Measurement device incorporating a locating device and a portable handheld computer device and associated apparatus, system and method

• US 6,915,216 B2
• Filed: 10/11/2002
• Issued: 07/05/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Troxler Electronic Laboratories, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Troxler Electronic Laboratories, Inc.
• Inventors: Troxler, William Finch Jr., Myers, Robyn Lyn, Steckman, Dirk, Troxler, Robert Ernest, Dummer, Andrew Kirk, Pjura, John, Pratt, James Daniel Jr., Bienvenu, Michael E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Barlow, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dougherty, Anthony T.
• Application Number:
  US10/269,843
• Publication Number:
  US 20040073382A1
• Time in Patent Office: 998 Days
• Field of Search: 702/33
• US Class Current: 702/33
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 2555/10 Design or test methods for bitumen or asphalt mixtures, e.g. series of measures, procedures or tests to obtain a bitumen or asphalt mixture having preset defined properties, general or international test methods, procedures or standards
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 19/00 Machines, tools or auxiliary devices for preparing or distributing paving materials, for working the placed materials, or for forming, consolidating, or finishing the paving surface stabilisation E01C21/00; apparatus specially adapted for reconditioning or repairing paving E01C23/00
• CPC Class Codes: E02D 1/00 Investigation of foundation soil in situ investigation involving boring or specially adapted to earth drilling E21B25/00, E21B49/00; investigating or analysing materials by determining their chemical or physical properties, in general G01N, e.g. sampling G01N1/00
• CPC Class Codes: E02D 1/022 by investigating mechanical properties of the soil E02D1/027 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E02D 1/025 combined with sampling
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 9/00 Investigating density or specific gravity of materials; Analysing materials by determining density or specific gravity
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/02 using radio waves using satellite radio beacon systems for determining position G01S19/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/048 Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]

Abstract

A system adapted to determine a property of a paving-related material is provided. Such a system comprises a central computing system housing database, such as a geographic information system (GIS). A measuring device for selectively and directly measuring the property of the paving-related material is remotely disposed with respect to the central computing system and operably engaged with a locating device, such as a global positioning system (GPS) device, for determining a location of the measuring device when the property of the paving-related material is selectively measured thereby. A portable handheld computer device is in communication with the measuring device, the locating device, and the central computing system, wherein the handheld computer device is configured to receive data, comprising the measured property of the paving-related material and the corresponding location of the measuring device when the property is selectively measured thereby, from the measuring device and the locating device, and to communicate the data with the central computing system for incorporation of the data into the database. An associated device, apparatus, and method are also provided.

Claims

1. A system adapted to determine a property of a paving-related material, said system comprising:

a computing system housing a database;

a measuring device for selectively and directly measuring and determining the property of the paving-related material, the measuring device being remotely disposed with respect to the computing system;

a locating device operably engaged with the measuring device for determining a location of the measuring device when the property of the paving-related material is selectively and directly measured and determined thereby; and

a computer device in communication with the measuring device, the locating device, and capable of communicating with the computing system, the handheld computer device being configured to receive data from the measuring device and the locating device, the data comprising the measured property of the paving-related material and the corresponding location of the measuring device when the property is selectively and directly measured and determined thereby, and to selectively communicate the data with the computing system for incorporation of the data into the database.

2. A system according to claim 1 wherein the measuring device is further adapted to directly measure at least one of a density, a density-related parameter;

and a moisture content of at least one of a soil, an aggregate, and an asphalt paving mix.

3. A system according to claim 1 wherein the computer device is further adapted to receive input from an operator thereof.

4. A system according to claim 1 wherein the computer device is configured to communicate with the computing system via at least one of a wireless and a wireline network.

5. A system according to claim 1 wherein the computer device is further configured to be capable of accessing the database and receiving data therefrom.

6. A system according to claim 1 wherein the measuring device is selected from the group consisting of a nuclear density gauge, a seismic pavement analyzer, a stiffness gauge, a falling weight deflectometer, a ground penetrating radar device, a radio frequency device, an electromagnetic device, a microwave device, and combinations thereof.

