Patent Application
20090006576
Not Applicable
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to improvements in the dissemination of useful information. More particularly, the invention is an improved method and system for providing relevant information at a communication point.
2. The Prior Art
Individual and group scheduling applications are known in the prior art. Such scheduling applications display a person's schedule, indicating free and busy times. The schedules of several people may be compared and the common free times displayed. A meeting may therefore be scheduled at a time when all persons can attend.
In many enterprises, organizations, and work groups, members of the aforementioned are responsible for completion of identical or nearly identical tasks. These organizations seek to reduce infrastructure cost by eliminating central support organizations and passing identical tasks down to the individual employee. However, a problem arises in that the dissemination of identical tasks to a plurality of employees leads to a redundancy in effort and a concomitant loss in worker efficiency. As such, there presently exists no tools with which to assist individuals to overcome this problem. Hence, a need exists for a solution to the aforementioned problem. The instant invention satisfies such a need. Further, in addition to the aforementioned, there are several location determining architectures that are well known in the art.
In particular, there exists location tracking architectures available with Wireless Local Area Network or WLAN, Global Positioning System or GPS, badge reader tracking or Radio Frequency Identification tags tracking and generic location tracking devices. First, in the simplest of terms, WLAN is local area networking without wires, providing all the features and benefits of traditional LAN technologies like Ethernet in addition to location tracking. The location tracking used in WLAN includes both determining a location based upon the nearest cell and determining a location based upon a triangulation of the transmission source. Instead of using twisted pair wire, coaxial cable or fiber optics, wireless LANs use radio frequencies to send and transmit data between PCs or other network devices without wires or cables. Wireless LANs “talk” on spread spectrum radio waves which are less susceptible to radio noise and interference and therefore ideal for data communications. There are two types of spread spectrum: direct sequence and frequency hopping. Direct sequence is the only one that supports 11 Megabits per second (Mbps) Ethernet-like speeds.
Second, Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers normally determine their position by computing relative times of arrival of signals transmitted simultaneously from a multiplicity of GPS (or NAVSTAR) satellites. These satellites transmit, as part of their message, both satellite positioning data as well as data on clock timing, so called “ephemeris” data. The GPS location process comprises the searching for and acquiring of GPS signals, reading the ephemeris data for a multiplicity of satellites and computing the location of the receiver from this data. There are two principal functions of GPS receiving systems: (1) computation of the pseudo-ranges to the various GPS satellites, and (2) computation of the position of the receiving platform using these pseudo-ranges, satellite timing and ephemeris data. The pseudo-ranges are simply the time delays measured between the received signal from each satellite and a local clock. The satellite ephemeris and timing data is extracted from the GPS signal once it is acquired and tracked.
Finally, badge reader tracking or Radio Frequency Identification tags tracking, as well as generic location tracking devices are well known in the art and serve today in a variety of fields.
A method for providing location dependent information to a user for selective colleague assistance. The method on a Client Wireless Component includes the steps of receiving location data from a plurality of Global Positioning System GPS satellites and transmitting the location data to an Active Calendar Component. In another embodiment, the method further includes on an Active Calendar Component the steps of receiving Client Wireless Component location data and determining if within a threshold distance a Colleague item list exists for user completion.
The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
It is important to note that these embodiments are only examples of the many advantageous uses of the innovative teachings herein. In general, statements made in the specification of the present application do not necessarily limit any of the various claimed inventions. Moreover, some statements may apply to some inventive features but not to others. In general, unless otherwise indicated, singular elements may be in the plural and vice versa with no loss of generality.
In the drawing like numerals refer to like parts through several views.
Global Positioning System (102a)
PS (102a) is the existing GPS satellite system. While the description below is for the GPS system, the invention envisions the use of other location tracking systems including but not limited to cell location or WLAN tracking, Radio Frequency RF badge tracking and other generic location tracking systems. Note that only one satellite is shown in
A GPS Antenna or location determining antenna (212) connects to the GPS interface (202) to receive GPS data or generic location determining data from the GPS satellite system or generic location determining source.
The GPS Client Wireless Component (210) operates under the control of a Session Manager (208). The session manager (208) is responsible for the interaction between the sub components of the Client Wireless Component (210). The Session Manager (208) prepares incoming data, such as location, calendar entries and other useful information for further processing. The processing includes but is not limited to transmission to the Active Calendar System (108a to 108z) over the Wide Area Network interface (206), or displaying the data over the Graphical User Interface Device Interface (204) on a Touch Screen (216).
The Wide Area Network Interface (206) supports a wireless connection to the Internet or other communication network. With this interface the GPS client wireless component (210) can always be connected to the Active Calendar System (108a to 108z).
The Graphic User Interface (204) is implemented in a GPS Client Wireless Component (210) for an easily configurable and useable entry system.
The Wide Area Network Transceiver Antenna (214) is for the wireless connection to the Internet or another network. The Antenna (214) is connected to the Wide Area Network Interface (206) of the GPS Client Wireless Component (210).
The Input and Output Device (216) may be implemented as a display as well as a touch screen. The Touch Screen is used for manual user inputs and configuration of the system. The display is for output of messages from the system to a user.
The Session Manager (304) is responsible for the communication and interaction between the internal components of the Active Calendar (300). Furthermore the Session Manager (304) periodically measures the distance between users and specific locations, which are defined and stored in a database.
A Graphical User Interface Device Interface (330) drives a display and accepts user inputs from a keyboard to implement a GUI (332). A GUI (332) enables a comfortable and facile means for system administrators to configure the system locally. For instance, to set up a particular calendar entry or a threshold distance by which a user proximity to a given trigger point can be determined.
A Client Interface (306) contains the methods used by the Session Manager to access and modify the Client database. A Client Database (318) contains information about the clients on the system.
A ToDoList Interface (308) contains the methods used by the Session Manager to access and modify the ToDoList database (320). The ToDoList database (320) contains information about the clients To Do Lists.
An Access Rights Interface (310) contains the methods used by the Session Manager (304) to access and modify the Access Rights Database (322). The Access Rights Database (322) contains information about the access rights on the system.
Static Locations Interface (312) Database (324)
A Static Locations Interface (312) contains the methods used by the Session Manager (304) to access and modify the Static Locations Database (324). The Static Locations Database (324) contains information about the location of important static locations such as stock rooms, stores, libraries, buildings, and other destinations where the client might seek to list items or information.
A Variable Locations Interface (314) contains the methods used by the Session Manager (304) to access and modify the Variable Locations Database (326). The Variable Locations Database (326) contains information about the current location of important clients and other mobile entities (cars, airplanes or the equivalent). The session manager (304) accesses this database, for example, to determine if a colleague of the client whose location is variable is currently in his/her office, a Static Location.
A Status Interface (316) contains the methods used by the Session Manager (304) to access and modify the Status Database (328). The Status Database (328) contains information about the status of the system and availability of system resources.
When the distance between the user or object and an event location is less than some threshold distance, then the execution of a program specific to that user and that location is initiated. The threshold distance that triggers the execution can be predetermined or computed dynamically from a variety of inputs. These inputs include but are not limited to the specific user or object, their current speed, their direction of travel, the time of day, and other factors such as the weather.
Further, the invention generalizes the concept of a “Calendar”, a “To do list”, and other “organizer” data objects to enable and facilitate cooperative location based tasks. An Active Calendar (300) anticipates a users needs. To anticipate a users needs, the Active Calendar (300) uses spatial information. For example, the Active Calendar (300) informs a user that a person with whom the user wishes to speak is in close proximity. The Active Calendar (300) as described in the invention, illustrates how ‘Calendar’ and ‘To Do List’ objects can be generalized to enable cooperative behavior.
Using some appropriate middle-ware with location enabled information, the Active Calendar Component (300) determines a user's location (404) and, for example, the location of a users office. This location may refer to a physical location, an electronic location, a symbolic location, a URL, an ID or identification, an account, a telephone number or the equivalent. If the user is at the Almaden Stockroom and accesses his/her “Almaden Stockroom Shopping List”, the system checks for other public objects of type “Almaden Stockroom Shopping List” owned by the user's peers or colleagues (406) whose office location is close to the users office location. Then the system determines if such lists exist which are public to a user (408), at the same location as the user location (410) and optionally if the peers are at a specified location (412). This location may refer to a physical location, an electronic location, a symbolic location, a URL, an ID or identification, an account, a telephone number or the equivalent. As a result, the system can either display their shopping list on a portable, location aware, connected device, or display an icon indicating it has discovered one or more peer list(s) (414). Next, a determination is made (416) as to whether or not this is the last list available for the particular location and shopping list type. If it is not the last list then the process loops to step (406). If it is the last list, then the process enters a loop so that for each list and item shown (418) a user may then chose (420) to either select the icon and pick up items needed by his/her peer (422) or to disregard the peer's needs by bypassing the selection step. Finally, a determination is made as to whether or not the previous item was the last item on the last list (424). If not, the process continues with step (418). If so, then the process terminates. When a user picks up an item that fact can be entered into the shopping list database so that the peer or colleague knows that the items have been acquired and by whom. Alternatively, a To Do List data structure or database contains the items to be acquired or accomplished and another database maintains the records of items already acquired, accomplished, or removed by user request from the To Do List data structure or database. When the item is acquired, accomplished or requested for removal by a user, then the item is removed from the To Do List database or data structure and the fact of its removal is registered in another database or data structure.
This type of cooperative or collaborative behavior applies not only to objects such as shopping lists but is generalized to other “To Do List” objects or even calendar objects. If a user designates that an object is public to a predetermined group, others can access the object to assist a peer to obtain physical goods or information. For instance, a manager who needs to ask a question to Human Resource about salary plan parameters may chose to make that question known to peers who might either know the answer or be able to obtain the answer during a different visit to Human Resources. The Active Calendar Component (300) identifies these objects as public with a collaborative Boolean variable set true.
The invention as described further comprises the following additional unique characteristics. Namely, the invention allows members of a group to assist each other. Today, that is not automatically available in calendars and to do lists. By notifying a user that he or she can help a colleague with a minimum of effort this tool facilitates cooperation and collaboration. This notification is effected because the system knows that the user is in a particular location already and that the colleague is at his/her desk. Since it is context programmable, the users can determine, for example, that work colleagues have access to some information but not other information thus protecting privacy and confidentiality.
Using some appropriate middle-ware with location enabled information, the Active Calendar Component (300) determines a user's location (504) and, for example, the location of a users office. This location may refer to a physical location, an electronic location, a symbolic location, a URL, an ID or identification, an account, a telephone number or the equivalent. If the user is at the Almaden Monthly Inventor's meeting and accesses his/her “Almaden Monthly Inventors List”, the system checks for other public objects of type “Almaden Monthly Inventors List” owned by the user's peers or colleagues (506) whose office location is close to the users office location. Then the system determines if such lists exist which are public to a user (508), at the same location as the user location (510) and optionally if the peers are at a specified location (512). This location may refer to a physical location, an electronic location, a symbolic location, a URL, an ID or identification, an account, a telephone number or the equivalent. As a result, the system can either display their Monthly Inventors list on a portable, location aware, connected device, or display an icon indicating it has discovered one or more peer list(s) (514). Next, a determination is made (516) as to whether or not this is the last list available for the particular location and Monthly Inventors discussion list type. If it is not the last list then the process loops to step (506). Otherwise, the process enters a loop so that for each list and item shown (518) a user may then chose (520) to either select the icon and pick up items needed by his/her peer (522) or to disregard the peer's needs by bypassing the selection step. Finally, a determination is made as to whether or not a the previous item was the last item on the last list (524). If not the process continues with step (518). If so, then the process terminates. When a user picks up an item or learns the answer to a question in a discussion, that fact can be entered into the Monthly Inventors list database so that the peer or colleague knows that the items have been acquired and by whom.
Using some appropriate middle-ware with location enabled information, the Active Calendar Component (300) determines a user's location (604) and, for example, the location of a users office. This location may refer to a physical location, an electronic location, a symbolic location, a URL, an ID or identification, an account, a telephone number or the equivalent. If the user is at the Telephone Conference and accesses his/her “Telephone Conference List”, the system checks for other public objects of type “Telephone Conference List” owned by the user's peers or colleagues (606) whose office location is close to the users office location. Then the system determines if such lists exist which are public to a user (608), at the same location as the user location (610) and optionally if the peers are at a specified location (612). This location may refer to a physical location, an electronic location, a symbolic location, a URL, an ID or identification, an account, a telephone number or the equivalent. As a result, the system can either display their Telephonic Discussion list on a portable, location aware, connected device, or display an icon indicating it has discovered one or more peer list(s) (614). Next, a determination is made (616) as to whether or not this is the last list available for the particular location and Telephone Conference list type. If it is not the last list, then the process loops to step (606). Otherwise, the process enters a loop so that for each list and item shown (618) a user may then choose (620) to either select the icon and picks up or inquires about the discussion items needed by his/her peer (622) or to disregard the peer's needs by bypassing the selection step. Finally, a determination is made as to whether or not a the previous item was the last item on the last list (624). If not the process continues with step (618). If so, then the process terminates. When a user picks up an item or learns the answer to a question in a discussion, that fact can be entered into the Telephone Conference list database so that the peer or colleague knows that the items have been acquired and by whom.
Another embodiment comprises a stock portfolio manager deciding, for example, to purchase 100,000 shares of IBM to add to his portfolio. The manager accesses his or her “Portfolio Stock Items Awaiting Purchase List”. He or she calls his trader on the floor to order the transaction. The system notifies the portfolio manager that his peer also wants to purchase IBM Stock (250,000 shares). The manager then informs the trader electronically of both transactions thereby causing the transaction to be processed by the trader. The trader informs the portfolio manager who marks both transactions as being complete.
Using some appropriate middle-ware with location enabled information, the Active Calendar Component (300) determines a trader's location (804). This location may refer to a physical location, an electronic location, a symbolic location, a URL, an ID or identification, an account, a telephone number or the equivalent. If the portfolio manager accesses his/her “Portfolio Stock Items Awaiting Purchase List”, the system checks for other public objects of type “Portfolio Stock Items Awaiting Purchase List” owned by the user's peers or colleagues (806). Then the system determines if such lists exist which are public to a portfolio manager (808) and at the same location as the trader's location (810). This location may refer to a physical location, an electronic location, a symbolic location, a URL, an ID or identification, an account, a telephone number or the equivalent. As a result, the system can either display their “Portfolio Stock Items Awaiting Purchase List” on a portable, location aware, connected device, or display an icon indicating it has discovered one or more peer list(s) (812). Next, a determination is made (814) as to whether or not this is the last list available for the particular location and “Portfolio Stock Items Awaiting Purchase List” type. If it is not the last list, then the process loops to step (806). Otherwise, the process enters a loop so that for each list and item shown (816) a portfolio manager may then choose (818) to either select the icon and order the transaction needed by his/her peer to be completed (820) or to disregard the peer's needs by bypassing the selection step. Finally, a determination is made as to whether or not the previous item was the last item on the last list (822). If not the process continues with step (816). If so, then the process terminates. When a portfolio manager purchases a colleagues stocks, that fact can be entered into the “Portfolio Stock Items Awaiting Purchase List” database so that the peer or colleague knows that the items have been acquired and by whom.
Another embodiment comprises a manufacturing manager responsible for workstation assembly needing to order 10,000 disk drives from IBM for his next production run. He or she accesses his “Parts Required List” to get the IBM part number and purchase information. The system notifies him or her that the production manager in charge of displays also needs to order 9,000 flat panel displays from IBM and sends him or her the department charge numbers for the display assembly line. The manufacturing manager orders both sets of parts electronically from IBM in one transaction saving the time of the other production manager.
Using some appropriate middle-ware with location enabled information, the Active Calendar Component (300) determines a vendor's location (904). This location may refer to a physical location, an electronic location, a symbolic location, a URL, an ID or identification, an account, a telephone number or the equivalent. If the manufacturing manager accesses his/her “Parts Required List”, the system checks for other public objects of type “Parts Required List” owned by the manufacturing manager's peers or colleagues (906). Then the system determines if such lists exist which are public to a manufacturing manager (908) and at the same location as the vendor's location (910). This location may refer to a physical location, an electronic location, a symbolic location, a URL, an ID or identification, an account, a telephone number or the equivalent. As a result, the system can either display their “Parts Required List” on a portable, location aware, connected device, or display an icon indicating it has discovered one or more peer list(s) (912). Next, a determination is made (914) as to whether or not this is the last list available for the particular location and “Parts Required List” type. If it is not the last list, then the process loops to step (906). Otherwise, the process enters a loop so that for each list and item shown (916) a manufacturing manager may then choose (918) to either select the icon or order the transaction needed by his/her peer to be completed (920) or to disregard the peer's needs by bypassing the selection step. Finally, a determination is made as to whether or not the previous item was the last item on the last list (922). If not the process continues with step (916). If so, then the process terminates. When a manufacturing manager purchases a colleague's items, that fact can be entered into the “Parts Required List” database so that the peer or colleague knows that the items have been acquired and by whom.
