AU2022231663A1

AU2022231663A1 - A system and a method for processing a request about a physical location for a building item or building infrastructure

Info

Publication number: AU2022231663A1
Application number: AU2022231663A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Diarmuid O'KANE
Original assignee: TTE NOMINEES Pty Ltd
Current assignee: TTE NOMINEES Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2014-01-22
Filing date: 2022-09-12
Publication date: 2022-10-06
Also published as: WO2015109358A1; AU2020205229A1; AU2015208657A1

Abstract

Described herein is a system and method for processing a request about a physical location for a building item or building infrastructure. One embodiment provides a system (1) including a mobile telephone handset (3) having an inbuilt Global Positioning System (GPS) module (7). Handset (3) is adapted to wirelessly transmit a first signal (17) indicative of the longitude, latitude and elevation/depth of handset (3), as well as the request about a physical location for building items and/or building infrastructure to a central server (19). Server (19) is located remotely from handset (3) and is responsive to first signal (17) for accessing at least one record, such as a two or three dimensional digitised building plan, in a database (21) and generating a second signal (23). Second signal (23) is wirelessly transmitted to handset (3), which is responsive to second signal (23) for displaying to a user predetermined information indicative of the physical location relative to the handset position. (FIG. 1) 1/14 25 3 -p-l-- - -tarydevices - ---------- 4 - || Interface1 5 - Wireless communication module 13 - GPS module - 11 1321 Processor Wireless transceiver module 16 - Memory 16- iSupplementary devices 17 ~ 23 1 21 Database Figure 1~~~--

Description

1/14

25 3

-p-l - - -tarydevices - ----------

4 - || Interface1

- Wireless communication module

13 - GPS module

Processor Wireless transceiver module 16 - Memory - 1

iSupplementary devices 1321

17 ~ 23 1

21 16-

Database

Figure 1~~~--

A SYSTEM AND A METHOD FOR PROCESSING A REQUEST ABOUT A PHYSICAL LOCATION FOR A BUILDING ITEM OR BUILDING INFRASTRUCTURE FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a system and a method for processing a request about a physical location for a building item or building infrastructure.

[0002] Embodiments of the invention have been particularly developed for allowing a user to set out, locate and map items in a building environment using a Smartphone or the like. While some embodiments will be described herein with particular reference to that application, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to such a field of use, and is applicable in broader contexts.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Any discussion of the background art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.

[0004] In building environments such as construction sites, it is necessary to survey the building foundation levels and accurately physically map out the various building items according to a preset plan.

[0005] Currently, surveying of construction sites is performed by trained surveyors using specialist equipment. Current equipment typically costs in the order of $20,000 or more. Due to these high costs and the specialist training required to use the equipment, surveyors or often contracted by a construction company for a specific job. During the surveying process, construction in the immediate area must typically cease, leading to construction downtimes. Construction plans often evolve over time requiring re-surveying of the site. Accordingly, the cost and construction downtime associated with surveying significantly impacts the budget and efficiency of a construction job.

[0006] The equipment is typically provided with an electronic version of the local building plan or building site and is responsive to this for allowing the surveyor to accurately set out where the foundations and other building items should be placed by the builders at that site. Due to practical considerations, and on occasion less than ideal work practices, the building items may not be placed precisely as indicated by the plan.

[0007] There is a desire for less expensive, more accessible and more reliable techniques for surveying and setting up construction sites.

[0008] On sites where previous developments have occurred, there is generally a need to initially locate the existing building elements and infrastructure, such as utilities. The existing infrastructure is generally set out in an earlier plan of the site, which is often out of-date or inaccurate.

[0009] There is also a desire for flexibility to update an existing construction site plan.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative.

[0011] According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for processing a request about a physical location for a building item or building infrastructure, the system including:

a mobile device having an inbuilt mobile communications module, the mobile device adapted for transmitting a first signal indicative of:

i. the longitude, latitude and elevation/depth of the mobile device; and

ii. the request about a physical location for building infrastructure,

wherein the mobile device is responsive to a second signal for displaying predetermined information to a user indicative of the physical location; and

a central server that is located remotely from the mobile device and which is responsive to the first signal for accessing at least one record in a database and generating the second signal.

[0012] In one embodiment, the physical location is preferably an intended physical location of the building items or building infrastructure. In one embodiment, the building items or building infrastructure is in existence. In another embodiment, the building item or building infrastructure is preferably a conceptual item.

[0013] The predetermined information is preferably indicative of the physical location relative to the current position of the mobile device.

[0014] The building item or building infrastructure preferably includes one or more of a building foundation, site boundary, water main, sewage pipe, electrical cable or optical fibre cable.

[0015] The predetermined information preferably includes a graphic of the physical location relative to the mobile device position. The predetermined information is preferably indicative of a direction of movement for the mobile device that would progress it toward the physical location. The direction of movement is preferably presented graphically. The direction of movement is preferably presented dynamically.

[0016] The at least one record preferably includes a building plan. The building plan preferably has a digitised form.

[0017] The physical location preferably includes a longitude and latitude of the building item or building infrastructure. The physical location preferably includes an elevation/depth of the building item or building infrastructure.

[0018] The mobile communication module preferably provides first position information and the mobile device preferably includes a processor that is responsive to the first position information for generating the first signal. In some embodiments, the mobile communication module includes a GPS device. In some embodiments, the mobile communication module includes a wireless communication device for communicating with one or more remote devices to obtain second position information, and the processor is responsive to the second position information for generating the first signal.

[0019] The mobile device is preferably one of a mobile telephone handset or a tablet computer.

[0020] The wireless communications device preferably transmits the first signal.

[0021] The first signal preferably includes a first component and a second component, the first component being indicative of a subset of the longitude, latitude and elevation/depth of the mobile device, and the second component being indicative of the remainder of the longitude, latitude and elevation/depth of the mobile device. The first component and the second component are preferably indicative of respective requests about the physical location of the building items or building infrastructure.

[0022] The first signal is preferably also indicative of an identifier of the building item or building infrastructure. The identifier preferably includes an item or infrastructure type. The identifier preferably includes at least one feature of the building items or building infrastructure. The at least one feature preferably includes an edge, corner, side, top, bottom or centre of the building items or building infrastructure.

[0023] Preferably an offset is able to be applied to the longitude, latitude and elevation/depth of the mobile device.

[0024] According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a mobile device for mapping a physical location for one or more items indicative of a building or building infrastructure, the device including:

an interface for allowing a user to input first data indicative of an item identifier for the one or more items;

a mobile communications module for generating second data indicative of a longitude, latitude and elevation/depth for the item; and

a processor for receiving the first and second data and, in response, generating third data indicative of a digitized building plan including the physical location of the item within a building environment associated with the item identifier.

[0025] The mobile device of the second aspect preferably includes a transceiver for selectively uploading the third data to a central server located remotely from the mobile device. The transceiver is preferably configured to selectively download one or more predefined building plans from the external server and the third data is applied to the digitized building plan.

[0026] The mobile device is preferably configured to run third party based software. In one embodiment, the mobile device is preferably a mobile Smartphone. In another embodiment, the mobile device is preferably a tablet computer.

[0027] The item type preferably includes one or more of a building, building foundation level, building site boundary, water main, sewage pipe, road, electrical cable or optical fibre cable.

[0028] The first data is preferably also indicative of at least one feature of the item. The at least one feature preferably includes an edge, corner, side, top, bottom or centre of the item. The physical location of the item is preferably associated with the item type and the at least one feature of the item on the building plan.

[0029] The mobile device preferably includes a camera for generating an image of the one or more items and wherein the transceiver is adapted to upload the image to the central server in association with the third data

[0030] According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for updating a building plan including a plurality of records indicative of respective items of infrastructure, the system including:

a mobile device having: i. a transceiver for accessing one or more of the records from a database; ii. an interface for allowing a user to input identification data relating to an item indicative of a building or building infrastructure within a building environment associated with the building plan; and iii. a mobile communications module for generating position data indicative of a specific longitude, latitude and elevation/depth for the item; and a central server that is located remotely from the mobile device and which is configured for receiving the identification and position data and, in response, updating the building plan to include the item at a position corresponding to the position data.

[0031] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for processing a request from a mobile device about a physical location for building items or building infrastructure, wherein the mobile device includes an inbuilt mobile communications module, the mobile device being adapted for transmitting a first signal that is indicative of both the request and the longitude, latitude and elevation/depth of the mobile device, and the system including:

a database having at least one record;

an interface for receiving the first signal and for transmitting a second signal to which the mobile device is responsive for displaying predetermined information to a user indicative of the physical location; and

a central server that is located remotely from the mobile device and which is responsive to the first signal being received at the interface for accessing at least one of the records in the database and for generating a second signal.

[0032] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided a mobile device for a user, the mobile device including:

an inbuilt mobile communications module for providing a location signal indicative of the longitude, latitude and elevation/depth of the mobile device; and

an interface for receiving input from the user and for displaying predetermined information to a user indicative of the physical location for building items or building infrastructure; a processor that is responsive to the input and the location signal for generating a request signal about the physical location for building items or building infrastructure and being responsive to a response signal for generating the predetermined information; and a transceiver for transmitting the request signal to a central server that is located remotely from the mobile device and for receiving the response signal generated from the central server by accessing at least one record in a database.

[0033] According to a sixth aspect of the present invention there is provided a communications system for allowing transmission of data between a mobile device and a central server that is located remotely from the device, the communications system including network infrastructure for selectively defining a connection between the device and the server and wherein;

the device has an inbuilt mobile communications module for transmitting via the connection a first signal indicative of:

i. the longitude, latitude and elevation/depth of the mobile device; and

ii. the request about a physical location for building items or building infrastructure,

the central server is responsive to the first signal for accessing at least one record in a database and generating a second signal; and

the mobile device is responsive to the second signal via the connection for displaying predetermined information to a user indicative of the physical location.

[0034] According to a seventh aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for processing a request about a physical location for a building item or building infrastructure, the system including:

a mobile device having an inbuilt mobile communications module for calculating the longitude, latitude and elevation/depth of the mobile device and a wireless transceiver for transmitting a first signal indicative of the request about a physical location for a building item or building infrastructure; and

a central server that is located remotely from the mobile device and which is responsive to the first signal for accessing at least one record in a database and generating a second signal; wherein the mobile device is responsive to the second signal for displaying predetermined information to a user indicative of the physical location.

[0035] According to an eighth aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for locating building items or building infrastructure, the system including:

a mobile device having:

an inbuilt mobile communications module for calculating the longitude, latitude and elevation/depth of the mobile device;

an interface for allowing a user to specify a proximity value indicative of a physical proximity from the mobile device and which is responsive to a first signal for displaying information to the user indicative of building items or building infrastructure within the physical proximity; and

a wireless transceiver for receiving the first signal and transmitting a second signal indicative of a request for locating building items or building infrastructure within the proximity; and

a central server that is located remotely from the mobile device and which is responsive to the second signal for accessing at least one record in a database and generating the first signal;

[0036] According to a ninth aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for processing requests from a plurality of mobile devices about a physical location for respective building items or building infrastructure at respective sites, wherein each mobile device is operated by a respective user and includes an inbuilt mobile communication module, the mobile devices being adapted for transmitting respective first signals that are indicative of both the requests and the longitude, latitude and elevation/depth of the mobile devices, and the system including:

a database having a plurality of records for the sites;

an interface for receiving the first signals and for transmitting corresponding second signals to which the respective mobile devices are responsive for displaying respective predetermined information to users about the physical location of the building items or building infrastructure; and

a central server that is located remotely from the mobile devices and which is responsive to the first signals being received at the interface for accessing at least one of the records in the database and for generating the second signals.

[0037] According to a tenth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for processing a request about a physical location for a building item or building infrastructure, the method including:

providing a mobile device having an inbuilt mobile communications module, the mobile device adapted for transmitting a first signal indicative of:

i. the longitude, latitude and elevation/depth of the mobile device; and

receiving, at a central server that is located remotely from the mobile device, the first signal;

in response to the first signal, accessing at least one record in a database; and

generating a second signal for displaying, on the mobile device, predetermined information to a user indicative of the physical location.

[0038] According to a eleventh aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for updating a building plan including a plurality of records indicative of respective items of infrastructure, the method including:

accessing one or more of the records from a database;

providing an interface for allowing a user to input identification data relating to an item indicative of a building or building infrastructure;

generating position data indicative of a specific longitude, latitude and elevation/depth of the item;

receiving the identification and position data; and

updating the building plan to include the item at a location corresponding to the position data.

[0039] According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for mapping the physical location of one or more items indicative of a building or building infrastructure, the method including:

providing an interface for allowing a user to input first data indicative of an item identifier for the one or more items;

generating second data indicative of a current longitude, latitude and elevation/depth of the item; and receiving the first and second data and, in response, generating third data indicative of a digitized building plan including the physical location of the item within a building environment associated with the item identifier.

[0040] According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for processing a request from a mobile device about a physical location for a building or building infrastructure, wherein the mobile device includes an inbuilt mobile Communications module for transmitting a first signal that is indicative of both the request and the longitude, latitude and elevation/depth of the mobile device, and the method including:

providing a database having at least one record;

receiving the first signal and, in response, accessing at least one of the records in the database;

generating a second signal indicative of the physical location; and

transmitting the second signal to the mobile device;

displaying, on the mobile device, predetermined information to a user indicative of the physical location.

[0041] According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for processing a request from a mobile device about a physical location for building items or building infrastructure, the method including:

providing a location signal indicative of the longitude, latitude and elevation/depth of the mobile device; and

receiving input from the user and displaying predetermined information to a user indicative of the physical location for building items or building infrastructure;

in response to the input and the location signal, generating a request signal including the request about the physical location for building items or building infrastructure and being responsive to a response signal for generating the predetermined information; and

transmitting the request signal to a central server that is located remotely from the mobile device; and

receiving the response signal generated from the central server by accessing at least one record in a database.

