Patent Publication Number: US-2015070138-A1

Title: Detection of buried assets using current location and known buffer zones

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This patent application is a continuation in part of, and claims priority to, patent application Ser. No. 14/226,397 filed Mar. 26, 2014 and entitled “Improved Detection of Buried Assets Using Current Location and Known Buffer Zones,” which is a continuation in part of, and claims priority to, patent application Ser. No. 14/060,301 filed Oct. 22, 2013 and entitled “Detection of Incursion of Proposed Excavation Zones Into Buried Assets,” which is a continuation in part of, and claims priority to, patent application Ser. No. 13/745,846 filed Jan. 20, 2013 and entitled “Storage and Recall of Buried Asset Data Over Communications Networks for Damage Avoidance and Mapping,” which is a continuation in part of patent application Ser. No. 13/543,612 filed Jul. 6, 2012 and entitled “Storage and Recall of Buried Asset Data Over Communications Networks for Damage Avoidance and Mapping”, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,358,201. The subject matter of patent application Ser. Nos. 14/226,397, 14/060,301, 13/543,612 and Ser. No. 13/745,846 are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable. 
     INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC 
     Not Applicable. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The technical field relates generally to the detection and identification of buried assets (i.e., underground utility lines) and, more specifically, to processes for improving the precision of detection of buried assets. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Utility lines, such as lines for telephones, electricity distribution, natural gas, cable television, fiber optics, Internet, traffic lights, street lights, storm drains, water mains, and wastewater pipes, are often located underground. Utility lines are referred to as “buried assets” herein. Consequently, before excavation occurs in an area, especially an urban area, an excavator is typically required to clear excavation activities with the proper authorities and service providers. The clearance procedure usually requires that the excavator contact a central authority (such as “One Call”, “811” and “Call Before You Dig,” which are well known in the art) which, in turn, sends a notification to the appropriate utility companies. Subsequently, each utility company must perform a buried asset detection procedure, which includes having a field technician visit the proposed excavation site, detecting the relevant buried assets and physically marking the position of the buried asset using temporary paint or flags. Usually, a technician visiting a proposed excavation site utilizes a device known as a conventional locator—a commercial, off-the-shelf, utility locator device that detects and identifies buried assets using radio frequency and/or magnetic sensors. Upon completion of this procedure by the appropriate utility companies, excavation can occur with the security that buried assets will not be damaged. 
     Utility companies are faced with increasing requests to locate and mark the position of their buried assets to avoid damage from third party excavators, contractors and underground horizontal boring operations. One of the main obstacles experienced by locate technicians involves the presence of multiple buried assets in close proximity A single buried asset emanates signals in a standard circular radiating pattern  510  shown in  FIG. 5A . Conventional locator devices  530  perform well when encountering a single buried asset radiating the standard circular electromagnetic signal pattern  510  from under the ground  518 . When multiple buried assets are present in close proximity, however, the buried assets emanate interference signals like pattern  520  shown in  FIG. 5A . Conventional locator devices do not perform well when encountering multiple buried asset emanating the interference signal pattern  520 . Situations involving interference signals such as shown in  520  require the services of a very experienced and skilled technician that can detect such a situation and make the appropriate adjustments to find the exact buried asset the technician is seeking. With experienced technicians in short supply, utility companies do not have the resources to attend to all such situations that are presented. Even for experienced and skilled technicians, finding a target buried asset when interference signals are encountered can be time-consuming or simply not possible, and can lead to errors and mis-locates. As such, this leads to increased costs for utility companies and service providers, as well as potential safety hazards to workers and the general public. 
     Therefore, a need exists for improvements over the prior art, and more particularly for more efficient methods and systems for detecting and locating multiple buried assets in close proximity 
     SUMMARY 
     A method on a mobile computing device communicatively connected to a communications network, the mobile computing device for locating electromagnetic signals radiating from a buried asset is provided. This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of disclosed concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description including the drawings provided. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter. Nor is this Summary intended to be used to limit the claimed subject matter&#39;s scope. 
     In one embodiment, a method on a mobile computing device for locating electromagnetic signals radiating from a buried asset is provided that solves the above-described problems. The method includes receiving a first data structure that represents a two dimensional area comprising a buffer zone at an above-surface location, wherein the buffer zone corresponds to a particular buried asset sought by an operator of the mobile computing device and iteratively executing the following four steps: a) calculating a above-surface location of the mobile computing device; b) determining whether the above-surface location of the mobile computing device is located within the two dimensional area represented by the first data structure; c) if the above-surface location is not located within the two dimensional area, displaying a first graphic in a display of the mobile computing device; and d) if the above-surface location is located within the two dimensional area, displaying a second graphic in the display. 
     In another embodiment, a computer system communicatively connected to a communications network, the computer system for locating a buried asset, is disclosed. The computer system includes a component communicatively coupled with the computer system, wherein the component comprises an electromagnetic locating function for locating buried assets, a network connection device for communicatively coupling the computer system to the communications network, a memory storage, and a processing unit coupled to the memory storage, the network connection device, and the component, when the processing unit is programmed for receiving, via the communications network, a first data structure that represents a two dimensional area comprising a buffer zone at an above-surface location, wherein the buffer zone corresponds to a particular buried asset sought by a technician operating the computer system, and iteratively executing the following four steps: a) calculating a above-surface location of the computer system; b) determining whether the above-surface location of the computer system is located within the two dimensional area represented by the first data structure; c) if the above-surface location is not located within the two dimensional area, displaying a first graphic in a display of the mobile computing device and playing a first sound in a sound emitter of the mobile computing device; and d) if the above-surface location is located within the two dimensional area, displaying a second graphic in the display, playing a second sound in the sound emitter, and initiating a vibration in a vibration device of the computer system. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate various example embodiments. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram of an operating environment that supports a process for locating a buried asset using geographical location and known buffer zones, according to an example embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a diagram showing the data flow of the general process for locating a buried asset using geographical location and known buffer zones, according to an example embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a flow chart showing the control flow of the process for locating a buried asset using geographical location and known buffer zones, according to an example embodiment; 
         FIG. 4A  is an illustration of a graphical user interface that shows buried asset data points connected via line segments, according to an example embodiment; 
         FIG. 4B  is an illustration of a graphical user interface that shows buried asset data points surrounded by a two dimensional area, according to an example embodiment; 
         FIG. 5A  is an illustration of radio frequency and/or electromagnetic radiating patterns emanating from buried assets; 
         FIG. 5B  is an illustration showing the general process for locating a buried asset using geographical location and known buffer zones, according to an example embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  is a block diagram of a system including a computing device, according to an example embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the following description to refer to the same or similar elements. While embodiments of the invention may be described, modifications, adaptations, and other implementations are possible. For example, substitutions, additions, or modifications may be made to the elements illustrated in the drawings, and the methods described herein may be modified by substituting, reordering, or adding stages to the disclosed methods. Accordingly, the following detailed description does not limit the invention. Instead, the proper scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims. 
     The present invention improves over the prior art by providing a more efficient, safe and precise way of locating a particular buried asset in situations where multiple buried assets are located in close proximity and emanating interference signals. The example embodiments leverage: 1) the wide availability of geographical location processors (such as GPS processors and other satellite or ground-based navigation systems) that provide geographical location information, as well as 2) previously stored two-dimensional or three-dimensional buffer zones around a target buried asset, to provide an appropriate indicator to the technician, according to the device&#39;s geographical location. By alerting the technician when the locate technician is located within and without the buffer zone of the target buried asset, the example embodiments reduce or eliminate the possibility that the locate technician may accidentally misidentify interference signal readings from another buried asset as the target buried asset. This feature results in more safe, precise and accurate results by the field technician. The example embodiments further reduce the number of false identifications of a buried asset&#39;s location. This decreases the costs associated with buried asset detection in relation to the central authority. 
       FIG. 1  is a diagram of an operating environment  100  that supports a process on a server  102  for locating a target buried asset using geographical location information and known buffer zone information. The server  102  may be communicatively coupled with a communications network  106 , according to an example embodiment. The environment  100  may comprise a mobile computing device  120 , which may communicate with server  102  via a communications network  106 . Mobile computing device  120  may comprise a cellular telephone, smart phone or tablet computer. Device  120  may also comprise other computing devices such as desktop computers, laptops, and game consoles, for example. The mobile computing device  120  may be connected either wirelessly or in a wired or fiber optic form to the communications network  106 . Communications network  106  may be a packet switched network, such as the Internet, or any local area network, wide area network, enterprise private network, cellular network, phone network, mobile communications network, or any combination of the above. 
     The environment  100  shows that mobile computing device  120  is operated by a technician or operator  110  (i.e., a field technician) and includes an antenna array  112 , which may be communicatively coupled, either wirelessly or in a wired or fiber optic form, to the mobile computing device  120 . As such, server  102 , and devices  120  and  112  may each comprise a computing device  1100 , described below in greater detail with respect to  FIG. 6 .  FIG. 1  shows that antenna array  112  may be a component including one or more sensors that detect and measure radio frequency and/or electromagnetic signals  140  emanating from a buried asset  130 . In one embodiment, array  112  includes all of the functions of a conventional locator device, which is well known in the art. 
     In another embodiment, the device  120  also calculates its current geographical position using an on-board processor or a connected processor and transmits it to the server  102  over network  106 . In one embodiment, the device  120  calculates its current position using a satellite or ground based positioning system, such as a Global Positioning System (GPS) system, which is a navigation device that receives satellite or land based signals for the purpose of determining the device&#39;s current geographical position on Earth. A GPS receiver, and its accompanying processor, may calculate latitude, longitude and altitude information. In this embodiment, a radio frequency signal is received from a satellite (such as  160 ) or ground based transmitter comprising a time the signal was transmitted and a position of the transmitter. Subsequently, the device  120  calculates current geographical location data of the device  120  based on the signal, and transmits the current geographical location data to the server  102  via the communications network  106 . In another embodiment, the device  120  calculates its current geographical location using alternative services, such as control plan locating, GSM localization, dead reckoning, or any combination of the aforementioned position services. In yet another embodiment, the device  120  also calculates its current compass heading (such as via the use of a compass application) and transmits this data to the server  102  over network  106 . 
     In one embodiment,  FIG. 1  shows that device  120  includes a peripheral  162 , which may be a high accuracy or high precision satellite or ground based positioning system module that provides positional data of greater accuracy to device  120 . In this embodiment, the functions related to calculating current geographical position are performed by device  162  instead of, or in conjunction with, device  120 . In addition to satellite(s)  160 , peripheral  162  may collect data from other sources, such as land-based position data providers that broadcast position data over radio frequency, or additional constellations of satellites. Alternatively, in lieu of device  120 , array  112  and peripheral  162 , the technician  110  may utilize a single, integrated locator device that detects and identifies buried assets using radio frequency and/or electromagnetic sensors, and which further performs the functions of device  120 , array  112  and peripheral  162 , as described herein. In this alternative, all of the functions of  120 ,  112 , and  162  are provided by one, single, integrated device (indicated by  101  in  FIG. 1 ) handled by technician  110 . 
     Server  102  includes a software engine that delivers applications, data, program code and other information to networked device  120 . The software engine of server  102  may perform other processes such as transferring multimedia data in a stream of packets that are interpreted and rendered by a software application as the packets arrive.  FIG. 1  further shows that server  102  includes a database or repository  104 , which may be a relational database comprising a Structured Query Language (SQL) database stored in a SQL server. Mobile computing device  120  may also include its own database, either locally or via the cloud. The database  104  may serve buried asset data, buffer zone data, as well as related information, which may be used by server  102  and mobile computing device  120 . 
