Method and Apparatus for Surveying with a Feature Location

Abstract

Methods are provided for conducting surveys of regions of interest, points of interest, and objects of interest. The methods typically involve using a survey instrument with programmed logic. The programmed logic may include one or more base of knowledge in an electronically accessible format, and may include statistical analysis software. The survey instrument generally includes a display and one or more sensors. The sensors may include a visible image or an infrared image sensor. The program logic may be used to guide an operator through a survey.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for an operator to conduct a survey using a programmed survey instrument comprising:
 generating a transducer signal in the survey instrument;   electronically comparing the transducer signal with a base of knowledge to identify an object of interest;   using programmed logic to prompt the operator for an interpretation by the operator of an accuracy of the identification of the object of interest;   using programmed logic to record an operator interpreted finding regarding object of interest; and   reporting the recorded finding.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the base of knowledge further comprises one base or several bases including one or more of the following types of informative data in an electronically accessible format:
 a. a base of knowledge containing logical data regarding aspects of sensory instrumented apparatus typically used during a survey; 
 b. a base of knowledge containing logical data regarding aspects of survey conditions and techniques typically used during a survey; 
 c. a base of knowledge containing logic accessible aspects of cartography information system typically used during a survey; 
 d. a base of knowledge containing logic accessible positioning or tracking or boundary reference information used during a survey; and 
 e. a base of knowledge containing logical reference data used for tracking during a survey. 
 
     
     
         3 . A method of collecting information regarding a scene depicted on a display of a survey instrument comprising:
 defining a point of interest in a scene on the display;   collecting sensory data from the scene wherein a larger quantity of data is collected proximal to the point of interest and a smaller quantity of data is collected distal from the point of interest.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the point of interest is defined by a cursor positioned by the operator. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the point of interest is defined by a cursor positioned by software operating in the survey instrument. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the point of interest is defined at least in part by a duration of time during which an operator views a region of the scene. 
     
     
         7 . A method for conducting a survey to locate a point of interest or to locate an object of interest using a programmed survey instrument having programmed logic, the method comprising:
 a. using at least one sensory transducer to produce at least one sensory signal response;   b. using the programmed logic to processing the at least one sensory signal response to produce sensory characteristic information derived from at least a portion of the at least one sensory signal response;   c. using the programmed logic to perform a mathematical statistical control analysis or a statistical distribution analysis of the sensory characteristic information;   d. using programmed logic to compare the mathematical statistical control analysis or the statistical distribution analysis with an expected result; and   e. prompting the operator if the comparison suggests a false positive or a false negative indication.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the point of interest is a point of interest having an anomalous aspect and the object of interest is a substance or structure. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the base of knowledge comprises data in an electronically accessible format selected from the group consisting of:
 i. data regarding aspects of sensory instrumented apparatus typically used during a survey; 
 ii. data regarding aspects of survey conditions and techniques typically used during a survey; 
 iii. data regarding accessible aspects of cartography information system typically used during a survey; 
 iv. data regarding accessible positioning or tracking or boundary reference information used during a survey; 
 v. reference data used for tracking during a survey; and 
 vi. combinations of two or more thereof. 
 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the at least one sensory signal response in step (a) comprises:
 i. a sensory signal from a sensory transducer that is selectively responsive to a sensory proximity in relation to an anomalous aspect commonly associated with a point like the point or interest; and 
 ii. a sensory signal from a sensory transducer that is selectively responsive to a substance or a structure commonly associated with an object like the object of interest. 
 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising prompting the operator to use an operator input to validate or amend or reject the suggested finding. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising using programmed logic to access associated additional information to assist the operator conducting the survey wherein the associated additional information is selected from the group consisting of:
 i. information associated by proximity to the survey area; 
 ii. information associated by proximity to the survey instrument; 
 iii. information associated by proximity to the point of interest; 
 iv. information associated by proximity to the object of interest; 
 v. information associated by proximity to a marker associated with a cartographic representation of at least a portion of the region of interest; and 
 vi. combinations of two or more thereof.