111111
`
`1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`US008494581B2
`
`c12) United States Patent
`Barbosa et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 8,494,581 B2
`*Jul. 23, 2013
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`(54) SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR
`MANAGEMENT OF MOBILE FIELD ASSETS
`VIA WIRELESS HANDHELD DEVICES
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Frank A. Barbosa, Carrollton, TX (US);
`Luis M. Ortiz, Albuquerque, NM (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Riulistro Solutions NY, L.L.C., Dover,
`DE (US)
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`5,202,817 A
`4/1993 Koenck et a!.
`5,444,615 A
`8/1995 Bennett eta!. ................ 364/401
`5,561,446 A
`10/1996 Montlick ...................... 345/173
`5,566,069 A
`10/1996 Clark
`5,907,829 A *
`5/1999 Kida ............................ 705/7.16
`5,917,405 A
`6/1999 Joao
`(Continued)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`408055161 A
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`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
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`Stolowitz Ford Cowger LLP; Related Case Listing; Dec. 1, 2010; 1
`Page.
`
`(Continued)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 837 days.
`
`JP
`
`This patent is subject to a terminal dis(cid:173)
`claimer.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 12/547,363
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Aug. 25, 2009
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2009/0312052 AI
`
`Dec. 17,2009
`
`Primary Examiner- Melur Ramakrishnaiah
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm- Stolowitz Ford Cowger
`LLP
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`(63) Continuation of application No. 11/262,699, filed on
`Oct. 31, 2005, now Pat. No. 7,593,751, which is a
`continuation of application No. 09/955,543, filed on
`Sep. 17,2001, now Pat. No. 6,961,586.
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/233,120, filed on Sep.
`18, 2000.
`
`(51)
`
`(2006.01)
`
`Int. Cl.
`H04M 1100
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`USPC ...................... 455/556.1; 455/566; 455/90.03
`(58) Field of Classification Search
`CPC ....... G06Q 10/06; G06Q 10/087; G06Q 50/08;
`G06Q 10/00
`USPC ............ 455/556.1, 556.2, 66.1, 90.01, 90.02,
`455/90.03; 705/7, 400, 500
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`Communication from enterprise servers to handheld devices
`in the field supports dispatch, data synchronization, logistics
`and personnel. Bi-directional data delivery from enterprise(cid:173)
`based servers over wireless data networks is enabled using
`wireless capabilities resident in handheld personal comput(cid:173)
`ing devices. Real time communications facilitates real-time
`access to remote programs, assistance and/or information
`related to the field operations and asset (personnel and inven(cid:173)
`tory) resource management. Management is facilitated for at
`least one of: construction industry project analysis, HVAC
`system analysis, project management, equipment readiness
`inspection, troubleshooting, inventory tracking, inventory
`ordering, sales (e.g., providing cost estimates to customers),
`customer invoicing, conducting legal investigations, field
`data collection, and multi-user remote function coordination.
`
`24 Claims, 9 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
` 1
`
` of 19
`
`FedEx Exhibit 1001
`
`

`

`US 8,494,581 B2
`Page 2
`
`709/223
`
`348/15
`705/1
`202/158
`715/748
`
`707/505
`705/7.25
`
`340/505
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`5,935,209 A
`8/1999
`Budhraja et al.
`5,938,721 A
`8/1999
`Dussell
`5,990,932 A
`1111999
`Bee eta!.
`6,064,968 A
`5/2000
`Schanz
`6,083,353 A
`7/2000
`Alexander, Jr.
`6,166,734 A * 12/2000
`Nahi eta!.
`6,172,620 B1
`Brick
`112001
`Stiegemeier eta!.
`6,192,381 B1
`2/2001
`6,216,108 B1 *
`LeVander
`4/2001
`Terahama et a!.
`6,256,661 B1
`7/2001
`6,305,603 B1
`10/2001
`Grunbok et a!.
`6,317,039 B1
`1112001
`Thomason
`6,338,053 B2
`Uehara eta!.
`112002
`6,385,510 B1
`5/2002
`Hoog et al.
`6,393,271 B1 *
`Dougherty .................... 455/411
`5/2002
`Swaminathan et a!.
`6,425,525 B1
`7/2002
`6,532,360 B1 *
`Shaffer ...................... 455/404.1
`3/2003
`6,549,917 B1*
`Pollard eta!.
