Method and system for monitoring a workflow for an object

A computer readable medium containing program instructions for monitoring a workflow for an object, the program instructions which when executed by a computer system cause the computer system to execute a method comprising:

• sending workflow information to at least one mobile device operated by a recipient of the object, wherein the workflow information associates the object with the at least one mobile device and includes sender-generated metadata identifying a sender of the object;
• detecting the object using the at least one mobile device when the object is delivered to the recipient;
• and
• receiving from the at least one mobile device user-generated metadata associated with the object, wherein the sender-generated and user-generated metadata facilitate in monitoring the object in the workflow.

A system for monitoring a workflow of an object, the system comprising:

• a server connected to a network for providing workflow information;
• and
• a mobile device operated by a recipient of the object and connected to the network, the mobile device configured to receive the workflow information from the server, to detect the object when the object is delivered to the transmit user-generated metadata associated with the object to the server;
• wherein the workflow information associates the object with the mobile device and includes sender-generated metadata identifying a sender of the object, the sender-generated and user-generated metadata facilitating in monitoring the object in the workflow.

A mobile device for monitoring a workflow of an object, the mobile device comprising:

• a receiver for receiving workflow information that associates the object with the mobile device and includes sender-generated metadata identifying a sender of the object;
• a detector for detecting the object;
• and
• a transmitter for sending user-generated metadata associated with the object, wherein the sender-generated and user-generated metadata facilitate in monitoring the object in the workflow.

A method for monitoring a workflow for a physical object, the method comprising:

• sending workflow information to at least one cell phone operated by a recipient, wherein the at least one cell phone has at least one voice function, and wherein the workflow information associates the physical object with the at least one cell phone;
• detecting the physical object using the at least one cell phone when the object is delivered to the recipient;
• and
• receiving from the at least one cell phone user-generated metadata associated with the physical object, wherein the user-generated metadata facilitates in monitoring the physical object in the workflow.