Portable Laser Distance Device Using Sensor Fusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current distance measurement methods require placing measuring devices directly over spans or using fixed laser targets, which are inefficient and limited in flexibility, especially in dynamic environments where endpoints are arbitrarily located.
Innovation Solution
A portable device employing a laser distance measuring component and position/orientation sensors like accelerometers and gyroscopes to calculate distances between arbitrarily located endpoints by tracking changes in device position and orientation, allowing measurement without direct endpoint placement or simultaneous view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a laser distance measuring device is directed at a single point to determine distance, then the measurement can be performed without placing the device over the span, but the flexibility to measure arbitrarily located endpoints is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement process is segmented into multiple independent steps: measuring distance to first endpoint, measuring distance to second endpoint, and calculating the span between endpoints. This allows the device to measure distances to arbitrarily located points without requiring the device to be positioned at the endpoints themselves, thereby improving both ease of operation and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from single-point distance measurement to multi-point spatial coordinate measurement. By capturing multiple distance measurements from different vantage points and using orientation sensors to track device pose, the system reconstructs three-dimensional spatial relationships, enabling flexible measurement of arbitrarily located endpoints without direct placement at those points.
2Measurement precision
If tape measure is placed over the span to be measured, then direct measurement is achieved, but the process is time-consuming and less efficient
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical tape measure system is replaced with an optical laser measurement system combined with electronic sensors. The laser device emits light beams to measure distances to endpoints, and electronic orientation sensors track device position and orientation. This substitution eliminates the need for physical placement of measuring tools over spans, dramatically increasing measurement speed while maintaining or improving precision through electronic calculation of endpoint coordinates.
3Ease of operation
If fixed laser targets are used for distance measurement, then measurement can be performed from a distance, but the adaptability to dynamically locate endpoints is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces fixed laser targets with dynamic, arbitrary endpoint location capability. The device uses orientation sensors (accelerometers and gyroscopes) to dynamically track its own position and orientation in 3D space, allowing the user to point the laser at any arbitrary location. The computational system then calculates the coordinates of these arbitrarily located endpoints based on the tracked device pose and measured distances, providing full adaptability to any endpoint location without requiring fixed targets.
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
Enables quick and flexible distance measurement between arbitrarily located endpoints, improving efficiency and accuracy in tasks like planning and construction by calculating distances using relative sensor data and a computer algorithm.
Implementation Method 1
a laser beam is emitted from the device toward a targeted endpoint
Implementation Method 2
measuring the distance from the device to the endpoint
Implementation Method 3
sensing components that track changes in position and orientation of the device, such as accelerometers and gyroscopes
Implementation Method 4
sensing components that track changes in position and orientation of the device, such as accelerometers and gyroscopes
Data Source
AI summary
A portable distance measuring device that works by spanning separately targeted endpoints is described. The device contains a laser distance measuring component and sensing components that track changes in position and orientation of the device, such as accelerometers and gyroscopes. Distance is measured by pointing the laser at an endpoint and measuring the distance to it. Once this measurement is confirmed, the device can be moved to a different vantage location to measure a second endpoint with the laser. The orientation and position of the device for the second distance measurement relative to the first measurement are calculated by the position and orientation sensors. Together these values are sufficient to calculate the distance spanning the endpoints. This calculation is performed by a computer contained in the device and the distance displayed to the user.