(12) United States Patent
`Khalessi et al.
`
`111111
`
`1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`US006633900B 1
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 6,633,900 Bl
`Oct. 14, 2003
`
`(54)
`
`MOBILE CREW MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
`FOR DISTRIBUTING WORK ORDER
`ASSIGNMENTS TO MOBILE FIELD CREW
`UNITS
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Amir Khalessi, Cary, NC (US); Sasan
`H. Ardalan, Cary, NC (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: ABB Inc., Raleigh, NC (US)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`09/509,100
`
`(22) PCT Filed:
`
`Jan.S, 1999
`
`(86) PCTNo.:
`
`PCT/US99/00497
`
`§ 371 (c)(l),
`(2), ( 4) Date: Apr. 26, 2000
`
`(87) PCT Pub. No.: W099/35549
`
`PCT Pub. Date: Jul. 15, 1999
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl? ....................... G06F 15/16; G06F 15/173;
`H04H 1!00; H04B 7/24
`(52) U.S. Cl. ....................... 709/202; 709/201; 709/223;
`709/224; 455/3.01; 455/39
`(58) Field of Search ................................. 709/202, 223,
`709/201, 224; 455/3.01, 39
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,655,219 A
`5,657,317 A
`5,752,246 A
`5,774,660 A
`5,918,016 A *
`6,047,327 A *
`6,535,493 B1 *
`
`.................. 370/338
`8/1997 Jusa et a!.
`8/1997 MahaBy et a!.
`............ 370/338
`5/1998 Rogers et a!.
`................ 707/10
`6/1998 Brendel et a!.
`. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 709/220
`6/1999 Brewer et a!.
`4/2000 Tso eta!. ................... 709/232
`................... 370/329
`3/2003 Lee et a!.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Primary Examiner-Krisna Lim
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Woodcock Washburn LLP
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A system for multi-crew management comprises an enter(cid:173)
`prise computing system, a mobile field unit, and wireless
`communication network which supports terminal control
`protocol/internet protocol (TCP/IP). The enterprise comput(cid:173)
`ing network comprises application programs through which
`work orders may be assigned and managed, various server
`machines containing data related to the work orders, a local
`area network (LAN) connecting the server machines, and a
`gateway to the TCP liP wireless network. A mobile field unit
`comprises a computing device and modem for communi(cid:173)
`cating over the wireless network to the enterprise computing
`system. A mobile field unit and each machine in the enter(cid:173)
`prise computing system has a unique IP address assigned to
`it. Accordingly, commands and data can be communicated
`freely between all machines.
`
`5,159,592 A
`
`10/1992 Perkins . ... .. ... ... ... ... ... .. . 370/85
`
`27 Claims, 18 Drawing Sheets
`
`Update database on enterprise
`computing system to indicate an
`assignment has been assigned to the
`field crew
`
`300
`
`302
`
`304
`
`306
`
`308
`
`310
`
`312
`
`In response to field crew input identifying an
`action was taken with respect to the assignment,
`update the detailed assignment data
`
`314
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 14, 2003
`
`Sheet 1 of 18
`
`US 6,633,900 Bl
`
`Enterprise
`Mobile Field
`Unit
`
`54
`
`Wireless Network
`
`)---·----- -----------------~
`
`------------------,
`52
`
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`
`I
`
`I
`I
`I
`I
`~-------------------------------------------~
`
`r---------------
`
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`
`I
`
`10~!
`
`FIG. 1
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 14, 2003
`
`Sheet 2 of 18
`
`US 6,633,900 Bl
`
`~ 82
`~~----~~ ~~4---+• ~a~
`
`81
`
`Remote
`Application
`
`Application
`Program
`
`80
`
`'
`
`\
`
`82
`
`~m5
`84 ~
`8
`II
`
`Wireless Communications
`
`50
`
`54
`
`52
`
`Downloaded
`HTML File
`
`92
`
`Web
`Browser
`
`90
`
`t ,-94
`
`Mapping Plug-in
`and/or Applet
`
`FIG. 2
`
`1;
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 14, 2003
`
`Sheet 3 of 18
`
`US 6,633,900 Bl
`
`At the enterprise u-1
`
`10
`
`system, storing an
`entry indicating the
`work order has
`been assigned
`~
`Transmitting to the LJ-11
`2
`field unit a first
`data file
`~
`At the field unit,
`launching a web v-
`
`browser and
`loading the web
`browser with the
`first data file
`
`'
`transmitting a Lr
`
`114
`
`116
`
`118
`
`computing system, u-
`
`At the field unit,
`
`request to the
`enterprise
`computing system
`for additional data
`~
`At the enterprise
`
`in response to the
`request from the
`mobile unit,
`retreiving a second
`data file
`+
`Transmitting to the
`mobile field unit
`the second data
`file
`
`FIG. 3
`
`0
`Lr12
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 14, 2003
`
`Sheet 4 of 18
`
`US 6,633,900 Bl
`
`80
`
`Application
`Program
`
`...
`
`...
`
`80
`
`e. . ~I,
`
`82
`
`81
`
`Remote
`Application
`
`'\. ~68 ~ ~60
`174"'" 166
`
`52
`
`1y 88
`I Display Message I
`
`Downloaded
`HTMLFile
`
`92
`
`I Alert Message
`
`Web
`Browser
`
`90
`
`t
`
`Mapping Plug-in
`and/or Applet
`94_}
`
`FIG. 4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 14, 2003
`
`Sheet 5 of 18
`
`US 6,633,900 Bl
`
`Update database on enterprise
`computing system to indicate an
`assignment has been assigned to the
`
`f300
`
`field crew •
`
`Notify the field
`crew of the
`assignment
`
`v3o2
`
`f--.....- 304
`
`~
`Verify the field
`crew identity
`~
`Notify the field ~306
`crew of successful
`login
`
`Retrieve and
`present a list of
`assignments to the
`
`Retrieve detailed
`assignment data
`for the selected
`
`v308
`
`v310
`
`•
`field crew •
`assigment •
`
`_;-312
`
`Display the
`detailed
`assignment data to
`the field crew
`+
`In response to field crew input identifying an v
`action was taken with respect to the assignment,
`update the detailed assignment data
`
`314
`
`FIG. 5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 14, 2003
`
`Sheet 6 of 18
`
`US 6,633,900 Bl
`
`At the enterprise J
`
`system, generating
`an alert
`HTMLpage
`
`320
`
`•
`Transmitting the
`alert HTML page
`and a command to
`open a web
`browser to the
`mobile field unit
`
`322
`
`LJ
`
`At the mobile field
`unit, launching a
`web browser and lf
`loading the web
`browser with the
`alert HTML file
`
`324
`
`FIG. 6
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 14, 2003
`
`Sheet 7 of 18
`
`US 6,633,900 Bl
`
`At the mobile field
`unit, upon a user
`clicking on a link in
`the alert HTML
`file, presenting a
`login form
`
`_;-330
`
`At the mobile field unit, after a fieldcrew has entered login 1
`f 332
`f-./
`data into said login form and submitted the data,
`transmitting login data to the enterprise computing system
`
`At the enterprise
`system, querying v334
`database to verify
`that login is correct
`
`FIG. 7
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 14, 2003
`
`Sheet 8 of 18
`
`US 6,633,900 Bl
`
`At the enterprise
`system, generating
`on-the-fly a
`successful login
`HTMLpage
`
`3 40
`
`1
`
`Transmitting the
`successful login
`HTML page to the
`mobile field out
`
`342
`~
`
`~
`
`a cookie having v
`
`344
`
`At the enterprise
`system, generating
`
`crew login data
`including a crew
`identifier
`
`Displaying the
`successful login
`346
`HTLM page in the __/
`web browser at the
`mobile field unit
`
`FIG. 8
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 14, 2003
`
`Sheet 9 of 18
`
`US 6,633,900 Bl
`
`unit, in response to _r-3
`
`50
`
`At the mobile field
`
`user clicking on a
`continue link,
`transmitting a
`request for a list of
`assignments
`
`At the enterprise
`system, in
`response to the
`request, querying
`the database for
`assignments
`
`352
`
`~
`
`At the enterprise v
`
`system, generating an
`assignment HTML
`page
`
`354
`
`Transmitting the
`356
`assignment HTML _ /
`page to the mobile
`field unit
`
`358
`~
`
`,
`At the mobile field
`unit, loading the
`assignment HTML
`page into a web
`browser
`
`FIG. 9
`
`

`

`d •
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`•
`
`1-IDI!XI
`
`EJ@
`
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`!"""
