Laser level checking

Abstract

A laser receiving arrangement, co-operable with a reference plane defined by a laser transmitter, including a data storage device, a sensing arrangement, a logic arrangement and a user interface. The data storage device stores a respective desired elevation for each of a plurality of target points. The sensing arrangement senses the reference plane and produces an output indicative of an elevation of a selected target point relative to the reference plane. The logic arrangement is configured to receive from the data storage device the respective desired elevation of the selected target point, receive the output of the sensing arrangement, and produce an output based on at least the received elevation and the received output. The user interface is configured to produce an output interpretable by a user, based on the output of the logic arrangement and indicative of a deviation of the target point from its respective desired elevation.

Claims

1. A laser receiving arrangement, co-operable with a reference plane defined by a laser transmitter, comprising: a data storage device on which a respective desired elevation for each of a plurality of target points is storable; and a sensing arrangement configured to sense the reference plane and produce an output indicative of an elevation of a selected one of the target points relative to the reference plane; a logic arrangement configured to: receive from the data storage device the respective desired elevation of the selected one of the target points; receive the output of the sensing arrangement; and produce an output based on at least the received elevation and the received output; a user interface configured to produce an output interpretable by a user, based on the output of the logic arrangement and indicative of a deviation of the selected one of the target points from its respective desired elevation; and wherein the sensing arrangement includes: a staff including a datum for abutting the target point; one or more photo-sensitive portions movable up and down the staff; and a position sensing arrangement for, based on a position of the photo-sensitive portion(s), producing the output indicative of an elevation of the selected one of the target points relative to the reference plane.

2. The laser receiving arrangement of claim 1 wherein the output of the user interface is indicative of whether the selected one of the target points is above or below its desired elevation.

3. The laser receiving arrangement of claim 1 wherein the output of the user interface is indicative of a vertical distance from the selected one of the target points to its desired elevation.

4. The laser receiving arrangement of claim 1 including a mobile telecommunications device defining the user interface.

5. The laser receiving arrangement of claim 1 including a mobile telecommunications device defining the data storage device, the logic arrangement and the user interface.

6. A laser receiving arrangement, co-operable with a reference plane defined by a laser transmitter, comprising: a sensing arrangement configured to sense the reference plane and produce an output indicative of an elevation of a target point relative to the reference plane; a data storage device for storing an elevation of a reference point relative to the reference plane; a logic arrangement configured to: receive from the data storage device the elevation of a reference point relative to the reference plane; receive from the sensing arrangement the elevation of the target point relative to the reference plane; and produce an output based on at least the received elevations; a user interface configured to, based on the output of the logic arrangement, produce an indication, of a vertical deviation of the target point from reference point, interpretable by a user; and wherein the sensing, arrangement includes: a staff including a datum for abutting the target point; one or more photo-sensitive portions movable up and down the staff; and a position sensing arrangement for, based on a position of the photo-sensitive portion(s), producing the output indicative of an elevation of the target point relative to the reference plane.

7. The laser receiving arrangement of claim 6 wherein the output of the user interface is indicative of whether the target point is above or below the reference point.

8. The laser receiving arrangement of claim 6 wherein the output of the user interface is indicative of a vertical distance from the target point to the reference point.

9. The laser receiving arrangement of claim 6 including a mobile telecommunications device defining the user interface.

10. The laser receiving arrangement of claim 9 wherein the mobile telecommunications device wirelessly co-operates with the sensing arrangement.

11. The laser receiving arrangement of claim 6 including a mobile telecommunications device defining the data storage device, the logic arrangement and the user interface.

12. The laser receiving arrangement of claim 11 wherein the mobile telecommunications device wirelessly co-operates with the sensing arrangement.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and methods will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a laser receiving arrangement;

(3) FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-section view along the centre line of a drainage trench;

(4) FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a staff;

(5) FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a laser level-checking system;

(6) FIGS. 5 to 24 are screen shots of a preferred user interface; and

(7) FIGS. 25 and 26 schematically illustrate the use of a laser level-checking system to check/set the levels for a first floor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(8) The following examples are intended to illustrate to enable reproduction and comparison. They are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure in any way.

