公开(公告)号：US20140022272A1

公开(公告)日：2014-01-23

申请号：US13950655

申请日：2013-07-25

Applicant: Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr

Inventor： Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr

IPC: G06T11/60 ,  G06T11/00

CPC classification number: G06T11/60 ,  G06F3/0481 ,  G06K9/00 ,  G06K9/0063 ,  G06K9/3208 ,  G06K2009/3225 ,  G06T11/001 ,  G06T2207/30204 ,  G09B29/007 ,  G09B29/106

Abstract: 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.

Abstract translation: 技术人员通过将一种或多种物理彩色标记（例如，油漆，标志，其他有色标记）施加到地面，路面或其他表面来指示存在或不存在，在拟议的挖掘挖掘区域中执行地下工地的定位操作 在挖掘地区的地下工程。 将包括挖掘区域的地理区域的数字图像显示在显示装置上，并且将与物理彩色标记相对应的一个或多个电子彩色标记添加到所显示的数字图像中，以便生成标记图像 。 与标记的图像有关的信息被电子传输和/或电子存储，以记录定位操作。

公开(公告)号：US08626571B2

公开(公告)日：2014-01-07

申请号：US12833103

申请日：2010-07-09

Applicant: Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr

Inventor： Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr

IPC: G06Q10/00 ,  G01V3/38 ,  G01V3/08

CPC classification number: G06Q10/06311 ,  G01C15/00 ,  G06Q10/06 ,  G06Q10/063 ,  G06Q10/06393 ,  G06Q10/06395 ,  G06Q10/06398 ,  G06Q10/1097 ,  G06Q50/10 ,  G06Q50/165 ,  H04L67/24

Abstract: An electronically generated locate request ticket identifying a dig area includes first image data associated with the dig area. The first image data includes one or both of: i) a marked-up image of a geographic area including the dig area, wherein the marked-up image includes at least one dig area indicator to provide an indication of the dig area; and ii) geographic information relating to the at least one dig area indicator. The locate request ticket is electronically transmitted to at least one entity associated with the locate operation. A completed locate request ticket is electronically received including second image data and/or non-image data relating to the locate operation as performed. The completed locate request ticket is electronically processed so as to provide a quality assessment of the locate operation. Information relating to the completed ticket and/or the quality assessment is electronically stored and/or transmitted so as to provide a searchable electronic record of the locate operation.

Abstract translation: 识别挖掘区域的电子产生的定位请求票据包括与挖掘区域相关联的第一图像数据。 第一图像数据包括以下中的一个或两个：i）包括挖掘区域的地理区域的标记图像，其中所标记的图像包括至少一个挖掘区域指示符以提供挖掘区域的指示; 以及ii）与所述至少一个挖掘区域指示符有关的地理信息。 定位请求单被电子地发送到与定位操作相关联的至少一个实体。 电子地接收完成的定位请求单，包括与执行的定位操作相关的第二图像数据和/或非图像数据。 完成的定位请求单被电子处理，以提供定位操作的质量评估。 与完成的票和/或质量评估有关的信息被电子存储和/或发送，以便提供定位操作的可搜索的电子记录。

公开(公告)号：US08612276B1

公开(公告)日：2013-12-17

申请号：US12699921

申请日：2010-02-04

Applicant: Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr ,  Rajdip Singh Sikand

Inventor： Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr ,  Rajdip Singh Sikand

IPC: G06Q10/00

CPC classification number: G06Q10/063118 ,  G06Q10/06311

Abstract: 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.

Abstract translation: 可以通过修改与活动预约窗口相关的可用性约束来改进现场维修技术人员的活动安排。 活动可以根据表演期限和可能分配活动的资源的相关班次以及与活动，资源和/或相关环境条件（例如天气，交通量）相关的各种参数进行安排。 活动可以从一个日历日移动到另一个日历日，技术人员的班次的开始和/或结束时的位置约束可被移除或修改，和/或可以实时或接近实时地提供信息更新（例如， ，每五分钟或更少），以方便调度。 在用于调度定位技术人员进行定位操作的一个示例中，可以从票据数据库和资源/技术人员数据库中提取与定位请求票单相关的票据信息以及与可用技术人员有关的资源信息，以向 至少部分地基于将可用资源与定位请求相关联的性能期限进行匹配。

公开(公告)号：US08612148B2

公开(公告)日：2013-12-17

申请号：US12797211

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 facilitating a marking operation to indicate a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility. Marking information, including one or both of environmental information representative of at least one environmental condition of an environment in which the marking operation is located, and operating information representative of at least one operating condition of a marking device used to perform the marking operation, is received and compared to a target value or a range of values to determine if an out-of-tolerance condition exists.

Abstract translation: 用于促进标记操作以指示存在或不存在至少一个地下设施的方法，装置和系统。 标记信息，包括表示标记操作所处的环境的至少一个环境条件的环境信息中的一个或两个，以及表示用于执行标记操作的标记装置的至少一个操作条件的操作信息， 接收并与目标值或值范围进行比较，以确定是否存在超出公差的条件。

公开(公告)号：US08585410B2

公开(公告)日：2013-11-19

申请号：US12818432

申请日：2010-06-18

Applicant: Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr ,  Thomas William Bachelder

Inventor： Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr ,  Thomas William Bachelder

IPC: G09B19/00

CPC classification number: G09B19/00

Abstract: Systems for and methods of simulating facilities for use in locate operations training exercises are disclosed. Embodiments of the simulated facilities systems include a floor system in which one or more concealed wires may be energized to simulate underground facilities for the purpose of performing, for example, locate operations training, updating, and/or certification exercises for locate technicians. Embodiments of the simulated facilities systems include configurable pedestals by which either non-electric power line type of facilities and/or electric power line types of facility may be simulated. In some embodiments, simulated facilities systems may be configured manually and/or by use of a system controller.

Abstract translation: 公开了用于定位操作训练练习的模拟设备的系统和方法。 模拟设施系统的实施例包括一个地板系统，其中一个或多个隐藏的导线可以通电以模拟地下设施，以便执行例如定位技术人员的操作训练，更新和/或认证练习。 模拟设施系统的实施例包括可以模拟非电力线类型的设施和/或设备的电力线类型的可配置基座。 在一些实施例中，可以手动地和/或通过使用系统控制器配置模拟设施系统。

公开(公告)号：US08583372B2

公开(公告)日：2013-11-12

申请号：US12962016

申请日：2010-12-07

Applicant: Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr

Inventor： Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr

IPC: G01C21/00

CPC classification number: B05C5/00 ,  G01C15/02

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 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.

Abstract translation: 控制由定位技术人员使用的定位设备进行定位和/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至少部分地基于标记规范（例如， ，政府法规，行业推荐指南/最佳做法，定位公司和/或设施所有者的标准操作程序和/或与标记操作相关的合同义务）。 在各种示例中，产生控制信号以警告定位技术人员何时启动和停止标记材料的分配，或者产生控制信号以通过标记装置自动或半自动地控制标记材料的分配，以便于 符合标示规范。

公开(公告)号：US08577707B2

公开(公告)日：2013-11-05

申请号：US13792686

申请日：2013-03-11

Applicant: Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr

Inventor： Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr

IPC: G06Q10/00

CPC classification number: G09G5/377 ,  G01C15/02 ,  G06Q10/06 ,  G06Q30/02 ,  G09B29/006 ,  G09B29/10

Abstract: 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.

Abstract translation: 在用于检测地下设施的存在或不存在的定位接收器的显示装置上显示数字图像（例如，设施图，空中/卫星图像，工程图）。 用于生成图像的图像数据基于从与使用定位接收机的定位操作相关联的票据获得的信息以及指示定位接收机的位置的地理信息来选择。 基于由定位接收器的RF天线接收到的磁场的强度，表示检测到的地下设施的存在的一个或多个电子标记被覆盖在所显示的数字图像上。

公开(公告)号：US20130265138A1

公开(公告)日：2013-10-10

申请号：US13751862

申请日：2013-01-28

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

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

IPC: G06K7/10

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

Abstract: 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).

Abstract translation: 一个或多个标记物在开挖活动期间被挖掘或扰乱的挖掘区域中的地面，路面或其他表面上分配，以便在挖掘区域中提供一个或多个地下设施的存在或不存在的视觉指示。 响应于一个或多个标记的分配，一个或多个信号被无线地发送，其中信号表示与由标签读取器提供并且与分配的标记相关联的标记信息相关的第一数据 （s）。

公开(公告)号：US20130251894A1

公开(公告)日：2013-09-26

申请号：US13895046

申请日：2013-05-15

Applicant: Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr

Inventor： Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr

IPC: E01C23/16

CPC classification number: E01C23/16 ,  B65D83/203 ,  B65D83/38 ,  B65D83/75 ,  B65D2203/10

Abstract: 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.

Abstract translation: 提供了在地面上分配标记的标记方法。 标记方法使用具有机器可读ID机制的标记分配器。 ID机制具有数据存储功能。 在一个实施例中，标记分配器可以设置有射频识别（RFID）标签。 在另一个实施例中，标记分配器可以设置有条形码。 可以在ID机制中编码的信息的类型可以包括但不限于产品特定信息，用户特定信息，感兴趣的其它预定信息及其任何组合。 ID机构中编码的ID信息可以被收集并用于各种目的，例如但不限于实时产品验证，跟踪哪个用户位置接收到一批标记油漆，跟踪标记油漆库存，跟踪标记油漆 问题和跟踪标记油漆的使用。

公开(公告)号：US20130233883A1

公开(公告)日：2013-09-12

申请号：US13867521

申请日：2013-04-22

Applicant: Steven Nielsen ,  Jeffrey Farr ,  Curtis Chambers

Inventor： Steven Nielsen ,  Jeffrey Farr ,  Curtis Chambers

IPC: B05B12/00

CPC classification number: B05B12/004 ,  A63C19/065 ,  A63C2019/067 ,  B05B12/081 ,  B05B12/082 ,  B05C11/00 ,  B65D83/203 ,  E01C23/227 ,  G01G17/06 ,  G01G19/18 ,  G01G23/3735

Abstract: 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.

Abstract translation: 提供了用于在地面上分配标记物质的标记装置和标记方法。 标记装置和标记方法使用一个或多个检测机构来检测标记物质的一个或多个特征。 在一些实施例中，检测机构可以是但不限于光学传感器，嗅觉传感器，重量传感器，开关装置及其任何组合。 一个或多个检测机构可以提供例如以下能力：（1）确定安装在标记装置中的标记物质的类型; （2）在标记操作之前或期间确定标记分配器内的标记物质的量; 和（3）确定标记分配器何时变空。