Laser-based coordinate measuring device and laser-based method for measuring coordinates

Abstract

A laser based coordinate measuring device measures a position of a remote target. The laser based coordinate measuring device includes a stationary portion, a rotatable portion, and at least a first optical fiber. The stationary portion has at least a first laser radiation source and at least a first optical detector, and the rotatable portion is rotatable with respect to the stationary portion. The first optical fiber system, which optically interconnects the first laser radiation source and the first optical detector with an emission end of the first optical fiber system, has the emission end disposed on the rotatable portion. The emission end emits laser radiation to the remote target and receives laser radiation reflected from the remote target with the emission direction of the laser radiation being controlled according to the rotation of the rotatable portion.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for measuring a distance with steps comprising:
 providing a structure supported for rotation about a first axis and a second axis, the second axis orthogonal to the first axis, the structure rotated on a base about the first axis by a first motor and rotated about the second axis by a second motor; 
 mounting an end of an optical fiber and an optical element on the structure;  
 passing a first light launched from an the end of an the optical fiber through an the optical element that forms the first light into a first beam; 
 reflecting from a target a portion of the first beam as a reflected beam; 
 passing a portion of the reflected beam through the optical element and into the end of the optical fiber; 
 automatically tracking the target in two-dimensions by rotating the structure about the first axis by the first motor and the second axis by the second motor; and 
 calculating the distance based at least in part on the portion of the reflected beam that passes through the optical element and into the end of the optical fiber. 
 
     
     
       2. The method for measuring a distance according to  claim 1 , further comprising mounting the end of the optical fiber and the optical element on a structure. 
     
     
       3. The method for measuring a distance according to claim  2  1, further comprising reflecting or transmitting the first beam from or through a first beam splitter. 
     
     
       4. The method for measuring a distance according to  claim 1 , wherein automatically tracking the target is based at least in part on a position detector. 
     
     
       5. The method for measuring a distance according to  claim 1 , further comprising combining a pointer beam with the first beam. 
     
     
       6. The method for measuring a distance according to  claim 1 , further comprising detecting an image formed on a photosensitive array. 
     
     
       7. A distance measuring system comprising:
 a structure supported for rotation about a first axis and a second axis, the second axis orthogonal to the first axis, the structure rotated on a base about the first axis by a first motor and rotated about the second axis by a second motor;  
 a distance meter connected to an optical fiber, the optical fiber having an end through which light from the distance meter is launched, the end mounted on the structure; 
 an optical element that forms a first beam from the light launched from the distance meter; 
 a target that reflects a portion of the first beam as a reflected beam;
 wherein a portion of the reflected beam travels back through the optical element, re-enters the end of the optical fiber, and is returned to the distance meter; and 
 wherein the distance meter measures a distance based at least in part on the portion of the reflected beam that travels back through the optical element, re-enters the end of the optical fiber, and is returned to the distance meter; and 
 
 electronics configured to automatically track the target in two dimensions by rotating the structure about the first axis by the first motor and the second axis by the second motor. 
 
     
     
       8. The distance measuring system according to  claim 7 , wherein the distance is from a pivot point to the target, and wherein the pivot point is at an intersection of the first axis and the second axis. 
     
     
       9. The distance measuring system according to  claim 7 , wherein the end of the optical fiber and the optical element are mounted on a structure. 
     
     
       10. The distance measuring system according to claim  9  7, further comprising a beam splitter between the optical element and the target, wherein the beam splitter is mounted on the structure. 
     
     
       11. The distance measuring system according to  claim 10 , wherein the system further comprises a position detector. 
     
     
       12. The distance measuring system according to  claim 7 , wherein the system further comprises a pointer beam. 
     
     
       13. The distance measuring system according to  claim 7 , wherein the system further comprises a photosensitive array. 
     
     
       14. The distance measuring system according to  claim 7 , wherein the optical element is a lens. 
     
     
       15. The distance measuring system according to  claim 7 , wherein the first beam travels through air. 
     
     
       16. The distance measuring system according to  claim 7 , wherein the first beam is generated by a laser.