Patent Publication Number: US-2013251894-A1

Title: Marking methods using marking dispenser with machine-readable id mechanism

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims a priority benefit, under 35 U.S.C. §121, as a divisional application of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/429,929, entitled “MARKING APPARATUS AND MARKING METHODS USING MARKING DISPENSER WITH MACHINE-READABLE ID MECHANISM,” filed Apr. 24, 2009 under attorney docket no. DYC0006US01. 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/429,929 claims a priority benefit, under 35 U.S.C. §119(e), of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/075,882, entitled “MACHINE-READABLE, ID-ENABLED MARKING DISPENSER AND METHOD OF USING SAME,” filed Jun. 26, 2008 under attorney docket no. DYC0006US00. 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/429,929 also claims a priority benefit, under 35 U.S.C. §120, as a continuation-in-part (CIP) of U.S. Non-provisional application Ser. No. 11/696,606, entitled “MARKING SYSTEM AND METHOD,” filed Apr. 4, 2007 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,060,304 on Nov. 15, 2011 under attorney docket no. DYC0001US00. 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/429,929 also claims a priority benefit, under 35 U.S.C. §120, as a continuation-in-part (CIP) of U.S. Non-provisional application Ser. No. 11/685,602, entitled “MARKING SYSTEM AND METHOD WITH LOCATION AND/OR TIME TRACKING,” filed Mar. 13, 2007 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,640,105 on Dec. 29, 2009. under attorney docket no. DYC0000US00. 
     Each of the above-identified applications is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of marking devices for placing marks on the ground. In particular, the present invention relates to marking devices and marking methods using marking dispensers each having a machine- readable ID mechanism affixed thereto. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Marking paint, such as inverted marking spray paint (also known as “upside down paint”), may be used by land surveyors, utility location experts, or anyone that has a need to mark a location on the ground. Marking paint may be used along with paint marking wands and/or paint marking wheels, which provide a convenient method of dispensing the marking paint onto the ground. 
     In many marking applications, a specified marking paint color may be required for identifying a certain entity. For example, once located, an underground power line may be marked with one color, an underground telephone line may be marked with another color, an underground gas line may be marked with yet another color, and so on. Further, the attributes of marking paint may be important for providing durability and/or ease of removal characteristics. Consequently, the marking paint formulations may vary according to durability and/or ease of removal specifications for different surfaces and uses. For example, municipalities may require that marking paint on streets and sidewalks fade away after only a few days. Therefore, it may be beneficial to develop mechanisms for ensuring, for example, that the proper color and/or formulation of marking paint is being used and/or has been used. 
     Additionally, in the marking industry, the aggregate cost of the marking paint for marking multiple locations may be substantial. However, while substantial in the aggregate, individual dispensers of marking paint are relatively inexpensive. Accordingly, the consumption of marking paint is hard to track and/or control as the cost of individual dispensers is generally thought of as insignificant by the marking technicians who, therefore, tend to be wasteful. For example, marking paint dispensers are often discarded before being completely emptied. Consequently, over time a significant amount of useful marking paint may be wasted, and, in addition to environmental concerns, the cost of supplying and/or replenishing the marking paint is not optimized. 
     Accordingly, approaches are needed for easily determining the type of marking paint that is being used in, for example, an underground facility locate operation and for monitoring the consumption of marking paint in the marking industry. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to a first aspect of the invention, a marking apparatus is provided to mark the presence or absence of an underground facility in a dig area. The marking apparatus comprises a housing configured to enable dispensing of a marker onto the ground for marking the presence or absence of an underground facility in a dig area; a marking dispenser holder affixed to the housing to hold at least one marking dispenser; an actuator to cause dispensing of the marker from the marking dispenser onto the ground in the dig area, in a marking operation, to mark presence or absence of an underground facility; at least one reader device to read ID information from an ID mechanism affixed to the marking dispenser; and a processing device to generate marker information in response to the ID information received from the reader device, the marker information representing at least one characteristic of the marking substance. 
     According to a second aspect of the invention, a method is provided for performing a marking operation for marking the presence or absence of an underground facility in a dig area using a marking apparatus that holds at least one marking dispenser. The method comprises dispensing a marker from the marking dispenser onto the ground in the dig area, in a marking operation, to mark the presence or absence of an underground facility, in response to activation of the marking dispenser; reading ID information from an ID mechanism affixed to the marking dispenser; and generating marker information in response to the ID information read from the ID mechanism. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For the purpose of illustrating the present invention, the drawings show aspects of one or more embodiments of the present invention. However, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown in the drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic representation of a marking device for use with a marking dispenser having a machine-readable ID mechanism; 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of a marking dispenser having an RFID tag; 
         FIG. 3  is a functional block diagram of the marking device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of a marking dispenser having a barcode; and 
         FIG. 5  is a flow diagram of a method of using a marking device having a machine-readable ID mechanism. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The invention relates to marking devices for dispensing markers on the ground and to marking methods. The marking devices and marking methods use a marking dispenser having a machine-readable ID mechanism affixed thereto. The ID mechanism of the marking dispenser has data storage capability. In one embodiment of the present invention, the marking dispenser may be provided with a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag. In another embodiment of the present invention, the marking dispenser may be provided with a barcode. The type of information that may be encoded in the ID mechanism of the marking dispenser may include, but is not limited to, product-specific information, user-specific information, other predetermined information of interest, and any combination thereof. The ID information encoded in the ID mechanism may be collected and used for various purposes, such as, but not limited to, real-time product verification, tracking which user location received a batch of marking paint, tracking marking paint inventory, tracking marking paint problems, and tracking marking paint usage. 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic representation of a marking device  100 , also referred to herein as a “marking apparatus”, that includes at least one reader device for reading an ID mechanism on a marking dispenser. Marking device  100  may include a shaft  110 , handle  114  at one end of shaft  110  and a marking dispenser holder  118  for holding a marking dispenser  122  at the end of shaft  110  that is opposite handle  114 . Additionally, marking device  100  may include a trigger  126  for actuating a spray nozzle  130  of marking dispenser  122  to dispense a marking substance  134  onto the target of a marking operation, such as the ground. Marking dispenser  122  may be an aerosol canister that contains a quantity of a marking substance  134 . Marking substance  134  may be, for example, marking paint, marking chalk, marking dye, marking powder, and the like. In one example, marking dispenser may be an aerosol canister that contains marking paint, such as commercially available marking paint. Marking device  100  may be configured to hold a single marking dispenser or more than one marking dispenser. 
     A basic marking operation of marking device  100  may be described as follows. A user, such as a locate technician in an underground facility locate application, loads a marking dispenser  122  that contains a quantity of marking substance  134  into marking dispenser holder  118 . The user grasps handle  114  of marking device  100  and aims nozzle  130  of marking dispenser  122  at the intended target. The user then pulls trigger  126 , which may be mechanically and/or electrically coupled to spray nozzle  130  of marking dispenser  122  in order to dispense marking substance  134  in a specified pattern on the intended target, such as the ground. For example, marking device  100  may be used to mark lines, arrows, geometric shapes, numbers, letters, words, and combinations thereof on the ground. 
     Marking device  100  further includes at least one reader device  140  and control electronics  144 , as described below. In some embodiments, marking device  100  is configured for mounting a single marking dispenser and includes at least one reader device. In other embodiments, marking device  100  is configured for mounting one or more marking dispensers and includes one or more reader devices for each marking dispenser. In further embodiments, marking device  100  includes two or more reader devices of the same or different types. 
     Marking dispenser  122  includes an ID mechanism  124  integrated therein or thereon. Marking dispenser  122  may be any canister for containing and dispensing a quantity of marking substance, such as marking paint or chalk. For example, marking dispenser  122  may be a standard aerosol canister that contains a quantity of the marking substance, such as, for example, commercially available marking paint. 
     ID mechanism  124  may be, for example, a passive data storage mechanism that contains encoded information which is machine-readable via reader device  140 . In one example, ID mechanism  124  may be an RFID tag device that stores information which may be read by an RFID reader. In another example, ID mechanism  124  may be one or more barcodes that store information which may be read by a barcode reader. The type of information that may be encoded in ID mechanism  124  may include, but is not limited to, product-specific information (e.g., manufacturer, brand, product code, lot or batch number, production date, paint color, paint formulation, and the like), user-specific information (e.g., office location of using company), other predetermined information of interest, and any combination thereof. More details of the marking dispenser  122  having ID mechanism  124  are described with reference to  FIGS. 2 and 4 . 
       FIG. 2  is a front view of a marking dispenser  200  having an RFID tag  222 , which is one embodiment of marking dispenser  122 . In this embodiment, marking dispenser  200  may include a dispenser body  210 , which may be, for example, a metal aerosol canister for holding a quantity of marking paint, a dispenser cap  214 , which may be a plastic cap that is mounted on dispenser body  210 , and a dispenser nozzle  218  that is integrated into dispenser cap  214 . Dispenser nozzle  218  is the mechanism through which the marking substance is dispensed from within dispenser body  210  via the action of, for example, aerosol propellant. The combination of dispenser body  210 , dispenser cap  214 , and dispenser nozzle  218  may be of the type commercially available for use as marking paint. 
     RFID tag  222  is integrated with dispenser cap  214  of marking dispenser  200 . RFID tag  222  may be a RFID tag device, which may be a microchip (not shown) that is combined with an antenna (not shown) in a compact package that is structured to allow the RFID tag to be attached to an object. The antenna of the RFID tag receives signals from an RFID reader or scanner (not shown) and then transmits a signal containing the data of interest. In one example, RFID tag  222  may be a Generation  2  passive RFID tag that is weather resistant and dual-sided in order to reduce the read range. 
     Preferably, RFID tag  222  is attached to the inside of dispenser cap  214 , in order to provide a tamper-resistant and weather-resistant package. Dispenser cap  214  may be formed of any material that is suitable for use with RFID technology. In one example, dispenser cap  214  may be formed of durable molded plastic. 
     The location of RFID tag  222  in marking dispenser  200  is not limited to the inside of dispenser cap  214 . RFID tag  222  may be attached to any location on marking dispenser  200  where the transmit/receive functionality of RFID tag  222  is ensured. For example, RFID tag  222  may be attached to the outside of dispenser cap  214  or to the outside dispenser body  210 . 
     In a typical paint marking device for marking on the ground, marking dispenser  200  may be installed upside down (i.e., dispenser cap  214 -side down). 
       FIG. 3  is a functional block diagram of an embodiment of marking device  100  of  FIG. 1 . As shown, marking dispenser  200  having RFID tag  222  thereon is installed in marking device  100 . Marking device  100  may include reader device  140 , a processor  318 , a storage device  322 , a communications interface  326 , a user interface  328 , a trigger  330  and a power source  340 . 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 3 , reader device  140  is an RFID reader or scanner device. In this embodiment, the antenna of RFID tag  222  receives signals from reader device  140  and then transmits a signal that has the data of interest encoded therein. The position of RFID tag  222  relative to the location of reader device  140  is important. In one embodiment, reader device  140  may be a low frequency reader, such as a frequency of about 1356 megahertz (MHz), and has a read range from about 6 inches to about 8 inches. 
     Processor  318  may be any general-purpose processor, controller, or microcontroller device that is capable of controlling reader device  140  and managing the data that is received from RFID tag  222  via reader device  140 . In one example, the data that is returned from reader device  140  may be stored locally in storage device  322 . Storage device  322  may be any volatile or nonvolatile data storage device, such as, but not limited to, a random access memory (RAM) device and a removable memory device (e.g., a universal serial bus (“USB”) flash drive). 
     Communications interface  326  may be any wired and/or wireless interface by which data may be transmitted from marking device  100  to an external or remote device, such as a remote computing device. Example wired interfaces may include, but are not limited to, USB ports, RS232 connectors, RJ45 connectors, and any combination thereof. Example wireless interfaces may include, but are not limited to, Bluetooth® technology and IEEE 802.11 technology. Data stored in storage device  322  may be transmitted in real time or non-real time from marking device  100  via communications interface  326 . Alternatively, data that is received from reader device  140  may be transmitted in real time via communications interface  326  with or without being stored locally in storage device  322 . 
     User interface  328  may include any visual and/or audible device that can be used to provide information (depending on the type and function of ID mechanism  124 ) to the user of the marking device  100 . For example, user interface  328  may include visual indicators, such as one or more light emitting diode (LED) devices and/or a display device, and one or more audible devices, such as a buzzer, a beeper, a speaker, and the like. The display device may include a display screen to display ID information read from ID mechanism  124  and/or marker information derived from the ID information. User interface  328  may also include one or more input devices, such as a touch screen or a keypad, to enable user input. 
     User interface  328  may include a set of visual indicators  328  which provide feedback to the user of the marking device  100 . For example, visual indicators may provide immediate or substantially immediate feedback as to the color or any other characteristic of the marking paint in marking paint dispenser  200 . For example, a light-emitting diode (LED) may be provided for each possible color of marking substance. The visual indicators may include red, orange, green, yellow, and blue LEDs. In one example, when marking dispenser  200  with RFID tag  222  is installed in marking device  100 , reader device  140  scans RFID tag  222 . Processor  318  processes the RFID data to determine the color of the marking substance in marking dispenser  200 . Subsequently, processor  318  activates the LED that corresponds to the color of the marking substance that has been detected. In doing so, substantially immediate feedback is provided to the user of marking device  100 . In this way, the user may verify, for example, that the intended color of marking substance has been installed. Alternatively, information based on the RFID data may be displayed on a display device. 
     Trigger  330  may be any mechanism by which a read operation of reader device  140  may be initiated. In one example, trigger  330  may be a program function that initiates a read of RFID tag  222  via reader device  140 , such as a periodic read that is performed at set time intervals. In another example, trigger  330  may be an electronic trigger that occurs whenever the trigger  126  ( FIG. 1 ) is pulled by the user to dispense the marking substance in marking dispenser  200 . In this example, processor  318  passes this electronic trigger to reader device  140  anytime that the trigger of the wand is pulled. 
     The marking device  100  may be the marking device that is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/696,606, filed Apr. 4, 2007 and published Oct. 9, 2008 as Publication No. 2008/0245299, entitled “Marking system and method” and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/685,602, filed Mar. 13, 2007 and published Sep. 19, 2008 as Publication No. 2008/0228294, entitled “Marking system and method with location and/or time tracking,” both of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. 
       FIG. 4  is a front view of a marking dispenser  400  having at least one barcode, which is another embodiment of the marking dispenser  122 . In this embodiment, marking dispenser  400  is substantially the same as the marking dispenser  200  of  FIG. 2 , except that RFID tag  222  is replaced with one or more barcodes. For example, a first barcode, such as a barcode  410 , maybe the manufacturer-specific barcode provided by the manufacturer of the marking substance. Optionally, a second barcode, such as a barcode  414 , may be provided that has additional information encoded therein, such as the user-specific information (e.g., office location of using company). Referring to  FIG. 3 , in the case of using marking dispenser  400  within marking device  100 , reader device  140  may be a barcode reader or scanner. 
       FIG. 5  is a flow diagram of a method  500  of operating marking device  100  using a marking dispenser having a machine-readable ID mechanism affixed thereto. The method  500  is described with reference to marking device  100  of  FIGS. 1 and 3 . Method  500  may include, but is not limited to, the following acts. 
     In act  510 , marking dispenser  122  having machine-readable ID mechanism  124  is installed in the marking device  100 . As described above, examples of the ID mechanism  124  include an RFID tag and a barcode. 
     In act  512 , the trigger  126  of the marking device is pulled or otherwise activated by the user in order to dispense a quantity of marking substance  134  from the marking dispenser  122  onto the ground. The processor  318  receives an indication that the marking dispenser  122  has been activated to dispense marking substance  134 . 
     In act  514 , processor  318  causes reader device  140  to read ID information from the ID mechanism  124  on marking dispenser  122 . For example, processor  318  may issue a command to reader device  140  to read ID information from ID mechanism  124  in response to the user activating the trigger  126  of the marking device  100  to dispense marking substance  134  onto the ground. For example, reader device  140  may scan RFID tag  222  ( FIG. 2 ) or barcode  410  ( FIG. 4 ). In other embodiments, the reader device  140  may be instructed to read the ID information from the ID mechanism  124  in response to one or more of a user query, power up of the marking device  100 , a periodic signal, or installation of a marking dispenser in the marking device. The ID information read from ID mechanism  124  is supplied by reader device  140  to processor  318 . 
