Ticket approval system for and method of performing quality control in field service applications

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for assessing a locate and marking operation. Ticket information is received regarding the locate and marking operation prior to performance. Following performance, a locate manifest is received that includes a digital image associated with a dig area for which the operation was performed. One or more electronic indications are provided, based at least in part on a comparison of the ticket information and the locate manifest, of a quality assessment of the locate and marking operation. The electronic indication(s) indicate one of: 1) a satisfactory operation; 2) an unsatisfactory operation requiring further quality control assessment and / or at least partial re-performance; or 3) a satisfactory operation, but nonetheless requiring technician coaching. An electronic record is generated of the quality assessment of the locate and marking operation based on the electronic indication(s).

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit, under 35 U.S.C. §120, as a continuation of U.S. non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 12 / 204,454, filed on Sep. 4, 2008, entitled “Ticket Approval System for and Method of Performing Quality Control in Field Service Applications.” Ser. No. 12 / 204,454 in turn claims the benefit, under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e), of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61 / 076,253, filed in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Jun. 27, 2008, having the same title.[0002]Ser. No. 12 / 204,454 also claims the benefit, under 35 U.S.C. §120, a continuation-in-part (CIP) of U.S. non-provisional application Ser. No. 12 / 029,732, filed on Feb. 12, 2008, entitled “Electronic Manifest of Underground Facility Locate Marks.”[0003]Each of the above-identified applications is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND[0004]1. Technical Field[0005]The present disclosure generally relates to quality control in field servi...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Since there may be numerous field technicians, each of whom are assigned numerous tickets, implementing and performing meaningful oversight and quality control activities in a timely fashion may be difficult.

As a result of the limited quality control activities in certain field service applications, customer satisfaction may be adversely affected.

Additionally, the time, effort, and cost that is associated with re-performing work in the field or with correcting and / or improving poorly performed field calls may be unacceptable.

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