7. A system according to claim 1 wherein the locating device is further configured to be capable of indicating the location of the measuring device, independently or the property measurement, so as to allow the measuring device to be located and tracked.

8. A system according to claim 1 wherein the computer device is further adapted to direct the data from the measuring device and the locating device to a third party device without allowing the data to be modified by an operator of the computer device.

9. A system according to claim 1 wherein the computer device is further configured to associate a time and date stamp with the data when the property is measured by the measuring device.

10. A system according to claim 1 wherein the computer device is further configured to be capable of manipulating the data.

11. A system according to claim 1 wherein the database comprises a geographic information system (GIS).

12. A system according to claim 1 wherein the locating device comprises a global positioning system (GPS) device.

13. A system according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the measuring device and the locating device is configured to receive a communication from at least one of the computing system and the computer device.

14. A device adapted to determine a property of a paving-related material, the device being further adapted to be remotely disposed with respect to a computing system housing a database, said device comprising:

a measuring device for selectively and directly measuring and determining the property of the paving-related material;

a locating device operably engaged with the measuring device for determining a location of the measuring device when the property of the paving-related material is selectively and directly measured and determined thereby; and

a computer device in communication with the measuring device and the locating device, and configured to receive data therefrom, the data comprising the measured property of the paving-related material and the corresponding location of the measuring device when the property is selectively and directly measured and determined thereby, the computer device being adapted to be capable of communicating the data with the computing system for incorporation of the data into the database.

15. A device according to claim 14 wherein the measuring device is further adapted to directly measure at least one of a density, a density-related parameter, and a moisture content of at least one of a soil, an aggregate, and an asphalt paving mix.

16. A device according to claim 14 wherein the computer device is further adapted to receive input from an operator thereof.

17. A device according to claim 14 wherein the computer device is further adapted to communicate with the computing system via at least one of a wireless and a wireline network.

18. A device according to claim 14 wherein the computer device is further adapted to ba capable of accessing the database and receiving data therefrom.

19. A device according to claim 14 wherein the measuring device is selected from the group consisting of a nuclear density gauge, a seismic pavement analyzer, a stiffness gauge, a falling weight deflectometer, a ground penetrating radar device, a radio frequency device, an electromagnetic device, a microwave device, and combinations thereof.

20. A device according to claim 14 wherein the locating device is further configured to be capable of indicating the location of the measuring device, independently of the property measurement, so as to allow the measuring device to be located and tracked.

21. A device according to claim 14 wherein the computer device is further adapted to direct the data from the measuring device and the locating device to a third party device without allowing the data to be modified by an operator of the computer device.

22. A device according to claim 14 wherein the computer device is further configured to associate a time and date stamp with the data when the property is measured by the measuring device.

23. A device according to claim 14 wherein the computer device is further configured to be capable of manipulating the data.

24. A device according to claim 14 wherein the locating device comprises a global positioning system (GPS) device.

25. A device according to claim 14 wherein at least one of the measuring device and the locating device is at least one of configured to receive a communication from the computing system and adapted to receive a communication from the computer device.

26. An apparatus adapted to determine a property of a paving-related material, said apparatus comprising:

a measuring device for selectively and directly measuring and determining the property of the paving-related material; and

a locating device operably engaged with the measuring device for determining a location of the measuring device when the property of the paving-related material is selectively and directly measured and determined thereby, the locating device being configured to cooperate with the measuring device to produce data comprising the measured property of the paving-related material and the corresponding location of the measuring device when the property is selectively and directly measured and determined thereby.

27. An apparatus according to claim 26 wherein the measuring device is further adapted to directly measure at least one of a density, a density-related parameter, and a moisture content of at least one of a soil, an aggregate, and an asphalt paving mix.

28. An apparatus according to claim 26 further comprising a computer device capable of communicating with the measuring device and the locating device and configured to receive the data therefrom, the computer device being further adapted to be capable of communicating the data with a computing system remotely disposed with respect to the apparatus, for incorporation of the data into a database housed by the computing system.

