RU2675057C1 - Method of identification and visualization of engineering communications in space - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: geoinformation technologies.SUBSTANCE: invention relates to the field of geoinformation technologies in the field of engineering networks with elements of augmented reality. In the method of identification and visualization of engineering communications in space, determine location of engineering communications in space. Define and fix the reference points on any surface of communication by determining their coordinates in space with the subsequent introduction of information about the spatial location of the reference points in the computer. Determine the location of the tablet in space through a wireless connection with navigation satellites and with a local GPS receiver system. Send from the tablet to the computer data about its location and receive data on communications in this area of the area. When directing the camera of the tablet to the area where communication is supposed to be, hidden by an opaque obstacle, a line is displayed on the tablet screen showing the location of communication in space relative to this area of the terrain.EFFECT: technical result is to provide an accurate representation of the location of utilities hidden behind an opaque obstacle, which allows you to safely carry out earthworks.4 cl, 3 dwg

Description

Annually, due to the unsatisfactory organization of earthworks in terms of identification and location of underground utilities (hereinafter referred to as communications), a large number of utilities — pipelines, cables — are damaged by earthmoving equipment, resulting in:

- a threat to the livelihoods of the population in cases where the supply of electricity, coolant, communication services is interrupted;

- material damage due to shutdown of facilities, equipment;

- material damage due to the need for emergency recovery work.

To minimize the above risks, it is necessary to have reliable, relevant data on its actual location in space directly on the ground with sufficient accuracy before carrying out earthwork and other types of work in the communication protection zone.

Currently, there are many ways to determine the location of communications on the ground:

1. Using search devices:

- devices that determine the location of communication by the degree of emission of electromagnetic fields of a given frequency by the contact or non-contact method,

- devices determining the location of communication by the surface temperature of the communication section - thermal imagers

- devices that determine the location of communication by the degree of magnetic field intensity from communication - magnetometers.

- use of georadars.

Disadvantages: the complexity of the process, the high repeatability of the work - the need for a route search before each excavation, the high cost of equipment, a multiple increase in cost in the presence of strong interference in the form of electromagnetic, magnetic fields, the dependence of the accuracy of determination on the properties of the soil.

1. Comparison of data from the geodetic survey of communication with data on paper (maps) or electronic media directly on the ground.

Disadvantages: difficulties in comparing the location of communication in real time, including due to changes in the landscape, ground infrastructure, high error in determining the location, the need for additional communication holes.

2. An indication of the location of the communication representatives of the owner of the communication directly on the ground.

Disadvantages: high probability of human errors, low accuracy of determining the location of communications, the need for additional communications holes and the use of search devices.

3. According to previously established, at the location of the communication, active or passive RFID tags (markers), by reading from them information about the communication with special marker detectors.

Disadvantages - a small life cycle of tags, a small detection range, the dependence of the range on the state and composition of ground soil, the general high cost of the circuit, the need for excavation to install markers on existing communications.

Known US patent No. 9,305,402, which describes the imposition of annotations on the image from the device’s camera in real time by the user or automatically from local and network data sources. Such a device may be a smartphone, tablet, game console, multimedia player or personal computer. Annotations can be text, multimedia, or hypertext (containing links to other data) and are displayed both in automatic mode and in response to computer-recorded events. Before the formation of the information layer, annotated objects must be identified in real time - automatically or manually. Identification methods used include contour recognition, SIFT, pattern matching, gradient histograms, intra-class transfer training, explicit or implicit three-dimensional object models, global scene representation, shading, reflectivity, textures, grammar, thematic models, window detection, three-dimensional characters, context, The use of Internet data, uncontrolled training and fast indexing. A bar code or QR code can be used to pre-fetch data.

Disadvantages: identification of annotated objects is performed for each object as a whole, i.e. the system cannot be applied in the case of communication, the length of which is significant relative to its cross section, since the communication track is not worth it in the place where it must be determined through the camera of a tablet or smartphone. In addition, to identify an object in space, the general GPS coordinate system is used, where the accuracy of determining the location is from one to several meters, as a result of which, the accuracy of determining the communication does not allow to accurately determine its location for the safe production of earthworks.

Known patent No. 8,400,548 "Synchronized, Augmented Reality Displays For Multifunction Devices" (Synchronized, Interactive Augmented Reality Displays For Multifunction Devices). This is an augmented reality system for various gadgets - for example, smartphones or tablets, which identifies objects that fall into the field of view of the camera of a mobile device and supplement them with annotations. Various methods can be used to recognize objects: edge detection, comparison with templates, scale-invariant transformation, etc. To obtain the necessary information, the system can rely on a local or network database. The composition of the annotation is proposed to include textual and (or) graphic information, as well as links. The user will be able to independently correct, supplement the data and share them, say, through social services. In addition, the patent discusses the possibility of building computer models based on images received through the camera.

