Dual orientation buried asset locator device

A method on a locator device for generating buried asset data, the locator device comprising at least two sensing units pivotally attached to a central unit housing a processor, each sensing unit comprising an elongated housing accommodating at least one sensor, wherein each sensor is for reading a plurality of analog radio frequency (RF) signals from a buried asset, wherein the sensing units can be pivoted from a first position to a second position and from the second position to the first position, the locator device further comprising a position sensing device for sensing a position of the device, the method comprising:

• determining, by the processor, the position of the locator device;
• reading, by the processor, via the sensors of the sensing units, a plurality of analog RF signals from the buried asset;
• applying, by the processor, a position filtering process to the analog RF signals based on the position;
• converting, by the processor, the analog RF signals into a plurality of digital signals comprising buried asset data corresponding to the buried asset, wherein the buried asset data includes depth data, position data and electrical current data for a buried asset;
• and,
• displaying, by the processor, the buried asset data in a graphical user interface of a display, wherein the buried asset data corresponds to the plurality of analog RF signals that were read.

A locator device for generating buried asset data comprising:

• an elongated housing accommodating at least two sensors, wherein each sensor is for reading a plurality of analog radio frequency (RF) signals from a buried asset, wherein the at least two sensors having a known distance between them, and wherein the housing may be oriented either horizontally or vertically;
• a sensing device for sensing an orientation of the elongated housing;
• and
• a processor communicatively coupled to the sensing device and to each sensor, the processor configured for:
• determining the orientation of the elongated housing;
• reading, via the sensors, a plurality of analog RF signals from the buried asset;
• applying an orientation filtering process to the analog RF signals based on the orientation;
• converting the analog RF signals into a plurality of digital signals comprising buried asset data corresponding to the buried asset, wherein the buried asset data includes depth data, position data and electrical current data for a buried asset;
• and,
• a display unit for displaying the buried asset data in a graphical user interface, wherein the buried asset data corresponds to the plurality of analog RF signals that were read.

A locator device for generating buried asset data, comprising:

• a first elongated housing accommodating at least one sensor, and a second elongated housing accommodating at least one sensor, wherein each sensor is for reading a plurality of analog radio frequency (RF) signals from a buried asset,
• wherein the second elongated housing is designed for at least partial placement within the first elongated housing, and wherein the second elongated housing may extend a predefined length out of the first elongated housing,
• wherein in a first position the second elongated housing is at least partially located within the first elongated housing and in the first position the at least one sensor of the first elongated housing has a first predefined distance to the at least one sensor of the second elongated housing,
• wherein in a second position the second elongated housing extends the predefined length out of the first elongated housing and in the second position the at least one sensor of the first elongated housing has a second predefined distance to the at least one sensor of the second elongated housing;
• a sensing device for sensing at least one signal corresponding to an orientation of the locator device;
• and
• a processor communicatively coupled to the sensing device and to each sensor, the processor configured for:
• determining the orientation of the locator device;
• reading, via the sensors, a plurality of analog RF signals from the buried asset;
• applying an orientation filtering process to the analog RF signals based on the orientation;
• converting the analog RF signals into a plurality of digital signals comprising buried asset data corresponding to the buried asset, wherein the buried asset data includes depth data, position data and electrical current data for a buried asset;
• and,
• a display unit for displaying the buried asset data in a graphical user interface, wherein the buried asset data corresponds to the plurality of analog RF signals that were read.