Mobile 3D Survey Scanner With Prism Beam Deflection Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing three-dimensional survey systems face data omission issues due to insufficient illuminance, leading to incomplete or inaccurate three-dimensional maps.

Innovation Solution

A survey system comprising a mobile body with a scanner and a camera, where the scanner uses Risley and Fresnel prisms to deflect distance measuring light and receive reflected light, and a camera with a posture detection system to correct optical axis alignment, ensuring accurate three-dimensional data acquisition by integrating posture information and time synchronization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a camera is used for photographic survey, then image data can be acquired, but data omission occurs when illuminance is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompleteness of survey dataVSAvoidambient illuminance
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the passive optical system (camera relying on ambient light) with an active optical measurement system (scanner using laser distance measuring light). The scanner emits its own light source to illuminate and measure the survey site, eliminating dependence on ambient illuminance conditions and preventing data omission in low-light environments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of light source from passive (relying on environmental light) to active (emitting controlled laser light). By using a scanner that emits distance measuring light, the system can operate independently of ambient illuminance levels, ensuring complete data acquisition regardless of lighting conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If the scanner and prism positions are not precisely aligned, then measurement accuracy decreases, but correcting for deviations adds computational complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of three-dimensional position measurementVSAvoidcomplexity of coordinate correction calculation
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary measurement of the deviation between the scanner's measurement reference point and the prism's optical center before the actual survey. This pre-determined deviation data is stored and automatically applied during coordinate correction, eliminating the need for complex real-time calculations and reducing measurement errors caused by misalignment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the measured deviation information is continuously used to correct coordinate calculations. The system automatically adjusts the relationship between scanner and prism coordinates based on the pre-measured deviation, ensuring accurate three-dimensional position measurements without requiring complex manual alignment procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

The system effectively reduces data omission and enhances the accuracy of three-dimensional surveys by freely deflecting distance measuring light and integrating posture corrections, allowing for comprehensive data capture without illuminance limitations.

Implementation Method 1

a scanner including an emitting unit configured to emit a distance measuring light, a light receiving unit configured to receive a reflected distance measuring light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

a first optical axis deflecting unit disposed on an optical axis of the distance measuring light and configured to deflect the distance measuring light, a second optical axis deflecting unit disposed on a light receiving optical axis of the reflected distance measuring light and configured to deflect the reflected distance measuring light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical refraction through prisms: Refraction

Data Source

PatentEP3460396B1Survey system
Publication Date: 2024.10.23 TOPCON CORPORATION
  • EP3460396B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3460396B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3460396B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a survey system capable of more highly accurately obtaining a product of a three-dimensional survey. A survey system (1, 1', 1") includes a mobile body (2), a scanner (3) including an emitting unit (3a) configured to emit a distance measuring light (3h'), a light receiving unit (3b) configured to receive a reflected distance measuring light (31'), a distance measuring unit (3c) configured to perform a distance measurement based on an output of the light receiving unit, a first optical axis deflecting unit (3f, 3g) disposed on an optical axis (3h) of the distance measuring light and configured to deflect the distance measuring light, a second optical axis deflecting unit (3j, 3k) disposed on a light receiving optical axis (31) of the reflected distance measuring light and configured to deflect the reflected distance measuring light at the same angle in the same direction as those of the first optical axis deflecting unit, and an emitting direction detecting unit (3m) configured to detect a deflection angle and a direction of the first optical axis deflecting unit and the second optical axis deflecting unit, a posture detecting device (5, 13) configured to detect a posture of the scanner, and a position measuring device (4, 20) configured to measure a position of the scanner.