Methods and apparatus for providing unbuffered dig area indicators on aerial images to delimit planned excavation sites
US8155390B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 16, 2011 |
| Grant date | Apr 10, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 16, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06T17/05
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Indicating a precise geographic extent and a precise geographic location of a dig area at a work site at which excavation is planned, to facilitate detection and/or marking of a presence or an absence of an underground facility in the dig area. A graphical user interface includes an aerial image of a geographic area proximate to and including the work site and the dig area, and a drawing tool to facilitate placement of one or more dig area indicators on the aerial image. A user uses the drawing tool to delimit the precise geographic extent and the precise geographic location of the dig area(s) on the displayed aerial image so as to form the dig area indicator(s), representing unbuffered dig areas, and thereby generate a marked-up aerial image. Geographic coordinates are determined corresponding to the unbuffered dig area(s) represented by the dig area indicator(s). A locate request ticket is generated that includes the marked-up aerial image itself, the geographic coordinates corresponding to the unbuffered dig area(s), and/or a link to a webpage at which the marked-up aerial image may be viewed and/or the geographic coordinates may be accessed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.