Patent ID: 7002461

Claim:
A system for the automatic detection and identification of hidden aboveground fixed utility objects, comprising: a. at least one transponder located above ground, which is capable of being tagged to at least one utility object, for radio frequency communication with an radio frequency (RF) scanner/receiver, for communication with a control head; b. the RF scanner/receiver and control head being powered directly by a power source; wherein, the at least one transponder includes a radio frequency identification transponder that transmits information relating to the location of the hidden object; c. the RF scanner/receiver includes at least one antenna and an RF interrogator; and d. the control head includes at least one microprocessor and a user interface for automatically communicating the identification of the object; and e. the RF scanner/receiver and the control head are removably mounted on a mobile machine; thereby providing the operator of the machine an adequate alert about the identity and location of the object, without requiring operator interpretation when the machine comes in proximity of one of the at least one transponder and allowing an operator of the machine to avoid the at least one object tagged by the respective transponder.