“At-Home Drug Testing” in Patent Application Approval Process (USPTO 20240038385): Patent Application

2024 FEB 15 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Insurance Daily News -- A patent application by the inventor Nienstedt, Zachary Carl (Wilton Manors, FL, US), filed on July 31, 2023, was made available online on February 1, 2024, according to news reporting originating from Washington, D.C., by NewsRx correspondents.

This patent application has not been assigned to a company or institution.

The following quote was obtained by the news editors from the background information supplied by the inventors: “Use of telehealth to deliver healthcare services has grown consistently over the last several decades and has experienced very rapid growth in the last several years. Telehealth can include the distribution of health-related services and information via electronic information and telecommunication technologies. Telehealth can allow for long distance patient and health provider contact, care, advice, reminders, education, intervention, monitoring, and remote admissions. Often, telehealth can involve the use of a user or patient’s personal user device, such as a smartphone, tablet laptop, personal computer, or other device. For example, a user or patient can interact with a remotely located medical care provider using live video, audio, or text-based chat through the personal user device. Generally, such communication occurs over a network, such as a cellular or internet network.

“Remote or at-home healthcare testing and diagnostics can solve or alleviate some problems associated with in-person testing. For example, health insurance may not be required, travel to a testing site is avoided, and tests can be completed at a testing user’s convenience. However, remote or at-home testing introduces various additional logistical and technical issues, such as guaranteeing timely test delivery to a testing user, providing test delivery from a testing user to an appropriate lab, ensuring adequate user experience, ensuring proper sample collection, ensuring test verification and integrity, providing test result reporting to appropriate authorities and medical providers, and connecting testing users with medical providers who are needed to provide guidance and/or oversight of the testing procedures remotely.”

In addition to the background information obtained for this patent application, NewsRx journalists also obtained the inventor’s summary information for this patent application: “For purposes of this summary, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features are described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize the disclosures herein may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves one or more advantages taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.

“All of the embodiments described herein are intended to be within the scope of the present disclosure. These and other embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, having reference to the attached figures. The invention is not intended to be limited to any particular disclosed embodiment or embodiments.

“A remotely proctored drug test system and method for at-home drug testing may overcome test security and integrity concerns while providing convenience and privacy to the test taker by providing a virtual proctored testing session wherein a test taker is observed during some or all of the testing by a remote proctor.

“Systems, methods, and graphical user interfaces for remotely proctored, at-home drug testing are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a video connection, an audio connection, and/or a real-time messaging service may be established between a user device and a supervising user device for the purposes of conducting remote drug testing. User interface data may be sent to the user device to display various instructions to assist in the remote drug testing, such as instructions for providing an image of user identification or instructions for collecting a sample or developing results. User interface data may also be sent to the supervising user device for the purposes of supervising the remote drug testing, such as for verifying the user identification or recording the results.

“In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a computer-implemented method for remote drug testing, the method including: receiving, from a user device, first user input data verifying that a user has not performed oral consumption for a period of time; directing the user device to perform a check of components involved in the remote drug testing; sending, to the user device, first user interface data for displaying instructions for the user to follow prior to beginning the remote drug testing; receiving, from the user device, second user input data initiating the remote drug testing; upon receiving the second user input data, establishing a video connection, an audio connection, and a real-time messaging service between the user device and a supervising user device; sending, to the user device, second user interface data for displaying instructions to provide an image of a user identification via their user device; facilitating transmittal, from the user device to the supervising user device, the image of the user identification; receiving, from the supervising user device, a verification of the user identification; sending, to the user device, an image of a test; receiving, from the user device, third user input data confirming that the test matches a user test; facilitating transmittal, from the user device to the supervising user device, an image of the user test; receiving, from the supervising user device, a confirmation that the user test is not expired; sending, to the user device, third user interface data for displaying instructions to collect a sample and instructions to develop results of the user test from the sample; facilitating transmittal, from the user device to the supervising user device, results of the user test; receiving, from the supervising user device, a recordation of the results of the user test; generating a report based on the recordation of the results of the user test; and sending the report to the user device.

“In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a computer-implemented method, wherein the supervising user device is a proctor device. In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a computer-implemented method, wherein the user identification is an identification card for the user. In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a computer-implemented method, wherein the method further includes: sending, to the user device, instructions illustrating components of the user test and explaining how the components will be used. In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a computer-implemented method, wherein the method further includes: sending the report to an employer, government agency, or an insurance agency.

“In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a computer-implemented method, wherein the method further includes: collecting video data from the user device during the remote drug testing; and analyzing the video data to check that the user test is within view of a camera of the user device throughout the remote drug testing. In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a computer-implemented method, wherein the method further includes: collecting video data from the user device during the remote drug testing; analyzing the video data to check that the user test is within view of a camera of the user device throughout the remote drug testing; and upon determining that the user test is not within view of the camera of the user device throughout the remote drug testing, invalidating the results of the user test.

“In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a computer-implemented method, wherein the method further includes: sending, to the supervising user device, fourth user interface data for verifying the user identification. In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a computer-implemented method, wherein the method further includes: sending, to the supervising user device, fourth user interface data for confirming that the user test is not expired. In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a computer-implemented method, wherein the method further includes: sending, to the supervising user device, fourth user interface data for recording the results of the user test.

“In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a non-transient computer readable medium containing program instructions for causing a computer to perform a method for remote drug testing, the method including: receiving, from a user device, first user input data verifying that a user has not performed oral consumption for a period of time; directing the user device to perform a check of components involved in the remote drug testing; sending, to the user device, first user interface data for displaying instructions for the user to follow prior to beginning the remote drug testing; receiving, from the user device, second user input data initiating the remote drug testing; upon receiving the second user input data, establishing a video connection, an audio connection, and a real-time messaging service between the user device and a supervising user device; sending, to the user device, second user interface data for displaying instructions to provide an image of a user identification via their user device; facilitating transmittal, from the user device to the supervising user device, the image of the user identification; receiving, from the supervising user device, a verification of the user identification; sending, to the user device, an image of a test; receiving, from the user device, third user input data confirming that the test matches a user test; facilitating transmittal, from the user device to the supervising user device, an image of the user test; receiving, from the supervising user device, a confirmation that the user test is not expired; sending, to the user device, third user interface data for displaying instructions to collect a sample and instructions to develop results of the user test from the sample; facilitating transmittal, from the user device to the supervising user device, results of the user test; receiving, from the supervising user device, a recordation of the results of the user test; generating a report based on the recordation of the results of the user test; and sending the report to the user device.

“In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a non-transient computer readable medium, wherein the supervising user device is a proctor device. In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a non-transient computer readable medium, wherein the user identification is an identification card for the user. In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a non-transient computer readable medium, wherein the method further includes: sending, to the user device, instructions illustrating components of the user test and explaining how the components will be used. In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a non-transient computer readable medium, wherein the method further includes: sending the report to an employer, government agency, or an insurance agency.”

There is additional summary information. Please visit full patent to read further.”

The claims supplied by the inventors are:

“1. A computer-implemented method for remote drug testing, the method comprising: receiving, from a user device, first user input data verifying that a user has not performed oral consumption for a period of time; directing the user device to perform a check of components involved in the remote drug testing; sending, to the user device, first user interface data for displaying instructions for the user to follow prior to beginning the remote drug testing; receiving, from the user device, second user input data initiating the remote drug testing; upon receiving the second user input data, establishing a video connection, an audio connection, and a real-time messaging service between the user device and a supervising user device; sending, to the user device, second user interface data for displaying instructions to provide an image of a user identification via their user device; facilitating transmittal, from the user device to the supervising user device, the image of the user identification; receiving, from the supervising user device, a verification of the user identification; sending, to the user device, an image of a test; receiving, from the user device, third user input data confirming that the test matches a user test; facilitating transmittal, from the user device to the supervising user device, an image of the user test; receiving, from the supervising user device, a confirmation that the user test is not expired; sending, to the user device, third user interface data for displaying instructions to collect a sample and instructions to develop results of the user test from the sample; facilitating transmittal, from the user device to the supervising user device, results of the user test; receiving, from the supervising user device, a recordation of the results of the user test; generating a report based on the recordation of the results of the user test; and sending the report to the user device.

“2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the supervising user device is a proctor device.

“3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the user identification is an identification card for the user.

“4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises: sending, to the user device, instructions illustrating components of the user test and explaining how the components will be used.

“5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises: sending the report to an employer, government agency, or an insurance agency.

“6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises: collecting video data from the user device during the remote drug testing; and analyzing the video data to check that the user test is within view of a camera of the user device throughout the remote drug testing.

“7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises: collecting video data from the user device during the remote drug testing; analyzing the video data to check that the user test is within view of a camera of the user device throughout the remote drug testing; and upon determining that the user test is not within view of the camera of the user device throughout the remote drug testing, invalidating the results of the user test.

“8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises: sending, to the supervising user device, fourth user interface data for verifying the user identification.

“9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises: sending, to the supervising user device, fourth user interface data for confirming that the user test is not expired.

“10. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises: sending, to the supervising user device, fourth user interface data for recording the results of the user test.

“11. A non-transient computer readable medium containing program instructions for causing a computer to perform a method for remote drug testing, the method comprising: receiving, from a user device, first user input data verifying that a user has not performed oral consumption for a period of time; directing the user device to perform a check of components involved in the remote drug testing; sending, to the user device, first user interface data for displaying instructions for the user to follow prior to beginning the remote drug testing; receiving, from the user device, second user input data initiating the remote drug testing; upon receiving the second user input data, establishing a video connection, an audio connection, and a real-time messaging service between the user device and a supervising user device; sending, to the user device, second user interface data for displaying instructions to provide an image of a user identification via their user device; facilitating transmittal, from the user device to the supervising user device, the image of the user identification; receiving, from the supervising user device, a verification of the user identification; sending, to the user device, an image of a test; receiving, from the user device, third user input data confirming that the test matches a user test; facilitating transmittal, from the user device to the supervising user device, an image of the user test; receiving, from the supervising user device, a confirmation that the user test is not expired; sending, to the user device, third user interface data for displaying instructions to collect a sample and instructions to develop results of the user test from the sample; facilitating transmittal, from the user device to the supervising user device, results of the user test; receiving, from the supervising user device, a recordation of the results of the user test; generating a report based on the recordation of the results of the user test; and sending the report to the user device.

“12. The non-transient computer readable medium of claim 11, wherein the supervising user device is a proctor device.

“13. The non-transient computer readable medium of claim 11, wherein the user identification is an identification card for the user.

“14. The non-transient computer readable medium of claim 11, wherein the method further comprises: sending, to the user device, instructions illustrating components of the user test and explaining how the components will be used.

“15. The non-transient computer readable medium of claim 11, wherein the method further comprises: sending the report to an employer, government agency, or an insurance agency.

“16. The non-transient computer readable medium of claim 11, wherein the method further comprises: collecting video data from the user device during the remote drug testing; and analyzing the video data to check that the user test is within view of a camera of the user device throughout the remote drug testing.

“17. The non-transient computer readable medium of claim 11, wherein the method further comprises: collecting video data from the user device during the remote drug testing; analyzing the video data to check that the user test is within view of a camera of the user device throughout the remote drug testing; and upon determining that the user test is not within view of the camera of the user device throughout the remote drug testing, invalidating the results of the user test.

“18. The non-transient computer readable medium of claim 11, wherein the method further comprises: sending, to the supervising user device, fourth user interface data for verifying the user identification.

“19. The non-transient computer readable medium of claim 11, wherein the method further comprises: sending, to the supervising user device, fourth user interface data for confirming that the user test is not expired.

“20. The non-transient computer readable medium of claim 11, wherein the method further comprises: sending, to the supervising user device, fourth user interface data for recording the results of the user test.”

URL and more information on this patent application, see: Nienstedt, Zachary Carl. At-Home Drug Testing. U.S. Patent Application Number 20240038385, filed July 31, 2023 and posted February 1, 2024. Patent URL (for desktop use only): https://ppubs.uspto.gov/pubwebapp/external.html?q=(20240038385)&db=US-PGPUB&type=ids

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