System, Method And Software Program For Managing, Documenting And Analyzing Water Damage Restoration Procedures

• US 20080040075A1
• Filed: 08/10/2007
• Published: 02/14/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: William Craig Fillmann
• Original Assignee: William Craig Fillmann
• Inventors: Fillmann, William Craig
• Application Number:
  US11/836,929
• Publication Number:
  US 20080040075A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/187
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management

Abstract

A computer-based system, and a computer readable program for use in a computer, for managing a drying procedure performed at a structure. A graphical user interface displays data input forms that when completed by the user record information relating to the structure, including data that establishes the locations in which drying is needed, the amount and types of drying equipment used to accomplish the drying procedure, periodic moisture content levels in the locations being dried, and the labor used in the drying procedure. The user can add forms, modify the forms, and use less than all of the forms. The entered data is saved in a computer memory. Reports are generated that include the entered data as well as data establishing the progress of drying over time, and include moisture standards that should be met before the job is completed. Real time management and analysis from the server database is available for management by insurance adjusters, insurance agents, network managers, contractors with multiple offices, contractors with a single office and multiple project managers, and/or others. Water damage restoration analysis from the server database can provide cost and procedural information for losses by structure, type, region, and extent of loss.

Claims

1. A computer readable program for use in a computer to manage a drying procedure performed at a structure, the computer readable program comprising instructions to:

a) provide a graphical user interface to display data input forms that when completed record data that establishes;

i) information relating to the structure, including the locations in which drying is needed;

ii) the amount and types of drying equipment used to accomplish the drying procedure;

iii) periodic moisture content levels in the locations being dried; and

iv) the labor used in the drying procedure; and

b) save the data from step a) in a computer memory.

2. The computer readable program of claim 1 in which the data input forms when completed further record data that establishes a description of water damage and its cause.

3. The computer readable program of claim 1 in which the data input forms when completed further record data that establishes images of the structure.

4. The computer readable program of claim 3 in which the images of the structure are selected from the group of image types including electronic images, photographs, and images drawn by a user.

5. The computer readable program of claim 4 in which the electronic images include a schematic diagram, or annotation to reflect or better describe the captured information.

6. The computer readable program of claim 1 in which the data input forms when completed further record data that establishes equipment and labor charges.

7. The computer readable program of claim 1 further comprising instructions to allow a user to modify the data input forms.

8. The computer readable program of claim 1 in which the data input forms when completed further record data that establishes psychrometric atmospheric conditions outside of the structure.

9. The computer readable program of claim 8 in which the psychrometric conditions include temperature and humidity.

10. The computer readable program of claim 9 in which the psychrometric conditions further include the absolute moisture content of the air.

11. The computer readable program of claim 1 in which the data input forms when completed further record data that establishes psychrometric atmospheric conditions inside of the structure.

12. The computer readable program of claim 11 in which the psychrometric atmospheric conditions include temperature and humidity.

13. The computer readable program of claim 12 in which the psychrometric atmospheric conditions are used to calculate the absolute moisture content of air.

14. The computer readable program of claim 1 in which the moisture levels in the location being dried include the moisture content of materials as wood moisture equivalent, or as a percentage of moisture when saturated.

15. The computer readable program of claim 1 in which the types of drying equipment are selected from the types including dehumidifiers, heaters, air movers, and air scrubbers.

16. The computer readable program of claim 1 further comprising instructions for the computer to communicate over a computer network.

17. The computer readable program of claim 1 further comprising instructions to compare a completed drying procedure to another completed drying procedure.

18. The computer readable program of claim 1 further comprising instructions to compare a completed drying procedure to a standard drying procedure.

19. The computer readable program of claim 1 further comprising instructions to generate a report that includes at least the periodic moisture levels.

20. The computer readable program of claim 19 in which the report includes one or more graphs of the periodic moisture levels.

21. The computer readable program of claim 20 in which a graph of periodic moisture levels includes a standard moisture level for the location being dried.

22. The computer readable program of claim 19 in which the report further includes a relationship between the difference between outside psychrometric conditions and inside psychrometric conditions, equipment being used, the labor being used, the moisture content conditions of the damaged area, and the rate of drying.

23. The computer readable program of claim 1 further comprising instructions to print one or more of the data input forms, and allowing input to the computer of data written on the printed forms.

24. The computer readable program of claim 1 in which at least some of the data is collected automatically.

25. The computer readable program of claim 24 in which at least moisture data is collected automatically from remote sensing instruments.

26. The computer readable program of claim 24 in which data from at least some of the equipment is collected automatically.

27. The computer readable program of claim 1 further comprising instructions to analyze completed drying procedures that are in computer memory.

28. The computer readable program of claim 27 in which the analysis comprises a comparison of an actual drying procedure to prior drying procedures, based on the type of structure and/or the geographic location.

29. The computer readable program of claim 27 in which the analysis comprises a comparison of a proposed drying procedure to prior drying procedures, based on the steps taken, the types of drying equipment used and the application of drying equipment in the prior drying procedures.

30. The computer readable program of claim 1 further comprising establishing algorithms to analyze collected data, and using the algorithms to analyze data each day during the drying procedure.

31. A computer readable program for use in a computer to manage a drying procedure performed at a structure, the computer readable program comprising instructions to:

a) provide a graphical user interface to display data input forms that when completed record data that establishes;

i) information relating to the structure, including the locations in which drying is needed;

ii) the amount and types of drying equipment used to accomplish the drying procedure;

iii) periodic moisture content levels in the locations being dried;

iv) the labor used in the drying procedure;

v) annotated images of the structure;

vi) equipment and labor charges;

vii) atmospheric psychrometric conditions outside of the structure, including at least the temperature, humidity, and GPP; and

viii) atmospheric psychrometric conditions inside of the structure, including at least the temperature, humidity, and GPP;

b) save the data from step a) in a computer memory;

c) communicate over a computer network; and

d) generate a report that includes one or more graphs of periodic moisture content levels.

32. The computer readable program of claim 31 in which the report further includes a relationship between the equipment being used, the labor being used, and the moisture content levels to the drying rate.

33. A system using a computer, for managing a drying procedure performed at a structure, comprising:

a forms manager that creates a series of data input forms that when completed record data that establishes;

i) information relating to the structure, including the locations in which drying is needed;

ii) the amount and types of drying equipment used to accomplish the drying procedure;

iii) periodic moisture content levels in the locations being dried; and

iv) the labor used in the drying procedure; and

a memory in which the data that is input through the forms manager is saved.

34. The system of claim 33 further comprising a report generator that generates a report that includes at least the periodic moisture content levels.

35. The system of claim 34 in which the report includes a graph of the periodic moisture content levels.

36. The system of claim 35 in which the graph of periodic moisture content levels further includes a standard moisture level for the location being dried.