Patent ID: 6912478

Claim:
A system for collecting measurements for use by a surface profiling processing scheme, said system comprising: a movable platform; an odometer coupled to said movable platform for measuring distance that said movable platform traverses during a measurement run on a surface wherein said measurement run is defined by starting and stopping positions on the surface that are spaced apart from one another; first means mounted to said movable platform for generating a measurement of inclination of the surface where said movable platform is positioned when said movable platform is stationary thereon; second means mounted to said movable platform for generating measurements of curvature of the surface as said movable platform traverses the surface; third means mounted on said movable platform and coupled to said odometer for monitoring said distance that said movable platform traverses during said measurement run and for generating a signal each time said movable platform traverses a predetermined amount of distance during said measurement run, wherein said signal (i) is realized by at least one of a visual alarm, an audible alarm and a tactile alarm, and (ii) serves as an indication to stop said movable platform during said measurement run; and fourth means coupled to said first means and said second means for collecting (i) said measurements of curvature while said movable platform traverses the surface during said measurement run, and (ii) said measurement of inclination at said starting position, said stopping position, and each time said movable platform is stopped during said measurement run following the generation of said signal.