Survey Instrument Tilt Angle Determination via Image Processing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional survey instruments require significant time and effort to level, leading to inefficiencies in measurement processes due to tilt errors, which can result in measurement inaccuracies and increased costs.

Innovation Solution

The use of image processing techniques, specifically matchmove processing, to determine the tilt angle and direction of survey instruments, allowing for un-leveled measurements by calculating the pose of an imaging device and subsequently determining the location of points of interest.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional bubble level methods are used to level survey instruments, then measurement precision is improved by eliminating tilt errors, but the time required for leveling increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoidtime required for leveling

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical bubble level system with an image processing system. Instead of using physical leveling components, the system uses cameras to capture images and computationally determines tilt angle and direction through image analysis, thereby eliminating the time-consuming mechanical leveling process while maintaining measurement precision through mathematical correction of tilt errors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the approach from physical leveling (adjusting instrument orientation) to computational leveling (calculating and correcting tilt parameters). By determining tilt angle and direction through image processing and then mathematically correcting the measurements, the system achieves both speed and precision without requiring physical leveling operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If survey instruments are leveled carefully to eliminate tilt errors, then measurement accuracy is improved, but the complexity of the leveling process increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoidcomplexity of leveling process

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical leveling procedures with a simplified image-based computational approach. Instead of requiring multiple adjustment operations and physical leveling components, the system uses camera images and mathematical algorithms to automatically determine and correct tilt, significantly reducing operational complexity while maintaining or improving measurement accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-leveling by automatically determining its own tilt state through image processing and applying computational corrections. This eliminates the need for external leveling operations and manual adjustments, reducing complexity while ensuring consistent measurement accuracy through automated tilt compensation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If traditional leveling procedures are performed manually, then measurement precision is maintained, but productivity decreases due to time consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoidproductivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical leveling operations with automated image processing. The system captures images, computationally determines tilt parameters, and applies corrections automatically, eliminating manual intervention and significantly reducing the time required for leveling while maintaining measurement precision, thereby improving surveying productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the leveling process from a manual physical adjustment process to an automated computational process. By changing from physical leveling operations to mathematical tilt correction based on image analysis, the system maintains precision while dramatically reducing the time required, thus improving productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS9109889B2Determining tilt angle and tilt direction using image processing

Publication Date: 2015.08.18 TRIMBLE INC

AI summary

A survey instrument includes a surveying device configured to perform survey measurements and an imaging device coupled to the surveying device and having a known spatial relationship with the surveying device. The imaging device may be configured to obtain image information. The survey instrument also includes a processor in electrical communication with the imaging device. The processor may be configured to receive the image information from the imaging device, process the image information to determine a pose of the imaging device, and determine a tilt angle of the survey instrument and a tilt direction of the survey instrument in a reference frame. Tilt angle and the tilt direction of the survey instrument may be determined using the pose of the imaging device.