Patent attributes
Some embodiments of the invention relate to a laser tracker for continuously tracking a reflective target and for determining the position of the target, comprising a base that defines a vertical axis and a beam-deflecting unit for emitting measurement radiation. The beam-deflecting unit can be pivoted about the vertical axis and a tilt axis in relation to the base in a motorized manner and a measurement axis is defined by an emission direction of the measurement radiation. The laser tracker may have a fine distance measurement unit for precisely determining a distance to the target, an angle measurement functionality for determining an orientation of the beam-deflecting unit in relation to the base, and a target-seeking unit. The target-seeking unit has illuminating means, a camera having a position-sensitive detector for detecting illumination radiation reflected by the target, and a control and evaluating unit having seeking functionality for finding the target.