Disadvantages: similar to those described in the description of the disadvantages of patent No. 8,400,548.

Known patent No. 9,488,488 for "Augmented reality maps" (Augmented reality maps). This is an augmented reality system for mobile devices such as the iPhone and iPad, which identifies objects that are in the field of view of the gadget's camera, and supplements them with annotations. Various sensors built into the iPhone can be used to recognize objects, including a gyroscope, digital compass, accelerometer, and GPS module. The system can rely on a local or network database to obtain the necessary information. The composition of the annotation is proposed to include textual and (or) graphic information, as well as links. The user will be able to independently correct, supplement the data and share them through social networks. In addition, the patent discusses the possibility of building computer models based on the image obtained through the camera.

Disadvantages: similar to those described in the description of the disadvantages of patent No. 8,400,548.

The result of the proposed method for visualization and identification of engineering communications in space is the following - when the tablet’s camera, which is located on the back side of the tablet’s screen, moves to the supposed location of the communication (located underground or behind another opaque obstacle) on the tablet’s screen simultaneously with the terrain image in real time a line is displayed (broken line, curve) or a three-dimensional figure showing the actual location of communication in transtve in this area with a given accuracy.

The image of the terrain on the tablet screen, which is broadcast from its camera, depends on the position of the tablet in space and changes if it changes. At the same time, along with changing the image of the area on the tablet screen, the display of communication on its screen also changes - it corresponds to the actual location of the communication relative to the given area. This happens when the tablet’s camera is aimed at the actual location of the communication.

The presence of reliable visual information on the tablet’s screen about the location of the communication allows you to safely carry out earthwork as the position of the communication is displayed with sufficient accuracy.

The implementation of the method of identification and visualization of engineering communications in space is schematically shown in figure 1, figure 2, figure 3 in which: 1 - communication, located underground, 2 - transverse profile of communication, 3 - line (curve, broken), the displayed position of communication in space , 4, 5, 6, 7 — an example of the location of reference points, 8 — the designation of the ground level, 9 — the projection of communication on the surface of the earth, 10 — the tablet, 11 — the GPS receiver, GLONASS attached to the tablet, 12 — the communication displayed on the tablet’s screen line view (broken, curve), showing the actual position of communication in space underground, 13 - the direction of movement of the working communication agent, 14 - an electronic computer (computer), 15 - a stationary receiver GPS transmitter - base station, 16 - GPS navigation satellite, 17 - wireless communication for transmitting signals from the navigation satellite to a stationary receiver and a receiver attached to the tablet, 18 - wireless communication for the exchange of information between computers and a tablet, 19 - tablet screen

The method is implemented as follows

On any communication surface 1, reference points 4, 5, 6, 7 are marked so that when they are connected to each other, the received line 3 (curve, broken line) displays the actual position of the communication in space. The number of reference points (4, 5, 6, 7) is determined with such discreteness on the scale of a separate communication that will be enough to display communication in space in the form of a line (curve, broken) with the required accuracy. In this case, reference points are determined at the places of change:

- directions of communication - bends, turns,

- dimensions of the cross section, other physical dimensions of the communication,

- other characteristics and parameters of communication.

Each reference point records the following information:

- coordinates in space: latitude, longitude, altitude in the GPS, GLONASS system using the method of satellite geodetic measurements,

- number in order in the direction of movement of the working communication agent - liquid, gas, electric current.

- communication characteristics at a given point: physical dimensions of the communication cross-section, operation parameters - pressure, temperature, voltage, other relevant information.

The above information is collected in the form of a database and is entered into an electronic computer 14 (computer).

By computing on a computer 14 based on a database of reference points for a given communication, a communication track is constructed in the form of a line (curve, broken) 12 in space, which displays its actual position with the required accuracy.

During overhaul, construction, the marking of points is made on the communication laid in the trench before it is buried by installing a geodetic search device at reference points.

On the existing communication, which is underground, the location of reference points is determined from the surface of the earth by means of existing search devices or by launching into the communication body devices that determine its location in space. In this case, information about the characteristics and parameters of communication is taken from the executive, operational and other types of documentation, as well as information from primary devices that control the parameters of the communication.

On the ground at the location of communication, a GPS receiver is attached to the tablet 10, GLONASS 11 which, by means of wireless communication 17 with base stations 15 and navigation satellites 16, determines the location of the tablet 10 in space with the required accuracy, then the tablet 10 through wireless communication 18 communicates with a computer fourteen:

- from the tablet 10 to the computer 14 sends data about its location - the coordinates in space,

- from computer 14 to tablet 10 data is sent about communications in this area - coordinates, names, characteristics, operation parameters.

The data obtained on the tablet 10 is processed and when the tablet camera is pointing to the actual location of the communication, they are superimposed on the terrain image transmitted through the tablet camera, which is located on the back side of the tablet screen, in the form of a line (track) 3 or a communication cross-section with a simultaneous display of the direction of movement working fluid 13 (arrow). At the user's request, full text information about the characteristics of this communication section and the current parameters of its operation are displayed on the entire screen 19 of the tablet.

When personnel with tablet 10 are at a distance of more than 2 meters from communication, track 9 is displayed on tablet screen 19, projected onto the surface of the earth 8, and at a distance of less than 2 meters, the actual communication track 3 is displayed at a depth with the required accuracy.

Determining the location of the tablet 10 in space with the necessary accuracy is achieved by exchanging information through wireless communication 17 with pre-installed base stations 15 (a network of base stations), which are stationary GPS receivers in the area where communications are located, and with GPS navigation satellites 16.

When the employee moves with tablet 10 along the communication with the condition that the tablet’s camera moves to the area where it is located, a line (curve, broken) 3 is displayed on the tablet’s screen 19 according to changes in terrain 9 in the direction of travel.

In cases where the change in the characteristics of communication, the location of its reference points occurs during repairs, construction, reconstruction, the process of marking reference points, entering information about the characteristics of communication into the database is repeated.

When changing the parameters of the communication in real time, the current information is entered into the database - this allows the employee with a tablet to receive relevant information about the communication in online mode in the process of determining the location of communication on the ground.

In the presented invention, in our opinion, there are the following elements of novelty and significant differences from previously known methods:

1. The display of communication in space in the form of a line (track) is performed continuously when a person moves with a tablet in the area.

2. In real time, there is up-to-date information about the location of communication in space, about its characteristics and work parameters, which makes it possible to carry out hidden, earthly work most safely.

3. Using a network of base stations allows you to determine the location of communications and the tablet in space with centimeter accuracy, which in turn, when conducting hidden, earthworks, minimizes the risk of damage to communications when working with earthmoving equipment or when poring communications manually.

Claims (4)

1. A method for identifying and visualizing engineering communications in space, including a process for determining the location of engineering communications in space, a process for identifying and visualizing communication through a tablet camera on its screen, characterized in that the process of visualization and identification of engineering communications is carried out by determining and fixing reference points on any surface of engineering communication by determining their coordinates in space: latitude, longitude, height with a centimeter then In fact, through wireless communication with navigation satellites and with a local network of GPS receivers organized for these purposes, search instruments, followed by entering information on the spatial location of reference points, information on engineering communications - names, characteristics, operation parameters, into an electronic computer ( Computer), with the help of which an engineering communication track is formed, displaying the actual location of engineering communication in space, by connecting the reference of points between them in a straight line, then on the area where it is planned to determine the location and identify engineering communications, a tablet is used, complete with a GPS receiver, through which the tablet is located in space through wireless communication with navigation satellites and with a local GPS receiver system with centimeter accuracy , the tablet communicates wirelessly with an electronic computer (computer) - sends it data about its location and receives a yes response information about communications in a given area of the area — formed communication tracks, information data, after which, when the tablet’s camera, which is located on the opposite side of the tablet’s screen, is directed to a plot of the area where it is assumed that there is communication hidden by an opaque obstacle, a line is displayed on the tablet’s screen showing the location of the communication in space relative to this site with centimeter accuracy, while at the request of the user, information is displayed on the entire screen of the tablet Discount data on utilities. 2. The method according to p. 1, characterized in that in addition to using the tablet to implement the method, a smartphone complete with a GPS receiver can be used. 3. The method according to p. 1, characterized in that in addition to displaying the actual location of the engineering communications in the form of a line or a cross-section of the engineering communications, the location of the engineering communications elements can be displayed as symbols on the tablet screen: shut-off and control valves, fittings. 4. The method according to p. 1, characterized in that when the tablet is located more than 2 m from the actual location of the engineering communication, the engineering communication line designed on the ground is displayed on the tablet screen, and when it is closer than 2 m, the actual position of the engineering communication in the form of a line or volumetric figure.

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