Abstract:
One or more markers are dispensed on ground, pavement or other surface in a dig area to be excavated or disturbed during excavation activities, so as to provide a visual indication of a presence or an absence of one or more underground utilities in the dig area. One or more signals are wirelessly transmitted in response to the dispensing of the one or more markers, wherein the signal(s) represent(s) first data relating to a location at which the marker(s) is/are dispensed, and/or one or more characteristics of the dispensed marker(s).

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The application claims the benefit, under 35 U.S.C. §120, as a continuation (CON) of U.S. Non-provisional application Ser. No. 12/639,041, filed Dec. 16, 2009, entitled “Systems and Methods for Using Location Data to Electronically Display Dispensing of Markers by A Marking System or Marking Tool,” which is a continuation (CON) of U.S. Non-provisional application Ser. No. 11/685,602, filed Mar. 13, 2007, entitled “Marking System and Method with Location and and/or Time Tracking.” Each of the above-identified applications is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Underground man-made objects, such as utility lines and pipes (hereinafter “utility lines”), are very susceptible to damage from excavation activities. Local and federal regulations require that notification be given to owners of underground utility lines in an area to be excavated before any excavation takes place. The owners of the utility lines typically must locate and mark the location of any underground utility lines. 
         [0003]    The tasks of locating and marking underground utility lines can be performed by either the utility line owner or by third party contractors. A marking tool is typically used to mark the ground, pavement or other surfaces in order to provide a visual indication of the location of underground utilities. Paint is commonly used as the marker, and it is typically applied using a paint marking tool. The color of the paint is typically chosen based on the type of utility line being marked (e.g., red for an electrical line). 
         [0004]    Inaccurate marking of the utility lines can result in physical damage to utility lines, property damage, and/or personal injury during the excavation process that, in turn, can expose the utility line owner or contractor to significant legal liability. When utility lines are damaged and/or when property damage or personal injury results from hitting a utility line during an excavation, the excavator may assert that the utility line was not accurately marked by the entity that carried out the marking, while the entity that marked the utility line will assert that the utility line was properly marked. Proving whether the utility line was properly marked can be difficult after the excavation, because in many cases the paint line used to mark the utility line will have been disturbed or destroyed during the excavation process. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    According to one aspect, a marking system may include a marker dispenser to hold and dispense markers; a location tracking system to determine location data; a processor; and a triggering system in communication with the marker dispenser and the processor to substantially simultaneously trigger the marker dispenser to dispense a marker and the processor to log the location data to identify a geographic location of the marker. 
         [0006]    According to another aspect, a marking tool may include a housing; a marker dispenser mounted to the housing to hold and dispense markers; a location tracking system mounted to, connected to, or located within the housing to determine location data; and a triggering system mounted to, connected to, or located within the housing to substantially simultaneously trigger the marker dispenser to dispense a marker and logging of the location data from the location tracking system to identify a geographic location of the marker. 
         [0007]    According to yet another aspect, a method may include dispensing a marker in an area to be marked, and logging at least one of location data identifying a geographic location of where the marker is dispensed or time data identifying a time at which the marker is dispensed while the marker is dispensed. 
         [0008]    According to a further aspect, a marking tool may include means for dispensing a marker; means for determining location data or time data; and means for substantially simultaneously triggering the dispensing of the marker and logging of the location data that identifies a geographic location at which the marker is dispensed or the time data that identifies a time at which the marker is dispensed. 
         [0009]    According to another aspect, a marking tool may include a marker dispenser to hold and dispense markers; a timing system to output time data; a processor; and a triggering system to substantially simultaneously trigger the marker dispenser to dispense a marker and the processor to log the time data to identify a time at which the marker is dispensed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more embodiments described herein and, together with the description, explain these embodiments. In the drawings: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is block diagram of a marking system with location and/or time tracking; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of a marking tool with location and/or time tracking; and 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram of a triggering system used in the marking tool of  FIG. 2 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]    The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers in different drawings may identify the same or similar elements. Also, the following detailed description does not limit the invention. 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is block diagram of a marking system  100  with location and/or time tracking The system  100  may include an optional communication system  200 , interface  300 , local memory  400 , processor  500 , marker dispenser  600 , triggering system  700 , location tracking system  800 , and timing system  900 . In other implementations, system  100  may include fewer, different, or additional elements. 
         [0016]    In one implementation, the system  100  may be used to accurately record the geographic location where markers are dispensed using data from the location tracking system  800  and/or the time at which the markers are dispensed using data from the timing system  900 . In one exemplary application of the system  100 , the location of markers used to mark underground utility lines and/or the time at which the markers are dispensed can be accurately and reliably recorded. The marker that is used to mark underground utility lines may include a liquid, such as paint. However, other types of markers, such as objects (e.g., flags, stakes, etc.), may be used in other implementations. 
         [0017]    The location tracking system  800  may include any device that can determine its geographic location to a certain degree of accuracy, such as a global positioning system (GPS) or a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver. In another implementation, the location tracking system  800  can include a device that determines location using another technique, such as tower (e.g., cellular tower) triangulation. 
         [0018]    The location tracking system  800  may receive location tracking signals (e.g., GPS signals) and determine its location based on these signals. In one implementation, the location tracking system  800  may be capable of determining its location within less than approximately thirty centimeters. 
         [0019]    The timing system  900  may include any device that can output time data to some level of accuracy (e.g., accuracy to the minute, the second, the millisecond, etc.). In one implementation, the timing system  900  may be capable of generating the time data itself. In this situation, the timing system  900  may take the form of a clock. In another implementation, the timing system  900  may receive the time data from another timing system. In this situation, the timing system  900  may take the form of a receiver. In some situations, it may be beneficial for the timing system  900  to be synchronized to another timing system. 
         [0020]    A user can control the operation of the system  100  via interface  300 . In one implementation, interface  300  may include a touch screen interface that can provide various operational controls and status indicators of the system  100 , and can allow the user to navigate the controls by touching particular areas of the screen. In another implementation, interface  300  may include another form of input and/or output, such as, for example, a display for displaying information and a keypad for entering information. 
         [0021]    The triggering system  700  may trigger the logging of location and/or time data and the dispensing of markers. In one implementation, the system  100  may log location and/or time data only when a marker is being dispensed by the marker dispenser  600 . This may be accomplished via a triggering mechanism that, when actuated by the user, triggers both the marker dispenser  600  and the logging of location and/or time data. The location data may be received from the location tracking system  800 , and logged and stored in local memory  400  by the processor  500 . The time data may be received from the timing system  900 , and logged and stored in local memory  400  by the processor  500 . 
         [0022]    The marker dispenser  600  may hold the markers and may also contain an actuation mechanism (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) that causes the markers to be dispensed. As described above, the markers dispensed by the marker dispenser  600  may include a liquid (e.g., paint) or an object (e.g., flags or stakes). Details of the marker dispenser  600  will be discussed in more detail below. 
         [0023]    In operation, a user may engage a triggering mechanism in the triggering system  700  (explained in more detail below) in order to dispense the markers. When the triggering mechanism is engaged, the triggering system  700  may also initiate logging of location data received from the location tracking system  800  and/or time data received from the timing system  900 . This may be done by sending a signal to the processor  500 , which may cause processor  500  to store a log of the location and/or time data in local memory  400 . 
         [0024]    Communication system  200  may include an interface for transmitting data to and/or receiving data from one or more external devices and/or systems located either local to or remote from the system  100 . Communication system  200  may include any type of interface, such as an interface for communicating via Ethernet, Bluetooth, Wifi, radio frequency (RF), a wide area network (WAN), or another type of network or protocol. 
         [0025]    In one implementation, communication system  200  may send location and/or time data logs stored in local memory  400  to an external device/system and/or receive information from an external device/system. The location data logs may be used by the external device/system to accurately track the location where the markers were dispensed. The time data logs may be used by the external device/system to accurately track a time at which the markers were dispensed. 
         [0026]    System  100 , as broadly described herein, may be particularly suited for incorporation into marking tools for marking underground utilities. As discussed above, a marking tool is used to mark the ground, pavement or other surfaces in order to provide a visual indication of the location of underground utilities. The type of marker that may be used includes paint that may be supplied in aerosol cans that are oriented axially with respect to the long axis of the aerosol cans. The marking tool enables a user to walk or stand erect while dispensing the markers. 
         [0027]      FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of a marking tool  1000  with location and/or time tracking For the description to follow, assume that the marking tool  1000  uses paint as the marker. However, it should be appreciated that any other marker, such as another type of liquid, flags, stakes, etc., may be used in other implementations. 
         [0028]    The marking tool  1000  may include a housing  1100  with an elongated center housing portion  1200 , a top housing portion  1300  and a bottom housing portion  1400 . The housing  1100  may be formed of any at least semi-rigid material, and may be formed of a lightweight material such as aluminum or plastic. 
         [0029]    A paint canister holder  1410  may be attached to the bottom housing portion  1400 . The paint canister holder  1410  may include an open-ended tubular structure that is attached to the bottom housing portion  1400  by any suitable attachment mechanisms, such as rivets, adhesive, mechanical fasteners or the like. The paint canister holder  1410  may be formed of any material such as injection-molded plastic, formed sheet metal or any other appropriate material that may be fabricated into an open tubular configuration or any other configuration that will serve to support a paint canister  1420  with the paint canister axis substantially parallel to the housing  1100 . 
         [0030]    The housing  1100  may optionally include a tag (e.g., radio frequency identification (RFID)) reader  1500  that may read tags (e.g., RFID tags). The tag reader  1500  may include an antenna (not shown) that emits radio waves and the tag may respond by sending back its data. A tag  1510  can be attached to the paint canister  1420  and can incorporate data, readable by the tag reader  1500 , that corresponds to characteristics of the paint (e.g., paint color). Other examples of marker characteristics may include, but are not limited to, the type of marker. The data read by the tag reader  1500  can then be sent to a processor  1340  for a determination of the corresponding characteristic. The corresponding characteristic can then displayed by a display  1330 , logged, and/or sent to an external device or system for processing. The tag reader  1500  may be mounted anywhere on the housing or on the paint canister  1410 . However, the tag reader  1500  does not have to be mounted anywhere on the marker tool itself. For example, the tag reader  1500  may be carried by a user. In general, the tag reader  1500  may be mounted or located at any location, as long as it can receive data transmitted from the tag  1510 . 
         [0031]    An actuation mechanism  1425  may be attached to the bottom housing portion  1400  at a location from which it can actuate the nozzle  1427  of the paint canister  1420 . The actuation mechanism  1425  may include a rigid material that depresses the nozzle  1427  when actuated. However, any mechanism may be used to actuate the nozzle  1427  of the paint canister  1420 . 
         [0032]    A handle  1310  may be provided at the top housing portion  1300 . The handle  1310  may be formed of injection-molded plastic or any other appropriate material, and may be attached to the top housing portion  1300  by rivets, adhesive, or any other suitable means. A mechanical trigger  1320  may be provided on the top housing portion  1300 . The mechanical trigger  1320  may be located on the handle  1310  and attached using any suitable means. 
         [0033]    The display  1330  may be provided on the top housing portion  1300 . The display  1330  may include a touch-screen display for displaying information to a user, as well as acting as an input device. The processor  1340  and a local memory  1345  are located in the housing  1100 . In one implementation, the processor  1340  and local memory  1345  may be located in the top housing portion  1300  so as to be in close proximity to the display  1330  and mechanical trigger  1320 . In another implementation, the processor  1340  and local memory  1345  may be located elsewhere within the housing  1100 . 
         [0034]    The timer  1347  may be provided on the top housing portion  1300 . Alternatively, the timer  1347  may be located elsewhere within housing  1100 . The timer  1347  may output time data to the processor  1340 . 
         [0035]    A wireless communication antenna  1350  may be located on the housing  1100 , and used to transmit data, such as location and/or time data logs stored in local memory  1345 , to an external device/system and/or to receive information from an external device/system. 
         [0036]    A location tracking system receiver  1430  for receiving location tracking signals (e.g., GPS signals) may be mounted inside the housing  1100 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , the location tracking system receiver  1430  may be located at the bottom housing portion  1400 . In another embodiment, the location tracking system receiver  1430  may be located elsewhere within or on the housing  1100  at a location that optimizes signal reception. However, the location tracking system receiver  1430  does not have to be mounted anywhere on the marker tool itself. For example, the location tracking system receiver  1430  may be carried by a user. In general, the location tracking system receiver  1430  may be mounted or located at any location, as long as it can receive the location tracking signals. 
