Patent Publication Number: US-2022225563-A1

Title: Technician performance system

Description:
This application claims benefit of and priority to U.S. Pat. App. No. 63/138,823, filed Jan. 19, 2021, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by specific reference for all purposes. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a system and methods for monitoring and evaluating the performance of a technician. More particularly, this invention relates to a system and methods for monitoring and evaluating the performance of a lawn-care technician. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     In various exemplary embodiments, the present invention comprises a system and methods for monitoring and evaluating the performance of a lawn-care technician. A Technician Performance Module (TPM) is affixed to or embedded in a device or apparatus used by the technician, such as a sprayer or a spreader. The TPM comprises a plurality of sensors (e.g., GPS, gyroscope, accelerometer, compass, pedometer) which collect, store, and/or transmit an assortment of data as described below. The data may be transmitted wirelessly to a remote server or control box, which may be located in a nearby vehicle, such as a truck used by the technician at the site of the lawn-care services being provided. The data also may be transmitted wireless to a cellular or wireless gateway for transmission to system servers for storage and analysis. 
     The system thus tracks, stores, and provides useful metrics and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), regarding the use of the sprayer, spreader, or other devices used to treat lawns and landscape with dry and/or liquid products. These metrics include, but are not limited to, the application path and size, and spray patterns. The data is collected, stored, and subsequently used for evaluation or quality assurance purposes, among other reasons. 
     The TPM comprises a sensor fusion-based device that is attached to the treatment device, or in some embodiments, in line with it (e.g., on the hose, or between the hose and the sprayer). Sensor fusion is the process or method of merging data from multiple sensors to create a more accurate picture or conceptualization of a target object or item or activity. The TPM may be removably affixed to the bottom of a sprayer. Alternatively, the TPM may be affixed to or embedded in other parts of the sprayer, such as, but not limited to, the handle or top. The TPM may be retrofitted to a prior art sprayer in under ten minutes. The sprayer requires no special operational procedures once retrofitted. 
     In several embodiments, the TPM comprises an IMU (inertial measurement unit) module, along with other sensors. The IMU module may comprise a compass, one or more gyroscopes, and one or more accelerometers). TPM may comprise a wireless communications chip for wireless communications, but also may include one or more telecommunications ports, such as a USB or similar port. The TPM thus may track sprayer trigger position and angles, as well as estimate the approximate motion-path of the sprayer while it is in use. The TPM may be retrofitted/integrated into existing sprayers and spreaders (and other devices). 
     The TPM comprises an embedded Global Positioning System (GPS) chip along with customized embedded firmware use to detect and report the heading (bearing), orientation (direction), and position of the TPM as well as the sprayer trigger position. The TPM on a sprayer may be powered by an internal rechargeable or replaceable battery, along with battery management circuitry. Wireless transmissions may be continuous or periodic to help extend battery life. In one embodiment, the TPM communicates with a wireless Digital-Spread-Spectrum (DSSS) communication device at a rate of 2 Hz. 
     In several embodiments, the TPM uses customized firmware comprising motion-path estimation algorithms that work independently of GPS data, thereby allow a single TPM capable of accurately reporting both the spray pattern and motion-path. The firmware further receives longitude and latitude data from the GPS module, and adds this to the data stream as longitude/latitude coordinates and/or x/y meter offset values. The system further comprises an algorithm for determining sweep-range and heading estimates that work independently from GPS position estimates. A “soft-switch” power switch design allows the TPM unit to remain on for a programmable amount of time after power has been removed or shut down. 
     A TPM similarly may be removably affixed to the handlebar assembly of a spreader device with wheels. Alternatively, the TPM may be affixed or embedded in other parts of the spreader. In the embodiment shown, a power switch (PWRSW) for the TPM is mounted remotely or away from the TPM location. This helps prevent a magnetic ON/OFF switch from adversely affecting the TPM&#39;s magnetic compass. Wiring between the TPM and PWRSW may be routed along or within the handlebars (i.e., the handlebar components are hollow, and holes drilled into the components to insert the wires/cables). In an alternative embodiment, the power switch is incorporated with all other electronics in a single enclosure, which reduces drilling, wiring, and installation costs, as well as reducing the number and cost of enclosures. Magnetic shielding is used to help prevent the magnetic ON/OFF switch from adversely affecting the magnetic compass. The TPM may be retrofitted to a prior art spreader in 10 to 45 minutes, depending on the location of the power switch with respect to the TPM and the amount of retrofitting required. 
