Non-contact measurement device for accurately determining angular measurements in relation to plumb and level

Abstract

A hand-held or tool integrated measurement device ( ) is provided for quickly and accurately performing non-contact measurements of dimensions and/or angles associated with various objects in a home or commercial work area. The measurement device ( ) generally includes at least one user input element ( ), a non-contact sensor ( ), an image processor ( ), a gravity reference device ( ), and a display element ( ) packaged in a portable housing assembly ( ). In operation, a user initiates the measurement by activating the user input element ( ) associated with the measurement device ( ). The non-contact sensor ( ) receives a trigger signal from the user input element ) and is operative to collect image data representative of at least a portion of the surface of a measured object. Likewise, the gravity reference device ( ) receives the trigger signal from the user input element ( ) and is operative to determine a local gravity vector. The image processor ( ) in turn receives the image data, from the non-contact sensor ( ) and the local gravity vector from the gravity reference device ( ). The image data is then converted into angular measurement data for the surface of the measured object in relation to the local gravity vector. The display element ( ) is operable to visually display the angular measurement data to the user.