings. The laser distance meter of this invention shown in the figure has a main body. The device includes a body portion 10 and an electronic device housing 12 located under the body portion 10. Main body Part 10 is “Time of Flight°Laser and Detector of Laser Rangefinder and Laser It has a casing that houses optical equipment for transmission and detection. Transmission lens 14 The receiving lenses 16 are arranged side by side on the front side of the main body part 10, and the battery holder 18 are placed on both sides of the lens, and the battery holder also functions as a hand grip. It is shaped to fit a hand grip.

Furthermore, the main body portion 10 has a “start” button 20 located at an easily accessible position on its top surface. and an aiming eyepiece 22 on its rearmost surface. Reduce the size of the device To reduce comb complexity, the aiming equipment is connected to the transmitting optics as shown in Figure 3. The laser diode 24 and the eyepiece 22 are connected to the beam splitter 26 ( (preferably a polarizing type), the transmitting lens 14 is shared. Therefore, aiming The alignment optics are coaxial with the measurement laser and ensure precise alignment of the device. , while offering a compact structure with minimal optical components. Figure 3 also shows the distance The receiving lens 16 and detector (photodiode) 28 of the distance meter are shown.

Electronics housing 12 is generally flat and positioned behind lenses 14 and 16. There is. Numeric keypad 30 and alphanumeric display 32 (preferably 2 x 20 sentences on LCD) ) is attached to the bottom of the housing 12, and the bottom also has a data download A card socket 34 is installed (preferably a serial digital bi-directional port); This socket receives commands from the device for display, storage, and/or other processing. Download stored data to a computer, printer, etc. (not shown) do.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the invention configured for use as a surveying device. This is a diagram. Start button or trigger 20, keypad 30, display 32 and and the output terminals from the laser distance meter 36 are connected to the microprocessor 38. , the microprocessor 38 further includes random access memory (RAM) 40. It is connected to the. Can use CMO8 circuit to minimize power consumption preferable. The device further includes an inclinometer 42, the inclinometer 42 having an output end thereof. is connected to the microprocessor 38 and measures the angle that the optical axis of the device makes with the horizontal plane. do.

As an inclinometer, Measurement Devices Lim1ted Electrolyte angle sensors (all ie an electrolyte gravity sensor or an electrolyte level sensor). like this The sensor is compact and accurate, and the accompanying electronics can handle temperature changes and power fluctuations. Compensate for lag. The laser itself is a pulsed laser that operates in the eye-safe infrared frequency band. A semiconductor laser (preferably a wavelength of 0.9 microns) is preferred.

The device is also preferably visually visible through the eyepiece and capable of measuring the distance measured. and/or a further numerical display 43 indicating the current tilt angle of the device.

This rangefinder works as follows. When the start button 20 is activated, an electronic pulse A generator 60 (FIG. 3) periodically drives the semiconductor laser diode 24 to generate infrared light. It emits a pulse of light that is collimated and emitted by transmitting optics.

A portion of the echo signal reflected from the target is transmitted through the receiving optics to the photodiode 28. This diode generates the electrical receiver signal. Transmit pulse and receive pulse The time intervals between the steps are counted by a crystal stabilized clock 62. Then the result is my The output signal is output to the microprocessor 38, and the microprocessor performs the following operations.

- control the measurement laser;

- Avoid measurement errors.

Convert a measurement to meters or feet.

- Process measurements for display, storage and output of data.

- Measurement parameters (e.g. measurement sensitivity, measurement units, type of measurement, measurement program) etc.) via a manually actuated switch (not shown) or a keyboard 30 or adjustment by programming through the computer board 34.

- Perform internal self-check and zero adjustment.

- control and/or compensate for variations in supply voltage and operating temperature;

Depending on the laser specifications (and excellent weather/and lighting conditions), up to 400m uncooperative targets in Targets equipped with reflectors) up to 10,000 m can be measured, and 1 Accuracy up to cm can be achieved.

