System and method for supporting a worker in a distributed work environment
First Claim
1. A method of supporting a worker using a computing device in a distributed work environment, the distributed work environment including a plurality of physical locations and a plurality of network access stations associated with the plurality of physical locations, the network access stations being in communication with a network such that the computing device is connectable to the network via one of the network access stations, the method comprising:
- establishing a network connection between the computing device and the network via one of the plurality of network access stations;
communicating to the network a unique station identifier associated with the network access station;
determining the physical location of the worker associated with the computing device based on the unique station identifier; and
providing the worker associated with the computing device with privileges associated with the physical location.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A distributed work environment is presented in which a plurality of mobile workers using portable computing devices can gain access to a network via network access stations installed within the work environment. Each network access station is associated with a physical location within the work environment and includes a unique station identifier that may be associated with the physical location. Upon connection to the network, the unique station identifier is provided to a location/association system on the network. Based on the unique station identifier, the location/association system may provide the worker associated with the computing device access to privileges and services associated with the physical location. The computing device may also provide to the location/association system a unique device identifier associated with the computing device and/or the worker'"'"'s identity. Based on the unique device identifier, the location/association system may provide additional privileges and services in accordance with the worker'"'"'s specified preferences.
-
Citations
43 Claims
-
1. A method of supporting a worker using a computing device in a distributed work environment, the distributed work environment including a plurality of physical locations and a plurality of network access stations associated with the plurality of physical locations, the network access stations being in communication with a network such that the computing device is connectable to the network via one of the network access stations, the method comprising:
-
establishing a network connection between the computing device and the network via one of the plurality of network access stations;
communicating to the network a unique station identifier associated with the network access station;
determining the physical location of the worker associated with the computing device based on the unique station identifier; and
providing the worker associated with the computing device with privileges associated with the physical location. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
determining an identity of the worker associated with the computing device; and
providing the worker with privileges associated with the identity.
-
-
5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein providing the worker with privileges associated with the physical location includes providing the worker with telephony services at the physical location.
-
6. The method as recited in claim 4, wherein providing the worker with privileges associated with the identity of the worker includes providing the worker with privileges according to preferences indicated by the worker.
-
7. The method as recited in claim 4, wherein providing the worker with privileges associated with the identity of the worker includes associating the worker with telephony services according to preferences indicated by the worker.
-
8. The method as recited in claim 7, wherein providing the worker with privileges associated with the physical location includes associating the worker with telephony services at the physical location.
-
9. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein providing the worker with privileges associated with the physical location includes enabling network services including access to network devices within the distributed work environment.
-
10. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising modifying privileges and/or preferences associated with the identity of the worker.
-
11. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein establishing the network connection includes establishing an infrared data link between the computing device and the network access station.
-
12. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein at least one connection between the computing device and the network is a wireless connection.
-
13. The method as recited in claim 12 wherein the wireless connection is an infrared connection.
-
14. A method of providing a worker using a computing device with privileges and services associated with a physical location in a distributed work environment, the physical location having a network access station associated therewith to provide a network connection between the computing device and a network, the method comprising:
-
establishing a network connection between the computing device and the network;
providing to the network a unique device identifier associated with the computing device and a unique station identifier associated with the network access station;
searching a database to determine whether the unique device identifier is registered in the database;
if the unique device identifier is registered, associating the computing device with the unique station identifier;
if the unique device identifier is not registered, registering the unique device identifier and associating the computing device with the unique station identifier; and
providing the worker with privileges and services available over the network and/or other systems based on the association between the unique device identifier and the unique station identifier. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
-
-
22. A data communications system for supporting a worker using a computing device in a distributed work environment with a plurality of physical locations having a plurality of network access stations connected to a network so that the computing device is connectable to the network at a network access station associated with a physical location within the work environment which comprises:
-
means for providing to the network a network physical address associated with the network access station;
means for determining an identity of the worker associated with the computing device;
means for determining the physical location of the worker associated with the computing device;
means for providing the worker associated with the computing device with privileges and services associated with the physical location; and
means for providing the worker associated with the computing device with privileges and services associated with the identity of the worker. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
-
- 28. In a data communications system for supporting a worker using a computing device in a distributed work environment having a plurality of physical locations having a plurality of network access stations connected to a network so that the computing device is connectable to the network at a network access station associated with a physical location within the work environment, an improvement comprising each network access station having a unique network physical address associated with a physical location within the work environment so that, when the computing device is connected to the network, the network physical address is provided to a network database and the worker is provided access to privileges and services associated with the physical location.
-
34. An infrared communications system for supporting a worker having an identity at a computing device in a distributed work environment with a plurality of physical locations having a plurality of network access stations connected over an infrared data link to a network so that the computing device is connectable to the network at a network access station associated with a physical location within the work environment, which comprises:
-
a location/association system coupled to the network and configured to initiate an association process when the computing device is connected to the network at a network access station and to establish privileges and services for the worker upon completion of the association process;
a physical location database managed by the location/association system and provided with available services associated with the physical location of each network access station according to a unique network physical address associated with the network access station;
a worker preference database managed by the location/association system and provided with privileges and preferences associated with the identity of worker;
so that when the computing device of the worker is connected to the network at the network access station at the physical location the worker is provided with privileges and services according to the physical location and/or the identity of the worker and with preferences according to the identity of the worker. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
-
Specification