公开(公告)号：US20090238416A1

公开(公告)日：2009-09-24

申请号：US12355272

申请日：2009-01-16

Applicant: Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers

Inventor： Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers

IPC: G06K9/46

CPC classification number: G01V8/10 ,  G06T17/05

Abstract: 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.

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。 通过将至少一个指示符转换成代表定界挖掘的多个地理坐标，电子地处理包括挖掘区域的地理区域的至少一个标记数字图像，该图像包括至少一个用于限定挖掘区域的指示符 区。 与识别要挖掘的挖掘区域的定位请求单相关的信息被电子传送和/或电子存储，其中定位请求单包括与挖掘区域相关联的图像数据和非图像数据。 图像数据包括围绕挖掘区域的地理区域的至少一个被标记的数字图像，并且非图像数据包括表示划定的挖掘区域的多个地理坐标。

公开(公告)号：US20090238414A1

公开(公告)日：2009-09-24

申请号：US12050555

申请日：2008-03-18

Applicant: Steven NIELSEN ,  Curtis CHAMBERS

Inventor： Steven NIELSEN ,  Curtis CHAMBERS

IPC: G06K9/00

CPC classification number: G01V8/10 ,  G06T17/05

Abstract: A method may include sending an aerial image to a user via a network; receiving a marked-up version of the aerial image from the user via the network that includes one or more virtual white lines added to the aerial image that delimit a dig area in which excavation is planned; and providing the marked-up version of the aerial image, via one of an electronic or tangible delivery system, to another entity.

Abstract translation: 一种方法可以包括经由网络向用户发送空中图像; 通过网络从用户接收标记的空中图像版本，该网络包括添加到空间图像中的一个或多个虚拟白线，所述虚拟白线划定挖掘计划的挖掘区域; 并通过电子或有形传送系统之一向另一个实体提供标记的航空图像版本。

公开(公告)号：US09646353B2

公开(公告)日：2017-05-09

申请号：US12703322

申请日：2010-02-10

Applicant: Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr

Inventor： Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr

IPC: G06Q10/00 ,  G06Q50/08 ,  G06Q10/06 ,  H04L29/08 ,  G01C15/00

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.

公开(公告)号：US09124780B2

公开(公告)日：2015-09-01

申请号：US13236162

申请日：2011-09-19

Applicant: Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr ,  Jack M. Vice

Inventor： Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr ,  Jack M. Vice

IPC: H04N7/18 ,  H04N5/232 ,  B65D83/20 ,  G06Q10/08 ,  B05B12/08

CPC classification number: H04N7/183 ,  B05B12/084 ,  B65D83/203 ,  G06Q10/0833

Abstract: Marking material is dispensed onto a target surface using a marking device, and one or more images are captured by one or more camera systems attached to the marking device. The image(s) is/are analyzed to determine tracking information indicative of the a motion or an orientation of the marking device. The tracking information is analyzed to determine marking information relating to the dispensed marking material. In one example, the image(s) is/are analyzed to obtain an optical flow plot indicative of a path on the target surface traversed by the marking device. One or more reference plots respectively representing a plurality of reference marking patterns are compared to one or more portions of the optical flow plot to identify at least one reference marking pattern that substantially matches the portion(s) of the optical flow plot.

Abstract translation: 使用标记装置将标记材料分配到目标表面上，并且一个或多个图像由附接到标记装置的一个或多个相机系统捕获。 分析图像以确定指示标记装置的运动或取向的跟踪信息。 分析跟踪信息以确定与分配的标记材料相关的标记信息。 在一个示例中，分析图像以获得指示由标记装置穿过的目标表面上的路径的光学流程图。 将分别表示多个参考标记图案的一个或多个参考图与光学流程图的一个或多个部分进行比较，以识别基本上与光学流程图的部分匹配的至少一个参考标记图案。

公开(公告)号：US09046621B2

公开(公告)日：2015-06-02

申请号：US12818189

申请日：2010-06-18

Applicant: Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr

Inventor： Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr

IPC: G01V3/10 ,  G01V3/08 ,  G01V3/15

CPC classification number: G01V3/08 ,  G01V3/15

Abstract: In connection with a locate operation to detect a presence or absence of an underground facility, a magnetic field from an underground facility is detected, and one or more signals also are obtained that are indicative of one or more environmental conditions in an environment in which the underground facility is detected. The signal(s) indicative of the environmental condition(s) are compared to a target value or range of values to determine if an out-of-tolerance condition exists.

Abstract translation: 关于检测地下设施的存在或不存在的定位操作，检测到来自地下设施的磁场，并且还获得指示在环境中的一个或多个环境条件的一个或多个信号，其中 检测到地下设施。 将指示环境条件的信号与目标值或值的范围进行比较，以确定是否存在超出容限的条件。

公开(公告)号：US08902251B2

公开(公告)日：2014-12-02

申请号：US13193337

申请日：2011-07-28

Applicant: Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr

Inventor： Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr

IPC: G09G5/00 ,  G06Q50/08 ,  G06Q10/06 ,  G06Q10/10 ,  G06Q50/26 ,  G06Q30/00

CPC classification number: G06Q50/08 ,  G06Q10/06 ,  G06Q10/10 ,  G06Q30/01 ,  G06Q50/26

Abstract: 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).

Abstract translation: 管理与定位和/或标记操作相关的信息以检测和/或标记至少一个地下设施的存在或不存在。 基于与定位和/或标记操作相关的第一信息生成与定位和/或标记操作相对应的至少一个电子清单。 所述至少一个电子清单包括记录定位和/或标记操作的性能的图像信息。 生成包括与至少一个电子清单或图像信息有关的第二信息的至少一个受限访问文件，并且至少一个受限访问文件和/或与至少一个受限访问文件有关的信息被电子传送和/ 或存储以便于选择/限制地访问或查看电子清单。

公开(公告)号：US08805640B2

公开(公告)日：2014-08-12

申请号：US13017880

申请日：2011-01-31

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

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

IPC: G01K1/00

CPC classification number: G06F1/1632 ,  G06F1/1635 ,  G06F3/048

Abstract: 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.

Abstract translation: 用于对接定位设备（例如，标记设备，定位设备，组合定位和标记设备）的对接站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设备 计算设备），其为对接站提供处理，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/或电耦合到对接站。 移动/便携式设备可以为对接站提供冗余，共享和/或备份功能以增强鲁棒性。 在一个示例中，移动/便携式设备本身用作定位设备的坞站。

公开(公告)号：US08766638B2

公开(公告)日：2014-07-01

申请号：US12818199

申请日：2010-06-18

Applicant: Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr

Inventor： Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr

IPC: G01V3/10

CPC classification number: G01V3/08 ,  G01V3/15

Abstract: In a locate operation to detect a presence or absence of at least one underground facility using a locate device, an applied signal is transmitted to the at least one underground facility, and/or a magnetic field emitted from the at least one underground facility is detected. Based on the indication of the location provided by a location tracking system, environmental information is obtained regarding at least one environmental condition of an environment in which the locate device is used, and logged into local memory of the locate device.

Abstract translation: 在使用定位装置检测至少一个地下设施的存在或不存在的定位操作中，将所施加的信号传送到所述至少一个地下设施，和/或从所述至少一个地下设施发射的磁场被检测到 。 基于由位置跟踪系统提供的位置的指示，获得关于使用定位设备的环境的至少一个环境条件并登录到定位设备的本地存储器的环境信息。

公开(公告)号：US08620572B2

公开(公告)日：2013-12-31

申请号：US12859394

申请日：2010-08-19

Applicant: Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr

Inventor： Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr

IPC: G01C21/00

CPC classification number: G01S5/04 ,  G01S5/0284 ,  G01S5/12 ,  G01S13/46 ,  G01S2013/468

Abstract: 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.

Abstract translation: 描述了使用三角测量在执行标记操作期间确定标记装置的位置的方法，装置和系统。 标记装置可以是用于标记地下设施的存在或不存在的类型，并且可以包括标记材料分配器以分配标记材料作为指示器。 标记装置可以包括发射机，其在分开的位置处发送由包括两个或更多个接收装置的接收系统接收的信号。 然后可以使用三角测量算法来确定标记装置相对于接收系统的位置。

公开(公告)号：US20130182009A1

公开(公告)日：2013-07-18

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: G09G5/377

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。