METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SURVEYING WITH A FEATURE LOCATION
First Claim
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1. A method of conducting a particular survey of a region of interest with a programmable survey instrument comprising:
- selecting a plurality of electronic data element requirements for data collection by an operator during the particular survey;
electronically monitoring a plurality of preliminary data element records acquired by the operator using the programmable survey instrument;
electronically comparing the plurality of preliminary data element records with the plurality of electronic data element requirements;
identifying at least one missing data element record compared with the plurality of electronic data element requirements for that survey;
electronically referring to an electronic base of knowledge and deriving at least one instruction for the operator regarding how to acquire the at least one missing data element requirement using the programmable survey instrument;
electronically monitoring at least one preliminary additional data element record acquired by the operator using the programmable survey instrument;
electronically comparing the at least one preliminary additional data element record with the at least one missing data element requirement; and
electronically advising the operator when a combination of the preliminary data element records and the at least one preliminary additional data element record conforms to the data element requirements.
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Abstract
Methods are provided for conducting surveys of regions of interest, points of interest, and objects of interest. The methods typically involve using a survey instrument with programmed logic. The programmed logic may include one or more base of knowledge in an electronically accessible format, and may include statistical analysis software. The survey instrument generally includes a display and one or more sensors. The sensors may include a visible image or an infrared image sensor. The program logic may be used to guide an operator through a survey.
54 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of conducting a particular survey of a region of interest with a programmable survey instrument comprising:
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selecting a plurality of electronic data element requirements for data collection by an operator during the particular survey; electronically monitoring a plurality of preliminary data element records acquired by the operator using the programmable survey instrument; electronically comparing the plurality of preliminary data element records with the plurality of electronic data element requirements; identifying at least one missing data element record compared with the plurality of electronic data element requirements for that survey; electronically referring to an electronic base of knowledge and deriving at least one instruction for the operator regarding how to acquire the at least one missing data element requirement using the programmable survey instrument; electronically monitoring at least one preliminary additional data element record acquired by the operator using the programmable survey instrument; electronically comparing the at least one preliminary additional data element record with the at least one missing data element requirement; and electronically advising the operator when a combination of the preliminary data element records and the at least one preliminary additional data element record conforms to the data element requirements. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for an operator to conduct a survey using a programmed survey instrument comprising:
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generating a transducer signal in the survey instrument; electronically comparing the transducer signal with a base of knowledge to identify an object of interest; using programmed logic to prompt the operator for an interpretation by the operator of an accuracy of the identification of the object of interest; using programmed logic to record an operator interpreted finding regarding object of interest; and reporting the recorded finding. - View Dependent Claims (8)
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9. A method of collecting information regarding a scene depicted on a display of a survey instrument comprising:
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defining a point of interest in a scene on the display; collecting sensory data from the scene wherein a larger quantity of data is collected proximal to the point of interest and a smaller quantity of data is collected distal from the point of interest. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for conducting a survey to locate a point of interest or to locate an object of interest using a programmed survey instrument having programmed logic, the method comprising:
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a. using at least one sensory transducer to produce at least one sensory signal response; b. using the programmed logic to access at least one base of knowledge and to access the at least one sensory signal response, and to access relational information; c. processing the at least one sensory signal response to produce sensory characteristic information derived from at least a portion of the at least one sensory signal response; d. using the programmed logic to operate on the sensory characteristic information and to operate on at least one programmed base of knowledge to recommend to an operator at least one suggested finding; e. using the programmed logic to operate on the relational information to tag a record of a finding with associated relational information; and f. using the programmed logic to graphically display a geometric or cartographic representation of the proximity showing the at least one suggested finding to assist the operator in locating the point of interest or the item of interest. i. The method of claim 13 wherein the point of interest is a point of interest having an anomalous aspect and the object of interest is has a substance or structure. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for conducting a survey to locate a point of interest or to locate an object of interest using a programmed survey instrument having programmed logic, the method comprising:
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a. using at least one sensory transducer to produce at least one sensory signal response; b. using the programmed logic to processing the at least one sensory signal response to produce sensory characteristic information derived from at least a portion of the at least one sensory signal response; c. using the programmed logic to perform a mathematical statistical control analysis or a statistical distribution analysis of the sensory characteristic information; d. using programmed logic to compare the mathematical statistical control analysis or the statistical distribution analysis with an expected result; and e. prompting the operator if the comparison suggests a false positive or a false negative indication.
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Specification