U.S. patent application number 12/432849 was filed with the patent office on 2009-08-20 for ticket approval system for and method of performing quality control in field service applications.
This patent application is currently assigned to CertusView Technologies, LLC. Invention is credited to Curtis Chambers, Steven E. Nielsen, David Pennington.
Application Number | 20090207019 12/432849 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40939677 |
Filed Date | 2009-08-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090207019 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nielsen; Steven E. ; et
al. |
August 20, 2009 |
TICKET APPROVAL SYSTEM FOR AND METHOD OF PERFORMING QUALITY CONTROL
IN FIELD SERVICE APPLICATIONS
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for assessing a locate and marking
operation. Ticket information is received regarding the locate and
marking operation prior to performance. Following performance, a
locate manifest is received that includes a digital image
associated with a dig area for which the operation was performed.
One or more electronic indications are provided, based at least in
part on a comparison of the ticket information and the locate
manifest, of a quality assessment of the locate and marking
operation. The electronic indication(s) indicate one of: 1) a
satisfactory operation; 2) an unsatisfactory operation requiring
further quality control assessment and/or at least partial
re-performance; or 3) a satisfactory operation, but nonetheless
requiring technician coaching. An electronic record is generated of
the quality assessment of the locate and marking operation based on
the electronic indication(s).
Inventors: |
Nielsen; Steven E.; (North
Palm Beach, FL) ; Chambers; Curtis; (Palm Beach
Gardens, FL) ; Pennington; David; (Juno Beach,
FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WOLF GREENFIELD & SACKS, P.C.
600 ATLANTIC AVENUE
BOSTON
MA
02210-2206
US
|
Assignee: |
CertusView Technologies,
LLC
Palm Beach Gardens
FL
|
Family ID: |
40939677 |
Appl. No.: |
12/432849 |
Filed: |
April 30, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12204454 |
Sep 4, 2008 |
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12432849 |
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12029732 |
Feb 12, 2008 |
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12204454 |
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61076253 |
Jun 27, 2008 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
340/540 ;
705/7.42; 715/835 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 10/063112 20130101;
G06Q 10/06398 20130101; G06Q 50/08 20130101; G06Q 10/06 20130101;
G06Q 10/06395 20130101; G06Q 10/1097 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
340/540 ;
715/835; 705/11 |
International
Class: |
G08B 21/00 20060101
G08B021/00; G06F 3/048 20060101 G06F003/048; G06Q 10/00 20060101
G06Q010/00; G06Q 50/00 20060101 G06Q050/00 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for facilitating a quality assessment of a locate
and marking operation performed by a first locate technician, the
locate and marking operation comprising identifying a presence or
an absence of at least one underground facility within a dig area
by placing at least one locate mark in the dig area, wherein at
least a portion of the dig area is to be excavated or disturbed
during excavation activities, the apparatus comprising: a
communication interface; a memory to store processor-executable
instructions; and a processing unit coupled to the communication
interface and the memory, wherein upon execution of the
processor-executable instructions by the processing unit, the
processing unit: A) controls the communication interface to receive
ticket information regarding the locate and marking operation as
provided to the first locate technician prior to performing the
locate and marking operation; B) controls the communication
interface to receive a locate manifest regarding the locate and
marking operation as performed by the first locate technician, the
locate manifest including at least one digital image associated
with the dig area; C) processes at least one electronic indication
of the quality assessment of the locate and marking operation, the
at least one electronic indication indicating one of: C1) that the
locate and marking operation is satisfactory; C2) that the locate
and marking operation is unsatisfactory and requires further
quality control assessment and/or at least partial re-performance
of the locate and marking operation; or C3) that the locate and
marking operation is satisfactory but the first locate technician
requires coaching; and D) generates an electronic record of the
quality assessment of the locate and marking operation based on
C).
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing unit further
maintains a numerical count of satisfactory locate and marking
operations, unsatisfactory locate and marking operations, and
locate and marking operations requiring coaching based on C).
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing unit further
controls the communication interface in B) to receive the locate
manifest via email.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the ticket information
comprises at least one of: a ticket number; an address or other
location information regarding the dig area; and at least one
member code identifying a facility owner of the at least one
underground facility.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one digital image
included in the locate manifest comprises at least one of: a first
photograph that identifies a location of the dig area; a second
photograph of a paper manifest or a log of the ticket, the dig
area, and/or the at least one locate mark; and a third photograph
of the dig area showing the at least one locate mark placed in the
dig area.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first photograph includes
a street number on a mailbox or on a building, or a serial number
on a telephone pole.
7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the at least one digital image
includes a marked-up image of a geographic area surrounding the dig
area, the marked-up image including at least one digital
representation of the at least one locate mark electronically
overlaid thereon.
8. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the at least one digital image
comprises GPS data associated with the dig area.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the locate manifest further
comprises at least one of: a time, date and/or duration of the
locate and marking operation; a ticket number for the ticket
associated with the locate manifest; an address or other location
information regarding the dig area; at least one first identifier
for a facility owner of the at least one underground facility; at
least one second identifier relating to work performed during the
locate and marking operation; a third identifier for a party
requesting the locate and marking operation; a fourth identifier
for the first locate technician performing the locate and marking
operation; a signature of the first locate technician; a fifth
identifier for a crew to which the first locate technician belongs;
at least one sixth identifier for one or more types of locate
markings used for the locate and marking operation; and one or more
notes made by the first locate technician.
10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one
display device, wherein the processing unit further controls the at
least one display device to display at least a portion of the
locate manifest and at least some of the ticket information.
11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein: the displayed portion of
the locate manifest comprises the at least one digital image and a
work performed text display field; and the displayed ticket
information includes a ticket manifest text display field.
12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the processing unit
processes the at least one electronic indication of the quality
assessment of the locate and marking operation in C) based at least
in part on a comparison of the at least one digital image with the
ticket manifest text display field and the work performed text
display field.
13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the processing unit further
controls the at least one display device to display at least one
icon representing the quality assessment of the locate and marking
operation.
14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the at least one icon
includes: an approved icon representing a satisfactory locate and
marking operation; a QC icon representing an unsatisfactory locate
and marking operation; and a coach icon representing that the first
locate technician requires coaching.
15. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising at least one user
input device, wherein the processing unit acquires a selection, via
the at least one user input device, of one of the approved icon,
the QC icon, and the coach icon so as to receive the at least one
electronic indication indicating one of C1), C2) and C3).
16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing unit processes
the at least one electronic indication indicating one of C1), C2)
and C3) based at least in part on the locate manifest, the ticket
information, and at least one of: a time required to complete the
locate and marking operation; a time at which the locate and
marking operation was performed; a cost of the locate and marking
operation; one or more conditions associated with the dig area; a
number of facilities to be located as indicated in the ticket
information; a discrepancy between the facilities to be located as
indicated in the ticket information, but not indicated as marked in
the locate manifest; and an efficiency with which the first locate
technician performed the locate and marking operation.
17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing unit
associates the locate manifest with the ticket information and
controls the memory to store the ticket information, the associated
locate manifest and the at least one electronic indicator so as to
archive the electronic record of the quality assessment of the
locate and marking operation.
18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein if the at least one
electronic indicator indicates C2), the processing unit further
controls the communication interface to transmit the ticket
information and the locate manifest to a quality control approver
for further review of the locate and marking operation.
19. A computer-readable medium encoded with instructions that, when
executed on at least one processing unit, perform a method for
documenting a quality assessment of a locate and marking operation
performed by a first locate technician, the locate and marking
operation comprising identifying a presence or an absence of at
least one underground facility within a dig area by placing at
least one locate mark in the dig area, wherein at least a portion
of the dig area is to be excavated or disturbed during excavation
activities, the method comprising: A) electronically receiving
ticket information regarding the locate and marking operation as
provided to the first locate technician prior to performing the
locate and marking operation; B) electronically receiving a locate
manifest regarding the locate and marking operation as performed by
the first locate technician, the locate manifest including at least
one digital image associated with the dig area; C) processing at
least one electronic indication of the quality assessment of the
locate and marking operation, the at least one electronic
indication indicating one of: C1) that the locate and marking
operation is satisfactory; C2) that the locate and marking
operation is unsatisfactory and requires further quality control
assessment and/or at least partial re-performance of the locate and
marking operation; or C3) that the locate and marking operation is
satisfactory but the first locate technician requires coaching; and
D) generating an electronic record of the quality assessment of the
locate and marking operation based on C).
20. A method for assessing a locate and marking operation performed
by a first locate technician, the locate and marking operation
comprising identifying a presence or an absence of at least one
underground facility within a dig area by placing at least one
locate mark in the dig area, wherein at least a portion of the dig
area is to be excavated or disturbed during excavation activities,
the method comprising: A) receiving ticket information regarding
the locate and marking operation as provided to the first locate
technician prior to performing the locate and marking operation; B)
electronically receiving a locate manifest regarding the locate and
marking operation as performed by the first locate technician, the
locate manifest including at least one digital image associated
with the dig area; C) providing at least one electronic indication,
based at least in part on a comparison of the ticket information
and the locate manifest, of a quality assessment of the locate and
marking operation, the at least one electronic indication
indicating one of: C1) that the locate and marking operation is
satisfactory; C2) that the locate and marking operation is
unsatisfactory and requires further quality control assessment
and/or at least partial re-performance of the locate and marking
operation; or C3) that the locate and marking operation is
satisfactory but the first locate technician requires coaching; and
D) generating an electronic record of the quality assessment of the
locate and marking operation based on C).
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit, under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.120, as a continuation of U.S. non-provisional patent
application Ser. No. 12/204,454, filed on Sep. 4, 2008, entitled
"Ticket Approval System for and Method of Performing Quality
Control in Field Service Applications." Ser. No. 12/204,454 in turn
claims the benefit, under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 119(e), of U.S.
provisional application Ser. No. 61/076,253, filed in the U.S.
Patent and Trademark Office on Jun. 27, 2008, having the same
title.
[0002] Ser. No. 12/204,454 also claims the benefit, under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.120, a continuation-in-part (CIP) of U.S. non-provisional
application Ser. No. 12/029,732, filed on Feb. 12, 2008, entitled
"Electronic Manifest of Underground Facility Locate Marks."
[0003] Each of the above-identified applications is incorporated
herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0004] 1. Technical Field
[0005] The present disclosure generally relates to quality control
in field service applications. In particular, the present
disclosure is directed to a work order approval system and method
of performing quality control in field service applications, such
as locate operations.
[0006] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0007] Field service applications may be any application in which
companies dispatch technicians and/or other staff into the field in
order to perform, for example, certain installations, services,
and/or repairs. Field service applications may exist in industries,
such as, but not limited to, network installations, utility
installations, security systems, construction, medical equipment,
heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC), and the
like.
