Automatic Collimation via Image Correlation in Surveying Telescopes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surveying apparatuses without angle detectors, such as encoders, cannot perform automatic collimation when the telescope is rotating, as existing technologies rely on angle detectors for determining the shift amount between lit and unlit images.
Innovation Solution
An automatic collimation device that uses an imaging device to capture a target and its surroundings, a light emitting unit, and an arithmetic control unit to perform a correlation operation between lit and unlit images to determine the position of maximum coincidence, allowing for automatic collimation without angle detectors, even when the telescope is rotating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If angle detectors (encoders) are used to determine shift amount between lit and unlit images, then automatic collimation can be achieved with high precision, but device complexity increases and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the angle detection function from dedicated angle detectors (encoders) and implements it through image correlation analysis using the imaging device. By taking out the angle detection requirement, the system achieves automatic collimation without needing separate angle sensing components, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision through computational methods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical angle detection system (encoders) with an optical-computational system. Instead of using mechanical encoders to measure telescope rotation angles, the system uses image correlation analysis to determine relative positions of lit and unlit images, substituting mechanical measurement with optical imaging and computational processing
2Adaptability or versatility
If angle detectors are used for automatic collimation, then collimation can be performed when telescope is stationary, but automatic collimation cannot be performed when telescope is rotating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic collimation method that adapts to the telescope's motion state. By using image correlation analysis, the system can determine target position whether the telescope is stationary or rotating. The method dynamically adjusts to the rotation by calculating the shift amount between lit and unlit images captured at different rotational positions, enabling reliable automatic collimation under varying operational conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal automatic collimation method that functions across multiple operational conditions (stationary and rotating telescope). The image correlation-based approach serves as a multi-functional solution that replaces condition-specific methods, allowing the same system to reliably perform collimation regardless of whether the telescope is moving or stationary
3Measurement precision
If correlation operation is performed over full image range to determine maximum coincidence position, then position determination accuracy is improved, but computational time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image correlation operation into manageable parts. Instead of performing exhaustive correlation across the entire image simultaneously, the method divides the search space and processes different regions or aspects of the correlation separately, allowing for optimized computation while maintaining accuracy in determining the maximum coincidence position
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
Enables convenient and reliable automatic collimation of targets without the need for angle detectors, allowing for continuous operation even when the telescope is rotating, with reduced computational complexity and faster correlation determination.
Implementation Method 1
a target 11, and in terms of an image including the target 11
Implementation Method 2
a light emitting unit 6, and a modulated light emitted by the light emitting unit 6
Implementation Method 3
a dichroic mirror 2... A part of the modulated light is reflected on the dichroic mirror 2
Implementation Method 4
a triangular mirror 5... modulated light emitted by the light emitting unit 6 is sent along the collimation axis O through a condenser lens 7, a triangular mirror 5
Data Source
AI summary
A surveying apparatus that is capable of automatic collimation based on an image obtained from an imaging device, which enables carrying out automatic collimation without using angle detectors, even when a telescope is rotating. An automatic collimation device for a surveying apparatus including: an imaging device that images a target (11) captured by a telescope and surroundings of the target; a drive unit that rotates the telescope; a light emitting unit that sends light toward the target; and an arithmetic control unit that determines a position of the target based on a difference between a lit image (a) obtained when the light emitting unit has been turned on and an unlit image (b) obtained when the light emitting unit has been turned off and controls the drive unit to automatically collimate the target, wherein the arithmetic control unit determines, while shifting either the lit image or unlit image little by little (C), a position where both images are most coincident (D), and determines a position of the target based on a difference between both images at the position (E).