Utility Mapping and Data Distribution System and Method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus, comprising:
- a sensor system comprising a plurality of disparate sensors, each of the sensors sensing a parameter of a subsurface differing from that sensed by other sensors of the sensor system;
at least a first sensor of the plurality of disparate sensors configured to generate a first probe signal at a first frequency or first range of frequencies and to receive a first return signal from the subsurface in response to the first probe signal;
at least a second sensor of the plurality of disparate sensors configured to generate a second probe signal at a second frequency or second range of frequencies and to receive a second return signal from the subsurface in response to the second probe signal;
the second frequency or range of frequencies differing from the first frequency or range of frequencies; and
the first and second probe signals propagating through the subsurface at different velocities but having about the same wavelength;
a positioning system configured to produce position data associated with a geographic position of each of the sensors;
memory for storing the position data and sensor data associated with at least the first and second return signals; and
a processor coupled to the sensor system, positioning system, and memory, the processor configured to control acquisition of the sensor data and the position data, detect underground utilities using the sensor data, associate the sensor data with the position data for each of the detected underground utilities, and store the associated sensor and position data for each of the detected underground utilities in the memory.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
-
Citations
22 Claims
-
1. An apparatus, comprising:
-
a sensor system comprising a plurality of disparate sensors, each of the sensors sensing a parameter of a subsurface differing from that sensed by other sensors of the sensor system; at least a first sensor of the plurality of disparate sensors configured to generate a first probe signal at a first frequency or first range of frequencies and to receive a first return signal from the subsurface in response to the first probe signal; at least a second sensor of the plurality of disparate sensors configured to generate a second probe signal at a second frequency or second range of frequencies and to receive a second return signal from the subsurface in response to the second probe signal; the second frequency or range of frequencies differing from the first frequency or range of frequencies; and the first and second probe signals propagating through the subsurface at different velocities but having about the same wavelength; a positioning system configured to produce position data associated with a geographic position of each of the sensors; memory for storing the position data and sensor data associated with at least the first and second return signals; and a processor coupled to the sensor system, positioning system, and memory, the processor configured to control acquisition of the sensor data and the position data, detect underground utilities using the sensor data, associate the sensor data with the position data for each of the detected underground utilities, and store the associated sensor and position data for each of the detected underground utilities in the memory. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
-
20. A method, comprising:
-
generating a first probe signal at a first frequency or first range of frequencies and directing the first probe signal into a subsurface; receiving a first return signal from the subsurface in response to the first probe signal; generating a second probe signal at a second frequency or second range of frequencies and directing the second probe signal into the subsurface; receiving a second return signal from the subsurface in response to the second probe signal; the second frequency or range of frequencies differing from the first frequency or range of frequencies, and the first and second probe signals propagating through the subsurface at different velocities but having about the same wavelength; producing position data associated with a geographic position of first and second probe signal generation or first and second return signal reception; detecting underground utilities using the position data and sensor data comprising at least data associated with the first and second return signals; and storing underground utility detection data. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
-
Specification