Two dimension layout and point transfer system

A layout and point transfer system, comprising:

• (a) a first base unit, having a first laser light transmitter that emits a first laser light plane, and a first processing circuit, said first laser light transmitter being rotatable and having an axis of rotation that is parallel to said first laser light plane;
• and
• (b) a second base unit, having a second laser light transmitter that emits a second laser light plane, and a second processing circuit, said second laser light transmitter being rotatable and having an axis of rotation that is parallel to said second laser light plane;
• (c) a remote unit, having a third processing circuit, a display, and an input sensing device that allows a user to enter commands to said remote unit;
• wherein:
• (d) said system is configured to register locations of said first and second base units on a physical jobsite surface with respect to at least two benchmark points that are also located on said physical jobsite surface;
• (e) said system is configured to provide a visual representation of a virtual point on said physical jobsite surface, by aiming first laser light plane in a first static direction and said second laser light plane in a second static direction, to indicate a location of said virtual point;
• (f) said remote unit contains a virtual floor plan for use at said physical jobsite surface;
• (g) said virtual floor plan includes coordinates for said at least two benchmark points;
• and
• (h) wherein said remote unit is configured:
• (i) to be in communication with a virtual floor plan;
• (ii) to be in communication with said first base unit and said second base unit;
• (iii) to depict, on said display, at least two benchmark points of said virtual floor plan;
• and
• (iv) to depict, on said display, a known virtual point of said virtual floor plan that is to be plotted on a jobsite physical surface by said first laser light plane and said second laser light plane.

A base unit for use in a layout and point transfer system, said base unit comprising:

• a first laser light transmitter that emits a substantially planar vertical plane of laser light in a static direction, said first laser light transmitter being rotatable about a substantially vertical axis;
• a laser light receiver having:
• a null-position photosensor that is mounted to detect laser light offsets in a substantially horizontal direction, an amplifier circuit interfacing between said null-position photosensor and said laser light receiver, and a second photosensor with a cylinder lens, for providing gross position detecting capability;
• and
• a leveling mechanism.

A method for setting up a layout and point transfer system, said method comprising:

• (a) providing a first base unit which includes a first laser light transmitter that emits a first laser light plane;
• (b) providing a second base unit which includes a second laser light transmitter that emits a second laser light plane;
• (c) positioning said first base unit and said second base unit at two different locations on a solid surface of a jobsite;
• (d) determining an alignment axis between said first base unit and said second base unit;
• (e) aiming said first laser light transmitter at a first static direction and said second laser light transmitter at a second static direction so that a first benchmark point is indicated by intersecting laser light lines along said solid surface, which are produced by said first and second laser light planes;
• and determining a first set of azimuth angles of said first and second laser light transmitters;
• (f) aiming said first laser light transmitter and said second laser light transmitter so that a second benchmark point is indicated by intersecting laser light lines along said solid surface, which are produced by said first and second laser light planes;
• and determining a second set of azimuth angles of said first and second laser light transmitters;
• (g) by use of said first and second sets of azimuth angles, determining positions of said first and second base units with respect to said first and second benchmark points;
• (h) wherein, during said method steps (a) through (g), said first base unit and said second base unit are not moved from said two different locations on said solid surface of a jobsite;
• and
• (i) for indicating a known point of interest, said method further comprising the steps of:
• (i) providing a virtual jobsite floor plan in at least two dimensions;
• (ii) providing a remote unit that includes a memory circuit, a display, and an input sensing device that allows a user to enter commands to said remote unit, said remote unit being in communication with said virtual jobsite floor plan;
• (iii) positioning said first base unit and said second base unit at two different locations on a physical jobsite surface, and determining an alignment axis therebetween;
• (iv) determining coordinates for two benchmark points of said virtual jobsite floor plan, and determining azimuth angles of said first and second laser light transmitters for each of said two benchmark points, thereby registering positions of said first and second base units on said virtual jobsite floor plan;
• (v) selecting first coordinates for a first point of interest that was previously registered in said virtual jobsite floor plan, and slewing said first and second laser light transmitters in an azimuth direction to aim at said first coordinates;
• and
• (vi) visually determining said first point of interest, by indicating a location at which said first substantially vertical laser light plane and said second substantially vertical laser light plane produce intersecting laser light lines on said physical jobsite surface.

A method for setting up a layout and point transfer system, said method comprising:

• (a) providing a first base unit which includes a first laser light transmitter that emits a first laser light plane;
• (b) providing a second base unit which includes a second laser light transmitter that emits a second laser light plane;
• (c) positioning said first base unit and said second base unit at two different locations on a solid surface of a jobsite;
• (d) determining an alignment axis between said first base unit and said second base unit;
• (e) aiming said first laser light transmitter at a first static direction and said second laser light transmitter at a second static direction so that a first benchmark point is indicated by intersecting laser light lines along said solid surface, which are produced by said first and second laser light planes;
• and determining a first set of azimuth angles of said first and second laser light transmitters;
• (f) aiming said first laser light transmitter and said second laser light transmitter so that a second benchmark point is indicated by intersecting laser light lines along said solid surface, which are produced by said first and second laser light planes;
• and determining a second set of azimuth angles of said first and second laser light transmitters;
• (g) by use of said first and second sets of azimuth angles, determining positions of said first and second base units with respect to said first and second benchmark points;
• (h) wherein, during said method steps (a) through (g), said first base unit and said second base unit are not moved from said two different locations on said solid surface of a jobsite;
• and
• (i) for entering an unknown point of interest into a virtual floor plan, further comprising the steps of:
• (i) providing a virtual jobsite floor plan in at least two dimensions;
• (ii) providing a remote unit that includes a memory circuit, a display, and an input sensing device that allows a user to enter commands to said remote unit, said remote unit being in communication with said virtual jobsite floor plan;
• (iii) positioning said first base unit and said second base unit at two different locations on a physical jobsite surface, and determining an alignment axis therebetween;
• (iv) determining coordinates for two benchmark points of said virtual jobsite floor plan, and determining azimuth angles of said first and second laser light transmitters for each of said two benchmark points, thereby registering positions of said first and second base units on said virtual jobsite floor plan;
• (v) selecting an unknown physical point of interest on said physical jobsite surface, and slewing said first and second laser light transmitters in an azimuth direction to aim at said unknown physical point of interest until said first substantially vertical laser light plane and said second substantially vertical laser light plane produce intersecting laser light lines on said physical jobsite surface at said unknown physical point of interest;
• (vi) entering azimuth aiming angles of said first and second laser light transmitters into said remote unit, thereby determining angular coordinates of said unknown physical point of interest with respect to said first and second base units;
• and
• (vii) using reverse calculations, plotting said unknown physical point of interest into said virtual jobsite floor plan, thereby registering said unknown physical point of interest.