VIRTUAL WHITE LINES (VWL) APPLICATION FOR INDICATING A PLANNED EXCAVATION OR LOCATE PATH
First Claim
1. An apparatus for facilitating detection of 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 apparatus comprising:
- a communication interface;
a display device;
a user input device;
a memory to store processor-executable instructions; and
a processing unit coupled to the communication interface, the display device, the user input device, and the memory, wherein upon execution of the processor-executable instructions by the processing unit, the processing unit;
controls the communication interface to electronically receive source data representing at least one input image of a geographic area including the dig area;
controls the display device to display at least a portion of the at least one input image;
acquires at least one first user input from the user input device to provide a reference for a locate operation;
generates a marked-up image including at least one reference indicator based on the user input;
acquires at least one second user input from the user input device, the at least one second user input providing a description of a path to be followed during the locate operation with reference to the at least one reference indicator; and
further controls the communication interface and/or the memory to electronically transmit and/or electronically store information relating to the marked-up digital image together with information relating to the description of the path so as to facilitate the detection of the presence or the absence of the at least one underground facility within the dig area.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for facilitating detection of a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within a dig area. Source data representing one or more input images of a geographic area including the dig area is electronically received at a first user location, which may be remote from the dig area. The source data is processed so as to display at least a portion of the input image(s) on a display device at the first user location. One or more indicators are added to the displayed input image(s), via a user input device associated with the display device, to provide at least one indication of the dig area and thereby generate a marked-up digital image. In one example, the indicator(s) is/are markings that indicate a point, line, and/or path. The indicator(s) may provide a reference for a locate operation or an area of planned excavation. A description, such as of a path to be followed during the locate operation or of an area of planned excavation, may be provided with reference to the indicator(s).
244 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for facilitating detection of 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 apparatus comprising:
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a communication interface; a display device; a user input device; a memory to store processor-executable instructions; and a processing unit coupled to the communication interface, the display device, the user input device, and the memory, wherein upon execution of the processor-executable instructions by the processing unit, the processing unit; controls the communication interface to electronically receive source data representing at least one input image of a geographic area including the dig area; controls the display device to display at least a portion of the at least one input image; acquires at least one first user input from the user input device to provide a reference for a locate operation; generates a marked-up image including at least one reference indicator based on the user input; acquires at least one second user input from the user input device, the at least one second user input providing a description of a path to be followed during the locate operation with reference to the at least one reference indicator; and further controls the communication interface and/or the memory to electronically transmit and/or electronically store information relating to the marked-up digital image together with information relating to the description of the path so as to facilitate the detection of the presence or the absence of the at least one underground facility within the dig area. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. At least one computer-readable medium encoded with instructions that, when executed by at least one processing unit, perform a method for facilitating detection of 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 method comprising:
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A) electronically receiving source data representing at least one input image of a geographic area including the dig area; B) processing the source data so as to display at least a portion of the at least one input image on a display device; C) receiving user input, via a user input device associated with the display device; D) adding, based on the user input, at least one reference indicator to the displayed at least one input image to provide a reference for a locate operation and thereby generate a marked-up digital image; E) providing, via the user input device, a description of a path to be followed during the locate operation with reference to the at least one reference indicator; and F) electronically transmitting and/or electronically storing information relating to the marked-up digital image together with information relating to the description of the path so as to facilitate the detection of the presence or the absence of the at least one underground facility within the dig area. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for facilitating detection of 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 method comprising:
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A) electronically receiving source data representing at least one input image of a geographic area including the dig area; B) processing the source data so as to display at least a portion of the at least one input image on a display device; C) adding, via a user input device associated with the display device, at least one reference indicator to the displayed at least one input image to provide a reference for a locate operation and thereby generate a marked-up digital image; D) providing, via the user input device, a description of a path to be followed during the locate operation with reference to the at least one reference indicator; and E) electronically transmitting and/or electronically storing information relating to the marked-up digital image together with information relating to the description of the path so as to facilitate the detection of the presence or the absence of the at least one underground facility within the dig area. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification