Buried Utility Data with Exclusion Zones
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A work machine comprising:
- a body;
a computing system coupled to the body, the computing system having data describing the location of at least one underground feature;
an implement extending from the body capable of moving earth and capable of coming into contact with the at least one underground feature;
a positioning system coupled to the body and in communication with the computing system, the positioning system providing data that is passed to the computing system such that the computing system can determine a location of the work machine and an orientation of the work machine; and
software stored in memory electrically coupled to the computing system, the software including instructions that when interpreted by the computing system perform the steps of;
determining an exclusion zone, the exclusion zone being defined as a zone within a defined proximity of the at least one underground feature;
monitoring movement of the implement relative to the exclusion zone; and
determining when called for movement of the implement would place the implement within the exclusion zone.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system is provided for use in work machines that determines the location of the work machine and compares such location to reported location of underground utilities. The system further provides indications of when an implement of the work machine enters an exclusion zone proximate the underground utilities.
10 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A work machine comprising:
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a body; a computing system coupled to the body, the computing system having data describing the location of at least one underground feature; an implement extending from the body capable of moving earth and capable of coming into contact with the at least one underground feature; a positioning system coupled to the body and in communication with the computing system, the positioning system providing data that is passed to the computing system such that the computing system can determine a location of the work machine and an orientation of the work machine; and software stored in memory electrically coupled to the computing system, the software including instructions that when interpreted by the computing system perform the steps of; determining an exclusion zone, the exclusion zone being defined as a zone within a defined proximity of the at least one underground feature; monitoring movement of the implement relative to the exclusion zone; and determining when called for movement of the implement would place the implement within the exclusion zone. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A computer implemented system for monitoring the relative position of a work machine implement and an underground feature, including:
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a first processing sequence that retrieves a map of a workspace, the map including data regarding an underground feature; a second processing sequence that receives data from a global positioning system device coupled to the work machine; a third processing sequence that uses the data from the global positioning device to determine a location and orientation of the work machine; a fourth processing sequence that retrieves data regarding an implement attached to the work machine; a fifth processing sequence that determines the position of the implement; a sixth processing sequence that determines a location of an exclusion zone, the exclusion zone being defined as a zone within a defined proximity of the underground feature; a seventh processing sequence that compares the position of the implement to the exclusion zone. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification