System and methods for management of mobile field assets via wireless handheld devices
DC CAFCFirst Claim
1. A method, comprising:
- using a handheld device to access an assessment program stored in a memory of a computing device located geographically remote from the handheld device, the assessment program being configured to enable a field assessment in a specific industry;
collecting field data associated with the field assessment using the handheld device in response to the assessment program;
using the handheld device to determine a geographical location of the handheld device; and
communicating the field data collected using the handheld device and the geographical location of the handheld device to the computing device.
7 Assignments
Litigations
2 Petitions
Reexamination
Accused Products
Abstract
Communication from enterprise servers to handheld devices in the field supports dispatch, data synchronization, logistics and personnel. Bi-directional data delivery from enterprise-based servers over wireless data networks is enabled using wireless capabilities resident in handheld personal computing devices. Real time communications facilitates real-time access to remote programs, assistance and/or information related to the field operations and asset (personnel and inventory) resource management. Management is facilitated for at least one of: construction industry project analysis, HVAC system analysis, project management, equipment readiness inspection, troubleshooting, inventory tracking, inventory ordering, sales (e.g., providing cost estimates to customers), customer invoicing, conducting legal investigations, field data collection, and multi-user remote function coordination.
64 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method, comprising:
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using a handheld device to access an assessment program stored in a memory of a computing device located geographically remote from the handheld device, the assessment program being configured to enable a field assessment in a specific industry; collecting field data associated with the field assessment using the handheld device in response to the assessment program; using the handheld device to determine a geographical location of the handheld device; and communicating the field data collected using the handheld device and the geographical location of the handheld device to the computing device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A handheld device, comprising:
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a communication module configured to download a field management program stored in a computing device located remotely from the handheld device; a memory configured to store the field management program after the download; a position module configured to enable identifying a geographic location of the handheld device; and a processor configured to execute the stored field management program to enable collecting field data associated with a field assessment while at a field; wherein the communication module is further configured to communicate the field data and the geographic location of the handheld device to the computing device. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An apparatus, comprising:
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means for establishing a two-way communication channel between a server and at least one handheld device located at a field geographically distant from the server; means for accessing a program stored at the server to enable an assessment at the field using the at least one handheld device; means for managing data collected at the field using the at least one handheld device responsive to program; means for determining a geographic location of the at least one handheld device; and means for enabling communicating the data collected at the field and the geographic location of the at least one handheld device between the at least one handheld device and other devices or the server. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification