Patent ID: 8355542
Filing Date: 2013-01-15
Classification: G01V,G06T

Abstract:
1. 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) displaying on a display device a digital image that does not include an aerial image of a geographic area including the dig area; B) in advance of the excavation activities, adding via a user input device associated with the display device and at least one electronic marking tool application, at least one indicator to the displayed digital image to provide at least one indication of the dig area and thereby generate a marked-up digital image, wherein the at least one indicator identifies boundaries of the dig area with precision, and wherein the at least one indicator added to the displayed digital image comprises one or more of at least one line, at least one drawing shape, at least one shade, at least one freehand form, and at least one symbol; and C) electronically transmitting and/or electronically storing information relating to the 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 dig area.