Buried Utility Data with Exclusion Zones

Abstract

A system is provided for use in work machines that determines the location of the work machine and compares such location to reported location of underground utilities. The system further provides indications of when an implement of the work machine enters an exclusion zone proximate the underground utilities.

1 . A work machine comprising:
 a body;   a computing system coupled to the body, the computing system having data describing the location of at least one underground feature;   an implement extending from the body capable of moving earth and capable of coming into contact with the at least one underground feature;   a positioning system coupled to the body and in communication with the computing system, the positioning system providing data that is passed to the computing system such that the computing system can determine a location of the work machine and an orientation of the work machine; and   software stored in memory electrically coupled to the computing system, the software including instructions that when interpreted by the computing system perform the steps of:
 determining an exclusion zone, the exclusion zone being defined as a zone within a defined proximity of the at least one underground feature; 
 monitoring movement of the implement relative to the exclusion zone; and 
 determining when called for movement of the implement would place the implement within the exclusion zone. 
   
     
     
         2 . The work machine according to  claim 1 , further including at least one sensor coupled to the computing system, the at least one sensor providing data describing the position of the implement to the computing system. 
     
     
         3 . The work machine according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least one sensor includes a plurality of sensors located at articulation points of the work machine. 
     
     
         4 . The work machine of  claim 3 , wherein data from the plurality of sensors combined with data from the positioning system provide input to the display to allow the display to show positioning of the implement. 
     
     
         5 . The work machine according to  claim 1 , further including a display viewable by a user of the work machine, the display showing a map of a workspace and relative positioning of the work machine in the workspace. 
     
     
         6 . The work machine according to  claim 5 , wherein the display further provides a visual indication of the exclusion zone. 
     
     
         7 . The work machine of  claim 5 , wherein the position of the work machine is iteratively updated to provide a real-time representation of the work machine and its relative position in the workspace. 
     
     
         8 . The work machine of  claim 5 , wherein the display is part of a tablet computing device. 
     
     
         9 . The work machine of  claim 1 , wherein the software additionally includes instructions that when interpreted by the computing system perform the step of preventing movement of the implement into the exclusion zone. 
     
     
         10 . The work machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the exclusion zone size is customizable by the user of the work machine. 
     
     
         11 . The work machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the exclusion zone size is customizable according to feature around which the exclusion zone is located. 
     
     
         12 . A computer implemented system for monitoring the relative position of a work machine implement and an underground feature, including:
 a first processing sequence that retrieves a map of a workspace, the map including data regarding an underground feature;   a second processing sequence that receives data from a global positioning system device coupled to the work machine;   a third processing sequence that uses the data from the global positioning device to determine a location and orientation of the work machine;   a fourth processing sequence that retrieves data regarding an implement attached to the work machine;   a fifth processing sequence that determines the position of the implement;   a sixth processing sequence that determines a location of an exclusion zone, the exclusion zone being defined as a zone within a defined proximity of the underground feature;   a seventh processing sequence that compares the position of the implement to the exclusion zone.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , further including an eighth processing sequence that displays the map data on a display. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the eighth processing sequence further includes a representation of the work machine and the exclusion zone on the map displayed on the display. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the work machine is displayed on the display according to data received from the second processing sequence. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 12 , further including a ninth processing sequence that receives data indicative of a desired movement of the work machine from a first position to a second position. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , further including a tenth processing sequence that compares the second position to the exclusion zone. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the tenth processing sequence further includes the step of preventing movement of the work machine to the second position when the second position is within the exclusion zone. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the fourth processing sequence includes retrieving data describing the dimensions of the implement, the implement being removable. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the fourth processing sequence includes receiving data regarding the position of at least one linkage disposed between a source of global positioning system data and the implement.