Method for operating an imaging location device and imaging location device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10690804-B2
Application number	US-201515320785-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 25, 2015
Priority date	Jun 25, 2014
Publication date	Jun 23, 2020
Grant date	Jun 23, 2020

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a method for operating an imaging location device by which at least two-dimensional map information is generated by location of concealed location objects under an examination surface. It is proposed that a handling instruction for guiding the location device is derived using an evaluation unit of the location device from positioning data determined by means of a location unit of the location device and/or from position data determined by means of a position sensor of the location device and/or from system parameters of the location device, in order to obtain optimized accrual of map information relating to the location.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A method for operating an imaging locating device, the method comprising:
generating an at least two-dimensional map information item by locating objects that are concealed under an examination surface;
deriving, using an evaluation apparatus of the imaging locating device, an instruction for guiding a user in operating the imaging locating device in order to obtain an optimized gain of locating-related map information items, the instruction being derived from at least one of (i) locating data established by a locating apparatus of the imaging locating device, (ii) position data established by a position sensor of the imaging locating device, and (iii) system parameters of the imaging locating device; and
outputting the instruction to the user of the imaging locating device; and
calculating, using the evaluation apparatus, the instruction by optimizing a target function,
wherein the optimization of the target function results in identification of measurement positions at which to take measurements in order to maximize the gain of locating-related map information items.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1 , the calculating of the instruction further comprising:
calculating the instruction by optimizing the target function taking account of at least one parameter of a group of parameters at least comprising:
a distribution of the position data;
a signal-to-noise ratio of the locating data at different positions of the imaging locating device in relation to the examination surface;
a priori knowledge about at least one of properties of employed evaluation and interpolation algorithms;
a deviation in a correlation of adjacent locating data of the locating data; and
knowledge obtained at least one of a priori and during a locating process about probabilities of deviations between an expected position and an actual position of the locating device in relation to the examination surface.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising:
defining the target function, with reference to grid points of a grid and measurement positions, as a sum of deviations of distance variables from an average distance variable;
calculating a distance variable for each grid point of at least a subset of grid points of the grid as an average distance of the grid point from N next measurement positions; and
calculating the average distance variable as a mean value of the distance variables.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising:
defining the target function as a distribution function, a value of the distribution function at one location being scaled with a dispersion of the locating data in surroundings of the location and a scaling factor that depends on a number of locating data in the surroundings.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising:
calculating, using the evaluation apparatus, the instruction as at least one trajectory, along which the locating device is guided in order to obtain the optimized gain of the locating-related map information items.

6. The method as claimed in claim 5 , further comprising:
outputting the at least one trajectory as at least one of a polyline and target points displayed on a display apparatus.

7. The method as claimed in claim 5 , further comprising:
outputting the at least one trajectory by at least one of coloring and varying a transparency of the at least two-dimensional map information item displayed on a display apparatus as a map.

8. The method as claimed in claim 5 , further comprising:
outputting a course of the at least one trajectory using directional indicators.

9. The method as claimed in claim 8 , the outputting of the course further comprising:
outputting the course of the at least one trajectory using arrows.

10. An imaging locating device, the imaging locating device being hand-held, the imaging locating device comprising:
a locating apparatus configured to detect locating data in relation to objects that are concealed under an examination surface;
a position sensor configured to detect position data of the locating device in relation to the examination surface; and
an evaluation apparatus configured to:
determine an at least two-dimensional map information item by assigning locating data to position data;
calculate an instruction for a user of the imaging locating device from at least one of the locating data, the position data, and system parameters, the instruction being calculated by calculating at least one trajectory along which the user should move the imaging locating device in order to obtain an optimized gain of locating-related map information items; and
output the instruction to the user of the imaging locating device;

wherein the evaluation apparatus calculates the instruction by optimizing a target function, and
wherein the optimization of the target function results in identification of measurement positions at which to take measurements in order to maximize the gain of locating-related map information items.

11. The imaging locating device as claimed in claim 10 , further comprising:
at least one first display apparatus configured to display the at least one trajectory.

12. The imaging locating device as claimed in claim 10 , further comprising:
at least one second display apparatus configured to display at least the at least two-dimensional map information item as a map.

13. The imaging locating device as claimed in claim 10 , further comprising:
at least one signal output apparatus configured to output directional indicators in at least one of an optical, acoustic, and tactile manner.

14. A method for operating an imaging locating device, the method comprising:
generating an at least two-dimensional map information item by locating objects that are concealed under an examination surface;
deriving, using an evaluation apparatus of the imaging locating device, an instruction for guiding the imaging locating device in order to obtain an optimized gain of locating-related map information items, the instruction being derived from at least one of (i) locating data established by a locating apparatus of the imaging locating device, (ii) position data established by a position sensor of the imaging locating device, and (iii) system parameters of the imaging locating device;
calculating, using the evaluation apparatus, the instruction by optimizing a target function;
defining the target function, with reference to grid points of a grid and measurement positions, as a sum of deviations of distance variables from an average distance variable;
calculating a distance variable for each grid point of at least a subset of grid points of the grid as an average distance of the grid point from N next measurement positions; and
calculating the average distance variable as a mean value of the distance variables.

Assignees

• Bosch Gmbh Robert

Inventors

• Zibold Tobias

Classifications

• G01V9/00 Primary

  Prospecting or detecting by methods not provided for in groups G01V1/00 - G01V8/00 · CPC title

• G01C15/02 Primary

  Means for marking measuring points · CPC title

• G06V2201/05

  Recognition of patterns representing particular kinds of hidden objects, e.g. weapons, explosives, drugs · CPC title

• G01V8/005 Primary

  operating with millimetre waves, e.g. measuring the black losey radiation · CPC title

• G06K2207/00

  Other aspects · CPC title