APPLICATION OF LOW POWER RFID TAGS TO DATA COLLECTION DEVICES AND RECEIVERS/INSTRUMENTS TO SPEED SETUP

• US 20130241698A1
• Filed: 03/14/2012
• Published: 09/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited (Trimble Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited (Trimble Inc.)
• Inventors: Rasmussen, Matthew John
• Granted Patent: US 9,299,019 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/10.1
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 15/02 Means for marking measuring points
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0018 Transmission from mobile station to base station
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/0022 arrangements or provisious for transferring data to distant stations, e.g. from a sensing device "transfer between computer elements G06F13/00 "; data-transmission H04L
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06 characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0716 at least one of the integrated circuit chips comprising a sensor or an interface to a sensor

Abstract

A method for improving a data collection process is provided. The method comprises: (A) providing at least one Data Generation device, whereas each Data Generation device is configured to obtain a set of data; (B) attaching an ID tag to at least one Data Generation device; whereas each ID tag includes an externally readable code; and (C) employing a Data Collection device having an ID tag reader configured to identify at least one Data Generation device by reading the externally readable code corresponding to its ID tag; whereas the Data Collection device is located within the pre-determined range from the Data Generation device; and whereas the Data Generation device is configured to transmit a set of data to the Data Collection device.

Claims

1. A method for improving a data collection process comprising:

(A) providing at least one Data Generation device;

each said Data Generation device configured to obtain a set of data;

(B) attaching an ID tag to at least one said Data Generation device;

each said ID tag having an externally readable code;

and

(C) employing a Data Collection device having an ID tag reader configured to identify said at least one Data Generation device by reading said externally readable code corresponding to said ID tag;

wherein said Data Generation device is configured to transmit a set of data to said Data Collection device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said step (A) further comprises:

(A1) selecting said Data Generation device from the group consisting of;

a GNSS Receiver;

a Total Station;

a Digital Level; and

a Laser Level.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said step (A) further comprises:

(A2) selecting said Data Generation device from the group consisting of;

a construction survey Data Generation device;

a mortgage/deed call Data Generation device; and

an agricultural Data Generation device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said step (A) further comprises:

(A3) selecting said Data Generation device from the group consisting of;

a two-man conventional land surveying system;

a conventional robotic system;

a Real Time Kinematic GNSS system including a stationary Base receiver and a mobile Rover receiver; and

a Virtual Reference Station surveying system.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said step (A) further comprises:

(A4) creating a Data Generation database of all available Data Generation devices.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said step (A) further comprises:

(A5) placing at least one said Data Generation device on a platform;

wherein said platform is selected from the group consisting of;

a Base platform; and

a Rover platform.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said step (B) further comprises:

(B1) selecting said ID tag from the group consisting of;

an RFID tag;

a low power RFID tag;

a barcode;

an infra-red tag; and

an ultra sound tag.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said step (B) further comprises:

(B2) accessing set of internal data related to said Data Generation device;

wherein said set of internal data is selected from the group consisting of;

a precision of said Data Generation device;

an accuracy of said Data Generation device;

a warranty data for said Data Generation device;

a service record data for said Data Generation device;

an adjustment data for said Data Generation device;

a data format definition for said Data Generation device; and

a radio type data for said Data Generation device.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said step (B) further comprises:

(B3) selecting said externally readable code from the group consisting of;

a radio code transmitted on a specific frequency;

a radio code transmitted on a specific frequency periodically;

a radio code transmitted on a specific frequency aperiodically;

an infrared code;

an infrared code transmitted on a specific frequency periodically;

an infrared code transmitted on a specific frequency aperiodically;

an ultrasound transmitted on a specific frequency;

an ultrasound transmitted on a specific frequency periodically; and

an ultrasound transmitted on a specific frequency aperiodically.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein said step (B) further comprises:

(B4) changing at least one said externally readable code according to certain schedule.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein said step (B) further comprises:

(B5) using said Data Generation database to store a plurality of said externally readable codes.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein said step (C) further comprises:

(C1) providing said Data Collection device with an access code to said Data Generation database.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein said step (C) further comprises:

(C2) placing said Data Collection device at at least said predetermined distance from at least one said Data Generation device to wirelessly collect a set of data with a predetermined level of noise.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein said step (C) further comprises:

(C3) using Internet to collect a set of data from said at least one Data Generation device for instant review and feedback from a management activity.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein said step (C) further comprises:

(C4) using Internet to collect a set of data from at least one said Data Generation device according to certain schedule.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein said step (C) further comprises:

(C5) automating said data collection process from at least one Data Generation device for delivery via wireless internet to a remote location.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein said step (C) further comprises:

(C6) accessing said Data Generation database to perform an instant check out of at least one internal data for at least one said Data Generation device.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein said step (C) further comprises:

(C7) sending a request to perform at least one operation on at least one said Data Generation device to a maintenance crew;

wherein said operation is selected from the group consisting of;

repair;

replacement; and

firmware upgrade.

19. An apparatus for improving a data collection process comprising:

at least one Data Generation device;

each said Data Generation device configured to obtain a set of data;

at least one ID tag attached to at least one said Data Generation device;

each said ID tag having an externally readable code;

and

a Data Collection device having an ID tag reader configured to identify said at least one Data Generation device by reading said externally readable code corresponding to said ID tag and wherein said Data Generation device is configured to transmit a set of data to said Data Collection device.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said Data Generation device is selected from the group consisting of:

a GNSS Receiver;

a Total Station;

a Digital Level; and

a Laser Level.

21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said Data Generation device is selected from the group consisting of:

a construction survey Data Generation device;

a mortgage/deed call Data Generation device; and

an agricultural Data Generation device.

22. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said Data Generation device is selected from the group consisting of:

a two-man conventional land surveying system;

a conventional robotic system;

a Real Time Kinematic GNSS system including a stationary Base receiver and a mobile Rover receiver; and

a Virtual Reference Station surveying system.

23. The apparatus of claim 19 further comprising:

a platform;

wherein at least one said Data Generation device is placed on said platform;

wherein said platform is selected from the group consisting of;

a Base platform; and

a Rover platform.

24. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said ID tag is selected from the group consisting of:

an RFID tag;

a low power RFID tag;

a barcode;

an infra-red tag; and

an ultra sound tag.

25. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said ID tag further includes a data encoding format configured for communication with an ID Tag reader.

26. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said ID tag further includes a data transmission rate configured for communication with an ID Tag reader.

27. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said ID tag includes said externally readable code selected from the group consisting of:

a radio code transmitted on a specific frequency;

a radio code transmitted on a specific frequency periodically;

a radio code transmitted on a specific frequency aperiodically;

an infrared code;

an infrared code transmitted on a specific frequency periodically;

an infrared code transmitted on a specific frequency aperiodically;

an ultrasound transmitted on a specific frequency;

an ultrasound transmitted on a specific frequency periodically; and

an ultrasound transmitted on a specific frequency aperiodically.

28. The apparatus of claim 19;

wherein said Data Generation device further comprises;

a memory block configured to store a set of internal data related to said Data Generation device;

wherein said set of internal data is selected from the group consisting of;

a precision of said Data Generation device;

an accuracy of said Data Generation device;

a warranty data for said Data Generation device;

a service record data for said Data Generation device;

an adjustment data for said Data Generation device; and

a radio type data for said Data Generation device.

29. The apparatus of claim 19 further comprising

a Data Generation database configured to store a set of internal data related to at least one said Data Generation device having said externally readable code.

30. The apparatus of claim 19;

wherein said Data Collection device further comprises;

a memory block configured to store an access code to said Data Generation database.

31. The apparatus of claim 19;

wherein said Data Collection device further comprises;

a wireless receiver configured to wirelessly collect a set of data with a predetermined level of noise from said at least one Data Generation device.

32. The apparatus of claim 19;

wherein said Data Collection device further comprises;

an ID tag reader selected from the group consisting of;

an RFID tag reader;

an Infrared tag reader; and

an Ultra Sound tag reader.

33. The apparatus of claim 19;

wherein said Data Collection device further comprises;

a wireless transmitter configured to wirelessly access Internet to post a set of internal data related to said at least one Data Generation device.