     In act  516 , processor  318  performs initial processing of the ID information read from the ID mechanism  124  to provide marker information. By way of example only, the ID information read from the ID mechanism may include a product code and a manufacturer code. The product code, the manufacturer code, or both, may be used to access corresponding product information stored in storage device  322 . The stored product information may include marker information, such as for example, paint color, durability and intended application of the marking paint. In other embodiments, the ID information read from the ID mechanism  124  includes the desired marker information and does not require processing by processor  318 . In this embodiment, the initial processing of act  516  may be optional. Thus, the ID information read from ID mechanism  124  may include information which requires initial processing by processor  318  to provide marker information and/or marker information read directly from ID mechanism  124 . 
     In block  518 , acts involving utilization of the ID information and/or the marker information are shown. The acts shown in block  518  may be performed separately or in any combination. The acts of block  518  may be performed or not performed, depending on the operating state of marking device  100  and on the application of marking device  100 . Also, additional acts may involve the ID information and/or the marker information, or a selected subset thereof. 
     In act  518 . 1 , the ID information and/or the marker information, or a selected subset thereof, is stored locally in storage device  322  of marking device  100 . The ID information and/or the marker information can be stored separately or with other data in an electronic record of a marking operation or of operation of the marking device. The stored information, or a selected subset thereof, can be processed locally and/or transmitted to a remote device for processing, can be displayed on a display device and/or an indicator, and/or can be used for real-time control of the marking device, for example. 
     In act  518 . 2 , the ID information and/or the marker information, or a selected subset thereof, is transmitted by communications interface  326  to a remote device. Examples of the remote device include i.e., a computer located in the vehicle of the user or a remote server, or both. Communications interface  326  may utilize wireless communication and/or a wired connection for transmission of the ID information and/or marker information. In one example of a wired connection, when the user returns to his/her home base, the marking device  100  may be connected by a wired connection to a central computing device. In particular, the marking device may be coupled to a docking station (not shown) that is designed to connect with communications interface  326 . In doing so, the ID information and marker information that is stored locally within storage device  322  may be transmitted to the central computing device. 
     In act  518 . 3 , the ID information and/or the marker information, or a selected subset thereof, may be displayed to the user, for example, on a display screen or via indicators. The ID and/or marker information may be for information only or may require an action by the user, such as verifying that the ID information and/or the marker information indicates that the marking dispenser is appropriate for the intended application. The display of ID information and/or marker information provides feedback to the user and permits verification that the intended marking dispenser  122  has been installed. 
     In act  518 . 4 , the ID information and/or the marker information, or a selected subset thereof, is used for real-time control of the marking device  100 . Thus, for example, selected ID information and/or marker information may be compared with reference information, for example, entered by the user. In the absence of a match, dispensing of the marking substance  134  from the marking dispenser  122  may be inhibited automatically. Other real-time control applications are included within the scope of the invention. 
     In act  520 , a determination is made by processor  318  as to whether the marking operation is complete. For example, the user may indicate that it is necessary to install another marking dispenser of the same color in order to complete the marking operation or may indicate that another facility is to be marked at the same site, thus requiring installation of a marking dispenser of a different color. When the marking operation is not complete, the process returns to act  510 . 
     When the marking operation is complete, as determined in act  520 , the ID and/or marker information which has been stored in storage device  322  and/or transmitted to a remote device is ready for offline processing. By way of example only, offline processing may include compilation of data for a particular job site or determination of trends and statistics for multiple users. In addition, the ID and/or marker information may be processed for the purpose of tracking the inventory of marking paint dispensers., More specifically, the ID and/or marker information may be processed in order to analyze the usage of marking dispensers, such as the number of dispensers used and by what users. In another example, the ID and/or marker information may be processed for the purpose of quality control, such as to verify that the proper marking substances have been used in the assigned marking operations. The use of the ID and/or marker information is not limited to that mentioned above. The ID and/or marker information may be used for any purpose (e.g., real-time product verification, tracking what user location received what batch of marking paint, tracking marking paint inventory, tracking marking paint problems, tracking marking paint usage, and the like). 
     Having thus described several aspects of at least one embodiment of this invention, it is to be appreciated various alterations, modifications, and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such alterations, modifications, and improvements are intended to be part of this disclosure, and are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description and drawings are by way of example only.