초록 ▼

The present invention relates to a portable, hand-held distance-measurement apparatus utilizing a laser range finder. The distance-measurement apparatus executes a number of distance-measurement cycles. In each cycle, a capacitor begins charging at approximately the same time that a light pulse is g

The present invention relates to a portable, hand-held distance-measurement apparatus utilizing a laser range finder. The distance-measurement apparatus executes a number of distance-measurement cycles. In each cycle, a capacitor begins charging at approximately the same time that a light pulse is generated. An analog-to-digital converter generates a digital representation of the capacitor voltage at approximately the same time that a reflected light pulse is received. The lowest and the highest digital values are discarded and the remaining digital values are averaged and scaled to produce a distance measurement. A reflective target may be used at a remote location to reflect the light beam back to the distance-measurement apparatus. The distance-measurement apparatus has several power saving features that facilitate convenient battery operation. The distance-measurement apparatus may also have a view finder.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A portable, hand-held distance-measurement apparatus comprising:a viewfinding tube;an image source which generates an image, said image source mounted to project said image generally parallel to a line of sight through said viewfinding tube;an optical system comprising a

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A portable, hand-held distance-measurement apparatus comprising:a viewfinding tube;an image source which generates an image, said image source mounted to project said image generally parallel to a line of sight through said viewfinding tube;an optical system comprising a view finder window which provides a field of view, said view finder window being positioned within said viewfinding tube, said view finder window receiving said image from said image source such that said image is superimposed upon said field of view to target a remote object displayed in said field of view, anda distance measurement system which emits electromagnetic radiation in the direction of said remote object targeted by said superimposed image, said distance measurement system receiving radiation reflected from said remote object and responsively providing a distance measurement value representing the distance between said distance measurement apparatus and said remote object.