Surveying Target Light Sector Control for Lower Power Use
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surveying targets face challenges in optimizing power consumption, leading to reduced battery life and autonomy due to inefficient light source management.
Innovation Solution
A target with a plurality of light sources arranged around a longitudinal axis, controlled by a sensor unit and control unit to emit light radially, where only a subset of light sources emit at higher intensity towards the surveying instrument, while others are turned off or emit at lower intensity, based on the target's orientation relative to the instrument.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all light sources emit light at high intensity, then the surveying instrument can reliably detect and track the target, but power consumption increases and battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the light sources into multiple subsets (first subset, second subset, third subset) that are activated sequentially or simultaneously at different intensities. Instead of all light sources operating at full intensity, only specific subsets are activated based on detection needs, thereby segmenting the energy consumption across multiple lower-power operations rather than one high-power operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit activates different subsets of light sources in alternating periods or sequences. The system periodically switches between different light source subsets, allowing the target to maintain detectability while reducing average power consumption through temporal distribution of light emission activities.
2Adaptability or versatility
If light sources are arranged radially around the longitudinal axis, then the target is visible from multiple orientations, but more light sources are required increasing power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The radial arrangement of light sources is segmented into functional subsets where only certain light sources within the radial configuration are activated at any given time. This allows the system to maintain multi-orientation visibility capability while consuming less power by activating only the necessary portion of the radial light source array.
Solution Approach 2:
Different subsets of radially arranged light sources are activated based on the specific orientation and position of the surveying instrument. Instead of uniformly activating all radial light sources, the system applies local quality by selectively enabling only those light sources that are geometrically positioned to be visible from the instrument's current location, thereby reducing overall power consumption.
3Measurement precision
If light intensity is increased to improve detection range, then the target can be detected from farther distances, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial action by activating only a subset of light sources rather than all light sources simultaneously. This provides sufficient light intensity for detection at the required range while consuming less total energy, as the partial activation of light sources delivers adequate illumination without the excessive energy consumption of full-array operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit dynamically changes the operational parameters of the light sources by adjusting which subsets are active and at what intensity levels. This parameter optimization allows the system to achieve the minimum necessary detection range while minimizing energy consumption, rather than operating all light sources at fixed high intensity.
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 approach enhances energy efficiency by reducing unnecessary light emission, thereby extending battery life and improving autonomy of the target.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of light sources is configured to emit light radially
Data Source
AI summary
A target (100) for use in surveying applications is provided. The target comprises a plurality of light sources (106) arranged around a longitudinal axis (A) of a base element (108) of the target. The plurality of light sources is configured to emit light radially. The target further comprises a sensor unit (216) a control unit (214). The control unit is configured to obtain information regarding an orientation (α) of said target relative to a surveying instrument (120) aimed at the target, based on at least a measurement received from the sensor unit. The control unit is further configured to identify, based on the obtained information regarding the orientation of the target relative to the surveying instrument, a first subset (106c-106e) of the plurality of light sources arranged to emit light towards the surveying instrument, and a second subset (106a, 106b, 106f-106h) of the plurality of light sources arranged to emit light away from the surveying instrument. The control unit is further configured to control the plurality of light sources such that the first subset of light sources emit light with a higher intensity than the second subset of light sources.