Patents by Inventor Scott C. Casteel

Scott C. Casteel has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6630993
    Abstract: Positions can be precisely and accurately fixed instantaneously within a three-dimensional workspace. A system of two or more transmitters each continuously sweep the workspace with two fanned laser beams which are preferably about 90 degrees apart on the rotational axis of the transmitter. A receiving instrument includes, preferably, two light detectors which detect the time at which each fanned laser beam is incident thereon. The light detectors also detect a synchronization pulse from each transmitter that is emitted once per revolution. Beams from different transmitters are differentiated by different rotational speeds and, therefore, different beam incidence cycles. Because three intersecting planes uniquely define a point in three-dimensional space, by detecting at least three of the fan beams from the transmitters, the receiving instrument can calculate its position in the workspace. A Quick Calc setup procedure allows the use to define a desired coordinate system within the workspace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: ARC Second Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Hedges, Scott C. Casteel, Andrew Dornbusch, Doug Gaff, Edmund S. Pendleton, Michael J. Sobel, Frey Wain
  • Patent number: 6621565
    Abstract: An optical transmitter for use in position location or position measurement systems includes (i) an assembly including two optical sources that generate two optical beams which diverge in known ways in a first and second plane, respectively, and are narrow in the orthogonal planes, (ii) a power source which provides power to the assembly to rotate it at a constant angular velocity or with a previously known pattern of velocities through each complete rotation of the assembly, and (iii) a signaling unit that emits a synchronization signal at a specific rotational position of the assembly. The optical transmitter can be used in systems for determining points, lines, planes, distances, areas, volumes, azimuth, elevation, range, angles, or any other positional or spatial variable. The optical transmitter has wide application in, for example, surveying, construction, and the creation of virtual or real environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Arc Second Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Pratt, Scott C. Casteel, Thomas M. Hedges, Donald Todd
  • Publication number: 20020005944
    Abstract: An optical transmitter for use in position location or position measurement systems includes (i) an assembly including two optical sources that generate two optical beams which diverge in known ways in a first and second plane, respectively, and are narrow in the orthogonal planes, (ii) a power source which provides power to the assembly to rotate it at a constant angular velocity or with a previously known pattern of velocities through each complete rotation of the assembly, and (iii) a signaling unit that emits a synchronization signal at a specific rotational position of the assembly. The optical transmitter can be used in systems for determining points, lines, planes, distances, areas, volumes, azimuth, elevation, range, angles, or any other positional or spatial variable. The optical transmitter has wide application in, for example, surveying, construction, and the creation of virtual or real environments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Publication date: January 17, 2002
    Inventors: Timothy Pratt, Scott C. Casteel, Thomas M. Hedges, Donald Todd