Electronic Level Bar Code Staff Wireless Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional surveying systems require multiple devices, including electronic levels and laser projecting devices, to set up reference planes, which complicates operations and reduces efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A surveying system utilizing an electronic level and staffs with bar codes, where mobile station devices on the staffs perform wireless communication with the electronic level to determine three-dimensional positions and form reference planes, eliminating the need for additional devices and improving measurement accuracy and efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple devices (electronic level and laser projecting device) are used to set up reference planes, then measurement functionality is comprehensive, but device complexity and operational efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement functionalityVSAvoidnumber of devices
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the electronic level and laser projecting device into a single integrated device. The electronic level includes both the level tube for height measurement and the laser projecting mechanism for creating reference planes, eliminating the need for separate devices and reducing operational complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated device performs multiple functions: it can measure heights using the electronic level, project laser beams to create reference planes, and rotate to sweep laser beams horizontally. This multi-functional design replaces what previously required multiple separate devices

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If multiple devices are used for surveying operations, then measurement capabilities are sufficient, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement capabilitiesVSAvoidoperational efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the electronic level and laser projecting device into one unit, the operator only needs to set up and operate a single device. The integrated design allows the operator to perform both height measurement and reference plane creation without switching between devices, significantly improving ease of operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If conventional electronic level with image pickup unit is used, then three-dimensional position determination is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethree-dimensional position determinationVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The image pickup unit in the electronic level serves multiple purposes: it captures images for three-dimensional position determination of staffs and also captures images of bar codes on staffs for automatic identification. This multi-functional use of the image pickup unit achieves precise measurement without adding separate detection devices

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 the setup of multiple reference planes using only an electronic level and staffs, enhancing operational efficiency by reducing the need for multiple devices and improving measurement accuracy through wireless communication and image processing.

Implementation Method 1

the electronic level has an image pickup unit for acquiring images within a range of working

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImage pickup: Photography

Implementation Method 2

the mobile station device has a mobile station communication unit for performing wireless communication to and from the electronic level

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWireless communication: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2789974B1Surveying system
Publication Date: 2018.08.15 TOPCON CORPORATION
  • EP2789974B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2789974B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2789974B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A surveying system comprises an electronic level (1) and staff devices (2, 21) belonging to one of two or more groups. The staff devices (2, 21) have staffs (2a, 2b) with bar codes corresponding to groups, to which a staff belongs, and mobile station devices (21a, 21b) installed on the staffs. The mobile station device (21a, 21b) has a mobile station display unit (25) to display working data and a mobile station communication unit (26) for performing wireless communication to and from the electronic level (1). The electronic level (1) has an image pickup unit (7) for acquiring images within a range of working, a control device (8) for extracting staff images from the images, for identifying to which group the bar code pattern of the extracted staff image belongs and for determining the three-dimensional position of the staffs (2a, 2b) based on the staff image, and a main communication unit (10) for transmitting the three-dimensional position obtained to the mobile station device (21a, 21b). The mobile station device (21a, 21b) displays the relationship between the three-dimensional position of the staff as received and the working data on the mobile station display unit (25).