Underground asset management system
First Claim
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1. A system for management of underground assets comprising:
- (a) a field tag identification unit providing;
an RFID reader,a user interface for receiving data from a user and displaying data to a user;
a wireless transceiver; and
a first electronic computing device communicating with the RFID reader, user interface, and wireless transceiver;
(b)a central database server remote from the field tag identification unit and providing;
a database memory storing records indexed to RFID tag stored data;
a communication interface communicating with the field tag identification unit along a communication channel including the wireless transceiver;
a second electronic computing device communicating with the database memory and the communication interface;
wherein the first and second electronic computing device execute programs stored in non-transient media to;
(1) read an RFID tag proximate to an underground asset to obtain RFID tag stored data including a tag unique data string;
(2) match the tag unique data string to a corresponding record of the database memory; and
(3) exchange data between the field tag identification unit and the central database server associated with the corresponding record;
wherein spatial location data is automatically captured during reading of an RFID tag proximate to an underground asset;
wherein the exchanged data includes data entered by a user of the field tag identification unit through the user interface and wherein the exchanged data is entered into the corresponding record;
wherein the programs further execute to operate so that data may be entered by a user of the field tag identification unit into the corresponding, record only for at least one condition of;
(1) data that has been entered within a predetermined spatial location of the RFID tag of the corresponding record and (2) an RFID tag that has been read within a predetermined time range before the data was entered.
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Abstract
A system for managing underground assets with RFID tags provides for expanded virtual storage by wirelessly linking the field RFID tag reader to a centralized database through a unique series code in the RFID tag. Real-time updating of information about underground assets coordination between multiple users may be accomplished through use of the central database as an information broker.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for management of underground assets comprising:
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(a) a field tag identification unit providing; an RFID reader, a user interface for receiving data from a user and displaying data to a user; a wireless transceiver; and a first electronic computing device communicating with the RFID reader, user interface, and wireless transceiver; (b)a central database server remote from the field tag identification unit and providing; a database memory storing records indexed to RFID tag stored data; a communication interface communicating with the field tag identification unit along a communication channel including the wireless transceiver; a second electronic computing device communicating with the database memory and the communication interface; wherein the first and second electronic computing device execute programs stored in non-transient media to; (1) read an RFID tag proximate to an underground asset to obtain RFID tag stored data including a tag unique data string; (2) match the tag unique data string to a corresponding record of the database memory; and (3) exchange data between the field tag identification unit and the central database server associated with the corresponding record; wherein spatial location data is automatically captured during reading of an RFID tag proximate to an underground asset; wherein the exchanged data includes data entered by a user of the field tag identification unit through the user interface and wherein the exchanged data is entered into the corresponding record; wherein the programs further execute to operate so that data may be entered by a user of the field tag identification unit into the corresponding, record only for at least one condition of;
(1) data that has been entered within a predetermined spatial location of the RFID tag of the corresponding record and (2) an RFID tag that has been read within a predetermined time range before the data was entered. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A system for management of underground assets comprising:
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(a) a field tag identification unit providing; an RFID reader, a user interface for receiving data from a user and displaying data to a user; a wireless transceiver; and a first electronic computing device communicating with the RFID reader, user interface, and wireless transceiver; (b) a central database server remote from the field tag identification unit and providing; a database memory storing records indexed to RFID tag stored data; a communication interface communicating with the field tag identification unit along a communication channel including the wireless transceiver; a second electronic computing device communicating with the database memory and the communication interface; wherein the first and second electronic computer device execute programs stored in non-transient media to; (1) read an RFID tag proximate to an underground asset to obtain RFID tag stored data including tag unique data string; (2) match the tag unique data string to a corresponding record of the database memory; and (3) exchange data between the field tag identification unit and the central database server associated with the corresponding record; wherein the exchanged data includes data from the corresponding record, and wherein the data from the corresponding record is displayed on the user interface of the field tag identification unit; wherein the exchanged data includes map data providing location and type of underground asset for multiple RFID tags in the database in a map region as superimposed on a map providing terrain features; and wherein the map data provides for symbols representing RFID tags, their locations, and a type of underground asset associated with the RFID tag, wherein the type of underground asset is at least one of a function of the underground asset and an ownership of the underground asset. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification