Locate and Marking Device Electronic Records via Mobile Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional locate and marking operations for underground facilities are prone to inaccuracies, leading to potential damage and liability issues, as they rely heavily on physical marks that can be disturbed or destroyed during excavation, and existing technologies focus primarily on detection rather than comprehensive documentation of both locate and marking processes.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a combined locate and marking device communicatively coupled with a mobile or portable device, such as a cellular phone or PDA, to collect, log, and generate electronic records of both locate and marking operations, including geographic location, time, and characteristics of dispensed marking materials, facilitating accurate and reliable documentation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If physical marks are used to indicate underground facilities, then the marking process is simple and quick, but the marks can be disturbed or destroyed during excavation leading to inaccuracies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates an electronic copy of the marking information that persists independently of physical conditions. Instead of relying on physical paint marks that can be washed away or covered, the system digitally records the precise location, time, and characteristics of underground facilities, preserving this information in a durable electronic format that can be retrieved and verified later.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical marking system with an electronic/digital system. Rather than using paint, chalk, or other physical materials that degrade over time, the system uses electronic devices to capture, store, and transmit marking data, substituting the physical marking process with an electronic documentation process that is far more reliable and durable.
2Measurement precision
If comprehensive electronic records are implemented for locate and marking operations, then the accuracy and reliability of documentation is improved, but the device complexity and operational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the mobile device perform multiple functions: it captures locate information, records marking details, stores data, provides GPS positioning, and enables communication. By consolidating these previously separate functions into a single universal device, the system achieves comprehensive documentation capability without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically captures and records data without requiring manual transcription or complex operator intervention. The mobile device self-manages data collection, storage, and transmission, reducing the operational burden on technicians while maintaining high documentation accuracy through automated processes.
3Reliability
If electronic records are generated and stored, then liability assessment and performance monitoring are improved, but the loss of time for data collection and processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous data collection throughout the locate and marking operations without interruption. The mobile device records information in real-time as the technician works, eliminating the need for separate data collection phases and ensuring that documentation is completed concurrently with the field operations, thus minimizing time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-configures the mobile device with necessary applications and capabilities before field deployment. Data structures, storage formats, and communication protocols are established in advance, allowing the device to immediately begin recording operations without setup delays during the actual locate and marking process.
Data Source
AI summary
Locating and/or marking equipment, such as a locate transmitter or locate receiver, a marking device, or a combined locate and marking device, may be communicatively coupled to and/or equipped with a mobile/portable device (e.g., a mobile phone, personal digital assistant or other portable computing device) that provides processing, electronic storage, electronic display, user interface, communication facilities and/or other functionality (e.g., GPS-enabled functionality) for the equipment. A mobile/portable device may be mechanically and/or electronically coupled to the equipment, and may be programmed so as to log and generate electronic records of various information germane to a locate and/or marking operation (e.g., locate information, marking information, and/or landmark information). Such records may be formatted in various manners, processed and/or analyzed on the mobile/portable device, and/or transmitted to another device (e.g., a remote computer/server) for storage, processing and/or analysis. The mobile/portable device also may provide redundant, shared and/or backup functionality for the equipment to enhance robustness.