There is provided an apparatus, a system, and a method for locating and marking a position on a surface during surveying. The apparatus is for use with a rotorcraft or flying machine and a positioning device, and comprises a gimbal securable to the rotorcraft or flying machine, a prism fixed to the gimbal for reflecting signals from the positioning device, the prism having a center of mass, a laser secured to the gimbal and directed away from the center of mass of the prism towards the surface, and a controller for communication with the positioning device, the controller operatively coupled to the laser to operate the laser.

A survey system configured to perform a calibration that eliminates, or at least significantly reduces, mechanical misalignment issues with the receiver or top unit (e.g., a GNSS receiver or the like), the mounting hardware, and the survey pole of the survey system. The survey system may include a data collector mounted upon the pole, and a calibration module (i.e., calibrating software and/or firmware) may be run or provided on the data collector or other component of the survey system (e.g., on the top unit). The calibration module processes data collected (including data from its inertial measurement unit (IMU)) by the top unit during calibration operations (or simply calibration) to determine a mounting angle and a correction factor (or corrections for attitude) based on this mounting angle, and the correction factor is communicated to the top unit for use in later data collection to improve accuracy of the survey system.

A target and plumbing system includes a reflective target which has a reflective surface, a self-leveling plumb line laser pointer which emits a plumb line laser beam having a pathway that is in a vertical direction where the vertical direction is substantially parallel to a gravitational direction, a holding device which includes a first holding element that assists in holding the reflective target and a second holding element that assists in holding the plumb line laser pointer, and a positioning device which includes a first positioning element and a second positioning element where the holding device is connected to the first positioning element and the first positioning element is movable with respect to the second positioning element. The second positioning element is a platform including an open space that defines a horizontal two-dimensional area where the first positioning element is movable with respect to the open space.

A target and plumbing system includes a reflective target which has a reflective surface, a self-leveling plumb line laser pointer which emits a plumb line laser beam having a pathway that is in a vertical direction where the vertical direction is substantially parallel to a gravitational direction, a holding device which includes a first holding element that assists in holding the reflective target and a second holding element that assists in holding the plumb line laser pointer, and a positioning device which includes a first positioning element and a second positioning element where the holding device is connected to the first positioning element and the first positioning element is movable with respect to the second positioning element. The second positioning element is a platform including an open space that defines a horizontal two-dimensional area where the first positioning element is movable with respect to the open space.

A system and method for determining a position and orientation (e.g., pose) of a rigid body. The rigid body may be a position enabled projector, a surveying rod, a power tool, a drill robot, etc., in a given space. The position of the rigid body is specified by a set of three coordinates and the orientation is specified by a set of three angles. As such, based on these six values, the position and orientation of the rigid body can be determined.

A system and method for determining a position and orientation (e.g., pose) of a rigid body. The rigid body may be a position enabled projector, a surveying rod, a power tool, a drill robot, etc., in a given space. The position of the rigid body is specified by a set of three coordinates and the orientation is specified by a set of three angles. As such, based on these six values, the position and orientation of the rigid body can be determined.

A technique for more smoothly moving a reflective prism to a target position is provided. A surveying instrument 100 includes a leg part 101, a base 102 supported by the leg part 101, a movable part 112 held by the base 102 and being movable straight in any direction within a two-dimensional plane relative to the base 102, a reflective prism 113 mounted on the movable part 112, and a laser pointer 114 that is mounted to the movable part 112 and that emits a guiding light in a vertical direction.

A technique for more smoothly moving a reflective prism to a target position is provided. A surveying instrument 100 includes a leg part 101, a base 102 supported by the leg part 101, a movable part 112 held by the base 102 and being movable straight in any direction within a two-dimensional plane relative to the base 102, a reflective prism 113 mounted on the movable part 112, and a laser pointer 114 that is mounted to the movable part 112 and that emits a guiding light in a vertical direction.

A stand-alone module for localizing a surveying device installed with a stand above a ground mark. The module has at least one housing attached between the stand and the surveying device, a measuring camera unit, which is arranged and designed in such a way that when the module is mounted on a stand the ground mark can be detected in the field of view of the measuring camera unit, a power supply, an inclination sensor and a communication unit.

A method for using a GNSS device to determine a position of an unknown point includes determining positions of a first point, a second point, and a third point using the GNSS device. A first image is captured of the first point using an image sensor, the image includes the unknown point and at least one of the second point or the third point. A second image is captured from the second point; the second image includes the unknown point and at least one of the second point or the third point. A third image is captured from the third point; the third image includes the unknown point and at least one of the second point or the first point. A position of the unknown point is calculated based on the first, second, and third images and the first, second, and third positions.