U.S. patent application number 12/773008 was filed with the patent office on 2010-08-19 for wireless utility asset mapping device method.
Invention is credited to Sanjiv H. Devani, Saul O. Iglesias, Mohammad Mojahedul Islam, Joseph S. Purtell, Edward T. Sitler.
Application Number | 20100207816 12/773008 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39667347 |
Filed Date | 2010-08-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100207816 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Islam; Mohammad Mojahedul ;
et al. |
August 19, 2010 |
WIRELESS UTILITY ASSET MAPPING DEVICE METHOD
Abstract
A wireless utility asset mapping device method comprises
locating a utility asset, and placing a wireless utility asset
mapping device over the location of the utility asset. The wireless
utility asset mapping devices comprises a pole. A positioning
receiver is connected to the pole. A wireless modem is connected to
the pole and to the positioning receiver. At least one weatherproof
housing is connected to the pole and encloses the positioning
receiver and the wireless modem. A coordinate of the wireless
utility asset mapping device is determined. The coordinated is
wirelessly transmitted to a remote asset tracking computer.
Inventors: |
Islam; Mohammad Mojahedul;
(Orlando, FL) ; Sitler; Edward T.; (Maryville,
TN) ; Iglesias; Saul O.; (Orlando, FL) ;
Purtell; Joseph S.; (Beverly, MA) ; Devani; Sanjiv
H.; (Andover, MA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ELLIOT FURMAN
15 WEST 81ST STREET #11J
NEW YORK
NY
10024
US
|
Family ID: |
39667347 |
Appl. No.: |
12/773008 |
Filed: |
May 3, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11627589 |
Jan 26, 2007 |
|
|
|
12773008 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
342/357.29 ;
342/357.25 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01S 7/003 20130101;
G01C 15/00 20130101; G01S 5/0027 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
342/357.29 ;
342/357.25 |
International
Class: |
G01S 19/46 20100101
G01S019/46; G01S 19/42 20100101 G01S019/42 |
Claims
1. A wireless utility asset mapping device method comprising:
locating a utility asset; placing a wireless utility asset mapping
device over the location of the utility asset; determining a
coordinate of the wireless utility asset mapping device; and
wirelessly transmitting the coordinate.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of determining comprises
determining a global positioning system coordinate with an accuracy
of better than one meter.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of wirelessly
transmitting comprises at least one of the following: transmitting
at around a 900 megahertz band or greater, transmitting with spread
spectrum modulation, transmitting according to an 802.xx wireless
specification, and transmitting packetized wireless data.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of locating comprises:
physically locating an approximate location of the utility asset;
and inspecting the utility asset from the approximate location to
determine a more precise location.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein the step of inspecting comprises
at least one of the following: inspecting visually, inspecting with
a line locator, inspecting with a metal detector, inspecting with a
still camera, inspecting with a video camera, inspecting with
radar, inspecting with sound, inspecting with magnetic fields,
inspecting with electromagnetic fields, inspecting with a gas
detector, inspecting with sonar, inspecting with a sonde
transmitter, inspecting with a sonde receiver, inspecting with a
submersible camera, inspecting with a robotic crawler, inspecting
with a pipe scrubbing and scraping device, inspecting with a smart
pig, inspecting with a horizontal drilling device, inspecting with
a vertical drilling device, inspecting with thermal imaging,
inspecting with a microgravity detector, inspecting with a
radiation detector, inspecting with x-rays device, inspecting with
a pressure sensor, and inspecting with a seismic detector.
6. The method of claim 5 further comprising transmitting at least
one of the following: a measurement from the step of inspecting, a
depth measurement, sensor measurements, a still image, a video,
text, and audio.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of determining comprises
determining a latitude and a longitude of the utility asset.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein the step of determining further
comprises determining a depth of the utility asset.
9. The method of claim 1 further comprising transmitting other
utility asset information over long distance.
10. The method of claim 1 further comprising: receiving proximal to
the wireless utility asset mapping device information related to
the utility asset; and displaying the related information.
11. The method of claim 1, (a) wherein the wireless utility asset
mapping devices comprises, a pole having a top end, a bottom end,
and a middle section extending from the top end to the bottom end,
wherein the pole is telescoping; a positioning receiver connected
to the pole; a wireless modem connected to the pole and to the
positioning receiver; at least one weatherproof housing connected
to the pole and enclosing the positioning receiver and the wireless
modem; and (b) wherein the step of placing comprises placing the
pole over the location of the utility asset.
