Eye-Tracking Control for Geodetic Total Stations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional geodetic surveying devices require users to physically interact with the device, leading to fatigue and potential vibration, which can degrade measurement accuracy, especially in high-precision tasks.
Innovation Solution
A surveying device equipped with an eye image capturing system that determines the user's gaze direction by analyzing eye images, allowing for non-contact control of the sighting device, enabling precise alignment and operation without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual operation of surveying device is used, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to vibration and impact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operation with an automated eye-tracking system. The control unit detects gaze direction through eye image analysis and automatically adjusts the sighting device orientation, eliminating mechanical contact and associated vibrations that degrade measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service operation where the surveying device automatically responds to the user's gaze direction without requiring manual adjustment. The control unit continuously monitors eye position and autonomously aligns the sighting device, making the system self-adjusting based on user intent.
2Ease of operation
If continuous manual adjustment is required, then ease of operation is improved, but user fatigue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes continuous manual mechanical adjustment with an automated gaze-tracking control system. The control unit interprets eye movement patterns and automatically repositions the sighting device, eliminating the need for sustained manual effort and reducing user fatigue during prolonged surveying operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The eye-tracking system serves as an intermediary between user intent and device adjustment. Instead of direct manual manipulation, the control unit mediates by detecting gaze direction and translating it into automatic positioning commands, reducing the physical burden on the user.
3Measurement precision
If non-contact control is implemented, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the eye image capturing function into the existing sighting device structure, allowing the same optical path to serve both traditional sighting purposes and eye-tracking control. This multi-functionality approach adds non-contact control capability while minimizing additional structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit merges the eye image processing functionality with the existing device control system. By combining gaze direction detection with the existing orientation control mechanisms, the patent achieves non-contact precision control without requiring entirely separate control systems, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity.
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 solution enhances measurement accuracy and reduces user fatigue by allowing precise, non-contact control of the surveying device, improving the efficiency and reliability of high-precision surveys.
Implementation Method 1
an eye image capturing device oriented towards a user-side end of the targeting device, which continuously captures images of a user's eye
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3~4a
AI summary
The invention relates to a geodetic measuring instrument (1), in particular a theodolite or a total station, for determining the position of a target point, comprising a sighting apparatus (5), in particular a telescope, wherein the sighting apparatus (5) can be pivoted in a motorized manner with respect to a base (11) of the measuring instrument (1) in order to change the orientation of the sighting apparatus and has at least one objective unit (21) that defines an optical target axis (6), angle measurement functionality for detecting the orientation of the target axis (6) highly precisely, and evaluating means for storing data and controlling the orientation of the sighting apparatus (5), characterized by an eye image recording unit (4, 4'), which is designed to record eye images of an eye (3) of a user, and characterized in that the evaluating means are designed to perform automatic sighting functionality regardless of viewing direction in such a way that the following occurs automatically after the function has started: at least one eye image is recorded, a viewing direction of the user eye (3) is determined, or eye information suitable for deriving a viewing direction of the user eye (3) is determined, by means of image processing on the basis of the at least one eye image, and the orientation of the sighting device (5) is changed in a motorized manner according to the viewing direction of the user eye (3) or according to the eye information.