Method and software for mobile data collection having managed workflow
First Claim
1. A method of collecting geo-spatially referenced data using a mobile computing device having a global positioning satellite (GPS) data receiver, a data storage device, a central processing unit (CPU), a graphical display, and a network connection means, the method comprising:
- a) providing a network-accessible asset attribute database (AAD), the AAD containing attribute information relating to a plurality of geo-spatially distributed assets, each asset having a set of GPS co-ordinates;
b) providing a network-accessible work request database (WRD), the WRD containing a plurality of work requests, each work request relating to a geo-spatially distributed asset in the AAD, the WRD including attribute information from the AAD for the asset;
c) receiving work request information from the WRD via the network connection means and creating a local work request database (LWRD) containing the work request information;
d) allowing a mobile user to make changes to the attribute information in the LWRD in fulfilment of the work requests; and
, e) periodically synchronizing the mobile computing device using the network connection means to update the WRD with both the work request and attribute information in the LWRD.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A computerized method for collecting information on geo-spatially distributed assets. The method includes managed workflow so that work crews are automatically informed of the work that needs to be done and can report back to management when the work is completed. Mobile workers use a network-disconnected mobile computing device for data collection that includes a GPS receiver for use in generating a map showing the user'"'"'s position in relation to the asset. An asset attribute database having a vertical database schema permits live-entry of the collected data without the need for confirmation, thereby speeding data entry and reducing the likelihood of data loss in the event of power failure, etc. The vertical database schema also permits data collection forms to be changed without updating the underlying database structure. The vertical database schema is converted to a relational database schema for management reporting purposes.
94 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of collecting geo-spatially referenced data using a mobile computing device having a global positioning satellite (GPS) data receiver, a data storage device, a central processing unit (CPU), a graphical display, and a network connection means, the method comprising:
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a) providing a network-accessible asset attribute database (AAD), the AAD containing attribute information relating to a plurality of geo-spatially distributed assets, each asset having a set of GPS co-ordinates;
b) providing a network-accessible work request database (WRD), the WRD containing a plurality of work requests, each work request relating to a geo-spatially distributed asset in the AAD, the WRD including attribute information from the AAD for the asset;
c) receiving work request information from the WRD via the network connection means and creating a local work request database (LWRD) containing the work request information;
d) allowing a mobile user to make changes to the attribute information in the LWRD in fulfilment of the work requests; and
,e) periodically synchronizing the mobile computing device using the network connection means to update the WRD with both the work request and attribute information in the LWRD. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of managing geo-spatially referenced data comprising:
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a) providing a asset attribute database (MD), the MD containing attribute information relating to a plurality of geo-spatially distributed assets, each asset having a set of GPS co-ordinates;
b) providing a work request database (WRD), the WRD containing a plurality of work requests, each work request relating to a geo-spatially distributed asset in the MD, the WRD including attribute information from the MD for the asset;
c) periodically updating the attribute information in the WRD in fulfillment of the work requests;
followed by,d) periodically updating the attribute information in the MD with the attribute information in the WRD. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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19. A computer software application for managing geo-spatially referenced data comprising:
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a) an asset attribute database (MD), the MD containing attribute information relating to a plurality of geo-spatially distributed assets, each asset having a set of GPS co-ordinates; and
,b) a work request database (WRD), the WRD containing a plurality of work requests, each work request relating to a geo-spatially distributed asset in the MD, the WRD including attribute information from the MD for the asset. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification