Mapping and asset lifecycle tracking system

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates to a system and process for creating new features and populating attribute information for geographic information system (GIS) features.

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] When constructing and/or repairing utility infrastructure, such as natural gas pipelines, operators must collect information during construction to create maps and records of installed assets. The current process involves manual documentation on paper records that are then entered into computer systems. This process is labor intensive and prone to error. In this process, a worker installing a part, for example a pipe, collects data related to the part, for example a pipe's dimensions, along with an installation location. The worker then enters the information into a computer including a part number, location and other information related to the asset. The operator must then map the installation using a geographic information system (GIS) program or other mapping software.

[0005] The process of creating geometric features within typical GIS software requires that the worker has training for using specific tools within the GIS or mapping software. The worker must understand the technology well enough to make decisions regarding the type of feature desired. For example, the worker needs to know that a valve should be represented as a point feature or that a pipe segment should be represented as a line feature. This system is labor intensive and subject to worker error, as such there is a need for a more consistent and efficient system for mapping utility pipelines.

[0006] This invention relates to a method and system for creating GIS features and populating the features with attribute information directly within a GIS environment by reading information directly from a barcode or similar identifier. For ease of explanation, the method of this invention will be described in connection with pipelines. However, it should be understood that this method is not limited to pipelines and may be used with other infrastructure including, but not limited to, electrical, cable, water, sewer, fiber optic systems, road & highways, buildings, and/or equipment.

[0007] It is one object of this invention to remove potential errors and to simplify the process of creating GIS features. The method and system can be utilized by field personnel with training focused on using the system of this invention and not requiring the field personnel to have in-depth training or knowledge of a GIS or a mapping program.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the method of mapping an asset during installation or repair includes applying a code to each installed components. In another embodiment, the code may be pre-applied to the components. In the case of pipelines, the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) has created ASTM Standard F2897-11 code which is printed on a majority of components for a pipeline. The ASTM Standard F2897-11 code is a sixteen digit code which identifies multiple characteristics of the component including manufacturer, lot number, material, diameter, and component type. The sixteen digit code is preferably provided as a bar code which facilitates automated data capture to improve data quality by eliminating transcription errors. Alternatively, the code may be provided as a two-dimensional bar code, a RFID tag, and/or a NFC tag. The method of this invention includes reading the code on the component into a device having a processor and a memory, such as a computer, tablet or a smart phone. The step of reading the code to the device is preferably completed with a scanner that scans the code to capture the data. Alternatively, other means may be used to input the code into the device including manual data entry.

[0009] The method of this invention includes capturing location data and inputting this location data into the device. Preferably the location data is collected using a global positioning system (GPS) device in order to provide accurate information. However, other means of collecting the location data may be used.

[0010] The method of this invention includes a step of decoding the component code into the component's attributes. For example, the ASTM Standard F2897-11 code can be converted from the sixteen digit code into identifiers including a manufacturer, a lot number, a type of material, a diameter, and a component type. In a preferred embodiment, the system of this invention includes decision support tables which allow the program to find, compute or choose additional feature attributes which may not be provided by simply decompiling the code. Additional attributes of the components may be downloaded from a manufacturer's web site based on the identifiers to further assist the installation and mapping. The additional attributes may include other dimensions, warranties, warnings, installation guides and other related information. Once the necessary attributes are identified, the system uses the attributes to determine the type of asset in relation to GIS features. The system then automatically creates the appropriate GIS feature and uses the data encoded in the barcode to populate the GIS feature's attribute information directly in a GIS program. In a preferred embodiment, the GIS program creates a geometric feature such as a point, line or polygon to represent the installed component of the asset. The geometric feature is then associated with the location data and placed in the GIS map.

[0011] The method of this invention vastly improves the usefulness, accuracy and speed of data collection and the creation of geometric features in the GIS or any mapping system.

[0018] The invention is directed to a method and a system for mapping assets during installation and/or repairs. For ease of explanation, the method of this invention will be described in connection with the installation of a pipeline. However, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to pipelines and may be used with any type of asset including, but not limited to, water, sewer, electrical, cable, roads & highways, equipment, and internet service.

[0019] FIG. 1 shows a flow chart 10 of the method of this invention according to a preferred embodiment. The flow chart 10 shows one order of the steps of the method of this invention, however, it should be understood that the method of this invention is not limited to this order and/or may include additional intermediary steps not shown and/or multiple steps may be combined into a single step.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, the method of this invention begins by obtaining a component 30 of the asset to be installed or repaired 12. As shown in FIG. 2, the component 30 is a section of pipe 32. It should be understood that the section of pipe 32 is representative of the component 30 and that the component 30 is not limited to a pipe and may comprise any type of component or components including tubing, fittings, valves, appurtenance, equipment, and any other type of part needed used for constructing the infrastructure asset. In a preferred embodiment, the component 30 includes a code 34 which embodies detailed information about the component 30. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the code 34 comprises a bar code with an alpha-numeric identifier. However, the code 34 is not limited to the bar code and/or the alpha-numeric identifier and may comprise any type of code including, but not limited to, a two-dimensional bar code, a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag, and a near-field communication (NFC) tag.

