Augmented vision for survey work and machine control
First Claim
1. A method for measuring a position of a survey point comprising:
- determining a current field of view of an operator;
determining an initial position in the current field of view for a virtual point locator;
displaying an image containing a representation of the virtual point locator at the initial position according to the current field of view;
determining successive offset positions for the virtual point locator;
displaying successive images of the virtual point locator according to the current field of view and the offset positions; and
selectively storing positions of the virtual point locator as survey points.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus which enable use of augmented vision in survey procedures and related work. Virtual objects are presented to an operator on a see through display. Some of the objects correspond with real objects in the operators field of view at any instant and others may provide interactive functions for the operator. The operator eye positions are determined using measurements from a remote positioning system such as GPS, an operator head orientation sensing system, and knowledge of head geometry. Positions and attributes of real objects are stored in a database memory carried by the operator. The operators field of view is continuously determined and images of the real objects are generated from database information by a rendering system. The images are presented on the see through display as virtual objects. Numerous functions may be provided for the operator using virtual interactive objects, depending on the work at hand. Functions to assist navigation around a site, measurement of new survey points, virtual entry of control commands, site checking, and survey calculations such as intersections and offsets may be provided. One adaptation of the augmented vision system relates to machine control and enables an operator to guide a vehicle or the use of mechanical equipment.
253 Citations
34 Claims
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1. A method for measuring a position of a survey point comprising:
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determining a current field of view of an operator; determining an initial position in the current field of view for a virtual point locator; displaying an image containing a representation of the virtual point locator at the initial position according to the current field of view; determining successive offset positions for the virtual point locator; displaying successive images of the virtual point locator according to the current field of view and the offset positions; and selectively storing positions of the virtual point locator as survey points. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for controlling a survey operation comprising the steps of:
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receiving a command from an operator to receive input; determining a current field of view for the operator; determining a display position in the current field of view for a virtual control object; displaying an image comprising a representation of the virtual control object at the display position, said image including operator input options corresponding to the virtual control object; and activating a survey apparatus to implement a selected input option in response to selection of the selected input option. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for viewing data comprising:
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measuring a current position of an operator on a site using a position survey system; measuring a current head orientation of the operator; determining a current field of view of the operator through the display according to the current position and current head orientation measurements; presenting an image containing a representation of at least one satellite in the remote positioning system which are within the field of view. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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17. A method for viewing information during a procedure for determining locations on a site comprising:
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measuring a current position of an operator on a site; measuring a current head orientation of the operator; determining a current field of view of the operator through the display according to the current position and current head orientation measurements; displaying an image containing at least one representation of a location of a point on a see through display oriented in the operator'"'"'s current field of view such that the at least one representation is superimposed at a position in the field of view, said displaying comprising; displaying an image at the location of the point if the point is within the current field of view, and displaying an image comprising an indicator as to where the point lies on the site fi the point is not within the current field of view; and generating and presenting subsequent images of representation of a location of a point as the operator navigates around the site and the current field of view changes. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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19. A system for measuring a position of a survey point comprising:
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a display configured to display images relative to a current field of view of an operator; a storage device configured to store survey points; a controller coupled to the display and the storage device, said controller configured to determine a current field of view of an operator, determine an initial position in the current field of view for a virtual point locator, display an image on the display, said image containing a representation of the virtual point locator at the initial position according to the current field of view, determine successive offset positions for the virtual point locator, display successive images of the virtual point locator according to the current field of view and the offset positions, and selectively store in the storage device positions of the virtual point locator as survey points. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A system for controlling a survey operation comprising:
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an input device configured to receive a command from an operator; a current field of view of the operator; a display configured to display an image of a representation of the virtual control object at the display position, said image including operator input options corresponding to the virtual control object; and a survey apparatus coupled to the input device, said survey apparatus configured to implement a selected input option in response to selection of the selected input option through the input device. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A system for viewing data comprising:
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a position survey system configured to measure a current position of an operator on a site; a measurement device configured to measure a current head orientation of the operator; and a display configured to provide a current field of view of the operator through the display according to the current position and current head orientation measurements, said display further configured to display an image containing a representation of at least one satellite in the remote positioning system which is within the field of view. - View Dependent Claims (34)
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Specification