Automated layout and point transfer system
A two-dimension layout system identifies points and their coordinates, and transfers identified points on a solid surface to other surfaces in a vertical direction. Two leveling laser light transmitters are used with a remote unit to control certain functions. The laser transmitters rotate about the azimuth, and emit vertical (plumb) laser planes. After being set up using benchmark points, the projected lines of the laser planes will intersect on the floor of a jobsite at any point of interest in a virtual floor plan, under control of a user with the remote unit. An “active target” can be used to more automatically create benchmarks. A laser distance meter can be installed on base units to automatically scan a room or a wall to determine certain key features.
1. A method for setting up a layout and point transfer system, said method comprising:
(a) providing a first laser controller which includes a first processing circuit, a first communications circuit, a first azimuth angle measuring instrument, a rotatable first laser light transmitter that emits a first laser light plane, and a rotatable first distance measuring meter that measures distance to a target;
(b) providing a second laser controller which includes a second processing circuit, a second communications circuit, a second azimuth angle measuring instrument, and a rotatable second laser light transmitter that emits a second laser light plane;
(c) providing a remote controller that includes a third processing circuit, a third communications circuit, a memory circuit including instructions executable by said third processing circuit, a display, and an input sensing circuit that allows a user to enter commands to said remote controller, said remote controller being in communication with said first and second laser controllers;
(d) positioning said first laser controller and said second laser controller at two different locations on a solid surface of a jobsite;
(e) determining an alignment axis between said first laser controller and said second laser controller;
(f) starting a new virtual jobsite floor plan in said memory circuit of the remote controller, for a field of work at said jobsite;
(g) selecting a first physical point on said solid surface of the jobsite and aiming said first laser light transmitter and said second laser light transmitter so that said first physical point is indicated by both laser light lines that are produced by said first and second laser light planes;
(h) determining a first set of azimuth angles of said first and second laser light transmitters;
(i) determining a first distance between said first physical point and said first distance measuring meter;
(j) recording said first set of azimuth angles and first distance in said memory circuit of the remote controller, thereby creating a first benchmark for said virtual floor plan stored in said memory circuit;
(k) calculating a second distance between said first and second laser controllers, thereby scaling the field of work; and
(l) after said field of work has been scaled, using both said first and second laser controllers to determine coordinates of for at least one point of interest at said jobsite, without using said rotatable first distance measuring meter.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein: said first and second laser controllers are configured to provide a visual representation of a virtual point on said physical jobsite surface, by aiming said first laser light plane and said second laser light plane, to indicate a physical location of said virtual point.
3. The system of claim 2 , wherein:
(a) said first laser light plane creates a first visual laser light line along said physical jobsite surface;
(b) said second laser light plane creates a second visual laser light line along said physical jobsite surface; and
(c) said visual representation comprises said first and second visual laser light lines intersecting at said virtual point.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein said first and second planes of laser light comprise at least one of:
(a) a static laser fan beam; (b) a rotating laser light beam; and (c) a dithering laser light beam.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein:
(a) said first azimuth angle measuring instrument comprises at least one of:
(i) a first azimuth position encoder, and
(ii) a first visual angle scale; and
(b) said second azimuth angle measuring instrument comprises at least one of:
(i) a second azimuth position encoder, and
(ii) a second visual angle scale.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein:
(a) said first laser controller includes: (i) a first leveling platform; (ii) a first azimuth position encoder; and (iii) a first azimuth motor drive for automatically positioning said first laser light transmitter, under control of said remote controller; and
(b) said second laser controller includes: (i) a second leveling platform; (ii) a second azimuth position encoder; and (iii) a second azimuth motor drive for automatically positioning said second laser light transmitter, under control of said remote controller.
7. A method for setting up a layout and point transfer system, said method comprising:
(a) providing a first laser controller which includes a first processing circuit, a first communications circuit, a first azimuth angle measuring instrument, a rotatable first laser light transmitter that emits a first laser light plane, and a rotatable first distance measuring meter that measures distance to a target;
(b) providing a second laser controller which includes a second processing circuit, a second communications circuit, a rotatable second laser light transmitter that emits a second laser light plane, and a rotatable second distance measuring meter that measures distance to a target;
(c) providing a remote controller that includes a third processing circuit, a third communications circuit, a memory circuit including instructions executable by said third processing circuit, a display, and an input sensing circuit that allows a user to enter commands to said remote controller, said remote controller being in communication with said first and second laser controllers;
(d) positioning said first laser controller and said second laser controller at two different locations on a solid surface of a jobsite;
(e) determining an alignment axis between said first laser controller and said second laser controller;
(f) starting a new virtual jobsite floor plan in said memory circuit of the remote controller, for a field of work at said jobsite;
(g) selecting a first physical point on said solid surface of the jobsite and aiming said first laser light transmitter and said second laser light transmitter so that said first physical point is indicated by both laser light lines that are produced by said first and second laser light planes;
(h) determining a first azimuth angle of said first laser light transmitter;
(i) determining a first set of distances between said first physical point and said first and second distance measuring meters;
(j) recording said first azimuth angle and first set of distances in said memory circuit of the remote controller, thereby creating a first benchmark for said virtual floor plan stored in said memory circuit;
(k) calculating a second distance between said first and second laser controllers, thereby scaling the field of work; and
(l) after said field of work has been scaled, using both said first and second laser controllers to determine coordinates of for at least one point of interest at said jobsite, without using said rotatable first distance measuring meter.
8. The system of claim 7 , wherein said first and second planes of laser light comprise at least one of:
(a) a static laser fan beam; (b) a rotating laser light beam; and (c) a dithering laser light beam.
9. The method of claim 7 , wherein:
(a) said first azimuth angle measuring instrument comprises at least one of:
(i) an azimuth position encoder; and
(ii) a visual angle scale.
10. The method of claim 7 , wherein:
(a) said first laser controller includes: (i) a first leveling platform; (ii) a first azimuth position encoder; and (iii) a first azimuth motor drive for automatically positioning said first laser light transmitter, under control of said remote controller; and
(b) said second laser controller includes: (i) a second leveling platform.