12. A wireless utility asset mapping device method comprising:
locating a utility asset; placing a pole of a wireless utility
asset mapping device over the location of the utility asset,
wherein the wireless utility asset mapping devices comprises, the
pole having a top end, a bottom end, and a middle section extending
from the top end to the bottom end, wherein the pole telescoping; a
positioning receiver connected to the pole; a wireless modem
connected to the pole and to the positioning receiver; at least one
weatherproof housing connected to the pole and enclosing the
positioning receiver and the wireless modem; and determining a
coordinate of the wireless utility asset mapping device; and
wirelessly transmitting the coordinate to a remote asset tracking
computer.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein the step of locating comprises:
physically locating an approximate location of the utility asset;
and inspecting the utility asset from the approximate location to
determine a more precise location.
14. The method of claim 12 further comprising: receiving proximal
to the wireless utility asset mapping device information related to
the utility asset; and displaying the related information.
15. The method of claim 12 wherein the step of determining further
comprises determining a depth of the utility asset.
16. The method of claim 12 further comprising wirelessly
transmitting at least one of the following: a depth measurement,
sensor measurements, a still image, a video, text, and audio.
Description
[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 11/627,589, filed Jan. 26, 2007, which is hereby
incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Utility assets include sewer, storm, fiber, and gas
pipelines for utilities such as, natural gas, electric, water,
sewer, stormwater, telecommunications, gasoline and oil. In order
to maintain utility assets, and to do construction in and around
utility assets, it is absolutely essential to have accurate maps of
the utility assets. Inaccurate maps can lead to serious damage to
utility assets, and to disruption of vital utilities. Even worse,
inaccurate maps can lead to injury and even death of utility
workers and civilians, as occurred in 2004 in California when a
backhoe excavating for a water distribution line punctured a buried
high-pressure fuel pipeline. Gasoline released into the water pipe
trench was ignited by welding activities inside the pipe, creating
an explosion that killed five workers.
[0003] Companies have long attempted to maintain accurate records
of utility assets using various surveying techniques. In recent
years, global positioning systems (GPS) have been used to more
accurately ascertain the position of utility assets. Some of these
prior art systems are bulky and must be transported to a site in a
truck or trailer. To cut down on bulk, some prior art systems
employ a hand-held GPS unit with internal memory. A utility worker
surveying for utility assets stores the GPS coordinates of found
utility assets in the internal memory. Later, the stored GPS
coordinates are manually transferred to a database in an asset
tracking computer. By manual transferring, it is meant that either
the GPS coordinates are read from the GPS unit and typed into the
asset tracking computer, or the GPS unit or memory of the GPS unit
is connected to the asset tracking computer and electronically
transferred.
[0004] While potentially providing more accurate location
information, the process of finding the utility asset, storing it
in the GPS unit, and manually transferring it to the database is
still cumbersome, and error prone. Furthermore, the coordinates by
themselves are not as useful without a utility asset type assigned
to those coordinates. Thus, additional steps often required in the
prior art include the utility worker keeping a record of the type
of utility asset at the coordinates, and manually transferring the
type with the coordinates, after storing. Some attempts to
eliminate some steps of the manual transfer process have been made
by employing a GPS unit with built-in Bluetooth transceiver (IEEE
802.15). However, since Bluetooth has a range of only tens of feet,
the pairing of GPS with Bluetooth for the purpose of transmitting
coordinates to an asset tracking computer has proved to be less
than practical in real world application.
[0005] Thus there is a need for a wireless utility asset mapping
device and method.
SUMMARY
[0006] A wireless utility asset mapping device method comprises
locating a utility asset, placing a wireless utility asset mapping
device over the location of the utility asset, determining a
coordinate of the wireless utility asset mapping device, and
wirelessly transmitting the coordinate.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a wireless utility asset mapping device.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a wireless utility asset mapping device
method.
[0009] FIG. 3 shows additional steps of locating a utility
asset.
[0010] FIG. 4 shows additional steps of determining a
coordinate.
[0011] FIG. 5 shows steps of receiving and displaying related
information proximal to the wireless utility asset mapping
device.
[0012] FIG. 6 shows one exemplary embodiment of the wireless
utility asset mapping device.
[0013] FIG. 7 shows a system for wireless tracking of utility
assets.
[0014] FIG. 8 shows a method for wirelessly tracking utility
assets.
[0015] FIG. 9 shows additional steps of determining a coordinate
for the method of FIG. 8.
[0016] FIG. 10 shows steps of wirelessly transmitting other utility
asset information for the method of FIG. 8.
[0017] FIG. 11 shows steps of receiving and displaying related
information proximal to the wireless utility asset mapping device
for the method of FIG. 8.
[0018] FIG. 12 shows various system configurations for wirelessly
tracking utility assets.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] Referring to FIG. 1 a wireless utility asset mapping device
11 (equivalently referred to herein as the "device") is shown. The
wireless utility asset mapping device 11 includes a pole 10, a
positioning receiver 12 connected to the pole 10, a wireless modem
14 connected to the pole and the positioning receiver 12, and at
least one weatherproof housing 16 enclosing the positioning
receiver 12 and wireless modem 14.
