Federal Funding Legend

This invention was not created using federal funds. Cross-Reference to Related Application

This PCT International Patent Application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62/290,592, filed February 3, 2016.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a computer-implemented system that allows a pest control inspector to access, manage and easily inspect plants and the customer to see what the inspector has seen during his inspection of the customer's facility and the tasks undertaken by the inspector. More specifically, the present invention is drawn to a computer-implemented system or an online platform that allows a pest control inspector and customer to see visual images of the bait stations being scanned, inspected and monitored.

^• Conventional scanners used by pest control inspectors only report that a bar code assigned to a particular bait station has been scanned. As a result, the customers receive a report . informing them that a particular bait station in their facility has been inspected, without actually receiving any visual images of the bait station. Thus, there is a long-felt but significant and unmet need in the art for a computer-implemented system or an online platform that will allow the pest control inspector and the customer to see images of bait station in addition to receiving textual information about the inspection. The present invention satisfies this long-standing need in the art.

SUMMARY OF REPRESENTATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION In a preferred embodiment, the present invention is directed to a system for pest control and management, comprising: at least one computer having at least one processor, a memory, and a display connected to said processor, and at least one network connection; a server connected to the computer; an interactive tool connected to the computer, wherein the interactive tool comprises: at least one interactive module configured to receive, process, retrieve, send, or a combination thereof information, an image or both pertaining to a pest, a bait station or both, information, an image or both pertaining to a pest, a bait station, or both, inspection history, maps of the facility to be inspected, or a combination thereof; a database comprising a list of customers, customer details, the information pertaining to the pest, the bait station, or both, images pertaining to the pest, the bait station, or both, inspection history, maps of the facility to be inspected, or a combination thereof; wherein said database is accessed by the module; and a user interface that is coupled to the module and the database.

In a related embodiment, the system further comprises: a web backend interface to control the database.

In another related embodiment, the user interface comprises a user module, a key board, keys, a mouse, or a combination thereof. In yet another related embodiment, the user module comprises: a login module configured to allow the user to access the computer-implemented system using a user name, a password, to retrieve forgotten password, or a combination thereof; a download module, upload module, or both to download or upload the information, image or both pertaining to the pest, bait station, or both; a customer module to search for customer names; a customer list module with the names of the customer; a customer detail module with the information of the customer; a bait station list module with the list of the bait station; a map module that has map of the facility to be inspected; a notes module to enter notes about the inspection; an edit notes module to edit the notes; a previous inspection list module to view list of previous inspection; an access module to access inspection details; a view inspection module to view information pertaining to previous inspection; an inspection history module to view history of the inspection; an add details of inspection module to add information pertaining to the inspection; a save details of inspection module to save the information pertaining to the inspection; a help module, wherein said module is associated with the download module, the upload module, or both; a start job module to start the inspection; a scan module to scan a machine-readable identifier of a bait station; an image module to take an image of the bait station, save image of the bait station, or both; a sync module to transmit the information collected during the inspection to the server; an end job module to end the inspection; or a combination thereof.

In still yet another related embodiment, the user is an administrator, a pest control inspector, or both. In further yet another related embodiment, the user module comprises: a login module configured to allow the user to access the computer-implemented system using a user name, a password, to retrieve forgotten password, or a combination thereof; a view inspection module to view the information pertaining to the inspection; a bait station module to access the bait station list, select bait station from the list, or both; a view image module to view image pertaining to inspection; a retrieve module to retrieve notes pertaining to the inspection, the image pertaining to the inspection, or both; a logout module to log out of the account; or a combination thereof.

In yet another related embodiment, the user is a customer.

In still yet another related embodiment, the computer is a laptop machine or computer, a desktop machine or computer, a smart phone, a tablet computer, a device that can scan machine- readable identifier, an explosion proof mobile device, or similar device.

In another preferred embodiment, the present invention is directed to a computer- implemented method for conducting pest control, comprising: accessing the user interface of the interactive tool of the system described herein; accessing the user module of the user interface to login to the system; pressing the sync module to download information with server; accessing customer module to select customer list; selecting specific customer from the customer list; accessing the map module to obtain map of the customer's facility; accessing the previous inspection list module, the access module, the view inspection module, the inspection history module, or a combination thereof; selecting start job module to start the inspection; accessing the bait station list module to access the bait station, accessing the scan module to scan the machine- readable identifier of the bait station or both; accessing add details of inspection module, the notes module, the edit notes module or a combination thereof to incorporate information pertaining to the inspection; accessing image module to take the image of the bait station, save image of the bait station or both; accessing end job module to end the inspection; or a combination thereof. In a related embodiment, the information incorporated in the system comprises findings at the bait station, treatment type, pest type, activity found at the bait station, or a combination thereof.

In yet another preferred embodiment, the present invention is directed to a computer- implemented method for monitoring the pest control and treatment, comprising: accessing the user interface of the interactive tool of the system described herein; accessing the user module of the user interface to login to the system; accessing the inspection module, the bait module, the view image module, or a combination thereof; accessing the retrieve module to retrieve the information pertaining to the inspection, the image pertaining to the inspection or both; accessing the log out module to log out of the system; or a combination thereof.

In a related embodiment, the information pertaining to the inspection comprises findings at the bait station, treatment type, pest type, activity found at the bait station, or a combination thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 shows how this online platform works.

Figure 2 illustrates one of the embodiments described herein. For instance, it shows the dashboard 210 of the scanner 200 with the login module 101.

Figure 3 illustrates another embodiment described herein. It shows the dashboard 210 of the scanner 200 with the sync module 214. Figure 4 illustrates yet another embodiment described herein. It shows the customers list module 103 on the dashboard 210 of the scanner 200 when the user selects the customers module 211 on the dashboard.

Figure 5 illustrates still yet another embodiment described herein. It shows the customer detail module 104, which can be accessed by selecting a specific customer from the customers list module 103 on the dashboard 210 of the scanner 200. Figure 6 illustrates another embodiment described herein. It shows the stations list module 105, scan module 216, plant map module 217, inspection history module 218, notes module 219, and end job module 220 on the dashboard 210 of the scanner 200.

Figure 7 illustrates yet another embodiment described herein. It shows the station inspection module 106 on the dashboard 210 of the scanner 200 in addition to the inspect module 222, plant map module 217, inspection history module 218, notes module 219, and save module 221.

Figure 8 illustrates still yet another embodiment described herein. It shows the dashboard 210 of the scanner 200 where the user has the option to select a bait station by reading the bar code by using a bar code reader 224 on the scanner 200.

Figure 9 illustrates another embodiment described herein. It shows how the user can take a picture using the scanner 200.

Figure 10 illustrates yet another embodiment described herein. It shows the inspections list which can be accessed by selecting inspection history module 218 on the dashboard 210 of the scanner 200 and modules such as inspect module 222, plant map module 217, and notes module 219.

Figure 11 illustrates further yet another embodiment described herein. It shows how the user can add notes by selecting the notes module 219 on the dashboard 210 of the scanner 200.

Figure 12 illustrates another embodiment described herein. It shows how the user can view the map of the facility by selecting plant map module 217 on the dashboard 210 of the scanner 200.

Figure 13 illustrates yet another embodiment described herein. It shows how the user can end job by selecting end job module 227 on the dashboard 210 of the scanner 200

Figure 14 illustrates still yet another embodiment described herein. It shows how the user can get help by selecting the help module 213 on the dashboard 210 of the scanner 200.

Figure 15 illustrates yet another embodiment described herein. It shows how the user can log out or upload the recent inspection details to the server. Figure 16 illustrates still yet another embodiment described herein. It shows how the user can recover his password. In order to recover his password, the user will have to select forgot password module 228 on the dashboard 210 of the scanner 200, type his user email, and select recover password module 229. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention provides a computer-implemented system or an online platform to scan, photograph, and describe activity of pests in its enclosure. Preferably, this computer- implemented system or an online platform allows a pest control inspector to access, manage and easily inspect plants by visualizing the bait station that is being scanned and monitored and incorporate notes related to that bait station. This computer-implemented system or the online platform takes images, reports text and other information pertaining to individual bait station and sends the images, text and other information to data storage system, for instance, Cloud, for customer retrieval. In a related embodiment, the computer- implemented system or the online platform comprises a mobile app and a web backend interface for the administration/inspector to control the app data. The app is built under any operating system, including but not limited to the Android platform and it enhances the way the Pest Control inspectors do inspections. Additionally, this system also allows customer to see the inspector's comments regarding the pest control performed in their facility and the images taken by the inspector while inspecting the customer's facility. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides the computer-implemented system that allows a pest control inspector to efficiently perform his tasks, allows the customer of the pest control company to monitor the tasks performed by the inspector or both. In a related embodiment, the computer implemented system comprises at least one computer having at least one processor, a memory, and a display connected to said processor, and at least one network connection; a server connected to the computer; an interactive tool connected to the computer, wherein the interactive tool comprises: at least one interactive module configured to receive, process, retrieve, send, or a combination thereof information, an image or both pertaining to a pest, a bait station or both, information, an image or both pertaining to a pest, a bait station, or both, inspection history, maps of the facility to be inspected, or a combination thereof; a database comprising a list of customers, customer details, the information pertaining to the pest, the bait station, or both, images pertaining to the pest, the bait station, or both, inspection history, maps of the facility to be inspected, or a combination thereof; wherein said database is accessed by the module; and a user interface that is coupled to the module and the database. In a related embodiment, the system further comprises: a web backend interface to control the database. In a related embodiment, the user interface comprises a user module, a key board, keys, a mouse, or a combination thereof.

