Abstract: A computer system communicates with provider computing devices associated with a plurality of service types. In response to receiving a first communication from a requester computing device, the computer system (i) determines, based at least in part on location information communicated by multiple provider computing devices associated with a first service type, a first value representative of a first property of available services of the first service type, (ii) determines, based at least in part on a current location of the requester computing device and location information communicated by one or more of the multiple provider computing devices, a second value representative of a second property of available services of the first service type, and (iii) transmits data comprising the first value and the second value to cause the requester computing device to display the first value and the second value in association with the first service type.

Abstract: A computer system operable to communicate with each of a plurality of provider computing devices to obtain location information. The computer system can determine multiple types of dynamic values for a given geographic region by (i) receiving set of data from a computing device operated by a requester, the set of data indicating a current location of the requester, (ii) determining a first set of dynamic values based at least in part on location information communicated by multiple provider computing devices of the plurality of provider computing devices that are associated with a first service type, and (iii) determining a second set of dynamic values based at least in part on the current location of the requester and location information communicated by one or more of the multiple provider computing devices that are associated with the first service type. Each of the multiple types of dynamic values being associated with one of the multiple possible service types.

Abstract: A computer system operable to communicate with each of a plurality of provider computing devices to obtain location information. The computer system can determine multiple types of dynamic values for a given geographic region by (i) receiving set of data from a computing device operated by a requester, the set of data indicating a current location of the requester, (ii) determining a first set of dynamic values based at least in part on location information communicated by multiple provider computing devices of the plurality of provider computing devices that are associated with a first service type, and (iii) determining a second set of dynamic values based at least in part on the current location of the requester and location information communicated by one or more of the multiple provider computing devices that are associated with the first service type. Each of the multiple types of dynamic values being associated with one of the multiple possible service types.

Abstract: A method for requesting an on-demand service on a computing device is provided. One or more processors determine the current location of the computing device. A multistate selection feature of a plurality of service options for providing the on-demand service is presented on the display of the computing device. The multistate selection feature enables a user to select a service option that is available within a region that includes the current location to provide the on-demand service. In response to the user selecting one of the plurality of service options, a summary user interface is presented on the display to provide region-specific information about the on-demand service based on the selected service option.

Abstract: A method for enabling a user to verify a price change for an on-demand service is provided. One or more processors can determine a real-time price for providing the on-demand service to the user. The one or more processors can determine when the real-time price is equal to or exceeds a threshold price. In response to a request from the user for the on-demand service when the real-time price is equal to or exceeds the threshold price, an intermediate interface can be provided that the user is to correctly respond to before a service request can be transmitted to a service system.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and systems for computer-aided determination of quality assessment for locate and marking operations. In one example, information related to a locate and marking operation is electronically analyzed such that a quality assessment is made using assessment parameters that are dynamically selected based at least in part on first information describing at least some aspects of the locate and marking operation as performed by a field-service technician and second information relating to a description of the locate operation to be performed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for facilitating detection of a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within a dig area. Source data representing one or more input images of a geographic area including the dig area is electronically received at a first user location, which may be remote from the dig area. The source data is processed so as to display at least a portion of the input image(s) on a display device at the first user location. One or more indicators are added to the displayed input image(s), via a user input device associated with the display device, to provide at least one indication of the dig area and thereby generate a marked-up digital image. In one example, the indicator(s) is/are added to the displayed input image(s) without acquiring geographic coordinates corresponding to the indicator(s).

Abstract: First ticket information is electronically received relating to at least one locate request ticket pertaining to a locate and/or marking operation, in which a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within a dig area planned to be excavated or disturbed is detected and/or marked. A process guide for the locate and/or marking operation is executed and/or generated based at least in part on the first ticket information.

Abstract: Multiple elements of information relating to a locate and marking operation are integrated so as to provide an enhanced positive response to one or more entities associated with requesting the locate and marking operation (e.g., an excavator, a home owner or property owner, other contractor). The locate and marking operation is performed by a locate technician in response to at least one locate request ticket by applying at least one physical locate mark on ground, pavement, or other surface to indicate 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 by an excavator during excavation activities.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for protecting underground utilities from accidental excavation damage by assessing risk associated with a locate and/or marking operation to detect and/or mark a presence or absence of underground utilities in an excavation area. A locate request ticket generated by a one-call center and describing a locate and/or marking operation is electronically parsed to extract ticket information, and the extracted ticket information is rendered in a standardized computer-readable format (e.g., XML or other standardized format that may be processed by various software components). Historical damage reports for underground facility infrastructure, and/or historical records of previously completed locate request tickets, are retrieved based on the formatted extracted ticket information.

Abstract: A docking station to dock locating equipment (e.g., marking devices, locate devices, combined locate and marking devices) may be communicatively coupled to and/or equipped with a mobile/portable device (e.g., a mobile phone, personal digital assistant or other portable computing device) that provides processing, electronic storage, electronic display, user interface, communication facilities and/or other functionality (e.g., GPS-enabled functionality) for the docking station. A mobile/portable device may be mechanically and/or electrically coupled to the docking station. The mobile/portable device may provide redundant, shared and/or backup functionality for the docking station to enhance robustness. In one example, the mobile/portable device itself serves as a docking station for the locating equipment.

Abstract: A computing device or system is operable to display a service option feature that includes graphic features which individually correspond to a respective service option of a plurality of service options. Service-specific information is provided on the display for a first service option that is based, at least in part, on a current location of the user. The service-specific information for the first service option is displayed concurrently with the graphic feature of the plurality of graphic features which corresponds to the first service option.

Abstract: A ticket approval system and method of performing quality control in a field service application. 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 including database and approval applications. Also provided is a method of reviewing the data received by the approval application for quality control purposes.

Abstract: A method performed by a device may include receiving information regarding a particular geographic area; retrieving an aerial image of the particular geographic area; displaying the aerial image; determining an approximate geographic location of a mark denoting an underground facility; overlaying, on the displayed aerial image, information concerning the approximate geographic location of the mark denoting the underground facility; and storing the aerial image and the information concerning the approximate geographic location of the mark denoting the underground facility.

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).

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for providing information regarding a locate and/or marking operation to identify a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within a dig area. At least one notification indicating a status of the locate and/or marking operation is electronically transmitted and/or stored so as to inform at least one party associated with requesting the operation (a “requesting party,” e.g., an excavator, a property owner, a facility owner, a regulatory authority, a damage investigator, etc.) of the status of the operation. In one aspect, a requesting party may designate a preferred format, content, and/or method of receiving notifications regarding the locate and/or marking operation. In another aspect, a computer-generated GUI is provided to facilitate submission of requests, generation of “virtual white line” images to indicate one or more dig areas on a digital image of a work site, and/or selection of notifications and preferences for same.

Abstract: Locate and/or marking operations involve detecting and/or marking 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. One or more attributes of a locate and/or marking operation requested in a locate request ticket are assessed to provide one or more ticket assessment outcomes. Ticket information is obtained from the locate request ticket, and historical information (e.g., historical damage reports, historical records of previously completed locate request tickets) is selected and analyzed based on the ticket information so as to assign at least one risk designation to the ticket. The risk designation(s) is/are transmitted and/or stored so as to facilitate clearing the locate request ticket and/or dispatching a locate technician to perform the locate and/or marking operation.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus are provided for tracking an object moving along and above a ground surface. The object may comprise, affixed thereto or contained therein, a satellite-based location tracking apparatus to provide a first set of position coordinate pairs for the object as well as an inertial measurement unit to provide a plurality of heading direction values for the object and/or a velocity/distance sensor to provide a second set of position coordinate pairs based on, for example, optical flow image processing of a plurality of images of the ground surface. At least one processor may calculate a third set of position coordinate pairs based on a combination of the first set of position coordinate pairs, accounting for first reliability factor(s), as well as the second set of position coordinate pairs, accounting for second reliability factor(s), and/or the plurality of heading direction values, accounting for third related reliability factor(s).

Abstract: Multiple elements of information relating to a locate and marking operation are integrated so as to provide an enhanced positive response to one or more entities associated with requesting the locate and marking operation (e.g., an excavator, a home owner or property owner, other contractor). The locate and marking operation is performed by a locate technician in response to at least one locate request ticket by applying at least one physical locate mark on ground, pavement, or other surface to indicate 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 by an excavator during excavation activities.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for facilitating a locate and/or marking operation by assessing risk associated with the locate and/or marking operation. A communication interface receives a locate request ticket generated by a one-call center. A processor parses the locate request ticket to extract ticket information obtained from the locate request ticket. The processor further performs a statistical analysis of historical information that is selected based on the ticket information and includes historical damage reports for underground facility infrastructure and/or historical records of previously completed locate request tickets. At least one risk designation is assigned to the locate request ticket based on the statistical analysis of the historical information. The risk designation is transmitted or stored to facilitate clearing the locate request ticket and/or dispatching a locate technician to perform the locate and/or marking operation.