IP Library Granted Patent US 12,359,976
Granted Patent B2
US 12,359,976 · App. 17/805,384 · Granted Jul 15, 2025

Image-based verification of checklist items

Inventors: Adam Parrott (Savannah, GA); Thomas Schmitt (Lawrenceville, GA); Robert Bradford Gray (Athens, GA)
Assignee: CM SYSTEMS, LLC
G01J5/0265G01J5/0205G01J5/025G06V10/74G01J2005/0077G01K2207/04
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,359,976
App. No.
17/805,384
Granted
Jul 15, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

Disclosed are various embodiments for image-based verification of checklist items. In one embodiment, a user request is received to record a temperature reading of a food item using a handheld temperature sensor. In response to the user request, the temperature reading is received and an image of the handheld temperature sensor is captured. The image of the handheld temperature sensor is stored in association with the temperature reading.

Claims (53)

1. A method, comprising:

receiving a user request to record a temperature reading of a food item using a handheld temperature sensor;

in response to the user request:

receiving the temperature reading; and

capturing an image of the handheld temperature sensor;

storing the image of the handheld temperature sensor in association with the temperature reading; and

determining whether the handheld temperature sensor was inserted into the food item based at least in part on a reference image depicting proper insertion of the handheld temperature sensor into the food item.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

determining that the image of the handheld temperature sensor does depict the handheld temperature sensor being inserted into the food item; and

recording a status in association with the temperature reading indicating that the temperature reading has been verified.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

determining that the image of the handheld temperature sensor does not depict the handheld temperature sensor being inserted into the food item; and

generating a notification that the temperature reading of the food item has not been properly completed.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising analyzing the image, based at least in part on a separate reference image showing the handheld temperature sensor being used improperly, to determine whether the image shows the handheld temperature sensor being inserted into the food item.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising generating a report that shows the temperature reading in association with at least one of: the image or a link to the image.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving the user request further comprises determining that a user has activated a button on the handheld temperature sensor.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving the user request further comprises determining that a user has activated a component in a graphical user interface on a handheld computing device in data communication with the handheld temperature sensor.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving the user request further comprises activating a countdown sequence during which a user is expected to place the handheld temperature sensor in the food item.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein capturing the image of the handheld temperature sensor further comprises capturing the image via a camera affixed to or integrated in the handheld temperature sensor.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein capturing the image of the handheld temperature sensor further comprises capturing the image via an environmental camera directed at the food item.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the handheld temperature sensor comprises:

a temperature sensor integrated into a probe;

a handle portion attached to the probe;

a camera affixed to or integrated into the handle portion, and aimed toward the probe; and

a button that, when activated, causes a temperature reading to be recorded from the temperature sensor and an image to be captured by the camera.

12. A system, comprising:

a handheld temperature sensor, comprising:

a temperature sensor integrated into a probe;

a handle portion attached to the probe;

a camera affixed to or integrated into the handle portion, and aimed toward the probe; and

a button that, when activated, causes a temperature reading to be recorded from the temperature sensor and an image to be captured by the camera; and

a computing device in data communication with the handheld temperature sensor, the computing device comprising:

at least one memory having processor-readable instructions stored therein; and

at least one processor configured to access the at least one memory and execute the processor-readable instructions to perform operations, the operations comprising:

receiving a user request to record a temperature reading of a food item using the handheld temperature sensor;

receiving the temperature reading in response to activation of the button;

receiving an image of the handheld temperature sensor in response to activation of the button; and

determining whether the handheld temperature sensor was inserted into the food item based at least in part on a reference image depicting proper insertion of the handheld temperature sensor into the food item.

13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the handheld temperature sensor is configured to wirelessly transmit the temperature reading and the image to the computing device.

14. The system of claim 12 , wherein the camera comprises an infrared camera, and the image of the handheld temperature sensor comprises a thermal image.

15. A system, comprising:

a handheld computing device; and

an application executable in the at least one computing device, wherein when executed the application causes the handheld computing device to at least:

render for display a checklist of a plurality of food items to be monitored for temperature in a food service establishment;

receive a selection of a particular food item from the plurality of food items;

receive a temperature reading for the particular food item from a handheld temperature sensor and an image capturing the use of the handheld temperature sensor in taking the temperature reading;

determine whether the handheld temperature sensor was inserted into the food item based at least in part on a reference image depicting proper insertion of the handheld temperature sensor into the particular food item; and

generate a report showing the temperature reading in association with the image.

16. The system of claim 15 , wherein when executed the application further causes the handheld computing device to at least determine whether the image shows a correct procedure in taking the temperature reading of the food item based at least in part on a comparison of the image to the reference image.

17. The system of claim 15 , wherein when executed the application further causes the handheld computing device to at least determine whether the image shows a correct procedure in taking the temperature reading of the food item based at least in part on a machine learning model trained based at least in part on a plurality of reference images associated with the food item that depict the correct procedure.

18. The system of claim 15 , wherein when executed the application further causes the handheld computing device to at least determine whether the image shows a correct procedure in taking the temperature reading of the food item based at least in part on a machine learning model trained based at least in part on a plurality of reference images that depict an incorrect procedure.

19. The system of claim 15 , wherein when executed the application further causes the handheld computing device to at least, in response to the selection, enter a countdown sequence for a user to place the handheld temperature sensor in the particular food item.

20. The system of claim 15 , wherein the report includes one or more indicia as to whether the image depicts a correct temperature reading in the particular food item.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 11, 2025
From: PARROTT, ADAM; SCHMITT, THOMAS; GRAY, ROBERT BRADFORD
To: CM SYSTEMS, LLC
Reel/Frame 070813/0329 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 31, 2025
From: CM SYSTEMS, LLC
To: WEBSTER BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 070077/0213 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 63196570 · Jun 3, 2021
Related Publication 20220390285A1 · Dec 8, 2022
References Cited (8)
US 10819905B1 · Liu · 2020 [cited by examiner]
US 11293805B1 · Riscalla · 2022 [cited by examiner]
US 20180313696A1 · Heller · 2018 [cited by examiner]
US 20200152312A1 · Connor · 2020 [cited by examiner]
US 20220000152A1 · Raybern · 2022 [cited by examiner]
US 20220151541A1 · Patel · 2022 [cited by examiner]
US 20220178755A1 · Riscalla · 2022 [cited by examiner]
US 20220187022A1 · Hannah · 2022 [cited by examiner]