METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR MANAGING LOCATE AND/OR MARKING OPERATIONS

• US 20100318402A1
• Filed: 07/09/2010
• Published: 12/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Certusview Technologies LLC (Dycom Industries Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Certusview Technologies LLC (Dycom Industries Incorporated)
• Inventors: Nielsen, Steven, Chambers, Curtis, Farr, Jeffrey
• Granted Patent: US 9,185,176 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/9
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 15/00 Surveying instruments or accessories not provided for in groups G01C1/00 - G01C13/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/063 Operations research, analysis or management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06311 Scheduling, planning or task assignment for a person or group
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06393 Score-carding, benchmarking or key performance indicator [KPI] analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06395 Quality analysis or management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06398 Performance of employee with respect to a job function
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/1097 Task assignment
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/10 Services
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/165 Land development
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/54 Presence management, e.g. monitoring or registration for receipt of user log-on information, or the connection status of the users

Abstract

First ticket information describing a locate operation to be performed is electronically received, including image information and/or geospatial metadata relating to a dig area and/or a work site. Field information relating to the locate operation as at least partially performed and/or environmental information relating to the dig area and/or the work site is electronically received and processed to provide a quality assessment of the locate operation.

Claims

1. An apparatus for managing a locate operation to identify a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within a dig area at a work site, the apparatus comprising:

a communication interface;

a memory to store processor-executable instructions; and

a processing unit communicatively coupled to the communication interface and the memory, wherein upon execution of the processor-executable instructions by the processing unit, the processing unit;

A) controls the communication interface to receive first ticket information describing the locate operation to be performed, the first ticket information including image information and/or geospatial metadata relating to the dig area and/or the work site;

B) controls the communication interface to receive field information relating to the locate operation as at least partially performed and/or environmental information relating to the dig area and/or the work site; and

C) processes the field information and/or the environmental information to provide a quality assessment of the locate operation.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein in A), the first ticket information includes at least one of:

a marked-up image of a geographic area including the dig area, the marked-up 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.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein after A), the processing unit:

A1) processes the first ticket information so as to allocate available resources to the locate operation.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein in A1), the processing unit:

assesses the first ticket information to determine one or more of a scope of work, a complexity, a performance time, a risk, a business value, and a technician skill or certification requirement associated with the locate operation.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein after A), the processing unit:

A1) processes the first ticket information so as to schedule dispatch of at least one technician to perform the locate operation.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein in A1), the processing unit:

processes the first ticket information and scheduling information relating to one or more of multi-day performance windows, shift information relating to available technician resources, technician skill set and history, and job complexity so as to schedule the dispatch of the at least one technician.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein after A), the processing unit:

A1) controls the communication interface to transmit second ticket information to at least one entity associated with the locate operation, wherein the second ticket information is derived from the first ticket information.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein in A1), the processing unit:

controls the communication interface to transmit the second ticket information to at least one locate personnel device and/or at least one piece of locating equipment used by the technician to perform the locate operation

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the second ticket information includes a process guide.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the process guide includes at least one of a work order, a checklist, and a workflow.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein in B), the field information comprises at least one of:

locate information relating to detecting the presence or the absence of the at least one underground facility;

marking information relating to marking the presence of the absence of the at least one underground facility; and

landmark information relating to at least one landmark present in or proximate to the dig area or the work site.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising at least one piece of locating equipment, wherein the at least one piece of locating equipment includes at least one of:

at least one intelligent marking device to provide at least some of the marking information and/or at least some of the landmark information;

at least one intelligent locate device to provide at least some of the locate information and/or at least some of the landmark information; and

at least one intelligent combined locate and marking device to provide at least some of the marking information, at least some of the locate information, and/or at least some of the landmark information.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein in B), the field information includes at least one of:

a timestamp for the locate operation;

geographic information associated with the dig area; and

at least one identifier for a locate technician and or a locate company.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein in B), the field information includes at least one electronic manifest for the locate operation.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the electronic manifest includes at least one of marking information, locate information and landmark information.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the electronic manifest includes at least one digital image, and wherein the at least one digital image includes at least one dig area indicator.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein after B), the processing unit:

generates an electronic manifest for the locate operation based at least in part on the field information and/or the environmental information.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein in C), the processing unit:

processes the electronic manifest to provide the quality assessment of the locate operation.

19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein in B), the environmental information comprises weather conditions or traffic conditions relating to the dig area or work site and/or access to the dig area or work site.

