In accordance with some embodiments, a system includes a line locator and a device configured to communicate through an internet with a server also coupled to the internet. Furthermore, a plurality of line locate transmitters are distributed geographically and configured to communicate through the internet with the server. The server operates to activate one of the plurality of line locate transmitters based on a geographic location of the device.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to detection of underground lines and, in particular, to auto-location of transmitter services for the location of underground lines.

2. Discussion of Related Art

Underground pipe and cable locators (often termed line locators) have existed for many years and are described in many issued patents and other publications. Line locator systems typically include a mobile receiver and a transmitter. The transmitter is coupled to a target conductor, either by direct electrical connection or through induction, to provide a current signal on the target conductor. The receiver detects and processes signals resulting from the electromagnetic field generated by the target conductor as a result of the current signal, which can be a continuous wave sinusoidal signal provided to the target conductor by the transmitter.

The transmitter is often physically separate from the receiver, with a typical separation distance of several meters or in some cases up to many kilometers. The transmitter couples the current signal, whose frequency can be user chosen from a selectable set of frequencies, to the target conductor. The frequency of the current signal applied to the target conductor can be referred to as the active locate frequency. The target conductor then generates an electromagnetic field at the active locate frequency in response to the current signal.

There is a need for controlling transmitters that are coupled to individual lines in order to locate those lines.

SUMMARY

In accordance with some embodiments, a system includes a line locator; a device configured to communicate through an internet; a server coupled to the internet; and a plurality of line locate transmitters distributed geographically and configured to communicate through the internet, wherein the server operates to activate one of the plurality of line locate transmitters based on a geographic location of the device.

In some embodiments, a device used by a user can be coupled to a server through an internet and execute instructions of receiving a request to activate a transmitter; determining a mode of operation; in auto mode, performing the following steps: determining a geographic location of the device, transmitting the request and the geographic location to the server, receiving transmitter data from the server, determining activation of a chosen transmitter; and in manual mode, activating the chosen transmitter; acquiring locate data from a line locator; and transmitting the locate data to the server.

A server coupled through an internet to a plurality of line locate transmitters, the server executing instructions of receiving a request to activate a transmitter of the plurality of line locate transmitters, the request including a geographic location; determining a chosen transmitter from the plurality of line locate transmitters; activating the chosen transmitter; and providing confirmation that the chosen device is activated.

These and other embodiments will be described in further detail below with respect to the following figures.

The drawings may be better understood by reading the following detailed description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, specific details are set forth describing some embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that some embodiments may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. The specific embodiments disclosed herein are meant to be illustrative but not limiting. One skilled in the art may realize other elements that, although not specifically described here, are within the scope and the spirit of this disclosure.

This description and the accompanying drawings that illustrate inventive aspects and embodiments should not be taken as limiting—the claims define the protected invention. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this description and the claims. In some instances, well-known structures and techniques have not been shown or described in detail in order not to obscure the invention.

Additionally, the drawings are not to scale. Relative sizes of components are for illustrative purposes only and do not reflect the actual sizes that may occur in any actual embodiment of the invention. Like numbers in two or more figures represent the same or similar elements. Elements and their associated aspects that are described in detail with reference to one embodiment may, whenever practical, be included in other embodiments in which they are not specifically shown or described. For example, if an element is described in detail with reference to one embodiment and is not described with reference to a second embodiment, the element may nevertheless be claimed as included in the second embodiment.

Further, embodiments of the invention are illustrated with reference to electrical schematics. One skilled in the art will recognize that these electrical schematics represent implementation by physical electrical circuits, implementation by processors executing algorithms stored in memory, or implementation by a combination of electrical circuits and processors executing algorithms.

In some situations, transmitters are included in various locations. Such transmitters are coupled to various underground lines. In the line location process, such transmitters can be activated to provide signal to the target line. Embodiments of the present invention allow a user120to automatically activate the proper utility locating transmitter based on the location of user120. Embodiments can compare the geographic location of user120with a database to determine which of a plurality of transmitters should be activated in order to trace and locate a particularly underground utility line.

FIG. 1illustrates a system according to some embodiments of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 1, a user120in an operation to locate an underground line106with a line locator device104can locate and activate a transmitter102to provide a signal onto line106. User120, through a mobile device118, can communicate through a network, for example the internet110, with a central server112that could be located in the cloud. Device118can also determine its geographic position, for example using GPS satellite array116. Server112, using the geographic position of user120that is transmitted to it via internet110, can identify the most appropriate transmitter102that is coupled to underground line106. Transmitter102can then be activated through internet110to provide a signal on underground line106. As illustrated inFIG. 1, the signal from transmitter102on target line106generates a magnetic field108that is detected by line locator104.

In some embodiments, activating transmitter102may include providing parameter and instructions to control transmitter102. For example, while activating transmitter102, certain parameters such as power and frequency can be also transmitted to transmitter102through internet110.

In some embodiments, device118can access services block124through internet110. Services block124can be part of server112, or may be a separate entity in the cloud. Services block124may provide services to user120such as, for example, a “Ticketing System,” a “One Call system,” tracking of device118and user120, or other functionality to administer locate functions.

AlthoughFIG. 1illustrates system100that communicates through the internet110, any network can be used. For example, device118can communicate with services block124, server112, or transmitter102directly through a cell phone network, a local area network, or by any other fashion.

FIG. 2illustrates multiple transmitters102(102-1through102-N are illustrated) coupled and controlled via the internet110, for example from server112. Each of transmitters102-1through102-N (transmitter102refers to one of transmitters102-1through102-N) is located at a particular geographic location and is coupled to provide signals on particular underground lines to which they are attached. Each of transmitters102-1through102-N may have individual characteristics regarding transmitted frequencies, powers, or other characteristics. Such characteristics of each of transmitters102-1through102-N can be identified in server112. User120, located at a particular geographic location, requests control of one of transmitters102-1through102-N located at particular geographic location of device118and coupled to a target underground line106of interest and with particular transmission characteristics.

Returning toFIG. 1, server112is coupled to database122. Database122includes a database that includes information regarding each of transmitters102-1through102-N. For example, database122includes the geographic location of each of transmitters102-1through102-N, which of target lines106each of transmitters102-1through102-N are coupled, and the specifics of each signal that transmitters102-1through102-N are capable of coupling to each of underground lines106, together with other relevant information for users120. In some embodiments, database122can also be used to store locate data from each locator device along with their geographic location. Locate data can, in some cases, be displayed on mobile device118.

When user120has to locate a particular utility line106at a particular geographic location, an application installed on device118(e.g., phone, tablet, laptop computer, etc) can be activated. In some embodiments, device118can include global positioning system (GPS) locating capability and cellular or wi-fi connectivity to allow user120to connect to internet110or other network in order to send a request to the central server112. This mode of operation is called “AUTO” mode. In the request, the application operating on device118sends to server112via internet110the GPS coordinates received from the GPS satellite116of the position of user120for this locate session, together with a request to activate the transmitter that is serving the target line106in the proximity of user120's location.

Server112includes a database122with the geographic coordinates of all the transmitters102(102-1through102-N inFIG. 2) in the system, including their GPS locations, routes that they are serving, and other data related to each of transmitters102. Server112can compare the GPS coordinates of the request with the closest routes and transmitter's GPS coordinates to determine one or more transmitters102that will allow user120to locate underground line106with line locator104. If server112can determine the best one of transmitters102for the task, server112will activate that transmitter102to provide the locating tone to line106for the closest route to the position of user120.

In some embodiments, server112may not make a definite judgment regarding which of transmitter102to activate related to the GPS position of user120. This may occur for multiple reasons, including having multiple transmitters within appropriate proximity of user120or having multiple transmitters with differing characteristics that may affect the locate of underground line106. In such cases, server112may provide user120through device118a list of possible transmitters102that could be activated from which user120can choose one of transmitters102on the list for activation.

In some embodiments, device118may also operate in a “MANUAL” mode. In Manual mode, user120can connect directly to and activate a particular transmitter102that is to be used. In such cases, the connection between device118and the particular one of transmitters102may occur directly through internet110without going through server112. In some cases, device118may instruct server112as to which of transmitters102to activate.

FIG. 3illustrates operation of an application (APP)300on mobile device118according to some embodiments. Mobile device118can be any mobile device, for example a cellular phone, smart phone, tablet, laptop computer or other device capable of determining its geographic location and communicating with internet110, either through a separate WiFi link or through a cell tower114as illustrated inFIG. 1. Although mobile device118is illustrated inFIG. 1as being a separate device from line locator104, in some embodiments mobile device118may be incorporated within line locator104. Mobile device118includes a user interface (for example a display screen, keyboard, and/or touchscreen) that provides data to user120and receives input from user120. In some embodiments, mobile device118can receive locate data from line locator104.

As illustrated inFIG. 3, APP300begins when user120initiates APP300in start app302. In step304, user120requests that a transmitter102be activated to provide a signal on line106so that line106can be located. User120requests activation when user120is in position to start a locate session to track underground line106.

In step306, APP300determines a mode of operation: Auto or Manual. In Auto mode, a transmitter102or choice of transmitters102is automatically chosen. In Manual operation, user120knows of a particular one of transmitter102to activate. In step306, if APP300is in manual mode APP300proceeds to step308. In step308, user120identifies a particular transmitter to activate. In step310, APP300causes device118to communicate through internet110with transmitter102to activate transmitter102. In some embodiments, device118communicates through internet110with server112, which in turn activates the selected transmitter102through internet110. Once activated, transmitter102provides a signal onto line106, which generates magnetic field108from line106, that can be detected by line locator104.

If APP300is in Auto mode, then APP300process from step306to step320. In step320, device118determines its geographic location, for example with the use of GPS locating satellites116. In some cases, the GPS data may come from a separate GPS device with user120, may come from locator104, or may come from device118. In step322, device118transmits a request to activate a transmitter along with the geographic location through internet110to server112. Based on the geographic location received, server112determines one or more possible transmitters102to activate. In step324, APP300receives either a confirmation that server112has activated one of transmitters102or, if it is not clear which of transmitters102to activate, a list of possible transmitters to activate. In some embodiments, the list of possible transmitters may include characteristics of each of the possible transmitters. In step326, APP300determines whether a confirmation has been received or a list of transmitters has been received. If a list has been received, APP300proceeds to step328where user120chooses one of transmitters102from the list of transmitters received and communicates the choice through internet110with server112. In step330, APP300then waits for receipt of a confirmation from server112that the chosen one of transmitters102has been activated.

From step330, or from step326upon receipt of a confirmation, or from step310, APP300proceeds to step312. In step312, user120activate line locator104to locate the position of line106based on detection of magnetic field108. In step314, device118receives the locate data from line locator104, along with a geographic location that can come from a separate GPS device connected to the mobile device118or locator104, and transmits the locate data through internet110to server112. In step316, the user indicates whether or not further locate data should be acquired in this locate session. If so, APP300returns to step312. If not, then APP300stops in step318.

FIG. 4illustrates an example of the operation of server112in accordance with some embodiments. As shown inFIG. 4, server112can execute instructions to perform process400. As shown inFIG. 4, server process400begins when a request is received through internet110. In particular, the request originates with device118controlled by user120. In some embodiments, the request includes a request to activate a transmitter102along with the geographic coordinates of the location of device118. In some embodiments, the request may include a request to activate a particular one of transmitters102.

In step404, appropriate ones of transmitters102are identified by server112. Server112communicates with database122, which includes the geographic locations and characteristics of each of transmitters102-1through102-N. In particular, server112may identify those transmitters102that are geographically close to that of device118and that are capable of supplying a signal onto underground line106in the vicinity of user120. In some cases, there may be multiple transmitters102that fulfill the requirements for locating line106. In some cases, there may be a single best one of transmitters102that fulfill the requirements for locating line106.

In step406, process400determines whether there are multiple available transmitters or whether there is only one. If there are multiple available transmitters102, then in step408a list of transmitters, in some cases along with characteristics of each transmitter, is transmitted to device118. In step410, server112receives a choice of transmitters from the list of transmitters provided in step408. Once the choice of transmitters102is received, process400proceeds to step412. If, in step406, there is only one transmitter, then process400proceeds directly to step412.

In step412, server112provides instructions to a chosen transmitter102through internet110in order to activate transmitter102. After transmitter102has been activated, in step414server112provides a confirmation to device118that transmitter102has been activated.

In some embodiments, server112may also receive locate data during a locate session. Locate data may include GPS locations and depths or other relevant information at which line106has been located with line locator104. In general, user120may locate line106at multiple locations along line106during a locate session. In step416, server112receives locate data from device118that device118receives from line locator104. As described above, device118can communicate with line locator104through any fashion. In step418, server adds the locate data to database122. In some embodiments, database122can then include locate data from multiple geographic locations in order to provide a map of underground lines.

In step420, server112determines whether or not the locate session is finished. If the locate session is finished, then process400proceeds to step422and stops. If not, then process400returns to step416to receive further locate data.

In some embodiments, as discussed above, data from each locate session can be input to database122. Based on the data from each of the locates from every user120, maps may be formed with the location points. Furthermore, logs of the locate sessions may be made. Database122, then, may act as a repository of all locate sessions.

In some embodiments, server112may be accessed to provide further data and resources to particular users. For example, a network map such as that shown inFIG. 2illustrating the locations of the individual transmitters120as well as providing data from individual locate sessions may be accessed. Furthermore, individual ones of devices118and/or line locators104may be accessed through server112by queries over internet110. In some cases, individual line locators and device118can be polled as to current location and status. In some embodiments, operating parameters of line locator104may be transmitted to line locator104over internet110from server112. Further, database maintenance on database122can be performed through server112. Server112may be accessed at the location of server112or through internet110from various remote sites.