`4/2003
`111
`6,556,976 B1*
`4/2003
`Callen.
`705/37
`6,587,835 B1 *
`Treyz et al.
`705/14.64
`7/2003
`6,650,647 B1
`1112003
`Ishikawa et a!.
`370/400
`6,662,193 B1
`12/2003
`Christensen
`707/104.1
`6,947,976 B1 *
`Devitt eta!.
`709/219
`9/2005
`Barbosa
`6,961,586 B2
`1112005
`6,971,063 B1
`1112005
`Rappaport
`7,064,749 B1
`Enmei
`6/2006
`Herbert
`7,139,564 B2
`1112006
`Barbosa
`7,593,751 B2
`9/2009
`Mahany eta!.
`7,712,669 B2
`5/2010
`200110011308 A1 *
`Clark et al.
`8/2001
`
`715/733
`
`710/20
`
`200110018663 A1
`2002/0029208 A1
`2002/0065728 A1 *
`
`8/2001 Dussell
`3/2002 Josephson
`5/2002 Ogasawara
`
`705/23
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`McCullouch, Bob eta!.; "Construction Field Data Acquisition with
`Pen-BasedComputers"; May/Jun. 1993; vol. 119; Purdue University
`School of Civil Engineering; pp. 374-384.
`Williams, Trevor; "Applying Portable Computing and Hypermedia to
`Construction"; May/Jun. 1994; vol. 10; Department of Civil Engi(cid:173)
`neering, Rutgers-The State University; pp. 41-45.
`McCullouch, Bob; "Automating Field Data Collection in Mainte(cid:173)
`nance Operations"; Purdue University School of Civil Engineering;
`Aug. 21, 1997; pp. 1-25.
`Crow Ed et a!.; "Wireless Handheld Electronic Devices Assisting
`Emergency Medical Field Personnel"; Pennsylvania State University
`Applied Research Laboratory; Aug. 16, 2000; 11 pages.
`El-Omari Samir eta!.; "Data Acquisition from Construction Sites for
`Tracking Purposes"; Concordia University, Montreal Canada,
`Department of Building, Civil and Environmental Engineering;
`1994; pp. 1-13.
`Morrow, M. Wireless: The key to Real-time Damage Assessment, Jun.
`2002.
`Rapid Application Development Tool for Mobile Solutions,
`FieldWorker Products Ltd.
`OmniOne Mobile Communications Solution, QualComm.
`Mobile Field Service Solutions, Accenture.
`Field Service Market Overview, Symbol Technologies, Inc.
`Mobile Field Service-An Applications Blueprint, FieldCentrix.
`* cited by examiner
`
`
`
` 2
`
` of 19
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 23, 2013
`
`Sheet 1 of9
`
`US 8,494,581 B2
`
`FIG.
`
`24
`
`26
`
`30
`
`14
`
`FIG. 2
`
`10
`
`36
`
`10
`
`PIG. 4
`
`n42
`
`44
`
`~---{]
`FIG. 3
`
`~-l,._/10
`46--[g_j
`FIG. 5
`
`
`
` 3
`
` of 19
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 23, 2013
`
`Sheet 2 of9
`
`US 8,494,581 B2
`
`10~~
`
`10'~~
`
`59
`
`FIG. 6
`
`
`
` 4
`
` of 19
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 23, 2013
`
`Sheet 3 of9
`
`US 8,494,581 B2
`
`Find location
`
`Begin program
`
`Obtain client-specific
`information
`
`Identify assessment
`problem
`
`Information
`Requested from assessor
`
`Information provided by
`assessor
`
`Data is compiled
`
`701
`
`702
`
`703
`
`705
`
`706
`
`707
`
`708
`
`Information analyzed
`by handheld device
`
`Information provided
`to remote computer
`for analysis
`
`709
`
`Output provided to
`handheld device
`
`710
`
`FIG. 7
`
`
`
` 5
`
` of 19
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 23, 2013
`
`Sheet 4 of9
`
`US 8,494,581 B2
`
`Identify Job/date
`
`Select/Begin program
`with instructions
`
`Provide size of building
`
`Provide structural
`characteristics information
`
`Provide information on
`building use
`
`Provide location-based
`marketing information
`
`Proposed payment method
`
`Compile data
`
`801
`
`802
`
`803
`
`805
`
`806
`
`807
`
`808
`
`809
`
`Information analyzed
`by handheld device
`
`Information provided
`to remote computer
`for analysis
`
`810
`
`Output provided to
`handheld device
`
`811
`
`FIG. 8
`
`
`
` 6
`
` of 19
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 23, 2013
`
`Sheet 5 of9
`
`US 8,494,581 B2
`
`Device-server
`synchronization
`
`I
`Task completion
`
`90
`6--..__
`
`I
`Device-server v
`
`synchronization
`
`v
`
`901
`
`902
`
`903
`
`I
`Updated instruction
`created by server
`
`904
`
`/
`
`I
`
`Unfinished/new task v
`
`prepared for assignment to
`a new user
`
`905
`
`FIG. 9
`
`
`
` 7
`
` of 19
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 23, 2013
`
`Sheet 6 of9
`
`US 8,494,581 B2
`
`program selected
`
`steps
`
`are completed
`
`1001
`
`1003
`
`/
`
`1004
`
`Operational readiness v
`I
`User provided assessment v 1002
`1
`Run report after all steps v
`I
`Recommendation
`provided
`-~
`
`Report provided to remote v 1005
`
`server for
`archiving/ analysis
`
`FIG.JO
`
`
`
` 8
`
` of 19
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 23, 2013
`
`Sheet 7 of9
`
`US 8,494,581 B2
`
`Start inventory program
`
`1101
`
`--------
`
`Identify service schedule /
`
`1102
`
`Synchronize schedule
`with inventory manager
`
`Obtain product/part
`availability status
`
`Obtain product/part
`consistent with schedule
`
`1103
`
`1104
`
`1105
`
`/
`
`/
`
`/
`
`FIG. II
`
`
`
` 9
`
` of 19
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 23, 2013
`
`Sheet 8 of9
`
`US 8,494,581 B2
`
`Start legal investigation
`program
`
`Identify legal issue
`
`Instructions provided to
`
`1201
`
`1202
`
`1203
`
`1204
`
`Data stored on handheld
`
`Data provided to remote
`server
`
`/
`
`1205
`
`FIG.12
`
`
`
`10 of 19
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 23, 2013
`
`Sheet 9 of9
`
`US 8,494,581 B2
`
`Remote operator provided
`with instructions from
`portable device
`
`1301
`
`-----
`
`remote resource
`
`1302
`
`I
`Communication
`established by device with -----
`1
`Support provided to v 1303
`I
`Data provided to remote v 1304
`
`remote operator
`
`server
`
`FIG.J3
`
`
`
`11 of 19
`
`

`

`US 8,494,581 B2
`
`1
`SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR
`MANAGEMENT OF MOBILE FIELD ASSETS
`VIA WIRELESS HANDHELD DEVICES
`
`APPLICATION PRIORITY
`
`2
`If an operator in the field was provided with guidance,
`access to supplemental information and/or years of experi(cid:173)
`ence (e.g., lessons learned by senior personnel), field opera(cid:173)
`tions might proceed more accurately and professionally.
`Field operators, however, are unlikely to have reasonable
`means to efficiently access the information or the information
`can not be updated. Materials typically used in the field can
`include reference materials such as codes, regulations, inven-
`tory and price lists.
`Personal digital assistant (PDA) is a generic name used for
`a device belonging to a family of portable handheld data
`managing devices well known in the art. Another word used
`to refer to such devices is the word "Smartphone." Currently,
`handheld data management devices such as PDAs or Palm
`15 PCs can have as much computing power as desktop personal
`computers and can be used in a wide variety of applications,
`including wireless communication (infrared and radio fre(cid:173)
`quency), GPS (global positioning system) mapping, Internet
`access and database storage. Web-phones are also being intro-
`20 duced into the wireless marketplaces that have PDA-like
`capabilities.
`Handheld data management devices are generally enabled
`with wireless connectivity to data sources over, for example,
`the connection-oriented Transmission Control Protocol/In-
`25 ternet Protocol (TCP/IP) or message oriented TME/X proto(cid:173)
`col. Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD) is a TCP/IP based
`technology that supports Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) or
`Serial Line Internet Protocol (SLIP) wireless connections to
`mobile devices. Cellular service is generally available
`30 throughout the world from major service providers. With
`CDPD, data can be transferred over switched Public
`Switched telephone Network (PSTN circuits or packet(cid:173)
`switched networks. Global System for Mobile Communica(cid:173)
`tion (GSM) and Personal Communications Systems (PCS)
`35 networks operate in the 800 MHz, 900 MHz, and 1900 MHz
`range. PCS provides narrowband digital communications in
`the 900 MHz range for paging, and broadband digital com(cid:173)
`munications in the 1900 MHz band for cellular telephone
`service. In the U.S. as of the priority date for the present
`40 embodiments, PCS 1900 is identical to GSM 1900. GSM
`operates in the 900 MHz, 1800-1900 MHz frequency bands.
