JP2000009464A - Surveying instrument - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To start an auto-focus mechanism automatically at the time of starting collimation by making a controller actuate the auto-focus mechanism interlocking with the rotational conditions detected through a rotation detector. SOLUTION: When the direction of a telescope 11 is adjusted not using the telescope 11 itself but using a collimator after main power is turned on, an auto-focus AF mechanism does not function but the AF mechanism functions only once at a moment of stopping the position of the telescope 11 and an object on the line of collimation L1 appears at same position as a cross hair when an operator views the telescope 11. Subsequently, the AF mechanism continues function so long as collimation is performed by turning a fine adjusting screw 8, 10 while using the telescope 11. Even if a switch for actuating the AF mechanism is not turned on, the AF mechanism (pint position sensor 16 and focus lens drive unit 15) functions as required and does not function when it is not required.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a surveying instrument incorporating a telescope having an autofocus mechanism.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a surveying instrument for measuring the distance and height of a land, a ranging instrument such as a lightwave ranging instrument and a goniometer such as an electronic theodolite have been generally used. The lightwave rangefinder measures a distance from a specific measurement point to a measurement target point. Further, the electronic theodolite measures the direction of a measurement target point as a horizontal angle and an altitude angle around a specific measurement point. Recently, a total station in which the lightwave range finder and the electronic theodolite are integrally combined has been put to practical use.

[0003] These surveying instruments are generally composed of a base, a column rotatably provided in a horizontal direction with respect to the base, and a column rotatable in a direction perpendicular to the column. It consists of telescopes provided. Further, in the goniometer, an angle sensor (encoder or the like) for measuring an altitude angle between the telescope and the column, and an angle sensor for measuring a relative horizontal angle between the column and the base. A sensor (such as an encoder) is provided. Therefore, when the measurement target point is collimated by the telescope, the direction of the measurement target point can be measured as the horizontal angle and the altitude angle of the telescope with respect to the base. Further, in the rangefinder, the collimating optical axis of the telescope is configured to be coaxial with the ranging optical axis. Therefore, by collimating the reflecting prism installed at the measurement target point with the telescope, the distance measuring optical axis can be adjusted to the reflecting prism installed at the measurement target point.

With the recent development of autofocus technology for cameras and the like, telescopes incorporating an autofocus mechanism have been proposed.
If the autofocus mechanism is incorporated in the telescope in this way, an object in the center of the telescope's field of view (the center of the crosshair) is always in focus (by the objective lens of the object). Since the real image is formed on the crosshair reticle, the operator is free from the trouble of focusing, and the measurement object point (or the measurement object point is set at the center in the field of view of the telescope). You can concentrate on adjusting the direction of the telescope to accommodate the reflected prism.

[0005]

However, in the conventional proposal of the incorporation of the autofocus mechanism into the telescope, no special consideration is given to the generation of the activation signal for activating the autofocus mechanism. An autofocus start switch was to be provided on the outer surface of the surveying instrument. Therefore, when the conventionally proposed telescope with an auto-focus mechanism is put to practical use, the operator must operate the auto-focus start switch every time the telescope is collimated. for that reason,
In addition to impairing the operability of the surveying instrument, there are problems such as erroneous operation of another switch to press the autofocus start switch, and displacement of the telescope due to the pressing force of the autofocus start switch.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and detects the start of collimation using a telescope according to a predetermined standard, and automatically sets an autofocus mechanism incorporated in the telescope. An object is to provide a surveying instrument that can be started.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the fact that the telescope is collimated after the telescope is roughly oriented.

That is, a surveying instrument according to claim 1 has a telescope having an objective lens and an eyepiece and used for collimating a survey target point, and the objective of an object located on an optical axis of the objective lens. An auto-focus mechanism for adjusting an image forming position of an image by a lens, a table for rotatably holding the telescope, a rotation detection device for detecting a rotation status of the telescope, and a rotation detection device for detecting a rotation status of the telescope. A control device for controlling the operation of the auto-focus mechanism in conjunction therewith.

With this configuration, the control device operates the autofocus mechanism in accordance with the rotation state detected by the rotation detection device. Therefore, there is no need to press any switch to operate the autofocus mechanism in a timely manner.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the rotation state detected by the rotation detecting device according to the first aspect is specified as being the angular velocity of the telescope.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the control device according to the second aspect divides the angular velocity of the telescope into a plurality of steps by one or a plurality of thresholds, and responds to the step including the angular velocity detected by the rotation detecting device. This is specified by controlling the auto focus mechanism.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the rotation state detected by the rotation detecting device according to the first aspect is specified as being the speed of the telescope.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the control device of the fourth aspect divides the speed of the telescope into a plurality of stages according to one or a plurality of criterion values, and includes the speed detected by the rotation detecting device. Is determined by controlling the auto-focus mechanism according to.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the telescope of the first aspect, the telescope has a focusing lens for forming an image of the object together with the objective lens, and the autofocus mechanism uses the focusing lens for the objective lens. It is specified by driving along the optical axis of the lens.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the telescope of the first aspect has an index that is magnified and observed by the eyepiece, and the autofocus mechanism causes the image formation position of the objective lens to overlap the index. By adjusting to
It is specified.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the autofocus mechanism of the first aspect is specified by having a focus position detecting mechanism for detecting an image forming position by the objective lens.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the control device according to the third aspect divides the angular velocity of the telescope into three stages according to a first criterion value and a second criterion value exceeding the first criterion value. Only when the angular velocity detected by the rotation detection device exceeds the first determination reference value and is equal to or less than the second determination reference value, the automatic focus mechanism is operated to specify the rotation speed.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, when the angular velocity detected by the rotational angular velocity detecting device is greater than the first criterion value and equal to or less than the second criterion value, , By operating the autofocus mechanism continuously.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the control device according to the tenth aspect, after the angular velocity detected by the rotational angular velocity detection device once exceeds the first determination reference value, the control device determines that the angular velocity is equal to or less than the first determination reference value. When this happens, the auto-focus mechanism is operated a predetermined number of times to specify the auto-focus mechanism.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in accordance with the first aspect, while rotating about the first axis with respect to the table, the second axis is rotatable about a second axis orthogonal to the first axis. This is specified by further including an intermediate member that supports the telescope.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the rotational angular velocity detecting device of the twelfth aspect includes a first encoder for detecting a relative angular velocity between the intermediate member and the telescope, and a relative angular velocity between the table and the intermediate member. Is identified by having the second encoder that detects

[0022] The invention according to claim 14 is the invention according to claims 9 to 1
The first determination criterion value in any one of 1 is an angular velocity of 0, which is specified.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the control device according to the third aspect, the angular velocity of the telescope is set to a first criterion value, a second criterion value exceeding the first criterion value, and a second criterion value. The automatic focus mechanism is operated only when the angular velocity detected by the rotation detecting device exceeds the second determination reference value and is equal to or less than the third determination reference value. Is the one identified.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, when the control device of the fifteenth aspect is configured such that the angular velocity detected by the rotation detecting device is greater than the first determination reference value and less than or equal to the second determination reference value, The auto focus mechanism is
When the angular velocity detected by the rotation detecting device continues to operate intermittently in the reference cycle and exceeds the second determination reference value and is equal to or less than the third determination reference value, the auto-focus mechanism is set to the second reference value. This is specified by continuing to operate intermittently in the cycle.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, the control device according to the third aspect divides the angular velocity of the telescope into two stages according to a first determination reference value, and calculates the angular velocity detected by the rotation detecting device as a first determination reference value. Only in the following cases, the camera is specified by operating the autofocus mechanism.

[0026]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Each embodiment shown below shows an example in which the surveying instrument according to the present invention is applied as a total station.

[0027]

First Embodiment First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. <Mechanical Configuration of Total Station> FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway front view showing the appearance of the total station according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a side view partially showing a vertical cross section taken along line II-II of FIG. FIG. As is apparent from FIGS. 1 and 2, the total station is configured by stacking a leveling block 4, a base 3, a support 2, and a handle 5 in order from below. The telescope unit 1 is rotatably held in a U-shaped concave portion 2a of the column unit 2 having a substantially U-shaped shape. Hereinafter, these components will be described.

The telescope unit 1 includes a telescope 11 for collimating a reflecting prism (corner cube) and a target disposed at a point to be measured, and modulation for distance measurement via an objective lens 111 of the telescope 11. An optical distance measuring unit 12 for transmitting and receiving light and measuring a distance to an object existing on the optical axis of the telescope 11 is incorporated.

As shown in FIG. 2, the telescope 11 includes an objective lens 111, a dichroic prism 112, a focusing lens 113, a beam splitter 114 for an AF sensor, a cover glass 115, and a cloth in order from the object side (left side in FIG. 2). From the hair reticle 116 and the eyepiece 117,
It is configured.

The objective lens 111 has its optical axis (collimation line)
It is a positive lens that forms an image (object image) of an object existing on L1.

The dichroic prism 112 has a separation surface 112a inclined by 45 degrees with respect to the collimation line L1. The separation surface 112a has a characteristic of reflecting 100% of visible light while reflecting 100% of infrared light.

The focusing lens 113 is a negative lens having a shorter focal length than the objective lens 111, and is held in the lens barrel 14 which can move only along the collimation line L1. On the outer peripheral surface of the lens barrel 14, a rack gear 1 parallel to the collimation line L1 is provided.
4a are formed. This rack gear 14a is shown in FIG.
The focusing lens drive unit 15 controlled by the control circuit 26 is engaged with a rotatable pinion gear 15a. Accordingly, when the focusing lens driving unit 15 rotates the pinion gear 15a, the focusing lens 113 moves forward and backward along the collimation line L1. As the focusing lens 113 advances and retreats in this manner, the imaging position of the real image (object image) of the object formed by the objective lens 111 moves along the collimation line L1.

The AF sensor beam splitter 114 is
It has a separation surface inclined 45 degrees with respect to the collimation line L1.
The separation surface has a characteristic of reflecting a part of incident light and transmitting the rest.

The crosshair reticle 116 is provided with a collimation line L1.
Is a parallel flat glass plate in which a crosshair (a cross line as an index) indicating the position is drawn on the surface (focal plane) on the cover glass 115 side. The cover glass 115 is a plane-parallel glass plate for preventing dust and the like from adhering to the focal plane of the crosshair reticle 116.

The eyepiece 117 is a positive lens group for magnifying and observing the crosshair drawn on the focal plane of the crosshair reticle 116 and the object image formed on the focal plane.

On the other hand, on the optical path separated by the dichroic prism 112, an optical distance measuring unit 12 is arranged. The lightwave distance measurement unit 12 includes a control circuit 26 (lightwave distance control unit 121 [see FIG. 3]) shown in FIG.
Irradiates the infrared light (modulation light for distance measurement) amplitude-modulated at a predetermined cycle toward the dichroic prism 112 in accordance with the control by the control unit, and reflects the infrared light reflected by the reflecting prism located on the collimation line L1. The reflected light of the modulated light for distance measurement is received, the phase difference between when the modulated light for distance measurement is emitted and when the modulated light for distance measurement is received is detected, and the detected phase difference information is transmitted to the control circuit 26 (lightwave distance measurement control unit 121). . The objective lens 111 is a collimator lens for irradiating the modulated light for distance measurement emitted from the lightwave distance measuring unit 12 and a condensing lens for condensing the reflected light of the modulated light for distance measurement. Also works.

Further, the beam splitter 11 for the AF sensor
A focus position detection sensor 16 as a focus position detection mechanism is arranged on the optical path separated by 4.
The focus position detection sensor 16 is a sensor based on a phase difference detection method generally used in a single-lens reflex camera or the like, and shifts (defocus) of an object image with respect to a focal plane (and a conjugate plane) of the crosshair focusing plate 116. Amount). A defocus signal indicating the defocus amount detected by the focus position detection sensor 16 is input to the control circuit 26.

The outside of the telescope unit 1 will be described. The sights 13 having an optical axis parallel to the collimation line L1 are provided on both upper and lower surfaces of the telescope unit 1 parallel to the optical axis of the telescope 11.
13 are attached. A pair of coaxial vertical rotation shafts 1a and 1b (second axes) are formed on both sides of the telescope unit 1 so as to protrude from the housing of the telescope unit 1.

The column 2 as an intermediate member is a telescope 1
U-shaped concave portion 2 for rotatably supporting in a vertical direction (centering on vertical rotation axes 1a, 1b as second axes).
a. A bearing (not shown) for supporting one vertical rotation shaft 1b of the telescope unit 1 is formed on one of the inner surfaces of the U-shaped concave portion 2a (the inner surface on the right side in FIG. 1). On the other side of the inner side surface of the U-shaped concave portion 2a, a circular hole 2b through which the vertical rotation shaft 1a penetrates is formed in the housing of the column portion 2. A substantially cylindrical sleeve 21 is inserted into the circular hole 2b. Further, inside the sleeve 21, a bottomed cylindrical portion 22 a having substantially the same outer shape as the inner diameter of the sleeve 21 and a ring-shaped outer flange portion 2 integrally connected to an opening of the bottomed cylindrical portion 22 a.
2b, the bottomed cylindrical portion 22a of the rotating member 22
It is rotatably fitted. In addition, this rotating member 22
A fitting cylinder 22c that is coaxial with the bottomed cylindrical portion 22 and has the same inner diameter as the outer diameter of the vertical rotation shaft 1a protrudes from the bottom end surface of the bottomed cylindrical portion 22a.
The external thread formed on the outer surface of the fitting cylinder 22c has a retaining ring 25 having an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the sleeve 21 in order to prevent the bottomed cylindrical portion 22a from coming off from the sleeve 21. It is screwed. The vertical rotation shaft 1a is fitted into the fitting cylinder 22c, and both are fixed integrally. With the above configuration,
The telescope unit 1 is supported rotatably in the vertical direction (vertical direction in FIG. 1) in the U-shaped concave portion 2a of the support unit 2, and when the telescope 1 rotates in the vertical direction, the rotating member 22 is also integrated. Rotate.

A ring-shaped rotating scale plate 23 made of a parallel plane transparent member is fitted on the outer edge of the outer flange portion 22b of the rotating member 22. This rotating scale plate 23
, A radial code pattern is drawn at a uniform pitch.

A vertical encoder unit 24 for reading the code pattern of the rotary scale plate 23 is provided on an outer flange integrally formed on the outer surface of the sleeve 21.
Are fixed. This vertical encoder unit 24
Are a light-emitting diode 244 and a collimator lens 243 for irradiating light to the rotary scale plate 23 from one side thereof, and a sub-scale plate 241 located on the opposite side of the rotary scale plate 23 from the collimator lens 243.
And the rotating scale plate 23 and the sub-scale plate 24
And a light receiving circuit 242 that receives light transmitted through the light receiving circuit 2 by a frame. The sub-scale plate 241 is made of a parallel plane transparent member, and a code pattern having the same pitch as the code pattern on the rotary scale plate 23 is drawn. This code pattern has a shape radiated from the rotation center axis of the rotating scale plate 23,
It is bisected in the radial direction, and the phase of the inner code pattern and the phase of the outer code pattern are shifted from each other by １ ／ period. Further, the light receiving circuit 242 is provided with two light receiving elements that individually receive light that has passed through the code pattern bisected in the radial direction as described above. Output signals from these two light receiving elements are
Each is input to the control circuit 26.

With the above configuration, when the rotary scale plate 23 rotates integrally with the telescope unit 1, as shown in FIG.
Two sinusoidal output signals shifted by four periods are input from the vertical encoder unit 24 to the control circuit 26. The control circuit 26 detects the phase difference and the amount of change (phase) between the two input output signals, thereby detecting the rotation scale plate 2.
3. Therefore, the direction and amount of rotation of the telescope unit 1 can be known. That is, the rotary scale plate 23 and the vertical encoder unit 24 constitute a first encoder.

On the other hand, in the center of the base 3, a circular hole 3a oriented in the vertical direction (up and down direction in FIG. 1) is formed from the upper surface side. The lower end of the cylindrical member 30 having a ring-shaped outer flange portion 30a integrally formed at the upper end thereof is inserted into and fixed to the circular hole 3a. On the outer edge of the outer flange portion 30a of the cylindrical member 30, a ring-shaped main scale plate 3 made of a parallel plane transparent member is provided.
One is filled. This main scale plate 31 includes:
Radial code patterns are drawn at a uniform pitch.

In the cylindrical member 30, the cylindrical member 3
A rotating shaft member 27 as a first shaft having substantially the same outer diameter as the inner diameter of 0 is rotatably inserted. The lower end of the rotary shaft member 27 projects from the lower end of the cylindrical member 30 and is exposed in the circular hole 3a of the base 3. A male screw is formed at a portion of the rotary shaft member 27 protruding from the lower end of the cylindrical member 30, and a retaining ring 32 having an outer shape larger than the inner diameter of the cylindrical member 30 is formed on the male screw.
Is screwed. The upper end of the cylindrical member 30 is fitted and fixed in a fitting recess 2c formed on the inner surface of the housing of the column 2. With the above configuration, the support 2
Is supported rotatably in the horizontal direction (left-right direction in FIG. 1) with respect to the base portion 3, and when the column portion 2 rotates in the horizontal direction, the rotary scale plate 31 moves with respect to the rotary shaft member 27. Rotate relatively.

In the vicinity of the upper end of the rotary shaft member 27, an outer flange portion 27a overlapping with the outer flange portion 30a of the cylindrical member 30 is formed integrally. A sub-scale plate 28 made of a parallel plane transparent plate having substantially the same shape as the main scale plate 31 is fitted into the outer edge of the outer flange portion 27a. A radial code pattern having the same pitch as the code pattern on the main scale plate 31 is drawn on the sub-scale plate 28. This code pattern is bisected in the radial direction, and the phase of the inner code pattern and the phase of the outer code pattern are formed so as to be shifted by １ ／ period.

The outer flange 2 of the rotary shaft member 27
A horizontal encoder unit 29 for reading a code pattern on the main scale plate 31 is fixed to 7a. The horizontal encoder unit 29 includes a light emitting diode 291 and a collimator lens 292 for irradiating the main scale plate 31 with light from one side thereof (the side opposite to the outer flange portion 27a); The light receiving circuit 293 for receiving the light transmitted through the sub-scale plate 28 and the light receiving circuit 293 are held by a frame. The light receiving circuit 293 is provided with two light receiving elements that individually receive light that has passed through the code pattern bisected in the radial direction as described above. Output signals from these two light receiving elements are input to the control circuit 26, respectively.

With the above configuration, when the horizontal encoder unit 29 rotates relative to the main scale plate 31 integrally with the support 2, the two sinusoidal output signals shifted by 1/4 cycle as shown in FIG. , From the horizontal encoder unit 29 to the control circuit 26. The control circuit 26
Phase difference and change amount (phase) between two input output signals
Is detected, the horizontal encoder unit 29,
Therefore, the direction and amount of rotation of the column 2 can be known. That is, the main scale plate 31 and the sub-scale plate 2
8 and the horizontal encoder unit 29 constitute a second encoder.

As shown in FIG. 2, various data and operation commands are input to the control circuit 26, and various data and operation instructions output by the control circuit 26 are displayed on both front and rear surfaces of the support portion 2. Display units 6 and 6 are provided.

An altitude fixed knob 7 provided on the rear surface of the column 2 serves as a brake mechanism (not shown) for restricting the vertical rotation shaft 1b of the telescope unit 1 from rotating with respect to the column 2.
It is a knob to operate. If the brake mechanism (not shown) is actuated by tightening the altitude degree fixing knob 7, it becomes impossible to rotate the telescope unit 1 by hand.

Similarly, the horizontal degree fixing knob 9 provided on the side surface of the column 2 is attached to the cylindrical member 3 of the base 3 of the column 2.
This is a knob for operating a brake mechanism (not shown) that restricts relative rotation with respect to zero. When the horizontal degree fixing knob 9 is tightened to activate a brake mechanism (not shown), it becomes impossible to rotate the column 2 by grasping it by hand.

An elevation degree fine movement knob 8 mounted coaxially with the elevation degree adjustment knob 7 is a vertical fine adjustment mechanism (not shown) for rotating the above-mentioned brake mechanism itself with respect to the column 2. Is a knob for operating. When the vertical fine adjustment mechanism (not shown) is actuated by twisting the altitude degree fine movement knob 8, the telescope unit 1 is finely adjusted with respect to the column 2.

Similarly, the horizontal degree fine movement knob 10 mounted coaxially with the horizontal degree fixed knob 9 rotates the brake mechanism itself (not shown) with respect to the cylindrical member 30 of the base 3. This is a knob for operating a horizontal fine adjustment mechanism (not shown). When the horizontal fine adjustment knob 10 is twisted to operate a horizontal fine adjustment mechanism (not shown), the column 2 is finely adjusted with respect to the base 3.

The U-shaped concave portion 2 a
The handle part 5 is detachably attached so as to straddle. That is, when the distance is measured at a point located above the total station, the handle 5 blocks the collimation line L1, so the handle 5 is removed. When measuring the angle between a point located on the upper rear side of the total station and a point located on the upper front side, the telescope 1 is used.
The telescope 11 must be rotated so that one eyepiece 117 moves from a state facing the same side as the front surface of the column 2 to a state facing the same side as the rear surface. Therefore, the handle portion 5 is removed so as not to hinder the rotation operation.

The leveling block 4 is composed of an upper plate 4a and a lower plate 4b, and three leveling screws 40 whose projecting amounts from the lower plate 4b can be finely adjusted are positioned at equal angular intervals in the circumferential direction. Have. By finely adjusting the amount of protrusion of these leveling screws 40, the upper plate 4a is
The rotation center axis L2 of the rotation shaft member 27 can be directed in the vertical direction by tilting the rotation axis member 27 relative to b in any direction and angle.

With the above mechanical configuration, the telescope unit 1 can face all directions with respect to the base unit 3. The direction of the telescope 11 at this time is measured by the vertical encoder unit 24 and the horizontal encoder unit 29. <Internal Circuit of Total Station> Next, the configuration of the internal circuit of the total station will be described.

As described above, the control circuit 26 receives the light wave measurement in the telescope unit 1 through the signal line l that passes through the center of the bottomed cylindrical portion 22a of the rotating member 22 and extends into the telescope unit 1. Distance unit 12, focusing lens drive unit 15
The focus position detection sensor 16 is connected, and the vertical encoder unit 24, the horizontal encoder unit 29, and the input display units 6, 6 are connected.

The control circuit 26 is provided for each of the input display sections 6, 6
In accordance with the various data and commands input from, the optical distance measuring unit 12 is operated to receive input of phase difference information corresponding to the distance to an object existing on the collimation line L1.
Then, based on the phase difference information, the distance to the object existing on the collimation line L1 is calculated, and the distance between each of the input display units 6, 6 is calculated.
Display above.

The control circuit 26 also determines the altitude angle and the horizontal angle of the collimation line L1 based on the output signals input from the vertical encoder unit 24 and the horizontal encoder unit 29 (the direction at the time of resetting is the reference direction). Relative angle).

Further, as shown in the block diagram of FIG. 3, the control circuit 26 includes an interpolation processing unit 261, a unit measurement time measurement unit 262, a rotation angle measurement unit 263, and a rotation speed calculation unit 26.
4, and an AF (autofocus) control unit 265
Contains.

The interpolation processing section 261 recognizes the phases of the output signals (sine waves) of a pair of input signals input from the individual encoder units 24 and 29, A pulse is output to the rotation angle measuring unit 263 each time one of the four reference phases obtained by dividing one cycle into four is reached. Therefore, four pulses are output while the value of the light receiving signal changes by one period.

The unit measurement time measuring section 262 has a timer, and 12 units (arbitrarily set number) per unit time (t)
Is output to the rotation angle measuring unit 263.

The rotation angle measuring section 263 counts the number of pulses input from the interpolation processing section 261 while 12 pulses are input from the unit measuring time measuring section 262. That is, the rotation angle (p) per unit time (t) is measured. Then, the rotation angle measuring unit 263 calculates the measured unit time (t).
The rotation angle per hit (p), that is, the number of pulses, is input to the rotation angular velocity calculator 264.

The rotation angular velocity calculation unit 264 calculates the telescope unit 1 based on the number of pulses input from the rotation angle measurement unit 263.
The vertical | rotational angular velocity | of the support | pillar part 2 and the horizontal | rotational angular velocity | of the support | pillar part 2 with respect to the base part 3 are each calculated. The larger (V) of the | rotational angular velocities | thus calculated is input to the AF control unit 265.

The AF control section 265 constitutes an autofocus mechanism together with the focus position detection sensor 16 and the focusing lens drive unit 15, and also functions as a control device. That is, after the main power is turned on, the AF control unit 265 inputs the rotation angular velocity calculation unit 264 |
The rotational angular velocity | (V) is set to a predetermined first determination reference value V1 (=
0 '/ s) and the second determination reference value V2 (= 10' / s), and when the | rotational angular velocity | (V) once exceeds V1,
The focus position detection sensor 16 is activated, and based on the defocus signal input from the focus position detection sensor 16, the movement amount and movement direction of the focusing lens 113 for canceling the defocus amount indicated by the defocus signal. Is calculated, and the focusing lens driving unit 15 is instructed to move the focusing lens 113 toward the “moving direction” by the “movement amount”.

Specifically, the AF control section 265 performs control in a sequence according to the flowchart of FIG. That is, when the main power is turned on (start), the AF control unit 265 detects the | rotational angular velocity | (V) input from the rotational angular velocity calculation unit 264 (S01), and this | rotational angular velocity | (V) Is greater than or equal to the first determination reference value V1 (= 0 ′ / s) (S02). Then, when | rotational angular velocity | (V) exceeds the first determination reference value V1, the process proceeds to S06.

On the other hand, if | rotational angular velocity | (V) is equal to or less than the first determination reference value V1, AF control is executed once (S03). That is, the focus position sensor 16 is activated, a defocus signal is output, a movement amount corresponding to the defocus signal is calculated, and the focusing lens 113 is moved by the movement amount. And the AF control is ended when the amount of defocus becomes equal to or less than the allowable amount, and the process proceeds to S04.

In S04, AF control section 265 sets | rotational angular velocity | (V) input from rotational angular velocity calculation section 264.
Is detected. And this | rotational angular velocity | (V) is the first
It is checked whether or not it exceeds the judgment reference value V1 (= 0 '/ s) (S05). And | Rotation angular velocity | (V)
Until exceeds the first determination reference value V1, the rotation angular velocity detection in S04 and the determination in S05 are repeated. In contrast, |
When the rotation angular velocity | (V) exceeds the first determination reference value V1,
Proceed to S06.

In S06, the AF control section 265 again
| Rotation angular velocity | input from the rotation angular velocity calculation unit 264 |
(V) is detected. And this | rotational angular velocity | (V)
It is checked whether or not is less than or equal to the first determination reference value V1 (S07). When the | rotational angular velocity | (V) exceeds the first determination reference value V1, the AF control unit 265 determines that the | rotational angular velocity | (V) exceeds the first determination reference value V1,
It is determined whether or not the value is equal to or less than the determination reference value V2 (= 10 ′ / s)
Check (S08).

If the | rotational angular velocity | (V) exceeds the first determination reference value V1 but is equal to or less than the second determination reference value V2, the AF control unit 265 executes the AF control (S09). ). That is, the focus position detection sensor 16 is activated to output a defocus signal (once the defocus signal is output, the focus position detection sensor 16 completes one cycle of operation), and the amount of movement corresponding to this defocus signal Is calculated, and the focusing lens driving unit 15 is instructed to move the focusing lens 113 by this moving amount. After that, the AF control unit 265 detects the | rotational angular velocity | (V) input from the rotational angular velocity calculation unit 265 again (S10), and performs the determination of S08. On the other hand, when | Rotation angular velocity | (V) is equal to or less than the first determination reference value V1 or | Rotation angular velocity | (V) exceeds the second determination reference value V2 in the determination of S08, AF control unit 265
Returns to the detection of the rotational angular velocity in S06. As described above, when | rotational angular velocity | (V) exceeds the first determination reference value V1 but is equal to or less than the second determination reference value V2, the AF control unit 2
Step 65 repeats the AF control in S09. On the other hand, when | rotational angular velocity | (V) exceeds the second determination reference value V2, the AF control unit 265 does not perform the AF control (stops the AF control that has been performed once).

On the other hand, in the determination in S07, | Rotation angular velocity |
If (V) is equal to or less than the first determination reference value V1, A
The F control unit 265 executes the AF control (S11). That is, the focusing lens drive unit activates the focus position detection sensor 16 to output a defocus signal, calculates a moving amount according to the defocus signal, and moves the focusing lens 113 by the moving amount. Instruct 15.
Thereafter, the AF control unit 265 returns to the rotational angular velocity detection in S04. <Operation of Total Station> Next, the procedure of surveying using the total station configured as described above and the operation of the total station will be described.

First, the operator installs the reflecting prism at the point to be measured and also installs the total station at the measuring point. Then, the operator turns on the main power to the total station.

Next, the operator performs collimation work of the telescope 11. However, since the telescope 11 has a narrow field of view due to high magnification, the telescope 11 itself is not used but the sight 13 having a wide field of view is used in the initial stage of the collimation work. In addition, since the amount of adjustment by the fine adjustment knobs 8 and 10 is small, the fixing knobs 7 and 9 are loosened, and the column 2 and the telescope 1 are grasped by hand to adjust the direction of the telescope 11.

During this adjustment, each encoder unit 24,
The control circuit 26 (rotational angular velocity calculation unit 264) calculates the | rotational angular velocity | of the telescopic unit 1 with respect to the support 2 and the | rotational angular velocity | of the support 2 with respect to the base 3 based on the output from the output unit 29. At this time, when the direction of the telescope 11 is adjusted by grasping with the hand as described above, the | rotational angular velocity | (V) calculated by the control unit 26 (rotational angular velocity calculation unit 264) becomes the second determination reference value. V2 (= 10 '/ s) (S05, S07, S08, S07, S08,
…). Accordingly, during this time, since the AF control is not executed, the focus position detection sensor 16 does not detect the defocus amount, and the focusing lens driving unit 15 does not move the focusing lens 113.

As a result of collimation using the sighting device 13, when the direction of the telescope 11 approximately matches the direction of the reflecting prism,
The operator tightens both fixing knobs 7 and 9 so that the direction of the telescope 11 is not changed by an external force. During this time, the | rotational angular velocity | (V) calculated by the control unit 26 (rotational angular velocity calculation unit 264) is equal to the first determination reference value V1 (=
0 '/ sec) or less (S08, S07). Accordingly, the control circuit 26 (AF control unit 265) determines that the object on the collimation line L1 can be clearly seen at the same position as the crosshair when the worker first looks into the eyepiece 117 of the telescope 11.
The AF control is executed only once (S11).

Next, the operator looks into the eyepiece 117 of the telescope 11. At this time, as described above, since the focusing lens 113 has been moved, the object on the collimation line L1 can be clearly seen while overlapping the center of the crosshair.
Then, the operator rotates the fine adjustment knobs 8 and 10 as appropriate so that the reflecting prism set at the measurement target point can be seen overlapping with the center of the crosshair.
Adjust the direction of 1. During this fine adjustment, the | rotational angular velocity | (V) calculated by the control unit 26 (rotational angular velocity calculation unit 264) exceeds the first determination reference value V1 but falls below the second determination reference value V2. (S05, S07, S
08, S08, ...). Accordingly, during this time, the control unit 26 (AF control unit 265) repeatedly executes the AF control (S09). As a result, the image of the object present on the collimation line L1 is always clearly visible at the center of the crosshair.

As a result of the above collimation work (fine adjustment work), when the reflecting prism set at the point to be measured overlaps the center of the cross hair, the operator ends the rotation of each of the fine adjustment knobs 8 and 10. Then, as described above, | rotational angular velocity | (V) calculated by control unit 26 (rotational angular velocity calculation unit 264) becomes equal to or less than first determination reference value V1 (S08,
S07). Therefore, the control circuit 26 (AF control unit 265)
Executes AF control only once (S11), and thereafter suspends AF control (S05).

During this time, both encoder units 24, 29
Based on the light receiving signal output from the
The direction of the reflecting prism installed at the measurement target point is
The calculated altitude angle and horizontal angle are displayed on the input display unit 6.
The operator further inputs a distance measurement start command via the input display unit 6. Then, the control circuit 26 instructs the lightwave distance measurement unit 12 to start distance measurement. When the phase difference signal is input from the lightwave distance measuring unit 12 in response to the instruction, the control circuit 26 calculates the distance to the reflecting prism based on the phase difference signal, and displays the calculated distance on the input display unit. 6 is displayed.

After the survey for one measurement target point is completed, when performing the survey for the next measurement target point, the operator loosens each of the fixing screws 7 and 9 and hands the support portion 2 by hand. And the direction of the telescope 11 is readjusted by grasping the telescope unit 1. Also in this case, as described above, the control circuit 26 does not perform the detection of the defocus amount by the focus position detection sensor 16 and the focusing lens 1 by the focusing lens driving unit 15.
13 is not driven. Also, depending on the operator, the telescope 11 is roughly adjusted to the measurement target point by the sight 13,
Some workers turn on the power after tightening both fixing knobs 7, 9. Also in this case, | rotational angular velocity | becomes equal to or less than the first determination reference value V1 (S01, S02), and the AF control is executed (S03).

As described above, according to the total station of the present embodiment, when the direction of the telescope 11 is adjusted using the collimator without using the telescope 11 itself after the main power is turned on, the automatic focusing mechanism is used. (The focus position detection sensor 16 and the focusing lens drive unit 15) do not operate,
When the position of the telescope 11 is stopped, the auto-focus mechanism (the focus position detection sensor 16 and the focusing lens drive unit 15) operates only once, and the object on the collimation line L1 when the worker looks into the telescope 11 Will appear in the same position as the crosshairs. After that, the auto-focus mechanism (focus position detection sensor 16
And the focusing lens drive unit 15) continues to operate. In addition, a skilled worker or the like may manually rotate the telescope unit 1 without using the fine adjustment screws 8 and 10 to perform fine adjustment. In this case, if the rotation angular velocity satisfies the condition. Similarly, the AF operates.

Therefore, the autofocus mechanism (the focus position detection sensor 16 and the focusing lens drive unit 15) can operate without pressing the switch for activating AF.
It always works when it is needed, and does not work when it is not needed.
Therefore, the operability of the total station is improved, the work efficiency is improved, and malfunction of the switch and misalignment of the direction of the telescope 11 are prevented.

In the present embodiment, the first judgment reference value V
In the case of 1 or less, the AF control is single-action (one-time) AF, but may be any number of times.

[0082]

Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The second embodiment differs from the above-described first embodiment only in the control sequence executed by the AF control unit 265, and has the same other hardware configuration. Accordingly, here, only the control sequence executed by the AF control unit 265 will be described, and the other description will be omitted.

As shown in the flowchart of FIG.
When the main power is turned on (start), the control unit 265
| Rotation angular velocity | input from the rotation angular velocity calculation unit 264 |
(V) is detected (S20), and this | rotational angular velocity | (V)
Is greater than or equal to the first determination reference value V1 (= 0 ′ / s) (S21). And | Rotation angular velocity |
If (V) exceeds the first determination reference value V1, S25
Proceed to

On the other hand, if the | rotational angular velocity | (V) is equal to or less than the first determination reference value V1, the AF control is executed once (S22). That is, the focus position sensor 16 is activated, a defocus signal is output, a movement amount corresponding to the defocus signal is calculated, and the focusing lens 113 is moved by the movement amount. , And the AF control is ended when the amount of defocus becomes equal to or less than the allowable amount, and the process proceeds to S23.

In S23, the AF control section 265 outputs the | rotational angular velocity | (V) input from the rotational angular velocity calculation section 264.
Is detected. And this | rotational angular velocity | (V) is the first
It is checked whether or not it exceeds the determination reference value V1 (= 0 '/ s) (S24). And | Rotation angular velocity | (V)
Until exceeds the first determination reference value V1, the rotation angular velocity detection in S23 and the determination in S24 are repeated. In contrast, |
When the rotation angular velocity | (V) exceeds the first determination reference value V1,
The AF control unit 265 proceeds to S25.

In S25, the AF control section 265 again
| Rotation angular velocity | input from the rotation angular velocity calculation unit 264 |
(V) is detected. And this | rotational angular velocity | (V)
Is less than or equal to the third determination reference value V3 (= 20 ′ / S) (S26). When the | rotational angular velocity | (V) exceeds the third determination reference value V3,
Until | Rotation angular velocity | (V) becomes equal to or less than the third determination reference value V3, the rotation angular velocity detection in S25 and the determination in S26 are repeated. On the other hand, when | rotational angular velocity | (V) becomes equal to or less than the third determination reference value V3, the AF control unit 265 proceeds to S27.
Proceed to

At S27, the AF control unit 265 determines that the | rotational angular velocity | (V) is equal to the second determination reference value V2 (= 10 '/ s).
Check to see if it exceeds. If the | rotational angular velocity | (V) exceeds the second determination reference value V2 but is equal to or less than the third determination reference value V3, the AF control unit 265
Advances the process to S28. Previous S25 to S2
When S28 is first executed after entering the loop of 8,
In this S28, the AF control unit 265 immediately sets the AF
When the control is executed and S28 is executed after the second time, the AF control is executed after the second reference cycle time a2 (= 1 second) has elapsed. As a result, the AF control unit 265 determines that the | rotational angular velocity | (V) exceeds the second determination reference value V2,
If the value becomes equal to or less than the determination reference value V3, the AF
Control, and thereafter, as long as | rotational angular velocity | (V) exceeds the second determination reference value V2 but is equal to or less than the third determination reference value V3, the second reference cycle time a2 (= 1 time / second)
The intermittent AF control is repeated.

On the other hand, when | rotational angular velocity | is equal to or less than the second determination reference value V2, the AF control unit 265
It is checked whether or not | rotational angular velocity | (V) exceeds the first determination reference value V1 (S29). Then, when | rotational angular velocity | (V) exceeds the first determination reference value V1, the AF control unit 265 advances the process to S30. When S30 is first executed after entering the loop of S25 to S27, S29, and S30, the AF control unit 2
65 executes the AF control immediately in this S30,
When S30 is executed after the second time, AF control is executed after the first reference cycle time a1 (= 0.5 seconds) has elapsed. As a result, the AF control unit 265 sets | Rotation angular velocity |
When (V) exceeds the first determination reference value V1 but becomes equal to or less than the second determination reference value V2, AF control is immediately performed only at the beginning, and thereafter, the | rotational angular velocity | The intermittent AF control is repeated at the first reference cycle time a1 (= 0.5 times / sec) as long as the value exceeds the value V1 but is equal to or less than the second determination reference value V2.

On the other hand, when | rotational angular velocity | is equal to or less than the first determination reference value V1, the AF control unit 265
The AF control is executed (S31). That is, the focus position detection sensor 16 is activated to output a defocus signal,
The moving amount according to the defocus signal is calculated, and the focusing lens driving unit 15 is instructed to move the focusing lens 113 by the moving amount. Thereafter, the AF control unit 265 returns to the rotation angular velocity detection in S23. In the above sequence, the rotational angular velocity is used as the determination reference value, but the determination may be performed using the rotational speed.

<Operation of Total Station> First,
The operator installs the reflecting prism on the object to be measured and also installs the total station at the measuring point. And
The operator turns on the power to the total station. At this time, if | rotational angular velocity | (V) is equal to or less than the first determination reference value V1, AF control is executed only once (S20, S21, S
22). This is because the power may be turned on after the initial aiming operation by the aiming device.

Next, the operator performs collimation work of the telescope 11. However, since the telescope 11 has a narrow field of view due to high magnification, the sighting device 13 having a wide field of view is used instead of the telescope 11 in the initial stage of collimation work. In addition, since the amount of adjustment by each of the fine adjustment knobs 8 and 10 is small, each of the fixed knobs 7 and 9 is loosened, and the direction of the telescope 11 is adjusted by grasping the support 2 and the telescope 1 by hand. During this adjustment,
Based on the outputs from the encoder units 24 and 29, the control circuit 26 (rotational angular velocity calculator 264) determines the | rotational angular velocity | (V) for the column 2 of the telescope unit 1 and for the base 3 of the column 2 | Rotation angular velocity | (V) is calculated. At this time, when the direction of the telescope 11 is adjusted by grasping with the hand as described above, | rotational angular velocity | (V) calculated by the control unit 26 (rotational angular velocity calculation unit 264).
Exceeds the third criterion V3 (S25, S26). Accordingly, during this time, since the AF control is not executed, the focus position detection sensor 16 does not detect the defocus amount, and the focus lens drive unit 15 controls the focus lens 1.
13 is not moved.

As a result of collimation using the sighting device 13, when the direction of the telescope 11 approximately matches the direction of the reflecting prism,
The operator tightens both fixing knobs 7 and 9 so that the direction of the telescope 11 is not changed by an external force. During this time, the | rotational angular velocity | (V) calculated by the control unit 26 (rotational angular velocity calculation unit 264) is equal to or less than the first determination reference V1 (S29). Therefore, the control circuit 26 (AF control unit 26)
5) is a case where the operator firstly uses the eyepiece 117 of the telescope 11.
AF control is executed only once so that the object on the collimation line L1 or the same position as the crosshair can be clearly seen when looking into the camera (S31).

Next, the operator looks into the eyepiece 117 of the telescope 11. At this time, as described above, the focusing lens 11
Since the movement of No. 3 has been completed, the object on the collimation line L1 can be clearly seen while overlapping the center of the crosshair. Then, the operator adjusts the direction of the telescope 11 by appropriately rotating the two fine adjustment knobs 8 and 10 so that the reflection prism set at the measurement target point can be seen overlapping the center of the crosshair. While performing this fine adjustment, the control unit 26
| Rotation angular velocity | (V) calculated by (rotational angular velocity calculation unit 264) exceeds first determination criterion V1, but falls below third determination criterion V3. There is a recent surveying instrument of the type which can be adjusted by fine adjustment knobs 8 and 10 at two kinds of rotation speeds of coarse movement and fine movement. Therefore, the control unit 26
If the | rotational angular velocity | (V) calculated by the (rotational angular velocity calculation unit 264) exceeds the first determination reference V1 but is equal to or lower than the second determination reference V2 (that is, when the rotation speed is slight movement), Cycle time a1 time / second (S3
0), and when it exceeds the second determination reference V2 (that is, when the rotation speed is coarse), the intermittent AF control is repeated at a reference cycle time of a2 times / second (S28). The collimation line L by AF driving at the angular velocity
1 is clearly visible (S
25, S26, S27, S28, S29, S30).

As a result of the above collimation work (fine adjustment work), when the reflecting prism set at the point to be measured overlaps the center of the crosshair, the operator ends the rotation of each fine adjustment knob 8, 10. Then, | rotational angular velocity | calculated by control unit 26 (rotational angular velocity calculation unit 264) as described above.
(V) is equal to or less than the first determination reference V1 (S29). Therefore, the control circuit 26 (AF control unit 265) finally sets 1
The AF control is executed only once (S31), and thereafter the AF control is interrupted (S23, S24).

During this time, both encoder units 24, 29
Based on the light receiving signal output from the
The direction of the reflecting prism installed at the measurement target point is
The calculated altitude angle and horizontal angle are displayed on the input display unit 6.
The operator further inputs a distance measurement start command via the input display unit 6. Then, the control circuit 26 instructs the lightwave distance measurement unit 12 to start distance measurement. When the phase difference signal is input from the lightwave distance measuring unit 12 in response to the instruction, the control circuit 26 calculates the distance to the reflecting prism based on the phase difference signal, and displays the calculated distance on the input display unit. 6 is displayed.

After the survey for one measurement target point is completed, when performing the survey for the next measurement target point, the operator loosens each of the fixing screws 7 and 9 and hands the support column 2 by hand. And the direction of the telescope 11 is readjusted by grasping the telescope unit 1. Also in this case, as described above, the control circuit 26 does not perform the detection of the defocus amount by the focus position detection sensor 16 and the focusing lens 1 by the focusing lens driving unit 15.
13 is not driven.

In the second embodiment, the angular velocity is used to detect the rotation state, but a value converted to the velocity may be used. Although the AF control is not performed when the value exceeds the third determination reference V3, the intermittent AF control may be performed with an extremely long reference cycle time.
Further, in the second embodiment, the determination reference value of the rotational angular velocity is set to three steps. However, the number of division steps is not limited to three steps, and the determination reference value may be increased or decreased by finer division. . Further, when the value is equal to or less than the first determination criterion V1, the number of times of the AF control is one (single action), but the AF control may be performed an arbitrary number of times.

[0098]

Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The third embodiment differs from the above-described first embodiment only in the sequence of control executed by the AF control unit 265, and has the same other hardware configuration. Accordingly, here, only the control sequence executed by the AF control unit 265 will be described, and the other description will be omitted.

As shown in the flowchart of FIG.
When the main power is turned on (start), the control unit 265
| Rotation angular velocity | input from the rotation angular velocity calculation unit 264 |
(V) is detected (S40), and this | rotational angular velocity | (V)
Is greater than or equal to the first determination reference value V1 (= 0 ′ / s) (S41). And | Rotation angular velocity |
If (V) exceeds the first determination reference value V1, S45
Proceed to

On the other hand, when | rotational angular velocity | (V) is equal to or smaller than the first determination reference value V1, AF control is executed once (S42). That is, the focus position sensor 16 is activated, a defocus signal is output, a movement amount corresponding to the defocus signal is calculated, and the focusing lens 113 is moved by the movement amount. When the out-of-focus amount becomes equal to or less than the allowable amount, the AF control ends, and the process proceeds to S43.

In S43, the AF control section 265 sets the | rotational angular velocity | (V) input from the rotational angular velocity calculation section 264.
Is detected. And this | rotational angular velocity | (V) is the first
It is checked whether or not it exceeds the determination reference value V1 (= 0 '/ s) (S44). And | Rotation angular velocity | (V)
Until exceeds the first determination reference value V1, the rotation angular velocity detection in S43 and the determination in S44 are repeated. In contrast, |
When the rotation angular velocity | (V) exceeds the first determination reference value V1,
Proceed to S45.

In S45, the AF control section 265 again executes
| Rotation angular velocity | input from the rotation angular velocity calculation unit 264 |
(V) is detected. And this | rotational angular velocity | (V)
It is checked whether or not is less than or equal to the first determination reference value V1 (S46). Then, when | rotational angular velocity | (V) exceeds the first determination reference value V1, the AF control unit 265 returns to the rotational angular velocity detection in S45. On the other hand, when the | rotational angular velocity | (V) is equal to or smaller than the first determination reference value V1, the AF control unit 265 executes the AF control (S47). That is, the focusing lens drive unit activates the focus position detection sensor 16 to output a defocus signal, calculates a moving amount according to the defocus signal, and moves the focusing lens 113 by the moving amount. Instruct 15. Thereafter, the AF control unit 265 returns to the rotation angular velocity detection in S43.

<Operation of Total Station> First,
The operator installs the reflecting prism on the object to be measured and also installs the total station at the measuring point. And
The operator turns on the power to the total station. At this time, if the | rotational angular velocity | (V) is equal to or less than the first determination reference value V1, the AF control is executed only once (S40, S41, S
42). This is because the power may be turned on after the initial aiming operation by the aiming device.

Next, the operator performs collimation work of the telescope 11. However, since the telescope 11 has a narrow field of view due to high magnification, the sighting device 13 having a wide field of view is used instead of the telescope 11 in the initial stage of collimation work. In addition, since the amount of adjustment by each of the fine adjustment knobs 8 and 10 is small, each of the fixed knobs 7 and 9 is loosened, and the direction of the telescope 11 is adjusted by grasping the support 2 and the telescope 1 by hand. During this adjustment,
Based on the outputs from the encoder units 24 and 29, the control circuit 26 (rotational angular velocity calculation unit 264) calculates the rotational angular velocity of the telescope unit 1 with respect to the support 2 and the rotational angular velocity of the support 2 with respect to the base 3. . At this time, when the direction of the telescope 11 is adjusted by grasping with the hand as described above, the | rotational angular velocity | (V) calculated by the control unit 26 (rotational angular velocity calculation unit 264) becomes the first determination reference V1.
(S43, S44). Accordingly, during this time, since the AF control is not executed, the focus position detection sensor 16 does not detect the defocus amount, and the focusing lens driving unit 15 does not move the focusing lens 113.

As a result of the collimation using the sighting device 13, when the direction of the telescope 11 approximately matches the direction of the reflecting prism,
The operator tightens both fixing knobs 7 and 9 so that the direction of the telescope 11 is not changed by an external force. During this time, the | rotational angular velocity | (V) calculated by the control unit 26 (rotational angular velocity calculation unit 264) is equal to or less than the first determination reference V1 (S45, S46). Therefore, the control circuit 26 (the AF control unit 265) performs the operation once so that the object on the collimation line L1 can be clearly seen at the same position as the crosshair when the operator first looks into the eyepiece 117 of the telescope 11. Only the AF control is executed (S47).

Next, the operator looks into the eyepiece 117 of the telescope 11. At this time, as described above, the focusing lens 11
Since the movement of No. 3 has been completed, the object on the collimation line L1 can be clearly seen while overlapping the center of the crosshair. Then, the operator adjusts the direction of the telescope 11 by appropriately rotating the two fine adjustment knobs 8 and 10 so that the reflection prism set at the measurement target point can be seen overlapping the center of the crosshair. While performing this fine adjustment, the control unit 26
Since the | rotational angular velocity | (V) calculated by the (rotational angular velocity calculation unit 264) exceeds the first determination criterion V1, AF
No control is performed.

As a result of the above collimation work (fine adjustment work), when the reflecting prism set at the point to be measured overlaps the center of the crosshair, the operator ends the rotation of each fine adjustment knob 8, 10. Then, | rotational angular velocity | calculated by control unit 26 (rotational angular velocity calculation unit 264) as described above.
(V) is equal to or less than the first determination reference V1 (S46). Therefore, the control circuit 26 (AF control unit 265) finally sets 1
The AF control is executed only once (S47), and then the AF control is interrupted (S43, S44). If it is desired to perform AF again from the approximate position adjusted by the sight 13 to the survey target point, the rotation of the fine movement knobs 8 and 10 is stopped (S46, S47), and the AF can be started. it can.

During this time, both encoder units 24, 29
Based on the light receiving signal output from the
The direction of the reflecting prism installed at the measurement target point is
The calculated altitude angle and horizontal angle are displayed on the input display unit 6.
The operator further inputs a distance measurement start command via the input display unit 6. Then, the control circuit 26 instructs the lightwave distance measurement unit 12 to start distance measurement. When the phase difference signal is input from the lightwave distance measuring unit 12 in response to the instruction, the control circuit 26 calculates the distance to the reflecting prism based on the phase difference signal, and displays the calculated distance on the input display unit. 6 is displayed.

After the survey for one measurement target point is completed, when performing the survey for the next measurement target point, the operator loosens each of the fixing screws 7 and 9 and hands the support portion 2 by hand. And the direction of the telescope 11 is readjusted by grasping the telescope unit 1. Also in this case, as described above, the control circuit 26 does not perform the detection of the defocus amount by the focus position detection sensor 16 and the focusing lens 1 by the focusing lens driving unit 15.
13 is not driven.

In the third embodiment, the angular velocity is used to detect the rotation state, but a value converted to the velocity may be used. In addition, when the value exceeds the first determination criterion V1, A
Although the F control is not performed, the intermittent AF control may be performed at an extremely long reference cycle time. Also, when the value is equal to or less than the first determination criterion V1, AF
Although the number of times of control is one (single action), any number of times of AF control may be performed.

[0111]

According to the surveying instrument of the present invention constructed as described above, the start of collimation by the telescope is detected in accordance with a predetermined standard, and the automatic focusing mechanism incorporated in the telescope is automatically activated. Can be started. As a result, it is not necessary to operate any of the switches to activate the autofocus mechanism, so that the surveying operation can be performed quickly, and the switch pressing force can be prevented without erroneously operating other switches. There is no need to shift the direction of the telescope.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway front view of a total station according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view partially showing a section taken along the line II-II of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a partial configuration of a control circuit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing processing contents in an AF control unit 265 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing contents in an AF control unit 265 of the total station according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing processing contents in an AF control unit 265 of the total station according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Telescope part 2 Support part 3 Base part 11 Telescope 15 Focusing lens drive unit 16 Focus position detection sensor 24 Vertical encoder 26 Control circuit 29 Horizontal encoder 111 Objective lens 113 Focusing lens 116 Cross hair focusing plate 117 Eyepiece lens 263 Rotation angle measurement unit 265 AF control unit

Claims (17)

[Claims] A telescope having an objective lens and an eyepiece and used for collimating a survey target point; and an image forming position of an object positioned on an optical axis of the objective lens by the objective lens. An autofocus mechanism for adjusting; a table for rotatably holding the telescope; a rotation detection device for detecting a rotation state of the telescope; and an autofocus mechanism for interlocking with the rotation state detected by the rotation detection device. A surveying instrument comprising a control device for controlling operation. 2. The surveying instrument according to claim 1, wherein the rotation state detected by the rotation detection device is an angular velocity of the telescope. 3. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit divides the angular velocity of the telescope into a plurality of stages based on one or a plurality of threshold values, and controls the autofocus mechanism according to a stage including the angular speed detected by the rotation detecting device. The surveying instrument according to claim 2, wherein: 4. The surveying instrument according to claim 1, wherein the rotation state detected by the rotation detection device is a speed of the telescope. 5. The control device divides the speed of the telescope into a plurality of stages according to one or a plurality of judgment reference values, and controls the autofocus mechanism according to a stage including the speed detected by the rotation detecting device. The surveying instrument according to claim 4, wherein: 6. The telescope includes a focusing lens that forms an image of the object together with the objective lens, and the autofocus mechanism drives the focusing lens along an optical axis of the objective lens. The surveying instrument according to claim 1, wherein: 7. The telescope has an index that is magnified and observed by the eyepiece, and the autofocus mechanism adjusts an image forming position of the objective lens so as to overlap the index. Item 1. The surveying instrument according to Item 1. 8. The surveying instrument according to claim 1, wherein said autofocus mechanism has a focus position detecting mechanism for detecting an image forming position by said objective lens. 9. The control device divides the angular velocity of the telescope into three stages according to a first criterion value and a second criterion value exceeding the first criterion value, and the angular velocity detected by the rotation detecting device. Exceeds the first criterion value and the second
The surveying instrument according to claim 3, further comprising: activating the auto-focus mechanism only when the value is equal to or less than a determination reference value. 10. The control device continues to operate the autofocus mechanism when the angular velocity detected by the rotational angular velocity detection device exceeds the first determination reference value and is equal to or less than the second determination reference value. The surveying instrument according to claim 9, wherein: 11. The control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the auto-focus mechanism when the angular velocity detected by the rotational angular velocity detection device once falls below the first reference value after exceeding the first reference value. The surveying instrument according to claim 10, wherein the surveying instrument is operated a predetermined number of times. 12. An intermediate member that rotates about a first axis with respect to the table and that rotatably supports the telescope about a second axis orthogonal to the first axis. The surveying instrument according to claim 1, wherein: 13. The rotation angular velocity detecting device has a first encoder for detecting a relative angular velocity between the intermediate member and the telescope, and a second encoder for detecting a relative angular velocity between the table and the intermediate member. Claim 1 characterized by the following:
2. The surveying instrument according to 2. 14. The surveying instrument according to claim 9, wherein the first reference value is an angular velocity of zero. 15. The controller according to claim 4, wherein the angular velocity of the telescope is determined by a first criterion value, a second criterion value exceeding the first criterion value, and a third criterion value exceeding the second criterion value. 4. The automatic focusing mechanism according to claim 3, wherein the automatic focusing mechanism is operated only when the angular velocity detected by the rotation detecting device exceeds a second reference value and is equal to or less than a third reference value. Surveyor. 16. The control device, when the angular velocity detected by the rotation detecting device is greater than the first determination reference value and less than or equal to the second determination reference value, causes the autofocus mechanism to perform a first reference cycle. When the angular velocity detected by the rotation detection device exceeds the second determination reference value and is equal to or less than the third determination reference value, the autofocus mechanism is switched to a second reference cycle. The surveying instrument according to claim 15, wherein the surveying instrument is continuously operated intermittently. 17. The control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit divides the angular velocity of the telescope into two stages according to a first determination reference value, and sets the autofocus only when the angular velocity detected by the rotation detection device is equal to or less than the first determination reference value. The surveying instrument according to claim 3, wherein the mechanism is operated.