Offset Laser Scanner Tracking for Simplified 3D Surveying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laser scanners require complex setting to obtain detailed point group data of a three-dimensional object, making it difficult to acquire accurate data without precise measurement area setup.
Innovation Solution
A survey system that includes a motor drive total station with a uniaxial laser scanner and a tracking section, where the scanner's optical axis is offset from the tracking light's optical axis, allowing for automatic tracking and data acquisition without pre-setting a measurement area, using a combination of horizontal and vertical angle detectors and rotation driving sections to control the scanning line's position relative to the target.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional laser scanner is used to obtain detailed point group data, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and operation difficulty increase due to the need for complicated setting and accurate measurement area setup
Solution Approach 1:
A tracking target is introduced as an intermediary object that simplifies the measurement process. The tracking target includes a tracking mark that can be easily identified by the tracking section, serving as a mediator between the operator and the complex measurement system. This allows detailed point group data to be acquired without complicated setting, as the tracking target provides a clear reference for automatic tracking and measurement area determination.
2Device complexity
If the scanner's optical axis is aligned with the tracking light optical axis, then device simplicity is maintained, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inability to perform active area determination
Solution Approach 1:
The optical axes of the scanner and tracking light are deliberately offset by a predetermined angle, creating an asymmetric configuration. This asymmetry enables the scanning line to be positioned at a predetermined distance from the tracking target while the tracking section continuously tracks the target. This resolves the contradiction by allowing both a relatively simple optical setup and precise active area determination through the offset geometry.
3Measurement precision
If pre-setting of measurement area is performed, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity decreases due to time-consuming setup procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically determining the measurement area through tracking the tracking target. The tracking section continuously tracks the tracking mark, and the control section automatically calculates the three-dimensional position and determines the scanning area based on the offset angle and distance. This eliminates the need for manual pre-setting of measurement areas, thereby improving productivity while maintaining measurement precision through automatic area determination.
4Ease of operation
If automatic tracking is implemented with offset optical axes, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional tracking section requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The tracking section is merged with the existing surveying instrument platform, sharing common components such as the mounting structure, power supply, and control system. The tracking mark is integrated into or associated with the survey target, combining multiple functions into unified elements. This merging approach implements automatic tracking capability while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity by utilizing existing system resources.
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 the acquisition of point group data of a three-dimensional object without complicated setting, allowing for active determination of the measurement area and real-time confirmation of scanning density, improving the efficiency and accuracy of data collection.
Implementation Method 1
by using a laser scanner, a pulsed laser is scanned on a predetermined measurement area and distance measuring is performed for three-dimensional position data of an irradiation point of the pulsed laser
Implementation Method 2
a surveying instrument having a tracking section and a laser pointer. The optical axis of the laser pointer beam is offset from an optical axis of the tracking light by a predetermined angle
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Provided is a survey system capable of acquiring point group data of a three-dimensional object desired to be measured without complicated setting. A survey system (1) includes a surveying instrument (2) including a tracking section that tracks a target by emitting tracking light and receiving the tracking light reflected on the target (9), and a scanner (22) that rotates horizontally and integrally with the surveying instrument and performs scanning around a single axis in a vertical direction, and the scanner and the tracking section are offset in the horizontal direction. Therefore, a scanning line (SL) does not match the target, and is always controlled around the target.