Auxiliary Measuring Instrument with 2D Code Sphere for Surveying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surveying systems face challenges in accurately determining the position of terrain points, especially on complex surfaces like buildings, due to difficulties in maintaining perpendicular alignment and the need for precise orientation and inclination measurements.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a surveying system that includes a handheld auxiliary measuring instrument with a sphere attachment bearing a 2D code, allowing for image-based orientation determination and integration with a ground-based surveying device for range-and-direction measurements, along with a method using calotte measuring functionality to determine terrain points by pivoting the instrument and calculating the sphere center point.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional surveying systems use traditional alignment methods, then the system structure remains simple, but the measurement precision and reliability deteriorate on complex surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
A sphere attachment with a 2D code is introduced as an intermediary element between the terrain point and the surveying device. The sphere serves as a mediator that carries orientation information (via the 2D code) and geometric reference (via its known radius and center position), enabling the surveying system to determine terrain point positions accurately on complex surfaces without requiring direct perpendicular alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical alignment methods with image processing and computational geometry. Instead of relying on physical perpendicular alignment procedures, the system uses a camera to capture images of the sphere attachment, processes the 2D code to determine orientation, and calculates the terrain point position through mathematical computation based on the sphere's known geometric properties.
2Ease of operation
If the system requires perpendicular alignment of the auxiliary measuring instrument, then the device complexity remains low, but the ease of operation deteriorates on complex surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The sphere attachment acts as an intermediary that eliminates the need for perpendicular alignment. By placing the sphere on the terrain point and capturing its image, the system automatically obtains orientation information from the 2D code and position information from the sphere's geometric center, making the measurement process easier while maintaining or improving accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring the surveying instrument to be aligned perpendicularly to the terrain surface (traditional approach), the patent inverts the approach by placing a reference object (sphere) on the terrain point and having the instrument capture an image of it. This inversion transforms the alignment requirement from the instrument side to the reference object side, greatly simplifying operation.
3Measurement precision
If the auxiliary measuring instrument lacks orientation determination capability, then the device complexity remains low, but the measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The 2D code on the sphere surface serves as an intermediary that carries orientation information. When the camera captures an image of the sphere, the 2D code is decoded to determine the sphere's orientation in space. This approach enables accurate orientation measurement without requiring complex inertial sensors or gyroscopes in the auxiliary measuring instrument.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical or inertial orientation sensing mechanisms with an optical-coding system. Instead of using gyroscopes, accelerometers, or other mechanical orientation sensors, the system uses a camera to capture the 2D code on the sphere and computationally determines orientation from the code's position and orientation in the image plane.
4Measurement precision
If the system uses detailed code evaluation for orientation determination, then the measurement precision improves, but the loss of information increases due to image processing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The 2D code is designed with local quality features that enable robust orientation determination. The code includes specific patterns and markers at known positions on the sphere surface, allowing the image processing algorithm to accurately determine orientation even when only a partial view of the sphere is visible or when the image quality varies. The local features of the code provide sufficient information without requiring processing of the entire image.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables precise and efficient determination of terrain points on complex surfaces by bijectively evaluating the orientation and position of the auxiliary measuring instrument, overcoming alignment issues and improving accuracy in surveying systems.
Implementation Method 1
a beam source for generating a measuring radiation, preferably laser radiation
Implementation Method 2
detecting measuring radiation reflected by the target
Data Source
AI summary
A calibrating method and system for an auxiliary measuring instrument which is designed to form together with a ground-based, stationary, surveying device having range-and-direction measuring functionality, a total station, a system for surveying and/or staking out object points. The auxiliary measuring instrument including a body which has a code for determining the orientation by using a pivoting movement of the body about a resting contact end of the auxiliary measuring instrument.