Patent ID: 6879384
Filing Date: 2005-04-12
Classification: G01C,G01S

Abstract:
1. A process for measuring an object space using an opto-electronic range finder which operates according to a method of determining a time-of-flight of a signal, said process comprising: a first measuring step for: transmitting optical transmitter signals as a beam of a predetermined first divergence angle along a first path of rays into said object space; receiving optical signals reflected from an object situated in said object space by receiver means after a time-of flight of said transmitter signals, said reflected signals having a time relationship during a measuring cycle between a transmitted and a reflected signal; providing first optical means within said first path of rays of said optical transmitter signals, said optical means defining a first optical axis, and second optical means arranged before said receiver means and defining a second optical axis in a second path of rays; scanning said object space by deviating a direction of said first and second optical axes by an angle of deflection between two subsequent measuring cycles, said angle being adjustable; decoding said angle for determining an actual angle of deviation during scanning; evaluating and determining a distance value from at least one of said time-of-flight and said time relationship; arranging reference marks in said object space; and carrying out a second measuring step using an enlarged divergence angle of said transmitted beam for determining a location of said reference marks as coordinates for use as a reference in each first measuring step.