477results about "Surveyor's staffs" patented technology

Docking stations and docking methods are provided for use with marking devices used for marking the presence or absence of an underground facility in a dig area. The docking station may serve as a home base for storage of a marking device, for charging the battery of a marking device, for transferring data to and from a marking device, and for securing a marking device against unauthorized use and / or theft. The docking station may be a mobile docking station that is installed in a vehicle or may be a fixed docking station that is installed at a central location in the field, at a central office, at a home base facility, and the like.

Novel solutions for position measurement, including without limitation tools and techniques that can be used for land surveying and in similar applications. One such tool is a greatly enhanced position measurement system that takes the form of a surveying rod with substantial independent functionality, which can be used with or without a total station or similar device.

The invention comprises a survey pole having a survey pole bottom end, with a position-transducer coupled to a survey pole top end. A ground contact spike is on the bottom end. The survey pole uses an AINS as a combined tilt and heading sensor. The AINS provides heading and Euler angle outputs characterizing the tilt of the survey pole. The heading and Euler angle outputs are used by a computer and program to perform position transfers from a position-transducer at the pole top end to the GCZVI switch or spike on the ground using a set of position offset or transfer equations. The position-transducer is either a GNSS or an RTS serving as a position-transducer. The transfer of the position data from the position of the position-transducer provides the earth referenced or grid referenced position of the spike at the survey pole survey bottom end.

There is provided a tie-in device for correlating at least two different coordinate systems. The tie-in device comprises an outer surface having a predefined geometric shape, such as a generally spherical surface, located at a first predefined distance from a reference point of the tie-in device, such as the center of the generally spherical surface. The outer surface of the tie-in device is mappable to determine the location of the reference point in a first coordinate system. The tie-in device comprises at least one target located at a second predefined distance from the reference point. The target is locatable in a second coordinate system to determine a location of the reference point in a second coordinate system. The relative locations of the reference point are tied-in, advantageously by processing circuitry, to correlate the first and second coordinate systems.

A method and system obtains precise survey-grade position data of target points in zones where precise GPS data cannot be obtained, due to natural or man-made objects such as foliage and buildings. The system comprises a GPS receiver mounted on a survey pole, with an inertial measurement unit (IMU) and an electronic distance meter (EDM) also mounted on the pole. The system and method obtains GPS data when outside the zone and uses the IMU inside the zone to traverse to a target point, using the EDM to obtain data reduce accumulated errors which occur with the IMU.

In a method for capturing three-dimensional data of an area of space, a plurality of measuring beams (Ls) are sent out to a plurality of measuring points. A detector (50) receives a plurality of reflected beams (Lr) which are reflected by the measuring points (34a). A plurality of distances to the measuring points (34a, 34b) are determined as a function of the reflected beams (Lr). According to one aspect of the invention, at least one object (30) which comprises a hidden channel (66) having a visible entry opening (72) is located in the area of space. A rod-shaped element (32) is inserted into the channel (66) in such a manner that a free end (70) protrudes from the entry opening (72). A first distance to a first measuring point (34a) and a second distance to a second measuring point (34b) are determined. An orientation (74) of the hidden channel (66) is determined as a function of the first and the second distances.

Novel solutions for position measurement, including without limitation tools and techniques that can be used for land surveying and in similar applications. One such tool is a greatly enhanced position measurement system that takes the form of a surveying rod with substantial independent functionality, which can be used with or without a total station or similar device.

In a differential global positioning system that includes one or more base stations and rover units, a system and method for including a radio modem transceiver in the rover units, and packaging several components, including the transceiver and a radio antenna in a single package, and possibly including re-chargeable batteries, a GPS receiver, and a GPS antenna in the package, to reduce the number of external electrical connections. Several of the components may be packaged into a survey range pole. GPS satellite correction information is transmitted from a base station in response to a request transmitted from the rover unit by means of the radio modem transceiver. Automatic channel selection is performed by the base stations to select a channel having low communication traffic. The rover units scan the available channels for valid GPS correction information and, in the event that more than one such channel is located, select the channel with the strongest signal.

