JP2009250836A - Surveying instrument - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To protect a light receiving element circuit including a light receiving element in a surveying instrument with an automatic collimation apparatus and an automatic tracking apparatus if a visual field of a collimation telescope includes sun when a target is automatically collimated or tracked. <P>SOLUTION: In the surveying instrument for measuring an azimuth angle and an altitude angle, a collimation inhibiting area (105) as a range of the azimuth angle and the altitude angle at which the visual field (78) of the collimation telescope includes sun (76) is set. The light receiving element is shielded or a sunlight entering into eyes of an observer is attenuated right before or after the collimation direction enters into the collimation inhibiting area until the collimation direction exits from the collimation inhibiting area. The azimuth angle and the altitude angle of sun are calculated from a position obtained by radio waves received from a GPS receiver and a current time. The collimation inhibiting area is set based on the azimuth angle and the altitude angle. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a surveying instrument capable of protecting a light receiving element circuit including a light receiving element or an observer's eyes from sunlight when the sun enters the field of view of a collimating telescope of the surveying instrument.

  In recent surveying instruments, surveying instruments having a function of automatically collimating a target or automatically tracking a moving target have become widespread. As a surveying instrument having an automatic collimation function, a total station (electronic ranging finder) disclosed in Patent Document 1 below is known. This surveying instrument will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the collimating telescope 38 of this surveying instrument includes an objective lens 41, a focusing lens 43, an erecting prism 44, a focusing screen 47, an eyepiece arranged on a collimating axis (optical axis) O. It consists of a lens 48. In this surveying instrument, the visible light collected by the objective lens 41 passes through the dichroic prism 42 and forms an image of the state near the target on the focusing screen 47. The observer can see the state near the target by looking through the eyepiece lens 48, and can also perform collimation work manually.

  An automatic collimation device 40 provided in the surveying instrument has an optical system that emits infrared collimation light, a light emitting unit 24 that emits infrared collimation light, a collimator lens 26 that collimates infrared collimation light, and infrared collimation light. A reflection mirror 45 and a reflection prism 46 that reflect in the direction of the collimation axis O, an objective lens 41, a dichroic prism 42, and a CCD area sensor (hereinafter simply referred to as a CCD) 20 that is a light receiving element. 10, in addition to the light emitting unit 24 and the CCD 20, an image processing device 21 that processes an image acquired from the CCD 20, a horizontal drive unit (horizontal servomotor) 28 that rotates the collimating telescope 38, and A vertical drive unit (vertical servomotor) 30 and a microcomputer (arithmetic control unit) 32 connected thereto are provided. The microcomputer 32 is also connected with a display unit 22 for displaying measured values, images acquired from the CCD 20, and the like.

  The infrared collimated light emitted from the light emitting unit 24 passes through the collimator lens 26, the optical path is bent at right angles by the reflecting mirror 45 and the reflecting prism 46, and is transmitted along the collimating axis O. The transmitted infrared collimating light is reflected by the target installed at the measurement point, returns along the collimation axis O, is collected by the objective lens 41, is reflected by the dichroic prism 42 in the right angle direction, Incident on the CCD 20.

  The microcomputer 32 processes the target image captured on the CCD 20 by the image processing device 21 and then obtains a horizontal deviation and a vertical deviation from the center of the target image. Then, the microcomputer 32 automatically collimates the target by rotating the collimating telescope 38 by the horizontal driving unit 28 and the vertical driving unit 30 until the horizontal deviation and the vertical deviation become zero.

  As a light receiving element, a CCD line sensor or a quadrant sensor arranged in a cross shape may be provided instead of the CCD 20. CCD line sensors and quadrant sensors are inexpensive and the automatic collimation method is simple. In this case, the expensive image processing device 21 is not required.

Since this surveying instrument is a total station, it is also equipped with a lightwave distance meter. The optical system of the optical distance meter includes a distance measuring light emitting unit 60, a beam splitter 62, a dichroic prism 64, an objective lens 41, a light receiving element 66, and a reference optical path for directly guiding distance measuring light from the distance measuring light emitting unit 60 to the light receiving element 66. 68. Since the optical distance meter is the same as the conventional one, its description is omitted. The total station is further provided with a horizontal angle measuring unit (horizontal encoder) and a vertical angle measuring unit (vertical encoder) (not shown).
JP 2007-212291 A

  By the way, in the surveying instrument disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the target is automatically collimated, the sun may enter the field of view of the collimating telescope 38. When a surveyor equipped with an automatic tracking device automatically tracks a target, the possibility that the sun will fall within the field of view of the collimating telescope 38 when an assistant with the target moves is the case of automatic collimation. Even bigger than.

  When the sun enters the field of view of the collimating telescope 38, the collimating telescope 38 of the surveying instrument has a very high magnification as compared with an ordinary camera. There is a problem that an excessive current flows and the light receiving element circuit is damaged.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention solves the above problem. In a surveying instrument equipped with an automatic collimation device or an automatic tracking device, when the target is automatically collimated or automatically tracked, the sun enters the visual field of the collimating telescope. In this case, it is an object to protect the light receiving element circuit including the light receiving element.

  In order to achieve the above-described problems, the invention according to claim 1 is a surveying instrument capable of measuring an azimuth angle and an altitude angle. Collimation prohibition area setting means for setting a prohibition area, and sun defense that shields or attenuates sunlight entering the eyes of the light receiving element or the observer until the collimation direction enters the collimation prohibition area or immediately before entering. Means.

  The invention according to claim 2 is a surveying instrument capable of measuring an azimuth angle and an altitude angle, and a collimation prohibition area for setting a collimation prohibition area that is a range of an azimuth angle and an altitude angle where the sun enters the field of view of the collimating telescope And a light-receiving element circuit protection means for turning off the power of the light-receiving element circuit until the collimation direction enters the collimation prohibition area or immediately before entering.

  The invention according to claim 3 is a surveying instrument capable of measuring an azimuth angle and an altitude angle, and a collimation prohibition area for setting a collimation prohibition area that is a range of an azimuth angle and an altitude angle where the sun enters the field of view of the collimating telescope Setting means and sun avoiding means for rotating the collimating telescope so as to avoid the collimation prohibited area.

  A surveying instrument according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the surveying instrument according to the first, second, or third aspect, wherein the collimation prohibition area setting means includes a position obtained by receiving a radio wave from a GPS satellite by a GPS receiver. The azimuth angle and altitude angle of the sun are calculated from the time at that time, and the collimation prohibition area is set based on the azimuth angle and the altitude angle.

  The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein the collimation prohibition area setting means is a position input from a keyboard and a time obtained from a clock built in the surveying instrument. The azimuth angle and altitude angle of the sun are calculated based on the azimuth angle, and the collimation prohibited area is set based on the azimuth angle and the altitude angle.

  The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, wherein the azimuth angle of the sun is obtained by aiming at a target directly below the sun with an aiming device, and based on the azimuth angle. And a true north direction determining means for determining the true north direction.

  In the invention according to claim 1, collimation prohibition area setting means for setting a collimation prohibition area that is a range of an azimuth angle and an altitude angle in which the sun enters the visual field of the collimation telescope, and a collimation direction is the collimation prohibition Since it is equipped with a light-receiving element or a sun protection means that shields or attenuates sunlight entering the observer's eyes until it enters the area or immediately before entering, the sun does not fall within the field of view of the collimating telescope against the observer's will. When the light enters, the light receiving element circuit or the eyes of the observer can be protected.

  In the invention according to claim 2, collimation prohibition area setting means for setting a collimation prohibition area that is a range of an azimuth angle and an altitude angle where the sun enters the visual field of the collimation telescope, and a collimation direction is the collimation prohibition Since it is equipped with a light receiving element circuit protection means that turns off the power of the light receiving element circuit until it enters the area or immediately before entering, when the sun enters the collimating telescope's field of view, contrary to the intention of the observer, It is possible to protect the light receiving element circuit by preventing an excessive current from flowing through the light receiving element circuit.

  In the invention according to claim 3, collimation prohibition area setting means for setting a collimation prohibition area that is an azimuth angle and altitude angle range in which the sun enters the visual field of the collimation telescope, and avoiding the collimation prohibition area And the sun avoiding means for rotating the collimating telescope, it is possible to prevent the sun from entering the field of view of the collimating telescope against the intention of the observer. Eyes can be protected.

  In the invention according to claim 4, in the invention according to claim 1, 2 or 3, the collimation prohibition area setting means is a position obtained by receiving the radio wave from the GPS receiver by the GPS receiver, and at that time Since the azimuth and altitude angles of the sun were calculated from the time of and the collimation prohibited area was set based on the azimuth and altitude angles, the surveying instrument was installed without any troublesome work. Since the position can be determined, the surveying instrument of the present invention is easy to handle.

