System and method for reconstruction of the position of objects utilizing a signal transmitting and receiving distance determining device

A method for determining first and second coordinates of a selected feature occupying at least one of a plurality of positions of a scene with respect to first and second control points fixed adjacent said scene, said method comprising the steps of:

• initially determining a first distance between said first and second control points;
• positioning a signal transmitting and receiving distance measuring device adjacent said first control point;
• directing a first transmitted signal toward said selected feature at said at least one of said plurality of positions;
• receiving a first reflected signal from said at least one of said plurality of positions at said distance measuring device;
• secondly determining a second distance between said first control point and said at least one of said plurality of positions based on a time of flight of said first transmitted and first reflected signals;
• repositioning said distance measuring device adjacent said second control point;
• also directing a second transmitted signal toward said at least one of said plurality of positions;
• also receiving a second reflected signal from said at least one of said plurality of positions at said distance measuring device;
• thirdly determining a third distance between said second control point and said at least one of said plurality of positions based on a time of flight of said second transmitted and second reflected signals;
• and
• storing said first, second and third distances for subsequent calculation of said first and second coordinates.

A method for determining first and second coordinates of a feature occupying at least one of a plurality of positions of a scene with respect to a baseline extending between first and second control points fixed adjacent said scene, said method comprising the steps of:

• positioning a signal transmitting and receiving distance measuring device at said least one of a plurality of points along said baseline perpendicular to a specific one of said plurality of positions;
• directing a first transmitted signal toward said first control point;
• receiving a first reflected signal from said first control point at said distance measuring device;
• determining a first distance between said at least one of said plurality of points along said baseline and said first control point based on a time of flight of said first transmitted and first reflected signals;
• also directing a second transmitted signal toward said specific one of said plurality of positions;
• also receiving a second reflected signal from said specific one of said plurality of positions at said distance measuring device;
• also determining a second distance between said at least one of said plurality of points and said specific one of said plurality of positions based on a time of flight of said second transmitted and second reflected signals;
• and
• storing said first and second distances for subsequent calculation of said first and second coordinates.

A system for recording relative positional data points of a scene comprising:

• a signal transmitting and receiving distance measuring device having a user aiming sight for directing a transmitted signal toward each in a series of selected objects at said scene and receiving a reflected signal therefrom, said distance measuring device being capable of determining an object distance to each of said series of selected objects based upon a time of flight of said transmitted signals directed to each one of said series of selected objects and reflected signals received from said each one of said series of selected objects;
• and
• a data recorder associated with said distance measuring device having a data input section for manual actuation by said user and a display viewable by said user, said data recorder being coupled to said distance measuring device to store data indicative of a plurality of said object distances to each of said selected objects from said distance measuring device, said data recorder displaying selected ones of said distances on said display and associating each of said object distances with a user selected distance identifier input to said data input section wherein said data recorder is programmable to determine an abscissa and ordinate of each of said series of selected objects based upon said object distances and wherein said abscissa and ordinate are determined relative to a position on a baseline between first and second control points defining said abscissa and a corresponding perpendicular distance to each of said series of selected objects defining said ordinate.