Profile determining method and system

TLDR: In this article, a range ranging system of conventional design is utilized to measure radial distances transversely to the direction of motion of a vehicle or other object along a right-of-way.

Abstract: A distance ranging system of conventional design is utilized to measure radial distances transversely to the direction of motion of a vehicle or other object along a right-of-way. Using a high speed rotating transducer element, successive radial scansions are made during the vehicle movement. Each successive radial scansion or sweep is divided into segments or channels, one for every preselected number of degrees of arc in the swept field under examination. At least one channel covers every portion of the swept field. The range information for corresponding arcuate portions or channels of each succeeding revolution or sweep is compared with that previously stored information for such channel and the minimum range information retained for each of the channels. Thus, with each sweep or revolution of the ranging device, new data for each channel is individually compared with the data already residing in each channel. If the new distance measured is less than the distance previously measured and stored for this channel, this new measurement information is then stored and the old information discarded. Simultaneously therewith, lineal distance information as to the location of each minimum range point can be recorded in separate storage area. The process continues for each right-of-way to be measured at which time the operator transfers the stored information to be transferred to paper tape or other storage.