Generation of buffer zones for buried assets using line forming processes
US9753173B1 · kind B1 · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 29, 2016 |
| Grant date | Sep 5, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 29, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG08C17/02
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A system for generating a buffer zone around a buried asset at an above surface location is provided. The system includes an electromagnetic locator device for generating a plurality of buried asset data points via a plurality of radio frequency antennas. The system also includes a server for generating a plurality of connected line segments that represent a geographical position of the buried asset, wherein the plurality of connected line segments are generated by executing an optimization algorithm based on the plurality of buried asset data points, wherein the optimization algorithm: i) minimizes a total number of line segments, ii) minimizes a distance between a line segment and a corresponding buried asset data point, iii) minimizes instances of line segments that are parallel and iv) minimizes line segments shorter than a predefined threshold, and generates a first data structure that represents a two dimensional area comprising a buffer zone.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.