Rover Position Measurement System Reducing Setup Complexity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional position measurement tools, such as total stations, are inefficient due to the complexity and cost of setup, calibration, and the risk of damage in construction environments, limiting their widespread use and efficiency in surveying applications.
Innovation Solution
A novel position measurement system, referred to as a 'rover,' equipped with GNSS, sensor packages, and imaging capabilities, designed to be more portable, easier to set up, and less expensive than traditional total stations, allowing for enhanced mobility and accuracy in position measurement tasks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional total stations are used for position measurement, then measurement precision can be maintained, but device complexity and setup time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex mechanical total station system with a simplified rod-based system equipped with electronic sensors (accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers) and GNSS receivers. The mechanical optical measurement system is substituted with electronic sensing and computational methods, eliminating the need for complex mechanical setup and calibration while maintaining measurement accuracy through software-based position calculation.
Solution Approach 2:
The rod device integrates multiple functions into a single portable unit: it combines position sensing (GNSS), orientation sensing (accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers), and computational capabilities. This multi-functional integration replaces the specialized total station equipment, allowing the same device to perform both positioning and orientation measurements without requiring separate instruments or complex setup procedures.
2Productivity
If multiple total stations are deployed to improve productivity, then surveying efficiency increases, but cost and risk of damage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs multiple inexpensive rod devices instead of expensive total stations. These rods are designed to be durable yet replaceable, with cost-effective sensor packages that can withstand harsh construction environments. The lower cost per unit allows deployment of multiple rods simultaneously, improving productivity while reducing the financial risk associated with equipment damage.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using one expensive total station that must be repeatedly moved and set up, the system uses multiple simpler rod devices that can be deployed simultaneously at different locations. Each rod acts as an independent measurement unit, eliminating the need for repeated setup and calibration of a single expensive instrument, thereby improving efficiency while reducing risk.
3Measurement precision
If total stations are used for precise measurement, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but ease of operation deteriorates due to setup and calibration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The rod device performs self-calibration and self-positioning using its integrated sensor suite. The accelerometers, gyroscopes, and magnetometers automatically determine the rod's orientation and position without requiring external reference instruments or manual calibration procedures. The device independently calculates its three-dimensional position and azimuth, eliminating the operator burden of complex setup and calibration tasks while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual optical alignment and calibration procedures of total stations with electronic sensor-based automatic positioning. The mechanical process of setting up and calibrating optical instruments is substituted with automated electronic sensing and computational geometry, dramatically simplifying operation while preserving measurement precision.
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 rover system significantly enhances the efficiency and accuracy of position measurement tasks by reducing operator-induced errors and the need for multiple expensive total stations, while providing robust and reliable data collection in various environmental conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The sensing subsystem includes a GNSS device that provides information about a position of the rod
Implementation Method 2
The sensing subsystem includes a compass that measures an orientation of the rod
Implementation Method 3
The sensing subsystem may include a tilt sensor that provides information about an angle of the rod from a vertical position
Data Source
AI summary
Novel solutions for position measurement, including without limitation tools and techniques that can be used for land surveying and in similar applications. One such tool is a greatly enhanced position measurement system that takes the form of a surveying rod with substantial independent functionality, which can be used with or without a total station or similar device.