Utility mapping and data distribution system and method

• US 20060085133A1
• Filed: 12/07/2005
• Published: 04/20/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
• Original Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
• Inventors: Young, Gary Neal, Alft, Kevin L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,400,976 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/5
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 1/00 Seismology; Seismic or acoustic prospecting or detecting
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 11/00 Prospecting or detecting by methods combining techniques covered by two or more of main groups G01V1/00 - G01V9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 11/002 Details, e.g. power supply systems for logging instruments, transmitting or recording data, specially adapted for well logging, also if the prospecting method is irrelevant means for transmitting well survey signals E21B47/12; signal transmission systems in general G08C; transmission in general H04B
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 2210/6163 Electromagnetic

Abstract

A system and method of mapping underground utilities and other subsurface objects involves one or more of acquiring utility location data using a number of different detectors and sensors, processing the multiple detector/sensor output data to produce mapping data, storing the mapping data in a database, and providing access to and use of the stored mapping data by subscribing users on a usage fee basis.

Claims

1. A method of detecting one or more utilities located in a subsurface, comprising:

generating a first probe signal that travels through the subsurface, and detecting a response signal while concurrently detecting position reference data to produce a first data set;

generating a second probe signal that travels through the subsurface, and detecting a response signal while concurrently detecting position reference data to produce a second data set;

Pevaluating the first data set to produce a first utility location data set associated with its position reference;

evaluating the second data set to produce a second utility location data set associated with its position reference; and

combining the first and second utility location data sets by overlaying their respective data based on the position references.