Patent ID: 6798379
Filing Date: 2004-09-28
Classification: G08G

Abstract:
A method of dynamically tracking a location of one or more selected utilities, comprising the steps of:providing a portable controller having a memory, a global positioning system (GPS) co-ordinate device and a display being coupled to the controller; storing in the memory of the controller a series of GPS co-ordinates for the one or more selected utilities within an assigned service area of a municipality; using the GPS co-ordinate device to dynamically provide GPS co-ordinates to the controller as positioning of the GPS co-ordinate device changes location; using the display to display the GPS co-ordinates of the GPS co-ordinate device on a scrolling display of global positioning system co-ordinates, together with the series of GPS co-ordinates for the one or more selected utilities, such that the relative position of the GPS co-ordinate device to the one or more selected utilities is always known; and setting a range for the GPS co-ordinate device to predetermine an area of interest, the GPS co-ordinate device locking on to a closest of the selected utilities within the pre-determined area of interest, with the display displaying a location of the portable controller relative to the closest of the selected utilities, and specifying a distance from the GPS co-ordinate device to the closest of the selected utilities.