SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR MANAGEMENT OF MOBILE FIELD ASSETS VIA WIRELESS HANDHELD DEVICES
First Claim
1. A system for managing assets in the field via handheld devices operating in the field, comprising:
- providing a server with data network access, a memory for storing a field data management program, a microprocessor for executing said at least one field data management program and communications with handheld devices operating remotely; and
providing at least one handheld device operating remotely and associated with said server, said at least one handheld device including a wireless communication module for providing access to the remote server by said handheld data management device, a memory including a program supporting communications between said at least one handheld device and said server, and a user interface adapted for enabling a handheld device user to interact with said at least one field data management program and said server, wherein said sever and said at least one handheld device provide instructions to the handheld device user for enabling the handheld device user to;
identify a field location, manage data of the field location, and communicate with a remote server about field data while at the field location.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
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.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for managing assets in the field via handheld devices operating in the field, comprising:
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providing a server with data network access, a memory for storing a field data management program, a microprocessor for executing said at least one field data management program and communications with handheld devices operating remotely; and providing at least one handheld device operating remotely and associated with said server, said at least one handheld device including a wireless communication module for providing access to the remote server by said handheld data management device, a memory including a program supporting communications between said at least one handheld device and said server, and a user interface adapted for enabling a handheld device user to interact with said at least one field data management program and said server, wherein said sever and said at least one handheld device provide instructions to the handheld device user for enabling the handheld device user to;
identify a field location, manage data of the field location, and communicate with a remote server about field data while at the field location. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A system for managing assets in the field via handheld devices operating in the field, comprising:
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a server having data network access and including a memory for storing a field data management program, a microprocessor for executing said at least one field data management program and communications with handheld devices operating remotely, wherein said server manages operations by handheld wireless device users operating remotely; and at least one wireless handheld device communicating with said server over a wireless data communications network said at least one wireless handheld device associated in communications with said server and including; a memory for storing programs including at least one field data management program and related data, wherein programs stored in said memory enable a wireless handheld device user to;
find a field location, collect data at the field location, wirelessly access remote resources while at the field location, provide data to a remote resource, and retrieve data related to the operation from said remote resource;a microprocessor for executing programs including said at least one field data management program, wherein execution of said program includes execution of programming instructions enabling the wireless handheld device user to;
find a field location, collect data at the field location, wirelessly access remote resources while in the field location, provide data to a remote resource, and retrieve data related to the operation from said remote resource;a positioning and navigational means for determining handheld data management device location and providing navigable directions to the wireless handheld device user via said handheld data management device; a user interface adapted for enabling the wireless handheld device user to interact with the handheld device, said programming instructions and said at least one field data management program; a display for enabling the wireless handheld device user to view field related data, mapped directions to field locations and third party information retrieved from the Internet; and a wireless communication module for providing access to the remote resources for access to data and support from remote personnel, and to enable a user of the handheld device to obtain data including field operation instructions, real-time operational guidance and access to third party information in support of a field operation from the Internet using said handheld data management device. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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8. The system for managing assets in the field via handheld devices operating in the field of claim 8, further comprising an inventory program accessible from at least one of the server or the handheld device, said inventory program enabling the handheld device user to access inventory data from said server and ensure that the proper inventory is provided to the handheld data management device user when undertaking a field operation.
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11. A method for managing assets in the field via handheld devices operating in the field, comprising the steps of:
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providing two-way communication between a server and handheld data management devices to facilitate real-time access to programs and data from said server in support of field operations undertaken by a handheld data management device user and to provide field data from the handheld data management devices today server; enabling handheld data management device users to manage data collected from said server and at a field location; enabling the handheld data management device users to communicate and transfer data to and from a remote server; and tracking handheld device location information and enabling the server to provide the handheld data management device user updated field operation assignments and locations. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification