USOO696.1586B2
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Barb0sa et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 6,961,586 B2
`Nov. 1, 2005
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`(54)
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`(75)
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`(73)
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`(*)
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`(21)
`(22)
`(65)
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`(60)
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`(51)
`(52)
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`(58)
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`(56)
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`FIELD ASSESSMENTS USING HANDHELD
`DATA MANAGEMENT DEVICES
`
`Inventors: Frank A. Barbosa, Carrollton, TX
`(US); Luis M. Ortiz, Dallas, TX (US)
`Assignee: Field Data Management Solutions,
`LLC, Albuquerque, NM (US)
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 392 days.
`Appl. No.: 09/955,543
`Filed:
`Sep. 17, 2001
`
`Notice:
`
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2004/0192329 A1
`Sep. 30, 2004
`Related U.S. Application Data
`Provisional application No. 60/233,120, filed on Sep.
`18, 2000.
`
`Int. Cl................................................. H04M 1100
`U.S. Cl. ............................... 455/556.1; 455/566.2;
`455/90.3; 705/2
`Field of Search .......................... 455/556.1, 556.2,
`455/66.1, 90.1, 90.2, 90.3; 705/1, 2
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`5,444,615. A
`8/1995 Bennett et al. ................ 705/8
`5,561.446 A * 10/1996 Montlick .................... 345/173
`
`5.990,932 A * 11/1999 Bee et al. ................ 348/14.08
`6,064.968 A * 5/2000 Schanz .......................... 705/1
`6,083,353 A * 7/2000 Alexander, Jr. ...
`... 202/158
`6,172,620 B1
`1/2001 Brick et al. ................... 341/22
`6,650,647 B1
`11/2003 Ishikawa et al. ............ 370/400
`6,662,193 B1* 12/2003 Christensen ............. 707/104.1
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`2/1996 ........... G06F 17/60
`
`408055161. A
`JP
`* cited by examiner
`Primary Examiner-Melur Ramakrishnaiah
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`Systems for and methods of conducting field assessments
`utilizing handheld data management devices are diclosed.
`Methods and Systems for executing field assessments use
`handheld devices provide assessorSportable access to indus
`try-specific programs and data useful in carrying out a field
`assessment. Field assessment data Synchronization and/or
`delivery is enabled using wireleSS capabilities resident in
`handheld personal computing devices. Data may be Syn
`chronized with a Server over a network using wireleSS radio
`transmission, or directly to a computer WorkStation using
`wireleSS infrared or radio transmission or connected means
`(e.g., modems, cradles, docking Stations). It is another aspect
`of the present invention to provide for two-way communi
`cation between remote computing means (e.g., Servers,
`desktop computers) and handheld data management devices
`to facilitate real-time access to remote programs, assistance
`and/or information related to the field assessment being
`undertaken by using a handheld data management device
`USC.
`
`32 Claims, 9 Drawing Sheets
`
`GPS-assisted Navigation
`to worksite
`
`Begin program
`
`Obtain client-specific
`information
`
`70
`
`702
`
`703
`
`Identify assessment
`problem
`
`704
`1.
`
`Information
`Requested from assessor
`
`Information provided by
`aSSSS
`
`705
`
`706
`
`A.
`
`707
`
`708
`
`Information analyzed
`by handheld device
`
`
`
`Information
`provided to remote
`computer for anlysis
`
`709
`
`Output provided to
`handheld device
`
`710
`
`Instacart, Ex. 1005
`
`1
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 1, 2005
`
`Sheet 1 of 9
`
`US 6,961,586 B2
`
`
`
`FIC. 2
`
`10
`
`36
`
`10
`
`40-H
`
`38
`
`PC
`
`FIC. 3
`
`44
`
`DEVICE
`
`42
`----
`FIC. 4
`
`2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 1, 2005
`Nov. 1, 2005
`
`Sheet 2 of 9
`Sheet 2 of 9
`
`US 6,961,586 B2
`US 6,961,586 B2
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 6
`FIG. 6
`
`3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 1, 2005
`
`Sheet 3 of 9
`
`US 6,961,586 B2
`
`GPS-assisted Navigation
`to worksite
`
`Begin program
`
`Obtain client-specific
`information
`
`701
`
`702
`
`703
`
`Identify assessment
`problem
`
`704
`1.
