System for conducting a service call with orienteering

• US 10,268,782 B1
• Filed: 10/31/2018
• Issued: 04/23/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Middle Chart, LLC
• Original Assignee: Middle Chart, LLC
• Inventors: Santarone, Michael S., Duff, Jason E., Wodrich, Michael A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hartman, Jr., Ronald D
• Application Number:
  US16/176,002
• Publication Number:
  US 20190102488A1
• Time in Patent Office: 174 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0138 comprising image capture systems, e.g. camera
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/014 comprising information/image processing systems
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0178 Eyeglass type eyeglass details G02C
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0187 slaved to motion of at least a part of the body of the user, e.g. head, eye
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0093 with means for monitoring data relating to the user, e.g. head-tracking, eye-tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/017 Head mounted
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0172 characterised by optical features
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 30/13 Architectural design, e.g. computer-aided architectural design [CAAD] related to design of buildings, bridges, landscapes, production plants or roads
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 19/006 Mixed reality object pose determination, tracking or camera calibration for mixed reality G06T7/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2210/04 Architectural design, interior design
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/00 Image analysis
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/84 Greenhouse gas [GHG] management systems

Abstract

Method and apparatus for conducting a Service Call using orienteering methods. The AVM may assist in determining whether or when equipment needs repair and can automatically call a service technician. By referencing the AVM on a smart device, the technician can quickly and easily locate the equipment to be repaired. Additionally, the data contained within the AVM may provide valuable clues to solving any service-related problem. Technical walkthroughs may also be displayed on the service technician'"'"'s smart device.

Claims

1. A method of conducting a service call conducted by a technician at a structure based on orienteering, the method comprising:

a. identifying a digital virtual model of the structure based upon an orienteering process performed via a smart device, wherein the digital model comprises virtual representation of one or more of;

structural components, equipment, or areas of interest within the structure;

b. receiving a unique identifier of a smart device supported by the technician, wherein the smart device comprises a processor, a hard drive with software executable on command, a display, and one or more transceivers;

c. determining a purpose of the technician'"'"'s service call based upon the unique identifier of the smart device and a log of pending actions to be taken by technicians at the structure;

d. referencing the virtual model of the structure, generating a first user interface on the smart device, the first user interface comprising directions for movement within the structure to a first geospatial location, the first geospatial location based on the determination of the purpose of the technician'"'"'s service call and comprising a locale for an action to be taken by the technician;

e. tracking movement of the smart device within the structure; and

f. subsequent to reaching the first geospatial location, displaying a second user interface on the smart device, the second user interface comprising information supporting the action to be taken by the technician.

2. The method of claim 1 additionally comprising generation of a virtual representation of an apparatus involved in the action to be taken by the technician.

3. The process of claim 2 wherein said identifying a digital virtual model of the structure orienteering process comprises the additional method steps of:

a. determining a distance of the smart device at a first position to at least three wireless transmitters;

b. determining a distance of the smart device at a second position to the at least three wireless transmitters;

c. generating a vector originating from the first position and extending through the second point; and

d. determining an apparatus at the end point of the vector.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

determining a distance between the smart device and a service apparatus, wherein the service apparatus comprises one or more of;

structural components, equipment, or an area of interest.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the smart device further comprises an accelerometer, and a direction of interest is computed based upon the data collected by the accelerometer.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein the service apparatus further comprises a barcode and the smart device further comprises an apparatus capable of reading the barcode.

7. The method of claim 3, wherein the service apparatus further comprises an RFID chip, and the smart device further comprises an apparatus capable of detecting RFID.

8. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

determining a direction of interest based upon a plurality of discrete computations of locations of the smart device.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the virtual representation of the service apparatus comprises one or more of:

service records, visual representation of components of interest of the service apparatus, user notes about the service apparatus, or product manuals relating to the service apparatus.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

computing, upon entry of the technician in to the structure, wherein the structure comprises one or more floors, and wherein each floor comprises a plurality of transmitters, a second geolocation of the technician based upon the smart device'"'"'s distance from the plurality of transmitters.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

accessing from the digital model and displaying on the smart device a virtual representation of the service apparatus, wherein the service apparatus is identified based upon a threshold distance from the service apparatus and a threshold angular displacement between the direction of interest and the service apparatus.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the purpose of the technician'"'"'s service call is unknown or unrecorded, and wherein the method further comprises:

recording, using an orienteering process, the location of the technician while the technician is located within the building.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising computing, upon entry of the technician in to the structure, wherein the structure comprises one or more floors, and wherein each floor comprises a plurality of transmitters, a second geolocation of the technician based upon the smart device'"'"'s distance from the plurality of transmitters, wherein the transmitters are WiFi transmitters.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the virtual model comprises as built data and experiential data, and wherein the method further comprises:

updating, at the conclusion of the service technician'"'"'s service, the experiential data of the virtual model to reflect the service.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one transceiver comprises a WiFi receiver.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising computing, upon entry of the technician in to the structure, wherein the structure comprises one or more floors, and wherein each floor comprises a plurality of transmitters, a second geolocation of the technician based upon the smart device'"'"'s distance from the plurality of transmitters, wherein the transmitters comprise Bluetooth transmitters.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one transceiver comprises a Bluetooth receiver.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the orienteering process comprises triangulation of location using cell phone towers.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the orienteering process comprises identifying a geographical location based upon a GPS receiver.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the virtual model is displayed on the smart device using augmented reality.