The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 18, 2000
Filed:
Sep. 09, 1997
Jonathan A Jackson, Dayton, OH (US);
Francisco Roberto Green, Tipp City, OH (US);
Spectra Precision, Inc., Dayton, OH (US);
Abstract
A laser transmitter and a method of transmitting a reference laser beam are provided comprising an auto scan dither mode. According to one aspect of the present invention, a laser transmitter is provided comprising a laser detection module, an optical system, and a controller. The laser detection module is operative to produce a reflected laser beam signal. The optical system is arranged to generate a reference laser beam selectively in one of a search mode and a target dither mode and to direct a reflected laser beam to the laser detection module. The optical system defines a rotational axis and the reference beam projects radially from the rotational axis. The search mode is characterized by movement of the reference beam through a rotational arc defined about the rotational axis and the target dither mode is characterized by movement of the reference beam through a dither zone occupying a portion of the rotational arc. The controller is programmed to produce selectively one of a target-sighted signal and a target-missing signal and produce a rotary position signal indicative of the position of the reference beam relative to the rotational arc. The controller is also programmed to identify a target position based upon the reflected laser beam signal and the rotary position signal and establish the dither zone about the target position. The dither zone is characterized by a dither range and the dither range is changed gradually in response to the target-sighted signal. The dither range is maintained substantially constant in response to the target-missing signal.