Methods, apparatus, and systems for analyzing use of a marking device by a technician to perform an underground facility marking operation
First Claim
1. A method of monitoring a technician'"'"'s performance of a marking operation to indicate the presence or absence of an underground facility, wherein the technician uses a marking device, the method comprising:
- A) receiving operating information representative of motion of the marking device during performance of the marking operation by the technician, wherein the operating information is representative of at least one of;
an acceleration of the marking device;
a velocity of the marking device;
a distance traveled by the marking device while performing at least one task associated with the marking operation; and
an angle of inclination of the marking device; and
B) analyzing, using at least one processor, the operating information to determine a pattern of motion.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods, apparatus, and systems for monitoring a technician'"'"'s performance of a marking operation to indicate the presence or absence of an underground facility, wherein the technician uses a marking device. Operating information representative of motion of the marking device during performance of the marking operation by the technician is analyzed to determine a pattern of motion. In one example, the pattern of motion is compared to at least one previously-identified pattern of motion associated with at least one technician. In various aspects, the operating information may representative of an acceleration, a velocity, a distance traveled by, and/or an angle of inclination of the marking device. In another aspect, the previously-identified pattern of motion may be a technician signature representing a pattern of motion unique to a technician.
534 Citations
60 Claims
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1. A method of monitoring a technician'"'"'s performance of a marking operation to indicate the presence or absence of an underground facility, wherein the technician uses a marking device, the method comprising:
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A) receiving operating information representative of motion of the marking device during performance of the marking operation by the technician, wherein the operating information is representative of at least one of; an acceleration of the marking device; a velocity of the marking device; a distance traveled by the marking device while performing at least one task associated with the marking operation; and an angle of inclination of the marking device; and B) analyzing, using at least one processor, the operating information to determine a pattern of motion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of monitoring technician performance of a marking operation using a marking device to indicate the presence or absence of an underground facility, the method comprising:
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A) receiving operating information representative of motion of the marking device during performance of the marking operation; and B) comparing, using at least one processor, a pattern of motion of the marking device indicated by the operating information to at least one previously-identified pattern of motion associated with at least one technician. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A computer readable storage medium storing processor-executable instructions which, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform a method of monitoring a technician'"'"'s performance of a marking operation to indicate the presence or absence of an underground facility, wherein the technician uses a marking device, the method comprising:
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A) receiving operating information representative of motion of the marking device during performance of the marking operation by the technician, wherein the operating information is representative of at least one of; an acceleration of the marking device; a velocity of the marking device; a distance traveled by the marking device while performing at least one task associated with the marking operation; and an angle of inclination of the marking device; and B) analyzing, using at least one processor, the operating information to determine a pattern of motion. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A computer readable storage medium storing processor-executable instructions which, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform a method of monitoring technician performance of a marking operation using a marking device to indicate the presence or absence of an underground facility, the method comprising:
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A) receiving operating information representative of motion of the marking device during performance of the marking operation; and B) comparing, using at least one processor, a pattern of motion of the marking device indicated by the operating information to at least one previously-identified pattern of motion associated with at least one technician. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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41. An apparatus for monitoring a technician'"'"'s performance of a marking operation to indicate the presence or absence of an underground facility, wherein the technician uses a marking device, the apparatus comprising:
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a memory storing processor-executable instructions; and at least one processor coupled to the memory to receive the processor-executable instructions, wherein, upon execution of the processor executable instructions, the at least one processor; A) receives operating information representative of motion of the marking device during performance of the marking operation by the technician, wherein the operating information is representative of at least one of; an acceleration of the marking device; a velocity of the marking device; a distance traveled by the marking device while performing a task; and an angle of inclination of the marking device; and B) analyzes the operating information to determine a pattern of motion. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50)
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51. An apparatus for monitoring a technician'"'"'s performance of a marking operation to indicate the presence or absence of an underground facility, wherein the technician uses a marking device, the apparatus comprising:
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a memory storing processor-executable instructions; and at least one processor coupled to the memory to receive the processor-executable instructions, wherein, upon execution of the processor executable instructions, the at least one processor; A) receives operating information representative of motion of the marking device during performance of the marking operation; and B) compares a pattern of motion of the marking device indicated by the operating information to at least one previously-identified pattern of motion associated with at least one technician. - View Dependent Claims (52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60)
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Specification