초록 ▼

The present invention relates to a portable, hand-held distance-measurement apparatus comprising a laser range finder which is aimed by an active viewfinder. The active viewfinder improves the accuracy of the range finder by giving the user more visual feedback and thus allowing the user better cont

The present invention relates to a portable, hand-held distance-measurement apparatus comprising a laser range finder which is aimed by an active viewfinder. The active viewfinder improves the accuracy of the range finder by giving the user more visual feedback and thus allowing the user better control over the ranging operation. Under user command, the viewfinder enters a targeting mode wherein the user is presented with a illuminated targeting indicator inside the viewfinder. The indicator is superimposed upon the field-of-view seen through the viewfinder. In the targeting mode, the user aims the range finder by placing the targeting indicator on the object to be ranged. Once the device is aimed, the user commands the distance-measurement device to execute a distance measurement cycle. In one embodiment, targeting indicator flashes in various ways to indicate the quality of the data being obtained during the distance measurement cycle. When enough data has been obtained to compute the distance, then the targeting indicator turns off, letting the user know that the display has been updated.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A hand-held, distance-measurement apparatus comprising:an image source which generates an image;an optical system comprising a viewfinder which is configured to provide a field-of-view, said optical system further configured to superimpose said image from said image sourc

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A hand-held, distance-measurement apparatus comprising:an image source which generates an image;an optical system comprising a viewfinder which is configured to provide a field-of-view, said optical system further configured to superimpose said image from said image source upon said field-of-view, said viewfinder having a line of sight through said superimposed image which targets a remote surface displayed in said field-of-view; anda distance-measurement system which is configured to operate in at least a first operational mode and a second operational mode to obtain a distance measurement of said remote surface, said first operational mode configured to activate sad image source and prevent said distance measurement while a user targets said remote surface, said second operational mode configured to obtain said distance measurement of said remote surface.