公开(公告)号：US08600526B2

公开(公告)日：2013-12-03

申请号：US12571401

申请日：2009-09-30

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

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

IPC: H05K5/00 ,  H05K7/00 ,  G06F1/16 ,  G05B19/18

CPC classification number: H05K7/02 ,  B60L1/006 ,  B60L3/0069 ,  B60L3/04 ,  B60L11/1818 ,  B60L11/1824 ,  B60L11/1844 ,  B60L11/1846 ,  B60L11/1861 ,  B60L2230/12 ,  B60L2240/545 ,  B60L2240/547 ,  B60L2240/549 ,  B60L2240/622 ,  B60L2240/72 ,  B60L2250/16 ,  F16L1/11 ,  G01C15/02 ,  G01C15/06 ,  Y02E60/721 ,  Y02T10/7005 ,  Y02T10/7044 ,  Y02T10/705 ,  Y02T10/7088 ,  Y02T10/7291 ,  Y02T90/121 ,  Y02T90/128 ,  Y02T90/14 ,  Y02T90/16 ,  Y02T90/162 ,  Y02T90/163 ,  Y02T90/169 ,  Y04S10/126 ,  Y04S30/14

Abstract: 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.

Abstract translation: 提供对接站和对接方法用于在挖掘区域中用于标记地下设施的存在或不存在的标记装置。 对接站可用作存储标记装置的归属基座，用于为标记装置的电池充电，用于向标记装置传送数据和从标记装置传送数据，以及用于固定标记装置以防止未经授权的使用和/或盗窃。 对接站可以是安装在车辆中的移动对接站，或者可以是安装在现场的中心位置，中心局，家庭基地设施等的固定对接站。

公开(公告)号：US08589202B2

公开(公告)日：2013-11-19

申请号：US13795337

申请日：2013-03-12

Applicant: Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr

Inventor： Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr

IPC: G06Q10/00

CPC classification number: G06T3/00 ,  G06Q10/06 ,  G09B29/00

Abstract: 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).

Abstract translation: 用于标记存在一个或多个地下设施的标记操作的标记装置被配置为访问和显示设施地图信息和/或其他图像信息作为视觉辅助以便于标记操作。 在各个方面，方法和装置涉及：选择“基地”设施图，或者从与给定工作侧/挖掘区相关的设施地图数据的数据库的信息; 选择用于显示设施地图信息的平移和/或缩放（分辨率）; 在标记操作期间（例如，改变平移，缩放和/或取向）中使用标记装置时更新显示的设施地图信息; 覆盖所显示的设施地图信息标记信息和/或与标记操作有关的地标信息; 和/或从标记装置传送设施图信息和/或重叠标记/地标信息（例如，用于进一步处理，分析和/或随后显示）。

公开(公告)号：US08589201B2

公开(公告)日：2013-11-19

申请号：US13773228

申请日：2013-02-21

Applicant: Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr

Inventor： Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr

IPC: G06Q10/00

CPC classification number: G09B29/00 ,  G01V3/081 ,  G06Q10/06

Abstract: 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.

Abstract translation: 用于检测地下设施的定位接收器包括接收磁场并基于接收到的磁场提供输出信号的RF天线，以及用于基于输出信号确定磁场的磁场强度的处理电路。 定位接收机还包括显示设备，存储器和处理器。 基于设施地图数据的地图图像被显示在显示装置上。 处理器将第一位置与第一地图数据所指示的地下设施的检测指示产生到设施线的第二位置进行比较，并且基于第一位置与第二位置之间的不一致来生成警报 。

公开(公告)号：US08572193B2

公开(公告)日：2013-10-29

申请号：US12915516

申请日：2010-10-29

Applicant: Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr

Inventor： Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr

IPC: G06F15/16

CPC classification number: G06Q10/063114 ,  G01V3/15 ,  G06Q10/00 ,  G06Q10/0635 ,  G06Q10/06398 ,  G06Q30/018 ,  G06Q50/08

Abstract: 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.

Abstract translation: 提供关于地下设施的定位和/或标记操作的信息的积极的响应通知可以包括时间戳信息，以提供由定位技术人员完成定位和/或标记操作的时间的证明，和/ 印记信息，以提供在工地或其附近存在技术人员的证据。 电子清单图像和/或虚拟白线图像也可以包括在正响应通知中。 在一个示例中，这些图像可以基于相应的描述符文件（或描述符元数据）被捆绑在一起，所述描述符文件将对应的图像与用于该操作的定位请求单相关联。 在另一示例中，积极响应通知可以包括关于在定位和/或标记操作期间存在于工作现场或附近的一个或多个环境条件的环境信息。

公开(公告)号：US08532341B2

公开(公告)日：2013-09-10

申请号：US13796487

申请日：2013-03-12

Applicant: Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr

Inventor： Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr

IPC: G06K9/00

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：US08510141B2

公开(公告)日：2013-08-13

申请号：US12701447

申请日：2010-02-05

Applicant: Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr

Inventor： Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr

IPC: G06Q10/00

CPC classification number: G01V3/081 ,  G06Q10/06 ,  G09B29/00

Abstract: 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 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 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). In one aspect, a location at which marking material is dispensed is compared to a location of a facility line as indicated by the facilities map or other image information, and an alert may be generated based on the comparison.

Abstract translation: 用于标记一个或多个地下设施的存在或不存在的标记操作的标记装置被配置为访问和显示设施地图信息和/或其他图像信息作为视觉辅助以促进标记操作。 在各个方面，方法和装置涉及：选择适当的“基础”设施图，或者从与给定工作地点/挖掘区相关的设施地图数据的数据库的信息; 选择用于显示设施地图信息的适当的平移和/或缩放（分辨率）; 在标记操作期间（例如，改变平移，缩放和/或取向）中使用标记装置的情况下适当地更新显示的设施地图信息; 覆盖所显示的设施地图信息标记信息和/或与标记操作有关的地标信息; 和/或从标记装置传送设施图信息和/或重叠标记/地标信息（例如，用于进一步处理，分析和/或随后显示）。 在一个方面，将标记材料分配的位置与设施图或其他图像信息所示的设施线的位置进行比较，并且可以基于比较来生成警报。

公开(公告)号：US08478617B2

公开(公告)日：2013-07-02

申请号：US12701501

申请日：2010-02-05

Applicant: Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr

Inventor： Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr

IPC: G06Q10/00

CPC classification number: G09B29/00 ,  G01V3/081 ,  G06Q10/06

Abstract: 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). In one aspect, a location at which an indication of detection of a facility is generated is compared to a location of a facility line as indicated by the facilities map information/image information, and an alert is generated based on the comparison.

Abstract translation: 用于检测一个或多个地下设施的存在或不存在的定位操作的定位设备被配置为访问和显示设施地图信息和/或其他图像信息作为视觉辅助以便于定位操作。 在各个方面，方法和装置涉及：选择适当的“基础”设施图，或者从与给定工作地点/挖掘区相关的设施地图数据的数据库的信息; 选择用于显示设施地图信息的适当的平移和/或缩放（分辨率）; 在定位操作期间使用定位装置（例如，改变平移，缩放和/或取向）适当地更新显示的设施地图信息; 覆盖所显示的设施地图信息定位信息和/或与定位操作相关的地标信息; 并且定位设备本地存储和/或从定位设备发送设施地图信息和/或重叠的定位/地标信息（例如，用于进一步处理，分析和/或后续显示）。 在一个方面，将生成设施的检测指示的位置与设施地图信息/图像信息所示的设施线路的位置进行比较，并且基于比较生成警报。

公开(公告)号：US08478524B2

公开(公告)日：2013-07-02

申请号：US12797227

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 relating to the marking operations, including one or both of environmental information representative of at least one environmental condition of an environment in which the marking operation is performed, and operating information representative of at least one operating condition of a marking device used to perform the marking operation, is electronically acquired. A marking material is dispensed to mark the presence or the absence of the at least one underground facility is dispensed, and the dispensing is controlled based at least in part on the acquired marking information.

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。 标记与标记操作有关的信息，包括表示执行标记操作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装置的至少一个操作条件的操作信息 标记操作，以电子方式获得。 分配标记材料以标记所分配的至少一个地下设施的存在或不存在，并且至少部分地基于所获取的标记信息来控制分配。

公开(公告)号：US20130162431A1

公开(公告)日：2013-06-27

申请号：US13773228

申请日：2013-02-21

Applicant: Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr

Inventor： Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr

IPC: G08B5/00

CPC classification number: G09B29/00 ,  G01V3/081 ,  G06Q10/06

Abstract: 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.

Abstract translation: 用于检测地下设施的定位接收器包括接收磁场并基于接收到的磁场提供输出信号的RF天线，以及用于基于输出信号确定磁场的磁场强度的处理电路。 定位接收机还包括显示设备，存储器和处理器。 基于设施地图数据的地图图像被显示在显示装置上。 处理器将第一位置与第一地图数据所指示的地下设施的检测指示产生到设施线的第二位置进行比较，并且基于第一位置与第二位置之间的不一致来生成警报 。

公开(公告)号：US08473209B2

公开(公告)日：2013-06-25

申请号：US12429929

申请日：2009-04-24

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

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

IPC: G01C21/00

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

Abstract: 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.

Abstract translation: 提供了用于在地面上分配标记的标记装置和标记方法。 标记装置和标记方法使用具有机器可读ID机构的标记分配器。 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。