Laser Level Interface and Control

Abstract

Various laser level designs and remote controls are shown. In another example, the remote control for a laser level receives a plurality of interface protocols configured to control one or more laser levels, and subsequently selects one of the interface protocols when initiating control of a laser level. In another example, the relative positions a remote control with respect to a laser level are determined, and subsequently a visual representation is presented at the remote control based on the relative positions.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of controlling a laser beam generating device, the method comprising:
 determining a relative position of a remote control with respect to a laser level, the laser level comprising a housing and a laser light generator disposed within the housing, the laser light generator operable to emit a beam of light at a predetermined orientation with respect to gravity;   generating a visual interface at the remote control, the visual interface based at least in part on the relative position of the remote control with respect to the laser level, the visual interface comprising:
 a visual representation of the beam of light emitted by the laser level; and 
 a plurality of operable instructions selectable to adjust an orientation of the beam of light with respect to the housing; 
   emitting a signal, by the remote control, indicating that a first instruction of the plurality of operable instructions was selected; and   as a result of receiving the signal, controlling the laser level to adjust the orientation of the beam of light with respect to the housing.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , the visual interface being generated at the remote control comprising a first image representative of the laser level. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , the visual interface being generated at the remote control comprising a second image representative of the remote control. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of determining the relative position comprises identifying a quadrant relative to the laser level in which the remote control is located, wherein the quadrant extends approximately 90 degrees circumferentially around the laser level. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of controlling the laser level to adjust the orientation of the beam of light comprises tilting the beam of light to a percent gradation with respect to horizontal. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of controlling the laser level to adjust the orientation of the beam of light comprises tilting the beam of light to an angle with respect to horizontal. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of determining the relative position comprises:
 utilizing a plurality of receivers to receive a plurality of positional signals; and   calculating the relative position based at least in part on a timing when two or more of the plurality of positional signals were received.   
     
     
         8 . A method of controlling a laser beam generating device, the method comprising:
 generating a visual interface at a remote control to control a laser level, the laser level comprising a housing and a laser light generator disposed within the housing, the laser light generator operable to emit a beam of light, wherein the visual interface comprises:
 a visual representation of the beam of light emitted by the laser level; and 
 a plurality of operable instructions selectable to adjust an orientation of the beam of light with respect to the housing; 
   emitting, by the remote control, a signal indicating that a first instruction of the plurality of operable instructions was selected;   determining a relative position of the remote control and the laser level with respect to each other; and   as a result of receiving the signal, the laser level adjusting the orientation of the beam of light with respect to the housing at least in part based on the determined relative position.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the step of determining the relative position is initiated in response to the laser level receiving the signal. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the step of controlling the laser level to adjust the orientation of the beam of light comprises tilting the beam of light to a non-zero angle with respect to horizontal. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the step of determining the relative position comprises:
 utilizing a plurality of receivers to receive a plurality of positional signals; and   calculating the relative position based at least in part on a timing when two or more of the plurality of positional signals were received.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the remote control comprises the plurality of receivers. 
     
     
         13 . A method of controlling a laser beam generating device, the method comprising:
 generating a visual interface at a remote control to control a laser level, the laser level comprising a housing and a laser light generator disposed within the housing, the laser light generator operable to emit a beam of light, wherein the visual interface comprises:
 a visual representation of the beam of light emitted by the laser level; 
 a plurality of operable instructions selectable to operate the laser level, wherein a first instruction of the plurality of operable instructions is configured to control the laser level to adjust the beam of light; and 
 a plurality of non-operable instructions to operate laser levels, wherein the non-operable instructions are not selectable to operate the laser level; and 
   emitting, by the remote control, a signal indicating that the first instruction of the plurality of operable instructions was selected.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising determining a relative position of the remote control relative to the laser level. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the first instruction is configured to control the laser level to adjust the beam of light based at least in part on the determined relative position of the remote control relative to the laser level. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the step of determining the relative position comprises identifying a quadrant relative to the laser level in which the remote control is located, and wherein the quadrant extends approximately 90 degrees circumferentially around the laser level. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the step of determining the relative position comprises:
 utilizing a plurality of receivers to receive a plurality of positional signals; and   calculating the relative position based at least in part on a timing when two or more of the plurality of positional signals were received.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the visual interface being generated at the remote control comprises a first image representative of the laser level. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the visual interface being generated at the remote control comprises a second image representative of the remote control. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the visual interface being generated at the remote control comprises a first image representative of the remote control.