IP Library Granted Patent US 9,936,168
Granted Patent B2
US 9,936,168 · App. 14/638,975 · Granted Apr 3, 2018

System and methods for controlling a surveying device

Inventors: Mikael Wilhelm Nordenfelt (Bergshamra, SE); Marc Alexander Howell (Albany, OR); Robert Michael Miller (Commerce City, CO); Volker Koehler (Paris, FR); Omar Soubra (Westminster, CO); Nico Becke (Wunstorf, DE)
Assignee: Trimble Inc.
H04N7/183H04N5/232H04N5/23216H04N7/18
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,936,168
App. No.
14/638,975
Granted
Apr 3, 2018
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system and methods are provided for controlling a surveying device. In one embodiment, a method includes displaying a control screen including image data captured by a surveying device, detecting an input associated with the control screen, and determining a control command for the surveying device based on the input associated with the control screen. The method may further include controlling operation of the surveying device based on the control command, wherein the surveying device is configured to rotate in one more of a horizontal and vertical direction based on the control command. The device and methods may advantageously allow for precise pointing of a surveying device and translation of input position to surveying device commands.

Claims (37)

1. A method for controlling a surveying device, the method comprising the acts of:

displaying, by a control device, a display including image data captured by a surveying device, wherein the control device includes the display and one or more motion sensors;

detecting an input, wherein:

the input is based on a motion of the control device, and

the motion is tilt and/or acceleration of the control device detected using the one or more motion sensors;

determining a control command for the surveying device based on the input; and

controlling, by the control device, operation of the surveying device based on the control command, wherein the surveying device is configured to rotate in a horizontal and/or a vertical direction based on the control command.

2. The method of claim 1 , comprising displaying one or more of image and video data received by the surveying device.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the control command adjusts a position of the surveying device based on motion characteristics of the input.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the control command translates motion of the control device to control movement of the surveying device.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the control command translates a tracked length of the input to an adjustment command, wherein the adjustment command is scaled to provide one of a fine and coarse adjustment.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the control command adjusts the surveying device in a direction opposite to the input.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the control command filters movement of the input in one axis.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the control command causes reduced movement in a vertical axis relative to a horizontal axis.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the control command scales the movement of the input based on a distance measurement performed by the surveying device.

10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising initiating a tracking routine of the input based on motion of the control device.

11. The method of claim 1 , further comprising updating the display of the control device based on image data received from the surveying device following the control command.

12. A system comprising:

a surveying device, and

a control device configured to control operation of the surveying device, the control device comprising a display, one or more motion sensors, and a processor configured to:

display image data captured by the surveying device;

detect an input, wherein:

the input is based on a motion of the control device; and

the motion is tilt and/or acceleration of the control device detected using the one or more motion sensors;

determine a control command for the surveying device based on the input; and

control, by the control device, operation of the surveying device based on the control command, wherein the surveying device is configured to rotate in a horizontal and/or vertical direction based on the control command.

13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the display displays one or more of image and video data received by the surveying device.

14. The system of claim 12 , wherein the surveying device is configured for one or more of an electronic distance measurement, coordinate determination and angular measurement.

15. The system of claim 12 , wherein the control command adjusts a position of the surveying device based on motion characteristics of the input.

16. The system of claim 12 , wherein the control command translates motion of the control device to control movement of the surveying device.

17. The system of claim 12 , wherein the control command translates a tracked length of the input to an adjustment command, wherein the adjustment command is scaled to provide one of a fine and coarse adjustment.

18. The system of claim 12 , wherein the control command adjusts the surveying device in a direction opposite to the input.

19. The system of claim 12 , wherein the control command filters movement of the input in one axis.

20. The system of claim 12 , wherein the control command causes reduced movement in a vertical axis relative to a horizontal axis.

21. The system of claim 12 , wherein the control command scales the movement of the input based on a distance measurement performed by the surveying device.

22. The system of claim 12 , further comprising initiating a tracking routine of the input based on motion of the control device.

23. The system of claim 12 , further comprising updating the display of the control device based on image data received from the surveying device following the control command.

Assignments (2)
MERGER AND CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jun 1, 2017
From: TRIMBLE NAVIGATION LIMITED; TRIMBLE INC.
To: TRIMBLE INC.
Reel/Frame 042569/0116 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 16, 2016
From: NORDENFELT, MIKAEL WILHELM; HOWELL, MARC ALEXANDER; MILLER, ROBERT MICHAEL; KOEHLER, VOLKER; SOUBRA, OMAR; BECKE, NICO
To: TRIMBLE NAVIGATION LTD
Reel/Frame 037741/0852 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation 13302128 · Nov 22, 2011
Provisional Application 61549431 · Oct 20, 2011
Related Publication 20150181174A1 · Jun 25, 2015