[0042] According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for allowing transmission of data between a mobile device and a central server that is located remotely from the device, the method including providing network infrastructure for selectively defining a connection between the device and the server and wherein;

i. the longitude, latitude and elevation/depth of the mobile device; and

[0043] According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for processing a request about a physical location for a building item or building infrastructure, the method including:

providing a mobile device having an inbuilt mobile communications module for calculating the longitude, latitude and elevation/depth of the mobile device and a wireless transceiver for transmitting a first signal indicative of the request about a physical location for a building item or building infrastructure; and

[0044] According to a seventeenth aspect of the invention there is provided a system for processing a request about a physical location for a construction element, the system including:

a mobile device having an inbuilt mobile communications module for transmitting a first signal indicative of: i. the longitude, latitude and elevation/depth of the mobile device; and ii. the request about a physical location for building infrastructure, wherein the mobile device is responsive to a second signal for displaying predetermined information to a user indicative of the physical location; and a central server that is located remotely from the mobile device and which is responsive to the first signal for accessing at least one record in a database and generating the second signal.

[0045] In an embodiment the construction element is a building item and/or building infrastructure.

[0046] According to an eighteenth aspect of the invention there is provided a method for locating building items or building infrastructure, the method including:

providing a mobile device having:

in response to the second signal received at a central server that is located remotely from the mobile device, accessing at least one record in a database and generating the first signal.

[0047] According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for processing requests from a plurality of mobile devices about a physical location for respective building items or building infrastructure at respective sites, wherein each mobile device is operated by a respective user and includes an inbuilt mobile communication module, the mobile devices being adapted for transmitting respective first signals that are indicative of both the requests and the longitude, latitude and elevation/depth of the mobile devices, and the method including:

providing a database having a plurality of records for the sites; providing an interface for receiving the first signals and for transmitting corresponding second signals to which the respective mobile devices are responsive for displaying respective predetermined information to users about the physical location of the building items or building infrastructure; and providing a central server that is located remotely from the mobile devices and which is responsive to the first signals being received at the interface for accessing at least one of the records in the database and for generating the second signals.

[0048] Throughout this specification, a physical location refers to either an actual location of building infrastructure or an intended location where building infrastructure may be located in the future. Similarly, the terms 'building infrastructure' refers to an existing building, section of a building, item of infrastructure or a conceptual building point such as a property boundary, zone designation or intended location of infrastructure. Building infrastructure refers to both buildings themselves and to the related features such as roads and utilities. Specific examples of building infrastructure include a building, building foundation level, building site boundary, water main, sewage pipe, road, electrical cable or optical fibre cable. The physical location is represented as one or more of a longitude, latitude and elevation/depth of the building infrastructure. The physical location is typically a dimensionless point indicative of a position on or relative to the infrastructure or proposed infrastructure. An example physical location is a point on a surface of a proposed structural wall. Another example is the centre of an end of a pylon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0049] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 schematically illustrates a system for processing a request about a physical location for building infrastructure;

Figure 2 illustrates a first exemplary interface displayed on a display of the mobile telephone handset for facilitating location of a building infrastructure;

Figure 3 illustrates three exemplary screenshots of sequential screens for allowing a user to log into a software application on a mobile handset;

Figure 4 illustrates three exemplary screenshots of sequential screens displayed on a mobile handset for allowing a user to select an item of building infrastructure;

Figure 5 illustrates a second exemplary interface displayed on the display of the mobile handset for facilitating location of a building infrastructure;

Figure 6 illustrates a third exemplary interface displayed on the display of the mobile handset for facilitating location of a building infrastructure;

Figure 7 illustrates schematically a network of wireless communications between various devices and a mobile handset;

Figure 8 illustrates a schematic system level overview of a system for processing a request about a physical location for building infrastructure;

Figure 9 illustrates a process flow of steps performed by a software App on a mobile telephone handset for facilitating the mapping of a physical location of one or more items of building infrastructure to a digitized plan;

Figure 10 illustrates an exemplary interface displayed on a display of the mobile handset for facilitating the mapping of a physical location of one or more items of building infrastructure to a digitized plan;

Figure 11 illustrates an exemplary screenshot of a digitized building plan displayed on a mobile handset;

Figure 12 illustrates a process flow of steps performed by a software App on a mobile telephone handset for facilitating the updating of an existing building plan;

Figure 13 illustrates two exemplary screenshots of sequential screens displayed on a mobile handset for allowing a user to locate items of building infrastructure within a specified proximity from the handset; and

Figure 14 illustrates a process flow of steps performed by a software App on a mobile telephone handset for processing a request from the handset about a physical location for building infrastructure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

System for processing a request about a physical location for building infrastructure

[0050] Referring initially to Figure 1, described below is a first aspect of the present invention relating to a system 1 for processing requests from a plurality of mobile devices about a physical location for respective building items and/or building infrastructure at respective building sites. This aspect is directed to easily determining the desired physical location of items of building infrastructure from digitised plans of building sites using handheld mobile devices.

[0051] System 1 utilises mobile devices such as mobile telephone handset 3 having an inbuilt mobile communication module 4 including a Global Positioning System (GPS) module 5. In the illustrated embodiment, handset 3 is a mobile Smartphone such as an Apple iPhone configured to run third party developer 'App' based software as opposed to device-specific software. Handset 3 has a generally rectangular prismatic housing 7 in which GPS module 5 is wholly disposed, and a generally rectangular interactive touch screen display 9 mounted to housing 7 both for allowing interactive input by a user and for displaying content to the user. However, in other embodiments, other GPS enabled mobile devices configured to run third party developer 'App' based software are used in place of handset 3. Such other devices include tablet computers such as an iPad TM tablet sold by Apple, Inc or Galaxy TM tablet or smart phone sold by Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, PDAs or App-based portable computers such as the Chromebook TM sold by Google, Inc.

[0052] Handset 3 also includes a processor 11 for processing and issuing instructions, a wireless transceiver module 13 for wirelessly transmitting and receiving data sent between handset 3 and other electronic devices, and a memory 15 for storing data locally on handset 3. Handset 3 also includes one or more supplementary devices 16 such as a speaker and a microphone. In some embodiments, supplementary devices 25 include a magnetometer and an accelerometer, which provide the ability to run applications such as a digital compass and a digital spirit level. In some embodiments, processor 11 runs an Apple iOS mobile operating system or a Google Android operating system.

[0053] Handset 3 is adapted to wirelessly transmit a first signal 17 indicative of the longitude, latitude and elevation/depth of handset 3, as well as the request about a physical location for building items and/or building infrastructure to a central server 19. Server 19 is located remotely from handset 3 and is responsive to first signal 17 for accessing at least one record from a plurality of records indicative of the various spatially located building sites from which various handsets 3 will request location data. The records stored in server 19 include a two or three dimensional digitised building plan, in a database 21. In response to signal 17, server 19 generates a second signal 23. Second signal 23 is wirelessly transmitted to handset 3, which is responsive to second signal 23 for displaying to a user predetermined information indicative of the physical location relative to the handset position. In the case where infrastructure is to be installed, the physical location corresponds to the intended location of the infrastructure as set out on the plan. In the case where existing infrastructure is to be physically located, the physical location corresponds to the actual physical location of the existing infrastructure or a part of the infrastructure.

[0054] In some embodiments, database 21 and/or server 19 form part of a cloud-based computing resource that includes a distribution of individual computers, servers or databases interconnected through a network. In these embodiments, first signal 17 is indicative of a data 'pull' request to pull selective data from the cloud network.

[0055] In another embodiment, first signal 17 is indicative only of the request about a physical location for building infrastructure within the building site and no handset position information is sent to server 19. Upon receipt of the physical location, handset 3 internally calculates and displays the physical location of the item of building infrastructure within the site relative to the position of handset 3 using GPS module 5.

[0056] In some embodiments, the user is able to request a subset of the physical location so that only a subset of the longitude, latitude or elevation/depth is provided to the user. In one exemplary embodiment, first signal 17 includes a first component and a second component. The first component is indicative of a subset of the longitude, latitude and elevation/depth of handset 3, and the second component is indicative of the remainder of the longitude, latitude and elevation/depth of handset 3. The first component and the second component are indicative of respective requests sent from handset 3 about the physical location of the building infrastructure.

[0057] In some embodiments, first signal 17 is also indicative of an identifier of the building infrastructure. Identifiers include information to identify and differentiate different items of building infrastructure. Identifiers include an infrastructure type and/or at least one feature of the building infrastructure, such as an edge, corner, side, top, bottom or centre of the building infrastructure. Exemplary building infrastructure identifiers include 'property boundary north', 'southwest foundation 1a' and 'eastern edge of foundation'.

[0058] By leveraging server 19, a plurality of mobile devices located across the same building site or building sites at spatially separated locations (even separate cities, for example) can be used concurrently to locate items of building infrastructure.

[0059] A user is able to utilize system 1 by downloading and installing a third party software application (App) onto GPS enabled handset 3 and paying any applicable access fee. Upon accessing the App, an interface 25 is presented graphically to the user on display 9 illustrating, among other information, the predetermined information. In other embodiments, the predetermined information is presented to the user as an audio signal through a speaker in handset 3 or through an audio jack to a connected speaker or headphones. In some embodiments, the predetermined information is presented to the user both visually and audibly.

[0060] Referring to Figure 2, there is illustrated an exemplary interface 27 displayed on display 9 of handset 3. Interface 27 includes menu select button 29 for allowing a user to access a list of items of building infrastructure identifiers and to select a desired item of building infrastructure for physical location within a specified building site. Once an item is selected through button 29, handset 3 sends first signal 17 to server 19 to request the current physical location of the item of building infrastructure relative to the position of handset 3. The current position of handset 3 is displayed on interface 27 and is refreshed at predetermined time intervals.

[0061] Interface 27 also includes a graphic 33 of the physical location relative to the handset position presented on display 9. Graphic 33 presents the predetermined information in the form of a direction of movement for the handset that would progress it toward the physical location. Graphic 33 includes a central circle 35 that includes a numerical distance meter displaying the distance to the physical location and the difference in elevation/depth between the current handset position and the physical location. A positive value of elevation/depth indicates that handset 3 is above the physical location while a negative value of elevation/depth indicates that handset 3 is below the physical location. Eight equally circumferentially spaced arrows (E.g. 37) extend radially outward from the central circle to show the direction of the physical location from handset 3. When the user holds handset 3 in a position substantially horizontal to the ground, the arrow that most closely shows the direction to the physical location is emphasised (bold arrow). The remaining arrows are greyed out (dashed in Figure 2) or not displayed. An upwardly directed emphasised arrow indicates the user should move in the forward direction to progress toward the physical location. An emphasised left arrow indicates the physical location is to the left of the current user direction.

[0062] To locate an item of building infrastructure, the user accesses the App on their phone. If the App has been accessed recently, selection of the App brings up interface 27. If the App has not been accessed for a period of time or the user has previously logged out of the App, the user is presented with an initial login screen, as illustrated exemplarily in screen 10 of Figure 3. Screen 10 provides text boxes for the user to enter a user name and a preset password associated with a pre-established user account. Upon selecting a 'Continue' button, the user's details are verified by server 19 with data stored in database 21 and, if authenticated, the user is presented with screen 12. Screen 12 allows the user to select a project name from a plurality of possible projects associated with the user that are stored in database 21. Each project has an associated project code for authentication and an associated building site for which electronic records are maintained and accessed. Once the desired project is selected, the user selects the 'Continue' button to navigate to a home screen 14. Home screen 14 includes a number of functions including a 'Settings' button which allows the user to change a number of user preferences.

[0063] When the user selects the 'Mark Out' button, they are navigated to interface 27, as illustrated in Figure 2. The desired item of building infrastructure is then input using button 29 which navigates the user to a series of screens whereby a desired item can be selected. Exemplary screenshots of such selection screens are shown in Figure 3 where a utility is chosen for a given sub division of land. At screen 18 the user initially selects a location from one of 'Road', 'Utility' or 'Boundary'. Upon selection of 'Utility', screen 20 is presented to the user. Screen 20 provides for selection of one of 'Water', 'Electric', 'Storm Water', 'Kerb Line' and 'Sewer'. After selecting 'Stormwater', screen 22 is presented to the user, which allows selection of different available stormwater pits. Upon selection of a desired pit, the user is returned to the screen illustrated in Figure 2. It will be appreciated that different projects will have different facilities options available for selection depending on the particulars of the project.

[0064] From interface 27, the user can select a home button 24 to return to the home screen 14. The user can also select a 'Logout' button 36 to log out of their account and return to login screen 10.

[0065] Following selection of a desired item of infrastructure, a request for the current physical location of that item is sent to server 19. Upon receipt of the request, server 19 dynamically sends data indicative of the physical location of the item of building infrastructure relative to the position of handset 3.

[0066] It will be appreciated that the position of handset 3 is actually indicative of the position of GPS module 5, which resides within housing 7. This housing has a physical width, length and thickness. In taking position measurements, it is advantageous for a user to have regard to a predetermined reference point on handset 3 to represent the actual position of GPS module 5 and therefore the 'zero' point of the position of handset 3. An example reference point is a corner of handset 3 or the lens of an inbuilt camera device incorporated in handset 3. To achieve this, in one embodiment, processor 11 obtains knowledge of the position of GPS module 5 within housing 7 and applies an offset to adjust the handset position to accord with a predetermined reference point on housing 7.

