Marker detection mechanisms for use in marking devices and methods of using same
First Claim
1. A marking apparatus to mark a presence or absence of an underground facility in a dig area, comprising:
- a housing configured to enable dispensing of a marking substance onto the ground for marking the presence or absence of the underground facility in the dig area;
a marking dispenser holder affixed to the housing to hold at least one marking dispenser;
an actuator to cause dispensing of the marking substance from the at least one marking dispenser onto the ground in the dig area, in a marking operation, to mark the presence or absence of the underground facility;
at least one marking substance detection mechanism to detect one or more characteristics of the marking substance after the marking substance is dispensed from the at least one marking dispenser and to provide detector information representative of the one or more characteristics, wherein the at least one marking substance detection mechanism comprises at least one of an optical sensor, an olfactory sensor, a sound sensor, and a marking substance spectrum detection mechanism that operates by detecting a spectrum of the marking substance; and
a processing device to generate output information in response to the detector information, the output information representing the one or more characteristics of the marking substance.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Marking devices for dispensing a marking substance on the ground and marking methods are provided. The marking devices and marking methods use one or more detection mechanisms to detect one or more characteristics of the marking substance. In some embodiments, the detection mechanism may be, but is not limited to, an optical sensor, an olfactory sensor, a weight sensor, a switch device, and any combination thereof. The one or more detection mechanisms may provide, for example, the capability to: (1) determine the type of marking substance that is installed in the marking device; (2) determine in advance of or during a marking operation the amount of marking substance within the marking dispenser; and (3) determine when the marking dispenser is becoming empty.
212 Citations
30 Claims
-
1. A marking apparatus to mark a presence or absence of an underground facility in a dig area, comprising:
-
a housing configured to enable dispensing of a marking substance onto the ground for marking the presence or absence of the underground facility in the dig area; a marking dispenser holder affixed to the housing to hold at least one marking dispenser; an actuator to cause dispensing of the marking substance from the at least one marking dispenser onto the ground in the dig area, in a marking operation, to mark the presence or absence of the underground facility; at least one marking substance detection mechanism to detect one or more characteristics of the marking substance after the marking substance is dispensed from the at least one marking dispenser and to provide detector information representative of the one or more characteristics, wherein the at least one marking substance detection mechanism comprises at least one of an optical sensor, an olfactory sensor, a sound sensor, and a marking substance spectrum detection mechanism that operates by detecting a spectrum of the marking substance; and a processing device to generate output information in response to the detector information, the output information representing the one or more characteristics of the marking substance. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
-
Specification