Construction Surveying Navigation With Fixed Antenna Triangulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surveying systems for construction sites are inefficient, requiring multiple skilled surveyors to repeatedly set up and maintain control points and gridlines, which is time-consuming and prone to disruption during construction activities.
Innovation Solution
A surveying navigation system utilizing a restricted antenna system with GPS-enabled handheld devices to precisely locate users within a construction site, allowing for the one-time establishment of site control points and displaying location information on site plans or floor plans in real-time, using a combination of fixed location antennas and computing devices to triangulate positions accurately.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional surveying methods using total stations and multiple surveyors are used, then control points and gridlines can be established, but the process is time-consuming and requires multiple skilled surveyors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical surveying system (total station with optical devices) with an electronic/GPS-based system. The handheld device with GPS receiver and display screen eliminates the need for mechanical total stations and manual target positioning, allowing users to obtain location data electronically and view it visually on the device display.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service surveying where a single user can independently establish and track control points without requiring multiple surveyors. The handheld device provides autonomous positioning capabilities, allowing the user to self-navigate and self-verify locations against the job plan without external assistance or coordination with other surveyors.
2Measurement precision
If control points and gridlines are repeatedly re-established during construction, then accuracy is maintained, but construction efficiency decreases due to frequent interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables continuous surveying operations without interruption to construction activities. The handheld device continuously provides location data and visual feedback, allowing surveying to proceed concurrently with construction rather than requiring periodic stoppages for re-establishment of control points. The real-time display allows continuous verification of positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The handheld device with display screen acts as an intermediary between the GPS positioning system and the construction worker. It provides visual representation of the job plan and current position, serving as a mediator that guides the user without requiring direct intervention from surveyors or interruption of construction workflows.
3Measurement precision
If multiple surveyors manually position targets and operate total stations, then precise measurements can be obtained, but device complexity and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex total station instrument and target system from the surveying process, replacing them with a simplified handheld device. The essential function of positioning is extracted and delivered through GPS technology, while the cumbersome mechanical components (tripod, total station, targets) are eliminated entirely.
Solution Approach 2:
The handheld device serves multiple functions: it provides GPS positioning, displays the job plan visually, tracks current position in real-time, and guides the user to specific locations. This single device replaces multiple specialized tools (total station, targets, measuring tapes, plan books) that were previously needed for surveying tasks.
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 quick and efficient location of users within the site, reducing the need for frequent re-establishment of control points and gridlines, improving construction efficiency by allowing a single user to accurately navigate and measure locations using a portable device.
Implementation Method 1
the location of the computing device can be precisely triangulated
Implementation Method 2
The first antenna may then transmit a first signal to the computing device and obtain a first response signal from the computing device. The second antenna may then transmit a second signal to the computing device and obtain a second response signal from the computing device
Implementation Method 3
The fixed location antennas may have GPS units integrated therein to allow for placement at predetermined locations
Data Source
AI summary
A surveying system for a construction site has a restricted antenna system with a plurality of fixed location antennas each defined by a set of location data associated with a specific deployment position. The surveying system also has a computing device with a data processor and a display screen. A communications module establishes a data transfer link with the restricted antenna system over which spatial data for distances between current positions of the computing device and one or more of the plurality of fixed location antennas are received. The computing device is loadable with project drawings corresponding to the construction site and displayable on the display screen. A position marker is overlaid on the display of the project drawing at a position thereon corresponding to a computing device location value derived from the spatial data and the location data of one or more of the fixed location antennas.