Patent ID: 6226076
Filing Date: 2001-05-01
Classification: G01C,G01S

Abstract:
A distance measuring apparatus comprising:an emitter for emitting measurement pulse light into a measurement optical path between said apparatus and a target;a receiver for receiving a reflected component of the measurement light emitted into said measurement optical path;a detector for specifying a receiving time at which the reflected component of said measurement pulse light is received; anda controller for controlling a main measurement operation and a pre-measurement operation performed prior to the main measurement operation each measuring the period of time between an emitting time at which said measurement pulse light is emitted and the receiving time of the reflected component of said measurement pulse light and calculating a length of said measurement optical path on the basis of thus obtained time information; said controller inhibiting, when the calculated value obtained in the pre-measurement operation is not greater than a predetermined value, said detector from effecting the specifying operation for a predetermined period of time from the emitting time of said measurement pulse light in the main measurement operation.