Measurement device incorporating a locating device and a portable handheld computer device and associated apparatus, system and method

• US 20040073382A1
• Filed: 10/11/2002
• Published: 04/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Troxler Electronic Laboratories, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Troxler Electronic Laboratories, Inc.
• Inventors: Troxler,, William Finch Jr., Pratt,, James Daniel Jr., Troxler, Robert Ernest, Dummer, Andrew Kirk, Pjura, John, Bienvenu, Michael E., Myers, Robyn Lyn, Steckman, Dirk
• Granted Patent: US 6,915,216 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/33
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 2555/10 Design or test methods for bitumen or asphalt mixtures, e.g. series of measures, procedures or tests to obtain a bitumen or asphalt mixture having preset defined properties, general or international test methods, procedures or standards
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 19/00 Machines, tools or auxiliary devices for preparing or distributing paving materials, for working the placed materials, or for forming, consolidating, or finishing the paving surface stabilisation E01C21/00; apparatus specially adapted for reconditioning or repairing paving E01C23/00
• CPC Class Codes: E02D 1/00 Investigation of foundation soil in situ investigation involving boring or specially adapted to earth drilling E21B25/00, E21B49/00; investigating or analysing materials by determining their chemical or physical properties, in general G01N, e.g. sampling G01N1/00
• CPC Class Codes: E02D 1/022 by investigating mechanical properties of the soil E02D1/027 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E02D 1/025 combined with sampling
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 9/00 Investigating density or specific gravity of materials; Analysing materials by determining density or specific gravity
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/02 using radio waves using satellite radio beacon systems for determining position G01S19/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/048 Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]

Abstract

A system adapted to determine a property of a paving-related material is provided. Such a system comprises a central computing system housing database, such as a geographic information system (GIS). A measuring device for selectively and directly measuring the property of the paving-related material is remotely disposed with respect to the central computing system and operably engaged with a locating device, such as a global positioning system (GPS) device, for determining a location of the measuring device when the property of the paving-related material is selectively measured thereby. A portable handheld computer device is in communication with the measuring device, the locating device, and the central computing system, wherein the handheld computer device is configured to receive data, comprising the measured property of the paving-related material and the corresponding location of the measuring device when the property is selectively measured thereby, from the measuring device and the locating device, and to communicate the data with the central computing system for incorporation of the data into the database. An associated device, apparatus, and method are also provided.

Claims

1. A system adapted to determine a property of a paving-related material, said system comprising:

a central computing system housing a database;

a measuring device for selectively and directly measuring the property of the paving-related material, the measuring device being remotely disposed with respect to the central computing system;

a locating device operably engaged with the measuring device for determining a location of the measuring device when the property of the paving-related material is selectively measured thereby; and

a portable handheld computer device in communication with the measuring device, the locating device, and the central computing system, the handheld computer device being configured to receive data from the measuring device and the locating device, the data comprising the measured property of the paving-related material and the corresponding location of the measuring device when the property is selectively measured thereby, and to communicate the data with the central computing system for incorporation of the data into the database.

2. A system according to claim 1 wherein the measuring device is further adapted to directly measure at least one of a density, a density-related parameter, and a moisture content of at least one of a soil, an aggregate, and an asphalt paving mix.

3. A system according to claim 1 wherein the handheld computer device is further adapted to receive input from an operator thereof.

4. A system according to claim 1 wherein the handheld computer device is configured to communicate with the central computing system via at least one of a wireless and a wireline network.

5. A system according to claim 1 wherein the handheld computer device is further configured to be capable of accessing the database and receiving data therefrom.

6. A system according to claim 1 wherein the measuring device is selected from the group consisting of a nuclear density gauge, a seismic pavement analyzer, a stiffness gauge, a falling weight deflectometer, a ground penetrating radar device, a radio frequency device, an electromagnetic device, a microwave device, and combinations thereof.

7. A system according to claim 1 wherein the locating device is further configured to be capable of indicating the location of the measuring device, independently of the property measurement, so as to allow the measuring device to be located and tracked.

8. A system according to claim 1 wherein the handheld computer device is further adapted to direct the data from the measuring device and the locating device to a third party device without allowing the data to be modified by an operator of the handheld computer device.

9. A system according to claim 1 wherein the handheld computer device is further configured to associate a time and date stamp with the data when the property is measured by the measuring device.

10. A system according to claim 1 wherein the handheld computer device is further configured to be capable of manipulating the data.

11. A system according to claim 1 wherein the database comprises a geographic information system (GIS).

12. A system according to claim 1 wherein the locating device comprises a global positioning system (GPS) device.

13. A system according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the measuring device and the locating device is configured to receive a communication from at least one of the central computing system and the handheld computer device.

14. A device adapted to determine a property of a paving-related material, the device being further adapted to be remotely disposed with respect to a central computing system housing a database, said device comprising:

a measuring device for selectively and directly measuring the property of the paving-related material;

a locating device operably engaged with the measuring device for determining a location of the measuring device when the property of the paving-related material is selectively measured thereby; and

a portable handheld computer device in communication with the measuring device and the locating device, and configured to receive data therefrom, the data comprising the measured property of the paving-related material and the corresponding location of the measuring device when the property is selectively measured thereby, the handheld computer device being adapted to communicate the data with the central computing system for incorporation of the data into the database.

15. A device according to claim 14 wherein the measuring device is further adapted to directly measure at least one of a density, a density-related parameter, and a moisture content of at least one of a soil, an aggregate, and an asphalt paving mix.

16. A device according to claim 14 wherein the handheld computer device is further adapted to receive input from an operator thereof.

17. A device according to claim 14 wherein the handheld computer device is further adapted to communicate with the central computing system via at least one of a wireless and a wireline network.

18. A device according to claim 14 wherein the handheld computer device is further adapted to be capable of accessing the database and receiving data therefrom.

19. A device according to claim 14 wherein the measuring device is selected from the group consisting of a nuclear density gauge, a seismic pavement analyzer, a stiffness gauge, a falling weight deflectometer, a ground penetrating radar device, a radio frequency device, an electromagnetic device, a microwave device, and combinations thereof.

20. A device according to claim 14 wherein the locating device is further configured to be capable of indicating the location of the measuring device, independently of the property measurement, so as to allow the measuring device to be located and tracked.

21. A device according to claim 14 wherein the handheld computer device is further adapted to direct the data from the measuring device and the locating device to a third party device without allowing the data to be modified by an operator of the handheld computer device.

22. A device according to claim 14 wherein the handheld computer device is further configured to associate a time and date stamp with the data when the property is measured by the measuring device.

23. A device according to claim 14 wherein the handheld computer device is further configured to be capable of manipulating the data.

24. A device according to claim 14 wherein the locating device comprises a global positioning system (GPS) device.

25. A device according to claim 14 wherein at least one of the measuring device and the locating device is at least one of configured to receive a communication from the central computing system and adapted to receive a communication from the handheld computer device.

26. An apparatus adapted to determine a property of a paving-related material, the apparatus being further adapted to be remotely disposed with respect to a central computing system housing a database, said apparatus comprising:

a measuring device for selectively and directly measuring the property of the paving-related material; and

a locating device operably engaged with the measuring device for determining a location of the measuring device when the property of the paving-related material is selectively measured thereby, the locating device being configured to cooperate with the measuring device to produce data comprising the measured property of the paving-related material and the corresponding location of the measuring device when the property is selectively measured thereby, the locating device and the measuring device being further adapted to communicate the data with the central computing system for incorporation of the data into the database.

27. An apparatus according to claim 26 wherein the measuring device is further adapted to directly measure at least one of a density, a density-related parameter, and a moisture content of at least one of a soil, an aggregate, and an asphalt paving mix.

28. An apparatus according to claim 26 further comprising a portable handheld computer device in communication with the measuring device and the locating device for receiving the data therefrom, the handheld computer device being further adapted to communicate the data with the central computing system for incorporation of the data into the database.

29. An apparatus according to claim 28 wherein the handheld computer device is further adapted to receive input from an operator thereof.

