Devices and methods for collection of data

• US 9,357,113 B2
• Filed: 06/04/2015
• Issued: 05/31/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ITEL Laboratories, Inc (Global Claims Services, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: ITEL Laboratories, Inc (Global Claims Services, Inc.)
• Inventors: Alvarez, Steve M., Passalacqua, Sergio, Jester, Raymond Darrell, Romine, Lonnie Dale, Stahre, Henrik Georg, Schonning, Carl Jonas Peter, Shadwell, Percy F. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tsai, Carol S
• Application Number:
  US14/730,602
• Publication Number:
  US 20150271368A1
• Time in Patent Office: 362 Days
• Field of Search: 702/81, 717/174, 717/178, 705/7.12, 705/28, 705/25, 705/321, 705/7.14, 705/7.25, 455/410, 455/418, 455/420
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/00 Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 17/00 Methods or apparatus for determining the capacity of containers or cavities, or the volume of solid bodies measuring linear dimensions to determine volume G01B
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/359 using near infrared light
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/0221 Portable; cableless; compact; hand-held
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/0627 Use of several LED's for spectral resolution
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/163 Real estate management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 90/20 Destination assistance within a business structure or complex
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 17/00 Three dimensional [3D] modelling, e.g. data description of 3D objects
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/00 Image analysis
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 Housings
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/74 by influencing the scene brightness using illuminating means
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/75 by influencing optical camera components

Abstract

Devices and methods for remotely collecting data for the assessment of value and/or like, kind, and quality are provided, including a mobile device equipped with an application configured to enable collection of data; the data acquired using the device are received by a service provider; and following the assessment transmitting of the assessment analysis by the service provide to the display of the mobile device of the user.

Claims

1. An apparatus for collection of data, information, measurements, and/or photographs for assignment of value and/or assessment of like kind quality, the apparatus comprising:

a measurement stand for placement of a building material sample and a remote, mobile communications device, the measurement stand comprising;

a building material sample platform, comprising;

a surface for placement of the building material sample on or within the building material sample platform; and

one or more stop pins, raised edges, clamps, and/or adjustable extension flaps, wherein the one or more stop pins and/or raised edges positions the building material sample on the surface of the building material sample platform, and wherein the one or more clamps and/or adjustable extension flaps secures the building material sample to the surface of the building material sample platform; and

a movable device platform, comprising an adjustable angle stand and/or cradle within and/or upon the movable device platform for placement of the remote, mobile communications device on or within the movable device platform, wherein the movable device platform and adjustable angle stand and/or cradle adjusts, angles, manipulates, or moves the remote, mobile computing device in a plurality of positions,

wherein the measurement stand is arranged and constructed in that when the building material sample is placed on, within, and/or secured to the sample platform and the remote, mobile computing device is placed on and/or within the device platform, the remote, mobile computing device and the building material sample are positioned relative to one another for collection of data, information, measurements, and/or photographs for assignment of value and/or assessment of like kind quality.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a cavity defined within and/or on the device platform to facilitate location of a camera of the remote, mobile computing device.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a mirror positioned relative to the building material sample platform to facilitate photographing the building material sample.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a light source to illuminate at least a portion of the building material sample for collecting photographs and accurate data, information, and/or measurements using the remote, mobile computing device.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a magnifying assembly positioned in relation to the building material sample platform to facilitate collecting magnified photographs and accurate data, information, and/or measurements using the remote, mobile computing device.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an elevation stand to raise and/or facilitate angling of the remote, mobile computing device relative to the building material sample for collection of photographs and acquisition of data from a top side of the building material sample.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more adjustable extension flaps is laterally disposed on the building material sample platform to hold building material samples having various dimension and/or oversized building material samples.