[미국특허]
Virtual white lines (VWL) for delimiting planned excavation sites of staged excavation projects
원문보기
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
G06F-003/048
G09G-005/00
출원번호
US-0475924
(2009-06-01)
등록번호
US-8356255
(2013-01-15)
발명자
/ 주소
Nielsen, Steven E.
Chambers, Curtis
Farr, Jeffrey
출원인 / 주소
Certusview Technologies, LLC
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
47인용 특허 :
55
초록▼
Methods and apparatus for facilitating detection of a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within a dig area. Source data representing one or more input images of a geographic area including the dig area is electronically received at a first user location, which may be remote
Methods and apparatus for facilitating detection of a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within a dig area. Source data representing one or more input images of a geographic area including the dig area is electronically received at a first user location, which may be remote from the dig area. The source data is processed so as to display at least a portion of the input image(s) on a display device. One or more indicators are added to the displayed input image(s), via a user input device associated with the display device, to provide at least one indication of the dig area and thereby generate a marked-up digital image. In the case of a staged excavation project, the input image, or a plurality of associated images, may include indicia of multiple dig areas corresponding to multiple stages of the staged excavation project.
대표청구항▼
1. An apparatus for facilitating detection of a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within a dig area, wherein at least a portion of the dig area may be excavated or disturbed during excavation activities, the apparatus comprising: a communication interface;a display device;a
1. An apparatus for facilitating detection of a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within a dig area, wherein at least a portion of the dig area may be excavated or disturbed during excavation activities, the apparatus comprising: a communication interface;a display device;at least one user input device;a memory to store processor-executable instructions; anda processing unit coupled to the communication interface, the display device, the at least one user input device, and the memory, wherein upon execution of the processor-executable instructions by the processing unit, the processing unit:controls the communication interface to electronically receive first source data representing a first input image of a geographic area including a first dig area, wherein the first dig area corresponds to a first stage of a staged excavation project;controls the display device to display at least a portion of the first input image on the display device;acquires at least one first user input from the at least one user input device;generates a first marked-up digital image including at least one first indicator based on the at least one first user input overlaid on the first input image to provide at least one indication of the first dig area;adds a first excavation date corresponding to the first dig area to the first marked-up digital image;controls the communication interface to electronically receive second source data representing a second input image of a geographic area including a second dig area, wherein the second dig area corresponds to a subsequent stage of the staged excavation project;controls the display device to display at least a portion of the second input image on the display device;acquires at least one second user input from the at least one user input device;generates a second marked-up digital image including at least one second indicator overlaid based on the at least one second user input on the second input image to provide at least one indication of the second dig area; adds a second excavation date corresponding to the second dig area to the second marked-up digital image; andfurther controls the communication interface and/or the memory to electronically transmit and/or electronically store first information relating to the first marked-up digital image together with second information relating to the second marked-up digital image so as to facilitate the detection of the presence or the absence of the at least one underground facility within the first and second dig areas. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: adding a first indication to the first marked-up digital image that the first dig area corresponds to the first stage of the staged excavation project. 3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising: adding a second indication to the second marked-up digital image that the second dig area corresponds to the subsequent stage of the staged excavation project. 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein further controlling the communication interface and/or the memory comprises: electronically storing the first and second information with a corresponding descriptor file comprising information identifying at least one ticket number. 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the at least one ticket number comprises a first ticket number corresponding to the first stage of the staged excavation project and at least one additional ticket number corresponding to the subsequent stage of the staged excavation project. 6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the descriptor file further comprises a first stage identifier corresponding to the first stage of the staged excavation project and a second stage identifier corresponding to the subsequent stage of the staged excavation project. 7. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the descriptor file further comprises a first stage date corresponding to the first stage of the staged excavation project and a second stage date corresponding to the subsequent stage of the staged excavation project. 