System for integrated mobile devices

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for mobile devices, and more specifically, to a system for a plurality of integrated mobile devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] A conventional data collection system may include a mobile unit utilizing applications software to collect and process data by a sequence of automated and/or manual operations. A typical automated process is the non-contact scanning of bar code data by means of a cyclically deflected laser beam or an image photosensor of the CCD type. Once a valid bar code reading has been obtained, a keypad may be manually operated to indicate an associated quantity. The user may then manually initiate a further operation, for example, the on-line transmission of the data to a remote host computer by a known means such as a radio frequency communications link.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] A system in accordance with the present invention includes a device management computer, a data concentrator computer for communicating with the device management computer, a gateway device for communicating with the data concentrator computer, and a plurality of mobile data acquisition devices. Each of the plurality of mobile data acquisition devices communicates with the gateway device. The gateway device performs pre-processing functions on data collected by the plurality of mobile data acquisition devices prior to transferring the data to the data concentrator computer.

[0004] Another system in accordance with the present invention transfers data. The system includes a device management computer, a data concentrator computer for communicating with the device management computer, a gateway device for communicating with the data concentrator computer, and a plurality of data acquisition devices. Each of the plurality of data acquisition devices communicates with the gateway device. The gateway device performs pre-processing functions on data collected by the plurality of data acquisition devices prior to transferring the data to the data concentrator computer. The data concentrator computer processes and stores data collected by the plurality of data acquisition devices.

[0005] A computer program product in accordance with the present invention controls a communication network. The computer program product includes a first instruction for collecting transaction log files of a plurality of mobile devices by a device management computer, a second instruction for receiving a software package from the device management computer by a data concentrator computer, a third instruction for performing a self test by a gateway device and sending results of the self test to a workstation, a fourth instruction for decrypting data from the gateway device by the workstation, and a fifth instruction for synchronizing time between the plurality of mobile devices, the gateway device, the device management computer, the data concentrator computer, and the workstation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] The foregoing and other features of the present invention will become apparent to one skilled in the art to which the present invention relates upon consideration of the following description of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0007]
FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an example system in accordance with the present invention; and

[0008]
FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C are a schematic representation of another example system in accordance with the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0009] Mobile devices have tremendous data processing power and flexibility in sending business application data to a centralized computer. Conventionally, a mobile device may communicate with a mobile device charging/communications cradle or dock. The communication interface from the cradle to the computer may be an RS-232 serial (or some form of RS-232). Typically, there is a one to one relationship between the computer and the cradle. Although a computer can support more than one serial cradle, the logistics of maintaining 90 cradles, for example, by a single computer may necessarily require computationally intensive activity. In the conventional approach, the computer aggregates the data prior to sending a collection of data to a data concentrator computer.

[0010] Another conventional approach of concentrating 90 mobile devices by one computer is the aggregation of the mobile devices directly to a data concentrator computer. This approach has no mechanism to control or buffer data prior to transferring data to a centralized computer.

[0011] Still another conventional approach may include cradles that allow connectivity. However, the cradles necessarily communicate to the data concentrator concurrently. This approach is not efficient, particularly when a software download is required. For example, during a software update, each cradle requires great amounts of network bandwidth to transfer the entire software download to a mobile device. For 90 mobile devices, each mobile device would have a corresponding data concentrator for a software download session.

[0012] A system in accordance with the present invention may include an integrated mobile device services gateway for managing and controlling a plurality of mobile devices (i.e., 2 to N, where N is an integer greater than 1). Such a gateway may be positioned in the same room or geographic location as cradles for the mobile devices so that a user may dock a mobile device for charging and data communication. The gateway may provide local device management, data and network security, and multiplexing for communication efficiency. The gateway may further reduce redundant network traffic in the case of all mobile devices receiving the same data or software. The gateway may transfer the data to a more local storage area and distribute the common data locally.

[0013] The system, or architecture, may process a variety of electrical communication applications allowing the mobile device services gateway to interface between several networked and non-networked computers. As stated above, a conventional approach utilizes a cradle with no local storage. The conventional cradle is connected to a personal computer with a display. The computer acts as a gateway for concentrating data and distributing software locally. For small quantities of mobile devices disposed in one location, the mobile device would communicate directly with the data concentrator, without a local computer. With this approach, each mobile device has an individual communication session with the data concentrator. For example, if there were five mobile devices in a group to be updated, there would be five separate software download sessions.