(9) The laser receiving arrangement 1 includes a staff 2 and a mobile telecommunications device (MTD) 3.

(10) The staff 2 is about 2 metres high and includes a sensing arrangement 5 running vertically along its length. The bottom end of the staff is a datum 7. In use the datum 7 is placed on a selected target site on the ground the level of which is to be checked. The staff is then held upright. For this purpose the staff may include a mechanism for checking verticality of the staff such as a bubble trapped within a suitable transparent housing.

(11) The sensing arrangement 5 is made up of photosensitive portions at respective distances from the datum 7. These portions are responsive to a laser defining a laser reference plane. Thus the distance of the responsive one of the portions from the datum 7 corresponds to the height of the reference plane above the target point.

(12) The staff 2 incorporates a transmitter 9 for wirelessly transmitting the elevation, of the reference plane above the target point, to the MTD 3.

(13) The MTD 3 is configured by a computer program, known as an app, downloaded from an on-line environment. The computer program configures the MTD 3 to store a desired elevation for each of a plurality of target sites along with a respective identifier for each of the target sites. The identifier could be descriptive text such ‘garage 1’ and ‘garage 2’ or something more elaborate. Optionally the identifier could be a set of navigational co-ordinates whereby the computer program can configure the mobile phone to enable a target site to be selected by moving the mobile phone into proximity with the target site. Preferably, the identifier is simply a number corresponding to a number marked for the target site on a building plan.

(14) The mobile phone can be preloaded with the desired elevation for each target site in the comfort of an office environment before arriving on the building site. This alone reduces the prospects of human error.

(15) Upon arrival at the building site the user positions the laser transmitter within sight of the TBM and the target sites in conventional fashion. The datum 7 is then placed on the TBM. Often the TBM will be clearly marked such as by a dot of spray paint on the footpath at the front of the building site. With the staff held upright, a reference elevation can be captured. For this purpose, the MTD 3 is preferably configured by the computer program to present an intuitive call for action via its user interface. Preferably the MTD's touch screen presents an icon clearly labelled ‘capture reference’ or similar. In an alternate variant of the arrangement 1, the staff 2 incorporates its own calibration facility by which the reference value can be captured so that the subsequent output from the staff is adjusted by this value.

(16) Once the operator has operated the MTD to capture the reference elevation they can move on to a first of the target sites. The datum 7 is placed on the first target site and the staff is held upright. The operator selects, via the touch screen of the MTD 3, the first target site, e.g. by pressing a icon clearly marked ‘target site 1’ or similar.

(17) The MTD, as configured by the downloaded program, then compares at least the elevation received from the staff 2 and the desired elevation to assess the deviation between the target site's elevation and its desired elevation. Typically the reference elevation will also be factored into the comparison, although it is plausible that the transmitter could be set at the same height as the TBM, or that the desired elevations include an allowance for a predetermined reference elevation to which the transmitter is set.

(18) Preferably the desired elevations are stored as elevations relative to the height of the TBM, in which case the output from the staff 2 is preferably modified by the subtraction of the reference elevation before it is compared to the desired elevation. By way of example, the modified output from the staff 2 may indicate that the target site is measured at 100 mm above the TBM and the desired elevation for that site may be 300 mm above the TBM in which case a comparison, of the output of staff 2 in its modified form to the desired elevation, in the form of subtraction indicates that the target site must be built up by 200 mm.

(19) Alternatively the output from the staff 2 may be directly compared to a modified form of the desired elevation, the modified form of the desired election being the addition of the reference elevation and the desired elevation of the target site relative to the TBM.

(20) The MTD 3, as configured by the program, preferably displays the necessary action to achieve the desired elevation. In the example of FIG. 1 the MTD 3 conveys via its screen an up arrow and the word ‘fill’ conveying the direction of the necessary surface modifications. Both the arrow and the word fill are indicative of the target point being below its desired elevation. The screen further conveys a simple numeric output indicating that the ground must be built up by 200 mm. The operation of the laser receiving arrangement 1 on site is thus simple and intuitive, and minimises the opportunity for human error. The MTD may be configured to store the deviation from the desired elevation for later reference.

