FAQ

1. What is the Laser Positioning System (LPS)?
   LPS is a device that works with your computer to measure a local object’s position like a GPS measures your car position when you drive. LPS is more accurate for finding a local position than a GPS. It is possible to find and object’s position within fractions of an inch from a distance of over 20 feet.
2. Who would benefit from using the LPS?
   LPS users include anyone interested in knowing the dimensions or in finding location of an object of interest. Here are a few examples: video game developers who desire to make a computer model of an object, building contractors seeking to save effort from multiple measurements on site,  heavy equipment designers  seeking to reduce the operator’s work load for moving a hinged bucket and jointed arm of a backhoe,  those involved in medical robotics seeking to precisely guide surgical instruments.
3. How does the LPS work?
   The LPS plugs into a USB port of your computer. When you point the laser beam, it works by finding an object’s spherical coordinates (a distance and two angles) from where you are viewing the object. The LPS measures the object’s distance with a laser distance meter (LDM) and the objects angles with some high resolution encoders. The next step is to convert the spherical coordinates to Cartesian coordinates (x,y,z) and then to store this information on your computer for your use. From the graphical user interface on your computer, there are two LPS modes of operation: One Shot, and Continuous Scan.