`
`Information
`Requested from assessor
`
`Information provided by
`aSSeSSO
`
`s
`
`Data is compiled
`
`705
`
`706
`
`707
`
`708
`
`Information analyzed
`by handheld device
`
`
`
`Information
`provided to remote
`computer for anlysis
`
`709
`
`Output provided to
`handheld device
`
`710
`
`FIG. 7
`
`4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 1, 2005
`
`Sheet 4 of 9
`
`US 6,961,586 B2
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Identify Job?date
`
`Select/Begin program
`
`Size of building?
`
`Provide structural
`characteristics information
`
`Provide information on
`building use
`
`Provide location-based
`marketing information
`
`801
`
`802
`
`803
`
`805
`
`806
`
`Proposed payment method
`
`
`
`807
`
`
`
`
`
`Compile data
`
`809
`
`Information analyzed
`by handheld device
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Information provided
`to remote computer
`for analysis
`
`810
`
`Output provided to
`handheld device
`
`811
`
`FIG. 8
`
`5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 1, 2005
`
`Sheet 5 of 9
`
`US 6,961,586 B2
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`906
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Device-server
`synchronization
`
`Template/task completion
`
`
`
`
`
`Device-server
`synchronization
`
`Updated template created
`by server
`
`
`
`Unfinished/new task
`preapared for assignment
`tO to new lSer
`
`901
`
`902
`
`903
`
`905
`
`FIG. 9
`
`6
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 1, 2005
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`Sheet 6 of 9
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`US 6,961,586 B2
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`Operational readiness
`program Selected
`
`User provided assessment
`steps
`
`Run report after all steps
`are completed
`
`1001
`
`1002
`
`1003
`
`Recommendation
`provided
`
`1004
`1.
`
`Report provided to remote
`server for
`archiving/analysis
`
`
`
`1005
`
`FIG. It)
`
`7
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 1, 2005
`
`Sheet 7 of 9
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`US 6,961,586 B2
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`Start inventory program
`
`101
`
`Identify service schedule
`
`Synchronize schedule
`with inventory manager
`
`
`
`1 103
`
`
`
`
`
`Obtain product/part
`availability status
`
`Obtain product/part
`consistent with schedule
`
`1 104
`
`105
`
`FIG. II
`
`8
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 1, 2005
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`Sheet 8 of 9
`
`US 6,961,586 B2
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`Start criminal
`investigation program
`
`1201.
`
`
`
`
`
`Checklist provided to user
`
`1203
`
`1204
`
`
`
`Checklist data stored on
`handheld
`
`Checklist data provided to
`remote Server
`
`1205
`
`FIG. I2
`
`9
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 1, 2005
`
`Sheet 9 of 9
`
`US 6,961,586 B2
`
`Remote assessor provided
`with instruction
`
`1301
`
`
`
`Template provided by
`SerWer
`
`FIG. I.3
`
`10
`
`

`

`1
`FIELD ASSESSMENTS USING HANDHELD
`DATA MANAGEMENT DEVICES
`
`This application claims priority to Provisional Patent
`Application, Ser. No. 60/233,120, entitled “Field Assess
`ment Using Handheld Data management Devices, filed
`Sep. 18, 2000.
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention is generally related to applications
`for handheld data management devices (e.g., personal digital
`assistants, handled computers, two-way pagers, Web/WAP
`enabled telephony, etc.). More particularly, the present
`invention is related to Systems for and methods of conduct
`ing field assessments utilizing handheld data management
`devices.