`
`Status
`ENROUTE
`ACCEPTED
`ACCEPTED
`ACCEPTED
`
`Ei,
`If§!* mld9D014
`
`Assignment # Map#
`me
`Show Me
`131.6
`Show Me
`7356
`ShowM~
`Show Me
`1ill
`
`Outaae# Hazard #Affected Cust #Priority Duration Outage Type
`15:5
`75320 0
`SERVICE XFMR
`9
`0
`75319 0
`SERVICE XFMR
`16:0
`0
`2
`15:5
`75358 0
`CUSTOMER
`1
`0
`15:5
`75339 0
`CUSTOMER
`1
`0
`IIABBII
`
`II REFRESH
`
`W Crew Assignment - Netscape
`File Edit View Go Communicator ttelp
`! ~ • Bookmarks li Go to: I assgn.htm
`"S:l ~ ~ ~ a
`r8 g
`t;·
`¢•
`i
`j
`Print
`Home
`Search Guide
`Security
`Forward Reload
`Back
`:
`c1" New&Cool bl Netcenter
`JA Instant Uessage Q Internet
`cJ'Lookup
`:
`:
`
`Stop
`
`Crew Assignment Summary
`For346
`
`(c) 1998 ABB Power T&D
`II Document Done
`lrlll
`
`FIG. 10
`
`

`

`fii Crew Assignment - Netscape
`File Edit View Go "ommunicator Help
`i ~ • Bookmarks Ji Go to: I assgn.htm
`!l" ~ ~ Ji ~ ~ ril g
`<r
`!
`!
`Home
`Bad<
`Security
`Print
`Forward Reload
`Search Guide
`:
`/l Instant Message Q Internet
`dLookup cj New&Cool Q Netcenter
`i
`
`Stop
`
`Crew Assignment Detail Form
`
`bE] !B)
`
`EJ[E
`
`....
`
`d •
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`•
`
`0
`I")
`!"""
`
`CURRENT STATUS: ENROUTE
`Assignment#
`7296
`75320
`Outage#
`Device Category SERVICE TRANSFORMER
`1071002
`Device 10
`
`Primary Report Name
`Primary Report Address
`Primary Report Phone
`Primary Report Time
`
`Device Name
`
`Symptoms
`
`Address
`
`155 N. Main 107-1 002-25
`
`Customer Comment
`
`BARTLETI MORTGAGE, INC.
`00155 N. MAIN ST 108
`(901) 9999999
`11/2311998 17:00:38
`LIGHTS: OUT
`EXTENTS: OUT
`POLE: BROKEN
`CUent drove through main lobby, then backed up
`into pole
`
`!!Accepted !!Rejected II Enroute II Arrived !I complete II Cause Located II CANCEL )I ABB II
`
`lrlll
`
`llDocument Done
`
`(c) 1998 ABB Power T&D
`
`== • -
`II• m~<l>l4 FIG. 11
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 14, 2003
`
`Sheet 12 of 18
`
`US 6,633,900 Bl
`
`At the mobile field unit, in response to
`a crew member clicking on a particular
`assignment, transmitting a request for
`data regarding the assignment
`
`360
`
`At t~e enterprise
`computing system,
`querying the
`database for
`assignment data
`
`I r 362
`v
`
`1
`
`.r 364
`At the enterprise
`computing system, ~
`generating a detailed
`assignment data
`HTMLpage
`
`Transmitting the detailed
`assignment data
`HTML page to the
`mobile field unit
`
`v366
`
`At the mobile field
`unit, loading the detailed
`assignment data
`HTML page into
`the web browser
`
`L-r368
`
`FIG. 12
`
`

`

`1 ci, Instant Message 9 Internet
`
`d Lookup [j New&Cool
`
`(;I Netcenter
`
`Update Cause I Equip Form
`
`Cause category I ANIMALJBIRD
`1~1
`ANIMAL/BIRD
`Equip. Category I DJST LINE • OH I ~ I DIST LINE- OH
`Est. Restore time 112109/1998 09:54 I f2/09/f998 09:54
`112109/1998 09:54 I 12/09/1998 09:54
`Est. Arrive time
`
`II CANCELli
`
`(c) 1998 ABB Power T&D
`
`d •
`\Jl
`•
`
`0
`I")
`!"""
