Handheld Construction Surveying With Virtual Control Points
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surveying systems for construction sites are inefficient, requiring multiple skilled surveyors to repeatedly set up and maintain control points and gridlines, which is time-consuming and prone to disruption during construction activities.
Innovation Solution
A surveying navigation system utilizing a restricted antenna system with GPS-enabled handheld devices to precisely locate users within a construction site, allowing for the one-time establishment of site control points and displaying location information on site plans or floor plans in real-time, using a combination of fixed location antennas and computing devices to triangulate positions accurately.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional surveying methods with total stations and multiple surveyors are used, then control points and gridlines can be established, but the process is time-consuming and requires multiple skilled surveyors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical surveying system (total station with optical devices and physical targets) with an electronic/GPS-based system. Handheld devices with electronic displays show gridlines and control points virtually, eliminating the need for physical targets and mechanical measurement instruments. This substitution dramatically reduces the time and skill required for surveying operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates virtual copies of control points and gridlines by displaying them on handheld device screens rather than using physical markers. The electronic representation allows multiple users to simultaneously access and reference the same survey data without requiring physical presence at each control point, thereby accelerating the surveying process.
2Measurement precision
If control points and gridlines are repeatedly re-established during construction, then accuracy is maintained, but productivity decreases due to frequent repetition
Solution Approach 1:
The system establishes control points and gridlines once using traditional surveying methods, then stores this reference data electronically. Subsequently, handheld devices retrieve and display this pre-established data throughout construction, eliminating the need for repeated re-establishment while maintaining positioning accuracy. The preliminary action of setting up the reference framework once suffices for the entire construction project.
Solution Approach 2:
The handheld device serves multiple functions: it displays control points, shows gridlines, provides positioning information, and guides construction activities. This single device replaces the need for multiple surveyors and repeated surveying operations, allowing one-time establishment of control points to serve all subsequent construction tasks throughout the project lifecycle.
3Measurement precision
If a team of skilled surveyors is used to man total stations and targets, then accurate control points are established, but device complexity and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex total station instrument and physical target system from the surveying process. By removing these complicated mechanical devices, the system reduces the need for highly skilled operators. The simplified electronic handheld devices can be operated by personnel with minimal training while maintaining measurement precision through GPS and electronic display technologies.
4Ease of operation
If remote controlled total stations are used, then single operator capability is achieved, but skilled surveyors are still required and targets must be physically moved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical targets with virtual displays on handheld devices. Instead of physically moving targets between locations, users simply move their handheld devices and the electronic display automatically shows the relevant gridlines and control points for the current location. This eliminates the time-consuming physical target movement while maintaining ease of operation.
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 quick and efficient location of users within the site, reduces the need for frequent re-establishment of control points, and provides accurate spatial positioning, enhancing construction efficiency by allowing a single user to navigate and measure locations with high precision.
Implementation Method 1
By locating the fixed location antennas on known coordinates, the location of the computing device can be precisely triangulated
Implementation Method 2
The fixed location antennas may have GPS units integrated therein to allow for placement at predetermined locations
Data Source
AI summary
A surveying system for a construction site has a restricted antenna system with a plurality of fixed location antennas each defined by a set of location data associated with a specific deployment position. The surveying system also has a computing device with a data processor and a display screen. A communications module establishes a data transfer link with the restricted antenna system over which spatial data for distances between current positions of the computing device and one or more of the plurality of fixed location antennas are received. The computing device is loadable with project drawings corresponding to the construction site and displayable on the display screen. A position marker is overlaid on the display of the project drawing at a position thereon corresponding to a computing device location value derived from the spatial data and the location data of one or more of the fixed location antennas.