Patent ID: 6496008
Filing Date: 2002-12-17
Classification: E21B,G01C,G01V

Abstract:
In an overall system in which a boring tool is moved through the ground within a given region along a path while transmitting a locating field such that the locating field exhibits a pair of locate points at the surface of the ground, one forward of the boring tool and the other to the rear of the boring tool, a method for guiding an operator to each of the locate points using a portable locator, said portable locator including a display and said method comprising the steps of:a) measuring the intensity of the locating field with the portable locator at an initial above ground point and with the portable locator in a particular orientation; b) using the measured intensity of the locating field to determine a predicted location of the nearest one of the locate points in proximity to the portable locator at the initial above ground point; and c) with the portable locator in said particular orientation, displaying on the portable locator a positional relationship including the predicted location of the nearest locate point relative to the portable locator having a directional indication such that the displayed directional indication points in the actual direction of the predicted location from the initial above ground point.