`GSM 1800 is widely used throughout Europe and throughout
`many parts of the world. In the U.S., GSM 1900is the same as
`PCS 1900; thus, these two technologies are compatible.
`The Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) network is a
`digital wireless network that defines how a single channel can
`be segmented into multiple channels using a pseudo random
`signal (or code) to identify each user's information. Because
`CDMA spreads each call over more than 4.4 trillion channels
`50 across the entire frequency band, it is more immune to inter(cid:173)
`ference than TDMA or other current wireless networks and
`can support more users per channel in some situations. Time
`Division Multiple Access (TDMA) cellular/wireless systems
`are currently deployed throughout the wireless communica(cid:173)
`tion markets. Wide band CDMA (W-CDMA), which is called
`CDMA 2000 in North America, will be implemented in the
`U.S.A. in the near future. W-CDMA is a true 3G wireless
`technology. W-CDMA increases transfer rates by using mul(cid:173)
`tiple 1.25 MHz cellular channels compared to the single
`channel currently used by CDMA 1.
`The General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) network is a
`2.5G technology that bridges the gap between the current
`wireless technologies and the next generation of wireless
`technologies known as 3G wireless technologies. GPRS is a
`packet-data transmission technology. GPRS will work with
`CDMA and TDMA, and it supports X.25 and IP communi(cid:173)
`cations protocols. It will also enable features like Voice over
`
`This application claims priority as a Continuation of non(cid:173)
`provisional patent application Ser. No. 11/262,699 filed Oct.
`31,2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,593,751, entitled "Conducting
`Field Operations Using Handheld Data Management 10
`Devices," which has been allowed and is also a Continuation
`of nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 09/955,543,
`entitled "Field Assessment Using Handheld Data Manage(cid:173)
`ment Devices", filed Sep. 17,2001, which has issued as U.S.
`Pat. No. 6,961,586, and also claims priority to Provisional
`Patent Application Ser. No. 60/233,120, entitled "Field
`Assessment Using Handheld Data management Devices,"
`filed Sep. 18, 2000. The prior patent applications are all herein
`incorporated by reference.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention is generally related to systems and
`methods of managing mobile assets in the field such as per(cid:173)
`sonnel, equipment and inventory via communications with
`handheld data management devices (e.g., personal digital
`assistants, handheld computers, two-way pagers, Web/WAP(cid:173)
`enabled telephony, etc.) located in the field. More particu(cid:173)
`larly, the present invention is related to systems and methods
`in the management of mobile field assets via wireless hand(cid:173)
`held devices.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`Limitations that have been experienced with the growth of
`services in many of the professions, trades and industries can
`be attributed to the expansion of remote or distributed field
`activities, such as situation/location assessments, estimates or
`appraisals. New technology and less experienced personnel
`may be undertaking the initial tasks of customer interaction,
`sales, data collection and/or the analysis and troubleshooting
`of problems in the field. Personnel in field are usually
`required to collect data regarding a field situation that is
`generally be used later by more senior, experienced and/or
`responsible personnel to make decisions (business, technical, 45
`administrative and/or political). Even the most experienced
`professionals may find themselves lacking access to critical
`information or support that would be helpful in undertaking
`field operations. Efficiency in the remote dispatching of per(cid:173)
`sonnel given personnel vs. customer or field locations, as well
`as asset and inventory control can also be improved.
`As an example of a field situation, individuals in the con(cid:173)
`struction industry are often responsible for carrying out field
`assessments and providing estimates. The consequences of
`under bidding a project in the construction field can be very 55
`costly and/or can affect performance and quality of services/
`activities related to the underbid project. In cases where a
`project cost estimate, or bid, must be provided for a construc(cid:173)
`tion project, a business owner or senior journeymen can
`oftentimes be compelled to personally go to the field and 60
`collect information regarding a project in order to render a
`realistic and profitable bid because an inexperienced estima-
`tor might render an inaccurate appraisal. Construction project
`estimates require an accurate assessment and analysis of a
`job-site/projects in order to develop the data/facts necessary 65
`for an estimate to be rendered regarding use oflabor, materi-
`als and completion time for a project.
