Inspection method, system, and program product

• US 7,536,278 B2
• Filed: 05/24/2005
• Issued: 05/19/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Electronic Machines Corp.
• Original Assignee: International Electronic Machines Corp.
• Inventors: Mian, Zahid F., Mullaney, Jeremy C., Spoor, Ryk E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lau; Tung S
• Assistant Examiner(s): SUN, XIUQIN
• Application Number:
  US11/136,207
• Publication Number:
  US 20050267707A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,456 Days
• Field of Search: 702/184, 700/287, 701/33, 707/200
• 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:

providing a data sensing system;

mounting the data sensing system to a handheld computing device;

initiating an inspection schedule on the handheld computing device;

verifying access rights of a user of the handheld computing device; and

performing the inspection using the handheld computing device in response to successfully verifying access rights of the user, wherein the performing includes;

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

prompting the 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;

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

wherein the mounting step 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 performing at least one security action in response to failure of the verifying step.

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

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the communicating step includes encrypting the first set of evaluated attributes.

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

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the compressing step 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.

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

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the performing step 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.

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

12. 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;

means for verifying access rights of a user;

means for obtaining background information relating to the inspection from the central repository;

means for initiating an inspection schedule;

means for receiving a set of attributes from the data sensing system based on the inspection schedule; and

means for evaluating the set of attributes in accordance with the background information; and

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

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the handheld computing device further includes means for performing at least one security action in response to a failure to verify the access rights.

14. The system of claim 12, further comprising a base station, wherein the handheld computing device further includes means for communicating the set of attributes to the base station.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the means for communicating includes means for compressing the set of attributes.

17. The system of claim 12, wherein the handheld computing device comprises a personal digital assistant.

18. The system of claim 12, wherein the handheld computing device further includes means for querying the central repository for additional information that is ancillary to the evaluation of the set of attributes.

15. The system 14, wherein the means for communicating includes means for encrypting the set of attributes.

19. A personal digital assistant (PDA) comprising:

means for mounting to a data sensing system;

means for communicating with the data sensing system and a remote central repository;

means for performing an inspection that includes;

means for verifying access rights of a user;

means for obtaining background information relating to the inspection from the central repository;

means for initiating an inspection schedule for the inspection;

means for receiving 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

means for evaluating the set of attributes in accordance with the background information; and

wherein the means for communicating includes means for adjusting a direction of operation for the data sensing system independent of the PDA.

20. The PDA of claim 19, further comprising means for performing at least one security action in response to a failure to verify the access rights.

21. The PDA of claim 19, wherein the communicating means communicates the set of attributes to at least one of a

22. The PDA of claim 19, further including means for querying the central repository for additional information that is ancillary to evaluation of the set of attributes.

23. 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:

means for mounting to a data sensing system;

means for communicating with the data sensing system and a remote central repository;

means for verifying access rights of the user;

means for obtaining background information relating to the inspection from the central repository;

means for initiating an inspection schedule for the inspection;

means for receiving 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

means for evaluating the set of attributes in accordance with the background information;

wherein the means for mounting includes means for adjusting a direction of operation for the data sensing system independent of the PDA.

24. The program product of claim 23, further comprising means for performing at least one security action in response to a failure to verify the access rights.

25. The program product of claim 23, further comprising means for receiving a query.

26. The program product of claim 23, further comprising means for querying the central repository for additional information that is ancillary to the evaluation of the set of attributes.

27. The program product of claim 23, further comprising means for acquiring an inspection schedule from the central repository.