Method of data acquisition during survey of buried linear conductors

• US 20070265809A1
• Filed: 12/07/2006
• Published: 11/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pure Technologies Limited (Xylem, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Spectrum External Line Inspection Technology Inc.
• Inventors: McDonnell, Shamus, Westman, Mike
• Granted Patent: US 7,539,577 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/189
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 3/36 Recording data G01V3/34 takes precedence

Abstract

A method of data acquisition during survey of buried linear conductors. A first step involves passing a dynamic data stream of data from survey instruments through a filtering software adapted to reduce the volume of data being processed. A second step involves setting a survey interval within the software, the survey interval being a selected distance between survey points in order to provide a desired survey point density. A third step involves setting a geographic activation buffer within the software in relation to the survey interval. The filtering software is programmed to process data within the activation buffer separately from the dynamic data stream.

Claims

1. A method of data acquisition during survey of buried linear conductors, comprising the steps of:

passing a dynamic data stream of data from survey instruments through a filtering software adapted to reduce the volume of data being processed;

setting a survey interval within the software, the survey interval being a selected distance between survey points in order to provide a desired survey point density; and

setting a geographic activation buffer within the software in relation to the survey interval, the filtering software being programmed to process data within the activation buffer separately from the dynamic data stream.

2. The method as defined in claim 1, a target survey point being extrapolated by the software from previously surveyed survey points and means being provided to guide a surveyor to the target survey point.

3. The method as defined in claim 2, the means to guide a surveyor to the target survey point being a display providing visual feedback.

4. The method as defined in claim 2, the means to guide a surveyor to the target survey point being a tone generator providing audio feedback.

5. The method as defined in claim 1, the survey interval being automatically adjusted by the software in accordance with pre-selected parameters.

6. The method as defined in claim 5, one of the pre-selected parameters being topographical features, such that slopes are automatically surveyed at a higher resolution.

7. The method as defined in claim 1, the activation buffer being a concave arc.