`
`FIG. 13
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 14, 2003
`
`Sheet 14 of 18
`
`US 6,633,900 Bl
`
`unit, in response to v3
`
`70
`
`At the mobile field
`
`crew input as to
`the status of the
`assignment,
`transmitting the
`updated status
`data
`
`,~
`
`At the enterprise
`system, updating l.r
`372
`the status data in
`the database
`
`~·
`At the enterprise
`system, alerting a
`dispatcher to the
`changed status
`data
`
`...__.,-
`
`374
`
`FIG. 14
`
`

`

`d •
`\Jl
`•
`
`0
`I")
`!"""
`
`Iii Map Plugin - Netscape
`File Edit View Go Communicator Hel
`
`Go to: ht1p:/lhomelmaps/5979_M-1.HTM
`
`CADOPS Plugin
`
`y
`
`1094438
`
`1090838
`
`1080038
`
`1076438 1068940
`
`1072540
`
`1076140
`X
`
`1079740
`
`1083340
`
`1086940
`
`FIG. 15
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 14, 2003
`
`Sheet 16 of 18
`
`US 6,633,900 Bl
`
`At field unit,
`transmitting a ~200
`request to the
`enterprise
`computing system
`for data
`+
`At the enterprise
`computing system,
`in response to the
`request from the
`mobile unit.
`retreiving the
`map file
`+
`Transmitting to the LJ204
`mobile field unit
`the map file
`
`Lf202
`
`Loading the web Lf206
`browser with the
`map file
`
`'
`'
`
`Upon activation of
`a map link,
`requesting from
`the enterprise
`computing system,
`secondary map
`data
`
`'
`
`At the enterprise
`computing system,
`retrieving the
`secondary map
`data
`L
`
`u-208
`
`u-210
`
`FIG. 16
`
`Transmitting the
`secondary map
`data to the mobile
`field unit
`
`212
`
`v-
`
`214
`
`Loading the lf
`
`secondary map
`data in the web
`browser
`
`Transmit request ~
`to update data
`
`216
`
`Update data in v-
`
`database
`
`218
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 14, 2003
`
`Sheet 17 of 18
`
`US 6,633,900 Bl
`
`58
`
`Wireless Network
`
`Enterprise
`-----------
`Mobile Field
`Unit
`
`r------------------------ ------------------,
`I
`l
`52
`
`I
`
`I
`I
`I
`I
`
`I
`
`I
`
`I
`1
`I
`I
`
`!
`
`ID~l
`
`FIG. 17
`
`I
`I
`I
`I
`L-------------------------------------------~
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 14, 2003
`
`Sheet 18 of 18
`
`US 6,633,900 Bl
`
`Listen for
`electronic packets
`
`r
`Update database
`
`,
`Notify dispatcher
`
`,~
`
`Generate a report
`
`FIG. 18
`
`

`

`US 6,633,900 Bl
`
`1
`MOBILE CREW MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
`FOR DISTRIBUTING WORK ORDER
`ASSIGNMENTS TO MOBILE FIELD CREW
`UNITS
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`This patent is a national phase filing of PCT Patent
`Application PCT/US99/00497 filed Jan. 8, 1999.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`This invention relates generally to management informa(cid:173)
`tion systems and more particularly to automated systems and
`methods for work order assignment and field communica(cid:173)
`tion.
`
`5
`
`2
`systems, however, have used proprietary technology.
`Further, maintenance of prior systems typically has required
`manually updating individual nodes of the system through
`non-network means.