[0008] In certain field service applications, there may be an
associated work order for each field call. These work orders are
hereafter referred to as tickets. The ticket information may
include, for example, the physical address or other location
information to which the field technician is dispatched, the type
of installation service, and/or repair that is requested. Depending
on the field service application, certain processes may exist for
verifying certain aspects of the installations, services, and/or
repairs that are to be performed by the field service technicians
according to the ticket information. Since there may be numerous
field technicians, each of whom are assigned numerous tickets,
implementing and performing meaningful oversight and quality
control activities in a timely fashion may be difficult. As a
result of the limited quality control activities in certain field
service applications, customer satisfaction may be adversely
affected. Additionally, the time, effort, and cost that is
associated with re-performing work in the field or with correcting
and/or improving poorly performed field calls may be
unacceptable.
[0009] Consequently, a need exists for methods of providing
oversight and quality control in field service applications in
order to improve customer satisfaction, to identify and reduce the
number of poorly performed tickets, and to improve visibility into
distributed workforce operations. More specifically, a need exists
for improved approaches to quality control in the underground
facility locate industry in order to improve customer satisfaction
and to reduce the risk of damage to underground facilities due to
poorly performed locate operations.
SUMMARY
[0010] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method
of performing quality control in a field service application is
presented. The method includes obtaining a ticket, performing at
least one task associated with the ticket, collecting data
associated with at least one task, and transmitting the data to a
work management server. The method further includes reviewing the
data received by the approval application for quality control
purposes. The work management server includes a database and an
approval application.
[0011] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a
method of performing quality control in a field service application
is provided. The method includes obtaining a ticket associated with
a determination of a presence or an absence of at least one
underground facility, and determining the presence or absence of at
least one underground facility. The method further includes
performing at least one task resulting from the step of
determining, generating and collecting data associated with a dig
area defined in the ticket, transmitting the data to a work
management server, and reviewing the data received by the approval
application for quality control purposes. Further, the work
management server includes a database and an approval
application.
[0012] According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, a
system for maintaining quality control in a field service
application is presented. The system includes a ticket with a work
order and a dig area associated with the work order, a locate
technician to determine a presence or an absence of at least one
underground facility, and an image capture mechanism to obtain data
associated with the ticket. The system also includes a work
management server and a network to transmit the data associated
with the ticket to the work management server. The work management
server includes a database and a ticket approval application and
the ticket approval application is a software application that
provides a graphical computerized mechanism for an approver to
perform a quality control review.
[0013] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a
system is presented. The system includes a ticket with a work order
and a dig area associated with the work order. The ticket is
associated with at least one task and the task includes marking for
a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility. The
system also includes a locate technician to perform at least one
task associated with the ticket, an image capture mechanism to
obtain data associated with the ticket, a work management server,
and a network. The work management server includes a database and a
ticket approval application. Further, the network transmits the
data associated with the ticket and the performance of at least one
task associated with the ticket to the work management server.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The objects and features of the present disclosure, which
are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the
appended claims. The present disclosure, both as to its
organization and manner of operation, together with further
objectives and advantages, may be best understood by reference to
the following description, taken in connection with the
accompanying drawings as set forth below:
[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates a functional block diagram of an example
of a ticket approval system for performing oversight and quality
control, in accordance with the present disclosure;
[0016] FIG. 2 illustrates a flow diagram of an example of a method
of performing oversight and quality control using the ticket
approval system, in accordance with the present disclosure;
[0017] FIG. 3 illustrates an example of an approver inbox GUI for
use in the ticket approval system, in accordance with the present
disclosure;
[0018] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of an approver image viewer
GUI for use in the ticket approval system, in accordance with the
present disclosure;
[0019] FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a QC referral popup window
for use in the ticket approval system, in accordance with the
present disclosure;
[0020] FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a QC approver inbox GUI for
use in the ticket approval system, in accordance with the present
disclosure;
[0021] FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a QC approver image viewer
GUI for use in the ticket approval system, in accordance with the
present disclosure;
[0022] FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a reject QC popup window
for use in the ticket approval system, in accordance with the
present disclosure;
[0023] FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a coaching popup window for
use in the ticket approval system, in accordance with the present
disclosure;
[0024] FIG. 10 illustrates another example of the approver image
viewer GUI for use in the ticket approval system, in accordance
with the present disclosure; and
[0025] FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a ticket summary GUI for
use in the ticket approval system, in accordance with the present
disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] The following detailed description refers to the
accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers in different
drawings may identify the same or similar elements. In addition,
the following detailed description does not limit the present
disclosure.
[0027] In the discussion that follows, the term "dig area" means
any specified geographic area within which excavation may occur,
the term "excavation" means disturbing or penetrating the ground,
the term "excavation area" means the ground where excavation occurs
or will occur, and the term "facility owner" means an owner, an
operator, or a third party contractor that provides the services of
a locate operation and/or a marking operation to a facility owner
as an agent or otherwise. Examples of a facility owner may include,
but are not limited to, a gas company, a water company, a sewer
company, a power company, a telephone company, or a cable company.
In addition, the term "image" means any image, depiction, and/or
visual representation. An image may be, but is not limited to,
images captured or stored in any human or machine readable
format.
[0028] Further, the term "locate device" means any apparatus and/or
device for detecting and/or inferring the presence or absence of
any facility, including without limitation, any underground
facility, the term "locate mark" means any mark, sign, and/or other
means indicating the presence or absence of any underground
facility. Examples of locate marks may include, but are not limited
to, marks made with marking materials, marking objects, global
positioning or other information, and/or any other means. Locate
marks may be represented in any form including, without limitation,
physical, visible, electronic, and/or any combination thereof. The
term "locate operation" means any activity to detect or infer the
presence or absence of an underground facility, and the term
"marking operation" means any activity to mark the presence or
absence of an underground facility. In addition, the term "locate
technician" means an individual performing a locate or a locate
operation. The term "manifest" means any record in any form that
comprises information relating to a locate or a locate operation. A
manifest may include separately or in combination, and without
limitation, information concerning a dig area, environmental
landmarks, type and approximate geographic location of the presence
or absence of at least one locate mark, time, date and duration of
the locate operation, facility owner(s), party requesting a locate
operation, identity of the locate technician, and/or notes of the
locate technician.
