Total Station Optical Axis Deflector for Rapid Target Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surveying systems using total stations require lengthy detection times and lack real-time performance due to narrow tracking light angles, necessitating cumbersome methods to redirect the tracking light when the target is out of range.
Innovation Solution
A surveying system with a total station and target instrument featuring an illuminating lamp, a distance measuring light projecting unit, a light receiving unit, an optical axis deflector, and an arithmetic control module that enables two-dimensional scanning and rapid target detection, allowing for immediate direction setting and efficient distance and angle measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the tracking light radiation angle is narrow, then the measurement precision is improved, but the detection time increases and real-time performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an image pickup unit that operates in a different dimensional space (visual imaging domain) compared to the traditional narrow tracking light (laser ranging domain). The image pickup unit captures the retro-reflective target visually, providing coarse position information rapidly, while the distance measuring light performs precise ranging only when needed. This multi-dimensional approach resolves the contradiction by separating the functions of target acquisition (fast, wide-angle imaging) and precise measurement (accurate but time-consuming laser ranging).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an image pickup unit as an intermediary device between the operator and the target. This intermediary captures visual information of the retro-reflective target and provides real-time positioning feedback, enabling the system to quickly locate and track targets without requiring the main tracking light to have a wide radiation angle. The intermediary image data serves as a guide for directing the precise measurement beam.
2Productivity
If the tracking light radiation angle is widened, then the real-time detection performance is improved, but the measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the detection and measurement functions into two separate subsystems: an image pickup unit for real-time target acquisition and tracking, and a distance measuring light unit for precise ranging. The image pickup unit uses a wide field of view to quickly locate and track the target, providing real-time performance, while the distance measuring light maintains its narrow beam for high precision measurements. This functional segmentation allows both wide-angle real-time detection and precise measurement to coexist without compromising either performance metric.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the total station turns horizontally to detect the target, then the detection coverage is improved, but the detection time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical rotation of the total station with an electronic/image-based target acquisition system. Instead of physically turning the entire total station horizontally to search for targets, the image pickup unit captures visual information electronically, allowing rapid scanning and target identification without mechanical movement delays. This substitution of mechanical rotation with electronic imaging dramatically reduces detection time while maintaining comprehensive coverage capability.
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 quick capture and measurement of targets with improved real-time performance by utilizing two-dimensional scanning and advanced optical axis control, reducing detection time and enhancing measurement accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
a target instrument 2 having an illuminating lamp 23 for emitting an illumination light toward the total station 1
Implementation Method 2
the target instrument has an illuminating lamp for emitting an illumination light toward the total station
Implementation Method 3
an optical axis deflector provided on a distance measuring optical axis and capable of deflecting the distance measuring optical axis two-dimensionally
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A surveying system has a total station and a target instrument, wherein the target instrument has an illuminating lamp, wherein a total station has an optical axis deflector capable of deflecting a distance measuring optical axis, a projecting direction detecting module for performing an angle measurement of the distance measuring optical axis, an image pickup unit, and an arithmetic control module for controlling a deflecting action of the optical axis deflector and a distance measuring action of a distance measuring unit, wherein the arithmetic control module is configured to detect an illumination light from an image acquired by the image pickup unit, to acquire a direction of the illuminating lamp based on a detection result, to make the optical axis deflector to scan with a distance measuring light around the acquired direction and to perform a distance measurement and an angle measurement along a scanning path, wherein the target instrument has a retro-reflector of a reflection sheet and has a reference point of the target instrument at a known position with respect to the illuminating lamp, wherein the arithmetic control module is configured to make the optical axis deflector to execute a two-dimensional scanning pattern, to detect the reflected distance measuring light at the time when the scanning pattern crosses the retro-reflector and to track the target instrument based on the detection result.