WO2006049432A1

WO2006049432A1 - Laser scale system

Info

Publication number: WO2006049432A1
Application number: PCT/KR2005/003680
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kwang Ja Kim
Original assignee: Kwang Ja Kim
Priority date: 2004-11-04
Filing date: 2005-11-03
Publication date: 2006-05-11
Also published as: KR20040099227A

Abstract

The present invention relates to a laser scale for measuring length of a line or gap between lines on a drawing, which is connected wireless or wiredly to a computer or a monitoring program of a portable terminal mounted with an OS. With a main system displaying drawing and numerals and a pointing pen, the laser scale adopts a laser distance measuring technique and a trigonometric measurement utilizing the rotational angle of a stepping motor. By selecting both end points of a line with the pen, coordinates of two points X and Y are digitalized, and length between coordinates is calculated in a microcomputer at high precision and high speed. In addition, being connected to the integration program in the computer, the laser scale of the present invention can be advantageously used for preparing drawings, specifications, shopdrawings, account statements, etc.

Description

LASER SCALE SYSTEM

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a technique for measuring length of a line, and more particularly to a technique for measuring length of a line on a printed drawing, inputting the measurement into a computer and utilizing the data for design, manufacture and construction. Background Art

[2] In general, people use a set square called a scale to measure length of a line drawn on all kinds of specifications or documents in the fields of architecture, electric en¬ gineering, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, etc., convert the scale, input the measurement into a computer using a keyboard.

[3] For instance, before IBM released a personal computer PC XT, every work related to designs and drawings were done manually by using 1:100 to 1:600 scales. Then, technical advances in computers and CAD programs have made computer-aided designs possible. Nevertheless, except for part of the automatic CAD drawings, the majority of integration work is still being done manually. Especially, in case of preparing specifications in blueprints or printed drawings, or when producing shop drawings, many still have to use a scale to measure distances and lengths, and input the measurement into a computer.

[4] Unfortunately however, this method often results unpredictable measurement errors or omissions, and a person should repeat the tedious routine, measuring length of a line with a scale and inputting the measurement into a computer through a keyboard, many times. Furthermore, in order to upload a printed drawing for use in manufacture or con¬ struction to a computer, even more measuring coordinates and inputting the result into a computer than the first time are required. In so doing, work becomes more complex, less effective and inaccurate.

[5]

Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[6] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a laser scale system, in which a scaling function can be achieved simply by selecting both ends of a line on a blueprint using a main system and a pointing pen, and calculation of coordinates and measurement of length of a line can be digitalized. Also, the function of the laser scale is connected to a computer for monitoring wirelessly or wiredly, so that all kinds of CAD programs, integration calculation programs may be interlockingly run therewith, resulting in more accurate and speedy calculations. Since the laser scale system is made in small sizes and low cost and is easy to install, it can be used in a wide range of applications.

[7]

Technical Solution

[8] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the above and other objects can be accomplished by the provision of a laser scale system including a main system and a point pen, in which the main principle of line length measurement is composed of: measuring a distance using a laser formed of a sensor and a reflective mirror below the point pen; calculating a rotational angle by applying a micro-step drive control circuit of a stepping motor rotating a turn-table mounted with the sensor; calculating coordinate and length by applying trigonometry; determining vibration of an ac¬ celeration sensor, moving direction of the pen using an inclination sensing function, and slope of the pen; and interworking design, integration, and calculation programs in a monitoring program of a computer connected.

[9]

Advantageous Effects

[10] As aforementioned, according to a conventional design method used in architecture, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, civil engineering, etc., a person had to use the CAD program in a computer, and print out a drawing. Then, the user measured length of a line on the drawing by using a scale in order to write and execute manufacture, and prepare a shopdrawing or specification. Lastly, the user inputted the measurement result of line and coordinates of points into the computer through a keyboard. Brief Description of the Drawings

[11] The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be understood more clearly from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[12] Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a laser scale system according to the present invention;

[13] Fig. 2 is a detailed view of a main system;

[14] Fig. 3 is a detailed view of a pointing pen;

[15] Fig. 4 is a flow chart explaining a pointing pen location function;

[16] Fig. 5 is a flow chart explaining the installation of a length measuring function;

[17] Fig. 6 is a drawing explaining the installation of a drawing and a main system;

[18] Fig. 7 is a drawing explaining how to set a normal coordinate;

[19] Fig. 8 illustrates an example of distance measurement for setting a coordinate; [20] Fig. 9 illustrates an example of length measurement of a line shifted horizontally;

[21] Fig. 10 illustrates an example of length measurement of a line shifted inclinedly; and

[22] Fig. 11 illustrates an example of arc measurement of a circle located between lines.

