Survey System Target Identification Using Differential Laser Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional survey systems require significant horizontal rotation of the survey device to detect targets significantly separated from its direct front, leading to prolonged detection times.
Innovation Solution
A survey system with a survey device featuring a telescope and an imaging unit with a wider second angle of view than the telescope, allowing target identification using differential images captured with and without laser light emission, enabling quick target detection without horizontal rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the survey device horizontally rotates the main body to detect targets significantly separated from its direct front, then the detection coverage is improved, but the detection time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the detection field into two distinct zones: a narrow first angle of view for precise measurement and a wide second angle of view for target search. The imaging unit captures a broader area than the telescope, allowing the system to identify targets outside the narrow measurement field without requiring extensive horizontal rotation, thus reducing detection time while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a vertical dimension to the detection system by using an imaging unit with a wider angle of view that can capture targets both within and outside the telescope's narrow field. This dimensional expansion allows the system to detect targets at various horizontal separations simultaneously, eliminating the need for time-consuming horizontal rotation to cover all possible target positions.
2Measurement precision
If the telescope uses a narrow first angle of view for precise measurement, then the measurement precision is improved, but the ability to detect targets outside the direct field is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the detection function into two complementary components: the telescope provides narrow-angle precise measurement for targets already in the measurement field, while the imaging unit provides wide-angle target acquisition for identifying targets both inside and outside the narrow field. This segmentation allows each component to excel at its specific function without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging unit acts as an intermediary between the narrow telescope field and the broader environment. It captures images of laser light from targets at various horizontal separations and provides this information to the control unit, which then determines whether the target is within the telescope's measurement field or requires horizontal rotation to bring into view.
3Measurement precision
If the imaging unit captures images during laser light emission and off-period, then the target identification accuracy is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by alternating between laser light emission periods and off-periods while the imaging unit captures images during both phases. This periodic switching creates distinguishable image sets that allow the control unit to identify targets through comparison, improving identification accuracy while using a relatively simple implementation approach.
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 rapid target identification even when targets are far horizontally or vertically, using differential imaging to isolate laser light and reduce interference, thus reducing detection time and improving efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an imaging unit (130) having a second angle of view wider than a first angle of view of the telescope (120)... a target identification unit (141) configured to identify, based on an image captured by the imaging unit (130), a target image in the image
Data Source
AI summary
A survey system includes a survey device and a target. The survey device includes a main body rotatable around a vertical axis, a telescope supported by the main body and rotatable around a horizontal axis, a wide angle imaging unit having a second angle of view wider than a first angle of view of the telescope, and a target identification unit configured to identify a target image. The target image is identified based on a differential image between a first image captured by the wide angle imaging unit during an on-period with laser light emitted from an emission unit and a second image captured during an off-period in which laser light is not emitted from the emission unit. The target image is quickly identified even when the target is significantly separated in the horizontal direction from a position directly in front of the survey device.