UAV Photogrammetry Survey System with Synchronized Time Stamping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current photogrammetry systems using UAVs face inaccuracies in associating photographing times with surveying times due to less accurate GPS positioning and the inability of total stations to recognize UAV photographing operations in real-time, leading to less precise identification of photographing positions.
Innovation Solution
A survey system that includes a movable photographing device with a UAV equipped with a camera and a first time-stamping mechanism, and a surveying device with a total station and second time-stamping mechanism, allowing for precise association of photographing and surveying times through synchronized time stamps to improve photogrammetry accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If GPS is used to determine UAV position, then the photographing operation can proceed without total station, but the position accuracy is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines GPS and total station systems into a unified survey system. The GPS unit and total station both determine UAV position, and their results are integrated through a determination unit that selects or combines position data based on availability and accuracy requirements, achieving both operational convenience and high position accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a time stamping unit as an intermediary that records timing information for both GPS and total station measurements. This time stamping mechanism enables the system to correlate position data from different sources with corresponding photographing operations, facilitating accurate position identification even when switching between GPS and total station modes.
2Measurement precision
If total station is used to determine UAV position, then position accuracy is high, but the total station cannot recognize photographing time in real-time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism through time stamping. The time stamping unit records the exact timing of total station measurements and GPS positions, and this time information feeds back into the determination unit. The determination unit uses these time stamps to identify which position measurement corresponds to each photographing operation, eliminating time difference errors and ensuring accurate position-time correlation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary time stamping of all position measurements from both GPS and total station before the actual photographing operation. This preliminary recording of time information allows the determination unit to later match position data with photographing events accurately, even when the total station is away from the camera during photographing.
3Reliability
If control points are required in photogrammetry, then image association with ground points can be achieved, but the photographing operation is limited and requires advance setup
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical system of control points and air marks with an electronic/information-based system using GPS and total station positioning. Instead of requiring physical control points to be set in the survey area, the system uses electronic position determination through satellite and ground-based measurement devices, eliminating the need for advance control point setup and reducing operational complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A survey system including a movable photographing device, a surveying device, and an analysis device. The movable photographing device includes a camera mounted on a UAV and taking a plurality of images P for photogrammetry, and a GPS unit including a first time stamping portion stamping a first time Tc relating to a photographing time on the image P taken. The surveying device determines a position of the movable photographing device, and includes a second time stamping portion stamping a second time Tt relating to a surveying time on a survey result R determined above. The analysis device includes a photographing position analysis portion associating each survey result R with a photographing position of the respective image P based on the first time Tc and the second time Tt, and generating data for photogrammetry.