U.S. patent application number 11/939089 was filed with the patent office on 2008-04-03 for system and method of sub-surface system design and installation.
Invention is credited to Chad R. Meiners, Robert E. Meiners.
Application Number | 20080082241 11/939089 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33564340 |
Filed Date | 2008-04-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080082241 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Meiners; Robert E. ; et
al. |
April 3, 2008 |
System and Method of Sub-Surface System Design and Installation
Abstract
The system and method of the present invention provides
comprehensive design and installation management for agricultural
water management systems. Maps and grade profiles are created from
data collected by Global Positioning devices in the field.
Latitude, longitude, and elevation are triangulated from GPS data
to develop contour, grade, and profile maps, used to design
drainage systems in real time. Customer billing information and
vendor pricing information are produced from map and grade profile
data. Interfacing and machine control for machines used to install
drainage and/or irrigation systems are generated from contour,
grade and profile data. Data is exported and imported in common
file formats for efficient data exchange.
Inventors: |
Meiners; Robert E.; (Anchor,
IL) ; Meiners; Chad R.; (East Lansing, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
24IP LAW GROUP USA, PLLC
12 E. LAKE DRIVE
ANNAPOLIS
MD
21403
US
|
Family ID: |
33564340 |
Appl. No.: |
11/939089 |
Filed: |
November 13, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10614221 |
Jul 8, 2003 |
7315800 |
|
|
11939089 |
Nov 13, 2007 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
701/50 ; 172/438;
705/1.1; 705/400 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 30/15 20200101;
A01B 79/005 20130101; A01G 25/06 20130101; G06F 30/13 20200101;
G01N 2001/021 20130101; G06Q 30/0283 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
701/050 ;
172/438; 705/001; 705/400 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 10/00 20060101
G06Q010/00; A01B 13/08 20060101 A01B013/08; G01S 5/00 20060101
G01S005/00; G05D 99/00 20060101 G05D099/00 |
Claims
1. A system for managing drainage system design comprising: a
computer; an input device for accepting GPS data into said
computer, said GPS data comprising a plurality of data points
collected in sections; means within said computer for mapping a
field using said plurality of data points; means within said
computer for designing a drainage system design from said GPS data,
means for generating a cost estimate for said drainage system, and
means for producing an instruction set for tooling machines
installing said drainage system.
2. The system of claim 1 comprising: a mobile vehicle for
collecting survey data in GPS format.
3. The system of claim 1 wherein said mobile vehicle carries a
Real-Time Kinematic Differential Global Positioning System
device.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein the mobile vehicle is selected
from the group consisting of: ATV'S, construction equipment,
tractors, trucks, cars, boats, ships, helicopters, and
airplanes.
5. The system of claim 1 further comprising: a tooling means for
installing said drainage system according to said instruction set
produced by said management means.
6. The system for managing drainage system design of claim 1
wherein the management means is a personal computer.
7. A method of managing drainage system design comprising:
gathering GPS data of a field needing a drainage system said GPS
data comprising coordinates of a plurality of points along a
perimeter of said field; constructing a drainage system design from
said GPS data; generating a cost estimate for said drainage system;
and producing an instruction set for tooling a machine installing
said drainage system.
8. The method of managing drainage system design of claim 7 further
comprising forming a contour map of the field.
9. An improved tiling machine for clearing sub surface areas, said
tiling machine having an on-board computer and a GPS device, the
improvement comprising: a GPS-based instruction set downloaded into
and executed by said on-board computer for controlling grade and
depth of sub surfaces areas cleared by the tiling machine.
10. (canceled)
11. An article of manufacture comprising: a computer program
product, said computer program product comprising a means for grid
initialization, a means for dropping a point on a grid, a means for
querying the altitude of the point, and a means for generating
topographic lines, wherein said grid initialization comprises means
for identifying a bounding box according to longitudes and
latitudes of a plurality of points on a perimeter of said bounding
box.
12. A method of managing drainage system design according to claim
7, wherein said step of gathering comprises: collecting and
recording a plurality of latitude and longitude coordinates at
predetermined intervals around a perimeter of a field; and
collecting a plurality of data points within said field in
sections.
13. A method of managing drainage system design according to claim
12 wherein said sections comprise of swaths of varying widths
dependant upon the topography.
14. A method of managing drainage system design according to claim
12 wherein said plurality of data points within each section of
said field comprise coordinates of a high point and low point in
said section.
15. A method of managing drainage system design according to claim
14 wherein said plurality of data points within each section
further comprise coordinates of at least one depression.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a continuation of and claims the
benefit of the filing of U.S. Non-provisional patent application
Ser. No. 10/614,221, which was filed by the present inventors on
Jul. 8, 2003.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] 1. Field of the Invention
[0004] The present invention relates broadly to the field of
agriculture, and more specifically to the use of topographic data
in the field of agriculture.
[0005] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0006] In the field of agriculture, irrigation systems water crop
fields, and tile systems are manage water drainage in crop fields.
Often, irrigation and tile systems are "sub surface," or installed
under ground. Networks of pipe and/or tubing are installed
underground for both systems, including main collector lines and a
number of outlets. Outlets drain excess water into non-crop areas
or drainage ditches which move the water away from crop fields. One
or more junction boxes may be installed to check flows, sub mains,
and drains. Irrigation and tiling systems are placed to provide the
surrounding topography the best possible water supply and drainage.
Additionally, outlets are placed where they are best protected from
erosion, settlement, rodents, silting, shifting and damage by
machinery and livestock. Discharge outlets further must be placed
above the natural water level or bottom of a drainage ditch so that
discharged water can drain freely.
Generally, this requires drainage to be staged at various grades,
effectively using gravity to effect draining. However, where
needed, pumps can be installed to facilitate drainage.
[0007] In order to properly position and install sub surface
systems, contractors must assess the topography of the land. To do
so, a topographical map of the area is prepared. A topographical
map represents a three-dimensional land surface on a
two-dimensional plane, for example, a map on a piece of paper. A
topographical map uses lines and symbols to represent features in
relation to the earth's surface. Terrain shape and elevation are
depicted with contour lines.
[0008] To prepare a topographical map, a survey must be taken to
determine horizontal and vertical measurements of various elevation
points. These horizontal and vertical measurements can be gathered
either by using a Global Positioning Systems (GPS) or surveying
from a known benchmark. Specific elevation points are triangulated,
and topographical maps are developed by hand from the triangulated
data set.
[0009] Using the topographical map, an engineer and/or contractor,
typically, uses the information to design a tile system. The
topographical map further provides elevational information that is
especially important to programming machine tools used to install
the tile system.
[0010] Other current systems collect data points using survey
grade, Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) Differential Global Positioning
Systems (DGPS). In order to generate a topographical map from the
RTK system data, the collected data must first be transferred to a
CAD program. The latitude, longitude, and altitude coordinates must
be converted into a datum set for compatibility with CAD. The
profile is then developed in CAD. Automated installation machines
are grade controlled using the topographic map, and use the
latitude, longitude, and altitude data generated by the RTK system.
To use the topography data generated by CAD, the x,y,z datum sets
must be converted back to latitude, longitude, and altitude data
points. This repeated conversion degrades the precision of the data
point locations. Further, current systems use the highly expensive
RTK equipment with the installation machines to try and correct for
the error, thus adding significant cost.
[0011] Another problem associated with using RTK GPS systems to
create topographical maps is dependency on benchmark and base
station locations which can shift over time. A benchmark is a
reference object. Topographic coordinates are measured from the
base station or benchmark location. The setup of a base station is
inconvenient, time consuming, and introduces error into the survey
if the exact position cannot be located again. The position of
benchmark objects, such as trees, buildings, and stones, may be
shifted or eliminated all together over time. Thus, locating the
base station and benchmarks becomes a serious problem for future
use.
[0012] Another problem arises from the type of survey equipment
required with current systems. Many known systems require data
points to be collected using laser survey equipment to compensate
for the accuracy loss caused by multiple data conversions. Laser
equipment is very costly, increasing both the contractor and
farmer's expense.
[0013] Yet another problem with present systems and methods is that
maps cannot be created in the field either in real time or from a
single program. Instead, current systems address only one function
at a time, and do not integrate and stream line the design and
build process.
[0014] Still another problem with current systems stems from
relying on footage measurements. After maps are created, the
objects of the map cannot be easily located by latitude, longitude,
and altitude using global positioning devices. Points have to be
converted to footage from a known benchmark. The benchmarks are not
easily located years after the map is created. Since the
combination of different computer programs is required, the cost
and time is substantial. Organization of computer data files for
one project is difficult and requires the storing of many files.
The probability of using the data in future projects is
difficult.
[0015] Tile machines are used to dig out and fill in subsurface
areas where tiling components are placed in a field. Currently, to
exercise grade control over machines, each one must have an
expensive RTK system. Further, using known systems and methods of
drainage system design management, an RTK system would be needed
for the initial survey and for each tiling machine. Since RTK
systems are quite expensive, the system designer bears heavy costs
for the necessary equipment.
[0016] Still another problem with current systems is that they do
not provide data used for preparing estimates, billing, and
generally providing business-related information. Thus, when using
current systems, a contractor must purchase business related
software and manually enter data associated with materials and
labor for a proposed system design.
[0017] Although prior systems, methods, and devices generally
functioned well and provided advantages over prior systems,
methods, and devices, they do not provide users with an integrated
system of tiling system design management. They further do not
provide integrated mapping and tooling. They also do not provide a
cost-effective means for designing various types of systems where
topographic information is needed in the design process.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0018] The present invention has been made in view of the above
circumstances and has as an aspect to provide a system and method
of managing the design and installation of agricultural water
management systems. Another aspect of the present invention is to
provide a comprehensive system and method of managing the design
and installation of water management systems, which reduce the
amount of interface equipment, and reduce cost.
[0019] The system and method of the present invention provides
comprehensive design and installation management for water
management systems. Maps and grade profiles are created from data
collected by Global Positioning devices in the field. Latitude,
longitude, and elevation are triangulated from GPS data to develop
contour, grade, and profile maps, used to design irrigation and
drainage systems in real time. Customer billing information and
vendor pricing information are produced from map and grade profile
data. Interfacing and machine control for machines used to install
irrigation and/or drainage systems are generated from contour,
grade and profile data. Data is exported and imported in common
file formats for efficient data exchange.
[0020] Still other aspects, features, and advantages of the present
invention are readily apparent from the following detailed
description, simply by illustrating preferable embodiments and
implementations. The present invention is also capable of other and
different embodiments, and its several details can be modified in
various respects, all without departing from the spirit and scope
of the present invention. Accordingly, the drawings and
descriptions are to be regarded as illustration in nature, and not
as restrictive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this specification illustrate some embodiments
of the invention and, together with the description, serve to
explain the objects, advantages, and principles of the invention.
In the drawings,
[0022] FIG. 1 is a preferred embodiment of a management system in
accordance with the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 2 is a logic flow diagram of a portion of the mapping
process in accordance with the present invention, namely, grid
initialization.
[0024] FIG. 3 is a logic flow diagram of a portion of the mapping
process in accordance with the present invention, namely, querying
the altitude of a point.
[0025] FIG. 4 is a logic flow diagram of a portion of the mapping
process in accordance with the present invention, namely,
generating topographical lines.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0026] FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present
invention. An agricultural field 10 requires a drainage system. A
mobile vehicle 12 carries an RTK system including a computer having
an Input/Output (I/O means) 13 for uploading and downloading data
to the RTK system. Preferably the RTK system includes a rugged
computer encased to protect the computer from the elements and
shock from traveling over the rough terrain. The mobile vehicle may
take a variety of forms, such as ATV'S, construction equipment,
tractors, trucks, cars, boats, ships, helicopters, airplanes, or
the like. A computer having at least a 2.0 Gigahertz processor, a
20 Gigabyte hard drive, and 128 Megabytes of volatile memory is
preferred for use with the present invention, although computer
having different or less capability may be used as well. The rugged
computer stores and executes software for surveying an area using
GPS coordinates. The RTK system is used to survey and gather very
accurate data points for creating a contour map of the area
specified.
[0027] The mobile vehicle 12 travels around a perimeter of the
field 10 with the mapping program automatically records the
latitude and longitude coordinates of the vehicle from the RTK
device at predetermined intervals, for example, every five feet.
Next, the system is used to map the area in the field 10. Data
points are gathered in sections. For example, a given field may
preferably be divided into 25-foot swaths. In each section,
coordinates of a high point 18, a low point 14, as well as
depressions 16 or high points 20 that may not be in a particular
swath are gathered. Each point has a latitude, longitude and
altitude coordinate.
[0028] Once the survey data is gathered, survey data is transferred
through the I/O means 13 to a management station 22. Preferably, a
flash card inserted into the I/O means 13 is used to download
survey data from the RTK system. However, it will be appreciated by
one skilled in the art that a variety of mediums, for example, CD
ROMs and diskettes, may be used. Additionally, it will be
appreciated by one skilled in the art that wireless embodiments may
be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.
One the data is transferred to the management station 22, it may be
used to generate a contour map of the field 10, which is further
used to design irrigation and drainage systems, and calculate costs
to install these systems.
[0029] The management station 22 is preferably a personal computer
having a processor and memory. The management station 22 stores and
executes a computer program for generating contour maps, designing
irrigation and drainage systems, estimating costs to install
irrigation and drainage systems. Referring to FIGS. 2-4, creating a
contour map in accordance with the present invention is
illustrated. The mapping process includes 3 parts: grid
initialization 100, querying the altitude of a point 300, and
generating topographic lines 400. For grid initialization 100, a
bounding box is identified 105 according to the longitude, latitude
and altitude of each point on the perimeter. Next, the coordinate
system resolution 115 is performed by identifying the longitude,
latitude and altitude of each data point (14, 16, 18, 20)
identified in the field 10. It will be appreciated by one of
ordinary skill in the art that selecting more data points in the
initial survey, i.e., having a finer grid resolution, will result
in smoother contour lines. Create a grid of equilateral triangles
with side length resolution 125.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 3, the process of querying the altitude of
a point of the mapping process of the present invention is
illustrated. Querying the altitude of a point on the grid comprises
the steps of dropping point on the grid, finding a triangle point
projected on the XY plane 210, and adjusting the triangle's three
points according to a weighted distance sum.
