Abstract: Novel tools and techniques that can be used to enhance the effectiveness of photogrammetric tools, such as bundle adjustment. One set of techniques can include a photo-observable backsight operation, in which a position of target point can be observed non-photographically, and this observed position can be used to constrain a pixel coordinate location of the same target point in a bundle adjustment operation. Using another technique, a photo-observable check shot operation, the observed position of another target point can be used to verify the validity of a bundle adjustment calculation. Such techniques can be used together or separately.

Abstract: A method of determining a tilt angle and a tilt direction of a survey instrument. The survey instrument has an imaging device that captures first images at a first location. The first images include features from an environment around the survey instrument. The imaging device also captures second images at a second location. The second images include a portion of the features. A pose of the imaging device is determined at the second location using observed changes in location of a common portion of the features between the first images and the second images. The tilt angle and the tilt direction of the survey instrument at the second location are determined using the pose of the imaging device.

Abstract: A system for projecting an image, including layout information, on a surface in a building under construction has a projector mounted on a moveable support for supporting a worker at a work position in the building. The projector projects an image on a surface above the moveable support in response to an image signal defining the image to be projected. The image indicates the location of connectors, anchors, and holes to be affixed to, or cut through, the surface. A system determines the two dimensional position of the projector in the building, and a distance measuring system for determines the distance from the projector to said surface. A processor, responsive to a memory having stored building plan images, provides an image signal to the projector adjusted for the two dimensional location of the projector and for the distance from the projector to the surface.

Abstract: A robotic laser-pointing apparatus has an instrument center, a first rotation axis, a second rotation axis, and a pointing axis, with the first rotation axis, the second rotation axis and the pointing axis in a known relationship to the instrument center. A laser source provides a pointing-laser beam along the pointing axis. A pointing drive system aims the laser beam by rotating the pointing axis about the instrument center in response to a pointing-direction control. Focusing optics having a focusing-optics drive serve to focus the pointing-laser beam in response to a focusing-optics control. A processor, responsive to target-position information, generates the pointing-direction control and the focusing-optics control. Some embodiments include an electronic-distance-measurement system having a measurement beam. Some embodiments provide for compensation of aiming errors of the pointing-laser beam and the measurement beam.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for calibrating a geodetic instrument, an instrument and a computer program product thereof. In the method and geodetic instrument of the present invention, a value of at least one parameter affecting the measurements made by the instrument is detected and compared with a predetermined threshold. On the basis of the comparison between the detected value and the predetermined threshold, the instrument aims at a reference target and a calibration is performed using the reference target. The present invention is advantageous in that the accuracy and reliability of the measurements performed by the instrument are increased. Further, the present invention is advantageous in that the requirements on mechanical stability are reduced.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for calibrating a geodetic instrument, an instrument and a computer program product thereof. In the method and geodetic instrument of the present invention, a value of at least one parameter affecting the measurements made by the instrument is detected and compared with a predetermined threshold. On the basis of the comparison between the detected value and the predetermined threshold, the instrument aims at a reference target and a calibration is performed using the reference target. The present invention is advantageous in that the accuracy and reliability of the measurements performed by the instrument are increased. Further, the present invention is advantageous in that the requirements on mechanical stability are reduced.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for calibrating a geodetic instrument, an instrument and a computer program product thereof. In the method and geodetic instrument of the present invention, a value of at least one parameter affecting the measurements made by the instrument is detected and compared with a predetermined threshold. On the basis of the comparison between the detected value and the predetermined threshold, the instrument aims at a reference target and a calibration is performed using the reference target. The present invention is advantageous in that the accuracy and reliability of the measurements performed by the instrument are increased. Further, the present invention is advantageous in that the requirements on mechanical stability are reduced.

Abstract: A method for determining, in relation to a surveying instrument, target coordinates of a point of interest, or target, identified in two images captured by a camera in the surveying instrument. The method comprises determining coordinates of the surveying instrument, capturing a first image using the camera in the first camera position; identifying, in the first image, an object point associated with the target; measuring first image coordinates of the object point in the first image; rotating the surveying instrument around the horizontal axis and the vertical axis in order to position the camera in a second camera position; capturing a second image using the camera in the second camera position; identifying, in the second image, the object point identified in the first image; measuring second image coordinates of the object point in the second image; and determining the coordinates of the target in relation to the surveying instrument.

Abstract: A method for determining, in relation to a surveying instrument, target coordinates of a point of interest, or target, identified in two images captured by a camera in the surveying instrument. The method comprises determining coordinates of the surveying instrument, capturing a first image using the camera in the first camera position; identifying, in the first image, an object point associated with the target; measuring first image coordinates of the object point in the first image; rotating the surveying instrument around the horizontal axis and the vertical axis in order to position the camera in a second camera position; capturing a second image using the camera in the second camera position; identifying, in the second image, the object point identified in the first image; measuring second image coordinates of the object point in the second image; and determining the coordinates of the target in relation to the surveying instrument.