[0020] The pole 10 has a top end 10a, a bottom end 10b, and a
middle section 10c connecting the top end 10a and the bottom end
10b, and extending the distance between the top end 10a and bottom
end 10b. Positioning receiver 12 and wireless modem 14 are both
connected closer to the top end 10a of pole 10 than the bottom end
10b.
[0021] The device 11 also includes at least one battery 18
connected to positioning receiver 12 and wireless modem 14. The at
least one battery 18 powers positioning receiver 12, wireless modem
14, and any other components (to be described below) of the device.
While FIG. 1 shows one exemplary device having two batteries, it is
understood that one battery may be employed, or more than two
batteries may be employed. The battery or batteries may be integral
to positioning receiver 12, wireless modem 14, at least one
weatherproof housing 16, or other components. Furthermore, the
device 11 may comprise a solar powered source comprising a solar
cell(s). For example a solar power source may provide power and be
connected to positioning receiver 12 and wireless modem 14, and/or
the solar power source may be connected to battery 18 for charging
the battery 18.
[0022] In one embodiment, positioning receiver 12 comprises a
global positioning system (GPS) receiver having sub-meter accuracy.
Such global positioning receivers are well understood by those
having ordinary skill in the art, and are widely commercially
available. One exemplary GPS receiver is the GPS Pathfinder ProXT
receiver sold by Trimble Navigation. Other exemplary GPS receivers
include receivers from Leica and Garmin, receivers that are
NMEA-0183 compatible, and receivers which are operable through an
RS-232 port.
[0023] Positioning receiver 12 is connected to wireless modem 14.
Wireless modem 14 is a long range wireless modem. Wireless modem 14
receives digital and/or analog data from positioning receiver 12
and transmits it wirelessly over long distance. By "long distance"
and "long range" it is meant that the data is transmitted such that
it can be reliably received by a compatible wireless receiver at
least 500 feet away. Furthermore "long distance" and "long range"
means that the long range wireless modem operates reliably in many
different environments. One type of an environment is a "low
density" area, for example rural areas and areas where there are
few line of sight obstructions. Another environment is a "high
density" areas. High density areas include areas such as cities,
areas with a high density of people, buildings and structures, and
in or near areas such as cities and airports where there is usually
significant ambient radio frequency noise.
[0024] Wireless modem 14 may be a radio frequency (RF) modem
comprising an RF transmitter operating in a frequency band around
at least 900 MHz. For example, the wireless modem 14 may operate in
frequency bands of 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz, 3.5 GHz, 5.8 GHz, other
frequency bands above 5.8 GHz, other frequency bands below 5.8 GHz,
or any other available, widely used, or allowable frequency band
used for wireless communications.
[0025] Furthermore wireless modem 14 may operate according to many
well understood standards and principles. For example, wireless
modem 14 may comprises a spread spectrum modem. Also, wireless
modem 14 may operate according to a specification such as an 802.xx
wireless specification. As used herein, 802.xx is meant to refer to
any number of wireless specifications from the Institute of
Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE). Without limitation, one
example of an 802.xx wireless specifications includes 802.16, also
known as WiMAX. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that are
many other 802.xx wireless specifications either in existence,
proposed, or to be proposed that may be employed by the wireless
modem to operate over long distance. The wireless modem 14 may
operate according to any number of wireless packetized data
specifications or protocols. The wireless modem 14, and other
elements of the wireless utility asset mapping device may comprise
a unique network identifier such as a MAC address and IP
address.
[0026] Of course wireless modem 14 does not have to operate
according an 802.xx specification, and may operate according to
many well known wireless methods capable of long distance
communications. One example of a spread spectrum wireless modem 14
capable of both transmitting and receiving digital data is the
XStream PKG RF Modem sold by MaxStream. Another type of RF modem
comprises a modem which communicates via an existing cellular or
mobile phone network.
[0027] The pole 10 may comprise many different types of materials,
shapes, colors, and may have various different features. For
example in one embodiment, the pole is fixed in length. In another
embodiment, the pole is variable in length and may be telescoping.
The variable length pole may be variable from around three feet to
around seven feet. The length of the pole may be varied by opening
or loosening a handle, lock, collar, or other prior art device of
the pole to allow it to extend or retract, and then closing the
handle, lock, or collar to lock to the desired length. The variable
length pole may alternately have threaded telescoping portions that
extend and retract by turning the telescoping portions in the
threads. The variable length pole may have threaded or non-threaded
attachments, collars, or rings that allow shorter sections of pole,
extensions, or devices to be added to or removed from the pole,
thereby increasing or decreasing its length. Also, the variable
length pole may comprise markings 22 indicating the length of the
pole.
