Eric John Lundberg

US Patent:

6545751, Apr 8, 2003

Filed:

Feb 26, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/791736

Inventors:

Sean Beliveau - Leesburg VA
Edward R. Barrientos - Great Falls VA
Yvan Beliveau - Blacksburg VA
Thomas M. Hedges - Great Falls VA
Eric J. Lundberg - Reston VA
Edmund S. Pendleton - Arlington VA
Timothy Pratt - Blacksburg VA
Rick Slater - Reston VA
Michael J. Sobel - Annandale VA

Assignee:

Arc Second, Inc. - Dulles VA

International Classification:

G01B 1126

US Classification:

3561414, 356 408

Abstract:

An improved low cost theodolite position measurement system and process which is particularly useful in enabling a single operator to conveniently set up the system and calculate elevation (el) and azimuth (az) angle data. Only a single optical transmitter is positioned within a predetermined workspace thus significantly decreasing equipment costs and setup time. The single transmitter is positioned and leveled at a predetermined point in the workspace. In operation the single rotatably mounted transmitter head illuminates the workspace volume with a pair of spaced apart precalibrated fan beams which sweep the space and a periodically emitted reference strobe pulse. At least one optical receiver is selectively positionable within said workspace so that during each revolution of said single transmitter head said receiver receives a first position strike and a second position strike of said fan beams. To determine elevation angle data, tracker logic means responsive to said receiver determines a first tie interval separation between receiving said first position strike and said second position strike and calculation means for converting said first time separation interval into an elevation angle data. To determine an azimuth angle data said receiver receives a strobe pulse and a fan beam position strike, both of which are repeatedly transmitted with a known periodicity, determining a measure of time separation related to the strobe pulse and the position strike, and converting the measure of time separation into the azimuth angle data utilizing the known periodicity.

US Patent:

6662103, Dec 9, 2003

Filed:

Mar 21, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/532026

Inventors:

Jeffrey F. Skolnick - Vienna VA
Edward R. Barrientos - Great Falls VA
Sean M. Beliveau - Leesburg VA
Thomas M. Hedges - Great Falls VA
Eric J. Lundberg - Reston VA
Edmund S. Pendleton - Arlington VA
Roger Wells - Kensington MD

Assignee:

ARC Second Inc. - Dulles VA

International Classification:

G01C 2126

US Classification:

701207, 356 301, 356622

Abstract:

A method and system allows conversion of three-dimensional data from a default coordinate frame to an arbitrary user-selected coordinate frame. The method includes obtaining position data in a default coordinate frame and transforming the data into an alternate coordinate frame defined by the user. The alternate coordinate frame can be defined by allowing the user to select a plane, an origin, and an axis, using any desired coordinate system and in any desired orientation. The transformed data allows presentation of position measurements in a form that is relevant to the users specific application.

US Patent:

20110112703, May 12, 2011

Filed:

Jul 10, 2009

Appl. No.:

13/003448

Inventors:

Eric Lundberg - Reston VA, US
Michael Draszt - Oak Harbor WA, US

International Classification:

G06F 1/26

US Classification:

700297

Abstract:

Distributed power storage capabilities are provided for electrical-power-providers by placing electrical storage systems at power consumption facilities. Power can be stored in such storage systems when power prices are low and can be released from such storage systems when power prices are high. With or without the electrical storage systems, power from particular power generation sources, such as renewable power generation sources can be identified by a power consumer for usage. In some cases, power from the particular power generation sources is used only when pricing conditions are met.

US Patent:

51002299, Mar 31, 1992

Filed:

Aug 17, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/570268

Inventors:

Eric Lundberg - Blacksburg VA
Yvan Beliveau - Blacksburg VA
Timothy Pratt - Blacksburg VA

Assignee:

Spatial Positioning Systems, Inc. - Blacksburg VA

International Classification:

G01C 103
G01C 300
G01C 500

US Classification:

356 1

Abstract:

A spatial positioning apparatus providing three-dimensional position information and methods to utilize the position information for improved surveying, construction layout, equipment operations, manufacturing control and autonomous vehicle control is disclosed. The spatial positioning apparatus includes at least three, preferably four, fixed referent stations. A minimum of two, preferably three, of the fixed stations sweeps a spread laser beam horizontally across the site of interest. The remaining fixed station sweeps a spread beam vertically across the site of interest. A strobe signal is emitted from each fixed station when the rotation mechanism actuates a rotation datum. The spatial positioning apparatus also includes one or more portable position sensors. The portable position sensor includes a light sensitive detector, a computer, and a display. The x, y, z coordinates of the portable position sensor are obtained through a triangulation technique based on time marks received from each spread laser beam from the fixed stations and the rotation datum received from the strobe of each fixed station.

US Patent:

52949702, Mar 15, 1994

Filed:

Sep 6, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/755780

Inventors:

Andrew W. Dornbusch - Blacksburg VA
Eric J. Lundberg - Blacksburg VA
Yvan J. Beliveau - Blacksburg VA
Timothy Pratt - Blacksburg VA

Assignee:

Spatial Positioning Systems, Inc. - Blacksburg VA

International Classification:

G01B 1126
G01C 300

US Classification:

356152

Abstract:

A spatial positioning system includes fixed referent stations which emit rotating, divergent laser beams and a portable reflector. Each fixed station also includes a detector and a processor. The portable reflector may include retroreflectors or transponders. When the rotation of the laser beam is such that it is in line with a portable reflector, the transmitted laser beam is reflected off the portable reflector and received at the fixed receiver. For any point which is crossed by the fanned laser beams of a fixed station, a horizontal angle can be determined. Once these horizontal angles are known for three fixed stations, the point of intersection of three planes, and thus the three-dimensional position of the point, is determined.

US Patent:

54614732, Oct 24, 1995

Filed:

Sep 20, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/123891

Inventors:

Timothy Pratt - Blacksburg VA
Andrew W. Dornbusch - Blacksburg VA
Yvan J. Beliveau - Blacksburg VA
Eric J. Lundberg - Blacksburg VA
Michael H. Sweeney - Commerce Township MI

Assignee:

Spatial Positioning Systems, Inc. - VA

International Classification:

G01B 1126
H01J 4014
G02B 302

US Classification:

3561413

Abstract:

Improved transmitter and receiver units for use in spatial measurement system that are easy and inexpensive to manufacture while providing a high degree of reliability are disclosed. Specifically, the laser transmitter includes a laser emitter, a bearing/motor assembly coupled to the laser emitter, the bearing/motor assembly including a rotatable hollow spindle shaft through which a laser beam generated by the laser emitter passes and a motor for driving the spindle shaft, a prism assembly coupled to the spindle shaft, wherein the prism assembly divides the laser beam generated by the laser emitter into a pair of fanned laser beams, and reflecting means for reflecting the fanned laser beams generated by the prism assembly as counter-rotating fanned laser beams. The receiver unit preferably includes at least one optical receiver coupled to an extension member, a processing unit coupled to the optical receiver, and a receiver interface coupled to the processing unit.

US Patent:

51102021, May 5, 1992

Filed:

Dec 31, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/636459

Inventors:

Andrew W. Dornbusch - Blacksburg VA
Yvan J. Beliveau - Blacksburg VA
Eric J. Lundberg - Blacksburg VA
Timothy Pratt - Blacksburg VA

Assignee:

Spatial Positioning Systems, Inc. - Blacksburg VA

International Classification:

G01C 103
G01C 300
G01C 500

US Classification:

356 1

Abstract:

A spatial positioning and measurement system provides three-dimensional position and/or measurement information of an object using one or more fixed referent station systems, and one or more portable position sensor systems. Each fixed station produces at least one primary laser beam which is rotated at a constant angular velocity about a vertical axis. The primary laser beam has a predetermined angle of divergence or angle of spread which is inclined at a predetermined angle from the vertical axis. Each fixed station also preferably includes at least one reflective surface for generating a secondary laser beam. The portable position sensor includes a light sensitive detector, computer, and a display. The light sensitive detector can be formed of at least one "axicon" which directs incoming light to a photosensitive detector. The photosensitive detector generates an electrical pulse when struck by crossing laser beam and sends this pulse to the computer.

US Patent:

55791026, Nov 26, 1996

Filed:

Oct 5, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/539379

Inventors:

Timothy Pratt - Blacksburg VA
Andrew W. Dornbusch - Blacksburg VA
Yvan J. Beliveau - Blacksburg VA
Eric J. Lundberg - Blacksburg VA
Michael H. Sweeney - Commerce Township MI

Assignee:

Spatial Positioning Systems, Inc. - Blacksburg VA

International Classification:

G01C 300
G01B 1126
E02F 376
G02B 302

US Classification:

356 312

Abstract:

Improved transmitter and receiver units for use in spatial measurement system that are easy and inexpensive to manufacture while providing a high degree of reliability are disclosed. Specifically, the laser transmitter includes a laser emitter, a bearing/motor assembly coupled to the laser emitter, the bearing/motor assembly including a rotatable hollow spindle shaft through which a laser beam generated by the laser emitter passes and a motor for driving the spindle shaft, a prism assembly coupled to the spindle shaft, wherein the prism assembly divides the laser beam generated by the laser emitter into a pair of fanned laser beams, and reflecting means for reflecting the fanned laser beams generated by the prism assembly as counter-rotating fanned laser beams. The receiver unit preferably includes at least one optical receiver coupled to an extension member, a processing unit coupled to the optical receiver, and a receiver interface coupled to the processing unit.