Methods, apparatus and systems for generating limited access files for searchable electronic records of underground facility locate and/or marking operations

摘要

Managing information relating to a locate and/or marking operation to detect and/or mark a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility. At least one electronic manifest corresponding to the locate and/or marking operation is generated based on first information relating to the locate and/or marking operation. The at least one electronic manifest includes image information documenting performance of the locate and/or the marking operation. At least one limited access file comprising second information relating to the at least one electronic manifest or the image information is generated, and the at least one limited access file and/or information relating to the at least one limited access file is electronically transmitted and/or stored to facilitate selective/limited access to or viewing of the electronic manifest(s).

主权项

1. An apparatus for managing information relating to a marking operation, 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) generates at least one electronic manifest relating to performance of the marking operation, the marking operation comprising, in response to a locate request ticket, applying, by at least one field technician, at least one physical locate mark on ground, pavement or other surface so as to mark a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within a dig area, wherein at least a portion of the dig area is planned to be excavated or disturbed during excavation activities, the at least one electronic manifest being generated based on the field technician electronically drawing, on a base image of a geographic area in which the marking operation is performed, at least one locate mark indicator representing the at least one physical locate mark, the at least one electronic manifest comprising a marked-up digital image that includes the base image and the at least one locate mark indicator, the marked-up digital image constituting image information documenting the performance of the marking operation;B) generates at least one limited access file comprising second information relating to the marked-up digital image; andC) controls the communication interface to transmit, and/or controls the memory to store, the at least one limited access file and/or information relating to the at least one limited access file;wherein in B), the second information specifies access permissions for the at least one locate mark indicator.