     Server  102 , mobile computing device  120  and antenna array  112  may each include program logic comprising computer source code, scripting language code or interpreted language code that perform various functions of the present invention. In one embodiment, the aforementioned program logic may comprise program module  607  in  FIG. 6 . It should be noted that although  FIG. 1  shows only one mobile computing device  120  and one server  102 , the system of the present invention supports any number of servers and mobile computing devices connected via network  106 . Also note that although server  102  is shown as a single and independent entity, in one embodiment, server  102  and its functionality can be realized in a centralized fashion in one computer system or in a distributed fashion wherein different elements are spread across several interconnected computer systems. 
     Environment  100  may be used when a mobile computing device  120  engages in buried asset detection activities that comprise reading, generating, and storing buried asset data. Various types of data may be stored in the database  104  of server  102  with relation to a buried asset that has been detected and located. For example, the database  104  may store one or more records for each buried asset, and each record may include one or more buried asset data points. A buried asset data point may include a current time, a textual map address, and location data or position data, such as latitude and longitude coordinates, geographical coordinates, an altitude coordinate, or the like. A buried asset data point may also include depth measurement data, electromagnetic signal measurement data (such as electrical current measurement data, resistance measurement data, impedance measurement data, electrical signal magnitude measurement data, electrical signal frequency measurement data, electrical signal voltage measurement data, etc.), direction data and orientation data. 
     A buried asset data point may also include a precision data value corresponding to any piece of information associated with a buried asset data point, such as the geographical coordinate or. A precision data value is a value that represents the quality or level of precision of a piece of information, such as a geographical coordinate. All sensors and devices that read physical quantities have a certain amount of measurement error or observational error. A precision data value represents the amount or magnitude of the measurement error or observational error of a sensor or device at one time. In one embodiment, a precision data value is a numerical value, such as a real number from 0 to 1.0 (with a variable number of decimal points) wherein zero represents perfect precision, 0.5 represents a precision that is 50% off from a true value, 0.75 represents a precision that is 75% off from a true value, etc. In another embodiment, a precision data value is an alphanumeric value (such as a word or other ASCII string) that corresponds (according to a lookup table or other correspondence table) to a predefined amount of precision. In another embodiment, a precision data value is any set of values that may be sorted according to ascending or descending value. Thus, in this embodiment, precision data values may have ascending and descending values. 
     In one embodiment, the precision data value is inversely proportional to the level of precision of quality of a piece of information, such as a geographical coordinate. Thus, when there is a large margin of error or a low confidence level in a piece of information, then the precision data value is high and the quality or level of precision of the information is low. Conversely, when there is a small margin of error or a high confidence level in a piece of information, then the precision data value is low and the quality or level of precision of the information is high. 
     With regard to geographical coordinates, HDOP, VDOP, PDOP, and TDOP values (Horizontal, Vertical, Positional and Time Dilution of Precision, respectively) are values well known in the art for representing the quality or level of precision of a geographical coordinate. Also with regard to geographical coordinates, values representing the quality or level of precision of a geographical coordinate may rely on whether a differential correction technique (such as differential GPS) was used in calculating the coordinate. The Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) is an enhancement to Global Positioning System that provides improved location accuracy. DGPS uses a network of fixed, ground-based reference stations to broadcast the difference between the positions indicated by the satellite systems and the known fixed positions. As such, if DGPS was used to calculate a geographical coordinate, then the precision data value of the coordinate may reflect that fact. For example, the precision data value may indicate higher accuracy if DGPS was used. 
     Similarly, a buried asset data point may also include a precision data value corresponding to any piece of information associated with a buried asset data point, such as a current time, a textual map address, depth measurement data, electrical signal measurement data (such as electrical current measurement data, signal strength data, resistance measurement data, impedance measurement data, electrical signal magnitude measurement data, electrical signal frequency measurement data, electrical signal voltage measurement data, electromagnetic vector data, etc.), direction data (left or right indicators that direct the technician to the location of the buried asset), orientation data, and location data or position data, such as latitude and longitude coordinates, geographical coordinates, an altitude coordinate, or the like. 
       FIG. 3  is a flow chart showing the control flow of the process  300  for locating a target buried asset using current geographical location information and known buffer zone information, according to an example embodiment. Process  300  describes the steps that occur when the locate technician  110  is seeking a particular target buried asset  552  (see  FIG. 5B ) that may be located within an area including multiple buried assets, giving rise to a situation where interference signals (such as shown in  520  in  FIG. 5A and 520  in  FIG. 5B ) are present. The process  300  is described with reference to  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2 , which shows the general data flow  200  of the process  300 , and  FIG. 5B , which shows the status of the graphics/sounds of the device  530  when located inside and outside a buffer zone. Although the process  300  is described with reference to actions performed by device  120 , any reference to device  120  may be interchangeable with a reference to device  101 , as described above. 
     Process  300  starts with step  302  wherein a target buried asset  552  (see  FIG. 5B ), which is the buried asset the technician  110  is seeking, is identified to the server  102 . In one embodiment, this step is accomplished by the reception of the server  102  of a work ticket specifying that a locate action must be performed at a particular location for a particular buried asset identified by unique identifier  202 , type of buried asset, expected reading for buried asset, or the like. In another embodiment, this step is accomplished by the server  102  receiving a command from the technician  110 , wherein the device  120  sends a unique identifier  202  for the target buried asset  552  to the server  102  via network  106 . Step  302  may be performed while the technician  110  and device  120  are located on site in the vicinity of the target buried asset  552 , while the technician is at work or headquarters, while the technician is at home, on the road, or at any other location. In another embodiment, step  302  may be performed automatically when the technician  110  and device  120  arrive at the vicinity of the target buried asset  552 , the device  120  sends its current geographical location to the server  102  and the server  102  determines which buried assets are located at said location. 
     In step  304 , the server  102  accesses a record associated with the unique identifier, wherein the record includes previously recorded buried asset data points for the target buried asset  552  and/or a previously calculated two-dimensional or three-dimensional buffer zone for the target buried asset  552 . Also in step  304 , the server sends to the device  120 , via network  106 , a data structure  204  including buried asset data points for the target buried asset  552  and/or a two-dimensional or three-dimensional buffer zone for the target buried asset  552 . In another alternative, the device  120  downloads the data structure  204  from a third party via network  106  or reads the data structure  204  from a CD, DVD, thumb drive, another computer or any removable media or computer program product that has been interfaced with the device  120 . Like step  302 , step  304  may be performed while the technician  110  and device  120  are located on site in the vicinity of the target buried asset  552 , while the technician is at work or at headquarters, while the technician is at home, on the road, or at any other location. 
     In step  306 , the device  120  receives and stores the data structure. Optionally, if the device  120  receives only buried asset data points for the target buried asset  552  from server  102 , then device  102  calculates a two-dimensional or three-dimensional buffer zone for the target buried asset  552  based on said buried asset data points. See the description below with reference to  FIGS. 4A and 4B  for a description of how a two-dimensional or three-dimensional buffer zone for a target buried asset is calculated based on buried asset data points. 
     Buffer zone data may be stored in the data structure  204  in a variety of ways. For example, a two-dimensional buffer zone may be represented in data structure  204  as a set of points that define the perimeter of the buffer zone area. In another example, a two-dimensional buffer zone may be represented in data structure  204  as a set of shapes (such as circles, squares, triangles, rectangles, trapezoids, etc.) that define the buffer zone area, wherein each shape is represented by a set of points that define its perimeter, its vertices, it center, its radius, etc. In another example, a three-dimensional buffer zone may be represented in data structure  204  as a set of points that define the outside surface of the buffer zone area 
     In one embodiment, steps  304 - 306  may be performed by device  120  when device  120  interacts with server  102  via network  106  either wirelessly or in a wired manner. In another embodiment, steps  304 - 306  may be performed by device  120  when device  120  receives the data  204  from server  102  on a computer program product, such as a removable memory component that contains the data  204 . 
     In step  308 , the device  120 , and/or component  162 , calculates current geographical information for the device  120 /array  112 , using methods as disclosed above. In step  309 , the device  120  determines whether the current geographical location of the device  120 /array  112  is located within the buffer zone  550  (see  FIG. 5B ). In one alternative to step  309 , the device  120  calculates its current geographical information for the device  120 /array  112  and transmits said current geographical information to server  102  over network  106 . Subsequently, server  102  determines whether the current geographical location of the device  120 /array  112  is located within the buffer zone  550 . 
     If the current geographical location of device  120 /array  112  is not located within the buffer zone  550 , then in step  312  the device  120  displays a first graphic in a display of the mobile computing device  120  and plays a first sound in a sound emitter of the mobile computing device  120 . The first graphic and the first sound indicate that the above-surface current geographical location of device  120  is not located within the two dimensional area. For example, the first graphic may be a graphic of alphanumeric text that reads “NOT IN THE BUFFER ZONE” or “NOT NEAR THE TARGET” or the like. Alternatively, the first graphic may comprise a specific computer icon, a circle with a horizontal line through it, a null sign or another graphic that indicates zero, or a negative. In another example, the first sound comprises an alarm or other alerting sound, such as high pitch beeping. In yet another example, the first sound comprises a recording of a person stating “NOT IN THE BUFFER ZONE” or “NOT NEAR THE TARGET” or the like. Accordingly,  FIG. 5B  shows that when array  112  is not located in the buffer zone  550 , the device  120  displays a first graphic and plays a first sound. 
     In another alternative, if the current geographical location of device  120 /array  112  is not located within the buffer zone  550 , then in step  312  the device  120  initiates a first vibration in a vibration device of the mobile computing device  120 . This acts as an additional notice to the user that the device is not located in the buffer zone. 
     In the embodiment where server  102  determines whether the current geographical location of the device  120 /array  112  is located within the buffer zone  550 , step  312  comprises the server  102  transmitting a message to device  120 , via network  106 , wherein the message includes a command that device  120  display the first graphic in a display of the mobile computing device  120  and play the first sound in a sound emitter of the mobile computing device  120 . Upon receiving said message, the device  120  reads said command and proceeds to display the first graphic and play the first sound. 
     If the current geographical location of device  120 /array  112  is located within the buffer zone  550 , then in step  314  the device  120  displays a second graphic in a display of the mobile computing device  120  and plays a second sound in a sound emitter of the mobile computing device  120 . The second graphic and the second sound indicate that the above-surface current geographical location of device  120  is positively located within the two dimensional area. For example, the second graphic may be a graphic of alphanumeric text that reads “YOU ARE IN THE BUFFER ZONE” or “YOU ARE NEAR THE TARGET” or the like. Alternatively, the second graphic may comprise a specific computer icon, an exclamation point, a happy face, or another graphic that indicates a positive. In another example, the second sound comprises a calming or upbeat sound, such as a few musical notes. In yet another example, the second sound comprises a recording of a person stating “YOU ARE IN THE BUFFER ZONE” or “YOU ARE NEAR THE TARGET” or the like. Accordingly,  FIG. 5B  shows that when array  112  is located in the buffer zone  550 , the device  120  displays a second graphic and plays a second sound. 
     In another alternative, if the current geographical location of device  120 /array  112  is located within the buffer zone  550 , then in step  314  the device  120  initiates a second vibration (different form the first vibration) in the vibration device of the mobile computing device  120 . This acts as an additional notice to the user that the device is located in the buffer zone. 
     In the embodiment where server  102  determines whether the current geographical location of the device  120 /array  112  is located within the buffer zone  550 , step  312  comprises the server  102  transmitting a message to device  120 , via network  106 , wherein the message includes a command that device  120  display the second graphic in a display of the mobile computing device  120  and play the second sound in a sound emitter of the mobile computing device  120 . Upon receiving said message, the device  120  reads said command and proceeds to display the second graphic and play the second sound. 
     Hence, the technician is notified when the array  112  is above the incorrect buried asset  551 , and therefore he can avoid a mis-identification of target buried asset  552 , i.e., the technician cannot mistake buried asset  551  with the target buried asset  552  under the ground  518 . 
     In step  320 , the device  120  utilizes the antenna array  112  to read raw analog signals  520  emanating from the target buried asset  552 . Based on the data it has received and calculated, device  120  calculates one or more buried asset data points  204  for the target buried asset  552 . The device  120  uploads the buried asset data points  206  to the server  102  via the network  106 . 
     It should be noted that although the description above denotes that certain steps, calculations or functions are performed specifically by device  120  or device  112 , said steps, calculations or functions may be performed by either device  120  or device  112 , or another device that combines the functions of device  120  and device  112 . 
       FIGS. 4A through 4B  depict illustrations of graphical user interfaces (GUI) that show how a buffer zone is generated using buried asset data points, according to an example embodiment. See parent patent application Ser. No. 14/060,301 for a more detailed disclosure of how buffer zones are generated. In  FIG. 4A , the GUI  400  shows that four buried asset data points  402 ,  404 ,  406 ,  408  are displayed according to their corresponding geographical coordinate data. The buried asset data points  402 ,  404 ,  406 ,  408  are connected via straight line segments to form a central line  420  that represents an approximation of the location of the buried asset in between the buried asset data points  402 ,  404 ,  406 ,  408 . 
     GUI  450  of  FIG. 4B  shows that a two-dimensional area  460  comprising a buffer zone has been created around the buried asset data points  402 ,  404 ,  406 , and  408 . In GUI  450 , the two-dimensional area was generated by defining a two-dimensional circle around each buried asset data point, wherein each circle is perpendicular to the central line  420 , and connecting the tops of each circle, so as to create a two-dimensional area  460  that surrounds the central line  420 . As discussed in more detail in parent patent application Ser. No. 14/060,301, different types of buffer zones may be generated, such as three dimensional buffer zones comprising a volume, and the size and shape of buffer zones may vary according to the precision data values associated with the geographical location data (or any other data collected about a buried asset data point, such as depth measurement data) of each buried asset data point  402 ,  404 ,  406 , and  408 . Specifically, the size and shape of each circle or sphere surrounding a buried asset data point may vary according to the precision data value associated with the geographical location data associated with each buried asset data point  402 ,  404 ,  406 , and  408  (or may vary according to a precision data value of any other data associated with a buried asset data point, such as depth measurement value, electromagnetic measurement data value, etc.) 
       FIG. 6  is a block diagram of a system including an example computing device  600  and other computing devices. Consistent with the embodiments described herein, the aforementioned actions performed by server  102 , device  120 , and antenna array  112  may be implemented in a computing device, such as the computing device  600  of  FIG. 6 . Any suitable combination of hardware, software, or firmware may be used to implement the computing device  600 . The aforementioned system, device, and processors are examples and other systems, devices, and processors may comprise the aforementioned computing device. Furthermore, computing device  600  may comprise an operating environment for system  100  and process  300 , as described above. Process  300  may operate in other environments and are not limited to computing device  600 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 6 , a system consistent with an embodiment of the invention may include a plurality of computing devices, such as computing device  600 . In a basic configuration, computing device  600  may include at least one processing unit  602  and a system memory  604 . Depending on the configuration and type of computing device, system memory  604  may comprise, but is not limited to, volatile (e.g. random access memory (RAM)), non-volatile (e.g. read-only memory (ROM)), flash memory, or any combination or memory. System memory  604  may include operating system  605 , and one or more programming modules  606 . Operating system  605 , for example, may be suitable for controlling computing device  600 &#39;s operation. In one embodiment, programming modules  606  may include, for example, a program module  607  for executing the actions of server  102 , and device  120 . Furthermore, embodiments of the invention may be practiced in conjunction with a graphics library, other operating systems, or any other application program and is not limited to any particular application or system. This basic configuration is illustrated in  FIG. 6  by those components within a dashed line  620 . 
     Computing device  600  may have additional features or functionality. For example, computing device  600  may also include additional data storage devices (removable and/or non-removable) such as, for example, magnetic disks, optical disks, or tape. Such additional storage is illustrated in  FIG. 6  by a removable storage  609  and a non-removable storage  610 . Computer storage media may include volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information, such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. System memory  604 , removable storage  609 , and non-removable storage  610  are all computer storage media examples (i.e. memory storage.) Computer storage media may include, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, electrically erasable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store information and which can be accessed by computing device  600 . Any such computer storage media may be part of device  600 . Computing device  600  may also have input device(s)  612  such as a keyboard, a mouse, a pen, a sound input device, a camera, a touch input device, etc. Output device(s)  614  such as a display, speakers, a printer, etc. may also be included. Computing device  600  may also include a vibration device capable of initiating a vibration in the device on command, such as a mechanical vibrator or a vibrating alert motor. The aforementioned devices are only examples, and other devices may be added or substituted. 
     Computing device  600  may also contain a network connection device  615  that may allow device  600  to communicate with other computing devices  618 , such as over a network in a distributed computing environment, for example, an intranet or the Internet. Device  615  may be a wired or wireless network interface controller, a network interface card, a network interface device, a network adapter or a LAN adapter. Device  615  allows for a communication connection  616  for communicating with other computing devices  618 . Communication connection  616  is one example of communication media. Communication media may typically be embodied by computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated data signal, such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism, and includes any information delivery media. The term “modulated data signal” may describe a signal that has one or more characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communication media may include wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, radio frequency (RF), infrared, and other wireless media. The term computer readable media as used herein may include both computer storage media and communication media. 
     As stated above, a number of program modules and data files may be stored in system memory  604 , including operating system  605 . While executing on processing unit  602 , programming modules  606  (e.g. program module  607 ) may perform processes including, for example, one or more of the stages of the processes  200 ,  300  as described above. The aforementioned processes are examples, and processing unit  602  may perform other processes. Other programming modules that may be used in accordance with embodiments of the present invention may include electronic mail and contacts applications, word processing applications, spreadsheet applications, database applications, slide presentation applications, drawing or computer-aided application programs, etc. 
     Generally, consistent with embodiments of the invention, program modules may include routines, programs, components, data structures, and other types of structures that may perform particular tasks or that may implement particular abstract data types. Moreover, embodiments of the invention may be practiced with other computer system configurations, including hand-held devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, minicomputers, mainframe computers, and the like. Embodiments of the invention may also be practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed computing environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote memory storage devices. 
     Furthermore, embodiments of the invention may be practiced in an electrical circuit comprising discrete electronic elements, packaged or integrated electronic chips containing logic gates, a circuit utilizing a microprocessor, or on a single chip (such as a System on Chip) containing electronic elements or microprocessors. Embodiments of the invention may also be practiced using other technologies capable of performing logical operations such as, for example, AND, OR, and NOT, including but not limited to mechanical, optical, fluidic, and quantum technologies. In addition, embodiments of the invention may be practiced within a general purpose computer or in any other circuits or systems. 
     Embodiments of the present invention, for example, are described above with reference to block diagrams and/or operational illustrations of methods, systems, and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. The functions/acts noted in the blocks may occur out of the order as shown in any flowchart. For example, two blocks shown in succession may in fact be executed substantially concurrently or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved. 
     While certain embodiments of the invention have been described, other embodiments may exist. Furthermore, although embodiments of the present invention have been described as being associated with data stored in memory and other storage mediums, data can also be stored on or read from other types of computer-readable media, such as secondary storage devices, like hard disks, floppy disks, or a CD-ROM, or other forms of RAM or ROM. Further, the disclosed methods&#39; stages may be modified in any manner, including by reordering stages and/or inserting or deleting stages, without departing from the invention. 
     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.