Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system for electronically displaying information related to the use of a marking system or a marking tool configured so as to execute one or more making to mark the position of an underground public pipeline.SOLUTION: A processor for receiving marking information related to the use of a marking system or a marking tool, a tag reader and a display part connected communicably to the processor are included. The processor receives the marking information from the tag reader, and the processor uses the marking information and can visually display the execution of marking including a marked area and the position of an underground public pipeline.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide visible display of the presence or absence of at least one underground pipe in an excavation area to be excavated or obstructed during excavation.SOLUTION: A system of dispensing a marker determines location data or time data, and substantially simultaneously trigger the dispensing of the marker and logging, by a processor, of the location data that indicates a geographic location at which the marker is dispensed or the time data that indicates a time at which the marker is dispensed.
Abstract:
A locate device for a locate operation to detect a presence or an absence of one or more underground facilities is configured to access and display facilities map information, and/or other image information, as a visual aid to facilitate the locate operation. In various aspects, methods and apparatus relate to: selection of an appropriate "base" facilities map, or information from a database of facilities map data, relating to a given work site/dig area; selection of an appropriate pan and/or zoom (resolution) for displaying facilities map information; appropriately updating displayed facilities map information while a locate device is used during a locate operation (e.g. changing pan, zoom and/or orientation); overlaying on the displayed facilities map information locate information and/or landmark information relating to the locate operation; and storing locally on the locate device, and/or transmitting from the locate device, facilities map information and/or overlaid locate/landmark information (e.g., for further processing, analysis and/or subsequent display).
Abstract:
A marking device for a marking operation to mark a presence or an absence of one or more underground facilities is configured to access and display facilities map information, and/or other image information, as a visual aid to facilitate the marking operation. In various aspects, methods and apparatus relate to: selection of an appropriate "base" facilities map, or information from a database of facilities map data, relating to a given work site/dig area; selection of an appropriate pan and/or zoom (resolution) for displaying facilities map information; appropriately updating displayed facilities map information while a marking device is used during a marking operation (e.g. changing pan, zoom and/or orientation); overlaying on the displayed facilities map information marking information and/or landmark information relating to the marking operation; and storing locally on the marking device, and/or transmitting from the marking device, facilities map information and/or overlaid marking/landmark information (e.g., for further processing, analysis and/or subsequent display).
Abstract:
Ticket information may be displayed and/or processed on one or more pieces of locating equipment used in the field by a technician. The technician may provide some input to generate an electronic record or log of technician activity during the locate and/or marking operation. In one example, a checklist may be generated (e.g., based at least in part on the ticket information) and displayed locally to the technician as a guide to perform and verify various aspects of the operation(s). In another example, a set of instructions or "workflow" may be generated to guide the technician through a sequence of steps to perform the locate and/or marking operation. Performance via a process guide (e.g., checklist or workflow) may be interactive in that the technician may provide input, or automated/semi-automated by analyzing various information collected by the locating equipment with respect to the ticket information and/or other available information germane to the operation(s).
Abstract:
A holistic approach to management and oversight of locate and marking operations is provided. Initial requests to perform such operations are improved, and such requests are intelligently assessed to appropriately allocate resources to perform operations. Technicians are effectively dispatched and may be provided with process guides to facilitate performance. A host of information regarding the performance of locate operations and their environs is acquired (e.g., via improved intelligent instrumentation employed by technicians). A quality of operations (e.g., completeness, accuracy, efficiency) is assessed, corrective actions may be taken in essentially real-time as necessary, and information regarding operations and their quality assessments is archived for auditing purposes. Relevant information is communicated to one or more parties associated with the operations; in particular, requesting parties are apprised of the status of ongoing operations, and given confirmation that operations have been performed and are completed. Requesting parties and/or other interested parties (e.g., excavators, facility owners, locate contractors, municipalities, regulators, auditors, damage investigators, insurance companies, etc.) also may be provided with detailed information regarding the performance of operations and quality assessment of same.
Abstract:
Systems, methods and apparatus for facilitating detection of a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within a dig area. Source data representing one or more input images of a geographic area including the dig area is electronically received at a first user location, which may be remote from the dig area. The source data is processed so as to display at least a portion of the input image(s) on a display device. One or more indicators are added to the displayed input image(s), via a user input device associated with the display device, to provide at least one indication of the dig area and thereby generate a marked-up digital image. In one example of a staged excavation project, the input image, or a plurality of associated images, may be marked-up to include multiple dig area indicators corresponding to multiple stages of the staged excavation project.
Abstract:
Locate information relating to use of a locate device to perform a locate operation may be acquired from one or more input devices, logged/stored in local memory of a locate device, formatted in various manners, processed and/or analyzed at the locate device itself, and/or transmitted to another device (e.g., a remote computer/server) for storage, processing and/or analysis. In one example, a locate device may include one or more environmental sensors and/or operational sensors, and the locate information may include environmental information and operational information derived from such sensors. Environmental and/or operational information may be used to control operation of the locate device, assess out-of-tolerance conditions in connection with use of the locate device, and/or provide alerts or other feedback. Additional enhancements are disclosed relating to improving the determination of a location (e.g., GPS coordinates) of a detecting tip of the locate device during use, a group/solo mode, and tactile functionality of a user interface.
Abstract:
Marking information relating to use of a marking device to perform a marking operation may be acquired from one or more input devices, logged/stored in local memory of a marking device, formatted in various manners, processed and/or analyzed at the marking device itself, and/or transmitted to another device (e.g., a remote computer/server) for storage, processing and/or analysis. In one example, a marking device may include one or more environmental sensors and/or operational sensors, and the marking information may include environmental information and operational information derived from such sensors. Environmental and/or operational information may be used to control operation of the marking device, assess out-of-tolerance conditions in connection with use of the marking device, and/or provide alerts or other feedback. Additional enhancements are disclosed relating to improving the determination of a location (e.g., GPS coordinates) of a dispensing tip of the marking device during use, a group/solo mode, and tactile functionality of a user interface.
Abstract:
Methods and systems for providing information regarding a locate and/or marking operation to identify a presence or absence of facilities within a dig area. At least one notification indicating a status of the locate and/or marking operation is electronically transmitted and/or stored so as to inform at least one party associated with requesting the operation the status of the operation In one aspect, a requesting party may designate a preferred format, content, and/or method of receiving notifications regarding the locate and/or marking operation In another aspect, a computer-generated QUI is provided to facilitate submission of requests, generation of 'virtual white line" images to indicate one or more dig areas on a digital image of a work site, and/or selection of notifications and preferences for same In another aspect, a requesting party may provide an acknowledgment of receipt for received notifications.