US-12619343-B2 - Inspection templates and administrative controls

US12619343B2US 12619343 B2US12619343 B2US 12619343B2US-12619343-B2

Abstract

Systems and methods presented herein can allow an inspector or other user to document damage or other property information using a mobile device, such as their cell phone. An administrative console can allow an administrator to create an inspection template. The inspection template can include categories and subcategories with instructional media. A user device can receive the inspection template when assigned to a job that utilizes the inspection template. An inspection application on the user device can then present the instructive media based on which category and subcategory the user is attempting to complete. The application can display a two-way dialog with the administrator and a dynamic report where pictures and comments are posted.

Inventors

Earl Randolph

Assignees

UScope Technologies, Inc.

Dates

Publication Date: 20260505
Application Date: 20230627

Claims (20)

1 . A non-transitory, computer-readable medium containing instructions that, when executed by a processor of a computing device, cause the computing device to perform stages for managing inspections, the stages comprising: receiving, on a graphical user interface (“GUI”) of an administrative console, selections to create inspection categories for an inspection template, wherein the inspection categories include base categories and subcategories that are organized at a hierarchically lower level than the base categories; applying names to the inspection categories, wherein the names are input into the GUI; assigning instructive content to at least some of the inspection categories and a first subcategory, the instructive content explaining what is needed from an inspector for the respective category, the instructive content including text and video; assigning a first minimum number of pictures that applies to the entire template; assigning a second minimum number of pictures that applies to the first subcategory; assigning the template to multiple inspection jobs; sending the inspection template to a user device for a user assigned to one of the multiple inspection jobs, wherein the user device presents the instructive content based on which of the multiple categories is currently in progress on the user device, wherein the inspection template specifies a minimum number and type of media items for at least one inspection category, wherein an inspection application prevents completion of the inspection job until the minimum number and type of media items are captured, and wherein the user device executes the inspection application to at least: display the inspection categories of the inspection template, including color-coding the inspection categories based on completeness; present the instructive content for a first inspection category; and assign first captured media to the first inspection category, wherein the inspection application displays a progress indicator for each inspection category, the progress indicator dynamically changing based on satisfaction of requirements of the inspection template; and generate a report with a format based on the inspection template, wherein the report organizes the first captured media and other captured media based on the inspection categories.
2 . The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 1 , the inspection template includes an editable minimum number of pictures required for the first inspection category.
3 . The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 2 , the minimum number of pictures is editable by an administrator but not editable by another user type.
4 . The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 2 , wherein previously taken pictures in an unassigned status are selected on the GUI and assigned to the first inspection category, wherein the inspection application stores captured media and inspection data locally on the user device in response to detecting lack of network connectivity, and wherein the inspection application automatically synchronizes the stored media and inspection data with a cloud server when connectivity is available.
5 . The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 1 , further comprising: receiving a selection of a menu item on the GUI to change a current template; and displaying a preview template that shows a hierarchy of a potential inspection template, wherein the preview template is displayed prior to the potential inspection template being assigned to the multiple inspection jobs.
6 . The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 1 , further comprising: receiving notes related to the first inspection category from multiple different users, the notes being different than the instructive content, wherein the notes are readable by an administrator on the administrator console of the GUI.
7 . The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 6 , further comprising: receiving selection on the GUI to add the notes to the report, wherein the notes are added to a section of the report that includes the first captured media of the first inspection category.
8 . The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 1 , wherein the report is generated from a report template that is stored in association with the inspection template.
9 . The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 1 , wherein the instructive content includes a video file that plays within the inspection application.
10 . The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 1 , wherein the instructive content explains different pictures that are needed in a room.
11 . The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 1 , wherein the inspection template is assigned by job type.
12 . The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 1 , wherein the administrative console performs stages comprising: displaying a completion status of a first job; and receiving new instructive content regarding the first inspection category of the first job, wherein the inspection application updates its respective GUI to indicate the new instructive content exists.
13 . The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 12 , wherein a first color indicates the new instructive content exists.
14 . The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 13 , wherein a second color indicates that the user has taken a minimum number of pictures for the first inspection category.
15 . The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 14 , wherein a third color indicates that the user has taken less than the minimum number of pictures for the first inspection category.
16 . The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 1 , wherein the administrative console and the inspection application present a chat space for the administrator and user to both post messages and see messages, wherein the messages are stored as notes.
17 . The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 16 , wherein the chat space is part of the first inspection category, with each inspection category having its own chat space.
18 . The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 17 , wherein the administrator can make annotations on the captured media that appear within the inspection application, and wherein the annotations appear in the report.
