Sonde-based ground-tracking apparatus and methods

Abstract

A ground tracking system includes a ground follower assembly including a sonde for use with a locator or other device for determining position, motion, and/or orientation information.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A ground following tracking apparatus for use with an electronic device, comprising:
 a ground follower element including a sonde for generating a magnetic dipole field; and   an attachment mechanism for coupling the ground following tracking apparatus to the electronic device.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic device is a magnetic-sensing buried utility locator. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the ground follower element includes a wheel. 
     
     
         4 . A system for locating buried utilities, comprising:
 a utility locator including a plurality of magnetic field antennas and a circuit for processing output signals from the plurality of antennas to determine information about a hidden or buried utility; and   an omni-inducer wheel apparatus coupled to the locator for generating magnetic field signals for induction to the hidden or buried utilities.   
     
     
         5 . A method of tracking ground movement using a buried utility locator, comprising:
 generating, from a rolling element including a sonde a magnetic dipole field;   sensing, in the buried utility locator, the magnetic dipole field; and   determining, based at least in part on the magnetic dipole field, motion, position, or orientation information of the buried utility locator.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the rolling element includes one or more wheels. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the sonde is disposed in one of the one or more wheels. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , further including determining one or more characteristics of a surface over which the buried utility locator is moved based on the motion, position, or orientation information. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the motion, position, or orientation information comprises three-dimensional motion information or three-dimensional position information. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the motion, position, or orientation information comprises information associated with a translation movement of the locator relative to a surface over which the locator is moved.