US 12,169,240 B2
Underwater optical positioning systems and methods
Carl W. Embry, Boulder, CO (US); Neil Manning, Longmont, CO (US); Derek D. Pierce, Houston, TX (US); and Mark Hardy, Castle Rock, CO (US)
Assigned to 3D at Depth, Inc., Longmont, CO (US)
Filed by 3D at Depth, Inc., Longmont, CO (US)
Filed on Nov. 10, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/093,932.
Application 17/093,932 is a continuation of application No. 16/031,812, filed on Jul. 10, 2018, granted, now 10,871,567.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/530,747, filed on Jul. 10, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2021/0141085 A1, May 13, 2021
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G01S 15/87 (2006.01); B63G 8/00 (2006.01); B63G 8/38 (2006.01); G01C 13/00 (2006.01); G01C 21/20 (2006.01); G01S 15/74 (2006.01); G01S 15/86 (2020.01); G01S 17/42 (2006.01); G01S 17/74 (2006.01); G01S 17/86 (2020.01); G01S 17/88 (2006.01); G01S 17/93 (2020.01)
CPC G01S 15/874 (2013.01) [B63G 8/001 (2013.01); B63G 8/38 (2013.01); G01C 13/00 (2013.01); G01C 21/20 (2013.01); G01S 15/74 (2013.01); G01S 15/86 (2020.01); G01S 15/87 (2013.01); G01S 17/42 (2013.01); G01S 17/86 (2020.01); G01S 17/88 (2013.01); G01S 17/93 (2013.01); B63G 2008/005 (2013.01); G01S 17/74 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method, comprising:
determining a location of a positioning system relative to a reference point using a light source and a receiver of the positioning system;
determining a target location for an object, wherein the target location is in an underwater environment, and wherein the object is separable or separate from the positioning system;
determining the target location for the object relative to the positioning system using the light source and the receiver;
projecting a visible target at the determined target location, wherein the light source of the positioning system is operated to project the visible target at the determined target location for the object; and
placing the object at the target location.