公开(公告)号：US08830265B2

公开(公告)日：2014-09-09

申请号：US13758336

申请日：2013-02-04

Applicant: Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr

Inventor： Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr

IPC: G06G5/00 ,  G09G5/00 ,  G06Q50/06 ,  G06F17/30

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

Abstract: Assessing at least one aspect relating to a marking operation performed by a locate technician, based on an electronic representation of the marking operation. The marking 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. The physical locate mark(s) is/are digitally represented on a display device so as to generate an electronic visual representation of the marking operation. A length associated with at least a portion of the digitally represented physical locate mark(s) is determined and, based on the determined length, one or more aspects relating to the marking operation is/are automatically assessed. Exemplary aspects include a cost of the marking operation, a productivity of the locate technician, and/or a competence of the locate technician.

Abstract translation: 基于定位技术人员执行的与标记操作相关的至少一个方面，基于标记操作的电子表示来评估。 标记操作包括使用至少一个物理定位标记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。 在显示装置上数字地表示物理定位标记，以产生标记操作的电子视觉表示。 确定与数字表示的物理定位标记的至少一部分相关联的长度，并且基于所确定的长度，自动评估与标记操作相关的一个或多个方面。 示例性方面包括标记操作的成本，定位技术人员的生产率和/或定位技术人员的能力。

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：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）。