公开(公告)号：US08384742B2

公开(公告)日：2013-02-26

申请号：US12475905

申请日：2009-06-01

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

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

IPC: G09G5/00 ,  G06F3/048

CPC classification number: G06T11/203 ,  G06Q10/06311 ,  G06Q10/06313 ,  G06T11/60 ,  G06T2210/61 ,  G07B15/00

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for facilitating detection of a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within a dig area. Source data representing one or more input images of a geographic area including the dig area is electronically received at a first user location, which may be remote from the dig area. The source data is processed so as to display at least a portion of the input image(s) on a display device. One or more indicators are added to the displayed input image(s), via a user input device associated with the display device, to provide at least one indication of the dig area and thereby generate a marked-up digital image. In the case of a staged excavation project, the input image, or a plurality of associated images, may include indicia of multiple dig areas corresponding to multiple stages of the staged excavation project.

Abstract translation: 用于便于检测挖掘区域内至少一个地下设施的存在或不存在的方法和装置。 代表包括挖掘区域的地理区域的一个或多个输入图像的源数据在可能远离挖掘区域的第一用户位置被电子地接收。 处理源数据以在显示装置上显示输入图像的至少一部分。 通过与显示设备相关联的用户输入设备将一个或多个指示符添加到所显示的输入图像，以提供挖掘区域的至少一个指示，从而生成标记的数字图像。 在分阶段开挖项目的情况下，输入图像或多个关联图像可以包括与分阶段开挖项目的多个阶段相对应的多个挖掘区域的标记。

公开(公告)号：US08311765B2

公开(公告)日：2012-11-13

申请号：US12854370

申请日：2010-08-11

Applicant: Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr ,  Tony Davani

Inventor： Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr ,  Tony Davani

IPC: G01K1/00

CPC classification number: G01V3/38 ,  B65D83/203 ,  G01C15/02

Abstract: 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.

Abstract translation: 定位和/或标记设备（例如定位发射机或定位接收机，标记设备或组合的定位和标记设备）可以通信地耦合到和/或配备有移动/便携式设备（例如，移动电话， 个人数字助理或其他便携式计算设备），其为设备提供处理，电子存储，电子显示，用户界面，通信设施和/或其他功能（例如，启用GPS的功能）。 移动/便携式设备可以机械地和/或电子地耦合到设备，并且可以被编程为记录和生成与定位和/或标记操作密切相关的各种信息的电子记录（例如，定位信息，标记信息， 和/或地标信息）。 这样的记录可以以移动/便携式设备的各种方式被格式化，处理和/或分析，和/或被传送到另一个设备（例如，远程计算机/服务器）用于存储，处理和/或分析。 移动/便携式设备还可以为设备提供冗余，共享和/或备份功能以增强鲁棒性。

公开(公告)号：US08280969B2

公开(公告)日：2012-10-02

申请号：US12824671

申请日：2010-06-28

Applicant: Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr

Inventor： Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr

IPC: G06F15/16 ,  G06F15/177

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/或标记操作的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，产生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/或对其进行通知和偏好的选择。 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：US08260489B2

公开(公告)日：2012-09-04

申请号：US12753699

申请日：2010-04-02

Applicant: Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr

Inventor： Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr

IPC: G07C5/12

CPC classification number: B60R1/00 ,  B60R2300/302 ,  B60R2300/304 ,  B60R2300/50 ,  G06K9/00791 ,  G06T11/60 ,  G07C5/008 ,  G07C5/085

Abstract: 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.

Abstract translation: 可以基于电子车辆信息产生地理参考和/或时间参考的电子图纸，以便于车辆相关事件的记录。 可以将符号库，地理参考图像的集合以及从一个或多个车辆获取的任何数据存储在存储器中以用于生成这样的图形，并且可以提供绘图工具图形用户界面（GUI），用于 电子处理车辆数据和地理参考图像。 处理的地理参考图像可以被保存为事件特定图像，其可以被集成到例如用于准确描绘车辆事故的电子车辆事故报告中。

公开(公告)号：US08155390B2

公开(公告)日：2012-04-10

申请号：US13028687

申请日：2011-02-16

Applicant: Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers

Inventor： Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers

IPC: G06K9/00

CPC classification number: G01V8/10 ,  G06T17/05

Abstract: Indicating a precise geographic extent and a precise geographic location of a dig area at a work site at which excavation is planned, to facilitate detection and/or marking of a presence or an absence of an underground facility in the dig area. A graphical user interface includes an aerial image of a geographic area proximate to and including the work site and the dig area, and a drawing tool to facilitate placement of one or more dig area indicators on the aerial image. A user uses the drawing tool to delimit the precise geographic extent and the precise geographic location of the dig area(s) on the displayed aerial image so as to form the dig area indicator(s), representing unbuffered dig areas, and thereby generate a marked-up aerial image. Geographic coordinates are determined corresponding to the unbuffered dig area(s) represented by the dig area indicator(s). A locate request ticket is generated that includes the marked-up aerial image itself, the geographic coordinates corresponding to the unbuffered dig area(s), and/or a link to a webpage at which the marked-up aerial image may be viewed and/or the geographic coordinates may be accessed.

Abstract translation: 指示在挖掘计划的工地上的挖掘区域的精确地理范围和精确的地理位置，以便于挖掘区域中存在或不存在地下设施的检测和/或标记。 图形用户界面包括靠近并包括工作现场和挖掘区域的地理区域的空中图像，以及用于有助于在空中图像上放置一个或多个挖掘区域指示符的绘图工具。 用户使用绘图工具来限定所显示的空间图像上的挖掘区域的精确地理范围和精确的地理位置，以形成挖掘区域指示符，代表无缓冲挖掘区域，从而生成 标记的航空图像。 对应于由挖掘区域指示符表示的无缓冲挖掘区域来确定地理坐标。 生成定位请求单，其中包括已标记的空中图像本身，对应于无缓冲挖掘区域的地理坐标，和/或到网页的链接，在该页面上可以查看已标记的航空图像和/ 或者可以访问地理坐标。

公开(公告)号：US20120066506A1

公开(公告)日：2012-03-15

申请号：US13185174

申请日：2011-07-18

Applicant: Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr

Inventor： Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr

IPC: G06F21/24 ,  G06K5/00

CPC classification number: G06Q10/063 ,  G06F17/30241 ,  G06F17/30867 ,  G06F21/60 ,  G06F21/6209 ,  G06F21/6218 ,  G06Q10/0833 ,  G08B5/22

Abstract: 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.

Abstract translation: 将工作现场的访问提供给定位操作的电子记录。 与定位操作相关的数据是通过定位设备获得的，并被发送到数据存储库以存储在定位操作的电子记录中。 提供了一种站点特定的访问机制，其建立到定位操作的电子记录的链接。 在一个示例中，站点特定访问机制是物理机制，诸如打印出网站地址，条形码或RFID标签。 在另一个示例中，站点特定访问机制是诸如由位置跟踪系统（例如，GPS设备）提供的地理位置信息和/或从可用于无线通信系统或WiFi网络的信息导出的虚拟机制。 在一个方面，访问机构可以被配置为仅由被特别授权访问定位操作的电子记录的人在现场使用。

公开(公告)号：US20120066137A1

公开(公告)日：2012-03-15

申请号：US13186116

申请日：2011-07-19

Applicant: Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr

Inventor： Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr

IPC: G06Q10/00

CPC classification number: G06Q10/06 ,  G06Q30/018 ,  G06Q50/08

Abstract: 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.

Abstract translation: 确定请求和/或执行定位操作的作业现场的许可状态。 接收并处理描述定位操作的工单，并且至少部分地基于来自工单的信息来访问允许实体的许可数据库。 电子审查许可证数据库，以确定有效的许可证是否涵盖现场的工作。

公开(公告)号：US20120036140A1

公开(公告)日：2012-02-09

申请号：US12850712

申请日：2010-08-05

Applicant: Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr

Inventor： Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr

IPC: G06F17/30

CPC classification number: G06Q10/06 ,  G06F16/29

Abstract: 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 marking operation (e.g., marking information) is compared to second information relating to the locate operation (e.g., locate information). In some examples, one or both of the marking information and the locate information may be filtered to improve data integrity in some manner. 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.

Abstract translation: 包括至少一个硬件处理器，至少一个有形存储介质（存储器）和用于评估定位和/或标记操作的质量的至少一个输入/输出（I / O）接口的计算机的方法，装置和系统 。 将与标记操作有关的第一信息（例如，标记信息）与与定位操作有关的第二信息（例如，定位信息）进行比较。 在一些示例中，可以对标记信息和定位信息中的一个或两个进行过滤以以某种方式提高数据完整性。 基于这样的比较，自动地产生对定位和/或标记操作的质量评估的一个或多个指示，并且质量评估的一个或多个指示被电子地存储在至少一个有形存储介质上，和/或 通过至少一个I / O接口电子传输，以便提供质量评估的电子记录。

公开(公告)号：US20110283217A1

公开(公告)日：2011-11-17

申请号：US13194163

申请日：2011-07-29

Applicant: Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr ,  Greg Block

Inventor： Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr ,  Greg Block

IPC: G06F3/048

CPC classification number: G06F17/30371 ,  G06F3/0482 ,  G06F17/30241 ,  G06Q50/06 ,  G09G5/00

Abstract: 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.

Abstract translation: 生成由定位技术人员执行的定位操作的可搜索的电子记录。 定位操作包括使用至少一个物理定位标记来识别挖掘区域内的至少一个地下设施的存在或不存在，其中挖掘区域的至少一部分可能在挖掘活动期间被挖掘或干扰。 在显示设备上显示裸网格，并且通过与显示设备相关联的用户输入设备，将至少一个物理定位标记的至少一个数字表示添加到所显示的裸网格，以便生成标记网格 包括所述至少一个物理定位标记的至少一个数字表示。 与标记的网格相关的信息被电子传输和/或存储，以便产生定位操作的可搜索的电子记录。

公开(公告)号：USD643321S1

公开(公告)日：2011-08-16

申请号：US29356631

申请日：2010-03-01

Applicant: Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr ,  William Johnson ,  Arthur DiMartino ,  Ronald Altman ,  Arthur Mistler ,  David Mathieu ,  James Sener ,  Christopher Hageman ,  Scott Smith ,  Joseph Paul

Designer： Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr ,  William Johnson ,  Arthur DiMartino ,  Ronald Altman ,  Arthur Mistler ,  David Mathieu ,  James Sener ,  Christopher Hageman ,  Scott Smith ,  Joseph Paul