Patent ID: 8194932
Filing Date: 2012-06-05
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
1. In a system comprising at least one processing unit, at least one memory, at least one communications interface, at least one display device, and at least one user interface device, a method for assessing a locate and marking operation performed by a first locate technician, the locate and marking operation comprising identifying a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within a dig area by placing at least one physical locate mark in the dig area, wherein at least a portion of the dig area is to be excavated or disturbed during excavation activities, the method comprising: A) electronically receiving via the at least one communications interface a copy of a ticket as provided to the first locate technician prior to performing the locate and marking operation, the ticket including ticket information regarding the locate and marking operation to be performed; B) electronically receiving via the at least one communications interface a locate manifest regarding the locate and marking operation as performed by the first locate technician, the locate manifest including at least one digital image associated with the dig area, wherein the at least one digital image includes a marked-up image of a geographic area surrounding the dig area, the marked-up image including at least one digital representation of the at least one physical locate mark electronically overlaid thereon; C) electronically associating, via the at least one processing unit, the locate manifest received in B) with the ticket received in A); D) displaying on the at least one display device at least a portion of the locate manifest, at least some of the ticket information, and a plurality of icons representing different possible quality assessments of the locate and marking operation performed by the first locate technician, the plurality of icons including: E) receiving a selection, via the at least one user interface, of one of the approved icon, the QC icon, and the coach icon so as to provide a quality assessment of the locate and marking operation performed by the first locate technician; F) generating, via the at least one processing unit, an electronic record of the quality assessment of the locate and marking operation performed by the first locate technician based on the selection received in E), the electronic record further comprising the ticket information and the associated locate manifest; and G) storing the electronic record in the at least one memory.