  In the invention according to claim 5, in the invention according to claim 1, 2, or 3, the collimation prohibition area setting means is based on the position input from the keyboard and the time obtained from the clock built in the surveying instrument. The azimuth angle and altitude angle of the sun are calculated based on the azimuth angle and the collimation prohibition area is set based on the azimuth angle and the altitude angle, so that the invention can be easily and inexpensively added without adding special parts. 3 can be implemented.

  In the invention according to claim 6, in the invention according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, the aiming device is aimed at the target directly under the sun to obtain the azimuth angle of the sun, and based on the azimuth angle Since the true north direction is determined, the true north direction can be determined inexpensively, easily and accurately without adding special parts, and the invention according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 can be implemented.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, based on FIGS. 1-4, the surveying instrument based on 1st Example of this invention is demonstrated.

  This surveying instrument is provided with an automatic tracking device, and its optical system and block diagram are as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and the total station provided with the conventional automatic collimation device shown in FIGS. The arrangement of each part is slightly different. However, since they are substantially the same, the same parts are only given the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted.

  1 and 2 are not shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, and are not shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, but are a light transmitting lens 11, a beam splitter 12, a concave lens 13, a convex lens 14, an optical path stop 15, a dichroic mirror 16, a focusing lens 17, and a light receiving lens. 18, a band pass filter 19, a light receiving stop 9, a horizontal angle measuring unit 110, and a vertical angle measuring unit 120 are described.

  The most different point of this surveying instrument 10 from the conventional one is that a GPS receiver 100 is provided. Hereinafter, this difference will be described in detail.

  The GPS receiver 100 receives radio waves from GPS satellites and obtains the time (year / month / day / hour / minute / second) and the position (latitude and longitude) where the surveying instrument 10 is installed. The obtained time and position are input to the microcomputer 32. Then, the microcomputer 32 adjusts the time of a clock built in the surveying instrument 10 (including a clock built in the microcomputer 32), and thereafter, from the time at that time and the position where the surveying instrument 10 is installed, It is possible to calculate an azimuth angle in which the altitude angle and true north direction of the sun at that time are used as a reference direction (or a reference direction set appropriately).

  By the way, as shown in FIG. 3A, when the surveying instrument 10 automatically tracks the target 74, the collimating telescope 38 rotates following the target 74. At this time, as shown in FIG. 3B, the sun 76 may enter the field of view of the collimating telescope 38, that is, the imaging range 78 of the CCD 20. If the time at that time and the position of the surveying instrument 10 are known, the azimuth angle and altitude angle of the sun 76 can be calculated. Therefore, the collimation prohibited area 105 that is the range of the azimuth angle and altitude angle where the collimating telescope 38 should not be directed. Can be set. The collimation prohibited area 105 is slightly different from the sun viewing radius 76a (about 16 ') and half the viewing angle 78a of one side of the imaging range 78 of the CCD 20 with respect to both sides of the azimuth angle and altitude angle of the sun 76 at that time. A safe area 79 is added to the square area. The collimation prohibition area 105 is not limited to a square, and may be a circle centered on the sun 76, for example.

  On the other hand, the direction in which the collimating telescope 38 is directed from the horizontal angle measuring unit 110, that is, the azimuth angle of the collimating direction P is input to the microcomputer 32, and the altitude angle in the collimating direction P is also input from the vertical angle measuring unit 120. Have been entered. For this reason, when tracking the target 74, it can be known that the collimation direction P has entered the collimation prohibition area 105 or is just before entering. At this time, the microcomputer 32 turns off the power of the light receiving element circuit including the CCD 20 and the light receiving element circuit including the light receiving element 66 by a switch (not shown). Thus, even when sunlight is incident on these light receiving elements, these light receiving element circuits can be protected. The microcomputer 32 executes a light receiving element protection program for protecting such a light receiving element circuit.

  Next, the light receiving element protection program will be described with reference to FIG.

  After leveling the surveying instrument and turning on the main switch, this light receiving element protection program starts. Then, first proceed to step S1, and on the display unit 22 of the surveying instrument 10, “Aim at the point just below the sun. Press the enter key when aiming. If the sun is not coming out, press the ESC key. Please press "." Is displayed. The observer aims the target 75 such as a building or trees directly below the sun 76 with an aiming device such as a beep site provided in the surveying instrument 10 according to the display. Here, the reason for not aiming the sun directly is to protect the light receiving element circuit including the CCD 20 and the like. The aiming device is used to direct the collimating telescope to the target in advance because it is difficult to directly collimate the target with a high-magnification collimating telescope. In this embodiment, the setting of the collimation prohibition area 105 has a slight safety width 79, so that the azimuth angle of the sun 76 can be obtained by aiming the target 75 just below the sun 76 with the aiming device. There is no problem with accuracy.

