Method and apparatus for determining the elevation of an underground structure
First Claim
1. A survey device for determining an elevation of a subterranean architectural feature, the survey device comprising:
- a first sensor operable to generate a first signal indicative of a line-of-sight distance from the survey device to the subterranean architectural feature, a second sensor operable to generate a second signal indicative of an angular position of the survey device relative to a vertical reference, and a processor electrically coupled to both the first sensor and the second sensor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A survey device for determining an elevation of a subterranean architectural feature includes a distance sensor operable to generate a first signal indicative of a line-of-sight distance from the survey device to the subterranean architectural feature. The device also includes an angle sensor operable to generate a second signal indicative of an angular position of the survey device relative to a vertical reference. A processor is electrically coupled to both the distance sensor and the angle sensor. A method of operating a survey device is also disclosed.
12 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A survey device for determining an elevation of a subterranean architectural feature, the survey device comprising:
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a first sensor operable to generate a first signal indicative of a line-of-sight distance from the survey device to the subterranean architectural feature, a second sensor operable to generate a second signal indicative of an angular position of the survey device relative to a vertical reference, and a processor electrically coupled to both the first sensor and the second sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of operating a survey instrument to determine an elevation of a subterranean architectural feature, the method comprising the steps of:
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determining a line-of-sight distance from the survey instrument to the subterranean architectural feature and generating a first signal in response thereto, determining an angular position of the survey instrument relative to a vertical reference and generating a second signal in response thereto, and calculating the elevation of the subterranean architectural feature in response to generation of the first signal and the second signal. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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11. A survey instrument, comprising:
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a distance sensor, an angle sensor, a processor electrically coupled to the distance sensor and the angle sensor, and a memory device electrically coupled to the processor, the memory device having stored therein a plurality of instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to;
operate the distance sensor to determine a line-of-sight distance from the survey instrument to a subterranean architectural feature and generate a first signal in response thereto, operate the angle sensor to determine an angular position of the survey instrument relative to a vertical reference and generate a second signal in response thereto, and calculate the elevation of the subterranean architectural feature in response to generation of the first signal and the second signal. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of operating a survey instrument to determine an elevation of a subterranean architectural feature, the method comprising the steps of:
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determining a line-of-sight distance from the survey instrument to the subterranean architectural feature and generating a first signal in response thereto, determining an angular position of the survey instrument relative to a vertical reference and generating a second signal in response thereto, and displaying the elevation of the subterranean architectural feature on a display device in response to generation of the first signal and the second signal. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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19. A survey instrument, comprising:
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a distance sensor, an angle sensor, a display device, a processor electrically coupled to each of the distance sensor, the angle sensor, and the display device, and a memory device electrically coupled to the processor, the memory device having stored therein a plurality of instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to;
operate the distance sensor to determine a line-of-sight distance from the survey instrument to a subterranean architectural feature and generate a first signal in response thereto, operate the angle sensor to determine an angular position of the survey instrument relative to a vertical reference and generate a second signal in response thereto, and display the elevation of the subterranean architectural feature on the display device in response to generation of the first signal and the second signal. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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23. A method of operating a survey instrument to determine an elevation of a pipe in a sewer, the method comprising the steps of:
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determining a line-of-sight distance from the survey instrument to the pipe and generating a first signal in response thereto, determining an angular position of the survey instrument relative to a vertical reference and generating a second signal in response thereto, and calculating the elevation of the pipe in response to generation of the first signal and the second signal. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26)
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Specification