Surveying Instrument Laser Pointer Offset for Non-Prism Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surveying instruments face difficulties in accurately guiding a laser pointer to a measuring point, especially in environments with limited visual features, periodic patterns, or at distances, and require cumbersome prism installations, leading to inefficiencies and instability in measurement processes.
Innovation Solution
A surveying instrument that allows for non-prism measurement by projecting the laser pointer beam without reflection, enabling easy and reliable guidance to the measuring point through visual inspection of the projecting point, eliminating the need for optical axis corrections and preventing tracking of reflection light, thus improving workability and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a laser pointer is directed from a surveying instrument main unit, then guidance to measuring point is provided, but accurate alignment is difficult when the point is separated by some distance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a retroreflector as an intermediary object that the laser pointer tracks. The retroreflector returns the laser beam to the source, creating a visible feedback loop that enables precise alignment over distance. The operator positions the retroreflector at the measuring point, and the laser pointer automatically acquires and tracks it, solving the alignment difficulty at distance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements visual feedback by detecting the retroreflected laser beam. The surveying instrument monitors the returned light from the retroreflector and provides real-time guidance signals to the operator, enabling continuous adjustment and precise alignment with the measuring point even at considerable distances.
2Measurement precision
If a prism is used for measurement, then measurement can be performed, but correct installation based on offset relation requires troublesome procedure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the offset calculation requirement from the measurement process by using a retroreflector instead of a prism. The retroreflector has no inherent offset from the measurement point, eliminating the need for complex offset calculations and tedious installation procedures while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The retroreflector serves as a simple copy or substitute for the prism-plus-offset-system. Instead of installing a prism at a specific offset position, the operator simply places the retroreflector at the measuring point, greatly simplifying the installation while achieving the same measurement function.
3Extent of automation
If tracking optical axis, laser pointer optical axis and distance measuring optical axis all coincide with visual axis, then laser pointer beam is reflected by prism, but reflection light cannot be visually inspected
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of having the laser pointer beam reflect off the target back to the source (which makes visual inspection difficult), the system inverts the approach by using a retroreflector that actively returns the beam in a visually inspectable manner. The retroreflector's geometry ensures the reflected light follows a predictable path that can be seen by the operator.
4Measurement precision
If visual field is limited when watching into telescope, then sighting can be performed, but difficult to direct telescope toward measuring point in environments with few features or periodic patterns
Solution Approach 1:
The retroreflector acts as a visual intermediary that creates a bright, distinct target in the limited telescope field of view. Instead of relying on environmental features that may be absent or confusing, the retroreflector provides a self-generated visual marker that is easily identifiable and directs the telescope precisely to the measuring point.
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 solution enhances working efficiency by allowing precise and stable guidance of the laser pointer to measuring points, even in challenging environments, without the need for prism installations or optical axis corrections, and allows for flexible offset angles, improving overall measurement accuracy and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
a laser pointer beam projecting unit (30) which projects a laser pointer beam (26)
Implementation Method 2
a tracking unit (20) which emits a tracking light (21) and tracks the target (2) based on reflection light (19) from the target (2)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention provides a surveying instrument capable of performing a non-prism measurement comprising a laser pointer for projecting a laser pointer beam, a measuring unit for emitting a distance measuring light via a telescope unit, for performing distance measurement on a measuring point by receiving a reflected light and for measuring an angle of the measuring point, an image pickup unit for acquiring an image including a target via the telescope unit, a tracking unit for emitting a tracking light via the telescope unit and for tracking the target by receiving a reflection light from the target, a driving unit for rotating the telescope unit in horizontal direction and in vertical direction and a control device for controlling the driving unit so that the reflection light of the tracking light from the target will be positioned at a predetermined position on an image pickup element of the image pickup unit, wherein an optical axis of the distance measuring light and an optical axis of the tracking light are in a known relationship and an optical axis of the laser pointer beam is offset from an optical axis of the tracking light by a predetermined angle.