     A control box is the central controller and orchestrator of the system, and is in wireless communications with the various TPMs in use on the sprayers, spreaders, or other devices, and may also be in electronic communication with one or more remote system servers. The control box may be mounted in a truck or other vehicle used by the technician on service calls. An LTE/GPS antenna, mounted on the truck, typically on an outside upper surface, such as the roof, is in electronic communication with the control box. In one embodiment, the antenna is mounted using industrial double-side tape. The system may be powered by its own battery. Alternatively, it may be powered by another power source, such as the batter of the truck. The control box is electronically connected to one or more charging ports for the TPMs, sprayers, spreaders, or other devices at various points inside the truck. 
     In the embodiments shown, four holes are used to mount the control box inside the truck, using carriage bolts sufficient short so as to not create safety issues with regard the mounting location (such as bolts protruding into a spreader cabinet). The box comprises a hinged lid, which allows access to the interior. A cable is used to connect the control box to the LTE/GPS antenna. Positive and negative battery cables with associated lugs, with corresponding color code, are used to connect to the truck battery (or similar power source). Screw-mounted cable tie downs may be used to secure any of the cables in the system. The system as shown may be retrofitted to an existing truck in 70 minutes or less. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  shows a diagram of a system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  shows a view of a sprayer with a Technician Performance Module (TPM). 
         FIG. 3  shows a view of a spreader with a TPM. 
         FIG. 4  shows a diagram of a vehicle or truck with components of the technician performance system installed therein. 
         FIG. 5  shows an embodiment of a control box. 
         FIG. 6  shows a view of the inside of the control box, along with a view of a mounted LTE/GPS antenna. 
         FIG. 7  shows a view of a sprayer TPM enclosure and charging power, as well as a view of the interior of the sprayer TPM. 
         FIG. 8  shows a wiring diagram for the control box. 
         FIG. 9  shows a diagram of the gateway of  FIG. 8 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     In various exemplary embodiments, the present invention comprises a system and methods for monitoring and evaluating the performance of a lawn-care technician. As seen in  FIG. 1 , a Technician Performance Module (TPM)  10  is affixed to or embedded in a device or apparatus used by the technician, such as a sprayer  12  or a spreader  14 . The TPM  10  comprises a plurality of sensors  20  (e.g., GPS, gyroscope, accelerometer, compass, pedometer) which collect, store, and/or transmit an assortment of data as described below. The data may be transmitted wirelessly  30  to a control box  50 , which may be located in a nearby vehicle  60 , such as a truck used by the technician at the site of the lawn-care services being provided. The data also may be transmitted wireless to a cellular or wireless gateway  90  for transmission to system servers for storage and analysis. 
     The system thus tracks and stores data input from the plurality of sensors and other sources, and provides useful metrics and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), regarding the use of the sprayer  12 , spreader  14 , or other devices used to treat lawns and landscape with dry and/or liquid products. These metrics include, but are not limited to, the application path and size, and spray patterns. The data is collected, stored, and subsequently used for evaluation or quality assurance purposes, among other purposes. 
     The TPM  10  comprises a sensor fusion-based device that is attached to the treatment device, or in some embodiments, in line with it (e.g., on the hose, or between the hose and the sprayer). Sensor fusion  22  is the process or method of merging data from multiple sensors to create a more accurate picture or conceptualization of a target object or item or activity.  FIG. 2  shows an exemplary embodiment of the TPM  10  that is removably affixed to the bottom of a sprayer  12 . Alternatively, the TPM may be affixed to or embedded in other parts of the sprayer, such as, but not limited to, the handle or top. The TPM  10  may be retrofitted to a prior art sprayer  14  in under ten minutes. In the embodiment show, the sprayer requires no special operational procedures once retrofitted. 
     In several embodiments, the TPM comprises an IMU (inertial measurement unit) module, along with other sensors. The IMU module may comprise a compass, one or more gyroscopes, and one or more accelerometers). TPM may comprise a wireless communications chip for wireless communications, but also may include one or more telecommunications ports, such as a USB or similar port. The TPM thus may track sprayer trigger position and angles, as well as estimate the approximate motion-path of the sprayer while it is in use. The TPM may be retrofitted/integrated into existing sprayers and spreaders (and other devices). 
     In the embodiment shown, the TPM comprises an embedded Global Positioning System (GPS) chip along with customized embedded firmware use to detect and report the heading (bearing), orientation (direction), and position of the TPM as well as the sprayer trigger position (e.g., off, or on with a single or various amounts of flowrate). The TPM on a sprayer may be powered by an internal rechargeable or replaceable battery  16 , along with battery management circuitry in the TPM. Wireless transmissions  30  may be continuous or periodic to help extend battery life. In one embodiment, the TPM communicates with a wireless Digital-Spread-Spectrum (DSSS) communication device at a rate of 2 Hz. 