[0029] The term "marking device" means any apparatus, mechanism, or
other means of employing a marking dispenser for causing a marking
material and/or marking object to be dispensed, and the term
"marking dispenser system" means a system including, but not
limited to, a marking device, a marking dispenser, and an actuator.
Further, the term "marking object" means any object and/or objects
used or which may be used separately or in combination to mark,
signify, and/or indicate. Examples of marking objects may include,
but are not limited to, a flag and/or an RFID marking ball, and the
term "marking material" means any material, substance, compound,
and/or element, used or which may be used separately or in
combination to mark, signify, and/or indicate. Examples of marking
materials may include, but are not limited to, paint, chalk, dye,
and/or iron.
[0030] Additionally, the term "facility" means one or more lines,
cables, fibers, conduits, transmitters, receivers, or other
physical objects or structures capable of or used for carrying,
transmitting, receiving, storing, and providing utilities, energy,
data, substances, and/or services, and/or any combination thereof,
and the term "underground facility" means any facility beneath the
surface of the ground. Examples of facilities include, but are not
limited to, oil, gas, water, sewer, power, telephone, data
transmission, cable TV, and/or internet services.
[0031] The present disclosure includes a method and system of
performing oversight and quality control in field service
applications, such as locate operations, and ticket approval
systems. The ticket approval system of the present disclosure
provides a mechanism by which approvers and/or managers may review
the quality of locate operations in real time and/or within a
certain amount of time (e.g., within one day) of the locate
operation. In particular, a ticket approval software application of
the present disclosure provides a graphical computerized mechanism
for viewing the information, such as images, that is associated
with locate operations, which allows for a rapid and efficient
processing of tickets. Examples of images include, but are not
limited to, digital images, aerial images, and so on. In doing so,
approvers and/or managers may assess the quality of each locate
operation in a time efficient manner. Based on the assessment,
locate operations may be categorized in a variety of ways, for
example: (1) approved, no further action needed; (2) satisfactory,
but the locate technician needs coaching or training; or (3)
unsatisfactory, the ticket needs quality control (QC) action. While
approvers may be required to assess all tickets of the locate
technicians under their supervision, a random subset of tickets may
be selected for higher managerial review, adding a further level of
quality assurance.
[0032] The ticket approval system of the present disclosure
maintains a numerical count of approved tickets, coaching
referrals, and QC referrals. In the case of QC referrals, the
ticket may require immediate dispatch to the original locate
technician or a QC technician. QC referrals may be considered high
priority and, therefore, routed to the next available time slot of
the locate or QC technician, in order to correct defects in a
timely manner.
[0033] The method and system of the present disclosure may be used
in a locate operation. Man-made objects, such as facilities, and in
particular, underground facilities (e.g., gas, water, sewer, power,
telephone, and cable television lines), are susceptible to damage
from various things, such as from excavation. Local and federal
laws may require that notification be given to facility owners that
own underground facilities in an excavation area before any
excavation takes place. If such notification is received, the
facility owner typically locates and marks the location of the
underground facilities. By way of example, the facility owner may
use a ticket approval system for and method of performing oversight
and quality control during a locate operation, as described
herein.
[0034] Locate operations may be performed, for example, by the
facility owner. A marking dispenser system is typically used to
create locate marks. Paint is commonly used as the marking
material, and it is typically applied using a marking device. The
color of the marking material is typically chosen based on the type
of underground facility that is being marked (e.g., red paint for a
power line).
[0035] Protocols may exist for verifying certain aspects of locate
operations that are performed by locate technicians. For example,
for each locate operation, the locate technician may be required to
provide certain evidence (e.g., photographs) that may be used in
order to verify (against the original ticket) the actual address at
which the locate operation was performed versus the requested
address, the actual locate operations that were performed versus
the requested locate operations, and to provide proof that the
locate operation was actually performed (i.e., proof of "locate
marks").
[0036] The system of the present disclosure provides a mechanism by
which approvers and/or managers may review the quality of locate
operations in real time and/or within a certain amount of time
(e.g., within one day). In particular, a ticket approval software
application of the present disclosure provides a graphical
computerized mechanism for viewing the information, for example,
digital information, markings, and images, that is associated with
the locate operations, which allows rapid and efficient processing
of tickets.
[0037] Further, approvers and/or managers may quickly assess the
quality of each locate operation. Based on the assessment, locate
operations may be categorized as, for example, (1) approved, no
further action needed, (2) satisfactory, but the locate technician
needs coaching or training, or (3) unsatisfactory, the ticket needs
quality control (QC) action. While approvers may be required to
assess all tickets of the locate technician under their
supervision, a random and/or rules-based subset of tickets may be
selected for higher managerial review, adding a further level of
oversight and quality assurance.
[0038] The ticket approval system of the present disclosure
maintains, for example, a numerical count of approved tickets,
coaching referrals and QC referrals. In the case of QC referrals,
the ticket may require immediate dispatch to the original locate
technician or a QC technician. QC referrals may be considered high
priority and, therefore, routed to the next available time slot of
the locate technician or QC technician in order to correct any
defects prior to the start of excavation.
[0039] Referring to FIG. 1, a functional block diagram of a system
100 for performing oversight and quality control in locate
operations is provided. System 100 may include a locate service
provider 110, which may be any facility owner. Additionally, system
100 may include a work management server 112, which is maintained
and operated by locate service provider 110, and which may be any
local or centralized computing device, including a processing unit
150, a memory 152, and a communication interface 154, that is
capable of hosting an application such as a ticket approval
application 130, as discussed further below. In implementation,
work management server 112 may be a networked application and/or
web server.
[0040] Personnel that are associated with system 100 may include,
but are not limited to, managers 114, QC approvers 116, approvers
118, QC technicians 120, and locate technicians 122 of locate
service provider 110. Managers 114 may be high-level managers of
locate service provider 110, including directors and/or company
executives of locate service provider 110 that oversee QC approvers
116, approvers 118, QC technicians 120 and locate technicians 122.
Managers 114 may interact with the ticket approval application 130
via a display device 156A and a user input device 158A coupled to
the work management server 112. It is contemplated that managers
114, QC approvers 116, approvers 118, QC technicians 120 and other
locate technicians 122 may also serve in a QC capacity according to
the present disclosure.
[0041] QC approvers 116 may be the individuals that are responsible
for processing any QC referrals and to whom QC technicians 120 may
report. QC approvers 116 may interact with the ticket approval
application 130 via a display device 156B and a user input device
158B coupled to the work management server 112. QC technicians 120
are technicians that are dispatched into the field for performing
QC activities. Approvers 118 may be the direct supervisors of
locate technicians 122. Approvers 118 may interact with the ticket
approval application 130 via a display device 156C and a user input
device 158C coupled to the work management server 112. Further,
managers 114, QC approvers 116, and/or approvers 118 may be the
personnel of the customers of locate service provider 110. For
example, managers 114, QC approvers 116, and/or approvers 118 may
be service managers of the customers of locate service provider 110
who wish to verify the quality of the workflow of locate service
provider 110.
[0042] Referring again to FIG. 1, system 100 may include various
image capture mechanisms 124 by which QC technicians 120 and locate
technicians 122 provide images of the dig area while performing
locate operations. In an example, image capture mechanism 124 is a
consumer or professional grade digital still or video camera. In
another example, image capture mechanism 124 is the device for
providing an electronic manifest of underground facility locate
marks that is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No.
12/029,732 (the "'732 patent application"), entitled "Electronic
manifest of underground facility locate marks," that is
incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
[0043] Image capture mechanism 124 may be used to obtain an image
used to verify the address of the locate operation, to verify the
ticket information of the locate operation, and/or to provide proof
that the locate operation was actually performed. For example,
image capture mechanism 124 may be used to provide an image of
something that identifies the location of the dig area, such as an
image that shows the street number on a mailbox or on a building or
a serial number on a telephone pole. In an exemplary embodiment,
certain digital cameras and other devices have geographic or global
positioning system (GPS) technology integrated therein, which
allows GPS data (i.e., dig area data) to be stored with the image
data. In this case, the GPS data may be used as the dig area
identifier mechanism. In addition, image capture mechanism 124 may
be used to provide an image of a manifest or similar log of the
ticket, dig area and locate marks. Furthermore, image capture
mechanism 124 may be used to provide an image of the dig area
showing locate marks.
[0044] Dig area and image (dig area/image) data from image capture
mechanisms 124 may be transmitted to and stored on, for example, an
image server 126. Each image from image capture mechanisms 124 is
associated with a certain ticket. Image server 126 is connected to
the work management server 112 via a wired or wireless network 128.
Network 128 is, for example, a wide area network (WAN), a local
area network (LAN), a telephone network, such as the Public
Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) or a cellular network, an
Internet connection, an Intranet connection, one or more
communication links, and/or a combination of networks. Also, dig
area/image data from image capture mechanism 124 may be transmitted
directly to work management server 112, as shown by communication
link 160.
[0045] As noted above, work management server 112 includes a ticket
approval application 130 that is implemented via
processor-executable instructions executed by processing unit 150
and a database 132 stored in memory 152. Database 132, created and
maintained by any suitable database software, stores relationships
between, for example, dig area/image data captured by image capture
mechanism 124, tickets 134, locate technicians 122 and approvers
118. For example, database 132 may store tickets 134 and associated
dig area/image data 136.
[0046] In an embodiment, ticket approval application 130 is a
software application that provides a graphical computerized
mechanism for performing oversight and quality control in a locate
operation. Additional details relating to an example of a method
implemented by the ticket approval application 130 in an oversight
and quality control operation are described with reference to FIG.
2. Further, additional details of example GUIs of ticket approval
application 130 that may be displayed on one or more of display
devices 156A, 156B and 156C are described with reference to FIGS. 3
through 11.
[0047] The features of ticket approval application 130 of system
100 of the present disclosure may include, but are not limited to,
the following:
[0048] a mechanism by which approvers may review tickets rapidly in
real time and/or within a certain amount of time (e.g., within one
day) from the ticket being executed;
[0049] a mechanism by which dig area/image data that is associated
with approved tickets may be stored with the appropriate ticket(s)
as a part of the archival process;
[0050] a mechanism by which a numerical count of approved tickets,
coaching referrals, and QC referrals, may be maintained for
different levels of the system;
[0051] a mechanism by which, while QC approvers 116 may be required
to review all tickets of all locate technicians 122 under their
supervision, a random and/or rules-based subset of tickets may be
selected for higher managerial review, which adds a further level
of quality assurance;
[0052] a mechanism by which tickets that are tagged for QC referral
may be dispatched immediately to the original locate technician, QC
technician, and/or another locate technician;
[0053] a mechanism by which substantially all tasks that are
associated with a QC referral may be completed the same day as
dispatched and the manifest is revised to reflect any changes that
are made on site;
[0054] a mechanism by which QC referrals that are not completed on
the same business day as referred may be flagged for managerial
review and handling;
[0055] a mechanism by which approvers 118 may log and track
coaching referrals;
[0056] a mechanism by which received data is interrogated against
various aspects and limitations, such as time to complete work,
cost to complete work, conditions at the work site, time the work
was performed (proper or improper time), efficiency with which the
work was performed, and the like, to provide exception
notifications relating to certain reviewed tickets that can be
flagged for review by approver 118;
[0057] a mechanism by which coaching opportunities that are not
completed within a certain amount of time, for example, within ten
business days, may be flagged for managerial review and handling;
and
[0058] a mechanism by which substantially all documentation may be
auto-archived, for example, in database 132 of work management
server 112 as well as in employee personnel files (e.g., human
resources files) for use, for example, with tracking employee
information and performance evaluation scoring.
