Service operation data processing using checklist functionality in association with inspected items

• US 20050075968A1
• Filed: 09/19/2003
• Published: 04/07/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RPM Industries LLC
• Original Assignee: RPM Industries LLC
• Inventors: Apostolides, John K.
• Granted Patent: US 7,565,306 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/38
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06316 Sequencing of tasks or work
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0633 Workflow analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06395 Quality analysis or management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/03 Credit; Loans; Processing thereof
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 10/50 Systems or methods supporting the power network operation or management, involving a certain degree of interaction with the load-side end user applications
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 50/14 Marketing, i.e. market research and analysis, surveying, promotions, advertising, buyer profiling, customer management or rewards

Abstract

In one embodiment, a system is provided for performing at least one service operation in association with at least one inspected item. The system includes a service data device configured for displaying at least one data screen including at least one checklist configured for operative use in connection with performance of the service operation on the inspected item, the data device being portable and being configured for processing at least one communication; a service administrator having at least one data storage medium configured for storing at least one of the checklists displayed on the data device, the service administrator further having at least one server for enabling at least one communication between the service administrator and the data device; at least a portion of at least one of the checklists being customizable by at least the service administrator; and, at least a portion of at least one of the checklists being electronically interactive in association with performance of the service operation on the inspected item. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR § 1.72(b).

Claims

1. A system for performing at least one service operation in association with at least one inspected item, said system comprising:

a service data device configured for displaying at least one data screen including at least one checklist configured for operative use in connection with performance of said service operation on said inspected item, said data device being portable and being configured for processing at least one communication;

a service administrator having at least one data storage medium configured for storing at least one of said checklists displayed on said data device, said service administrator further having at least one server for enabling at least one communication between said service administrator and said data device;

at least a portion of at least one of said checklists being customizable by at least said service administrator; and

,

at least a portion of at least one of said checklists being electronically interactive in association with performance of said service operation on said inspected item.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said inspected item includes at least one machine.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said inspected item includes at least one financial document.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said inspected item includes at least one patient.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said data device includes at least one device selected from the group consisting of a personal digital assistant, a laptop, a pen-based computer system, and a telephone.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said data device includes one or more local data storage media for receiving and storing data collected during performance of one or more of said service operations on said inspected item.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising said data device being configured for storing at least a portion of at least one report prior to said communication between said data device and said service administrator.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising said data device being configured for displaying at least a portion of at least one report prior to said communication between said data device and said service administrator.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising said data device being configured for editing at least a portion of at least one report prior to said communication between said data device and said service administrator.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one printing device operatively associated with said data device.

11. The system of claim 1, further including said data device being configured for generating at least one of a label, a summary report and a service report.

12. The system of claim 11, further including said data device being configured for printing at least one of said label, said summary report, and said service report on at least one printing device.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein at least one of said label, said summary report, and said service report includes at least one bar code portion, said bar code portion including one or more data associated with at least one said service operation performed on said inspected item.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein said server of said service administrator includes at least one of a web server and a data server.

15. The system of claim 1, further comprising said data device being configured for synchronization with at least one computer system of said service administrator.

16. The system of claim 1, further comprising a distributor operatively associated with said service administrator.

17. The system of claim 16, further comprising at least one service cost system operatively associated with said distributor.

18. The system of claim 17, further comprising said data device being configured for communication of at least a summary report to said service cost system of said distributor.

19. The system of claim 1, further comprising a customer operatively associated with said service administrator.

20. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one additional service provider operatively associated with said service administrator.

21. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one data screen of said data device being configured for receiving one or more pre-populated fields of data.

22. The system of claim 1, further comprising said data device being configured for receiving a key identifier in association with said service operation performed on said inspected item.

23. The system of claim 22, further comprising means for pre-populating at least one data field of said data device in association with entry of said key identifier.

24. The system of claim 22, wherein said key identifier includes at least one machine serial number.

25. The system of claim 22, wherein said key identifier includes at least one social security number.

26. The system of claim 1, wherein said inspected item further comprises at least one bar code.

27. The system of claim 1, further comprising said data device being configured for performing one or more assigned work orders.

28. The system of claim 1, further comprising said data device being configured for performing one or more unassigned tasks.

29. The system of claim 1, further comprising said data device being configured to receive one or more types of input data.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein said types of said input data include at least one type of input data selected from the group consisting of text entered by a keyboard operatively associated with said data device, text entered by use of a pen-based computer system, verbal communications recorded by one or more microphones of said data device, verbal communications received by said data device, verbal communications received by said data device and transcribed into text format, digital image data, and digital photographic data.

31. The system of claim 29, further comprising said data device being configured for associating said input data with at least one service report.

32. The system of claim 1, further comprising said data device being configured to display data for one or more repetitive service operations.

33. The system of claim 32, wherein at least one of said repetitive service operations includes a warranty service operation.

34. The system of claim 1, wherein said inspected item includes a machine and further comprising said data device being configured for performing at least one load bank test.

35. The system of claim 34, further comprising said data device being configured to awaken when a load bank test reading is required.

36. The system of claim 35, wherein said data device is configured to awaken from an on-state of said data device.

37. The system of claim 35, wherein said data device is configured to awaken from an off-state of said data device.

38. The system of claim 1, further comprising said data device being configured for assisting with performance of one or more fluid operations.

39. The system of claim 38, wherein said fluid operation includes at least one fluid change service operation.

40. The system of claim 38, wherein said fluid operation includes at least one fluid sampling service operation.

41. The system of claim 38, further comprising said data device being configured for generating one or more labels in association with at least one of said fluid operations.

42. The system of claim 41, wherein said label includes at least one bar code representing at least a portion of data collected in association with at least one of said fluid operations.

43. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of said data screens of said data device includes a work order data screen.

44. The system of claim 1, further comprising said service administrator being configured to access data associated with a service interval of a prior service operation performed for said inspected item.

45. The system of claim 1, further comprising said service administrator being configured to increment a service interval for said inspected item based on said service operation performed for said inspected item.

46. The system of claim 1, further comprising said data device being configured to override a service interval determined by said service administrator for said service operation for said inspected item.

47. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of said checklists includes one or more checklist items.

48. The system of claim 47, wherein at least one of said checklist items includes a default designation.

49. The system of claim 47, wherein at least one of said checklist items is configured on a “

less than or equal to”

basis with respect to a service interval associated with said checklist item.

50. The system of claim 47, further comprising at least one note operatively associated with at least one of said checklist items.

51. The system of claim 50, further comprising said data device being configured for displaying said note.

52. The system of claim 50, further comprising at least one hyperlink operatively associated with said note.

53. The system of claim 47, further comprising said data device being configured for generating a summary of any said checklist items including a recommend repair designation.

54. The system of claim 47, further comprising said data device being configured for generating a percentage complete status field based on means for comparing a number of currently uncompleted said checklist items to a total number of said checklist items.

55. The system of claim 47, further comprising said data device being configured for collecting time/date information on a per checklist item basis.

56. The system of claim 47, further comprising said data device being configured for recording a sequence of operation for completion of said checklist items.

57. The system of claim 47, further comprising said data device being configured for collecting time/date information associated with completion of said checklist items.

58. The system of claim 1, further comprising said service administrator being configured for selecting one or more samples required for at least one fluid operation performed for said inspected item and being further configured for displaying said required samples on said data device.

59. The system of claim 1, further comprising said data device being configured with at least one default set of choices for at least one fluid operation performed on said inspected item.

60. The system of claim 59, wherein said fluid operation includes at least one sampling operation.

61. The system of claim 59, wherein said fluid operation includes at least one fluid change operation.

62. The system of claim 1, further comprising said service administrator being configured for calculating an interval difference between at least two positive fluid change indications for fluid operations performed on said inspected item.

63. The system of claim 1, further comprising said data device being configured for receiving at least one default setting in association with at least one fluid operation performed in association with said inspected item.

64. The system of claim 1, wherein said inspected item includes at least one machine and further comprising said data device being configured for at least one of adding at least one new machine and updating a profile of a machine.

65. The system of claim 1, further comprising said data device being configured for translation of at least a portion of at least one of said checklists into at least one of a multiple of languages.

66. The system of claim 1, further comprising said data device being configured by said service administrator for translation of at least a portion of at least one of said checklists into at least one of a multiple of languages.

67. The system of claim 1, further comprising said data device being configured for storing at least one of time data, hourly rate data, mileage data and mileage charge data in association with performance of said service operation.

68. A method for performing at least one service operation in association with at least one inspected item, said method comprising:

displaying at least one data screen on a service data device, including displaying at least one interactive checklist configured for operative use in connection with performance of said service operation on said inspected item, said data device being portable and being configured for processing at least one communication;

storing at least one of said checklists displayed on said data device on at least one data storage medium of a service administrator; and

,

customizing at least a portion of at least one of said checklists with said service administrator.

69. The method of claim 68, wherein said inspected item includes at least one machine.

70. The method of claim 68, wherein said inspected item includes at least one financial document.

71. The method of claim 68, wherein said inspected item includes at least one patient.

72. The method of claim 68, further including generating at least one of a label, a summary report and a service report.

73. The method of claim 72, further comprising generating at least a portion of at least one of said label, said summary report, and said service report in a bar code format.

74. The method of claim 72, further comprising generating at least one of said label, said summary report, and said service report entirely in a bar code format.

75. The method of claim 72, further including printing at least one of said label, said summary report, and said service report on at least one printing device.

76. The method of claim 68, further comprising synchronizing said data device with at least one computer system of said service administrator.

77. The method of claim 68, further comprising communicating with at least one distributor operatively associated with said service administrator.

78. The method of claim 77, further comprising communicating with at least one service cost system operatively associated with said distributor.

79. The method of claim 78, further comprising said data device communicating at least a summary report to said service cost method of said distributor.

80. The method of claim 68, further comprising communicating with a customer operatively associated with said service administrator.

81. The method of claim 68, further comprising communicating with at least one additional service provider operatively associated with said service administrator.

82. The method of claim 68, further comprising receiving one or more pre-populated data into at least one of said data screens.

83. The method of claim 82, further comprising pre-populating at least one data field of at least one of said data screens of said data device in association with entry of a key identifier.

84. The method of claim 83, wherein said key identifier includes at least one machine serial number.

85. The method of claim 83, wherein said key identifier includes at least one social security number.

86. The method of claim 68, wherein said inspected item further comprises at least one bar code.

87. The method of claim 68, further comprising receiving one or more types of input data with said data device.

88. The method of claim 87, wherein said types of said input data include at least one type of input data selected from the group consisting of text entered by a keyboard operatively associated with said data device, text entered by use of a pen-based computer method, verbal communications recorded by one or more microphones of said data device, verbal communications received by said data device, verbal communications received by said data device and transcribed into text format, digital image data, and digital photographic data.

89. The method of claim 87, further comprising associating said input data with at least one service report.

90. The method of claim 68, further comprising displaying data for one or more repetitive service operations on said data device.

91. The method of claim 68, wherein said inspected item includes a machine and further comprising performing at least one load bank test with said data device.

92. The method of claim 91, further comprising awakening said data device when a load bank test reading is required.

93. The method of claim 92, further comprising awakening said data device from an on-state of said data device.

94. The method of claim 92, further comprising awakening said data device from an off-state of said data device.

95. The method of claim 92, further comprising prompting a service technician to perform said load bank test reading.

96. The method of claim 68, further comprising performing one or more fluid operations with said data device.

97. The method of claim 96, further comprising generating one or more labels in association with at least one of said fluid operations.

98. The method of claim 68, further comprising accessing data associated with a service interval of a prior service operation performed for said inspected item.

99. The method of claim 98, wherein said accessing data includes accessing at least one of a summary report and a service report associated with said prior service operation performed for said inspected item.

100. The method of claim 68, further comprising incrementing a service interval for said inspected item based on said service operation performed for said inspected item.

101. The method of claim 68, further comprising overriding a service interval determined by said service administrator for said service operation for said inspected item.

102. The method of claim 68, wherein at least one of said checklists includes one or more checklist items.

103. The method of claim 102, further comprising generating a summary of any said checklist items including a recommended repair designation.

104. The method of claim 102, further comprising generating a percentage complete status field based on comparing a number of currently uncompleted said checklist items to a total number of said checklist items.

105. The method of claim 102, further comprising collecting time/date information on a per checklist item basis.

106. The method of claim 102, further comprising recording a sequence of operation for completion of said checklist items.

107. The method of claim 68, further comprising determining one or more samples required for at least one fluid operation performed for said inspected item and being further configured for displaying said required samples on said data device.

108. The method of claim 68, further comprising calculating at least one of a time difference and an hour difference between positive fluid change indications.

109. The method of claim 68, further comprising pre-printing a label including a bar code portion at a first location, said first location being different than a second location of said inspected item, said bar code portion including data associated with said inspected item.

110. The method of claim 109, further comprising transporting said pre-printed label to said second location.

111. The method of claim 109, wherein said pre-printed label includes only a bar code portion.

112. The method of claim 68, further comprising translating at least a portion of at least one of said checklists into at least one of multiple languages.

113. The method of claim 68, further comprising storing at least one of time data, hourly rate data, mileage data and mileage charge data in association with performing said service operation.

114. A computer-readable medium including instructions for performing a method for performing at least one service operation in association with at least one inspected item, said medium comprising:

instructions for displaying at least one data screen on a service data device, including instructions for displaying at least one interactive checklist configured for operative use in connection with performance of said service operation on said inspected item, said data device being portable and being configured for processing at least one communication;

instructions for storing at least one of said checklists displayed on said data device on at least one data storage medium of a service administrator; and

,

instructions for customizing at least a portion of at least one of said checklists with said service administrator.

115. A label product structured for placement on an object having a radius, said label product comprising:

a data presentation portion including information associated with at least one service operation performed on an inspected item;

at least one bar code portion including a bar code having a vertical axis and a horizontal axis;

one or more bar code indicia imprinted on said bar code, said bar code indicia being representative of at least a portion of said information associated with said service operation performed on said inspected item; and

,

said horizontal axis of said bar code being dimensioned as a function of said radius of said object.

116. The label product of claim 115, wherein a length of said vertical axis of said bar code is greater than a length of said horizontal axis of said bar code.

117. The label product of claim 115, wherein said object includes at least one container.

118. A bar code product for use in association with scanning an object having a radius with a bar code scanner, said bar code product comprising:

one or more bar code indicia printed on said bar code product; and

,

at least one of said bar code indicia having an effective width dimensioned as a function of an arcuate distance of said bar code indicia away from a central axis of said bar code scanner.

119. The bar code product of claim 118, wherein said object includes at least one container.

120. A bar code product for use in association with scanning an object having a radius with a bar code scanner, said bar code product comprising:

one or more bar code indicia printed on said bar code product; and

,

at least one of said bar code indicia having a first thickness and second thickness, said second thickness being greater than said first thickness to provide an effective width dimensioned as a function of an arcuate distance of said bar code indicia away from a central axis of said bar code scanner.

121. The bar code product of claim 120, wherein said first and second thicknesses of at least one of said indicia are structured to form at least one generally flat surface of said indicia for receiving at least one beam of said bar code scanner.

122. The bar code product of claim 120, wherein said object includes at least one container.