Remote Control Camera for Geodetic Target Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current geodetic survey systems require laborious and time-consuming processes for defining target points, with limited accuracy due to the lack of automated guidance using image data from stationary position determination units, which restricts operator efficiency and precision.
Innovation Solution
A survey system equipped with a position determination unit, such as a total station or GNSS module, and a mobile target unit featuring a survey stick with a camera and remote control unit, allowing for real-time image processing and spatial correlation of camera data with target points in a defined coordinate system, enabling precise and efficient target point definition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a stationary position determination unit (total station) is used to survey target points, then measurement data can be acquired, but the process requires laborious manual identification and control of target objects
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile target unit is equipped with a camera that autonomously captures images of the surrounding environment and the operator's position. The system automatically processes these images to generate guidance information, eliminating the need for manual target identification and control by the operator. The unit serves itself by independently acquiring visual data and converting it into actionable navigation feedback.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes a feedback loop where the camera continuously captures the operator's position relative to the target point, the image processing unit analyzes this visual data, and the processed information is fed back to guide the operator's movement. This real-time visual feedback enables automatic guidance without requiring manual intervention for target acquisition.
2Measurement precision
If manual target point definition is used without automated guidance, then simple equipment is required, but accuracy and precision are limited
Solution Approach 1:
A camera acts as an intermediary between the operator and the target point, capturing visual information about the operator's position and the surrounding environment. The image processing unit serves as another intermediary that translates this visual data into spatial coordinates and guidance information, enabling precise target point definition without direct manual measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical measurement systems with an optical-based image processing system. Instead of using complex mechanical theodolites and manual angle measurements, the system uses a camera to capture images and processes these images computationally to determine positions and provide guidance, substituting mechanical complexity with optical and computational simplicity.
3Loss of time
If real-time image processing is implemented for automated guidance, then target point definition is accelerated, but additional components (camera, processing unit) are required
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile target unit integrates multiple functions into a single device: the camera serves both as a sighting device for target acquisition and as a navigation aid for guiding the operator. The image processing unit simultaneously performs target identification, position determination, and guidance generation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the camera, image processing unit, and guidance system into an integrated mobile target unit. Instead of having separate devices for capturing images, processing them, and providing guidance, these functions are merged into a single cohesive system that operates autonomously to accelerate target point definition.
Data Source
AI summary
A survey system including a target unit that has a survey stick having a high-precision localizable target and a hand-held remote control unit. The remote control unit has an electronic graphical display and can be mounted on a holder on the survey stick such that the remote control unit is in a fixed position relative to the target fitted to the survey stick. The remote control comprises a camera for taking a camera image in a defined shooting direction. In addition, an image processing and evaluation unit with a data link to the position-finding unit and to the camera is provided which, from knowledge of the fixed relative position and of a defined shooting direction and also on the basis of the determined target position, can spatially relate image data from the camera to the targets in the coordinate system.