Abstract: It is disclosed a method for driving a laser diode such as to enable mitigation or elimination of so called spiking effects related to the number of injected carriers in the laser overshooting the equilibrium value at the beginning of the lasing process. In this manner, among other things, the efficiency of a master oscillator power amplifier that may be utilized in range finding applications will be improved. It is further disclosed an optical pulse transmitter comprising such a laser diode.

Abstract: A method of determining a tilt angle and a tilt direction of a survey instrument includes capturing first images at a first location that include features from an environment around the survey instrument and capturing second images at a second location that include a portion of the features. A pose of the imaging device is determined at the second location using observed changes in location of a common portion of the features between the first images and the second images. The tilt angle and the tilt direction of the survey instrument at the second location are determined using the pose of the imaging device.

Abstract: It is disclosed a method for driving a laser diode such as to enable mitigation or elimination of so called spiking effects related to the number of injected carriers in the laser overshooting the equilibrium value at the beginning of the lasing process. In this manner, among other things, the efficiency of a master oscillator power amplifier that may be utilized in range finding applications will be improved. It is further disclosed an optical pulse transmitter comprising such a laser diode.

Abstract: A robotic laser-pointing apparatus has an instrument center, a first rotation axis, a second rotation axis, and a pointing axis, with the first rotation axis, the second rotation axis and the pointing axis in a known relationship to the instrument center. A laser source provides a pointing-laser beam along the pointing axis. A pointing drive system aims the laser beam by rotating the pointing axis about the instrument center in response to a pointing-direction control. Focusing optics having a focusing-optics drive serve to focus the pointing-laser beam in response to a focusing-optics control. A processor, responsive to target-position information, generates the pointing-direction control and the focusing-optics control. Some embodiments include an electronic-distance-measurement system having a measurement beam. Some embodiments provide for compensation of aiming errors of the pointing-laser beam and the measurement beam.

Abstract: A navigational apparatus includes a visual display, first and second imaging devices, and one or more processors. The first imaging device has an optical axis extending in a first direction and is configured to obtain first image data. The second imaging device has an optical axis extending in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction and is configured to obtain second image data. When the visual display is displaying first image data, the one or more processors are configured to superimpose a first navigational graphic on the visual display overlaid on a portion of the first image data associated with the point of interest. When the visual display is displaying second image data, the one or more processors are configured to superimpose a second navigational graphic on the visual display overlaid on a portion of the second image data associated with the point of interest.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining coordinates of a target in relation to a surveying instrument wherein a first image is captured using a camera in a first camera position and orientation, a target is selected by identifying an object point in the first image, and first image coordinates of the object point in the first image are measured. The surveying instrument is then rotated around the rotation center so that the camera is moved from the first camera position and orientation to a second camera position and orientation, while retaining the rotation center of the surveying instrument in a fixed position. A second image is captured using the camera in the second camera position and orientation, the object point identified in the first image is identified in the second image, and second image coordinates of the object point in the second image are measured.

Abstract: A geodetic target for use in geodesy includes a support, a measuring target supported by the support, an identifier supported by the support, and a controller. The identifier includes at least one identification element that is configured to be switchable between at least two optical states and has a first predetermined optical property in one optical state and does not have the first predetermined optical property in a further optical state. The controller is configured to change the state of the at least one identification element. A geodetic measurement instrument includes an identifier detection unit, a measuring unit, and a transmitter configured to address a receiver of the geodetic target and to transmit control commands to the same which effect the change of the optical state of the at least one identification element of the identifier of the geodetic target. A system includes the geodetic measurement instrument and geodetic target.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining an azimuth of a target point is provided. The apparatus includes a support structure and an imaging device coupled to the support structure and configured to provide image data. The apparatus also includes a position measuring device coupled to the support structure and configured to determine position information and a processor in electrical communication with the imaging device and the position measuring device. The processor is configured to receive the image data from the imaging device, receive the position information from the position measuring device, determine a baseline between a first position and a second position, determine an orientation between overlapping images, and compute the azimuth of the target point relative to the baseline.

Abstract: It is disclosed a method for driving a laser diode such as to enable mitigation or elimination of so called spiking effects related to the number of injected carriers in the laser overshooting the equilibrium value at the beginning of the lasing process. In this manner, among other things, the efficiency of a master oscillator power amplifier that may be utilized in range finding applications will be improved. It is further disclosed an optical pulse transmitter comprising such a laser diode.

Abstract: Novel solutions for position measurement, including without limitation tools and techniques that can be used for land surveying and in similar applications. One such tool is a greatly enhanced position measurement system that takes the form of a surveying rod with substantial independent functionality, which can be used with or without a total station or similar device.

Abstract: A geodetic target for use in geodesy includes a support, a measuring target supported by the support, an identifier supported by the support, and a controller. The identifier includes at least one identification element that is configured to be switchable between at least two optical states and has a first predetermined optical property in one optical state and does not have the first predetermined optical property in a further optical state. The controller is configured to change the state of the at least one identification element. A geodetic measurement instrument includes an identifier detection unit, a measuring unit, and a transmitter configured to address a receiver of the geodetic target and to transmit control commands to the same which effect the change of the optical state of the at least one identification element of the identifier of the geodetic target. A system includes the geodetic measurement instrument and geodetic target.