A method and apparatus for estimating a position and an orientation of a mobile robot. The apparatus includes: a ceiling image grabber for obtaining a ceiling image of an area where the mobile device travels; a mark detector for detecting a retro-reflective artificial mark from the ceiling image, the retro-reflective artificial mark including a first mark and a second mark, each including a non-reflective portion and an infrared reflective portion; and a position & orientation estimator for estimating a position and an orientation of the mobile device using a position of the artificial mark or encoder information according to whether detection of the artificial mark is successful.

The invention discloses a pseudorandom bar code applied to a digital level bar code ruler, belonging to the technical field of manufacture of instruments of surveying and mapping. The pseudorandom bar code is formed by alternatively arranging a plurality of light and shade stripes with different widths, wherein the widths and light and shade changes of the strips are modulated by a plurality of pseudorandom sequences. The strips in the bar code comprise coarse code strips for remote measurement and thin code strips for close measurement. The thin code strips are formed by alternatively arranging light and shade strips with smaller widths, and the width changes of the light strips and shade strips are respectively modulated by a pseudorandom sequence. The coarse code strips are formed by arranging light and shade strips with bigger widths, and the widths and light and shade changes of the strips are modulated by a pseudorandom sequence. The coarse code strips are regularly embedded in the fine code strips to form a complete bar code. The pseudorandom bar code is characterized in that a plurality of pseudorandom sequences are alternatively coded for modulating the widths and light and shade changes of the strips. The pseudorandom bar code has the advantages of compatibility with remote measurement and close measurement, capability of forward measurement and backward measurement, simplicity in making a staff gauge, low requirement for a hardware system, small decoding operand, and rapidness and accuracy in identification.

When light other than guide light is searched by error, the collimation direction of a surveying instrument is changed by emitting a continuous-operation command from the side of a target toward the surveying instrument, and a process for searching proper guide light can be restarted. When a direction detector receives disturbing light differing from guide light in the process of searching the guide light emitted from a guide light transmitter of a target by means of a surveying instrument, a continuous-operation command is emitted from the target toward the surveying instrument. Accordingly, the light receiving direction of the direction detector is changed by driving an instrument body, and a horizontal or vertical rotation is made to a position deviating from a light receiving range obtained when the direction detector receives the disturbing light, and thereafter the process of searching the guide light is restarted.

A survey system for transmitting guide light for instructing the direction of a target, the guide light having a wide range with small power. The survey system includes a target having a recursion reflector for reflecting light and a survey apparatus having an automatic collimation device for automatically coinciding the collimation axis of the recursion reflector with that of a telescope. The target includes a guide light transmitter for emitting guide light and scans a fan beam that is wide in the horizontal direction and narrow in the vertical direction in the vertical direction as guide light. The survey apparatus includes a direction detector for receiving guide light and detecting the direction of the guide light transmitter and also includes a collimation preparing device for turning the telescope roughly to the recursion reflector based on an output signal from the direction detector prior to commencing the automatic collimation.

A tape measure or other measuring surface has an attached pair of light enhancing reflective surfaces in conjunction with the numbers and measurement lines for use with rotating laser light instruments and light enhancement for readability. Reflective and glow in the dark surfaces may also be applied.

Novel tools and techniques that can be used to enhance the effectiveness of photogrammetric tools, such as bundle adjustment. One set of techniques can include a photo-observable backsight operation, in which a position of target point can be observed non-photographically, and this observed position can be used to constrain a pixel coordinate location of the same target point in a bundle adjustment operation. Using another technique, a photo-observable check shot operation, the observed position of another target point can be used to verify the validity of a bundle adjustment calculation. Such techniques can be used together or separately.

