U.S. patent application number 13/895046 was filed with the patent office on 2013-09-26 for marking methods using marking dispenser with machine-readable id mechanism.
This patent application is currently assigned to CERTUSVIEW TECHNOLOGIES, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Curtis Chambers, Jeffrey Farr, Steven Nielsen. Invention is credited to Curtis Chambers, Jeffrey Farr, Steven Nielsen.
Application Number | 20130251894 13/895046 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41447781 |
Filed Date | 2013-09-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130251894 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nielsen; Steven ; et
al. |
September 26, 2013 |
MARKING METHODS USING MARKING DISPENSER WITH MACHINE-READABLE ID
MECHANISM
Abstract
Marking methods for dispensing markers on the ground are
provided. The marking methods use a marking dispenser having a
machine-readable ID mechanism. The ID mechanism has data storage
capability. In one embodiment, the marking dispenser may be
provided with a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag. In
another embodiment, the marking dispenser may be provided with a
barcode. The type of information that may be encoded in the ID
mechanism 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.
Inventors: |
Nielsen; Steven; (North Palm
Beach, FL) ; Chambers; Curtis; (Palm Beach Gardens,
FL) ; Farr; Jeffrey; (Royal Palm Beach, FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Nielsen; Steven
Chambers; Curtis
Farr; Jeffrey |
North Palm Beach
Palm Beach Gardens
Royal Palm Beach |
FL
FL
FL |
US
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
CERTUSVIEW TECHNOLOGIES,
LLC
Palm Beach Gardens
FL
|
Family ID: |
41447781 |
Appl. No.: |
13/895046 |
Filed: |
May 15, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12429929 |
Apr 24, 2009 |
8473209 |
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13895046 |
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11696606 |
Apr 4, 2007 |
8060304 |
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12429929 |
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11685602 |
Mar 13, 2007 |
7640105 |
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11696606 |
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61075882 |
Jun 26, 2008 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
427/137 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E01C 23/16 20130101;
B65D 83/38 20130101; B65D 2203/10 20130101; B65D 83/75 20130101;
B65D 83/203 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
427/137 |
International
Class: |
E01C 23/16 20060101
E01C023/16 |
Claims
1. A method 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,
comprising: 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.
2. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein reading ID information
comprises reading a radio frequency identification tag.
3. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein reading ID information
comprises reading a barcode.
4. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein dispensing a marker
comprises dispensing paint from a spray paint can holder.
5. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein reading ID information
comprises reading at least a product code from the ID
mechanism.
6. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising automatically
controlling at least one operation of the marking apparatus in
response to the ID information.
7. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising transmitting
at least part of the marker information to a remote device using a
communication system.
8. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising storing at
least part of the marker information in a local memory.
9. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising providing at
least part of the marker information to a user interface.
10. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising displaying
at least part of the marker information on a display device.
11. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising activating
at least one indicator in response to the marker information.
12. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the ID information is
read from the ID mechanism in response to dispensing of the marker
from the marking dispenser.
13. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the ID information is
read from the ID mechanism in response to a user input.
14. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the ID information is
read from the ID mechanism in response to power up of the marking
apparatus.
15. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the ID information is
read from the ID mechanism at periodic intervals.
16. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the ID information is
read from the ID mechanism in response to installation of a marking
dispenser in the marking dispenser holder.
17. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising comparing
information based on the ID information with reference information
and automatically inhibiting dispensing of the marker in the
absence of a match.
18. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising transmitting
at least part of the marker information to a remote device for
inventory analysis.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims a priority benefit, under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.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.
[0002] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/429,929 claims a
priority benefit, under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.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.
[0003] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/429,929 also claims a
priority benefit, under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.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.
[0004] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/429,929 also claims a
priority benefit, under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.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.
[0005] Each of the above-identified applications is hereby
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0006] 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
[0007] 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.
[0008] 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.
[0009] 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.
[0010] 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
[0011] 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.
[0012] 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
[0013] 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:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a marking device for
use with a marking dispenser having a machine-readable ID
mechanism;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a front view of a marking dispenser having an RFID
tag;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the marking device
of FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a front view of a marking dispenser having a
barcode; and
[0018] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a method of using a marking
device having a machine-readable ID mechanism.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] 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.
[0020] 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.
[0021] 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.
[0022] 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.
[0023] 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.
[0024] 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.
[0025] 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.
[0026] 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.
[0027] 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.
[0028] 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.
[0029] 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).
[0030] 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.
[0031] 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.
[0032] 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).
[0033] 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.RTM. 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.
[0034] 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.
[0035] 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.
[0036] 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.
[0037] 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.
[0038] 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.
[0039] 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.
[0040] 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.
[0041] 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.
[0042] 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.
[0043] 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.
[0044] 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.
[0045] 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.
[0046] 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.
[0047] 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.
[0048] 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.
[0049] 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.
[0050] 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).
[0051] 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.
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