[0067] In one embodiment, where the predetermined reference point is the lens of an inbuilt camera, interface 25 is configured to allow a user to access the camera during the location process. In another embodiment, interface 25 is configured to allow the specification of the predetermined reference point by the user. This latter embodiment is useful in situations where the physical location is within a trench or other area where GPS module 5 does not have a direct line of sight to GPS satellites. Handset 3 is able to be placed on a first end of an extension mount (not shown) of known length and the predetermined offset is set to the position of a second end of that mount so that the second end is representative of the handset position. Preferably also the extension mount includes an integrated level indicator to improve the accuracy of this methodology. In other embodiments, handset 3 provides an indication of a level.

[0068] When handset 3 is brought to the physical location, the distance and elevation/depth displays within circle 35 show'0'. In some embodiments, interface 27 also issues a visual and audio prompt when the handset position matches the physical location. In one particular embodiment, when the handset position matches the physical location, display 9 briefly flashes and a handset speaker issues a short duration beep alert. Upon locating the item of building infrastructure, the user is able to accurately mark the physical location or position the item accordingly. The user is then able to select a new item of building infrastructure and repeat the above process to set out a building site based on a digitized plan.

[0069] It will be appreciated that different interfaces are able to be presented on display 9. Figure 5 illustrates interface 39 wherein the predetermined information is displayed as a map 41 of the building site illustrating both the current handset position 43 and the location 45 of the item of building infrastructure. In Figure 6, interface 47 includes a graphic 49 presenting the predetermined information in the form of a three dimensional numerical distance from the item location. It will be appreciated that the various user interfaces described herein are exemplary only to emphasise the functionality of the invention and other user interfaces can be realised without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0070] In each embodiment illustrated in Figures 2, 5 and 6, the direction of movement is presented dynamically in time without the user having to resubmit a request. For example, in Figure 6, interface 47 is configured to dynamically update the direction and distance as the user moves relative to the item of building infrastructure. The refresh rate of the data 'pull' can be set by the user to a rate that is appropriate to the particular job and/or battery lifetime desired. In other embodiments, the direction of movement is only displayed after a request is submitted.

[0071] In some embodiments, processor 11 is configured to utilize GPS augmentation and correction algorithms to obtain more accurate measurements of the handset position. Through the use of satellite GPS positioning, together with appropriate augmentation or correction algorithms, the physical location can be accurately determined to within a few centimetres and possibly down to the millimetre scale in the near future.

[0072] The accuracy of current standard GPS systems is generally in the order of metres, with accuracy increasing all the time. Through the use of special augmentation systems, accuracy of current GPS systems can be increased to the centimetre or even millimetre range, making them suitable for the positioning and location of items of building infrastructure. The present invention is capable of being used for all varieties of GPS systems and will be applicable to future higher accuracy systems.

[0073] Referring to Figure 7, in some embodiments, the location accuracy of system 1 is improved by leveraging, in addition to GPS position data from GPS satellites 26, position data from nearby cell towers 30 and 31, nearby mobile devices 32 and 34, and wireless reference base stations 36 and 38 located at accurately known positions on or nearby the building site. These additional devices communicate with handset 3 through wireless communication module 4 using protocols including Wi-Fi TM, Bluetooth T M near field communications and cellular data communications. The leveraging of additional locating can be used to augment or replace the GPS location when that service is less accurate or unavailable.

Exemplary System-Level Overview

[0074] A system level overview of system 1 will now be described.

[0075] In some embodiments, methods and functionalities considered herein are implemented by way of a server, as illustrated in Figure 8. In overview, a web server 19 provides a web interface 303. This web interface is accessed by users (and system administrators) by way of client terminals in the form of mobile telephone handsets 3. Users access interface 303 over the Internet by way of a software application (or App) installed on handsets 3.

[0076] Some embodiments make use of a website/browser-based implementation. In these embodiments web interface 303 includes a website. The term "website" should be read broadly to cover substantially any source of information accessible over the Internet or another communications network (such as WAN, LAN or WLAN) via a browser application running on a client terminal. In some embodiments, a website is a source of information made available by a server and accessible over the Internet by a web-browser application running on a client terminal. The web-browser application downloads code, such as HTML code, from the server. This code is executable through the web-browser on the mobile telephone handset for providing a graphical and often interactive representation of the website on the handset display. By way of the web-browser application, a user of the handset is able to navigate between and throughout various web pages provided by the website, and access various functionalities that are provided.

[0077] Server 303 includes a processor 305 coupled to a memory module 306 and a communications interface 307, such as an Internet connection, modem, Ethernet port, wireless network card, serial port, or the like. In other embodiments distributed resources are used. For example, in one embodiment server 19 includes a plurality of distributed servers having respective storage, processing and communications resources. Memory module 306 includes software instructions 308, which are executable on processor 305.

[0078] Server 19 is coupled to database 21, which, in some embodiments, represents a cloud-based data resource. In further embodiments the database leverages memory module 306.

[0079] In general terms, each handset 3 includes processor 11 coupled to memory module 15 and a transceiver module 13, including an internet connection, modem, Ethernet port, serial port, or the like. Memory module 15 includes software instructions 314, which are executable on processor 11. These software instructions allow handset 3 to execute a software application, such as a proprietary application or web browser application and thereby render on-screen a user interface and allow communication with server 19. This user interface allows for the creation, viewing and administration of profiles, access to the internal communications interface, and various other functionalities.

Mobile device and method for mapping the physical location of one or more items of building infrastructure to a digitized plan

[0080] The above described system 1 allows a user to set out a building site using a mobile device which accesses a digitized building plan. A second aspect of the present invention utilises mobile Smartphone handset 3 for mapping the physical location of one or more existing or proposed items of building infrastructure to a digitized building plan.

[0081] To generate a digitized building plan a user initially installs appropriate proprietary software onto handset 3 in the form of an App. The methodology 600 performed by the App is set out in Figure 9. At step 601, interface 25 presented on display 9 allows a user to input first data indicative of an item identifier. At step 602, GPS module 5 then generates second data indicative of a current longitude, latitude and elevation/depth of the item of building infrastructure. At step 603, processor 11 is configured for receiving the item identifier and item location and, in response, generating third data indicative of a digitized building plan of the current building site including the physical location of the item within the building site, associated with the item identifier.

[0082] At optional step 604, wireless transceiver module 13 selectively uploads the third data to a central server (for example, server 19) located remotely from handset 3. In some embodiments, transceiver module 13 is configured to selectively download one or more predefined building plans or templates from the external server. Processor 11 determines the format of the downloaded building plans and, if necessary, digitizes and/or reformats the plans into a suitable format. Once digitized and formatted, the device location data and item identifier is applied to the building plan. The digitized building plan includes a grid of location coordinates and items of building infrastructure are applied on this grid based on the physical location of handset 3 determined by GPS module 5, and are associated with the corresponding item identifier. The resolution of the grid is generally different to the resolution of the GPS position information obtained in step 602. In cases where the grid resolution is lower than the resolution of the GPS position information, the nearest grid point is selected. In cases where the grid resolution is higher than the resolution of the GPS position information, processor 11 provides rules as to which grid point should be used. Server 19 is configured to maintain building plans for a plurality of building sites in associated databases and for allowing access to these plans upon requests from mobile devices.

[0083] The item identifier includes an item type and optionally an item feature. Exemplary item types include one or more of a building foundation, site boundary, water main, sewage pipe, electrical cable or optical fibre cable. Exemplary item features include an edge, corner, side, top, bottom or centre of the item.

[0084] Accessing the App described above presents the user with interface 51, as shown in Figure 10. Interface 51 includes menu button 29 for allowing a user to access a list of building infrastructure identifiers and to select a desired item of building infrastructure for mapping to the building plan. A 'New item identifier' button 53 allows a user to enter an identifier of an item of building infrastructure not currently included in menu button 29. A display box 55 indicates the current latitude, longitude and elevation/depth of handset 3. The elevation/depth is calculated relative to a predetermined reference level such as a mean sea level.

[0085] Once a desired item identifier is selected, the user positions handset 3 in the desired physical location and selects an 'Enter location' button 57. This collects the current handset location from GPS module 5 and associates the location data with the item identifier. Processor 11 then applies the data to a generated or downloaded building plan. The process is repeated with additional items of building infrastructure to generate a digitized building plan.

[0086] In some embodiments, a multi-user verification method is implemented. Using this verification method, prior to the item of building infrastructure being formally incorporated into the digital building plan, the item must be located by more than one user or device and the locations determined from the two or more measurements must accord with each other to within a margin of error. If the measurements accord with each other, then the item is incorporated into the digitized building plan. If the measurements do not accord with each other, the item is not formally incorporated into the building plan and the user or users are prompted to perform a further location measurement.

[0087] A camera button 58 allows a user to take a photograph of the current item of building infrastructure using an inbuilt camera of the handset 3 and save that photograph in association with the item identifier in the building plan. In other embodiments (not shown), the user is able to enter textual comments about the item of building infrastructure and these comments are also saved in association with the item identifier in the building plan.

[0088] Interface 51 includes a dynamic display panel 59 that illustrates the current position of handset 3 within a digitized building environment 61. The positions of other items of building infrastructure previously entered are also shown (E.g. 63). The user is able to navigate about the map by contacting the screen within panel 59 and moving or dragging the map in a lateral direction. Zooming in on a section of the map can be performed, for example, in the conventional two-point contact manner as configured on most Smartphones.

[0089] Device 3 is configured to run an installable software App to map the physical location of one or more items of building infrastructure to a digitized plan. The App is run by processor 11, which communicates with interface 25. An exemplary screenshot of a digitized building plan displayed on handset 3 is illustrated in Figure 11.

System and method for updating an existing building plan

[0090] The functionality of system 1 described above also provides for the implementation of a method for updating an existing digitized building plan. Referring to Figure 12, the primary steps of a method 700 for updating an existing digitized building plan will now be described. At optional step 701 an existing building plan of a building site is digitized and stored in database 21 in a predetermined format. At step 702 the digitized building plan is selectively accessed from database 21 by handset 3. At step 703, a user uses interface 25 to input identification data indicative of an item of building infrastructure within the building site associated with the building plan. At step 704, when handset 3 is positioned in the physical location of the actual item, GPS module 5 is instructed to generate position data indicative of a current longitude, latitude and elevation/depth of the item.

[0091] At step 705, server 19 receives the identification and position data for the item and, in response, at step 706, server 19 updates the building plan to include the item at a location corresponding to the position data. Repeating this process for additional items allows the updating of an existing digitized building plan.

[0092] The above systems and methods are implemented using a mobile device configured with third party software Apps. To maintain access to server 19 through handset 3, a user pays a subscription fee to an administrator or third party, which, in one embodiment, is payable monthly. In other embodiments the subscription fee is payable daily, weekly, quarter-yearly, half-yearly or yearly. In some embodiments, different users are allocated different subscription services having varying subscription fees. In some embodiments, the App includes functionality for providing payment of the subscription fee and/or changing the subscription service.

System and method for locating items of building infrastructure

[0093] System 1 also allows a user to locate existing building infrastructure and extract information about that infrastructure. This method is accessed by a user who is on-site and wishes to locate existing infrastructure.

[0094] Referring to Figure 13, there is illustrated exemplary screens 65 and 67 of an interface to allow a user to retrieve or 'retract' data from a digitized building plan stored remotely in database 21 (in a cloud-based server or the like). Screen 65 is accessed by selecting the 'Locator' button on the main menu illustrated in Figure 3. The user is prompted to position the handset at the desired location within the building site for retrieving the data. Once the handset is positioned in the desired location, the user pushes the 'Select Distance' button which allows the user to specify a proximity value indicative of a physical proximity from the handset. Once the proximity value is input, the handset issues a request to server 19 for information on building items or building infrastructure that are located within the specified proximity from the handset. The issued request includes the longitude, latitude and elevation/depth of the handset as calculated by the inbuilt GPS module, together with the specified proximity value.

[0095] In response to the request, server 19 accesses database 21 to obtain the required information and generates a response to handset 3. Upon receiving the response, the handset displays information indicative of any building items or building infrastructure within the specified proximity from the handset, as shown in screen 67. In the illustrated case, the user has specified that only items of infrastructure below the handset's location be displayed. However, it will be appreciated that the proximity value can be applied to any or all of the three dimensions calculated by the GPS module. As illustrated in screen 67, 4 existing services are located within 5 meters of the current handset location. The details of the closest item are displayed below the list of located items. In this exemplary case, the closest item is a '150 mm PVC sewer pipe'.

[0096] In another embodiment (not shown), only the closest item of infrastructure closest item of building infrastructure to the current position of handset 3.

Further embodiments and aspects

[0097] Referring to Figure 14, there is illustrated a method 900 for processing a request from mobile telephone handset 3 about a physical location for building infrastructure. At step 901, GPS module 5 in handset 3 transmits first signal 17 that is indicative of both the request and the longitude, latitude and elevation/depth of handset 3. At step 902, database 21 is provided, which has at least one record including a digitized building plan. At step 903, first signal 17 is received at an interface of server 19. In response to first signal 17, server 19 accesses the digitized building plan and generates second signal 23 indicative of the physical location. At step 904, the interface of server 19 transmits second signal 23 back to handset 3. Finally, at step 905, handset 3 displays predetermined information to a user indicative of the physical location.

[0098] The predetermined information is displayed graphically and/or audibly on handset 3 in the form of a direction of movement for the handset that would progress it toward the physical location. The routine for finding the physical location is performed as described above using interface 25.

[0099] Referring again to Figure 1, in another embodiment, GPS module 5 is adapted to provide a location signal indicative of the longitude, latitude and elevation/depth of handset 3. Interface 25 receives input from the user and displays predetermined information to a user indicative of the physical location for building infrastructure. Processor 11 is responsive to the user input and the location signal for generating a request signal about the physical location for building infrastructure. Transceiver module 13 transmits the request signal to server 19 and receives a response signal generated from server 19 by accessing at least one record in database 21. Processor 11 is also responsive to the response signal from server 19 for generating the predetermined information.

[00100] Another embodiment provides a communications system (not shown) for allowing transmission of data between handset3 and server19. The communication system includes network infrastructure for selectively defining a connection between handset 3 and server 19

Conclusions

[00101] It will be appreciated that the disclosure above provides a system and a method for processing a request about a physical location for building infrastructure.

[00102] The present invention provides for simply, cheaply and accurately marking out the position of new items of building infrastructure to be installed, generating a digital building plan or updating an existing digital plan, identifying and locating existing facilities and tagging existing facilities with photographs or other information.

[00103] The major advantages gained through the use of the embodiments of the invention include:

" Leverages from existing infrastructure.

• Low cost operation.

" Availability of technology across a wide range of building sites.

• Ease of use and training.

" Allows for auditing of whether a request was made about the location of existing infrastructure.

" Allowance for auditing of the location of existing infrastructure and the updating of maps to more accurately reflect the location of that infrastructure.

Interpretation

[00104] The terms "building site" used throughout this specification refer to any building environment having building items or infrastructure. Example building sites include constructions sites, residential, commercial or industrial properties, office buildings, single floors of office buildings, roads, subdivisions, parks and military bases.

[00105] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment", "some embodiments" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment", "in some embodiments" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments.

[00106] As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinal adjectives "first", "second", "third", etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner.

[00107] In the claims below and the description herein, any one of the terms comprising, comprised of or which comprises is an open term that means including at least the elements/features that follow, but not excluding others. Thus, the term comprising, when used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being limitative to the means or elements or steps listed thereafter. For example, the scope of the expression a device comprising A and B should not be limited to devices consisting only of elements A and B. Any one of the terms including or which includes or that includes as used herein is also an open term that also means including at least the elements/features that follow the term, but not excluding others. Thus, including is synonymous with and means comprising.

[00108] As used herein, the term "exemplary" is used in the sense of providing examples, as opposed to indicating quality. That is, an "exemplary embodiment" is an embodiment provided as an example, as opposed to necessarily being an embodiment of exemplary quality.

[00109] Unless specifically stated otherwise, as apparent from the following discussions, it is appreciated that throughout the specification discussions utilizing terms such as

"processing," "computing," "calculating," "determining", analysing" or the like, refer to the action and/or processes of a computer or computing system, or similar electronic computing device, that manipulate and/or transform data represented as physical, such as electronic, quantities into other data similarly represented as physical quantities.

[00110] In a similar manner, the term "processor" may refer to any device or portion of a device that processes electronic data, e.g., from registers and/or memory to transform that electronic data into other electronic data that, e.g., may be stored in registers and/or memory. A "computer" or a "computing machine" or a "computing platform" may include one or more processors.

[00111] The methodologies described herein are, in one embodiment, performable by one or more processors that accept computer-readable (also called machine-readable) code containing a set of instructions that when executed by one or more of the processors carry out at least one of the methods described herein. Any processor capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken are included. Thus, one example is a typical processing system that includes one or more processors. Each processor may include one or more of a CPU, a graphics processing unit, and a programmable DSP unit. The processing system further may include a memory subsystem including main RAM and/or a static RAM, and/or ROM. A bus subsystem may be included for communicating between the components. The processing system further may be a distributed processing system with processors coupled by a network. If the processing system requires a display, such a display may be included, e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a cathode ray tube (CRT) display. If manual data entry is required, the processing system also includes an input device such as one or more of an alphanumeric input unit such as a keyboard, a pointing control device such as a mouse, and so forth. The term memory unit as used herein, if clear from the context and unless explicitly stated otherwise, also encompasses a storage system such as a disk drive unit. The processing system in some configurations may include a sound output device, and a network interface device. The memory subsystem thus includes a computer-readable carrier medium that carries computer-readable code (e.g., software) including a set of instructions to cause performing, when executed by one or more processors, one of more of the methods described herein. Note that when the method includes several elements, e.g., several steps, no ordering of such elements is implied, unless specifically stated. The software may reside in the hard disk, or may also reside, completely or at least partially, within the RAM and/or within the processor during execution thereof by the computer system. Thus, the memory and the processor also constitute computer-readable carrier medium carrying computer-readable code.

[00112] Furthermore, a computer-readable carrier medium may form, or be included in a computer program product.

[00113] In alternative embodiments, the one or more processors operate as a standalone device or may be connected, e.g., networked to other processor(s), in a networked deployment, the one or more processors may operate in the capacity of a server or a user machine in server-user network environment, or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer or distributed network environment. The one or more processors may form a personal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a set-top box (STB), a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a cellular telephone, a web appliance, a network router, switch or bridge, or any machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine.

[00114] Note that while diagrams only show a single processor and a single memory that carries the computer-readable code, those in the art will understand that many of the components described above are included, but not explicitly shown or described in order not to obscure the inventive aspect. For example, while only a single machine is illustrated, the term "machine" shall also be taken to include any collection of machines that individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein.

[00115] Thus, one embodiment of each of the methods described herein is in the form of a computer-readable carrier medium carrying a set of instructions, e.g., a computer program that is for execution on one or more processors, e.g., one or more processors that are part of web server arrangement. Thus, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, embodiments of the present invention may be embodied as a method, an apparatus such as a special purpose apparatus, an apparatus such as a data processing system, or a computer-readable carrier medium, e.g., a computer program product. The computer-readable carrier medium carries computer readable code including a set of instructions that when executed on one or more processors cause the processor or processors to implement a method. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the form of a method, an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, the present invention may take the form of carrier medium (e.g., a computer program product on a computer-readable storage medium) carrying computer-readable program code embodied in the medium.

[00116] The software may further be transmitted or received over a network via a network interface device. While the carrier medium is shown in an exemplary embodiment to be a single medium, the term "carrier medium" should be taken to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets of instructions. The term "carrier medium" shall also be taken to include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by one or more of the processors and that cause the one or more processors to perform any one or more of the methodologies of the present invention. A carrier medium may take many forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media. Non-volatile media includes, for example, optical, magnetic disks, and magneto-optical disks. Volatile media includes dynamic memory, such as main memory. Transmission media includes coaxial cables, copper wire and fibber optics, including the wires that comprise a bus subsystem. Transmission media also may also take the form of acoustic or light waves, such as those generated during radio wave and infrared data communications. For example, the term "carrier medium" shall accordingly be taken to included, but not be limited to, solid-state memories, a computer product embodied in optical and magnetic media; a medium bearing a propagated signal detectable by at least one processor of one or more processors and representing a set of instructions that, when executed, implement a method; and a transmission medium in a network bearing a propagated signal detectable by at least one processor of the one or more processors and representing the set of instructions.

[00117] It will be understood that the steps of methods discussed are performed in one embodiment by an appropriate processor (or processors) of a processing (i.e., computer) system executing instructions (computer-readable code) stored in storage. It will also be understood that the invention is not limited to any particular implementation or programming technique and that the invention may be implemented using any appropriate techniques for implementing the functionality described herein. The invention is not limited to any particular programming language or operating system.

