System, method and apparatus for drywall joint detection and measurement

Abstract

A system for visually enhancing a surface. For example, the system may include an assembly that may be configured to project a laser line across at least a portion of the surface. Versions of the laser line may be projected at an angle of incidence relative to a plane defined by the surface. For example, the angle of incidence may be in a range of about 5 degrees to about 60 degrees. In one version, the laser line may be substantially perpendicular to a central axis of the surface. In addition, the laser line may enable enhanced, qualitative user visualization of the surface and non-planar distortion in the surface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of preparing a surface, the method comprising:
 (a) constructing a wall having panels that engage at intersections;   (b) detecting a planarity and non-planarity of the intersections, and adjusting non-planar intersections into planar intersections;   (c) applying material to the planar intersections to conceal the planar intersections and form joints; and then   (d) detecting a planarity and non-planarity of the joints, and adjusting non-planar joints into planar joints.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein step (a) comprises fastening the panels to a frame to form the wall. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein step (b) comprises:
 visually enhancing a geometry of the intersections by projecting a laser line across the intersections.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the laser line is substantially perpendicular to the intersections. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the laser line enables enhanced, qualitative user visualization of the intersections and non-planar distortion in the intersections relative to a plane defined by the wall. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein adjusting non-planar intersections into planar intersections in step (b) comprises moving the panels. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein step (b) comprises:
 (1) projecting a laser image across the intersections;   (2) positioning or simulating a reference guide on the wall adjacent to the laser image;   (3) digitally imaging the laser image and the reference guide; and   (4) processing the digital images and quantifying the geometry of the intersections based on the digital images, parameters of the laser image and the reference guide, such that a quality of the intersections is determined.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the panels are drywall panels. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein step (c) comprises at least one of taping, applying plaster or joint compound, wiping, washing, and wet or dry sanding the planar intersections. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein step (d) comprises:
 visually enhancing a geometry of the joints by projecting a laser line across the joints, the laser line is substantially perpendicular to the joints.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the laser line enables enhanced, qualitative user visualization of the joints and non-planar distortion in the joints relative to a plane defined by the wall. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein step (d) comprises:
 (1) projecting a laser image across the joints;   (2) positioning or simulating a reference guide on the wall adjacent to the laser image; and   (3) digitally imaging the laser image and the reference guide.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein step (d) further comprises processing the digital images and quantifying the geometry of the joints based on the digital images such that a quality of the joints is determined. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein step (d) further comprises processing the digital images and quantifying the geometry of the joints based on the parameters of the laser image such that a quality of the joints is determined. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein step (d) further comprises processing the digital images and quantifying the geometry of the joints based on the reference guide such that a quality of the joints is determined. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein step (d) further comprises processing the digital images and quantifying the geometry of the joints based digital images, parameters of the laser image and the reference guide, such that a quality of the joints is determined. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein adjusting non-planar joints into planar joints in step (d) comprises wet or dry sanding. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein adjusting non-planar joints into planar joints in step (d) comprises taping. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein adjusting non-planar joints into planar joints in step (d) comprises applying plaster or joint compound. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein adjusting non-planar joints into planar joints in step (d) comprises wiping and washing the non-planar joints.