[0028] Furthermore, the bottom end 10b of the pole 10, whether
variable in length or fixed, may comprise a point 20, or a stand
such as a tripod or a base, or other device that allows the pole to
stand without being held. The bottom end 10b may also comprise a
helical device such as an auger, a drill, a large "corkscrew", or
similar attachment. The helical device may be manually rotated (for
example, into the ground) or may be powered. The helical device may
be telescopic or otherwise extendible. The bottom end 10b of the
pole 10 may further comprise a sensor. The sensor may comprise a
transmitter, a receiver, a transceiver, a transponder, and the
like. For example, the bottom end 10b of the pole 10 may comprise a
sonde receiver.
[0029] As mentioned briefly above, the device 11 also includes at
least one weatherproof housing 16. There may be one or more than
one weatherproof housing 16 enclosing positioning receiver 12 and
wireless modem 14. For example, positioning receiver 12 may be
enclosed by a first weatherproof housing and wireless modem 14 may
be enclosed by a second weatherproof housing 14. The battery or
batteries may be enclosed by their own weatherproof housing, or
they may share a weatherproof housing with positioning receiver 12
and/or wireless modem 14. Weatherproof housings also include
waterproof housings. The weatherproof housing may be brightly
colored. It may be made of plastic or any suitable material and may
include gaskets and other well known weatherproofing devices.
[0030] The device 11 may also comprise at least one antenna. It is
well understood that positioning receiver 12 and wireless modem 14
each comprise at least one antenna. These at least one antennas may
be enclosed within positioning receiver 12 and/or wireless modem 14
and/or at least one weatherproof housing 16. For example antenna
24a is connected to positioning receiver 12 and enclosed by at
least one weatherproof housing. Further, positioning receiver 12
may have one or more antennas (not shown) internal to a case
housing positioning receiver 12.
[0031] Likewise, wireless modem may have one or more antenna. As
shown in FIG. 1, at least one antenna 24b extends from weatherproof
housing 16. Antenna 24b is connected to wireless modem 14. The at
least one antenna may also be connected to positioning receiver 12
or wireless modem 14 with a wire which passes through the at least
one weatherproof house 16, and the antenna mounted on the pole
10.
[0032] Examining FIG. 1, the device 11 may also include an external
interface module 26. If included, the external interface module is
in communication with wireless modem 14 and/or with positioning
receiver 12. This may done in many ways, for example, as shown in
FIG. 1, the positioning receiver 12 and the external interface
module are both connected directly to the wireless modem 14.
However, in another configuration (illustrated in FIG. 7), the
positioning receiver 12 is connected to the external interface
module 26a, which in turn is connected to the wireless modem 14. Of
course other configurations are possible, by themselves, or in
combination.
[0033] Additionally, if the external interface module 26 is
included, for example external interface module 26a, it may be
connected to pole 10 around the middle section 10c of the pole 10,
for example, just above the midway point between top end 10a and
bottom end 10b. In another embodiment, external interface module
26b is not connected to pole 10. In this case, external interface
module 26b may be in wireless communication with position receiver
12 and/or wireless modem 14 through at least one antenna 24a, 24b
or another antenna described above but not illustrated. In yet
another embodiment, the device comprises more than one external
interface module, such as modules 26a and 26b. Here, modules 26a
and 26b may be in communication with each other, and thus module
26b is in communication with wireless modem 14 and/or positioning
receiver 12 through module 26a. No matter the case, if an external
interface module 26 is included, at least one more weatherproof
housing 16 may be included to enclose the external interface
module(s) 26.
[0034] The external interface module 26 may comprise any number of
items such as switches, buttons, circuits, a handheld computer, a
wireless mobile device, a touch screen, a keyboard or keypad,
antennas, a camera, a speaker, a microphone, lights, light emitting
diodes, liquid crystal displays, an antenna, circuits for storing
data, manipulating data, routing data, and ports such as memory
card ports, serial ports, parallel ports, optical ports, Ethernet
ports, pcmcia ports, and the like.
[0035] Referring briefly above with reference to positioning
receiver 12 and wireless modem 14, one or both may also comprise at
least one communication port. Examples of communication ports
include serial ports, parallel ports, optical ports, Ethernet
ports, pcmcia ports, and the like. It is understood, for example,
such ports include low speed as well as high speed ports such as
USB and Firewire ports. These and other ports may be used to
connect, for example, positioning receiver 12 to wireless modem 14,
and external interface module 26a to wireless modem 14.
Additionally, positioning receiver 12 and/or wireless modem may
comprise a wireless transceiver such as an 802.xx wireless
transceiver. For example, positioning receiver 12 may comprise a
wireless personal area network transceiver, such as a Bluetooth
transceiver (IEEE 802.15), connected to antenna 24a. In this case,
for example, external interface module 26b may comprise a handheld
computer or mobile wireless device comprising a Bluetooth
transceiver, and module 26b may communicate over short distance
with positioning receiver 12 which in turn is in communication with
wireless modem 14.
[0036] The wireless utility asset mapping device 11 may also
comprise external equipment 26. The external equipment 28 is in
communication with external interface 26. The external equipment
may comprise any number of devices for collecting data, detecting
conditions, surveying conditions, and taking any number of
measurements in and around utility assets, including underground
and underwater. As well understood by those having ordinary skill
in the art, such external equipment may employ electromagnetic,
magnetic, sonic, acoustic, radar such as ground penetrating radar,
live line detection, and robotic crawler systems and methods. Thus
a small example of the range of external equipment includes a line
locator, a metal detector, a still camera, a video camera, a radar
such as a ground penetrating radar and subsurface interface radar,
an acoustic sensor, a magnetic detector, an electromagnetic
detector, a gas detector, a sonar device, a sonde transmitter, a
sonde receiver, a submersible camera, a robotic crawler, a pipe
scrubbing and scraping device, a smart pig, a horizontal drilling
device, a vertical drilling device, a thermal imaging device, a
microgravity detector, a radiation detector, an x-ray device, a
pressure measuring device, and a seismic detector.
[0037] With this in mind, FIG. 2 shows a wireless utility asset
mapping device method. Briefly, a utility asset is located (step
30), the wireless utility asset mapping device is placed over the
location of the utility asset (step 32), the coordinate of the
wireless utility asset mapping device is determined (step 36), and
the coordinate is transmitted over long distance (step 38).
[0038] Adding additional detail, the utility asset is located (step
30) by visual inspection and/or through records. The step of
locating (30) may yield the exact location or the asset or a branch
of the asset, such as a manhole cover, or only the approximate
location in the case where the asset is obscured or buried. In
either case, a worker places the bottom end of the pole of the
wireless utility asset tracking device over the exact or
approximate location of the utility asset (step 32).
[0039] Referring briefly back to FIG. 1, when the wireless utility
asset tracking device is operating, positioning receiver 12
determines the coordinates of the positioning receiver 12, and in
turn the pole 10, which in turn indicates the location of the
utility asset. These coordinates, which comprise a latitude and
longitude, are received by the wireless modem 14 which transmits
them over long distance. As will be disclosed below, the
coordinates (along with optional other information) may be received
and stored in a remote asset tracking computer.
[0040] Accordingly, and with reference to FIG. 2, the coordinate is
determined with sub-meter accuracy (better than one meter) (step
36), and the coordinate is transmitted over long distance (step
38). As already disclosed the step of transmitting (step 38) may
comprise at least one of the following: transmitting around at
least a 900 megahertz band, transmitting with spread spectrum
modulation, transmitting according to an 802.xx wireless
specification, and transmitting packetized wireless data.
[0041] As sometimes happens, the utility asset is buried or
otherwise obscured. In this case, the step of locating (step 26)
further comprises physically locating an approximate location of
the utility asset (step 40 of FIG. 3), and inspecting the utility
asset from the approximate location to determine a more precise
location (step 42 of FIG. 3).
[0042] As disclosed above with reference to the external equipment
(28 of FIG. 1), the inspecting (step 42) further comprises any
number of the following, or equivalent: inspecting visually,
inspecting with a line locator, inspecting with a metal detector,
inspecting with a still camera, inspecting with a video camera,
inspecting with radar, inspecting with sound, inspecting with
magnetic fields, inspecting with electromagnetic fields, inspecting
with a gas detector, inspecting with sonar, inspecting with a sonde
transmitter, inspecting with a sonde receiver, inspecting with a
submersible camera, inspecting with a robotic crawler, inspecting
with a pipe scrubbing and scraping device, inspecting with a smart
pig, inspecting with a horizontal drilling device, inspecting with
a vertical drilling device, inspecting with thermal imaging,
inspecting with a microgravity detector, inspecting with a
radiation detector, inspecting with x-rays device, inspecting with
a pressure sensor, and inspecting with a seismic detector.
[0043] Since the external equipment (28 of FIG. 1) is in
communication with the wireless modem (14 of FIG. 1) through the
external interface (26 of FIG. 1), during and after inspection
(step 42 of FIG. 3) at least one of the following may also be
transmitted over long distance (step 38): a depth measurement,
sensor measurements, a still image, a video, text, and audio. The
sensor measurements may include any measurements available from the
external equipment, such as radiation levels, sonar ping
statistics, electromagnetic field levels and variances, and the
like. Still images and video many also be transmitted, for example
from cameras as mentioned with respect to the external equipment
(28 of FIG. 1).
[0044] The text and audio may comprise any text and audio entered
or spoken into the external interface. As mentioned, the external
interface module (26 of FIG. 1) may include any number of items
including switches, buttons, a handheld computer, a touch screen, a
keyboard, a keypad, and so on as disclosed above. In this way, text
and audio entered into the external interface may be transmitted
over long distance.