[0014] A system in accordance with the present invention has a physical component that reduces the physical components of the conventional approach. A reduction of the quantity of parts may be reduced from 32 with the conventional approach to 16 with a system in accordance with the present invention. The lesser number of electrical devices may also reduce energy expended.

[0015] An example system in accordance with the present invention may include: a scaleable architecture from 2 to N mobile devices disposed in one physical location; system management functions integrated with business logic functions to reduce network traffic; management of one or more devices in groups or individually; and integration of installation and maintenance of physical components that require device specific data to be entered prior to operation.

[0016] The example system defines an architecture for two or more mobile devices communicating with one or more computers collecting business information from one or more locations (either same room or in different cities). This system is applicable where there exists one or more human users of the mobile devices collecting predetermined information at multiple locations. The system utilizes the transfer of data from a mobile device to a computer that collects and processes data and provides mobile device management.

[0017] A system in accordance with the present invention provides reduced quantities of physical part numbers by standardizing component functions, a reduction of electrical parts, a reduction in electrical power consumption, a scalable architecture from 2 or more mobile devices located in a single physical location, the integration of system management functions with business logic functions to reduce network traffic, the management of one or more devices in groups or individually, and the integration of installing and maintaining physical components requiring device specific data to be entered prior to operation.

[0018] The example system 10 may have five main components. As shown in FIG. 1, the components may be a device management computer 20, one or more data concentrator computers 30, a workstation 40, a mobile device services gateway 50, and a plurality of mobile devices 80.

[0019] Depending on the amount of data to be collected, who collects the data, and where the data is collected may determine the specific quantity of physical system components (20, 30, 40, 50, 80). Each system component (20, 30, 40, 50, 80) may have the same system function independently of the quantity of components deployed. The example system 10 addresses the scalability of the system by keeping system functions identical, independent of quantity.

[0020] Geographically, the workstation 40, the mobile device services gateway 50, and the mobile devices 80 may be located in close proximity. A distance of the workstation 40, a printer 45, and the mobile devices 80 from the mobile device services gateway 50 may be dependent on the method for electrical communication. The device management computer 20 and the data concentrator computer(s) 30 may be located in a remote facility.

[0021] The complete example system 10 may include of multiple groups of workstations 40, mobile device services gateways 50, and mobile devices 80. Printers 45 may be optional peripherals to the example system 10.

[0022] The mobile devices 80 may be electronic devices that each have a computer processor, storage, display, keyboard and/or other automated input devices, batteries, and communication capability. The communication method for a mobile device 80 determines whether batch, near real time, or real time communications may occur. All communication methods may result in the mobile device 80 performing a communication session with a non-mobile device to transfer data to another component, typically a computer. The system 10 may use electrical, radio frequency, or optical communication methods. Some of these methods may be EIA RS-232, Universal Serial Bus; IEEE 802.3 Ethernet, IEEE802.5x Token Ring, IEEE 802.11x (where x is the one or more standards in this category), Wireless LAN, IEEE 802.3J Ethernet over Fiber (10BaseF), Fiber Distributed Data Interface, and/or Infrared Data Associated Interface.

[0023] The mobile device services gateway 50 may be a non-mobile device that transfers data between a mobile device 80 and a data concentrator computer 30. The mobile device services gateway 50 may provide the services for the mobile device 80 to communicate with other computers by transferring data via one or more communication methods. It is not necessary for the communication method for data received from a mobile device 80 to match the communication method for the data to be transferred to the data concentrator computer 30. The mobile device services gateway 50 converts the data to the appropriate electrical interface required to transfer the data.

[0024] The mobile devices services gateway 50 provides storage for reducing communications as permitted by the business operation requirements. For example, if there were 156 mobile devices 80 supported by a mobile devices services gateway 50, a software update to all 156 mobile devices would be reduced to one software application update transfer between a data concentrator computer 30 and the mobile device services gateway. Storage of the software application may occur on the mobile device services gateway 50 after the software package has been received from the data concentrator computer 30. Each mobile device 80 may obtain a copy of the most recent software application update from the mobile device services gateway 50.

