Optical System with Integrated Laser Rangefinder for Waypoint Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser rangefinders lack the ability to accurately mark and recall waypoints in diverse environments, relying on user memory or visual recognition, and fail to provide precise guidance to targets obstructed from view.
Innovation Solution
An optical system integrating a GNSS receiver, laser rangefinder, orientation sensors, and a processor to create and store waypoints based on combined GPS and laser data, providing augmented reality overlays to guide users to marked targets, even when obstructed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional laser rangefinders are used for distance measurement, then the device is simple and portable, but it cannot accurately mark and recall waypoints in diverse environments or provide guidance to obstructed targets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (laser rangefinding, GNSS positioning, orientation sensing, and display) into a single integrated optical system. The laser rangefinder, GNSS receiver, and orientation sensors work together to automatically mark waypoints and provide navigation guidance, eliminating the need for separate devices and improving reliability without requiring the user to manage multiple separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical system performs multiple functions simultaneously: it measures distance via laser rangefinding, determines position via GNSS, orients via sensors, displays visual information, and provides navigation guidance. This multi-functionality allows a single device to handle complex navigation tasks that would otherwise require multiple specialized tools, improving reliability while maintaining portability.
2Measurement precision
If users rely on memory or visual recognition to mark targets, then the device remains simple, but guidance precision and reliability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically marks waypoints by combining laser rangefinder distance measurements with GNSS position data and orientation sensor information. The processor automatically creates and stores waypoint data without requiring manual input from the user, thereby improving measurement precision while keeping the operation simple and intuitive.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides real-time feedback to the user through the display, showing the marked target location and navigation guidance. This feedback loop allows the user to see the result of the automatic waypoint marking and follow precise guidance to the target, improving both measurement precision and ease of operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If visual recognition is used to identify targets, then the system remains simple, but it fails to provide guidance to targets obstructed from view
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses an intermediary approach by combining multiple sensor types (laser rangefinder, GNSS receiver, orientation sensors) to indirectly determine target location and provide navigation guidance. This intermediary system of sensors and processors can navigate around obstacles and provide guidance even when the target is not directly visible, greatly improving adaptability to obstructed environments.
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
Ensures accurate and reliable waypoint marking and guidance, enabling navigation through obstacles and long distances, enhancing user experience by reducing reliance on memory and visual recognition.
Implementation Method 1
an optical system with an integrated laser rangefinder
Implementation Method 2
A laser rangefinder can measure a distance between a user and a target object
Data Source
AI summary
An optical system comprising a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver, a laser rangefinder, an orientation sensor, a display, a memory, and a processor. The processor is configured to show a visual scene viewed through the optical system, mark a target location in the visual scene using the laser rangefinder in response to receiving a mark command from a user to mark the target location, create a waypoint of the target location based on data from the GNSS receiver, the laser rangefinder, and the orientation sensor, store the waypoint in the memory, load the waypoint in response to receiving a load command to load the waypoint from the user, and show an augmented reality overlayed on a different visual scene viewed through the optical system, wherein the augmented reality includes an indicator to guide the user to the waypoint.