Trimble Germany Gmbh

Peter Rindle

Methods and devices for the determination of distance by means of light pulses are disclosed. A light source emits light pulses with specified frequency. A detector receives reflected light pulses. A controller controls the light source and detector by means of signals. At least two timers are connected to the controller and the detector. When a light pulse is emitted by the light source, the controller generates a start signal triggering a time measurement by each of the at least two timers, in order, and beginning again from the start. Upon receiving a reflected light pulse, the detector generates a stop signal which stops the time measurement by the timer of the at least two timers, to which at that instant a measuring window is assigned by the controller. The device can be designed as a fiber-optic scanner.

Device and method for the determination of distance by means of light pulses

A device () for the determination of distance by means of light pulses is disclosed. The device () comprises a light source () for emitting light pulses with a specified frequency, a detector () for receiving the light pulses emitted and reflected by the light source, and a controller () which is in communication with the light source () and the detector () and which can control said light source and detector by means of signals. The device () further comprises at least two timers (Z, Z, Z) which are connected to the controller () and the detector (). Said controller () is designed in such a way that when a light pulse is emitted by the light source (), the controller () generates a start signal which triggers the time measurement by each one of the at least two timers, in order, and beginning again from the start. The detector () is designed in such a way that upon receiving a reflected light pulse, said detector () generates a stop signal which is forwarded to the at least two timers (Z, Z, Z) and which stops the time measurement by the timer of the at least two timers, to which at that instant a measuring window is assigned by the controller (). The device can preferably be designed as a fiber-optic scanner. In addition, a method for the determination of distance by means of light pulses is disclosed.

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Ochsenhausen, Germany

Peter Rindle