US 7,627,448 B2 · Apparatus and method for mapping an area of interest

Abstract

An apparatus and method are provided for mapping an area of interest using polar coordinates or Cartesian coordinates. The apparatus includes a range finder, an azimuth angle measuring device to provide a heading and an inclinometer to provide an angle of inclination of the range finder as it relates to primary reference points and points of interest. A computer is provided to receive signals from the range finder, inclinometer and azimuth angle measurer to record location data and calculate relative locations between one or more points of interest and one or more primary reference points. The method includes mapping of an area of interest to locate points of interest relative to one or more primary reference points and to store the information in the desired manner. The device may optionally also include an illuminator which can be utilized to paint the area of interest to indicate both points of interest and primary points of reference during and/or after data acquisition.

Claims24

Dependent claims

A method of mapping an area of interest, the method comprising:

identifying an area of interest;
placing a mapping apparatus adjacent the area of interest;
identifying at least one primary reference point in the area of interest;
projecting a wave onto a first said primary reference point;
sensing the wave reflected from the first primary reference;
determining a first location of the first primary reference point relative to a reference point on the mapping apparatus by at least one of range, azimuth angle and elevation angle;
projecting a wave onto a first point of interest;
sensing the wave reflected from the first point of interest;
determining a second location of the first point of interest relative to a reference point on the mapping apparatus by at least one of range, azimuth angle and elevation angle;
calculating a third location of the first point of interest relative to the first location of at least one said primary reference point;
and
recording the third location.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Apparatus and method for mapping an area of interest

Life of this patent

Apparatus and method for mapping an area of interest

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims24