Patent Publication Number: US-2022221275-A1

Title: Laser level system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/726,360, filed on Dec. 24, 2019, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/796,945, filed on Jan. 25, 2019, and also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/837,497, filed on Apr. 23, 2019, all titled “LASER LEVEL SYSTEM”. The entire contents of each are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present disclosure relates to a laser level system. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Laser level systems are well known. Laser levels may be attached to mounting brackets so as to orient the level in a predetermined position relative to an object to which the mounting bracket is mounted. 
     SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a laser level system. According to one aspect there is an exemplary embodiment of a laser level system that includes a mount, a laser level secured to the mount and a remote input device. The mount includes a rotating portion to which the laser level is secured. The remote input device is configured to control rotation of the rotating portion. The laser level is secured to the rotating portion of the mount such that when the rotating portion rotates, the laser level rotates concurrently along with the rotating portion of the mount. 
     The mount may further include a motor which effects the rotation of the rotating portion. 
     The mount may further include a wireless receiver which is configured to receive a signal from the remote input device. 
     The mount may further include a base and an attachment portion, the attachment portion being transverse to the base. 
     The attachment portion may include attachment elements configured to connect to a workpiece. 
     The attachment elements may include magnets. 
     The rotating portion of the mount may be disposed on the base of the mount. 
     The motor may be disposed in the base. 
     The laser level may be a cross-line laser level. 
     The laser level system may further include a manual adjustment actuator, which is configured to allow a user to manually rotate the rotating portion of the mount. 
     The mount may include comprising a base and an attachment portion, the base being generally transverse to the attachment portion. 
     According to another aspect, there is an exemplary embodiment of a laser level system. The laser level system includes a laser level, a mount and a remote input device. The laser level system may be secured to the base of the mount, the laser level including a housing and at least one laser generator housed in the housing, the laser generator configured to project a laser beam outside of the housing. The base may include a rotating portion which rotates relative to the rest of the base portion and the attachment portion. The remote input device may be configured to control rotation of the rotating portion. 
     The laser level may be secured to the rotating portion of the mount such that when the rotating portion rotates, the laser level rotates concurrently along with the rotating portion of the mount. 
     The mount may further include a motor which effects the rotation of the rotating portion. 
     The mount may further include a wireless receiver which is configured to receive a signal from the remote input device. 
     The mount may further include a base and an attachment portion, the attachment portion being transverse to the base. 
     The attachment portion may include attachment elements configured to connect to a workpiece. 
     The laser level system may further include an output shaft connected to and driven by the motor. 
     The laser level system may further include a first gear connected to and rotatable with the output shaft. 
     The laser level system may further include a second gear engaged with the first great and configured to rotate with the first gear. 
     The laser level system may further include a driving shaft, the driving shaft holding the second gear and configured to rotate with the second gear. 
     There may be third gear on the driving shaft, the third gear operatively connected with the rotating portion to translate the motion of the motor to drive the rotating portion of the mount. 
     According to another aspect, there is an exemplary embodiment of a laser level system, the system including a mount, a laser level secured to the base of the mount, and a remote input device. The laser level includes a housing and at least one laser generator housed in the housing, the laser generator configured to project a laser beam outside of the housing. 
     The mount includes a movable portion and a stationary portion, the movable portion being movable relative to the stationary portion. 
     The mount further comprises a motor configured to selectively drive the movable portion so as to move the movable portion relative to the stationary portion. 
     The remote input device may include a wireless transmitter. 
     The mount may include a wireless receiver. 
     The remote input device may be configured to, in response to a user input, send a wireless signal to the mount in order to actuate the motor to move the movable portion. 
     The mount may further include at least one gear disposed operatively between the motor and the movable portion, the at least one gear transferring motion from the motor to the movable portion. 
     The laser may be a cross-line laser level. 
     The mount may further include a controller. 
     According to another aspect there is an exemplary embodiment of a laser level system that includes a laser level and a remote input device. The laser level includes a housing and at least one laser generator configured to project a beam outside of the housing onto a surface such as a wall. The laser level further includes a motor housed in the housing, the motor is configured to selectively move output of the laser beam in response to a signal from the remote input device. 
     The laser level may include a wireless transceiver or a wireless receiver which is configured to receive the signal from the remote input device. 
     The remote input device may be configured to provide a signal to move a laser beam a particular distance or rotate it about a certain angle. For example, the input device may provide a signal to rotate the laser beam 5 degrees, 10 degrees, 15 degrees, or throughout that range. The remote input device may also provide a signal to move the laser beam 5 mm, 10 mm, 15 mm or various distances throughout that range. 
     The laser level may be a cross-line laser level. 
     The laser level may include one or more dot projections. 
     According to another aspect, there is an exemplary embodiment of a method of determining alignment of a laser level system. The method includes mounting a laser level on a mount, projecting a laser line from the laser level, detecting the laser line with a remote detector, rotating the laser level relative to the mount while keeping the remote detector stationary and determining whether the laser line moves relative to the remote detector as the laser level rotates. 
     The method may further include indicating that the laser line has moved relative to the remote detector more than a threshold amount. 
     The laser line may be a substantially horizontal laser line. 
     The method may further include determining whether the laser line moves relative to the remote detector as the laser level rotates comprises determining whether the laser line moves vertically relative to the remote detector. 
     The remote detector may further include a photo diode. 
     The remote detector may further include a window which allows the laser line to project onto the photo diode when the laser line is aligned with the window. 
     The remote detector may further serve as a remote control device which is configured to control at least one operation of the laser level or the mount. 
     The remote detector may be configured to control rotation of the laser level relative to the mount. 
     The remote detector may include a display. 
     The remote detector may include a controller and a transceiver. 
     According to another aspect, there is an exemplary embodiment of a method of determining alignment of a laser level, the method including projecting a substantially horizontal laser line from the laser level, detecting the laser line with a remote detector, rotating the laser line while keeping the remote detector stationary and determining a change in a vertical positioning of the laser line relative to the remote detector as the laser line rotates. 
     The method may further include indicating whether the vertical position has changed more than a threshold amount. 
     The remote detector may further include a photo diode. 
     The remote detector may further include a window which allows the laser line to project onto the photo diode when the laser line is aligned with the window. 
     The remote detector may further serve as a remote control device which is configured to control at least one operation of the laser level or the mount. 
     The remote detector may be configured to control rotation of the laser level relative to the mount. 
     The remote detector may include a controller. 
     According to another aspect, there is an exemplary embodiment of a laser level system, the system includes a mount. A laser level is rotatably secured to the mount and projects a laser line. The system further includes a remote detector. The remote detector includes a photo detector configured to detect the laser line. The remote detector is configured to determine a misalignment of the laser line. 
     The remote detector may be configured to control rotation of the laser level relative to the mount. 
     The laser level may include a controller and a transceiver. 
     The laser level may include an accelerometer. 
     The accelerometer may determine whether the laser level is in a self-leveling range. 
     The laser level may transmit to the remote detector the determination of whether the laser level is in a self leveling range. 
     The laser level may rotate relative to the mount about a rotational axis. 
     The laser level may include a motor and a battery pack. 
     The motor may drive a gear. 
     The gear may contact complementary gearing on the mount and cause the laser level to rotate relative to the mount. 
     The laser level may include a power tool battery pack which powers the motor. 
     These and other aspects of various embodiments of the present invention, as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related elements of structure and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the various figures. In one embodiment of the invention, the structural components illustrated herein are drawn to scale. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. In addition, it should be appreciated that structural features shown or described in any one embodiment herein can be used in other embodiments as well. As used in the specification and in the claims, the singular form of “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
     All closed-ended (e.g., between A and B) and open-ended (greater than C) ranges of values disclosed herein explicitly include all ranges that fall within or nest within such ranges. For example, a disclosed range of 1-10 is understood as also disclosing, among other ranged, 2-10, 1-9, 3-9, etc. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a better understanding of embodiments of the present invention as well as other objects and further features thereof, reference is made to the following description which is to be used in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, where: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a laser level system; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the laser level and mount according to the exemplary embodiment of the laser level system; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the mount of the exemplary embodiment of the laser level system with housing portions partially removed to illustrate internal mechanisms; 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom perspective view of a rotating portion of the mount of the exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic view of the exemplary embodiment of a laser level; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the internals of the laser level according to the exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the internals of the laser level according to another exemplary embodiment where the motor driving device is located internally to the laser level housing; 
         FIG. 8  is schematic view of an embodiment of a direct drive system for driving rotation of a laser beam; 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of another exemplary embodiment in which the laser level includes a platform that houses the motor driving device for rotation of the laser level beam output; 
         FIG. 10  is a view of the internals of the platform of the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 9  illustrating the motor driving device; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of a laser level and mount; 
         FIG. 12  is a side cut-away view of the exemplary embodiment of the laser level and mount; 
         FIG. 13  is a close-up side cut-away view of a portion of the laser level and mount; 
         FIG. 14  is an exemplary embodiment of a laser level system including a detector for calibration; 
         FIG. 15  is a view of the detector of the exemplary embodiment of the laser level system; 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of the detector of the exemplary embodiment of the laser level system; 
         FIG. 17  is a front explanatory view of the detector of the exemplary embodiment of the laser level system; and 
         FIG. 18  is an explanatory schematic view of the detector of the exemplary embodiment of the laser level system. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a laser level system  10 . Laser level system  10  includes a laser level  12 , a laser mount  20  and a remote input device  130 . The remote input device  130  may be a dedicated remote control or may be a computing device such as a personal computer, smartphone or tablet. The remote input device  130  has an internal transceiver  131  which is capable of sending and receiving wireless signals. The remote input device  130  may also include a controller, such as a microprocessor  132 . The remote input device  130  may also include a display  133  which may display images or indicators. 
     The remote input device  130  may transmit the wireless signal by any of a variety of means, including via a Bluetooth® protocol, Wi-Fi, an infrared signal or other known means. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the mount  20  includes a base portion  21  and an attachment portion  22 . The attachment portion  22  is generally transverse to the base portion  21 . The attachment portion  22  includes a pair of magnets  23 . The magnets  23  are attracted to various metal surfaces and when they contact such a surface hold the mount  20  in place. For example, the magnets  23  may be secured to a metal door hinge or a metal cabinet to secure the mount to the door hinge or cabinet, as the case may be. In other exemplary embodiments, the attachment portion  22  may include other attachment features instead of or in addition to magnets. For example, the attachment portion  22  may include straps for securing the mount  20  to a pole. 
     As also shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the base portion  21  includes a rotating portion  25 . The rotating portion  25  of the exemplary embodiment is cylindrical and the laser level  12  is mounted to the rotating portion  25 . The rotating portion  25  rotates about a central axis relative to the remainder of the mount  20 . This allows the laser level  12  to rotate and the beams projected by the laser level  12  to rotate and shine on different surfaces or different parts of a surface. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the laser level  12  is a cross-line laser level. The cross-line laser level  12  includes a housing  13  and a window  14 . Internal to the housing  13 , the laser level  12  includes a pair of laser generators, which may be laser diodes. The laser diodes project orthogonal beams  50 ,  52  which may project orthogonal lines  54 ,  56  on a surface such as a wall. The laser level  12  may operate similarly to that shown in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0352161, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     A top perspective view of the base portion  21  of the mount  20  is shown in  FIG. 3 . A portion of the top of the base portion  21  is shown removed (indicated by dashed lines) so that internal components can be illustrated. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the rotating portion  25  is generally cylindrical. It includes a threaded connector  27  at its center. The threaded connector  27  may be connected to a complementary threaded connector on a bottom portion of the housing  13  of the laser level  12  in order to secure the laser level  12  to the rotating portion  25  of the base portion  21 . In other embodiments the laser level  12  can be connected to the rotating portion  25  by other means. For example, the laser level  12  may simply be placed on the rotating portion  25 . In other embodiments, the laser level  12  could be snapped on the rotating portion  25  (one or both of the laser level  12  and the rotating portion  25  would contain complementary snapping portions). 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the base portion  21  houses a battery  55 . The battery is connected to and provides power to printed circuit board  60  and motor  70 . The printed circuit board  60  may include a controller, such as a microprocessor  61 , and may also include a wireless transceiver  62  which serves as both a wireless receiver and wireless transmitter. In other embodiments, there may be only be a receiver or transmitter instead of a transceiver. In some embodiments, there may also be a separate memory. The microprocessor  61  may include a memory itself. 
     In use, a signal from the remote controlling device  30  may be received by the transceiver  62 . In accordance with the received signal, the microprocessor  61  can control a flow of electricity from the battery  55  to the motor  70  in order to drive the motor  70 . The motor  70  has an output shaft  71  and there is a gear  72  at an end of the output shaft  71 . The gear  72  is cylindrical and has gear teeth  73  on its circumference. The gear  72  meshes with another gear  74  with gear teeth  75  to transfer motion from the gear  72  to the gear  74 . Gear  74  is connected to a shaft  76  and the shaft  76  rotates as the gear  74  rotates. The shaft is supported at a far end by a bearing  77  and another gear  78  is disposed on the shaft  76  between the bearing  77  and the gear  74 . Gear  78  includes gear teeth  79 , which mesh with teeth  80  on a bottom surface of the rotating portion  25  so as to drive rotation of the rotating portion  25 . In this manner, rotation of the rotating portion  25  can be effected by the remote input device  130 . The battery  55 , printed circuit board  60 , microprocessor  61 , wireless transceiver  62 , motor  70 , shaft  71 , gear  72  with gear teeth  73 , gear  74  with gear teeth  75 , shaft  76 , gear  78  and bearing  79  are housed internally in the base portion  21  of the mount  20 . The remote input device  130  can send a signal for clockwise or counter-clockwise rotation. The microprocessor  61  then controls rotation of the motor in the appropriate direction to rotate the rotating portion  25  in the appropriate direction. Particular inputs for speed of rotation or distance of rotation may also be input into the remote input device  130 . In a similar manner, the transceiver  131  transmits the appropriate signal, the signal is received by the transceiver  62 , and the microprocessor  61  controls the motor  70  and battery  55  in the manner prescribed by the signal of the remote input device  130 . 
     Various types of appropriate gears may be used to transfer the motion. For example, the gear  78  could be a bevel gear and teeth  80  could serve as corresponding bevel gear teeth on the rotation portion. Elements  78  and  80  could also be formed as miter gears or worm gears, with the gear teeth being formed appropriately to transfer motion from the gear  78  to the rotating portion  25 . 
     Gears  72  and  74  may, for example, be spur gears. 
     A user may input commands into the remote input device  130  through the display  133 , which may be a touch screen. The user may also use one or more buttons  134 . For example, the user may input a command through the remote input device  130  to rotate the rotating portion  25  of the mount  20  5 degrees counter-clockwise. The user may input a command to rotate the rotating portion at a speed of 5 degrees per second in the counter-clockwise direction. Any of a variety of different speeds, angles and directions may be input. 
     As additionally shown in  FIG. 3 , the mount  20  may include a manual adjust dial  95 . The manual adjust dial  95  is connected to the shaft  76  and may be manually turned to turn the shaft  76 , and thus the rotating portion. The manual adjust dial  95  is outside the housing of the mount  20  so as to be accessible to the user. 
       FIG. 4 . is a bottom perspective view of the rotating portion  25 . The teeth  80  discussed above, which mesh with the gear teeth  79  to drive rotation of the rotating portion  25  are shown. As additionally seen in  FIG. 4 , the rotating portion  25  has a bearing pot  91  which holds a bearing  90 , and there is a shaft  92 . The shaft  92  is connected to the housing portion of the base  21 . The rotating portion  25  can rotate relative to the bearing  90  which is held stationary by the shaft  92 . 
     In other embodiments, there may be a transmission connected to the motor  70  in order to slow down or speed up the output from the motor  70 . Additionally, the battery  55  may be placed in different locations. Furthermore, other types of laser levels may be used than a cross-line laser level. For example, a three line laser level may be used such as that shown in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018/0321035, which is hereby incorporated by reference, in its entirety. 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate the laser level  12  with internals and schematically. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the laser level  12  includes a laser projection device  24 , a self-leveling mechanism  26 , controller  22 , a housing  13  a power source  40 , and/or other components. The laser level  12  may also include an accelerometer  63  and wireless transceiver  64 , each of which are connected to the controller  22 . The accelerometer  63  can measure the distance that the laser level  12  rotates. That can be useful when a user inputs a command to rotate 5 degrees. The motor  60  itself may be made to move sufficient to produce a 5 degree movement and the accelerometer  63  may check this movement to ensure 5 degrees is actually achieved. If the accelerometer  63  information indicates that the 5 degrees has not been achieved, this can be relayed to the remote input device  130 , and the remote input device  130  can provide a signal to actuate the motor necessary to correct the rotation. Information from the accelerometer may also be shared with the remote input device  130  to be displayed on the display  133  of the device  130 . 
     Laser projection device  24  is configured to generate and/or project a laser beam outwardly from housing  20 . Laser projection device  24  includes one or more laser generators  30  such as laser diodes, one or more optical components  32  (e.g., lens(es) and/or mirror(s)), and/or other components. 
     Laser generator  30  (e.g., laser diode(s)) is configured to emit a laser beam. In some embodiments, laser projection device  24  includes a single laser diode  30 . In some embodiments, laser projection device  24  includes two or more laser diodes. Laser generator  30  may produce visible light having a predetermined wavelength (e.g., in the range of 400-700 nm). Laser generator  30  may produce a red laser beam, a green laser beam, and/or laser beams of other colors and/or wavelengths. In some embodiments, laser generator  30  may have a predetermined output power and/or input voltage. For example, the output power may be between about 0.5 and 20 mW. The input voltage may be between about 2.7 volts and about 7.0 volts. 
     In some embodiments, the laser beam(s) projected out of housing  20  comprise one or more point-source beams that generate points on the objects they hit. Such point-source beams may be oriented orthogonally to each other (e.g., beam(s) projecting in any of four orthogonal horizontal directions, a beam projecting vertically upwardly, and/or a beam projecting vertically downwardly). 
     In some embodiments, the laser beam(s) are converted into fan beams (e.g., planar beams/light planes) via optical components  32  so as to project light lines onto the objects they intersect. Optical components  32  may include lenses, collimators (e.g., collimating lenses, collimating tube), apertures, and/or other optical components. Optical components  32  may include cylindrical lenses  32   a  and/or non-cylindrical lenses. In some embodiments, for example as shown in  FIG. 1 , one or more optical components  32  may include orthogonally oriented rod/cylinder lenses  32   a  that convert a point-source (i.e., linear) beam from a single diode  30  into two orthogonal planar (e.g., fan-shaped) beams that project a cross shape (e.g., a “+” shape) onto an object such as a wall. The point-source beam from the diode  30  is collimated and then generally directed to an intersection between the two cylinder lenses  32   a , without previously being split. The portions of the point-source/linear beam that impinge upon the respective lenses  32   a  are converted into respective orthogonal fan-shaped planar beams  50 ,  52 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . Alternatively, discrete laser generators  30  may be used for each planar beam (e.g., as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,763,595, the contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference). The output beams may comprise two, three, or more orthogonal planar beams. Such point-source and planar beam generating laser levels are well known in the art (e.g., as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,763,595; 6,763,596; 5,539,990; which are herein incorporated by reference, in their entirety). 
     Self-leveling mechanism  26  is supported by housing  13  and configured to orient the laser beam(s) in a predetermined direction relative to gravity. Self-leveling mechanism  26  may comprise any suitable self-leveling mechanism known in the art (e.g., a pendulum  26   b  that pendulously supports the laser generator(s)  30  (e.g., laser diode(s)) and/or one or more of the optical components  32 , a motorized self-leveling mechanism that senses levelness and responsively tilts a portion of the level). In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 7 , self-leveling mechanism  26  comprises a pendulum  26   b  that is mounted to housing  13  and supports laser projection device  24  (including laser generator(s)  30  and optical components  32 ) so as to pendulously support laser projection device  24  from housing  13 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , self-leveling mechanism  26  may suspend the pendulum  26   b  (including components of laser projection device  24  supported by the pendulum  26   b ) from housing  13  by a gimbal  26   a  and/or other pendulous connection that extends between the housing  13  and pendulum  26   b . In some embodiments, for example as shown in  FIG. 7 , the pendulum  26   b  holds laser generator(s)  30 , at least one of one or more optical components  32 , and/or other components. Self-leveling mechanism  26  is configured to orient laser generator(s)  30  and/or one or more optical components  32  such that the one or more laser light planes are projected at predetermined angles relative to gravity (e.g., horizontally and vertically). Housing  13  is configured to contain laser projection device  24  and self-leveling mechanism  26  such that at least a portion of laser projection device  24  moves pendulously within housing  13  responsive to housing  13  being tilted by a user. In some embodiments, self-leveling mechanism  26  may include a magnetic damper  29 . Such self-leveling mechanisms are well-known in the art (e.g., as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,763,595; 6,763,596; 5,539,990). 
     By way of a non-limiting example,  FIG. 1  illustrates laser level  12  projecting two substantially perpendicular laser light planes  50 ,  52 . Projected laser light planes  50  and  52  form illuminated lines  54  and  56  on a target surface (e.g., a nearby wall). 
     In another exemplary embodiment, the motor  70  and gearing components may be internal to or integrated with the laser level  12 , rather than be part of the mount. In that instance, the mount would not include the rotating portion  25 . Rather, it would have a stationary base. It may still include the threaded connector  27  so that the laser level  12  can connect to the mount.  FIG. 7  illustrates this exemplary embodiment. Like parts are numbered and operate similarly to the above. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a motor and gear system in the housing  13  of the laser level  12 . The housing  13  is shown only in parts. As shown, the shafts  76  and  71  are supported in ends of the housing  13 . The remaining components that were housed in the base  21  in the previous embodiment are likewise housed in the laser level housing  13 . The gear  78  is configured to engage a surface of the magnetic damper  29 . The magnetic damper  29  may be provided with teeth  80  such that the gear  78  can rotationally drive the laser level assembly through the magnetic damper  29 . In other instances, the gear  78  may instead be a frictional member, such as a rubber ring. The frictional member can engage the magnetic damper which may, or may not, have a corresponding frictional member. The frictional member on the shaft  76  in place of gear  78  can then drive the rotational motion of the laser level components so as to rotate at least one of the laser beams. 
     In another embodiment, the motor  70  may simply directly drive a frictional element. For example, as shown in  FIG. 8 , the motor  60  may drive a frictional member  101  directly on the output shaft  71 . The frictional member  101  may then directly engage a part to be rotated. That may include the rotating portion  25  or the damper  29 . The motor  60  and related components would be held in either the laser level housing  13  if integral with the laser level, or the mount base  21  if part of the mount  20 . A direct drive may also be accomplished by using gears instead of a frictional element. In either event, either the frictional member  101  or a suitable gear transfers motion from the axis of rotation of the motor  60  along the shaft  71  to rotate the rotating portion  25  of damper  29  selectively in the directions shown. If a frictional member  101  is used, it may not be necessary to include gearing on the rotation parts ( 25  or  29 ). Also, a frictional member  101  may be used instead of gearing in the other embodiments, as appropriate. 
     In yet another exemplary embodiment, the laser level  12  may include a platform  125  which provides for rotation of the laser level  12 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , the laser leverl  12  includes a platform  125 . The platform has a rotating portion  126  between the platform  125  and housing  13 . The rotating portion  126  operates similarly to the rotating portion  25  of the mount  20 . Additionally, the platform  125  operates similarly to the base  21  of the mount and houses similar components, and operation of like components is the same unless otherwise discussed. 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 . The platform  125  has a similar configuration as the base  21  when it includes a motor  70  to rotate rotating portion  25 . In this instance, motor  70  is configured to drive rotating portion  126  in a similar manner. Particularly, gear  78  may mesh with teeth  80  (not shown) of the rotating portion  126  to rotate the rotating portion, and thus the laser beams from the laser level  12 . In this instance, the rotating portion  126  may be fixed to the laser level housing  13  and the platform  125 . 
     As will be appreciated, various features of the embodiments may be combined or replaced with features from the other embodiments. In each of the embodiments, the remote input device  130  may be used to control rotation of the laser level  12  or a portion of the laser level. 
       FIG. 11  illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a laser level  212 . Laser level  212  projects laser lines in three perpendicular planes from three projectors  221 ,  222  and  223  to create a three-line laser level. Projector  221  projects a horizontal beam and projectors  222  and  223  each project vertical beams. The laser level  212  is powered by a removable power tool battery pack  320 . Three-line laser levels are known in the art, and laser level  212  is of the same type as that shown in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018/0321035, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
       FIG. 12  is a cut-away view of the laser level  212 . The cutaway view shows laser modules  250  for the laser projectors  221  and  222 . Each laser module includes a laser diode  251  that serves as a laser generating source. The laser diode  251  is held in a barrel  253  which is generally cylindrical in shape. The laser modules  250  also include cone member  268 . Lasers projected by the laser diodes  251  hit the cone members  268  and are reflected into lines  241  and  242 . Line  241  is a horizontal line and line  251  is a vertical line when the laser level  212  is placed on a horizontal surface, the laser modules  250  are properly calibrated and they are allowed to settle to their leveled position under gravity. In  FIG. 12 , the laser modules  250  are tilted such that they are mis-calibrated. Accordingly, line  241  is slightly off from horizontal and line  251  is slightly off from vertical. 
     The laser level  212  is connected to a base  312 . It may be connected a threaded fastener. The base  312  may itself be connected to a tripod  400 , as is shown in  FIG. 14 . This may be done through threading the base  312  onto the tripod  400 , one of the base  312  and the tripod  400  having a threaded projection and the other having a threaded hole for receiving a threaded projection. 
       FIG. 13  is a close-up of a section of  FIG. 12 . As shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the laser level  212  includes a motor  321 . The motor  321  may also be powered by the battery pack  320 . The motor is connected to and drives a fine adjust drive gear  322 . The fine adjust drive gear  322  meshes with complementary gearing  313  on the base  312  such that when the motor drives the fine adjust drive gear  322 , the laser level  212  moves relative to the base  312 . In particular, the laser level  212  rotates about a rotational axis  314  at which it is connected to the base  312 . 
     Rotation and other control of the laser level  212  may be performed by a remote input device, such as the remote input device  130  previously discussed. As with the other embodiments, the laser level  212  may have a transceiver configured to receive a signal from the remote input device and a controller  132  to control operation of the motor and laser diodes. 
     As mentioned above, the laser modules  250  in  FIG. 12  are misaligned. The beam  241  is not truly horizontal and the beam  242  is not truly vertical. For example, the laser line  241  is lower towards a front of the laser level  212  (left side of  FIG. 12 ; opposite the battery  320 ) and is higher in the rear. Accordingly, as the laser level  212  rotates, the line  241  projected onto a stationary wall moves up and down. 
       FIG. 12  includes a wall  500 . The beam  241  will be lower on the wall  500  when in the position shown in  FIG. 12 , than when the laser level  212  is rotate 180 degrees such that the battery is in the front and the higher portion of the beam  241  hits the wall. 
       FIGS. 14-17  illustrate an exemplary embodiment in which a detector  330  serves as a remote input device and also provides a calibration feature for the laser level. The detector  330  has the functionality of the previously described remote input device  130  and the additional functionality described here. Additionally, while the detector  330  and calibration feature will be described with respect to laser level  212 , it similarly could be implemented on the previously described laser levels and systems. 
       FIG. 14  illustrates a tripod  400 . The base  312  is mounted to the tripod  400  and the laser level  212  is mounted on the base. As previously discussed, the projector  221  projects a line  241 . When properly calibrated, and allowed to settle to a leveled position, the line  241  should be a horizontal beam or near horizontal beam. As shown in  FIG. 14 , a user  410  may hold a detector  330  against a wall  500 .  FIG. 15  illustrates a close-up view of the detector  330  on the wall  500 . As shown, the detector  330  is held at the level of the line  241 . 
       FIG. 16  is an illustration of the detector  330 . As shown in  FIGS. 15 and 16 , the detector has a window  331  for a photo-detector which can detect the presence of the laser line  241  or another laser output. The photo-detector may be a photo diode/avalanche photo diode. When the laser line  241  passes through the window  331 , the photo-detector situated behind the detects the laser line  241 . On the other hand, when the laser line  241  is outside of the window  331 , the laser line does not pass through the window  331  to the photo-detector. 
     In a properly calibrated laser level  212 , when the detector  330  is held stationary against the wall  500  such that the laser line  241  passes through the window  331 , if the laser level  212  is rotated with respect to the base  312  (as discussed above), the laser line  241  will continue to pass through the window  331  and be detected by a photo-detector behind the window  331 . 
     However, in a misaligned laser level  212 , the laser line  241  will move vertically up and down with respect to the detector  330  and the window  331 . Accordingly, if the laser line  241  is initially lined up with the window  331  so that it is detected by the photo-detector, when the laser level  212  rotates, the line  241  will move up or down with respect to the wall  500 , detector  330  and window  331  that allows the laser through to the photo detector. If the line  241  moves sufficiently, then the laser line  241  will no longer overlap the window  331 . In that instance, the laser line  241  will no longer pass through the window  331  and no longer be detected by the photo detector. 
       FIG. 17  illustrates the laser line  241  in a variety of positions with respect to the detector  330 . Particularly, it shows five positions of the laser line  241 —A, B, C, D and E. As discussed, as the laser level  212  rotates, the position of the laser line  241  may change in the event that the laser level  212  is misaligned or otherwise malfunctioning. As shown in  FIG. 17 , when the laser line  241  is at a position A, the line passes partially through the window  331 . Accordingly, the laser line  241  can be picked up by the photo diode. When at positions B and C, the laser line  241  passes clearly through the window. Therefore, the line  241  passes through the window  331  and can be detected by the photo detector. When the laser line  241  is in the positions D and E, the line  241  passes below the window  331 . Accordingly, the laser line  241  does not pass through the window  331 , does not reach the photo detector and is therefore not detected by the photo detector. This allows a user  410  to determine if the laser level  212  is adequately calibrated. 
     In order to determine whether the laser level  212  is adequately calibrated, the user  410  places the detector  330  on the wall  500  with the line  241  passing through a center of the window  331 . The center of the window  331  may be identified by markings  335  on the detector  330 . 
     Once the line  241  is aligned with the markings  335  identifying the center of the window  331 , the user  410  or another worker may instruct the laser level  212  to rotate around one time (360 degrees). This may be done through the detector  330  which serves as a remote control, or by using controls on the laser level  212  (or the bracket  312  or tripod  400 , if applicable). If the laser level  212  is well aligned, the line  241  will pass through the window  331  through the entire 360 degree rotation of the laser level  212 . In this instance, the photo detector will continuously detect the laser line  241  and a controller of the detector  330  can determine that the laser level  212  is properly aligned because the line  241  does not move significantly up or down vertically through the rotation. The detector  330  can then inform a user that the laser level  212  is properly aligned. The detector  330  can have a display or indicator that indicates that the laser level  212  is properly aligned. The indicator may be a simple LED light that is activated when the laser level  212  is properly aligned. The display may also be a more elaborate display such as an LCD or other screen that displays text or other graphics indicating proper alignment. A similar display or indicator may additionally or alternatively be placed on the laser level  212  or the base  312 . 
     In the event that the laser level  212  is misaligned, while the line  241  initially starts off projecting through the window  331 , the line  241  will deviate from that position as the laser level  212  is rotated. For example, with reference to  FIG. 17 , the detector  330  may be initially positioned such that the laser line  241  is at a location B. At location B, the laser line  241  overlaps with the window  331  and is detected by a photo-detector. Then, as the laser level  212  rotates, the laser line  241  may move to the positions D or E. When the laser line  241  moves to the D or E positions, the laser line  241  no longer shines through the window  331  and is no longer detected by the photo detector behind the window  331 . Accordingly, the laser line  241  is no longer detected, and the controller of the detector  330  can determine that the laser level is misaligned due to the vertical drifting of the laser line  241 . Similar to when the laser level  212  is properly aligned, the detector  330  can have a display or indicator that indicates that the laser level  212  is not properly aligned (i.e., misaligned). The indicator may be a simple LED light that is activated when the laser level  212  is misaligned. The display may also be a more elaborate display such as an LCD or other screen that displays text or other graphics indicating proper alignment. A similar display or indicator may additionally or alternatively be placed on the laser level  212  or the base  312 . 
     In the present exemplary embodiment, there is a single window  331  with a single photo detector behind the window  331 . The user  410  initially lines up the line  241  with a center of the window  331 , perhaps with the help of a marking  335  located at the center of the window  331 . 
     In other embodiments, there may be multiple photo-detectors behind the window, including a central photo detector, and the detector  330  may indicate when the line  241  is lined up on the central photo-detector. For example, there may be three photo-detectors vertically aligned and the detector  330  may indicate when the laser line  241  is lined up with the central photo detector. In that event, there may be in some embodiments one window, more than one window or dividers to prevent leakage of the signal to multiple photo detectors. 
     In the present exemplary embodiment, the height H of the window  331  may be adjusted in order to sensitivity of the calibration. If the laser line  241  is initially located at a center of the window  331 , movement of roughly half the height H of the window will indicate that the laser level  212  is misaligned. That is, if the laser line  241  initially shines through the window  331  at the center marking  335  and the window  331  has a height of H moving roughly ½ H either up or down will cause the laser line to be outside of the window  331 . Accordingly, the height H of the window helps to determine the sensitivity. If the height H is approximately ¼ inch, movement of greater than ⅛ inch will produce a misalignment reading. If the height H is approximately ½ inch, it will take a movement of approximately ¼ inch or greater to produce a misalignment reading. The window  331  of the present exemplary embodiment have a height of ¼ inch or less; ⅜ inch or less; ½ inch or less; ⅝ inch or less; ¾ inch or less; ⅞ inch or less; or 1 inch or less. 
     Additionally, the distance between the laser level  212  and the wall  500  may affect the calibration. Accordingly, instructions may provide the user with a reference distance. For example, an instruction manual may indicate that the user should place a front surface of the laser level  212  ten feet away from the wall  500 . The user could also be instructed to change the distance depending upon a desired sensitivity. That is, the user could place the laser level  212  closer to the wall  500  and detector  330  if a lower sensitivity is desired (more often considered aligned) and farther away from the wall  500  if a higher sensitivity is desired (more often determined as misaligned). 
       FIG. 18  illustrates a schematic view of the detector  330 . As shown in the schematic, the detector  330  includes the same components as remote input device  130  and additionally includes the window  331  and a photo detector  332  behind the window  331 . 
     As stated above, the calibration feature may be included and or combined with the other embodiments described herein. 
     The laser level  212  may also include an accelerometer  63 . The accelerometer  63  is functionally connected to a controller such as a microcontroller  61 . The accelerometer  63  in the laser level  212  may in addition to the functionality described above, determine if the laser level  212  is placed on a surface or tripod in a way that the laser level  212  horizontal. That is, if the laser level  212  is placed on a flat horizontal surface, or the mount  312  is placed on a flat horizontal surface, the line  241  should be horizontal or nearly horizontal if properly calibrated. The surface and positioning of the laser level  212  does not need to be precisely horizontal, as the laser modules  250  are on a self-leveling pendulum mount that provides some degree of movement. This pendulum mount allows the modules  250  to correctly position under gravity for about 10 degrees. Outside of this range, the modules  250  are unable to self level. Accordingly, the accelerometer  63  can determine whether the laser level  212  is outside of the self-leveling range and convey this information to the detector  330 . The detector  330  can then display or alert the user  410  that the laser level  212  is outside of the self-leveling range. This can be done through an indicator or other display. When the laser level  212  is outside of the self-leveling range, the line  241  will generally not be horizontal regardless of the calibration and a detection of alignment cannot be performed. 
     Although the present technology has been described in detail for the purpose of illustration based on what is currently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that the technology is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it is to be understood that the present technology contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any embodiment can be combined with one or more features of any other embodiment.