[0059] Turning now to FIG. 2, a flow diagram of an example of a
method 200 of performing oversight and quality control in a locate
operation using system 100 is presented. Method 200 may include,
but is not limited to, the following steps, which may be
implemented in any order.
[0060] At step 210, the locate technician completes the ticket and
provides dig area data. For example, locate technician 122 is
assigned a certain ticket and is dispatched to a specific dig area
to perform a locate operation. In the process of performing the
locate operation, locate technician 122 captures the required dig
area/image data via image capture mechanism 124. In an example,
when image capture mechanism 124 is a digital camera, locate
technician 122 provides a digital photograph that shows the street
number on a building, another digital photograph of the paper
manifest, and another digital photograph of the dig area, showing
locate marks. Additionally, when image capture mechanism 124 is the
device and method of the '732 patent application, the images of the
dig area, showing locate marks, are in the form of an image of the
dig area that has locate marks electronically overlaid thereon.
These locate marks denote the presence of facilities. The device
and method of the '732 patent application provide alternative
mechanisms for automatically providing dig area identification
information and manifest information in electronic form for
importing into ticket approval application 130.
[0061] Upon completion of the locate operation, the dig area/image
data of image capture mechanism 124 may be transmitted to image
server 126 or directly to work management server 112. In doing so,
the dig area/image data is accessible to ticket approval
application 130. Additionally, an association is formed between the
dig area/image data and the ticket. This association between the
dig area/image data and the ticket is maintained throughout the
steps of the oversight and quality control method of the present
disclosure.
[0062] At step 212, an approver opens the ticket approval
application 130 and selects a certain locate technician and ticket
for quality control review. Each approver 118 is responsible for a
certain group of locate technicians 122. This approver-specific
group of locate technicians 122 may be called an approver
group.
[0063] By way of example, FIG. 3 illustrates an example of an
approver inbox GUI 300 for use in system 100 of the present
disclosure. Approver inbox GUI 300 may be the user interface that
is presented to approver 118 upon logging into ticket approval
application 130. Approver inbox GUI 300 displays one or more locate
technician windows 310 (310a-310i), whereby each of locate
technician windows 310 is associated with certain locate technician
122 of the approver group. A display area of approver inbox GUI 300
may indicate the total number of new tickets, coaching referrals
and QC referrals for the approver group. Approver 118 is able to
select a new ticket via a new ticket icon 312 and is able to select
tickets that have been referred for QC via a quality controlled
ticket icon 314. Further, approver 118 is able to select tickets
that have been referred for coaching via a coached ticket icon 316.
In an example, approver 118 selects new ticket icon 312 of locate
technician window 310a. Ticket approval application 130 reads in
the associated ticket information and dig area/image data from
tickets 134 and dig area/image data 136 of database 132.
[0064] At step 214, approver 118 reviews the dig area/image data of
the selected ticket. For example, approver 118 reviews the ticket
of locate technician window 310a that was selected at step 212.
[0065] By way of example, FIG. 4 illustrates an approver image
viewer GUI 400 for use in the ticket approval system of the present
disclosure. Approver image viewer GUI 400 may include an image
display area 410, multiple text display fields, such as a TICKET
MANIFEST display field, and a WORK PERFORMED display field. Other
information may be displayed, such as the ticket number, locate
technician name, ticket details, locate marks used, and a locate
technician signoff field. Additionally, approver 118 may select a
navigate back icon 412 in order to return to a previous GUI, may
select an approved icon 414 in order to categorize the ticket as
satisfactory, may select a QC icon 416 in order to categorize the
ticket as unsatisfactory and needing QC action, and may select a
coach icon 418 in order to categorize the ticket as satisfactory,
but locate technician is in need of coaching.
[0066] Approver 118 visually inspects the information that is
displayed on approver image viewer GUI 400 and, in particular,
compares the dig area image in image display area 410 with the
information in the TICKET MANIFEST display field and a WORK
PERFORMED display field.
[0067] If approver 118 determines that substantially all aspects of
the locate operation are satisfactory, approver 118 selects
approved icon 414 and method 200 proceeds to step 216. For example,
if the information in the WORK PERFORMED display field and the
markings that are shown at the dig area in image display area 410
satisfactorily match the information in the TICKET MANIFEST display
field, approved icon 414 may be selected and method 200 proceeds to
step 216. In this case, the risk of a locate error and damage to
facilities during excavation is diminished.
[0068] If approver 118 determines that the locate operation itself
is satisfactory, but certain aspects of the information that is
provided by locate technician 122 needs improvement, approver 118
selects coach icon 418, which generates a coaching referral and
method 200 proceeds to step 218. For example, the locate operation
is satisfactory when the information in the WORK PERFORMED display
field and the markings that are shown at the dig area in image
display area 410 sufficiently match the information in the TICKET
MANIFEST display field. In this case, risk of a locate error and
damage to underground facilities during excavation may be low.
However, certain details of the markings may need to improve. For
example, a less than desirable anchor point has been marked. This
may result in a minor inaccuracy, while not presenting a risk of
damage during excavation. In this example, locate technician 122
may need training with regard to selecting anchor points.
[0069] If approver 118 determines that important aspects of the
locate operation are unsatisfactory, approver 118 selects QC icon
416, which generates a QC referral and method 200 proceeds to step
224. In an example, a gross error that may prompt the need for QC
action may be when the TICKET MANIFEST calls for gas, power, and
water lines to be located and marked, yet the information in the
WORK PERFORMED display field and site image in image display area
410 shows that only the gas and power lines were marked. In this
example, because the water lines were not marked, there may be an
increased risk of damage to the water lines during excavation, and
immediate corrective action may be required.
[0070] Further to the QC referral example, FIG. 5 illustrates an
example of a QC referral popup window 500 for use in the ticket
approval system of the present disclosure. QC referral popup window
500 shows a selection of various reasons for which a QC referral
may be generated as well as a text box for entering notes. For the
above example, QC referral popup window 500 shows that the reason
for referral is "Member underground facility not seen as noted on
manifest" and clarifying notes are shown. QC referral popup window
500 includes a submit QC referral icon 510 and a cancel QC referral
icon 512. QC referral popup window 500 is not limited to the
selections shown in FIG. 5 and may be designed to include any
content.
[0071] Upon step 216, the ticket approval process is completed. The
dig area/image data that is associated with approved tickets may be
stored with the appropriate ticket(s) as a part of an archival
process. The numerical count of approved tickets for the entire
system, for each approver group of locate technicians 122 and for
individual locate technician 122, may be updated and stored.
[0072] At step 218, the coaching referral is routed to the
approver's inbox. For example, the coaching referral that is
generated at step 214 may be maintained in the inbox of originating
approver 118 for a certain period of time, such as, for example,
ten business days. This allows for coaching schedules to be
developed and completed in a timely manner.
[0073] At step 220, approver 118 performs the coaching activity
with locate technician 122. For example, approver 118 steps through
one or more coaching referrals in approver's 118 inbox for targeted
locate technician 122 and performs one or more coaching activities,
according to the contents of each coaching referral.
[0074] At step 222, locate technician 122 and approver 118 sign off
on the coaching activities as acknowledgement that the coaching
activity has been completed. A positive report of completing the
coaching activities may be logged, for example, in the personnel
file of locate technician 122. The one or more coaching referrals
may then be removed from the inbox of approver 118.
[0075] At step 224, the ticket that is the subject of QC referral
of step 214 is routed to a certain QC approver 116 for review. For
example, certain QC approver 116 opens ticket approval application
130, views QC approver's inbox and selects a certain locate
technician and ticket for which a QC review has been requested.
[0076] By way of example, FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a QC
approver inbox GUI 600 for use in the ticket approval system of the
present disclosure. QC approver inbox GUI 600 may be the user
interface that is presented to certain QC approver 116 upon logging
into ticket approval application 130. QC approver inbox GUI 600
(610a-610c) displays one or more locate technician windows 610,
whereby each locate technician window 610 is associated with
certain locate technician 122 and QC referral. A display area of QC
approver inbox GUI 600 shows the total number of QC referrals. QC
approver 116 is able to select any locate technician window 610,
for example, QC approver 116 selects locate technician window 610a.
Ticket approval application 130 reads in the associated ticket
information and dig area/image data from tickets 134 and dig
area/image data 136 of database 132.
[0077] At decision step 226, QC approver 116 determines whether to
accept or reject the QC referral. For example, QC approver 116
reviews the dig area/image data of the selected QC referral. By way
of example, FIG. 7 illustrates a QC approver image viewer GUI 700
for use in the ticket approval system of the present
disclosure.
[0078] QC approver image viewer GUI 700 may include image display
area 410, the TICKET MANIFEST display field, the WORK PERFORMED
display field, and other information, as described in approver
image viewer GUI 400 of FIG. 4. Additionally, QC approver image
viewer GUI 700 includes a navigate back icon 412, an approved icon
414, a QC icon 416 and a coach icon 418, as described in approver
image viewer GUI 400 of FIG. 4. QC approver image viewer GUI 700
may also include a text field for displaying notes that were
entered by originating approver 118 and additional selections
and/or text fields for routing the QC request to original locate
technician 122 or to certain QC technician 120.
[0079] QC approver 116 visually inspects the information that is
displayed on QC approver image viewer GUI 700 and compares the dig
area image in image display area 410 with the information in the
TICKET MANIFEST display field and a WORK PERFORMED display field.
QC approver 116 determines whether QC approver 116 is in agreement
with originating approver 118 that the ticket requires QC
action.
[0080] If QC approver 116 determines that QC action is needed,
method 200 proceeds to step 228. If QC approver 116 determines that
no QC action is needed, method 200 proceeds to step 234. FIG. 8
illustrates an example of a reject QC popup window 800 for use in
system 100. Reject QC popup window 800 may include a text field for
entering the reason for rejection as well as a submit QC rejection
icon 810 and a cancel QC rejection icon 812.
[0081] Optionally, QC approver 116 may determine that no QC action
is needed, but coaching is recommended. In this case, method 200
proceeds to step 218. FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a coaching
popup window 900 for use in system 100. Coaching popup window 900
may include a text field for entering the reason for coaching as
well as a submit coaching request icon 910 and a cancel coaching
request icon 912.
