Patent Publication Number: US-2011068164-A1

Title: Method and Apparatus for Barcode and Position Detection

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates in general to surveying and more particularly to detecting a barcode target associated with an item at a position of interest and determining position data for the position of interest. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Conventional methods of surveying typically employ ground markers, such as stakes, to mark a location. Marking locations may be performed by permanent or temporary markers such as wooden stakes or painted symbols. Unfortunately, these ground markers typically provide limited information. Additionally, devices currently available for surveying and identifying positions of interest are not configured to distinguish between the conventional markers. For example, many surveying devices employ a surveying pole placed at the location of a conventional survey stake. Because these conventional methods are typically performed with a surveying pole, the conventional systems for performing surveying and positioning measurements do not require survey markers to provide additional information. One disadvantage of such an approach may be difficulty in identifying surveying marks. Another disadvantage may be increased time required for performing a surveying measurement. 
     Thus, there is a need in the art for a method and apparatus for improved measurement and identification of items of interest. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Disclosed and claimed herein are a method and apparatus for detecting barcode data of at least one item of interest. In one embodiment, a method includes detecting a barcode target, by an imaging device, associated with an item located at a position of interest. The method further includes, decoding the barcode target to extract data associated with the item, determining position data for the position of interest and displaying the data associated with the item and the position data for a user. 
     Other aspects, features, and techniques of the invention will be apparent to one skilled in the relevant art in view of the following detailed description of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The features, objects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which like reference characters identify correspondingly throughout and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  depicts a simplified block diagram of a device configured for barcode detection according to one or more embodiments of the invention; 
         FIGS. 2A-2B  depict embodiments of the device of  FIG. 1  according to one or more embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  depicts a process according to one or more embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  depicts a process according to one or more embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  depicts a process according to one or more embodiments of the invention; and 
         FIG. 6  depicts a graphical representation of a display window according to one embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     One aspect of the present invention is directed to detecting a barcode target for an item located at a position of interest. According to one embodiment, one or more items may be marked with a barcode target, including but not limited to a surveying stake, a permanent marker, a mobile device, etc. A surveying measurement and/or positioning measurement may then be performed for the position of interest. As used herein, a position of interest may refer to a particular global position or target area. For example, a position of interest may relate to a position marked by a surveying marker. Similarly, the position of interest may relate to the location of a movable item. Detection and decoding of the barcode target may be performed by a barcode target device. In one embodiment, measurement data may be stored and/or displayed to a user based on data encoded in a barcode target. Further, one or more measurements may be performed following detection and identification of a barcode target. 
     The present disclosure further relates to a device configured for detection of a barcode target. In one embodiment, the device includes an imaging device configured to detect one or more barcode targets. The device may be configured to display data to a user based on one or more barcodes and provide decoded data to a user. According to another embodiment, the device may be configured to determine position data for the position of interest. Measurement results may be compared to decoded barcode data to determine changes associated with the position of interest. For example, a change in elevation, and/or global position, of the position of interest may be determined by the device. The device may further include a wired and/or wireless link to a processing station or server for post-processing of collected surveying data. To that end, the device may provide automated monitoring of an item at a position of interest. 
     Another aspect of the invention is directed to a process for identifying one or more items of interest based on a detected barcode target. According to one embodiment, a device configured for detection of a barcode target may be configured to display a target window identifying a detected barcode. The device may be configured to decode a barcode target based on a user selection. 
     When implemented in software, the elements of the invention are essentially the code segments to perform the necessary tasks. The program or code segments can be stored in a processor-readable medium. The “processor-readable medium” may include any medium that can store or transfer information. Examples of the processor readable medium include an electronic circuit, a semiconductor memory device, a ROM, a flash memory or other non-volatile memory, a floppy diskette, a CD-ROM, an optical disk, a hard disk, etc. The code segments may be downloaded via computer networks such as the Internet, Intranet, etc. 
     Referring now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  depicts a simplified block diagram of a device for detection of a barcode target according to one or more embodiments of the invention. As shown in  FIG. 1 , device  100  includes an imaging device  105  coupled to processor  125 . Imaging device  105  may be configured to detect a barcode target associated with an item located at a position of interest. In one embodiment, imaging device  105  may relate to a charge-coupled device (CCD), CMOS image sensor, active pixel sensor, laser scanning device (e.g., long range barcode scanner), etc. One advantage of the invention may be that imaging device  105  may allow for detection and imaging of one or more barcode targets from a distance. For example, imaging device  105  may be configured for a range of 1 to 150 feet. However, it also may be appreciated that imaging device  105  may be configured to operate in other ranges, using one or more different optical systems, such as an optical telescope in a surveyor&#39;s total station. 
     According to another embodiment, device  100  can determine position data associated for a position of interest. As shown, device  100  includes a position detection module  110 . Position detection module  110  may include an angle sensor to determined angular position of a position of interest in relation to device  100  and a distance sensor to detect distance to the position of interest. Output from position detection module  110  may be collected by processor  125  to determine at least one of an elevation, grade, and surveying data in general. Alternatively, or in combination, position detection module  110  may be configured to determine global positioning coordinates (e.g., Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), Global Positioning System (GPS), Galileo Satellite Navigation System, or the Compass Global Satellite Navigation System). 
     Processor  125  can output measurement data and/or data received from imaging device  105  using I/O interface  120 . According to another embodiment, processor  125  can be any type of processor such as a microprocessor, field programmable gate array (FPGA) and/or application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). Measurement data can be stored by memory  140  wherein memory  140  relates to one of a ROM and RAM memory. It may also be appreciated that measurement data collected by device  100  may be presented to a user by display  130 . 
     According to another embodiment, device  100  may relate an optical total station, such as the Trimble™ VX Spatial Station. The Trimble™ VX Spatial Station can employ a camera and/or electronic telescope as imaging device  105  to observe a target area where items of interest are located. In certain embodiments, a barcode scanner may be electrically coupled to one of the telescope display and the camera display to detect a barcode target in a target area. In this way, the recognition range of barcodes on a distant target may be increased dramatically. As a result, device  100  can identify barcode targets at greater distances. Device  100  may further be configured to detect barcode data of at least one item of interest as will be described in more detail below with respect to  FIG. 5 . 
     In yet another embodiment, device  100  may relate to a Geographic Information System (GIS) device which may be configured to detect one or more barcode targets as will be discussed in more detail below with respect to  FIG. 2B . 
     As described above, device  100  may be configured to determine surveying measurements for a position of interest labeled with a barcode. It may also be appreciated that position determination tool  100  can determine at least one surveying measurement for a position of interest and generate a barcode using optional printer  145 . Optional printer  145  may be configured to print a barcode label which may be generated in the field for a position of interest. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2A-2B , graphical representations of the device of  FIG. 1  are shown according to one or more embodiments of the invention. Referring first to  FIG. 2A , barcode detection device is shown as a total station according to one embodiment. Total station  200  may be configured to perform a surveying measurement and/or detect barcode target  210  associated with a position of interest  205 . For example, total station  200  may be configured to determine a distance, shown as  220 , to the position of interest  205 . Further, total station  200  can determine an angular offset, shown as  225 , to the position of interest in relation to total station  200 . As shown in  FIG. 2A , barcode target  210  is depicted as a two-dimensional barcode. However, it may also be appreciated that barcode target  210  can be any type of barcode, such as a matrix code, monochromatic barcode, color barcode and any type of barcode in general. It should also be appreciated that barcode target  210  can include position mark  215  which may be used by total station  200  to decode data. For example, position mark  215  may provide a reference to determine the orientation of barcode target  210 . As such, total station  200  can provide omni-directional decoding of barcode targets. 
     Barcode target  210  may be fixed or attached to item  206 . Data encoded in barcode target  210  may include an identification and feature information for item  206 . According to another embodiment of the invention, total station  200  may be configured to detect a barcode  210  from a distance. Data encoded in barcode  210  may be decoded by total station  200  to provide an orientation of the total station. As such, total station  200  can then use decoded information to provide directional information to the user of the total station  200 . 
     According to another embodiment, barcode target  210  can provide a plurality of information types. For example, barcode target  210  may include an identification number assigned by a surveying tool or a predefined identifier, such as a government issued benchmark number. Similarly, barcode target  210  can include data such as a date or time relating to a time and/or date that the barcode is encoded. The date value can be useful when determining a rate of movement for a position of interest. Latitude and longitude coordinates relating to global position data and/or latitude and longitude coordinates may further be decoded from a barcode target. Additionally, barcode target  210  may include feature information including data entered by a user related to the position of interest. For example, the location of a utility service in the vicinity of a surveying mark may be indicated. In addition, information related to a position of interest that the device is required to locate and measure. 
     Total station  200  may include a position detection module (e.g., position detection module  110 ) configured to determine position data for the position of interest  205 . In one embodiment, total station  200  may be configured to determine position data by employing Global Position Satellite (GPS) system data. Additional positioning satellite system data which may be employed includes GLONASS, Galileo, and Compass, the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). Accordingly, total station  200  may include and/or relate to equipment manufactured by Trimble Navigation Limited, the assignee of this application, and include products designed for surveying applications and Geographical Information System (GIS) applications. Exemplary equipment which may be employed includes the Trimble™ S6, VX Spatial Station, and the family of GeoExplorers used in GIS applications. Other techniques employing a combination of terrestrial optical survey and satellite-based position determination are also well known in the arts. The following patents are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety: U.S. Pat. No. 5,471,218; U.S. Pat. No. 5,923,287; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,529,828. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, total station  200  may be configured to detect barcodes of various dimensions. In certain embodiment, the dimensions of barcode  210  can limit the amount of data which may be encoded into the barcode. However, it should be appreciated that barcode  210  may be produced having a variety of dimensions. When used as a surveying target, barcode  210  may conform to a predefined surveying target size. The following table provides exemplary values of the maximum number of characters which can be encoded by barcode  210  according to one embodiment of the invention. Although the values presented relate to an exemplary maximum number of characters encoded by barcode data, it may be appreciated that barcode  210  may be decoded with less characters. It should also be appreciated that total station  200  could decode a barcode target having data exceeding the exemplary values. 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 BARCODE DATA CAPACITY 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Numeric 
                 Max. 7,089 characters 
               
               
                   
                 Alphanumeric 
                 Max. 4,296 characters 
               
               
                   
                 Binary (8 bits) 
                 Max. 2,953 characters 
               
               
                   
                 Kanji, full-width Kana 
                 Max. 1,817 characters 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     According to another embodiment of the invention, total station  200  may be configured to perform a surveying measurement and/or detect a barcode  210  from a distance to reduce risk associated with performing a surveying measurement in a high risk site, such as earth movement. Further, barcode  210  may be produced at relatively low cost. In that fashion, monitoring a position of interest in a high risk site may be performed by total station  200 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2B , device  250  (e.g., device  100 ) is presented as another embodiment of total station  200 . As shown in  FIG. 2B , device  250  can detect a barcode associated with a variety of surveying markers. Device  250  is shown in  FIG. 2B  as being a field instrument which can be used to detect a barcode target from close proximity according to one embodiment of the invention. As such, device  250  may include a barcode scanner and/or imaging device (e.g., imaging device  105 ) configured to detect barcode  255  coupled to a surveying mark  265 , barcode  260  coupled to a surveying mark  256  and/or barcode  266  coupled to a mobile machine  257 . As shown in  FIG. 2B , surveying marks  255  and  256 , are shown as a surveying stake and a benchmark, respectively. Machine  257  is illustrated as a tractor, however, it should also be appreciated that mobile machine  257  can relate to other types of mobile devices and is not limited to tractors. It should also be appreciated that device  250  can detect barcodes coupled to any type of surveying marker in general. 
     According to another embodiment, device  250  may relate to a Geographic Information System (GIS) unit which may be a handheld unit. In that fashion, one or more detected barcode targets may be decoded by device  250  wherein the decoded data may be used by one or more applications of the GIS. 
     Detection of barcodes  260 ,  265  and/or  266  may be used to determine position of device  250  by decoding data associated with the barcodes. According to another embodiment of the invention, device  250  can transmit detected barcodes to a central processor  270  for collection and processing over communication link  275 . Communication link  275  may be one of a wired or wireless data link. Device  250  may further be configured to store data for items  255 ,  256  and  257 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a process is shown for detecting barcode data according to one or more embodiments of the invention. Process  300  is shown for decoding barcode data according to one embodiment of the invention. Process  300  may be initiated with detection of a barcode target associated with an item located at a position of interest, at block  305 , by an imaging device (e.g., imaging device  105 ). Data encoded in the barcode target may be decoded at block  310 . A processor of the barcode detection device may be configured to capture an image of the target barcode for processing to decode the barcode. Decoded data may be stored in a memory (e.g., memory  140 ). At block  315 , the device can determine position data for the position of interest. In one embodiment, position data may be determined by performing at least one of a surveying measurement and global positioning measurement. Position data can relate to one or more of location coordinates, elevation, grade, GNSS position data, surveying data and global position data. In certain embodiments, a surveying measurement can be performed for the position of interest at block  315  to determine an elevation, grade or spatial position of the position of interest. The surveying measurement may be compared to data decoded from the barcode to determine any movement or changes associated with the position of interest. In that fashion, process  300  may be used to monitor earth movement and/or equipment movement. The decoded data and position data may be presented by a display (e.g., display  130 ) in block  320 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a process is depicted for detecting barcode data of at least one item of interest according to one or more embodiments of the invention. Process  400  may be initiated at start block  405  by a user to for a target area. At block  410  a barcode detection device (e.g., device  100 ) can detect one or more barcode targets for a target area. The device proceeds to determine position data at block  415 . At decision block  420 , the device can check if additional position data is to be determined. Additional position data may be determined for an item based on one or more user and/or device settings. In that fashion, process  400  can monitor movement of one or more items. When additional position data is to be corrected (“YES” path out of decision block  420 ) the device can determine position data at block  415 . When additional position data is not required (“NO” path out of decision block  420 ) process  400  proceeds to check if additional items require analyzing at decision block  425 . 
     In one embodiment, the device may prompt a user when multiple barcode targets are detected in a target area. When process  400  detects an additional barcode target, (“YES” path out of decision block  425 ) the device can determine position data at block  430 . When no additional barcode targets are detected, (“NO” path out of decision block  425 ) process  400  can search another target area. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5  a process is depicted for selecting a barcode target according to one embodiment of the invention. Process  500  may be employed by a barcode detection device (e.g., device  100 ) when a plurality of barcode targets are detected in a target area. For example, process  500  may be performed by one or more of a total station and GIS configured to detect one or more barcode targets. Process  500  may be initiated by detecting a barcode target associated with a first item at block  505 . Process  500  may detect a barcode target associated with a second item at block  510 . The device can display one or more of a listing and graphical representation of the barcode targets. At block  515 , the device can display a target window identifying one of the barcode targets. The device may be configured to receive user input for selection of a barcode target at block  520 . At block  525 , the device can decode data of a selected barcode target. Process  500  may further include displaying decoded barcode information and position data for one or more barcode targets. In certain embodiments, one or more devices, such as a total station and GIS, may be programmed to operate according to process  500 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a graphical representation of a device display window is depicted according to one embodiment of the invention. Display window  600  may be displayed by a device (e.g., device  100 ). Display window  600  may provide barcode targets  605   1-n  and decoded barcode data  615  and position data  620 . Display window  600  may further display target window  610  identifying a barcode target. The display (e.g., display  130 ) may be configured to select one or more barcode targets with target window  610  based on user input and/or device settings. Although barcode targets  605   1-n  are shown as graphical representations in  FIG. 6 , it should also be appreciated that display window may provide barcode targets  605   1-n  as a list. 
     While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention, and that this invention not be limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other modifications may occur to those ordinarily skilled in the art. Trademarks and copyrights referred to herein are the property of their respective owners.