Another embodiment comprises a bank customer calling a bank branch office and asking the branch manager to exchange $50,000 in U.S. currency from her checking account into Japanese Yen. The branch manager does not have the required amount of yen on hand so he or she contacts the bank's Japanese office to make an exchange at a more favorable rate. In so doing, he or she activates his “Currency Exchange Transactions Pending List”. The system informs him or her that a teller at a different branch of the same bank also needs to exchange US$ for yen. He or she is able to place both currency exchange transactions in one e-mail or electronic transaction with the Japanese branch office. Thus, achieving a savings in a per transaction fee as well as the time of the teller at the other local branch.
Using some appropriate middle-ware with location enabled information, the Active Calendar Component (300) determines a foreign bank branch location (1004). This location may refer to a physical location, an electronic location, a symbolic location, a URL, an ID or identification, an account, a telephone number or the equivalent. If the branch manager accesses his/her “Currency Exchange Transactions Pending List”, the system checks for other public objects of type “Currency Exchange Transactions Pending List” owned by the user's peers or colleagues (1006). Then the system determines if such lists exist which are public to a branch manager (1008) and at the same location as the foreign bank branch's location (1010). This location may refer to a physical location, an electronic location, a symbolic location, a URL, an ID or identification, an account, a telephone number or the equivalent. As a result, the system can either display their “Currency Exchange Transactions Pending List” on a portable, location aware, connected device, or display an icon indicating it has discovered one or more peer list(s) (1012). Next, a determination is made (1014) as to whether or not this is the last list available for the particular location and “Currency Exchange Transactions Pending List” type. If it is not the last list, then the process loops to step (1006). Otherwise, the process enters a loop so that for each list and item shown (1016) a branch manager may then choose (1018) to either select the icon and order the transaction needed by his/her peer to be completed (1020) or to disregard the peer's needs by bypassing the selection step. Finally, a determination is made as to whether or not the previous item was the last item on the last list (1022). If not the process continues with step (1016). If so, then the process terminates. When a branch manager converts a colleague's currency, that fact can be entered into the “Currency Exchange Transactions Pending List” database so that the peer or colleague knows that the items have been acquired and by whom.
Therefore, a more efficient method and system has been described that reduces costs by allowing for collaborative efforts in an organization. This reduces redundancy in effort and reduces a concomitant loss in worker efficiency. Also, the sharing of knowledge about coworkers' needs enables an individual within the organization to meet the needs of a peer or colleague without any centralized control.
The present invention, as would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art could be produced in hardware or software, or in a combination of hardware and software. The system, or method, according to the inventive principles as disclosed in connection with the preferred embodiment, may be produced in a single computer system having separate elements or means for performing the individual functions or steps described or claimed or one or more elements or means combining the performance of any of the functions or steps disclosed or claimed, or may be arranged in a distributed computer system, interconnected by any suitable means as would be known by one of ordinary skill in art.
According to the inventive principles as disclosed in connection with the preferred embodiment, the invention and the inventive principles are not limited to any particular kind of computer system but may be used with any general purpose computer, as would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art, arranged to perform the functions described and the method steps described. The operations of such a computer, as described above, may be according to a computer program contained on a medium for use in the operation or control of the computer, as would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art. The computer medium which may be used to hold or contain the computer program product, may be a fixture of the computer such as an embedded memory or may be on a transportable medium such as a disk, as would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art.
The invention is not limited to any particular computer program or logic or language, or instruction but may be practiced with any such suitable program, logic or language, or instructions as would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art. Without limiting the principles of the disclosed invention any such computing system can include, inter alia, at least a computer readable medium allowing a computer to read data, instructions, messages or message packets, and other computer readable information from the computer readable medium. The computer readable medium may include non-volatile memory, such as ROM, Flash memory, floppy disk, Disk drive memory, CD-ROM, and other permanent storage. Additionally, a computer readable medium may include, for example, volatile storage such as RAM, buffers, cache memory, and network circuits.
Furthermore, the computer readable medium may include computer readable information in a transitory state medium such as a network link and/or a network interface, including a wired network or a wireless network, that allow a computer to read such computer readable information.
Although specific embodiments of the invention have been disclosed, those having ordinary skill in the art will understand that changes can be made to the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is not to be restricted, therefore, to the specific embodiments, and it is intended that the appended claims cover any and all such applications, modifications, and embodiments within the scope of the present invention.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 09794484 | Feb 2001 | US |
| Child | 12138602 | US |
