Patent ID: 9146106
Filing Date: 2015-09-29
Classification: G01C

Abstract:
1. A computer system used for determining an on-grade elevation on a jobsite, said system comprising: (a) a smart device, having a processing circuit, a memory circuit, an input/output circuit, an electronic camera with a plurality of photosensors, an electronic viewfinder that is visible to a human user, at least one sensor for detecting physical movement of said smart device, and at least one of a display or an audio output device; (b) a laser transmitter that emits at least one laser beam in at least one predetermined direction, and creates an effective plane of laser light at an elevation which is defined as being On-Grade; (c) wherein: while said human user attempts to place said smart device in a location so as to intercept said effective plane of laser light, said processing circuit is configured to display an image on said electronic viewfinder, based on electromagnetic radiation signals that impact said electronic camera, and said image is viewable by said human user to provide a coarse position for placing said smart device within said effective plane of laser light; and (d) wherein: said processing circuit is further configured to determine if said effective plane of laser light is impacting said electronic camera at a more fine position, and if so, based upon a first signal from said at least one sensor, to determine if said smart device is moving up, down, or is being held still, and if said smart device is physically held still at the On-Grade elevation, then to indicate that said smart device is On-Grade, using said at least one of a display or an audio output device.