Abstract:
The invention relates to a distance measuring device with a control interface. According to the invention, the control interface has at least one contact-sensitive entry unit.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The invention is based on a distance measuring device according to the generic term of claim  1 . 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    A distance measuring device for measuring distances is known. It is provided with an entry unit for entering information by an operator, which is construed as control keyboard. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    The invention is based on a distance measuring device with a control interface. 
         [0004]    It is suggested that the control interface provides at least one touch sensitive entry unit. Thereby an especially high operating comfort and a high flexibility in the application of the distance measuring device can be achieved. A “touch sensitive” entry unit means in this context in particular an entry unit, which is construed for an almost depressurized entry. The entry unit can thereby be provided with a touch detector, which can detect a contact, particularly a depressurized contact of a surface of the entry unit for example with the aid of a capacitive sensor. Alternatively or additionally the touch sensitivity of the entry unit can be achieved by a resistance-controlled detection. The entry unit provides thereby preferably at least two conductive layers, which come into contact with each other when touching a surface of the entry unit with a soft pressure, whereby the touch can be detected by the resistance of this contact. A detection of a contact that is based on the principle of a light barrier, in particular a depressurized contact, for example by infrared radiation sources, is also possible. In a further embodiment the entry unit can furthermore be provided for detecting the contact by a detection that is controlled by sound waves, which are for example achieved by the use of piezoelectric elements. 
         [0005]    Furthermore the number of elements for the control interface, which are mounted movably in relation to the housing of the distance measuring device, can be advantageously reduced. In particular the use of movable elements can be waived. Thereby a particularly effective shield of an interior of the housing can be achieved against the invasion of dirt and/or liquid over the depository of a movable element. Furthermore a constructively complicated contacting of a set of movable elements can be avoided, whereby installation space on the inside of the housing can be saved. Furthermore a flexible configuration of the interior can be achieved, in particular with regard to the arrangement of a circuit board. 
         [0006]    The distance measuring device can be provided with a display unit, whereby the touch sensitive entry unit is separate from the display unit. The entry unit can for example be designed as a touch pad (or integrated touch field), and in combination with the display unit used for operating the distance measuring unit. 
         [0007]    A compact configuration of the distance measuring device can be in particular achieved if the touch sensitive entry unit provides a touch area, which is provided by a display unit for displaying information. The entry unit can be arranged for example by a touch screen. 
         [0008]    It is furthermore suggested that the control interface is arranged at a control side and that the touch area spreads over at least one essential part of the control side. Thereby a particularly high reading—and operating comfort of the control interface can be achieved. The control side is preferably created by a housing side of the distance measuring device. An “essential” part of the control side can mean in this context in particular at least 40%, advantageously 50% and preferably at least 70% of the control side. 
         [0009]    It is furthermore suggested that the distance measuring device provides a control unit, which is provided together with the touch sensitive entry unit for processing distance information by an operator, whereby a high flexibility can be achieved in the application of the distance measuring device. The “distance information” can mean any information, which concerns the characteristics of distances. Distance information can for example mean measurement results of a distance measurement, an assignment of a specific distance to a space that has to be measured or has been measured, an assignment of a distance to an area of a measured space, as for example the assignment of a distance to a certain wall and so on. In this context a processing can for example mean an assignment, an evaluation and so on. 
         [0010]    A particularly clear assignment of the distance information can be simply and comfortably achieved if the control unit is provided for creating a chart for assigning the distance information by an operator with the aid of an entry unit. 
         [0011]    It is furthermore suggested that the distance measuring unit provides a display unit and a control unit, which is provided together with the touch sensitive entry unit to assign a display field for displaying distance information of a distance to a control function for controlling a measurement of the distance. Thereby a particularly simple controlling of the distance measuring device can be achieved. In particular a complicated navigation in a menu can be avoided. The display field can especially be an area of a display unit of the distance measuring device, whose dimension is adjusted to the display of a parameter, in particular a number and if necessary a unit. The display field can for example be a chart field of a chart for assigning distance information, whereby an assignment of distance information can be particularly fast and simply achieved in the course of a space measurement. A controlling of the measurement can for example mean a starting, a stopping or a repeating of a measurement. 
         [0012]    It is suggested in an advantageous improvement of the invention that the distance measuring device comprises a control unit, which provides a draw mode, which is provided for designing a drawing with the aid of the touch sensitive entry unit. Thereby a high comfort and a high flexibility in the application of the distance measuring device can be achieved. 
         [0013]    In this context a particularly high and intuitive creation of the drawing can be achieved, if the control unit is provided to create the drawing by sketching it by an operator with the aid of the touch sensitive entry unit. 
         [0014]    A particularly comfortable controlling can be achieved, if the distance measuring device provides a control pen for controlling the entry unit. 
         [0015]    It is furthermore suggested that the distance measuring device provides a control key, which is designed for controlling together with the touch sensitive entry unit. Thereby a particularly simple controlling of the distance measuring device and an advantageous complementarity with the touch sensitive entry unit can be achieved, especially if the distance measuring device is kept in a position that complicates a controlling of the touch sensitive entry unit. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    Further advantages arise from the following drawing description. The drawing shows embodiments of the invention. The drawing, the description and the claims contain several characteristics in combination. The expert will consider these characteristics also individually and summarize them to further useful combinations. 
           [0017]    It is shown in: 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  is a distance measuring device with a touch screen and a control pen, 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  shows schematically an illustration of the touch screen from  FIG. 1 , on which a drawing is sketched with the aid of the control pen, 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  shows schematically an illustration of a draw mode, in which a freehand sketch is processed, 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  illustrates a draw mode, in which a display field is moved with the aid of the control pen, 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  illustrates a draw mode, in which a drawing is adjusted to measurement results, 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  illustrates a draw mode, in which a measuring process is started by actuating a symbol, 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  illustrates a draw mode, in which a drawing is created by external data, 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  illustrates a processing mode, in which a chart with distance information is created, 
           [0026]      FIG. 9  shows the connecting of a printing unit to the distance measuring device, and 
           [0027]      FIG. 10  is an alternative embodiment of the distance measuring device with a touch screen and a control element. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0028]      FIG. 1  shows a distance measuring device  10  from a perspective view. The distance measuring device  10  provides a housing  12 , which creates a control side  14  and a signal side  16 , which boarders at the control side  14 . The signal side  16  provides optical components  18 , about which an optical measuring signal  20 , especially a laser signal, is send or received (see  FIG. 5 ). With the aid of the measuring signal  20  a distance of the distance measuring device  10  to an object  22  that has to be measured can be detected. For creating, receiving and processing the measuring signal  20  the distance measuring device  10  is provided with a measuring unit  24 , which has a transmitting unit  26 , a receiving unit  28  and an evaluation unit  30  for evaluating the received measuring signal  20  (see  FIG. 5 ). 
         [0029]    The control side  14  provides a control interface  32 , which is provided for communicating with an operator. The control interface  32  comprises a display unit  34 , which is designed as a screen for displaying information. The display unit  34  is designed as a touch screen and creates a touch sensitive entry unit  36 . Therefore the display unit  34  provides a transparent screening layer, whose surface creates a touch area  38  of the entry unit  36 , which is provided for entering information by touching it. The entry unit  36  is construed in this example for detecting a contact with the aid of a resistance controlled detection. Therefore the entry unit  36  provides a further transparent screening layer (not shown in the figure), which is arranged with a distance to the upper screening layer that creates the touch area below this upper screening layer. The screening layers are conductive and construed as ITO-layers (indium tin oxide). When touching the upper screening layer the screening layers come into electric contact to each other. Due to the resistance of this contact an electric voltage occurs at the contact point, which can be detected with the aid of not shown sensors. The detected voltage change can be used for determining the coordinates of the contact point. The touch area  38  creates a touch area, which is provided for an entry and which spreads advantageously over an essential part of the control side  14 , thus over ca. 70% of the control side  14 . 
         [0030]    For controlling the entry unit  35  the distance measuring device  10  is provided with a control pen  40 . Within the housing  12  a holding area  42  for holding the control pen  40  is left out. Thereby a detaching of the control pen  40  from the housing  12  can be avoided when transporting the distance measuring device  10 . It is possible in one embodiment that a attaching tool for attaching the control pen  41  is formed at the surface of the housing  12 . Furthermore a spirit level  44  is fixed at the housing  12 . The distance measuring device  10  also provides a data interface  46 , which is construed as Bluetooth interface and which is provided for creating a data connection with an external data unit (see for example  FIG. 7 ). 