  In step S1, the automatic tracking device is turned off and the light receiving element circuit including the CCD 20 and the light receiving element circuit including the light receiving element 66 are also turned off. This is because there is a possibility that the automatic tracking is inadvertently started or the observer accidentally rotates the collimating telescope 38 and the sun enters the field of view of the collimating telescope 38 and damages the light receiving element circuit. This is because it cannot be denied. Press the ESC key if the sun is not coming out due to cloudy weather. When the ESC key is pressed, this light receiving element protection program ends.

  While the observer is aiming at the target 75 directly below the sun 76, the process proceeds to step S2, where the GPS receiver 100 receives radio waves from GPS satellites, and the position where the surveying instrument 10 is installed. (Latitude and longitude) are acquired, and the time of the clock built in the surveying instrument 10 is also adjusted. At this time, as long as time is allowed until the process proceeds to step S4 described later, the position where the surveying instrument 10 is installed is measured, the average of the positions is calculated, and the accuracy of the position is increased. Then, it progresses to step S3 and calculates the azimuth | direction angle of the sun 76 on the basis of the true north direction in the position where the surveying instrument 10 is installed at the time.

  Next, the process proceeds to step S <b> 4, and it is confirmed that the enter key is pressed by the observer and the target object 75 just below the sun 76 is aimed. If the enter key is not pressed, wait until the enter key is pressed. Since the azimuth angle of the sun 76 with reference to the true north direction has already been obtained in step S3, the true north direction in the surveying instrument 10 can be determined in this step S4. Thereafter, the surveying instrument 10 determines the true north direction. A reference azimuth angle is obtained. Then, the process proceeds to step S5 to display “measurable” on the display unit 22. Thereafter, the surveying instrument 10 can measure.

  Next, when proceeding to step S6, the azimuth angle and altitude angle of the sun 76 at that time are calculated and set as the collimation prohibited area 105 based on this. Here, steps S1 to S6 correspond to collimation prohibited area setting means described in each claim. Steps S <b> 1 to S <b> 4 correspond to true north direction determining means according to claim 6.

  Next, proceeding to step S7, the azimuth angle, altitude angle, horizontal rotation speed, and vertical rotation speed of the collimating telescope 38 are obtained based on signals from the horizontal angle measuring section 110 and the vertical angle measuring section 120. Next, the process proceeds to step S8, where the collimation direction P is within the collimation prohibition area 105 from the azimuth angle, altitude angle, horizontal rotation speed, and vertical rotation speed of the collimation telescope 38, or collimation is performed. It is determined whether it is immediately before entering the prohibited area 105.

  If it is determined in step S8 that the collimation direction P is out of the collimation prohibition area 105 and there is no fear of entering the collimation prohibition area 105 immediately after that, the process proceeds to step S9, and the light receiving element circuit and the light receiving element including the CCD 20 The light receiving element circuit including 66 is turned on to operate both light receiving element circuits. Next, it progresses to step S10 and sets an automatic tracking apparatus to ON. Then, returning to step S6, the collimation prohibition area 105 is reset. Thereafter, steps S6 to S10 are repeated, and automatic tracking is continued as long as the collimation direction P is out of the collimation prohibition area 105 and there is no risk of entering the collimation prohibition area 105 immediately thereafter.

  In step S8, if the collimation direction P is within the collimation prohibition area 105 or just before entering the collimation prohibition area 105, the process proceeds to step S11, and includes the light receiving element circuit including the CCD 20 and the light receiving element 66. The power of the light receiving element circuits is turned off to stop the operations of both light receiving element circuits. Here, steps S8 and S11 correspond to the light receiving element circuit protection means described in claim 2.

  In step S12, the automatic tracking device is turned off. In step S13, an alarm sound is output and an error message “The sun has entered the field of view” is displayed on the display unit 22, and the light receiving element circuit protection program is stopped. In this case, after removing the cause of the error such as changing the position of the surveying instrument 10 or the target 74, the light receiving element protection program is restarted.

  According to the present embodiment, during the automatic tracking of the surveying instrument 10, the light receiving element circuit and the light receiving element 66 including the CCD 20 are provided immediately after the sun 76 enters the field of view of the collimating telescope 38 or immediately before entering the sun 76. Since the power of the light receiving element circuit including the power supply is turned off to prevent an excessive current from flowing through the light receiving element circuit, damage to the light receiving element circuit can be prevented and safety can be improved.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, a light shielding plate or attenuating plate 80 is disposed in front of the dichroic prism 64 so as to be freely advanced and retracted by a servo device (not shown). Normally, the light-shielding plate or attenuation plate 80 is in a standby position retracted from the front of the dichroic prism 64 (see step S9 ′ in FIG. 6), but the collimation direction P is within the collimation prohibition area 105, or If it is just before entering the collimation prohibition area 105, the light shielding plate or attenuation plate 80 is moved to the operating position in front of the dichroic prism 64 in accordance with a command from the microcomputer 32 (see step S11 ′ in FIG. 6). Light is prevented from entering the eyes of the CCD 20, the light receiving element 66, and the observer. Of course, in this embodiment, a switch for turning on / off the power of the light receiving element circuit used in the first embodiment is not necessary. Here, steps S <b> 6 to S <b> 11 ′ correspond to the sun protection means described in claim 1. Other than this, the second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment.

  According to this embodiment, when the sun 76 enters the field of view of the collimating telescope 38 during automatic tracking of the surveying instrument 10, the sun protection means prevents damage to the light receiving element circuit including the CCD 20 or the light receiving element 66. In addition, even when the observer is looking through the collimating telescope 38, the eyes of the observer can be protected and safety can be improved. In order to protect the light receiving element circuit and the observer's eyes from sunlight, either a light shielding plate or an attenuation plate may be used. However, when an attenuation plate is used, the observer may see the sun 76. Therefore, it can be collimated even with the target 74 close to the solar direction, and can also be used for a surveying instrument (for example, a true north measuring device) that needs to detect the solar direction.

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The optical system and block diagram of the surveying instrument of this embodiment are the same as those of the surveying instrument of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively. However, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, when the surveying instrument 10 is performing automatic tracking, the sun 76 may enter or enter the field of view of the collimating telescope 38, that is, the imaging range 78 of the CCD 20. If so, the collimating telescope 38 is rotated to avoid the sun 76.

  In order to avoid the sun 76, when the collimation direction P reaches the position 70A immediately before entering the collimation prohibition area 105, a command is sent from the microcomputer 32 to the horizontal drive unit 28 and the vertical drive unit 30 to track the tracking route 70. Is changed along the edge of the collimation prohibited area 105. If the collimation direction P has entered the collimation prohibition area 105, the user immediately exits the collimation prohibition area 105 and changes the tracking route 70 so as to be along the edge of the collimation prohibition area 105. Then, the collimation direction P is made to arrive at the estimated position 70B of the target 74 at that time when the target 74 is estimated to have left the substantially collimation prohibition area 105. The time when the target 74 is estimated to have left the substantially collimation prohibition area 105 and the estimated position 70B of the target 74 at that time are determined from the azimuth angle, altitude angle, horizontal rotation speed, and vertical rotation speed obtained in step S7. Presumed.

  An automatic tracking program that performs automatic tracking while avoiding the sun will be described with reference to FIG. From the time when the surveying instrument 10 starts automatic tracking, until the step S8 for determining whether the collimation direction P is within the collimation prohibition area 105 or just before entering the collimation prohibition area 105, the first step is performed. The same as in the first embodiment.

  In step S8, if the collimation direction P is outside the collimation prohibition area 105 and not just before entering the collimation prohibition area 105, the process proceeds to step S11, the automatic tracking device is turned on, and the process returns to step S6. Hereinafter, until the collimation direction P enters the collimation prohibition area 105 or immediately before entering the collimation prohibition area 105, steps S6 to S11 are repeated to continue the automatic tracking.

  In step S8, when the collimation direction P is within the collimation prohibition area 105 or just before entering the collimation prohibition area 105, the process proceeds to step S12 and the automatic tracking device is turned off. Next, proceeding to step S14, the collimating telescope 38 is rotated so that the collimation direction P avoids the collimation prohibition area 105, and then the process returns to step S6. This resumes automatic tracking. Here, steps S <b> 6 to S <b> 14 correspond to the sun avoidance means described in claim 3.

  Also in this embodiment, when the sun 76 enters the field of view of the collimating telescope 38 during the automatic tracking of the surveying instrument, damage to the light receiving element circuit including the CCD 20 or the light receiving element 66 can be prevented by the sun avoiding means, and safety is ensured. Can increase the sex.

  By the way, although each said embodiment demonstrated as what protects a light receiving element circuit etc. when the sun 76 entered into the visual field of the collimating telescope 38 during automatic tracking, it is during automatic collimation or manual collimation. Even when the sun 76 enters the field of view of the collimating telescope 38, the light receiving element circuit and the like can be protected.

  Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made. For example, in each of the above embodiments, the position of the surveying instrument is obtained by receiving radio waves from a GPS satellite, but the position (latitude and longitude) may be read from a map or the like, and the position may be input from a keyboard. In this case, a GPS receiver is not necessary and the cost is reduced. Further, the reference direction of the azimuth angle may be determined by collimating a target whose azimuth angle can be read from the map without selecting the true north direction as the reference direction.

  In addition, in each of the above embodiments, the present invention is applied to a total station, but the present invention can also be applied to a surveying instrument capable of measuring an azimuth angle and an altitude angle, a theodolite, a gyro station, and the like. In the case of the gyro station, since the true north direction can be determined with high accuracy, it is not necessary to aim the target 75 directly below the sun 76 with the aiming device as in the above embodiments. In addition, there is a problem that an error is likely to occur in determining the true north direction, but it is also possible to use a magnetic compass. In order to reduce the error of the magnetic compass, make sure there is no magnetic material such as a steel-framed building or vehicle nearby, and the declination in the north direction indicated by the magnetic needle (in Japan, about 5 ° in Kagoshima) It is necessary to add a correction of 31'W to Wakkanai about 9 ° 43'W).

It is a figure explaining the optical system of the surveying instrument which concerns on 1st Example of this invention. It is a block diagram of the automatic collimation apparatus with which the surveying instrument which concerns on 1st Example of this invention is provided. It is a figure explaining the path | route when automatically tracking a target with the surveying instrument which concerns on 1st Example of this invention, and a collimation prohibition area. It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement in the automatic tracking of the surveying instrument based on 1st Example of this invention. It is a figure explaining the optical system of the surveying instrument which concerns on 2nd Example of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement in the automatic tracking of the surveying instrument based on the said 2nd Example. It is a figure explaining the tracking route during the automatic tracking of the surveying instrument which concerns on 3rd Example of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement in the automatic tracking of the surveying instrument based on the said 3rd Example. It is a figure explaining the optical system of the conventional surveying instrument. It is a block diagram of the automatic collimation apparatus of the conventional surveying instrument.

Explanation of symbols

20 CCD area sensor (light receiving element)
38 collimating telescope 66 light receiving element 76 sun 78 imaging range of CCD area sensor (field of collimating telescope)
80 Shading plate or attenuation plate 100 GPS receiver 105 Collimation prohibited area P Collimation direction

Claims (6)

In surveying instruments that can measure azimuth and altitude angles,
A collimation prohibition area setting means for setting a collimation prohibition area that is a range of an azimuth angle and an altitude angle within which the sun enters the field of view of the collimation telescope, and immediately before the collimation direction enters or enters the collimation prohibition area. A surveying instrument comprising: a light receiving element or a sun protection means for shielding or attenuating sunlight entering the eyes of an observer until it leaves. In surveying instruments that can measure azimuth and altitude angles,
A collimation prohibition area setting means for setting a collimation prohibition area that is a range of an azimuth angle and an altitude angle within which the sun enters the field of view of the collimation telescope, and immediately before the collimation direction enters or enters the collimation prohibition area. A surveying instrument comprising: a light-receiving element circuit protection means for turning off the power of the light-receiving element circuit until it exits. In surveying instruments that can measure azimuth and altitude angles,
A collimation prohibition area setting means for setting a collimation prohibition area which is a range of an azimuth angle and an altitude angle where the sun enters the field of view of the collimation telescope, and the collimation telescope is rotated so as to avoid the collimation prohibition area A surveying instrument comprising a sun avoiding means.   The collimation prohibition area setting means calculates the azimuth angle and altitude angle of the sun from the position obtained by receiving a radio wave from a GPS satellite with a GPS receiver, and the time at that time. 4. The surveying instrument according to claim 1, wherein the collimation prohibition area is set based on a corner.   The collimation prohibition area setting means calculates the azimuth angle and altitude angle of the sun based on the position input from the keyboard and the time obtained from the clock incorporated in the surveying instrument, and the azimuth angle and altitude 4. The surveying instrument according to claim 1, wherein the collimation prohibition area is set based on a corner.   2. A true north direction determining means for determining a true north direction based on the azimuth angle by aiming a target directly below the sun with an aiming device, and determining a true north direction based on the azimuth angle. The surveying instrument according to 2, 3, 4 or 5.

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