Patent ID: 8872626
Filing Date: 2014-10-28
Classification: G01V,G08C

Abstract:
1. A method on a mobile computing device for locating electromagnetic signals radiating from a buried asset, the method comprising: receiving a first data structure that represents a two dimensional area comprising a buffer zone at an above-surface location, wherein the buffer zone corresponds to a particular buried asset sought by an operator of the mobile computing device; iteratively executing the following four steps: a) calculating an above-surface location of the mobile computing device; b) determining whether the above-surface location of the mobile computing device is located within the two dimensional area represented by the first data structure; c) if the above-surface location is not located within the two dimensional area, determining whether an electromagnetic locating function of a component communicatively coupled with the mobile computing device is enabled, and if so, disabling the electromagnetic locating function of the component; and d) if the above-surface location is located within the two dimensional area, determining whether the electromagnetic locating function of the component is disabled, and if so, enabling the electromagnetic locating function of the component.