METHODS, APPARATUS, AND SYSTEMS FOR ANALYZING USE OF A LOCATE DEVICE BY A TECHNICIAN TO PERFORM AN UNDERGROUND FACILITY LOCATE OPERATION
Operating information representative of manipulation of a locate receiver during performance of a locate operation by a technician is analyzed to determine a pattern of manipulation. In one example, the pattern of manipulation is compared to at least one previously-identified pattern of manipulation associated with at least one technician. In various aspects, the operating information may be representative of an acceleration, a velocity, a distance traveled by, and/or an angle of inclination of the locate receiver. In another aspect, the previously-identified pattern of manipulation may be a technician signature representing a pattern of motion unique to a technician.
1 . A method of monitoring a technician's performance of a locate operation to detect the presence or absence of an underground facility, wherein the technician uses a locate receiver, the method comprising:
A) receiving operating information representative of manipulation of the locate receiver during performance of the locate operation by the technician; and
B) analyzing, using at least one processor, the operating information to determine a pattern of manipulation.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the operating information is representative of an angle of inclination of the locate receiver.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the operating information representative of manipulation of the locate receiver is representative of motion of the locate receiver, and wherein B) comprises analyzing the operating information to determine a pattern of motion.
4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the operating information is representative of an acceleration of the locate receiver.
5 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the operating information is representative of a velocity of the locate receiver.
6 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the operating information is representative of a distance traveled by the locate receiver.
7 . The method of claim 3 , wherein performance of the locate operation comprises sweeping the locate receiver over a suspected location of the underground facility, and wherein the pattern of motion determined in B) relates to sweeping of the locate receiver.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein if in B) the pattern of manipulation is determined, the method further comprises:
C) comparing the pattern of manipulation to a previously-identified pattern of manipulation associated with a technician.
9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the previously-identified pattern of manipulation is a technician signature representing a pattern of manipulation unique to a technician.
10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the technician signature represents a previously-identified pattern of manipulation unique to the technician performing the locate operation.
11 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the technician signature represents a previously-identified pattern of manipulation unique to a technician different than the technician performing the locate operation.
12 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the operating information representative of manipulation of the locate receiver is representative of motion of the locate receiver, and wherein the pattern of manipulation determined in B) is a pattern of motion of the locate receiver, and wherein C) comprises comparing the pattern of motion to a previously-identified pattern of motion associated with a technician.
13 . A method of monitoring technician performance of a locate operation using a locate receiver to detect the presence or absence of an underground facility, the method comprising:
A) receiving operating information representative of manipulation of the locate receiver during performance of the locate operation; and
B) comparing, using at least one processor, a pattern of manipulation of the locate receiver indicated by the operating information to at least one previously-identified pattern of manipulation associated with at least one technician.
14 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising C) determining, using the at least one processor, the pattern of manipulation of the locate receiver indicated by the operating information.
15 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the operating information is representative of an angle of inclination of the locate receiver.
16 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the operating information representative of manipulation is representative of motion of the locate receiver during performance of the locate operation, wherein the at least one previously-identified pattern of manipulation is a previously-identified pattern of motion, and wherein B) comprises comparing a pattern of motion of the locate receiver indicated by the operating information to the previously-identified pattern of motion.
17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the operating information is representative of an acceleration of the locate receiver.
18 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the operating information is representative of a velocity of the locate receiver.
19 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the operating information is representative of a distance traveled by the locate receiver.
20 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the pattern of motion relates to sweeping the locate receiver over a suspected location of the underground facility.
21 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the previously-identified pattern of manipulation associated with the at least one technician is a signature of the at least one technician representing a previously-identified pattern of manipulation unique to the at least one technician.
22 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the signature of the at least one technician corresponds to technician manipulation of the locate receiver when sweeping the locate receiver over a suspected location of the underground facility.
23 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the locate operation is performed by a first technician and wherein the at least one technician is a second technician.
24 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the locate operation is performed by a first technician and wherein the at least one technician is a second technician.
25 . A computer readable storage medium storing processor-executable instructions which, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform a method of monitoring a technician's performance of a locate operation to detect the presence or absence of an underground facility, wherein the technician uses a locate receiver, the method comprising:
A) receiving operating information representative of manipulation of the locate receiver during performance of the locate operation by the technician; and
B) analyzing, using at least one processor, the operating information to determine a pattern of manipulation.
26 . The computer readable storage medium of claim 25 , wherein the operating information is representative of an angle of inclination of the locate receiver.
27 . The computer readable storage medium of claim 25 , wherein the operating information representative of manipulation of the locate receiver is representative of motion of the locate receiver, and wherein B) comprises analyzing the operating information to determine a pattern of motion.
28 . The computer readable storage medium of claim 27 , wherein the operating information is representative of an acceleration of the locate receiver.
29 . The computer readable storage medium of claim 27 , wherein the operating information is representative of a velocity of the locate receiver.
30 . The computer readable storage medium of claim 27 , wherein the operating information is representative of a distance traveled by the locate receiver.
31 . The computer readable storage medium of claim 27 , wherein performance of the locate operation comprises sweeping the locate receiver over a suspected location of the underground facility, and wherein the pattern of motion determined in B) relates to sweeping of the locate receiver.
32 . The computer readable storage medium of claim 25 , wherein if in B) the pattern of manipulation is determined, the method further comprises:
C) comparing the pattern of manipulation to a previously-identified pattern of manipulation associated with a technician.
33 . The computer readable storage medium of claim 32 , wherein the previously-identified pattern of manipulation is a technician signature representing a pattern of manipulation unique to a technician.
34 . The computer readable storage medium of claim 33 , wherein the technician signature represents a previously-identified pattern of manipulation unique to the technician performing the locate operation.
35 . The computer readable storage medium of claim 33 , wherein the technician signature represents a previously-identified pattern of manipulation unique to a technician different than the technician performing the locate operation.
36 . The computer readable storage medium of claim 32 , wherein the operating information representative of manipulation of the locate receiver is representative of motion of the locate receiver, and wherein the pattern of manipulation determined in B) is a pattern of motion of the locate receiver, and wherein C) comprises comparing the pattern of motion to a previously-identified pattern of motion associated with a technician.
37 . A computer readable storage medium storing processor-executable instructions which, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform a method of monitoring technician performance of a locate operation using a locate receiver to detect the presence or absence of an underground facility, the method comprising:
A) receiving operating information representative of manipulation of the locate receiver during performance of the locate operation; and
B) comparing, using at least one processor, a pattern of manipulation of the locate receiver indicated by the operating information to at least one previously-identified pattern of manipulation associated with at least one technician.
38 . The computer readable storage medium of claim 37 , wherein the method further comprises C) determining the pattern of manipulation of the locate receiver indicated by the operating information.
39 . The computer readable storage medium of claim 37 , wherein the operating information is representative of an angle of inclination of the locate receiver.
40 . The computer readable storage medium of claim 37 , wherein the operating information representative of manipulation is representative of motion of the locate receiver during performance of the locate operation, wherein the at least one previously-identified pattern of manipulation is a previously-identified pattern of motion, and wherein B) comprises comparing a pattern of motion of the locate receiver indicated by the operating information to the previously-identified pattern of motion.
41 . The computer readable storage medium of claim 40 , wherein the operating information is representative of an acceleration of the locate receiver.
42 . The computer readable storage medium of claim 40 , wherein the operating information is representative of a velocity of the locate receiver.
43 . The computer readable storage medium of claim 40 , wherein the operating information is representative of a distance traveled by the locate receiver.
44 . The computer readable storage medium of claim 40 , wherein the pattern of motion indicated by the operating information relates to sweeping the locate receiver over a suspected location of the underground facility.
45 . The computer readable storage medium of claim 37 , wherein the previously-identified pattern of manipulation associated with the at least one technician is a signature of the at least one technician representing a previously-identified pattern of manipulation unique to the at least one technician.
46 . The computer readable storage medium of claim 45 , wherein the signature of the at least one technician corresponds to technician manipulation of the locate receiver when sweeping the locate receiver over a suspected location of the underground facility.
47 . The computer readable storage medium of claim 46 , wherein the locate operation is performed by a first technician and wherein the at least one technician is a second technician.
48 . The computer readable storage medium of claim 37 , wherein the locate operation is performed by a first technician and wherein the at least one technician is a second technician.
49 . At least one computer-readable storage medium storing an electronic record, the electronic record comprising:
at least one data set representing a pattern of manipulation associated with a locate operation technician's operation of locate receivers for performing locate operations.
50 . The at least one computer readable storage medium of claim 49 , wherein the data set represents a signature of the locate operation technician, the signature representing a pattern of locate receiver manipulation unique to the locate operation technician.
51 . The at least one computer readable storage medium of claim 50 , wherein the pattern of locate receiver manipulation is a pattern of locate receiver motion.
52 . The at least one computer readable storage medium of claim 51 , wherein the pattern of locate receiver motion relates to acceleration of a locate receiver.
53 . The at least one computer readable storage medium of claim 51 , wherein the pattern of locate receiver motion relates to velocity of a locate receiver.
54 . The at least one computer readable storage medium of claim 51 , wherein the pattern of locate receiver motion relates to distance traveled by a locate receiver.
55 . The at least one computer readable storage medium of claim 51 , wherein the pattern of locate receiver motion relates to sweeping the locate receiver over a suspected location of the underground facility.
56 . The at least one computer readable storage medium of claim 50 , wherein the pattern of locate receiver manipulation relates to angle of inclination of a locate receiver.
57 . An apparatus for monitoring a technician's performance of a locate operation to detect the presence or absence of an underground facility, wherein the technician uses a locate receiver, the apparatus comprising:
a memory storing processor-executable instructions; and
at least one processor coupled to the memory to receive the processor-executable instructions,
wherein, upon execution of the processor executable instructions, the at least one processor:
A) receives operating information representative of manipulation of the locate receiver during performance of the locate operation by the technician; and
B) analyzes the operating information to determine a pattern of manipulation.
58 . The apparatus of claim 57 , wherein the operating information is representative of an angle of inclination of the locate receiver.
59 . The apparatus of claim 57 , wherein the operating information representative of manipulation of the locate receiver is representative of motion of the locate receiver, and wherein B) comprises analyzing the operating information to determine a pattern of motion.
60 . The apparatus of claim 59 , wherein the operating information is representative of an acceleration of the locate receiver.
61 . The apparatus of claim 59 , wherein the operating information is representative of a velocity of the locate receiver.
62 . The apparatus of claim 59 , wherein the operating information is representative of a distance traveled by the locate receiver.
63 . The apparatus of claim 59 , wherein performance of the locate operation comprises sweeping the locate receiver over a suspected location of the underground facility, and wherein the pattern of motion determined in B) relates to sweeping of the locate receiver.
64 . The apparatus of claim 57 , wherein the processor, upon execution of the processor-executable instructions, C) compares the pattern of manipulation determined in B) to a previously-identified pattern of manipulation associated with a technician.
65 . The apparatus of claim 64 , wherein the previously-identified pattern of manipulation is a technician signature representing a pattern of manipulation unique to a technician.
66 . The apparatus of claim 65 , wherein the technician signature represents a previously-identified pattern of manipulation unique to the technician performing the locate operation.
67 . The apparatus of claim 65 , wherein the technician signature represents a previously-identified pattern of manipulation unique to a technician different than the technician performing the locate operation.
68 . The apparatus of claim 64 , wherein the operating information representative of manipulation of the locate receiver is representative of motion of the locate receiver, and wherein the pattern of manipulation determined in B) is a pattern of motion of the locate receiver, and wherein C) comprises comparing the pattern of motion to a previously-identified pattern of motion associated with a technician.
69 . An apparatus for monitoring a technician's performance of a locate operation to detect the presence or absence of an underground facility, wherein the technician uses a locate receiver, the apparatus comprising:
a memory storing processor-executable instructions; and
at least one processor coupled to the memory to receive the processor-executable instructions,
wherein, upon execution of the processor executable instructions, the at least one processor:
A) receives operating information representative of manipulation of the locate receiver during performance of the locate operation; and
B) compares a pattern of manipulation of the locate receiver indicated by the operating information to at least one previously-identified pattern of manipulation associated with at least one technician.
70 . The apparatus of claim 69 , wherein the operating information is representative of an angle of inclination of the locate receiver.
71 . The apparatus of claim 69 , wherein the operating information representative of manipulation is representative of motion of the locate receiver during performance of the locate operation, wherein the at least one previously-identified pattern of manipulation is a previously-identified pattern of motion, and wherein B) comprises comparing a pattern of motion of the locate receiver indicated by the operating information to the previously-identified pattern of motion.
72 . The apparatus of claim 71 , wherein the operating information is representative of an acceleration of the locate receiver.
73 . The apparatus of claim 71 , wherein the operating information is representative of a velocity of the locate receiver.
74 . The apparatus of claim 71 , wherein the operating information is representative of a distance traveled by the locate receiver.
75 . The apparatus of claim 69 , wherein upon execution of the processor executable instructions, the at least one processor further C) determines the pattern of manipulation of the locate receiver indicated by the operating information.
76 . The apparatus of claim 69 , wherein the previously-identified pattern of manipulation associated with the at least one technician is a signature of the at least one technician representing a previously-identified pattern of manipulation unique to the at least one technician.
77 . The apparatus of claim 76 , wherein the signature of the at least one technician corresponds to technician manipulation of the locate receiver when sweeping the locate receiver over a suspected location of the underground facility.
78 . The apparatus of claim 76 , wherein the locate operation is performed by a first technician and wherein the at least one technician is a second technician.
79 . The apparatus of claim 69 , wherein the locate operation is performed by a first technician and wherein the at least one technician is a second technician.