[0031] Referring to FIG. 4, the process of generating topographical
lines of the mapping process of the present invention is
illustrated. Generate topographic lines 400. Get line altitude 410.
Grab next triangle in grid 420. Calculate points on triangle's
edges that are at grade altitude 430. Connect found points with
lines 440. Next, the counter looks for whether any more triangles
remain 450. If triangles do remain 455, the process continues back
to step 420 to grab the next triangle. If no triangles remain, the
grid overlay is complete 460. The topographical map shows points at
equal elevations connected to each other.
[0032] Referring again to FIG. 1, the finished contour map and
related date is then used to carry out other functions related to
designing and installing irrigation and drainage systems. The
management station 22 stores and executes software for designing
these systems, as well as managing a variety of business
calculations related to the cost of installing a proposed system.
The design of the tile system is created by drawing tile lines over
the contour map, and calculating the elevation from the mapping
triangulation, described above. The design program provides data
for the tile location, grade, flow, and size. Also using the
contour map data, the location, grade, size and acreage of each
terrace in the design is calculated. Location, grade, flow, and
size of cleared surfaces is also calculated. The program uses the
tile size and footage of the designed system to calculate a cost
estimate 24. The program can prepare a variety of estimates 24
including costs from more than one vendor. A copy of the contour
map and proposed irrigation or drainage system generated 24 may
also be given to the customer.
[0033] Irrigation or drainage design data is transferred via a
transfer means (not shown), such as a flash card, from the
management station 22 to at least one machine tool 26 used to dig
and install the tiling system. Typically, the machine tool 26 is a
tile plow. However, it will be appreciated that a wide variety of
construction machines may be used without departing from the scope
of the present invention. The machine tool 26 is controlled by
instructions generated by the management station 22. If the machine
tool 26 includes a grade control mechanism, such as a laser, a
combined laser and DGPS, or RTK system, then the contour map may be
used without further calculation. However, when the machine tool 26
does not include such grade controls, objects are flagged to
indicate digging locations. The machine tool 26 then digs and
installs tiles or irrigation devices according to the locations on
the map. If the machine tool 26 includes an interface for machine
control, the machine tool 26 will only need a laser system with sub
meter DGPS. The RTK system on the mobile vehicle may be used at
this time to gather more data points for new projects or compliment
data gathered by the tile machine. However, it is not required.
Thus, from survey through installation, only one RTK system is
required for the entire operation.
[0034] The machine tool 26 maps where each tile is actually placed
while installing the tile. A final map and bill is produced for the
customer. With the final map, either the contractor or customer can
locate tiles from the DGPS coordinates, and does not need a
benchmark.
[0035] In an alternative embodiment, machine controls for multiple
grades use the map printout and grade profiles for standard 1/10
grade with just laser control. For problem areas with multiple
grades, a multi-grade profile printout can be used for reference by
a person who controls the grade of the machine manually. Manual
control is accomplished by measuring the footage the machine tool
26 travels and then changing the grade at pre-determined footage
break points. Using the manual-control embodiment, the GPS model
used in conjunction with the machine tool 26 can have a lesser
degree of accuracy, saving the customer from additional costs.
Thus, the present invention allows for controlling the machine tool
26 using global positioning devices that have different degrees of
accuracy. Specifically, devices having no differential correction
with accuracy between 9-15 feet, devices with differential
correction and accuracy within 9 feet, devices with differential
correction and sub-meter accuracy, and differential correction and
an accuracy within 3 centimeters.
[0036] If desired, the RTK mobile vehicle could then be used to map
where the tile lines and other features of the system are located
during the installation process.
[0037] It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that, while
the present system and method is described in the context of
drainage systems and irrigation systems installed below ground
level, the present invention may be used in a variety of contexts
where contour and grade information is needed. Examples of such
systems include spin ditches and waterways. Further, such systems
may be used to install non-agricultural systems, for example,
fiber-optic networks or sewage systems, which require below-ground
components.
[0038] Though the preferred embodiment is described as collecting
data points which are transferred to the management station 22, it
will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the data points
may be processed at the computer of the mobile vehicle 12 without
departing from the scope of the present invention.
[0039] The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the
invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and
description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the
invention to the precise form disclosed, and modifications and
variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be
acquired from practice of the invention. The embodiment was chosen
and described in order to explain the principles of the invention
and its practical application to enable one skilled in the art to
utilize the invention in various embodiments as are suited to the
particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the
invention be defined by the claims appended hereto, and their
equivalents. The entirety of each of the aforementioned documents
is incorporated by reference herein.
* * * * *