IMPROVED SURVEYING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CAPTURING AND GEOREFERENCING POINT CLOUDS

摘要

A spherical reference target enclosure is provided for use in conjunction with a wireless positioning system, such as a satellite-based positioning system, and a 3D scanner. The spherical reference target is adapted to enclose a GPS receiver such that the location of the phase center of the GPS receiver's antenna precisely coincides with the center of the spherical reference target. Constructed of a material that both reflects incident laser beams and does not interfere with the GPS performance, the spherical reference target enclosure allows for increased precision and efficiency in registering, within the Earth's coordinate system, data sets collected by the 3D scanner. The spherical reference target enclosure can be used to modify and augment the capabilities of existing surveying systems at low cost. A spherical reference target containing an integral GPS receiver is also provided. A method is provided for operating the spherical reference target and increasing precision and efficiency of a surveying task. A method is provided for conducting surveying using a movable vehicle and a spherical reference target.