Patent ID: 7647197
Filing Date: 2010-01-12
Classification: G01C

Abstract:
1. A mobile handheld instrument configured to capture an image of a target and spatial data for determination of a position of the target, said instrument including: i. a plurality of measuring devices, the measuring devices including a camera and a plurality of spatial sensors configured to capture spatial data for determination of the position of the target, the spatial sensors including: ii. a port configured for connection of an external sensor to the mobile iii. an electronic display screen configured to display in real time a view obtained using the camera and to superimpose a marker indicative of a datum position on the displayed view to enable a user to align the mobile instrument with the target; iv. a first power switch operable to control power to the compass; v a second power switch operable to control power to one or more other measuring devices; vi. a power controller configured to asynchronously operate the first and second power switches so as to asynchronously obtain data from the compass and one or more other spatial sensors in response to a single user instruction to take a reading; vii. a plurality of user interface devices including: a microphone and one or more of a touch screen and a keypad; and viii. memory configured to store data obtained from the measuring devices and user interface devices; immediately following the acquisition of the image and data, the mobile instrument is configured to automatically seek user input metadata via one or more of the user interface devices and to store the user input metadata in the memory, associating the user input metadata with the stored image and data.