[00118] It should be appreciated that in the above description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, FIG., or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

[00119] Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those skilled in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

[00120] Furthermore, some of the embodiments are described herein as a method or combination of elements of a method that can be implemented by a processor of a computer system or by other means of carrying out the function. Thus, a processor with the necessary instructions for carrying out such a method or element of a method forms a means for carrying out the method or element of a method. Furthermore, an element described herein of an apparatus embodiment is an example of a means for carrying out the function performed by the element for the purpose of carrying out the invention.

[00121] In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.

[00122] Similarly, it is to be noticed that the term coupled, when used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being limited to direct connections only. The terms "coupled" and "connected," along with their derivatives, may be used. It should be understood that these terms are not intended as synonyms for each other. Thus, the scope of the expression a device A coupled to a device B should not be limited to devices or systems wherein an output of device A is directly connected to an input of device B. It means that there exists a path between an output of A and an input of B which may be a path including other devices or means. "Coupled" may mean that two or more elements are either in direct physical or electrical contact, or that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other but yet still co-operate or interact with each other.

[00123] Thus, while there has been described what are believed to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as falling within the scope of the invention. For example, any formulas given above are merely representative of procedures that may be used. Functionality may be added or deleted from the block diagrams and operations may be interchanged among functional blocks. Steps may be added or deleted to methods described within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A system for processing requests from a plurality of mobile devices about a physical location for respective building infrastructure at respective sites, wherein each mobile device is operated by a respective user and includes an inbuilt mobile communication module, the mobile devices being adapted for transmitting respective first signals that are indicative of both the requests and the longitude, latitude and at least one of an elevation and a depth of the mobile devices, the system comprising: a database having a plurality of records for the sites; an interface for receiving the first signals and for transmitting corresponding second signals to which the respective mobile devices are responsive for displaying respective predetermined information to users about the physical location of the building infrastructure that is indicative of the physical location of the building infrastructure relative to a current position of one or more of the mobile devices; and a central server that is located remotely from the mobile devices and which is responsive to the first signals being received at the interface for accessing at least one of the records in the database and for generating the second signals; wherein the building infrastructure includes at least one of a water main, a sewage pipe, an electrical cable and an optical fibre cable.

2. A system according to claim 1 wherein the physical location is an intended physical location of the building infrastructure.

3. A system according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the building infrastructure are in existence.

4. A system according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the building infrastructure are conceptual items.

5. A system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the predetermined information includes a graphic of the physical location relative to one of the mobile device's position.

6. A system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the predetermined information is indicative of a direction of movement for the mobile device that would progress the respective user toward the physical location of the building infrastructure.

7. A system according to claim 6 wherein the direction of movement is presented graphically.

8. A system according to claim 6 or claim 7 wherein the direction of movement is presented dynamically.

9. A system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the at least one record includes a building plan.

10. A system according to claim 9 wherein the building plan has a digitised form.

11. A system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the physical location includes a longitude and latitude of the building infrastructure.

12. A system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the physical location includes at least one of an elevation and a depth of the building infrastructure.

13. A system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the first signal includes a first component and a second component, the first component being indicative of a subset of the longitude, latitude and at least one of an elevation and a depth of the mobile devices, and the second component being indicative of the remainder of the longitude, latitude and at least one of an elevation and a depth of the mobile devices.

14. A system according to claim 13 wherein the first component and the second component are indicative of respective requests about the physical location of the building infrastructure.

15. A system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the first signal further includes an identifier of another building infrastructure to be associated with a physical location, whereby a building plan is updated to a physical location of a building infrastructure.

16. A system according to claim 15 wherein the identifier further includes a building infrastructure type of at least one of a water main, a sewage pipe, an electrical cable and an optical fibre cable..

17. A system according to claim 15 or claim 16 wherein the identifier includes at least one feature of the building infrastructure.

18. A system according to claim 17 wherein the at least one feature includes an edge, corner, side, top, bottom or centre of the building infrastructure.

19. A system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein an offset is able to be applied to the longitude, latitude and at least one of the elevation and the depth of the mobile device.

20. A system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the mobile communication module provides a first position information and the mobile devices each include a processor that is responsive to the first position information for generating the first signal.

21. A system according to claim 20 wherein the mobile communication module includes a GPS device.

22. A system according to claim 21, wherein the mobile communication module further includes at least one of an appropriate augmentation and a correction algorithm with the GPS device positioning, whereby the physical location of the building infrastructure is sufficiently accurately determined

23. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 22 wherein the mobile communication module includes a wireless communication device for communicating with one or more remote devices to obtain a second position information, and the processors are responsive to the second position information for generating the first signal.

24. A system according to claim 23, wherein the wireless communication device uses protocols including at least one of Wi-Fi TM , Bluetooth TM , near field communications and cellular data communications; wherein the remote devices include at least one of nearby cell towers, nearby mobile devices, and wireless reference base stations located at accurately known positions; and whereby the physical location of the building infrastructure is sufficiently accurately determined.

25. A system according to claim 23 or 24, wherein the wireless communications device transmits the first signal.

26. A system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the mobile devices includes at least one of a mobile telephone handset and a tablet computer.

27. A system according any one of the preceding claims, further including a proximity value indicative of a physical proximity from the mobile device and which is responsive to a first signal for displaying information to the user indicative of the building infrastructure within the physical proximity.

28. A system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the sites are at separate spatial locations.

29. A system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the requests are made contemporaneously.

30. A mobile device for locating a physical location of a building infrastructure, including: an inbuilt mobile communications module for transmitting a first signal indicative of: i. the longitude, latitude and at least one of an elevation and a depth of the mobile device; and ii. the request about the physical location for the building infrastructure, wherein the mobile device is responsive to a second signal for displaying predetermined information to a user indicative of the physical location of the building infrastructure; wherein a central server is located remotely from the mobile device and the central server is responsive to the first signal for accessing at least one record in a database of the central server and generating the second signal; and wherein the building infrastructure includes at least one of a water main, a sewage pipe, an electrical cable and an optical fibre cable.

31. A mobile device according to claim 30, further including at least one of the system and the mobile device of any one of claims 1 to 29.

32. A method for processing a request about a physical location for a building infrastructure, the method comprising the steps of: providing a mobile device having an inbuilt mobile communications module, the mobile device adapted for transmitting a first signal indicative of: i. the longitude, latitude and at least one of an elevation and a depth of the mobile device; and ii. the request about the physical location for the building infrastructure; receiving, at a central server located remotely from the mobile device, the first signal; in response to the first signal, accessing at least one record in a database of the central server; and generating a second signal for displaying, on the mobile device, predetermined information to a user indicative of the physical location of the building infrastructure; wherein the building infrastructure includes at least one of a water main, a sewage pipe, an electrical cable and an optical fibre cable.

33. A method according to claim 32, further including at least one of any of the steps of the system and the mobile device of any one of claims 1 to 29.