초록 ▼

The distance detector 12b returns part of the light received from the distance detector 12a located at the starting point side by reflection, or reflection and refraction, sends the remaining part of the light to the distance detectors 12b, 12c, 12d and 12e located at the forefront end side by trans

The distance detector 12b returns part of the light received from the distance detector 12a located at the starting point side by reflection, or reflection and refraction, sends the remaining part of the light to the distance detectors 12b, 12c, 12d and 12e located at the forefront end side by transmission, refraction, reflection or a combination thereof, and returns the returned light from the distance detectors 12b-12e to the distance detector 11a located at the starting point by transmission, refraction, reflection or a combination thereof. By using laser light sources, it is possible to measure the distance from the laser light sources to multiple points or the distance between two points with a high degree of accuracy.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. A distance measurement system comprising a laser light source, a plurality of distance detectors arranged on a path that is formed as either a serial structure, a tree-shaped structure or a radial array in the space starting from the laser light source, a photodetector

The invention claimed is: 1. A distance measurement system comprising a laser light source, a plurality of distance detectors arranged on a path that is formed as either a serial structure, a tree-shaped structure or a radial array in the space starting from the laser light source, a photodetector for detecting the light returned through the path, and a distance measuring apparatus for measuring the distance between the laser light source and each distance detector by analyzing the light detected by the photodetector, wherein each of the distance detectors returns part of the input light from a starting point side distance detector to the starting point side distance detector by reflection or both reflection and refraction, sends the remaining part of the light to a forefront side distance detector by transmission, reflection, refraction or a combination thereof, and returns the light returning from the forefront side distance detector to the photodetector through the starting point side distance detector by transmission, reflection, refraction or a combination thereof. 2. A distance measurement system according to claim 1, wherein the light heading the forefront side distance detector from the starting point side distance detector over the path is spatially separate from the light returning from the forefront side distance detector to the starting point side distance detector over the path. 3. A distance measurement system according to claim 1, wherein the light heading the forefront side distance detector from the starting point side distance detector over the path is spatially overlapped with the light returning from the forefront side distance detector to the starting point side distance detector over the path. 4. A distance measurement system according to claim 1, wherein the distance detector includes an optical component comprising a corner reflector for returning the input light from the starting side distance detector to the distance detector and/or a corner reflector for returning the input light from the forefront side distance detector to the starting point side distance detector through a semitransparent mirror or a reflection mirror. 5. A distance measurement system according to claim 1, wherein the distance detector at the terminal end of the path returns the entire input light from the starting point side distance detector to the photodetector through the starting point side distance detector by reflection. 6. A distance measurement system according to claim 1, further comprising a transmitter for sending a detection result generated by the distance measurement apparatus, wherein at least one of the distance detectors includes an optical axis adjustor, the optical axis adjustor includes a receiver for receiving the detection result from the transmitter and a controller for controlling the optical component so that the light output toward the forefront side distance detector illuminates the light receivable zone of the distance detector, and/or the light output from the starting point side distance detector illuminates the light receivable zone of the optical axis adjustor. 7. A distance measurement system according to claim 6, wherein the optical component is controlled so that the light output by the starting point side distance detector illuminates the light receivable zone of the optical axis adjustor when the distance detector is located at the terminal end of the path. 8. A distance measurement system according to claim 6, wherein the controller controls the input and the output of the distance detector independently. 9. A distance measurement system according to claim 1, wherein the controller comprises an optical axis direction adjusting mechanism for controlling the direction of the output optical axis and/or the input optical axis, and/or an optical axis position adjusting mechanism for controlling the output optical axis so that the optical axis moves on the plane that is at right angles to the optical axis maintaining its direction. 10. A distance measurement system according to claim 1, wherein at least part of the path is open to the air, at least one partial path is included in the entire path, the partial path is formed by an optical fiber between the plural distance detectors and has no distance detector therein, and the end of the optical fiber is open to the air through a fiber collimator which can function as a distance detector. 11. A distance measurement system according to claim 1, wherein the photodetector comprises a modulator for generating a modulation signal; a reference laser light source for generating a laser light of a wavelength which is different from the wavelength generated by the laser light source by receiving the modulation signal; a first optical amplifier for amplifying the laser light that is output from the laser light source and is returned through the light path by reflection; an optical coupler for combining the laser light from the first optical amplifier with the laser light from the reference laser light source; a second optical amplifier for amplifying the laser light from the optical coupler; and a photodetector for receiving the laser light from the second optical amplifier and generating an electrical output by Two-Photon Absorption; the distance measuring apparatus comprises a frequency detector for detecting a frequency component corresponding to the reflection position of the light returning by reflection through the light path of the laser light source by extracting a sine wave component which is included in the output signal of the photodetector and a controller for controlling the modulator.