Survey Staff Geolocation Using Rotational Movement Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surveying technologies face challenges in accurately geolocating points on uneven or difficult-to-access terrain due to structural errors and inefficient data acquisition processes, particularly with battery-powered equipment that lacks optimized power management and reliable data reliability indicators.

Innovation Solution

A method and device utilizing a survey staff with an inertial measurement unit, ground contact sensor, and GNSS antenna that automatically triggers data acquisition during a rotational movement, synchronizes inclination and geolocation data, and uses visual or auditory signals to indicate data reliability, allowing for precise geolocation without vertical alignment and minimizing power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If continuous data recording is maintained to ensure data reliability, then measurement precision is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata reliabilityVSAvoidelectricity consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs data acquisition periodically based on detected rotational movements rather than continuously. The processor triggers data recording only when rotational movement is detected by the inertial measurement unit, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining measurement precision through strategically timed periodic sampling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses its own inertial measurement data to autonomously determine when to activate data recording. The rotational movement detection mechanism enables the system to self-regulate its data acquisition cycles without external intervention, optimizing the balance between data reliability and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If tilt compensator is used to correct coordinates automatically, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevertical alignment requirementVSAvoidstructural components
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical tilt compensators and electronic water levels with a computational approach. The system uses raw inertial data from the measurement unit combined with rotational movement detection to calculate corrected coordinates through processing, eliminating complex mechanical correction mechanisms while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the approach from mechanical parameter correction (physical tilt compensation) to computational parameter transformation. By processing raw inertial data and combining it with rotational movement information, the system calculates corrected position parameters without requiring physical tilt correction mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If multiple measurements are taken to reduce errors, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoordinate accuracyVSAvoiddata acquisition time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of rotational movement before triggering data acquisition. By using the inertial measurement unit to detect the characteristic rotational pattern in advance, the system prepares for efficient data collection, ensuring that multiple measurements are taken only when the predetermined rotational condition is met, thus reducing unnecessary time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from the inertial measurement unit to control the data acquisition process. The processor continuously monitors inertial data for rotational movement patterns and uses this feedback to trigger or stop recording, creating an optimized loop that achieves multiple measurements for precision while minimizing time loss through intelligent control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 faster, more accurate geolocation of points on sloping terrain with reduced operator intervention and optimized power usage, providing reliable data acquisition and precise coordinate calculation with automated uncertainty control.

Implementation Method 1

a rotational movement of the staff is detected using an inertial measurement unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGyroscopic effect: Gyroscope

Implementation Method 2

an antenna making it possible to receive geolocation and navigation signals by a system of satellites

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation reception: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3851794B1Method for geopositioning a target point
Publication Date: 2023.09.06 AGREENCULTURE
  • EP3851794B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3851794B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for geolocating a target point (A) materialized by the tip (3) of a rod (1) whose head supports at least one antenna (5) connected to a geolocation module providing data (xG, yG, zG, t) where xG, yG, zG denote the coordinates of the position of said antenna at time t, an inclination sensor (4) providing data (alpha, t) as a function of the inclination of said antenna (5) with respect to the vertical at time t, said method comprising a step of recording a sequence of data (xGi, yGi, alphai) during a period when the position of said tip (3) is stationary and the position of said head is rotating, and in that a digital processing is applied to said sequence of data (xGi, yGi, alphai) to calculate the coordinates (xA, yA) of said target point (A), characterized in that said tip is equipped with a ground contact detector,commanding the start of an acquisition sequence, for a duration between the detection by said tilt sensor of a rotational movement and the acquisition of a number of data points (xGi, yGi, alphai) exceeding a predetermined threshold.