A method for optically communicating, from a user to a laser tracker, a command to direct a beam of light from the laser tracker to a retroreflector with steps including: projecting a first light from a light source disposed on the laser tracker to the retroreflector; reflecting a second light from the retroreflector, the second light being a portion of the first light; obtaining first sensed data by sensing a third light, the third light being a portion of the second light, wherein the first sensed data is obtained by imaging the third light onto a photosensitive array disposed on the laser tracker and converting the third light on the photosensitive array into digital form; generating by the user, between a first time and a second time, a predefined temporal pattern, the predefined temporal pattern including at least a decrease in optical power of the third light followed by an increase in the optical power of the third light, the predefined temporal pattern corresponding to the command; determining by the laser tracker that the first sensed data corresponds to the predefined temporal pattern; and, pointing the beam of light from the laser tracker to the retroreflector.