`
`15
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`One problem with growth and demand for services in
`many of the professions, trades and industries wherein field
`assessments, estimates or appraisals are required is that leSS
`experienced personal may be undertaking the initial tasks of
`data collection and, Sometimes, the analysis and trouble
`shooting of problems in the field. Field perSonnel are usually
`required to collect facts regarding a situation in the field that
`may later be used by more Senior, experienced and/or
`responsible perSonnel to make decisions (business, techni
`cal, administrative and/or political). Even the most experi
`enced professionals may find themselves lacking access to
`critical information or support that would be helpful in
`undertaking field operations.
`Individuals in the construction industry, for example, are
`often responsible for carrying out field assessments and
`estimates. The consequences of under bidding a project in
`the construction field may be very costly and/or may 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 construction project, a busineSS
`owner or Senior journeymen may oftentimes be compelled to
`personally go the field and collect information regarding a
`project in order to render a realistic and profitable bid
`because an inexperienced estimators may render inaccurate
`appraisals. Construction project estimates require an accu
`rate assessment and analysis of a job Site/projects in order to
`develop the data/facts necessary for an estimate to be
`rendered regarding use of labor, materials and completion
`time for a project.
`If a field estimator was provided with guidance, access to
`Supplemental information and/or years of experience (e.g.,
`lessons learned by Senior personnel), field operations may
`proceed more accurately and professionally. A field estima
`tor, however, is unlikely to have reasonable means to effi
`ciently access the information or the information may not be
`updated. Materials typically used in the field may include
`reference materials. Such as codes, regulations and price lists.
`Personal digital assistant (PDA) is the generic name used
`for a device belonging to a family of portable handheld data
`managing devices well known in the art. Currently, handheld
`data management devices such as PDAS or Palm PCs can
`have as much computing power as Some desktop personal
`computers and have been used in a wide variety of appli
`cations, including wireless communication (infrared and
`radio frequency), GPS (global positioning System) mapping,
`Internet acceSS and database Storage. Web-phones are also
`being introduced to the wireleSS marketplace that have
`PDA-like capabilities.
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`US 6,961,586 B2
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`2
`Handheld data management devices are generally enabled
`with connectivity to data Sources over, for example, the
`connection-oriented Transmission Control Protocol/Internet
`Protocol (TCP/IP) or message oriented TME/X protocol.
`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
`throughout the world from major service providers. With
`CDPD, data can be transferred over switched PSTN circuits
`or packet-switched networks. Currently, CDPD supports
`data transmissions up to 19.2 Kbps. Global System for
`Mobile Communication (GSM) and Personal Communica
`tions Systems (PCS) networks operate in the 800 MHz, 900
`MHz, and 1990 MHz range, PCS provides narrowband
`digital communications in the 900 MHZ range for paging,
`and broadband digital communications in the 1900 MHz
`band for cellular telephone service. In the U.S., 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 1900 is the same as PCS 1900; thus,
`these two technologies are compatible. Currently, GSM
`networks support data speeds up to 9.6 Kbps. 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 users information. Because
`CDMA spread each call over more than 4.4 trillion channels
`acroSS the entire frequency band, it is more immune to
`interference than TDMA or other current wireless networks
`and can Support more users per channel in Some situations.
`Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) cellular/wireless
`System are currently deployed throughout the wireleSS com
`munication markets. Currently, Some networkS Support data
`at speeds up to 14.4 Kbps. Wideband 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 multiple 1.25 MHz cellular channels com
`pared 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 that will initially pro
`vide data transfer rates up to 115 Kbps. GPRS will work
`with CDMA and TDMA, and it supports X.25 and IP
`communications protocols. It will also enable features like
`Voice over IP (VOIP) and multimedia services. BlueTooth is
`a Personal Area Network (PAN) technology. Adopted by a
`consortium of wireleSS equipment manufacturers called the
`BlueTooth Special 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
`transmitter/receiver built into Small application Specific cir
`cuits (ASICs) and embedded into support devices. Initially,
`BlueTooth 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
`specification permits up to 100 mw of power, which will
`increase the range to 100M. 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 applica
`
`11
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`

`

`US 6,961,586 B2
`
`3
`tions and possibilities for wireleSS data communication.
`Wireless application protocol (WAP) and Extensible
`Markup Language (XML) are examples of current technol
`ogy 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 telecommunica
`tions alternatives for data communication, few applications
`are available today that directly relate to interactive or
`industry-specific programs providing management of asso
`ciated data and providing users with access to daily busineSS
`practices and procedures related to a particular industry.
`What is apparently needed in industries requiring field
`assessments is access to industry-specific information and/or
`Support that may enable field assessors, estimators, investi
`gators and the like to more efficiently and accurate render
`field assessments.
`
`5
`
`15
`
`inventory ordering,
`legal investigation;
`multi-users function coordination.
`A method of conducting a field assessment using a
`handheld data management device can include the Steps of
`providing access to a industry-specific field assessment
`program module; executing Said program module to conduct
`a field assessment; providing field-Specific information
`required by Said program module for Said program module
`to render data from Said module useful in Support of Said
`assessment; and retrieving data from Said handheld data
`management device in Support of Said assessment. The
`method may further include providing data to a remote
`resource for analysis, and retrieving enhanced data from Said
`remote resource for use in conducting the field assessment.
`A method of conducting a assessment of a field problem
`by an assessor utilizing a handheld data management device,
`may also include the Steps of obtaining direction to a field
`problem using positioning and navigation means provided
`through Said handheld data management device; starting an
`assessment program associated with the field problem; pro
`Viding Specific information required by the assessment pro
`gram and related to the field problem; analysis of Said
`Specific information by Said handheld data management
`device; and rendering output by Said handheld data man
`agement 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
`prominent 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 may be had by
`referring to the following Detailed Description of the pre
`ferred embodiment.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`A more complete appreciation of the invention and many
`of the attendant advantages thereof will become readily
`apparent with reference to the following detailed descrip
`tion, particularly when considered in conjunction with the
`accompanying drawings, in which:
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable electronic
`device usable in accordance with carrying of methods of the
`present invention;
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram of various components of the
`device;
`FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a device including a
`communication module to facilitate communication of the
`device.
`FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an infrared commu
`nications link between the device and a personal computer;
`FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a GPS module
`asSociated with the device;
`FIG. 6 an illustration of a basic operational environment
`for the handheld device and methods of the present inven
`tion;
`FIG. 7 illustrates a flow chart related to a construction
`industry in accordances with a method of the present inven
`tion;
`FIG. 8 illustrates a flow chart illustrating a more specific
`assessment relating to the HVAC industry;
`FIG. 9 illustrates a flow chart of a method relating to
`project management;
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`25
`
`35
`
`It is an object of the present invention to provide methods
`for executing field assessments using handheld devices.
`It is an aspect of the present invention to provide assessors
`portable access to industry-specific programs and data useful
`in carrying out a field assessment.
`It is another aspect of the present invention provides a
`handheld data management device and Solutions for assist
`ing perSonnel in conducting field assessments.
`It is another aspect of the present invention to provide
`methods for field assessment data Synchronization and/or
`delivery using wireleSS capabilities resident in handheld
`personal computing devices. Data may be Synchronized with
`a Server over a network using wireleSS radio transmission, or
`directly to a computer WorkStation using wireleSS infrared or
`radio transmission or connected means (e.g., modems,
`cradles, docking Stations).
`It is another aspect of the present invention to provide for
`two-way communication between remote computing means
`(e.g., servers, desktop computers) and handheld data man
`agement devices to facilitate real-time access to remote
`40
`programs, assistance and/or information related to the field
`assessment being undertaken by using a handheld data
`management device user.
`A handheld data management device for field assessments
`can include a memory for Storing field assessment programs
`and related data; microprocessor for executing field assess
`ment programs, field assessment Software Stored within Said
`memory; user interface for enabling a user to interact with
`Said field assessment Software, and Sychronization means for
`providing data to and retrieving data from remote computing
`resources. The Systems and devices may also include a field
`assessment program module for analyzing input data asso
`ciated with a field assessment, analyzing Said data, and
`rendering output data in response to Said input data and Said
`analyzing, a positioning module, for providing handheld
`device location identification; and a wireleSS communication
`module for providing access to remote data resources to Said
`device.
`A programming module containing field assessment Soft
`ware may include Software used to accomplish at least one
`of:
`construction industry analysis,
`HVAC analysis;
`project management;
`equipment readiness,
`troubleshooting,
`inventory tracking,
`
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`
`

`

`S
`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 an assessment
`relating to criminal investigation; and
`FIG. 13 illustrates a flow chart directed to multi-user
`functions in accordances with methods of the present inven
`tion.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`The present invention now is described more fully here
`inafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in
`which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown.
`Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. This inven
`tion may, 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 rendering accurate assessments of a
`Situation, job, environment, project, etc. Reference to a
`particular field environment (e.g., projects within the con
`Struction 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, mobile
`telephony devices) with access to industry/profession-spe
`cific processes and applications to enable users to be more
`productive in field assessments.
`A handheld data management device in accordance with
`the present invention may 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-enabled mobile phones. Referring to FIG. 1, a
`device 10 exemplary of a prior art PDA that could imple
`ment Software and/or communication methods in accor
`dance with carrying out methods of the invention is illus
`trated. The device 10 includes an outer housing 12
`sufficiently small to be easily portable such that it substan
`tially fit within the palm of a users hand, a display 14 that
`may also preferably include touch-Screen technology to
`operate in combination with control buttons 16 to provide a
`User Interface (UI) for operating, controlling and/or other
`wise 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).
`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/O controllers, including a
`controller 28 providing the hardware interface for the con
`trol buttons 16, and a controller 30 providing the hardware
`interface for the display 14. A controller 32 provides the
`hardware interface for a speaker 34. One of the preferred
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`US 6,961,586 B2
`
`6
`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 may 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 may also include an integrated communication
`module 42 to facilitate wired and wireleSS communication.
`Communication may be had with remote resources 44 (e.g.,
`Servers) through network and to enable monitoring and
`feedback of field assessment operations. WireleSS commu
`nication module 42 may include digital communication
`technology and/or wireleSS modem for facilitating local area
`communication. The module 46 also preferably uses wire
`less IP technology, which is also known 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. or cellular-based communica
`tions. Communications module 42 provides wireleSS real
`time access to Servers and perSonnel in Support of assess
`ments, and may also provide more traditional information
`available over networks, (e.g., e-mail, chat, Intranet and
`Internet information). Preferably, no plugging in or dialing
`up in needed through integration of the communication
`module 42 into a handheld device.
`As shown in FIG. 4, the device 10 can preferably com
`municate 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 may include an
`integrated modem 40 to provide data transfer functions and
`for remote connectivity. This feature allows a person (Such
`as a Supervisor, counselor or Service representative) remote
`from the user to provide tasks, answers to queries, notes and
`other information for use and display on the users device 10
`using Standard telecommunications technology (e.g.,wired
`and wireless GSM, CDMA, CDPD, and paging networks).
`Referring to FIG. 5, the handheld device may 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 (GPS)) or signal triangulation techniques. A GPS
`compatible System, for example, may be used to determine
`a device location information and may also provide navi
`gational assistance to users (e.g., to find a field problem/job)
`when used in combination with navigation Software or
`resources, Such as the Mapblast.com (TM) resource avail
`able from the World Wide Web. A navigation module will
`include positioning and navigational capabilities. Commer
`cially available navigation technology will allows users to
`download a door-to-door route from any two locations in the
`U.S. The device will constantly update the user's current
`position and provide updated directions. This feature allows
`point to point navigational instructions to be provided to the
`USCS.
