Ticket Entry Systems and Methods

Abstract

In one embodiment, a ticket entry system and method include a program management system, a spatial management system, a data management system, and a user interface. The program management system receives contact information and a search criteria for a locate request. The program management system transmits the search criteria to the spatial management system. The spatial management system geocodes the search criteria and retrieves map data from the data management system corresponding to the search criteria geocode. The spatial management system transmits the map data to the program management system. The program management system transmits the map data to the user system and, in return, receives an indication of a site location where the operation is to be performed. The program management system transmits the site location indication to the spatial management system. The spatial management system geocodes the site location indication and transmits the site location geocode to the program management system. The program management system creates a locate ticket, which comprises the site location geocode and the contact information.

1 . A ticket entry system operable with at least one processor comprising: 
 a program management system configured to receive a request to mark a site location for an operation, the request comprising a location designation, and to receive an indication for at least an approximation of the site location;    a spatial management system configured to receive the location designation from the program management system, to geocode the location designation, to retrieve map data identifying an area corresponding to the geocoded location designation, to receive the site location indication from the program management system, to geocode the site location indication, and to transmit the site location geocode to the program management system;    a data management system configured to store the map data and to transmit the map data to the spatial management system; and    a user interface configured to generate the map data for display, to receive the site location indication, and to transmit the site location indication to the program management system.