Target point detection method

The invention pertains to a target point detection method for an automatic search of at least one target point in a surveying environment in advance of a precise measurement of the at least one target point with a surveying device. In some embodiments, the surveying environment may include a plurality of points of non-interest, where a point of non-interest is a reflective object or surface, or a target comprising at least one retroreflector being positioned at each target point. In some embodiments, a method may include emitting electromagnetic radiation to illuminate retroreflectors emitted in the form of a vertical fan which is movable through a horizontal angular range; receiving signals reflected from retroreflectors within a fan-shaped detection area, determining at least a horizontal angle to the retroreflectors, assigning a time mark and/or a distance to each of the signals, and storing the detected signal in a two-dimensional data structure.