Abstract:
Imaging, attribution, and 3D modeling of utility pipelines and other assets is accomplished through the processing of terrestrial photogrammetric, aerial photogrammetric, and/or 3D LiDAR scanning measurements, all of which may be augmented by an Inertial Measurement Unit. These measurements are spatially controlled by photo-identifiable targets whose positions are established by real-time or post-processed GPS measurements which, in turn, determine the relative and absolute positions of the resulting 3D model. The necessary attribute information is available the moment an optically readable code is affixed to the asset. All proposed data collection methods provide imagery and point clouds systematically. It is therefore possible to read the attributes encoded in the optically readable code directly from the imagery or point cloud. Both the attributes of the feature and the position of the encoded attributes on the feature are captured. The information unique to each joint of pipe is attached to that joint positionally.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/826,005 filed on May 21, 2013 titled “IMPROVED OPEN-DITCH PIPELINE AS-BUILT PROCESS” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all that is taught and disclosed therein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Technical Field 
     The invention is relevant to collecting the position and attributes of oil, gas, utility pipelines and other assets in an open ditch or trench before it is backfilled. 
     SUMMARY 
     This Summary is provided to introduce in a simplified form a selection of concepts that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     In the oil and gas industry and other utility industries, the process of collecting the position and attributes of a pipeline (oil, gas, water, sewer, etc.), or fiber-optic or copper cables, or other types of assets in the open ditch or trench before it is backfilled is simultaneously necessary and unpopular. It is necessary for safety (i.e., future one-call protection—a number to call before you dig to have underground utilities marked), maintenance, and management of the asset. It is unpopular because as currently accomplished the entire workflow is complicated, slow, error prone, and expensive. The work is done to achieve the following goals: 
     1. Absolute Position of the Asset—Determination and recording of the absolute position of the asset (e.g., a pipeline, cable, or other asset) means the establishment of its relation to an officially defined datum and coordinate system which in the United States often means the National Spatial Reference System (NSRS), defined and managed by the National Geodetic Survey (NGS). 
     2. Relative Position of the Asset—Determination and recording of the relative position of the asset means the establishment of the position of each of its components in relation to the others. In other words, it means the position of the asset in relation to itself. 
     3. Attribution of the Asset—Attribution is the capture and recording of the non-spatial data about the asset, such as Yield Strength, Joint Number, Manufacturer, etc. 
     4. Imagery of the Asset—When the asset is buried it can no longer be seen. The imagery captured and recorded in this process provides that visibility after the asset is buried. 
     5. Three-Dimensional Model of the Asset—The size and orientation of the asset and each of its components in three dimensions helps to ensure proper facility management. 
     6. Linkage of the Asset With Its Position, Its Attributes, Its Image, And Its 3D Digital Model—This aspect is the assignment of the appropriate attributes to the correct relative positions, absolute positions, imagery, and 3D model of the asset. 
       FIG. 1A  shows an example of a photo identifiable terrestrial target affixed to the ground with a known center and at a known place (i.e., GPS coordinates secured by a GPS receiver). This is the type of target that could be used when the imagery is collected with terrestrial photogrammetry (photography captured from the ground). The target shown in  FIG. 1A  may be quite small, about the size of a quarter. 
       FIG. 1B  shows an example of a photo identifiable aerial target affixed to the ground with a known center and at a known place (i.e., GPS coordinates secured by a GPS receiver). This is the type of target that could be used when the imagery is collected from an aerial vehicle (photography captured from the air) and is large enough to be seen from the air. 
     These targets are utilized in establishing the absolute and relative positions of the asset and are utilized in photogrammetry applications as is known in the prior art. The targets can be any object that has a known center and place. 
       FIG. 2  depicts a typical open-ditch pipeline as-built survey known in the prior art. A two-person crew is in the open ditch or trench. One person collects the data with a GPS receiver and logs attributes, information about the pipe, and associated features. The other person records much the same information in hard-copy notes. This operation can also be done by just one person, and can also be done without the operator being in the ditch. 
     The result of this work is a hard copy drawing and/or digital file in which the pipeline and other features are represented with 2D points and lines as shown in a simplified form in  FIG. 3 . A line in profile represents the vertical aspect and attributes are provided in text fields. Days, sometimes weeks, are necessary for the production of this deliverable. During this period the pipeline is not afforded one-call protection. This fact alone makes the existing process unacceptable. 
     Thus, there is need in the art for a new and improved process for data collection, attribution, and data base storage of open-ditch pipeline as-built data that can be acquired more quickly, more efficiently, and at less cost. An improved process must be capable of providing the following: 
     1. It must produce a 3D model of the pipeline or other asset in the ditch or trench and establish both the relative and absolute position of the assets in the 3D model.  FIG. 4  shows a 3D model in top view of a Ditch  1  having a Joint  2  that has a Weld  3 . 
     2. It must produce a 3D model of all attendant features in the ditch or trench, such as Foreign Crossings  4 , Risers  5 , Trench Breakers  6 , Tees  7 , etc., as shown if  FIGS. 5-8 , and establish both the relative and absolute position of the assets in the 3D model. 
     3. It must capture and record data about the non-spatial attributes of the asset (e.g., a pipeline), such as Yield Strength, Joint Number, Manufacturer, etc. (as shown on pipes in  FIGS. 9 , and  10 , and on a label as shown in  FIG. 11 ) and assign the appropriate attributes to the correct relative and absolute positions on the asset. For example,  FIG. 11  shows an exemplary label for a steel pipe. The following information is contained in the label and the numbers below correspond to the numbers on the label:
         1. Coil Number   2. Run Number   3. Pipe Number Within Each Coil   4. Heat Number From Steel Manufacturer   5. Pipe Weight And Weight Per Foot   6. Pipe Outside Diameter   7. Pipe Grade   8. Pipe Wall Thickness   9. Date Pipe Was Manufactured   10. Hydrostatic Test Pressure   11. Third Party Inspection   12. Customer Purchase Order   13. Pipe Length   14. ISO Control Number       