[23] <Description of Major Parts>

[24] 11 : laser scale system

[25] 12 : personal computer or portable terminal mounted with OS

[26] 13 : connect to computer wiredly/wirelessly

[27] 111, 602, 702, 802, 902, 1002 : main system

[28] 112 : pointing pen 113 : wireless or optical communication

[29] 114 : laser beam (IR or ultrasonic waves)

[30] 23, 1111 : set and direction measuring part

[31] 231 : pointing pen direction measuring circuit 232, 315 : wireless or optical com¬ munication circuit 21, 1112 : distance measuring part

[32] 211 : distance measuring circuit part

[33] 212 : light emitting unit 213 : light receiving unit

[34] 214 : display part 222, 1113 : stepping motor

[35] 221, 1114 : Turn-table 22, 1115 : angle calculating part

[36] 223 : micro-step drive control circuit part 224 : rotational angle calculating unit

[37] 225 : rotational angle setup button

[38] 24, 1116 : calculate length of line and microcomputer

[39] 241 : microcomputer 242 : coordinate calculating unit

[40] 243 : length calculating unit 244 : scale calculating unit

[41] 245 : scale (multiplier) setup switch 246 : storage

[42] 25 : power supply 312, 1121 : acceleration sensor

[43] 313 : sensing circuit part 314 : setup circuit part

[44] 316 : setup switch 317 : recovery switch

[45] 318 : battery 319 : separate charger

[46] 1122 : setup and direction guiding part 215, 311, 1123 : reflective mirror

[47] 1124 : setup switch 121 : display window of monitor or portable device

[48] 122 : monitoring program 123 : integration program

[49] 124 : calculation program 31 : pointing pen housing

[50] 601, 801 : drawing to be measured

[51] 603, 701, 803, 901, 1001 : effective measuring drawing

[52] 604, 703, 804, 903, 1003 : Y-axis, YO-axis 605, 704, 805 : X-axis

[53] 606, 705, 806, 904, 1004 : XO-axis

[54] 607 : left-side end of the upper end of effective measuring drawing

[55] 608 : right-side end of the upper end of an effective measuring drawing [56] 707 : upper end of an effective measuring drawing

[57] 609 : sensor rotational angle 706 : angle A in right triangle (B, A, C)

[58] 708, 808, 905 : right-angle point B in triangle 709, 810 : side a in the right triangle

[59] 710, 811 : side b in the right triangle 711, 812 : side c in the right triangle

[60] 712, 816, 913 : initial position of pointing pen 807 : zero point on effective measuring drawing

[61] 809 : measuring point C 813 : angle A in right triangle (B, A, C)

[62] 814 : c2 (distance from sensor to zero point)

[63] 815 : cl (distance from zero point to right angle point B)

[64] 906 : measuring point Cl 907 : measuring point C2

[65] 908 : measuring point C3 909 : side c connecting main sensor to point B

[66] 910 : angle A in right triangle (C 1 , A, B)

[67] 1911 : angle A2 in right triangle (C2, A, B)

[68] 912 : angle A3 in right triangle (B, A, C3)

[69] 1005 : right angle B 1 in triangle ( A, B 1 , C 1 )

[70] 1006 : right angle B2 in triangle (A, B2, C2)

[71] 1007 : right angle B3 in triangle (Cl, B3, C2)

[72] 1008 : measuring point Cl 1009 : measuring point C2

[73] 1010 : angle Al in triangle (Cl, A, Bl)

[74] 1011 : angle A2 in triangle (B2, A, C2)

[75] 1101 : line a 1102 : line b

[76] 1103 : arc 1104 : hypotenuse

[77] 1105 : central point O

[78] 1106 : radius rl 107 : arc angle α

[79] 1108 : angle A = arc angle Ot

2

[80] (in right triangle obtained by drawing the isosceles triangle (O, B, C) by 2)

[81]

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[82]

[83] A laser scale system is a device composed of a main sensor and a pointing pen for measuring a coordinate of a line drawn on a book, simply by pressing the start point and the end point of the line to be measured with a pointing pen, and for connecting a prepared shopdrawing to an integration program of a computer. In order to measure length of the line, the laser scale system measures a traveling distance of a laser beam that is emitted from the main sensor positioned on the top of the drawing and is returned as a reflected light from a reflective mirror of the pointing pen moving along the line to be measured on the drawing, calculates the rotational angle of a stepping motor at the measurement point, the measured distance and the rotational angle being calculated by the trigonometric equation, and applies a multiplying factor to the measurement.

[84]

[85]

Mode for the Invention

[86] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described herein below with reference to accompanying drawings.

[87] Referring to Fig. 1, a laser scale system 11 of the present invention includes a main system 111 and a pointing pen 112. Both ends of a line to be measured out of a printed drawing are pointed (set) by the point pen 112, and length of the line is measured. When the laser scale system 11 is connected to a personal computer 12 or a portable terminal 13 mounted with an OS (operating system), the measurement result of the length of a line can be monitored on a drawing in numbers. Therefore, it is a very useful system for operating an integration program 123, for producing a copy drawing with a monitoring program 122, or for preparing relevant account statements. The main system 111 includes a direction measuring part 1111 for sending a moving direction of the pointing pen and a setup command a wireless communication 113; a distance measuring part 1112 for measuring a distance between the main system and the pointing pen through a laser 114; a stepping motor 1113 for rotating a distance measuring sensor right and left; a turn-table 1114 mounted with a small-angle adjusting gear that rotates by a motor; an angle calculating part 1115 for calculating an angle of a laser beam while rotating with the turn-table; a micro-computer 1116 for computing data provided from the distance measuring part and the angle calculating part, and for calculating length of a line connecting a personal computer or a portable terminal mounted with an OS wirelessly or wiredly.

