Abstract: An improved measuring device has been developed by combining a visual detector such as a camera, digital distance measuring device, and a positional sensor. The system uses positional measurements of the device along with distance measurements to generate a point cloud and uses the visual image along with distance measurements to identify and label objects. The point cloud and labeled objects are combined to generate a schematic of the environment being measured and extract relevant measurements.

Abstract: An improved method can be obtained for combining multiple data sets of a single subject to form a single representation of the subject, such as an environment. The method uses a small set of alignment points and scanning the environment from a first position, repositioning the scanning system to take a scan of the same environment from a second position, and labeling the same alignment points to the extent they are visible from the second location. The alignment points may be static points of interest in the environment or they may be placed in the environment by the user to denote the location of common reference points.