Marking device docking stations and methods of using same
First Claim
1. A docking station for docking a marking device of a type used to mark a presence or absence of an underground facility in a dig area, the docking station comprising:
- a housing;
an electronic interface to transfer information to and from the marking device of the type used to mark the presence or absence of the underground facility in the dig area;
docking control electronics to control operation of the docking station;
a user interface of the docking station to interact with a user; and
a local memory, communicatively coupled to the electronic interface and the docking control electronics, to store at least marking device information transferred from the marking device to the docking station.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Docking stations and docking methods are provided for use with marking devices used for marking the presence or absence of an underground facility in a dig area. The docking station may serve as a home base for storage of a marking device, for charging the battery of a marking device, for transferring data to and from a marking device, and for securing a marking device against unauthorized use and/or theft. The docking station may be a mobile docking station that is installed in a vehicle or may be a fixed docking station that is installed at a central location in the field, at a central office, at a home base facility, and the like.
360 Citations
36 Claims
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1. A docking station for docking a marking device of a type used to mark a presence or absence of an underground facility in a dig area, the docking station comprising:
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a housing; an electronic interface to transfer information to and from the marking device of the type used to mark the presence or absence of the underground facility in the dig area; docking control electronics to control operation of the docking station;
a user interface of the docking station to interact with a user; anda local memory, communicatively coupled to the electronic interface and the docking control electronics, to store at least marking device information transferred from the marking device to the docking station. - 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, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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Specification