System and method for field management using radio frequency tags

• US 20060253492A1
• Filed: 03/20/2006
• Published: 11/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Autodesk, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Vela Systems, Inc. (Autodesk, Inc.)
• Inventors: Kanner, Joshua L., Omansky, Adam H.
• Granted Patent: US 8,022,816 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders

Abstract

A system and methods are provided for field administration of a project, such as construction, maintenance, safety inspections or other projects involving the tracking of issues and one or more levels of review or approval in the closure of the issues. One or more radio frequency tags, each having an identifier, can be affixed to a physical component of a project. A storage device can store an issue list, wherein the issue list has one or more work items corresponding to the physical component of the project on which the radio frequency tag is affixed. User interfaces may be provided to allow interaction by stationary or mobile users with the issue list. The issue list on the storage device may provide better organization and/or a more efficient work flow, particularly during a close-out phase, or other phase of a project, involving the tracking of issues.

Claims

1. A system for field administration of a project, comprising:

a radio frequency tag having an identifier and adapted to be affixed to at least one physical component of the project, the radio frequency tag capable of transmitting the identifier via a radio frequency transmission;

a receiver capable of receiving the identifier transmitted via a radio frequency transmission;

a storage device storing an issue list, the issue list comprising at least one work item corresponding to the physical component of the project on which the radio frequency tag is affixed;

a first user interface to enable a first party to view the at least one work item and indicate completion of an activity corresponding to the at least one work item, thereby signifying closure of the at least one work item; and

a second user interface to enable a second party to view a status of the at least one work item and accept or reject the closure of the at least one work item.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a mobile computing device capable of receiving the identifier from the receiver and communicating with the storage device to modify at least one attribute of the at least one work item on the storage device and receive information regarding the issue list, using the identifier received to associate the physical component of the project to a corresponding portion of the issue list.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the first user interface and the second user interface are presented on the mobile computing device.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the radio frequency tag transmits the identifier upon receipt of an interrogation signal.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the radio frequency tag further comprises a remote storage device, the remote storage device configured to store a plurality of attributes relating to the at least one work item corresponding to the physical component of the project on which the radio frequency tag is affixed.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the radio frequency tag is adapted to communicate directly with the storage device to synchronize the remote storage device with the storage device.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a third user interface in communication with the storage device and configured to receive information from the issue list, modify the issue list and add items to the issue list.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the user interface is in communication with the storage device by way of the Internet.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one work item pertains to a defect in the physical component of the project.

10. A method of field administration of a project, comprising:

affixing a radio frequency tag having an identifier to a physical component of the project;

transmitting the identifier from the radio frequency tag via a radio frequency transmission;

receiving the identifier at a first mobile computing device;

inputting information into the first mobile computing device relating to a deficiency in the physical component, the information being associated with the identifier;

transmitting the information and the identifier from the first mobile computing device to a storage device; and

storing the information and identifier in the storage device.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

receiving the information and the identifier from the storage device at a second mobile computing device; and

transmitting the identifier and an indication that the deficiency has been corrected to the storage device from the second mobile computing device.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

receiving the identifier and the indication that the deficiency has been corrected at a third mobile computing device; and

transmitting, from the third mobile computing device, the identifier and an indication that correction of the deficiency has been accepted.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the information includes a sound recording.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the information includes a photograph.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the project involves construction of a building.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein the project involves maintenance of a facility.

17. A method of field administration of a project, comprising:

affixing a plurality of radio frequency tags each having a unique identifier to a plurality of physical components of the project, each tag capable of transmitting the unique identifier;

transmitting the unique identifier from at least one radio frequency tag of the plurality of radio frequency tags via a radio frequency transmission;

receiving at least one unique identifier at a first mobile computing device;

receiving from a stationary storage device, information relating to the physical component of the project and associated with the at least one unique identifier.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising displaying on the mobile computing device, the information relating to each of the unique identifiers received at the first mobile computing device.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising displaying the information pertaining to each of the unique identifiers that location details stored on the storage device signify should be proximate to the mobile computing device, but whose unique identifiers are not received at the mobile computing device via a radio frequency transmission.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising displaying the unique identifiers that are received at the mobile computing device via a radio frequency transmission, but are not stored on the storage device.

21. The method of claim 17, further comprising inputting the information into the first mobile computing device relating to a deficiency in the physical component of the project and associated with the at least one unique identifier.

22. The method of claim 17, wherein the information relates to work to be performed on the physical component of the project associated with the radio frequency tag affixed to the physical component.

23. The method of claim 17, wherein the stationary storage device stores the information such that a user is restricted from accessing at least a portion of the information not related to the user'"'"'s portion of the project.

24. The method of claim 17, wherein the stationary storage device stores the information such that a user is restricted from accessing at least a portion of the information not related to the user'"'"'s role in project.

25. The method of claim 17, wherein the stationary storage device stores the information such that a user is restricted from modifying at least a portion of the information not related to the user'"'"'s role in project.

26. A method of field administration of a project, comprising:

associating an identifier of a radio frequency tag to a physical component of the project;

creating a work item on an issue list, the work item associated with the identifier and related to a deficiency in the physical component;

inputting a first comment corresponding to the work item;

associating the first comment with the identifier; and

displaying the first comment in relation to an inquiry pertaining to the identifier.

27. The method of claim 26, further comprising:

after the act of inputting, transmitting the identifier and the first comment from a first mobile computing device to a storage device; and

before the act of displaying, transmitting the identifier and the first comment from the storage device to a second mobile computing device.

28. The method of claim 26, further comprising:

inputting a second comment corresponding to the work item;

associating the second comment with the identifier; and

displaying the first comment and the second comment in relation to an inquiry pertaining to the identifier.

29. The method of claim 26, further comprising affixing the tag to the physical component.