Surveying Device Illumination Sequencing for Target Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surveying devices face challenges in automatic fine pointing and target tracking, particularly due to environmental influences like weather and extraneous reflections, which disrupt the alignment and tracking of targets, especially when targets move quickly or are located at long distances.
Innovation Solution
A surveying device with a control and evaluation unit that varies the emission of illumination beams in a defined sequence, allowing for continuous generation of flashes of different intensities and durations, enabling the differentiation between reflection spots from the target and extraneous reflections by comparing sequences of light spots with known sequences of illumination beam flashes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If continuous illumination beam flashes are emitted for target tracking, then target tracking capability is improved, but susceptibility to extraneous reflections and weather influences worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination beam is emitted in periodic flashes with defined sequences of different intensities and durations rather than continuous emission. This periodic action creates distinguishable patterns that allow the control unit to differentiate between target reflections and extraneous reflections, while maintaining continuous tracking capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination beam varies in intensity (analogous to color/brightness changes) according to defined sequences. By emitting flashes with different intensities and durations in specific patterns, the system creates unique signatures for the target, enabling the control unit to distinguish target reflections from extraneous reflections even in challenging environmental conditions.
2Length of stationary object
If illumination beam intensity is increased for long-distance tracking, then measurement range is improved, but susceptibility to weather influences and extraneous reflections worsens
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using high intensity continuously, the system uses periodic flashes with varying intensities in defined sequences. This allows the beam to reach long distances while the temporal and intensity patterns enable the control unit to distinguish target reflections from weather-induced scattering and extraneous reflections.
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination beam parameters (intensity, duration) are dynamically varied according to defined sequences rather than remaining static. This dynamic variation creates identifiable patterns that maintain detectability at long distances while reducing susceptibility to weather influences through pattern recognition.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual parameter adjustment is implemented for environmental conditions, then adaptability to weather is improved, but ease of operation worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit automatically adapts the illumination beam parameters and evaluation criteria based on detected environmental conditions without requiring manual user configuration. The system self-adjusts to different weather conditions and operational scenarios, eliminating the need for users to manually configure parameters while maintaining high adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit continuously monitors the reflection patterns and environmental conditions, then automatically adjusts the illumination beam parameters and evaluation algorithms in real-time. This feedback mechanism enables the system to adapt to changing weather conditions and extraneous reflections without user intervention, improving both ease of operation and adaptability.
4Device complexity
If single intensity illumination is used for fine pointing, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability of target identification worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic illumination flashes with defined sequences of varying intensities rather than single-intensity continuous illumination. This increases reliability of target identification through pattern recognition while keeping device complexity manageable through algorithmic control of the illumination sequences in the control unit.
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
This approach allows for robust and uninterrupted fine targeting and tracking, even in dynamic environments, by identifying illumination radiation from the target and distinguishing it from extraneous radiation, thus optimizing parameters for prevailing conditions without manual user adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
The surveying device (1) has a beam source (23) for emitting an illumination beam, in particular a laser beam, of defined intensity in the direction of the sighting axis
Implementation Method 2
The surveying device (1) has a photosensitive areal sensor (14), in particular a CMOS 2D sensor, for detecting reflected illumination beams
Implementation Method 3
These consist, for example, of a plumbing pole with a retroreflector (e.g. an all-round prism) to define the measuring section or measuring point
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~3d
Figure 4a~4c
AI summary
Surveying instrument (1) with a control and evaluation unit (11), a beam source (23) for emitting an illumination beam and a fine aiming and target tracking functionality, wherein, within the framework of the fine aiming and target tracking functionality, a variation of the emission of the illumination beam is automatically controlled by this control and evaluation unit (11), so that a known sequence of illumination beam flashes (3, 4) is generated.