Patent rights for infrared held by HomeSafe inspection

[Erol Kartal]

Originally Posted by cpennick

Oh crap I used another smiley I think I owe someone some money for that

Carl, too many smileys will earn you an infraction.

[Rick Maday]

Originally Posted by cpennick

Oh crap I used another smiley I think I owe someone some money for that

Cha-ching!

[Dan Bowers, CMI]

Oh *****. I went to a HI seminar and while there looked at Thermal Imaging Cameras. I also walked around the building trying out the IR cameras.

One of the distributors lent me one of his demo units for 3 days and while inspecting a house, I used the IR. If I read this post right I'm now licensed and owe fees OR something similar.

Not to be rude, but in this poor economy I think I would almost welcome some bottom feeder approaching me with this type of scam OR demand letter. Especially if they had any corporate assets to get. I believe I could find a contingency attorney in my area that could help me find $$$$$$ relief from the chest pains, impotency, migraines, stress, etc, etc I've suffered since being approached by Scumdog Inc.

[James E. Braun, CMI]

Originally Posted by dharris

Is this topic like ITA going out of business, just another page of the nacho enquire, read by millions, believed by few.

If I recall the author of this topic hears imaginary ashi members discussing how they are going to control the HI profession, and put him out of business.

Had to much cat nip, Dan? The day an ASHI member puts me out of business is the day that ASHI gets some ethics. And like that is going ever happen. How about you go sniff yourself and pass out.

[relliott]

Ha ha good one Mr Braun

Somebody please e-mail these guys and ask how much they want.

[James E. Braun, CMI]

See #1 or attachments on #35 posts.

[Joe Farsetta]

I just patented the process of walking, blinking, and chewing gum at the same time.

I remember speaking with Mr. Lee some time ago with regard to whether they wanted their inspectors to receive state-approved training while I was in Tennessee. I am approved in Tennessee and Mississippi. Should I say, I was SUPPOSED to hear from him. Never did, and I do not believe Homesafe inspectors attended.

As to Homesafe's patented "process", I will look into it. The patent can, most likely, be challenged and overturned. This is especially true when orgs such as ASTM, ANSI, and ISO are involved.

When I teach our introduction to infrared thermography course, I actually use the Homesafe picture wherein the caption states "see through walls". This is EXACTLY the problem with marketing hype screwing with realities of proven technology. I use it as an example of how NOT to advertise.

I'd characterize their claim (ad) as false advertising.

[Joe Farsetta]

I have just read the patent regarding HomeSafe and one of their patented processes. As one who has actually written patents which have also been approved by the USPTO, I am actually shocked that this oparticular patent was approved. One of the things which will prohibit approval of a patent is if its claims are "obvious". I believe a majority of the patent process I read is just that.

Three things that stood out were 1) the references to ISO and ASTM standards, 2) an apparatus for holding the camers in a safe manner (duh) like a camers harness or strap, and 3) creating a temperature differential between inside and outside air by activating the home's heating or cooling system and allowing them to run for a while.

What a hoot...

Inspectors and thermographers should start writing letters to the USPTO over Patent #7,445,377.

Additionally, this patent could potentially bridge over to using the process of turning on the heat or AC to detect if these systems are working. After all, the way to know if the heat works immediately is to walk into a warm house from the cold outside. A temperature differential needs to exist for such an observation to be made... right?

Perhaps a patent is needed for the proper procedure for wiping one's ***** for the lefty, righty, and ambidexterous. The process should always start by turning the light on, ensuring that a window or exhaust fan operates, test flushing the toilet, and ensuring that toilet paper is present and in adequate supply. A working sink with soap and drying mechanism should also be present.

[David P. Valley]

Hey guys, I just detected Termites in a wall with my IR camera...



If HomeSafe has a problem with my findings and they want their IR Termite finding patent fees, they can contact me.

What a freakin joke!

[Carl Pennick]

Originally Posted by jfarsetta

I just patented the process of walking, blinking, and chewing gum at the same time.

That's Muti tasking looks like you will not get any money out of me.

[Gerry Beaumont]

Originally Posted by jfarsetta

I have just read the patent regarding HomeSafe and one of their patented processes. As one who has actually written patents which have also been approved by the USPTO, I am actually shocked that this particular patent was approved. One of the things which will prohibit approval of a patent is if its claims are "obvious". I believe a majority of the patent process I read is just that.

I agree Joe, I also have some experience with patent applications and it appears to me that the patent application examiner was snowed, he or she did not appear to do the required research covering existing process and equipment

Three things that stood out were 1) the references to ISO and ASTM standards, 2) an apparatus for holding the camers in a safe manner (duh) like a camers harness or strap, and 3) creating a temperature differential between inside and outside air by activating the home's heating or cooling system and allowing them to run for a while.

As a side note, a client booked one of this companies inspectors for a thermal inspection of a property I did the full inspection on, the guy was badly trained and the much vaunted equipment was less effective than a BCam SD that I also had access to at the inspection.

The equipment they are trying to lease is a stand alone IR camera hard wired into a mini DVD recorder, all built on a common shoulder mounted harness, frankly the contraption looks amaturish. (see image on their web site).

Regards

Gerry

[Joe Farsetta]

As the largest HI Association, I believe it would be in our best interests is we took this up as a project. Absent of a challenge, the patents remain in effect. Frankly, each one of them stinks to high heavens. The potential harm to HIs using this technology is obvious. This particular patent was filed for back in 2003, before the explosion in IR use.

They must be challenged and defeated, IMO. We may also need to team with ISO, ASTM, and ANSI.

HomeSafe is targeting inspectors. Funny, as we are the ones absent of $$$ needed to defend ourselved individually in court. They know precisely where the soft spoots are. We can start with letters to the USPTO, followed by NACHI retaining a patent attorney for the actual challenge.

[Gerry Beaumont]

Originally Posted by jfarsetta

As the largest HI Association, I believe it would be in our best interests is we took this up as a project. Absent of a challenge, the patents remain in effect. Frankly, each one of them stinks to high heavens. The potential harm to HIs using this technology is obvious. This particular patent was filed for back in 2003, before the explosion in IR use.

Joe, you read my mind, we should be getting on the front foot over this, I would also contend that their application filed in 2003 should not have been granted as the equipment and its application in our markets were already well know by 2003 (FLIR were attending HI trade shows and demonstrating their equipments use prior to then)

They must be challenged and defeated, IMO. We may also need to team with ISO, ASTM, and ANSI.

Agreed, with their patents referencing existing standards, those standards orgs should be interested in this (if only to protect the validity of said standards)

HomeSafe is targeting inspectors. Funny, as we are the ones absent of $$$ needed to defend ourselves individually in court. They know precisely where the soft spots are. We can start with letters to the USPTO, followed by NACHI retaining a patent attorney for the actual challenge.

It does appears that they are indiscriminately targeting inspectors, some of who are not even using IR equipment (there's a word for that isn't there )

Regards

Gerry

[Kevin R. Weiss]

Gerry and Joe,

I believe you are absolutely correct. This is an obvious use of a technology, a testing tool much like a multimeter, combustible gas detector, or moisture meter. But they did get the patent approved so we need to fight it as a group. I think it is very appropriate to get those organizations involve as well as some of the camera manufacturers who have been marketing to inspectors for some time.

I think Homesafe is absolutely planning to target individuals that they believe cannot fight back and will pay the licensing fee rather than risk losing money they cannot afford.

[Rick Maday]

Originally Posted by kweiss

I think Homesafe is absolutely planning to target individuals that they believe cannot fight back and will pay the licensing fee rather than risk losing money they cannot afford.

Already has happened. That's why this thread got started.