Methods, apparatus, and systems for facilitating and/or verifying locate and/or marking operations

Abstract

First ticket information is electronically received relating to at least one locate request ticket pertaining to a locate and/or marking operation, in which a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within a dig area planned to be excavated or disturbed is detected and/or marked. A process guide for the locate and/or marking operation is executed and/or generated based at least in part on the first ticket information.

1 . An apparatus for facilitating a locate and/or marking operation, 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;   a memory to store processor-executable instructions, wherein the processor-executable instructions include ticket processing software; and   a processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one communication interface, wherein upon execution of the ticket processing software by the processor, the processor:
 A) receives via the at least one communication interface ticket information relating to at least one locate request ticket pertaining to the locate and/or marking operation; and 
 B) generates and/or executes a process guide for the locate and/or marking operation based at least in part on the ticket information. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one user interface including at least one display device and communicatively coupled to the processor, wherein upon execution of the ticket processing software, the processor controls the at least one display device so as to display the process guide on the at least one display device. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the apparatus constitutes a portion of a piece of locating equipment;   the processor generates the process guide for the locate and/or marking operation based at least in part on the ticket information; and   the processor further stores the process guide in the memory of the piece of locating equipment.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the piece of locating equipment includes a marking device, a locate device, or a combined locate and marking device. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the processor generates the process guide and controls the at least one communication interface to transmit the generated process guide to at least one piece of locating equipment. 
     
     
         6 . A system, comprising:
 the apparatus of  claim 5 ; and   the at least one piece of locating equipment, wherein the at least one piece of locating equipment includes at least one marking device, at least one locate device, and/or at least one combined locate and marking device.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the ticket information is the at least one locate request ticket; and   the processor generates the process guide based at least in part on the at least one locate request ticket.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the ticket information includes a work order derived from the at least one locate request ticket; and   the processor generates the process guide based at least in part on the work order.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the processor generates the process guide, and wherein the process guide includes a checklist for performing the locate and/or marking operation. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the processor generates the process guide, and wherein the process guide includes a workflow for performing the locate and/or marking operation. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the processor generates the process guide based on the ticket information and auxiliary information derived from at least one of:
 one or more facilities maps;   one or more historical records of one or more previous locate and/or marking operations;   one or more industry best practice guides;   standard operating procedures of a locate contractor performing and/or overseeing the locate and/or marking operation.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the apparatus constitutes a portion of a piece of locating equipment;   the piece of locating equipment further comprises at least one user interface communicatively coupled to the processor; and   the processor executes the process guide by controlling the at least one user interface to provide at least one indication to a technician using the apparatus to perform the locate and/or marking operation.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the piece of locating equipment includes a marking device, a locate device, or a combined locate and marking device. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the process guide includes a checklist for performing the locate and/or marking operation. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the process guide includes a workflow for performing the locate and/or marking operation. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the ticket information received via the at least one communication interface includes the process guide. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one user interface includes at least one visual indicator, and wherein the processor controls the at least one visual indicator so as to provide the at least one indication to the technician as a visual indication. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one user interface includes at least one audible indicator, and wherein the processor controls the at least one audible indicator so as to provide the at least one indication to the technician as an audible indication. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one user interface includes at least one tactile indicator, and wherein the processor controls the at least one tactile indicator so as to provide the at least one indication to the technician as a tactile indication. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one user interface includes at least one display device, and wherein the processor controls the at least one display device to generate at least one popup window so as to provide the at least one indication to the technician. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein upon execution of the ticket processing software, the processor receives technician input from the at least one user interface so as to facilitate execution of the process guide, and wherein the processor stores in the memory a technician activity log based at least in part on the technician input. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one user interface includes at least one display device, and wherein processor controls the at least one display device to generate a touch-screen display graphics user interface (GUI) to receive the technician input. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the touch-screen display GUI includes at least one popup window, and wherein the processor controls the at least one display device to generate the at least one popup window to receive the technician input. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein:
 the apparatus further comprises at least one input device to provide field information regarding the locate and/or marking operation, wherein the field information includes at least one of locate information, marking information, and landmark information;   upon execution of the ticket processing software, the processor further receives at least some of the field information from the at least one input device so as to facilitate execution of the process guide; and   the processor further stores in the memory the at least some of the field information received from the at least one input device.   
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the processor stores in the memory the at least some of the field information in the technician activity log. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the at least one input device comprises one or more of:
 a location tracking system to provide geographic information and/or timing information;   a timing system to provide timing information;   a marking material detection mechanism to provide marking material information;   detection electronics to provide locate signal information;   at least one environmental sensor to provide environmental information; and   at least one operational sensor to provide operational information,   wherein the field information includes at least one of the geographic information, the timing information, the marking material information, the locate signal information, the environmental information and the operational information.   
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein upon execution of the ticket processing software, the processor:
 makes a comparison of the at least some of the field information and the ticket information; and   controls the at least one user interface so as to generate at least one alert to the technician based at least in part on the comparison.   
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein upon execution of the ticket processing software, the processor modifies the process guide based at least in part on the at least some of the field information. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the apparatus further comprises at least one input device to provide field information regarding the locate and/or marking operation, wherein the field information includes at least one of locate information, marking information, and landmark information; and   upon execution of the ticket processing software, the processor receives at least some of the field information from the at least one input device so as to facilitate execution of the process guide without any technician input, and wherein the processor stores in the memory a technician activity log based at least in part on the at least some of the field information.   
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 29 , wherein the at least one input device comprises one or more of:
 a location tracking system to provide geographic information and/or timing information;   a timing system to provide timing information;   a marking material detection mechanism to provide marking material information;   detection electronics to provide locate signal information;   at least one environmental sensor to provide environmental information; and   at least one operational sensor to provide operational information,   wherein the field information includes at least one of the geographic information, the timing information, the marking material information, the locate signal information, the environmental information and the operational information.   
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 29 , wherein upon execution of the ticket processing software, the processor:
 makes a comparison of the at least some of the field information and the ticket information; and   controls the at least one user interface so as to generate at least one alert to the technician based at least in part on the comparison.   
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 29 , wherein upon execution of the ticket processing software, the processor modifies the process guide based at least in part on the at least some of the field information. 
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein in B), the processor executes the process guide, and wherein upon execution of the processor-executable instructions, the processor further:
 generates an updated process guide during and/or upon completion of B), the updated process guide based at least in part on technician activity pursuant to B); and   provides process guide information relating to the updated process guide to at least one business application of at least one party associated with the locate and/or marking operation, wherein the process guide information is analyzed and/or used by the at least one business application.   
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 33 , wherein the at least one business application is implemented on a remote computer, and wherein the processor controls the at least one communication interface so as to transmit to the remote computer the process guide information relating to the updated process guide. 
     
     
         35 . A system including the apparatus of  claim 34  and the remote computer, wherein the at least one business application includes at least one of:
 a technician scheduling and dispatch application; 
 an employee evaluation application; 
 a quality assessment application; 
 a data analysis application; 
 an excavator notification application; 
 a risk assessment application; 
 a ticket approval application; and 
 a billing application. 
 
     
     
         36 . A computer-implemented method for facilitating a locate and/or marking operation, 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 method comprising:
 A) electronically receiving first ticket information relating to at least one locate request ticket pertaining to the locate and/or marking operation; and   B) generating and/or executing, by at least one processor, a process guide for the locate and/or marking operation based at least in part on the first ticket information.   
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , further comprising:
 displaying the process guide on at least one display device.   
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 36 , further comprising:
 transmitting the process guide to at least one piece of locating equipment used to perform the locate and/or marking operation.   
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the ticket information is the at least one locate request ticket, and wherein B) comprises:
 generating the process guide based at least in part on the at least one locate request ticket.   
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the ticket information includes a work order derived from the at least one locate request ticket, and wherein B) comprises:
 generating the process guide based at least in part on the work order.   
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the process guide includes a checklist for performing the locate and/or marking operation. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the process guide includes a workflow for performing the locate and/or marking operation. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein B) comprises:
 generating the process guide based on the ticket information and auxiliary information derived from at least one of:   one or more facilities maps;   one or more historical records of one or more previous locate and/or marking operations;   one or more industry best practice guides;   standard operating procedures of a locate contractor performing and/or overseeing the locate and/or marking operation.   
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein B) comprises:
 B1) executing the process guide by controlling at least one user interface of at least one piece of locating equipment used by a technician to perform the locate and/or marking operation so as to provide at least one indication to the technician.   
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the ticket information received in A) includes the process guide. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the at least one user interface includes at least one visual indicator, and wherein B1) comprises controlling the at least one visual indicator so as to provide the at least one indication to the technician as a visual indication. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the at least one user interface includes at least one audible indicator, and wherein B1) comprises controlling the at least one audible indicator so as to provide the at least one indication to the technician as an audible indication. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the at least one user interface includes at least one tactile indicator, and wherein B1) comprises controlling the at least one tactile indicator so as to provide the at least one indication to the technician as a tactile indication. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the at least one user interface includes at least one display device, and wherein B1) comprises controlling the at least one display device to generate at least one popup window so as to provide the at least one indication to the technician. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein B1) comprises:
 B1a) receiving technician input from the at least one user interface so as to facilitate execution of the process guide; and   Bib) storing in a memory a technician activity log based at least in part on the technician input.   
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 50 , wherein the at least one user interface includes at least one display device, and wherein B1a) comprises controlling the at least one display device to generate a touch-screen display graphics user interface (GUI) to receive the technician input. 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein the touch-screen display GUI includes at least one popup window, and wherein B1a) comprises controlling the at least one display device to generate the at least one popup window to receive the technician input. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 50 , further comprising:
 C) electronically receiving from at least one input device field information regarding the locate and/or marking operation, wherein the field information includes at least one of locate information, marking information, and landmark information,   wherein B1a) comprises using at least some of the field information to facilitate execution of the process guide; and   wherein B1b) comprises storing in the memory the at least some of the field information received from the at least one input device.   
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein B1b) comprises storing in the memory the at least some of the field information in the technician activity log. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein the field information includes at least one of geographic information, timing information, marking material information, locate signal information, environmental information and operational information. 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 53 , further comprising:
 making a comparison of the at least some of the field information and the ticket information; and   controlling the at least one user interface so as to generate at least one alert to the technician based at least in part on the comparison.   
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 53 , further comprising:
 modifying the process guide based at least in part on the at least some of the field information.   
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 44 , further comprising:
 C) electronically receiving field information regarding the locate and/or marking operation, wherein the field information includes at least one of locate information, marking information, and landmark information,   wherein B1) comprises:   B1a) using at least some of the field information so as to facilitate execution of the process guide without any technician input; and   B1b) storing in a memory the at least some of the field information.   
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 58 , wherein the field information includes at least one of geographic information, timing information, marking material information, locate signal information, environmental information and the operational information. 
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 58 , further comprising:
 making a comparison of the at least some of the field information and the ticket information; and   controlling the at least one user interface so as to generate at least one alert to the technician based at least in part on the comparison.   
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 58 , further comprising:
 modifying the process guide based at least in part on the at least some of the field information.   
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein in B), the at least one processor executes the process guide, and wherein the method further comprise:
 C) generating an updated process guide during and/or upon completion of B), the updated process guide based at least in part on technician activity pursuant to B); and   D) providing process guide information relating to the updated process guide to at least one business application of at least one party associated with the locate and/or marking operation, wherein the process guide information is analyzed and/or used by the at least one business application.   
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 62 , wherein the at least one business application is implemented on a remote computer, and wherein D) comprises:
 transmitting the process guide information relating to the updated process guide to the remote computer.   
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 62 , wherein the at least one business application includes at least one of:
 a technician scheduling and dispatch application;   an employee evaluation application;   a quality assessment application;   a data analysis application;   an excavator notification application;   a risk assessment application;   a ticket approval application; and   a billing application.   
     
     
         65 . At least one computer readable medium encoded with at least one program including processor-executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, perform a method for facilitating a locate and/or marking operation, 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 method comprising:
 A) electronically receiving first ticket information relating to at least one locate request ticket pertaining to the locate and/or marking operation; and   B) generating and/or executing a process guide for the locate and/or marking operation based at least in part on the first ticket information.