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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         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.