8. At least one non-transitory computer-readable medium encoded with instructions that, when executed by at least one processing unit, perform a method for facilitating detection of a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within a dig area, wherein at least a portion of the dig area may be excavated or disturbed during excavation activities, the method comprising: A) electronically receiving first source data representing a first input image of a geographic area including a first dig area, wherein the first dig area corresponds to a first stage of a staged excavation project;B) processing the first source data so as to display at least a portion of the first input image on the display device;C) receiving at least one first user input via at least one user input device associated with the display device;D) adding, based on the at least one first user input, at least one first indicator to the displayed first input image to provide at least one indication of the first dig area and thereby generate a first marked-up digital image;D1) adding a first excavation date corresponding to the first dig area to the first marked-up digital image;E) electronically receiving second source data representing a second input image of a geographic area including a second dig area, wherein the second dig area corresponds to a subsequent stage of the staged excavation project;F) processing the second source data so as to display at least a portion of the second input image on the display device;G) receiving at least one second user input via the at least one user input device;H) adding, based on the at least one second user input, at least one second indicator to the displayed second input image to provide at least one indication of the second dig area and thereby generate a second marked-up digital image;H1) adding a second excavation date corresponding to the second dig area to the second marked-up digital image; andI) electronically transmitting and/or electronically storing first information relating to the first marked-up digital image together with second information relating to the second marked-up digital image so as to facilitate the detection of the presence or the absence of the at least one underground facility within the first and second dig areas. 9. The at least one computer-readable medium of 8, wherein the first and second marked-up digital images each comprise geographical metadata, and wherein the method further comprises: using the geographical metadata, digitally configuring at least a portion of the first and second marked-up digital images in a contiguous manner. 10. The at least one computer-readable medium of claim 8, further comprising: adding a first indication to the first marked-up digital image that the first dig area corresponds to the first stage of the staged excavation project. 11. The at least one computer-readable medium of claim 10, further comprising: adding a second indication to the second marked-up digital image that the second dig area corresponds to the subsequent stage of the staged excavation project. 12. The at least one computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein I) comprises: electronically storing the first and second information with a corresponding descriptor file comprising information identifying at least one ticket number. 13. The at least one computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the at least one ticket number comprises a first ticket number corresponding to the first stage of the staged excavation project and at least one additional ticket number corresponding to the subsequent stage of the staged excavation project. 14. The at least one computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the descriptor file further comprises a first stage identifier corresponding to the first stage of the staged excavation project and a second stage identifier corresponding to the subsequent stage of the staged excavation project. 15. The at least one computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the descriptor file further comprises a first stage date corresponding to the first stage of the staged excavation project and a second stage date corresponding to the subsequent stage of the staged excavation project. 16. A method for facilitating detection of a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within a plurality of dig areas comprising a first dig area and a second dig area, wherein at least a portion of the first and second dig areas may be excavated or disturbed during excavation activities, the method comprising: A) electronically receiving first source data representing a first input image of a geographic area including a first dig area, wherein the first dig area corresponds to a first stage of an staged excavation project;B) processing the first source data so as to display at least a portion of the first input image on the display device;C) adding, via at least one user input device associated with the display device, at least one first indicator to the displayed first input image to provide at least one indication of the first dig area and thereby generate a first marked-up digital image;C1) adding a first excavation date corresponding to the first dig area to the first marked-up digital image;D) electronically receiving second source data representing a second input image of a geographic area including a second dig area, wherein the second dig area corresponds to a subsequent stage of the staged excavation project;E) processing the second source data so as to display at least a portion of the second input image on the display device;F) adding, via the at least one user input device, at least one second indicator to the displayed second input image to provide at least one indication of the second dig area and thereby generate a second marked-up digital image;F1) adding a second excavation date corresponding to the second dig area to the second marked-up digital image; andG) electronically transmitting and/or electronically storing first information relating to the first marked-up digital image together with second information relating to the second marked-up digital image so as to facilitate the detection of the presence or the absence of the at least one underground facility within the first and second dig areas.
Abbruzzese Pamela (Newington CT) Bailey Paul (Butler PA) Fritz Denise L. (West Simsbury CT) Lawler John (Columbia CT) Manning Rick (Palmer MA) Pollnow Russ (Manchester CT) Retartha Anthony (Burlingto, Computerized system and method for work management.
Clark ; Jr. Louis George (St. Charles MO) Gummow ; Jr. Donald Romaine (O\Fallon MO) Vanacht Marc (St. Louis MO), Hand-held GUI PDA with GPS/DGPS receiver for collecting agronomic and GPS position data.
Asher, Michael L.; Bhaskar, Uday; Eslambolchi, Hossein; Gaddamanugu, Bala Surya Siva Sri; Giddens, Charles C.; Stewart, Harold Jeffrey, Locating dig alerts on the map by choosing an area on the map.
Kelling, Steven T.; Beloin, Ronald M.; Fitzpatrick, John W.; Gill, Frank B.; Slothower, Roger L.; Fredericks, Thomas A., Method and apparatus for collecting and expressing geographically-referenced data.
Taylor, Jr.,David W. A.; Bell,Alan G. R.; Rolland,John S.; McGarvey,Matthew W.; McBride,William H. A.; Rosenberg,Yuri; Fields,George R. A.; Faulkner,William T., Method and apparatus for detecting, mapping and locating underground utilities.
Asher, Michael L.; Natha, Udaya Bhaskar; Giddens, Charles C.; Magown, Jr., Lloyd Lester; Stewart, Harold Jeffrey, Method and apparatus for managing dig alerts in a network system.
Badrak, Maksym; Eslambolchi, Hossein; Gaddamanugu, Bala Surya Siva Sri; Giddens, Charles C.; Mason, Jacquenetta M.; Natha, Udaya Bhaskar; Stewart, Harold Jeffrey, Method and system for provisioning facility-based maps and related information to field personnel.
Weldum,David L.; Bendall,Clark A.; Lesmerises,Michael C.; Karpen,Thomas W.; Salvati,Jon R., Method and system for storing calibration data within image files.
Nielsen, Steven; Chambers, Curtis, Methods and apparatus for providing unbuffered dig area indicators on aerial images to delimit planned excavation sites.
Sutton John ; Swindler Danny E. ; Groh Brian,CAX ; Perley Richard,CAX ; Clifton Glen, Portable pen-based computer and auxiliary unit for use with a vehicular docking station.
Husseiny Abdo A. (LaPlace LA) Murdock Jane Y. (New Orleans LA) O\Brien Nancy G. (Trenton MI) Stevens Edwin D. (New Orleans LA), System and method for displaying geographical information.
Nielsen, Steven E.; Chambers, Curtis; Farr, Jeffrey; Pennington, David, Apparatus and methods for evaluating a quality of a locate operation for underground utility.
Nielsen, Steven; Chambers, Curtis; Farr, Jeffrey; Pennington, David, Apparatus and methods for evaluating a quality of a locate operation for underground utility.
Nielsen, Steven E.; Chambers, Curtis; Farr, Jeffrey, Apparatus, systems and methods to generate electronic records of underground facility marking operations performed with GPS-enabled marking devices.
Nielsen, Steven; Chambers, Curtis; Farr, Jeffrey, Hand-held marking apparatus with location tracking system and methods for logging geographic location of same.
Nielsen, Steven E.; Chambers, Curtis; Farr, Jeffrey; Davani, Tony, Locating equipment docking station communicatively coupled to or equipped with a mobile/portable device.
Nielsen, Steven; Chambers, Curtis; Farr, Jeffrey; Davani, Tony, Locating equipment docking station communicatively coupled to or equipped with a mobile/portable device.
Nielsen, Steven; Chambers, Curtis; Farr, Jeffrey, Marking apparatus configured to detect out-of-tolerance conditions in connection with underground facility marking operations, and associated methods and systems.
Nielsen, Steven; Chambers, Curtis; Farr, Jeffrey, Methods and apparatus for analyzing locate and marking operations with respect to environmental landmarks.
Nielsen, Steven E.; Chambers, Curtis; Farr, Jeffrey; Block, Greg, Methods and apparatus for assessing risks associated with locate request tickets based on historical information.
Nielsen, Steven; Chambers, Curtis; Farr, Jeffrey, Methods and apparatus for dispensing marking material in connection with underground facility marking operations based on environmental information and/or operational information.
Nielsen, Steven E.; Chambers, Curtis; Farr, Jeffrey, Methods and apparatus for displaying an electronic rendering of a locate and/or marking operation using display layers.
Nielsen, Steven; Chambers, Curtis; Farr, Jeffrey, Methods and apparatus for displaying and processing facilities map information and/or other image information on a marking device.
Nielsen, Steven; Chambers, Curtis; Farr, Jeffrey, Methods and apparatus for generating alerts on a locate device, based on comparing electronic locate information to facilities map information and/or other image information.
Nielsen, Steven; Chambers, Curtis; Farr, Jeffrey, Methods and apparatus for generating output data streams relating to underground utility marking operations.
Nielsen, Steven; Chambers, Curtis; Farr, Jeffrey, Methods and apparatus for overlaying electronic locate information on facilities map information and/or other image information displayed on a locate device.
Nielsen, Steven; Chambers, Curtis; Farr, Jeffrey, Methods and apparatus for overlaying electronic locate information on facilities map information and/or other image information displayed on a locate device.
Nielsen, Steven; Chambers, Curtis; Farr, Jeffrey, Methods and apparatus for overlaying electronic marking information on facilities map information and/or other image information displayed on a marking device.
Nielsen, Steven; Chambers, Curtis; Farr, Jeffrey, Methods, apparatus and systems for generating searchable electronic records of underground facility locate and/or marking operations.
Nielsen, Steven; Chambers, Curtis; Farr, Jeffrey, Methods, apparatus and systems for generating searchable electronic records of underground facility locate and/or marking operations.
Nielsen, Steven; Chambers, Curtis; Farr, Jeffrey, Methods, apparatus and systems for generating searchable electronic records of underground facility marking operations and assessing aspects of same.
Nielsen, Steven E.; Chambers, Curtis; Farr, Jeffrey, Methods, apparatus and systems for onsite linking to location-specific electronic records of locate operations.
Nielsen, Steven; Chambers, Curtis; Farr, Jeffrey; Vice, Jack M., Methods, apparatus and systems for surface type detection in connection with locate and marking operations.
Nielsen, Steven E.; Chambers, Curtis; Farr, Jeffrey, Methods, apparatus, and systems for acquiring an enhanced positive response for underground facility locate and marking operations.
Nielsen, Steven E.; Chambers, Curtis; Farr, Jeffrey, Methods, apparatus, and systems for acquiring an enhanced positive response for underground facility locate and marking operations.
Nielsen, Steven E.; Chambers, Curtis; Farr, Jeffrey, Methods, apparatus, and systems for acquiring an enhanced positive response for underground facility locate and marking operations based on an electronic manifest documenting physical locate marks on ground, pavement, or other surface.
Nielsen, Steven; Chambers, Curtis; Farr, Jeffrey, Methods, apparatus, and systems for facilitating compliance with marking specifications for dispensing marking material.
Nielsen, Steven E.; Chambers, Curtis; Farr, Jeffrey, Methods, apparatus, and systems for providing an enhanced positive response for underground facility locate and marking operations based on an electronic manifest documenting physical locate marks on ground, pavement or other surface.
Nielsen, Steven; Chambers, Curtis; Farr, Jeffrey, Methods, apparatus, and systems for providing an enhanced positive response in underground facility locate and marking operations.
Herger, Lorraine M.; Keller, Neal M.; McCarthy, Matthew A.; Pickover, Clifford A.; Kozloski, James R.; Wyskida, Andrew, Preventing substrate penetrating devices from damaging obscured objects.
Nielsen, Steven; Chambers, Curtis; Farr, Jeffrey, Systems and methods for using location data to electronically display dispensing of markers by a marking system or marking tool.
※ AI-Helper는 부적절한 답변을 할 수 있습니다.