A method to determine accurate location of a user with timestamping for operational management.

Abstract

A method to capture location of a user and timestamp for work status purposes is disclosed. The method reports location of the user when there is interrupted network connectivity by using a dynamic ca

Description

A method to determine accurate location of a user with timestamping for operational management FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[001] The present invention relates to a method that determines accurate location of the user when there is interrupted or intermittent network connectivity. This method conserves power and improves performance of the mobile devices that are being tracked. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[002] Precise and accurate tracking of employees location is essential to optimize resource allocation and comply with regulatory requirements in logistic, health care and field service management sectors. Conventional techniques capture employees location frequently such that it consumes the battery power of the mobile devices resulting in faster battery drainage and require large storage space to store the captured location data. These techniques require constant location data fetching and storage in the device which drains the mobile device battery faster and reduces its performance. This affects the accuracy of the location data as the device might not be ON due to battery drainage. So, these conventional techniques cannot be used to track employees when they work in extreme isolated and remote locations due to non-ideal conditions including poor or non-existing internet services and low possibility to recharge the battery of the mobile devices.

[003] The prior art US20210334763A1 discloses a platform that provides temporary staff along with administrative infrastructure to employers who have temporary staffing needs. Administrative issues are monitored via dynamically generated geofences and mobile devices (mobile phones) carried by worker-users. The geofences serve as time clock and behavioural monitor zone.

[004] In the aforementioned document, the platform dynamically generates geofences to monitor workers based on specifications of temporary work orders wherein the timer is initiated when the worker enters the geofence and paused until the mobile device re-enters the temporary geofence. This method continuously collects location data to determine the location of the user during shift time and so requires constant storage of workers' location in their device leading to battery drainage, storage constraints thereby decreasing device performance. Also, the method does not include the system / method in case of interrupted network connectivity.

[005] The prior art US20170116651 Al discloses an approach for location tracking during an absence of network connectivity. Furthermore, embodiments enable interactive location-based alert messages and / or coupons to be rendered while a device is in an offline mode. A geofence is established for downloading venue data prior to entering a venue. If network connectivity is lost while in the venue, local position information is stored on the mobile device. When network connectivity is reestablished, the stored local position information is uploaded to a data server.

[006] In the aforementioned document, an indoor positioning system in a mobile device is used to determine the location of a user and their shopping preferences in a retail establishment wherein either wireless transmitters or navigation systems are used to assess the location of the user within the premise such that relevant custom-tailored messages and coupons are offered to those customers. This system / method requires constant monitoring of customers' mobile devices leading to battery drainage, storage constraints thereby decreasing device performance.

[007] Therefore, there exists a need to address these complex situations and provide a reliable and accurate tracking method without disturbing the mobile performance with minimum data storage and power consumption. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[008] The invention provides a method that determines the accurate location of the user when there is interrupted or intermittent network connectivity with minimum data storage and power consumption.

[009] It is one aspect of the present invention that the method adapts dynamic mobile network connectivity wherein the location status of the employee is captured when the mobile is offline and on re-establishing its connectivity such that the location data of the employee is available even in offline and switched-off mode.

[0010] It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a dynamic caching mechanism wherein the application is triggered to fetch location data based on the four events including shift start time, mobile switched off condition and its subsequent return to on status, work related action on employees mobile device and during the shift end time of the employee.

[0011] It is yet another aspect of the present invention to determine employees on-site or off-site status during the shift end time under interrupted or intermittent network connectivity wherein the timestamp of the employee is validated based on a configurable time window of the work location relative to the shift end time of the employee.

[0012] It is another aspect of the present invention to integrate real-time and cached location data and provide a seamless data synchronization to decide the whereabouts of the employee during shift end time.

[0013] It is another aspect of the present invention to determine employees on-site or off-site status during the shift end time under interrupted or intermittent network connectivity wherein the location of the employee is validated based on a configurable geofence of the work location relative to the shift end time of the employee.

[0014] This method conserves power and improves performance of the mobile devices that are being tracked. INTRODUCTION TO DRAWINGS

[0015] The foregoing and other features of embodiments will become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like elements.

[0016] Figure. 1 illustrates the components and connectivity between each interface in the system architecture as disclosed in one or more of the embodiments.

[0017] Figure. 2 illustrates the working status of the first user in various GPS locations as disclosed in one or more of the embodiments.

[0018] Figure. 3 illustrates a method to determine and report working status of a user as disclosed in one of the embodiments.

[0019] Figure. 4 illustrates a process of real-time decision making regarding the work status of the first user during the Shift end time as disclosed in one of the embodiments. INTRODUCTION TO THE DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and / or detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practised and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.

[0021] Reference in this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. The appearance of the phrase “in an embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, various features are described which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others. Similarly, various requirements are described which may be requirements for some embodiments but not for other embodiments.

[0022] Moreover, although the following description contains many specifics for the purposes of illustration, anyone skilled in the art will appreciate that many variations and / or alterations to said details are within the scope of the present disclosure. Similarly, although many of the features of the present disclosure are described in terms of each other, or in conjunction with each other, one skilled in the art will appreciate that many of these features can be provided independently of other features. Accordingly, this description of the present disclosure is set forth without any loss of generality to, and without imposing limitations upon the present disclosure.

[0023] The term “IPsec” is a set of communication rules or protocols for setting up secure connections over a network that adds encryption and authentication to make the protocol more secure.

[0024] The term “TLS” is a widely adopted security protocol designed to facilitate privacy and data security for communications over the Internet encrypting the communication between web applications and servers, such as web browsers loading a website.

[0025] The term “https” is the secure version of htttp, which is the primary protocol used to send data between a web browser and a website.

[0026] The terms 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G represent the five generations of mobile networks where 'G' stands for 'Generation' and the numbers 2, 3, 4, and 5 represent the generation number.

[0027] The invention disclosed herein provides a system architecture and its associated method that determines accurate location of the user when there is interrupted or intermittent network connectivity.

[0028] In an embodiment, a system architecture of the present invention includes an user processing system (12), a backend system (11), a front end processing system (10) and multiple network connectivity as shown in FIG. 1 wherein the user processing system (12) is accessed by a first user including an employee / worker / labourer / member of staff and the front end processing system (10) is accessed by a second user including an employer / manager. The user processing system (12) and the front end processing system (10) includes any telecommunication devices that facilitate communication by transmitting, receiving and processing information.

[0029] In a specific embodiment, the user processing system (12) includes mobile devices and / or smart watches comprising a tracker application with GPS module and local caching mechanisms that captures and transmits cache location data along with associated timestamp to the back end system (11); an user interface to interact with the application, view their location status, and receive notifications; and a memory unit that stores recent location data and timestamp for transmission to the back end system (11).

[0030] In a specific embodiment, the front end system (10) includes mobile devices, laptop and / or desktop comprising a tracking application that configures site location and virtual radius (VR metres) parameter settings, and retrieves processed data from the backend system (11); a front end interface to input configuration settings, view and display user location status; and a memory unit that stores second user’s configurations, site locations, radius parameters, and historical data. The configuration settings includes unique identifier for each first user (User id), ShifuStart Time, ShifUEndJTime, and ShifUEndJTime - ‘X’ min that defines the acceptable time window relative to the ShiftEndTime for location validation and VR (‘Y’ metres) that defines the radius during ShiftEndTime within which a user working status is considered ‘On-site’ wherein ShiftStartTime min and Shift End Time min are set specifically for each first user.

[0031] The back end system (11) comprises web servers, application servers, database servers and virtual servers including cloud servers. The server comprises a processing unit that processes incoming location data and its associated time stamp; validates receives data and makes real-time decision about the user’s work status; a memory unit including a database that store the collected location data with timestamp, validated data and configuration setting; a transmission interface that facilitates seamless communication between front end system (10), user processing system (12) and a backend system (11) ensuring synchronized data flow and real-time updates across the components in the system architecture.

[0032] The Geolocation (GPSCache) and its associated timestamp (TScache) of each user is validated by using an algorithm and logic in the processing unit of the backend system as shown in FIG. 2 such that: (a) Shift End Time -£X’ (min) <TS Cache <Shift End Time (min); and (b) GPS Cache Y metres indicates ON-SITE status, wherein the values for X min and Y metres are a lenient window set for ShiftEndT and Valid GPS data, respectively by the second user in the tracking application of the front end system (10) for each User id.

[0033] The connectivity between each interface in the system architecture that facilitates data transmission from one system to another system is illustrated in FIG.l wherein the connectivity between cellular base station (13) and user interface in the user processing system (12) includes 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G protocols; the connectivity between cellular base station (13) and backend interface (11) includes IPsec and TLS protocols; and the connectivity between frontend system (10) and backend system (11) includes https.

