Tracking positions of personnel, vehicles, and inanimate objects

US9035656B2 · US · B2

Patent metadata
FieldValue
Publication numberUS-9035656-B2
Application numberUS-201414179314-A
CountryUS
Kind codeB2
Filing dateFeb 12, 2014
Priority dateOct 14, 2003
Publication dateMay 19, 2015
Grant dateMay 19, 2015

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  1. Title

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  2. Abstract

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  3. Assignees and inventors

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  4. Key dates

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  5. First independent claim

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  6. CPC / IPC classifications

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  7. Citations and related patents

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Abstract

Official abstract text for this publication.

A device rotates at least one static magnetic field about an axis, producing a rotating magnetic dipole field, and is movable in relation to the surface of the ground. The field is periodically sensed using a receiver to produce a receiver output responsive to the field. A positional relationship between the receiver and the device is monitored using the output. In one aspect, changing the positional relationship, by moving the device nearer to a boring tool which supports the receiver, causes an increase in accuracy of depth determination. In another aspect, determination of an actual overhead position of the boring tool, and its application, are described. Use of a plurality of measurements over at least one-half revolution of each magnet is disclosed. Establishing a surface radial direction toward a boring tool and resolution of multi-valued parameters is described. Calibration techniques, as well as a three transmitter configuration are also described.

First claim

Opening claim text (preview).

What is claimed is: 1. A method, comprising: configuring a transmitter for emanating a locating signal such that the transmitter and thereby the locating signal can be in a tilted orientation with respect to a vertical direction and for measuring the tilted orientation to produce a tilt signal; sensing said locating signal using a receiver that is underground at a receiving position to produce one or more flux measurements responsive to the locating signal in said tilted orienta…

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What does patent US9035656B2 cover?
A device rotates at least one static magnetic field about an axis, producing a rotating magnetic dipole field, and is movable in relation to the surface of the ground. The field is periodically sensed using a receiver to produce a receiver output responsive to the field. A positional relationship between the receiver and the device is monitored using the output. In one aspect, changing the posi…
Who is the assignee on this patent?
Merlin Technology Inc, Merlin Technology Inc
What technology area does this patent fall under?
Primary CPC classification G01D5/2006. Mapped technology areas include Physics.
When was this patent published?
Publication date Tue May 19 2015 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) (B2). Legal status and post-grant events are not shown on this page.
What related patents are in patentsdb?
We list 8 related publications on this page (citations in our corpus or others sharing the same primary CPC).