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Christie, Parker & Hale Obtains an Important Patent for a GPS Driven Utility Asset Management and Damage Prevention System and Method
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Los Angeles, CA -- Christie, Parker & Hale LLP, one of Southern California's leading intellectual property law firms, announced today that the firm prosecuted another major patent application through issuance, for its client, Guardian ProStar, Inc. of Grand Junction, Colorado.
“We are excited to have played a significant role in the issuance of this patent for our client,” said Raymond R. Tabandeh, the CPH partner who prosecuted the patent. The patent, U.S. Pat. No. 7,482,973, pertains to collecting and managing data and information about utility assets buried under the ground. This data is required to make numerous business decisions like how, when and where excavators should or should not be digging the ground. The asset data is collected and integrated with GIS landbase and topography data in a precision grid, in real time. The data may then be stored to be utilized by the utility, construction, government, and other organizations. The extensive data may be integrated with commercially available map data, such as Google Map™.
"Inaccurate mapping and lack of sharing of buried asset location management information continues to be a major problem throughout the U.S. and abroad. Events, including the recent gas pipeline explosion in San Bruno, California, which resulted in several loss of lives and significant damage to the environment, are directly related to ineffective asset data management practices and inaccurate data," Tabandeh added.
ProStar’s Chief Executive Officer, Page Tucker stated: "The nation’s infrastructure highway and roadway, as well as the buried infrastructure that includes the gas lines, fiber optic, sewer and water lines are aging. Additionally, the increased construction activities in congested underground corridors add significant concerns to an already problematic situation. When coupled with poor planning and inaccurate asset location practices that have existed for several decades, you have a serious problem on your hands. This problem must be addressed, otherwise, recent catastrophic events that we have witnessed will continue to occur."
This latest patent adds increased value to a growing IP portfolio of ProStar that offers unique processes for precision data collection, storage and distribution, as well as excavation guidance systems.
About Christie, Parker & Hale LLP
Christie, Parker & Hale is a leading intellectual property law firm operating at the intersection of science, technology and the law. Engaged exclusively in all aspects of intellectual property law, most of the firm’s attorneys hold degrees in engineering or the sciences, bringing added value and perspective to client service. Drawing on a 56-year heritage, the firm continues to propel innovation and stimulate business growth by protecting its clients’ most valuable assets -- intellectual property.
About Guardian ProStar
Guardian ProStar is a technology services provider of state-of-the-art solutions designed to deliver precision location based information to the utility and construction industry. Our premier offering, ProStar Online™ is an open architecture based solution that manages all phases of data collection, data storage and data distribution and provides significant improvements to current utility asset management and damage prevention practices. Our systems streamline operations and work flow processes at every level and incentivize collaboration amongst all stakeholders. Our Cloud Network, integrates the office, the field worker and construction crews, including excavation activities, into a seamless and real time system that addresses a disjointed process plaguing the current utility asset management and damage prevention practices.
For more information about Guardian ProStar contact Page Tucker at ptucker@guardianprostar.com.
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