Machine Positioning Using Optical Markers for Fast Worksite Setup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing positioning systems for work machines at construction and earth-moving sites often lack high precision and are not cost-effective for retrofitting older machines, and setup and removal of total station-based systems are laborious and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A method using at least one marker point on the machine and one reference point in the worksite, along with a tracking apparatus that acquires data to determine the machine's location and orientation, allowing for easy setup and removal without requiring precise positioning of the tracking apparatus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a total station-based positioning system is used to achieve high-precision machine positioning, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and setup labor increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical total station system with an optical tracking system using markers and cameras. The tracking system uses optical fields instead of mechanical measurement instruments, eliminating the need for complex mechanical setup and positioning while achieving high-precision tracking through optical detection of marker positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses marker points as simplified copies or representations of the actual machine components being tracked. Instead of directly measuring complex machine positions with a total station, the system tracks simplified marker positions that can be easily detected by cameras, reducing measurement complexity while maintaining positioning accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If a total station-based positioning system is deployed to achieve accurate machine location determination, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to laborious setup and removal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-attaching marker points to the machine before it enters the workspace. These markers are permanently or semi-permanently positioned on the machine, so when the machine arrives at the workspace, the tracking system can immediately begin tracking without requiring setup time for positioning instruments. This eliminates the time-consuming setup phase while maintaining high positioning accuracy.
3Ease of operation
If satellite-based positioning system is used for machine positioning, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the simplicity of satellite-based positioning operation with the precision of optical tracking. The system combines GNSS receivers for coarse positioning and easy operation with optical marker tracking for high-precision relative positioning. This hybrid approach maintains the operational simplicity of satellite systems while achieving the measurement precision of optical systems through data fusion.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and a system for determining location and orientation of a machine in a worksite. The machine is equipped with at least one marker point (MP) and the worksite is equipped with at least one reference point (RP). Furthermore, a tracking apparatus (TA) is set to the worksite, data is acquired by the tracking apparatus (TA) by tracking reference point (RP) and marker point (MP) locations with respect to the tracking apparatus (TA), the acquired data is transmitted from the tracking apparatus (TA) to at least one position determination unit (PDU), and the location and orientation of the machine in the worksite is determined by the at least one position determination unit (PDU) based at least in part on the acquired data.