Methods and apparatus for generating electronic records of locate operations

A locate device for logging locate information relating to a locate operation for at least one underground facility, the locate operation performed at a work site of a proposed excavation in response to a locate ticket identifying the work site of the proposed excavation, the locate device comprising:

• an actuator;
• at least one receiver antenna to detect a magnetic field from the at least one underground facility, wherein the locate information includes magnetic field information based on the detected magnetic field during the locate operation;
• at least one first input device to provide geographic information regarding the locate operation, wherein the locate information further includes the geographic information, and wherein the at least one first input device includes a location tracking system to provide at least some of the geographic information;
• at least one second input device to provide ticket information relating to the locate ticket, wherein the ticket information comprises location information for the work site and facility information relating to the at least one underground facility, and wherein the locate information further includes the ticket information;
• a memory to store processor-executable instructions and an electronic record of the locate operation;
• a mode selector to facilitate selection of at least a locate mode and a landmark mode as an operating mode for the apparatus;
• and
• a processor coupled to the memory, the at least one first input device, the at least one second input device, the at least one receiver antenna, and the actuator, wherein upon execution of the processor-executable instructions by the processor, and in response to actuation of the actuator, the processor logs in the electronic record of the locate operation stored in the memory at least some of the locate information including the magnetic field information and the geographic information.

An apparatus for detecting a presence or absence of an underground facility, the apparatus comprising:

• an actuator;
• at least one receiver antenna to detect a magnetic field from the underground facility;
• a memory to store processor-executable instructions;
• and
• a processor coupled to the memory and the at least one receiver antenna, wherein upon execution of the processor-executable instructions by the processor, the processor logs in the memory locate information relating at least in part to operation of the at least one receiver antenna,
• wherein:
• the processor is configured to log the locate information in the memory in response to at least one event based at least partially on a characteristic of the magnetic field detected by the at least one receiver antenna;
• and
• the at least one event comprises one of:
• multiple events forming a pattern relating to the characteristic of the magnetic field detected by the at least one receiver antenna, wherein the processor is configured to log the locate information into the memory in response to the pattern;
• and
• a deviation from the pattern relating to the characteristic of the magnetic field detected by the at least one receiver antenna.

An apparatus for generating an electronic record of locate information relating to a locate operation to detect a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility, the apparatus comprising:

• at least one receiver antenna to detect a magnetic field from the at least one underground facility, wherein the locate information includes magnetic field information based on the detected magnetic field, and wherein the magnetic field information comprises at least one of:
• a magnitude of the detected magnetic field;
• a frequency of the detected magnetic field;
• an electric current associated with the detected magnetic field;
• a depth of the at least one underground facility;
• a gain associated with the at least one receiver antenna;
• and
• a selected operating mode for the apparatus, wherein the selected operating mode includes one of a peak detection mode and a null detection mode;
• at least one input device to provide:
• geographic information regarding the locate operation, wherein the locate information further includes the geographic information;
• ticket information relating to a locate ticket, wherein the locate information further includes the ticket information, and wherein the ticket information comprises at least one of:
• location information for a work site at which the locate operation is performed;
• facility information relating to the at least one underground facility;
• a ticket number;
• ground type information;
• excavator information;
• and
• historical ticket information;
• and
• service-related information regarding the locate operation, wherein the locate information further includes the service-related information, and wherein the service-related information comprises at least one of:
• one or more identifiers for a locate technician performing the locate operation;
• a locate contractor dispatching the locate technician;
• and
• a party requesting the locate operation,
• a memory to store processor-executable instructions and the electronic record of the locate information relating to the locate operation;
• and
• a processor coupled to the memory, the at least one input device, and the at least one receiver antenna, wherein upon execution of the processor-executable instructions by the processor, the processor logs in the memory the locate information including the magnetic field information, the geographic information, the ticket information, the service-related information, and apparatus-related information including at least one of:
• a serial number for the apparatus;
• a make or model number for the apparatus;
• and
• a battery level of the apparatus.