In a related embodiment, the user module comprises: a login module configured to allow the user to access the computer-implemented system using a user name, a password, to retrieve forgotten password, or a combination thereof; a download module, upload module, or both to download or upload the information, image or both pertaining to the pest, bait station, or both; a customer module to search for customer names; a customer list module with the names of the customer; a customer detail module with the information of the customer; a bait station list module with the list of the bait stations; a map module that has map of the facility to be inspected; a notes module to enter notes about the inspection; an edit notes module to edit the notes; a previous inspection list module to view list of previous inspection; an access module to access inspection details; a view inspection module to view information pertaining to previous inspection; an inspection history module to view history of the inspection; an add details of inspection module to add information pertaining to the inspection; a save details of inspection module to save the information pertaining to the inspection; a help module, wherein the module is associated with the download module, the upload module, or both; a start job module to start the inspection; a scan module to scan a machine-readable identifier of a bait station; an image module to take an image of the bait station, save image of the bait station, or both; a sync module to transmit the information collected during the inspection to the server; an end job module to end the inspection; or a combination thereof. In another related embodiment, the user is an administrator, a pest control inspector, or both.

In a related embodiment, this computer-implemented system allows a pest control inspector to perform tasks that include but are not limited to taking visual images of the bait station, incorporating notes pertaining to the bait station or combination thereof, uploading or downloading the images, notes or combination thereof onto a secure web page, thereby visualizing what is being scanned and monitored and storing the visual images and notes for future retrieval, checking the inspection history, and viewing the map of the facility being inspected.

In another related embodiment, the user module comprises: a login module configured to allow the user to access the computer-implemented system using a user name, a password, to retrieve forgotten password, or a combination thereof; a view inspection module to view the information pertaining to the inspection; a bait station module to access the bait station list, select bait station from the list, or both; a view image module to view image pertaining to inspection; a retrieve module to retrieve notes pertaining to the inspection, the image pertaining to the inspection, or both; a logout module to log out of the account; or a combination thereof. In a related embodiment, the user is a customer. In a related embodiment, this computer-implemented system allows the customer of the pest control company to monitor the tasks performed by the pest control inspector by allowing the customer to retrieve the visual images, notes or combination thereof uploaded or downloaded onto a secure web page by the inspector or administrator of the web page. In yet another embodiment, the visual images, notes and combination thereof are uploaded or downloaded after every inspection and stored on the web page for a long time or for a definite period of time. In still yet another embodiment, the bait station is identified by a machine-readable identifier that includes but is not limited to a bar code, specific numbering, or similar means of identification. In another embodiment, the computer-implemented system may be used with or without a scanner that scans the bar code. In further yet another embodiment, the computer-implemented system allows the inspector and customer to compare the visual images and notes over a period of time. In yet another embodiment, the computer-implemented system allows the inspector to perform tasks that include but are not limited to access to customer details, maps of the facility that he is going to inspect, list of bait stations, inspection list, inspection details, or help function.

In another embodiment, the inspector, pest control company and customer can access the computer-implemented system or webpage by means of a specific username and a password. In yet another embodiment, the notes incorporated by the inspector includes but is not limited to scope of service, treatment type, type of pest, or the number of times the station was inspected. In another embodiment, the online platform to identify the bait station that has been inspected. In still yet another embodiment, the online platform can be accessed on devices including but not limited to an explosion proof mobile device, laptop machine or computer, a desktop machine or computer, a smart phone, a tablet computer, a device that scans machine readable identifier, ipad, iphone or other mobile device. In another preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a computer- implemented method for conducting pest control, comprising: accessing the user interface of the interactive tool of the system described herein; accessing the user module of the user interface to login to the system; pressing the sync module to download information with server; accessing customer module to select customer list; selecting specific customer from the customer list; accessing the map module to obtain map of the customer's facility; accessing the previous inspection list module, the access module, the view inspection module, the inspection history module, or a combination thereof; selecting start job module to start the inspection; accessing the bait station list module to access the bait station, accessing the scan module to scan the machine- readable identifier of the bait station or both; accessing add details of inspection module, the notes module, the edit notes module or a combination thereof to incorporate information pertaining to the inspection; accessing image module to take the image of the bait station, save image of the bait station or both; accessing end job module to end the inspection; or a combination thereof. In yet another related embodiment, the information incorporated in the system comprises findings at the bait station, treatment type, pest type, activity found at the bait station, or a combination thereof.

For instance, the method described herein comprises launching the online platform on a device, logging in to the online platform by using specific username, which includes but is not limited to email address of the user and a password, pressing the sync module to download data which allows all data and company information to be synched with the backend or the admin panel, accessing customer list by selecting customer option in the computer-implemented system, selecting a specific customer from the list, accessing the map of the customer's plant, checking the inspection history or a combination, selecting start option to start job, selecting the bait station from the station list for that customer using the select module or using a bar code to scan to select a bait station, incorporating information in the station inspection fields, where the information includes but is not limited to findings at that station, treatment type, pest type, any activity found, and notes, taking one or more images of the bait station, or a combination thereof, saving the images, one or more of the information or a combination thereof in the computer- implemented system, and completing the inspection by selecting end function in the computer- implemented system. In another embodiment, the inspector adds or edits notes after he accesses the station list. In yet another embodiment, the inspector accesses customer list, bait station list, plant map, bait station list, or previous inspection details in a random sequence.

In yet another preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a computer- implemented method for monitoring the pest control and treatment, comprising: accessing the user interface of the interactive tool of the system described herein; accessing the user module of the user interface to login to the system; accessing the inspection module, the bait module, the view image module, or a combination thereof; accessing the retrieve module to retrieve the information pertaining to the inspection, the image pertaining to the inspection or both; accessing the log out module to log out of the system; or a combination thereof. In another related embodiment, the information pertaining to the inspection comprises findings at the bait station, treatment type, pest type, activity found at the bait station, or a combination thereof.

For instance, the customers of pest control company may be able to monitor the tasks performed by a pest control inspector using the online platform described above. Such a method comprises logging in using a specific username and a password, accessing the bait station list, selecting a bait station from the list, retrieving one or more images of the bait station selected, retrieving notes pertaining to the bait station selected, and logging out of the platform by selecting end function.

The computer-implemented system described herein is unique because it provides a tool that serves dual purpose. For instance, the customer and the pest control company can use this computer-implemented system to visualize images of the bait station inspected. The pest control inspector can also use this system to incorporate his notes prior to and after he conducts the inspection. Additionally, the computer-implemented system can be used on bait stations that have bar codes and those that are identified by other means, including but not limited to numbers. Accordingly, the computer-implemented system is not restricted to the use of bar code scanners. Further, the online platform can be built under any operating system. The flowchart 100 in Figure 1 shows how the computer-implemented system allows the administration/inspector to record data and store it on the web for the customer to retrieve after the inspector inspects the facility. The inspector/administrator can login using the login module 101, which is present on the dashboard 210 of the scanner 200. In one embodiment, the administrator/inspector can download or upload data using download or upload data module 102 and then save the data that can be later retrieved using retrieval module 108. In another embodiment, the inspector/administrator can access customer list using module 103 after he downloads/uploads data. He can then access customer details using customer details module 104 and start the job by accessing station list using station list module 105, add the details of inspection using 106 and save the data using 107. In another embodiment, he can end the job after he accesses station list by accessing module 105a and go back to module 103. In another embodiment, he can also add notes using the notes module 105b or edit notes using the edit notes module 105c after he accesses station list module 105. In yet another embodiment, he can view plant maps by accessing module 105d after he accesses station list module 105. In another embodiment, he can also access previous inspections list module 105e after he accesses the station list module 105 and then can access inspection details module 110, view previous inspection list module 109, download/upload data and then log out. There is also a help module 111 associated with the download/upload data module 102.

Figures 2-16 illustrate some of the embodiments described herein. Figure 2 shows the dashboard 210 of the scanner 200 with the login function 101. In one embodiment, the user types his user name by accessing module 101a and password by accessing module 101b to login. Figure 3 shows the dashboard 210 of the scanner 200 with the sync module 214. The data including but not limited to all contacts, companies, data incorporated by the user will be synched with the backend or admin panel. The synching module will require internet connection. The figure also shows some functions that the user can use including but not limited to customer module 211, inspection history module 212, and help module 213. Figure 4 shows the customers list module 103 on the dashboard 210 of the scanner 200 when the user selects the customer module 211 on the dashboard. Figure 5 shows the customer detail 104, which can be accessed by selecting a specific customer from the customers list module 103 on the dashboard 210 of the scanner 200. The dashboard also shows the start job module 215 that the user can select to start the inspection job. Figure 6 shows the stations list module 105, scan module 216, plant map module 217, history module 218, notes module 219, and end job module 220 on the dashboard 210 of the scanner 200. The user can select stations for inspection using the stations list module 105 or can use a bar code and scan the bar code to select a specific station.

Figure 7 shows the station inspection module 106 on the dashboard 210 of the scanner 200 in addition to the inspect module 222, plant map module 217, history module 218, notes module 219, and save module 221. The user can incorporate the data in the station inspection module 106 including but not limited to findings, treatment type, type of pest, notes, and activity found. The user can select add image module 223 to take a picture of the specific bait station. He has the option to select the save function to save all the data and the images. This information is saved locally on the device and will not be transmitted to the back office or administrative panel unless the user selects the sync module 214.

Figure 8 shows the dashboard 210 of the scanner 200 where the user has the option to select a bait station by reading the bar code by using bar code reader module 224. The user selects inspect module 222 to read the bar code using the bar code reader 224 of a station to get its name.

Figure 9 shows how the user can take a picture using the scanner 200. To take the picture, the user has to select module 225, which in this case, for instance, is placed on the bottom middle of the dashboard 210. If the user is satisfied with the picture, then he can select function 226 placed on the bottom next to function 225. Figure 10 shows the inspections list which can be accessed by selecting inspection history module 218 on the dashboard 210 of the scanner 200. Also, shown in the figure, are modules such as inspect 222, plant map 217, and notes 219.

Figure 11 shows how the user can add notes by selecting the notes module 219 on the dashboard 210 of the scanner 200. Also, shown in the figure are modules such as inspect 222, plant map 217, and history 218.

Figure 12 shows how the user can view the map of the facility by selecting plant map module 217 on the dashboard 210 of the scanner 200. Also, shown in the figure are modules such as inspect 222 , history 218, and notes 219. Figure 13 shows how the user can end job by selecting end job module 227 on the dashboard 210 of the scanner 200. Also, shown in the figure are modules such as scan 216, plant map 217, history 218, and notes 219.

Figure 14 shows how the user can get help by selecting the help module 213 on the dashboard 210 of the scanner 200. Also, shown in the figure are modules such as customers 211 and inspection history 212.

Figure 15 shows how the user can log out or upload the recent inspection details to the server. To log out, the user can select the logout module 227 on the dashboard 210 of the scanner 200. If the user wants to upload the inspection details to the server, he can select the sync module 214. Also, shown in the figure are modules such as customers 211, inspection history 212, and help 213.

Figure 16 shows how the user can recover his password. To recover his password, the user has to select forgot password module 228 on the dashboard 210 of the scanner 200, type his user email, and select recover password module 229. The features described herein are the preferred embodiments and do not restrict the makings of the computer-implemented system described herein. Thus, the computer- implemented system can be implemented using, any type of compiler and any type of computer hardware system, network system, or other platforms. As used herein, the term "computer hardware system" is intended to include all the necessary components of a computer system that are required to run or execute a source program and that allow someone to use the computer. By way of non-limiting example, the hardware components include, but are not limited to, a power supply, motherboard, hard disk, graphics card, Random access memory (RAM), and other hardware components. Additional hardware components can include, for instance, a keyboard, mouse, speakers, etc.

It is contemplated that the methods of the present invention can therefore be implemented by operation of any type of computer system that includes computer components including but not limited to a processor, memory storage devices for the processor, connected display devices, and input devices. Furthermore, the methods of the present invention can be implemented by operation of computer components in a heterogenous distributed computing environment, including for example one or more remote file servers, computer servers, and/or memory storage devices. Each of these distributed computing components is accessible by the processor via a communication network, which may include but is not limited to, the Internet.

As used herein, the term "user interface" refers to one or more tools that allow the user to communicate with the operating system. The examples of the user interface include but are not limited to a user module, a key board, keys, a mouse, or a combination thereof.

It is to be understood that the term "user" shall include, but is not limited to, (i) an individual who performs the task of pest control (including, by way of example, a pest control inspector), (ii) an an administrator who manages a computer-implemented system or online platform as described herein, or (iii) a customer of the pest control company.

As used herein, the term "machine-readable identifier" shall include, but is not limited a bar code, a specific numbering, or similar means of identification.

The foregoing descriptions of the embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed. The exemplary embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention.