System and method for automated layout of buildings

Abstract

Starting from a set of plans, such as, without limitation, blueprints, drawings, or Autocad® files, a system and method for calibrating such plans and transferring such plans into a computer readable file and loading a specially designed electronic version of such plans into a hardware-based system that locates, adjusts, transfers, and prints, to a desired scale, a lasting image of said construction plans drawn onto a building surface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for printing out a lasting image of construction plans on a building surface at a construction site comprising:
 a computing device having wireless connectivity and running an application program, wherein a copy of a set of said construction plans containing reference points for construction corners are calibrated and converted into an electronic version of a computer readable file in said computing device;   a central tracking unit wirelessly connected to said computing device and under control of said application program;   at least one prism and reflector unit;   a wireless router; and   at least one mobile robotic carriage and printing unit wirelessly connected to said computing device and under control of said application program;   wherein said central tracking unit is capable to work independently or work within said system in conjunction with said at least one prism and reflector unit and said at least one mobile robotic carriage and printing unit, said central tracking unit and said mobile robotic carriage and printing unit locate anticipated or unanticipated hazards in the path of said at least one mobile robotic printer while in motion on said building surface for evasion by said mobile robotic carriage and printing unit, and   wherein said at least one prism and reflector unit is used to locate at least one corner reference on said building surface and said at least one mobile robotic carriage and printing unit prints out said lasting image of said construction plans on said building surface at said construction site.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  in which said anticipated and unanticipated hazards are selected from the group consisting of: pipes protruding from said building surface; temporary holes in said building surface; bolts protruding from said building surface; protrusions of structural materials; protrusions of scaffolding; stairwells; recently fallen construction materials; birds; and animals. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  in which said central tracking unit comprises a prism block, a reflector column, a laser module, a camera, a LiDar module, a pan control, and an auto levelling module. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  in which said prism and reflector unit comprises a prism block, a prism rod tilt angle measurement module, a reflector column, and an auto levelling module. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  in which said mobile robotic carriage and printing unit comprises a carriage, four wheels, a gantry system, an on-carriage tracking unit, and a marker and ink spray nozzle module. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5  in which said on-carriage tracking unit comprises a prism block, a reflector column, a laser module, a camera, a LiDar module, a pan control, and an auto levelling module. 
     
     
         7 . A system for surveying land comprising:
 a computing device having wireless connectivity and running an application program, wherein a copy of survey plans containing reference points is calibrated and converted into an electronic version of a computer readable file in said computing device;   a central tracking unit wirelessly connected to said computing device and under control of said application program;   at least one prism and reflector unit;   a wireless router; and   at least one mobile robotic carriage and printing unit wirelessly connected to said computing device and under control of said application program;   wherein said central tracking unit is capable to work independently or work within said system in conjunction with said at least one prism and reflector unit and said at least one mobile robotic carriage and printing unit., said central tracking unit and said mobile robotic carriage and printing unit locate hazards in the path of said at least one mobile robotic printer while in motion on said land for evasion by said mobile robotic carriage and printing unit, and   wherein said at least one prism and reflector unit is used to locate at least one of said reference points and said at least one mobile robotic carriage and marking said reference points on said land.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7  in which said mobile robotic carriage and printing unit comprises a carriage, a gantry system, an on-carriage tracking unit, a stake storage area, a marking module, and locomotive means. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8  in which said locomotive means is selected from the group consisting of: four rough terrain wheels; tank treads; and one or more drones. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 7  in which said marking is selected from the group consisting of: painting, printing, pre-drilling; staking; and installation of stakes by hand. 
     
     
         11 . A method for printing out a lasting image of construction plans on a building surface at a construction site comprising the steps of:
 calibrating and transferring a set of construction plans containing reference points for construction corners into a computer readable file of electronic plans;   positioning at least one prism and reflector unit at a corner of said construction site;   loading said file into a computing device running a software program that is connected wirelessly to a central tracking unit;   said software program accessing said file;   said software program sending and receiving positioning information from said central tracking unit;   positioning at least one mobile robotic carriage and printing unit on said construction site;   printing by said mobile robotic carriage and printing unit under control of said software program said reference points on said construction surface,   whereby said lasting image of said construction plans is transferred onto said building surface.   
     
     
         12 . A method for staking out a survey plan on land comprising the steps of:
 calibrating and transferring a survey plan containing reference points for staking into a computer readable file of electronic plans;   positioning at least one prism and reflector unit at one of said reference points on said land;   loading said file into a computing device running a software program that is connected wirelessly to a central tracking unit;   said software program accessing said file;   said software program sending and receiving positioning information from said central tracking unit;   positioning at least one mobile robotic carriage and printing unit having locomotive means on said land;   staking by said mobile robotic carriage and printing unit under control of said software program at said reference points,   whereby said survey plan is staked out on said land.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  in which said locomotive means are selected from the group consisting of: four rough terrain wheels; tank treads; and one or more drones.