         [0031]    For implementing control modes of the distance measuring device  10  it is provided with a control unit  48 . The control unit  48  comprises a first storage unit  50 , in which programs for implementing the control modes of the distance measuring device  10  are saved. The control of the control modes together with the storage unit  50  takes place with the aid of an arithmetic unit  51 , which is construed as processor or microcontroller. Furthermore a second storage unit  52 , whose function is described further below, is arranged in the control unit  48 . 
         [0032]    The control unit  48  is especially provided with control modes, which are each provided as draw modes for designing a drawing. These draw modes are explained by the subsequent figures. 
         [0033]      FIG. 2  shows the entry unit  36  and the control unit  48  in a schematic view. It is assumed that an operator undertakes the measurement of a space with the aid of the distance measuring device  10 . Prior to the measurement the operator can create a drawing  54  with the aid of the entry unit  36  under the form of a freehand sketch of the space that needs to be measured. Therefore the operator turns on a draw mode of the control unit  48 , in which he can move the tip of the control pen  40  on the touch area  38  of the entry unit  36  in order to sketch. The control unit  48  records thereby together with the sensors of the entry unit  36  (not shown in the figures) positions of the control pen  40  on the touch area  38 . The control unit  48  creates with these positioning information  56  the drawing  54 , which is shown by the display unit  34 . Thereby control signals  58  for controlling the display unit  34  by the control unit  48  are detected with the aid of the positioning information  56 . 
         [0034]    The created freehand sketch can furthermore be processed by the control unit  48  in the draw mode. A processing by the control unit  48  is explained by  FIG. 3 . The processing is started by the control pen  40  or a finger by marking and/or activating a control field  60 , which is shown by the display unit  40 . The control unit  48  is provided with a detection function, with which individual distances  62  that create the drawing  54  can be detected. These distances  62  can furthermore be determined by an entry of the operator if he marks the vertices  64  of the drawing  54  with the control pen  40 . Once the individual distances  62  are determined a smoothening process and/or an alignment of the distances  62  takes place. Optionally the operator can have influence on the distance processing if he accept or declines suggested solutions and/or if he determines the alignment and/or the length of a distance that has to be processed. 
         [0035]    A further draw mode of the control unit  48  is schematically shown in  FIG. 4 . The operator can create a drawing  66  in this mode by default symbols  68 . These are illustrated in a toolbar  70 , which is shown on the side of a draw field  72 . For creating the drawing  66  a symbol  68  can be marked in the toolbar  70  by the control pen  40  and moved into the draw field  72  in a desired position. 
         [0036]    A distance  62  that is determined by the drawing can furthermore be assigned to a display field  74  for displaying a distance information. The operator can therefore mark a symbol  68  that illustrates the display field  74  and place it into a desired position within the drawing field  72  by a movement that is shown by a dotted line in the figure. The display field  74  in the draw field  72  represents an area of the display unit  34 , which is provided in this embodiment for displaying the length of the assigned distance  62  after its measurement. Alternatively or additionally an indication that is provided for an assignment of the distance  62  can be shown. 
         [0037]      FIG. 5  explains a further draw mode of the control unit  48 . It is assumed that an operator has created a drawing  78  of a space that has to be measured, for example with the aid of one of the above described draw modes. Subsequently the operator carries out a measurement of the space with the aid of a measuring mode of the measurement unit  24 . Due to the measurement results  80  that have been detected by the measurement unit  24  the control unit  48  is provided to adjust the drawing that has been created prior to the measurement to the measurement results  80 , whereby a picture of the measured space is created true to scale by the control unit  48 . 
