System and Method for Managing Information About Playground Installations

• US 20130183647A1
• Filed: 01/11/2013
• Published: 07/18/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Playworld Systems, Inc. (PlayPower Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Playworld Systems, Inc. (PlayPower Incorporated)
• Inventors: MILLER, MATTHEW M., SHROYER, RANDAL L., HARRY, JENNIFER R.
• Application Number:
  US13/739,519
• Publication Number:
  US 20130183647A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 434/247
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/00 Electrically-operated educational appliances working with questions and answers G09B7/00; simulators G09B9/00; advertising or displaying in general G09F

Abstract

An information and management system configured to obtain and provide information about a playground installation may include a readable tag located on or near a playground installation. In response to reading the tag, a user interface of a mobile device may display information such as an identifying description that is specific to the playground installation, a check-in feature enabling a user to notify others of his or her location at the playground installation, instructions for how to use at least one aspect of the playground installation, and a parts list of at least some of the components of the playground installation. The system may further provide a claiming function configured to allow a user to identify a sales order associated with the readable tag with a second user interface, the second user interface configured to further manage the playground installation.

Claims

1. An information system configured to provide information about a playground installation, comprising:

a readable tag located on or near a playground installation;

information accessible on a user interface of a mobile device in response to the mobile device reading the tag, the information including;

an identifying description that is specific to the playground installation;

a check-in feature enabling a user to notify others of his or her location at the playground installation; and

instructions for how to use at least one aspect of the playground installation.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the instructions for how to use at least one aspect of the playground installation includes a tip about how to use at least one aspect of the playground installation.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the tip is configured to be updated on a weekly basis.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the instructions for how to use at least one aspect of the playground installation includes a suggestion about how to use at least one aspect of the playground installation.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the instructions for how to use at least one aspect of the playground installation includes a description of a game that the user can play in conjunction with at least one aspect of the playground installation.

6. The system of claim 1 further configured to utilize at least one feature on the mobile device, wherein the at least one feature comprises at least one of a web browser, a document viewing system, an email system, a calendar system, text message system, or voice calling system.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the check-in feature is further configured to provide access to at least one social media network to update a status of the user on at least one social media network.

8. The system of claim 1 further comprising a reporting feature configured to allow the user to upload information relating to a maintenance problem at the playground installation.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the information relating to a maintenance problem at the playground installation includes at least one photograph of the maintenance problem.

10. The system of claim 3 wherein the information system is configured to use at least one of a web browser, an email system, or text message system to manage a donation to the playground installation.

11. A method for providing information about a playground installation comprising:

providing a readable tag located on or near a playground installation;

displaying information on a user interface of a mobile device in response to the mobile device reading the tag, the displaying step further including;

displaying an identifying description that is specific to the playground installation;

displaying a check-in feature enabling a user to notify others of his or her location at the playground installation; and

displaying instructions for how to use at least one aspect of the playground installation.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the instructions for how to use at least one aspect of the playground installation includes a tip or suggestion about how to use at least one aspect of the playground installation.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the instructions for how to use at least one aspect of the playground installation includes a description of a game that the user can play in conjunction with at least one aspect of the playground installation.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein the step of displaying information includes utilizing at least one feature comprises at least one of a web browser, a document viewing system, an email system, a calendar system, text message system, or voice calling system.

15. The method of claim 11 wherein the displaying information step further comprises displaying a reporting feature configured to allow the user to upload information relating to a maintenance problem at the playground installation.

16. A playground management system configured to manage a playground installation, comprising:

a readable tag located on or near a playground installation; and

an application accessible on a first user interface of a mobile device in response to the mobile device reading the tag, the application configured to;

display and identifying description that is specific to the playground installation;

display a parts list of at least some of the components of the playground installation; and

provide a claiming function configured to allow a user to identify a sales order associated with the readable tag with a second user interface, the second user interface configured to further manage the playground installation.

17. The management system of claim 16 wherein the first user interface further provides a download feature configured to provide access to at least one installation or maintenance manual.

18. The management system of claim 16 wherein the first user interface is configured to allow a user to geographically tag the playground installation.

19. The management system of claim 16 wherein the user is a first user and wherein the second user interface provides a data management system that displays information collected from at least one second user through a third user interface.

20. The data management system of claim 19 wherein the information collected from the at least one second user includes information about a maintenance problem at the playground installation.