Apparatus and method for tracking multiple signal emitting objects
First Claim
1. A portable area monitoring system for monitoring the position of a plurality of signal emitting objects within an operating area, the system comprising:
- a sensor assembly adapted to detect a plurality of signals emanating from the plurality of signal emitting objects and to transmit the plurality of detected signals; and
a processor adapted to receive the plurality of detected signals, to process the plurality of detected signals, and to produce a composite of the relative positions of the monitoring system and the plurality of signal emitting objects within the operating area.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A portable area monitoring system for use with a horizontal directional drilling machine and adapted to produce a composite of the positions of a beacon and a fixed object. In a preferred embodiment the sensor assembly is supported by a hand-held frame and adapted to detect signals emanating from each of a beacon and a fixed object. The sensor assembly transmits the detected signals to a processor which simultaneously processes the signals to produce a composite of relative positions of the beacon and the fixed object to the frame. The composite of the relative positions of the beacon and the fixed object to the frame is communicated to the operator using a portable display.
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Citations
41 Claims
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1. A portable area monitoring system for monitoring the position of a plurality of signal emitting objects within an operating area, the system comprising:
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a sensor assembly adapted to detect a plurality of signals emanating from the plurality of signal emitting objects and to transmit the plurality of detected signals; and a processor adapted to receive the plurality of detected signals, to process the plurality of detected signals, and to produce a composite of the relative positions of the monitoring system and the plurality of signal emitting objects within the operating area. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for monitoring the position of a plurality of signal emitting objects disposed within an area of operation using a portable area monitoring system, the method comprising:
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sensing a plurality of signals emitted from the plurality of signal emitting objects; and processing the plurality of signals to generate a composite of the relative positions of the monitoring system and each of the plurality of signal emitting objects within the operating area. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A system for determining the position of each of a plurality of signal emitting objects disposed within an operating area, the system comprising:
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a sensor assembly adapted to detect a plurality of signals emanating from the plurality of signal emitting objects and to transmit the plurality of detected signals; a processor adapted to receive the plurality of detected signals, to process the plurality of detected signals, and to produce a composite of the relative positions of the sensor assembly and the plurality of signal emitting objects within the operating area; and a communications link adapted to transmit information indicative of the positions of each of the signal emitting objects. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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Specification