Boring tool control using remote locator

1. In a drilling system for performing underground boring including a drill rig and a boring tool which is configured for moving through the ground under control of the drill rig to form an underground bore, said boring tool including locating signal transmitter which transmits a locating signal for locating an underground position of the boring tool, a portable device comprising:

a housing configured for movement by an operator;

a receiver that is supported in said housing for receiving a data signal relating to an operational parameter of the drill rig for use by the portable device; and

a locating section supported in said housing for receiving the locating signal, transmitted directly from the boring tool, for use in identifying the underground position of the boring tool.

2. The portable device of claim 1 including a display arrangement, forming part of the portable device, for producing a display based on said data signal.

3. The portable device of claim 1 wherein the locating signal is a dipole locating signal and the portable device is configured to receive the dipole locating signal.

4. The portable device of claim 3 wherein the portable device is configured for generating certain information about the position of the boring tool based on the dipole locating signal.

5. The portable device of claim 4 wherein the portable device is configured for providing indications relating to the position of the boring tool.

6. The portable device of claim 1 configured for generating certain information about the position of the boring tool based on the dipole locating signal and including an arrangement for generating command signals and transmitting said command signals to said drill rig.

7. The portable device of claim 6 further configured to generate said command signals in view of said certain information.

8. The portable device to claim 6 wherein said command signals include steering commands for use in steering said boring tool.

9. The portable device of claim 6 wherein said command signals include roll orientation commands for use in controlling the directional orientation of the boring tool.

10. The portable device of claim 6 wherein said command signals include advance, retract and stop commands for indicating that the boring tool should be moved forward, backward or held stationary.

11. The portable device of claim 6 including a control arm positioned for actuation by an operator of the portable device the operator can cause said command signals to be transmitted from the portable device.

12. The portable device of claim 11 wherein the control arm is a joystick.

13. The portable device of claim 12 wherein said joystick is configured for use in generating straight, advance, retract and stop commands such that the boring tool should move forward, backward or be held stationary.

14. The portable device of claim 1 wherein said boring tool is configured for transmitting roll data, as part of said locating signal, and wherein said locating section receives said roll data and uses said roll data to determine a detected roll orientation of said boring tool which is related to steering the boring tool and said portable device includes a display for displaying at least the detected roll orientation of the boring tool.

15. The portable device of claim 14 wherein said display displays a desired roll orientation of the boring tool.

16. The portable device of claim 15 wherein said portable device includes a joystick positioned thereon and adapted for actuation by an operator such that the operator can issue commands to steer in a particular direction, advance or retract the boring tool and wherein said desired roll orientation of the boring tool is displayed based on the operator's actuation of said joystick.

17. The portable device of claim 16 wherein said boring tool is configured for transmitting roll data as part of said locating signal and wherein said locating section receives said roll data and determines a detected roll orientation of said boring tool such that the operator of the portable device can compare the desired roll orientation with the detected roll orientation.

18. The portable device of claim 15 wherein display includes a clock face upon which said detected roll orientation and said desired roll orientation are displayed.

19. The portable device of claim 18 wherein said clock face includes a center position which represents boring straight ahead such that the boring tool rotates.

20. The portable device of claim 1 wherein said system includes a drill string that extends from said drill rig to said boring tool for applying a push force to the boring tool to advance the boring tool through the ground and wherein the receiver is configured for receiving said data signal as defining at least a selected one of a push force that is applied to the drill string by the drill rig and a pressure of drilling mud that is supplied to the drill string by the drill rig.

21. The portable device of claim 20 including a display arrangement, forming part of the portable device, for producing a display including at least the selected one of said push force and the pressure of the drilling mud.

22. The portable device of claim 21 wherein said display arrangement is configured for displaying a real time status of the drilling mud.

23. The portable device of claim 1 wherein said data signal represents the operational parameter as at least one of a push force which drives the boring tool, a temperature of the boring tool, a pressure of a drilling mud that is supplied to the boring tool, a status of a battery used in the boring tool, a curvature of the underground bore and a proximity of the boring tool to an underground utility.

24. The portable device of claim 23 wherein said portable device provides a real time indication of the status of each parameter that is detected.

25. The portable device of claim 24 wherein said real time indication includes an actual reading of at least one parameter that is detected.

26. The portable device of claim 1 further configured for handheld movement by the operator.