公开(公告)号：US09165331B2

公开(公告)日：2015-10-20

申请号：US13191048

申请日：2011-07-26

Applicant: Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr

Inventor： Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr

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

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

Abstract: A method is disclosed for assessing an aspect relating to a locate and/or marking operation performed by a locate technician based on an electronic representation of the operation. The operation includes locating and/or identifying, using a physical locate mark, a presence or an absence of an underground facility within a dig area. A portion of the dig area may be excavated or disturbed during excavation activities. The method includes digitally representing, on a display device, the facility and/or the physical locate mark to generate an electronic visual representation of the operation. The method further includes determining a length associated with a portion of the digitally represented facility and/or physical locate mark in the electronic visual representation of the operation. The method further includes, based on the determined length, automatically assessing the aspect relating to the operation.

Abstract translation: 公开了一种用于评估与定位技术人员基于操作的电子表示执行的定位和/或标记操作有关的方面的方法。 该操作包括使用物理定位标记来定位和/或识别挖掘区域内的地下设施的存在或不存在。 在挖掘活动期间挖掘或扰乱挖掘区域的一部分。 该方法包括在显示设备上数字地表示设施和/或物理定位标记以产生操作的电子视觉表示。 该方法还包括在操作的电子视觉表示中确定与数字表示的设施和/或物理定位标记的一部分相关联的长度。 该方法还包括基于所确定的长度，自动评估与操作有关的方面。

公开(公告)号：US09097522B2

公开(公告)日：2015-08-04

申请号：US12786929

申请日：2010-05-25

Applicant: Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr

Inventor： Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr

IPC: B05C11/00 ,  B05B12/00 ,  B65D83/14 ,  G01C15/02 ,  B65D83/20 ,  B05B15/00 ,  B05B12/08

CPC classification number: G01C15/02 ,  B05B12/004 ,  B05B12/082 ,  B05B15/00 ,  B65D83/203

Abstract: Methods and marking devices for indicating and/or detecting a color of marking material used in performance of a marking operation to mark the presence or absence of an underground facility are described. Information about the color of the marking material may optionally be logged or stored by a marking device and/or transmitted to an external device.

Abstract translation: 描述用于指示和/或检测用于执行标记操作以标记地下设施的存在或不存在的标记材料的颜色的方法和标记装置。 关于标记材料的颜色的信息可以可选地由标记装置记录或存储和/或传送到外部装置。

公开(公告)号：US09046413B2

公开(公告)日：2015-06-02

申请号：US13210291

申请日：2011-08-15

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

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

IPC: G01K11/30 ,  H04N7/18 ,  E01C19/12 ,  G01J3/02 ,  G01J3/46 ,  G01C15/02 ,  G06K9/00

CPC classification number: G01J3/0264 ,  G01C15/02 ,  G01J3/463 ,  G06K9/0063

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for performing surface type detection in connection with locate and marking operations. In some embodiments, one or more sensors may be employed to collect information regarding a ground surface on which marking material is to be dispensed which is then analyzed to provide an estimate of a type of the surface. For example, a still-image or video camera may be used as a sensor that detects visible light reflecting from a surface. One or more images captured by the camera may be analyzed using analysis software to identify one or more characteristics indicative of a surface type. As another example, one or more radiation sensors may be employed to measure an amount of electromagnetic radiation reflected by the sensed surface one or more selected wavelengths or ranges of wavelengths to identify a spectral signature that may also be indicative of a surface type.

Abstract translation: 与定位和标记操作有关的执行表面类型检测的系统，方法和装置。 在一些实施例中，可以使用一个或多个传感器来收集关于要在其上分配标记材料的地面的信息，然后对该表面进行分析，以提供表面类型的估计。 例如，静止图像或摄像机可以用作检测从表面反射的可见光的传感器。 可以使用分析软件来分析由相机拍摄的一个或多个图像，以识别指示表面类型的一个或多个特征。 作为另一示例，可以使用一个或多个辐射传感器来测量由感测表面反射的一个或多个选定波长或波长范围反射的电磁辐射的量，以识别也可以指示表面类型的光谱特征。

公开(公告)号：US08994749B2

公开(公告)日：2015-03-31

申请号：US13194163

申请日：2011-07-29

Applicant: Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr

Inventor： Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr

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

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：US08965700B2

公开(公告)日：2015-02-24

申请号：US12568087

申请日：2009-09-28

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

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

IPC: G01V3/38 ,  G06Q10/06

CPC classification number: G06Q10/06

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for generating electronic records of marking operations and/or environmental landmarks for underground facilities/utilities. Marking information and/or landmark information may be logged/stored in local memory of a marking device, formatted in various manners, processed and/or analyzed at the marking device itself, and/or transmitted to another device (e.g., a remote computer/server) for storage, processing and/or analysis. In one example, a marking device may be configured to operate in both a marking mode and a landmark mode, and information relating to one or more environmental landmarks in a vicinity of the marking operation may be collected and logged with actuation of a marking device in the landmark mode. A computer-generated image or other visual representation may be electronically rendered in a display field based on logged marking information and/or landmark information, essentially in real time as the information is collected, and/or recreated thereafter based on one or more stored electronic records.

Abstract translation: 用于生成地下设施/公用设施的标记作业和/或环境地标的电子记录的方法和装置。 标记信息和/或地标信息可以记录/存储在标记设备的本地存储器中，以各种方式格式化，在标记设备本身处理和/或分析，和/或传输到另一设备（例如，远程计算机/ 服务器）进行存储，处理和/或分析。 在一个示例中，标记装置可以被配置为在标记模式和地标模式下操作，并且可以通过标记装置的致动来收集和记录与标记操作附近的一个或多个环境标志有关的信息 地标模式。 计算机生成的图像或其他视觉表示可以基于记录的标记信息和/或地标信息在显示领域中以电子方式呈现，基本上在信息被收集时基本上实时地再现，和/或此后基于一个或多个存储的电子 记录。

公开(公告)号：US08930836B2

公开(公告)日：2015-01-06

申请号：US12649535

申请日：2009-12-30

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

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

IPC: G06F3/048 ,  G06Q10/06 ,  G06F17/30

CPC classification number: G06Q10/06 ,  G01C15/06 ,  G06F3/048 ,  G06F17/30241

Abstract: Locate information, marking information, and/or landmark information relating to a locate operation and/or a marking operation to detect and/or mark a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility is categorized into a plurality of display layers for electronic rendering. At least some of the display layers may be independently enabled or disabled for display such that only enabled display layers are displayed in a display field of a display device. Alternate enabling and disabling of one or more display layers facilitates comparative viewing of the layers. A layer directory or layer legend pane may be displayed to allow for selective enabling/disabling of one or more layers. One or more layers further may be categorized into sub-layers, and respective sub-layers of a given layer similarly may be independently enabled or disabled for display.

Abstract translation: 找到与定位操作和/或标记操作相关的信息，标记信息和/或地标信息，以检测和/或标记至少一个地下设施的存在或不存在被分类为用于电子渲染的多个显示层 。 至少一些显示层可以被独立地使能或禁用以进行显示，使得只有启用的显示层被显示在显示设备的显示区域中。 替代启用和禁用一个或多个显示层便于比较观看图层。 可以显示图层目录或图层图例窗格，以允许选择性地启用/禁用一个或多个图层。 还可以将一个或多个层分成子层，给定层的相应子层可以独立地使能或禁用以进行显示。

公开(公告)号：US08928693B2

公开(公告)日：2015-01-06

申请号：US13191058

申请日：2011-07-26

Applicant: Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr

Inventor： Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr

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

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

Abstract: Managing and displaying information relating to a locate operation and/or a marking operation to detect and/or mark a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility. First information relating to the locate operation and/or the marking operation is electronically received, wherein the first information includes image information. The image information is processed to improve at least one aspect of an image represented by the image information and thereby provide improved image information. Based at least in part on the improved image information, at least one electronic manifest is generated that documents a performance of the locate operation and/or the marking operation.

Abstract translation: 管理和显示与定位操作和/或标记操作有关的信息以检测和/或标记至少一个地下设施的存在或不存在。 电子地接收与定位操作和/或标记操作相关的第一信息，其中第一信息包括图像信息。 处理图像信息以改善由图像信息表示的图像的至少一个方面，从而提供改进的图像信息。 至少部分地基于改进的图像信息，生成记​​录定位操作和/或标记操作的性能的至少一个电子清单。

公开(公告)号：US08918898B2

公开(公告)日：2014-12-23

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: G06F21/00 ,  G06Q10/08 ,  G08B5/22

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：US08917288B2

公开(公告)日：2014-12-23

申请号：US13190138

申请日：2011-07-25

Applicant: Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr

Inventor： Steven Nielsen ,  Curtis Chambers ,  Jeffrey Farr

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

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

Abstract: Generating an accuracy-referenced electronic record of a locate and/or marking operation performed by a locate technician. The locate and/or marking operation comprises locating and/or 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 location of the at least one underground facility and/or the at least one physical locate mark is electronically rendered on a display device so as to generate an electronic visual representation of the locate and/or marking operation. An accuracy of the represented location is digitally represented on the display device using at least one accuracy indicator overlaid on the electronic visual representation of the locate and/or marking operation so as to generate an accuracy-annotated representation of the locate and/or marking operation. Information relating to the accuracy-annotated representation of the locate and/or marking operation is electronically transmitted and/or stored so as to generate the accuracy-referenced electronic record of the locate and/or marking operation.

Abstract translation: 生成由定位技术人员执行的定位和/或标记操作的精确度参考的电子记录。 定位和/或标记操作包括使用至少一个物理定位标记来定位和/或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以被挖掘 或在开挖活动期间受到干扰。 至少一个地下设施的位置和/或至少一个物理定位标记被电子地呈现在显示设备上，以便产生定位和/或标记操作的电子视觉表示。 代表位置的准确性在显示设备上使用覆盖在定位和/或标记操作的电子视觉表示上的至少一个精度指示器进行数字化表示，以便生成定位和/或标记操作的精确注释表示 。 与定位和/或标记操作的准确性标注表示相关的信息被电子传输和/或存储，以便产生定位和/或标记操作的精确度参考的电子记录。

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。