Method and system to define implement and enforce workflow of a mobile workforce

• US 9,123,005 B2
• Filed: 10/11/2012
• Issued: 09/01/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hyphen Solutions, LLC
• Original Assignee: MobiWork LLC
• Inventors: Rivere, Herve
• Primary Examiner(s): Jeanty, Romain
• Application Number:
  US13/649,876
• Publication Number:
  US 20130090969A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,055 Days
• Field of Search: 705/7.19
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling

Abstract

The computer program manages a mobile workforce with task persons and GPS-enabled devices by using the GPS time-based location data. A database is populated with task situs location data, event time data and task person data and task person contact data. The database is coupled to the web-based processor, telecommunications network and GPS-enabled device. The system operator programs temporal (time) based rules and location-based rules unique to the task situs. Some rules are both time and location based. When the temporal or territorial rules are violated, first and second comm-events are generated by the system, for example, a text or IVR message to the task person. When associated time-and-territorial rules are violated, a third communications event arises. The time based rules may be associated or correlated with the event time for the task. The event time may be a “time of arrival.” Further, rules may be for approach, entry, or on-location. Territorial rules may proximal, intermediate and distal territories. Designated persons for the comm-notice may be hierarchically related to the task person. The comm-notice may be dynamically created from a designated persona as a content provider.

Claims

1. A computer-based method for managing a mobile workforce with task persons and converting GPS signal data from a GPS-enabled cellular phone, tablet computer or electronic device used by the task person into time-based location data, the method operative with a database populated with task situs location data, event time data and task person data representing at least contact data for that task person, said database coupled to a web-based processor which in turn is coupled to a telecommunications network, said GPS-enabled device coupled to said telecommunications network, the method comprising:

programming temporal rules unique to said task situs location;

programming territorial rules unique to said task situs location;

associating some temporal-location situs rules with some corresponding territorial-location situs rules;

generating a first communications event when the temporal-location situs rules are violated based upon data from the GPS-enabled device used by the task person;

generating a second communications event when the territorial-location situs rules are violated based upon data from the GPS-enabled device used by the task person;

generating a third communications event when the associated temporal-location-territorial-location situs rules are violated based upon data from the GPS-enabled device used by the task person;

sending the first, second and third communications events to one or more of;

designated persons associated with said task person and the task person;

wherein said territorial-location situs rules unique to said task situs location include one or more rules related to a proximal territory near said location situs, an intermediate territory near said location situs which is geographically larger than said proximal territory, and a distal territory near said location situs which is geographically larger than both said proximal and said intermediate territories.

2. A computer-based method as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least one of the temporal-location rules include an event time temporal-location rule correlated to said event time data.

3. A computer-based method as claimed in claim 2 wherein at least one of the territorial-location rules include an event time territorial-location rule correlated to said event time data.

4. A computer-based method as claimed in claim 3 wherein said temporal rules unique to said task situs location include one or more rules related to an approach to said task situs location, an entry to said task situs location, an on-site correspondence with said task situs location, and a duration of time at said task situs location.

5. A computer-based method as claimed in claim 4 wherein said territorial-location situs rules unique to said task situs location include one or more rules related to a proximal territory near said location situs, an intermediate territory near said location situs which is geographically larger than said proximal territory, and a distal territory near said location situs which is geographically larger than both said proximal and said intermediate territories.

6. A computer-based method as claimed in claim 5 wherein said designated persons include superiors and co-workers of said task person.

7. A computer-based method as claimed in claim 5 wherein said designated persons are hierarchically related to each other;

and

said temporal-location situs rules include hierarchical temporal-location situs rules;

said territorial-location situs rules include hierarchical territorial-location situs rules; and

said temporal-location-territorial-location situs rules include hierarchical temporal-location-territorial-location situs rules; and

said first, second and third communications events are hierarchically sent to the hierarchically related designated persons.

8. A computer-based method as claimed in claim 7 including programming time of day ON, time of day OFF and either day of week OFF or day of week ON for the generation of first, second and third communications events.

9. A computer-based method as claimed in claim 8 wherein one or more of the first, second and third communications events include either respective preprogrammed content corresponding to the first, second and third communications in the communications events or a request to supply content responding to the first, second and third communications in the communications events.

10. A computer-based method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said temporal rules unique to said task situs location include one or more rules related to an approach to said task situs location, an entry to said task situs location, an on-site correspondence with said task situs location, and a duration of time at said task situs location.

11. A computer-based method for managing a mobile workforce with task persons and converting GPS signal data from a GPS-enabled cellular phone, tablet computer or electronic device used by the task person into time-based location data, the method operative with a database populated with task situs location data, event time data and task person data representing at least contact data for that task person, said database coupled to a web-based processor which in turn is coupled to a telecommunications network, said GPS-enabled device coupled to said telecommunications network, the method comprising:

programming temporal rules unique to said task situs location;

programming territorial rules unique to said task situs location;

associating some temporal-location situs rules with some corresponding territorial-location situs rules;

generating a first communications event when the temporal-location situs rules are violated based upon data from the GPS-enabled device used by the task person;

generating a second communications event when the territorial-location situs rules are violated based upon data from the GPS-enabled device used by the task person;

generating a third communications event when the associated temporal-location-territorial-location situs rules are violated based upon data from the GPS-enabled device used by the task person;

sending the first, second and third communications events to designated persons associated with said task person and the task person;

wherein said designated persons are hierarchically related to each other; and

said temporal-location situs rules include hierarchical temporal-location situs rules;

said territorial-location situs rules include hierarchical territorial-location situs rules; and

said temporal-location-territorial-location situs rules include hierarchical temporal-location-territorial-location situs rules; and

said first, second and third communications events are hierarchically sent to the hierarchically related designated persons.

