Buried utility locator systems, including a locator including an integrated marker device excitation transmitter for generating and sending a marker device excitation signal to one or more marker devices, are disclosed. In operation, the marker device excitation signal is sent from the locator at least partially simultaneously to receiving and processing a buried utility signal.

Buried utility locator systems, including a locator including an integrated marker device excitation transmitter for generating and sending a marker device excitation signal to one or more marker devices, are disclosed. In operation, the marker device excitation signal is sent from the locator at least partially simultaneously to receiving and processing a buried utility signal.

The invention relates to an RFID-type transponder for a contactless identification and wireless communication system, intended to affixed to a buried polymer pipe, comprising: an RFID chip; an electronic switching circuit coupled to the RFID chip; a first antenna coupled to the switching circuit, said first antenna having a surface covering a first portion of the external surface of the polymer pipe; and a second antenna coupled to the switching circuit, said second antenna having a surface covering a second portion of the external surface of the polymer pipe, said second portion being different from the first portion. According to the invention, the switching circuit is configured to: couple the first antenna to the RFID chip when the voltage captured at die edge of the first antenna, and corresponding to the magnetic field, by an RFID emitter is greater than the voltage captured at the edge of the second antenna; and couple the second antenna to the RFID chip when the voltage captured at the edge of the second antenna by an RFID emitter is greater than the voltage captured at the edge of the first antenna.

The invention relates to an RFID-type transponder for a contactless identification and wireless communication system, intended to affixed to a buried polymer pipe, comprising: an RFID chip; an electronic switching circuit coupled to the RFID chip; a first antenna coupled to the switching circuit, said first antenna having a surface covering a first portion of the external surface of the polymer pipe; and a second antenna coupled to the switching circuit, said second antenna having a surface covering a second portion of the external surface of the polymer pipe, said second portion being different from the first portion. According to the invention, the switching circuit is configured to: couple the first antenna to the RFID chip when the voltage captured at die edge of the first antenna, and corresponding to the magnetic field, by an RFID emitter is greater than the voltage captured at the edge of the second antenna; and couple the second antenna to the RFID chip when the voltage captured at the edge of the second antenna by an RFID emitter is greater than the voltage captured at the edge of the first antenna.

A marker for burying adjacent an underground structure such that a location of the underground structure can be identified from above a ground surface. The marker comprises a housing, a gimbal beacon retention device pivotally disposed within the housing, and a beacon device carried by the gimbal beacon retention device. The gimbal beacon retention device is structured and operable to orient the beacon device in a desired orientation relative to a ground surface regardless of the orientation of the housing relative to the ground surface.

A marker for burying adjacent an underground structure such that a location of the underground structure can be identified from above a ground surface. The marker comprises a housing, a gimbal beacon retention device pivotally disposed within the housing, and a beacon device carried by the gimbal beacon retention device. The gimbal beacon retention device is structured and operable to orient the beacon device in a desired orientation relative to a ground surface regardless of the orientation of the housing relative to the ground surface.

An augmented reality (AR) object positioning system receives a target coordinate for a location of interest within a physical environment. The AR object positioning system then determines an AR device coordinate of an AR device within the physical environment and orientation information of the AR device at the AR device coordinate. The AR object positioning system calculates a plurality of image frame coordinates of an image frame based on the AR device coordinate and the orientation information when the image frame was captured. The AR object positioning system, in response to an image frame coordinate of the plurality of image frame coordinates corresponding with the target coordinate, renders on a display of the AR device, first annotation content relative to the image frame coordinate according to rendering instructions for the first annotation content.

A method of mapping subsurface fracture geometry below a surface of the ground includes two independently powered systems, namely a plurality of sensors distributed through a hole in the subsurface and a downhole tool to facilitate reception and transmission of signal data from the plurality of sensors. The sensors are distributed into fissures within formations that have been hydraulically fractured. The sensors send signal data to the downhole tool for transmission to a unit on the surface. The signal data permits for the mapping of the fissures within the fractured formations.

A method and apparatus for a connection interface between a reservoir or syringe, infusion set tubing, and an infusion pump is provided. The reservoir, a base and a cap are connected to form an integrated unit that is capable of being inserted and secured in an infusion pump housing. The cap and the infusion pump are each provided with at least one sensor or at least one detectable feature, arranged to interact with at least one corresponding detectable feature or sensor on the other of the cap and infusion pump device, to detect one or more of the presence, position or other characteristic of the cap when the cap is aligned or coupled with the infusion pump housing. The detectable feature and sensor may be magnetic, RF, mechanical, optical or any combination.

A method and apparatus for a connection interface between a reservoir or syringe, infusion set tubing, and an infusion pump is provided. The reservoir, a base and a cap are connected to form an integrated unit that is capable of being inserted and secured in an infusion pump housing. The cap and the infusion pump are each provided with at least one sensor or at least one detectable feature, arranged to interact with at least one corresponding detectable feature or sensor on the other of the cap and infusion pump device, to detect one or more of the presence, position or other characteristic of the cap when the cap is aligned or coupled with the infusion pump housing. The detectable feature and sensor may be magnetic, RF, mechanical, optical or any combination.