Communications: directive radio wave systems and devices (e.g. – Directive – Including a satellite
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-15
2001-01-16
Tarcza, Thomas H. (Department: 3662)
Communications: directive radio wave systems and devices (e.g.,
Directive
Including a satellite
C342S357490, C342S357490, C342S357490
Reexamination Certificate
active
06175328
ABSTRACT:
This invention relates to a positioning system comprising an electronic surveying equipment, such as a total station, and at least one radio signal position measuring unit, for instance a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System), such as a GPS (Global Position Satellite), unit.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
An electronic surveying equipment comprises an integrated distance and angle measuring instrument, which electro-optically makes measurements towards a target, such as a reflector, for instance a cube corner prism or mirror arrangement or the like, and/or some other kind of active target that the station can lock on. In the recent years such instruments have become modular such that a customer has been able to buy a base equipment and then complete it with extra features later on.
There are known systems having a combination of a surveying equipment and a radio signal position-measuring equipment, below called GPS for simplicity reasons.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,233,357 discloses a terrestrial surveying system comprising an electronic surveying equipment and at least one portable position-measuring unit equipped with a GPS antenna. The disclosed system requires that two persons perform the surveying, one standing at the surveying equipment and the other at the plumb rod having the GPS antenna. The surveying equipment is provided with a computer. The GPS system transmits position data wirelessly to the surveying equipment to be processed in its computer. The person standing at the surveying equipment makes measurements towards the plumb rod having the GPS antenna in the case that the rod is placed where the GPS antenna has a bad or no view of the GPS satellites.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
An object of the invention is to provide a surveying system able to be operated by only one person who transports a measuring rod or some other measuring object to the points to be measured.
Another object of the invention is to provide a surveying system operable by a single person for placing measuring points at predetermined places on the ground or positioning some object, such as a rail, a ship or the like, along a predetermined path.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a surveying system comprising a surveying equipment with means for determination of the horizontal reference direction without the use of so called “backwards objects” having known predetermined positions, such as church towers or the like, for its orientation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A solution to the objects of the invention is disclosed in the characterising parts of the independent claims. Further features and developments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.
ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
The surveying equipment needs no equipment providing a reference to north nor the use of predetermined position data of points in the surroundings towards which the instrument has to be directed before measurement.
The operator has full freedom to either make measurements by using the surveying equipment, such as a total station, in a conventional way and/or to make measurements by using the radio navigation system, such as the GPS, whichever is best adapted to the actual measuring point.
It is a great business advantage to give the opportunity for a customer only to buy a surveying equipment and to have the possibility to add GPS measurements later on. Thus, the surveying equipment is always prepared for GPS and an addition could be made when needed.
The operator standing at the measuring point can remotedly order the surveying equipment to search for the measuring rod and lock on it, make registrations of measurements taken either by the surveying equipment or by the GPS unit without transmitting position data to the surveying equipment.
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patent: 5233357 (1993-08-01), Ingensand et al.
patent: 5471218 (1995-11-01), Talbot et al.
patent: 5600436 (1997-02-01), Gudat
patent: 5644318 (1997-07-01), Janky et al.
patent: 5760909 (1998-06-01), Nichols
patent: 5821900 (1998-10-01), Kishimoto
patent: 5841026 (1998-11-01), Kirk et al.
patent: 5903235 (1999-05-01), Nichols
patent: 19635591A1 (1996-02-01), None
patent: 0 481 307 A2 (1991-04-01), None
Andersson Leif
Ericsson Lars
Killworth, Gottman Hagan & Schaeff LLP
Phan Dao L.
Spectra Precision AB
Tarcza Thomas H.
LandOfFree
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