`Although these existing systems are useful, there is a need
`for more advanced two way data communication between
`field personnel and a central office. In particular, there is a
`need for a system whereby tasks can be assigned and
`automatically communicated to field personnel with little or
`10 no dispatcher intervention. Field personnel should be able to
`access on-line the most up-to-date data related to the work
`order. Additionally, there is a need for a system whereby
`field personnel are able to update system records to reflect
`physical changes resulting from their work as well as update
`15 system records to reflect changed work order status.
`Furthermore, such a system should use non-proprietary
`technologies and be easily maintained.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`Businesses such as utility companies which deploy
`numerous employees over a wide geographic area to service
`a dispersed infrastructure or client base are faced with the 20
`particularly cumbersome task of communicating work
`assignments and related data to personnel that are dispersed
`in the field. For example, a utility company is faced with the
`daunting task of maintaining an infrastructure that spans a
`potentially very large geographic area. When outages occur 25
`in a utility grid, field personnel must be dispatched to
`address the problem. Typically, field personnel are already in
`the field when new service tasks or work orders are gener(cid:173)
`ated. Thus, utility companies are faced with the very com(cid:173)
`plex task of receiving work orders, identifying field person- 30
`nel that are best suited for the job as dictated by training,
`experience, and proximity to the work area, and communi(cid:173)
`cating to field personnel that a particular work order has
`been assigned to them. In response, field personnel must
`communicate to the dispatching operator an acceptance or 35
`rejection of the work order. Furthermore, if a work order is
`accepted, it may be necessary to gather information and data
`regarding the work order. Such data may include for
`example the type of equipment that is to be serviced, the
`maintenance history of the particular equipment item, and 40
`information regarding other equipment in close proximity.
`Upon completion of the work order, field personnel are
`responsible for updating the central office with information
`on the status of the work order as well as any changes that
`may have been made to the infrastructure as a result of the 45
`work order. Of course other types of organizations such as
`delivery companies, facilities maintenance companies, and
`any other types of organization which must assign work and
`communicate data regarding those assignments to personnel
`already deployed in the service area are faced with similar 50
`problems.
`Generally, field personnel and centralized dispatching
`operations communicate by two-way voice systems such as
`wireless phone or radio. Such systems allow for communi(cid:173)
`cation of voice and in some cases, with the advent of fax 55
`machines, data. But by either voice of fax, the amount and
`type of information that can be easily communicated to field
`personnel is limited. Indeed, while all of the relevant data
`necessary for completing a task may be located in a central
`office, very little of it can be communicated to field person- 60
`nel. For this reason, field personnel carry with them infor(cid:173)
`mation resources such as maps and data sheets.
`Unfortunately, these often quickly become outdated which
`can lead to a dangerous work environment for field person(cid:173)
`nel.
`Of course, systems have previously been developed to
`facilitate work assignment and data communication. These
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`Briefly, the present invention provides a system for
`assigning work orders, communicating work orders to
`deployed field personnel, and communicating at the request
`of field personnel, up-to-date data related to an assigned
`work order. The system comprises an enterprise computing
`system, a mobile field unit, and wireless communication
`network which supports terminal control protocol/internet
`protocol (TCP/IP). The enterprise computing network com(cid:173)
`prises application programs through which work orders may
`be assigned and managed, various server machines contain(cid:173)
`ing data related to the work orders, a local area network
`(LAN) connecting the server machines, and a gateway to the
`TCP!IP wireless network. A mobile field unit comprises a
`computing device and modem for communicating over the
`wireless network to the enterprise computing system. A
`mobile field unit and each machine in the enterprise com(cid:173)
`puting system has a unique IP address assigned to it.
`Accordingly, commands and data can be communicated
`freely between all machines.
`According to another aspect of the invention there is
`provided a method for managing work order assignments.
`There is also disclosed a method for distributing map data.
`According to still another aspect of the invention there is
`provided a method for monitoring communications in the
`system.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`Other features of the invention are further apparent from
`the following detailed description of presently preferred
`exemplary embodiments of the invention taken in conjunc(cid:173)
`tion with the accompanying drawings, of which:
`FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system in accordance
`with the present invention;
`FIG. 2 is a diagram of software components of a system
`in accordance with the present invention;
`FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of process in accordance with the
`present invention for assigning a work order to a field crew;
`FIG. 4 is diagram of software components and data flows
`in a system in accordance with the present invention;
`FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a process in accordance with
`the present invention for distributing work order assignment
`data to a field crew having a mobile field unit;
`FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a process in accordance with
`the present invention for notifying the field crew of an
`65 assignment;
`FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a process in accordance with
`the present invention for verifying the field crew identity;
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`FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of a process in accordance with
`the present invention for notifying the field crew of a
`successful login;
`FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of a process in accordance with
`the present invention for retrieving and presenting a list of 5
`assignments to the field crew;
`FIG. 10 is an illustration of an exemplary screen showing
`a list of work order assignments that have been assigned to
`a field crew;
`FIG. 11 is an illustration of an exemplary screen for
`displaying detailed assignment data;
`FIG. 12 is a flow diagram of a process in accordance with
`the present invention for retrieving detailed assignment data
`for a selected assignment;
`FIG. 13 is an illustration of an exemplary screen for
`entering data related to the cause of an outage;
`FIG. 14 is a flow diagram of a process in accordance with
`the present invention for updating assignment data in
`response to an action taken by a field crew;
`FIG. 15 is an illustration of an exemplary screen for
`displaying map data;
`FIG. 16 is a flow diagram of a process in accordance with
`the present invention for gathering and displaying map data;
`FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of a system in accordance
`with the present invention in communication with a paging
`system and a digital personal communication system; and
`FIG. 18 is a flow diagram of a process in accordance with
`the present invention for monitoring work order assignment. 30
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT
`
`15
`
`20
`
`10
`
`4
`LAN 68 supports TCP/IP and each of machines 56, 60, 62,
`64 and 66 is uniquely identified with an IP address. Gateway
`70 provides a communication connection between LAN 68
`and wireless TCP/IP network 54.
`In a typical application of the inventive system, enterprise
`computing system 50 is located at a central office or opera(cid:173)
`tions center. As is explained in greater detail below with
`reference to FIG. 2, work orders are processed and input to
`the enterprise computing system using any one of several
`application programs. Data which field personnel may
`require to complete their assigned tasks is located on servers
`56, 60, 62, and 64 and may be accessed by field personnel
`using mobile field unit 52.
`Mobile field unit 52 comprises computing device 72
`which may be a portable computer, a personal digital assis(cid:173)
`tant (PDA), or similar device. Typically computing device
`72 comprises random access memory (RAM), web browser
`software for internet and intranet communications, and an
`interactive display mechanism. Computing device 72 may
`also include: storage capability (flash or electro-
`mechanical), a serial interface, an audio playback device,
`and software to support a TCP/IP protocol stack and point(cid:173)
`to-point protocol (PPP).
`Mobile field unit 72 may also comprise wireless radio
`25 modem 74. Wireless radio modem 74 provides a means for
`communicating over wireless network 54 between comput(cid:173)
`ing device 72 and enterprise computing system 50. Wireless
`radio modem 74 supports PPP protocol and TCP/IP protocol
`over wireless radio network 54. Wireless radio modem 74
`may be internal or external to computing device 72.
`Mobile field unit 52 optionally may comprise a wireless
`two-way voice communication device 76. Device 76 may be
`integrated with computing device 72 or may be a separate
`radio device, cellular phone, or digital cellular phone.
`Each field crew is assigned a mobile field unit 52. Thus,
`although only one is shown in FIG. 1, numerous mobile field
`units 52 may be deployed and operating at once. As noted,
`each mobile field unit 52 has an IP address assigned to it.
`Further, enterprise computing system 50 comprises a data-
`40 base of entries indicating for each field unit, the field crew
`which has the unit. Thus, when a work order is assigned to
`a particular field crew, the inventive system automatically
`routes the appropriate commands and data as described
`below to the appropriate mobile field unit 52. Field crews are
`45 free to access enterprise computing system 50 to gather data
`that may be helpful in completing the assigned work order.