`
`
`
`12 of 19
`
`

`

`US 8,494,581 B2
`
`3
`IP (VOIP) and multimedia services. Bluetooth is a Personal
`Area Network (PAN) technology. Adopted by a consortium of
`wireless equipment manufacturers called the Bluetooth Spe(cid:173)
`cial Interest Group (BSIG), it is emerging as a global standard
`for low cost wireless data and voice communication. The
`current specification for this standard is the 2.4 GHz ISM
`frequency band.
`Bluetooth technology is based on a short-range radio trans(cid:173)
`mitter/receiver built into small application specific circuits
`(ASICs) and embedded into support devices. Initially, Blue(cid:173)
`tooth enabled devices will have 1 mw of transmitter power
`and will be capable of asymmetrical data transfers of up to
`721 Mbps over distances of 10M. The Bluetooth specifica(cid:173)
`tion permits up to 100 mw of power, which will increase the
`range to 100 M. In addition, it can support up to three voice
`channels. Using short data packets and frequency hopping of
`up to 1600 hops per second, it is a true 3G wireless technology
`that will enable a host of new applications and possibilities for
`wireless data communication. Wireless application protocol
`(WAP) and Extensible Markup Language (XML) are
`examples of current technology being used in wireless
`devices and system to provide Web-based (Internet) content
`on wireless devices.
`Despite the growing power and popularity of portable data
`management devices and the diverse telecommunications
`alternatives for data communication, few applications were
`available as of September 200 (the priority date for the
`embodiments herein) that directly relate to interactive or
`industry-specific programs providing management of associ(cid:173)
`ated data and providing users with access to daily business
`practices and procedures related to a particular industry.
`As of the priority date of the present embodiments (Sep. 18,
`2000), what was, and continue to be, needed in business,
`government and industry where field operators are utilized is
`a system and method for managing assets in the field via
`wireless handheld devices. Systems were, and remain,
`needed by businesses that could enable their field operators
`(e.g., users, operators, estimators, investigators, salesmen,
`and the like) to more efficiently and accurately operate in the
`field.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`It is an object of the present invention to provide a system
`and methods for managing asset in the field (e.g., personnel,
`equipment and/or inventory) via handheld devices.
`It is an aspect of the present invention to provide field
`operators portable access to industry-specific field data man(cid:173)
`agement programs ("programs") and data useful in carrying
`out field operations.
`It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a
`handheld data management device and solutions for assisting
`personnel in finding and conducting field operations.
`It is another aspect of the present invention to provide
`methods for field operations data synchronization and/or
`delivery using wireless capabilities resident in handheld per(cid:173)
`sonal computing devices. Data can be synchronized from
`handhelds with a server operating as their manager over a
`network using wireless radio transmission.
`It is another aspect of the present invention to provide for
`two-way communication between remote computing means
`(e.g., servers, desktop computers) andhandhelddata manage(cid:173)
`ment devices to facilitate real-time access to remote pro(cid:173)
`grams, assistance and/or information related to the field 65
`operations being undertaken by handheld data management
`device users.
`
`4
`A handheld device for use in the management of assets and
`data during operations in the field can include a server for
`operating at least one field data management program and
`managing remote assets in the field and field data; a micro(cid:173)
`processor for executing said at least one field data manage(cid:173)
`ment program; at least one field data management program
`stored within said memory and including instructions for
`enabling users to: find a field location, collect data at the field
`location, communicate with a remote server while at the field
`10 location, retrieve new data from the server that is associated
`with the collected data; a wireless communication module for
`providing access to the remote server by said handheld data
`management device; and a user interface adapted for enabling
`the handheld data management device user to interact with
`15 said at least one field data management program.
`A programming module containing field data management
`software can include software used to accomplish at least one
`of: construction industry project analysis, HVAC system
`analysis, project management, equipment readiness inspec-
`20 tion, troubleshooting, inventory tracking, inventory ordering,
`sales (e.g., providing cost estimates to customers), customer
`invoicing, conducting legal investigations, field data collec(cid:173)
`tion, and multi-user remote function coordination.
