Integrated Total Station and Digital Level Surveying

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional surveying instruments face challenges in achieving high accuracy and efficiency in measuring angles, distances, and elevations, leading to increased measurement time and costs.

Innovation Solution

An integrated optical total station and digital level survey instrument that measures angles, distances, and elevations simultaneously using an electronic distance measuring device and leveling staff, allowing for precise position determination in a local coordinate system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional optical total station and digital level are used separately to measure angles, distances, and elevations, then measurement functions are provided, but measurement time increases and measurement costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines an optical total station and a digital level into a single integrated surveying instrument. The total station measures angles (horizontal and vertical) and distances using electronic distance measurement, while the digital level measures elevations. By merging these instruments, the system provides comprehensive measurement capabilities (angles, distances, elevations) simultaneously, eliminating the need to use separate instruments sequentially, thus reducing measurement time while maintaining high measurement accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated surveying instrument performs multiple measurement functions through a single device. The total station component handles angle and distance measurements, while the digital level component handles elevation measurements. This multi-functional design allows the instrument to complete all three types of measurements (angles, distances, elevations) in one setup, improving productivity and reducing the time required compared to using separate specialized instruments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If conventional optical total station and digital level are used separately to measure angles, distances, and elevations, then measurement functions are provided, but measurement costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement costs

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines an optical total station and a digital level into a single integrated surveying instrument. The total station measures angles (horizontal and vertical) and distances using electronic distance measurement, while the digital level measures elevations. By merging these instruments, the system provides comprehensive measurement capabilities (angles, distances, elevations) simultaneously, eliminating the need to use separate instruments sequentially, thus reducing measurement time while maintaining high measurement accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated surveying instrument performs multiple measurement functions through a single device. The total station component handles angle and distance measurements, while the digital level component handles elevation measurements. This multi-functional design allows the instrument to complete all three types of measurements (angles, distances, elevations) in one setup, improving productivity and reducing the time required compared to using separate specialized instruments

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

This approach enhances measurement accuracy and reduces time and costs by providing nearly simultaneous angle, distance, and elevation measurements, improving position determination efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

determining a distance between the survey instrument and the point using an electronic distance measuring device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectronic distance measurement: Time of Flight

Implementation Method 2

measuring a difference in height between a horizontal axis of the survey instrument and the point using a leveling staff positioned relative to the point

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical imaging: Photography

Data Source

PatentUS8539685B2Integrated surveying and leveling

Publication Date: 2013.09.24 TRIMBLE NAVIGATION LTD

AI summary

A method of determining a position of a point in a local coordinate system using a survey instrument comprising an integrated optical total station and digital level includes measuring an angle associated with the point. The angle may be measured about a vertical axis of the survey instrument, and the vertical axis may be substantially aligned with a local gravity vector. The method also includes determining a distance between the survey instrument and the point using an electronic distance measuring device and measuring a difference in height between a horizontal axis of the survey instrument and the point using a leveling staff positioned relative to the point. The horizontal axis may be substantially orthogonal to the vertical axis. The method also includes determining the position of the point in the local coordinate system using the angle, the distance, and the difference in height.