Mobile device and server for task assignments based on proximity and iris image based identification

• US 10,142,837 B2
• Filed: 04/06/2017
• Issued: 11/27/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bindu Rama Rao, Madhavi Jayanthi
• Original Assignee: Bindu Rama Rao, Madhavi Jayanthi
• Inventors: Jayanthi, Madhavi, Rao, Bindu Rama
• Primary Examiner(s): Black, Thomas G
• Assistant Examiner(s): Louie, Wae L
• Application Number:
  US15/481,429
• Publication Number:
  US 20170215071A1
• Time in Patent Office: 600 Days
• Field of Search: 701206, 701213, 701408, 701409, 701411, 4554561, 4554563
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/343 Calculating itineraries, i.e. routes leading from a starting point to a series of categorical destinations using a global route restraint, round trips, touristic trips travelling salesman problem G06Q10/04; optimisation of routes G06Q10/047
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/13 Receivers
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/107 Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/109 Time management, e.g. calendars, reminders, meetings or time accounting
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/19 Sensors therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/193 Preprocessing; Feature extraction
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/197 Matching; Classification
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/67 by electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72457 according to geographic location
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/10 including a GPS signal receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/52 including functional features of a camera constructional features concerning the integration of cameras in portable phones H04M1/0264
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/44504 Circuit details of the additional information generator, e.g. details of the character or graphics signal generator, overlay mixing circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/023 using mutual or relative location information between multiple location based services [LBS] targets or of distance thresholds
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/024 Guidance services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/50 Service provisioning or reconfiguring

Abstract

Mobile device for communicating arrival information at a waypoint, communicating that information to a server, receiving a set of tasks (statically assigned or dynamically assigned) for the user (for example, from the server or from another user), displaying the set of tasks to the user, receiving a completion response (successful or unsuccessful) from the user, and proceeding to the next waypoint along a route/trip plan. A coordination server facilitates communication of a list of tasks assigned to a user to be performed at a specified location. Using the user'"'"'s iris image for authenticating the user of a mobile device makes mobile task assignment, and other mobile activities more secure.

Claims

1. A mobile device comprising:

a processing circuitry, memory and storage;

a global positioning system (GPS) receiver circuitry;

an iris scanner;

a client software, that is executed by the processing circuitry, conducting iris based identity check of a current user based on data collected by the iris scanner, and in response, selectively authorizing access to a tasks list;

wherein the task list comprises a plurality of tasks to be completed by the user of the mobile device, the plurality of tasks having been selected based on a current location of the mobile device, a street name associated with the current location, or based on a current route being navigated;

the client software prompting the user to mark the status of each of the tasks in the task list as completed, skipped or deferred, wherein the client software records and reports the corresponding task status in a task completion response; and

wherein the iris scanner comprises a digital camera that, when activated, takes images and makes multiples measurements and collects reference data points, based on which the authentication of the user of the mobile device is conducted.

2. The mobile device of claim 1 wherein the iris scanner comprises a digital camera that, when activated, employs visible and Infra Red (IR) light such that the incident IR light illuminates the eye of the user of the mobile device and renders the pupil of the user very black, thereby isolating the iris and enabling the iris scanner to locate the center and edge of the pupil of the user, and the edge of the iris, and also enabling the mobile device to make multiple measurements and reference data point collections, based on which the authentication of the user of the mobile device is conducted.

3. The mobile device of claim 1 wherein the images comprises an enhanced iris image that is a combination of a first image from a black-and-white camera of the mobile device and a second image from a vibrant color camera of the same mobile device.

4. The mobile device of claim 1 wherein the client software accepts the tasks list comprising a plurality of tasks to be completed by the user of the mobile device, in response to a notification sent by the client software announcing proximity to, or arrival at a destination;

and

wherein the client software is configured to subsequently report those of the tasks list that are incomplete; and

the client software is configured to reassign a user selected selection of tasks from the tasks list to a second mobile device associated with a second user for completion by the second user.

5. The mobile device of claim 1 wherein the client software is provided a route comprising a plurality of waypoints for navigation, wherein the client software communicates a notification whenever the mobile device determines that it has arrived at one of the waypoints, wherein, in response to the notification it receives a dynamically assembled set of tasks to be completed while at that current waypoint among the plurality of waypoints and at subsequent waypoints.

6. The mobile device of claim 1 wherein the client software sends, when prompted, an iris image of the user captured by the iris scanner, and in response, receives the tasks list for completion by the corresponding user;

and

the client software also comprises a task manager module that facilitates displaying the tasks list assigned to the user of the mobile device for execution at individual waypoints along a given route, the client software prompting the user to provide a task completion response at each waypoint along the route.

7. A server communicatively coupled to a first mobile device, the server comprising:

at least one processor for communicating with the first mobile device, the at least one processor operable to, at least;

receive several tasks for completion, along with a corresponding task sender identification and completion status;

receive a current location of the first mobile device, a street name associated with the current location, or a current route being navigated, from a client software in the first mobile device;

prompt the user of the first mobile device to provide at least one iris image;

identify the user of the first mobile device based on the at least one iris image;

deliver to the client software of the first mobile device a task list comprising a plurality of tasks selected from the several tasks received, to be completed by the user of the first mobile device, after successful identification of the current user based on the at least one iris image; and

receive, process and store a task completion status for each of the plurality of tasks as they are reported by the client software of the first mobile device.

8. The server of claim 7 wherein the at least one iris image of the current user comprises combined iris images generated combining an iris image from a black-and-white camera of a mobile device and an iris image from a vibrant color camera of the same mobile device.

9. The server of claim 7 wherein multiple iris images of the current user is obtained for authentication of the user, the multiple iris images comprising at least one iris image from each of the two eyes of the user.

10. The server of claim 7 wherein the server collects a plurality of addresses selected by the user and then determines an optimal route through those addresses selected;

and

wherein the server sends notification to other known and registered users along the optimal route to automatically inform those corresponding registered users of the impending approach of the user towards their respective current locations followed by a second notification indicating subsequent arrival of the user at those locations.

11. The server of claim 7 wherein the at least one processor, for successful authentication of the user, compares at least one of the at least one iris image received, to iris images stored in a database;

and

after successful authentication of the user based on the comparison, provides instructions and data to aid completion of the tasks assigned to the user.

12. The server of claim 7 wherein the at least one processor selectively conducts dual iris authentication for the user if necessary, wherein the server receives multiple iris images comprising a left iris image and the right iris image of the user, wherein the at least one processor compares the left iris image and the right iris image of the user to iris images stored in the database, for user authentication and for selective retrieval of tasks for completion by the user.

13. The server of claim 7 wherein the server sends a recapture message to the mobile device, when iris image based authentication fails based on the at least one iris image provided, wherein the server selectively recommends an alternate iris image segmentation with better circle localization and non-iris region detection, and a better image compression technique for the at least one iris image.

14. The server of claim 7 wherein the server receives, from a first mobile device used by a first user, a notification indicating arrival at a destination, or arrival in proximity to the destination, and, in response, the server communicates to the first mobile device a set of tasks to be completed by the first user at specific locations, wherein the set of tasks are those specified by a second user employing a second mobile device, wherein the set of tasks are stored at the server until delivery to the first mobile device.

15. The server of claim 7 wherein the server receives a completion status response from the first mobile device, wherein the completion status response is associated with the task list comprising a plurality of tasks communicated by the server to the first mobile device;

and

wherein the completion status response for each of the plurality of tasks comprises one of the following status;

completed, skipped or deferred.

16. The server of claim 7 wherein the first mobile device is provided a route comprising a plurality of waypoints for navigation, wherein the server receives a notification from the first mobile device whenever the first mobile device determines that it has arrived at one of the plurality of waypoints, wherein, in response to the notification received, the server communicates to the first mobile device a dynamically assembled set of tasks to be completed while at that current waypoint, among the plurality of waypoints.

17. A first mobile device comprising:

an iris scanner;

a processor configured to execute and operate a client software, the client software capable of sending and receiving GPS based location information and retrieving a first task list based on a current location;

the client software configured to send, when prompted, an iris image of a user captured employing the iris scanner and communicating it to a coordinating server, and in response, receiving a second tasks lists for completion by the corresponding user;

the client software configured to automatically retrieve a third task list for the user based on an iris image captured by the iris scanner;

the client software configured to dynamically receive a plurality of item pickup requests from a plurality of businesses, when they are distributed opportunistically to the first mobile device based on a current route being navigated or a current location, wherein the client software updates the status of the individual item pickup requests if it receives a notification of corresponding item pickup;

and

wherein the client software authenticates the user, if necessary, while the user is conducting item pickup requests, or while the user is conducting the tasks of the first task list, the second task list and the third task list, selectively by means of a password challenge, a PIN code prompt, or a iris image verification using the iris scanner.

18. The first mobile device of claim of 17 wherein the first task list, the second task list and the third task list comprise one or more of the following:

monitoring and reporting activities, funds transfer activities, authorized payment activities on behalf of someone else, tasks requiring pickup of items, tasks requiring delivery of items, purchase of items, ride sharing, skills training, delivery of technical help, photo capture, video capture, turning on electronic equipment, turning off electronic equipment, a sales demonstration, security checks and premises cleanup.

19. The first mobile device of claim of 17 further comprising:

the client software identifying and delivering tasks specified by the user for communication to a second user currently using a second mobile device upon determination of the proximity of the second user to a specific destination, or upon receiving notification from the second mobile device indicating arrival at that specific destination; and

the client software receiving a completion status response from the second mobile device as and when the second user indicates completion of an associated one of the tasks delivered.

20. The first mobile device of claim of 17 wherein the client software receives and processes a user audio request for tasks associated with a specific first location, and subsequently retrieves and delivers a list of tasks to be conducted by the user, upon determining that the user has succeeded in reaching the specified first location.

21. The first mobile device of claim of 17 wherein the client software of the first mobile device communicates a task list to a second mobile device, and in response, receives from the second mobile device completion status response provided by a second user employing the second mobile device, wherein the completion status response comprises, for each task of the task list, one of the following status:

completed, skipped or deferred.

22. The first mobile device of claim of 17 wherein the client software in the first mobile device communicates a destination phone number of a business to a coordination server along with the user'"'"'s current address or phone number, in response to which it receives from the coordination server a detailed route for traveling from a starting point associated with the user'"'"'s phone number or address to the destination associated with the business, and receives in addition detailed instructions that is used by the client software in guiding the user to the destination.

23. The first mobile device of claim of 17 wherein client software in the first mobile device conducts a billing transaction for tasks completed.

24. The first mobile device of claim of 17 wherein the client software in the first mobile device communicates a billing request when the user indicates completion of any task.

25. The first mobile device of claim of 17 wherein the first mobile device, upon receiving instructions from the user, forwards a subset of the tasks received to a second user currently employing a second mobile device.

26. The first mobile device of claim of 17 wherein the client software gathers a witness signature attesting to the completion of one or more of the tasks by a user of the first mobile device, wherein the witness signature is provided by a witness.

27. The first mobile device of claim of 17 wherein the client software of the first mobile device provides a map displaying locations where the user successfully completed tasks assigned to the user, along with corresponding task details, and also displays tasks that the user failed to successfully complete, along with their corresponding locations on the map.