TICKET APPROVAL SYSTEM FOR AND METHOD OF PERFORMING QUALITY CONTROL IN FIELD SERVICE APPLICATIONS
First Claim
1. A method for overseeing and assessing a locate and marking operation performed by a first locate technician, the locate and marking operation comprising identifying a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within a dig area by placing at least one locate mark in the dig area, wherein at least a portion of the dig area is to be excavated or disturbed during excavation activities, the method comprising:
- A) receiving a ticket including ticket information regarding the locate and marking operation;
B) dispatching the first locate technician to perform the locate and marking operation pursuant to the ticket information;
C) electronically receiving a locate manifest regarding the locate and marking operation performed in B) by the first locate technician, the locate manifest including at least one digital image associated with the dig area;
D) comparing the locate manifest to the ticket information;
E) based on D), determining one of;
E1) that the locate and marking operation is satisfactory;
E2) that the locate and marking operation is unsatisfactory and requires further quality control assessment and/or at least partial re-performance of the locate and marking operation;
orE3) that the locate and marking operation is satisfactory but the first locate technician requires coaching; and
F) providing at least one electronic indication of one of E1), E2) and E3) so as to generate an electronic record of a quality assessment of the locate and marking operation.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods for overseeing and assessing a locate and marking operation. A ticket is received including ticket information regarding the operation, and a first locate technician is dispatched to perform the operation pursuant to the ticket information. A locate manifest is received that includes at least one digital image associated with a dig area in which the locate technician performed the operation. The locate manifest is compared to the ticket information, and a determination is made if the operation is 1) satisfactory, 2) unsatisfactory and requires further quality control assessment and/or at least partial re-performance, or 3) satisfactory but the first locate technician requires coaching. One or more electronic indications of one of 1), 2) and 3) are provided so as to generate an electronic record of a quality assessment of the locate and marking operation.
233 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A method for overseeing and assessing a locate and marking operation performed by a first locate technician, the locate and marking operation comprising identifying a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within a dig area by placing at least one locate mark in the dig area, wherein at least a portion of the dig area is to be excavated or disturbed during excavation activities, the method comprising:
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A) receiving a ticket including ticket information regarding the locate and marking operation; B) dispatching the first locate technician to perform the locate and marking operation pursuant to the ticket information; C) electronically receiving a locate manifest regarding the locate and marking operation performed in B) by the first locate technician, the locate manifest including at least one digital image associated with the dig area; D) comparing the locate manifest to the ticket information; E) based on D), determining one of; E1) that the locate and marking operation is satisfactory; E2) that the locate and marking operation is unsatisfactory and requires further quality control assessment and/or at least partial re-performance of the locate and marking operation;
orE3) that the locate and marking operation is satisfactory but the first locate technician requires coaching; and F) providing at least one electronic indication of one of E1), E2) and E3) so as to generate an electronic record of a quality assessment of the locate and marking operation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification