TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention is related in general to geographical information systems and
in particular relates to generating representations of terrain of specified area and operating upon
said generated representations.
BACKGROUND
[0002] For transportation of fluids and gaseous substance (e.g. petroleum products) from the
source to a distant destination in the country, pipelines are laid under-ground. Once the pipeline is
laid, no construction activity (barring agricultural activity) is allowed in the vicinity of pipeline.
Accordingly, a portion of the land lying in the vicinity requires a right of user (RoU) to be acquired
for performing any operation thereupon and lies in a range of about 15 to 25 meters on either side of
the pipeline above the ground. Such tract of land as associated with the RoU is monitored
frequently for encroachments, expanding settlements, washouts, digging activities etc.
[0003] At present, the monitoring of a region’s surface associated with the RoU is
performed conventionally through aerial surveillance, line walks, etc. The aerial surveillance may
be done monthly through single or double engine helicopters with or without monitoring cameras
fixed to it, and the line-walk may be done once or twice a year after the monsoons,. Such provision
of helicopters requires substantial investment owing to exorbitant aviation fuel. Moreover, through
helicopters, it is difficult to navigate along the RoU region, as a human-eye based navigation from
the helicopter involves subjectivity and expertise. In large homogeneous areas, distinguishing
among an agricultural field, water bodies, forest areas is also difficult. Moreover, the markers
mounted along the RoU portion (mounted during the laying phase of pipeline to identify
underground pipeline) get stolen and renders a manual observation difficult. Since no image based
recording is feasible through flying helicopters, an only resort is do it manually. In addition, such
image based recording also involves management of heavy records.
[0004] As far as line walks are concerned, the same are done once or twice in a year
especially after the rainy season is over. During line walks, a team of executives have to walk on
foot along the ROU portion for monitoring exceptional situations such as landslides, wash-out of
the land above the pipeline, pipeline exposure etc. Such line walks are not only time consuming but
also have several problems such as difficulty in covering long distances, walking through nonaccessible
areas (ie., agricultural fields, forests, rivers, terrains etc) and during unpleasant whether
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situations, risk to life due to animals, rodents, local threats etc. Further, line walk mechanisms very
often fall short of manpower
[0005] While satellites are useful to provide aerial-images and for doing away with manual
imaging or surveillance, these are frequently rendered non-usable due to the non-availability of
high-resolution satellites at the required frequency for monitoring and for covering an optimum
area. More specifically, the existing satellite monitoring methods are unable to provide sufficient
coverage during cloudy season and are accordingly discreetly usable only based on a prior-cloud
information.
[0006] Accordingly, there lies a need to a mechanism which generates a representation of
the terrain of the ROU region around a laid pipeline with substantial-resolution imaging,
irrespective of the weather conditions
[0007] There lies another need of system that may enable an operation over the image
representation of the ROU region so as to enable rendering of information at one or more
automatically determined locations within the representation.
SUMMARY
[0008] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified format
that are further described in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is not intended
to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended for
determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[0009] In an embodiment, the present subject matter describes a method of generating an
aerial representation of terrain around a pipeline laid for transportation of substances. The method
comprises acquiring remote sensing data of a pre-defined resolution with respect to a region’s
surface based on prevailing weather conditions, wherein said region defines a zone around a
pipeline; processing said data for representing said region’ surface at least in terms of geographical
position coordinates (GPS); and creating a model of said region’s surface based on said processing
and rendering said pipeline within the model as a geographical information system (GIS) layer
passing across said region’s surface.
[00010] In another embodiment, the present subject matter describes digitally displaying at a
pipeline running across a region and/or the region’ surface, wherein said region defines a predefined
neighborhood of said pipeline; comparing said display with a pre-stored data related to said
pipeline and said region’s surface to identify modifications in at least one site with respect to at
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least one of: said displayed pipeline and surface; receiving a field-information about said at least
one site from at least designated entity associated to said at least one site; and rendering said
received information with respect to said at least one site as a part of said digitally displayed
pipeline and/or said digitally displayed surface.
[00011] To further clarify advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular
description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is
illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical
embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The
invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the
accompanying drawings
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[00012] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will
become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the
accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings,
wherein:
[00013] Figure 1 illustrates a method in accordance with a first embodiment of the present
subject matter
[00014] Figure 2 illustrates a system in accordance with a first embodiment of the present
subject matter
[00015] Figure 3 illustrates an exemplary implementation of a part of method steps as
depicted in Fig. 1.
[00016] Figure 4 illustrates an exemplary implementation of a part of method steps as
depicted in Fig. 1.
[00017] Figure 5 illustrates an exemplary implementation of a part of a method steps as
depicted in Fig. 1.
[00018] Figure 6 illustrates a method in accordance with a second embodiment of the present
subject matter
[00019] Figure 7 illustrates a system in accordance with a second embodiment of the present
subject matter
[00020] Figure 8 illustrates an exemplary implementation of the method steps as depicted in
Fig. 1 and Fig. 6
[00021] Figure 9 illustrate a detailed internal construction of the system as depicted in Fig. 2
and Fig.7 in terms of a computing architecture.
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[00022] Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated
for simplicity and may not have been necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the flow charts
illustrate the method in terms of the most prominent steps involved to help to improve
understanding of aspects of the present invention. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the
device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the drawings by
conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to
understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the drawings with
details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the
description herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[00023] For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention,
reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language
will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope
of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated
system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being
contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.
[00024] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description
and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory of the invention and are not
intended to be restrictive thereof.
[00025] Reference throughout this specification to “an aspect”, “another aspect” or similar
language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the
embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of
the phrase “in an embodiment”, “in another embodiment” and similar language throughout this
specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.
[00026] The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to
cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that one or more devices or sub-systems or elements or
structures or components proceeded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints,
preclude the existence of other devices or other sub-systems or other elements or other structures or
other components or additional devices or additional sub-systems or additional elements or
additional structures or additional components.
[00027] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the
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same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention
belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended
to be limiting.
[00028] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
[00029] Figure 1 illustrates a method in accordance with a first embodiment of the present
subject matter, wherein the method is about generating an aerial representation of terrain around a
pipeline laid for transportation of substances.
[00030] The method comprises acquiring (step 102) remote sensing data of a pre-defined
resolution with respect to a region’s surface based on prevailing weather conditions, wherein said
region defines a zone around a pipeline. Such remote sensing data may be a high-resolution data
captured through at least one of: satellites, manned aerial vehicles and unmanned aerial vehicles
(UAV) based on sensitiveness of the region. In addition, the high-resolution data may be either a
microwave data collected under overcast weather conditions through satellites or optical data
collected under non-overcast weather conditions either through said satellites or said manned or
unmanned aerial vehicles UAV. While the UAV may be a drone aircraft, the manned aerial vehicles
may denote a manually driven aircraft or helicopter.
[00031] Further, the zone around the pipeline, in respect of which the remote sensing data is
acquired, may be a right of use (ROU) based zone associated with said pipeline. In an example, said
ROU may be defined by at least one of: a first type of zone neighbouring said pipeline and defined
by about 15 to 25 meters on either side of said pipeline above the ground, and a second zone
neighbouring said pipeline and defined by a range of about 50 to 500 meters on either side of said
pipeline above the ground. The acquisition comprises acquiring said data at least once in month,
based on the sensitiveness associated with said region.
[00032] Further, the method comprises processing (step 104) said data for representing said
region’ surface at least in terms of geographical position coordinates (GPS). The processing
comprises applying at least a digital photogrammetric technique to the acquired data and thereafter
subjecting the acquired data to an ortho-rectification process. The application of digital
photogrammetric technique comprises using a digital elevation model (DEM) of said region’s
surface. Thereafter, the image-enhancement techniques are applied to said ortho-rectified images
based on ascertaining said acquired data as at least one of an optical data or a microwave data. In
other words, the image based on microware data may require a different image enhancement
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technique than the image based on the optical data.
[00033] Further, a representation or model of the region’s surface is created (step 106) based
on said processing. The model may a 2-dimensional map and represents a representation of said
region as viewed from a flying object in the sky or the space outside earth. Within such model, the
pipeline is rendered as passing across said region’s surface within the model as a geographical
information system (GIS) layer. Such rendering is performed at least based on GPS coordinates of
said pipeline.
[00034] Fig. 2 represents exemplary hardware architecture in respect of the first embodiment
as defined by a system 200. The system comprises an acquisition module 202, a processing module
204 and a generation module 206 for discharging the method steps 102, 104 and 106, respectively.
Each of the module may be implemented within the chipset of a computing machine through ASIC
or FPGA techniques.
[00035] Figure 3 represents an exemplary implementation of a part of the method steps as per
the first embodiment. More specifically, the present Fig. 3 refers to an exemplary implementation
relates to step 102 of the present invention.
[00036] In an implementation of the present invention, High resolution Satellite images have
been effectively used for monitoring of the RoU region to detect any encroachment or wash-out due
to natural disasters or human-being performed activities so as to establish compliance with the
standards and a surveillance policy associated with pipeline.
[00037] In an example, as depicted by steps 302, a weather pattern of a particular
geographical region (i.e. the region around the pipeline or the RoU region) may be gathered so as to
broadly ascertain overcast and non-overcast weather conditions based time periods in a given
calendar year. Based on such gathered data, an optimized plan of satellite data collection may be
formulated as per the further step 304. As per this plan, microware based satellite data may be
scheduled to be collected during the overcast conditions, e.g. monsoon season, as reflected by steps
306-1 and 306-3. On the other hand, optical data capturing by satellites may be scheduled as per
steps 306-2 and 306-4 during the non-overcast or non-cloudy conditions in the year. In addition, in
cases when the satellite-orbital pass on ground is away from pipeline, imaging sensor can be tilted
up to +/- 26 degrees (angle) with the high resolution satellites having a high agility capability, to
improve the coverage and frequency.
[00038] Step 308 depicts another level of optimization of terms of satellite data collection.
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Irrespective of the type of satellite data collection (microware or optical data), a frequency of
satellite data collection may be decided. In an example, satellite data gathering for the entire
pipeline network may be scheduled for at least once in a month. In high risk areas, the frequency of
gathering high resolution image data can be further increased, e,g, performing twice or thrice
monthly. Such frequency may be increased by further gathering of data not just by multiple high
resolution remote sensing satellites but also from UAVs as a part of the further optimization level.
The high risk areas along the ROU of pipeline network may be designated based on the geospatial
analysis of land use, settlements, drainage, road/rail patterns.
[00039] Figure 4 represents an exemplary implementation of steps 104 and 106 as depicted in
Fig. 1. More specifically, Fig. 4 depicts processing and ortho-rectification of the gathered data from
high resolution satellites and other sources as previously depicted in Fig. 3.
[00040] Generally, Very High Resolution satellite image data swath width on ground is about
10 km to 11 km. However, most of the Very High Resolution satellite image data providers sell the
data based on a per sq.km cost and minimum width and length dimensions of each image data
procurement order. Accordingly, the present step 402 denotes optimizing high resolution satellite
data procurement cost by procuring satellite data as per the required pipeline ROU and customized
ROUs as required for monitoring and surveillances.
[00041] Further, step 402 denotes that as a part of aforesaid procurement, standard ortho-kit
product is also procured from satellite image data provider. The standard ortho-kit product contains
image data along-with satellite generic sensor model in the form of Rational Polynomial
Coefficients (RPCs).
[00042] In step 404, the high resolution images as procured are processed for orthorectification
in WGS84 datum & appropriate projection by digital photogrammetric techniques
using corresponding RPCs, accurate GPS control points and digital elevation model DEM. Orthorectification
ensures the accurate conversion of image coordinates to corresponding ground
coordinates of pipeline.
[00043] In step 406, the ortho-rectified images undergo image enhancements using image
processing techniques for better interpretability. In case of optical data as gathered during the cloudfree
days, high resolution color multi-spectral image data and very high resolution black & white
panchromatic are merged using different image fusing techniques to generate a Very High
Resolution Natural Color Composite (NCC) image. However during overcast conditions, very high
resolution microwave data can be used as optimized product. Accordingly, for microwave image
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data, speckle noise removal/ suppression techniques may be applied as image enhancement
techniques.
[00044] In step 408, the ortho-rectified and processed image data is added with the
representation of pipeline as a GIS layer. The present step denotes exemplification of step 106. The
combination as resulted may be then uploaded to a web based application and published for further
visualisation and analysis.
[00045] Fig. 5 represents the pipeline representation in the form a GIS layer that may be
added to remotely sensed data as have been illustrated in step 408. The representation having
accurate pipeline location and alignment has a topographic mapping on a 1:500 scale GIS database
carried out by a DGPS survey and a total station survey. Further GPS coordinates generated PIG
operations, as known on content of a laid pipeline, can also be added to the GIS database for
generation of accurate pipeline location and alignment with 10-cm positional accuracy. GIS buffers
have been generated as per the pipeline ROU and also customized buffers at 100m and 500m on
either side of the pipeline alignment. The area within the pipeline ROU buffer may be monitored for
any specified encroachments and areas under customized 100 meters and 500 meters buffers are
monitored closely as precursor encroachments to avoid any expected encroachments in ROU.
[00046] Fig. 6 describes a method in accordance with a second embodiment of the present
subject matter, wherein the method is about rendering information about a pipeline laid for
transportation of substances.
[00047] The method comprises digitally displaying (step 602) a pipeline running across a
region and/or the region’ surface, wherein said region defines a pre-defined neighbourhood of said
pipeline. The region defining said pre-defined neighbourhood denotes an ROU in respect of said
pipeline wherein, said ROU may be a first type of zone neighbouring said pipeline and defined by
about 15 to 25 meters on either side of said pipeline above the ground; and a second type of zone
neighboring said pipeline and defined by a range of about 50 to 500 meters at either side of said
pipeline above the ground. The digital display further comprises displaying simulation of land use,
drainage, a railway-track, a water body, and physical infrastructure along said pipeline’s corridor.
[00048] Further, the method comprises comparing (step 604) said display with a pre-stored
data related to said pipeline and said region’s surface to identify modifications in at least one site
with respect to at least one of: said displayed pipeline and surface. The pre-stored data relates to an
earlier captured display of said pipeline and said region’s surface. The modifications at said at least
one site relate to changes in terrain associated with said at least one site within the ROU. The
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modifications are reported as a type of change with respect to said at least one site in a GIS file
format to one or more field personnel manning the pipeline at a geographical location
corresponding to said at least one site.
[00049] The method further comprises receiving (step 606) a field-information about said at
least one site from at least one designated entity associated to said at least one site; and wherein said
field information as received comprises geo-tagged photographic and field-observations captured
by said personnel through a mobile or aerial device. The field information is received from said
field personnel in real-time or in an offline state from said field personnel to modify an information
as associated with said digitally displayed pipeline and said region’s surface
[00050] The method further comprises rendering (step 608) said received information with
respect to said at least one site as a part of said digitally displayed pipeline and/or said digitally
displayed surface. The rendering of information comprises displaying said information at an
appropriate geo-location or chainage over said displayed region’s surface.
[00051] In an implementation, the method as described in the current embodiment further
comprises automatically changing a current display of said pipeline and said regions’ surface based
on traversing the length of the displayed pipeline. The method may also comprise annotating the
displayed pipeline and the displayed region’s surface based on an information received from said
user.
[00052] Fig. 7 depicts exemplary hardware architecture in respect of the second embodiment
as defined by a system 700. The system comprises a first processor 702, a comparator 704, a
receiver 706 and a second processor 706. Each of the modules may be implemented within the
chipset of a computing machine through ASIC or FPGA techniques.
[00053] Figure 8 illustrates an exemplary implementation of the method steps as depicted in
Fig. 1 and Fig. 6. More specifically, at least the result of the first embodiment, i.e. satellite data
model provided with an added GIS layer of the pipeline representation may be hosted as a geoportal
at a remotely located server and is accessible through internet as a Web enabled application.
Such application depicts pipeline network GIS layers, time series very high resolution satellite data
and necessary geospatial visualization/analysis tools and exception report generation.
[00054] In an example, the visualization tools within the geo-portal may enable a user to
perform one or more:
a) select a particular pipeline segment out of the displayed GIS layers of pipeline network,
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b) view image catalog of current and past very high resolution satellite images,
c) select a specifically dated image specified date(s) image(s),
d) render a display of flythrough generated during reconnaissance done by UAVs along the
pipeline corridor in respect of selected image superimposed with the pipeline GIS layer between
any two selected chainage points along the pipeline,
e) a comparison based analysis of image data selected with respect to any two images
selected by swiping images one over the other
f) identifying available image data sets at any point on the pipeline
g) visualisation of ROU buffer or customised buffers as opted by the user
h) visualisation of land use, drainage and physical infrastructure along the pipeline corridor
i) visualisation near future satellite data acquisitions over the pipeline corridor
j) automatically generated change indication based two specifically dated images over the
pipeline
k) marking or annotating the exceptions in the GIS along with attributes such as type of
exception, date of image, date of marking exception,
l) a personalized report generation in GIS format
m) visualization of geo-tagged photographs and attributes uploaded through GPS mechanism
in a mobile device of the field inspectors (i.e.. field personnel) in real time through a mobile device
application that enables mobile App of exceptions.
[00055] In operation, the geoportals store all the pipeline network data, satellite image data,
reports and other related on the highly secured central servers with necessary disaster recovery
mechanism. Administrative, operational and maintenance access towards such geoportal is provided
in the form of a secured user name and password to authorized executives and field personnel
aligned with Administrative /Regional/ Operation/Maintenance offices. In fact, the information may
be regularly updated and published at the geoportal and automatically communicated to the pipeline
administration/ operational maintenance team/regional offices and field personnel in the form of
emails, SMS, for analysis so as to identify any exceptions / changes with reference to the earlier
image data sets.
[00056] Specifically, any exceptions / changes identified within ROU are considered and an
exception report is generated. Such report comprises the type of exception / change as per the image
comparison, GIS layer shape with ground coordinates/ chain age of the pipeline, and date of
observation. The report is thereafter electronically communicated, for example, directly to an
identified field level pipeline management personnel to verify the exception by physical and manual
inspection. Finally, the field personnel send the geo-tagged photographic and field observations
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using internet enabled mobile app in near real time as a feedback to the geoportal host. Such geotagged
information is thereafter integrated with the published information at the geo-portal based
web-application in near real time and immediately depicted at appropriate geo-location/chainage
over the pipeline ROU for further investigation and necessary actions.
[00057] Fig. 9, a typical hardware configuration of the system 200, 700 in the form of a
computer system 900 is shown. The computer system 900 can include a set of instructions that can
be executed to cause the computer system 900 to perform any one or more of the methods
disclosed. The computer system 900 may operate as a standalone device or may be connected, e.g.,
using a network, to other computer systems or peripheral devices.
[00058] In a networked deployment, the computer system 900 may operate in the capacity of
a server or as a client user computer in a server-client user network environment, or as a peer
computer system in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment. The computer system 900
can also be implemented as or incorporated across various devices, such as a personal computer
(PC), a tablet PC, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile device, a palmtop computer, a laptop
computer, a desktop computer, a communications device, a wireless telephone, a land-line
telephone, a web appliance, a network router, switch or bridge, or any other machine capable of
executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that
machine. Further, while a single computer system 900 is illustrated, the term "system" shall also be
taken to include any collection of systems or sub-systems that individually or jointly execute a set,
or multiple sets, of instructions to perform one or more computer functions.
[00059] The computer system 900 may include a processor 902 e.g., a central processing unit
(CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or both. The processor 902 may be a component in a
variety of systems. For example, the processor 902 may be part of a standard personal computer or
a workstation. The processor 902 may be one or more general processors, digital signal processors,
application specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays, servers, networks, digital
circuits, analog circuits, combinations thereof, or other now known or later developed devices for
analysing and processing data The processor 902 may implement a software program, such as code
generated manually (i.e., programmed).
[00060] The computer system 900 may include a memory 904, such as a memory 904 that
can communicate via a bus 908. The memory 904 may be a main memory, a static memory, or a
dynamic memory. The memory 904 may include, but is not limited to computer readable storage
media such as various types of volatile and non-volatile storage media, including but not limited to
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random access memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically
programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable read-only memory, flash memory, magnetic
tape or disk, optical media and the like. In one example, the memory 904 includes a cache or
random access memory for the processor 902. In alternative examples, the memory 904 is separate
from the processor 902, such as a cache memory of a processor, the system memory, or other
memory. The memory 904 may be an external storage device or database for storing data. Examples
include a hard drive, compact disc ("CD"), digital video disc ("DVD"), memory card, memory
stick, floppy disc, universal serial bus ("USB") memory device, or any other device operative to
store data. The memory 904 is operable to store instructions executable by the processor 902. The
functions, acts or tasks illustrated in the figures or described may be performed by the programmed
processor 902 executing the instructions stored in the memory 904. The functions, acts or tasks are
independent of the particular type of instructions set, storage media, processor or processing
strategy and may be performed by software, hardware, integrated circuits, firm-ware, micro-code
and the like, operating alone or in combination. Likewise, processing strategies may include
multiprocessing, multitasking, parallel processing and the like.
[00061] As shown, the computer system 900 may or may not further include a display unit
910, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a flat panel
display, a solid state display, a cathode ray tube (CRT), a projector, a printer or other now known or
later developed display device for outputting determined information. The display 910 may act as
an interface for the user to see the functioning of the processor 902, or specifically as an interface
with the software stored in the memory 904 or in the drive unit 916.
[00062] Additionally, the computer system 900 may include an input device 912 configured
to allow a user to interact with any of the components of system 900. The input device 912 may be
a number pad, a keyboard, or a cursor control device, such as a mouse, or a joystick, touch screen
display, remote control or any other device operative to interact with the computer system 900.
[00063] The computer system 900 may also include a disk or optical drive unit 916. The disk
drive unit 916 may include a computer-readable medium 922 in which one or more sets of
instructions 924, e.g. software, can be embedded. Further, the instructions 924 may embody one or
more of the methods or logic as described. In a particular example, the instructions 924 may reside
completely, or at least partially, within the memory 904 or within the processor 902 during
execution by the computer system 900. The memory 904 and the processor 902 also may include
computer-readable media as discussed above.
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[00064] The present invention contemplates a computer-readable medium that includes
instructions 924 or receives and executes instructions 924 responsive to a propagated signal so that
a device connected to a network 926 can communicate voice, video, audio, images or any other data
over the network 926. Further, the instructions 924 may be transmitted or received over the network
926 via a communication port or interface 920 or using a bus 908. The communication port or
interface 920 may be a part of the processor 902 or may be a separate component. The
communication port 920 may be created in software or may be a physical connection in hardware.
The communication port 920 may be configured to connect with a network 926, external media, the
display 910, or any other components in system 900, or combinations thereof. The connection with
the network 926 may be a physical connection, such as a wired Ethernet connection or may be
established wirelessly as discussed later. Likewise, the additional connections with other
components of the system 900 may be physical connections or may be established wirelessly. The
network 926 may alternatively be directly connected to the bus 908.
[00065] The network 926 may include wired networks, wireless networks, Ethernet AVB
networks, or combinations thereof. The wireless network may be a cellular telephone network, an
802.11, 802.16, 802.20, 802.1Q or WiMax network. Further, the network 926 may be a public
network, such as the Internet, a private network, such as an intranet, or combinations thereof, and
may utilize a variety of networking protocols now available or later developed including, but not
limited to TCP/IP based networking protocols.
[00066] In an alternative example, dedicated hardware implementations, such as application
specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays and other hardware devices, can be
constructed to implement various parts of the system 900.
[00067] Applications that may include the systems can broadly include a variety of electronic
and computer systems. One or more examples described may implement functions using two or
more specific interconnected hardware modules or devices with related control and data signals that
can be communicated between and through the modules, or as portions of an application-specific
integrated circuit. Accordingly, the present system encompasses software, firmware, and hardware
implementations.
[00068] The system described may be implemented by software programs executable by a
computer system. Further, in a non-limited example, implementations can include distributed
processing, component/object distributed processing, and parallel processing. Alternatively, virtual
computer system processing can be constructed to implement various parts of the system.
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[00069] The system is not limited to operation with any particular standards and protocols.
For example, standards for Internet and other packet switched network transmission (e.g., TCP/IP,
UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP) may be used. Such standards are periodically superseded by faster or more
efficient equivalents having essentially the same functions. Accordingly, replacement standards and
protocols having the same or similar functions as those disclosed are considered equivalents
thereof.
[00070] At least by virtue of aforesaid, the present invention proves advantageous at least by
doing away with the requirement of helicopters and link-walks for monitoring and surveying the
pipeline, thereby requiring a minimum extent of human-involvement and altogether eliminating
physical and life threatening difficulties to human during helicopter monitoring and line walks. In
addition, virtual-marking of ROU is possible irrespective of the pipeline markers presence, thereby
facilitating identification of ROU in large homogeneous areas such dense forests, agri fields, water
bodies, forest areas etc. Addition marking of risk zone and possibility of varying the extent of RoU
buffer is possible for further analysis.
[00071] The present invention further facilitates wide coverage of pipeline and corresponding
RoU, an ease of change-analysis and exception marking for a particular portion of the pipeline or
RoU, identification of pipeline route including bends, and near real time alert generations in case of
exception generation through depicting images. Further, virtual marking of various turning points
like river & canal crossings, rail crossings, roads crossings, settlements and also marking of risk
zones, different RoU buffers etc., along the RoU is possible for predicting possibility of current and
future risks/threats. Further, the present invention makes data available for frequent reference and
operation by substantial number of people, thereby reducing the possibility of human error.
[00072] Further, the present subject matter facilitates automatic or manual panning of
images, a bird-eye viewing, comparison of images – either automatic and manual, identification of
bends, and overall a user-friendly and intuitive web-enabled tool for accessing information related
to a terrain neighboring the pipeline.
[00073] While specific language has been used to describe the disclosure, any limitations
arising on account of the same are not intended. As would be apparent to a person in the art, various
working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as
taught herein.
[00074] The drawings and the forgoing description give examples of embodiments. Those
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skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined
into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple
functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. For
example, orders of processes described herein may be changed and are not limited to the manner
described herein.
[00075] Moreover, the actions of any flow diagram need not be implemented in the order
shown; nor do all of the acts necessarily need to be performed. Also, those acts that are not
dependent on other acts may be performed in parallel with the other acts. The scope of
embodiments is by no means limited by these specific examples. Numerous variations, whether
explicitly given in the specification or not, such as differences in structure, dimension, and use of
material, are possible. The scope of embodiments is at least as broad as given by the following
claims.
[00076] Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described above
with regard to specific embodiments. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and
any component(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more
pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature or component of any
or all the claims.
16

We claim:
1. A method of generating an aerial representation of terrain around a pipeline laid for
transportation of substances, the method comprising:
acquiring (step 102) remote sensing data of a pre-defined resolution with respect to a
region’s surface based on prevailing weather conditions, wherein said region defines a zone around
a pipeline;
processing (step 104) said data for representing said region’ surface at least in terms of
geographical position coordinates (GPS); and
creating (step 106) a model of said region’s surface based on said processing and rendering
said pipeline within the model as a geographical information system (GIS) layer passing across said
region’s surface.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said acquisition comprises capturing a high resolution
data through at least one of: satellites, manned aerial vehicles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV)
based on sensitiveness of the region
3. The method as claimed in claim 1 and 2, wherein said high resolution data represents microwave
data collected under overcast weather conditions through satellites and optical data collected under
non-overcast weather conditions through said satellites or said manned or unmanned aerial vehicles.
4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said zone denotes a right of use (ROU) based zone
associated with said pipeline, said ROU being defined by at least one of:
a first type of zone neighbouring said pipeline and defined by about 15 to 25 meters on
either side of said pipeline above the ground ; and
a second zone neighbouring said pipeline and defined by about 50 to 250 meters on either
side of said pipeline above the ground.
5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said acquisition comprises acquiring said data at least
once in month, based on the sensitiveness associated with said region.
6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said processing comprises applying at least a digital
photogrammetric technique to the acquired data and thereafter executing an ortho-rectification
process.
7. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein said application of digital photogrammetric technique
comprises using a digital elevation model (DEM) of said region’s surface.
8. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising applying image-enhancement techniques to
said model based on ascertaining said acquired data as at least one of an optical data or a
microwave data.
9. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pipeline is rendered within the model based on
GPS coordinates of said pipeline.
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10. A method of rendering information about a pipeline laid for transportation of substances, said
method comprising:
digitally displaying (step 602) at least one of:
a pipeline running across a region; and
the region’ surface,
said region defining a pre-defined neighbourhood of said pipeline;
comparing (step 604) said display with a pre-stored data related to said pipeline and said
region’s surface to identify modifications in at least one site with respect to at least one of: said
displayed pipeline and surface;
receiving (step 606) a field -information about said at least one site from at least designated
entity associated to said at least one site; and
rendering (step 608) said received information with respect to said at least one site as a part
of said digitally displayed pipeline and/or said digitally displayed surface.
11. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein said region defining said pre-defined
neighbourhood denotes an ROU in respect of said pipeline, said ROU being defined by at least one
of:
a first type of zone neighbouring said pipeline and defined by about 15 to 25 meters on
either side of said pipeline above the ground; and
a second type of zone neighbouring said pipeline and defined by about 500 meters or more
at either side of said pipeline above the ground.
12. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein said digital display further comprises displaying
land use, drainage, a railway-track, a water body, and physical infrastructure along said pipeline’s
corridor.
13. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein said pre-stored data relates to an earlier display of
said pipeline and said region’s surface.
14. The method as claimed in claims 10 to 11, wherein said modifications at said at least one site
relate to changes in terrain associated with said at least one site within the ROU.
15. The method as claimed in preceding claims, wherein said modifications are reported as a type of
change with respect to said at least one site in a GIS file format to one or more field personnel
manning the pipeline at a geographical location corresponding to said at least one site.
16. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein said field information as received comprises geotagged
photographic and field-observations captured by said personnel through a mobile or aerial
device.
17. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein said field information is received from said field
personnel in real-time or in an offline state
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18. The method as claimed in claim 15, further comprising:
receiving input from said field personnel to modify an information as associated with said
digitally displayed pipeline and said region’s surface.
19. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein said rendering of information comprises displaying
said information at an appropriate geo-location or chainage over said displayed region’s surface.
20. The method as claimed in claim 10, further comprising automatically changing a current
display of said pipeline and said regions’ surface based on traversing the length of the displayed
pipeline.
21. The method as claimed in claim 10, further comprising: annotating the displayed pipeline and
the displayed region’s surface based on information received from said user.
22. A system (200) for generating an aerial representation of terrain around a pipeline laid for
transportation of substances, the system comprising:
an acquisition module (202) for acquiring aerial data of a pre-defined resolution with respect
to a region’s surface based on prevailing weather conditions, wherein said region defines a zone
around a pipeline;
a processing module (204) for processing said data for representing said region’ surface at
least in terms of geographical position coordinates (GPS) coordinates; and
a generation module (206) for creating a model of said region’s surface based on said
processing and rendering said pipeline within the model as a geographical information system (GIS)
layer passing across said region’s surface..
23. A system (700) for rendering information about a pipeline laid for transportation of substances,
said system comprising:
a first processor (702) for digitally displaying at least one of:
a pipeline running across a region; and
the region’ surface,
said region defining a pre-defined neighbourhood of said pipeline;
a comparator (704) for comparing said display with pre-stored data related to said pipeline
and said region’s surface to identify modifications in at least one site with respect to at least one of:
said displayed pipeline and surface;
a receiver (706) for receiving a field -information about said at least one site from at least
designated entity physically present at said at least one site; and
a second processor (708) for rendering said information at said at least one site as a part of
said digitally displayed pipeline and/or said displayed surface.