METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR MANAGEMENT OF FIELD OPERATIONS, PROJECTS AND/OR COLLECTED SAMPLES

• US 20110158469A1
• Filed: 12/29/2010
• Published: 06/30/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Justin P. Mastykarz
• Original Assignee: Justin P. Mastykarz
• Inventors: MASTYKARZ, JUSTIN P.
• Application Number:
  US12/980,876
• Publication Number:
  US 20110158469A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 382/100
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/58 Retrieval characterised by using metadata, e.g. metadata not derived from the content or metadata generated manually
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/587 using geographical or spatial information, e.g. location
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 1/0021 Image watermarking

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for collecting samples and watermarking pictures relating to the samples are described. Watermarks may include site specific information, e.g., room, floor number, etc. in addition to GPS location. Project number and information relating to the test may also be included in the watermark. A watermarked photo of the site location from which a sample is collected is generated. A watermarked photo of the container including the sample is also generated. Watermarked photos of the test site and sample containers may be stored in association with the samples and other chain of custody information. Watermarked photos are electronically communicated to a testing facility and maintained in a database with test results generated from the testing of the sample(s). Pictures and test results are electronically accessible. A list of individuals handling the samples may also be included the database as part of a documented physical chain of sample custody.

Claims

1. A sample collection method, the method comprising:

collecting a sample from a site;

taking a picture of at least a portion of said site from which the sample was collected; and

watermarking the picture with at least one of;

site related information or project related information to generate a watermarked picture.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein watermarking the picture includes:

incorporating a project or job identifier into the picture.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein watermarking the picture further includes:

incorporating an address corresponding to the site into the picture.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein taking a picture includes:

operating a digital camera to capture a digital image of said portion of the site.

5. The method of claim 4,

wherein said digital camera is part of a mobile communications device;

and

wherein said watermarking is performed by an application on said mobile communications device.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said mobile communications device is one of a tablet device or a cell phone.

7. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

wirelessly transmitting said watermarked picture to a sample processing facility.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

encrypting said watermarked picture prior to transmitting said watermarked picture to said sample processing facility.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

receiving, at said mobile communications device, prior to said watermarking, information from said sample processing facility to be included in pictures corresponding to said site.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said information includes at least one of job identification information or site identification information.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

printing said watermarked picture; and

associating said printed watermarked picture with said sample.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein associating said printed watermarked picture with the collected sample includes securing said printed watermarked picture to a container used to store said sample.

13. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

storing said watermarked picture on a data storage device in association with test results corresponding to said sample; and

making said watermarked picture and said test results electronically available to individuals associated with said test site.

14. An apparatus, comprising:

a camera for taking a picture of at least a portion of a site from which a sample was collected; and

a watermarking module for watermarking the picture with at least one of;

site related information or project related information to generate a watermarked picture.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said watermarking module is configured to:

incorporate a project or job identifier into the picture.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said watermarking module is further configured to:

incorporate an address corresponding to the site into the picture.