Derivative imaging for subsurface object detection

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9459374-B2
Application number	US-201414248001-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 8, 2014
Priority date	Feb 14, 2010
Publication date	Oct 4, 2016
Grant date	Oct 4, 2016

Abstract

A series of scans is generated for a subsurface and a derivative image is created using the series of subsurface images. One or more tests are performed on the derivative image, and a subsurface object is detected based on the one or more tests. A sensor is configured to generate a series of scans for a subsurface and a processor is coupled to the sensor. The processor is configured to execute stored program instructions that cause the processor to generate a series of images of the subsurface using the series of scans, create a derivative image using the series of subsurface images, perform one or more tests on the derivative image, and detect a subsurface object based on the one or more tests.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method, comprising:
generating, using a sensor, a series of scans for a subsurface while conducting a survey;
creating, while conducting the survey, a derivative image using a processor operating on the series of subsurface scans;
performing one or more tests on the derivative image using the processor; and
detecting, using the processor, a subsurface object based on the one or more tests.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the series of scans is generated by a source; and
detecting the subsurface object comprises detecting a change in relative distance between the source and the subsurface object in advance of contact therebetween based on the one or more tests.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the method is implemented as part of a horizontal directional drilling process.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein detecting the subsurface object comprises:
sensing for the subsurface object within a predetermined detection zone; and
ignoring subsurface objects for detection that are beyond the detection zone.

5. The method of claim 1 , comprising producing a human-perceivable output while conducting the survey in response to detecting the subsurface object.

6. A method, comprising:
generating, using a sensor, a series of scans for a subsurface;
creating a derivative image in real time using a processor operating on the series of scans, the derivative image being associated with underground object information; and
producing, by the processor, real time underground object information while generating the series of scans and creating the derivative image.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the underground object information comprises information about presence and location of an underground object.

8. The method of claim 6 , comprising generating, in real time, a human-perceivable output using the underground object information.

9. A method, comprising:
moving a drill head along an underground path during a drilling operation;
generating, using a sensor, a series of scans for a subsurface that includes the underground path;
creating a derivative image using a processor operating on the series of scans;
performing one or more tests on the derivative image using the processor; and
generating, using the processor during the drilling operation, an output indicating presence of a subsurface object proximate the drill head based on the one or more tests.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the output indicates distance and azimuthal direction to the subsurface object.

11. The method of claim 9 , comprising displaying, during the drilling operation, a graphical representation that includes the subsurface object using the output.

12. The method of claim 11 , comprising:
presenting one or more markers in the graphical representation in response to meeting criteria for the existence of the subsurface object in proximity to the drill head;
wherein the number of markers presented in the graphical representation is indicative of a level of confidence in correctly detecting the subsurface object.

13. A method, comprising:
generating, using a sensor at-ground or above-ground, a series of scans for a subsurface, each scan generated for a different location of the subsurface;
compiling an image using a processor operating on the scans on a scan-by-scan basis;
determining, using the processor, a change in the compiled image as the compiled image evolves; and
detecting, using the processor, a subsurface object based on the change in the compiled image.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the method is implemented in real time while surveying the subsurface from at- or above-ground.

15. The method of claim 13 , comprising generating, in real time, a human-perceivable indication in response to detecting the subsurface object.

16. The method of claim 13 , comprising:
displaying a graphical representation that includes the subsurface object; and
presenting one or more markers in the graphical representation in response to meeting criteria for the existence of the subsurface object;
wherein the number of markers presented in the graphical representation is indicative of a level of confidence of correctly detecting the subsurface object.

17. A system, comprising:
a housing configured for at-ground or above-ground portability;
a sensor supported by the housing and configured to generate a series of scans for a subsurface from at-ground or above-ground, each scan generated for a different location of the subsurface; and
a processor configured to compile an image using the scans on a scan-by-scan basis, determine a change in the compiled image as the compiled image evolves, and detect a subsurface object based on the change in the compiled image.

18. The system of claim 17 , wherein the housing is coupled to a structure movable over ground.

19. The system of claim 17 , comprising a display coupled to the processor and configured to generate, in real time, a visually perceivable indication in response to detecting the subsurface object.

20. The system of claim 17 , comprising:
a display coupled to the processor and configured to display a graphical representation that includes the subsurface object, wherein:
the processor is configured to present one or more markers in the graphical representation in response to meeting criteria for the existence of the subsurface object; and
the number of markers presented in the graphical representation is indicative of a level of confidence in the processor correctly detecting the subsurface object.

Assignees

• Vermeer Mfg Co

Inventors

• Haddad Waleed Sami

Classifications

• G06T7/0038

  Physics · mapped topic

• G01S13/9094

  Theoretical aspects · CPC title

• G06T2200/21

  involving computational photography · CPC title

• G01V3/17

  operating with electromagnetic waves {(operating with millimetre waves G01V8/005)} · CPC title

• G01S13/9035

  Physics · mapped topic