Surveying Optics for Targeted Horizontal Line Scanning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional laser scanners lack the ability to freely set scan directions, leading to increased data acquisition and processing times, and inaccurate identification of scan positions on irregular surfaces.

Innovation Solution

A surveying instrument with an optical axis deflector that allows for controlled scanning along horizontal lines and vertical ridge lines, combined with image matching of wide and narrow angle images to efficiently acquire horizontal cross-sectional data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a whole circumference (360°) is scanned and post-processing is performed to extract horizontal direction data, then complete scan data is acquired, but the number of data increases, scan time increases, and calculation burden becomes large

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehorizontal cross section accuracyVSAvoidscan time and data processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the necessary horizontal direction data from the scan by using the narrow-angle image to identify horizontal lines and ridge lines, then performing distance measurement only along these extracted lines rather than processing the entire 360° scan data. This selective extraction approach reduces data volume and processing time while maintaining measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the scan process into two stages: first acquiring wide-angle images to identify horizontal lines and ridge lines, then performing targeted distance measurements only along these identified lines. This segmentation divides the complete scan into essential measurement portions, reducing overall measurement time while preserving accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If scan data is acquired using conventional laser scanners, then horizontal cross section data can be obtained, but the position of surveying instrument cannot be accurately identified depending on change point on surface or irregular surface

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescan position identification accuracyVSAvoidsurface type adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the narrow-angle image as an intermediary to accurately identify the surveying instrument's position and orientation before performing distance measurements. The narrow-angle image captures detailed features that serve as reference points for精确定位, enabling accurate position identification even on irregular surfaces where conventional methods fail.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary image acquisition and processing to identify horizontal lines and ridge lines before conducting distance measurements. This preliminary action establishes accurate reference frames and measurement paths in advance, ensuring that subsequent distance measurements can be precisely positioned even on complex surfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If wide angle images and narrow angle images are used together with image matching, then measurement efficiency is improved and workability increases, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement efficiencyVSAvoidoptical system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a dual-image pickup system where both wide-angle and narrow-angle images serve multiple functions: wide-angle images provide overall scene context and horizontal line identification, while narrow-angle images provide detailed feature recognition and position determination. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve high measurement efficiency through complementary use of both image types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Reduces measurement times and improves workability by allowing direct visual confirmation of objects and precise level positioning through efficient data acquisition and processing.

Implementation Method 1

an optical axis deflector that allows for controlled scanning along horizontal lines and vertical ridge lines

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical axis deflection:

Implementation Method 2

a distance measuring light projecting module that projects distance measuring light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight-based distance measurement: LIDAR

Implementation Method 3

a wide angle image pickup module that picks up a wide angle image and a narrow angle image pickup module that picks up a narrow angle image

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3922944B1Surveying instrument and surveying system
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 TOPCON CORPORATION
  • EP3922944B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3922944B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3B
  • EP3922944B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

There is provided a surveying instrument including a distance measuring light projecting module, a light receiving module, an attitude detector, an optical axis deflector provided on a common portion of a distance measuring optical axis and a light receiving optical axis, a projecting direction detector configured to detect an optical axis deflection angle and a deflecting direction provided, a narrow angle image pickup module which has a field angle narrower than the wide angle image pickup module and a narrow angle image pickup optical axis which is partially shared with the distance measuring optical axis, and an arithmetic control module, in which a wavelength dispersion compensating prism is provided in a common portion, the arithmetic control module is configured to deflect the distance measuring optical axis in a horizontal direction by the optical axis deflector, to sequentially perform the distance measurement and the acquisition of the narrow angle image.