[0034] In another embodiment, a method to determine and report working status of a first user as illustrated in FIG. 3 accurately at specific critical points with minimum power consumption and data storage comprises the steps of Step 1: Initialization and Setup - Installing a location tracker app in the user interface of a first user’s user system (12) and user tracking app in the user interface of a front end system (10), and complete registration or signing up. Setting up parameters in the tracking application of a second user’s front end system (10) including site location (gps coordinates), first user identifier (iJser ld). virtual radius (in Y metres) of site location, Shift ^taT and ShiftEndTime, ShiftEndTime - ‘X’ min and lenient geolocation window of £Y’ metres for GPS coordinates, wherein the virtual radius is dynamic such that it can be customized depending on fault tolerance to determine a first user’s on-site or off-site status; Step 2: Monitoring the first user’s location - Triggering the tracker app in the user system (12) of the first user at four critical points that includes the moment of offline connectivity in the mobile (Net^OFF), resuming online connectivity in the mobile (Resume XefO during Shift End time / Mobile ON, and performing shift related actions by the first user in the mobile app. Step 3: Caching data in the user system (12) either using Real-time caching when both the mobile power and its connectivity is ON or using dynamic caching when both the mobile power and its connectivity is OFF that is then resumed ON; wherein the real-time caching mechanism involves capturing the real-time location of the user interface along with its time stamp and transmitting to the backend processing system (11), and storing in the memory unit of the user processing system (12); wherein the dynamic caching involves fetching and storing the latest cached location data along with timestamp in the user interface of the user processing system (12) in case of offline connectivity and transmitting the latest cached location data along with timestamp when the connection returns online, that is further stored in its memory unit. wherein the latest cached location data replaces the previously cached location data on the local cache of the user system (12), such that at all times only the latest cached location data is available. Step 4: Real-time execution in the back end system (11) - Integrating (syncing) the latest cached location data with timestamp and real-time location data with timestamp from the user interface of the user processing system (12) to the processing unit in the backend servers, and initiating the data processing algorithm in the backend system (11) for validation. Step 5: Configurable timestamp validation in the back end system (11)- Validating the stored location data against a configurable time window ('X' min) relative to the critical points and determining if the last stored location falls within the acceptable time window for accurate status determination, wherein the logic to validate timestamp (TS cache) of each user is Shifl End Time -‘X’ min TS Cache Shifts (min); Wherein a lenient window of ‘X’ min is set in the tracking application of the front end system (10) for each User id; Step 6: Configurable Geofence validation in the back end system (11) - Validating first user’s location within the defined virtual radius ('Y meters') from the site location and determining if the worker is within the acceptable distance to be considered on-site at the said critical points, wherein the logic to validate the Geolocation (GPSCache) of each user is GPSCache Y metres indicates ON-SITE status, wherein the values for a lenient window of ‘ Y’ metres is set in the tracking application of the front end system (10) for each User id. Step 7: Real-time decision making - If the last stored location data falls within the acceptable time window and acceptable distance in the CR, the first user is “On-site”. Else, first user is “Off-site”. Step 8: Real-time reporting - The final work status of the first user at the said critical points is reported to the front-end interface of the second user and is further stored in the database.

