Surveying System With Projected Surface Unevenness Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for detecting surface unevenness in construction and ground leveling require numerous manual height measurements, leading to poor workability and efficiency due to separate processes for height measurement, correction, and construction work.

Innovation Solution

A surveying system comprising a height measuring device and a high-low deviation measuring device, which includes a moving vehicle equipped with a distance measurement sensor, projector, and an arithmetic control module to calculate and project unevenness information directly onto the construction surface, allowing simultaneous measurement and correction of unevenness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual height measurement methods are used to detect surface unevenness, then measurement accuracy can be achieved, but work efficiency and productivity deteriorate due to numerous individual measurements and separate processes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface unevenness detection accuracyVSAvoidwork efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the height measurement function and the surface unevenness detection function into a single surveying system. The height measuring device measures the height of the measurement target, and the arithmetic control module calculates surface unevenness by comparing this height with the designed height, eliminating the need for separate manual measurement processes and improving work efficiency while maintaining measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The surveying system performs multiple functions simultaneously: it measures height, detects surface unevenness, and provides visual feedback through the projector. This multi-functional approach allows a single device to replace multiple separate tools and processes, thereby improving productivity without compromising measurement precision.

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

2Manufacturing precision

If separate processes are used for height measurement, correction work, and construction work, then each process can be performed thoroughly, but overall work efficiency deteriorates due to repetitive operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface levelnessVSAvoidwork efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides real-time feedback by projecting high-low information directly onto the construction surface. The projector displays visual indicators showing where the surface is high or low relative to the designed height, allowing workers to perform correction work immediately and accurately without waiting for separate measurement and analysis processes, thus improving both precision and efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system calculates and displays the required correction amounts in advance through the projected high-low information. Workers can see exactly how much material needs to be added or removed at each location before performing the correction work, enabling them to complete the task in one pass rather than through repetitive trial-and-error operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If manual height measurement is performed at predetermined intervals, then surface unevenness can be detected, but workability deteriorates due to the large number of individual measurements required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveunevenness detection reliabilityVSAvoidworkability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical measurement operations with an automated optical measurement system. The height measuring device automatically measures the height of the measurement target, and the arithmetic control module automatically calculates surface unevenness, eliminating the need for workers to manually take numerous individual measurements and improving ease of operation while maintaining detection reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The surveying system performs self-measurement and self-analysis by automatically measuring the height of the measurement target and calculating the surface unevenness state without requiring manual intervention for each measurement point. The system serves itself by integrating the measurement, calculation, and visualization functions into an autonomous operation that improves workability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 efficient and visual observation of unevenness states during construction, facilitating parallel performance of construction work with unevenness measurement, thereby improving work efficiency and accuracy.

Implementation Method 1

a distance measurement sensor... configured to measure a distance to a construction surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

a projector configured to project high-low information onto a construction surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight projection: Light

Data Source

PatentEP4696982A1Surveying system
Publication Date: 2026.02.18 TOPCON CORPORATION
  • EP4696982A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4696982A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4696982A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A surveying system comprises a height measuring device (1) and a high-low deviation measuring device (2). The high-low deviation measuring device comprises a measurement target (18), a moving vehicle (15), and an unevenness measuring device (14) mounted on the moving vehicle. A reference level measuring device comprises the height measuring device and the measurement target detects a reference level. The high-low deviation measuring device further comprises a distance measurement sensor positioned to satisfy a predetermined positional relationship with the measurement target and configured to measure a distance to a construction surface, a projector (17) configured to project high-low information onto a construction surface, and an arithmetic control module (21) configured to calculate the high-low information based on the reference level, distance information with respect to the construction surface measured by the distance measurement sensor, and a designed height of a construction finished surface.