20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein in B), the processing unit:

controls the communication interface to receive the field information and/or the environmental information in essentially real-time during performance of the locate operation.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein in C), the processing unit:

processes the field information and/or the environmental information in essentially real-time during the performance of the locate operation to provide the quality assessment.

22. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein in C), the processing unit:

processes the field information and/or the environmental information so as to assess at least one of a completeness, an accuracy, and an efficiency of the locate operation.

23. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing unit further:

D) controls the communication interface and/or the memory to electronically transmit and/or electronically store information relating to the locate operation to archive the information and facilitate auditing of the information.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein in D), the processing unit further:

D1) encrypts the information relating to the locate operation.

25. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein in D), the processing unit further:

D1) controls the communication interface and/or the memory so as to allow access to the information relating to the locate operation only for a limited time period.

26. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein in D), the processing unit further:

D1) controls the communication interface and/or the memory so as to allow access to the information relating to the locate operation via a log-in procedure so as to facilitate secure access to the information.

27. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein in D), the processing unit further:

D1) controls the communication interface and/or the memory so as to allow access to the information relating to the locate operation for a fee.

28. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein in D), the processing unit further:

D1) controls the communication interface so as to receive one or more search indicia associated with the locate operation; and

D2) implements a search engine so as to provide access to and/or transmit, in response to D1), at least some of the information relating to the locate operation.

29. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing unit further controls the communication interface so as to communicate to at least one first party at least one notification indicating at least one of:

a status of the locate operation;

a disposition of the technician; and

at least some of the information relating to the locate operation.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the at least one first party includes at least one of:

a requesting party that requests the locate operation;

a regulator;

an auditor;

an insurer;

a damage investigator; and

an assessor.

31. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein:

the at least one notification is communicated to the at least one first party on behalf of at least one second party associated with the locate operation; and

the at least one notification includes reporting requirements for the at least one second party, the reporting requirements regarding at least one of;

activities of the at least one second party;

facilities under a jurisdiction of the at least one second party; and

geographic areas under the jurisdiction of the at least one second party.

32. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the at least one second party includes at least one of:

an excavator;

a one-call center;

a locate service provider/contractor; and

a facility owner.

33. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the at least one first party includes at least one of:

a requesting party that requests the locate operation;

a regulator;

an auditor;

an insurer;

a damage investigator; and

an assessor.

34. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the processing unit further controls the communication interface so as to receive at least one acknowledgement of receipt of the at least one notification.

35. A method for managing a locate operation to identify a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within a dig area at a work site, the method comprising:

A) electronically receiving first ticket information describing the locate operation to be performed, the first ticket information including image information and/or geospatial metadata relating to the dig area and/or the work site;

B) electronically receiving field information relating to the locate operation as at least partially performed and/or environmental information relating to the dig area and/or the work site; and

C) electronically processing the field information and/or the environmental information to provide a quality assessment of the locate operation.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein in A), the first ticket information includes at least one of:

a marked-up image of a geographic area including the dig area, the marked-up 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.

37. The method of claim 35, wherein after A), the method comprises:

A1) processing the first ticket information so as to allocate available resources to the locate operation.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein A1) comprises:

assessing the first ticket information to determine one or more of a scope of work, a complexity, a performance time, a risk, a business value, and a technician skill or certification requirement associated with the locate operation.

39. The method of claim 35, wherein after A), the method comprises:

A1) processing the first ticket information so as to schedule dispatch of at least one technician to perform the locate operation.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein A1) comprises:

processing the first ticket information and scheduling information relating to one or more of multi-day performance windows, shift information relating to available technician resources, technician skill set and history, and job complexity so as to schedule the dispatch of the at least one technician.

41. The method of claim 35, wherein after A), the method comprises:

A1) electronically transmitting second ticket information to at least one entity associated with the locate operation, wherein the second ticket information is derived from the first ticket information.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein A1) comprises:

transmitting the second ticket information to at least one locate personnel device and/or at least one piece of locating equipment used by the technician to perform the locate operation

43. The method of claim 41, wherein in A1), the second ticket information includes a process guide.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein the process guide includes at least one of a work order, a checklist, and a workflow.

45. The method of claim 35, wherein in B), the field information comprises at least one of:

locate information relating to detecting the presence or the absence of the at least one underground facility;

marking information relating to marking the presence of the absence of the at least one underground facility; and

landmark information relating to at least one landmark present in or proximate to the dig area or the work site.

46. The method of claim 45, wherein the field information is electronically received from at least one piece of locating equipment, wherein the at least one piece of locating equipment includes at least one of:

at least one intelligent marking device to provide at least some of the marking information and/or at least some of the landmark information;

at least one intelligent locate device to provide at least some of the locate information and/or at least some of the landmark information; and

at least one intelligent combined locate and marking device to provide at least some of the marking information, at least some of the locate information, and/or at least some of the landmark information.

47. The method of claim 35, wherein in B), the field information includes at least one of:

a timestamp for the locate operation;

geographic information associated with the dig area; and

at least one identifier for a locate technician and or a locate company.

48. The method of claim 35, wherein in B), the field information includes at least one electronic manifest for the locate operation.

49. The method of claim 48, wherein the electronic manifest includes at least one of marking information, locate information and landmark information.

50. The method of claim 48, wherein the electronic manifest includes at least one digital image, and wherein the at least one digital image includes at least one dig area indicator.

51. The method of claim 35, wherein after B), the method comprises:

generating an electronic manifest for the locate operation based at least in part on the field information and/or the environmental information.

52. The method of claim 51, wherein C) comprises:

processing the electronic manifest to provide the quality assessment of the locate operation.

53. The method of claim 35, wherein in B), the environmental information comprises weather conditions or traffic conditions relating to the dig area or work site and/or access to the dig area or work site.

54. The method of claim 35, wherein B) comprises:

receiving the field information and/or the environmental information in essentially real-time during performance of the locate operation.

55. The method of claim 54, wherein C) comprises:

processing the field information and/or the environmental information in essentially real-time during the performance of the locate operation to provide the quality assessment.

56. The method of claim 35, wherein C) comprises:

processing the field information and/or the environmental information so as to assess at least one of a completeness, an accuracy, and an efficiency of the locate operation.

57. The method of claim 35, further comprising:

D) electronically transmitting and/or electronically storing information relating to the locate operation to archive the information and facilitate auditing of the information.

58. The method of claim 57, wherein D) comprises:

D1) encrypting the information relating to the locate operation.

59. The method of claim 57, wherein D) comprises:

D1) allowing access to the information relating to the locate operation only for a limited time period.

60. The method of claim 57, wherein D) comprises:

D1) allowing access to the information relating to the locate operation via a log-in procedure so as to facilitate secure access to the information.

61. The method of claim 57, wherein D) comprises:

D1) allowing access to the information relating to the locate operation for a fee.

62. The method of claim 57, wherein D) comprises:

D1) electronically receiving one or more search indicia associated with the locate operation; and

D2) implementing a search engine so as to provide access to and/or transmit, in response to D1), at least some of the information relating to the locate operation.

63. The method of claim 35, further comprising:

communicating to at least one first party at least one notification indicating at least one of;

a status of the locate operation;

a disposition of the technician; and

at least some of the information relating to the locate operation.

64. The method of claim 63, wherein the at least one first party includes at least one of:

a requesting party that requests the locate operation;

a regulator;

an auditor;

an insurer;

a damage investigator; and

an assessor.

65. The method of claim 64, wherein:

the at least one notification is communicated to the at least one first party on behalf of at least one second party associated with the locate operation; and

the at least one notification includes reporting requirements for the at least one second party, the reporting requirements regarding at least one of;

activities of the at least one second party;

facilities under a jurisdiction of the at least one second party; and

geographic areas under the jurisdiction of the at least one second party.

66. The method of claim 65, wherein the at least one second party includes at least one of:

an excavator;

a one-call center;

a locate service provider/contractor; and

a facility owner.

67. The method of claim 66, wherein the at least one first party includes at least one of:

a requesting party that requests the locate operation;

a regulator;

an auditor;

an insurer;

a damage investigator; and

an assessor.

68. The method of claim 63, further comprising:

electronically receiving at least one acknowledgement of receipt of the at least one notification.

69. At least one computer-readable storage medium encoded with processor-executable instructions that, when executed on at least one processing unit, perform a method for managing a locate operation to identify a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within a dig area at a work site, the method comprising:

A) electronically receiving first ticket information describing the locate operation to be performed, the first ticket information including image information and/or geospatial metadata relating to the dig area and/or the work site;

B) electronically receiving field information relating to the locate operation as at least partially performed and/or environmental information relating to the dig area and/or the work site; and

C) electronically processing the field information and/or the environmental information to provide a quality assessment of the locate operation.