I IIIII IIIIIIII Ill lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll 111111111111111111
`US009454 748B2
`
`c12) United States Patent
`Payne
`
`(IO) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 9,454,748 B2
`*Sep.27,2016
`
`(54) SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DATA
`MANAGEMENT
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor: J. David Payne, Broken Arrow, OK
`(US)
`
`(73) Assignee: EDICHE, LLC, Tulsa, OK (US)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 500 days.
`
`This patent is subject to a terminal dis(cid:173)
`claimer.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 12/910,706
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Oct. 22, 2010
`
`(65)
`
`(63)
`
`(60)
`
`(51)
`
`(52)
`
`(58)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2011/0040831 Al
`
`Feb. 17, 2011
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`Continuation of application No. 10/643,516, filed on
`Aug. 19, 2003, now Pat. No. 7,822,816.
`
`Provisional application No. 60/404,491, filed on Aug.
`19, 2002.
`
`(2012.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2012.01)
`
`Int. Cl.
`G06Q 10/10
`G06F 17/24
`G06F 17/22
`G09B 7/06
`G06Q 30/02
`U.S. Cl.
`CPC .............. G06Q 10/10 (2013.01); G06Q 30/02
`(2013.01); G06F 17/2247 (2013.01); G06F
`17/243 (2013.01); G06Q 30/0203 (2013.01);
`G09B 7/06 (2013.01)
`Field of Classification Search
`USPC ......................................... 709/203, 223, 224
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4,937,439 A *
`
`5,442,786 A *
`
`5,555,101 A *
`
`6/1990 Wanninger .............. G06F 3/033
`235/456
`8/1995 Bowen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G06F 17 /30961
`707/758
`9/1996 Larson .................. G06F 17/243
`358/400
`5,704,029 A * 12/1997 Wright, Jr. ............ G06F 17/243
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`
`(Continued)
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Dennis et al, Internet Question and Answer(iQ&A): A Web-Based
`Survey Technology, Jun. 2000, pp. 116-125.*
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner - Backhean Tiv
`or Firm - Fellers,
`(74) Attorney,
`Agent,
`Blankenship, Bailey & Tippens, P.C.
`
`Snider,
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A method for the management of data collected from a
`remote computing device including the steps of: creating a
`questionnaire; transmitting the questionnaire to a remote
`computer; executing the questionnaire in the remote com(cid:173)
`puter to prompt a user for responses to questions of the
`questionnaire; transmitting the responses to a sever via a
`network; making the responses available on the Web. Pref(cid:173)
`erably, computers used in connection with the inventive
`method are loosely networked in that network connections
`between computers are not always available and, when a
`connection is not available, data is stored at a node of the
`network and transmitted at the earliest time when a connec(cid:173)
`tion is available. In one preferred embodiment, the inventive
`method is used to collect survey data and to make the
`responses to the survey available to a client in virtually real
`time over the Internet.
`
`22 Claims, 6 Drawing Sheets
`
`MYRIAD OF
`FORMS
`
`FORM
`RECEIPT
`
`ELECTRONIC I ONLINE
`FORM CREATION,
`MANAGEMENT,
`DELIVERY,
`AND ASSIGNMENT
`
`ELECTRONIC
`DEVICES
`
`Starbucks Corporation, et al. – Ex. 1001
`U.S. Patent No. 9,454,748
`
`

`

`US 9,454,748 B2
`Page 2
`
`(56)
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`5,991,771 A * 11/1999 Falls ....................... G06F 9/466
`6,163,811 A * 12/2000 Porter ..................... H04L 29/06
`707 /999.101
`5/2001 Benigno ............... G06F 19/325
`705/2
`
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`
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`
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`
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`6,462,708 Bl* 10/2002 Tsujimoto ............. GOlS 5/0009
`342/357.43
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`705/14.66
`6/2003 Warthen ............ G06F 17 /30398
`9/2003 Guheen .
`G06Q 10/06
`703/26
`6,615,212 Bl*
`9/2003 Dutta ................ G06F 17/30569
`9/2003 Desai et al.
`6,618,746 B2
`6,631,184 Bl* 10/2003 Weiner ................ H04L 12/2854
`379/92.01
`6,826,726 B2 * 11/2004 Hsing ............... G06F 17 /30578
`707 /999.201
`
`H04W 16/00
`455/414.2
`H04W 4/00
`370/338
`4/2010 Livesay .............. H04L 63/0421
`380/255
`6/2010 Watson ............. G06F 17/30905
`709/217
`2001/0056374 Al* 12/2001 Joao ................................ 705/14
`
`7,310,350 Bl* 12/2007 Shao
`
`7,693,283 B2 *
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`
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`7,181,225 Bl*
`
`8/2006 Abbott et al.
`2/2007 Moton, Jr.
`
`2002/0007303 Al *
`
`2002/0026338 Al *
`
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`
`2002/0137524 Al*
`
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`
`2/2002 Bukow
`
`9/2002 Bade .
`
`G06Q 30/02
`705/7.32
`G06Q 10/06311
`705/7.14
`7/2002 Benigno ............... G06F 19/325
`705/3
`H04W 12/08
`455/456.2
`
`10/2002 Richards et al.
`2002/0147850 Al
`2002/0194219 Al* 12/2002 Bradley ................ G06F 17/243
`715/223
`1/2003 Hinnant, Jr. .............. GO 1 S 5/02
`455/410
`G06Q 20/10
`705/51
`2003/0198934 Al* 10/2003 Sendowski et al. .......... 434/350
`2004/0117244 Al*
`6/2004 Scott ............................... 705/12
`2004/0122730 Al*
`6/2004 Tucciarone
`G06Q 10/107
`705/14.36
`...................... 705/10
`G06Q 30/00
`705/14.19
`H04M 7/0036
`379/88.18
`4/2008 Bradley ................ G06F 17 /243
`715/223
`G06Q 20/102
`370/328
`
`2003/0022656 Al *
`
`2003/0041031 Al*
`
`2/2003 Hedy
`
`2004/0210472 Al* 10/2004 Lew et al.
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`2007/0050256 Al*
`
`2007/0242809 Al* 10/2007 Mousseau .
`
`2008/0098291 Al *
`
`2012/0008560 Al*
`
`1/2012 Lewis
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`"dcLINK The Total Solution", Aug. 1999, Publisher: Internet print(cid:173)
`out, Published in: US.
`DSI Internet Printout entitled "Marketing Collateral," dated Feb. 24,
`2002, Publisher: Internet Printout, Published in: US.
`2002 DSI Press Releases dated Apr. 8, 2002 , Publisher: Internet.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep.27,2016
`Sep. 27, 2016
`
`Sheet 1 of 6
`Sheet 1 of 6
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`US 9,454,748 B2
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`US 9,454,748 B2
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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`Sep.27,2016
`Sep. 27, 2016
`
`Sheet 3 of 6
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`US 9,454,748 B2
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`U.S. Patent
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`
`Sep.27,2016
`Sep. 27, 2016
`
`Sheet 5 of 6
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`US 9,454,748 B2
`US 9,454,748 B2
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`US 9,454,748 B2
`
`1
`SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DATA
`MANAGEMENT
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATION
`
`This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
`Application No. 60/404,491 filed Aug. 19, 2002, and is a
`continuation of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 10/643,
`516 filed on Aug. 19, 2003, scheduled to issue as U.S. Pat.
`No. 7,822,816 on Oct. 26, 2010, herein incorporated by
`reference in its entirety for all purposes.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`The present invention relates to a system of computing
`devices for the collection and management of information.
`More particularly, but not by way of limitation, the present
`invention relates to a system for collecting and managing
`information including a plurality of computer devices
`loosely networked to a server and an operating system for a
`computer which provides a number of features favorable for
`use in the inventive system.
`2. Background of the Invention
`Virtually all business software applications involve the
`collection of information in some form or another. Where
`information is gathered away from the convenience of a
`desktop, workers have traditionally entered the information
`on paper forms. This data is then entered into a computer in
`a second step. This extra step leads to delays and inaccura(cid:173)
`cies which are costly and, more importantly, unnecessary.
`Handheld computers are well known in the art. In fact
`such computers are presently available from numerous
`manufacturers offering a vast assortment of operating sys(cid:173)
`tems and hardware configurations. While such devices come
`in a host of variations, generally handheld computers
`include an LCD display, a method for gathering manual
`input, storage, and a variety of machine interfaces, i.e., an IR
`link, a USB port, a serial port, etc.
`As with their desktop, and laptop counterparts, a handheld
`computer will also include an operating system which
`provides an operator interface, file management, and stan(cid:173)
`dardized I/0, as well as facilitating the running of applica(cid:173)
`tion programs. Thus far, handheld operating systems mimic
`those of desktop and laptop systems, despite the fact that
`handheld devices are typically used in a different manner
`and have radically different resources.