`In accordance with the present invention, a handheld
`device 10 may be interactive with the field assessor when
`programs operated by the microprocessor ask questions or
`provide guidance related to a particular field problem. An
`interactive question and answer Session may also include the
`provision of checklists and relevant data in Support of a user
`dialogue with the device. Interactivity may also be provided
`to remote resources when two-way communication is pro
`Vided between the device and a remote Server and/or Support
`representative. AS mentioned above, the present invention
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`may be effectively practiced together with a client/server
`programming 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
`commonly used in a network where computing functions
`and data can more efficiently be distributed among many
`client and Server programs at different network locations.
`With a client/server relationship, multiple client programs
`share the Services of a common Server. Client programs and
`Server programs are often part of a larger program or
`application. Relative to the Internet, a Web browser is a
`client program that requests Services (the Sending of Web
`pages or files) from a Web server (which technically is called
`a Hypertext Transport Protocol or HTTP server) in another
`computer Somewhere on the Internet. Similarly, a computer
`with TCP/IP installed allows client requests for files from
`File Transfer Protocol (FTP) servers in other computers on
`the Internet.
`Referring to FIG. 6, an environment for extended opera
`tion/communication between a handheld device 10 (client)
`and remote management System 58 (e.g., server, desktop
`PC) is illustrated. At least one device 10/10" can be remotely
`linked to a management System that may provide templates
`(e.g., task/punch lists) and/or programs to a group of users.
`A template may be Stored locally on a user's personal digital
`assistant (PDA). Job templates and/or programs may also be
`centrally stored within one or more databases 61/59 acces
`Sible to management System or the directly by the a handheld
`device 10/10". Accordingly, users may access a central
`template through a private or public computer networks in a
`conventional manner via wireline or wireleSS communica
`tions. By maintaining a template in a central location, Such
`as a management System, updates can be made to the
`template as procedures, best practices, and/or laws are
`added, amended or deleted. Accordingly, users can be pro
`Vided with up-to-date information on assessment activities.
`A user in the field may utilize a handheld device 10 for
`assessment of a field problem. The user can execute a
`industry-specific program on the handheld device 10 related
`to the problem being addressed. The user interacts with the
`handheld executed program to obtain an initial field assess
`ment. The program would prompt the user for input of data
`related to the problem. During program execution, the user
`may access remote resources (e.g., information, data, assis
`tance) via wireless communication Systems 51 and networks
`55. Information may be obtained from a server 58 located at
`the user's enterprise, or from other network 55 resources
`available to the user (e.g., Web pages provided/obtained
`over the Internet). Realtime analysis of data obtained may
`also be undertaken by remote processor (e.g., Server, desktop
`PC). At completion of data processing by a handheld device
`remote processor 10 a final output, Such as a report, bid,
`recommendation, or the like may be provided to the user.
`The user may use the information to counsel a third party,
`render a final output for the third party, or to troubleshoot
`equipment. The remote processor (e.g., 58) may also be used
`as a collection point for data provided from multiple users
`(e.g., 10, 10'). The data would then be analyzed by the
`remote processor and a comprehensive report may result
`remote user/device location and data can also be provided
`Via Satellite 57. Location is determinable using, for example,
`GPS. A handheld device user may be provided with direc
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`tions to a requested location, based on the user's position,
`either textually or through known mapping programs (e.g.,
`Map Blast(TM)).
`It should be appreciated that data collected with the
`device 10 may be processed without the assistance of remote
`resources and can be directly utilized to render output to the
`user via the device UI, printed using data rendering devices,
`or may be stored in local memory for Subsequent use (e.g.,
`Synchronization with a desktop, rendering, remote compu
`tation, compilation for use with input from other Sources).
`Data provided to remote Systems can generally undergo
`computing operations beyond the resident capabilities of the
`handheld device. A limited Software program may be used
`for gathering of data during a field assessment, where after
`a larger Software application and computing resources may
`be necessary to render a comprehensive analysis relating to
`the particular field problem. A smaller handheld executed
`program, for example, may only provide a device user with
`a more abbreviated list of questions needed to address a field
`problem. For example, a larger computing capability may
`utilize data collected by several handheld devices deployed
`to assess field problems.
`Methods of the present invention are now described more
`fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying draw
`ings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are
`shown. Methods of the