12. A computer-based method for managing a mobile workforce with task persons and converting GPS signal data from a GPS-enabled cellular phone, tablet computer or electronic device used by the task person into time-based location data, the method operative with a database populated with task situs location data, event time data and task person data representing at least contact data for that task person, said database coupled to a web-based processor which in turn is coupled to a telecommunications network, said GPS-enabled device coupled to said telecommunications network, the method comprising:

programming temporal rules unique to said task situs location;

programming territorial rules unique to said task situs location;

associating some temporal-location situs rules with some corresponding territorial-location situs rules;

generating a first communications event when the temporal-location situs rules are violated based upon data from the GPS-enabled device used by the task person;

generating a second communications event when the territorial-location situs rules are violated based upon data from the GPS-enabled device used by the task person;

generating a third communications event when the associated temporal-location-territorial-location situs rules are violated based upon data from the GPS-enabled device used by the task person;

sending the first, second and third communications events to one or more of;

designated persons associated with said task person and the task person;

wherein one or more of the first, second and third communications events delivered to either the designated person or the task person include either (a) respective preprogrammed content corresponding to the first, second and third communications events or (b) a request to supply content responding to the first, second and third communications events.

13. A computer readable medium having stored therein non-transient computer program for managing a mobile workforce with task persons and converting GPS signal data from a GPS-enabled cellular phone, tablet computer or electronic device used by the task person into time-based location data, the method operative with a database populated with task situs location data, event time data and task person data representing at least contact data for that task person, said database coupled to a web-based processor which in turn is coupled to a telecommunications network, said GPS-enabled device coupled to said telecommunications network, the method comprising:

programming temporal rules unique to said task situs location;

programming territorial rules unique to said task situs location;

associating some temporal-location situs rules with some corresponding territorial-location situs rules;

generating a first communications event when the temporal-location situs rules are violated based upon data from the GPS-enabled device used by the task person;

generating a second communications event when the territorial-location situs rules are violated based upon data from the GPS-enabled device used by the task person;

generating a third communications event when the associated temporal-location-territorial-location situs rules are violated based upon data from the GPS-enabled device used by the task person; and

sending the first, second and third communications events to one or more of;

designated persons associated with said task person and the task person;

wherein said territorial-location situs rules unique to said task situs location include one or more rules related to a proximal territory near said location situs, an intermediate territory near said location situs which is geographically larger than said proximal territory, and a distal territory near said location situs which is geographically larger than both said proximal and said intermediate territories.

14. A computer readable medium having stored therein non-transient computer program as claimed in claim 13 wherein at least one of the temporal-location rules include an event time temporal-location rule correlated to said event time data.

15. A computer readable medium having stored therein non-transient computer program as claimed in claim 14 wherein at least one of the territorial-location rules include an event time territorial-location rule correlated to said event time data.

16. A computer readable medium having stored therein non-transient computer program as claimed in claim 15 wherein said temporal rules unique to said task situs location include one or more rules related to an approach to said task situs location, an entry to said task situs location, an on-site correspondence with said task situs location, and a duration of time at said task situs location.

17. A computer readable medium having stored therein non-transient computer program as claimed in claim 16 wherein said territorial-location situs rules unique to said task situs location include one or more rules related to a proximal territory near said location situs, an intermediate territory near said location situs which is geographically larger than said proximal territory, and a distal territory near said location situs which is geographically larger than both said proximal and said intermediate territories.

18. A computer readable medium having stored therein non-transient computer program as claimed in claim 17 wherein said designated persons are hierarchically related to each other;

and

said temporal-location situs rules include hierarchical temporal-location situs rules;

said territorial-location situs rules include hierarchical territorial-location situs rules; and

said temporal-location-territorial-location situs rules include hierarchical temporal-location-territorial-location situs rules; and

said first, second and third communications events are hierarchically sent to the hierarchically related designated persons.

19. A computer readable medium having stored therein non-transient computer program as claimed in claim 13 wherein said temporal rules unique to said task situs location include one or more rules related to an approach to said task situs location, an entry to said task situs location, an on-site correspondence with said task situs location, and a duration of time at said task situs location.

20. A computer readable medium having stored therein non-transient computer program as claimed in claim 13 wherein said designated persons are hierarchically related to each other;

and

said temporal-location situs rules include hierarchical temporal-location situs rules;

said territorial-location situs rules include hierarchical territorial-location situs rules; and

said temporal-location-territorial-location situs rules include hierarchical temporal-location-territorial-location situs rules; and

said first, second and third communications events are hierarchically sent to the hierarchically related designated persons.

21. A computer readable medium having stored therein non-transient computer program as claimed in claim 13 wherein one or more of the first, second and third communications events include either respective preprogrammed content corresponding to the first, second and third communications in the communications events or a request to supply content in the corresponding to the first, second and third communications in the communications events.