METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR WIRELESS TRACKING OF UTILITY ASSETS
First Claim
1. A method for wirelessly mapping utility assets comprising:
- locating an unmapped or inaccurately mapped utility asset, wherein the utility asset has unknown or unverified geographical coordinates;
placing a wireless utility asset mapping device over the location of the utility asset;
determining a geographical coordinate of the wireless utility asset mapping device;
wirelessly transmitting the coordinate reliably in low density and high density areas;
wirelessly receiving the coordinate;
transmitting the received coordinate to a remote asset tracking computer; and
storing the coordinate in a database in the remote asset tracking computer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for wirelessly tracking utility assets comprises a remote wireless modem, a remote asset tracking computer in communication with the remote wireless modem, and a wireless utility asset mapping device in wireless long distance communication with the remote wireless modem. A utility asset is located, the wireless utility asset mapping device is placed over the location of the utility asset, and a coordinate is determined. The coordinate is wirelessly transmitted over long distance in both low density and high density areas. The coordinate is received and then transmitted to a remote asset tracking computer. The coordinate is stored in a database in the remote asset tracking computer. The remote asset tracking computer may also comprise a geographic information system in communication with the database.
143 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method for wirelessly mapping utility assets comprising:
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locating an unmapped or inaccurately mapped utility asset, wherein the utility asset has unknown or unverified geographical coordinates; placing a wireless utility asset mapping device over the location of the utility asset; determining a geographical coordinate of the wireless utility asset mapping device; wirelessly transmitting the coordinate reliably in low density and high density areas; wirelessly receiving the coordinate; transmitting the received coordinate to a remote asset tracking computer; and storing the coordinate in a database in the remote asset tracking computer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 22)
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12. (canceled)
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13. (canceled)
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14. (canceled)
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15. (canceled)
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16. (canceled)
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17. (canceled)
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18. A method for wirelessly mapping utility assets comprising:
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physically locating an approximate location of an unmapped or inaccurately mapped utility asset, wherein the utility asset has unknown or unverified geographical coordinates; placing a wireless utility asset mapping device over the approximate location of the utility asset; inspecting the utility asset from the approximate location to determine a more precise location, wherein said inspecting further comprises inspecting with external equipment in communication with the wireless utility asset mapping device; determining a geographical coordinate of the precise location with an accuracy of better than one meter; wirelessly transmitting from the wireless utility asset mapping device the coordinate and other utility asset information reliably in both low density and high density areas; wirelessly receiving the coordinate and other utility asset information; transmitting the received coordinate and other utility asset information to a remote asset tracking computer; storing the coordinate and other utility asset information in a database in the remote asset tracking computer; and correlating the coordinate and other utility asset information with a geographic information system. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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20. A system for wirelessly tracking utility assets comprising:
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a remote wireless modem; a remote asset tracking computer, said remote asset tracking computer comprising, a geographic information system; a database in communication with said geographic information system; and an interface module in communication with said remote wireless modem and said geographic information system; a wireless utility asset mapping device comprising, a pole having a top end, a bottom end, and a middle section extending from the top end to the bottom end, wherein said pole is variable in length, wherein said pole includes marking indicating the length of said pole; a positioning receiver connected to said pole, wherein said positioning receiver is a sub-meter global positioning receiver, wherein said positioning receiver is connected closer to the top end of said pole than the bottom end of said pole; a wireless modem connected to said positioning receiver, said wireless modem is a long range wireless modem and has a range of at least 500 feet in low density and high density areas, said wireless modem connected closer to the top end of said pole than the bottom end of said pole, wherein said wireless modem is in wireless communication with said remote wireless modem; an external interface module in communication with said wireless modem; and at least one weatherproof housing enclosing said positioning receiver, said wireless modem, and said external interface module.
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21. (canceled)
Specification