`A method of conducting a field operation using a handheld
`25 data management device can include the steps of providing
`access to an industry-specific field operations program mod(cid:173)
`ule; executing said program module to conduct a field opera(cid:173)
`tion; providing field-specific information required by said
`program module for said program module to render data from
`30 said module useful in support of said operations; and retriev(cid:173)
`ing data from said handheld data management device in sup(cid:173)
`port of said operations. The method can further include pro(cid:173)
`viding data to a remote resource (e. g., server or live expert) for
`analysis, and retrieving enhanced data from said remote
`35 resource for use in conducting the field operations.
`A method of conducting operations in the field utilizing a
`handheld data management device, can also include the steps
`of obtaining directions to a field location using positioning
`and navigation means provided through said handheld data
`40 management device; starting a program associated with the
`field problem; providing specific information required by the
`field data management program and related to the field prob(cid:173)
`lem; analysis of said specific information by said handheld
`data management device; and rendering output by said hand-
`45 held data management device for use in support of said field
`problem.
`The foregoing has outlined some of the more pertinent
`features of the present invention. These features should be
`construed to be merely illustrative of some of the more promi-
`50 nent features and applications of the invention. Many other
`beneficial results can be attained by applying the disclosed
`invention in a different manner or modifYing the invention as
`will be described. Accordingly, other aspects and a fuller
`understanding of the invention can be had by referring to the
`55 following Detailed Description of the preferred embodiment.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of
`60 the attendant advantages thereof will become readily appar(cid:173)
`ent with reference to the following detailed description, par(cid:173)
`ticularly when considered in conjunction with the accompa(cid:173)
`nying drawings, in which:
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable electronic device
`usable in accordance with methods of the present invention;
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram of various components of the
`device;
`
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`5
`FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a device including a commu(cid:173)
`nication module to facilitate communication of the device.
`FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an infrared communi(cid:173)
`cations link between the device and a personal computer;
`FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a GPS module associ(cid:173)
`ated with the device;
`FIG. 6 is an illustration of a basic operational environment
`for the handheld device and methods of the present invention;
`FIG. 7 illustrates a flow chart related to a construction
`industry in accordance with a method of the present inven- 10
`tion;
`FIG. 8 illustrates a flow chart illustrating a more specific
`operation relating to the HVAC industry;
`FIG. 9 illustrates a flow chart of a method relating to project
`management;
`FIG. 10 illustrates a flow chart outlining a method relating
`to equipment readiness;
`FIG. 11 illustrates a flow chart outlining a method relating
`to inventory tracking/ordering;
`FIG. 12 illustrates a flow chart illustrating a field operation 20
`relating to conducting a criminal investigation; and
`FIG. 13 illustrates a flow chart directed to multi-user func(cid:173)
`tions in accordance with carrying out aspects of the present
`invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`The present invention now is described more fully herein(cid:173)
`after with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
`preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. Like
`numbers refer to like elements throughout. This invention
`can, however, be embodied in many different forms and
`should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set
`forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that
`this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully
`convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.
`Aspects of the present invention are directed to assisting
`people in the field with operating in the field and, for example,
`rendering accurate assessments of a field situation, job, envi(cid:173)
`ronment, customer contact, project, etc. Reference to a par(cid:173)
`ticular field environment (e.g., projects within the construc(cid:173)
`tion industry) made throughout the description are provided
`for exemplary purposes only and should not be taken as a
`limitation of the present invention. The present invention
`provides portable, handheld data management devices (e.g.,
`handheld or palm computer/PC, PDA, smart phone, mobile
`telephony devices) with access to industry/profession-spe(cid:173)
`cific processes and applications that can enable users to be
`more productive while operating in the field.
`A handheld data management device in accordance with
`the present invention can be in the form of any one of a
`number of commercially available hand-held devices such as
`personal digital assistants (PDAs ), two-way pagers, and Web/
`WAP-enabledmobilephones. Referring to FIG.1, a device 10
`exemplary of a prior art PDA that could implement software
`and/or communication methods in accordance with carrying
`out methods of the invention is illustrated. The device 10
`includes an outer housing 12 sufficiently small to be easily
`portable such that it substantially fit within the palm of a users
`hand, a display 14 that can also preferably include touch(cid:173)
`screen technology to operate in combination with control
`buttons 16 to provide a User Interface (UI) for operating,
`controlling and/or otherwise interacting with the device 10.