[0035] In an example embodiment, the process of real-time decision making regarding the work status of the first user during the Shift end time (Shift End Time) is disclosed under two different conditions that include user system (12) network Online or offline, and user system (12) switch ON or OFF. The process starts when the shift time is Shift End 'l ime as shown in FIG. 4 and the location tracker app in the user processing system (12) is triggered by the frontend processing system (10). (a) (Mobile ON, Net_ON): In this condition, the location tracking application in the user interface fetches / captures the real-time location data and its associated timestamp of the user processing system (12), stores it in the local cache of the user processing system (12) and sends the data to the backend interface (11) wherein the backend interface (11) interprets the fetched real-time location data with timestamp such that Logic 1: TSCache = ShiftEndTime and (ShiftEndTime - 'X' min to ShiftEndTime) TSCache Shift End Time indicates a ‘Valid TS’ suggesting that the first user is within the acceptable timestamp from the Shift End Time. Else, ‘invalid TS’ Logic 2: GPSCache ^'Y' meter indicates ‘FU VR In’ suggesting that the first user is within the acceptable VR from the marked site location. Else, ‘FU VR Out’. If the outcome is ‘Valid TS’ and ‘FUVRIn’, then the first user is ON-SITE. Else, OFF-SITE. (b) (Mobile Off, NetOff): In this condition, the network is automatically offline (NetOff). The location tracking application fetches / captures the latest location data of the user system (12) just before the user system (12) is switched off, updates the latest location data in the local cache of the user system (12). When the mobile power resumes ON (Resume Mobile ON) and is associated network is online, the latest cached data of that shift is sent to the backend system (11) wherein the backend interface interprets the latest cached data (TS Cache and GPS Cache) with FU VR and Shift End Time. If both the conditions are valid as per the logic given below, then the first user is ON-SITE during Shift End Time, else OFF-SITE. Logic 1: ShifftEnd^Time - 'X' min to ShrftE^ <= TS Cache <= ShiftEndTi m e indicates a ‘Valid TS’ suggesting that the first user is within the acceptable timestamp during the Shift End Time. Else, ‘invalid TS’ Logic 2: GPS Cache <'Y' meter indicates ‘FU VR In’ suggesting that the first user is within the acceptable VR from the marked site location. Else, TUVROuth (c) (MobileON, NetOff): In this condition, location tracker application in the user system (12) is triggered at the ShiftEndTime and mobile connectivity is offline, to fetch / capture location data and its associated timestamp from mobile gps and store it in user system (12) local cache and subsequently transmit to the server in the backend system (11) when the connectivity resumes (Resume Net_ON). This updated location data with timestamp is transmitted to the backend system (11) with which the real-time decision on work status is revised. The processing unit in the backend system (11) compares the timestamped location data against configured parameters along with accuracy tolerance thresholds such that: Logic 1: (Shift End Time - 'X' min to Shift End Time) <= TS Cache <= Shift End Time indicates a ‘Valid TS’ suggesting that the first user is within the acceptable timestamp during the Shift End Time. Else, ‘invalid TS’ Logic 2: GPSCache <VR+'Y' indicates ‘FUJVR^In’ suggesting that the first user is within the acceptable VR from the marked site location. Else, ‘FU VR Out’.

[0036] In an exemplary embodiment, the work status of the first user under other criteria including Shift Start Time, when the first user performs work shift related actions, and when the mobile is switched on / off are also decided and reported based on the logic provided in the aforementioned process.

[0037] Therefore, advanced geographical mapping and spatial analysis techniques are employed in the present invention to cross-reference the received location data with designated work zones or site boundaries, ensuring precise location determination of a first user by a second user.

[0038] The method to determine and report working status of a user accurately at specific critical points disclosed herein has several technical innovations and operational advantages over conventional location tracking methods that are given below: (a) Integration of multiple location information methods, including GPS module data retrieval and offline caching strategies, enhances the reliability and accuracy of first user location tracking while not excessively degrading the mobile device battery power and performance compared to existing methods. (b) Real-time synchronisation between mobile devices and backend servers minimises data latency and ensures timely decision-making capabilities, even in environments with fluctuating connectivity. The limited amount of data to be transmitted, due to storage of only the latest cached location data, further facilitates this. (c) Configurable parameters (e.g., time window for timestamp validation and virtual radius for location determination) provide flexibility to adapt the system to diverse operational settings and accuracy requirements, enhancing overall system robustness and reliability.

[0039] The applications of the present invention extend across various industries where accurate user location tracking is paramount for operational efficiency and regulatory compliance. Potential commercial applications include but are not limited to: (i) Logistics and transportation: Optimising route planning, asset management, and delivery tracking. (ii) Healthcare: Monitoring healthcare professionals' movements within hospital facilities or patient homes for patient care coordination. (iii) Field services: Tracking technicians and field personnel to optimize service delivery and response times. (iv) Construction and engineering: Ensuring safety compliance and efficient deployment of workforce resources on project sites.

[0040] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and / or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

Claims

We claim:

1. A method to determine and report working status of a user accurately at specific critical points with minimum power consumption and data storage comprises the steps of:installing a location tracker app in the user interface of a first user’s user system (12) and completing its registration process;installing a user tracking app in the user interface of a front end system (10) and setting up defined parameters and threshold parameters in the interface of the front end system (10);wherein the defined parameters include site location, first user identifier (User id), virtual radius (VR, ‘ Y’ meter) of the said site location, ShifuStart Time and ShifUEnd Time of the first user;wherein the threshold parameters include “Shift_End_time-‘X’ min” indicating lenient timestamp window of ‘X’ min, and ‘Y’ meter indicating lenient geolocation window of ‘Y’ m for GPS coordinates;monitoring the first user’s location by triggering the tracker app in the user system (12) at four critical points that includes offline connectivity in the mobile (Net OFF), resuming online connectivity in the mobile (Resume Net ON), during Shift End time / MobileON, and performing shift related actions by the first user in the mobile app;wherein a mobile power ON and an online connectivity status proceeds with real-time caching mechanism such that the real-time location of the user system (12) along with its time stamp is captured and stored it in its local storage, and subsequently transmitted and stored in the memory unit of the backend processing system (11);wherein a mobile power ON and an offline connectivity status proceeds with dynamic caching mechanism such that the latest cached location data along with its timestamp of the user processing system (12) is captured and stored in its local storage;characterized in that the latest cached location data along with timestamp is transmitted to the backend system (11) that is further stored in its memory unit, when the mobile power is ON and its associated connectivity returns online;wherein a mobile power OFF and an offline connectivity status triggers the dynamic caching mechanism such that the latest cached location data along with its timestamp of the user processing system (12) is captured and stored in its local storage; characterized in that the latest cached location data along with timestamp is transmitted to the backend system (11) that is further stored in its memory unit, when the mobile power is ON and its associated connectivity returns online;wherein the latest cached location data replaces the previously cached location data on the local cache of the user system (12), such that at all times only the latest cached location data is available;real-time processing in the back end system (11) by integrating the latest cached location data or real-time location data from the user system (12) to the processing unit in the backend system (11) and initiating the data processing algorithm in the backend system (11) for validation;validating the timestamp from the location data in the back end system (11) against a configurable time window ('X' min) relative to the critical points and determining if the last stored location falls within the acceptable time window for accurate status determination;wherein the logic to validate timestamp (TScache) of each user is ShiftEndTime -‘X’ min TSCache Shift End Time (min);validating the captured geolocation data in the back end system (11) against a defined virtual radius ('Y meters') from the site location and determining if the worker is within the acceptable distance to be considered on-site at the said critical points,wherein the logic to validate the Geolocation (GPSCache) of each user is GPSCache‘Y’ metres;real-time decision making such that if the last stored location data falls within the acceptable time window and acceptable distance in the VR, then the first user is “ON-SITE” or else, the first user is “OFF-SITE”;reporting the real-time final work status of the first user at the said critical points at the front-end interface of the front end system (10); andstoring the report and collected historical data in the database of the front end system (10).

2. The method to determine and report working status of a user as claimed in claim 1, wherein the Shift StartTime and Shift End Time with a lenient window of ‘X’ min are set in the tracking application of the front end system (10) for each iJser ld,3. The method to determine and report working status of a user as claimed in claim 1, wherein the values for VR (in metres) with a lenient window of £Y’ metres are set in the tracking application of the front end system (10) for each User id.

4. The method to determine and report working status of a user as claimed in claim 1, wherein the VR is dynamic such that it can be customized depending on fault tolerance to determine an first user’s on-site or off-site status.

5. The method to determine and report working status of a user as claimed in claim 1, wherein the caching mechanism when mobile power ON and the connectivity offline in the user system (12) during ShiftEndTime includestriggering the location tracking application to capture the latest location data of the user system (12),updating the latest location data in the local cache of the user system (12),sending the latest cached data to the backend system (11) when the mobile power resumes ON and its connectivity status ON,interpreting the latest cached data (TSCache and GPSCache) in the backend system (11) with FUVR and Shift End Time and validating the received data,wherein the logic (ShifuEnd^Time - 'X' min to ShiftE^ <= TS C'aclie <=Shift End Time indicates a ‘Valid TS’ suggesting that the first user is within the acceptable timestamp during the Shift End Time, else ‘invalid TS’; andwherein the logic GPS_Cache< ' V meter indicates FU VRJn’ suggesting that the first user is within the acceptable VR from the marked site location, else ‘FU^VR^Out’; andreporting the real-time decision on work status based on the said logics.

6. The method to determine and report working status of a user as claimed in claim 5, wherein the values for VR (in metres) and ShiftEndTime with a lenient window of ‘Y’ metres and ‘X’ min, respectively are set in the tracking application of the front end system (10) for each User id.

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