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METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PERFORMING LOCATE AND/OR MARKING OPERATIONS WITH IMPROVED VISIBILITY, QUALITY CONTROL AND AUDIT CAPABILITY

  • US 20100318401A1
  • Filed: 07/09/2010
  • Published: 12/16/2010
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/11/2009
  • Status: Abandoned Application
First Claim
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1. A method for performing a locate operation, the locate operation comprising identifying, in response to at least one locate request ticket, a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within a dig area, wherein at least a portion of the dig area is planned to be excavated or disturbed during excavation activities, the method comprising:

  • A) electronically receiving first ticket information relating to the at least one locate request ticket identifying the dig area, the first ticket information including first image data associated with the dig area, wherein the first image data includes at least one of;

    a marked-up digital image of a geographic area including the dig area, the marked-up digital image including at least one dig area indicator to provide an indication of the dig area; and

    geographic information relating to the at least one dig area indicator;

    B) inspecting the dig area based at least in part on the first ticket information received in A), and using at least one piece of locating equipment to determine the presence or the absence of the at least one underground facility and/or physically mark the dig area with at least one physical locate mark to indicate the presence or the absence of the at least one underground facility; and

    C) electronically adding to the marked-up digital image and/or a second digital image at least one of marking information, locate information, and landmark information so as to provide an updated marked-up image relating to the locate operation as performed, the updated marked-up image including the at least one dig area indicator; and

    D) generating an electronic manifest relating to the locate operation, the electronic manifest including the updated marked-up image.

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