Surveying Cross-Section Layout from Reordered Observation Points

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional surveying assistance systems require workers to observe in a specific order, which can be impractical or inefficient, especially when obstacles or complex terrain disrupt the usual left-to-right sequence, leading to repeated measurements or complex data processing to create a cross-sectional view.

Innovation Solution

A surveying assistance program and device that allow rearrangement of observation point data display order on a touch panel, enabling workers to easily create a cross-sectional view by rearranging the display order of observation points and updating connection lines accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If observation points are connected in order of observation to create a cross-sectional view, then the cross-sectional view can be created automatically, but the worker is required to observe in a specific order which is not always practical or efficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of creating cross-sectional viewVSAvoidease of observation work
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adapts the connection order of observation points based on their spatial positions rather than fixed observation sequence. The computer automatically determines the optimal connection order by comparing the positions of observation points with the design cross-sectional view, allowing the connection order to change dynamically according to the actual terrain and observation conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If observation is performed in left-to-right order, then the assumed cross-sectional view can be obtained, but repeated measurements or complex processing are required when terrain or obstacles prevent this observation sequence

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of cross-sectional viewVSAvoidtime for observation work
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary comparison between the positions of observed points and the design cross-sectional view before finalizing the connection order. By pre-calculating the optimal connection sequence based on spatial relationships, the system avoids the need for repeated measurements or complex post-processing, ensuring accurate cross-sectional views are obtained in a single observation pass regardless of the actual observation sequence.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If the connection order of observation points is fixed according to observation sequence, then data processing is simplified, but the cross-sectional view does not match the worker's assumption when observation order cannot be followed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of data processingVSAvoidadaptability to different observation conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the parameter of connection order from being based on observation sequence to being based on spatial position parameters. By comparing the coordinates and positions of observation points with the design cross-sectional view, the system automatically adjusts the connection order parameter to match the actual terrain conditions, making the system adaptable to various observation scenarios while maintaining automated processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4191198B1Surveying assistance program, surveying assistance device, surveying assistance method, and surveying assistance system
Publication Date: 2025.11.26 TOPCON CORPORATION
  • EP4191198B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1C
  • EP4191198B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4191198B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention provides a technique with which a cross-sectional view assumed by a worker can be easily prepared. A surveying assistance device (50) reads design information including center point data and constituent point data of a route, in which a cross-section including a center point, the cross-section being orthogonal to the route is set, acquires position information indicating a current position of a surveyed device with a predetermined period, creates a plan view and a cross-sectional view of the route from the design information, and displays the plan view and the cross-sectional view on a terminal screen unit (51), records the acquired position information and survey information calculated from the position information in a terminal storage unit (53) as observation point data on the cross-section, displays an observation point data list in which the observation point data is arranged as data placed in order and an observational cross-section displaying positions of observation points on the cross-sectional view on the terminal screen unit (51), makes the display order of the observation point data in the observation point data list rearrangeable following a command from a terminal operation unit (52), and displays a connection line connecting the observation points on the observational cross-sectional view following the display order.