[0045] Referencing FIG. 4 which shows the steps, some optional, of
determining a coordinate (step 36 of FIG. 2), as can be appreciated
by now in light of the above disclosure, determining a coordinate
includes determining a latitude an longitude (step 46), and
optionally determining a depth (step 48). Thus when transmitting
the coordinate over long distance (step 38) it is understood that
that the "coordinate" can include other data, such as a depth and
other information of interest to an inspector or utility
worker.
[0046] For the purposes of understanding the scope of the step of
transmitting over long distance (step 38), the transmitting may
also include other utility asset information (step 50). Some of the
this other utility asset information was already disclosed above
with reference to the external equipment, and includes, but is in
no way limited to depth measurements, sensor measurements, still
images, video, text, and audio. It may also include control signals
such as a capture signal, and signals indicated utility asset
types.
[0047] Briefly, coordinates and optionally other utility asset
information is transmitted, and that transmission may, as suggested
and as will be described later, be received and stored by a remote
computer a long distance away. In one embodiment, the transmissions
are continuously stored as they are received. In another
embodiment, the transmissions are stored only when signaled by a
worker operating the wireless utility asset mapping device.
[0048] In this embodiment, and by way of example, when a worker
believes he has successfully identified and inspected the utility
asset, he signals this by way of the external interface (26 of FIG.
1). For example, in a simple but useful illustration, a button of
the external interface is pressed when the utility asset is
located, causing a capture signal (step 50) to be generated by the
external interface and transmitted, along with the coordinates
(step 48) and any other information (step 48, 50), over long
distance (step 38).
[0049] A remote receiving computer is configured such that received
information is stored only in response to the capture signal. Those
skilled in the art will appreciate that many variations are
possible, and many different types of data and control signals may
be generated. For example, the capture signal may be of abbreviated
length such that only one coordinate sample or other utility asset
information is captured, or of extended length to capture a series
of transmissions. There may be more than one button of the external
interface and each one, when pressed may indicate an asset type,
for example, gas, water, and the like. Additional buttons may
indicate additional details. In the case where the external
interface includes a portable computer, or keypad, or touch screen,
or the like, the same and still more detailed information and
control signals can be transmitted over long distance.
[0050] Referring to FIG. 5, in the case where, as mentioned, the
wireless modem (14 of FIG. 1) includes both a wireless transmitter
and a wireless receiver, the wireless utility asset mapping device
may receive transmissions, such as information related to the
inspection of the utility asset (step 52), and display the related
information of the external interface (step 54).
[0051] Now, looking at FIG. 6, one exemplary model of the wireless
utility asset mapping device is shown. The device 11 includes a
pole 10 with a pointed bottom end 20, and is extendable by way of a
telescoping portion 10d. The device 11 further includes positioning
receiver 12 connected to a wireless modem enclosed in weatherproof
housing 16. In this exemplary model, the positioning receiver 12 is
manufactured such that its case 16' is weatherproof, and thus an
additional weatherproof housing is not necessary. An antenna 24b
connected to the wireless modem extends from the weatherproof
housing. A battery internal to positioning receiver 12 provides
power to the positioning receiver 12, and a battery enclosed in
weatherproof housing 16 is connected to the wireless modem, also
enclosed in the weatherproof housing 16. Further, positioning
receiver 12 includes a communication port through which position
receiver 12 is in communication with the wireless modem, which has
a corresponding communication port. The exemplary model of FIG. 6
shows only one configuration, and those skilled in the art will
appreciate that many other configuration are possible in light of
above disclosure.
[0052] Turning now to FIG. 7, a system for wireless tracking of
utility assets 70 is shown. The system comprises a wireless utility
asset mapping device 11, a remote wireless modem 72 in wireless
communication with the wireless utility asset mapping device 11,
and a remote asset tracking computer 76 in communication with the
remote wireless modem 72.
[0053] The remote wireless modem 72 may include an additional
antenna 74. The remote wireless modem 72 is the same as, or
compatible with, wireless modem 14. The remote wireless modem 72
may comprise a receive only modem (or be operated in a receive only
mode), or may comprise a transceiver for both receiving and
transmitting data. Transmissions from wireless modem 14 as
described above are received by remote wireless modem 72. If, as
disclosed with reference to FIG. 5, the wireless utility asset
mapping device receives and displays related information, the
related information may be transmitted by the remote wireless modem
72. The remote wireless modem 72 transmits the related information
over long distance.
