Abstract: A non-contacting method and device to project scale or near to scale distance measurement markings onto a flat and/or curved surface. Additionally, the same method is used to adjust an image and/or the projection of an image onto a flat and/or curved surface, and additionally a device to project the image on a flat and/or curved surface is disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for projecting scaled images to a surface is disclosed. The methods and apparatuses include measuring distances to various points of the surface and altering the image based on an approximation of the surface based on the measured distances to the various points such that the altered image is substantially accurately scaled when projected back onto the surface. For a sufficiently flat surface, the image may be altered by scaling based on the measured distances and angles to the various points. For a curved surface, the image may be altered by scaling based on the approximation of the surface. The projected image may include a substantially accurate measurement markers when projected onto the surface for measurement directly on the surface.

Abstract: A non-contacting measurement apparatus to measure a two or three dimensional out of plane orientation with respect to a surface. Various embodiments are possible with some being capable of measuring perpendicularity to the surface, closest distance to the surface, angles of incidence of a vector from the measurement apparatus to the point on the surface, and/or generating three dimensional coordinate representations of the measurement apparatus and/or its components with respect to the surface and/or a point on the surface. Some embodiments of the measurement apparatus allow it to obtain orientation data dynamically, allowing the measurement apparatus and/or the surface to be moving while obtaining the orientation measurements. Additionally some embodiments of the measurement apparatus are capable of guiding a user to a particular orientation through an output device.

Abstract: A non-contacting measurement apparatus to measure a two or three dimensional out of plane orientation with respect to a point on a flat surface and/or a two dimensional out of plane orientation with respect to a curved surface. Various embodiments are possible with some being capable of measuring perpendicularity to the surface, closest distance to the surface, angles of incidence of a vector from the measurement apparatus to the point on the surface, and/or generating three dimensional coordinate representations of the point on the surface with respect to the measurement apparatus and/or its components. Some embodiments of the measurement apparatus allow it to obtain orientation data dynamically, allowing the measurement apparatus and/or the surface to be moving while obtaining the orientation measurements.