×

METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR MULTI-STAGE ASSESSMENT OF LOCATE REQUEST TICKETS

  • US 20110046994A1
  • Filed: 07/21/2010
  • Published: 02/24/2011
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/25/2009
  • Status: Abandoned Application
First Claim
Patent Images

1. An apparatus for assessing a locate and/or marking operation requested in a locate request ticket, the locate and/or marking operation comprising detecting and/or marking 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 apparatus comprising:

  • at least one communication interface;

    at least one memory to store processor-executable instructions; and

    at least one processor communicatively coupled to the at least one memory and the at least one communication interface, wherein, upon execution of the processor-executable instructions, the at least one processor;

    A) in a first stage of assessment, produces a first assessment outcome at least in part by analyzing at least some ticket information obtained from the locate request ticket;

    B) in a second stage of assessment, produces a second assessment outcome based at least in part on the first assessment outcome; and

    C) controls the at least one communication interface to transmit, and/or controls the at least one memory to store, at least one of the first assessment outcome and the second assessment outcome so as to facilitate clearing the locate request ticket and/or dispatching at least one locate technician to perform the locate and/or marking operation.

View all claims
  • 1 Assignment
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×