Patent ID: 7788815
Filing Date: 2010-09-07
Classification: G01C

Abstract:
1. A direct reading prism pole for automatically taking height measurements and providing corresponding height reference data, comprising: a) a tubular housing having an open top, a flange positioned at the open top, and a bottom portion for contacting ground soil; b) a height-adjustable rod insertable into the housing, having an outer diameter less than inner diameter of the housing to provide a friction fit therebetween for adjustably fixedly positioning the height-adjustable rod relative to the housing; c) a series of spaced apart optically-perceptible markings extending longitudinally on the rod exterior; d) an electronic control unit including an optical reader and being mounted on the housing at the open top thereof to define a reading point for obtaining height data from the markings and processing the height data into height reference data and including an electronic display displaying the height reference data on a screen; e) an audio device in electrical communication with the electronic control unit for emitting an audible alarm in response to receipt of a signal from the electronic control unit indicating movement of the height-adjustable rod with respect to the tubular housing; and f) an output device in electrical communication with the electronic control unit for sending the height reference data to a remote data collection device.