     Additional important attributes, not shown on the illustrated label, may include: Yield Yield Strength, Joint Number, Manufacturer, X-Ray Number, etc. 
     4. It must capture and record the necessary attributes of the attendant features on the asset, such as Bends  8 , Flanges  9 , Valves  10 , Welds  11 , etc., some of which are described below and as shown in  FIGS. 12 ,  13 , and  14 .
         1. Valve
           a. Type (Ball, Block, Gate, etc.)   b. Serial Number   c. Size   
           2. Welds
           a. Type (Cross over, tie-in, mainline, etc.)   b. X-ray number   c. Joint Number
               i. Upstream   ii. Downstream   
               
           3. Bends
           a. Type (Sag, Over, Combination, etc.)   b. Bend number   c. Technique
               i. Hot   ii. Cold   
               d. Diameter   e. Wall thickness   f. Degree of Bend   
           4. Flange
           a. Diameter   
               

     The detailed description below describes how data collection in the improved method for building a 3D model is accomplished through either Three-Dimensional LiDAR Scanning (3DLS) technology or terrestrial photogrammetry. These techniques are augmented with the use of GPS measurements and sometimes further augmented with an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), either in real-time or through photo-identifiable targets, for the determination of relative and absolute positions of the assets captured in the 3D model. 
     As used herein, “at least one,” “one or more,” and “and/or” are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. For example, each of the expressions “at least one of A, B and C,” “at least one of A, B, or C,” “one or more of A, B, and C,” “one or more of A, B, or C,” and “A, B, and/or C” means A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B and C together. When each one of A, B, and C in the above expressions refers to an element, such as X, Y, and Z, or class of elements, such as X 1 -Xm, Y 1 -Yn, and Z 1 -Zo, the phrase is intended to refer to a single element selected from X, Y, and Z, a combination of elements selected from the same class (e.g., X 1  and X 2 ) as well as a combination of elements selected from two or more classes (e.g., Y 1  and Z 3 ). 
     It is to be noted that the term “a entity” or “an entity” entity refers to one or more of that entity. As such, the terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more,” and “at least one” can be used interchangeably herein. It is also to be noted that the terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” can be used interchangeably. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1A and 1B  show examples of photo identifiable targets affixed to the ground with known centers and at known places. 
         FIG. 2  shows a typical open-ditch pipeline as-built survey. 
         FIG. 3  shows a hard copy drawing of a pipeline and other features represented with 2D points and lines. 
         FIG. 4  shows a top view of a portion of a ditch or trench having a joint and a weld. 
         FIG. 5  shows an example of a ditch or trench with foreign crossings. 
         FIG. 6  shows an example of a ditch or trench with valves. 
         FIG. 7  shows an example of a ditch or trench with a trench breaker. 
         FIG. 8  shows an example of a ditch or trench with a pipe having tees. 
         FIGS. 9 and 10  show examples of the non-spatial data about an asset that needs to be captured and recorded. 
         FIG. 11  shows an example of a label for a steel pipe. 
         FIGS. 12 ,  13 , and  14  show examples of the necessary attributes and attendant features of assets, such as valves, welds, bends, flanges, etc., that need to be captured and recorded. 
         FIG. 15  shows an example of a Quick Response (QR) code. 
         FIG. 16  shows a typical string of pipe along a ditch or trench into which it will be laid. 
         FIG. 17  shows an example of a pipe with a block of QR Codes affixed on the pipe. 
         FIG. 18  shows an example of targets for determining position for control purposes mounted on a tripod. 
         FIG. 19  shows an example of a target for determining position for control purposes mounted on an asset. 
         FIG. 20  shows the results of a processed scan done with a LiDAR scanner. 
         FIGS. 21-34  show representations of screen captures from a computer display that demonstrate capturing QR Code data messages from a close range photogrammetric model to an AutoCAD point database. 
         FIG. 35  shows a repetitive bar-code included on the full length of a pipe section. 
         FIG. 36  shows a perspective view of a worker walking the length of an asset with a handheld LiDAR scanner in one embodiment. 
         FIG. 37  shows a cross-section view of a worker walking the length of an asset in a trench with a plurality of cameras connected to a bar in one embodiment. 
         FIG. 38  shows a flow chart of the improved open-ditch pipeline as-built process in one embodiment. 
         FIG. 39  shows a block diagram of a system for an improved open-ditch pipeline as-built process in one embodiment. 
     
    
    
     To assist in the understanding of the present disclosure the following list of components and associated numbering found in the drawings is provided herein: 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Table of Components 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Component 
                 # 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Ditch 
                 1 
               
               
                   
                 Joint 
                 2 
               
               
                   
                 Weld 
                 3 
               
               
                   
                 Foreign Crossings 
                 4 
               
               
                   
                 Risers 
                 5 
               
               
                   
                 Trench Breakers 
                 6 
               
               
                   
                 Tees 
                 7 
               
               
                   
                 Bends 
                 8 
               
               
                   
                 Flanges 
                 9 
               
               
                   
                 Valves 
                 10 
               
               
                   
                 Welds 
                 11 
               
               
                   
                 QR Codes 
                 12 
               
               
                   
                 Targets 
                 13 
               
               
                   
                 Pipe 
                 14 
               
               
                   
                 Jersey Barrier 
                 15 
               
               
                   
                 Digital Photographs 
                 16 
               
               
                   
                 Squares 
                 17 
               
               
                   
                 QR Reader 
                 18 
               
               
                   
                 Bar-Code 
                 19 
               
               
                   
                 Operator 
                 20 
               
               
                   
                 LiDAR Scanner 
                 21 
               
               
                   
                 Asset 
                 22 
               
               
                   
                 Ground 
                 23 
               
               
                   
                 Trench 
                 24 
               
               
                   
                 Arrow 
                 25 
               
               
                   
                 Cameras 
                 26 
               
               
                   
                 Bracket 
                 27 
               
               
                   
                 Angle Bar 
                 28 
               
               
                   
                 Drone 
                 29 
               
               
                   
                 As-Built Process 
                 100 
               
               
                   
