Methods and system for providing context sensitive information

• US 20060184508A1
• Filed: 05/01/2001
• Published: 08/17/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bernardo Anger, Christopher Scott Fuselier, John James Dougherty, Joseph John Fisher, Richard Alan Carpenter, Thomas A. Digate
• Original Assignee: Bernardo Anger, Christopher Scott Fuselier, John James Dougherty, Joseph John Fisher, Richard Alan Carpenter, Thomas A. Digate
• Inventors: Dougherty, John James, Anger, Bernardo, Fuselier, Christopher Scott, Digate, Thomas A., Fisher, Joseph John, Carpenter, Richard Alan
• Granted Patent: US 7,620,621 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99933 Query processing, i.e. searching

Abstract

A method and system are described for providing context sensitive data to a system user. The method includes the steps of identifying the user and querying databases to create a user context. Information is aggregated from the network databases and filtered using the user context. Providing the correct data needed by the user for that particular time, location and job function.

Claims

1. A method for providing context sensitive information comprising:

identifying a user;

defining a query;

transmitting said query and said user identity to a server;

periodically querying at least one database;

retrieving said query information from said at least one database;

retrieving user information from said at least one database;

creating a context sensitive subset of said query information depending on said user information; and

transmitting said context sensitive subset query information to said user.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

determining the location of the user; and

,

creating a context sensitive subset of said query information depending on the location of the user.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said query definition includes data on the desired format of the information.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein said query definition includes data on the desired format of the information.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein said query definition includes information on the period of time between said queries.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

defining an alarm criteria for said query information;

periodically querying said at least one database;

comparing said query information to said alarm criteria; and

,

notifying said user if said alarm criteria is met.

7. A method for providing context sensitive information comprising:

defining information required by a user;

defining the desired format of said user information;

building a query from said user information;

periodically querying at least one database to retrieve data, the period between queries being defined by a user time period;

determining the identity of said user;

determining the context sensitive subset of said data for the identified user;

formatting said context sensitive data; and

,

displaying said context sensitive data for said user.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of:

determining the location of the user; and

,

determining a context sensitive format for the location of the user.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of:

defining an alarm criteria for said user information;

comparing said alarm criteria to said data; and

,

notifying the user if the alarm criteria conditions are met.

10. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of:

determining the time of the query;

determining the schedule of the user;

comparing the time of the query with the user'"'"'s schedule; and

,

determining a context sensitive subset of said data for the time and schedule.

11. A method for providing context sensitive information to a user comprising:

transmitting a command to a server;

determining the identity of the user;

determining the location of the user;

determining the schedule of the user;

retrieving data in response to said command;

determining a context sensitive subset for said data based on said

user identity, location and schedule; and

,

transmitting said context sensitive data to the user.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of:

comparing the transmitted command to a set of predefined commands; and

,

formatting the context sensitive subset data in a predetermined format.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein said transmitted command includes a first field containing a request for information on a subject.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of:

comparing said first field to a database containing employee information;

identifying which employees have knowledge of said subject; and

,

transmitting to the user said identified employee data, said employee data including information on how to contact said identified employees.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of determining the location of said identified employees.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein said identified employee data includes information on the location of the identified employees.

17. The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of notifying the identified employees that the user has requested information.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of notifying the identified employees of the users location.

19. The method of claim 13 wherein said command includes a second field, said second field including an information required.

20. The method of claim 19 further comprising the step of:

comparing said first field to a database containing employee information;

identifying which employees have knowledge of said subject;

determining the location of said identified employees; and

transmitting to said identified employees data on the user, said user data including the location of the user and information contained in said second field.

21. The method of claim 20 further comprising the step of determining which employees are located closest to the user.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein said user data is transmitted to only the closest identified employees.

23. The method of claim 20 further comprising the step of transmitting to the user said identified employee data, said employee data including information on how to contact said identified employees.

24. A method for providing context sensitive information to a user comprising:

transmitting to a first command from the user, said command including an information request;

searching a database, said database including contact information of qualified personnel, said qualified personnel being grouped into communities by subject matter;

identifying which communities correspond to said information request;

transmitting to said qualified personnel in said identified communities said information request;

receiving from said qualified personnel answers to said requested information; and

,

transmitting said received answers to the user.

25. The method of claim 24 further comprising the step of:

receiving the first command from the user;

determining which of said qualified personnel communities correspond to said information request;

transmitting to the user said communities identified as corresponding to the information request;

selecting which qualified personnel communities the user would like to send the information request to; and

transmitting a second command from the user;

said second command including information identifying said selected qualified personnel communities.

26. The method of claim 24 further comprising the step of:

parsing said first command;

determining keywords for searching said database from said parsed first command.

27. A method for providing context sensitive information to a user within a facility comprising:

defining a plurality of zones within the facility;

identifying a user within said zones;

determining personnel information for said user, said personnel information including data on said user'"'"'s job assignment; and

,

transmitting zone information to said user.

28. The method of claim 27 further comprising the step of determining what information is required for said user'"'"'s job assignment.

29. The method of claim 28 wherein said zone information includes a subset of the information required for said user'"'"'s job assignment, said subset being information related to said zone where said user is currently located.

30. The method of claim 28 further comprising the step of:

determining when said user moves from a first zone to a second zone; and

transmitting a second zone information to said user, said second zone information including a subset of the information required for said user'"'"'s job assignment, said subset being information related to said second zone.

31. The method of claim 28 further comprising the step of:

authenticating the identity of the user within said zone.

32. The method of claim 31 further comprising the step of:

enabling access to facility or controls based on the user'"'"'s identity and the zone where they are located.

33. The method of claim 31 wherein said zone is processing equipment, said zone information including processing parameters for the processing equipment in said zone.

34. The method of claim 31 wherein said zone is a quality inspection area, said zone information including inspection parameters and summary data on the quality level of the products being inspected.

35. The method of claim 34 further comprising the step of activating authorization software for said zone associated with said user'"'"'s job assignment.

36. A system for providing context sensitive information to a user, comprising:

a server;

at least one database connected to said server;

a query means for executing a predefined query on said database, said query creating a set of data;

a means for a user to request said data from said server;

an application program on said server, said application program determining the identity of said user and creating a context sensitive subset of said data based on said users identity; and

,

a means for transmitting said context sensitive subset of said data to said user.

37. The system of claim 36 wherein said application program creates said context sensitive data subset from a set of rules predefined by said user.

38. The system of claim 36 further comprising at least one node accessible by said user and remote from said server.

39. The system of claim 38 wherein said node is a computer.

40. The system of claim 38 wherein said node is a personal digital assistant.

41. The system of claim 38 wherein said node is a portable communications device.

42. The system of claim 38 wherein said transmission means is a computer network.

43. The system of claim 38 wherein said transmission means is a cellular network.

44. The system of claim 38 wherein said transmission means is via a radio system.

45. The system of claim 38 further comprising:

a network, said server located on said network; and

a plurality of databases on said network, said query means accessing said plurality of databases to retrieve said data.

46. The system of claim 45 wherein said application program queries at least one database to determine the identified user'"'"'s predefined preferences, said application program creating said context sensitive subset of said data in response to said preferences.

47. The system of claim 46 wherein said application program queries at least one database to determine the identified user'"'"'s schedule said application program creating said context sensitive subset of said data in response to said user'"'"'s schedule.

48. The system of claim 47 wherein said application program queries at least one database to determine the identified user'"'"'s personnel information, said application program creating said context sensitive subset of said data in response to said user'"'"'s personnel information.

49. The system of claim 48 wherein said personnel information includes the identified user'"'"'s job assignment.

50. A system for providing context sensitive information to a user, comprising:

a server;

at least one database connected to said server;

a means for a user to request information from said server, said request including a command and a keyword;

an application program on said server, said application program determining the identity of said user and querying said at least one database in response to said request;

a set of data created from said query, said application program further creating a context sensitive subset of data based on the identity of said user; and

,

a means for transmitting said context sensitive data subset to said user.

51. The system of claim 50 wherein said application program parses said command from said keyword, said application program executing a predefined query in response to said command.

52. The system of claim 51 wherein said parsed keyword is contained within said predefined query.

53. The system of claim 50 further comprising at least one node accessible by said user and remote from said server.

54. The system of claim 53 wherein said node is a computer.

55. The system of claim 53 wherein said node is a personal digital assistant.

56. The system of claim 53 wherein said node is a portable communications device.

57. The system of claim 53 wherein said transmission means is a computer network.

58. The system of claim 53 wherein said transmission means is a cellular network.

59. The system of claim 53 wherein said transmission means is via a wireless communications system.

60. The system of claim 53 further comprising:

a network, said server located on said network; and

,

a plurality of databases on said network, said query means accessing said plurality of databases to retrieve said data.

61. The system of claim 60 wherein said application program queries at least one database to determine the identified user'"'"'s predefined preferences, said application program creating said context sensitive subset of said data in response to said preferences.

62. The system of claim 61 wherein said application program queries at least one database to determine the identified user'"'"'s schedule said application program creating said context sensitive subset of said data in response to said user'"'"'s schedule.

63. The system of claim 62 wherein said application program queries at least one database to determine the identified user'"'"'s personnel information, said application program creating said context sensitive subset of said data in response to said user'"'"'s personnel information.

64. The system of claim 63 wherein said personnel information includes the identified user'"'"'s job assignment.

65. A system for providing a user context sensitive information from one or more knowledge experts, comprising:

a server;

a means for a user to transmitting an information request to said server;

at least one database connected to said server, said database including information on qualified personnel and their expertise, said database grouping said qualified personnel with similar expertise into communities;

an application program on said server, said application program executing a query of said database in response to said information request;

a set of data resulting from said query; and

,

a means for transmitting said set of data to said user.

66. The system of claim 65 wherein said set of data includes names and contact information of said qualified personnel.

67. The system of claim 65 wherein said set of data includes the names of the communities related to said information request.

68. The system of claim 67 further comprising:

a means for said user to select at least one of said communities in said set of data; and

,

a means for transmitting said selected communities to said server.

69. The system of claim 68 wherein said application program executes a query on said database of said selected communities, said query resulting in a second set of data.

70. The system of claim 69 wherein said second set of data includes names and contact information of said qualified personnel.

71. The system of claim 70 wherein said transmitting means transmits said second set of data to said user.

72. The system of claim 70 wherein said information request includes a specific question.

73. The system of claim 72 wherein said transmitting means transmits said information request to said qualified personnel in said second set of data.

74. The system of claim 73 further comprising:

a means for said experts to send qualified personnel information related to said information request to said user.

75. The system of claim 74 wherein said means for sending information stores said qualified personnel information on said server.

76. The system of claim 75 wherein said transmission means transmits said qualified personnel information to said user on a periodic basis.

77. The system of claim 68 further comprising at least one node accessible by said user and remote from said server.

78. The system of claim 77 wherein said node is a computer.

79. The system of claim 77 wherein said node is a personal digital assistant.

80. The system of claim 77 wherein said node is a portable communications device.

81. The system of claim 77 wherein said transmission means is a computer network.

82. The system of claim 77 wherein said transmission means is a cellular network.

83. The system of claim 77 wherein said transmission means is via a wireless communications system.

84. A system for providing context sensitive information to a user within an industrial facility comprising:

a plurality of zones within the facility;

a means for identifying a user within said zones;

a server connected to said identifying means,

at least one database connected to said server, said database including business related information; and

,

an application program on said server, said application program transmitting zone specific information to said user.

85. The system of claim 84 a personnel database containing personnel information for said user, said personnel information including data on said user'"'"'s job assignment.

86. The system of claim 85 wherein said application program modifies said zone specific information based on said users job assignment.

87. The system of claim 84 wherein said means for identifying the user includes means for authenticating the users identity.

88. The system of claim 87 wherein said authentication means includes fingerprint recognition.

89. The system of claim 87 wherein said authentication means includes voice pattern recognition.

90. The system of claim 86 further comprising means for determining when said user moves from a first zone to a second zone.

91. The system of claim 90 wherein said application program, in response to said user moving from a first zone to a second zone, transmits second zone information to said user.

92. The system of claim 86 wherein said zone is a manufacturing processing area and said zone information including processing parameters for processing equipment in said zone.

93. The system of claim 86 wherein said zone is a quality inspection area and said zone information including inspection parameters and summary data on the quality level of the products being inspected.

94. The system of claim 86 further comprising an activation means, said activation means enabling or disabling controls for said user depending on the identity of said user.

95. A storage medium encoded with machine readable program code for providing context sensitive information to a user, said program code including instructions for causing a computer to implement a method comprising:

identifying a user;

defining a query;

transmitting said query and said user identity to a server;

periodically querying at least one database;

retrieving said query information from said at least one database;

retrieving us er information from said at least one database;

creating a subset of said query information depending on said user information;

formatting said subset query information; and

,

transmitting said formatted information to said user.

96. The storage medium claim 95, further comprising the steps of:

determining the location of the user; and

,

creating a subset of said query information depending on the location of the user.

97. The storage medium of claim 96 wherein said query definition includes data on the desired format of the information.

98. The storage medium of claim 97 wherein said query definition includes data on the desired format of the information.

99. The storage medium of claim 98 wherein said query definition includes information on the period of time between said queries.

100. The storage medium of claim 95 further comprising the step of:

defining an alarm criteria for said query information;

periodically querying said at least one database;

comparing said query information to said alarm criteria; and

,

notifying said user if said alarm criteria is met.

101. A storage medium encoded with machine readable program code for providing context sensitive information to a user, said program code including instructions for causing a computer to implement a method comprising the steps of:

defining information required by a user;

defining the desired format of said user information;

building a query from said user information;

periodically querying at least one database to retrieve data, said period between queries being defined by a user time period;

determining the identify of said user;

determining an context sensitive subset of information for the identified user; and

,

displaying said context sensitive data for said user.

102. The storage medium of claim 101 further comprising the step of:

determining the location of the user; and

,

determining a context sensitive data format for the location of the user.

103. The storage medium of claim 102 further comprising the step of:

defining an alarm criteria for said user information;

comparing said alarm criteria to said data; and

,

notifying the user if the alarm criteria conditions are met.

104. The storage medium of claim 102 further comprising the step of:

determining the time of the query;

determining the schedule of the user;

comparing the time of the query with the user'"'"'s schedule; and

,

determining a context sensitive data for the time and user schedule.

105. A storage medium encoded with machine readable program code for providing context sensitive information to a user, said program code including instructions for causing a computer to implement a method comprising:

transmitting a command to a server;

determining the identify of the user;

determining the location of the user;

determining the schedule of the user;

retrieving data in response to said command; and

,

transmitting said data to the user.

106. The storage medium of claim 105 further comprising the step of:

comparing the transmitted command to a set of predefined commands; and

,

formatting the data in a context sensitive format.

107. The storage medium of claim 105 wherein said transmitted command includes a first field containing a request for information on a subject.

108. The storage medium of claim 107 further comprising the step of:

comparing said first field to a database containing employee information;

identifying which employees have knowledge of said subject; and

,

transmitting to the user said identified employee data, said employee data including information on how to contact said identified employees.

109. The storage medium of claim 108 further comprising the step of determining the location of said identified employees.

110. The storage medium of claim 109 wherein said identified employee data includes information on the location of the identified employees.

111. The storage medium of claim 109 further comprising the step of notifying the identified employees that the user has requested information.

112. The storage medium of claim 111 further comprising the step of notifying the identified employees of the users location.

113. The storage medium of claim 107 wherein said command includes a second field, said second field including a specific information required.

114. The storage medium of claim 113 further comprising the step of:

comparing said first field to a database containing employee information;

identifying which employees have knowledge of said subject;

determining the location of said identified employees; and

,

transmitting to said identified employees data on the user, said user data including the location of the user and information contained in said second field.

115. The storage medium of claim 114 further comprising the step of determining which employees are located closest to the user.

116. The storage medium of claim 115 wherein said user data is transmitted to only the closest identified employees.

117. The storage medium of claim 114 further comprising the step of transmitting to the user said identified employee data, said employee data including information on how to contact said identified employees.

118. A storage medium encoded with machine readable program code for providing context sensitive information to a user, said program code including instructions for causing a computer to implement a method comprising:

transmitting to a first command from the user, said command including an information request;

searching a database, said database including contact information of qualified personnel, said qualified personnel being grouped into communities by subject matter;

identifying which communities correspond to said information request;

transmitting to said qualified personnel in said identified communities said information request;

receiving from said qualified personnel answers to said requested information; and

,

transmitting said received answers to the user.

119. The storage medium of claim 118 further comprising the step of:

receiving the first command from the user;

determining which of said qualified personnel communities correspond to said information request;

transmitting to the user said communities identified as corresponding to the information request;

selecting which expert communities the user would like to send the information request to; and

,

transmitting a second command from the user;

said second command including information identifying said selected expert communities.

120. The storage medium of claim 118 further comprising the step of:

parsing said first command; and

,

determining keywords for searching said database from said parsed first command.

121. A storage medium encoded with machine readable program code for providing context sensitive information to a user within an industrial facility, said program code including instructions for causing a computer to implement a method comprising:

defining a plurality of zones within the facility;

identifying a user within said zones;

determining personnel information for said user, said personnel information including data on said user'"'"'s job assignment; and

,

transmitting zone information to said user.

122. The storage medium of claim 121 further comprising the step of determining what information is required for said user'"'"'s job assignment.

123. The storage medium of claim 122 wherein said zone information includes a subset of the information required for said user'"'"'s job assignment, said subset being information related to said zone where said user is currently located.

124. The storage medium of claim 122 further comprising the step of:

determining when said user moves from a first zone to a second zone; and

,

transmitting a second zone information to said user, said second zone information including a subset of the information required for said user'"'"'s job assignment, said subset being information related to said second zone.

125. The storage medium of claim 122 further comprising the step of:

authenticating the identity of the user within said zone.

126. The storage medium of claim 125 further comprising the step of:

enabling access to facility or manufacturing controls based on the user'"'"'s identity and the zone where they are located.

127. The storage medium of claim 125 wherein said zone is processing equipment, said zone information including processing parameters for the processing equipment in said zone.

128. The storage medium of claim 125 wherein said zone is a quality inspection area, said zone information including inspection parameters and summary data on the quality level of the products being inspected.

129. The storage medium of claim 128 further comprising the step of activating authorization software for said zone associated with said user'"'"'s job assignment.

130. A data signal propagated over a propagation medium, said data signal being context sensitive to a particular user, said context sensitive data having been encoded by a method comprising:

identifying a user;

defining a query;

transmitting said query and said user identity to a server;

periodically querying at least one database;

retrieving said query information from said at least one database;

retrieving user information from said at least one database;

creating a context sensitive subset of said query information depending on said user information; and

,

transmitting said context sensitive subset information to said user.

131. The data signal of claim 130, further comprising the steps of:

determining the location of the user; and

,

creating a subset of said query information depending on the location of the user.

132. The data signal of claim 131 wherein said query definition includes data on the desired format of the information.

133. The data signal of claim 132 wherein said query definition includes data on the desired format of the information.

134. The data signal of claim 133 wherein said query definition includes information on the period of time between said queries.

135. The data signal of claim 130 further comprising the step of:

defining an alarm criteria for said query information;

periodically querying said at least one database;

comparing said query information to said alarm criteria; and

,

notifying said user if said alarm criteria is met.

136. A data signal propagated over a propagation medium, said data signal being context sensitive to a particular user, said context sensitive data having been encoded by a method comprising:

transmitting a command to a server;

determining the identify of the user;

determining the location of the user;

determining the schedule of the user;

retrieving data in response to said command;

determining a context sensitive subset of said data based on said user identity, location and schedule; and

,

transmitting context sensitive subset data to the user.

137. The data signal of claim 136 further comprising the step of:

comparing the transmitted command to a set of predefined commands; and

,

formatting the context sensitive subset data in a predetermined form at.

138. The data signal of claim 137 wherein said transmitted command includes a first field containing a request for information on a subject.

139. The data signal of claim 138 further comprising the step of:

comparing said first field to a database containing employee information;

identifying which employees have knowledge of said subject; and

,

transmitting to the user said identified employee data, said employee data including information on how to contact said identified employees.

140. The data signal of claim 139 further comprising the step of determining the location of said identified employees.

141. The data signal of claim 140 wherein said identified employee data includes information on the location of the identified employees.

142. The data signal of claim 140 further comprising the step of notifying the identified employees that the user has requested information.

143. The data signal of claim 142 further comprising the step of notifying the identified employees of the users location.

144. The data signal of claim 138 wherein said command includes a second field, said second field including a specific information required.

145. The data signal of claim 144 further comprising the step of:

comparing said first field to a database containing employee information;

identifying which employees have knowledge of said subject;

determining the location of said identified employees; and

,

transmitting to said identified employees data on the user, said user data including the location of the user and information contained in said second field.

146. The data signal of claim 145 further comprising the step of determining which employees are located closest to the user.

147. The data signal of claim 146 wherein said user data is transmitted to only the closest identified employees.

148. The data signal of claim 145 further comprising the step of transmitting to the user said identified employee data, said employee data including information on how to contact said identified employees.

149. A data signal propagated over a propagation medium, said data signal being context sensitive to a particular user, said context sensitive data having been encoded by a method comprising:

transmitting to a first command from the user, said command including an information request;

searching a database, said database including contact information of qualified personnel, said qualified personnel being grouped into communities by subject matter;

identifying which communities correspond to said information request;

transmitting to said qualified personnel in said identified communities said information request;

receiving from said qualified personnel answers to said requested information; and

,

transmitting said received answers to the user.

150. The data signal of claim 149 further comprising the step of:

receiving the first command from the user;

determining which of said expert communities correspond to said information request;

transmitting to the user said communities identified as corresponding to the information request;

selecting which qualified personnel communities the user would like to send the information request to; and

,

transmitting a second command from the user;

said second command including information identifying said selected qualified personnel communities.

151. The data signal of claim 149 further comprising the step of:

parsing said first command; and

,

determining keywords for searching said database from said parsed first command.

152. A data signal propagated over a propagation medium, said data signal being context sensitive to a particular user within an industrial facility, said context sensitive data having been encoded by a method comprising:

defining a plurality of zones within the facility;

identifying a user within said zones;

determining personnel information for said user, said personnel information including data on said user'"'"'s job assignment; and

,

transmitting zone information to said user.

153. The data signal of claim 152 further comprising the step of determining what information is required for said user'"'"'s job assignment.

154. The data signal of claim 153 wherein said zone information includes a subset of the information required for said user'"'"'s job assignment, said subset being information related to said zone where said user is currently located.

155. The data signal of claim 153 further comprising the step of:

determining when said user moves from a first zone to a second zone; and

,

transmitting a second zone information to said user, said second zone information including a subset of the information required for said user'"'"'s job assignment, said subset being information related to said second zone.

156. The data signal of claim 153 further comprising the step of:

authenticating the identity of the user within said zone.

157. The data signal of claim 156 further comprising the step of:

enabling access to facility or manufacturing controls based on the user'"'"'s identity and the zone where they are located.

158. The data signal of claim 156 wherein said zone is processing equipment, said zone information including processing parameters for the processing equipment in said zone.

159. The data signal of claim 156 wherein said zone is a quality inspection area, said zone information including inspection parameters and summary data on the quality level of the products being inspected.

160. The data signal of claim 159 further comprising the step of activating authorization software for said zone associated with said user'"'"'s job assignment.

161. In a computer system having graphical user interface including a display and a selection device, a method for providing context sensitive data and selecting different data, the method comprising:

retrieving a set of display sections, said sections including a report selection having a plurality of parameter entries, a menu section having a plurality of data set entries and a metrics section having a plurality of report entries;

displaying said sections on the display;

retrieving a display selection signal indicative of the selection device pointing at a selected entry in one of said sections; and

,

in response to said signal, transmitting a signal to an application to retrieve context sensitive data represented by the selected entry.