Seamless surveying system

• US 6,732,051 B1
• Filed: 04/20/2001
• Issued: 05/04/2004
• 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: Paiva, Joseph V. R., Muncy, Darin, Kirk, Geoffrey R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Issing, Gregory C.
• Application Number:
  US09/839,466
• Time in Patent Office: 1,110 Days
• Field of Search: 342/357.06, 342/357.02, 342/357.17, 701/216
• 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 seamless surveying system for use with a satellite positioning system (SATPS) comprising:

a first unit including a radio transceiver and antenna, a first SATPS receiver, a first SATPS antenna, said first unit being adapted to receive and transmit SATPS data;

a second unit including a radio transceiver and antenna, a radiation source for irradiating a target with transmitted radiation, a means for receiving reflected radiation from said target, a means for determining the distance between said target and said radiation source from said transmitted radiation and said reflected radiation, and an instrument for determining horizontal and vertical angles, and a second communication link; and

a third unit including a radio transceiver and antenna, a target capable of reflecting said transmitted radiation, a third communication link for communicating with said first unit and said second unit, a second SATPS antenna, a second SATPS receiver, a SATPS processor, and a logic unit for selecting an optimum data source.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said instrument is an electro-optical instrument.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein said instrument comprises a laser.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said SATPS includes at least one pseudolite.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said instrument senses a magnetic field.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said logic unit is configured to select the first source of position data that gives a position within the desired accuracy range as the optimum data source.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said logic unit is configured to select said optimum data source on the basis of said distance between said target and said radiation source.

8. A method for determining a position based upon data from an optimum data source for a survey system that includes a first data source for obtaining SATPS data, a second data source for obtaining alternative data exclusive of SATPS data and a third unit adapted to determine position, said method comprising:

a) initiating a position fix;

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

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

d) determining the position of said third unit.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein said alternative data is obtained in part by the use of an electro-optical device.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein said alternative data is obtained in part by the use of an instrument for sensing a magnetic field.

11. 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 data set for a survey system which includes a first data source adapted to receive SATPS data and a second data source adapted to receive alternative data exclusive of SATPS data, said computer implemented method comprising:

a) initiating a position fix;

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

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

12. The method of claim 11 wherein said SATPS data is in part obtained from at least one pseudolite.