(21) It is frequently desirable to build inclined features. A drainage trench is a simple example of such a feature. FIG. 2 illustrates a drainage trench partially constructed with the aid of the laser receiving arrangement 1 in which the MTD 3, as configured by the program, is operating in another operating mode. In this other operating mode rather than storing elevations for pre-selected target points, the MTD 3 stores a desired profile for the inclined feature.

(22) The transmitter T is positioned along the centre line of the planned trench. The staff 2 is then placed on the TBM and a referenced range and elevation captured, preferably using appropriate capture icons on the touch screen. In this example the staff 2 is configured to also provide an output indicative of the range R of the staff 2 from the transmitter T. By way of example this range of measurement may be based on the width of the laser beam or the time that it takes for a laser beam to pass between horizontally spaced sensing portions of the staff 2.

(23) Through a comparison process similar to that previously described, the MTD compares the output from the staff 2 to the desired profile to indicate whether the site at which the staff is placed is above or below the desired profile and how far from the desired profile the selected point is. In this way the staff can be dropped into the drainage trench whilst an excavator is momentarily paused to very rapidly provide an indication as to whether the excavation is on course. A site is selected as a target site by simply placing the datum 7 upon it. A simple intuitive output is provided without any need for specific user input whilst the excavator is paused.

(24) In the described examples the MTD 3 is configured to define a data storage device, a logic arrangement and a user interface although of course other examples of the invention are possible. Using a MTD in this way is preferred in that most users will have an MTD with them and by utilising its processing power and other resources the costs of duplicating those resources in the staff arrangement 2 can be avoided, although other variants of the invention may well have such features built into the staff. It is also possible that various components of the receiving arrangement may be distributed. By way of example the MTD 3 may communicate via the internet with an off-site data storage device and logic arrangement.

(25) FIG. 3 illustrates an alternate laser receiving staff 11 including a staff body 13 and a scale 15 carried by the body 13. The staff further includes a module 17 movable up and down the body 13. At the base of the body 13 is a connection arrangement 17 including mounting points and electrical connections by which the staff 11 is mechanically and electrically connectable to an extension piece.

(26) The module 17 co-operates with a logic arrangement 17a (that includes a CPU), an antenna 17b for forming a wireless link with outside devices, a screen 17c for displaying information to users, a position sensing arrangement 17d, a magnetometer 17e for staff compensation and a GPS antenna 17f, and a laser detector 17g for sensing the reference plane. Ideally the staff should be held exactly vertically upright when in use although the staff includes the magnetometer 17e to enable it to compensate for any angle away from the vertical to provide a more accurate reading to the end user. A tilt sensor such as an accelerometer may be employed to similar effect.

(27) The position sensing arrangement 17d may take the form of a capacitive reader head co-operative with the scale 15 to sense the position of the module 17. An encoder is another option.

(28) Proprietary scale and capacitive reader head combinations are available and are preferred for cost efficiencies. Preferably the remainder of the module 17 depends from the reader head 17d.

(29) In use, the module 17 is manually moved up and down the staff until satisfactorily aligned with the reference plane. To assist with this alignment, the logic arrangement 17a, responsive to the detector 17g, may produce an output (e.g. an audible or visual output) to inform the operator of satisfactory alignment. When the module 17 is so aligned, the output from the position sensing arrangement 17d is indicative of the elevation of the reference plane above the point on which the base 19 is seated. A drive arrangement by which the module 17 is driven vertically along the staff to automatically locate the reference plane is also contemplated.

(30) The module 17 preferably further includes a general purpose 10 to accommodate calibration inputs, at height indication, Wi-Fi connection, etc.

(31) According to a preferred form of the invention, up to three 1000 mm staff extensions can be added to the lower section 19 of the main staff. This is to allow for sites that have a fall of more than the maximum length of the linear scale.

(32) The main electronics 17a will automatically detect how many extensions are present and auto compensate on the final readings, this will eliminate any possible operator error and ensure data integrity.

(33) The auto detection is achieved by deploying a loop back system into the staff. There will be 2 contacts that loop a signal back to the main CPU, when an extension is fitted this loop back will be moved to the lower section of the extension and a unique code is sent to the main CPU so it can adjust accordingly. The same applies for the other 2 extensions each one or any combination of extensions or no extensions will produce a unique code.

(34) There are other mechanisms by which the addition of one or more extension pieces may be automatically recognised. By way of example, each extension piece might be tagged with a simple 2-bit passive RFID tag for providing a back-scattered signal (in response to a suitable excitement provided by the staff 11) by which the logic arrangement 17a can recognise the extension as being one of four predetermined lengths.

(35) FIGS. 5 to 24 are screenshots from a mobile telecommunications device MTD configured with a suitable app to co-operate with the module 17 via the antenna 17b, e.g. via Bluetooth connection.

(36) P1 Home Page

(37) This page contains a display screen that provides readings of the horizontal beam. It also contains up to 11 other various options that assist the user to program, set heights and levels for up to 20 sites/locations.

(38) Selection S2

(39) Saved jobs will be displayed on page 2: Preprogrammed jobs. These can be programmed off site using the plans and the TBM reading that is given from the surveyor.

(40) Selection S6

(41) This will allow the user to program the level/FFL (Finished Floor Level) from the TBM.

(42) Selection S18

(43) This function allows the user to obtain a GPS reading and for it to be saved to a specific site/location. This function can also be used as a GPS in general terms for the user to navigate between sites/locations that are already saved in the staff.

(44) P2 Preprogrammed Jobs

(45) This page has the capability to save up to 20 preprogrammed jobs by the touch of the screen. Simply select the job that is required. For example Browns Rd.

(46) Selection S3

(47) Once the user selects the required site/location, for example Browns Rd, the preprogrammed heights will appear.

(48) Selection S3A

(49) The laser transmitter (aka laser level) may be moved about the work site as required (e.g. to have a light of sight to each of the TBM and a target site as required). As such, it is important that the laser-receiving arrangement is periodically recalibrated. This is achieved by placing the staff at the temporary benchmark and making the touchscreen selection S3A. In this way, the height of the reference plane relative to the temporary benchmark is captured and stored on the mobile telecommunications device.

(50) P3 Preprogrammed Measurements Associated with the Selected Site/Location

(51) All the measurements associated with, for example, Browns Rd, are listed on this page once they have been entered via S6 on home page.

(52) Selection S38

(53) This function allows the user to review previously taken photos along with taking new images of the desired site/location and then gives the user the ability to store the images under the site/locations file.

(54) Selection S3C

(55) This function allows the user to obtain a GPS reading and for it to be saved to a specifically to a site/location. This function can also be used as a GPS in general terms for the user to navigate between sites/locations that are already saved in the staff.

(56) Selection S3D

(57) This function allows the user to edit, add or change levels on site but this is protected by a PIN (or other suitable lock-out feature) so that levels cannot be altered by mistake.

(58) Selection S3E This function allows the user to view plans for the associated site/location.

(59) Selection S4

(60) Allows the user to select height of concrete slab/ground floor. The TBM will need to calibrate at the TBM marked by the surveyor before use.

(61) P4 Recalibration Page

(62) Once the user has selected the required target site from P3, they will then be prompted to recalibrate the staff/level from the TBM every time as the horizontal beam will not be in the same place/height every time. Once the user has set the laser level up, they will then need to place the staff over the TBM and press the reset button to take the reading. Once this had been done, the selected height will appear and the staff is ready to use. If at any time the laser level is moved, the user will have to recalibrate the staff.

(63) Selection S4A

(64) The staff is recalibrated by selecting this option, which will find the horizontal laser beam automatically. Once the laser is centred to the beam it will alert the user that it has completed calibration by beeping. Select save and the selected level will appear for use.

(65) P4a Saved Slab Level Page

(66) This page will display the selected level, in this case the slab. The preprogrammed height reading will also appear in the middle of the display screen along with an indication of the amount and direction of the deviation from the preprogrammed height. In this case the amount and direction are respectively 0.02 mm and up.

(67) Selection S5

(68) This function allows the user to edit, add or change levels on site but this is protected by a PIN so that levels cannot be altered by mistake.

(69) P5 Edit Preselected Measurements Page

(70) This page is where the selected levels can be edited, added to or changed. For example, if you need to add a polished topping slab, by using the keyboard type in TOPPING SLAB and select save.

(71) Selection S9

(72) This function allows the user to save the new level. When the slab level is adjusted the measurements will appear in the calculator on P9. Once save is selected, the previous slab level will appear in the calculator ready for the new height to be added. Select save to make sure details are obtained. Once measurements are saved, the new level will appear on P3 ready for use.

(73) P6 Onsite Programming: Creating New Job

(74) To start you must enter the TMB into the staff and save it before calibrating the staff from the TBM at the front of the job or the measurements provided by the surveyor. These details can also be manually entered using the calculator.

(75) Selection S7

(76) This function allows the user to save the TBM to a new job page by using the keyboard type the desired name of the site/location.

(77) Selection S7A

(78) This function allows the user to enter new levels associated with a site/location whilst onsite. Before this can be done, the staff may need to be calibrated to the TBM. Once the user enters the new levels into the staff and selects save, it is then ready for use.

(79) P7 Onsite Programming: Adding New Heights

(80) Once the TBM reading is saved a new tab can be selected. Then, using the keyboard, title the new height, select save and add the ground floor height from the plans.

(81) Option 1

(82) By using the surrounding measurements, the calculator can be used to adjust selected heights or requirements. Use the TBM to manually select the desired height by adding or subtracting from the TBM height set by the surveyor.

(83) Option 2

(84) Enter the finished floor level as per plans and select save.

(85) P8 Onsite Programming: Adding New Heights (Cont'd)

(86) This page allows the user to program split floor levels into the staff.

(87) Selection S11

(88) This function allows the user to directly enter floor measurements off the plan and into the staff by using the calculator and then the keyboard by giving the level a name if needed.

(89) P9 Edit Preprogrammed Measurements

(90) This page shows the user all the previously saved information for a particular site/location. It also allows the user to add new heights by the ‘Add new tag’.

(91) Selection S10

(92) This function allows the user to save the new height associated to a particular site/location by using the ‘Add new tag’. For example, the user will see the job Browns Rd at the top of the page and all of the previously saved measurements below. If the user was wanting to add in a topping slab on top of the structural slab, the user would enter the measurements of the structural slab height and the thickness of the topping slab into the calculator, selecting enter and save, then the measurements will appear below the previously saved measurements.

(93) P10 Preprogrammed Measurements Associated with the Selected Site/Location

(94) This page shows the user all the measurements associated with a selected site/location. For example, all the measurements for Browns Rd are listed on this page, once they have been entered via S6 or S10.

(95) P11 Onsite Programming: Creating New Heights

(96) This page shows the user all the previously saved information for a particular site/location. It also allows the user to add new heights by the ‘Add new tag’. Pages 11 and 12 are bridging steps for sites with split level floors.

(97) Enter

(98) Selecting ‘Enter’ switches by the keypad from letters (PII) to numbers (PIIA).

(99) Selection S12

(100) This function allows the user to enter new levels associated with a site/location whilst onsite (as per S10).

(101) Selection S12A

(102) This function allows the user to save the new height to the ‘Add new tag’ (as per S10).

(103) P12 Onsite Programming: Creating New Heights (Cont'd)

(104) This page shows the user all the previously saved information for a particular site/location. It also allows the user to add new heights by the ‘Add new tag’. Pages 11 and 12 are bridging steps for sites with split level floors.

(105) Selection S13

(106) This function allows the user to enter new levels associated with a site/location whilst onsite (as per S10).

(107) Selection S13a

(108) This function allows the user to save the new height to the ‘Add new tag’ (as per S10).

(109) P13 Onsite Programming: Creating New Heights (Cont'd)

(110) This page provides the user with the steps to obtain a level that is above the horizontal beam. The user will enter the height off the plans first, in this case the first floor unit 1, by selecting ‘Add new tag’ and following steps as per S10.

(111) Selection S14

(112) This function ‘Hill climbing/Measurement link’ is selected when the user is attempting to get a height that is out of reach of the horizontal beam. The first step is to press ‘Hill climbing/Measurement link’ and then select the name of the height that is out of reach of the horizontal beam.

(113) P14 Onsite Programming: Creating New Heights (Cont'd)

(114) This page will display the selected level, in this case the first floor unit 1. The preprogrammed height reading will also appear in the middle of the display screen.

(115) Selection S15

(116) Selecting the ‘Edit’ and ‘Reset/Calibrate’ tabs will allow the user to take a reading to find the height of the horizontal beam. In this case the user will use the slab to get the height of the horizontal beam. The staff is calibrated by selecting this option, which will find the horizontal laser beam automatically. Once the laser is centred to the beam it will alert the user that it has completed calibration by beeping. Select save and the distance from the selected height from the slab to the horizontal beam will appear.

(117) P15 Onsite Programming: Creating New Heights (Cont'd) (as Per FIG. 25)

(118) All the measurements associated with, for example, Main St are listed on this page. The user now knows that from the slab unit 1 to the horizontal beam is 1.200 m. From the plan you can calculate that from the slab to the top of the first floor is 3 m. By using basic math, you subtract 1.200 m from 3 m and you are left with 1.800 m which is the distance left to the horizontal beam to the first floor.

(119) Selection S16

(120) This function allows the user to save the new height associated to a particular site/location by using the ‘Add new tag’. The measurements will appear below the previously saved measurements. By using the keyboard, type in the name of the new height, then select enter on the keyboard and the user will be able to switch to the calculator. For example, enter the height of the first floor unit 1 into the calculator, then subtract the 1.800 m. Once this is completed, select save and the new height will appear below the previously saved measurements.

(121) P16 Using Preprogrammed Measurements Online

(122) This page contains all the preprogrammed heights associated with a particular site/location.

(123) Selection S17

(124) Allows the user to select height of the ‘First floor unit 1 staff upside down’. The TBM will need to be calibrated at the TBM marked by the surveyor before being used again.

(125) P17 Use of Staff Onsite Whilst Using ‘First Floor Unit 1 Staff Upside Down’ (as Per FIG. 26)

(126) This page will display the selected level, in this case the ‘First floor unit 1 staff upside down’. The preprogrammed height reading will also appear in the middle of the display screen.

(127) P18 GPS/NAVIGATION This page will display the GPS location and navigation to the next site/location.

(128) As per S18 on page 1.

(129) As suggested in FIG. 24, the software can assist operators with navigation between job sites. The GPS function can also be helpful on site. On the job site, the selection of target sites at page 3 (FIG. 7) may be guided or even automated with the aid of GPS. In a guided variant, the GPS antenna of the mobile telecommunications device or of the module 17 may be employed to provide an indication of which of the preset target sites is in proximity to the receiving arrangement. By way of example, when the staff 11 is moved to within a tolerance of the ‘pit 4’ target site, the pit 4 button of the touchscreen may illuminate, making it available for selection. In this way, the selection of the appropriate site is guided, reducing the risk of on site errors.

(130) The present inventors have recognised that GPS signals taken within a limited timeframe often have a systematic error of a meter or two in one direction or another. To account for this systematic error, a calibration process is contemplated. By way of example, when the selection S3A is made with the staff 11 at the TBM, the GPS signal may be captured to obtain an estimate of the systematic error. That estimate can then be used to adjust subsequent GPS readings. Optionally, the system may demand periodic recalibration, e.g. every half hour or so. Of course, the described method of compensating for the systematic error in GPS signals may well be advantageously applied to laser level checking arrangements beyond those described herein. Indeed, it may well be applied beyond the context of laser level checking.

(131) Various examples have been described. The invention is not limited to these examples. Rather, the invention is defined by the claims.