[0054] The information received by the remote wireless modem 72 is
stored, and if desired or necessary, processed by the remote asset
tracking computer 76. For example the coordinates transmitted by
the wireless modem 14 and received by the remote wireless modem 72
are stored in database 80. All other information and data may be
stored in database 80. While FIG. 7 shows one database, it is
understood that this is merely a symbolic representation and there
could, in fact, be more than one database. The more than one
database can comprise physically separate databases stored on
physically distinct storage devices, and/or logically separate
databases stored on a common storage device.
[0055] Databases are well understood and include, by way of
example, Oracle databases, SQL databases, and various type of
relational databases. Also, the remote asset tracking computer 76
and equivalents herein may include an embedded system or a general
purpose computer, such as a computer based on an Intel or AMD
microprocessor and running an operating system such as Microsoft
Windows, UNIX, or Linux. The remote asset tracking computer 76 may
also run a real time operating system.
[0056] The remote asset tracking computer also comprises a
geographic information system (GIS) 78. Geographic information
systems are will understood by those having ordinary skill in the
art. Generally, a GIS comprises systems and methods for capturing,
managing, analyzing and displaying geographically referenced
information. In this case, the geographically referenced
information includes data associated with utility assets as
described above. Most commonly, the geographically referenced
information is displayed over a map. The information and map may be
manipulated, studied, and analyzed to visualize additional levels
of detail, information, and relationships between the information
and the geography. There are many GIS products, and many of these
can be adapted for the specific purpose of tracking and visualizing
utility assets. For example, a partial list of compatible GIS
includes MapServer, GRASS (Geographic Resources Analysis Support
System), gvSIG, JUMP GIS, MapWindow GIS, OpenMAP, Quantum GIS, ERSI
GIS products such as ArcGIS, and many more. Still another example
of a GIS which is specifically tailored for utility asset tracking
and visualization is GraniteXP by CUES, Inc.
[0057] GIS 78, database 80, and any other modules of remote access
tracking computer may comprise a computer readable medium such as a
volatile or non-volatile solid state memory, magnetic storage
medium, optical storage medium, magneto-optical storage medium, or
any other storage medium including a computer readable program
which when executed on a computer causes the computer to perform
the steps of a geographic information system, a database, a
wireless tracking utility asset method, and other methods.
[0058] Notwithstanding the specific GIS implementation, GIS 78
accesses database 80. Also, depending on the specific GIS 78,
remote asset tracking computer 78 may further comprise interface
module 82. Interface module 82 receives data from remote wireless
modem 72 and performs any necessary or desired processing so the
data, including any control signals (such as the capture signal)
can be processed and stored by GIS 78 and database 80.
[0059] Most every GIS includes an API (Application Programming
Interface) so that external application (such as, for example,
interface module 82) can communicate with the GIS. In one example,
the GIS GraniteXP mentioned above includes an interface module 82
called a GPS plugin module for communicating with GIS 78, database
80, remote wireless modem 72 and, by extension, wireless utility
mapping device 11.
[0060] Remote asset tracking computer 76 may also include other
modules such as import/export modules for importing and exporting
GIS data in a format compatible with other geographic information
systems. Also, remote asset tracking computer 76 may include report
modules for generating reports and output in various formats,
including formats that are compliant with government regulations
and/or industry standards. The report modules and import/export
modules may also generate and serve data in formats such as XML,
XHTML, and HTML, which are accessible over the internet and
readable by web applications, and may employ AJAX (Asynchronous
JavaScript and XML) and SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol). Of
course, these are only a few example of protocols, languages, and
techniques that may be employed, and many others are possible for
internet based web development. Also, the report modules and
import/export modules may generate text based reports, Portable
Document Format (PDF) based reports, reports compatible with
spreadsheets, and the like.
[0061] As pointed to by arrow 84 of FIG. 7, remote wireless modem
72 is in communication with remote asset tracking computer 76. This
communication may be by way of a wired connection or a wireless
connection. By way of example, a few of the ways the communication
can be established include: a wired connection or network using a
serial or parallel port, or an Ethernet cable, or a wired network
such as a local area network and/or Ethernet network; a wireless
connection or network such as a WiFi network or wireless LAN like
IEEE 802.11, or wireless personal area network like a Bluetooth
network like IEEE 802.15, or a wireless metropolitan area network
such as WiMax like IEEE 802.16, or a cellular or mobile phone
communications network, or a proprietary network; or, the Internet.
It is appreciated that more than one of these may used for
communication between remote wireless modem 72 and remote asset
tracking computer 76.
[0062] Also, communication 84 may be through an additional, or more
than one additional computer and/or network. For example, remote
wireless modem 72 may communicate with an additional remote asset
tracking computer connected to the Internet. The additional remote
asset tracking computer may in turn, communicate via the Internet
to remote asset tracking computer 76.
[0063] FIG. 8 shows a method for wirelessly tracking utility
assets. Keeping the discussion of FIGS. 2-5 in mind, the method
comprises locating a utility asset (step 86), placing a wireless
utility asset mapping device over the location of the utility asset
(step 88), determining a coordinate of the wireless utility asset
mapping device (step 90), wirelessly transmitting the coordinate
over long distance (step 92), wireless receiving the coordinate
(step 94), transmitting the received coordinate to a remote asset
tracking computer located a long distance away from the wireless
utility asset mapping device (step 96), and storing the coordinate
in a database in the remote asset tracking computer (step 98).
[0064] The step of locating (step 86) was disclosed in detail above
with reference to FIG. 2. Also, referring to FIG. 9, and
referencing the disclosure related to FIG. 3, locating further
comprises physically locating an approximate location of the
utility asset (step 100), and inspecting the utility asset from the
approximate location to determine a more precise location (step
102). Further, said wireless transmitting further, for at least one
(step 102), a depth measurement, a sensor measurement, a still
image, a video, text, and audio: wirelessly transmitting (step 92),
wirelessly receiving (step 94), transmitting to the remote asset
tracking device computer (step 96), and storing in the database
(step 98).
[0065] Referring to FIG. 10 and referencing the disclosure above
related to other utility asset information (step 50 of FIG. 4), the
method also may include, wirelessly transmitting over long distance
other utility asset information (step 104), followed by, for the
other utility asset information, the steps of wirelessly receiving
(step 94), transmitting (step 96), and storing (step 98).
[0066] Also, with reference to the discussion of FIG. 5, related
information may be received and displayed proximal to the wireless
utility asset mapping device. Examining FIG. 11, the method
includes transmitting from the remote utility asset tracking
computer and over long distance, information related to the utility
asset (step 106), receiving over long distance and proximal to the
wireless utility asset mapping device the information related to
the utility asset (step 108), and displaying the related
information proximal to the wireless utility asset mapping device
(step 110).
[0067] FIG. 12 shows various systems configurations for wirelessly
tracking utility assets, in accordance with the above disclosure. A
utility worker takes wireless utility asset mapping device 11 in
the field in order to track utility assets. Only one wireless
utility asset mapping device 11 is shown, but many more may be used
simultaneously. Long distance transmissions from the wireless
utility asset mapping device 11 may be received and the methods
disclosed above carried out in any number of ways, for example:
[0068] 1) A utility truck 116 carries remote wireless modem 72a and
remote utility asset tracking computer 76a which are in wireless
communication with the wireless utility asset mapping device
11;
[0069] 2) The utility truck 116 may in turn be connected to a
network 112, such as the Internet (wirelessly and/or wired), and
communicate with any number of remote asset tracking computers, for
example asset tracking computer 120. More than one utility truck
may be in simultaneous communication with computer 120, in which
case computer 120 is a central remote asset tracking computer
server which acts as a central repository for all utility
assets;
[0070] 3) The utility truck 116 may be connected to a wireless
network that communicates with remote wireless modem 72b and remote
asset tracking computer 76b located, for example, in a government
or municipal building 118. This remote asset tracking computer 76b,
may, in turn, be connected to the Internet 112, that communicates
with exemplary central remote asset tracking computer server
120.
[0071] 4) Utility poles, towers, or other raised permanent fixtures
114a, 114b 114c comprise remote wireless modems 72c, 72d, 72e which
are in communication with any wireless utility asset mapping device
11 that is within range. Remote wireless modems 72c, 72d, 72e are
in communication with network 112, and thus, with a remote asset
tracking such as computer 120.
[0072] 5) Each municipality has a remote asset tracking computer
76b which receives utility asset information from wireless utility
asset mapping devices 11 via trucks 116 and/or utility poles 114.
Each remote asset tracking computer 76b of each municipality is
connected to the Internet 112 and in turn to central remote asset
tracking computer 120, which, may be, for example, a state-wide
database, or a country-wide database.
[0073] 6) Users such as government officials, enforcement officers,
utility workers, inspectors, and the like may access (wirelessly or
wired) via computer 122 or mobile device 123 central remote asset
tracking computer 120, or municipality 118, to display asset
information and/or generate reports. For example, worker in the
field may access computer 120 via a web enabled phone or pda to
obtain gps coordinates of an asset, and/or to view a GIS display
via a web browser of utility asset in the area, and/or view and
access the GIS in real-time, and/or view or print a location and
all available infrastructure layers noted in the GIS for the
location, and/or access historical information such as listings of
previous inspections, and/or access the GIS to initiate and
annotate new inspections, and/or make additions and corrections to
recorded data.
[0074] The foregoing detailed description has discussed only a few
of the many forms that any invention disclosed herein can take. It
is intended that the foregoing detailed description be understood
as an illustration of selected forms that the invention can take
and not as a definition of the invention. It is only the following
claims, including all equivalents, that are intended to define the
scope of this invention.
* * * * *