[0025] Computer peripherals such as a printer 45, a CD-ROM, a diskette drive, and/or other computer may be connected to the mobile device services gateway 50. Since a mobile device 80 does not necessarily have computer peripherals, the mobile device, to print, may communicate with the mobile devices services gateway 50 to use the attached printer 45 or another network attached printer.

[0026] The data concentrator computer 30 supports the mobile devices 80 and groups of mobile devices deployed in the field. The data concentrator computer 30 may be dedicated or non-dedicated to a specific business software application. The data concentrator computer 30 supports the initial communications from the mobile devices 80 in the field. If business operations require collected data to be transferred to another computer or device, the data concentrator computer 30 may process, store, and communicate with another computer or device of the example system 10.

[0027] The device management computer 20 supports all devices used in the operation of the example system 10. The device management computer 20 may contain a centralized database configured by location, group within a location, and/or device. Device configuration information and software packages may be created or imported into the memory of the device management computer 20. Configuration information and software packages may be distributed to the data concentrator computer(s) 30 for re-distribution to groups of mobile devices 80 located remotely from the device management computer 20. Data concentrator computer(s) 30, workstation(s) 40, mobile device services gateway(s) 50, and mobile devices 80 may be managed by the device management computer 20.

[0028] Additional computer resources may be needed for collecting device management data sent to the data concentrator computer(s) 30. A history database of collected data for generating management reports may also be maintained on the device management computer 20.

[0029] The workstation 40 may be a computer for interfacing with the mobile device services gateway 50. The workstation 40 may locally maintain data where the mobile devices 80 are being used and may provide a method for mobile devices to transfer data to a removable media device (dependent on the configuration of the system 10). Business data collected by the mobile devices 80 may be transferred to the workstation 40 via the mobile device services gateway 50. Software on the workstation 40 may provide an interface for additional mobile device services such as exporting data to removable media (i.e., diskette, tape, CD-ROM, etc.), printing, and data processing (for reports and importing into other business applications.)

[0030] The mobile device(s) 80 may be configured, as needed, by the user to allow access to resources of the workstation 40 made available by the software operating for a specific function. Communications to the workstation 40 may be performed by one or more of the following electrical methods: electrical, radio frequency, or optical communications. As stated above, some of these methods may be EIA RS-232, Universal Serial Bus; IEEE 802.3 Ethernet, IEEE802.5x Token Ring, IEEE 802.11x (where x is the one or more standards in this category), Wireless LAN, IEEE 802.3J Ethernet over Fiber (10BaseF), Fiber Distributed Data Interface, and/or Infrared Data Associated Interface.

[0031] Relationships and functions internal to each of the physical components (20, 30, 40, 50, 80) of the example system 10 are described in FIG. 2. Within each physical component (20, 30, 40, 50, 80) the functions are categorized into: Business Application Functions, Internal Common Functions, and Interdependent Common Functions (as applicable).

[0032] Business Applications Functions are specific to the business process specific to the software. The example system 10 supports the interface to such software applications by providing common functions. Business Applications Functions use the common functions to create the desired behavior of the system 10.

[0033] Internal Common Functions are unique functions to a specific physical component (20, 30, 40, 50, or 80). For a mobile device 80, the Internal Common Functions may allow keypad input to an application or displaying data that is stored in the non-volatile storage area of the mobile device.

[0034] Interdependent Common Functions have a relationship that extends across the multiple physical components (20, 30, 40, 50, 80). Synchronizing time may be one function that extends across multiple physical components (20, 30, 40, 50, 80).

[0035] The following tables group the functions into physical components within the three previously defined categories. All functions defined for Business Applications are intended to be dependent on the business process in which the software is engineered to automate. Business application functions are described in Table 1.

1TABLE 1Business Application FunctionsFunctionPurposeMobile DeviceCollects business data viaProvides for data inputautomated or human inputinto the applicationProcesses business dataProvides for dataprocessingDisplay business dataProvides for viewing inputor processed dataStores business dataProvides for input orprocessed data storageWorkstationProvides businessKeeps mobile device dataapplication specificlocal by processing,processingstoring and viewing dataData ConcentratorCollects business dataProvides for aggregatingbusiness data across theentire system of all mobiledevicesProcesses business dataProvides for processing allcollected business dataacross the system. Postprocessing may occur forchanging the data formatinto a format used tointerface with anothercomputer in the systemStores and/or transfersProvides for storing,business datasharing, and/ortransferring data

[0036] Mobile device internal common functions are described in Table 2.

2TABLE 2Mobile Device Internal Common FunctionsFunctionPurposeAutomated Data InputCollects input data from 1Dand/or 2D barcode scanners;and digitizers, magneticstripe readers. Datacollected from thesedevices would have aconsistent behavioravailable to the businessapplication. An example ofconsistent behavior forautomated data input may bea long beep when an inputis unsuccessful.Displays DataProvides common displayformats for consistentgraphical user interface.For example, an energyindicator may be presentedto the user in the form ofa battery graphic showingthe amount of remainingenergy. The energy graphicwould be a common displayformat.Stores Data inManages locations of dataNon-Volatile Memorywithin the device to allowasynchronous applicationprograms to store data in aconsistent method.Provides Date/TimeA real time clock thatallows for time stamping ofall transactions thatrequire recording timeevents. All system eventswill time stamp with thereal time clock.Communicates with LocallySupports electricalAttached Peripheralsinterfaces from the mobiledevice to (but not limited)the peripheral such asprinters, magnetic stripereaders, and wireless widearea networks.Provides Mobile DeviceAllows for a common methodCommon Services to Enableto start, stop and runMultiple Mobile Softwareprograms in parallelBusiness Applicationswithout losing data.Should one mobile deviceprogram be started andperform operations thatcollect data and a secondprogram be run before thefirst program is completed,this function will knowthat there is data to betransferred when the mobiledevice communicates.Mechanisms for switchingbetween the applications topreserve the state prior tobeing changed to anotherapplication is a commonfunction that is providedas an interface to businessapplications.Power ManagementMonitors power utilizationthroughout the device basedon state of the applicationbehavior and user behavior.The common method ofutilizing the powermanagement function willinsure the total recoveryof a software applicationthat was switched to asecond program.Performs DiagnosticLocal user and remoteSelf Testsystem initiated test tovalidate the hardware andsoftware are performingproperly. Results of thistest are logged locally onthe device until thereexists a retention limit topurge the data.Determines Need forA process to automaticallySoftware Updates ordetermine whether theDevices Specificmobile device has theChangeslatest software or devicespecific informationresident. If not, requeststhe appropriate function toupdate software or devicesspecific information.Should a software update beinterrupted whiledownloading, the devicewill recover at the mostrecent data end offile.marker.Performs DeviceSelf test data, performanceManagementdata, and device specificdata are integrated into aformat for communications.If no data is found at thetime of initiation, thenthe software process willattempt to recreate thedata prior tocommunication. This taskmay not be always performedprior to all datacommunications. This taskmay be programmed to beexempt from execution whenbusiness rules and systemmanagement rules dictate.Stores Device SpecificConfiguration data isDatastored on the device in thenon-volatile memory area.This data is used for theDevice Management task andintegrating the informationinto business applications.Decrypts Data for LocalData stored on theViewingnon-volatile memory area isencrypted. Only certainusers, as determined by thesite, will have access toview data.Creates IntegratedThis function collects allCommunication Data Messagethe data elements thatcomprises a communicationsession prior to physicallyconnecting to the MobileDevice Services Gateway.

[0037] Mobile device services gateway internal common functions are described in Table 3.

3TABLE 3Mobile Device ServicesGateway Internal Common FunctionsFunctionPurposeTransfers Data BetweenReads the predeterminedMobile Device and Datadata format and determinesConcentrator; Mobilewhat to do with the data,Device and Workstation; orwhere does the data getMobile Device and Datarouted and protects the twoConcentrator andnetworks from unauthorizedWorkstation. Data may beintruders.transferred on anydirection depending on thebusiness applicationProvides Date/TimeA real time clock thatallows for time stamping ofall transactions thatrequire recording timeevents. All system eventswill time stamp with thereal time clock.Performs NetworkUser ID and Password areCommunicationsuser or programmaticallyAuthenticationentered prior to networkaccess authentication.This function performs thedetermination of whetherauthorization is requiredand if required, insuresthe correct information ismanually or automaticallyinserted at the correcttime.Provides Network IsolationInternal firewall preventsbetween Mobile Devices andthe data from beingData Concentrator (andtransferred directly to theother network devices)opposite network from whichthe data was entered.Eliminates intruders fromgaining access to largerintranet.Stores Device and GroupOne local data store forSpecific datadevice and group specificdata.

[0038] Data concentrator computer internal common functions are described in Table 4.

4TABLE 4Data ConcentratorComputer Internal Common FunctionsFunctionPurposeDetermines Need for DeviceA process to automaticallySpecific Distributiondetermine whether theDatabase or Softwaremobile device has thePackage updatelatest software or devicespecific informationresident. If not, requeststhe appropriate function toupdate software or devicesspecific information.Should a software update beinterrupted whiledownloading, the devicewill recover at the mostrecent data end of filemarker.

[0039] Device management computer internal common functions are described in Table 5.

5TABLE 5Device ManagementComputer Internal Common FunctionsFunctionPurposeGenerates ReportsProvides the user withinformation about thesystem. Reports may be(but not limited to) 1)What Devices did notcommunicate in the lastday, two days, etc. 2)How many devices are inthis geographic area? 3)What devices do not havethe latest softwareupgrade? 4) How manydevices transmitted datato the data concentratorin the last 24 hours.Processes Mobile DeviceMobile deviceTransaction Log Filescommunication sessions areautomatically recorded onthe data concentrator.These transactions arestored into historicallogs. When there is morethan one dataconcentrator, the DeviceManager will collect allMobile Device transactionlogs and reassemble intochronology of events andstored as an integratedfile.Processes AssetThis function tracks theTrackinglife cycle of an asset.InformationUsing the systems devicemanagement functions, datais generated and collectedduring normal networkconversation to tell wherea device has been used orstored.Creates/ImportsDevice and Group specificDevice anddata sent to the deployedGroup Specificdevices are entered intoDatathe system through theDevice Manager. Thedevice manager will acceptmanually created data or afile that contains thecorrect import format.Creates/ImportsSoftware Packages sent toSoftwarethe deployed devices arePackagesentered into the systemthrough the DeviceManager. The devicemanager will acceptmanually created data or afile that contains thecorrect import format.The device manager willautomatically propagatethe latest softwareversion to the DataConcentrator forre-distribution to theindividual devices.Software ApplicationStorage area for allRepositorysoftware packages in thesystem. System physicalcomponents supported forthis function are: MobileDevices, Mobile DeviceServices Gateway,Workstation, and DataConcentrator ComputerDevice InventoryStorage area for theRepositoryrelationship configurationof Mobile Devices andMobile Device ServicesGateway by deployedgroups.Device SpecificConfiguration informationDatafor each mobile device.RepositoryThis data is used forreports and systemdistribution to otherdevices such as the DataConcentrator, MobileDevice Services Gateway,and Mobile Device.Asset TrackingStorage of the dataDatabaseprocessed during theProcesses Asset TrackingInformation

[0040] Workstation internal common functions are described in Table 6.

6TABLE 6Workstation Internal Common FunctionsFunctionPurposeProvides Access toShare workstationPeripherals for Mobileperipherals such asDevice BusinessDiskette drive, CD-ROM andApplicationsPrinters with MobileDevices. Allows a mobiledevice to directly access ashared resource on aWorkstation that isconnected to the mobiledevice services gateway.Performs SoftwareDevice and Group specificApplication Versiondata sent to the deployedComparison in Preparationdevices are entered intofor Updatethe system through theDevice Manager. The devicemanager will acceptmanually created data or afile that contains thecorrect import format.

[0041] Table 7 shows the relationships between the physical components (20, 30, 40, 50, 80). These relationships are the interfaces that define the behavior of the example system 10. In Table 7, the relationships are described by numeric value associated with each interconnection shown in FIG. 2. Table 7 specifically describes these interconnections.

7TABLE 7Interdependent Common FunctionsId#Component #1Component #2Purpose1DeviceDataPerforms the dataManagementConcentratortransfer ofComputerComputerMobile DeviceTransactions thatare generated onthe DataConcentrator.Should one ormore MobileDevices desire tocommunicateconcurrently whenassociated withthe same group,the system shallprevent multiplesfromcommunicating.2DeviceDataPerforms the dataManagementConcentratortransfer of:ComputerComputerDevice and Groupspecific data tothe DataConcentrator.Should one ormore MobileDevices desire tocommunicateconcurrently whenassociated withthe same group,the system shallprevent multiplesfromcommunicating.3DeviceDataPerforms theManagementConcentratordistributionComputerComputerbetween twocomputers of theDevice and GroupSpecific data.The system onlyallows this datato be transferredonce to a group.4DeviceDataPerforms theManagementConcentratordistribution ofComputerComputersoftware packagesto the DataConcentrators.5DeviceMobileInitiates a fieldManagementDevicerequest to engageComputerServicesin remoteGatewaydiagnostics of aMobile DeviceServices Gatewayfrom a DeviceManagementComputer. Thedata generatedfrom the remotediagnostics maybe transferred tothe DeviceManagementComputer.6Mobile DeviceWorkstationRequest forServicescommon servicesGatewayof the MobileDevice Gateway.The workstationmay requeststoredinformation to betransferred overto theworkstation fordata storage andspecific businessdata processingand reports.7DataMobilePerforms timeConcentratorDevicesynchronizationComputerServicesbetween the twoGatewaydevices. Thistimesynchronizationmay not occur foreach and everycommunicationconversation. Ata minimum a timesynchronizationwill occur once aday unless forcedby a user.8DataMobilePerforms theConcentratorDevicedistribution ofComputerServicessoftware packagesGatewayto the MobileDevice ServicesGateway.9DataMobilePerforms theConcentratorDevicedistributionComputerServicesbetween twoGatewaycomputers of theDevice and GroupSpecific data.The system onlyallows this datato be transferredonce to a group.10Mobile DeviceDataBusiness data,ConcentratorDevice and GroupComputerSpecific Data areencrypted anddecrypted whentransferring dataover the network.11Mobile DeviceWorkstationBusiness data,Device and GroupSpecific Data areencrypted anddecrypted whentransferring dataover the network.12Mobile DeviceMobileNetwork securityDeviceis enabled toServicesinsure thatGatewayMobile Devicesare not able todirectly access abusinessesintranet.13Mobile DeviceMobileRequest forDevicecommon servicesServicesof the MobileGatewayDevice Gateway.The Mobile Devicemay requeststoredinformation to beexported to aDiskette Drivelocated on theworkstation. Orthe Mobile Devicemay transfer datato the MobileDevice ServicesGateway for theworkstation toretrieve.14Mobile DeviceMobileThe Mobile DeviceDeviceServices GatewayServicesperforms theGatewaydistribution ofsoftware packagesto the MobileDevice.15Mobile DeviceMobileThe Mobile DeviceDeviceServices GatewayServicesperforms theGatewaydistribution ofDevice and GroupSpecific data tothe MobileDevice.16Mobile DeviceMobilePerforms timeDevicesynchronizationServicesbetween the twoGatewaydevices. Thistimesynchronizationmay not occur foreach and everycommunicationconversation. Ata minimum a timesynchronizationwill occur once aday unless forcedby a user.17Mobile DeviceMobileA local messageDevicerequest is sentServicesto the MobileGatewayDevice ServicesGateway toinitiate a remoteprocess. Thisremote processmay collect datafrom other MobileDevices whenrequested by oneMobile Device.18Mobile DeviceMobileA remote messageDevicefrom the MobileServicesDevice ServicesGatewayGateway isreceived. Themessage requiresthe currentsoftware versionsinstalled on thedevice. TheMobile Deviceresponds bysending the listof softwareversionscurrentlyinstalled. Theremote messageresponse iscomplete and theMobile Devicewaits for thenext message.19Mobile DeviceMobileA request of theDeviceMobile DeviceServicesServices GatewayGatewayfor DeviceManagementInformation.20Mobile DeviceMobileThe Mobile DeviceDevicereceives aServicessoftware updateGatewaythrough thesoftwaredistributionprocess.21Mobile DeviceMobileDevice ManagementDeviceInformation aboutServicesthe Mobile DeviceGatewayServices Gatewayis sent. Thisinformation iscollected priorto acommunicationsession with theDataConcentrator.22Mobile DeviceMobileInitiates a fieldDevicerequest to engageServicesin remoteGatewaydiagnostics of aMobile DeviceServices Gatewayfrom a MobileDevice. The datagenerated fromthe remotediagnostics maybe transferred tothe MobileDevice.23Mobile DeviceDataPerforms the dataConcentratortransfer of:Device and Groupspecific data tothe DataConcentrator.Should one ormore MobileDevices desire tocommunicateconcurrently whenassociated withthe same group,the system shallprevent multiplesfromcommunicating.

[0042] Terminology used above is supplementally defined in Table 8.

8TABLE 8DefinitionsTermDefinitionMobile DeviceA data computing devicethat is portable and usedby a human. The datacomputing device may haveautomated data inputmethods such as bar codereaders, digitizers, voicerecognition, magneticstripe readers and opticalcharacter recognitionMobile DeviceThe process ofManagementelectronically managing themobile device for theintent of collectinginformation or improvingthe common systemfunctions. This mayinclude but not be limitedto software applicationupdates, mobile deviceperformance data, executingremote procedures (such asdiagnostic or resourcetools)Device andInformation relating to aGroup Specificgeographic location of theDatasystem or system components(i.e., Mobile Device, orMobile Services Gateway).The information mayconsists (but not belimited to) of site name,address, telephone number,networking properties,associated informationtechnology devices,business usage rules.

[0043] An example system 10 a device management computer 20, a data concentrator computer 30 for communicating with the device management computer, a gateway device 50 for communicating with the data concentrator computer, and a plurality of mobile data acquisition devices 80. Each of the plurality of mobile data acquisition devices 80 communicates with the gateway device 50. The gateway device 50 performs pre-processing functions on data collected by the plurality of mobile data acquisition devices 80 prior to transferring the data to the data concentrator computer 30.

[0044] Another example system 10 transfers data. The system 10 includes a device management computer 20, a data concentrator computer 30 for communicating with the device management computer, a gateway device 50 for communicating with the data concentrator computer, and a plurality of data acquisition devices 80. Each of the plurality of data acquisition devices 80 communicates with the gateway device 50. The gateway device 50 performs pre-processing functions on data collected by the plurality of data acquisition devices 80 prior to transferring the data to the data concentrator computer 30. The data concentrator computer 30 processes and stores data collected by the plurality of data acquisition devices 80.

[0045] An example computer program product (FIG. 2) controls a communication network 10. The computer program product includes a first instruction (step 1) for collecting transaction log files of a plurality of mobile devices 80 by a device management computer 20, a second instruction (step 4) for receiving a software package from the device management computer 20 by a data concentrator computer 30, a third instruction (step 5) for performing a self test by a gateway device 50 and sending results of the self test to a workstation 40, a fourth instruction (step 6) for decrypting data from the gateway device 50 by the workstation 40, and a fifth instruction (step 7) for synchronizing time between the plurality of mobile devices 80, the gateway device 50, the device management computer 20, the data concentrator computer 30, and the workstation 40.

[0046] In order to provide a context for the various aspects of the present invention, the following discussion is intended to provide a brief, general description of a suitable computing environment in which the various aspects of the present invention may be implemented. While the invention has been described above in the general context of computer-executable instructions of a computer program that runs on a computer, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention also may be implemented in combination with other program modules.

[0047] Generally, program modules include routines, programs, components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the inventive methods may be practiced with other computer system configurations, including single-processor or multiprocessor computer systems, minicomputers, mainframe computers, as well as personal computers, hand-held computing devices, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, and the like. The illustrated aspects of the invention may also be practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications argument model. However, some, if not all aspects of the invention can be practiced on stand-alone computers. In a distributed computing environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

[0048] An exemplary system for implementing the various aspects of the invention includes a conventional server computer, including a processing unit, a system memory, and a system bus that couples various system components including the system memory to the processing unit. The processing unit may be any of various commercially available processors. Dual microprocessors and other multi-processor architectures also can be used as the processing unit. The system bus may be any of several types of bus structure including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety of conventional bus architectures. The system memory includes read only memory (ROM) and random access memory (RAM). A basic input/output system (BIOS), containing the basic routines that help to transfer information between elements within the server computer, such as during start-up, is stored in ROM.

[0049] The server computer further includes a hard disk drive, a magnetic disk drive, e.g., to read from or write to a removable disk, and an optical disk drive, e.g., for reading a CD-ROM disk or to read from or write to other optical media. The hard disk drive, magnetic disk drive, and optical disk drive are connected to the system bus by a hard disk drive interface, a magnetic disk drive interface, and an optical drive interface, respectively. The drives and their associated computer-readable media provide nonvolatile storage of data, data structures, computer-executable instructions, etc., for the server computer. Although the description of computer-readable media above refers to a hard disk, a removable magnetic disk and a CD, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other types of media which are readable by a computer, such as magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, digital video disks, Bernoulli cartridges, and the like, may also be used in the exemplary operating environment, and further that any such media may contain computer-executable instructions for performing the methods of the present invention.

[0050] A number of program modules may be stored in the drives and RAM, including an operating system, one or more application programs, other program modules, and program data. A user may enter commands and information into the server computer through a keyboard and a pointing device, such as a mouse. Other input devices (not shown) may include a microphone, a joystick, a game pad, a satellite dish, a scanner, or the like. These and other input devices are often connected to the processing unit through a serial port interface that is coupled to the system bus, but may be connected by other interfaces, such as a parallel port, a game port or a universal serial bus (USB). A monitor or other type of display device is also connected to the system bus via an interface, such as a video adapter. In addition to the monitor, computers typically include other peripheral output devices (not shown), such as speaker and printers.

[0051] The server computer may operate in a networked environment using logical connections to one or more remote computers, such as a remote client computer. The remote computer may be a workstation, a server computer, a router, a peer device or other common network node, and typically includes many or all of the elements described relative to the server computer. The logical connections include a local area network (LAN) and a wide area network (WAN). Such networking environments are commonplace in offices, enterprise-wide computer networks, intranets and the internet.

[0052] When used in a LAN networking environment, the server computer is connected to the local network through a network interface or adapter. When used in a WAN networking environment, the server computer typically includes a modem, or is connected to a communications server on the LAN, or has other means for establishing communications over the wide area network, such as the internet. The modem, which may be internal or external, is connected to the system bus via the serial port interface. In a networked environment, program modules depicted relative to the server computer, or portions thereof, may be stored in the remote memory storage device. It will be appreciated that the network connections shown are exemplary and other means of establishing a communications link between the computers may be used.

[0053] In accordance with the practices of persons skilled in the art of computer programming, the present invention has been described with reference to acts and symbolic representations of operations that are performed by a computer, such as the server computer, unless otherwise indicated. Such acts and operations are sometimes referred to as being computer-executed. It will be appreciated that the acts and symbolically represented operations include the manipulation by the processing unit of electrical signals representing data bits which causes a resulting transformation or reduction of the electrical signal representation, and the maintenance of data bits at memory locations in the memory system (including the system memory, hard drive, floppy disks, and CD-ROM) to thereby reconfigure or otherwise alter the computer system's operation, as well as other processing of signals. The memory locations where such data bits are maintained are physical locations that have particular electrical, magnetic, or optical properties corresponding to the data bits.

[0054] It will be understood that the above description of the present invention is susceptible to various modifications, changes and adaptations, and the same are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the appended claims. The presently disclosed embodiments are considered in all respects to be illustrative, and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims, rather than the foregoing description, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalence thereof are intended to be embraced therein.

System for integrated mobile devices

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