Construction Survey Navigation Using Fixed Antenna Triangulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surveying systems for construction sites are inefficient, requiring multiple skilled surveyors to repeatedly set up and maintain control points and gridlines, which is time-consuming and prone to disruption during construction activities.
Innovation Solution
A surveying navigation system utilizing a restricted antenna system with GPS-enabled handheld devices to precisely locate users within a construction site, allowing for one-time establishment of site control points and displaying location information on site plans or floor plans in real-time, using a combination of fixed location antennas and computing devices to triangulate positions accurately.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional surveying methods using total stations and physical targets are used, then control points and gridlines can be established, but multiple skilled surveyors are required and the process is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical surveying system (total station with physical targets) with an electronic/optical system using overhead cameras, image processing, and computer vision algorithms to detect and track prisms, eliminating the need for manual mechanical measurement operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the physical construction site by capturing images with overhead cameras, processing them to generate a digital model with detected prism positions, and using this digital representation to guide construction activities, replacing physical survey markers
2Measurement precision
If control points and gridlines are repeatedly re-established during construction, then accuracy is maintained, but construction efficiency decreases due to frequent interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by establishing control points once at the beginning of construction and then continuously tracking them throughout the construction process using automated image capture and processing, eliminating the need for repeated re-establishment while maintaining accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous monitoring of control points through automated overhead camera systems that continuously capture and process images to track prism positions, ensuring continuous positioning accuracy without interrupting construction workflows
3Ease of operation
If multiple surveyors manually operate total stations and targets, then surveying can be performed, but device complexity and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the surveying system to automatically capture images, detect prism positions through image processing, calculate coordinates, and provide guidance without human intervention in the measurement process, reducing operational complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The overhead camera system serves multiple functions: capturing site images, detecting prism positions, tracking control points, generating digital models, and providing real-time guidance, replacing multiple specialized surveying instruments and operations with a single multi-functional system
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 quick and efficient location of users within the site, reducing the need for frequent re-establishment of control points and gridlines, improving construction efficiency by allowing a single user to accurately navigate and visualize their location relative to construction drawings.
Implementation Method 1
The location of the computing device can be precisely triangulated
Data Source
AI summary
A surveying system for a construction site has a restricted antenna system with a plurality of fixed location antennas each defined by a set of location data associated with a specific deployment position. The surveying system also has a computing device with a data processor and a display screen. A communications module establishes a data transfer link with the restricted antenna system over which spatial data for distances between current positions of the computing device and one or more of the plurality of fixed location antennas are received. The computing device is loadable with project drawings corresponding to the construction site and displayable on the display screen. A position marker is overlaid on the display of the project drawing at a position thereon corresponding to a computing device location value derived from the spatial data and the location data of one or more of the fixed location antennas.