Position indicating and guidance system and method thereof

A method for guiding a machine carrying a tool for movement along a predetermined path at a worksite, said method comprising:

• placing a fan-type laser transmitter at the worksite remote from the machine and on a reference line offset a distance from the predetermined path, said laser transmitter having an arbitrary reference direction;
• setting a reference azimuth angle from said arbitrary reference direction into a control unit provided on the machine, said reference azimuth angle points in a direction parallel to the predetermined path;
• establishing a desired grade by entering into said control unit a percent slope, said control unit converting said percent slope to an equivalent reference elevation angle;
• receiving a measured azimuth angle and a measured elevation angle from said fan-type laser transmitter with a detector array, said detector array having a plurality of photodetectors geometrically arranged and spaced apart at known locations, said detector array being mounted to the machine at a known location;
• comparing said measured azimuth angle to said reference azimuth angle;
• comparing said measured elevation angle to said reference elevation angle;
• and
• generating signals which indicate that the tool is left, right or on the predetermined path, and that the tool is above, below or on the desired grade, said comparing and generating being performed by said control unit.

A control system to guide a machine carrying a tool for movement along a predetermined path at a worksite, said control system comprising:

• a fan-type laser transmitter which when used in the control system is placed in the worksite remote from the machine on a reference line parallel to the predetermined path and set-up in an arbitrary reference direction;
• at least four photodetectors fixed arbitrarily at known positions in a detector array having a three-dimensional shape, said detector array being placed at a known position on the machine and configured to receive a measured azimuth angle from said fan-type laser transmitter when in operation;
• and
• a control unit provided on the machine and configured to store a reference azimuth angle from said arbitrary reference direction, said reference azimuth angle when stored in said control unit points in a direction parallel to the predetermined path, said control unit being configured to generate signals which indicate at least position of the tool relative to the predetermined path by comparing said measured azimuth angle to said reference azimuth angle when in use.