METHODS, APPARATUS AND SYSTEMS FOR FACILITATING GENERATION AND ASSESSMENT OF ENGINEERING PLANS

Electronically generating an engineering plan for installation of equipment, such as cable system equipment, at a work site. First geographic information relating to a first location of the work site is compared with second geographic information representing a second location of an engineer generating the engineering plan (or of a plan generating tool being used by the engineer to generate the plan) to verify that the engineer/tool is sufficiently near to the work site. A digital image of a geographic area including the work site is displayed on the plan generating tool, and user input is acquired from the engineer (e.g., via a user input device associated with the plan generating tool) relating to at least one first position, relative to the displayed digital image, representing a first equipment location of at least a first piece of the equipment to be installed at the work site. A marked-up digital image including at least one first digital representation of the first piece of the equipment placed on the displayed digital image is generated, based at least in part on the user input, and information relating to the marked-up digital image is electronically transmitted and/or electronically stored so as to generate the engineering plan. 1. An apparatus for facilitating generation of an engineering plan for installation of equipment at a work site , the apparatus comprising:a communication interface;a display device;a user input device;a memory to store controller-executable instructions; and A) controls the user input device and/or the communication interface to receive first geographic information relating to a first location of the work site;', 'B) compares the first geographic information relating to the work site to second geographic information representing a second location of the apparatus to verify that the apparatus is sufficiently near to the work site;', 'C) controls the display device to display a digital image of a geographic area including the work ...

SYSTEM FOR AND METHODS OF CONFIRMING LOCATE OPERATION WORK ORDERS WITH RESPECT TO MUNICIPAL PERMITS

Determining a permit status of a jobsite at which a locate operation is requested and/or performed. A work order that describes the locate operation is received and processed, and a permit database of a permitting entity is accessed based at least in part on information from the work order. The permit database is electronically reviewed to determine whether a valid permit covers work at the jobsite. 1. A computer-implemented method for determining a permit status of a jobsite at which a locate operation is requested and/or performed , the method comprising:receiving, by a computing device, a work order that describes the locate operation;accessing, by the computing device, a permit database of a permitting entity based at least in part on information from the work order; anddetermining, by the computing device, from the permit database of the permitting entity, whether a valid permit covers work at the jobsite.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein accessing the permit database includes accessing an index of the permit database.3. The method of claim 1 , wherein accessing the permit database includes accessing at least one searchable field of the permit database.4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising accessing information in the valid permit.5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising determining an expiration date of the valid permit.6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising claim 1 , if a valid permit is not found in the permit database claim 1 , performing the locate operation and generating an alert indicating that a valid permit was not found in the permit database.7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising claim 1 , if a valid permit is not found in the permit database claim 1 , delaying the locate operation and sending an alert indicating that a valid permit was not found in the permit database.8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the permit database is accessed based on an address of the jobsite.9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the permit ...

SYSTEM FOR AND METHODS OF AUTOMATICALLY INSERTING SYMBOLS INTO ELECTRONIC RECORDS OF LOCATE OPERATIONS

Marking data representative of an underground facility locate operation is acquired by locate equipment and automatically processed so as to determine one or more symbols associated with the locate operation. A locate operation work order also may be processed with the marking data to determine the one or more symbols. An electronic record of the locate operation is generated and includes a graphic representation of the marking data as well as the one or more symbols. 1. A computer-facilitated method for logging an electronic record of a locate operation to locate a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility , the method comprising:automatically processing, by at least one processor, marking data representative of a locate operation so as to determine at least one symbol associated with the locate operation, the symbol represented by symbol data; andstoring the marking data and the symbol data in at least one memory to form an electronic record of the locate operation.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein automatically processing comprises determining the at least one symbol based at least in part on the marking data.3. The method of claim 2 , wherein automatically processing comprises determining the at least one symbol from marking data representative of one or more of marking material color claim 2 , length of marks claim 2 , facility type and geographic coordinates of marks.4. The method of claim 1 , wherein automatically processing comprises determining the at least one symbol based at least in part on a locate operation work order that corresponds to the locate operation.5. The method of claim 1 , wherein automatically processing comprises determining the at least one symbol based on the marking data and a locate operation work order that corresponds to the locate operation.6. The method of claim 1 , wherein automatically determining comprises determining a symbol based at least in part on governmental regulations with respect to underground ...

Methods and apparatus for dispensing material and electronically tracking same

A dispensing device is provided for use in a dispensing operation. The dispensing device includes a hand-held housing, a memory to store processor-executable instructions, a processor coupled to the memory and disposed within or communicatively coupled to the hand-held housing, and a camera system mechanically and/or communicatively coupled to the dispensing device to provide image information to the processor. The image information relates to the dispensing operation. The dispensing device also includes a dispensing mechanism to control dispensing of the material. The material is not readily visible after the dispensing operation. The processor analyzes the image information to determine tracking information indicative of a motion or an orientation of the dispensing device. The processor also determines actuation information relating to operation of the dispensing mechanism and stores the actuation information and the tracking information to provide an electronic record of geographic locations at which the material is dispensed.

METHODS, APPARATUS AND SYSTEMS FOR GENERATING LIMITED ACCESS FILES FOR SEARCHABLE ELECTRONIC RECORDS OF UNDERGROUND FACILITY LOCATE AND/OR MARKING OPERATIONS

Managing information relating to a locate and/or marking operation to detect and/or mark a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility. At least one electronic manifest corresponding to the locate and/or marking operation is generated based on first information relating to the locate and/or marking operation. The at least one electronic manifest includes image information documenting performance of the locate and/or the marking operation. At least one limited access file comprising second information relating to the at least one electronic manifest or the image information is generated, and the at least one limited access file and/or information relating to the at least one limited access file is electronically transmitted and/or stored to facilitate selective/limited access to or viewing of the electronic manifest(s). 1. An apparatus for managing information relating to a locate and/or marking operation to detect and/or mark a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility , the apparatus comprising:a communication interface;a memory to store processor-executable instructions; and A) generates at least one electronic manifest relating to the locate and/or marking operation based on first information relating to the locate and/or marking operation, the at least one electronic manifest including image information documenting performance of the locate and/or the marking operation;', 'B) generates at least one limited access file comprising second information relating to the at least one electronic manifest or the image information; and', 'C) controls the communication interface to transmit, and/or controls the memory to store, the at least one limited access file and/or information relating to the at least one limited access file., 'a processing unit coupled to the communication interface and the memory, wherein upon execution of the processor-executable instructions by the processing unit, the processing unit2. The apparatus of claim 1 , ...

METHODS, APPARATUS AND SYSTEMS FOR MARKING MATERIAL COLOR DETECTION IN CONNECTION WITH LOCATE AND MARKING OPERATIONS

Systems, methods, and apparatus for determining a color of marking material dispensed by a marking device onto a surface to mark a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within a dig area that is planned to be excavated or disturbed during excavation activities. In some embodiments, one or more camera systems (e.g., digital video cameras) are mounted on a marking device to capture information (e.g., one or more of image information, color information, motion information and light level information) relating to the surface being marked. The camera system(s) may be mounted near a nozzle of a marking material dispenser, so as to capture information relating to freshly dispensed marking material on the surface being marked. The captured information may be analyzed to determine a color of the freshly dispensed marking material, which may then be correlated with a type of facilities being marked. 1. An apparatus for determining a color of marking material dispensed by a marking device onto a surface to mark a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within a dig area , wherein at least a portion of the dig area is planned to be excavated or disturbed during excavation activities , the apparatus comprising:at least one communication interface;at least one memory to store processor-executable instructions and reference color information regarding a plurality of marking material colors; and A) analyzes camera system data associated with the surface being marked to obtain detected color information relating to the marking material dispensed by the marking device, the camera system data being provided by at least one camera system attached to the marking device;', 'B) retrieves, from the at least one memory, the reference color information; and', 'C) generates marking material color information based at least in part on the detected color information and the reference color information., 'at least one processor communicatively coupled to ...

VIRTUAL WHITE LINES FOR DELIMITING PLANNED EXCAVATION SITES

Method and apparatus for facilitating detection of a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within a dig area. At least one marked-up digital image of a geographic area including the dig area, the image including at least one indicator to delimit the dig area, is electronically processed by converting the at least one indicator to a plurality of geographic coordinates representing the delimited dig area. Information relating to a locate request ticket identifying the dig area to be excavated is electronically transmitted and/or electronically stored, wherein the locate request ticket includes image data and non-image data associated with the dig area. The image data includes the at least one marked-up digital image of the geographic area surrounding the dig area, and the non-image data includes the plurality of geographic coordinates representing the delimited dig area. 1. An apparatus for facilitating detection of a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within a dig area , wherein at least a portion of the dig area may be excavated or disturbed during excavation activities , the apparatus comprising:a communication interface;a memory to store processor-executable instructions; and processes at least one marked-up digital image of a geographic area including the dig area, the at least one marked-up digital image including at least one indicator to delimit the dig area, the processing unit converting the at least one indicator in the at least one marked-up digital image to a plurality of geographic coordinates representing the delimited dig area;', the image data includes the at least one marked-up digital image of the geographic area surrounding the dig area; and', 'the non-image data includes the plurality of geographic coordinates representing the delimited dig area; and, 'generates a locate request ticket identifying the dig area to be excavated, the locate request ticket including image data and non-image data ...

METHODS, APPARATUS, AND SYSTEMS FOR PERFORMING INSTALLATIONS OF ENGINEERED SYSTEMS AND GENERATING SITE VISIT MANIFESTS FOR SAME

Improvements to an installation process for an engineered system involve consolidation of the number of visits to a work site by field staff and/or particular work performed in a given site visit. A site visit manifest is generated to provide electronic documentation of pre-installation and/or installation activity. Various types of electronic information may be generated and/or collected in connection with any of multiple possible phases of a given installation at a particular work site for purposes of generating a site visit manifest. Additionally, different information components of a site visit manifest may be selectively viewed/accessed (e.g., based on different levels of permission or access-rights) to facilitate one or more of review of the work performed, quality, productivity and/or cost assessments of same, and billing functions. Particular examples of improved processes relating to installation of Fiber to the Premises (FTTP) subscriber drops are provided. 1. A method of inspecting and/or preparing a work site so as to facilitate an underground utility installation , the method comprising:A) receiving a work order for the underground utility installation, the work order including work site information relating to the work site at which the underground utility installation is requested;B) during a first visit to the work site based on the work order received in A), performing a pre-survey of the work site to indicate where the underground utility installation is planned at the work site; and C1) determining a presence or an absence of at least one previously-installed underground facility at the work site; and', 'C2) applying at least one physical locate mark to ground, pavement, or other surface at the work site so as to indicate the presence or the absence of the at least one previously-installed underground facility., 'C) also during the first visit to the work site, performing a locate and marking operation at the work site, wherein the locate and ...

METHODS, APPARATUS, AND SYSTEMS FOR PERFORMING INSTALLATIONS OF ENGINEERED SYSTEMS AND GENERATING SITE VISIT MANIFESTS FOR SAME

Improvements to an installation process for an engineered system involve consolidation of the number of visits to a work site by field staff and/or particular work performed in a given site visit. A site visit manifest is generated to provide electronic documentation of pre-installation and/or installation activity. Various types of electronic information may be generated and/or collected in connection with any of multiple possible phases of a given installation at a particular work site for purposes of generating a site visit manifest. Additionally, different information components of a site visit manifest may be selectively viewed/accessed (e.g., based on different levels of permission or access-rights) to facilitate one or more of review of the work performed, quality, productivity and/or cost assessments of same, and billing functions. Particular examples of improved processes relating to installation of Fiber to the Premises (FTTP) subscriber drops are provided. 1. A method of performing an underground utility installation at a work site and generating a site visit manifest for the underground utility installation as completed to provide a searchable electronic record of the underground utility installation , the method comprising:A) electronically receiving a preliminary site visit manifest for the underground utility installation, the preliminary site visit manifest comprising a digital image of the work site and at least one image information layer overlaid on the digital image, the at least one image information layer comprising at least one of:A1) pre-survey information indicating a planned location at the work site for the underground utility installation; andA2) locate and marking information relating to performance of a locate and marking operation at the work site, the locate and marking operation including determining a presence or an absence of at least one previously-installed underground facility at the work site and applying at least one physical ...

MARKING METHODS, APPARATUS AND SYSTEMS INCLUDING OPTICAL FLOW-BASED DEAD RECKONING FEATURES

A position of a marking device is monitored by receiving start position information indicative of an initial position of the marking device, capturing one or more images using one or more camera systems attached to the marking device, and analyzing the image(s) to determine tracking information indicative of a motion of the marking device. The tracking information and the start position information are then analyzed to determine current position information. In one example, images of a target surface over which the marking device is carried are analyzed pursuant to an optical flow algorithm to provide estimates of relative position for a dead-reckoning process, and the current position information is determined based on the estimates of relative position and the start position information. 1. A method of monitoring the position of a marking device; comprising:A) receiving start position information indicative of an initial position of the marking device;B) capturing at least one image using at least one camera attached to the marking device;C) analyzing the at least one image to determine tracking information indicative of a motion of the marking device; andD) analyzing the tracking information and the start position information to determine current position information indicative of a current position of the marking device.2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:E) dispensing marking material onto a target surface using the marking device; andF) analyzing the current position information to determine marking information relating to the dispensed marking material.3. The method of claim 2 , wherein C) comprises:C1) obtaining an optical flow plot indicative of a path on the target surface traversed by the marking device; andwherein D) comprises:D1) determining the current position information based on the optical flow plot and the start position information.4. The method of claim 3 , wherein E) comprises:E1) actuating a trigger associated with the marking device ...

VIRTUAL WHITE LINES FOR INDICATING PLANNED EXCAVATION SITES ON ELECTRONIC IMAGES

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 at the first user location. 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, the indicator(s) is/are added to the displayed input image(s) without acquiring geographic coordinates corresponding to the indicator(s). 132-. (canceled)33. A method for electronically delimiting a dig area that is planned to be excavated or disturbed during excavation activities , so as to facilitate detection of a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within the dig area , the method comprising:A) electronically sending via a network, to an excavator at a first location remote from the dig area, first source data representing at least one digital image of a geographic area including the dig area;B) electronically receiving from the excavator, via the network, second source data representing a marked-up version of the at least one digital image that includes at least one dig area indicator sketched on the digital image by the excavator via a user input device associated with a display device that processes the first source data to display the at least one digital image to the excavator at the first location remote from the dig area, the at least one dig area indicator providing at least one unbuffered indication of the dig area on the marked-up version of the at least one digital image; andC) providing, via one of an electronic or tangible delivery system, at ...

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR USING LOCATION DATA TO ELECTRONICALLY DISPLAY DISPENSING OF MARKERS BY A MARKING SYSTEM OR MARKING TOOL

One or more markers are dispensed on ground, pavement or other surface in a dig area to be excavated or disturbed during excavation activities, so as to provide a visual indication of a presence or an absence of one or more underground utilities in the dig area. One or more signals are wirelessly transmitted in response to the dispensing of the one or more markers, wherein the signal(s) represent(s) first data relating to a location at which the marker(s) is/are dispensed, and/or one or more characteristics of the dispensed marker(s). 1. A marking apparatus , comprising:a marking dispenser to dispense at least one marker in a dig area to be excavated or disturbed during excavation activities, the at least one marker to mark ground, pavement or other surface in the dig area so as to provide a visual indication of a presence or an absence of at least one underground utility in the dig area;a triggering system communicatively coupled to the marking dispenser to trigger the marking dispenser so as to dispense the at least one marker; anda communication system communicatively coupled to the triggering system and including a wireless interface to transmit at least one signal from the marking apparatus relating to use of the marking apparatus, a location of the marking apparatus upon at least one actuation of the triggering system; and', 'at least one characteristic of the at least one marker dispensed from the marking dispenser., 'wherein the at least one signal transmitted by the wireless antenna represents first data relating to at least one of2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first data relates to both the location of the marking apparatus upon the at least one actuation of the triggering system and the at least one characteristic of the at least one marker dispensed from the marking dispenser.3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first data further relates to a time of the at least one actuation of the triggering system.4. The apparatus of claim 1 , ...

SEARCHABLE ELECTRONIC RECORDS OF UNDERGROUND FACILITY LOCATE MARKING OPERATIONS

Methods and apparatus for generating a searchable electronic record of a locate operation in which a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within a dig area may be identified using one or more physical locate marks. Source data representing one or more input images of a geographic area comprising the dig area is received and processed so as to display at least a portion of the input image(s) on a display device. One or more digital representations of the physical locate mark(s) applied to the dig area during the locate operation are added to the displayed input image(s) as “locate mark indicators” so as to generate a marked-up image. Information relating to the marked-up image is electronically transmitted and/or electronically stored so as to generate the searchable electronic record of the locate operation. 1. (canceled)2. An apparatus for facilitating generation of an electronic manifest of at least one physical locate mark applied to a ground surface by a technician at an excavation site prior to excavation activities , the apparatus comprising:a communication interface;a display device;a memory to store processor-executable instructions; and [ a street level photographic image;', 'a topographical image;', 'a satellite image; and', 'an aerial image;, 'controls the display device so as to display at least one photographic image of a geographic area including the excavation site, wherein the at least one photographic image comprises at least one of, 'further controls the display device to add to the displayed at least one photographic image at least one digital representation of the at least one physical locate mark, the at least one physical locate mark applied to the ground surface at the excavation site by the technician to indicate a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility at the excavation site;', 'further controls the display device to add to the photographic image offset information relating to a distance between ...

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GENERATING ELECTRONIC RECORDS OF LOCATE AND MARKING OPERATIONS

Systems and methods for generating electronic records of locate operations and marking operations are described. Exemplary systems and methods include marking devices that generate, store and/or transmit electronic records of marking information, locate devices that generate, store and/or transmit electronic records of locate information, and locate devices and marking devices that communicate with each other (and optionally with other devices or systems) to share/exchange locate information and/or marking information. An exemplary method for analyzing and processing locate information and marking information includes a computer-implemented method for visually rendering (e.g., in a display field of a display device) various aspects of locate and marking operations. 1. A method of communicating between a locate device used for locating an underground facility and a marking device used to dispense a marking material to mark a presence or absence of the underground facility , the method comprising:collecting locate information using the locate device, the locate device comprising a first electrical communication interface and at least one receiver antenna configured to detect a magnetic field from an underground facility, the locate information based at least in part on operation of the at least one receiver antenna;collecting marking information using the marking device, the marking device separate and distinct from the locate device, the marking device comprising a second electrical communication interface and an actuation mechanism operable to control dispensing of a physical marking material on ground pavement or other surfaces to mark a presence or an absence of the underground facility, the marking information relating at least in part to the physical marking material or the dispensing of the physical marking material; andcommunicating, via the first electrical communication interface and the second electrical communication interface, at least one of the locate ...

METHODS, APPARATUS, AND SYSTEMS FOR ACQUIRING AND ANALYZING VEHICLE DATA AND GENERATING AN ELECTRONIC REPRESENTATION OF VEHICLE OPERATIONS

Geo-referenced and/or time-referenced electronic drawings may be generated based on electronic vehicle information to facilitate documentation of a vehicle-related event. A symbols library, a collection of geo-referenced images, and any data acquired from one or more vehicles may be stored in memory for use in connection with generation of such drawings, and a drawing tool graphical user interface (GUI) may be provided for electronically processing vehicle data and geo-referenced images. Processed geo-referenced images may be saved as event-specific images, which may be integrated into, for example, an electronic vehicle accident report for accurately depicting a vehicle accident. 1. An apparatus for documenting an incident involving a first vehicle at an incident site , the apparatus comprising:a communication interface;a memory to store processor-executable instructions; anda processing unit communicatively coupled to the communication interface and the memory, wherein upon execution of the processor-executable instructions by the processing unit, the processing unit:controls the communication interface to electronically receive at least one input image of a geographic area including the incident area;acquires vehicle-based information relating to the first vehicle at a time during or proximate the incident;renders, based at least in part on the vehicle-based information, a marked-up image including a first representation of at least a portion of the incident overlaid on the at least one input image; andfurther controls the communication interface and/or the memory to electronically transmit and/or electronically store information relating to the marked-up digital image so as to document the incident with respect to the geographic area.2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first representation comprises a representation of the first vehicle.3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the processing unit: scales the representation of the first vehicle to a scale of ...

METHODS AND APPARATUS EMPLOYING A REFERENCE GRID FOR GENERATING ELECTRONIC MANIFESTS OF UNDERGROUND FACILITY MARKING OPERATIONS

A grid is displayed on a display device to provide a reference for a geographic area including an excavation site. User input is acquired that relates to a geographic location of at least one physical locate mark applied by a technician to a ground surface at the excavation site to indicate a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility at the excavation site. Based on the user input, at least one digital representation of the at least one physical locate mark is added to the displayed grid so as to generate a marked-up image. Information relating to the marked-up image is electronically stored and/or electronically transmitted so as to generate an electronic manifest. 1. An apparatus for facilitating generation of an electronic manifest of at least one physical locate mark applied to a ground surface by a technician at an excavation site prior to excavation activities , the apparatus comprising:a communication interface;a display device;a memory to store processor-executable instructions; and controls the display device so as to display at least one grid to provide a reference for a geographic area including the excavation site;', 'acquires user input from a user input device, the user input relating to a geographic location of the at least one physical locate mark applied by the technician to the ground surface at the excavation site to indicate a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility at the excavation site;', 'further controls the display device to add to the displayed at least one grid, based at least in part on the user input acquired from the user input device, at least one digital representation of the at least one physical locate mark so as to generate a marked-up image including the at least one grid and the at least one digital representation of the at least one physical locate mark; and', 'controls the communication interface and/or the memory to electronically transmit and/or electronically store information relating ...

Methods, apparatus and systems for generating searchable electronic records of underground facility locate and/or marking operations

A bare grid is displayed on a display device. At least one digital representation of at least one physical locate mark is added to the displayed grid to generate a marked-up grid. The physical locate mark(s) include(s) non-white paint and/or a non-white flag, and is/are applied during a locate operation performed after generation of and pursuant to a locate request ticket relating to a dig area that is planned to be excavated or disturbed during prospective excavation activities. The locate operation comprises providing at least one visible warning to an excavator performing the prospective excavation activities, using the physical locate mark(s), of a presence or an affirmative absence of at least one underground facility at the dig area specified in the locate request ticket. Information relating to the marked-up grid is electronically stored and/or transmitted so as to generate a searchable electronic record of the locate operation.

METHODS, APPARATUS AND SYSTEMS FOR GENERATING SEARCHABLE ELECTRONIC RECORDS OF UNDERGROUND FACILITY MARKING OPERATIONS AND ASSESSING ASPECTS OF SAME

Assessing at least one aspect relating to a marking operation performed by a locate technician, based on an electronic representation of the marking operation. The marking operation comprises identifying, using at least one physical locate mark, a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within a dig area, wherein at least a portion of the dig area may be excavated or disturbed during excavation activities. The physical locate mark(s) is/are digitally represented on a display device so as to generate an electronic visual representation of the marking operation. A length associated with at least a portion of the digitally represented physical locate mark(s) is determined and, based on the determined length, one or more aspects relating to the marking operation is/are automatically assessed. Exemplary aspects include a cost of the marking operation, a productivity of the locate technician, and/or a competence of the locate technician. 1. A method for assessing at least one aspect relating to a marking operation performed by a locate technician , the method based on an electronic representation of the marking operation , the method comprising: the at least one physical locate mark includes at least one of non-white paint and a non-white flag; and', 'the at least one physical locate mark is applied during the marking operation, the marking operation being performed after generation of and pursuant to a locate request ticket relating to a dig area that is planned to be excavated or disturbed during prospective excavation activities, the marking operation comprising, in response to the locate request ticket, providing at least one visible warning to an excavator performing the prospective excavation activities, using the at least one physical locate mark, of a presence or an affirmative absence of at least one underground facility at the dig area specified in the locate request ticket;, 'A) digitally representing, on a display device, at least one ...

METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING ALERTS ON A LOCATE DEVICE, BASED ON COMPARING ELECTRONIC LOCATE INFORMATION TO FACILITIES MAP INFORMATION AND/OR OTHER IMAGE INFORMATION

A locate receiver to detect an underground facility includes an RF antenna to receive a magnetic field and provide an output signal based on the received magnetic field, and a processing circuit for determining a magnetic field strength of the magnetic field based on the output signal. The locate receiver also includes a display device, a memory and a processor. A map image based on facilities map data is displayed on the display device. The processor compares a first location at which an indication of detection of the underground facility is generated to a second location of a facility line as indicated by the first map data, and generates an alert based on a disagreement between the first location and the second location. 1. A locate receiver to detect a presence or an absence of an underground facility , the locate receiver comprising:a housing;an RF antenna for receiving a magnetic field and outputting an output signal;a processing circuit, for receiving the output signal from the RF antenna and determining a magnetic field strength of the magnetic field;a display device coupled to the housing;at least one memory; and display on the display device a map image that is generated based on first map data that comprises facilities map data and is selected by the at least one processor; and', 'compare a first location at which an indication of detection of the underground facility is generated to a second location of a facility line as indicated by the first map data and generate an alert based on a disagreement between the first location and the second location., 'at least one processor, coupled to the processing circuit, the display device and the at least one memory, configured to2. The locate receiver of claim 1 , wherein the locate receiver comprises at least one actuation mechanism claim 1 , and wherein the at least one processor is configured to generate the indication of detection of the underground facility in response to an actuation of the actuation ...

METHODS, APPARATUS AND SYSTEMS FOR GENERATING SEARCHABLE ELECTRONIC RECORDS OF UNDERGROUND FACILITY LOCATE AND/OR MARKING OPERATIONS

Generating a searchable electronic record of a locate operation performed by a locate technician. The locate operation comprises identifying, using at least one physical locate mark, a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within a dig area, wherein at least a portion of the dig area may be excavated or disturbed during excavation activities. A bare grid is displayed on display device and, via a user input device associated with the display device, at least one digital representation of the at least one physical locate mark is added to the displayed bare grid so as to generate a marked-up grid including the at least one digital representation of the at least one physical locate mark. Information relating to the marked-up grid is electronically transmitted and/or stored so as to generate the searchable electronic record of the locate operation. 1. A method for generating a searchable electronic record of a locate operation performed by a locate technician , the locate operation comprising identifying , using at least one physical locate mark , a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within a dig area , wherein at least a portion of the dig area may be excavated or disturbed during excavation activities , the method comprising:A) displaying, on a display device, a bare grid;B) adding to the displayed bare grid, via a user input device associated with the display device, at least one digital representation of the at least one physical locate mark so as to generate a marked-up grid including the at least one digital representation of the at least one physical locate mark; andC) electronically transmitting and/or electronically storing information relating to the marked-up grid so as to generate the searchable electronic record of the locate operation.2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:D) prior to (A), determining that a digital image of a geographic area including the dig area is not accessible.3. The method of ...

Methods and apparatus for overlaying electronic locate information on facilities map information and/or other image information displayed on a locate device

A digital image (e.g., a facility map, an aerial/satellite image, an engineering drawing) is displayed on a display device of a locate receiver used to detect a presence or absence of an underground facility. Image data used to generate the image is selected based on information obtained from a ticket associated with a locate operation for which the locate receiver is used, and geographic information indicative of a location of the locate receiver. Based on a strength of a magnetic field received by an RF antenna of the locate receiver, one or more electronic markings representing a detected presence of the underground facility are overlaid on the displayed digital image.

METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR OVERLAYING ELECTRONIC MARKING INFORMATION ON FACILITIES MAP INFORMATION AND/OR OTHER IMAGE INFORMATION DISPLAYED ON A MARKING DEVICE

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 a “base” facilities map, or information from a database of facilities map data, relating to a given work site/dig area; selection of a pan and/or zoom (resolution) for displaying facilities map information; 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). 1. A marking apparatus to mark a presence or an absence of an underground facility , the marking apparatus comprising:a housing;a marking dispenser holder coupled to the housing to hold a replaceable marking material;an actuator that, when actuated, causes dispensing of the marking material;at least one sensor, coupled to the housing, to output geographic information indicative of a geographic location of the marking apparatus;a display device coupled to the housing;at least one memory; and obtain ticket information from a ticket associated with a marking operation for which the marking apparatus is used to mark the presence or the absence of the underground facility, wherein the ticket information is indicative of a facility type of the underground facility;', 'the ticket information indicative of the facility type to be located;', 'select digital image data for display on the display device, the digital image data being selected based ...

Electronically documenting locate operations for underground utilities

A technician performs a locate operation of an underground utility in a dig area of proposed excavation by applying one or more physical colored markers (e.g., paint, flags, other colored markers) to ground, pavement or other surface to indicate a presence or an absence of the underground utility in the dig area. A digital image of a geographic area comprising the dig area is displayed on a display device, and one or more electronic colored markers corresponding to the physical colored marker(s) are added to the displayed digital image so as to generate a marked-up image. Information relating to the marked-up image is electronically transmitted and/or electronically stored so as to document the locate operation.

METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DISPLAYING AND PROCESSING FACILITIES MAP INFORMATION AND/OR OTHER IMAGE INFORMATION ON A MARKING DEVICE

A marking device for a marking operation to mark a presence of 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 “base” facilities map, or information from a database of facilities map data, relating to a given work side/dig area; selection of an pan and/or zoom (resolution) for displaying facilities map information; 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). 1. A marking apparatus to mark a presence or an absence of an underground facility , the marking apparatus comprising:a housing;a marking dispenser holder coupled to the housing to hold a replaceable marking material;an actuator that, when actuated, causes dispensing of the marking material;a display device coupled to the housing;at least one sensor, coupled to the housing, to output geographic information indicative of a geographic location of the marking apparatus;at least one memory; andat least one processor, communicatively coupled to the display device and the at least one memory, the at least one processor configured to cause a display of a digital image on the display device, the at least one processor further configured to generate the digital image based at least in part on first digital image data selected by the at least one processor, wherein: at least one of facilities map data, survey map data, land survey data, ...

Methods, apparatus and systems for determining correctness and completeness of locate operations

One or more pieces of equipment (e.g., a locate wand, a marking tool) are used to perform an operation to identify, in response to a ticket, a presence or an absence of an underground facility at a dig area. Data relating to the use of the equipment to perform the operation is electronically processed to determine whether the operation was completed correctly. In one example, ticket information from the ticket also is processed with the data relating to the use of the equipment to determine whether the operation was completed correctly. In another example, the equipment includes a marking apparatus, and data relating to the use of the marking apparatus that is processed includes one or more of marker characteristic information, timing information, supply information and location information relating to one or more markers dispensed by the marking apparatus.

MARKER DETECTION MECHANISMS FOR USE IN MARKING DEVICES AND METHODS OF USING SAME

Marking devices for dispensing a marking substance on the ground and marking methods are provided. The marking devices and marking methods use one or more detection mechanisms to detect one or more characteristics of the marking substance. In some embodiments, the detection mechanism may be, but is not limited to, an optical sensor, an olfactory sensor, a weight sensor, a switch device, and any combination thereof. The one or more detection mechanisms may provide, for example, the capability to: (1) determine the type of marking substance that is installed in the marking device; (2) determine in advance of or during a marking operation the amount of marking substance within the marking dispenser; and (3) determine when the marking dispenser is becoming empty. 1a housing configured to enable dispensing of a marking substance onto the ground for marking the presence or absence of an underground facility in a dig area;a marking dispenser holder affixed to the housing to hold at least one marking dispenser;an actuator to cause dispensing of the marking substance from the marking dispenser onto the ground in the dig area, in a marking operation, to mark the presence or absence of an underground facility;at least one marking substance detection mechanism to detect one or more characteristics of the marking substance dispensed from the marking dispenser and to provide detector information representative of the one or more characteristics; anda processing device to generate output information in response to the detector information, the output information representing the one or more characteristics of the marking substance.. A marking apparatus to mark the presence or absence of an underground facility in a dig area, comprising: This application claims benefit, under 35 U.S.C. §120, as a continuation (CON) of U.S. Non-provisional application Ser. No. 12/429,947, entitled “Marker Detection Mechanisms for Use in Marking Devices and Methods of Using Same” filed Apr. 24, 2009 ...

MARKING METHODS USING MARKING DISPENSER WITH MACHINE-READABLE ID MECHANISM

Marking methods for dispensing markers on the ground are provided. The marking methods use a marking dispenser having a machine-readable ID mechanism. The ID mechanism has data storage capability. In one embodiment, the marking dispenser may be provided with a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag. In another embodiment, the marking dispenser may be provided with a barcode. The type of information that may be encoded in the ID mechanism may include, but is not limited to, product-specific information, user-specific information, other predetermined information of interest, and any combination thereof. The ID information encoded in the ID mechanism may be collected and used for various purposes, such as, but not limited to, real-time product verification, tracking which user location received a batch of marking paint, tracking marking paint inventory, tracking marking paint problems, and tracking marking paint usage. 1. A method for performing a marking operation for marking the presence or absence of an underground facility in a dig area using a marking apparatus that holds at least one marking dispenser , comprising:dispensing a marker from the marking dispenser onto the ground in the dig area, in a marking operation, to mark the presence or absence of an underground facility, in response to activation of the marking dispenser;reading ID information from an ID mechanism affixed to the marking dispenser; andgenerating marker information in response to the ID information read from the ID mechanism.2. A method as defined in claim 1 , wherein reading ID information comprises reading a radio frequency identification tag.3. A method as defined in claim 1 , wherein reading ID information comprises reading a barcode.4. A method as defined in claim 1 , wherein dispensing a marker comprises dispensing paint from a spray paint can holder.5. A method as defined in claim 1 , wherein reading ID information comprises reading at least a product code from the ID mechanism.6. A ...

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR USING MARKING INFORMATION TO ELECTRONICALLY DISPLAY DISPENSING OF MARKERS BY A MARKING SYSTEM OR MARKING TOOL

One or more markers are dispensed on ground, pavement or other surface in a dig area to be excavated or disturbed during excavation activities, so as to provide a visual indication of a presence or an absence of one or more underground utilities in the dig area. One or more signals are wirelessly transmitted in response to the dispensing of the one or more markers, wherein the signal(s) represent(s) first data relating to marking information that is provided by a tag reader and that is associated with the dispensed marker(s). 1. A marking apparatus comprising:a marking dispenser to dispense at least one marker in a dig area to be excavated or disturbed during excavation activities, the at least one marker to mark ground, pavement or other surface in the dig area so as to provide a visual indication of a presence or an absence of at least one underground utility in the dig area;a tag reader communicatively coupled to the marking dispenser to read marking information regarding the at least one marker;a triggering system communicatively coupled to the marking dispenser to trigger the marking dispenser so as to dispense the at least one marker; anda communication system communicatively coupled to the triggering system and including a wireless interface to transmit at least one signal from the marking apparatus relating to use of the marking apparatus,wherein the at least one signal transmitted by the wireless interface represents first data relating to the marking information read by the tag reader.2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first data relates to both a location of the marking apparatus upon at least one actuation of the triggering system and at least one characteristic of the at least one marker dispensed from the marking dispenser.3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the first data further relates to a time of the at least one actuation of the triggering system.4. The apparatus of claim 2 , further comprising a location tracking system communicatively ...

LOCATING EQUIPMENT COMMUNICATIVELY COUPLED TO OR EQUIPPED WITH A MOBILE/PORTABLE DEVICE

Locating and/or marking equipment, such as a locate transmitter or locate receiver, a marking device, or a combined locate and marking device, may be communicatively coupled to and/or equipped with a mobile/portable device (e.g., a mobile phone, personal digital assistant or other portable computing device) that provides processing, electronic storage, electronic display, user interface, communication facilities and/or other functionality (e.g., GPS-enabled functionality) for the equipment. A mobile/portable device may be mechanically and/or electronically coupled to the equipment, and may be programmed so as to log and generate electronic records of various information germane to a locate and/or marking operation (e.g., locate information, marking information, and/or landmark information). Such records may be formatted in various manners, processed and/or analyzed on the mobile/portable device, and/or transmitted to another device (e.g., a remote computer/server) for storage, processing and/or analysis. The mobile/portable device also may provide redundant, shared and/or backup functionality for the equipment to enhance robustness. 1. (canceled)2. In a system comprising:a hand-held locate device including at least one receiver antenna and a first communication interface; anda mobile location tracking system communicatively coupled to the hand-held locate device and including a second communication interface,a method for performing at least one of generating and logging geographic information relating to a locate operation, the locate operation being performed by a locate technician, using the hand-held locate device, in response to a locate ticket and in advance of planned excavation activities at a dig area identified by the locate ticket, the method comprising:A) using the hand-held locate device to detect a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility in the dig area by detecting, via the at least one receiver antenna of the hand-held locate ...

ENABLING A USER TO VERIFY A PRICE CHANGE FOR AN ON-DEMAND SERVICE

A method for enabling a user to verify a price change for an on-demand service is provided. One or more processors can determine a real-time price for providing the on-demand service to the user. The one or more processors can determine when the real-time price is equal to or exceeds a threshold price. In response to a request from the user for the on-demand service when the real-time price is equal to or exceeds the threshold price, an intermediate interface can be provided that the user is to correctly respond to before a service request can be transmitted to a service system. 1. A method for enabling a user to verify a price change for an on-demand service on a computing device , the method being performed by one or more processors and comprising:determining a real-time price for providing the on-demand service to the user;determining when the real-time price is equal to or exceeds a threshold price; andin response to a request from the user for the on-demand service when the real-time price is equal to or exceeds the threshold price, providing an intermediate interface that the user is to correctly respond to before a service request can be transmitted to a service system.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the real-time price includes at least an amount per time spent during performance of the on-demand service or an amount per distance traveled during performance of the on-demand service.3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the default price for the on-demand service that is based on a current location of the computing device.4. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the real-time price includes receiving a wireless communication from the service system that indicates that the real-time price has been increased from a default price by a multiplier.5. The method of claim 4 , further comprising:providing a user interface to enable the user to request the on-demand service, the user interface including a graphic that identifies the multiplier.6. The method of ...

ELECTRONIC MANIFEST OF UNDERGROUND FACILITY LOCATE MARKS

A method performed by a device may include receiving information regarding a particular geographic area; retrieving an aerial image of the particular geographic area; displaying the aerial image; determining an approximate geographic location of a mark denoting an underground facility; overlaying, on the displayed aerial image, information concerning the approximate geographic location of the mark denoting the underground facility; and storing the aerial image and the information concerning the approximate geographic location of the mark denoting the underground facility. 1. A method performed by a device , the method comprising:receiving first information regarding a particular geographic area including a dig area;retrieving an aerial image of the particular geographic area including the dig area;displaying the aerial image;overlaying, on the displayed aerial image, second information concerning an approximate geographic location of a locate mark placed on a surface above an underground facility detected by a locate technician performing a locate operation in the dig area, the locate mark including at least one of a) paint, b) at least one flag, and c) at least one colored marker, denoting a presence of the underground facility; andstoring the aerial image and the second information concerning the approximate geographic location of the locate mark denoting the underground facility.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first information includes a geographic address of the particular geographic area.3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising receiving user input that identifies the approximate geographic location of the locate mark denoting the underground facility within the geographic area; andoverlaying, on the displayed aerial image, the second information based on the user input.4. The method of claim 3 , where receiving the user input that identifies the approximate geographic location of the locate mark denoting the underground facility within the ...

ELECTRONICALLY DOCUMENTING LOCATE OPERATIONS FOR UNDERGROUND UTILITIES

A technician performs a locate operation of an underground utility in a dig area of proposed excavation by applying one or more physical colored markers (e.g., paint, flags, other colored markers) to ground, pavement or other surface to indicate a presence or an absence of the underground utility in the dig area. A digital image of a geographic area comprising the dig area is displayed on a display device, and one or more electronic colored markers corresponding to the physical colored marker(s) are added to the displayed digital image so as to generate a marked-up image. Information relating to the marked-up image is electronically transmitted and/or electronically stored so as to document the locate operation. 1. A method , comprising:A) performing a locate operation of at least one underground facility in a dig area that is planned to be excavated or disturbed during excavation activities by applying to ground, pavement or other surface in the dig area at least one physical colored marker to indicate a presence or an absence of the at least one underground facility below the ground, pavement or other surface in the dig area;adding via a processing unit, to at least one digital image of a geographic area comprising the dig area, at least one electronic marker corresponding to the at least one physical colored marker applied to the ground, pavement or other surface in the dig area so as to generate an electronic record of the locate operation performed in A); andC) electronically transmitting and/or electronically storing information relating to the electronic record of the locate operation performed in A).2. The method of claim 1 , wherein in A):a color of the at least one physical colored marker applied to the ground, pavement or other surface in the dig area indicates a type of the at least one underground facility; and non-white paint; and', 'at least one non-white flag., 'the at least one physical colored marker applied to the ground, pavement or other surface ...

Methods and apparatus for generating electronic records of locate operations

Exemplary apparatus include locate devices that generate, store and/or transmit electronic records of locate information relating to detection of underground facilities. An exemplary method for analyzing and processing locate information includes a computer-implemented method for visually rendering (e.g., in a display field of a display device) various aspects of locate operations. In one implementation, an output stream of data packets may be provided, wherein each data packet includes one or more flag fields that are set or reset upon at least one actuation of an actuation system of a locate device, and wherein at least some of the data packets include locate information relating to a locate operation.

Hand-held marking apparatus with location tracking system and methods for logging geographic location of same

Marking apparatus and methods to mark ground, pavement or other surfaces to provide a visual indication of a presence or an absence of an underground utility in a dig area. An example marking tool has a hand-held housing, a marking dispenser coupled to the housing to dispense one or more markers in the dig area, and a triggering system to trigger the marking dispenser so as to dispense the marker(s). An example marking tool also may include a logging system to receive data associated with a marking event initiated by the triggering system, time tag the data, and store the time-tagged data in data storage in the marking tool. 15-. (canceled)6. An apparatus to facilitate collection of information regarding underground utilities while walking or standing erect on ground , pavement or other surface above the underground facilities , the apparatus comprising:an elongated hand-held housing;a paint canister holder coupled to the elongated hand-held housing to hold a marker dispenser;a location tracking system, disposed within or coupled to the elongated hand-held housing, including a receiver to determine a geographic location of the location tracking system;a memory disposed within or coupled to the elongated hand-held housing; anda processor, disposed within or coupled to the elongated hand-held housing and communicatively coupled to the location tracking system and the memory, to receive from the location tracking system location data relating to the geographic location of the location tracking system and to store in the memory the received location data.7. The apparatus of claim 6 , further comprising:a communication system communicatively coupled to the processor and including a wireless interface to transmit a signal from the apparatus, wherein the signal transmitted by the wireless interface represents the location data relating to the geographic location of the location tracking system.8. The apparatus of claim 6 , further comprising the marker dispenser disposed ...

Methods And Apparatus For Generating Output Data Streams Relating To Underground Utility Marking Operations

Methods and apparatus for generating electronic records of marking operations for underground facilities/utilities. Electronic records of marking information may be 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 in whole or in part to another device (e.g., a remote computer/server) for storage, processing and/or analysis. In one example, an output stream of data packets is provided, wherein each data packet includes one or more flag fields that is/are set or reset upon at least one actuation of the marking device. 1an actuation system;a memory to store processor-executable instructions; anda processor coupled to the memory and the actuation system, wherein upon execution of the processor-executable instructions by the processor, the processor provides an output stream of data packets, each data packet including at least one flag field that is set or reset upon at least one actuation of the actuation system.. A marking apparatus to perform a marking operation, the marking apparatus comprising: This application claims a priority benefit, under 35 U.S.C. §120, as a continuation (CON) of U.S. Non-provisional application Ser. No. 12/622,768, entitled “METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING AN ELECTRONIC RECORD OF A MARKING OPERATION INCLUDING SERVICE-RELATED INFORMATION AND/OR TICKET INFORMATION,” filed on Nov. 20, 2009 under attorney docket no. DYC0011US02.U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/622,768 claims a priority benefit, under 35 U.S.C. §120, as a continuation (CON) of U.S. Non-provisional application Ser. No. 12/539,497, entitled “Methods and Apparatus for Generating an Electronic Record of a Marking Operation based on Marking Device Actuations,” filed on Aug. 11, 2009, and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,280,631 on Oct. 2, 2012 under attorney docket no. DYC0011US01.U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/539,497 claims the benefit, under 35 U.S.C. §119(e), of U.S. ...

MARKING DEVICE DOCKING STATIONS HAVING SECURITY FEATURES AND METHODS OF USING SAME

Docking stations and docking methods are provided for use with marking devices used for marking the presence or absence of an underground facility in a dig area. The docking station may serve as a home base for storage of a marking device, for charging the battery of a marking device, for transferring data to and from a marking device, and for securing a marking device against unauthorized use and/or theft. The docking station may be a mobile docking station that is installed in a vehicle or may be a fixed docking station that is installed at a central location in the field, at a central office, at a home base facility, and the like. 1a first docking station configured to communicate electronically with a first marking device; anda second docking station configured to communicate electronically with a second marking device, the first and second docking stations being configured to communicate directly with each other.. A system for operation of marking devices of the type used to mark the presence or absence of an underground facility in a dig area, comprising: The present application claims a priority benefit, under 35 U.S.C. §120, as a continuation (CON) of U.S. non-provisional application Ser. No. 12/571,408, filed Sep. 30, 2009, entitled “MARKING DEVICE DOCKING STATIONS HAVING SECURITY FEATURES AND METHODS OF USING SAME.Ser. No. 12/571,408, in turn, claims a priority benefit, under 35 U.S.C. §119(e), to U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/102,115, filed Oct. 2, 2008.Each of the above-identified applications is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.The present invention relates generally to the field of marking devices and, more particularly, to docking stations for use with marking devices and to methods of using the same.Field technicians, such as land surveyors and utility location experts, often utilize marking material to identify a specific location on the ground. Conventional marking devices are used for dispensing a marking material ...

Providing on-demand services through use of portable computing devices

A computer system communicates with provider computing devices associated with a plurality of service types. In response to receiving a first communication from a requester computing device, the computer system (i) determines, based at least in part on location information communicated by multiple provider computing devices associated with a first service type, a first value representative of a first property of available services of the first service type, (ii) determines, based at least in part on a current location of the requester computing device and location information communicated by one or more of the multiple provider computing devices, a second value representative of a second property of available services of the first service type, and (iii) transmits data comprising the first value and the second value to cause the requester computing device to display the first value and the second value in association with the first service type.

METHODS, APPARATUS, AND SYSTEMS FOR PROVIDING AN ENHANCED POSITIVE RESPONSE IN UNDERGROUND FACILITY LOCATE AND MARKING OPERATIONS

A positive response notification to provide information regarding locate and/or marking operations for underground facilities may include time-stamp information to provide proof of a time at which the locate and/or marking operation was completed by a locate technician, and/or place-stamp information to provide proof of a presence of the locate technician at or near a work site. An electronic manifest image and/or a virtual white line image similarly may be included in a positive response notification. In one example, such images may be bundled together based on respective descriptor files (or descriptor metadata) that associates the corresponding images with a locate request ticket for the operation. In another example, a positive response notification may include environmental information regarding one or more environmental conditions present at or near the work site during the locate and/or marking operation. 1a communication interface;a memory to store processor-executable instructions; and controls the communication interface to receive input indicating that the locate and/or marking operation is complete; and', time-stamp information to provide proof of a time at which the locate and/or marking operation was completed by the locate technician; and', 'place-stamp information to provide proof of a presence of the locate technician sufficiently proximate to or at a geographic location specified on the locate request ticket and corresponding to the dig area., 'based on the input indicating that the locate and/or marking operation is complete, further controls the communication interface and/or the memory to electronically transmit and/or electronically store performance information concerning the locate and/or marking operation, the performance information including at least one of the following], 'a processing unit communicatively coupled to the communication interface and the memory, wherein upon execution of the processor-executable instructions by the ...

Providing on-demand services through use of portable computing devices

A method for requesting an on-demand service on a computing device is provided. One or more processors determine the current location of the computing device. A multistate selection feature of a plurality of service options for providing the on-demand service is presented on the display of the computing device. The multistate selection feature enables a user to select a service option that is available within a region that includes the current location to provide the on-demand service. In response to the user selecting one of the plurality of service options, a summary user interface is presented on the display to provide region-specific information about the on-demand service based on the selected service option.

MARKING APPARATUS FOR RECEIVING ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION REGARDING UNDERGROUND FACILITY MARKING OPERATIONS, AND ASSOCIATED METHODS AND SYSTEMS

Methods, apparatus and systems for marking a presence or absence of an underground facility. Marking material is dispensed, via actuation of an actuation system of a marking device, onto a target surface. Environmental information regarding at least one environmental condition of an environment in which the marking device is located is received via at least one communication interface of the marking device, and marking information is logged into local memory of the marking device. In one aspect, the stored marking information includes at least some of the environmental information. 1at least one actuator to control dispensing of a marking material for marking the presence or absence of the underground facility;a memory to store processor-executable instructions;at least one communication interface; andat least one processor communicatively coupled to the at least one actuator, the memory, and the at least one communication interface, wherein upon execution of the processor-executable instructions, the processor:controls the at least one communication interface to receive environmental information regarding at least one environmental condition of an environment in which the apparatus is located; andstores at least some of the received environmental information in the memory.. An apparatus for marking a presence or absence of an underground facility, the apparatus comprising: The present application claims the benefit, under 35 U.S.C. §120, as a continuation (CON) of U.S. Non-provisional application Ser. No. 12/797,169, filed Jun. 9, 2010, entitled “Marking Apparatus For Receiving Environmental Information Regarding Underground Facility Marking Operations, and Associated Methods and Systems.”.Ser. No. 12/797,169, filed Jun. 9, 2010, claims the benefit, under 35 U.S.C. §120, as a continuation (CON) of U.S. Non-provisional application Ser. No. 12/703,958, filed Feb. 11, 2010, entitled “Marking Apparatus Having Enhanced Features for Underground Facility Marking ...

SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUS FOR TRACKING AN OBJECT

Systems, methods, and apparatus are provided for tracking an object moving along and above a ground surface. The object may comprise, affixed thereto or contained therein, a satellite-based location tracking apparatus to provide a first set of position coordinate pairs for the object as well as an inertial measurement unit to provide a plurality of heading direction values for the object and/or a velocity/distance sensor to provide a second set of position coordinate pairs based on, for example, optical flow image processing of a plurality of images of the ground surface. At least one processor may calculate a third set of position coordinate pairs based on a combination of the first set of position coordinate pairs, accounting for first reliability factor(s), as well as the second set of position coordinate pairs, accounting for second reliability factor(s), and/or the plurality of heading direction values, accounting for third related reliability factor(s). 1. A system to track a position of an object moving along and above a ground surface , the system comprising: an inertial measurement unit (IMU) to provide a plurality of heading direction values for the object as the object moves along and above the ground surface;', 'a satellite-based location tracking apparatus to provide a first set of position coordinate pairs corresponding to respective positions of the object as the object moves along and above the ground surface, based on a plurality of satellites communicatively coupled to the satellite-based location tracking apparatus;', 'an optical flow-based image acquisition apparatus to acquire a plurality of images of the ground surface as the object moves along and above the ground surface, the optical flow-based image acquisition apparatus configured to provide a second set of position coordinate pairs corresponding to at least some of the respective positions of the object as the object moves along and above the ground surface, based on optical flow image ...

Electronic manifest of underground facility locate marks

Methods and apparatus for generating a searchable electronic record of a locate operation in which one or more physical locate marks are applied by a technician to indentify a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within a dig area. A digital image of a geographic area comprising the dig area is electronically received, and at least a portion of the received digital image is displayed on a display device. One or more digital representations of the physical locate mark(s) applied by the locate technician are added to the displayed digital image so as to generate a marked-up digital image. Information relating to the marked-up digital image is electronically transmitted and/or electronically stored so as to generate the searchable electronic record of the locate operation.

Apparatus and methods for evaluating a quality of a locate operation for underground utilities

Methods and apparatus for assessing a locate and marking operation. Ticket information is received regarding the locate and marking operation prior to performance. Following performance, a locate manifest is received that includes a digital image associated with a dig area for which the operation was performed. One or more electronic indications are provided, based at least in part on a comparison of the ticket information and the locate manifest, of a quality assessment of the locate and marking operation. The electronic indication(s) indicate one of: 1) a satisfactory operation; 2) an unsatisfactory operation requiring further quality control assessment and/or at least partial re-performance; or 3) a satisfactory operation, but nonetheless requiring technician coaching. An electronic record is generated of the quality assessment of the locate and marking operation based on the electronic indication(s).

ELECTRONIC MANIFEST OF UNDERGROUND FACILITY LOCATE MARKS

A method performed by a device may include receiving information regarding a particular geographic area; retrieving an aerial image of the particular geographic area; displaying the aerial image; determining an approximate geographic location of a mark denoting an underground facility; overlaying, on the displayed aerial image, information concerning the approximate geographic location of the mark denoting the underground facility; and storing the aerial image and the information concerning the approximate geographic location of the mark denoting the underground facility. 1receiving first information regarding a particular geographic area including a dig area;retrieving an aerial image of the particular geographic area including the dig area;displaying the aerial image;overlaying, on the displayed aerial image, second information concerning an approximate geographic location of a locate mark placed on a surface above an underground facility detected by a locate technician performing a locate operation in the dig area, the locate mark including at least one of a) paint, b) at least one flag, and c) at least one colored marker, denoting a presence of the underground facility; andstoring the aerial image and the second information concerning the approximate geographic location of the locate mark denoting the underground facility.. A method performed by a device, the method comprising: The present application claims a priority benefit, under 35 U.S.C. §120, as a continuation (CON) of U.S. non-provisional application Ser. No. 14/263,627, filed on Apr. 28, 2014, entitled “ELECTRONIC MANIFEST OF UNDERGROUND FACILITY LOCATE MARKS.” (Atty. Docket No. DYCO-003/07US 319976-2049).U.S. non-provisional application Ser. No. 14/263,627, filed on Apr. 28, 2014, claims the benefit, under 35 U.S.C. §120, as a continuation (CON) of U.S. non-provisional application Ser. No. 13/953,998, filed on Jul. 30, 2013, entitled “ELECTRONIC MANIFEST OF UNDERGROUND FACILITY LOCATE MARKS.” (Atty ...

Methods, apparatus, and systems for acquiring an enhanced positive response for underground facility locate and marking operations based on an electronic manifest documenting physical locate marks on ground, pavement, or other surface

A positive response notification to provide information regarding locate and/or marking operations for underground facilities may include time-stamp information to provide proof of a time at which the locate and/or marking operation was completed by a locate technician, and/or place-stamp information to provide proof of a presence of the locate technician at or near a work site. An electronic manifest image and/or a virtual white line image similarly may be included in a positive response notification. In one example, such images may be bundled together based on respective descriptor files (or descriptor metadata) that associates the corresponding images with a locate request ticket for the operation. In another example, a positive response notification may include environmental information regarding one or more environmental conditions present at or near the work site during the locate and/or marking operation.

APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR EVALUATING A QUALITY OF A LOCATE OPERATION FOR UNDERGROUND UTILITY

Methods, apparatus and systems for computer-aided determination of quality assessment for locate and marking operations. In one example, a quality assessment decision is solely under the discretion of a human reviewer, albeit facilitated in some respects by computer-aided display of information, and electronic record keeping and communication functions associated with the quality assessment result(s). In another example, information related to a locate and marking operation is electronically analyzed such that a quality assessment is not based solely on human discretion, but rather based at least in part on some predetermined criteria and/or metrics that facilitate an automated determination of quality assessment. 1. In a computer comprising at least one hardware processor , at least one tangible storage medium , and at least one input/output (I/O) interface , a method for evaluating a quality of a locate operation to identify a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility at a work site pursuant to an instruction to a field-service technician , the method comprising:A) receiving, via the at least one I/O interface, first information describing at least one act of the field-service technician relating to identifying the presence or the absence of the at least one underground facility during performance by the field-service technician of the locate operation following issuance of the instruction to the field-service technician;B) electronically analyzing, via the at least one hardware processor, the first information received in A) describing the at least one act of the field-service technician;C) automatically generating via the at least one hardware processor, based on B), at least one indication of a quality assessment of the locate operation, the at least one indication of the quality assessment representing the quality of the locate operation performed by the field-service technician; andD) electronically storing on the at least one tangible ...

METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR ASSESSING RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH LOCATE REQUEST TICKETS BASED ON HISTORICAL INFORMATION

Locate and/or marking operations involve detecting and/or marking a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within a dig area, wherein at least a portion of the dig area is planned to be excavated or disturbed during excavation activities. One or more attributes of a locate and/or marking operation requested in a locate request ticket are assessed to provide one or more ticket assessment outcomes. Ticket information is obtained from the locate request ticket, and historical information (e.g., historical damage reports, historical records of previously completed locate request tickets) is selected and analyzed based on the ticket information so as to assign at least one risk designation to the ticket. The risk designation(s) is/are transmitted and/or stored so as to facilitate clearing the locate request ticket and/or dispatching a locate technician to perform the locate and/or marking operation. 1. An apparatus for assessing risk associated with a locate and/or marking operation specified by a locate request ticket generated by a one-call center , the locate and/or marking operation comprising detecting and/or marking a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within a dig area at a work site , wherein at least a portion of the dig area is planned to be excavated or disturbed during excavation activities at the work site , the apparatus comprising:at least one communication interface;at least one memory to store processor-executable instructions; and A) controls the at least one communication interface so as to receive the locate request ticket generated by the one-call center;', 'B) parses the locate request ticket received in A) so as to extract ticket information obtained from the locate request ticket;', historical damage reports for underground facility infrastructure; and', 'historical records of previously completed locate request tickets;, 'C) performs a statistical analysis of historical information, the historical ...

METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR FACILITATING QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF LOCATE AND MARKING OPERATIONS TO DETECT AND MARK UNDERGROUND UTILITIES IN ADVANCE OF EXCAVATION ACTIVITIES

Methods and apparatus for facilitating a quality assessment of a locate and marking operation. Ticket information and a locate manifest are received regarding the operation as performed by a technician. One or more electronic indications of the quality assessment are processed based on the locate manifest, the ticket information, and at least one of: a time required to complete the locate and marking operation; a time at which the locate and marking operation was performed; a cost of the locate and marking operation; one or more conditions associated with a dig area in which the operation was performed; a number of facilities to be located as indicated in the ticket information; a discrepancy between the facilities to be located as indicated in the ticket information, but not indicated as marked in the locate manifest; and an efficiency with which the technician performed the locate and marking operation. 1. An apparatus for facilitating a quality assessment of a locate and marking operation performed by a first locate technician , the locate and marking operation comprising identifying a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within a dig area to be excavated or disturbed during excavation activities , the apparatus comprising:a communication interface;a memory to store processor-executable instructions;at least one user interface device including at least one display device; anda processing unit coupled to the communication interface, the at least one user interface device, and the memory, wherein upon execution of the processor-executable instructions by the processing unit, the processing unit:A) controls the communication interface to electronically receive a locate request ticket including ticket information regarding at least one task to be performed by the first locate technician during the locate and marking operation,wherein the at least one task includes physically marking, by the first locate technician at the dig area, the presence ...

Enabling a user to verify a price change for an on-demand service

A method for enabling a user to verify a price change for an on-demand service is provided. One or more processors can determine a real-time price for providing the on-demand service to the user. The one or more processors can determine when the real-time price is equal to or exceeds a threshold price. In response to a request from the user for the on-demand service when the real-time price is equal to or exceeds the threshold price, an intermediate interface can be provided that the user is to correctly respond to before a service request can be transmitted to a service system.

LOCATING EQUIPMENT DOCKING STATION COMMUNICATIVELY COUPLED TO OR EQUIPPED WITH A MOBILE/PORTABLE DEVICE

A docking station to dock locating equipment (e.g., marking devices, locate devices, combined locate and marking devices) may be communicatively coupled to and/or equipped with a mobile/portable device (e.g., a mobile phone, personal digital assistant or other portable computing device) that provides processing, electronic storage, electronic display, user interface, communication facilities and/or other functionality (e.g., GPS-enabled functionality) for the docking station. A mobile/portable device may be mechanically and/or electrically coupled to the docking station. The mobile/portable device may provide redundant, shared and/or backup functionality for the docking station to enhance robustness. In one example, the mobile/portable device itself serves as a docking station for the locating equipment. 1. (canceled)2. A locate device docking station for holding , storing , and/or locking a locate device as used in a locate operation to identify a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility in a dig area , wherein at least a portion of the dig area is to be excavated or disturbed during excavation activities , the locate device docking station comprising:a housing;a mobile device interface to facilitate mechanical and electrical coupling and removal of a portable computing device; anda docking interface, operably coupled to the housing, to mechanically receive the locate device and substantially hold the locate device when docked in the locate device docking station, a communication interface to transmit data between the locate device docking station and the locate device; and', 'a power interface to provide power from the locate device docking station to the locate device., 'wherein the docking interface comprises3. The locate device docking station of claim 2 , further comprising:a processor;a user input device; anda memory, operably coupled to the communication interface, the processor, and the user input device, to store processor-executable ...

METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR ANALYZING LOCATE AND MARKING OPERATIONS

Methods and apparatus to evaluate a quality of a locate and/or marking operation performed at a work site of proposed excavation in response to a locate request ticket. A display device displays a first portion of a graphical user interface based on first information from the locate request ticket, and further displays a second portion of the graphical user interface based on second information relating to the locate and/or marking operation as performed at the work site by a field technician. One or more indications of a quality assessment of the locate and/or marking operation are generated based on a comparison of at least some of the first information and at least some of the second information, and an electronic record of the quality assessment is stored and/or transmitted based on the indication(s). 2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein C) comprises:C1) receiving an input, via the graphical user interface, from an approver that reviews the displayed first portion of the graphical user interface and the displayed second portion of the graphical user interface; andC2) generating the at least one indication of the quality assessment in response to the input from the approver.3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein C) comprises:automatically generating the at least one indication of the quality assessment by the processor based at least in part on the comparison of the at least some of the first information and the at least some of the second information and at least one predetermined criterion for the comparison.4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein upon execution of the processor-executable instructions by the processor claim 1 , the processor further controls the at least one communication interface to receive the first information from the locate request ticket.5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein upon execution of the processor-executable instructions by the processor claim 1 , the processor further controls the at least one communication interface to receive ...

METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING ACCESS TO A VIRTUAL WHITE LINE (VWL) IMAGE FOR AN EXCAVATION PROJECT

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. A limited access file comprising information relating to the marked-up image may be transmitted to at least one party associated with the at least one underground facility. 1a communication interface;a memory to store processor-executable instructions; and electronically receives, via the communication interface, at least one user input relating to the dig area;', 'based on the at least one user input, renders a digital virtual white line image including at least one dig area indicator to provide at least one indication of the dig area with respect to a geographic area; and', 'transmits a limited access file comprising information relating to the digital virtual white line image, via the communication interface, to at least one party associated with the at least one underground facility so as to facilitate the detection of the presence or the absence of the at least one underground facility within the dig area., 'a processing unit coupled to the communication interface and the memory, wherein upon execution of the processor-executable instructions by the processing unit, the processing unit. An apparatus for facilitating detection of a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within a dig area, wherein at least a portion of the dig area may be excavated or disturbed during excavation activities, the ...

METHODS, APPARATUS, AND SYSTEMS FOR DISPATCHING SERVICE TECHNICIANS

Scheduling of activities for field service technicians may be improved by modifying availability constraints associated with appointment windows for activities. Activities may be scheduled based on a performance deadline and relevant shift times of the resources to whom the activity may be allocated, as well as a variety of parameters relating to activities, resources and/or relevant environmental conditions (e.g., weather, traffic). An activity may be moved from one calendar day to another, a location constraint at the beginning and/or the end of a technician's shift may be removed or modified, and/or information updates may be provided in real time or near real time (e.g., every five minutes or less) throughout a work day to facilitate scheduling. In one example for scheduling dispatch of locate technicians for locate operations, ticket information relating to locate request tickets, as well as resource information relating to available technicians, may be extracted from a ticket database and a resource/technician database to provide appropriate inputs to a scheduling engine, based at least in part on matching available resources to performance deadlines associated with locate requests. 1. A system for dispatching a plurality of locate technicians to perform a plurality of locate activities , each locate activity corresponding to at least one locate ticket requesting that a presence or absence of at least one underground facility be determined within a planned dig area , the system comprising:A) at least one first storage device for maintaining a ticket database;B) at least one second storage device for maintaining a technician database; C1) allocating the plurality of locate technicians to the plurality of locate activities, and', 'C2) scheduling the plurality of locate activities; and, 'C) at least one first processor programmed to implement a scheduling engine for D1) retrieving ticket information from the ticket database;', 'D2) determining a performance ...

METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR ANALYZING LOCATE AND MARKING OPERATIONS WITH RESPECT TO ENVIRONMENTAL LANDMARKS

Methods, apparatus and systems including a computer comprising at least one hardware processor, at least one tangible storage medium (memory), and at least one input/output (I/O) interface for evaluating a quality of a locate and/or marking operation. First information relating to the locate and/or marking operation is compared to second information relating to one or more environmental landmarks. One or more indications of a quality assessment of the locate and/or marking operation is automatically generated based on such a comparison, and the one or more indications of the quality assessment are electronically stored on the at least one tangible storage medium, and/or electronically transmitted via the at least one I/O interface, so as to provide an electronic record of the quality assessment. 1. In a computer comprising at least one hardware processor , at least one tangible storage medium , and at least one input/output (I/O) interface , a method for evaluating a quality of a locate and/or marking operation as at least partially performed by at least one technician at a work site of proposed excavation so as to identify a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility at the work site , the method comprising:A) comparing, by the at least one hardware processor, first information relating to the locate and/or marking operation as at least partially performed by the at least one technician, to second information relating to a presence or an absence of one or more reference environmental landmarks at the work site;B) automatically generating, by the at least one hardware processor based on A), at least one indication of a quality assessment of the locate and/or marking operation as at least partially performed by the at least one technician; andC) electronically storing on the at least one tangible storage medium, and/or electronically transmitting via the at least one I/O interface, the at least one indication of the quality assessment so as to ...

PROVIDING ON-DEMAND SERVICES THROUGH USE OF PORTABLE COMPUTING DEVICES

A method for requesting an on-demand service on a computing device is provided. One or more processors determine the current location of the computing device. A multistate selection feature of a plurality of service options for providing the on-demand service is presented on the display of the computing device. The multistate selection feature enables a user to select a service option that is available within a region that includes the current location to provide the on-demand service. In response to the user selecting one of the plurality of service options, a summary user interface is presented on the display to provide region-specific information about the on-demand service based on the selected service option. 1. (canceled)2. A method for providing information about an on-demand service , the method being performed by one or more processors of a computing device and comprising:(a) communicating with a global positioning system (GPS) component of the computing device to determine a current location of the computing device;(b) providing, on a display of the computing device, a user interface that includes one or more panels, the user interface including a multistate selection feature that is responsive to user input to move between multiple positions provided on the display, wherein each of the multiple positions corresponds to a type or option of the on-demand service that is available for request by a user operating the computing device at the current location;(c) when the multistate selection feature is provided at one of the multiple positions provided on the display that corresponds to a first type or option of the on-demand service, providing, with at least one of the one or more panels of the user interface, location information that is specific to at least a region of the current location and first service information that is specific to the first type or option of the on-demand service; and(d) in response to a user input that moves the multistate ...

Methods, apparatus, and systems for acquiring an enhanced positive response for underground facility locate and marking operations

Multiple elements of information relating to a locate and marking operation are integrated so as to provide an enhanced positive response to one or more entities associated with requesting the locate and marking operation (e.g., an excavator, a home owner or property owner, other contractor). The locate and marking operation is performed by a locate technician in response to at least one locate request ticket by applying at least one physical locate mark on ground, pavement, or other surface to indicate a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within a dig area, wherein at least a portion of the dig area is planned to be excavated or disturbed by an excavator during excavation activities.

VIRTUAL WHITE LINES FOR INDICATING PLANNED EXCAVATION SITES ON ELECTRONIC IMAGES

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 at the first user location. 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, the indicator(s) is/are added to the displayed input image(s) without acquiring geographic coordinates corresponding to the indicator(s). 1. (canceled)2. A method for electronically delimiting a dig area that is planned to be excavated or disturbed during excavation activities , so as to facilitate detection of a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within the dig area , the method comprising:A) electronically sending from at least one communication interface via a network, to an excavator at a first location remote from the dig area, first source data representing at least one digital image of a geographic area including the dig area;B) electronically receiving from the excavator, at the at least one communication interface via the network, second source data representing a marked-up version of the at least one digital image that includes at least one dig area indicator sketched on the digital image by the excavator via a user input device associated with a display device that processes the first source data to display the at least one digital image to the excavator at the first location remote from the dig area, the at least one dig area indicator providing at least one unbuffered indication of a boundary of the dig area on the marked-up version of the at ...

METHODS, APPARATUS AND SYSTEMS FOR GENERATING ELECTRONIC RECORDS OF UNDERGROUND FACILITY LOCATE AND/OR MARKING OPERATIONS

A locate and/or marking operation comprises locating and/or identifying, using at least one physical locate mark, a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within a dig area, wherein at least a portion of the dig area may be excavated or disturbed during excavation activities. The at least one underground facility and/or the at least one physical locate mark is digitally represented on a display device so as to generate an electronic visual representation of the locate and/or marking operation. 1A) electronically receiving first information relating to a location of the at least one underground facility and/or the at least one physical locate mark;B) based at least in part on the first information received in A), digitally representing, on a display device, the location of the least one underground facility and/or the at least one physical locate mark so as to generate an electronic visual representation of the locate and/or marking operation;C) receiving second information relating to a corrected location of the at least one underground facility and/or the at least one physical locate mark;D) based at least in part on the second information received in C), digitally representing, on the display device, the corrected location so as to generate a corrected electronic visual representation of the locate and/or marking operation; andE) electronically transmitting and/or electronically storing third information relating to the corrected representation of the locate and/or marking operation so as to generate the corrected electronic record of the locate and/or marking operation.. A method for generating a corrected electronic record of a locate and/or marking operation performed by a locate technician, the locate and/or marking operation comprising locating and/or identifying, using at least one physical locate mark, a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within a dig area, wherein at least a portion of the dig area may be ...

ELECTRONIC MANIFEST OF UNDERGROUND FACILITY LOCATE MARKS

A method performed by a device may include receiving information regarding a particular geographic area; retrieving an aerial image of the particular geographic area; displaying the aerial image; determining an approximate geographic location of a mark denoting an underground facility; overlaying, on the displayed aerial image, information concerning the approximate geographic location of the mark denoting the underground facility; and storing the aerial image and the information concerning the approximate geographic location of the mark denoting the underground facility. 1. A method performed by a device , the method comprising:receiving first information regarding a particular geographic area including a dig area;retrieving an aerial image of the particular geographic area including the dig area;displaying the aerial image;overlaying, on the displayed aerial image, second information concerning an approximate geographic location of a locate mark placed on a surface above an underground facility detected by a locate technician performing a locate operation in the dig area, the locate mark including at least one of a) paint, b) at least one flag, and c) at least one colored marker, denoting a presence of the underground facility; andstoring the aerial image and the second information concerning the approximate geographic location of the locate mark denoting the underground facility.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first information includes a geographic address of the particular geographic area.3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising receiving user input that identifies the approximate geographic location of the locate mark denoting the underground facility within the geographic area; andoverlaying, on the displayed aerial image, the second information based on the user input.4. The method of claim 3 , where receiving the user input that identifies the approximate geographic location of the locate mark denoting the underground facility within the ...

APPARATUS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO GENERATE ELECTRONIC RECORDS OF UNDERGROUND FACILITY MARKING OPERATIONS PERFORMED WITH GPS-ENABLED MARKING DEVICES

A technician performs a locate operation of an underground utility in a dig area of proposed excavation by applying one or more physical colored markers (e.g., paint, flags, other colored markers) to ground, pavement or other surface to indicate a presence or an absence of the underground utility in the dig area. A digital image of a geographic area comprising the dig area is displayed on a display device, and one or more electronic colored markers corresponding to the physical colored marker(s) are added to the displayed digital image so as to generate a marked-up image. Information relating to the marked-up image is electronically transmitted and/or electronically stored so as to document the locate operation. 1. An apparatus for facilitating generation of a searchable electronic record of a locate operation performed by a locate technician in a dig area , wherein at least a portion of the dig area is planned to be excavated or disturbed during excavation activities , the apparatus comprising:a communication interface;a display device;a memory to store processor-executable instructions; and controls the communication interface to electronically receive source data representing at least one input image of a geographic area including the dig area, wherein the source data comprises geo-encoded information relating to the geographical area;', 'processes the source data and controls the display device so as to display at least a portion of the at least one input image;', acquires input from a marking device configured to apply the at least one physical locate mark to the dig area, the input relating to a geographic location of the at least one physical locate mark applied by the locate technician during the locate operation; and', 'adds to the displayed at least one input image the at least one digital representation of the at least one physical locate mark, based at least in part on the input acquired from the marking device; and, 'adds to the displayed at least one ...

Methods, apparatus, and systems for facilitating compliance with marking specifications for dispensing marking material

Control of locating equipment used by a locate technician to perform a locate and/or marking operation to detect and/or mark a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility at a work site is based at least in part on marking specifications (e.g., government-based regulations, industry-based recommended guidelines/best practices, standard operating procedures of locate companies and/or facility owners, and/or contractual obligations relating to marking operations). In various examples, control signals are generated to alert a locate technician when to start and stop dispensing of a marking material, or control signals are generated to automatically or semi-automatically control dispensing of the marking material by a marking device, so as to facilitate compliance with marking specifications.

METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DISPLAYING AND PROCESSING FACILITIES MAP INFORMATION AND/OR OTHER IMAGE INFORMATION ON A LOCATE DEVICE

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). 1. A locate receiver to detect a presence or an absence of an underground facility , the locate receiver comprising:a housing;an RF antenna for receiving a magnetic field and outputting an output signal;a processing circuit, for receiving the output signal from the RF antenna and determining a magnetic field strength of the magnetic field indicative of the presence or the absence of the underground facility;a display device coupled to the housing;at least one sensor, coupled to the housing, to output geographic information indicative of a geographic location of the locate receiver;at least one memory; and [ at least one of facilities map data, survey map data, land survey data, photographic image data, construction drawings, and engineering drawings; and', 'the geographic information output by the at least one sensor and indicative of the geographic location of the locate receiver; and, 'the at least one ...

Methods and apparatus for protecting underground utilities from excavation damage by assessing risks associated with locate request tickets

Methods and apparatus for protecting underground utilities from accidental excavation damage by assessing risk associated with a locate and/or marking operation to detect and/or mark a presence or absence of underground utilities in an excavation area. A locate request ticket generated by a one-call center and describing a locate and/or marking operation is electronically parsed to extract ticket information, and the extracted ticket information is rendered in a standardized computer-readable format (e.g., XML or other standardized format that may be processed by various software components). Historical damage reports for underground facility infrastructure, and/or historical records of previously completed locate request tickets, are retrieved based on the formatted extracted ticket information. A statistical analysis of the historical information is performed to assign a risk designation to the locate request ticket, which facilitates clearing the locate request ticket and/or dispatching a locate technician to perform the locate and/or marking operation.

METHODS, APPARATUS, AND SYSTEMS FOR ACQUIRING AND ANALYZING VEHICLE DATA AND GENERATING AN ELECTRONIC REPRESENTATION OF VEHICLE OPERATIONS

Geo-referenced and/or time-referenced electronic drawings may be generated based on electronic vehicle information to facilitate documentation of a vehicle-related event. A symbols library, a collection of geo-referenced images, and any data acquired from one or more vehicles may be stored in memory for use in connection with generation of such drawings, and a drawing tool graphical user interface (GUI) may be provided for electronically processing vehicle data and geo-referenced images. Processed geo-referenced images may be saved as event-specific images, which may be integrated into, for example, an electronic vehicle accident report for accurately depicting a vehicle accident. 1. An apparatus to document operation of a first vehicle in a geographic area , the apparatus comprising:a communication interface;a memory to store processor-executable instructions; and controls the communication interface to electronically receive source data representing at least one input image of the geographic area in which at least a portion of the operation of the first vehicle occurs;', 'acquires vehicle-based information relating to the first vehicle at a time during or proximate the operation of the first vehicle in the geographic area;', 'renders, based at least in part on the vehicle-based information, a marked-up image including a first representation of at least the portion of the operation overlaid on the at least one input image; and', 'further controls the communication interface and/or the memory to electronically transmit and/or electronically store information relating to the marked-up digital image so as to document the operation of the first vehicle with respect to the geographic area., 'a processing unit communicatively coupled to the communication interface and the memory, wherein upon execution of the processor-executable instructions by the processing unit, the processing unit2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the processing unit acquires a media file ...

METHODS, APPARATUS AND SYSTEMS FOR ONSITE LINKING TO LOCATION-SPECIFIC ELECTRONIC RECORDS OF LOCATE OPERATIONS

Providing access at a jobsite to an electronic record of a locate operation. Data related to the locate operation is acquired by locate equipment and transmitted to a data repository for storage in the electronic record of the locate operation. A site-specific access mechanism is provided that establishes a link to the electronic record of the locate operation. In one example, the site-specific access mechanism is a physical mechanism, such as a printout of a website address, a barcode, or an RFID tag. In another example the site-specific access mechanism is a virtual mechanism, such as geographic location information provided by a location tracking system (e.g., GPS apparatus) and/or derived from information available to a wireless communications system or WiFi network. In one aspect, the access mechanism may be configured for use at the jobsite only by a person particularly authorized to access the electronic record of the locate operation. 1. A method for providing access to an electronic record of a locate operation , the locate operation performed by a locate technician in response to at least one work order and comprising locating and applying , by the locate technician , at least one physical locate mark on ground , pavement , or other surface to indicate a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility at a jobsite , wherein at least a portion of the jobsite is planned to be excavated or disturbed by an excavator during excavation activities , the method comprising:acquiring, by locate equipment used by the locate technician to perform the locate operation, electronic data related to performance of the locate operation by the locate technician to locate and mark the presence or the absence of the at least one underground facility; an electronic manifest of the locate operation, the electronic manifest including a first digital image of the jobsite and at least one electronic marking electronically drawn on the first digital image by the locate ...

METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR MANAGING LOCATE AND/OR MARKING OPERATIONS

A holistic approach to management and oversight of locate and marking operations. Requests to perform such operations are assessed to allocate resources. In some examples, technicians are dispatched with process guides to facilitate performance. Various information regarding the performance of locate operations and their environs is acquired 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. 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. 1a communication interface;a memory to store processor-executable instructions; anda processing unit communicatively coupled to the communication interface and the memory, wherein upon execution of the processor-executable instructions by the processing unit, the processing unit:A) controls the communication interface to receive first ticket information describing the locate operation to be performed, the first ticket information including image information and/or geospatial metadata relating to the dig area and/or the work site;B) controls the communication interface to receive field information relating to the locate operation as at least partially performed and/or environmental information relating to the dig area and/or the work site; andC) processes the field information and/or the environmental information to provide a quality assessment of the locate ...

APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR EVALUATING A QUALITY OF A LOCATE OPERATION FOR UNDERGROUND UTILITY

Methods and apparatus to evaluate a quality of a locate operation performed at a work site of proposed excavation following issuance of the instruction to a field-service technician. An input/output (I/O) interface receives an electronic manifest of the locate operation. The electronic manifest includes geographic information indicating a first location at which the electronic manifest was created. A distance is determined between the first location and a second location at which the locate operation was requested to be performed. One or more indications of a quality assessment of the locate operation are generated based on whether the distance is within or equal to a predefined range.

METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR FACILITATING LOCATE AND MARKING OPERATIONS

Methods and apparatus for facilitating a locate and/or marking operation by assessing risk associated with the locate and/or marking operation. A communication interface receives a locate request ticket generated by a one-call center. A processor parses the locate request ticket to extract ticket information obtained from the locate request ticket. The processor further performs a statistical analysis of historical information that is selected based on the ticket information and includes historical damage reports for underground facility infrastructure and/or historical records of previously completed locate request tickets. At least one risk designation is assigned to the locate request ticket based on the statistical analysis of the historical information. The risk designation is transmitted or stored to facilitate clearing the locate request ticket and/or dispatching a locate technician to perform the locate and/or marking operation. 1. An apparatus for assessing risk associated with a locate and/or marking operation specified by a locate request ticket generated by a one-call center , the locate and/or marking operation comprising detecting and/or marking a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within a dig area at a work site , wherein at least a portion of the dig area is planned to be excavated or disturbed during excavation activities at the work site , the apparatus comprising:at least one communication interface;at least one memory to store processor-executable instructions; andat least one processor communicatively coupled to the at least one memory and the at least one communication interface, wherein upon execution of the processor-executable instructions by the at least one processor, the at least one processor:A) controls the at least one communication interface so as to receive the locate request ticket generated by the one-call center;B) parses the locate request ticket received in A) so as to extract ticket information ...

PROVIDING ON-DEMAND SERVICES THROUGH USE OF PORTABLE COMPUTING DEVICES

A computer system operable to communicate with each of a plurality of provider computing devices to obtain location information. The computer system can determine multiple types of dynamic values for a given geographic region by (i) receiving set of data from a computing device operated by a requester, the set of data indicating a current location of the requester, (ii) determining a first set of dynamic values based at least in part on location information communicated by multiple provider computing devices of the plurality of provider computing devices that are associated with a first service type, and (iii) determining a second set of dynamic values based at least in part on the current location of the requester and location information communicated by one or more of the multiple provider computing devices that are associated with the first service type. Each of the multiple types of dynamic values being associated with one of the multiple possible service types. 1. A computer system comprising:one or more processors;a memory to store a set of instructions, wherein the set of instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the computer system to perform operations that include:communicating with each of a plurality of provider computing devices to obtain location information, wherein each provider computing device is operated by a corresponding service provider and is associated with one of multiple possible service types;determining multiple types of dynamic values for a given geographic region, each of the multiple types of dynamic values being associated with one of the multiple possible service types; (i) receiving set of data from a computing device operated by a requester, the set of data indicating a current location of the requester;', '(ii) determining a first set of dynamic values based at least in part on location information communicated by multiple provider computing devices of the plurality of provider computing devices that are ...

Methods and apparatus for assessing complexity of locate request tickets

Locate and/or marking operations involve detecting and/or marking a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within a dig area, wherein at least a portion of the dig area is planned to be excavated or disturbed during excavation activities. One or more attributes of a locate and/or marking operation requested in a locate request ticket are assessed to provide one or more ticket assessment outcomes. Ticket information is obtained from the locate request ticket and analyzed so as to assign at least one complexity designation to the ticket. The complexity designation(s) is/are transmitted and/or stored so as to facilitate clearing the locate request ticket and/or dispatching a locate technician to perform the locate and/or marking operation.

Methods and apparatus for assessing risks associated with locate request tickets based on historical information

Locate and/or marking operations involve detecting and/or marking a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within a dig area, wherein at least a portion of the dig area is planned to be excavated or disturbed during excavation activities. One or more attributes of a locate and/or marking operation requested in a locate request ticket are assessed to provide one or more ticket assessment outcomes. Ticket information is obtained from the locate request ticket, and historical information (e.g., historical damage reports, historical records of previously completed locate request tickets) is selected and analyzed based on the ticket information so as to assign at least one risk designation to the ticket. The risk designation(s) is/are transmitted and/or stored so as to facilitate clearing the locate request ticket and/or dispatching a locate technician to perform the locate and/or marking operation.

Marking apparatus and methods for creating an electronic record of marking apparatus operations

A marking system may hold a container from which markers are dispensed to mark the presence or absence of an underground facility in a dig area. The container may identify a marker characteristic regarding the markers in the container. The marking system may receive activation of a trigger, dispense a marker from the container when the trigger is activated, and store the marker characteristic and time data when the trigger is activated. In other embodiments, the marking system may dispense a marker, determine location data and/or time data, and substantially simultaneously trigger the dispensing of the marker and logging of the location data and/or the time data. The location data identifies a geographic location where the marker is dispensed and the time data identifies the time when the marker is dispensed.

Marking apparatus and marking methods using marking dispenser with machine-readable ID mechanism

Marking devices for dispensing markers on the ground and marking methods are provided. The marking devices and marking methods use a marking dispenser having a machine-readable ID mechanism. The ID mechanism has data storage capability. In one embodiment, the marking dispenser may be provided with a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag. In another embodiment, the marking dispenser may be provided with a barcode. The type of information that may be encoded in the ID mechanism may include, but is not limited to, product-specific information, user-specific information, other predetermined information of interest, and any combination thereof. The ID information encoded in the ID mechanism may be collected and used for various purposes, such as, but not limited to, real-time product verification, tracking which user location received a batch of marking paint, tracking marking paint inventory, tracking marking paint problems, and tracking marking paint usage.

Marking system and method

A marking system may hold a container from which markers are dispensed and identify a marker characteristic regarding the markers in the container. The marking system may also receive activation of a trigger, dispense a marker from the container when the trigger is activated, and store the marker characteristic and time data when the trigger is activated.

Marking system and method with location and/or time tracking

A system may dispense a marker, determine location data or time data, and substantially simultaneously trigger the dispensing of the marker and logging of the location data that identifies a geographic location at which the marker is dispensed or the time data that identifies a time at which the marker is dispensed.

Methods and apparatus for generating an electronic record of a marking operation based on marking device actuations

Methods and apparatus for generating electronic records of marking operations for underground facilities/utilities. Electronic records of marking information may be 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, multiple pieces of geo-location data (e.g., from a GPS receiver) are collected and logged per actuation of a marking device (e.g., a trigger-pull to dispense marking material). A computer-generated image or other visual representation of the marking operation may be electronically rendered in a display field based on logged marking information, essentially in real time as the marking operation is conducted, and/or recreated thereafter based on one or more stored electronic records.

Methods and apparatus for generating an electronic record of environmental landmarks based on marking device actuations

Methods and apparatus for generating electronic records of marking operations and/or environmental landmarks for underground facilities/utilities. Marking information and/or landmark information may be 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 be configured to operate in both a marking mode and a landmark mode, and information relating to one or more environmental landmarks in a vicinity of the marking operation may be collected and logged with actuation of a marking device in the landmark mode. A computer-generated image or other visual representation may be electronically rendered in a display field based on logged marking information and/or landmark information, essentially in real time as the information is collected, and/or recreated thereafter based on one or more stored electronic records.

Methods and apparatus for generating electronic records of locate operations

Exemplary apparatus include locate devices that generate, store and/or transmit electronic records of locate information relating to detection of underground facilities. An exemplary method for analyzing and processing locate information includes a computer-implemented method for visually rendering (e.g., in a display field of a display device) various aspects of locate operations. In one implementation, an output stream of data packets may be provided, wherein each data packet includes one or more flag fields that are set or reset upon at least one actuation of an actuation system of a locate device, and wherein at least some of the data packets include locate information relating to a locate operation.

Marking apparatus having enhanced features for underground facility marking operations, and associated methods and systems

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.

Management system, and associated methods and apparatus, for providing automatic assessment of a locate operation

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.

Locating equipment communicatively coupled to or equipped with a mobile/portable device

Locating and/or marking equipment, such as a locate transmitter or locate receiver, a marking device, or a combined locate and marking device, may be communicatively coupled to and/or equipped with a mobile/portable device (e.g., a mobile phone, personal digital assistant or other portable computing device) that provides processing, electronic storage, electronic display, user interface, communication facilities and/or other functionality (e.g., GPS-enabled functionality) for the equipment. A mobile/portable device may be mechanically and/or electronically coupled to the equipment, and may be programmed so as to log and generate electronic records of various information germane to a locate and/or marking operation (e.g., locate information, marking information, and/or landmark information). Such records may be formatted in various manners, processed and/or analyzed on the mobile/portable device, and/or transmitted to another device (e.g., a remote computer/server) for storage, processing and/or analysis. The mobile/portable device also may provide redundant, shared and/or backup functionality for the equipment to enhance robustness.

Marking device with transmitter for triangulating location during marking operations

Methods, apparatus and systems for determining the location of a marking device during performance of a marking operation using triangulation are described. The marking device may be of the type used to mark the presence or absence of underground facilities and may include a marking material dispenser to dispense marking material as an indicator. The marking device may include a transmitter which transmits a signal received by a receiving system including two or more receiving devices at separate locations. Triangulation algorithms may then be used to determine the location of the marking device relative to the receiving system.

Methods and marking devices with mechanisms for indicating and/or detecting marking material color

Methods and marking devices for indicating and/or detecting a color of marking material used in performance of a marking operation to mark the presence or absence of an underground facility are described. Information about the color of the marking material may optionally be logged or stored by a marking device and/or transmitted to an external device.

Methods and apparatus for assessing marking operations based on acceleration information

Marking devices of the type used for marking a presence or an absence of underground facilities and including motion detectors such as accelerometers are described. Methods of collecting and analyzing motion information indicative of the motion of a marking device are also described. The motion information may be used for various purposes, including documenting performance of a marking operation and/or performance of a particular technician, pattern determination and comparison, as well as quality control assessment.

Marking device

Shaft of a marking device

Handle of a marking device

Modular marking device

Marking device docking stations and methods of using same

Docking stations and docking methods are provided for use with marking devices used for marking the presence or absence of an underground facility in a dig area. The docking station may serve as a home base for storage of a marking device, for charging the battery of a marking device, for transferring data to and from a marking device, and for securing a marking device against unauthorized use and/or theft. The docking station may be a mobile docking station that is installed in a vehicle or may be a fixed docking station that is installed at a central location in the field, at a central office, at a home base facility, and the like.

Methods, apparatus, and systems for analyzing use of a locate device by a technician to perform an underground facility locate operation

Operating information representative of manipulation of a locate receiver during performance of a locate operation by a technician is analyzed to determine a pattern of manipulation. In one example, the pattern of manipulation is compared to at least one previously-identified pattern of manipulation associated with at least one technician. In various aspects, the operating information may be representative of an acceleration, a velocity, a distance traveled by, and/or an angle of inclination of the locate receiver. In another aspect, the previously-identified pattern of manipulation may be a technician signature representing a pattern of motion unique to a technician.

Methods, apparatus, and systems for exchanging information between excavators and other entities associated with underground facility locate and marking operations

Methods, apparatus, and systems for providing information regarding a locate and/or marking operation to identify a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility 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 (a “requesting party,” e.g., an excavator, a property owner, a facility owner, a regulatory authority, a damage investigator, etc.) of 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 GUI 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 yet another aspect, a requesting party may provide an acknowledgement of receipt (e.g., a “return receipt”) for one or more received notifications.

Methods and apparatus for assessing locate request tickets

Locate and/or marking operations involve detecting and/or marking a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within a dig area, wherein at least a portion of the dig area is planned to be excavated or disturbed during excavation activities. One or more attributes of a locate and/or marking operation requested in a locate request ticket are assessed to provide one or more ticket assessment outcomes. Ticket information is obtained from the locate request ticket at least in part by parsing the locate request ticket. One or more business rules are applied to at least some of the ticket information to generate the ticket assessment outcome(s) for the attribute(s) of the locate and/or marking operation. The ticket assessment outcome(s) is/are transmitted and/or stored so as to facilitate clearing the locate request ticket and/or dispatching a locate technician to perform the locate and/or marking operation.

Methods, apparatus and systems for chronicling the activities of field technicians

Tracking or monitoring activities associated with employees, such as field technicians working in the field, is based on receiving and processing activity information related to activities conducted by the employees. Activity information may include location information associated with individual activities or equipment, employee status information (e.g. clocked-in or clocked-out), travel information, or other information associated with an employee's activities. In an example, tracking employee activities may include receiving field service activity information, associating at least one data source with at least one technician, associating an acquisition event with at least one time window and at least one location, and generating a timeline associated with the at least one technician and at least one data source, where generating the timeline includes reconciling the acquisition event with the received field service activity information.

Marking apparatus for receiving environmental information regarding underground facility marking operations, and associated methods and systems

Methods, apparatus and systems for marking a presence or absence of an underground facility. Marking material is dispensed, via actuation of an actuation system of a marking device, onto a target surface. Environmental information regarding at least one environmental condition of an environment in which the marking device is located is received via at least one communication interface of the marking device, and marking information is logged into local memory of the marking device. In one aspect, the stored marking information includes at least some of the environmental information.

Optical sensing methods and apparatus for detecting a color of a marking substance

Marking devices for dispensing a marking substance on the ground and marking methods are provided. The marking devices and marking methods use one or more detection mechanisms to detect one or more characteristics of the marking substance. In some embodiments, the detection mechanism may be, but is not limited to, an optical sensor, an olfactory sensor, a weight sensor, a switch device, and any combination thereof. The one or more detection mechanisms may provide, for example, the capability to: (1) determine the type of marking substance that is installed in the marking device; (2) determine in advance of or during a marking operation the amount of marking substance within the marking dispenser; and (3) determine when the marking dispenser is becoming empty.

Methods, apparatus and systems for generating searchable electronic records of underground facility locate and/or marking operations

Generating a searchable electronic record of a locate operation performed by a locate technician. The locate operation comprises identifying, using at least one physical locate mark, a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within a dig area, wherein at least a portion of the dig area may be excavated or disturbed during excavation activities. A bare grid is displayed on display device and, via a user input device associated with the display device, at least one digital representation of the at least one physical locate mark is added to the displayed bare grid so as to generate a marked-up grid including the at least one digital representation of the at least one physical locate mark. Information relating to the marked-up grid is electronically transmitted and/or stored so as to generate the searchable electronic record of the locate operation.

Methods, apparatus and systems for generating searchable electronic records of underground facility locate and/or marking operations

Generating a searchable electronic record of a locate operation performed by a locate technician. The locate operation comprises identifying, using at least one physical locate mark, a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within a dig area, wherein at least a portion of the dig area may be excavated or disturbed during excavation activities. A bare grid is displayed on display device and, via a user input device associated with the display device, at least one digital representation of the at least one physical locate mark is added to the displayed bare grid so as to generate a marked-up grid including the at least one digital representation of the at least one physical locate mark. Information relating to the marked-up grid is electronically transmitted and/or stored so as to generate the searchable electronic record of the locate operation.

Methods, apparatus and systems for generating searchable electronic records of underground facility locate and/or marking operations and assessing aspects of same

A method is disclosed for assessing an aspect relating to a locate and/or marking operation performed by a locate technician based on an electronic representation of the operation. The operation includes locating and/or identifying, using a physical locate mark, a presence or an absence of an underground facility within a dig area. A portion of the dig area may be excavated or disturbed during excavation activities. The method includes digitally representing, on a display device, the facility and/or the physical locate mark to generate an electronic visual representation of the operation. The method further includes determining a length associated with a portion of the digitally represented facility and/or physical locate mark in the electronic visual representation of the operation. The method further includes, based on the determined length, automatically assessing the aspect relating to the operation.

Modular conveyor

A modular conveyor is defined by a belt-supporting frame (4), leg supports (2) for supporting the frame (4), and a continuous conveyor belt (6) supported and guided by the frame (4) for continuous movement. The modular conveyor is improved by providing the frame (4) with a plurality of modular frame assemblies (16) and connector assemblies (14, 18) for joining the modular frame assemblies (16) end to end to form conveyors of different size and shape wherein the connector assemblies (14, 18) and modular frame assemblies (16) are joined end to end in alternating relationship. The connector assemblies (14, 18) comprise straight connector assemblies (14) for extending the conveyor along a linear path and angular connector assemblies (18) for extending the conveyor along an angular path with respect to a preceding modular frame assembly (16). The angular connector assemblies (18) can be used to extend the conveyor along an upward direction or along a downward direction. Each of the modular frame assemblies (16) comprises at least one frame member (8) with a belt guide channel (124) to guide an edge of the belt (6), at least one cross member (26) attached to the frame member (8) and belt supports (100) on the cross members (26). The modular frame assemblies (16) are preferably made of synthetic plastic resin.

Electronic manifest of underground facility locate operation

Methods and apparatus for generating a searchable electronic record of a locate operation performed by a locate technician, in which a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within a dig area is identified. An image of a geographic area comprising the dig area is electronically received, and combined with image-related information so as to generate the searchable electronic record. The image-related information comprises at least a geographic location associated with the dig area, and a timestamp indicative of when the locate operation occurred. The searchable electronic record of the locate operation is electronically transmitted and/or electronically stored so that performance of the location operation is verifiable.