Systems for data collection

• US 9,299,019 B2
• Filed: 03/14/2012
• Issued: 03/29/2016
• 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
• Primary Examiner(s): Mehmood, Jennifer
• Assistant Examiner(s): POINT, RUFUS C
• Application Number:
  US13/419,442
• Publication Number:
  US 20130241698A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,476 Days
• Field of Search: 340/568.1
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 provisions 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 system for data collection comprising:

a Data Generation device configured to perform surveying measurements of geographical boundaries;

a tag attached to said Data Generation device;

said tag configured to transmit an externally readable code using infra-red signals and to transmit data provided by said Data Generation device using radio frequency signals, the data comprising the surveying measurements of the geographical boundaries;

and

a Data Collection device remotely separate from said Data Generation device, said Data Collection device configured for wireless communications with said Data Generation device, said Data Collection device having a tag reader and a wireless transceiver, wherein said tag reader is configured to identify said Data Generation device by receiving said infra-red signals from said tag and identifying said externally readable code; and

wherein said wireless transceiver is configured to receive said data from said at least one Data Generation device by receiving said radio frequency signals from said tag.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said Data Generation device is selected from the group consisting of:

a Total Station;

a Digital Level; and

a Laser Level.

3. The system of claim 1, 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.

4. The system of claim 1, 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.

5. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a platform;

wherein 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.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said tag includes said externally readable code selected from the group consisting of:

an infrared code;

an infrared code transmitted on a specific frequency periodically; and

an infrared code transmitted on a specific frequency aperiodically.

7. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

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

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said Data Collection device further comprises:

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

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said Data Collection device further comprises:

an Infrared tag reader.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein said Data Collection device further comprises:

a wireless transmitter configured to wirelessly access Internet to post said data received from said mobile Data Generation device.