Patent ID: 7528356

Claim:
A method for measuring an absolute distance and planar angles for an at least one object relative to an optic sensor assembly, the method comprising the steps of: a) calibrating the optic sensor assembly by mounting the optic sensor assembly in a fixture and capturing a response of each sensor from the optic sensor assembly from a known target; b) mounting a structure adjacent to the object; c) locating the calibrated optic sensor assembly upon the mounting structure, the calibrated optic sensor assembly comprising a plurality of at least four sensors; d) providing a transmitter for transmitting optic signals; e) locating at least one target on a surface portion of the object; f) using control electronics to communicate with the transmitter and each sensor of the calibrated optic sensor assembly by a communications bus, each sensor measuring an intensity of reflected light from the at least one target; g) processing measured reflected light intensity information and the captured response from each sensor of the calibrated optic sensor assembly by signal processing software means, loaded and stored in the control electronics; and h) computing the absolute distance and the planar angles; and i) repeating steps e) through h) for a next object.