Survey Pole Swing Guidance for Accurate Total Station Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lightwave-based surveying methods using a total station require skilled operators to appropriately swing a pole for accurate position calculation, leading to inefficiencies, especially when placing the pole on surfaces like ceilings or standing walls.

Innovation Solution

A surveying system with a ranging unit, direction detection, arithmetic, and swing guide units that estimate the pole's swing state and provide guidance for accurate positioning, including swing trajectory, number of swings, and velocity to enhance pole swinging accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the operator places the end of the pole at a survey point and swings the pole to calculate the position, then the position can be calculated without vertical leveling, but the calculation accuracy depends on the operator's skill in swinging the pole appropriately

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of pole setupVSAvoidposition calculation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The swing guide unit provides real-time feedback to the operator about the swing state of the pole by displaying swing guide information (swing trajectory, number of swings, velocity) based on position information acquired during the swinging process. This feedback mechanism enables the operator to adjust the swinging motion to achieve accurate position calculation without requiring advanced skill.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically acquires position information during pole swinging and uses this information to generate swing guide information that helps the operator achieve accurate measurements. The system serves itself by using the data collected during operation to improve the quality of that same operation through automated guidance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If the operator swings the pole appropriately to accurately calculate the survey point position, then measurement accuracy improves, but the survey process becomes more complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition calculation accuracyVSAvoidsurvey time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The swing guide unit continuously monitors the swing state and provides real-time feedback on whether the swinging meets accuracy requirements. This allows the operator to know immediately when sufficient swings have been performed, eliminating unnecessary time spent on excessive swings while ensuring accurate measurements are achieved.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary acquisition of position information during the swinging process and uses this data to generate swing guide information that predicts whether accurate calculation will be achieved. This preliminary assessment helps the operator understand the sufficiency of swings performed, optimizing the balance between accuracy and time efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the operator places the pole at a survey point on a ceiling or standing wall, then versatile surveying is enabled, but the range of pole swinging is limited making accurate calculation difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurvey location flexibilityVSAvoidease of pole swinging
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The swing guide unit provides objective feedback about the swing state based on position information acquired during swinging. This feedback compensates for the limited swinging range by giving the operator precise information about what swing motion is needed to achieve accurate calculations, making ceiling and wall surveying as easy as ground surveying.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically adapts the swing guide information to the specific survey location and conditions by analyzing the position information acquired during swinging. This self-adjusting capability enables versatile surveying at different locations (ground, ceiling, walls) without requiring the operator to manually adjust techniques for each location.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

Facilitates easier and more accurate pole swinging for precise survey point calculation, improving survey efficiency by providing real-time guidance and ensuring the calculated coordinates meet predetermined accuracy thresholds.

Implementation Method 1

a ranging unit that measures distance to a survey target using ranging light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP4692723A1Surveying system, surveying device, surveying method, and surveying program
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 TOPCON CORPORATION
  • EP4692723A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4692723A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4692723A1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

This surveying system 1 comprises: a ranging unit 102 that measures distance to a survey target 301 using ranging light; direction detection units 106 and 107 that detect an emission direction of the ranging light; an arithmetic unit 101b that acquires position information of the survey target 301 based on the distance measured by the ranging unit 102 and the emission direction detected by the direction detection units 106 and 107; a storage unit 111 that stores offset information R that is distance information from the survey target 301 to a survey point P; and a swing guide unit 201b that estimates a swing state of the survey target 301 based on a plurality of pieces of the position information acquired by the arithmetic unit 101b and the offset information, and produces swing guide information of the survey target 301 according to the estimated swing state.