Patent ID: 7215412
Filing Date: 2007-05-08
Classification: G01C

Abstract:
1. A method for determining a distance to a target, the method comprising: sending laser light at a first time from a device to a reflector device, the reflector device mounted to a pole, wherein the reflector device comprises: a first lateral surface having a first exterior peripheral edge; a second lateral surface having a second exterior peripheral edge; a rod surface extending from the first exterior peripheral edge to the second exterior peripheral edge; two to four sockets, the two to four sockets formed in the rod surface and arranged in a plurality of rows; and a light reflector mounted in one of the two to four sockets, the light reflector receiving a portion of the laser light and reflecting the received portion of the laser light back to the device; receiving laser light reflected from the light reflector at the device at a second time; and determining the distance from the device to the reflector device using the first time and the second time.