[88] The pointing pen 112 includes an acceleration sensor 1121 for sensing a moving direction and an inclination angle of the pen; a setup and direction guiding part 1122 for determining the moving direction and slope of the pen, and sending a setup command through a wireless communication; a reflective mirror 1123 for reflecting a laser beam 114 emitted from a light emitting unit of the distance measuring part 1112 towards a light receiving unit; and a pointing setup switch 1124.

[89] To explain the detailed configuration of the main system with reference to Fig. 2, the main system is largely divided into a distance measurement calculating part 21, an angle calculating part 22, a pointing pen direction measuring part 23, and a mi¬ crocomputer part 24.

[90] The distance measurement calculating part 21 is a laser (or infrared rays, ultrasonic waves, etc.) distance measuring device for measuring a traveling distance of a laser beam, which is emitted from a light emitting part 212 and reflected from a reflective mirror 215 installed below the pointing pen. To this end, the distance measurement calculating part 21 includes a light emitting unit 212, a light receiving unit 213, a distance measuring circuit part 211, and a display part 214.

[91] The angle calculating part 22 is mounted with the light emitting unit 212 and the light receiving unit 213, and rotates while tracking the moving direction of the pointing pen. To this end, the angle calculating part 22 includes a stepping motor 222 for reversibly rotating the turn-table 221 having a built-in precise gear in the horizontal direction; a micro-step drive control circuit part 223; a rotational angle calculating unit 224 for calculating a rotational angle of the turn-table; and a rotational angle setup button 225.

[92] The point pen direction measuring part 23 includes a wireless communication unit

232 for the purpose of conducting a communication 233 with the pointing pen, and a pointing pen direction measuring circuit 231.

[93] The microcomputer part 24 generates a complete signal and is in the standby state when a coordinate calculating unit 242 calculates sets up a coordinate (Xl, Yl) by calculating a distance measured by the distance measurement calculating part 21 and an angle calculated by the angle calculating part 22 through trigonometry. The mi¬ crocomputer part 24 includes a length calculating unit 243 for calculating a length between two coordinates (Xl, Yl) and (X2, Y2) (the coordinate (X2, Y2) is set up when the pointing pen moves), a scale calculating unit 244 for calculating a length measured and a scale, a scale (multiplier) setup switch 245, a storage 246, and a mi¬ crocomputer 241. The microcomputer 241 controls the system en bloc, and is connected to a personal computer for monitoring.

[94] A power supply 25 supplies power to the main system.

[95] The following now explains the detailed configuration of the pointing pen with reference to Figs. 3 and 2.

[96] The pointing pen is built in a pen-shaped housing 31 , and includes a reflective mirror 311 for reflecting a laser beam emitted from the light emitting unit 212 of the main system towards the light receiving unit 213; an acceleration sensor 312 for sensing the vibration and inclination angle of the pen; a sensing circuit part 313 for de¬ termining the moving direction and inclination of the pen by analyzing materials sensed; a setup circuit part 314 for determining a setup on the basis of a measurement error according to an inclination (tilt) degree of the housing 31; a wireless com¬ munication circuit 315 for transferring a setup signal to the main system; a setup switch 316; a recovery switch 317 for releasing a predetermined pointing; a battery 318 as a power supply source; and a separate charger 319.

[97] The installation of the main system in a drawing to be measured and a method for setting normal coordinate are described referred to Figs. 6 and 2.

[98] Although X-axis 605 and Y-axis 604 can be set up around the main system by installing the main system 602 in the central, upper end of the drawing 601 to be measured, since there is a high possibility that X-axis 605 might be located outside the drawing, it should be necessary to set up a virtual axis by moving X-axis 605 by XO 606, so that X-axis 605 can be located within the drawing 601.

[99] As for the virtual XO-axis 605, both ends 607, 608 of the upper end of an effective measuring drawing 603 are set to a rotational angle setup button 225 of the pointing pen 112 and the main system. In effect, both ends 607, 608 of the effective measuring drawing 603 are end points of left turn and right turn of the distance measuring sensor, and an actual sensor rotational angle 609 of the main system 602.

[100] On the other hand, after XO-axis 606 is set on the effective measuring drawing 603,

YO-axis 604 is set at a right angle to XO-axis 606.

[101] Thusly set XO-axis 606 and YO-axis 604 are normal coordinate of the length measurement.

[102] The following now explains how to calculate the normal coordinate (XO-axis), with reference to Figs. 7 and 2.

[103] Once the normal coordinate is set, two right triangles A 702, B 708, C 708 with respect to YO-axis 703 between X-axis 704 and XO-axis 705 are created. Length of side a 709 and side c 711 are calculated with respect to XO-axis 705 and YO-axis 703 to set up the coordinate of C point 707, and the calculation result is stored in a storage 246 and used for setting a normal coordinate of the length calculation.

[104] Now that length of side b 710 is measured by laser distance measurement 21 and angle A 706 is calculated by rotational angle calculation 22 of a sensor at the distance measurement point, side a 709 and side c 711 can be calculated by using the trigonometric equation.

[105] <Equation 1>

[106]

a⁼b ^ψ SinA

Side a 709, side a 810, line a0 906-905, line a2 907-905, line a3 905-908 [108] <Equation 2>

[109]

c=h ^• CosA

. Side c 711, side c 812, side c 909

[HO]

[111] An example of the coordinate calculation of a point C 809 on the drawing is explained with reference to Figs. 8 and 2.

[112] To calculate an arbitrary coordinate C 908 on the drawing, it is necessary to obtain length of one side c 810 with respect to Y0-axis 804, and length of one side cl 815 with respect to XO-axis 806. In order to calculate length of the side a 810 and side c 812 of the right triangle, length of side b 811 and an angle A 813 should be measured. Here, the length of side b 811 is measured by the distance measurement calculating part 21 of the main system A 802, whereas the angle A 813 is obtained by calculating, in the rotational angle calculating unit 224, an angle of the stepping motor at the length measurement point, and by applying the result to Equations 1 and 2.

[113] Length of side cl 815 is obtained by subtracting the length of side c2 814, which is calculated from Equation 2 using the right triangle A 802, B 808, and C 809.

[114]

[115] <Equation 3>

[116]

Sided-c-Sidec2

. side cl 815, side c 909

[117]

[118] With respect to YO-axis 804 of the coordinate, the left side coordinate is expressed in negative number, whereas the right side coordinate is expressed in positive number. Since the coordinate of XO-axis 806 exists in the lower portion only, it is expressed in positive number.

[119] An example of length measurement of a horizontally shifted line is now described referring to Fig. 9.

[120] A method for calculating length of lines al 906-907, line a2 907-905, and line a3

905-908 can be referred to the description in Fig. 8. Coordinate Cl 906 is determined by side bl and angle Al 910 of the right triangle A 902, B 905, C 906. Coordinate C2 907 is determined by side b2 and angle A2 911 of the right triangle A 902, B 905, C2 907. Coordinate C3 908 is determined by side b3 and angle A3 912 of the right triangle A 902, B905, C3 908. Since line aO 906-905, line a2 907-905, and line a3 905-908 can be obtained by Equation 1 since they share line C 909 on the same line with YO-axis 903 and are at right angles. Since line al 906-907 shares a coordinate 907 with line a2 907-905, it can be obtained simply by subtracting line a2 907-905 from line a0 906-905. If line a2 does not share line C 909 on the same line with YO-axis 903, a virtual right triangle A 902, B 905, C2 907 sharing the line C 909 is created and used for subtraction. Lastly, side c 909 is calculated by Equations 2 and 3.

[121] An example of length measurement of an inclinedly moved line is explained referring to Figs. 10 and 8.

[122] Line a is formed of a left-side coordinate 1008 and a right-side coordinate 1009.

The left-side coordinate Cl 1008 is determined by side bl and an angle Al 1010 of the right triangle A 1002, Bl 1005, Cl 1008. Side al is calculated by Equation 1, and side cl is calculated by Equations 2 and 3. Meanwhile, the right-side coordinate C2 1009 is obtained from Equation 1 by applying side a2 of the right triangle A 1002, B 2 1006, C2 1009. Side c2 is calculated by Equations 2 and 3. When values of Cl 1008 and C2 1009 are compared, one can discover that side cl and side c2 do not have the same value, which means they do not form a right triangle. Since side a3 and side c3 are known by creating a virtual right triangle Cl 1008, b3 1007, C2 1009, the length of side b3 to be measured (line a that is inclinedly moved) can be obtained from the trigonometric equation 4 below.

[123]

[124] <Equation 4>

[125]

1 2) b ^" C

Side b3

[126]

[127] A length calculation method of an arc

Fig. 11.

[128] An arc 1103 to be measured is connected between line a 1101 and line b 1102. In order to measure the arc 1103, start and end points B and C, and a point such as A between them are pointed (selected) to create a triangle B, A, C. Then, three sides thereof b, a, c are measured, and an angle A can be calculated by Equation 5.

[129]

[130] <Equation 5>

[131] Sirτ^L — b angle A

[132] <Equation 6>

[133] According to the sine law,

[134] a

=2R

SinA SinB SinC

[135] Therefore, when

[136]

[137]

[138]

Λ=180^° -A ' and angles

A',C,B=%^°

[139]

[140] where

Ct

= 2H

SinA.

[141] . Diameter of a circle (A , O, B)

[142] Once the diameter of the circle (A , O, B) is obtained from Equation 6, a virtual circle and arc 1103 passing through the points B, A, C is drawn, and an isosceles triangle B, O, C is divided into two right triangles. In this manner, sides a and b are determined, and the arc angle 1107 is calculated by the trigonometric equation. The divided two triangles should be combined, and the central angle of the arc is obtained by Equation 7. [143]

[144] <Equation 7>

[145]

SiTiA X 2

. Central angle a of arc a

[146] Now that two radii r 1106 having O as the central point 1105 and the arc angle a

[147] 1107 are given, length of the arc 1103 of a sector connecting three points A, B, C can be calculated by radian. [148]

[149] <Equation 8>

[150]

length of arc

[151]

[152] The functions of main components and their operational principles are now explained with reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

[153] The distance measurement calculating part 21 basically calculates a distance by multiplying time taken from an infrared ray or laser beam to be emitted from the light emitting unit 212 of the main system, be reflected by the reflective mirror 215 of the pointing pen, and be received to the light receiving unit 213 by speed of light and dividing the multiplication result by 2. The distance measurement method is applied to diverse fields including precision measurement, IC, and manufacture of small-size & light products.

[154] Here, the speed of light is approximately 300,000km/s (299,792,458m/s to be accurate).

[155] <Equation 9>

[156]

(speedo flight X timedifference) Distance = — — — -

[157] Basic method for calculating distance [158] In the rotational angle measurement method of the main system 111, the stepping motor 222 is a motor which inputs a DC voltage or a current into a motor by the switching method, and rotates at a predetermined angle. In detail, it rotates by a rotational angle corresponding to one step of a digital pulse, in proportional to number of input pulse and pulse input speed per unit time. Typically, a stepping motor is a 2-phase hybrid stepping motor, and rotates 1.8 degrees at a full step per pulse, and 0.9 degree at a half step. It requires a driver and a controller for controlling a micro-step drive control circuit part 223. Equation 10 below expresses how to calculate a rotational angle.

[159]

[160] <Equation 10>

[161]

Rotational /-0.9 ΪMberofinputpulse

[ 162] Calculation of rotational angle

[163]

[164] To accomplish a precise measurement within 0.1mm on the drawing to be measured, it is necessary to break down the rotational angle more than the basic rotational angle of the stepping motor. For this reason a gear is installed in the turn¬ table 221 to maintain the precision of measurement.

[165] An acceleration sensor 312 for sensing a moving direction of the pointing pen 112 is installed in the pointing pen to sense the moving direction more quickly and to improve the measurement speed thereby, which in turn helps the main system 111 track the pointing pen 112 as quickly as possible. Also, a circuit is included to help the stepping motor 222 rotate immediately following the moving direction of the pointing pen. The acceleration sensor senses a dynamic force involved in acceleration, shock, vibration, inclination, etc., and functions as an essential item in all kinds of control systems capable of instantaneously sensing the movement state of an object. Depending on the type of detection, it is categorized into inertia type, gyro type, and silicon semiconductor device type.

[166] Referring to Fig. 4, the following now explains how the laser scale 11 tracks the location of the pointing pen 112. To clarify the procedure, Figs. 1, 2, 6 and 7 will also be referred.

[167] When the pointing pen 712 located at the central part on the drawing 701 to be measured is moved to the point C 707, the acceleration sensor starts running (S402). The operation signal of the acceleration sensor is sent via the wireless communication (S412) as a measurement command to operate the distance measuring circuit part (S403). As the reflective mirror 1123, 215 of the pointing pen 112 are located in the direction of the sensor 612 of the main sensor 111, a beam emitted from the light emitting part 212 is reflected in the same direction with the reflective mirror 1123, 215, and is received to the light receiving part 213. Then, the stepping motor 222 located at an angle in the direction of the point C 707 stops running (S409). On the other hand, if the direction of the sensor 702 of the main sensor 111 is deviated from the point C 707, and therefore a beam emitted from the light emitting part 212 does not get to the reflective mirror 123, 215 and is not received to the light receiving part (S404). In this case, the acceleration sensor operates (S402) to sense the moving direction of the pointing pen (S405), and the stepping motor 222 rotates in the left direction (S407) or in the right direction (S408) along the moving direction (S406) of the pointing pen 112. During the rotation of the stepping motor 222, if the beam of the sensor is in the same direction with the reflective mirror 1123 of the pointing pen 112 which points the point C 707 on the drawing and is received as a reflected light (S404), the stepping motor 222 stops running (S409). The point C 707 where the pointing pen 112 is positioned is reconfirmed (S410), and a confirm signal is transmitted (S411) to the pointing pen 112. In this manner, the distance measurement is ready and the laser scale is in standby mode.

[168] The rotation range of the stepping motor 222 falls within the rotation angle range of the left-side end 607 and the right-side end 608 that are set before the measurement.

[169] Next, referring to Fig. 5, the flow of the distance measuring procedure of the laser scale 11 will be explained. To clarify the procedure, Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, and 8 will also be referred.

[170] When a confirm signal is transmitted (S411) as the distance measurement is ready at point C 809 on the drawing 801 to be measured by the location function of the pointing pen 112, a confirm signal is received (S501) to the pointing pen. When a user presses and selects the pen of the pointing pen 112 located at the point C 809, the point C 809 is selected by the pointing setup switch 316 attached to the lower portion. Through a small inertia sensing function (S503) of the acceleration sensor 312, the in¬ clination of the pen is checked (S504) to find out whether it is within an error range and is set (S502). Thusly set inclination is transferred over a wireless communication (S521), and the distance measurement calculating part 21 measures a distance (S505). Then, a measurement state is checked (S506), and if there is no measurement result, distance is measured again (S505). When the measurement is completed, a distance measured is calculated (S507), and the micro-step drive control circuit part 223 checks a stand position (S508) of the stepping motor 222 to calculate an angle A 706 of a sensor with respect to YO-axis 703. By using the pointing pen 112, a coordinate C 707 of a pointed point is calculated (S510), and stored in a memory (S516) of the mi- crocomputer (S515), and the coordinate of the measured point C 809 is also displayed on a monitoring program (S517) mounted on a personal computer, and stored in the memory (S520). In this manner, measurement of the object point C 809 is completed, and the laser scale 11 and the personal computer 12 are connected to each other through wireless/wired communication, and interwork with the monitoring program 122 (S517), to execute the integration program 123 (S519) or the calculation program 124.

[171] An example of length measurement of a horizontally shifted line in the laser scale

11 and the personal computer 12 is now described with reference to Figs. 4 and 5, and Figs. 1 and 9.

[172] At first, a length measuring function of line al 906-907 on a drawing 901 by means of the laser scale 11 will be explained.

[173] When a pointing pen 913 located at the lower portion of the drawing is placed at the point Cl 906 (S401), the acceleration sensor starts running (S402), and the distance measuring circuit is operated (S403). After checking whether a reflected light has been received or not (S404), if there is no light-receiving signal, the moving direction of the pointing pen is sensed (S405), and the stepping motor rotates to the left direction according to a confirm signal (S406). During the rotation of the stepping motor in the left direction (S407), a beam emitted from the light emitting unit 212 of the main system is reflected by the reflective mirror 1123, 215, and this reflected beam is received to the light receiving unit 213 (S404). Then, the stepping motor stops running (S409), and the location of the pointing pen is reconfirmed (S410). A confirm signal is transmitted (S411), and the confirm signal is received in standby mode (S501). By pressing and setting the pen 316 for measurement (S502), the inclination of the pen is checked (S504) through the small inertial sensing (S503) function of the acceleration sensor 312 to check the error range. The distance measurement is initiated (S505), and if there no measurement data after checking the measurement (S506), a distance is measured again (S505). However, if there is measurement data, a distance is calculated (S507) and the stand position of the stepping motor 222 is checked (S508). In addition, an angle 910 of the sensor Al with respect to Y0-axis 903 is calculated (S509), and a coordinate Cl 906 of a pointed point is calculated (S510) using the pointing pen 112. Since a right-side point C2 907 is not yet measured, line length calculation (S511) is not required. Therefore, the calculation result is temporarily stored in a memory (S516) of the microcomputer (S515), and the coordinate of the measured point Cl 906 is displayed on the monitoring program (S517) mounted on a personal computer and is stored in a memory (S520) thereof. When the pointing pen moves to the right-side point C2 907 of line al (S401), the acceleration sensor starts running (S402), and senses the movement direction of the pen (S405). The stepping motor 222 for rotating the distance measuring sensor 21 rotates to the right side (S406, S408) along the pointing pen 112, and the distance measuring circuit is also operated (S403). Meanwhile, when a reflected light is received (S404), the stepping motor stops running (S409), and the location of the pointing pen is reconfirmed. A confirm signal is transmitted (S411) and received (S501), and the inclination is checked (S503, S504) and set (S502). After measuring and checking a distance (S505, S506), a distance is calculated (S507). Also, the stand position of A2 911 is checked (S508) and an angle is calculated (S509). In this manner, a coordinate C2 907 is calculated (S510), and stored in a memory of the microcomputer (S515, S516). The coordinate of the measured point C2 907 is also displayed on the monitoring program (S517), and stored in a memory thereof (S520). When the coordinate of the left-side point Cl 906 of line al and the right side point C2 907 are calculated (S510), length of line al is automatically obtained by the trigonometric equation (S511). In detail, side al is calculated by Equation 1, and side c is obtained by Equations 2 and 3. When the coordinate of the points Cl 906 and C2 907 are compared, the length of side c is the same. Therefore, there is no need for calculating the length of side c. Since the coordinate C2 907 is shifted to the right side from the coordinate Cl 906 by al millimeter, it is necessary to calculate length of a line being shifted (S509). In effect, length of line al can be calculated by subtracting the coordinates Cl 906 and C2 907 (S511). Thusly obtained result is stored in the microcomputer (S515, S516), and by inputting and storing spec¬ ification of line to be measured in the monitoring program in advance (S517, S518), measurement and calculation of line in relation to the type, size and specification can be obtained at the same time.