A frame construction tool system, for wood frame buildings, or for metal, polymer, concrete, or composite frame buildings, and methods of using some or all of the tools of said tool system, are particularly well-adapted for roof and / or wall construction. Preferably, a laser light unit comprises a plurality of adjustments for directing the laser light in a variety of directions, preferably for vertical, horizontal, and pivotal adjustment. The laser light unit may be used with targets, cuttings guides, and / or prism units for splitting and / or redirecting the laser beam. In one embodiment, the laser light unit is used with reflective and / or translucent / transparent targets to accurately build a “build-over roof” wherein the laser light unit maps out points and lines of an accurate connection between the roofs. In another embodiment, the laser light unit is used with one or more targets used at the top of a stud wall, to produce a straight line reference from one end / corner of a wall to another. In another embodiment, the laser light unit may be used with a cooperating cutting guide, to measure and properly cut a straight overhang for the roof or a deck and / or to measure and properly cut upending stud members in a pony wall. The preferred laser unit may be used with prism units to layout an entire building.

In one embodiment is provided is an adjustable prism corner stand which can be adjusted relative to the position of a distance measuring device. In one embodiment the present invention allows a corner to be accurately shot by placing the prism on a bar having a ninety degree angle which fits over the outside corner being shot or the inside corner being shot.

A graphics-aided geodesic device is provided. The device may include a display, camera, distance meter, GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System, including GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo) receiver and antenna, and horizon sensors. Data from the camera and horizon sensors may be displayed to assist the user in positioning the device over a point of interest. In one example, the distance meter may be used to determine the position of the point of interest. In another example, images of the point of interest taken from multiple locations may be used to determine the position of the point of interest.

Exemplary embodiments include a sphere bar probe apparatus, including a holder, a retroreflector disposed in the holder, a member having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is attached to the holder and an end plate attached to the second end of the member.

A device for holding a target adjacent first and second intersecting surfaces of a structure to assist in measuring a distance from an instrument to the target. The device has first and second levers that are joined by a pin that has a section that extends above the levers to receive the target. A force is applied to the first and second levers to bring non-skid pads thereon into engagement with the intersecting surfaces. The target is thereafter rotated into parallel alignment with the second surface and the instrument is aligned with the first surface. A signal transmitted from the instrument is reflected from the target to provide a direct measurement of the distance from the instrument to the target.

A surveying system has a sighting device and a position measuring unit. The position measuring unit includes an inertial measuring device.

In one embodiment is provided an adjustment mechanism wherein the surveying pole moves about a point which is located next to or adjacent the ground surface point at which the pole is being place. In one embodiment the surveying pole moves about a point which located at the ground surface. In one embodiment the surveying pole moves about a point which is located next to the ground surface, but above the ground surface. In one embodiment the surveying pole moves about a point which is located next to the ground surface, but below the ground surface. In one embodiment a tightening means is provided which is concentrically mounted around an axial line passing through the pole. In one embodiment a biasing means is operatively connected to the tightening means. In one embodiment the biasing means is a spring. In one embodiment the biasing means is a conical spring. In various embodiments the biasing means can be a spring chosen from the group consisting of helical, cylindrical, ellipitic, flat-leaf, leaf, rectangular plate, semielliptic, sprial-coiled. In one embodiment is provided at least one viewing window for the stand to be accurately placed. In one embodiment a plurality of windows are provided. In one embodiment four windows are provided which are radially spaced. In one embodiment is provided a pin is provided which can be used to accurately place the stand. In one embodiment the pin is slidingly attached to the stand and biased toward the center of rotation of the surveying pole.

A survey instrument includes a surveying device configured to perform survey measurements and an imaging device coupled to the surveying device and having a known spatial relationship with the surveying device. The imaging device may be configured to obtain image information. The survey instrument also includes a processor in electrical communication with the imaging device. The processor may be configured to receive the image information from the imaging device, process the image information to determine a pose of the imaging device, and determine a tilt angle of the survey instrument and a tilt direction of the survey instrument in a reference frame. Tilt angle and the tilt direction of the survey instrument may be determined using the pose of the imaging device.

A leveling device for leveling floor pavement layers comprises a rod (1) having a hollow (90) therethrough and a fixing flange (11) for fitting with a fixing member at a lower end, a fixing member (3) including an aperture (31) in the center thereof to be releasably coupled with the rod (1), fixing holes (33) on the outer periphery thereof, a finger stop (310) formed at an end of the aperture (31) to be fitted with the fixing flange (11) of the rod (1) and a cap (4) releasably coupled with the hollow (90) of the rod (1).