`Wireless radio network 54 provides TCP/IP communica(cid:173)
`tion between enterprise computing system 50 and mobile
`computing device 52. As previously noted, each mobile field
`50 unit 52 is given a unique IP address. Similarly, machines on
`enterprise computing network 50 are given a unique IP.
`Because wireless radio network 54 supports TCP/IP, routing
`of data and commands between mobile field units 52 and
`enterprise computing system 50 can be accomplished by
`existing network techniques. Further, mobile field units 52
`can be arranged into various network configurations such as
`subnets and intranets and in theory, if the appropriate
`gateways are arranged, can be accessed via the Internet.
`IP addressing allows for commands to be routed to, and
`data accessed from any machine in the network. Thus, data
`and/or a command may be transmitted via gateway 70 to
`wireless radio network 54 and delivered at any particular
`mobile field unit 52. Similarly, data and/or a command may
`be transmitted from mobile computing device 52 via modem
`74 to wireless network 54 which delivers the data and/or
`command to a particular machine designated by a unique IP
`address on enterprise computing system 50.
`
`The present invention provides a multi-crew management
`system. More particularly the management system is an 35
`automated system for the distribution of work orders and
`related materials to field personnel dispersed over a wide
`geographic area. A work order, which may be any type of
`description of a particular task, are assigned using a cen(cid:173)
`tralized enterprise computing system and are communicated
`over a wireless network to field personnel having mobile
`computing units. Field personnel can use a mobile field unit
`to access the enterprise computing system and gather infor(cid:173)
`mation about the work order as well as to update the
`enterprise computing system with details regarding the
`status of the work order. Thus, a system in accordance with
`the present invention provides two-way communication and
`work order automation with minimum dispatcher/operator
`interference.
`FIG. 1 graphically depicts a system in accordance with the
`invention. As shown, the inventive system comprises enter(cid:173)
`prise computing system 50, mobile field unit 52, and wire(cid:173)
`less communication network 54 operably connecting the
`two.
`Enterprise computing system 50 may comprise database 55
`servers 56 for fielding requests to data stored in database 58,
`hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) servers 60 for fielding
`requests for web page data, monitoring server 62 for accept(cid:173)
`ing and providing data regarding the status of work orders,
`and file servers 64. While each of servers 56, 60, 62, and 64 60
`is represented by a separate machine in FIG. 1, in some
`embodiments of the enterprise system a single machine may
`be configured to perform all of these operations. An enter(cid:173)
`prise computing system may also comprise workstations 66
`from which various application programs may be accessed. 65
`Servers 56, 60, 62, and 64 and workstations 66 are inter(cid:173)
`connected through an Ethernet local area network (LAN) 68.
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`Preferably, wireless network 50 employs native TCP/IP.
`However, any network type may be employed provided it
`can be adapted to support TCP/IP. Thus, wireless network 54
`may be any of the following network types: a CDPD public
`network (packet-switched); a radio packet-switched network 5
`(adapted for TCP/IP); a tariff/non-tariff-based network; or a
`Personal Communication Systems network( circuit(cid:173)
`switched). A system in accordance with the invention can be
`implemented at any location that one of these network types
`exists.
`Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD) is an open standard
`public network. In one embodiment of the present invention,
`modem 74 is a CDPD modem which is assigned a unique 32
`bit IP address. The IP address becomes the unique identifier
`associated with mobile field unit 52.
`Typically, where CDPD networking technology is
`employed, network connection between mobile field unit 52
`and enterprise computing system 50 can be maintained
`continuously. Thus, with a CDPD communications network,
`the connection between the enterprise system 50 and mobile
`field units 52 does not require call setup or dial-in/dial-out
`specifications. The transfer of data between enterprise sys(cid:173)
`tem 50 and mobile field unit 52 is immediate or within
`seconds via a virtual TCP!IP circuit which maintains con(cid:173)
`tinuous two-way traffic across the CDPD packet-switched
`data system. Any data packet originating from either the
`enterprise system 50 or mobile field unit 52 is delivered
`almost immediately.
