Method and arrangement for carrying out an information flow and data flow for geodetic instruments

• US 7,339,611 B2
• Filed: 05/18/2001
• Issued: 03/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Trimble Jena GmbH (Trimble Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Trimble Jena GmbH (Trimble Inc.)
• Inventors: Usbeck, Christian, Seeber, Marcel, Taege, Eyk, Marold, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Ho; Tuan
• Application Number:
  US09/861,130
• Publication Number:
  US 20020018122A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,482 Days
• Field of Search: 348/207.99, 348/222.1, 348/116, 348/135, 358/5.01, 358/141.1, 358/141.3, 358/148, 701/207, 702/104, 332/92, 332/90
• US Class Current: 348/207.99
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 15/00 Surveying instruments or accessories not provided for in groups G01C1/00 - G01C13/00

Abstract

A method and an arrangement for carrying out an information flow and data flow in a geodetic instrument with image processing is disclosed. For this purpose, the data flow and information flow needed for image processing are distributed to a plurality of function modules which are arranged in the instrument and which comprise function groups and are carried out by means of these function groups. The arrangement includes a plurality of function groups which are arranged in the instrument at locations determined by its construction design. These function groups are composed of a plurality of function modules.

Claims

1. A method for carrying out an information flow and/or data flow in a geodetic instrument with image processing, comprising the steps of:

distributing the data flow and information flow needed for image processing to a plurality of function modules which are arranged in the instrument and which comprise function groups and are carried out by these function groups; and

implementing at least two different operating modes in the instrument, a first operating mode being used for orientation of the instrument to a target and a second operating mode being used for measurements in the received image,

wherein the function groups include a first function group comprising a camera module, an image pre-processing module, and a data transmitting device, a second function group connected to the first function group comprising a data reception device, control module, image processing module and an image storage device, and a third function group coupled to the second function group comprising a display control module, an image display module, an application module and a data input device,

wherein the first function group records image data, the second function group processes the image data and the third function group displays the image data.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein image data are to be transmitted synchronously from the camera module and from the application module to the display control module and additional information is blended into the image display in the display control module.

6. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the first function group is arranged in the telescope body of the geodetic instrument.

3. An arrangement for carrying out an information flow and/or data flow for geodetic instruments with image processing, comprising:

a plurality of function groups being arranged in the instrument at locations determined by its construction design, said function groups being composed of a plurality of function modules,

wherein the function groups include a first function group comprising a camera module, an image pre-processing module, and a data transmitting device, a second function group connected to the first function group comprising a data reception device, control module, image processing module and an image storage device, and a third function group coupled to the second function group comprising a display control module, an image display module, an application module and a data input device; and

means for switching between at least two different operating modes, a first operating mode being used for orientation of the instrument to a target and a second operating mode being used for measurements in the received image,

wherein the first function group records image data, the second function group processes the image data and the third function group displays the image data wherein a first function group includes a camera module displaced within a telescope body.

4. The arrangement according to claim 3, wherein the function modules are realized in the instrument, at least in part, as hardware in the form of correspondingly constructed subassemblies.

5. The arrangement according to claim 3, wherein the function modules are implemented, at least in part, in software for the instrument, wherein the function modules implemented in software are associated with at least one hardware device.

7. The arrangement according to claim 3, wherein the second function group is arranged in the support of the geodetic instrument.