Method and Device for Wireless Bed Bug Detection

Abstract

The present invention identifies bed bugs using a specially designed probing device designed to inspect the small, dark spaces between a mattress and box spring, under a bed and in small, narrow crevices of a bed or room where bed bugs are known to hide. The present invention captures an image of the inspected space with a camera, mirror and light component at the end of a probing unit and transmits the image wirelessly to a computing device for closer inspection and verification of the presence of a bed bug.

Claims

1. An apparatus for inspecting for bed bugs, the apparatus comprising: an endoscope; and a computing device.

2. The apparatus disclosed in claim 1, further comprising a mirror.

3. The apparatus disclosed in claim 1, further comprising a mirror and a light.

4. The apparatus disclosed in claim 1, further comprising a telescoping handle.

6. An apparatus for detecting bed bugs, the devise comprising: a light component; a camera component; and a telescoping handle for transmission of an image captured by the camera component to a receiving device.

7. The apparatus disclosed in claim 1, further comprising a removable shark fin attachment.

8. The apparatus disclosed in claim 1, further comprising a wireless connection.

9. A method for detecting bed bugs using the device described in claim 1, the method comprising: linking the device to a smart phone; inspecting a bed for bed bugs; and capturing images of an infestation with the device.

10. The method described in claim 8, further comprising a software application for inspecting, capturing and reporting bed bug infestations.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0023] FIG. 1 discloses one embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 2 discloses one embodiment of the present invention in a folded configuration, an open configuration and a 180 degree

[0025] FIG. 3 discloses one embodiment of the present invention wherein the telescoping feature of the endoscope is fully engaged.

[0026] FIG. 4 discloses another embodiment of the present invention wherein the telescoping feature of the endoscope is fully engaged.

[0027] FIG. 5 discloses one embodiment of the present invention wherein the endoscope is contained within the handle portion of the device.

[0028] FIG. 6 discloses one embodiment of the present invention wherein the endoscope is fully extended.

[0029] FIG. 7 discloses a USB port for charging the battery of the device's WiFi and camera unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] As used herein, the words or terms used herein have the following definitions:

[0031] A bed bug is a member of the Cimex lectularius species of insects that feed on human blood. It is a wingless hemipterous bug that is known to infest human dwellings.

[0032] An endoscope is an illuminated, ridged tubular instrument for inspection of bed bugs in a specified area.

[0033] A computing device is a smart phone, tablet, PC or other device that can receive image transmissions from a camera for inspection of bed bugs in a specified area.

[0034] A camera is a device that consists of a lightproof chamber with an aperture fitted with a lens and a shutter through which the image of an object is projected onto a surface for recording or for translation into electrical impulses.

[0035] A mirror is a polished, smooth surface that forms images by reflection.

[0036] A shark fin is a removable attachment for placement at the camera end of the present invention. It is designed to capture images on the mirror component of the invention for reflection onto the camera component of the invention so that images are not too far from or close to the camera and clear images may be captured. The shark fin functions to stabilize the device during inspection. A light component allows the image to be viewed on the mirror component and reflected on to the camera component.

[0037] An examiner is the person using the disclosed invention.

[0038] A wireless connection is a transmission that takes place without the use of a physical wire, cord or cable.

[0039] In one embodiment of the present invention, the device comprises an endoscope for capturing images of bed bugs in an inspected space.

[0040] In another embodiment of the present invention, the device further comprises a light component that is used to illuminate dark spaces for better inspection. In a preferred embodiment, the light is an LED light.

[0041] In another embodiment of the present invention, the device further comprises a mirror component. The mirror component is used to reflect images from an inspected surface for capture by the camera component.

[0042] In another embodiment of the present invention, the mirror and/or light components of the device may comprise a removable shark fin component. The shark fin component attaches to the camera end of the endoscope for capturing clear images of a bed bug in an inspected space. The image is captured at the optimal distance from the camera lens for viewing and transmission.

[0043] In one embodiment of the present invention, the endoscope includes a telescoping feature, which allows the user to access spaces that are difficult to reach. For example, it may be difficult for an examiner to crawl under a bed to inspect the middle of a box spring. Using the telescoping feature of the present invention, the camera end of the endoscope can reach the middle of a box spring for inspection and images of the space can be captured by the camera for transmission to a computing device.

[0044] The endoscope may also be used in a retracted position for inspection of small spaces near the examiner.

[0045] In another embodiment of the present invention, images captured by the camera are transmitted to a receiving device. A smart phone is a device commonly used by consumers; it is a preferred embodiment of the present invention that the computing device be a smart phone.

[0046] However, it is contemplated that a receiving device can be a smart phone, a tablet, a computer or other device that can be used to capture images transmitted by the camera.

[0047] In one embodiment of the present invention, the endoscope is attached to a computing device via wireless USB connection. Transmission from the camera to the computing device occurs wirelessly.

[0048] The device contains a USB port for charging the WiFi and camera components. The device also contains a power switch to turn the device on and off when not in use.

[0049] The present invention also discloses a method for detecting bed bugs using the apparatus disclosed herein. In one embodiment of the present invention, the endoscope is connected to a smartphone using a wireless connection. The endoscope is elongated so that the telescoping feature is enabled. The light attached to the endoscope is turned on. The examiner places the camera end of the endoscope against the area to be searched, including spaces between a mattress and a box spring, under a bed, behind a headboard and small cracks in the area surrounding the sleeping area. Images of the inspected space are captured and transmitted to a computing device. Where the transmitted image discloses a bed bug, the presence of a bed bug infestation in the inspected space is confirmed.

[0050] In one embodiment of the present invention the camera and the shark fin components can pivot up to 90 degrees from their default positions. The shark fin and camera components may pivot independently from on another or coupled together so that the components maintain the same distance from each other when pivoted. In another embodiment the shark fin and camera components can pivot up to 180 degrees from their default positions. In another embodiment the shark fin and camera components can pivot up to 360 degrees from their default positions.

[0051] The computing device may be attached to the handle by magnet, spring mount, clip, rubber band, hard case or silicon sleeve.

[0052] In one embodiment of the present invention, the endoscope portion folds into the handle portion of the invention for ease of storage and transport. The folded device is a compact product that takes up less space when the device is not in use.

[0053] In another embodiment of the present invention, a software program or mobile application on the computing device is used to guide inspection, instruct the examiner, capture images, save images, and/or transmit images to another device.