Other preferred features and specifications include: Aiming optics are preferably has a magnification of 8 x 21, a field of view of 12 m per 100 m, and a crosshair reticle. Focusing of ±5 diopters is possible. The power consumption of the device is approximately 6 watts. , Power source is 12AA size alkaline manganese battery or nickel cadmium battery. A storage battery is preferred. Connect to an external power source, preferably 11-28 volts D, C. A socket (not shown) is provided for this purpose. The dimensions of the device are generally approximately 260 mmX　165mmX70mm, has a housing that prevents dust and mud, and weighs It weighs 2.1 kg without batteries and 2.4 kg with batteries. Also, threaded pieces A switch (not shown) is provided on the bottom of the device to allow for tripod mounting or auxiliary equipment. A grip can be attached.

FIG. 5 shows the state in which the apparatus of the present invention is used during rock surveying.

As shown, a device operator 46 is located near a rock face 44. Start the device When switched on, the display 32 will be used to enter reference data about the object being surveyed. prompt the user. In this case, the distances of a number of points along the vertical contour line 48 It is measured by measuring the slope angle. The method of surveying is the length of the rock surface 44. repeated for multiple contour lines along the direction (surveyed from different positions 50); For bench drilling and blasting operations, the location of the contour line is It is in line with the existing blast hole position 52. Therefore, the reference data includes date, reference number of the rock surface, the height of the measuring instrument (i.e. the height of the measurer's eye above the ground), and the Contains a number that indicates a particular contour.

Each measurement is carried out by aiming the device at the desired point and pressing the start button 20. The distance and corresponding angle are measured and recorded. As described above, place the device on the rock surface 44. Perform one set of continuous measurements by moving up, down, left and right along the draw the complete contour and then repeat this method for a known distance along the rock face 44; The entire rock surface 44 is drawn by performing the above set of continuous measurements many times. Top of rock face 44 Using the marker cone 52 placed at the top (or protrusion) of each contour line, A reference measurement can be made that indicates the The blast hole 52 is the reference line, i.e. Located along the “rock face” line 54, which is approximately parallel to the top edge of the rock face, The marker 52 is located in a line perpendicular to the rock face line 54 and on the opposite side of the blast hole. Ma offset distance from the rock surface line 54 of the rocker 52 (i.e., in the “measurement plane”). can be measured as the spacing between markers in a plane perpendicular to the measurement plane. In this way, Individual measurements and sets of measurements are related to each other and the actual or planned blasthole. A complete view of the rock surface 44 and the rock relative to the blast hole in relation to the location of the hole and the drilling angle. Provide surface associations. For more general surveying applications, similar markers and reference lines can be used to create a coordinate reference system for measurements.

The device of this invention is used for Measurement Devices Lim1jed “BORETRAK” (trademark) blast hole surveying system (International Patent Application No. PCT/ GB88100930) and appropriate Mark shift wear. It can also be used to complete the survey of rock surfaces for blasting operations. This The software supplements the data downloaded from rangefinders and BORETRAK devices. Injerpolaje allows for numerical analysis and three-dimensional conformal analysis of rock surfaces. and vertical and horizontal cross-sections showing the rock surface in relation to the location of blast holes, etc. Provides a graphical representation of the rock faces and blast holes involved.

In general blasting surveying, a laser rangefinder (of this invention) or a belt belt device or The existing Quarryman instrument) determines the spatial coordinates of a line of points on the surface of a rock surface. used to do. The software then creates a three-dimensional model of the rock surface. This model can be used to create isometric and vertical views from any perspective. Cross-sectional views and horizontal cross-sectional views can be created with associated numerical data. The rock surface is measured Once measured, the computer model selects the location, spacing and angle of the blast holes. The minimum exposure as a parameter for a given set of blast holes can be used to the minimum burden, surface height, slope height, contour The area of the line cross section, the coordinates of the blast hole, and the rock surface volume can be calculated, and Fig. 6 ．． Corresponding isometric views, vertical cross-sections and horizontal cross-sections as shown in Figures 7 and 8, respectively. A surface drawing can be provided. Once the appropriate blast hole parameters are selected, the blast hole are drilled and surveyed using the BORETRAM system. of an actual blast hole The details can be compared with the parameters for that purpose, the actual minimum rock cover and the table. Area volume is recalculated. Critical blast hole to blast hole or blast hole to rock surface contour Location problems related to concentration of written. If desired, tabulated numerical data can also be produced, as well as Illuminated.

The hand belt device of the present invention is more cost effective than the existing Quarr7min system. Although it is compact and inexpensive, its accuracy is slightly low in absolute terms. But more If greater precision is required, a tripod installation can be carried out; system that operates in virtually the same way as the Quarrymin. can be provided. Also, a slightly modified electronic data logging device and software would be required.

Laser distance meters also measure the storage and accumulation of raw materials in a manner similar to the blasting survey method described above. It can be used for surveying. Figures 9 and 10 show a set of An example of iso-chest circumference and plane contour map obtained from spatial coordinates is shown. Calculate the volume of storage pile so that the tonnage contained in that pile is the average of the material in question Estimated from density.

Said rangefinder changes its operation to determine the time elapsed between two consecutive distance measurements. to be able to measure the speed of a target from changes in distance and elapsed time. can be easily modified to measure the velocity of a moving target. such a device could be used, for example, to measure the speed of a vehicle and Confusing display, limited accuracy and ease of detection by motorists There are significant benefits to the Doppler-effect radar guns currently used by traffic police. will provide. The laser rangefinder described in this application has a measuring beam that is These vehicles are always narrow so they can be optically aligned with approaching vehicles. avoids the problem and is inherently more accurate and only when the measurement beams are crossed can be detected and in both cases the speed is easily recorded.

I'm so blind... difference international search report +,,1m-+h,,mlie PCT/GB 90/00567- --Translation a+ Aeeei+e*mllHe, PCT/GB 90100567 International Investigation report GB 9000567 SA　36093

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1 Laser that transmits a laser signal to a target, reflection of the signal from the target detector means for detecting the elapsed time between transmission of said signal and detection of the reflected signal; Microprocessor means to measure between and calculate the distance from the target device, multiple Memory means, laser, to store the calculated distance and other data related to this Optical aiming means for aiming the axis of the signal at the target, relative to the measured distance Input means to enter reference data to be measured, and display data such as measured distances It consists of a visual display means of a suitable size and weight for hand-held use. A handheld laser rangefinder consisting of a self-contained device. 2 Furthermore, it is equipped with an inclinometer that measures the inclination of the device with respect to the horizontal plane, and its memory 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step is configured to store a slope associated with each measured distance. Distance meter. 3. The input means preferably includes reference data related to the object being surveyed and the device. 3. The distance meter according to claim 2, wherein a height at which the distance meter is held during use can be entered. 4. The distance meter according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the inclinometer is an electrolyte level sensor. 5 In addition, measure the elapsed time between successive measurements for one target, and measure twice. The speed at which the target is moving is calculated from the difference between the distances and the elapsed time between them. The distance meter according to claim 1, further comprising means for determining the distance. 6 The laser, detector and aiming means are incorporated, and the laser accompanying the The transmitting lens and the receiving lens associated with the detector are arranged side by side, on either side of the lens. is configured to contain a battery that powers the device and forms a handgrip. Claim 1 comprising a main body portion having a battery housing configured to 5. The distance meter according to any one of 5 to 5. 7. The data input means is located on the lower side of the main body part along with the visual indicator. The distance meter according to any one of claims 1 to 6, which is a keyboard. 8. The aiming device is installed on the back of the main body part and the signal axis is transmitted through the transmitting lens. Any of claims 1 to 7, comprising an eyepiece configured to aim at the Distance meter listed in one of the above. 9. A second visual indicator is provided, which is visually visible through the aiming eyepiece. 9. The distance meter according to claim 8, which is capable of