30. An apparatus according to claim 28 wherein the handheld computer device is further adapted to communicate with the central computing system via at least one of a wireless and a wireline network.

31. An apparatus according to claim 28 wherein the handheld computer device is further adapted to be capable of accessing the database and receiving data therefrom.

32. An apparatus according to claim 28 wherein the handheld computer device is further adapted to direct the data from the measuring device and the locating device to a third party device without allowing the data to be modified by an operator of the handheld computer device.

33. An apparatus according to claim 28 wherein the handheld computer device is further configured to associate a time and date stamp with the data when the property is measured by the measuring device.

34. An apparatus according to claim 28 wherein the handheld computer device is further configured to be capable of manipulating the data.

35. An apparatus according to claim 26 wherein the measuring device is selected from the group consisting of a nuclear density gauge, a seismic pavement analyzer, a stiffness gauge, a falling weight deflectometer, a ground penetrating radar device, a radio frequency device, an electromagnetic device, a microwave device, and combinations thereof.

36. An apparatus according to claim 26 wherein the locating device is further configured to be capable of indicating the location of the measuring device, independently of the property measurement, so as to allow the measuring device to be located and tracked.

37. An apparatus according to claim 26 wherein the locating device comprises a global positioning system (GPS) device.

38. An apparatus according to claim 26 wherein at least one of the measuring device and the locating device is adapted to receive a communication from at least one of the central computing system and a portable handheld computer device.

39. A method of determining a property of a paving-related material, said method comprising:

selectively and directly measuring the property of the paving-related material with a measuring device remotely disposed with respect to a central computing system housing a database;

concurrently determining a location of the measuring device when the property of the paving-related material is selectively measured thereby with a locating device operably engaged with the measuring device;

directing data from the measuring device and the locating device to a portable handheld computer device in communication therewith, the data comprising the measured property of the paving-related material and the corresponding location of the measuring device when the property is selectively measured thereby;

directing the data from the handheld computer device to the central computing system; and

incorporating the data into the database.

40. A method according to claim 39 wherein directly measuring the property further comprises directly measuring at least one of a density, a density-related parameter, and a moisture content of at least one of a soil, an aggregate, and an asphalt paving mix with the measuring device.

41. A method according to claim 39 further comprising receiving input into the handheld computer device from an operator thereof before directing the data from the handheld computer device to the central computing system.

42. A method according to claim 39 wherein directing the data from the handheld computer device to the central computing system further comprises directing the data from the handheld computer device to the central computing system via at least one of a wireless and a wireline network.

43. A method according to claim 39 further comprising accessing the database with the handheld computer device so as to receive data therefrom at the handheld computer device.

44. A method according to claim 39 wherein directly measuring the property further comprises directly measuring the property of the paving-related material with a nuclear density gauge, a seismic pavement analyzer, a stiffness gauge, a falling weight deflectometer, a ground penetrating radar device, a radio frequency device, an electromagnetic device, a microwave device, or combinations thereof.

45. A method according to claim 39 further comprising determining the location of the measuring device with the locating device, independently of the property measurement by the measuring device, so as to locate and track the measuring device.

46. A method according to claim 39 wherein directing the data from the handheld computer device further comprises directing the data from the handheld computer device to a third party device without allowing the data to be modified by an operator of the handheld computer device.

47. A method according to claim 39 further comprising associating a time and date stamp with the data concurrently with directly measuring the property of the paving-related material.

48. A method according to claim 39 further comprising manipulating the data with the handheld computer device prior to directing the data from the handheld computer device.

49. A method according to claim 39 wherein directly measuring the property of the paving-related material further comprises directly measuring the property of the paving-related material with a measuring device remotely disposed with respect to a central computing system housing a geographic information system (GIS).

50. A method according to claim 39 wherein concurrently determining a location of the measuring device further comprises concurrently determining a location of the measuring device when the property of the paving-related material is measured thereby with a global positioning system (GPS) device operably engaged with the measuring device.

51. A method according to claim 39 further comprising directing a communication to at least one of the measuring device and the locating device from at least one of the central computing system and the handheld computer device.