[174] Therefore, length of line a2 907-905 can be measured by the above-described method. Here, measurement of the left-side point C2 907 is already done. Thus, when the pointing pen moves to a right-side point B 905 at the same time with the measurement of the left-side C2 point 907 (S401, S402), the distance measuring sensors 403, 405 rotate in the right direction (S406, S408), and receive a reflected light (S404), thereby being ready to measure a distance (S410, S411). Then, the distance measurement is set (S501, S502), an error range is checked (S503, S504), and a distance and an angle are calculated (S507, S508, S509). Next, a length of line a2 is calculated (S511, S512), and the calculation result is stored in the microcomputer (S515, S516), and monitored (S517, S520).

[175] Similarly, length of line a3 905-908 can be measured by the above-described method. Here, measurement of the left-side point B 905 is already done. Thus, when the pointing pen moves to a right-side point C3 908 (S401, S402), the distance measuring sensors 403, 405 rotate in the right direction (S406, S408), and receive a reflected light (S404), thereby being ready to measure a distance (S410, S411). Then, the distance measurement is set (S501, S502), an error range is checked (S503, S504) and measured (S505, S506), and a distance and an angle are calculated (S507, S508, S509). In this manner, coordinate calculation is completed (S510), and length of line a3 is calculated (S511, S512). The calculation result is then stored in the mi¬ crocomputer (S515, S516), and monitored (S517, S520).

[176] Thusly obtained measurement data are monitored based on the monitoring program

(S517, S518) mounted on a personal computer, and since line al, line a2, and line a3 are connected side by side on a straight line parallel to X0-axis 605, if necessary, these three lines may be added. By applying an appropriate magnifying power (S513), it becomes possible to calculate an actual length of a line (S514). In monitoring program (S517, S518), specification of a measured line or calculation results can be applied to many fields including architecture, civil engineering, electric engineering and facilities by being connected to the integration program (S519, S520) to prepare all kinds of specifications. The monitoring program 122 interworks (S517, S518) all the integration programs 123 (S519) mounted on the laser scale 11 and the personal computer 12, and the designing and calculation program 124, and monitors the measurement data.

[177]

Industrial Applicability

[178] According to the laser scale system of the present invention, however, length measurement of a line on the drawing can be easily accomplished by pointing or setting the pointing pen to both ends of the line to be measured. Therefore, there is no need to read scales, apply mental arithmetic, and do computer work because the measurement result of the laser scale system is inputted into the monitoring program, and calculated therein. Furthermore, being interworked with the calculation base of the integration program which is connected to the monitoring program, preparation of specifications can be performed automatically at high precision and high speed. In short, a shopdrawing can be easily drawn based on the monitored drawing at the same time with the measurement. The present invention can also be advantageously used for preparing an account statement related to the drawing, and for inputting a drawing that was originally drawn in form of blue-print.

[179] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modi¬ fications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

[180] In the typical industrial field related to manufacture and construction, people used a set square called a scale to check the length of a line on a drawing, calculated its scale mentally, inputted the calculation result into a computer again for manufacture/con- struction. The laser scale of the present invention, however, can be advantageously used in the industrial field in that a user simply points a pen to a selected line on a drawing, inputs the drawing on a book into a computer for use in shopdrawings or drawings for manufacture, or connects it to the integration program to ease material computation. Additionally, the laser scale of the invention is expected to contribute to the development of related component industries including semiconductors, stepping motors, etc.

Claims

[1] A laser scale system enabling a computer to read length of a line on a printed drawing measured by a scale, comprising: a laser scale device provided with a main system and a pointing pen for measuring the length, wherein the main system and the pointing pen are connected to each other through a wireless communication, a distance is measured by an interaction between a laser sensor and a reflective mirror, an angle is detected by applying the operational principle of a stepping motor, and a moving direction of the pointing pen is tracked; and wherein, the system is a computer where monitoring related programs are installed and connected to a microcomputer in the laser scale wirelessly or wiredly, measurement numerals of a line, circle or point on the drawing and the monitored drawing are utilized in all kinds of design and construction work, and scaled data are effectively used in connection with programs used in length measurement or preparation of CAD integration account statements.

[2] The system according to claim 1, comprising: a laser distance measuring device provided with a main system and a pointing pen for measuring a distance between points selected on a drawing by using the pointing pen; an angle detecting device for detecting a positional angle when a turn-table mounted with a light receiving unit and a light emitting unit of the distance measuring device and a motor for driving the turn-table measure a distance; a microcomputer for calculating a coordinate out of distance and angle measurement by using a trigonometric equation, comparing coordinates on both ends of the line, and calculating length of the line and scale; a wireless communication device for connecting the main system and the pointing pen; and an acceleration sensor for sensing vibration or inclination to track a moving direction of the pointing pen, thereby increasing measurement efficiency, and for measuring a slope of the pen to reduce measurement error.

[3] The system according to claim 1 is connected to all kinds of programs related to designing in a personal computer or a portable terminal which is mounted with an operation system (OS) connected wirelessly or wiredly or a monitoring program connected to the microcomputer of the main system and is effectively used for preparation of drawings, specifications, and account statements by utilizing stored data, wherein the connected personal computer or the monitoring program of the portable terminal displays all kinds of drawings and calculation data measured and calculated in claims 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15; and wherein the system is capable of performing quantity calculations by drawing a drawing or decomposing specifications of a line, the system being connected to a program related to designing, integration, account etc., and copying, attaching or uploading data and specifications related to symbol or line based on stored data.

[4] The system according to claim 2, wherein the distance measuring device comprises an ultrasonic distance measuring unit and measures a distance based on a time taken for a laser beam emitted from a light emitting unit at a time of setting (selecting) a point on the drawing by using the pointing pen to be reflected from a reflective mirror attached to the pointing pen and be received by a light receiving unit, the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit are combined as one unit and mounted on the turn-table which rotates along a moving direction of the pointing pen motivated by a motor and a direction inducing device; and wherein the light emitting unit is formed of a laser diode or an infrared ray diode.

[5] The system according to claim 2, comprising: a turn-table built in the main system, and mounted with the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit of the distance measuring sensor, and a precise gear for enabling a precise measurement by subdividing a rotational angle of a motor; and a stepping motor of which rotational angle displaces step by step in proportion to number of input pulse, and which detects a positional angle of the motor at a time of measurement by applying a location control principle of a driver and a controller to calculate a directional angle of the sensor

[6] The system according to claim 2, wherein the coordinate is calculated by a trigonometric equation using a distance provided from the laser distance measuring device, and a positional angle detected by the stepping motor driving device.

[7] The system according to claim 2, further comprising: a pen inclination determining device for sensing a moving direction of the pointing pen by sensing vibration or inclination though the acceleration sensor to guide a rotational direction of the stepping motor, and minimizing measurement error caused due to the inclination of the reflective mirror installed in the pen.

[8] The system according to claim 2, wherein the wireless communication device exchanges information between the main system and the pointing pen, using electric waves or lights.

[9] The system according to claim 2, wherein X0-axis is set by installing the main system on the center of an upper portion of a drawing to be measured and pointing both end points of the upper portion of an effective measuring drawing by using the pointing pen and a rotational angle setup button, and Y0-axis is set to be at a right angle to the X0-axis in the sensor.

[10] The system according to claim 9, wherein a normal coordinate is calculated by a trigonometric equation

wherein length of side b in a right triangle A, B, C formed of both end points of the upper portion of the main system and the effective measuring drawing and the Y0-axis is calculated by laser distance measurement, and an angle A is obtained from a rotational angle of a sensor at a time of distance measurement.

[11] The system according to claim 10, wherein the right triangle A, B, C is formed by distance measurement and angle calculation at an arbitrary coordinate point C, and when side a and side b are calculated by a trigonometric equation the side a with respect to the Y0-axis is determined, and length of side cl with respect to the X0-axis is determined by subtracting length of side c2 between X and XO, thereby setting X and Y coordinates at the point C.

[12] The system according to claim 11, wherein coordinates of both end points (Xl,

Yl) (X2, Y2) of a horizontally shifted line a to be measured are calculated by forming the right triangle A, B, C as in claim 11, and since Yl and Y2 have the same value, whereas Xl and X2 have different values by moving, Xl is subtracted from X2 to yield length of the horizontally shifted line.

[13] The system according to claim 11, wherein coordinates of both ends points (Xl,

Yl) (X2, Y2) of an inclinedly shifted line a to be measured are calculated by forming right triangles (A, Bl, Cl) and (A, B2, C2) as in claim 9, and since Xl and X2, and Yl and Y2 have different values by moving, respectively, Xl is subtracted from X2 and Yl is subtracted from Y2 to yield length of the inclinedly shifted line.

[14] The system according to claim 11, wherein length of a circle or an arc on a drawing to be measured is calculated by radian as shown in Equation below:

wherein a triangle B, A, C is formed by pointing (selecting) start and end points B and C of the arc, and A therebetween to measure length of each side b, a, and c; wherein an angle A is calculated by a trigonometric equation

and diameter of the circle (A', O, B) satisfies the relation of

SinA according to the sine law; wherein a virtual circle and arc passing through the point B, A, C are drawn, a right triangle B, O, C is divided into two right triangles to calculate a central angle of the arc, yielding length of sides a and b, and after calculating the central angle by a trigonometric equation the divided two triangles are added, i.e.,

and wherein two radii r having O as a central point, a central angle a of the arc between the radii, and three points A, B, C form a sector shaped arc whose length is calculated by the Equation. [15] The system according to claims 12, 13, and 14, wherein if a scale shown on a drawing is inputted, length of a measured line is converted to length of an actual line where the magnifying power of the scale from the drawing is applied, and the length is calculated by graduating same kind of lines