Method and apparatus for enhanced privacy while tracking mobile workers

• US 20070178909A1
• Filed: 02/01/2006
• Published: 08/02/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Omnitracs LLC (Solera Holdings Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Omnitracs LLC (Solera Holdings Incorporated)
• Inventors: Doyle, Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 8,892,116 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/456.100
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0027 of actual mobile position, i.e. position determined on mobile

Abstract

A wireless communication device transmits location information associated with a mobile worker at a first interval when the worker is assigned to a work task. When the worker is not working on the work task, the wireless communication device does not transmit location information, or transmits the location information less persistently. In this manner, business value of tracking mobile worker location is achieved while also allowing for enhanced privacy for the mobile worker when not working on a work task.

Claims

1. A method for tracking the location of a mobile worker, comprising:

providing the worker with a wireless communication device having a location detection component;

determining that the worker is assigned to be working on a work task;

tracking, at a first periodic interval, the location of the wireless communication device when the worker is assigned to be working on a work task;

determining that the worker is not assigned to be working on a work task; and

discontinuing tracking the location of the wireless communication device at the first periodic interval when the worker is not assigned to be working on a work task.

2. The method for tracking the location of a mobile worker, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

tracking, at a second periodic interval, the location of the wireless communication device, when it is determined that the worker is not assigned to be working on a work task.

3. The method for tracking the location of a mobile worker, as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first periodic interval has a higher frequency than the second periodic interval.

4. The method for tracking the location of a mobile worker, as claimed in claim 1, wherein when it is determined that the worker is not assigned to be working on a work task, the location of the worker is not tracked.

5. The method for tracking position of a mobile worker, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

generating a notification when the location of the worker is outside of an expected location of the worker when the worker is assigned to be working on a work task.

6. The method for tracking the location of a mobile worker, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the determining that the worker is assigned to be working on a work task comprises:

assigning a task to the mobile worker;

receiving acknowledgement of the task from the mobile worker; and

marking the worker and associated wireless communication device as working on a work task.

7. The method for tracking the location of a mobile worker, as claimed in claim 6, wherein the determining that the worker is not assigned to be working on a work task further comprises:

receiving an indication from the wireless communication device that the worker is no longer working on the work task; and

marking the worker and associated wireless device as not working on a work task.

8. The method for tracking the location of a mobile worker, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said determining that the worker is assigned to be working on a work task comprises:

determining the current time;

comparing the current time with a business schedule associated with the mobile worker; and

marking the worker and associated wireless communication device as working on a work task when the current time is within the business hour schedule.

9. The method for tracking the location of a mobile worker, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tracking comprises:

determining a current location of the wireless communication device;

sending the current position from the wireless communication device; and

repeating the determining and sending at the first periodic interval.

10. The method for tracking the location of a mobile worker, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tracking comprises:

sending a location request to the wireless communication device;

receiving a reply from the wireless communication device containing current location information; and

repeating the sending and receiving at the first periodic interval.

11. A wireless communication device, comprising:

a wireless transmitter/receiver component operable to send/receive signals from a wireless base station, the received signals modulated to include task information related to at least one work task, the wireless transmitter/receiver further being operable to demodulate the received signals and to output the task information;

a GPS receiver operable to determine a location of the wireless communication device and output location information; and

a control processor coupled to the wireless transmitter/receiver and the GPS receiver, and operable to receive the task information and the location information, and further operable to periodically provide the location information to the transmitter/receiver to be modulated and transmitted to the wireless base station when the task information indicates an assignment to a work task.

12. The wireless communication device, as claimed in claim 11, wherein the control processor is further operable to receive input from a user interface associated with the wireless communication device, wherein the location information from the GPS receiver is transmitted when a user indicates on the user interface that a task is accepted.

13. The wireless communication device, as claimed in claim 12, wherein the control processor is further operable to discontinue transmitting the location information when an input is received from the user interface indicating that the user is off task.

14. The wireless communication device, as claimed in claim 11, wherein the task information includes a location tracking interval, and wherein the control processor is operable to transmit the location information of the wireless communication device periodically according to the location tracking interval.

15. The wireless communication device, as claimed in claim 11, further comprising a memory, wherein the control processor is coupled to the memory and operable to access a business hours schedule contained therein, and transmit location information from the GPS receiver at first predetermined interval during the business hours, and to discontinue transmitting location information outside of the business hours.

16. A tangible data storage medium comprising executable data capable of causing a programmable device to perform:

determining that a worker is assigned to be working on a work task;

transmitting location information related to the worker at a first periodic interval when the worker is assigned to be working on the work task; and

discontinuing said transmitting when it is determined that the worker is no longer assigned to be working on the work task.

17. The tangible data storage medium of claim 16, wherein the determining comprises:

determining that a task is assigned to the worker; and

determining that the worker has acknowledged the task.

18. The tangible data storage medium of claim 16, wherein the discontinuing comprises:

transmitting location information related to the worker at a second periodic interval when the worker is no longer assigned to be working on the work task, wherein said first periodic interval is shorter than said second periodic interval.

19. The tangible data storage medium of claim 16, wherein the discontinuing comprises:

determining that the worker has completed the task; and

discontinuing said transmitting.