INSPECTION METHOD, SYSTEM, AND PROGRAM PRODUCT

• US 20100042369A1
• Filed: 10/30/2008
• Published: 02/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jeremy C. Mullaney, Ryk E. Spoor, Zahid F. Mian
• Original Assignee: Jeremy C. Mullaney, Ryk E. Spoor, Zahid F. Mian
• Inventors: Mian, Zahid F., Mullaney, Jeremy C., Spoor, Ryk E.
• Granted Patent: US 8,280,685 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/184
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling

Abstract

An improved solution for performing an inspection is provided, in which a user can use a handheld computing device to obtain and/or record the set of attributes required for the inspection. In particular, an inspection schedule can be initiated on the handheld computing device and the user can be prompted for the various attributes based on the inspection schedule. Various solutions can be incorporated for receiving the attributes on the handheld computing device, including manual entry, audible entry and/or one or more data sensing devices. Subsequently, the set of attributes can be communicated to a base station for further processing and/or more permanent storage.

Claims

1. A method of performing an inspection, the method comprising:

mounting a data sensing system to a handheld computing device;

initiating an inspection schedule on the handheld computing device; and

performing the inspection using the handheld computing device, wherein the performing includes;

receiving background information that relates to the inspection from a central repository;

prompting a user of the handheld computing device to acquire a first set of attributes based on the inspection schedule;

receiving the first set of attributes on the handheld computing device from the data sensing system that is in communication with the handheld computing device; and

evaluating the first set of attributes in accordance with the background information on the handheld computing device;

wherein the mounting includes adjusting a direction of operation for the data sensing system independent of the handheld computing device.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising verifying access rights of the user prior to the performing, wherein the performing requires success of the verifying.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising performing at least one security action in response to failure of the verifying.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving of the first set of attributes includes translating an attribute spoken by the user.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving of the first set of attributes further includes positioning the data sensing system prior to receiving the attributes.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising communicating the first set of evaluated attributes to at least one of the central repository or a base station.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the communicating includes encrypting the first set of evaluated attributes.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the communicating includes compressing the first set of evaluated attributes.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the compressing includes:

identifying a region of interest for one of the first set of evaluated attributes; and

removing data for the one of the first set of evaluated attributes that is not within the region of interest.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the handheld computing device comprises a personal digital assistant.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the performing further includes:

receiving a query on the handheld computing device;

prompting the user to acquire a second set of attributes in response to the query; and

receiving the second set of attributes on the handheld computing device.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving the inspection schedule on the handheld computing device from the central repository.

13. A system for performing an inspection, the system comprising:

a data sensing system;

a remote central repository comprising a plurality of information relating to the inspection;

a handheld computing device that includes;

component configured to obtain background information relating to the inspection from the central repository;

component configured to initiate an inspection schedule;

component configured to receive a set of attributes from the data sensing system based on the inspection schedule; and

component configured to evaluate the set of attributes in accordance with the background information; and

component configured to mount the data sensing system to the handheld computing device, wherein the mount component includes a component configured to adjust a direction of operation for the data sensing system independent of the handheld computing device.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the handheld computing device further includes a component configured to verify.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the handheld computing device further includes

a component configured to perform at least one security action in response to a failure to verify the access rights.

16. The system of claim 13, further comprising a base station, wherein the handheld computing device further includes a component configured to communicate the set of attributes to the base station.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the communicating component includes a component configured to encrypt the set of attributes.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the communicating component includes a component configured to compress the set of attributes.

19. The system of claim 13, wherein the handheld computing device comprises a personal digital assistant.

20. The system of claim 13, wherein the handheld computing device further includes a component configured to query the central repository for additional information that is ancillary to the evaluation of the set of attributes.

21. A personal digital assistant (PDA) comprising:

component configured to mount to a data sensing system;

component configured to communicate with the data sensing system and a remote central repository;

component configured to perform an inspection that includes;

component configured to obtain background information relating to the inspection from the central repository;

component configured to initiate an inspection schedule for the inspection;

component configured to receive a set of attributes based on the inspection schedule, wherein at least a portion of the set of attributes is received from the data sensing system; and

component configured to evaluate the set of attributes in accordance with the background information; and

wherein the mounting component includes a component configured to adjust a direction of operation for the data sensing system independent of the PDA.

22. The PDA of claim 21, further comprising a component configured to verify access rights of the user.

23. The PDA of claim 22, further comprising a component configured to perform at least one security action in response to a failure to verify the access rights.

24. The PDA of claim 21, wherein the communicating component communicates the set of attributes to at least one of a base station or the central repository.

25. The PDA of claim 21, further including a component configured to query the central repository for additional information that is ancillary to the evaluation of the set of attributes.

26. A program product stored in a computer-readable medium, which when executed, enables a user of a personal digital assistant (PDA) to perform an inspection, the program product comprising:

program code configured to mounting to a data sensing system;

program code configured to communicate with the data sensing system and a remote central repository;

program code configured to obtain background information relating to the inspection from the central repository;

program code configured to initiate an inspection schedule for the inspection;

program code configured to receive a set of attributes based on the inspection schedule, wherein at least a portion of the set of attributes is received from the data sensing system; and

program code configured to evaluate the set of attributes in accordance with the background information;

wherein the mounting program code includes program code configured to adjust a direction of operation for the data sensing system independent of the PDA.

27. The program product of claim 26, further comprising program code configured to verify access rights of the user.

28. The program product of claim 27, further comprising program code configured to perform at least one security action in response to a failure to verify the access rights.

29. The program product of claim 26, further comprising program code configured to receive a query.

30. The program product of claim 26, further comprising program code configured to query the central repository for additional information that is ancillary to the evaluation of the set of attributes.

31. The program product of claim 26, further comprising program code configured to acquire an inspection schedule from the central repository.