Autonomous Surveying Device for Sensor Location Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining the locations of components in a location-determining system are time-consuming and inefficient, particularly when surveying an environment to establish the positions of sensors or transmitters, as they often rely on traditional surveying techniques like laser triangulation.
Innovation Solution
A method and system utilizing a surveying device with a ranging subsystem and communication subsystem to generate a three-dimensional map of the environment, allowing for the correlation of signal characteristics to determine the positions of components, which can include sensors, transmitters, or passive markers, using a transmitter and receiver to reflect signals and move autonomously within the environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional laser triangulation surveying methods are used to determine component locations, then measurement precision can be achieved, but the process becomes time-consuming and reduces productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical laser triangulation surveying with an acoustic-based location determination system. The surveying device uses acoustic sensors and transmitters to determine component locations through sound wave propagation and time-of-flight measurements, eliminating the need for manual laser surveying operations while maintaining measurement precision and significantly improving surveying speed.
2Measurement precision
If manual surveying operations are performed to collect location data, then accurate component positioning can be achieved, but the complexity of operation increases and time consumption rises
Solution Approach 1:
The surveying device operates autonomously to determine component locations without requiring manual surveying operations. The device self-navigates through the environment, automatically transmits acoustic signals, receives reflections, processes the data, and generates location information for all components, thereby simplifying operation while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The surveying device performs preliminary navigation and positioning actions before conducting the actual location determination. By pre-mapping the environment and pre-positioning itself relative to components, the device prepares the necessary spatial context in advance, enabling accurate location determination without complex real-time manual operations.
3Loss of information
If comprehensive environmental surveying is conducted to map all component locations, then complete location data can be obtained, but the time and resources required increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The surveying device continuously collects acoustic location data throughout its navigation through the environment, rather than performing discrete surveying operations at specific points. This continuous data collection approach ensures complete location information is captured while reducing the overall surveying time, as the device gathers information throughout its entire operational duration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the surveying device, such as navigation speed, signal transmission frequency, and sensor sampling rate, to optimize the balance between data completeness and surveying duration. By dynamically adjusting these parameters, the device can capture comprehensive location data while minimizing the time required for the survey.
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 significantly reduces the time and effort required to determine the locations of components by generating accurate three-dimensional maps and correlating signal data, enabling precise positioning of sensors and transmitters, even in obscured areas, and can operate autonomously.
Implementation Method 1
a ranging subsystem comprising a transmitter and a receiver configured to receive signals transmitted by the receiver and reflected off objects in the environment
Implementation Method 2
one or more signal characteristics may comprise one or more of: a time at which a signal is received by or from the one or more components, a time-of-flight of a signal received by or from the one or more components
Data Source
AI summary
A method for determining the locations of components of a location-determining system in an environment, the method comprising: providing a surveying device comprising: (i) a ranging subsystem comprising a transmitter and a receiver configured to receive signals transmitted by the receiver and reflected off objects in the environment whereby a three-dimensional map of the shape of the environment can be generated; (ii) a communication subsystem configured for transmitting signals to the said components or detecting signals from the said components; moving the surveying device in the environment whilst operating the ranging subsystem and the communication subsystem; and causing one or more processors to: (i) form the said three-dimensional map of the environment; and (ii) correlate that map with data received by or from the sensors to determine the positions of the sensors.