`In an alternative embodiment, wireless network 54 may
`be a Personal Communications System (PCS) network. With
`a cellular network the communications can be either digital
`or analog across a circuit-switched data system. In a circuit(cid:173)
`switched data system the connection between enterprise
`computing system 50 and mobile field unit 52 must be
`established via an initiation call. Thus, call setup and dial-in
`dial-out specifications are required to deliver or receive data.
`When a call is complete, the TCP liP circuit is terminated and
`communication between enterprise system 50 and the
`mobile field unit 52 is unavailable. In an embodiment of the 40
`present inventive system where PCS communication is
`employed, analog modems may be deployed in both enter(cid:173)
`prise computing system 50 and mobile field units 52. The
`analog modems convert modulated digital data to be trans(cid:173)
`lated over the voice band of a cellular phone.
`In still another embodiment of the present invention,
`wireless network 54 may comprise a radio (wireless) packet(cid:173)
`switched network which does not support TCP/IP. Like
`TCP/IP-based CDPD communications, radio packet(cid:173)
`switched networks can transmit and receive packet data 50
`anytime without call setup. These networks include both
`public proprietary data networks (e.g., ARDIS and RAM)
`and private radio networks (e.g., DATA TAC). However,
`because the inventive system relies upon TCP/IP, in order to
`employ such networks it is necessary to use third party
`equipment such as that provided by PADCOM Incorporated
`to allow such a network to support TCP/IP.
`Enterprise computing system 50 and mobile field unit 52
`comprise various software components. FIG. 2 is a diagram
`of software components comprised in a system in accor(cid:173)
`dance with the present invention. As shown, in enterprise
`computing system 50, numerous application program com(cid:173)
`ponents or clients 80 may exist. Preferably these are written
`using the JAVA programming language so as to be operable
`on platforms running various operating systems. Each appli(cid:173)
`cation 80 may serve a particular purpose with respect to
`managing work orders and monitoring the progress of those
`
`6
`work orders. It should be noted that there may be multiple
`instances of the same application 80 running at any one time.
`Furthermore, remote applications 81 from outside system 50
`may also occasionally access system resources.
`Enterprise computing system 50 also comprises database
`server software 82 which may be, for example, an Oracle
`database server. Indeed, there may be multiple databases 82
`in one system 50. Database server software 82 manages
`work order data as well as other business related data. For
`10 example, in the case of a utility, databases 82 might com(cid:173)
`prise detailed equipment data and map data.
`Enterprise computing system further comprises HTTP
`servers 84 which may be, for example, a Netscape or Apache
`HTTP server. HTTP servers 84 are operable to field requests
`15 from all machines but particularly from web browsers
`located in mobile field unit 52. HTTP servers 84 are operable
`to launch or invoke stored procedures or common gateway
`interface programs (CGI) to implement actions initiated by
`field crew members at mobile field unit 52. The CGI is a
`20 mechanism which allows data to be transferred from a
`browser to a program residing on the server via the HTTP
`server such that the program processes the data (usually
`parameters) and can deliver results back to the browser via
`the HTTP server. It should be noted that by invoking stored
`25 procedures it is meant that HTTP server 84 which has been
`delivered the name of a stored procedure within a database,
`can cause the stored procedure to execute via an interme(cid:173)
`diate program passing it parameters. The stored procedure
`can generate data which it can deliver to a program such as
`30 a web browser via HTTP server 84. The stored procedure
`typically accesses database tables.
`Monitor server software 85 accepts updates from appli(cid:173)
`cations 80 indicating that a work order has been assigned.
`Monitor server software 85 also accepts updates as to
`whether the work order was received at field unit 52 and
`whether it was accepted by the field crew. Monitor server 85
`also provides a report generation feature.
`Mobile field unit 52 comprises mobile server application
`86. Mobil server application 86 services requests from
`enterprise computing system 50 to mobile field unit 52. In a
`preferred embodiment, mobile server 86 is written in the
`JAVA programming language which allows for mobile
`server 86 to run on numerous hardware platforms running
`45 various operating systems such as Windows, Mac OS, or
`Unix. Mobile server 86 is multi-thr