Method and apparatus for mobile data collection and management

• US 20070260475A1
• Filed: 04/17/2007
• Published: 11/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Verifone, Inc. (Verifone Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Global Bay Mobile Technologies, Inc. (Manhattan Associates Incorporated)
• Inventors: Bhanote, Sandeep
• Granted Patent: US 7,756,829 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/1.100
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising

Abstract

A method and apparatus for a middleware approach to initializing and updating required data entry fields, pushing such required data entry fields to mobile devices and applications, collecting entered data from such mobile devices, and the synchronizing and integrating of the data is presented. A “form builder” software component of the present invention allows for the creation of easy to read and use data entry forms by company management. A “web application” software component of the present invention allows for the forms to then be distributed via electronic and/or wireless means to mobile client devices, such as PDA'"'"'s, Tablets, and Laptops, and to Desktop computers. The mobile client devices run applications to utilize the data entry forms and are that into which collected data can be entered. A “synchronization server” software component of the present invention then allows for two-way communication, storage and conflict resolution (versioning) of the collected data. An “integration server” software component of the present invention allows for external access to the collected and versioned data and modeling/mapping of such data. Thus seamless data entry, collection, updating, conflict resolution, versioning, storage, access and utilization is available.

Claims

1. A method of collecting and managing data, the method comprising the steps of:

utilizing a form builder component by which to create at least one of a template form, a data collection survey and a business rule application;

utilizing a web application component by which to manage at least one of a system user, the template form, the data collection survey, the business rule application and collected data; and

utilizing a synchronization server component to control at least one of a secure transmission and a storage of at least one of the template form, the data collection survey, the business rule application, and collected data,

wherein data is entered into at least one of the template form, data collection survey and the business rule application.

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

utilizing an integration server component to control at least one of the access and sharing of the collected data.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of:

utilizing a mobile client component by which at least one of the template form, the data collection survey and the business rule application may be run.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of utilizing the form builder component to create at least one of the template form, the data collection survey and the business rule application further comprises at least one of the steps of:

designing a template form;

choosing a template form; and

editing an existing template form,

wherein such steps are performed via a template editor operative interface piece.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of utilizing the form builder component to create at least one of the template form, the data collection survey and the business rule application further comprises at least one of the steps of:

create a new data collection survey;

load a list of stored template forms for use in the newly created data collection survey;

set object properties in at least one of the stored template forms or newly created data collection survey;

edit the newly created data collection survey; and

save the newly created data collection survey,

wherein such steps are performed via a survey builder operative interface piece.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of utilizing the form builder component to create at least one of the template form, the data collection survey and the business rule application further comprises at least one of the steps of:

load a dataset comprising a list of dataset questions;

provide attributes to the dataset questions;

create dataset answers; and

set properties by specifying preferences,

wherein such steps are performed via a survey builder operative interface piece.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of utilizing the form builder component to create at least one of the template form, the data collection survey and the business rule application further comprises at least one of the steps of:

define logic;

manipulate control properties;

set validations;

filter lists;

define jumps;

define data save points; and

populate controls with value,

wherein such steps are performed via a script creator operative interface piece.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of utilizing a web application component by which to manage at least one of the system user, the template form, the data collection survey, the business rule application and collected data further comprises at least one of the steps of:

create a system user or system user group;

edit a system user or system user group;

associate a system user or system user group to at least one of the template form, the data collection survey and the business rule application;

viewing and editing of the collected data in at least one of the template form, the data collection survey and the business rule application;

controlling access to at least one of the template form, the data collection survey and the business rule application;

exporting the collected data from at least one of the template form, the data collection survey and the business rule application; and

running reports on the collected data from at least one of the template form, the data collection survey and the business rule application.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of utilizing a synchronization server component to control a secure transmission or storage of at least one of the template form, the data collection survey, the business rule application, and collected data further comprises at least one of the steps of:

storing and backing up the collected data;

synchronizing the collected data;

versioning the template form, the data collection survey, the business rule application and the collected data; and

resolving conflicts as between the template form, the data collection survey, the business rule application and the collected data.

10. The method according to claim 2, wherein the step of utilizing an integration server component to control the access or sharing of the collected data further comprises at least one of the steps of:

mapping data fields to an external system; and

allowing a 3^rd party to “

push” and

“

pull”

collected data, business rules, validations and user interfaces.

11. The method according to claim 3, wherein the step of utilizing a mobile client component by which at least one of the template form, the data collection survey and the business rule application may be run further comprises at least one of the steps of:

running communication components; and

supporting peripheral and data collection devices,

wherein each can be accomplished via Bluetooth or WIFI.

12. A data collection and management system, comprising:

a Form Builder component to create at least one of a template form, data collection survey and business rule application;

a Web Application component to manage at least one of a system user, at least one of the template form, data collection survey and business rule application, and collected data;

a Synchronization Server component to control a secure transmission and storage of at least one of the template form, the data collection survey, the business rule application, and collected data,

wherein data is entered into at least one of the template form, data collection survey and the business rule application.

13. The data collection and management system according to claim 12, further comprising:

an Integration Server component to control access and sharing of the entered data.

14. The data collection and management system according to claim 12, further comprising:

a Mobile Client component on which at least one of the template form, data collection survey and business rule application may be run.

15. The data collection and management system according to claim 12, wherein the template form is created via at least one of the steps of:

designing a template form;

choosing a template form; and

editing an existing template form.

16. The data collection and management system according to claim 12, wherein the data collection survey is created via at least one of the steps of:

create a new data collection survey;

load a list of stored template forms for use in the newly created data collection survey;

set object properties in at least one of the stored template forms or newly created data collection survey;

edit the newly created data collection survey; and

save the newly created data collection survey.

17. The data collection and management system according to claim 12, wherein the data collection survey is created via at least one of the steps of:

load a dataset comprising a list of dataset questions;

provide attributes to the dataset questions;

create dataset answers; and

set properties by specifying preferences.

18. The data collection and management system according to claim 12, wherein the business rule application is created via at least one of the steps of:

define logic;

manipulate control properties;

set validations;

filter lists;

define jumps;

define data save points; and

populate controls with value.

19. The data collection and management system according to claim 12, wherein management of at least one of system user, the template form, the data collection survey, the business rule application and the collected data is accomplished via at least one of the steps of:

create a system user or system user group;

edit a system user or system user group;

associate a system user or system user group to at least one of the template form, the data collection survey and the business rule application;

viewing and editing of the collected data in at least one of the template form, the data collection survey and the business rule application;

controlling access to at least one of the template form, the data collection survey and the business rule application;

exporting the collected data from at least one of the template form, the data collection survey and the business rule application; and

running reports on the collected data from at least one of the template form, the data collection survey and the business rule application.

20. The data collection and management system according to claim 12, wherein the secure transmission, storage, access or sharing of at least one of the template form, the data collection survey, the business rule application, and collected data is via at least one of the steps of:

storing and backing up the collected data;

synchronizing the collected data;

versioning the template form, the data collection survey, the business rule application and the collected data;

resolving conflicts as between the template form, the data collection survey, the business rule application and the collected data;

mapping data fields to an external system; and

allowing a 3^rd party to “

push” and

“

pull”

collected data, business rules, validations and user interfaces.