Abstract: A geodetic instrument is disclosed, wherein an image sensor is used for locating the instrument above a desired point on the ground. The positioning of the image sensor with respect to the instrument vertical rotation axis is determined, or calibrated, using a method where two images are captured at different horizontal rotational positions for the instrument, and where the center pixel of the image sensor is related to the vertical rotation axis by means of image processing. It is also disclosed how reflecting elements, such as prisms, may be used for providing stereoscopic vision that can be used for determining the instrument height above the ground.

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 first camera in a first camera position and orientation, a target is selected by identifying at least one object point in the first image, and first image coordinates of the object point in the first image are measured. In at least one embodiment, a second image is captured using a second camera in a 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. Target coordinates of the target in relation to the rotation center of the surveying instrument are then determined based on the first camera position and orientation, the first image coordinates, the second camera position and orientation, the second image coordinates, and first and second camera calibration data.

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 method is disclosed for localizing a surveying instrument having a housing including at least one camera in relation to a mark located at a ground level. The method comprises the steps of capturing a first image of the ground below the housing in a first camera position and orientation, wherein the first camera position is eccentric to a vertical rotational axis of the surveying instrument, identifying an object point corresponding to the mark in the first image, measuring first image coordinates of the object point in the first image. The method further comprises the steps of capturing a second image of the ground below the housing in a second camera position and orientation, identifying in the second image, an object point corresponding to the mark, and measuring second image coordinates of the object point in the second image.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for localizing, in relation to a mark located at a ground level, a surveying instrument having a housing including at least one camera. In at least one embodiment, the method includes aligning the vertical rotational axis of the surveying instrument with the mark using a pointing device; capturing an image of the ground below the housing with the camera arranged in a known camera position and orientation, wherein the camera position is eccentric to the rotation center of the surveying instrument; identifying an object point corresponding to the mark in the captured image; measuring image coordinates of the object point in the captured image; and determining the height of the rotation center of said instrument above the ground based on the image coordinates and camera calibration data. Furthermore, a surveying instrument for performing at least one embodiment of the method is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for aiming a surveying instrument towards a selected target is disclosed. The method includes, in at least one embodiment, capturing an image using a camera in the surveying instrument; selecting a target by identifying an object point in the image captured by the surveying instrument; calculating first horizontal and vertical rotation angles based on the object point identified in the image; rotating the surveying instrument over the first horizontal and vertical rotation angles to an intermediate line of sight; measuring a distance to a point along the intermediate line of sight; and calculating second horizontal and vertical rotation angles based on the object point in the image and on the measured distance. In at least one embodiment, the method may be implemented using computer software, hardware, firmware or a combination thereof. There is also disclosed a surveying instrument in which at least one embodiment of the method is implemented.

Abstract: A distance measuring measurement instrument and a method for such a station for scanning a surface or volume of an object are disclosed. The measurement instrument includes a position calculating circuit adapted to calculate position data including at least horizontal and vertical angle and distance between the measurement instrument and the object. A plurality of points in each of a number of subsets of a scanning area of the object during a measurement session and, at detection of a new point in the new subset, information related to at least one point having a corresponding location in at least one preceding subset is used, wherein the preceding subset being adjacent to the new subset.

Abstract: A geodetic instrument is disclosed, wherein an image sensor is used for locating the instrument above a desired point on the ground. The positioning of the image sensor with respect to the instrument vertical rotation axis is determined, or calibrated, using a method where two images are captured at different horizontal rotational positions for the instrument, and where the center pixel of the image sensor is related to the vertical rotation axis by means of image processing. It is also disclosed how reflecting elements, such as prisms, may be used for providing stereoscopic vision that can be used for determining the instrument height above the ground.

Abstract: An optical instrument and a method for obtaining distance and image information of an object is disclosed to improve the speed and accuracy of data acquisition. The instrument comprises a camera, positioning unit, distance measuring unit, lens arrangement and control unit. The camera acquires images of an object and the control unit defines an area to be scanned as well as an object feature of the object, wherein measurement pixels corresponding to positions on the object may be defined in the area with an increased density of measurement pixels at the object feature. Subsequently, the distances to the object at the selected positions of interest are measured.

Abstract: An optical instrument and a method for obtaining distance and image information of an object is disclosed to improve the speed and accuracy of data acquisition. The instrument comprises a camera, positioning unit, distance measuring unit, lens arrangement and control unit. The camera acquires images of an object and the control unit defines an area to be scanned and measurement pixels of an object in the image, wherein the measurement pixels are converted into an approximation of coordinates of positions to be measured assuming a default distance to the positions, and the optical axis of the lens arrangement is adjusted sequentially onto the positions to be measured. After measuring the distances to the positions, the coordinates are recalculated increasing the accuracy of the coordinates.

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.