Abstract: An improved, low-cost optical transmitter and method useful in a three-dimensional measurement system wherein a plurality of operational parameters of said transmitter are calibrated during manufacture/assembly process to generate unique calibration data for each optical transmitter including data defining angles of each transmitter's first and second radiant fan beams and the angle between the beams when the transmitter is leveled for operation in the system and wherein a detector/receiver in the system distinguishes between radiant beams from a plurality of individual transmitters operable within a given measurement field as a function of the selectively alterable rotational velocity calibration data for each of said transmitters and wherein said angular calibration data for each transmitter is operationally available to each detector/receiver operable in the system.

Abstract: The transmitter for projecting a beam of laser light includes a source of a beam of laser light, and a projection arrangement for directing the beam of laser light at a selected grade. The transmitter further includes a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of said transmitter, and a temperature correction circuit, including a look-up table, responsive to said temperature sensor, for adjusting said projection arrangement in dependence upon offset grade values that are stored in said look-up table for a plurality of transmitter temperatures. These offset grade values are separately determined on an empirical basis for each transmitter, such that temperatures induced errors in the direction of the beam of laser light are compensated.

Abstract: The transmitter for projecting a beam of laser light includes a source of a beam of laser light, and a projection arrangement for directing the beam of laser light at a selected grade. The transmitter further includes a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of said transmitter, and a temperature correction circuit, including a look-up table, responsive to said temperature sensor, for adjusting said projection arrangement in dependence upon offset grade values that are stored in said look-up table for a plurality of transmitter temperature ranges. These offset grade values are separately determined on an empirical basis for each transmitter, such that temperature induced errors in the direction of the beam of laser light are compensated.

Abstract: An electronic level for converting a pattern on a leveling rod to be collimated by photoelectric conversion and for determining difference of elevation, wherein there is provided an irradiation device for irradiating auxiliary survey light to be projected to the leveling rod by pulsed irradiation.

Abstract: An improved low cost theodolite position measurement system and process which is particularly useful in enabling a single operator to conveniently set up the system and calculate elevation (el) and azimuth (az) angle data. Only a single optical transmitter is positioned within a predetermined workspace thus significantly decreasing equipment costs and setup time. The single transmitter is positioned and leveled at a predetermined point in the workspace. In operation the single rotatably mounted transmitter head illuminates the workspace volume with a pair of spaced apart precalibrated fan beams which sweep the space and a periodically emitted reference strobe pulse. At least one optical receiver is selectively positionable within said workspace so that during each revolution of said single transmitter head said receiver receives a first position strike and a second position strike of said fan beams.

Abstract: An improved, low-cost optical transmitter and method useful in a three-dimensional measurement system wherein a plurality of operational parameters of said transmitter are calibrated during manufacture/assembly process to generate unique calibration data for each optical transmitter including data defining angles of each transmitter's first and second radiant fan beams and the angle between the beams when the transmitter is leveled for operation in the system and wherein a detector/receiver in the system distinguishes between radiant beams from a plurality of individual transmitters operable within a given measurement field as a function of the selectively alterable rotational velocity calibration data for each of said transmitters and wherein said angular calibration data for each transmitter is operationally available to each detector/receiver operable in the system.

Abstract: A vibration sensor is provided in a telescope. When vibrations are detected by the vibration sensor, the vibrating state of a reflecting mirror is estimated by the vibration sensor. When an image signal is captured by an image sensor, the frequency or period of capturing the image signal is varied depending on the state of vibrations of the reflecting mirror. In this manner, the time required for measurement is shortened, or the measuring error due to the swinging of the reflecting mirror is minimized.

Abstract: The rotary laser irradiating system according to the present invention comprises a main unit, a rotator rotatably mounted on said main unit, and a range-finding unit disposed on said main unit, wherein said main unit comprises a light emitting unit for emitting a laser beam, optical means for directing said laser beam and a range-finding light from said range-finding unit toward said rotator, and tilt sensors for detecting horizontality and verticality of a rotation axis of said rotator, said rotator comprises deflecting means for deflecting the laser beam and the range-finding light from said optical means and rotating position detecting means for detecting a rotating position of the rotator, and said rotating position detecting means being designed to project said laser beam and said range-finding light in a predetermined direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a construction equipment control system, which comprises a plurality of rotary laser irradiating systems for forming laser reference planes by irradiating laser beams by rotary irradiation, a surveying system for measuring positions of the rotary laser irradiating systems, and a construction operation system for controlling and operating construction work of a construction equipment based on the laser reference planes, wherein the construction operation system comprises a photodetection sensor for receiving light beams from the rotary laser irradiating systems as reference positions for the construction operation, a global positioning system (GPS) for detecting a position of the construction equipment, and transmitting structure for transmitting detection results of said GPS to the surveying system, the surveying system comprises transmitting structure for transmitting data relating to the reference planes to be formed based on the results of measurement and results of detecti

Abstract: The present invention provides a rotary laser irradiating apparatus, which comprises a laser source, a rotator for forming a laser reference plane by rotary irradiation of laser beam from said laser source, scanning gear for deflecting the laser beam from said laser source, and a controller for controlling said scanning gear, whereby a plurality of laser reference planes are formed within a predetermined range as desired during one turn of rotary irradiation of the laser beam, and different levels can be set at a plurality of points.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for angle measurement or for the determination of an angle of position for an object. The method comprises the use of a beacon having a known position and rotating around its axis, which emits light or reflects light focused thereon. The light emitting from the beacon being determined either previously or for the start of each measurement for a given reference bearing. In the method, the light emitted from the beacon is picked up by a receiver present in an object to be measured, which is provided with elements for determining, by means of the light received from the beacon, the rotational speed of the beacon and further an angular position for the object with respect to said reference bearing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rotary laser irradiating apparatus, which comprises a laser source, a rotator for forming a laser reference plane by rotary irradiation of a laser beam from the laser source, scanning gear for deflecting the laser beam from the laser source, and a controller for controlling the scanning gear, whereby a plurality of laser reference planes are formed within a predetermined range as desired during one turn of rotary irradiation of the laser beam, and different levels can be set at a plurality of points.

Abstract: A geodetic instrument is disclosed which is set up over a ground point by a tripod and whose telescope is swivelable about a tilt axis and a rotational axis and which is outfitted with a laser arrangement for centering the rotational axis over the ground point and for determining the height h of the intersection point of the tilt axis and rotational axis over the ground point. In an instrument of the type mentioned above, a first, preferably collimated, laser beam extending in the rotational axis and at least one further laser beam path which extends divergent to the first laser beam are provided and, together, enclose an angle &ggr;, and wherein there is further provided a measuring device for determining the distance a between the two laser beam paths at the height of the ground point and an evaluating device for calculating the height h of the intersection point over the ground point from the relationship h˜a.

Abstract: To determine the height of a surveying apparatus (1) above a point (15) on the ground, the surveying apparatus (1) has a distance measuring device and is provided with a front attachment (11) which is mounted on the telescope (8) and effects beam deflection and simultaneous beam divergence of an emitted infrared or laser beam towards the point (15) on the ground. The light beam is deflected around the surveying apparatus (1) and a stand (2) carrying the apparatus. Exact sighting of the point (15) on the ground is no longer necessary. The height is calculated as a function of the distance between the point on the ground and the rotary position of the telescope (8), which distance is in any case relatively accurately measurable in the apparatus.

Abstract: A beam position detector, which comprises a photodetection unit for receiving a laser beam and issuing a signal corresponding to photodetection amount, wherein said photodetection unit has a first photoelectric conversion unit and a second photoelectric conversion unit and width of said first photoelectric conversion unit is gradually decreased in positive position detecting direction, and width of said second photoelectric conversion unit is gradually increased in positive position detecting direction, and scanning position of the laser beam is detected by comparing the output value of said first photoelectric conversion unit with the output value of said second photoelectric conversion unit.

Abstract: A laser receiver is provided that is capable of providing an accurate indication of laser receiver tilt and correcting a generated elevation signal based upon the indicated laser receiver tilt. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a laser receiver is provided comprising a laser beam detection unit, an inclination detection unit, and suitable laser receiver control circuitry. The laser beam detection unit is arranged to enable production of an elevation signal indicative of an elevation of a laser beam relative to the laser receiver. The inclination detection unit comprises a reference light source, an optical fiber, and an optical detector. The optical fiber defines a light input end and a light output end and is coupled to the reference light source such that light from the reference light source enters at the light input end and exits from the light output end as an output beam of light. The optical detector is arranged to receive the output beam of light.

Abstract: A laser survey instrument, which comprises at least a main unit for emitting a laser beam and an object reflector for reflecting the laser beam from the main unit toward the main unit, whereby said main unit comprises an emitter for emitting the laser beam, a rotating unit for rotating and scanning the laser beam, a tilting mechanism for tilting the laser beam at an arbitrary angle at least in one direction with respect to a horizontal plane, a rotating angle detector interlocked with the rotating unit and for detecting irradiating direction of the laser beam, a reflection light detector for detecting reflection light from the object reflector, and an alignment display unit for detecting a deviation of direction with respect to the object reflector and a deviation of tilt angle based on a signal from the reflection light detector and for obtaining information on the deviation of direction or the tilt angle, the laser beam emitted from the main unit is irradiated to scan, the center of the object reflector is

Abstract: Conventional reference beam detecting apparatus require the use of transits and levels in addition to the reference beam detecting apparatus itself to make the operation of determining the height of construction very cumbersome. A reference beam detecting apparatus 404 according to the invention comprises a first light receiving section 412 and a second light receiving section 414. The angle SFH formed by the first light receiving section 412 and the front surface of the apparatus main body and the angle SFG formed by the second light receiving section 414 and the front surface of the apparatus main body are same and equal to about 30° . The reference beam detecting apparatus further comprises a light receiving position display section 118, a notch 140 and a data display section 404.

Abstract: A leveling rod for an electronic level has a plurality of bar-shaped marks disposed adjacent each other in a longitudinal direction along the leveling rod in parallel with each other and perpendicular to a length of the leveling rod. The marks are arranged at a constant pitch. The width dimensions of the marks in the longitudinal direction of the leveling rod are represented by a plurality of integers. A permutation of predetermined number of values chosen from a sequence of numbers made up of a sequential array of the ratios of the width dimensions is arranged to be different from a permutation chosen from any other portion of the sequence of numbers.