Abstract: A laser measuring method in a laser measuring system, which comprises a rotary laser system for projecting a laser beam by rotary irradiation and at least one photodetection system having at least one photodetector for receiving the laser beam, comprising a step of emitting at least two fan-shaped laser beams by the rotary laser system, at least one of the fan-shaped laser beams being tilted, a step of receiving the laser beams at least at three known points by the photodetection system, a step of obtaining elevation angles with respect to the rotary laser system based on photodetection signals which are formed when the photodetector receives the laser beam, and a step of measuring an installing position of the rotary laser system based on elevation angles and position data at the three known points.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for a controller to automatically switch to an alternative control mode to control the height of a grading implement when the output of a positioning sensor is not available. According to the invention, the controller recognizes sensor unavailability and automatically switches to an alternative operating mode to maintain control. In one alternative operating mode, the controller recognizes sensor unavailability and automatically routes the control signal from the unaffected side to the control channel for the affected side. In another alternative operating mode, the controller monitors the current value of an additional sensor for an alternative mode of control until one of the primary sensors becomes unavailable, and then automatically switches to the alternative mode for the affected side, using the last known value for the alternative mode as the set point.

Abstract: An automatic control system for a construction machine includes the construction machine provided with a ground leveling implement, a target, and a laser sensor; a survey unit that has a coordinate position measuring element and projects a beam of tracking light indicating a finished-plane height toward the target; a storage unit for storing finished-plane height data in correspondence with a horizontal coordinate position in the coordinate position; and a computation unit for computing the finished-plane height data. The survey unit is equipped with a rotation unit for rotating the laser beam in a vertical direction so that a height of the laser beam at the horizontal coordinate position becomes a height from a determined finished plane. The construction machine is provided with a control unit for controlling the ground leveling implement so that it reaches the finished-plane height, based on a position at which the laser beam is received on the laser sensor.

Abstract: An automatic control system for a construction machine includes the construction machine provided with a ground leveling implement, a target, and a laser sensor; a survey unit that has a coordinate position measuring element and projects a beam of tracking light indicating a finished-plane height toward the target; a storage unit for storing finished-plane height data in correspondence with a horizontal coordinate position in the coordinate position; a computation unit for computing the finished-plane height data; a modulation unit for modulating the laser beam, based on construction information at the horizontal coordinate position, and for transmitting the construction information to the laser sensor; and a demodulation unit fox demodulating the construction information, based on the laser beam received by the laser sensor.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling the cutting depth and angle of an excavator bucket to excavate a surface to a desired contour. The method includes the steps of: (1) inputting data to a machine control system to define a desired contour of the excavated surface; (2) positioning the excavator bucket close to the desired contour; (3) enabling automatic control; and (4) automatically controlling movement of the excavator bucket only when the position of the excavator bucket is within a predetermined distance or angle of the desired contour. The method is used to automatically control the excavation to a desired depth if the bucket is within a predetermined distance of a desired depth. The method is also used to automatically control the angular orientation of bucket if the slope of the bucket is within a predetermined angle of a desired slope.

Abstract: A method of using a touch screen control panel to input and display data to control excavation by an excavator includes the steps of: (1) providing a display panel with a touch-sensitive screen at a position accessible to an operator; (2) inputting data by touching the display panel to define a desired contour of the excavated surface; (3) displaying on the display panel information representing the desired contour of the excavated surface; and (4) controlling movement of the excavator bucket to excavate the desired contour of the excavated surface. The display panel displays a sequence of screens that convey information to the operator and permit the operator to select operational modes and to input data to define the control parameters for the various operational modes.