Total Station Adaptive Angular Velocity Scanning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modern total stations face challenges in achieving rapid, precise, and large-area surface measurement while being user-friendly and easy to handle, particularly in efficiently scanning objects with varying distances and surface reflectivity.

Innovation Solution

The total station employs waveform digitizing for distance measurement and provides multiple scan modes with adjustable measurement rates, allowing for continuous scanning and adaptive angular velocity to optimize scanning speed and accuracy based on object distance and surface characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the measurement rate is increased to achieve faster scanning, then the scanning speed is improved, but the measurement accuracy deteriorates due to signal smearing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescanning speedVSAvoidmeasurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the angular velocity of the sighting unit adaptive rather than constant. The control unit adjusts the angular velocity dynamically based on the current distance to the object, allowing faster scanning when objects are closer and slower scanning when objects are farther away, thus optimizing both scanning speed and measurement accuracy across varying distances

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of angular velocity from a fixed value to a variable that depends on distance. By modifying this parameter adaptively, the system resolves the contradiction between scanning speed and measurement accuracy, as the angular velocity is optimized for each specific measuring situation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If the measurement rate is decreased to improve measurement accuracy, then the measurement accuracy is improved, but the total scanning time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoidtotal scanning time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses dynamic adjustment of angular velocity to maintain high measurement accuracy without sacrificing overall scanning efficiency. By adapting the scanning speed to distance, the system achieves accurate measurements at each point while minimizing the total time required to scan the entire area

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If a constant pulse rate is used for scanning, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement accuracy deteriorates at varying distances

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidmeasurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the operating parameter of angular velocity from constant to variable based on distance. This parameter change allows the system to maintain measurement accuracy across varying distances without requiring complex hardware modifications, as the adjustment is achieved through control logic

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Productivity

If the angular velocity is increased to reduce scanning time, then the productivity is improved, but the measurement accuracy deteriorates due to increased signal smearing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescanning efficiencyVSAvoidmeasurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic control of angular velocity based on real-time distance measurements. This allows the system to optimize the balance between productivity and measurement accuracy by adjusting the scanning speed to match the distance to the object, preventing excessive signal smearing while maintaining high scanning efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 enables faster and more precise distance measurement, reducing total scanning time and improving measurement accuracy by compensating for signal smearing, while allowing users to select optimal scan modes based on distance and requirements, resulting in efficient and accurate point cloud generation.

Implementation Method 1

an electro-optical distance measuring unit for measuring the distance to points on an object. The distance measuring unit has an emission unit, e.g. a laser light source, for emitting a pulsed measurement radiation and a detector for receiving the measurement radiation reflected at the points on the object. The detector records the reflected measurement radiation in the form of measurement signals.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTime of flight: Time of Flight

Data Source

PatentEP2787320B1Total station with scan functionality and selectable scan modi
Publication Date: 2017.09.20 LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
  • EP2787320B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2787320B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2d
  • EP2787320B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3d

AI summary

A total station including an electro-optical distance measuring unit and a scanning functionality is disclosed. The total station may include an analysis unit for analysis of the registered measuring signal data and conversion thereof into scanning points for a point cloud, whereby a point cloud having the scanning points can be generated. The distance measuring unit may be configured in such a manner that the distance measurement can be carried out by means of runtime measurement and/or waveform digitizing (WFD). In addition, the total station may have a program storage unit which may provide at least two scanning modes, wherein the at least two scanning modes differ at least in a measuring rate such as, for example, in the number of scanning points per unit of time.