29. An apparatus according to claim 28 wherein the computer device is further adapted to receive input from an operator thereof.

30. An apparatus according to claim 28 wherein the computer device is further adapted to communicate with the computing system via at least one of a wireless and a wireline network.

31. An apparatus according to claim 28 wherein the computer device is further adapted to be capable of accessing the database and receiving data therefrom.

32. An apparatus according to claim 28 wherein the computer device is further adapted to direct the data from the measuring device and the locating device to a third party device without allowing the data to be modified by an operator of the computer device.

33. An apparatus according to claim 28 wherein the computer device is further configured to associate a time and date stamp with the data when the property is measured by the measuring device.

34. An apparatus according to claim 28 wherein the computer device is further configured to he capable of manipulating the data.

35. An apparatus according to claim 26 wherein the measuring device is selected from the group consisting of a nuclear density gauge, seismic pavement analyzer, a stiffness gauge, a falling weight deflectometer, a ground penetrating radar device, a radio frequency device, an electromagnetic device, a microwave device, and combinations thereof.

36. An apparatus according to claim 26 wherein the locating device is further configured to be capable of indicating the location of the measuring device, independently of the property measurement, so as to allow the measuring device to be located and tracked.

37. An apparatus according to claim 26 wherein the locating device comprises a global positioning system (GPS) device.

38. An apparatus according to claim 26 wherein at least one of the measuring device and the locating device is adapted to receive a communication from at least one of a computing system and a computer device.

39. A method of determining a property of a paving-related material, said method comprising:

selectively and directly measuring and determining the property of the paving-related material with a measuring device remotely disposed with respect to a computing system housing a database;

concurrently determining a location of the measuring device when the property of the paving-related material is selectively and directly measured and determined thereby with a locating device operably engaged with the measuring device;

selectively directing data from at least one of the measuring device and the locating device to a computer device capable of communicating therewith, the data comprising the measured property of the paving-related material and the corresponding location of the measuring device when the property is selectively and directly measured and determined thereby;

selectively directing the data from the computer device to the computing system; and

incorporating the data into the database.

40. A method according to claim 39 wherein directly measuring the property further comprises directly measuring at least one of a density, a density-related parameter, and a moisture content of at least one of a soil, an aggregate, and an asphalt paving mix with the measuring device.

41. A method according to claim 39 further comprising receiving input into the computer device from an operator thereof before directing the data from the computer device to the computing system.

42. A method according to claim 39 wherein directing the data from the computer device to the computing system further comprises directing the data from the computer device to the computing system via at least one of a wireless and a wireline network.

43. A method according to claim 39 further comprising accessing the database with the computer device so as to receive data therefrom at the computer device.

44. A method according to claim 39 wherein directly measuring the property further comprises directly measuring the property of the paving-related material with a nuclear density gauge, a seismic pavement analyzer, a stiffness gauge, a falling weight deflectometer, a ground penetrating radar device, a radio frequency device, an electromagnetic device, a microwave device, or combinations thereof.

45. A method according to claim 39 further comprising determining the location of the measuring device with the locating device, independently of the property measurement by the measuring device, so as to locate and track the measuring device.

46. A method according to claim 39 wherein directing the data from the computer device further comprises directing the data from the computer device to a third party device without allowing the data to be modified by on operator of the computer device.

47. A method according to claim 39 further comprising associating a time and date stamp with the data concurrently with directly measuring the property of the paving-related material.

48. A method according to claim 39 further comprising manipulating the data with the computer device prior to directing the data from the computer device.

49. A method according to claim 39 wherein directly measuring the property of the paving-related material further comprises directly measuring the property of the paving-related material with a measuring device remotely disposed with respect to a computing system housing a geographic information system (GIS).

50. A method according to claim 39 wherein concurrently determining a location of the measuring device further comprises concurrently determining a location of the measuring device when the property of the paving-related material is measured thereby with a global positioning system (GPS) device operably engaged with the measuring device.

51. A method according to claim 39 further comprising directing a communication to at least one of the measuring device and the locating device from at least one of the computing system and the computer device.