Seamless surveying system

• US 6,343,254 B1
• Filed: 10/22/1998
• Issued: 01/29/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited (Trimble Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited (Trimble Inc.)
• Inventors: Muncy, Darin, Kirk, Geoffrey R., Paiva, Joseph V. R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Issing, Gregory C.
• Application Number:
  US09/177,780
• Time in Patent Office: 1,195 Days
• Field of Search: 701/216, 701/223, 701/213, 342/357.14, 342/357.1, 342/357.02, 342/357.06, 342/357.17
• US Class Current: 701/216
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 15/00 Surveying instruments or accessories not provided for in groups G01C1/00 - G01C13/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/485 whereby the further system is an optical system or imaging system

Abstract

A survey system and method for determining the best source of position data for a particular application. The system includes both an optical unit and a satellite positioning system (SATPS) unit for obtaining position data. The optical unit includes a theodolite and an electronic distance meter for determining the position of a rover unit. The SATPS unit includes a SATPS antenna and a SATPS receiver for receiving signals from satellites of the SATPS and a radio for coupling the received signals to the rover unit. The present invention automatically determines the best source of position data. The best source of position data is then used to calculate the position of the rover unit.

Claims

1. A method for determining the optimum source of position data for a survey system that includes a first unit for obtaining SATPS data, a second unit for obtaining optical data and a third unit adapted to determine position, said method comprising:

a.) initiating a position fix;

b.) receiving position data at said third unit from ones of the group consisting of said first unit and said second unit; and

c.) determining at said third unit the optimum source of position data using said position data received in step b.), and wherein the first received source of position data is designated to be the optimum source of position data.

2. A method for determining the optimum source of position data for a survey system that includes a first unit for obtaining SATPS data, a second unit for obtaining optical data and a third unit adapted to determine position, said method comprising:

a.) initiating a position fix;

b.) receiving position data at said third unit from ones of the group consisting of said first unit and said second unit;

c.) determining a precision threshold;

d.) determining the precision of the position determination for said position data;

e.) comparing said precision determined in step d.) to said precision threshold;

f.) returning to step b.) when said precision determined in step d). is less than said precision threshold; and

g.) designating said position data to be the optimum source of position data when said precision determined in step d.) is greater than or equal to said precision threshold.

3. A method for determining the optimum source of position data for a survey system that includes a first unit for obtaining SATPS data, a second unit for obtaining optical data and a third unit, adapted to determine position, said method comprising:

a.) initiating a position fix;

b.) receiving position data at said third unit from ones of the group consisting of said first unit and said second unit;

c.) determining weighting factors for variables relating to SATPS data and optical data;

d.) multiplying variables relating to SATPS data by ones of said weighting factors and adding the results so as to obtain a first sum when both SATPS data and optical data are received during step b.);

e.) multiplying variables relating to optical data by ones of said weighting factors and adding the results so as to obtain a second sum when both SATPS data and optical data are received during step b.);

f.) designating SATPS data to be the optimal source of position data when said first sum is greater than said second sum; and

g.) designating optical data to be the optimal source of position data when said first sum is not greater than said second sum.

4. In a computer system including a processor coupled to a bus, and a memory unit coupled to said bus for storing information, a computer-implemented method for determining the optimum source of position data for a survey system which includes a first unit adapted to receive SATPS data and a second unit adapted to obtain optical data, said computer implemented method comprising:

a.) initiating a position fix;

b.) receiving position data from ones of said first unit and said second unit; and

c.) determining the optimum source of position data using said position data received in step b.), and wherein the first received source of position data is designated to be the optimum source of position data.

5. In a computer system including a processor coupled to a bus, and a memory unit coupled to said bus for storing information, a computer-implemented method for determining the optimum source of position data for a survey system which includes a first unit adapted to receive SATPS data and a second unit adapted to obtain optical data, said computer implemented method comprising:

a.) initiating a position fix;

b.) receiving position data from ones of said first unit and said second unit;

c.) determining a precision threshold;

d.) determining the precision of the position determination for said position data;

e.) comparing said precision determined in step d.) to said precision threshold;

f.) returning to step b.) when said precision determined in step d.) is less than said precision threshold; and

g.) designating said position data to be the optimum source of position data when said precision determined in step d.) is greater than or equal to said precision threshold.