Surveying Optics for Simultaneous Scanning and Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surveying devices require separate processes for laser scanning and imaging, leading to prolonged measurement times.
Innovation Solution
A surveying device with a distance measuring unit and imaging unit positioned facing each other, using a deflecting optical member with two reflective surfaces to simultaneously execute distance measurement and imaging, and incorporating concave lenses to enhance measurement and imaging ranges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If separate processes are used for laser scanning and imaging, then each process can be performed independently, but measurement time becomes longer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the laser scanning system and imaging camera into a single integrated surveying device. The distance measuring unit and imaging unit share common components including the deflecting optical member, rotation mechanisms, and control system, allowing both distance measurement and image capture to occur simultaneously at the same location, thereby eliminating sequential processing time
Solution Approach 2:
The deflecting optical member serves multiple functions: it directs distance measuring light to the target, reflects returned light to the detector, and simultaneously directs external light to the imaging camera. This multi-functional component enables both measurement and imaging operations to proceed concurrently through a single optical path
2Measurement precision
If distance measuring unit and imaging unit are positioned at different locations, then each unit can operate independently, but parallax occurs between measurement and image data
Solution Approach 1:
The deflecting optical member acts as an intermediary that routes both distance measuring light and external imaging light through a common optical path. By using this intermediate component, the patent ensures that both measurement and imaging originate from the same effective position, eliminating parallax while maintaining manageable optical path complexity through systematic light routing
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
Simultaneous execution of measurement and imaging reduces measurement time, eliminates parallax, and improves coloring accuracy of point cloud data.
Implementation Method 1
The deflecting optical member has two reflective surfaces for reflecting the distance measuring light, the reflected distance measuring light, and the external light at right angles
Implementation Method 2
a distance measuring unit including a light projecting unit configured to emit distance measuring light and a light receiving unit configured to receive reflected distance measuring light from an object to be measured, and a computation control unit configured to compute a distance to the object to be measured based on a result of reception of the reflected distance measuring light into the light receiving unit
Implementation Method 3
a first concave lens configured to increase a diameter of the distance measuring light wherein a measurement range of the distance measuring unit is enlarged via the first concave lens
Implementation Method 4
a second concave lens configured to reduce a diameter of the external light, wherein an imaging range of the imaging unit is enlarged via the second concave lens
Data Source
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AI summary
Problem Provided is a surveying device that shortens measurement time. Solution Included are a distance measuring unit 19 including a light projecting unit 28 configured to emit distance measuring light and a light receiving unit 31 configured to receive reflected distance measuring light from an object to be measured, a deflecting optical member configured to be rotated in a vertical direction via a vertical rotation shaft 11 that is hollow, a vertical rotation drive unit 13 configured to rotate the deflecting optical member in the vertical direction, a frame unit 5 in which the deflecting optical member is provided, a horizontal rotation drive unit 8 configured to rotate the frame unit in a horizontal direction, an imaging unit 21 capable of imaging an image of the object to be measured based on external light passing through an interior of the vertical rotation shaft, and a computation control unit 17 configured to compute a distance to the object to be measured based on a result of reception of the reflected distance measuring light into the light receiving unit. The distance measuring unit and the imaging unit are disposed at positions facing each other with the deflecting optical member interposed therebetween. The deflecting optical member has two reflective surfaces for reflecting the distance measuring light, the reflected distance measuring light, and the external light at right angles. The computation control unit simultaneously executes distance measurement via one of the two reflective surfaces and imaging via the other of the two reflective surfaces.