Abstract: A motor drive apparatus for a surveying instrument and a control method for controlling a surveying instrument enables a fast rotation of an instrument axis with high angular resolution. The motor drive apparatus for a surveying instrument includes a first motor for rotating an instrument axis. The first motor includes a stator and a rotor having a rotation axis and a plurality of step positions relative to the stator. The motor drive apparatus also includes a mounting unit for mounting the first motor so as to be pivotable around the rotation axis and an adjusting unit for rotating the stator of the first motor around the rotation axis.

Abstract: An electronic leveling apparatus for optically measuring a height difference relative to a leveling staff comprises a telescope, a camera fixed to the telescope, a first actuator for rotating both said telescope and said camera in a horizontal plane about a fixed vertical axis of the apparatus, and a controller. The camera has a depth of focus that is at least twice a depth of focus of the telescope. The controller uses a first output signal from said telescope to output a leveling signal representing a detected height difference. The controller uses a second output signal from said camera to identify a representation of a leveling staff and to control the first actuator based on the identified representation of the leveling staff. Furthermore a method for optically measuring a height difference of an electronic leveling apparatus relative to a leveling staff is provided.

Abstract: A motor drive apparatus for a surveying instrument and a control method for controlling a surveying instrument enables a fast rotation of an instrument axis with high angular resolution. The motor drive apparatus for a surveying instrument includes a first motor for rotating an instrument axis. The first motor includes a stator and a rotor having a rotation axis and a plurality of step positions relative to the stator. The motor drive apparatus also includes a mounting unit for mounting the first motor so as to be pivotable around the rotation axis and an adjusting unit for rotating the stator of the first motor around the rotation axis.

Abstract: An electronic leveling apparatus for optically measuring a height difference relative to a leveling staff comprises a telescope, a camera fixed to the telescope, a first actuator for rotating both said telescope and said camera in a horizontal plane about a fixed vertical axis of the apparatus, and a controller. The camera has a depth of focus that is at least twice a depth of focus of the telescope. The controller uses a first output signal from said telescope to output a leveling signal representing a detected height difference. The controller uses a second output signal from said camera to identify a representation of a leveling staff and to control the first actuator based on the identified representation of the leveling staff. Furthermore a method for optically measuring a height difference of an electronic leveling apparatus relative to a leveling staff is provided.

Abstract: A setting out device comprises a rod which can be supported at a target point in the area surrounding a point to be set out, a reflector which is arranged on the rod for tachymetric detection of the target point, a unit provided at the rod for transmitting information to and receiving information from a tachymeter, and an auxiliary setting out device which is arranged or can be arranged in a definite position in relation to the reflector for converting position correction information with respect to the point to be set out that was transmitted to the transmitting and receiving unit into a mark in the terrain representing the point to be set out. In this way, it is possible to set out possible projected points in the terrain within a short period of time and with great accuracy.

Abstract: A device for horizontal and vertical adjustment in geodetic devices comprises within its housing, a horizontal adjusting system comprising a first fine adjustment drive for rotation of the device about a vertical standing axis and a vertical adjusting system comprising a second fine adjustment drive for the movement of a telescope which is mounted in the support of the device so as to be swivelable about a horizontal tilt axis. A coaxial drive, known per se, is arranged at the support of the device and has two coaxially mounted shafts, each having a rotating knob, for initiating the rotation and/or movement of the respective parts and subassemblies. Each of the two fine adjustment gear units comprises a worm and a worm gear with a friction clutch and can be actuated jointly from a location for generating movement in two movement directions running vertical to one another or at an angle to one another.

Abstract: A telescope for geodetic instruments, comprises an objective and device for generating separate beam paths for target seeking or image detection and for distance measurement. In the beam path for target seeking, a CCD camera with CCD matrix or a position-dependent photoelectric receiver arrangement (quadrant photoreceiver) is provided in a first image plane of the objective. A receiver for distance measurement is located in a second image plane of the objective. An evaluating device is connected with the CCD camera or receiver arrangement for signal evaluation and/or image evaluation. A device for generating a third, wide-angle, beam path are provided in the telescope. A supplementary objective cooperating with the objective is advantageously provided for generating the wide-angle beam path.

Abstract: A geodetic instrument is disclosed which is set up over a ground point by a tripod and whose telescope is swivelable about a tilt axis and a rotational axis and which is outfitted with a laser arrangement for centering the rotational axis over the ground point and for determining the height h of the intersection point of the tilt axis and rotational axis over the ground point. In an instrument of the type mentioned above, a first, preferably collimated, laser beam extending in the rotational axis and at least one further laser beam path which extends divergent to the first laser beam are provided and, together, enclose an angle &ggr;, and wherein there is further provided a measuring device for determining the distance a between the two laser beam paths at the height of the ground point and an evaluating device for calculating the height h of the intersection point over the ground point from the relationship h˜a.

Abstract: A telescope for geodetic instruments, comprises an objective and device for generating separate beam paths for target seeking or image detection and for distance measurement. In the beam path for target seeking, a CCD camera with CCD matrix or a position-dependent photoelectric receiver arrangement (quadrant photoreceiver) is provided in a first image plane of the objective. A receiver for distance measurement is located in a second image plane of the objective. An evaluating device is connected with the CCD camera or receiver arrangement for signal evaluation and/or image evaluation. A device for generating a third, wide-angle, beam path are provided in the telescope. A supplementary objective cooperating with the objective is advantageously provided for generating the wide-angle beam path.

Abstract: A method for target seeking in geodetic survey measurements comprises the steps of generating at least a first light bundle by a measurement device from a light source arranged therein, the light bundle periodically pivoting back and forth or revolving about the standing axis of the measurement device and fanning out in the vertical plane and being sent to at least one receiver arrangement arranged in at least one target station arranged at a distance from the measurement device.