US 2006/0136902 A1Published application

Mobile process automation method

AssigneeAirClic, Inc.

InventorsAndrew Monroe, Andrew Leamon

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Abstract

Remote devices communicate with a central server in order to provide event tracking information pertaining to a business process, which is conducted by persons performing multiple roles. Software, including a state machine, is downloaded onto the device. A first state table is also downloaded and applied to the state machine in order to configure the device to operate in accordance with a first role. While the device is configured to operate in accordance with the first role, field data is captured and processed with the state machine in accordance with the first state table to generate event tracking information, which is transmitted to the server. Then, a second state table is applied to the state machine previously downloaded in order to reconfigure the device to operate in accordance with a second role. The device is reconfigured from the first role to the second role without changing the state machine on the device. While the remote device is configured to operate in accordance with the second role, field data is captured and processed with the state machine in accordance with the second state table to generate event tracking information, which transmitted to the server.

Claims5

Dependent claims

In a system that includes a central server and a plurality of remote devices, wherein the remote devices communicate with the central server in order to provide event tracking information, including field data, relevant to a business process to the central server, wherein the business process is conducted by one or more persons performing at least first and second different roles in the business process, a method for varying a configuration of at least one of the remote devices, comprising:

(a) downloading software comprising a state machine onto the remote device;
(b) downloading a first state table to the remote device and applying the first state table to the state machine in order to configure the remote device to operate in accordance with the first role in the business process;
(c) while the remote device is configured to operate in accordance with the first role:
(i) capturing the field data with the remote device;
(ii) processing, with the state machine and in accordance with the first state table, the field data to generate the event tracking information associated with the business process;
and
(iii) transmitting the event tracking information from the remote device to the central server in accordance with output from step (c)(ii);
(d) after step (c), applying the second state table to the state machine previously downloaded in step (a) in order to reconfigure the remote device to operate in accordance with the second role in the business process, wherein the remote device is reconfigured from the first role to the second role without changing the state machine on the remote device;
and
(e) while the remote device is configured to operate in accordance with the second role:
(i) capturing the field data with the at least one remote device;
(ii) processing, with the state machine and in accordance with the second state table, the field data to generate the event tracking information;
and
(iii) transmitting the event tracking information associated with the business process from the remote device to the central server in accordance with output from step (e)(ii).

11 more elements

A system for capturing event tracking information, including field data, related to a business process comprising:

a central server;
one or more persons conducting the business process by performing at least first and second different roles in the business process;
a plurality of remote devices in communication with the central server and used by the persons to gather the event tracking information and provide the event tracking information to the central server, wherein a configuration of the remote devices is varied by
(a) downloading software comprising a state machine onto the remote device;
(b) downloading a first state table to the remote device and applying the first state table to the state machine in order to configure the remote device to operate in accordance with the first role in the business process;
and
(c) while the remote device is configured to operate in accordance with the first role:
(i) capturing the field data with the remote device;
(ii) processing, with the state machine and in accordance with the first state table, the field data to generate the event tracking information associated with the business process;
and
(iii) transmitting the event tracking information from the remote device to the central server in accordance with output from step (c)(ii);
(d) after step (c), applying the second state table to the state machine previously downloaded in step (a) in order to reconfigure the remote device to operate in accordance with the second role in the business process, wherein the remote device is reconfigured from the first role to the second role without changing the state machine on the remote device;
and
(e) while the remote device is configured to operate in accordance with the second role:
(i) capturing the field data with the at least one remote device;
(ii) processing, with the state machine and in accordance with the second state table, the field data to generate the event tracking information;
and
(iii) transmitting the event tracking information associated with the business process from the remote device to the central server in accordance with output from step (e)(ii).

15 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 11/233,492Filed 22 Sep 2005
Priority: 23 Sep 2004
Published: 22 Jun 2006
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification10 codes

G06F 9/4451
Configuring for program initiating, e.g. using registry, configuration files: user profiles; Roaming
G06F 8/60
Arrangements for software engineering: software deployment
G06F 9/4498
Execution paradigms, e.g. implementations of programming paradigms: finite state machines
G06Q 10/087
Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management: inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling,…