Methods and apparatus for generating output data streams relating to underground utility marking operations
First Claim
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1. A marking apparatus to perform a marking operation, the marking apparatus comprising:
- an actuation system;
a memory to store processor-executable instructions; and
a processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the actuation system, wherein upon execution of the processor-executable instructions by the processor, the processor provides an output stream of data packets and controls the memory to store the data packets, each data packet including at least one flag field that is set or reset upon at least one actuation of the actuation system.
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus for generating electronic records of marking operations for underground facilities/utilities. Electronic records of marking information may be logged/stored in local memory of a marking device, formatted in various manners, processed and/or analyzed at the marking device itself, and/or transmitted in whole or in part to another device (e.g., a remote computer/server) for storage, processing and/or analysis. In one example, an output stream of data packets is provided, wherein each data packet includes one or more flag fields that is/are set or reset upon at least one actuation of the marking device.
554 Citations
38 Claims
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1. A marking apparatus to perform a marking operation, the marking apparatus comprising:
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an actuation system; a memory to store processor-executable instructions; and a processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the actuation system, wherein upon execution of the processor-executable instructions by the processor, the processor provides an output stream of data packets and controls the memory to store the data packets, each data packet including at least one flag field that is set or reset upon at least one actuation of the actuation system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method for providing information relating to a marking operation to mark on ground, pavement or other surface a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility, the method comprising:
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A) effecting at least one actuation of an actuation system of a marking apparatus to dispense a marking material so as to form at least one locate mark on the ground, pavement or other surface to indicate the presence or the absence of the at least one underground facility; and B) providing an output stream of data packets from a processor of the marking apparatus, each data packet including at least one flag field that is set or reset upon the at least one actuation of the at least one actuation system. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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Specification