                 As-Built System 
                 102 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     With the computing environment in mind, embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to logical operations being performed to implement processes embodying various embodiments of the present invention. These logical operations are implemented (1) as a sequence of computer implemented steps or program modules running on a computing system and/or (2) as interconnected machine logic circuits or circuit modules within the computing system. The implementation is a matter of choice dependent on the performance requirements of the computing system implementing the invention. Accordingly, the logical operations making up the embodiments of the present invention described herein are referred to variously as operations, structural devices, acts, applications, or modules. It will be recognized by one skilled in the art that these operations, structural devices, acts, applications, and modules may be implemented in software, firmware, special purpose digital logic, and any combination thereof without deviating from the spirit and scope of the present invention as recited within the claims attached hereto. 
     Referring now to the Figures, like reference numerals and names refer to structurally and/or functionally similar elements thereof, and if objects depicted in the figures that are covered by another object, as well as the tag line for the element number thereto, may be shown in dashed lines.  FIG. 15  shows an example of a Quick Response (QR) code. While the 3D model of the asset, such as a pipeline and attendant features, is important, the attributes, that is, the information about that asset and those features, is of equal importance. It is possible to encode the necessary attribute information at the moment it is available in a QR Code  12  as shown in  FIG. 15 , or another optically readable code such as a bar code printed on the pipe (see  FIG. 35 ). 
     It is typical to string pipe along the ditch or trench into which it will be laid (see  FIG. 16 ). It is at this stage, just before it is picked up and placed in the ditch or trench that a single or a block of two or more QR codes or other optically readable code, such as a bar code, can be pasted or otherwise affixed in some manner onto each joint of pipe containing the desired attributes. Alternatively, the QR codes can be affixed to the pipe after it is positioned in the ditch or trench, or, printed on the pipe by the manufacturer before it arrives in the field. Examples of such attributes are described above with reference to  FIG. 11 . 
       FIG. 17  shows an example of a Pipe  14  with a block of QR Codes  12  affixed on Pipe  14  in one location, and individual QR Codes  12  affixed in different locations. QR Codes  12  may contain the information described above for the particular pipe. 
     Data collection methods, such as terrestrial photogrammetry, aerial photogrammetry, and 3DLS, provide imagery and point clouds systematically. It is therefore possible to read the attributes encoded in the QR Code  12  directly from the imagery and/or point cloud. In this way it is possible to capture both the attributes of the feature and the position of the encoded attributes on the feature. In this way the information unique to each joint of pipe is attached to that joint positionally. 
     Three-Dimensional LiDAR Scanning 
     With respect to 3DLS, when a laser is pointed at the asset, the beam of light is reflected by the surface it encounters. A sensor records this reflected light to measure a range. When laser ranges are combined, the result is a dense, detail-rich group of elevation points, called a “point cloud.” Each point in the point cloud has three-dimensional spatial coordinates (latitude, longitude, and height) that correspond to a particular point on the asset and surrounding area from which a laser pulse was reflected. 
     This technology can be applied on a smaller scale to an asset in a trench, such as a pipe. Data collection utilizing 3DLS is extremely quick. Targets  13  for determining position for control purposes may be mounted on a tripod as shown in  FIG. 18 , or simply placed on an asset, such as Valve  10 , as shown in  FIG. 19 . The object on the control point could be anything with a clearly defined center that can be identified exactly in a photo or in a LiDAR scan. The primary purpose is to be stable and clearly represent a known position in the work. 
       FIG. 37  shows a perspective view of a person walking the length of an asset with a handheld LiDAR scanner. Referring now to  FIG. 37 , Operator  20  aims LiDAR Scanner  21  at the Asset  22  in the Trench  23 . Operator  20  then walks on the Ground  23  along Trench  24  in the direction indicated by Arrow  25 . In addition to images of Asset  22 , images of any Targets  13  placed on Asset  22  (see  FIGS. 17 and 19 ) or on Ground  23  (see  FIGS. 1-3 ) near Trench  24  are also captured with LiDAR Scanner  21  (Targets  13  not shown in  FIG. 37 ). 
     The still picture shown in  FIG. 20  was captured from the results of a processed scan done with a handheld LiDAR scanner, such as LiDAR Scanner  21 , by an Operator  20  walking along the side of a ditch or trench in which a gas pipeline has been laid, like that shown in  FIG. 36 . The processed image shows a three dimensional point cloud of the pipe. Writing on the pipe is clearly visible along with other features of the pipe. The LiDAR scanner may be mounted on a tripod rather than being hand held, and the tripod and LiDAR scanner moved periodically along the length of the ditch. 
     Terrestrial Photogrammetry 
     An example of terrestrial photogrammetry is shown in  FIGS. 21-34 , which represent portions of display screen captures showing various images generated by one or more computer programs. A quickly shot series of nine digital photographs or video can be taken with a simple hand held camera from one side of the pipe in the ditch or trench. The photography or video can also be done from the air, i.e., by a camera on a Drone  29  (Unmanned Aerial System—UAS) as shown in  FIG. 36 . A typical overlap of one photo to the next is about 60%. In this example, the photos were processed with AutoCAD and Photo Soft software packages. However, other software products beside AutoCAD and Photo Soft could also be utilized. 
     Also, instead of just one camera, an array of four, five, or six cameras may be used as shown in  FIG. 37 . Referring now to  FIG. 37 , five Cameras  26  are affixed to a Bracket  27  and attached to an Angle Bar  28  that can be lowered into Trench  24  while Operator  20  stands on Ground  23  above Trench  24 . With one pass, photos of Asset  22  taken by each Camera  26  and taken from various angles can be secured. Angle Bar  28  may also be a T-shaped bar with a second Operator  20  walking along on the other side of Trench  24  with each Operator  20  holding onto one of the ends of the T-shaped bar. 
     The details of the process used in the terrestrial photogrammetry solution are discussed below. The images shown in  FIGS. 21-34  are portions of screen captures from a computer display that demonstrate capturing QR code data messages from a close range photogrammetric model to an AutoCAD point database. Shown in  FIG. 21  is a 3D model of a twelve-inch-diameter Pipe  14  in front of a Jersey Barrier  15 . There are three Targets  13  placed in the 3D model used for geo-referencing. At each joint in the pipe, a two-by-three array of three-inch square QR Codes  12  was placed, along with an additional target. The 3D model was created from nine Digital Photographs  16  taken along the length of the real pipe and jersey barrier. Custom software is utilized to generate the 3D model. 
     Zooming out, the Squares  17  indicating the camera positions can be seen as shown in  FIG. 22 , seven from fifteen feet away, and two from close up. 
     The Digital Photographs  16  were taken from left to right, approximately fifteen feet from Pipe  14  (seven photographs). At each joint, a close-up image was taken (two photographs) of the QR Codes  12  at the joints as shown in  FIG. 23 . Two of the Targets  13  have an array of QR Codes  12  adjacent to them. Multiple copies of the same QR Code  12  are affixed to the segment (joint) of pipe because it is unpredictable how the pipe will be rotated when it is lifted and positioned into the ditch or trench. In this way it is probable that at least one of them will be visible. The other Targets  13  shown are utilized in the photogrammetric process to tie the individual Digital Photographs  16  together from which the 3D model is developed. When Pipe  14  is laid (strung) beside the ditch or trench and being assembled, this is a time when the QR Codes  12  may be affixed on each segment (joint) of the pipe. Or, the QR Codes  12  may be placed on the asset after it is positioned in its permanent place in the ditch or trench. Alternatively, the QR Codes  12  may be actually printed, glued, pasted, or otherwise affixed on the outside of Pipe  14  by the manufacturer before arriving in the field. QR Codes  12  and photogrammetric Targets  13  (if that technology is used instead of LiDAR scanning) may be built into Pipe  14  itself. 
     The 3D model can be exported as an LAS file. The quality is set to ultra-high and the points are colored according to the photography. The 3D model can also be exported as an ortho-photo. In this case, the projection plane is top and the blending is mosaic. In AutoCAD, the LAS file is used to create a point cloud object as shown in  FIG. 24 . 
     Listing the object shows that there are a total of over 21 million points in the 3D model, but only approximately 3 million points are displayed by AutoCAD. Using another viewer, such as Photo Soft, a close-up of the QR Code  12  array is shown in  FIG. 25 . The curvature of Pipe  14 , along with the density of the point cloud is shown. 
     Going back to AutoCAD, the view shown in  FIG. 26  is switched to a top view and the ortho-photo just created in Photo Soft is inserted. In this case, only the layer that the image is on is turned on. 
     In Photo Soft, the target positions can be exported as a CSV file. Switching to the ground control plane as shown in  FIG. 27 , the three Targets  13  that were used for geo-referencing with known positions from the ground survey can be seen. Two additional Targets  13  which were used to mark the QR Codes  12  can also be seen. 
     These Target  13  positions are exported to a CSV file, which is read by AutoCAD. Switching to AutoCAD, the points are imported and the points come in right on the targets in the image as shown in  FIG. 28 . 
     In order to capture the QR Code  12  data message, a switch is made to Photo Soft and the close-up photos are displayed. 327 Target  13  has been located as shown in  FIG. 29 . 
     Next, as shown in  FIG. 30 , The QR Reader  18  is launched. One of the QR Code  12 &#39;s is zoomed in on. The QR Reader  18  is positioned over it and the QR Code  12  data message is captured. 
     Switching back to AutoCAD, the point which corresponds to 327 Target  13  is located as shown in  FIG. 31 . 
     The QR Code  12  data message from QR Reader  18  is transferred to the AutoCAD database and the data is displayed as shown in  FIG. 32 . 
     The same process is used for the other QR Codes  12  (i.e., go back to Photo Soft, highlight the close-up image of QR Code  12 , zoom in, position QR Reader  18 , capture the QR Code  12  data message, switch back to AutoCAD, locate the point for the target, and transfer the data message from QR Reader  18  to the database). At this time the points can also be repositioned. The image is turned off and the O-snap set to Node, which will allow the use of the point data from the cloud. The point is highlighted as shown in  FIG. 33 . 
     The point is moved to the center of the weld. It snaps to one of the points in the point cloud and now a proper X, Y, and Z for the weld is secured as shown in  FIG. 34 . 
     A repetitive Bar-Code  19  is included on the full length of each pipe section as shown in  FIG. 35 . This approach will accommodate the identification of pups. A pup is a part of a joint of pipe cut off to be used elsewhere. Pups removed from a section of pipe at a tie-in can prove to be a challenge to track. A pup may be used in more than one tie-in. The Bar-Code  19  allows the pup to be tracked back to the joint from which it came. In this way the characteristics of the pup (wall thickness, coating, etc.) can be traced back to its origin. The repetitive Bar-Code  19  facilitates tracking the pup. 
     Process Development 
     The As-Built Process  100  as shown in  FIG. 38  has two stages: 1) data collection, where digital information is captured; and 2) data processing, where that digital information is used to drive both the attributes of the asset and a 3D model of the asset. 
     As•Bullt Process  100  begins in Step  102  where optically read codes, such as QR Codes  12  and/or Bar-Codes  19 , are affixed to the assets. These are affixed in the field if they were not affixed to the assets in the manufacturing process. Next, in Step  104  the assets are positioned in the ditch or trench where they will permanently reside. Alternatively, Step  102  may be performed after Step  104  instead of before. As shown above, in Step  106  3DLS and photogrammetry are two ways to quickly and efficiently gather the imagery and other digital information from which the attribute data and model data of the asset are derived in the processing step. With 3DLS, an operator utilizes a LiDAR scanner (see  FIG. 36 ) to scan the asset, or, via a drone as discussed above. With photogrammetry, one camera or an array of multiple cameras affixed to a bracket are used to capture images of the asset (see  FIG. 37 ) or, via a drone. With one pass, photos of the asset taken by each camera and taken from various angles are secured. Also, any control targets enountered are also captured. 
     A repeating loop in Step  108  is followed until there are no more images of the asset to capture. In Step  110  the imagery and/or digital data are uploaded to a computer for storage in a database, in anticipation of processing. In Step  112  the attributes and 3D models are derived from the uploaded data. The processing produces all of the asset features, attributes, and attendant features that have been captured in the field, and the process ends. Instead of taking weeks to develop deliverables that are usable by various stakeholders, the deliverables can be procured in just a matter of minutes or hours. The data processing stage described above can be further automated through program routines and algorithms to speed up the data processing stage. 
       FIG. 39  shows a block diagram of a system for an improved open-ditch pipeline as-built process in one embodiment. Referring now to  FIG. 39 , As-Built System  102  may include LiDAR Scanner  21  or one or more Cameras  26  to capture both the attributes of the asset and the position of the encoded attributes on the asset. The captured data is uploaded over a Communication Network  29  to Computer System  30 . Communication Network  29  may be the Internet, a local area network, a wireless cellular network, or any other suitable type of communication network or combinations of different types of networks connected together. 
     Components of Computer System  30  may include, but are not limited to, the following elements. Processing Element  31  communicates to other elements of the Computer System  30  over a System Bus  32 . Input Devices  33 , such as a keyboard, mouse, joy stick, or other type of pointing device allows a user to input information into Computer System  30 , and a Graphics Display  34  allows Computer System  30  to output information to the user. Graphics Display  34  may also be touch screen enabled, allowing a user to input information into Computer System  30  through this mode. A Storage Device  35  is used to store data, such as in a database, and various software programs within Computer System  30 . A Memory  36 , also connected to System Bus  32 , contains an operating system, and various software applications, such as AutoCAD and Photo Soft. A Communications Interface  37  is also connected to System Bus  32 . Communications Interface  37  may have one or more serial ports, parallel ports, infrared ports, and the like. Connectable through Communications Interface  37  may be an external printer or scanner (not shown), as well as access to Communication Network  29 . 
     Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the disclosed subject matter.