         [0037]    The tool  1000  may also optionally include one or more input/output ports  1360 , such as USB, SCSI, Firewire, Ethernet and/or other ports, for interfacing with other equipment and/or computers. 
         [0038]    In operation, a user may operate the paint marking tool  1000  while standing or walking in an upright manner. A user may control the operation of the tool  1000  via display  1330 , mechanical trigger  1320 , and/or a wireless interface that may be provided via wireless communication antenna  1350  and/or input/output ports  1360 . 
         [0039]    The various operational controls and status indicators of the tool  1000  are displayed on display  1330 , and the user can also navigate the controls by touching particular areas of the display  1330 . Although a touch-screen display is one form of the display  1330 , any other type of display or interface may be used such as, for example, a display for displaying information and a keypad for entering information. The user may use the display  1330  to substantially simultaneously trigger the logging of the location and/or time data, and the dispensing of paint. 
         [0040]    The mechanical trigger  1320  may trigger the logging of the location data (e.g., GPS coordinate) and/or the time data, and the dispensing of paint. In one implementation, the tool  1000  may log the location and/or time data only when paint is being dispensed. This may be accomplished by utilizing a mechanical trigger  1320  that, when actuated by the user, substantially simultaneously triggers both the actuation mechanism  1425  for the paint canister  1420  and the logging of the location and/or time data by the processor  1340 . The processor  1340  may receive the location data from the location tracking system receiver  1430 , the time data from the timer  1347 , and store the location and/or time data in local memory  1345 . 
         [0041]    The mechanical trigger  1320  can trigger the actuation mechanism  1425  via a mechanical connection between the trigger  1320  and the actuation mechanism  1425 . For example, the actuation mechanism  1425  can be a rigid material that is connected to the mechanical trigger  1320  via a mechanical linkage (not shown), in which case depressing the mechanical trigger  1320  may cause the actuation mechanism to apply pressure to the nozzle  1427  of the paint canister  1420 . However, the mechanical trigger  1320  may also, or alternatively, trigger the actuation mechanism  1425  via an electronic connection. The electronic connection may be a hardwired connection or a wireless connection. If the connection between the mechanical trigger  1320  and the actuation mechanism  1425  is an electronic connection, the actuation mechanism  1425  may include a mechanism for generating the force necessary to depress the nozzle  1427  of the paint canister  1420 . 
         [0042]    The wireless interface may be capable of capturing signals that reflect a user&#39;s intent. For example, the wireless interface may include a microphone that can capture a user&#39;s intent by capturing the user&#39;s audible commands. Alternatively, the wireless interface may interact with a device that monitors a condition of the user, such as eye movement, brain activity, or heart rate. In either event, the wireless interface may generate signals that may be sent to the processor  1340  for processing. The processor  1340  may use the signals to substantially simultaneously trigger the logging of the location and/or time data, and the dispensing of paint. 
         [0043]      FIG. 3  is a diagram of one embodiment of a triggering system  2000  used in the marking tool  1000  of  FIG. 2 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the triggering system  2000  may include the mechanical trigger  1320 , a wireless trigger  1322 , and/or a touch screen display  1330 , the mechanical actuation device  1425 , and a signal generator  1325 . 
         [0044]    In operation, a user may substantially simultaneously trigger the logging of location and/or time data and the dispensing of paint by actuating the mechanical trigger  1320 . The logging of location and/or time data and the dispensing of paint may also, or alternatively, be triggered by a trigger signal from wireless trigger  1322  or by choosing a command that is displayed on the touch screen display  1330 . It should be appreciated that triggering system  2000  may include a mechanical trigger  1320 , a trigger signal from wireless trigger  1322 , a trigger command on a touch screen display  1330  or a combination of a mechanical trigger  1320 , a trigger signal from wireless trigger  1322 , and/or a trigger command on a touch screen display  1330  for initiating the logging of location and/or time data and the dispensing of paint. 
         [0045]    When a user actuates the mechanical trigger  1320 , the mechanical actuation device  1425  and the signal generator  1325  are both activated. The mechanical actuation device  1420  actuates the nozzle  1427  of the paint canister  1420 , thus dispensing paint out of the paint canister  1420 . The signal generator  1325 , when activated, sends a start log signal to the processor  1340  for triggering the logging of location and/or time data. For example, the start log signal may instruct the processor  1340  to read, or otherwise obtain, location data from location tracking system  800  ( FIG. 1 ) or the location tracking system receiver  1430  ( FIG. 2 ), and store the location data in local memory  400  ( FIG. 1 ) or  1345  ( FIG. 2 ). In addition, or alternatively, the start log signal may instruct the processor  1340  to read, or otherwise obtain, time data from timing system  900  ( FIG. 1 ) or the timer  1347  ( FIG. 2 ), and store the time data in local memory  400  ( FIG. 1 ) or  1345  ( FIG. 2 ). 
         [0046]    The mechanical trigger  1320  can activate the mechanical actuation device  1420  via a mechanical connection, e.g., a mechanical linkage, between the mechanical trigger  1320  and the mechanical actuation device  1425 . Alternatively, the mechanical trigger  1320  can activate the mechanical actuation device  1420  via a wired or wireless electronic connection between the mechanical trigger  1320  and the mechanical actuation device  1425 . 
         [0047]    If a trigger signal from wireless trigger  1322  is used by the user to initiate location and/or time data logging and paint dispersal, the wireless trigger  1322  may send a signal to both the mechanical actuation device  1425  and the processor  1340 . The signal sent to the mechanical actuation device  1425  by the wireless trigger  1322  may result in the actuation of the nozzle  1427  of the paint canister  1420  by the mechanical actuation device  1425 . The signal sent to the processor  1340  by the wireless trigger  1322  may trigger the logging of the location and/or time data. The signals sent by the wireless trigger  1322  to the mechanical actuation device  1425  and the processor  1340  may be sent via a wired or wireless connection. 
         [0048]    If a command on the touch screen display  1330  is used by the user to initiate location and/or time data logging and paint dispersal, the touch screen  1330  sends a signal to both the mechanical actuation device  1425  and the processor  1340 . The signal sent to the mechanical actuation device  1425  by the touch screen display  1330  may result in the actuation of the nozzle  1427  of the paint canister  1420  by the mechanical actuation device  1425 . The signal sent to the processor  1340  by the touch screen display  1330  may trigger the logging of the location and/or time data. The signals sent by the touch screen display  1330  to the mechanical actuation device  1425  and the processor  1340  may be sent via a wired or wireless connection. 
         [0049]    The logged location and/or time data may be used by an external device and/or system to track the dispensing of markers with a high degree of accuracy. The logged location and/or time data may be useful when disputes arise regarding whether the dispensed markers were placed in the correct location. Also, the logged data may be used to visually depict (e.g., in real time as the dispensing occurs) or reconstruct (e.g., at a later time after the dispensing is complete) the dispensing of the markers on an electronic representation of the area that is currently being marked or was previously marked. 
         [0050]    The processors  500  and  1340  can be general purpose computers. Alternatively, they can also be special purpose computers, programmed microprocessors or microcontrollers and peripheral integrated circuit elements, ASICs or other integrated circuits, hardwired electronic or logic circuits such as discrete element circuits, programmable logic devices such as FPGA, PLD, PLA or PAL or the like. In general, any device capable of executing code can be used to implement processors  500  and  1340 . Local memories  400  and  1345  can be implemented with any type of electronic memory and/or storage device using any type of media, such as magnetic, optical or other media. 
         [0051]    The foregoing description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the description to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above disclosure or may be acquired from practice of the invention. 
         [0052]    It will be apparent that aspects, as described above, may be implemented in many different forms of software, firmware, and hardware in the implementations illustrated in the figures. The actual software code or specialized control hardware used to implement these aspects is not limiting of the description provided herein. Thus, the operation and behavior of the aspects were described without reference to the specific software code—it being understood that software and control hardware can be designed to implement the aspects based on the description herein. 
         [0053]    The term “substantially simultaneously,” as used herein, is intended to mean simultaneously or approximately simultaneously. 
         [0054]    No element, act, or instruction used in the present application should be construed as critical or essential to the invention unless explicitly described as such. Also, as used herein, the article “a” is intended to include one or more items. Where only one item is intended, the term “one” or similar language is used. Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “based, at least in part, on” unless explicitly stated otherwise.