Geodetic Survey Instrument Stationing Using Scored Environmental Features
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing geodetic survey instruments face challenges in efficiently and accurately stationing in unknown environments, particularly in indoor or urban settings where GNSS signals are unreliable, and manual referencing is cumbersome, leading to reduced accuracy and increased time due to the need for manual targeting of reference markers.
Innovation Solution
A geodetic survey instrument equipped with a targeting unit, imaging sensor, and computing unit that automatically identifies and scores the applicability of environmental features for targeting, allowing for efficient relocation and accurate positioning through automatic stationing functionality, utilizing a combination of imaging and pose tracking units to determine fine and coarse poses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual targeting of reference markers is used, then positioning accuracy can be achieved, but time consumption and operational complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The survey instrument automatically identifies and targets reference markers in the environment without requiring manual intervention. The computing unit processes images from the imaging sensor, detects reference markers, and directs the targeting unit to automatically acquire measurements, enabling the system to perform stationing operations autonomously and rapidly
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical targeting operations with an automated optical and computational system. The imaging sensor captures images of the environment, the computing unit processes these images to identify reference markers, and the targeting unit automatically acquires measurements, substituting human manual operations with an integrated optical-computational-mechanical system
2Reliability
If manual referencing procedures are used, then positioning can be established, but operational complexity and setup time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The survey instrument autonomously performs the complete stationing procedure including environmental scanning, reference marker identification, and positioning calculation without requiring manual referencing procedures. The computing unit automatically processes images, identifies suitable reference markers based on applicability scores, and establishes the instrument position reliably
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary environmental scanning and reference marker identification before the actual positioning operation. The computing unit pre-processes images to identify and score potential reference markers, preparing the data structure and selecting optimal markers in advance to streamline the subsequent positioning process
3Measurement precision
If comprehensive feature analysis is performed for automatic stationing, then positioning accuracy improves, but computational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The computing unit calculates an applicability score for each detected reference marker based on local environmental characteristics and selection criteria. This scoring mechanism evaluates the quality and suitability of individual reference markers, allowing the system to select the most appropriate markers for accurate stationing while managing computational resources efficiently
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs comprehensive analysis of environmental features to identify reference markers, but applies selective filtering through the applicability score to focus computational resources on the most promising candidates. This partial action approach analyzes all features initially but only processes detailed measurements for selected markers that meet the selection criteria
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an automatic stationing of a geodetic survey instrument. The instrument comprises a targeting unit to provide targeting data, an imaging sensor, wherein the axis is referenceable to a targeting direction, and a computing unit. The automatic stationing comprises the steps of 1.) acquiring an image of the environment, 2.) creating a catalog of features based on the image and providing a score of applicability for each feature, 3.) selecting a first set of features based on the score of applicability and providing a first targeting data, 4.) recognizing a relocation of the instrument 5.) selecting a second set of features from the first set of features, and providing a second targeting data and 6.) determining the fine pose relative to the first pose based on the first and second set of targeting data.