SYSTEM FOR AND METHODS OF AUTOMATICALLY INSERTING SYMBOLS INTO ELECTRONIC RECORDS OF LOCATE OPERATIONS
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A computer-facilitated method for logging an electronic record of a locate operation to locate a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility, the method comprising:
- automatically processing, by at least one processor, marking data representative of a locate operation so as to determine at least one symbol associated with the locate operation, the symbol represented by symbol data; and
storing the marking data and the symbol data in at least one memory to form an electronic record of the locate operation.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Marking data representative of an underground facility locate operation is acquired by locate equipment and automatically processed so as to determine one or more symbols associated with the locate operation. A locate operation work order also may be processed with the marking data to determine the one or more symbols. An electronic record of the locate operation is generated and includes a graphic representation of the marking data as well as the one or more symbols.
184 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A computer-facilitated method for logging an electronic record of a locate operation to locate a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility, the method comprising:
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automatically processing, by at least one processor, marking data representative of a locate operation so as to determine at least one symbol associated with the locate operation, the symbol represented by symbol data; and storing the marking data and the symbol data in at least one memory to form an electronic record of the locate operation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A system for logging an electronic record of a locate operation to locate a presence or an absence of underground facilities, the system comprising:
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locate equipment configured to perform at least part of the locate operation and to acquire marking data representative of the locate operation; and a computing device distinct from the locate equipment, the computing device configured to receive the marking data from the locate equipment, and to store the marking data and symbol data to form an electronic record of the locate operation, the symbol data, representative of at least one symbol, being automatically determined by the locate equipment or the computing device.
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21. Locate equipment for performing a locate operation to locate a presence or an absence of underground facilities, the locate equipment comprising:
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a marking material dispensing system configured to dispense marking material during the locate operation; a data acquisition module configured to acquire marking data representative of the locate operation; a symbol insertion module configured to automatically determine at least one symbol associated with the locate operation, the symbol represented by symbol data; and a memory configured to store the marking data and the associated symbol data to form an electronic record of the locate operation.
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Specification