MARKING APPARATUS EQUIPPED WITH TICKET PROCESSING SOFTWARE FOR FACILITATING MARKING OPERATIONS, AND ASSOCIATED METHODS

• US 20100205032A1
• Filed: 02/11/2010
• Published: 08/12/2010
• 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 9,563,863 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/9
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 12/08 responsive to condition of liquid or other fluent material to be discharged, of ambient medium or of target ; responsive to condition of spray devices or of supply means, e.g. pipes, pumps or their drive means
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 12/12 responsive to conditions of ambient medium or target, e.g. humidity, temperature position or movement of the target relative to the spray apparatus B05B12/082, B05B12/084 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/203 comprising an extension rod located between the aerosol container and the hand grip setting-out line markings on playing courts A63C19/065; marking-out on finished paving by spraying from aerosol containers E01C23/227
• 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 10/0631 Resource planning, allocation, distributing or scheduling for enterprises or organisations
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06311 Scheduling, planning or task assignment for a person or group
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/063112 Skill-based matching of a person or a group to a task
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0633 Workflow analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06398 Performance of employee with respect to a job function
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/103 Workflow collaboration or project management

Abstract

Marking apparatus and methods, in which first ticket information relating to a locate request ticket is received, and second ticket information derived from the first ticket information is displayed on a display device of the marking apparatus. A field technician may provide some input to generate an electronic record or log of technician activity during a marking operation. In one example, a checklist may be generated (e.g., based at least in part on the first ticket information) and displayed locally to the technician as a guide to perform and verify various aspects of the operation. In another example, a set of instructions or “workflow” may be generated to guide the technician through a sequence of steps to perform the marking operation. Performance via a process guide (e.g., checklist or workflow) may be interactive in that the technician may provide input, or automated/semi-automated by analyzing various information collected by the marking apparatus with respect to the ticket information and/or other available information germane to the operation.

Claims

1. A marking apparatus for performing a marking operation to mark on ground, pavement, or other surface a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility, the apparatus comprising:

an actuator to dispense a marking material so as to form at least one locate mark on the ground, pavement or other surface to mark the presence or the absence of the at least one underground facility;

at least one user interface including at least one display device;

at least one communication interface;

a memory to store processor-executable instructions, wherein the processor-executable instructions include ticket processing software; and

a processor communicatively coupled to the memory, the at least one communication interface, the at least one user interface, and the actuator, wherein upon execution of the ticket processing software by the processor, the processor;

receives via the at least one communication interface first ticket information relating to at least one locate request ticket pertaining to the marking operation; and

controls the at least one display device so as to display second ticket information on the at least one display device, wherein the second ticket information is derived from the first ticket information.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein upon execution of the ticket processing software, the processor further stores at least one of the first ticket information and the second ticket information in the memory.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein upon execution of the ticket processing software, the processor controls the at least one communication interface to transmit the second ticket information to at least one external device.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first ticket information and the second ticket information is the at least one locate request ticket.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first ticket information and the second ticket information includes a work order derived from the at least one locate request ticket.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first ticket information and the second ticket information includes a process guide for performing the marking operation.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the first ticket information is the at least one locate request ticket; and

the processor processes the at least one locate request ticket to generate the second ticket information.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the second ticket information includes a work order, and wherein the processor processes the at least one locate request ticket to generate the work order.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the second ticket information includes a process guide for performing the marking operation, and wherein the processor processes the at least one locate request ticket to generate the process guide.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the process guide includes a checklist for performing the marking operation.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the process guide includes a workflow for performing the marking operation.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the processor generates the process guide based on the at least one locate request ticket and auxiliary information derived from at least one of:

one or more facilities maps;

one or more historical records of one or more previous locate and/or marking operations;

one or more industry best practice guides; and

standard operating procedures of a locate contractor performing and/or overseeing the marking operation.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the first ticket information includes a work order for the marking operation, wherein the work order is derived from the locate request ticket; and

the processor processes the work order to generate the second ticket information.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the second ticket information includes a process guide for performing the marking operation, and wherein the processor processes the work order to generate the process guide.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the process guide includes a checklist for performing the marking operation.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the process guide includes a workflow for performing the marking operation.

17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the processor generates the process guide based on the work order and auxiliary information derived from at least one of:

one or more facilities maps;

one or more historical records of one or more previous locate and/or marking operations;

one or more industry best practice guides; and

standard operating procedures of a locate contractor performing and/or overseeing the marking operation.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first ticket information or the second ticket information includes a process guide for performing the marking operation.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein upon execution of the ticket processing software, the processor facilitates execution of the process guide by providing at least one indication to a technician using the apparatus to perform the marking operation.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the at least one user interface includes at least one visual indicator in addition to the at least one display, and wherein the processor controls the at least one visual indicator so as to provide the at least one indication to the technician as a visual indication.

21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the at least one user interface includes at least one audible indicator, and wherein the processor controls the at least one audible indicator so as to provide the at least one indication to the technician as an audible indication.

22. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the at least one user interface includes at least one tactile indicator, and wherein the processor controls the at least one tactile indicator so as to provide the at least one indication to the technician as a tactile indication.

23. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the processor controls the at least one display device to generate at least one popup window so as to provide the at least one indication to the technician.

24. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein upon execution of the ticket processing software, the processor receives technician input from the at least one user interface so as to facilitate execution of the process guide, and wherein the processor stores in the memory a technician activity log based at least in part on the technician input.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the processor controls the at least one display device to generate a touch-screen display graphics user interface (GUI) to receive the technician input.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the touch-screen display GUI includes at least one popup window, and wherein the processor controls the at least one display device to generate the at least one popup window to receive the technician input.

27. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein:

the apparatus further comprises at least one input device to provide marking information regarding the marking operation;

upon execution of the ticket processing software, the processor further receives at least some of the marking information from the at least one input device so as to facilitate execution of the process guide; and

the processor further stores in the memory the at least some of the marking information received from the at least one input device.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the processor stores in the memory the at least some of the marking information in the technician activity log.

29. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the at least one input device comprises one or more of:

a location tracking system to provide geographic information and/or timing information;

a timing system to provide timing information;

a marking material detection mechanism to provide marking material information;

at least one environmental sensor to provide environmental information; and

at least one operational sensor to provide operational information,

wherein the marking information includes at least one of the geographic information, the timing information, the marking material information, the environmental information and the operational information.

30. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein upon execution of the ticket processing software, the processor:

makes a comparison of the at least some of the marking information and the first ticket information; and

controls the at least one user interface so as to generate at least one alert to the technician based at least in part on the comparison.

31. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein upon execution of the ticket processing software, the processor modifies the process guide based at least in part on the at least some of the marking information.

32. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein:

the apparatus further comprises at least one input device to provide marking information regarding the marking operation; and

upon execution of the ticket processing software, the processor receives at least some of the marking information from the at least one input device so as to facilitate execution of the process guide without any technician input, and wherein the processor stores in the memory a technician activity log based at least in part on the at least some of the marking information.

33. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the at least one input device comprises one or more of:

a location tracking system to provide geographic information and/or timing information;

a timing system to provide timing information;

a marking material detection mechanism to provide marking material information;

at least one environmental sensor to provide environmental information; and

at least one operational sensor to provide operational information,

wherein the marking information includes at least one of the geographic information, the timing information, the marking material information, the environmental information and the operational information.

34. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein upon execution of the ticket processing software, the processor:

makes a comparison of the at least some of the marking information and the first ticket information; and

controls the at least one user interface so as to generate at least one alert to the technician based at least in part on the comparison.

35. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein upon execution of the ticket processing software, the processor modifies the process guide based at least in part on the at least some of the marking information.

36. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one receiver antenna, communicatively coupled to the processor, to detect a magnetic field from at least one underground facility when present and provide a detection signal to the processor, so as to facilitate performance of a locate operation in addition to the marking operation.

65. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein upon execution of the processor-executable instructions, the processor:

facilitates execution of the process guide;

generates an updated process guide during and/or upon completion of the execution of the process guide, the updated process guide based at least in part on technician activity pursuant to the execution of the process guide; and

provides process guide information relating to the updated process guide to at least one business application of at least one party associated with the locate and/or marking operation, wherein the process guide information is analyzed and/or used by the at least one business application.

66. The apparatus of claim 65, wherein the at least one business application is implemented on a remote computer, and wherein the processor controls the at least one communication interface so as to transmit to the remote computer the process guide information relating to the updated process guide.

67. A system including the apparatus of claim 66 and the remote computer, wherein the at least one business application includes at least one of:

a technician scheduling and dispatch application;

an employee evaluation application;

a quality assessment application;

a data analysis application;

an excavator notification application;

a risk assessment application;

a ticket approval application; and

a billing application.

37. A method for facilitating a marking operation performed by a marking apparatus to mark on ground, pavement, or other surface a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility, the method comprising:

A) receiving at the marking apparatus first ticket information relating to at least one locate request ticket pertaining to the marking operation; and

B) displaying on at least one display device of the marking apparatus second ticket information derived from the first ticket information.

38. The method of claim 37, further comprising:

dispensing a marking material, based at least in part on the displayed second ticket information, so as to form at least one locate mark on the ground, pavement or other surface to mark the presence or the absence of the at least one underground facility.

39. The method of claim 37, further comprising:

storing at least one of the first ticket information and the second ticket information in a memory of the marking apparatus.

40. The method of claim 37, further comprising:

transmitting the second ticket information from the marking apparatus to at least one external device.

41. The method of claim 37, wherein the first ticket information and the second ticket information is the at least one locate request ticket.

42. The method of claim 37, wherein the first ticket information and the second ticket information includes a work order derived from the at least one locate request ticket.

43. The method of claim 37, wherein the first ticket information and the second ticket information includes a process guide for performing the marking operation.

44. The method of claim 37, wherein:

the first ticket information is the at least one locate request ticket; and

the method further comprises processing the at least one locate request ticket to generate the second ticket information, wherein the second ticket information includes one of a work order, a checklist, and a workflow for the marking operation.

45. The method of claim 44, further comprising generating the second ticket information based on the at least one locate request ticket and auxiliary information derived from at least one of:

one or more facilities maps;

one or more historical records of one or more previous locate and/or marking operations;

one or more industry best practice guides; and

standard operating procedures of a locate contractor performing and/or overseeing the marking operation.

46. The method of claim 37, wherein:

the first ticket information includes a work order for the marking operation, wherein the work order is derived from the at least one locate request ticket; and

the method further comprises processing the work order to generate the second ticket information, wherein the second ticket information includes one of a checklist and a workflow for the marking operation.

47. The method of claim 46, further comprising generating the second ticket information based on the work order and auxiliary information derived from at least one of:

one or more facilities maps;

one or more historical records of one or more previous locate and/or marking operations;

one or more industry best practice guides; and

standard operating procedures of a locate contractor performing and/or overseeing the marking operation.

48. The method of claim 37, wherein the first ticket information or the second ticket information includes a process guide for performing the marking operation.

49. The method of claim 48, further comprising:

C) executing the process guide by providing at least one indication to a technician using the marking apparatus to perform the marking operation.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein C) comprises:

C1) providing at least one of a visual indication, an audible indication, and a tactile indication to the technician.

51. The method of claim 50, wherein C1) comprises:

generating at least one popup window on the at least one display device so as to provide the at least one indication to the technician.

52. The method of claim 48, further comprising:

C) receiving technician input so as to facilitate execution of the process guide; and

D) storing in a memory of the marking apparatus a technician activity log based at least in part on the technician input.

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

C1) generating on the at least one display device a touch-screen display graphics user interface (GUI) to receive the technician input.

54. The method of claim 53, wherein the touch-screen display GUI includes at least one popup window.

55. The method of claim 52, wherein the marking apparatus further comprises at least one input device to provide marking information regarding the marking operation, and wherein the method further comprises:

receiving at least some of the marking information from the at least one input device so as to facilitate execution of the process guide; and

storing in the memory the at least some of the marking information received from the at least one input device.

56. The method of claim 55, wherein storing comprises storing in the memory the at least some of the marking information in the technician activity log.

57. The method of claim 55, wherein the at least one input device comprises one or more of:

a location tracking system to provide geographic information and/or timing information;

a timing system to provide timing information;

a marking material detection mechanism to provide marking material information;

at least one environmental sensor to provide environmental information; and

at least one operational sensor to provide operational information,

wherein the marking information includes at least one of the geographic information, the timing information, the marking material information, the environmental information and the operational information.

58. The method of claim 55, further comprising:

making a comparison of the at least some of the marking information and the first ticket information; and

generating at least one alert to the technician based at least in part on the comparison.

59. The method of claim 55, further comprising:

modifying the process guide based at least in part on the at least some of the marking information.

60. The method of claim 48, wherein the apparatus further comprises at least one input device to provide marking information regarding the marking operation, and wherein the method further comprises:

receiving at least some of the marking information from the at least one input device so as to facilitate execution of the process guide without any technician input; and

storing in the memory a technician activity log based at least in part on the at least some of the marking information.

61. The method of claim 60, wherein the at least one input device comprises one or more of:

a location tracking system to provide geographic information and/or timing information;

a timing system to provide timing information;

a marking material detection mechanism to provide marking material information;

at least one environmental sensor to provide environmental information; and

at least one operational sensor to provide operational information,

wherein the marking information includes at least one of the geographic information, the timing information, the marking material information, the environmental information and the operational information.

62. The method of claim 60, further comprising:

making a comparison of the at least some of the marking information and the first ticket information; and

generating at least one alert to the technician based at least in part on the comparison.

63. The method of claim 60, further comprising:

modifying the process guide based at least in part on the at least some of the marking information.

68. The method of claim 48, further comprising:

C) executing the process guide;

D) generating an updated process guide during and/or upon completion of C), the updated process guide based at least in part on technician activity pursuant to C); and

E) providing process guide information relating to the updated process guide to at least one business application of at least one party associated with the locate and/or marking operation, wherein the process guide information is analyzed and/or used by the at least one business application.

69. The method of claim 68, wherein the at least one business application is implemented on a remote computer, and wherein E) comprises:

transmitting the process guide information relating to the updated process guide to the remote computer.

70. The method of claim 68, wherein the at least one business application includes at least one of:

a technician scheduling and dispatch application;

an employee evaluation application;

a quality assessment application;

a data analysis application;

an excavator notification application;

a risk assessment application;

a ticket approval application; and

a billing application.

64. At least one computer readable storage medium encoded with at least one program including processor-executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, perform a method for facilitating a marking operation performed by a marking apparatus to mark on ground, pavement, or other surface a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility, the method comprising:

A) displaying on at least one display device of the marking apparatus ticket information derived from at least one locate request ticket pertaining to the marking operation.