[0021] The method of this invention further includes the steps of scanning the code 14 and storing the code to a memory 16. According to one preferred embodiment of this invention, the code 34 is American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Standard F2897-11 code for parts for a pipeline. The ASTM Standard F2897-11 code is a sixteen digit code based on characteristics of the component including a component manufacturer, a manufacture lot number, a production date, a component material, a component dimension or size, and other information.

[0022] The step 14 of scanning the code 34 may be accomplished with a reader 36, such as a bar code scanner as shown in FIG. 2. However, the step 14 may be accomplished with any reader 36 capable of scanning the code 34, such as, but not limited to, a RFID reader, an NFC reader, a smart phone, a tablet computer, and a QR reader. Alternatively, the code 14 may be entered to memory through manual entry of the numerical code.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the step 16 of storing the code to memory comprises uploading the code 34 to a device such as a computer, a tablet, or a smart phone or any other device having a memory and/or a processor.

[0024] In the embodiment of this invention shown in FIG. 1, the method 10 further includes a program to convert the code 34 into attributes 46 that further describe characteristics of the part 30, step 18. For example, the ASTM Standard F2897-11 code described above is a sixteen digit code that is used in conjunction with natural gas assets such as, pipes, tubing, fittings, valves, appurtenances, etc. The ASTM Standard F2897-11 code comprises numbers which have been converted into fewer characters by switching from base 10 to base 62. The following table explains the code:

[0025]

Digits	Identifier	Description	Conversion
1-2	Component	A two character code assigned	None
	Manufacturer	to each manufacturer by
		Plastic Pipe Institute
3-6	Manufacturer's	7 digits assigned by the	Convert to 4
	Lot Code	manufacturer to identify the	characters
		product	with base 62
7-9	Production	5 digits representing the day	Convert to 3
	Date	of the year (3 digits) and the	characters
		year (2 digits)	with base 62
10	Component	1 letter representing the	None
	Material	material
11-12	Component	2 character code representing	None
	Type	the type of part, set by ASTM
13-15	Component	5 digits code that is set using	Convert to 3
	Size	an equation and tables	characters
		established by ASTM	using base 62
16	Unused	0	None

As shown in FIG. 3, the method of this invention uses the program to decode the code 34 back to the attributes, listed in columns 2 and 3 above. After the program converts the code, the program preferably populates a database 50 with attribute information 46. In a preferred embodiment, the program uses the attribute information 46 to locate additional characteristics 48 of the part 34 and stores the additional characteristics 48 to the database 50. In one embodiment, the program uses tables, preferably stored locally on the device, to gather additional characteristics of the component. In another embodiment, the program may access a manufacturer's web site to gather information such as warranty details, maintenance/replacement schedules, installation details, part dimensions, and any other information which may be useful.

[0026] Preferably, after the component 30 is installed or repaired and will no longer be moved, the method of this invention further includes a step 20 of collecting location data and storing the location data to memory. Collecting location data is preferably accomplished with a Global Positioning System (GPS) device 38. For example, FIG. 4 shows a worker with a GPS receiver 38. In this embodiment, the GPS receiver is connected to a tablet 52 which can run the program of this invention and/or allows a user to upload the data. Alternatively, the device 38 may be any type of GPS or Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver including, but not limited to, those included in a smart phone and a tablet computer. In an alternative embodiment, the step 18 of collecting location data may be accomplished through use of manual positioning on a map.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment of this invention, the method 10 next includes a step 22 of associating the location data with the code 34 representing the component 30. In a preferred embodiment, this step comprises saving the location data to the database 50 which includes at least one of the attributes 46 and the characteristics 48.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment of this invention, the method 10 next includes a step 24 of creating a geometric feature 40 within the geographic information system (GIS) to represent the component 30 and placing the geometric feature 40 on a map 42 to represent the installed component. The geometric feature 40 may comprise one of a point, line, circle, polygon, arrow or any other symbol to represent the installed component. For example, in FIG. 3, the GIS shows a map 42 with a line 44 representing the installed pipeline. In FIG. 5, another map is shown with lines and arrows representing various installed components. In a preferred embodiment, each of the geometric features 40 may be selectable to access additional information of the installed components including, but not limited to, a descriptor, a date of installation, a material type, and manufacturer.

[0029] Thus the invention provides a method and system for mapping and asset lifecycle tracking of assets. More specifically, the invention provides a method of creating GIS features and populating GIS features with attribute information based on information contained in a barcode or similar identifier.

[0030] While in the foregoing specification this invention has been described in relation to certain preferred embodiments thereof, and many details have been set forth for purpose of illustration, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is susceptible to additional embodiments and that certain of the details described herein can be varied considerably without departing from the basic principles of the invention.