`As with other types of computers, handheld computers
`suffer from compatibility issues, especially in the operation
`of application programs. Generally speaking, software pro(cid:173)
`grams must typically be tailored to a specific family of
`processors and to a specific operating system. Most appli(cid:173)
`cations are developed in a high level language and then
`compiled for a specific target processor. As different manu- 55
`facturers select different processors, an application written
`for one family of processors must be recompiled to execute
`in a processor of a different family. Even when two manu(cid:173)
`facturers select compatible processors, if they chose differ(cid:173)
`ent operating systems, applications written for one device 60
`will probably not run correctly on the other device. Since the
`operating system provides access to the various hardware
`resources and manages the file system, it is almost unfath(cid:173)
`omable that the operating systems of independent authors
`would be compatible, unless one specifically set out to copy 65
`the other. Thus, particular applications tend to grow up
`around a particular family of devices which share an aper-
`
`5
`
`2
`ating system and, unfortunately, the application may not be
`available for non-compatible devices.
`Another issue which is common to all computers is the
`transferability of stored information, specifically, the ability
`to move files from machine-to-machine. While most hand(cid:173)
`held computers include an infrared port for communicating
`with other infrared devices, including other handhelds, files
`transferred in such a manner may not be usable by software
`on the receiving device. This is especially true of informa-
`10 tion formatted for a particular application such as a word
`processor, spread sheet program, data base manager, or the
`like.
`To overcome the necessity of compiling a program for a
`particular machine, an application may be written in an
`15 interpreted language, or a language which can be compiled
`to produce an intermediate language (i.e., a language that
`falls somewhere between source code and object code) such
`as i-code or tokens. In such a scheme, each device is
`provided with a run-time package which can execute the
`20 compiled i-code or tokens, the run-time package having
`been written for that particular device, thus, only the run(cid:173)
`time package needs to be modified in order to port a program
`to a new computing environment. Once the run-time pack(cid:173)
`age is installed, any application authored in the language and
`25 which has been compiled to i-code will run on the target
`device. Unfortunately, such languages typically lack effec(cid:173)
`tive optimization and generally do not provide a broad range
`of support for hardware resources. Regardless of the lan(cid:173)
`guage selected, whether compiled, interpreted, or whatever,
`30 software coding requires at least a nominal degree of pro(cid:173)
`gramming skill to create the application program.
`Perhaps because handheld computers are not as evolved
`as their desktop counterparts, or because it is typically
`cumbersome to enter information, or maybe due to the lack
`35 of a true front-runner in operating systems, handheld com(cid:173)
`puters have not inspired the full range of software products
`available for larger computers. The result has been a rather
`limited selection of retail software applications for handheld
`devices as compared with their desktop counterparts, such
`40 software is aimed primarily at organizational tools, e-mail,
`and games. However, at the other end of the spectrum,
`custom programs tailored for a specific customer, handheld
`computers are gaining momentum in replacing manual
`forms which are often filled-out in remote areas, away from
`45 a desktop, i.e. manufacturing inventory, quality inspections,
`delivery systems, and the like. One reason for the increasing
`movement toward the use of handheld computers for data
`gathering tasks is that they can be easily transported to the
`source of the data and have the information directly entered
`50 into them, thereby eliminating the potentially error-prone
`step of manual data entry of information on previously
`completed paper forms. Eliminating the extra step addition(cid:173)
`ally saves unnecessary labor, and allows the data to be
`entered in a more timely fashion.
`Due to their incredible portability, handhelds are particu(cid:173)
`larly well suited to this type of data gathering, despite an
`obvious lack of software infrastructure in this area. The
`present trend is for a business to commission the authoring
`of a custom program aimed at a particular need. While the
`cost of such an application is usually high, the accuracy of
`the information, the timeliness of the information, and the
`accessibility of the information are likely worth the cost. In
`fact, while such systems may seem cost prohibitive to
`develop, in many cases the actual cost on a per-data-entry
`basis may prove to be relatively small, especially in light of
`the timeliness and accuracy associated with real time data
`collection.
`
`

`

`US 9,454,748 B2
`
`4
`of the practical wireless options is restrictive. Presently there
`are two methods for dealing with the problem of data link
`availability. In one scheme, data is transmitted as it is
`collected. The advantage of such a scheme is that the
`5 database is updated in real time and represents current data.
`The disadvantages are, for all practical purposes, the scheme
`is limited to systems using a wireless interface and when the
`wireless link is not operational, generally data cannot be
`entered.
`Alternatively, entered data can be stored locally on the
`handheld and transmitted in a batch process when a link is
`established. The advantage of this system is that it is tolerant
`of gaps in the communication link and works well with
`wired transfers of data. Unfortunately, data is not delivered
`in real time and the data base may be somewhat stale,
`depending on the length of time between the collection of
`data and the presence of the link.
`The issue of bandwidth may be problematic on several
`fronts. If programs are updated periodically, the entire
`20 program must be sent and the time to reload may be
`objectionable. In the opposite direction, if large amounts of
`data are collected, it may be time consuming to send the data
`collected from the handheld to the server, particularly when
`performed in a batch fashion.
`It is thus an object of the present invention to provide an
`operating system for a handheld computer which will allow
`a program to execute on any handheld computer.
`It is a further object of the present invention to provide an
`operating system for a handheld computer wherein program-
`30 ming changes will only necessitate incremental transfers of
`program instructions.
`It is still a further object of the present invention to
`provide an operating system for a handheld computer
`wherein files may be transferred among devices without a
`35 translation or conversion.
`It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide
`an operating system for a handheld computer wherein pro(cid:173)
`gramming steps and data are tokenized to reduce the load on
`a communication channel of finite bandwidth.
`It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide
`a system of networked computers in which modifications to
`a computer program for a remote computer are sent in real
`time to the remote computer and are implemented immedi(cid:173)
`ately and seamlessly without the requirement of user instal-
`45 lation.
`
`10
`
`3
`To develop software for a handheld computer, a custom
`program is typically developed and tested on a larger sys(cid:173)
`tem. When the developer is satisfied with the program, it is
`compiled for a particular target device and transferred to
`handheld devices through a communication link. If users are
`using more than one type of device, the same program must
`be tested and compiled for each type of device. If a change
`is required, the developer must make the change on the
`development system and re-transfer the entire program to
`each target device.
`In a typical data gathering application, information is
`entered into custom designed forms on the handheld com(cid:173)
`puter. Eventually, the data entered in the handheld finds its
`way to a database, which is typically located on a server
`which is accessible to those needing the information or from 15
`which it may be accessed by other programs such as
`accounting systems, materials management programs, etc.
`Present day servers are well suited to the task of information
`management and generally provide broad access to and
`searchability to collected data.
`One problem area in such systems becomes apparent
`when the data is transferred from the handheld to the server.
`While it would seem that wireless interfaces and handhelds
`were made for each other, the marriage of the two is not
`without its own set of problems. Wireless interfaces fall into 25
`a number of different categories. At one extreme is the
`infrared ("IR") port often found on handheld devices. The
`range of this type of interface is usually limited to a few feet
`and typically supports transfer rates of 115 kbaud, or less.
`Another method for wireless communication is via a
`wireless local area network or "WLAN." A typical example
`of a WLAN is that defined by the IEEE 802.11 standard.
`When a handheld computer is equipped with a WLAN
`interface, the device can communicate with other computers
`also equipped with a WLAN interface, or even computers
`networked to a WLAN equipped computer by a wired
`network. Typically, WLAN interfaces provide a range of
`several hundred feet. As long as a handheld is within the
`range of another WLAN equipped computer, the network
`connection is continuous. Wireless local area networks sport 40
`data rates from a few thousand bits per second up to at least
`52 million bits per second, depending on the particular
`standard employed.
`Yet another known wireless interface for handheld com(cid:173)
`puters is a CDPD interface, CDMA interface, GSM inter(cid:173)
`face, or similar wireless interface or modem. While there are
`some variations, these systems are often built around a
`cellular phone network and provide coverage similar to that
`of a cellular phone, typically national, or even international,
`coverage. Such interfaces will experience the same gaps in
`service as can be expected with a cell phone. While such
`systems provide an exceptionally wide area of coverage,
`they typically do so at limited bandwidth, e.g. 19.2 kbaud.
`Of course handheld devices are not limited to wireless
`communications. Typically such devices can be connected to
`another computer through a universal serial bus ("USB")
`connection, an RS-232 connection, an Ethernet connection
`on a properly equipped device, or similar hardwired con(cid:173)
`nection. While these interfaces range from moderately paced
`to the extremely fast, they are exceptionally reliable, at least 60
`while the connection is in place. Unfortunately, few envi(cid:173)
`ronments are well suited to tethering a handheld to allow a
`continuous wired connection.
`It can be seen that perhaps the greatest drawback to using
`a handheld for data gathering as part of a larger system are 65
`the limitations of the data link: 1) it is unlikely that the data
`link will always be available; and 2) the bandwidth of most
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention provides a system and method for
`50 the management of information which solves the problems
`and alleviates the needs discussed above. In its broadest
`sense, the present invention is a method designed to accom(cid:173)
`plish the following:
`1) Allow any computer(s) (desktops, laptops, handhelds,
`55 portables, etc.) to be used to capture information;
`2) Transfer the information to a data center (via file
`transfer methods such as a network, to include, but not
`necessarily, Internet based) in a form that the data center can
`recognize;
`3) Allow another computer(s) to access the information
`and download it from the data center in a format that can be
`readily used regardless of the format in which the original
`information was gathered.
`In a preferred embodiment, a server is loosely networked
`to a plurality of computers (handheld, laptop, or desktop).
`Each computer is equipped with an operating system which
`allows common programming to execute on any device,
`
`

`

`US 9,454,748 B2
`
`5
`
`6
`connection is available, the information is immediately sent
`to the server. If the network connection is unavailable, the
`information is stored locally in the handheld device and sent
`upon restoration of the network connection. At the server,
`the information is typically processed upon receipt such that
`users of the data have real time, or virtually real time,
`information available.
`In another aspect of the invention, the inventive system
`may be provided to end users according to an application
`service provider ("ASP") business method. ASPs are an
`emerging trend in the computer software industry. Tradi(cid:173)
`tionally, a company seeking a software solution would either
`acquire a preprogrammed package which suits its needs or
`15 commission the programming of custom software. In many
`instances preprogrammed software
`is unavailable or
`requires too many compromises to be attractive. In either
`case, the software is purchased and, invariably, represents a
`large capital expense to the company. Once purchased,
`20 modifications, evolutional upgrades, changing management
`practices, and the like, result in additional expenses to keep
`the software up-to-date.
`In contrast an ASP typically provides software on a
`pay-as-you-go basis. An ASP typically provides custom, or
`25 semi-custom software to companies. Each user is billed for
`the time it uses the software. The advantages to the end user
`are obvious. There is no crippling up-front expense, modi(cid:173)
`fications and upgrades are the responsibility of the ASP, if
`the software does not perform satisfactorily the customer
`30 simply walks away and never incurs large expenses. On the
`ASP side, the software vendor enjoys recurring income and
`the ability to adapt the same software model to numerous
`customers. While differing slightly from the traditional ASP
`35 model, the present invention is particularly well suited to a
`per-transaction billing model.
`With regard to the current system, an ASP can provide a
`web site which allows users to build an application on line,
`possibly without incurring any expense. Once the customer
`40 is satisfied with the program, it can automatically be
`deployed to designated computer devices within the system.
`When a user provides input, the computer device can find a
`direct network connection to the ASP or, more likely, find an
`Internet connection and report the data to the ASP via the
`45 Internet connection. Once received at the ASP, the data can
`be processed and is available for viewing or use by the client
`virtually instantly via the Internet. Thus, data entered at any
`location may be viewed by the client in real time, world-
`wide.
`Further objects, features, and advantages of the present
`invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon
`examining the accompanying drawings and upon reading the
`following description of the preferred embodiments.
`
`5
`regardless of hardware differences or native operating sys(cid:173)
`tem differences among the plurality of devices.
`With regard to the present invention, the term "loosely
`networked" is used to describe a networked computer sys(cid:173)
`tem wherein devices on the network are tolerant of inter(cid:173)
`mittent network connections and, in fact, tolerant of the type
`of network connection available. In particular, if any com(cid:173)
`munication connection is available between devices wishing
`to communicate, network transmissions occur normally, in
`real time. If a network connection is unavailable at that 10
`moment, the information is temporarily stored in the device
`and later transmitted when the connection is restored. Unless
`otherwise specified, hereinafter the terms "network" or
`"networked" refer to loosely networked devices.
`Thus, the operating system may be thought of as device
`indifferent and communication channel indifferent. In the
`preferred embodiment, any computer can execute any pro(cid:173)
`gram developed for the inventive system and will commu(cid:173)
`nicate with other members of the system through any
`communication method the device can find available.
`The operating system provided in each computer device
`allows the use of a common instruction set in any such
`device, regardless of compatibility issues between the
`devices, wherein "instruction set" is used herein to mean the
`commands, tokens, etc., that are recognized by the operating
`system as valid instructions. Unlike conventional computer
`programs, the operating system employed in the inventive
`system allows incremental changes to the program without
`the need to reload the entire program. Additionally, a pro(cid:173)
`gramming change made at a central office will automatically
`propagate
`to
`loosely networked computers dispersed
`throughout the field.
`In one aspect of the invention, branching logic depending
`on the programs are created for handheld or other computer
`devices by simply entering questions and providing response
`specification, in the form of a questionnaire, for the end-user.
`Thus, no particular programming skill is required to gener(cid:173)
`ate programs for data gathering. As will be appreciated by
`those familiar with data collection, data can be collected by
`posing a series of questions, or otherwise prompting for
`specific input from the user, as in the manner used with
`paper forms. A number of useful subsystems, which may
`already be present in the handheld device, or easily added
`later, may be utilized so that at least some of the information
`which is responsive to the designed questionnaire may be
`collected automatically rather than entered manually, e.g.,
`time and date, position information if the device includes a
`GPS receiver, etc.
`In another aspect of the present invention, the program
`and user responses are coded in such a fashion as to 50
`substantially reduce the bandwidth requirements of the
`network connection. Since many of the networking options
`for handheld devices provide limited bandwidth, best use
`may be made of the available throughput by coding, or
`tokenizing, program information and responses.
`In practice, a program is created by entering a series of
`prompts and providing direction for how the system is to
`respond to particular responses. This process of data gath(cid:173)
`ering may then be performed by a person having no pro(cid:173)
`gramming skill whatsoever. The program may then be sent 60
`to all, or selected, computer devices on the network. Those
`devices having a connection may immediately be updated.
`Those devices in which a network connection is temporarily
`not available will be updated when the connection is next
`restored.
`The user of the computer device is then prompted for
`specific input. As the user enters data, if the network
`
`55
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 provides a diagram of the inventive system.
`FIG. 2 provides a diagram of the inventive system as used
`for form creation.
`FIG. 3 provides a diagram of the inventive system as used
`for information collection and review.
`FIG. 4 depicts a sequence of tasks for collecting data
`through the use of prior art systems.
`FIG. 5 depicts the tasks of FIG. 4 utilizing the inventive
`65 system.
`FIG. 6 is a work flow diagram of an embodiment utilizing
`the inventive system.
`
`

`

`US 9,454,748 B2
`
`7
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`Before explaining the present invention in detail, 1t 1s
`important to understand that the invention is not limited in
`its application to the details of the construction illustrated
`and the steps described herein. The invention is capable of
`other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in
`a variety of ways. It is to be understood that the phraseology
`and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of
`description and not of limitation.
`Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference
`numerals indicate the same parts throughout the several
`views, a diagram of the inventive system is shown in FIG. 15
`1. Typically, the system for data management 10 includes: at
`least one server 24 preferably having an Internet connection
`26; a plurality of handheld computers 28-32 operated
`remotely from server 24, each handheld 28-32 including a
`network connection 34-38, respectively, for loosely net- 20
`working handhelds 28-32 to server 24; and a computer 22
`connected to the Internet for providing administration of the
`system and for reviewing data collected by the system.
`Server 24 is shown preferably connected to the Internet 26
`and loosely networked to handheld computers 28-32 through 25
`connections 34-38, respectively. As will be apparent to those
`skilled in the art, network connection 26 could instead be
`local area network or a private wide area network. Similarly,
`connections 34-38 may be any one of a number of optional
`connections which ultimately connect a remote device to 30
`server 24. By way of example and not limitation, connection
`34 could be a simple dial up connection through a conven(cid:173)
`tional telephone line to connect handheld 28 directly to
`server 24. At the same time, connection 36 could be an
`infrared (IR) connection between handheld 30 and a desktop 35
`computer (not shown) which in tum, is connected to server
`24 via the Internet. Connection 38 could be a wireless
`modem, i.e., a CDPD interface, a CDMA interface, a GSM
`interface, an analog cellular modem, or the like, which either
`establishes a direct connection with server 24 or establishes 40
`an Internet connection to reach server 24 via the Internet.
`Other options would include a wireless LAN connection, a
`direct RS-232 connection, a docking station connected to a
`desktop computer, etc. It should be noted that, regardless of
`the type of connection, handhelds 28-32 are ultimately 45
`connectable to server 24 in a loosely networked fashion.
`It should be noted that handheld c