Method of documenting a position of an underground utility

• US 9,766,062 B2
• Filed: 06/23/2015
• Issued: 09/19/2017
• 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.
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Jay
• Assistant Examiner(s): SUH, JOSEPH JINWOO
• Application Number:
  US14/747,030
• Publication Number:
  US 20150377615A1
• Time in Patent Office: 819 Days
• 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 placing temporary markings on a ground surface designating an underground location of the underground utility. A photograph is then taken providing an overhead panoramic view of the temporary markings designating the underground location of the underground utility. The photograph includes visual landmarks, such as sidewalks, driveways, trees and hedges, thereby providing a visual reference. After excavation has taken place and the temporary markings have been removed along with the ground surface, using the photograph to reconfirm the underground location of the underground utility by using the visual reference provided by the relationship that the temporary markings depicted in the photograph bear to the visual landmarks that remain after excavation.

Claims

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

prior to commencing excavation, placing temporary markings on a ground surface designating an underground location of the underground utility; and

taking at least one photograph providing an overhead panoramic view of the temporary markings designating the underground location of the underground utility, with each at least one photograph including visual landmarks, thereby providing a visual reference; and

after excavation has taken place and the temporary markings have been removed along with the around surface, using the at least one photograph to reconfirm the underground location of the underground utility by using the visual reference provided by a relationship that the temporary markings depicted in the at least one photograph bear to the visual landmarks that remain after excavation.

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, and the GPS providing verification of the position from which the photograph was taken.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein a further step is taken of mapping with the GPS application in the digital camera the temporary 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 2, wherein the GPS mapping is accompanied by an audio commentary.

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

11. The method of claim 10, wherein a plurality of colour coded temporary marking strips are overlaid over the temporary markings prior to taking the at least one photograph.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the temporary markings are used to designate offsets.