Laser Distance Meter Gesture Trigger via Optical Path Interruption
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hand-held laser distance measuring devices face challenges in accurately triggering distance measurements without unintentionally displacing the device from the intended aiming direction, often requiring mechanical input or separate remote triggering devices, which can lead to inaccurate results and increased complexity.
Innovation Solution
The device employs a gesture detection system where a user-defined gesture with a test body triggers the measurement, using a control unit to continuously detect and evaluate reflected light beam parameters, allowing for non-contact initiation of the measurement process without additional hardware, thereby maintaining device alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a mechanical button on the measuring device is used to trigger measurement, then the measurement can be initiated, but the device is easily unintentionally displaced from the aiming direction, leading to inaccurate measurement results
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical button system with an optical detection system. A light sensor detects the presence of a test object (such as a finger or hand) in the laser beam path, triggering measurement without mechanical contact. This eliminates the need for physical button pressing that causes device displacement, while maintaining ease of operation through intuitive optical triggering.
2Ease of operation
If a separate remote triggering device is used, then the device can be triggered without contact, but the system becomes more complex and requires additional hardware
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing laser distance measuring device multi-functional by enabling it to detect gestures through the laser beam path itself. The same optical components used for distance measurement are utilized to detect the test object's presence, eliminating the need for separate remote triggering hardware. This achieves contactless triggering while avoiding additional complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The measuring device triggers itself automatically when the test object enters the laser beam path. The system monitors the optical path continuously and autonomously initiates measurement based on detected gestures, removing the need for external triggering devices or manual button pressing. This self-service approach simplifies the overall system while providing contactless operation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances measurement accuracy by avoiding unintentional device displacement and eliminates the need for separate remote triggering devices, providing a user-friendly and intuitive method for initiating distance measurements.
Implementation Method 1
a laser source for emitting an optical measuring light beam in the direction of an object
Implementation Method 2
a receiver for detecting reflected portions of the optical measuring light beam
Implementation Method 3
the evaluation and control unit is designed to execute a gesture measurement trigger mode, in which the continuously detected reflected portions of the optical measuring light beam are evaluated with regard to parameters that depend on a gesture
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a
AI summary
The invention relates to an electro-optical distance measuring device for measuring distances in a contactless manner, comprising at least one laser distance-measuring module, which has a laser source for emitting an optical measuring light beam in the direction of an object and which has a receiver for detecting reflected portions of the optical measuring light beam, and comprising an analyzing and control unit for determining a distance on the basis of the received portions of the optical measuring light beam. According to the invention, criteria are defined and stored which characterize a determined gesture for triggering the distance measurement, said gesture being carried out by a user using a test body that crosses the measuring light beam in an encoded manner. Additionally, the analyzing and control unit is designed to carry out a measurement-triggering gesture mode in which reflected portions of the optical measuring light beam are continuously detected automatically and the continuously detected reflected portions are analyzed with respect to characteristic variables, said variables being dependent on a gesture that crosses the measuring light beam by means of a test body in an encoded manner. The characteristic variables are used to test whether said variables correspond to the defined criteria so that the gesture that is carried out by the user is identified as the gesture for triggering the distance measurement if the characteristic variables correspond to the criteria. Finally, a measurement of the distance to the object can be automatically triggered in response to an identification of the gesture for triggering the distance measurement.