`Not shown on the device 10, but well known in the art to be
`incorporated in such devices are communication ports (wired
`and wireless).
`
`6
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram of various components of the
`device 10. The device 10 includes a system bus or plurality of
`system buses 20 to which various resident components are
`coupled and by which communication between the various
`components is accomplished. A processor 22 is connected to
`the system bus 20 and is supported by a read only memory
`(ROM) 24 and a random access memory (RAM) 26. The
`ROM 24 contains among other code the code controlling
`basic hardware operations. The RAM 26 is the main memory
`into which the operating system and application programs are
`loaded. Also connected to this system bus 20 are various I/0
`controllers, including a controller 28 providing the hardware
`interface for the control buttons 16, and a controller 30 pro(cid:173)
`viding the hardware interface for the display 14. A controller
`15 32 provides the hardware interface for a speaker 34.
`One of the preferred implementations of the invention is as
`a set of instructions in a code module resident in the RAM 26
`of the device. The set of instructions can however be stored in
`some other computer memory such as a hard disk drive of a
`personal computer (PC) or even downloaded from a server via
`the Internet until required by the device 10. As shown in FIG.
`3, the device 10 can also include an integrated communication
`module 42 to facilitate wired and wireless communication.
`Communication can be had with remote resources 44 (e.g.,
`25 servers) through network and to enable monitoring and feed(cid:173)
`back of field assessment operations. Wireless communication
`module 42 can include digital communication technology
`and/or wireless modem for facilitating local area communi(cid:173)
`cation. The module 42 can also use cellular wireless technol-
`30 ogy such as Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD). CDPD is a
`method of transmitting data in small packets of information
`over existing cellular phone networks. CDPD is a fully digital
`network overlay, providing all the benefits of digital service,
`including lower error rates and lower costs. Communications
`35 module 42 provides wireless real-time access to servers and
`personnel in support of assessments, and can also provide
`more traditional information available over networks, (e.g.,
`e-mail, chat, Intranet and Internet information).
`As shown in FIG. 4, the device 10 can also communicate
`40 with a PC 36 through an infrared communications link 38 to
`exchange and update information both ways. This feature
`makes it particularly easy to update and change personal
`schedules as needed. The device 10 can include an integrated
`modem 40 to provide data transfer functions and for remote
`45 connectivity. This feature allows a person (such as a supervi(cid:173)
`sor, counselor or service representative) remote from the user
`to provide tasks, answers to queries, notes and other informa(cid:173)
`tion for use and display on the users device 10 using standard
`telecommunications technology (e.g., wired and wireless
`50 GSM, CDMA, CDPD, and paging networks).
`Referring to FIG. 5, the handheld device can also be
`equipped within a position module 46 to enable the handheld
`device to utilize positioning systems or methods known in the
`art such as satellite position (e.g., Global Positioning System
`55 (GPS)) or signal triangulation techniques. A GPS compatible
`system, for example, can be used to determine device location
`information and can also provide navigational assistance to
`users (e.g., to find a field problem/job) when used in combi(cid:173)
`nation with navigation software or resources, such as Internet
`60 mapping resources available from the World Wide Web. A
`navigation module can include positioning and navigational
`capabilities. Commercially available navigation technology
`will allow users to download a door-to-door route from any
`two locations in the U.S. The device can constantly update the
`65 user's current position and provide updated directions. This
`feature allows point to point navigational instructions to be
`provided to users in the field.
`
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`7
`In accordance with the present invention, a handheld
`device 10 can be interactive with the field operator when
`programs operated by the microprocessor ask questions or
`provide guidance related to a particular field problem. An
`interactive question and answer session can also include the
`provision of checklists and relevant data in support of a user
`dialogue with the device. Interactivity can also be provided to
`remote resources when two-way data communication is pro(cid:173)
`vided between the device and a remote server and/or support
`representative. As mentioned above, the present invention can
`be effectively practiced together with a client/server pro(cid:173)
`gramming environment. As is known by those skilled in this
`art, client/server is a model for a relationship between two
`computer programs in which one program, the client, makes
`a service request from another program, the server, which
`fulfills the request. Although the client/server model can be
`used by programs within a single computer, it is more com(cid:173)
`monly used in a network where computing functions and data
`can more efficiently be distributed amon