Marking apparatus having operational sensors for underground facility marking operations, and associated methods and systems

A method for performing a marking operation to mark a presence or absence of at least one underground facility using a marking device, the method comprising:

• A) dispensing, via actuation of an actuation system of the marking device, marking material onto a target surface;
• B) detecting, via a location tracking system, a location of the marking device;
• C) detecting, via at least one input device of the marking device, at least one operating condition of the marking device, wherein the at least one input device includes at least one of:
• an inclinometer configured to sense a degree of inclination of the marking apparatus;
• a compass configured to sense a heading of the marking apparatus;
• a proximity sensor configured to sense a distance between the marking apparatus and the target surface;
• a yaw rate sensor configured to sense a yaw rate of the marking apparatus;
• a first accelerometer disposed at a first position on the marking apparatus and a second accelerometer disposed at a second position on the marking apparatus;
• a pressure sensor configured to sense a pressure applied to the marking apparatus;
• an audio recorder configured to sense an acoustic signal emitted by the at least one marking dispenser;
• and
• an image capture device;
• and
• D) logging into local memory of the marking device marking information relating at least in part to A), B), and C).

At least one computer readable storage medium storing processor-executable instructions which, when executed by at least one processor, perform a method for facilitating a marking operation to mark a presence or absence of at least one underground facility using a marking device, the method comprising:

• A) detecting, via a location tracking system, a location of the marking device;
• B) detecting, via at least one input device of the marking device, at least one operating condition of the marking device, wherein the at least one input device includes at least one of:
• an inclinometer configured to sense a degree of inclination of the marking apparatus;
• a compass configured to sense a heading of the marking apparatus;
• a proximity sensor configured to sense a distance between the marking apparatus and a target surface for the marking material;
• a yaw rate sensor configured to sense a yaw rate of the marking apparatus;
• a first accelerometer disposed at a first position on the marking apparatus and a second accelerometer disposed at a second position on the marking apparatus;
• a pressure sensor configured to sense a pressure applied to the marking apparatus;
• an audio recorder configured to sense an acoustic signal emitted by the at least one marking dispenser;
• and
• an image capture device;
• and
• C) logging into local memory of the marking device marking information relating at least in part to A) and B).