Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for detecting buried assets includes a chassis, a global navigation receiver and processor, an electromagnetic locator device (ELD), and a processor for 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 the UAV, navigating towards the buffer zone and executing a detection process for storing a plurality of buried asset data points, and transmitting the buried asset data points.

Abstract: A locator device for generating buried asset data is disclosed. The device includes at least two sensing units pivotally attached to a central unit, each sensing unit comprising an elongated housing accommodating at least one sensor, wherein each sensor is for reading a plurality of analog signals from a buried asset, and wherein the sensing units can be pivoted from a first position to a second position. The locator further includes a position sensing device for sensing a position of the locator device, and a processor configured for applying a position filtering process to the analog signals based on the position of the device, converting the analog signals into a plurality of digital signals comprising buried asset data and a display unit for displaying the buried asset data in a graphical user interface.

Abstract: A locator device for generating buried asset data is disclosed. The device includes at least two sensing units pivotally attached to a central unit, each sensing unit comprising an elongated housing accommodating at least one sensor, wherein each sensor is for reading a plurality of analog signals from a buried asset, and wherein the sensing units can be pivoted from a first position to a second position. The locator further includes a position sensing device for sensing a position of the locator device, and a processor configured for applying a position filtering process to the analog signals based on the position of the device, converting the analog signals into a plurality of digital signals comprising buried asset data and a display unit for displaying the buried asset data in a graphical user interface.

Abstract: A method on a server for logging and recalling data gathered from a buried asset location procedure is disclosed. The method includes receiving a group of buried asset data points corresponding to a particular buried asset, receiving at a different time a portable transmitter hookup definition associated with the group of buried asset data points, searching for buried asset data points that match, within predefined parameters, the portable transmitter hookup definition, storing the portable transmitter hookup definition in association with the matching points, creating a buffer zone around the portable transmitter hookup, and transmitting to a mobile device the buffer zone for the portable transmitter hookup.

Abstract: A method on a server for logging and recalling data gathered from a buried asset location procedure is disclosed. The method includes receiving a group of buried asset data points corresponding to a particular buried asset, receiving at a different time a portable transmitter hookup definition associated with the group of buried asset data points, searching for buried asset data points that match, within predefined parameters, the portable transmitter hookup definition, storing the portable transmitter hookup definition in association with the matching points, creating a buffer zone around the portable transmitter hookup, and transmitting to a mobile device the buffer zone for the portable transmitter hookup.

Abstract: A method on a server for logging and recalling data gathered from a buried asset location procedure is disclosed. The method includes receiving a group of buried asset data points corresponding to a particular buried asset, receiving at a different time a portable transmitter hookup definition associated with the group of buried asset data points, searching for buried asset data points that match, within predefined parameters, the portable transmitter hookup definition, storing the portable transmitter hookup definition in association with the matching points, creating a buffer zone around the portable transmitter hookup, and transmitting to a mobile device the buffer zone for the portable transmitter hookup.

Abstract: A method on a mobile computing device for locating electromagnetic signals radiating from a buried asset is disclosed. The method includes receiving buried asset data points corresponding to a buried asset, reading a predefined value, generating, based on the buried asset data points, a two dimensional area comprising a buffer zone at an above-surface location, wherein a width of the buffer zone corresponds to the predefined value, and wherein the buffer zone corresponds to the buried asset, and iteratively executing the following four steps: a) calculating an above-surface location, b) determining whether the above-surface location is located within the two dimensional area, c) if the above-surface location is not located within the two dimensional area, displaying a first graphic in a display, and d) if the above-surface location is located within the two dimensional area, displaying a second graphic.

Abstract: A method on a mobile computing device for locating electromagnetic signals radiating from a buried asset is disclosed. The method includes receiving buried asset data points corresponding to a buried asset, reading a predefined value, generating, based on the buried asset data points, a two dimensional area comprising a buffer zone at an above-surface location, wherein a width of the buffer zone corresponds to the predefined value, and wherein the buffer zone corresponds to the buried asset, and iteratively executing the following four steps: a) calculating an above-surface location, b) determining whether the above-surface location is located within the two dimensional area, c) if the above-surface location is not located within the two dimensional area, displaying a first graphic in a display, and d) if the above-surface location is located within the two dimensional area, displaying a second graphic.

Abstract: A method on a mobile computing device for locating a buried asset is provided. The method includes receiving a 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 device and iteratively executing the following steps: a) calculating an above-surface location of the device; b) determining whether the above-surface location of the device is located within the two dimensional area; 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; d) if the above-surface location is located within the area, displaying a second graphic in the display.

Abstract: A method on a computing device for defining a buffer zone around a buried asset at an above-surface location is provided that solves the above-described problems. The method includes receiving and storing buried asset data points, wherein each buried asset data point comprises a geographical coordinate and a precision data value corresponding to the geographical coordinate, for a buried asset, wherein the buried asset data points correspond to signals that were detected and read from the buried asset at the above-surface location. The method further includes generating a two dimensional area comprising a buffer zone by defining circles around geographical coordinates of the buried asset data points, wherein a size of each circle is based on the precision data value of the corresponding buried asset data point, and defining trapezoids that connect adjacent circles.

Abstract: A method on a mobile computing device for locating a buried asset is provided. The method includes receiving a 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 device and iteratively executing the following steps: a) calculating an above-surface location of the device; b) determining whether the above-surface location of the device is located within the two dimensional area; c) if the above-surface location is not located within the two dimensional area, determining whether a locating function of a component coupled with the mobile computing device is enabled, and if so, disabling the locating function; d) if the above-surface location is located within the area, determining whether the locating function of the component is disabled, and if so, enabling the locating function.

Abstract: A method on a computing device for defining a buffer zone around a buried asset at an above-surface location is provided that solves the above-described problems. The method includes receiving and storing buried asset data points, wherein each buried asset data point comprises a geographical coordinate and a precision data value corresponding to the geographical coordinate, for a buried asset, wherein the buried asset data points correspond to signals that were detected and read from the buried asset at the above-surface location. The method further includes generating a two dimensional area comprising a buffer zone by defining circles around geographical coordinates of the buried asset data points, wherein a size of each circle is based on the precision data value of the corresponding buried asset data point, and defining trapezoids that connect adjacent circles.

Abstract: A method on a computing device for defining a buffer zone around a buried asset at an above-surface location is provided that solves the above-described problems. The method includes receiving and storing buried asset data points, wherein each buried asset data point comprises a geographical coordinate and a precision data value corresponding to the geographical coordinate, for a buried asset, wherein the buried asset data points correspond to signals that were detected and read from the buried asset at the above-surface location. The method further includes generating a first data structure that represents a two dimensional area comprising a buffer zone at the above-surface location, wherein the first data structure is generated by defining an area around each geographical coordinate, wherein a size of each area is based on the precision data values of the buried asset data points.

Abstract: A method on a mobile computing device for locating a buried asset is provided. The method includes receiving a 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 device and iteratively executing the following steps: a) calculating an above-surface location of the device; b) determining whether the above-surface location of the device is located within the two dimensional area; c) if the above-surface location is not located within the two dimensional area, determining whether a locating function of a component coupled with the mobile computing device is enabled, and if so, disabling the locating function; d) if the above-surface location is located within the area, determining whether the locating function of the component is disabled, and if so, enabling the locating function.

Abstract: A method for facilitating collection and recall of buried asset data on a mobile device on a network is provided. The mobile device transmits current position data of the mobile device to a server via the network, and receives from the server, a) buried asset data including depth data and electrical signal data for one or more buried assets, wherein the buried asset data corresponds to the current position data, and b) a stored image of a physical area corresponding to the current position data, wherein the stored image comprises markings indicating a position of the buried assets. The mobile device further displays the buried asset data from the server, and reads a current image of the physical area of the mobile device. The mobile computing device further displays the stored image overlaid onto the current image, and determines that the stored image is aligned with the current image.

Abstract: A method on a computing device for defining a buffer zone around a buried asset at an above-surface location is provided that solves the above-described problems. The method includes receiving and storing buried asset data points, wherein each buried asset data point comprises a geographical coordinate and a precision data value corresponding to the geographical coordinate, for a buried asset, wherein the buried asset data points correspond to signals that were detected and read from the buried asset at the above-surface location. The method further includes generating a first data structure that represents a two dimensional area comprising a buffer zone at the above-surface location, wherein the first data structure is generated by defining an area around each geographical coordinate, wherein a size of each area is based on the precision data values of the buried asset data points.

Abstract: A system for detecting buried assets includes a locator apparatus comprising a compartment for storing a mobile computing device, one or more sensors for reading analog signals from buried assets and an amplifier for amplifying the signals. The locator apparatus further includes an encoder for encoding the signals and a transmitter for transmitting the encoded signals to a mobile computing device. The system also includes a mobile computing device secured within the compartment of the locator apparatus, the mobile computing device comprising a radio frequency receiver for receiving the encoded signals, a decoder for decoding the encoded signals, a processing unit configured for converting the analog signals to digital signals, and executing digital signal processing algorithms upon the digital signals so as to produce buried asset data corresponding to the analog signals that were read, and a display for displaying the buried asset data.

Abstract: A method on a mobile computing device for detecting, locating and tracing buried assets, is provided. The method includes reading, from one or more sensors communicatively coupled with the mobile computing device, a plurality of analog radio frequency signals from a buried asset, and amplifying the plurality of analog signals. The method further includes converting the analog signals to a plurality of digital signals, encoding the digital signals for transmission, so as to produce a plurality of encoded digital signals, and transmitting the plurality of encoded digital signals to a server via a communications network. The method further includes receiving, from the server, buried asset data including depth measurement data and electrical current measurement data for one or more buried assets, wherein the buried asset data corresponds to the analog radio frequency signals, and displaying the buried asset data in a graphical user interface of the mobile computing device.

Abstract: A method for facilitating collection and recall of buried asset data on a mobile device on a network is provided. The mobile device transmits current position data of the mobile device to a server via the network, and receives from the server, a) buried asset data including depth data and electrical signal data for one or more buried assets, wherein the buried asset data corresponds to the current position data, and b) a stored image of a physical area corresponding to the current position data, wherein the stored image comprises markings indicating a position of the buried assets. The mobile device further displays the buried asset data from the server, and reads a current image of the physical area of the mobile device. The mobile computing device further displays the stored image overlaid onto the current image, and determines that the stored image is aligned with the current image.

Abstract: Geographical positional data is obtained for an underground object by locating the object using a device that locates underground objects. An apparatus that receives data from a global position system ("GPS") provides data identifying global position of the device, and thus also of the located underground object. A data storage unit stores such positional data, which may be used in the future to re-locate the underground object. The GPS-data receiving apparatus can preferably receive data from at least one overhead GPS satellite and from a secondary stationary receiver. Data from the secondary stationary receiver may be modulated on to a signal transmitted along a detected underground cable object.