[0082] At step 228, QC approver 116 routes the ticket to a QC
technician for execution. For example, QC approver 116 makes note
of the QC action that is needed via QC approver image viewer GUI
700. In the example of step 214, wherein the water lines should
have been marked, but were not, QC approver 116 makes a note that
the water lines were not marked. QC approver 116 then routes the QC
request to original (or alternate) locate technician 122 or to
certain QC technician 120 who returns to the dig area to perform
the required tasks (e.g., to mark the water lines).
[0083] At step 230, QC technician 120 completes the ticket and
provides updated dig area/image data. For example, revisiting the
dig area in order to perform the tasks that are necessary to
satisfy the QC referral. Upon completion of the QC operation, the
dig area/image data of the image capture mechanism 124 is
transmitted to image server 126 or directly to work management
server 112. In doing so, the updated dig area/image data is
accessible to ticket approval application 130.
[0084] At step 232, approver 118 that originated the QC referral
opens approver inbox GUI 300 and reviews the updated ticket via
approver image viewer GUI 400. FIG. 10 illustrates another example
of approver image viewer GUI 400 that includes additional
information. For example, approver 118 is able to view additional
notes that have been added along the entire history of the ticket
by, for example, QC approver 116 who processed the QC referral
and/or QC technician 120 who was assigned to perform the QC
operation. Additionally, approver 118 is able to view the original
dig area images supplied by original locate technician 122 as well
as the new dig area images supplied by QC technician 120. Method
200 returns to step 212 where approver 118 may again review the
updated ticket similar to any other ticket.
[0085] At step 234, certain QC approver 116 routes the ticket back
to the originating approver 118. Method 200 returns to step 212
where approver 118 may again review the ticket similar to any other
ticket.
[0086] Method 200 is not limited to the operations that are
described in FIG. 2. Other operations may occur, such as tracking
the status of QC referrals, flagging delinquent QC referrals,
tracking the status of coaching referrals, flagging delinquent
coaching referrals, tracking the total ticket numbers across the
entire service provider, and dashboard reporting. For example, FIG.
11 illustrates an example of a ticket summary GUI 1100 for use in
the ticket approval system of the present disclosure. At any time,
manager 114 may view the current numerical count of approved
tickets, coaching referrals and QC referrals. For example, the
ticket summary GUI 1100 shows a summary of these counts, organized
by approver groups.
[0087] In an alternative embodiment, an example of a real time (or
substantially real time) method of performing oversight and quality
control in locate operations using the ticket approval system of
the present disclosure may be enabled by use of, for example, email
infrastructure. In this embodiment, work management server 112 and,
in particular, ticket approval application 130 may be accessible
via an email application and there may be email communication
between entities. Upon completion of a ticket, locate technician
122 may send an email to approver 118 that includes substantially
the same content as shown in approver image viewer GUI 400. By use
of an email application, approver 118 may process the ticket much
the way that has been described in FIGS. 1 through 11, wherein the
various GUIs are viewed and processed via the email application. In
this embodiment, the workflow is being pushed from locate
technicians 122 to approvers 118, rather than being pulled by
approvers 118 from locate technicians 122. It is further
contemplated that approver 118 will provide a signature, such as,
an electronic signature or other indicator to signify completion of
the review process.
[0088] Similarly, the use of additional communication devices such
as mobile telephones, PDAs, portable computers (i.e., laptops and
tablet PCs), text messaging and the like are contemplated within
all aspects of the present disclosure. By use of one or more of the
additional communication devices, any manager/approver/QC
technician/locate technician (114, 116, 118 and 120) may process
the tickets much the way that has been described in FIGS. 1 through
11, wherein the various GUIs are viewed and processed via any of
the one or more additional communication instruments.
[0089] Further, it is contemplated that dig area and image data,
tickets and related communications according to the present
disclosure can be made through wireless interfaces including, for
example, an Intranet connection, Internet, Bluetooth.RTM.
technology, Wi-Fi, Wi-Max, IEEE 802.11 technology, radio frequency
(RF), Infrared Data Association (IrDA) compatible protocols, Local
Area Networks (LAN), Wide Area Networks (WAN), Shared Wireless
Access Protocol (SWAP), combinations thereof, and other types of
wireless networking protocols. Additionally, the wireless interface
may be capable of capturing signals that reflect a user's intent.
For example, the wireless interface may include a microphone that
can capture a user's intent by capturing the user's audible
statements or commands. Alternatively, the wireless interface may
interact with a device that monitors a condition or biological
state of the user, such as eye movement, brain activity, heart
rate, and/or other subtle signals.
[0090] While the ticket approval system and methods of FIGS. 1
through 11 have been described in the context of underground
facility locate applications, this is only for exemplary purposes.
The ticket approval system and method of the present disclosure may
be applicable to any field service or distributed workforce
application.
[0091] Furthermore, while the ticket approval system and methods of
FIGS. 1 through 11 have been described in the context of oversight
and quality control of locate operations, the system and methods of
the present disclosure are not limited to locate operations
involving underground facilities only. The system and methods of
the present disclosure are suitable for performing quality control
of locate operations, activities to detect or infer the presence or
absence of above ground facilities, and any combination thereof.
Additionally, the system and methods of the present disclosure can
be used in other industries and practices such as, for example,
used in the inspection practices of the building and construction
fields.
[0092] No element, act, or instruction used in the present
application should be construed as critical or essential to the
present disclosure unless explicitly described as such. In
addition, 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.
[0093] It will be understood that various modifications may be made
to the embodiments disclosed herein. Therefore, the above
description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as
exemplifications of the various embodiments of the present
disclosure. Those skilled in the art will envision other
modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended
hereto.
* * * * *