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  Ticket entry systems and methodsUSPTO Application #: 20080021863Title: Ticket entry systems and methods Abstract: In one embodiment, a ticket entry system and method include a program management system, a spatial management system, a data management system, and a user interface. The program management system receives contact information and a search criteria for a locate request. The program management system transmits the search criteria to the spatial management system. The spatial management system geocodes the search criteria and retrieves map data from the data management system corresponding to the search criteria geocode. The spatial management system transmits the map data to the program management system. The program management system transmits the map data to the user system and, in return, receives an indication of a site location where the operation is to be performed. The program management system transmits the site location indication to the spatial management system. The spatial management system geocodes the site location indication and transmits the site location geocode to the program management system. The program management system creates a locate ticket, which comprises the site location geocode and the contact information. (end of abstract) Agent: Polsinelli Shalton Flanigan Suelthaus PC - Kansas City, MO, US Inventors: Scott A. Evans, Robert Lee Marshall, Steven Bruce Cudd USPTO Applicaton #: 20080021863 - Class: 707001000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Data Processing: Database And File Management Or Data Structures, Database Or File Accessing The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080021863. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/965,989, filed Oct. 15, 2004, entitled Ticket Entry Systems and Methods, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0002] Not Applicable COMPACT DISK APPENDIX [0003] Not Applicable BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0004] Utility companies, communications companies, governmental entities, and other entities sometimes locate utility and communication pipes and lines and other facilities underground. For example, power lines and gas lines sometimes are located underground. The facilities are often struck by residents, excavators, and other entities during digging, construction, and other operations because the people performing the operation are not aware of the underground facility. [0005] When these facilities are struck, they often are damaged. In addition, people manually performing the operation or using light or heavy equipment often are injured. [0006] Local and state governments and businesses have created call centers that a person or entity about to perform an operation can call to determine if it is safe to perform the operation. For example, if a resident is about to excavate their backyard, the resident may call the call center and tell the customer service person where the resident is about to excavate. The customer service person collects the resident's contact information and a description of the excavation location. Another service person uses the collected information to determine whether or not a facility is buried in the ground or to determine if other hazards exist. [0007] However, the information collected through the call centers often is not accurate or is otherwise flawed. For example, a resident may tell the customer service person that the excavation site is in the backyard close to a fence. Unfortunately, this does not provide the exact location of the excavation, such as if more than one fence exists. It also does not indicate a specific location in any direction from the fence. It does not provide information that would enable a customer service person to more accurately determine whether or not a facility is buried at or near the excavation site. [0008] Improved systems and methods are needed to enable a person or entity to more accurately identify a location for an excavation site or other operation. Improved systems and methods are needed to automate entry of the site location identification and data associated with the operation. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009] In one embodiment, a ticket entry system and method include a program management system, a spatial management system, a data management system, and a user interface. The program management system receives contact information and a search criteria for a locate request. The program management system transmits the search criteria to the spatial management system. The spatial management system geocodes the search criteria and retrieves map data from the data management system corresponding to the search criteria geocode. The spatial management system transmits the map data to the program management system. [0010] The program management system transmits the map data to the user system and, in return, receives an indication of a site location where the operation is to be performed. The program management system transmits the site location indication to the spatial management system. The spatial management system geocodes the site location indication and transmits the site location geocode to the program management system. The program management system creates a locate ticket, which comprises the site location geocode and the contact information. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0011] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a ticket entry system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [0012] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of another ticket entry system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [0013] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a user interface used in connection with a ticket entry system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [0014] FIGS. 4-15 are screen views of a user interface used in connection with a ticket entry system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0015] The ticket entry (TE) system of the present invention enables a user to enter information when requesting that a location be identified for an operation. Such a request is sometimes referred to as a locate request, and it may be used, for example, by utility and state call centers to determine if the user may perform the operation at the site location, such as to dig at the requested site location. [0016] The TE system of the present invention provides a user with a quick, accurate, and simple way to mark a location of an operation, including an excavation operation, a construction operation, underground boring or other boring, trenching, a facility operation, such as installation, maintenance, or removal of a utility or communication line or pipe, or another operation. The TE system of the present invention may be used for other operations, including determining whether or not the user is complying with regulations, such as regulations requiring a selected distance for construction of a building from a property line and a determination whether or not a permit may be received for a selected operation, such as for excavating or building in a selected geographic location. [0017] In one embodiment, the TE system is used as a dig site locating tool. In this embodiment, a user may enter contact information and a location designation, such as an address, an intersection, a county name, a legal land description, or another location designation. In this embodiment, the legal land description may include a plat designation, a land grid designation, or another legal land description. Continue reading... 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