Surveying Instrument Real-Time Parameter Extraction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional surveying instruments face inefficiencies in accurately guiding members to predetermined positions in real-time, particularly due to the need for extensive data acquisition and post-processing of point cloud data, which hinders real-time operation and requires multiple workers.

Innovation Solution

A surveying instrument equipped with a distance measuring module, attitude detector, communication module, and optical axis deflector, allowing for direct acquisition of object parameters in real-time by projecting and receiving pulsed laser beams, scanning, and calculating parameters such as position and attitude using a circular scan pattern, reducing data acquisition and processing time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a three-dimensional laser scanner is used to acquire point cloud data of the entire circumference, then parameters such as overall position and attitude can be obtained accurately, but the number of data becomes enormous and it takes time to acquire and process the data, making real-time work difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of position and attitude parametersVSAvoidtime to acquire and process point cloud data
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts only the necessary measurement information (position and attitude parameters) from the object rather than acquiring complete point cloud data of the entire circumference. By using a laser scanner to measure specific points and deriving position and attitude parameters directly from these limited measurements, the system obtains accurate guidance information without the time-consuming process of collecting and processing enormous amounts of point cloud data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies partial action by measuring only the essential points needed to determine position and attitude parameters, rather than performing complete 360-degree scanning. This selective measurement approach provides sufficient information for accurate member guidance while significantly reducing data acquisition and processing time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Productivity

If a total station is used to track and measure a member, then measurement data can be obtained, but only data of points can be acquired and parameters such as overall position and attitude cannot be determined, making accurate guiding difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveefficiency of member guidanceVSAvoidincompleteness of measurement data for determining position and attitude
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the functionality of point measurement with direct parameter calculation. By combining laser distance measurement with angle detection and integrating these measurements with the known positions of reflection points, the system directly computes position and attitude parameters, merging multiple measurement functions into a unified parameter determination process that provides complete guidance information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces reflection points as intermediaries between the laser scanner and the object being measured. These reflection points serve as mediators that enable the laser scanner to obtain distance measurements that, when combined with angle data and known reflection point positions, directly yield position and attitude parameters without requiring complete point cloud acquisition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If multiple workers are required for visual guidance of members to predetermined positions, then members can be guided to correct positions and attitudes, but the efficiency is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of member installation position and attitudeVSAvoidwork efficiency of member guidance
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention enables self-service by providing automated measurement and calculation systems that directly determine position and attitude parameters without requiring multiple workers for visual guidance. The laser scanner automatically measures the object, the control unit calculates the parameters, and the system provides direct guidance information, allowing single-person operation while maintaining high accuracy in member installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 real-time acquisition of object parameters, improving workability by reducing the need for extensive data processing and allowing single-person operation, thus enhancing efficiency and accuracy in guiding members to precise positions.

Implementation Method 1

a distance measuring module 30 which measures a distance to the object 7 by using a pulsed laser beam

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTime of Flight: Time of Flight

Implementation Method 2

an optical axis deflector 24 which deflects an optical axis of the surveying instrument main body 3; by deflecting a laser beam, the laser beam is scanned in a predetermined scan pattern

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical deflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3644012B1Surveying instrument
Publication Date: 2023.11.15 TOPCON CORPORATION
  • EP3644012B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3644012B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3644012B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A surveying instrument comprises a distance measuring module configured to perform a distance measurement of an objects to be measured, an optical axis deflector which is provided on a distance measuring optical axis and enables to two-dimensionally deflect the distance measuring optical axis, an arithmetic control module configured to control a deflecting action of the optical axis deflector and a distance measuring action of the distance measuring module, and a display module configured to display calculation results by the arithmetic control module, and wherein the arithmetic control module is configured to scan at least one plane of the objects to be measured in a predetermined scan pattern in at least one cycle by the optical axis deflector, to calculate parameters of the plane based on a measurement result of point cloud data acquired along a locus of a scan, and to display the calculated parameters on the display module.