19 . A mobile device including a processor that executes an inspection application, the processor performing stages comprising: receiving an inspection job and associated inspection template, wherein the inspection template includes: inspection categories, including base categories and subcategories that are organized at a hierarchically lower level than the base categories; instructive content assigned to at least some of the inspection categories and a subcategory, the instructive content explaining what is needed from an inspector for the respective category or subcategory; a minimum number and type of media items for at least one inspection category, wherein the inspection application prevents completion of the inspection job until the minimum number and type of media items are captured, wherein the inspection template is received by the mobile device based on a user being assigned to a job that is associated with the inspection template, wherein the mobile device presents the instructive content based on which of the inspection categories is currently in progress on the user device, wherein the inspection template assigns the instructive content to a first category and a first subcategory, the instructive content including text and video; wherein the inspection template assigns a first minimum number of pictures that applies to the entire template; wherein the inspection template assigns a second minimum number of pictures that applies to the first subcategory; displaying the inspection categories of the inspection template, including color-coding the inspection categories based on completeness; presenting the instructive content for a first inspection category; assigning first captured media to the first inspection category; and generating a report with a format based on the inspection template, wherein the report organizes the first captured media and other captured media based on the inspection categories.
20 . A computer-implemented method, comprising: creating an inspection template with multiple categories and subcategories under at least a first category of the multiple categories; assigning instructive media to the first category and a first subcategory, the instructive media including text and video; assigning a first minimum number of pictures that applies to the entire template; assigning a second minimum number of pictures that applies to the first subcategory; and sending the inspection template to a user device based on a user being assigned to a job that is associated with the inspection template, wherein the user device presents the instructive media based on which of the multiple categories is currently in progress on the user device, wherein the inspection template specifies a minimum number and type of media items for at least one inspection category, wherein an inspection application prevents completion of the inspection job until the minimum number and type of media items are captured, wherein a user device color codes each of the multiple categories based on number of pictures taken and a presence of instructive media for each of the multiple categories, and wherein two-way communication between the user and an administrator is posted within the first category when the user is working on the first category.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS This nonprovisional application claims benefit to U.S. provisional application No. 63/355,979, titled “Inspection Templates and Administrative Controls,” filed on Jun. 27, 2022, which is herein incorporated in its entirety by reference for all purposes. BACKGROUND Inspectors for insurance or contracting companies routinely visit homes and other buildings to assess damage, estimate repair costs, or to develop bids for additional construction at the property. During a visit, the inspector usually sketches a floor plan and makes notes about various areas of the home. The inspector can also take pictures of damaged areas of a home or areas that will be upgraded, such as a rooftop for a solar installation or roofing job. The inspector later prepares the pictures and floor plan as part of preparing an actual estimate. This is typically a manual process where the inspector finds photos and associates them with various sections of the report. However, there are several drawbacks to this common approach. One drawback is that the inspector might take fewer photos than needed. When this happens, it can be difficult to accurately project damage costs or put together a sufficiently descriptive report. The inspector or another inspector might need to revisit the property to take more pictures or describe more areas of the home. When an inspector does not have much experience with a type of property or job, the chances of insufficient information collection increase. Additionally, it is not always possible for the inspector to ask questions or get instructive help during the job. This is because many inspection sites can be in areas that currently lack cell reception or any means of internet connection. For example, after a tornado, an entire area can be without adequate communication services. This same area is likely subject to many inspection jobs. Additionally, pictures can get lost or the inspector might not remember what room they depict. Over the course of a long day, where the inspector might take hundreds of photos, the inspector might not even remember what damage was being documented. It might be difficult to determine which pictures apply to which notes. Finally, the inspector might not add the right information and pictures to an inspection report. Each company, such as an insurance company or contracting company, may require different sets of information and pictures in a report in order to perform company tasks such as creating estimates. Therefore, a need exists for inspection templates and administrative controls in performing property inspections. SUMMARY An example described herein includes inspection templates and administrative controls. In one example, a mobile device, such as a cell phone or tablet, executes an application for capturing media and other information for inspection jobs. Inspection jobs can relate to insurance claims or contractor bids. The application can display a graphical user interface (“GUI”) that allows a user to take pictures and add descriptions. The application can categorize the pictures and descriptions according to an inspection template for a particular inspection job. The templates can be creating using an administrative console GUI. The console can include options for creating categories and subcategories. For example, a template for home inspection can include interior and exterior categories. The template can also include one or more levels of subcategories, such as right elevation and back elevation, hall, kitchen, bedroom, and so on. For each category (including subcategories), the administrator can include instructive content, such as text, audio, and/or video, that explains what is needed from the inspector in each category. The administrator can also specify a minimum number of pictures or videos for each category. The instructive content can explain different picture angles that are needed in a particular room that is one of the categories, for example. The templates can be saved and then assigned to particular inspection jobs. For example, the administrator can assign a first template to an automobile inspection job and a second template to a home inspection job. In one example, the console allows for assigning different templates to different groups of jobs, such as jobs grouped by type, customer (such as a corporation), or by inspector. For example, some customers may be home inspection companies and some inspectors might specialize in a particular job type. The inspector can then receive their jobs on an inspection application that executes on their user device. Each job can include the categories specified by the template assigned to that job. In addition, the application can color-code the categories differently based on progress towards completion of the category criteria that was assigned by the administrator and saved as part of the template. For example, green can indicate that all photos and video have been taken for a category, w