         [0038]    The control unit  48  is provided with a further control mode, which is explained by  FIG. 6 . It is assumed that the operator has created a drawing  82  of a space that has to be measured for example with the aid of the draw mode shown in  FIG. 4 , whereby a specific distance  62  of the drawing  82  has been assigned to a display field  84  for displaying a measurement result. It is furthermore assumed that the operator wants to measure the distance  62 . In the here described control mode of the control unit  48  the operator can mark and activate the symbol  86  that illustrates the display field  84  by the control pen  40 . This activates a control function of the control unit  48 , which transmits a control signal  88  for starting a measuring process of the measuring unit  24  to the measuring unit  24 , which determines a measurement result  90  with the aid of the measuring signal  20 . After the measurement the measurement result  90  is shown in a unit of length in the corresponding display field  84  by the control unit  48  in connection with the display unit  34 . In an embodiment of the control mode the operator can directly mark and activate a symbol  92 , which is designed as a line and which illustrates the distance  62 , whereby the measuring process of the selected distance  62  is started. It is also possible that the operator is asked to start the measuring process for example by a blinking of the symbol  86  and/or the symbol  92 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 7  shows a further draw mode of the control unit  48 . A data connection is created in this draw mode with an external data unit  94 , as for example a PDA (personal digital assistant) or a notebook. With the data  96 , which is read by the data interface  46 , a drawing  98  that corresponds with the data is shown by the control  48  together with the display unit  34 . Alternatively or in addition to the display imported data can be saved in the storage unit  52 , where they are provided for a later processing. A drawing that has been created by an external unit or a drawing model can be imported over the data interface  46  for example. Furthermore drawings can be saved in the storage unit  52 , which have been created by the operator with the aid of the entry unit  36 . It is possible in a further embodiment of the distance measuring device  10  that the data interface  46  is construed as scanning unit, over which a drawing, as for example a freehand sketch, can be scanned. 
         [0040]    In a further control mode of the control unit  48  a program can furthermore be downloaded over the data interface  46  for implementing the control modes, in particular the draw modes of the control unit  48 . Thereby a data connection is created between the data interface  46  and the storage unit  50 . Therefore the operator can update present programs and/or the control unit  48  can be provided with enhanced control modes, in particular draw modes. 
         [0041]      FIG. 8  shows a further operating mode of the control unit  48 , in which distance information  100  can be processed with the aid of the entry unit  36 . In particular a chart  102  can be created this control mode. In this chart  102  distance information  100  of spaces that have to be measured or have been measured can be registered or evaluated. Sub-charts R 1 , R 2  and so on can be created, which are each assigned to a space. Thereby distance information  100  can be registered in display fields  104  of the sub-charts R 1 , R 2 , namely the name of a distance, which corresponds for example with a wall W 1 , W 2  and so on, the detected length of the distance, an angle that is created by two adjoining distances and so on. The controlling takes place with the aid of the control pen  40  and over a tool—and/or menu-bar  106 , which is shown above the chart  102 . 
         [0042]    Furthermore the display field  104  of the chart  102  is assigned in the control mode to a control function for controlling a measuring process of the measuring unit  24 . By marking and/or activating a display field  104 , which corresponds with a distance that has to be measured, in this example distance W 4 , a measurement of the distance by the measuring unit  24  can be started. This takes place together with the control unit  48  analogous to the process, which is explained in  FIG. 6 . After the measurement of the distance the length of the distance is shown in the display field  104  with the aid of the measurement result  90 . The chart  102  provides furthermore a computational function, which automatically determines an area or a volume of the corresponding space with the aid of distance lengths and angles if necessary. 
         [0043]      FIG. 9  shows the distance measuring device  10  in a further embodiment. The distance measuring device  10  provides hereby a data interface  108 , which is construed for creating a data connection with an external printing unit  110 . This printing unit  110 , which is designed as a thermo printer, can be fixed at the housing  12  over the data interface  108 , which is construed as adapter unit with a mounting interface. The base body of the printing unit  110  is hereby attached at the housing  12 . A data connection is created in a printing mode of the control unit  48  between the control unit  48  and the control unit of the printing unit  110 , whereby printing data  113  are transmitted by the control unit  48  to the printing unit  110 . With the aid of the printing unit  110  a drawing  112 , which has been created by the operator and which is saved in the storage unit  52  and/or shown by the display unit  34 , can be printed on a medium  114  for drafting a document that concerns a space, for example a protocol. 
         [0044]      FIG. 10  shows an alternative embodiment of the distance measuring device  10 . Thereby no new labels are used for components that correspond with the previous embodiments. The control interface  32  provides in addition to the touch sensitive entry unit  36  a control element  116  that is construed as a control key. This control element  116  is assigned in particular to a control function of the control unit  48  for controlling a measuring process of the measurement unit  24 . If the housing  12  is for example held in a position, which makes the controlling of the entry unit  36  by the control pen  40  or a finger difficult, advantageously a starting of a measuring process, in particular in a control mode of the control unit  48  that is described in  FIG. 6  or  8 , can be for example simply achieved by activating the control element  116 .