公开(公告)号：US08731830B2

公开(公告)日：2014-05-20

申请号：US12797169

申请日：2010-06-09

Applicant: Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr

Inventor： Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr

IPC: G01C21/00

CPC classification number: G01C15/04 ,  B05B12/0026 ,  B05B12/004 ,  B05B12/08 ,  B05B12/12 ,  B05B12/124 ,  B05B12/126 ,  B05D1/02 ,  B65D83/203 ,  E01C23/20 ,  E01C23/22 ,  E01C23/227 ,  G01C15/06 ,  G06Q10/06 ,  G06Q50/06 ,  G06Q50/08

Abstract: 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.

Abstract translation: 用于标记地下设施存在或不存在的方法，装置和系统。 通过致动标记装置的致动系统将标记材料分配到目标表面上。 经由标记装置的至少一个通信接口接收关于标记装置所处的环境的至少一个环境状况的环境信息，并且将标记信息记录到标记装置的本地存储器中。 在一个方面，所存储的标记信息至少包括一些环境信息。

公开(公告)号：US08692554B2

公开(公告)日：2014-04-08

申请号：US12704087

申请日：2010-02-11

Applicant: Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr

Inventor： Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr

IPC: G01V3/10 ,  G01V3/08 ,  G01V3/15

Abstract: Locate information relating to use of a locate device to perform a locate operation may be acquired from one or more input devices, logged/stored in local memory of a locate device, formatted in various manners, processed and/or analyzed at the locate device itself, and/or transmitted to another device (e.g., a remote computer/server) for storage, processing and/or analysis. In one example, a locate device may include one or more environmental sensors and/or operational sensors, and the locate information may include environmental information and operational information derived from such sensors. Environmental and/or operational information may be used to control operation of the locate device, assess out-of-tolerance conditions in connection with use of the locate device, and/or provide alerts or other feedback. Additional enhancements are disclosed relating to improving the determination of a location (e.g., GPS coordinates) of a detecting tip of the locate device during use, a group/solo mode, and tactile functionality of a user interface.

公开(公告)号：US08620616B2

公开(公告)日：2013-12-31

申请号：US12855977

申请日：2010-08-13

Applicant: Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr

Inventor： Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr

IPC: G01P15/00

CPC classification number: G06Q10/06 ,  B65D83/203 ,  B65D83/36 ,  G01C15/06 ,  G06Q50/08

Abstract: 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.

Abstract translation: 描述了用于标记地下设施的存在或不存在的类型的标记装置，并且包括诸如加速度计的运动检测器。 还描述了收集和分析指示标记装置的运动的运动信息的方法。 运动信息可以用于各种目的，包括记录标记操作的性能和/或特定技术人员的表现，模式确定和比较以及质量控制评估。

公开(公告)号：US08600848B2

公开(公告)日：2013-12-03

申请号：US12940820

申请日：2010-11-05

Applicant: Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr

Inventor： Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr

IPC: G06F15/02 ,  G07C1/10

CPC classification number: G06Q10/06 ,  G06Q10/1091 ,  G06Q40/125 ,  Y10T70/435

Abstract: 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 (e.g., locate receivers, locate transmitters, marking devices and/or combined locate and marking devices) is based on time-keeping information associated with the technician and/or wage and hour compliance information. In one example, one or more control signals are generated to at least partially enable or disable one or more piece of locating equipment based at least in part on a time clock status of the locate technician (e.g., clocked-in or clocked-out), and/or wage and hour compliance information associated with the locate technician and/or the work site (e.g., relating to required breaks and/or maximum number of work hours).

Abstract translation: 控制定位技术人员使用的定位设备执行定位和/或标记操作，以检测和/或标记工作现场至少一个地下设施的存在或不存在（例如，定位接收机，定位发射机，标记设备 和/或组合的定位和标记装置）基于与技术人员和/或工资和小时遵守信息相关联的计时信息。 在一个示例中，至少部分地基于定位技术人员的时钟状态（例如，定时输入或定时输出）来生成一个或多个控制信号以至少部分地启用或禁用一个或多个定位设备， ，和/或与定位技术人员和/或工作现场相关联的工资和小时合规信息（例如，与所需休息时间和/或最大工作时间数量有关）。

公开(公告)号：US08560164B2

公开(公告)日：2013-10-15

申请号：US12853371

申请日：2010-08-10

Applicant: Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr

Inventor： Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr

IPC: G06F7/00 ,  B60T7/12 ,  B60Q1/00

CPC classification number: G06Q10/0631 ,  G06Q10/06311 ,  G06Q10/087 ,  H04L67/12

Abstract: A vehicle-based complex event processing (CEP) engine executes on a hardware computer processor in a vehicle. The CEP engine receives a first input stream onto which vehicle information related to the vehicle is published, and applies at least one query to the first input stream. The CEP engine then assesses, based on application of the query/queries, if a vehicle-related event has occurred and, if so, the CEP engine publishes an indication of occurrence of the vehicle-related event on at least one output stream of the CEP engine. In one example, the CEP engine may receive a second input stream onto which image information is published, wherein the image information is based at least in part on data provided by at least one on-board vehicle camera.

Abstract translation: 基于车辆的复杂事件处理（CEP）引擎在车辆中的硬件计算机处理器上执行。 CEP引擎接收与车辆相关的车辆信息被公开的第一输入流，并且向第一输入流应用至少一个查询。 然后，CEP引擎基于查询/查询的应用来评估如果车辆相关事件已经发生，并且如果是，则CEP引擎在至少一个输出流上发布车辆相关事件的发生的指示 CEP引擎。 在一个示例中，CEP引擎可以接收在其上公布图像信息的第二输入流，其中图像信息至少部分地基于由至少一个车载车辆照相机提供的数据。

公开(公告)号：US08543651B2

公开(公告)日：2013-09-24

申请号：US12824655

申请日：2010-06-28

Applicant: Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr

Inventor： Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr

IPC: G06F15/16

CPC classification number: G06Q50/08 ,  G01C15/00 ,  G06Q10/063 ,  H04L67/18

Abstract: 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.

Abstract translation: 用于提供关于定位和/或标记操作的信息以识别挖掘区域内的至少一个地下设施的存在或不存在的方法，装置和系统。 电子传送和/或存储指示定位和/或标记操作状态的至少一个通知，以通知与请求操作有关的至少一方（“请求方”，例如挖掘机，业主 ，设施所有者，监管机构，损害调查员等）的操作状态。 在一个方面，请求方可以指定接收关于定位和/或标记操作的通知的优选格式，内容和/或方法。 在另一方面，提供计算机生成的GUI以便于提交请求，生成“虚拟白线”图像以指示工作站点的数字图像上的一个或多个挖掘区域，和/或选择通知和偏好的通知和偏好 相同。 在另一方面，请求方可以提供对于一个或多个接收到的通知的接收确认（例如，“返回收据”）。

公开(公告)号：US08532342B2

公开(公告)日：2013-09-10

申请号：US12029732

申请日：2008-02-12

Applicant: Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers

Inventor： Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers

IPC: G06K9/00

CPC classification number: G06T11/60 ,  G06K9/00476 ,  G06Q10/06 ,  G06Q50/08 ,  G06T2210/62

Abstract: 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.

Abstract translation: 由设备执行的方法可以包括接收关于特定地理区域的信息; 检索特定地理区域的空中图像; 显示航空图像; 确定表示地下设施的标记的大致地理位置; 在显示的空中图像上叠加关于表示地下设施的标记的大致地理位置的信息; 并存储空中图像和关于表示地下设施的标记的大致地理位置的信息。

公开(公告)号：US08478523B2

公开(公告)日：2013-07-02

申请号：US12364359

申请日：2009-02-02

Applicant: Steven E. Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr ,  Mark A. Conner ,  Rene A. Vazquez

Inventor： Steven E. Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr ,  Mark A. Conner ,  Rene A. Vazquez

IPC: G05D7/06

CPC classification number: G01C15/02 ,  G01S19/14

Abstract: 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.

Abstract translation: 标记系统可以容纳从其分配标记物的容器，以在挖掘区域中标记地下设施的存在或不存在。 容器可以识别关于容器中的标记的标记特性。 标记系统可以接收触发器的激活，当触发器被激活时从容器分配标记，并且当触发器被激活时存储标记特征和时间数据。 在其他实施例中，标记系统可以分配标记，确定位置数据和/或时间数据，并且基本上同时触发标记的分配和记录位置数据和/或时间数据。 位置数据识别标记被分配的地理位置，并且时间数据识别标记被分配的时间。

公开(公告)号：US08457893B2

公开(公告)日：2013-06-04

申请号：US12622768

申请日：2009-11-20

Applicant: Steven E. Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr

Inventor： Steven E. Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr

IPC: G01C21/00

CPC classification number: G09B29/003 ,  G01C15/06 ,  G06Q10/06 ,  G06Q50/06 ,  G06Q50/08 ,  H04L69/22

Abstract: 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, service-related information and/or ticket information is collected and logged into an electronic record of a marking operation. Such information may in some cases be logged together with actuation data based on one or more actuations of a marking device (e.g., a trigger-pull to dispense marking material).

Abstract translation: 用于生成地下设施/公用设施标识作业电子记录的方法和装置。 标记信息的电子记录可以记录/存储在标记装置的本地存储器中，以各种方式格式化，在标记装置本身处理和/或分析，和/或全部或部分地发送到另一装置（例如， 远程计算机/服务器）进行存储，处理和/或分析。 在一个示例中，服务相关信息和/或票信息被收集并记录到标记操作的电子记录中。 在某些情况下，这样的信息可以与基于标记装置的一个或多个动作（例如，用于分配标记材料的触发器拉动）的致动数据一起记录。

公开(公告)号：US08386178B2

公开(公告)日：2013-02-26

申请号：US12236688

申请日：2008-09-24

Applicant: Steven E. Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr ,  Rene A. Vazquez

Inventor： Steven E. Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr ,  Rene A. Vazquez

IPC: G01C21/00

CPC classification number: G06K7/10376 ,  B65D83/203 ,  G01C15/02

Abstract: A marking tool and a method for marking a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility is presented. The method includes dispensing a marker when a trigger of a marking tool is actuated. The method further includes identifying at least one characteristic associated with the marker or the dispensing of the marker. The method further includes storing the at least one characteristic associated with dispensing the marker when the actuation of the trigger is signaled.

Abstract translation: 提出了一种标记工具和用于标记至少一个地下设施的存在或不存在的方法。 该方法包括当标记工具的触发器被致动时分配标记。 该方法还包括识别与标记相关联的至少一个特征或标记的分配。 该方法还包括当发出触发信号时，存储与分配标记相关的至少一个特性。