Patent ID: 8775077

Claim:
A marking apparatus, comprising: a marking dispenser to dispense at least one marker in a dig area to be excavated or disturbed during excavation activities, the at least one marker to mark ground, pavement or other surface in the dig area so as to provide a visual indication of a presence or an absence of at least one underground utility in the dig area; a triggering system communicatively coupled to the marking dispenser to trigger the marking dispenser so as to dispense the at least one marker; and a communication system communicatively coupled to the triggering system and including a wireless interface to transmit at least one signal from the marking apparatus relating to use of the marking apparatus, wherein the at least one signal transmitted by the wireless interface represents first data relating to: a location of the marking apparatus upon at least one actuation of the triggering system; and at least one characteristic of the at least one marker dispensed from the marking dispenser.