     In several embodiments, the TPM  10  uses customized firmware comprising motion-path estimation algorithms that work independently of GPS data, thereby allowing a single TPM to be capable of accurately reporting both the spray pattern of the sprayer and motion-path of the sensor. The firmware further receives longitude and latitude data from the GPS module, and adds this to the data stream as longitude/latitude coordinates and/or x/y meter offset values. The system further comprises an algorithm for determining sweep-range and heading estimates that work independently from GPS position estimates. A “soft-switch” power switch design allows the TPM unit to remain on for a programmable amount of time after power has been removed or shut down. 
       FIG. 3  shows an exemplary embodiment of a TPM  10  removably affixed to the handlebar assembly of a spreader  14  device with wheels. Alternatively, the TPM may be affixed or embedded in other parts of the spreader. In the embodiment shown, a power switch (PWRSW)  18  for the TPM  10  is mounted remotely or away from the TPM location. This helps prevent a magnetic ON/OFF switch from adversely affecting the TPM&#39;s magnetic compass. Wiring between the TPM and PWRSW may be routed along or within the handlebars (i.e., the handlebar components are hollow, and holes drilled into the components to insert the wires/cables). In an alternative embodiment, the power switch is incorporated with all other electronics in a single enclosure, which reduces drilling, wiring, and installation costs, as well as reducing the number and cost of enclosures. Magnetic shielding is used to help prevent the magnetic ON/OFF switch from adversely affecting the magnetic compass. The TPM  10  may be retrofitted to a prior art spreader  14  in 10 to 45 minutes, depending on the location of the power switch with respect to the TPM and the amount of retrofitting required. 
       FIG. 4  shows an example of a truck or similar vehicle  60  with components of the technician performance system installed therein. A control box  50  is the central controller and orchestrator of the system, and is in wireless communications with the various TPMs in use on the sprayers, spreaders, or other devices, and may also be in electronic communication with one or more remote system servers. An LTE/GPS antenna  52 , mounted on the truck, typically on an outside upper surface such as the roof, is in electronic communication (typically directly wired) with the control box  50 . In one embodiment, the antenna  52  is mounted using industrial double-side tape. The system may be powered by its own battery. Alternatively, it may be powered by another power source, such as the battery  54  of the truck. The control box  50  is electronically connected to one or more charging ports  56   a, b  for the TPMs, sprayers, spreaders, or other devices at various points inside the truck. 
       FIG. 5  shows an exemplary embodiment of the control box  50  with mountings. In the embodiments shown, four holes  62  in the back of the box are used to mount the control box, using carriage bolts sufficient short so as to not create safety issues with regard the mounting location (such as bolts protruding into a spreader cabinet). The box comprises a hinged lid  64 , which allows access to the interior. A cable  66  is used to connect the control box to the LTE/GPS antenna  52 . Positive and negative battery cables with associated lugs, with corresponding color code, are used to connect to the truck battery (or similar power source). Screw-mounted cable tie downs may be used to secure any of the cables in the system. The system as shown may be retrofitted to an existing truck in 70 minutes or less. 
       FIG. 6  shows a view of the inside of the control box, along with a view of a mounted LTE/GPS antenna  52 . Components include an industrial IoT Gateway (LTE &amp; GPS), a DC/DC converter (connected to the car battery for power), a 19V to 5V convert, a TPM dongle, and a time delay relay for TPM charging. 
       FIG. 7  shows a view of a sprayer  12  TPM  10  and charging port  70 , as well as a view of the interior of the sprayer TPM, including a control board and wireless communications chip. 
       FIG. 8  shows a wiring diagram  110  for the control box.  FIG. 9  shows a diagram of the gateway  120  of  FIG. 8 , with USB ports (USB 0  and USB 1 ) for the TPM dongle and the DCDC-USB control, as well as ethernet ports (ETH 0  and ETH 1 ). 
     In order to provide a context for the various computer-implemented aspects of the invention, the following discussion provides a brief, general description of a suitable computing environment in which the various aspects of the present invention may be implemented. A computing system environment is one example of a suitable computing environment, but is not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality of the invention. A computing environment may contain any one or combination of components discussed below, and may contain additional components, or some of the illustrated components may be absent. Various embodiments of the invention are operational with numerous general purpose or special purpose computing systems, environments or configurations. Examples of computing systems, environments, or configurations that may be suitable for use with various embodiments of the invention include, but are not limited to, personal computers, laptop computers, computer servers, computer notebooks, hand-held devices, mobile computing devices, microprocessor-based systems, multiprocessor systems, TV set-top boxes and devices, programmable consumer electronics, cell phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), tablets, smart phones, mobile phones, modular phones, touch screen devices, smart TV, TVs, internet-enabled appliances, internet-enabled security systems, internet-enabled gaming systems, internet-enabled watches; internet-enabled cars (or transportation), network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, embedded systems, virtual systems, distributed computing environments, streaming environments, volatile environments, and the like. 
     Embodiments of the invention may be implemented in the form of computer-executable instructions, such as program code or program modules, being executed by a computer, virtual computer, or computing device. Program code or modules may include programs, objects, components, data elements and structures, routines, subroutines, functions and the like. These are used to perform or implement particular tasks or functions. Embodiments of the invention also may be implemented in distributed computing environments. In such environments, tasks are performed by remote processing devices (e.g., “cloud computing”) linked via a communications network or other data transmission medium, and data and program code or modules may be located in both local and remote computer storage media including memory storage devices such as, but not limited to, hard drives, solid state drives (SSD), flash drives, USB drives, optical drives, and internet-based storage (e.g., “cloud” storage). 
     In one embodiment, a computer system or computing system environment comprises multiple client devices in communication with one or more server devices through or over a network, although in some cases no server device is used. In various embodiments, the network may comprise the Internet, an intranet, Wide Area Network (WAN), or Local Area Network (LAN). It should be noted that many of the methods of the present invention are operable within a single computing device. 
     A client device may be any type of processor-based platform that is connected to a network and that interacts with one or more application programs. A client device may comprise a computer-readable medium in the form of volatile and/or nonvolatile memory such as read only memory (ROM) and random access memory (RAM) in communication with a processor. The processor executes computer-executable program instructions stored in memory. Examples of such processors include, but are not limited to, microprocessors, ASICs, and the like. 
     Client devices may further comprise computer-readable media in communication with the processor, said media storing program code, modules and instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to execute the program and perform the steps described herein. Computer readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by computer or computing device and includes both volatile and nonvolatile media, and removable and non-removable media. Computer-readable media may further comprise computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media comprises media for storage of information, such as computer readable instructions, data, data structures, or program code or modules. Examples of computer-readable media include, but are not limited to, any electronic, optical, magnetic, or other storage or transmission device, a floppy disk, hard disk drive, CD-ROM, DVD, magnetic disk, memory chip, ROM, RAM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, an ASIC, a configured processor, CD-ROM, DVD or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium from which a computer processor can read instructions or that can store desired information. Communication media comprises media that may transmit or carry instructions to a computer, including, but not limited to, a router, private or public network, wired network, direct wired connection, wireless network, other wireless media (such as acoustic, RF, infrared, or the like) or other transmission device or channel. This may include computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism. Said transmission may be wired, wireless, or both. Combinations of any of the above should also be included within the scope of computer readable media. The instructions may comprise code from any computer-programming language, including, for example, C, C++, C #, Visual Basic, Java, and the like. 
     Components of a general purpose client or computing device may further include a system bus that connects various system components, including the memory and processor. A system bus may be any of several types of bus structures, including, but not limited to, a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. Such architectures include, but are not limited to, Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus, and Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus. 
     Computing and client devices also may include a basic input/output system (BIOS), which contains the basic routines that help to transfer information between elements within a computer, such as during start-up. BIOS typically is stored in ROM. In contrast, RAM typically contains data or program code or modules that are accessible to or presently being operated on by processor, such as, but not limited to, the operating system, application program, and data. 
     Client devices also may comprise a variety of other internal or external components, such as a monitor or display, a keyboard, a mouse, a trackball, a pointing device, touch pad, microphone, joystick, satellite dish, scanner, a disk drive, a CD-ROM or DVD drive, or other input or output devices. These and other devices are typically connected to the processor through a user input interface coupled to the system bus, but may be connected by other interface and bus structures, such as a parallel port, serial port, game port or a universal serial bus (USB). A monitor or other type of display device is typically connected to the system bus via a video interface. In addition to the monitor, client devices may also include other peripheral output devices such as speakers and printer, which may be connected through an output peripheral interface. 
     Client devices may operate on any operating system capable of supporting an application of the type disclosed herein. Client devices also may support a browser or browser-enabled application. Examples of client devices include, but are not limited to, personal computers, laptop computers, mobile computing devices, personal digital assistants, computer notebooks, hand-held devices, cellular phones, mobile phones, modular phones, smart phones, pagers, digital tablets, Internet appliances, and other processor-based devices. Users may communicate with each other, and with other systems, networks, and devices, over the network through the respective client devices. 
     Thus, it should be understood that the embodiments and examples described herein have been chosen and described in order to best illustrate the principles of the invention and its practical applications to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited for particular uses contemplated. Even though specific embodiments of this invention have been described, they are not to be taken as exhaustive. There are several variations that will be apparent to those skilled in the art.