Global positioning system controlled staking apparatus

A method for staking a site according to a drawing pattern, comprising:

• determining a global positioning system (GPS)-based location;
• receiving drawing pattern data for said drawing pattern;
• using a geographical reference location for converting said drawing pattern data to geographical stake locations;
• detecting a location match when said GPS based location matches one of said geographical stake locations;
• and
• automatically staking a surface when said location match is detected.

A global positioning system (GPS) guided stakeout apparatus, comprising:

• a stakeout tool for staking a surface when commanded by a control signal;
• a data interface for receiving drawing pattern data;
• a GPS receiver for providing GPS based location information for determining a GPS based location;
• a geographical drawing converter for using a geographical reference location for converting said drawing pattern data to geographical mark locations;
• a vehicle for carrying the stakeout tool;
• an autopilot coupled to the GPS receiver for using said GPS based location information for guiding the vehicle toward one of said geographical mark locations;
• and
• a location comparator for generating location match information when said GPS based location matches said geographical mark location, said location match information used for providing said control signal.

A global positioning system (GPS) guided stakeout apparatus, comprising:

• a stakeout tool for staking a surface when commanded by a control signal;
• a data interface for receiving drawing pattern data;
• a GPS receiver for providing GPS based location information for determining a GPS based location;
• a geographical drawing converter for using a geographical reference location for converting said drawing pattern data to geographical mark locations;
• a tilt sensor for providing information for a tilt of the stakeout tool;
• a proximity sensor for providing information for proximity of the stakeout tool to said surface;
• a robot arm including a servo-mechanism for articulating the robot arm according to said GPS based location information, said tilt information, and said proximity information for disposing the stakeout tool proximate to one of said geographical mark locations;
• and
• a location comparator for generating location match information when said GPS based location matches said geographical mark location, said location match information used for providing said control signal.

A global positioning system (GPS) guided stakeout apparatus, comprising:

• a stakeout tool for staking a surface;
• a data interface for receiving drawing pattern data;
• a GPS receiver for providing GPS based location information for determining a GPS based location;
• a geographical drawing converter for using a geographical reference location for converting said drawing pattern data to geographical mark locations;
• a location comparator for generating location match information when said GPS based location matches one of said geographical mark location, said location match information for automatically triggering the stakeout tool for staking said surface when said location match is detected.