METHOD OF DOCUMENTING A POSITION OF AN UNDERGROUND UTILITY

• US 20150377615A1
• Filed: 06/23/2015
• Published: 12/31/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hawk Photogrammetry Record Technology Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Frederick D. Lake
• Inventors: LAKE, Frederick D.
• Granted Patent: US 9,766,062 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/28 for measuring areas
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3852 Data derived from aerial or satellite images
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 11/60 Editing figures and text; Combining figures or text
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/176 Urban or other man-made structures
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 30/422 Technical drawings; Geographical maps
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/185 from a mobile camera, e.g. for remote control

Abstract

A method of documenting a position of an underground utility which involves overlaying temporary marking strips on the underground utility to make markings designating the underground utility vivid and then taking at least one photograph of the markings designating the underground utility, thereby providing a visual reference.

Claims

1. A method of documenting a position of an underground utility, comprising:

overlaying temporary marking strips on the underground utility to make markings designating the underground utility vivid; and

taking at least one photograph of the markings designating the underground utility, thereby providing a visual reference.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of taking of the at least one photograph is performed with a digital camera having a global positioning system (GPS) application.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein a further step is taken of mapping with the GPS application in the digital camera the markings depicted in the at least one photograph, such that GPS data can be superimposed on a neighbourhood map of an internet mapping site.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the photograph from the digital camera is combined with GPS data concerning the underground utility to create a geo-referenced orthomosaic.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the photograph is taken using a remotely controlled aerial drone.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein the mapping with the GPS application takes place contemporaneously with locating the underground utility by taking GPS readings at set time or distance intervals.

7. The method of claim 2, wherein the mapping with the GPS application takes place subsequent to locating the underground utility by taking GPS readings at set time or distance intervals.

8. The method of claim 2, wherein more than one digital photograph is taken and electronically stitched together to form a composite digital photograph.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one photograph is a colour photograph and the temporary marking strips are colour coded to designate a nature of each underground utility depicted in the photograph.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the temporary marking strips are used to designate offsets.

11. The method of claim 2, wherein the GPS mapping is accompanied by an audio commentary.