Patent Document ID: 7830501
Application ID: 12083653
Patent Status: 1

Claim One:
1. A surveying method using a surveying instrument, the surveying instrument comprising: a distance measuring system for determining a distance from an object along a measuring line; a camera fixedly mounted relative to the distance measuring system; a swivel arrangement rotatably mounting the distance measuring system and the camera relative to a base; and an orientation measuring system for determining an orientation of the distance measuring system and the camera relative to the base; the method comprising: placing a first platform relative to a scenery; mounting the surveying instrument on the first platform and, while the surveying instrument is mounted on the first platform: orienting the distance measuring system and the camera relative to the base in a first orientation, and recording a first image of the scenery using the camera; placing a second platform relative to the scenery such that the second platform is disposed at a distance from the first platform; and mounting the surveying instrument on the second platform and, while the surveying instrument is mounted on the second platform: orienting the distance measuring system and the camera relative to the base in a second orientation and recording a second image of the scenery using the camera; and orienting the distance measuring system and the camera relative to the base in a third orientation such that the measuring line intersects a predetermined first object provided on the first platform and measuring a first distance from the first object provided on the first platform using the distance measuring system, and recording the measured first distance.