Integrated auto-level and electronic rod reader

#An automatic level, or “auto-level” is an optical instrument used in construction and surveying tasks. In use, the device is approximately leveled using three legs. Once the device is approximately level, the optics are self-leveling in that they are hung like a pendulum within the device. An assistant moves to various locations at a site with a grade rod having a scale printed on it and the operator of the auto-level reads the scale through the eyepiece of the auto-level. The number on the scale is subtracted from the known elevation of the auto-level to determine the elevation at the point where the grade rod is located. The auto-level is used to manage elevations, move elevations for construction and earthmoving projects, and to determine elevations for cuts and fills at construction sites.

#The use of auto-levels is problematic in there can be some error in reading the scales printed on the grade rods. More specifically, not every line on the scale of the grade rod is dimensioned so there is some degree of operator skill needed to properly determine the elevation of the location at which the grade rod is located. Furthermore, the readings from the auto-level are entered into a field-book which lists the location and elevations read using the auto-level. In some instances, math errors have resulted in incorrect readings being recorded in the field-book. The field-books are retained both for the project at hand as well as to verify that the readings were and made and other legal reasons. However, reading the field-book by various operators is not always error free both in reading the notes associated with the elevations, but the actual dimensions recorded using the auto-level. As more than one worker may be operating the auto-level on various days of a project, it can be difficult for everyone working on the project to derive the same information from reading the field-book. Additionally, the operator of the auto-level is in communication with assistant holding the grade rod. The assistant frequently plants stakes in the ground where the reading was taken having information such as, “Cut 2 meters,” printed on the stake. Equipment operators at the site will then perform earthmoving operations in accordance with the instructions printed on the stake. However, in some instances communications between the operator of the auto-level and the assistant at the grade rod are impeded and incorrect instructions are then printed on the stake.

#The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this application, illustrate embodiments of the subject matter, and together with the description of embodiments, serve to explain the principles of the embodiments of the subject matter. Unless noted, the drawings referred to in this brief description of drawings should be understood as not being drawn to scale. Herein, like items are labeled with like item numbers.

#FIG. 1 shows an example use of an electronic rod reader and field notebook in accordance with various embodiments.

#FIG. 2 depicts a block diagram of an example electronic rod reader and field notebook in accordance with at least one embodiment.

#Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the subject matter, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While various embodiments are discussed herein, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit to these embodiments. On the contrary, the presented embodiments are intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope the various embodiments as defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, in the following Description of Embodiments, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present subject matter. However, embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the described embodiments.

#Unless specifically stated otherwise as apparent from the following discussions, it is appreciated that throughout the description of embodiments, discussions utilizing terms such as “capturing,” “recognizing,” “comparing,” “determining,” “storing,” “using,” “receivin” g, “conveying,” and “estimating” to transform the state of a computer system,” or the like, refer to the actions and processes of a computer system, data storage system, storage system controller, microcontroller, hardware processor, or similar electronic computing device or combination of such electronic computing devices. The computer system or similar electronic computing device manipulates and transforms data represented as physical (electronic) quantities within the computer system's/device's registers and memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computer system's/device's memories or registers or other such information storage, transmission, or display devices.

#FIG. 1 shows an example use of an electronic rod reader and field notebook in accordance with various embodiments. In FIG. 1, an auto-level 101 comprising an eyepiece 102 is set up to allow view of the standard grade rod 110 through the eyepiece 102. It should be appreciated that the term “standard grade rod” as used herein is synonymous and interchangeably usable with the term “grade rod,” the term “grading rod,” or the term “leveling rod.” Typically, standard grade rod 110 is first set over a point (e.g., point 105) having a known elevation (i.e., a “benchmark” elevation). A reading that is typically called a “backsight” is taken by reading the standard grade rod 110 through eyepiece 102 when standard grade rod 110 it is positioned over the first set point. The reading of standard grade rod 110 is then added to the known elevation of point 105, and the height of auto-level 101 (e.g., the elevation of the crosshair viewed when looking though the eyepiece) above the ground is then known. The elevation of a new location can be determined by putting standard grade rod 110 at the new location, looking through eyepiece 102, and reading the scale printed on standard grade rod 110. That value is then subtracted from the height of auto-level 101 and the elevation of the new location is known. If a desired elevation is known, the difference between the elevation of the point just measured and the desired elevation can be calculated for a cut/fill operation. For the purposes of the present application, the term “standard grade rod” is intended to mean a grade rod not having special characters which can only be read by a computer. In other words, a standard grade rod (e.g., standard grade rod 110) has characters and markings which can be read by a human as is the case with most grade rods currently in use.