Abstract: Mobile base stations for use with one or more portable utility locators to aid in determining the location of a particular locator during operation and to receive information associated with the utility for storage and/or retransmission to other devices or systems are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems for inspecting pipes or cavities including a camera head, a coaxial push-cable, and a video signal transmitter and a communicatively coupled camera control unit (CCU) are disclosed.

Abstract: Electronic circuit modules including a housing, electronic circuit board disposed in the housing, and a high density electrical connector to couple an electrical cable between the electronic circuit board and another circuit board or electrical connection point are disclosed. Some embodiments may include a heat sink, spring plate, and antenna coupled via coaxial cable through the heat sink to the electronic circuit board.

Abstract: Portable self-standing electromagnetic (EM) field sensing locator systems with attachments for finding and mapping buried objects such as utilities and with intuitive graphical user interface (GUI) displays are described. Accessories may include a ground penetrating radar (GPR) system with a rotating Tx/Rx antenna assembly, a leak detection system, a multi-probe voltage mapping system, a man-portable laser-range finder system with embedded dipole beacon, and other detachable accessory sensor systems are accepted for attachment to the locator system for simultaneous operation in cooperation with the basic locator system. The integration of the locator system with one or mom additional devices, such as fault-finding, geophones and conductance sensors, may be used to facilitate the rapid detection and localization of many different types of buried objects.

Abstract: Video inspection systems with moveably dockable camera control units (CCUs) which may include a display are disclosed.

Abstract: Video push-cables, and methods for manufacturing video push-cables are disclosed. One embodiment may include an insulated push-cable with a fiberglass rod structural center member. A parallel bonded conductor including two separately insulated conductors is positioned along, and touches the center structural member along the length of the push-cable. The two conductors are insulated so that they are substantially equidistance from each other along the length of the center structural member. Since the parallel bonded conductor controls the distance between the two conductors, they are unlikely to short out if accidentally cut or otherwise damaged. In another embodiment, a push-cable fiberglass rod structural center member is surrounded by multiple concentric layers including a braided conductive layer, a layer of fiberglass rods and dielectric rods, a second braided conductive layer, and an insulated jacket. Other layers may be included.

Abstract: The application discloses various systems and methods using magnification to eliminate or substantially reduce empty spaces from letterboxing caused during self-leveling rotations of a digital self-leveling camera system. The display methods herein that utilize magnification to avoid the empty space associated letterboxing may provide an enhanced viewing experience for the end user.

Abstract: Interchangeable battery interface apparatus and modular battery systems employing interchangeable battery adapter apparatus are disclosed. Embodiments may be used for adapting tools, instruments, and/or other devices to use different rechargeable battery types on hosts with different battery interface geometries.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to buried utility locating devices, systems, and methods having a plurality of spatially separated GNSS antennas. Baselines or other spatial relationships may be formed between pairs of position estimates associated with the GNSS antennas to determine information about the position, heading, and tilt/pose of the utility locating device.

Abstract: A marker device embodiment may include separate concentrically-oriented receive and transmit antenna elements coupled to an ASIC which includes electronics to receive an input signal at a first frequency from a transmitter, convert the input signal to a power supply to power the electronic circuit, generate, in response to the input signal, an output signal at a second frequency different from the first frequency, and provide the output signal, via the transmit antenna element, to an above-ground receiver for assistance in determining the location of a buried utility.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to antennas for use in satellite positioning systems and other wireless bands. An antenna may include a UV resistance treated Polymethylpentene housing having enhanced dielectric properties.

Abstract: Cable handling devices, methods, and systems for securing and deploying or retracting one or more cables or hoses into or out of a pipe or cavity allowing inspection of the pipe or cavity are disclosed.

Abstract: Battery pack for use with a portable device, including colored LEDs for presenting a high granularity battery charge state, are disclosed. One embodiment includes a red and a green LED, wherein solid and blinking patterns are presented by the LEDs to correspond to a relative battery charge state. Other battery state indications, such as failure states, may also be presented on the colored LEDs.

Abstract: Tracked distance measuring device, systems, and methods for determining and mapping point of interest for use in utility locating operations and other mapping applications are disclosed. A tracked distance measuring device embodiment includes simultaneously triggered rangefinder and positioning elements to measure a distance and determine location and pose, optionally in conjunction with a utility locator.

Abstract: Systems and methods for locating buried utilities in conjunction with associated electromagnetic marker devices are disclosed.

Abstract: Antenna systems for receiving right and left hand circularly polarized signals are disclosed. An antenna system embodiment includes a top printed circuit board (PCB), a ground plane, and an antenna array including four conductive antenna elements positioned at relative zero, 90, 180, and 270 degree increments radially about a shared center point on the PCB, with each antenna element sloping upward in a left-handed direction from the ground plane towards the top PCB and connected to the ground plane and top PCB.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to electromagnetic marker devices for use in locating hidden or buried objects, the marker devices including a tubular housing with a plurality of conductive windings therein and circuitry to receive an excitation signal at a first frequency and generate an output transmission signal at a second frequency different from the first frequency.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to utility locator and user interfaces for use with such locators. Such utility locators may include multiple antennas and sensors for determining and displaying information associated with a buried or otherwise inaccessible utility.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to an apparatus and methods for swapping out batteries in complex bootable battery powered devices with minimal disruption. Such complex bootable battery powered devices may have various operation settings that a user may not need to reconfigure upon swapping out a battery due to the battery swapping apparatus methods disclosed. Further, such battery-swapping apparatus may avoid boot time by powering the device via internal capacitance or a secondary power source in the device. Likewise, the complex bootable battery powered devices may automatically restart wherein a charged battery is installed prior to the depletion of the internal power capacity of the device. The battery-swapping apparatus, amongst many battery-powered host devices, may be employed in various devices used utility locator devices and other devices used in utility locating systems and pipe inspection systems.

Abstract: Location systems and methods for locating paint and other markings on a surface are described. More specifically, but not exclusively, the disclosure relates to smart paint stick devices and methods for locating and marking buried utility lines or other buried objects. One system for locating a buried object may include a buried object locator and paint stick. The locator may include a tracking component for detecting a location of a buried object. The paint stick may be configured to cause a paint container to dispense paint at a first position associated with the location of the buried object. The paint stick may include a position determination component for transmitting one or more range vector signals that are detected by the tracking component. Sensors may be used to determine when paint is dispensed from a paint container, and to determine a color of the paint or a type of a marking.