Survey controller multiplexer

• US 7,697,572 B2
• Filed: 12/07/2006
• Issued: 04/13/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pure Technologies Limited (Xylem, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Spectrum External Line Inspection Technology Inc.
• Inventors: Westman, Mike, Gagnon, Robert, Smelquist, Ken, Dakin, Grant
• Primary Examiner(s): Ngo; Ricky
• Assistant Examiner(s): Phung; Luat
• Application Number:
  US11/635,776
• Publication Number:
  US 20070263674A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,223 Days
• Field of Search: 370/503, 370/535, 370/537, 702/57, 702/189
• US Class Current: 370/503
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 3/047 Distributors with transistors or integrated circuits

Abstract

A multiplexer includes a body having a mechanism, incorporated into the body, for receiving more than one incoming data stream and converting the more than one data stream into a single output stream. An integral time clock is incorporated into the body and is adapted to incrementally time stamp each incoming data stream. The processor on the device also runs software to parse user selected data streams for the purpose of filtering out unnecessary data from the incoming streams, thereby reducing the volume of data and, in particular unwanted data, from being processed and/or logged from the device. The integration of a multimeter for voltage and amperage reading acquisition also reduces the need for external peripheral devices being attached to the device.

Claims

1. A multiplexer comprising:

a body to be carried by a surveyor;

more than one survey sensor connected to the body, and each of the survey sensor comprising;

at least one location sensor for sensing the relative location of the body, the exact location, or both;

a pipeline sensor for sensing the depth of a buried pipeline;

a receiver incorporated into the body for receiving an incoming data stream from each survey sensor and converting the data streams into a single output stream;

a filter for filtering the incoming data streams, prior to converting the data streams into a single output stream, to reduce a volume of the incoming data streams, the filter selecting data strings based on pre-selected threshold ranges from each survey sensor data stream, and filtering out a remainder;

a power source and power regulator incorporated into the body, and the power source powering each survey sensor via the power regulator;

an integral time clock incorporated into the body, the integral time clock incrementally time stamping each incoming data string; and

a data output connected to a portable electronic device.

2. The multiplexer as defined in claim 1, wherein a multi-meter is incorporated into the body.