Mobile Workflow Automation Data Structure for Field Service Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Companies face challenges in tracking mobile workers, enabling them to perform tasks at remote locations, capturing data on issues, confirming customer problems, instructing workers on solutions, capturing job completion, confirming customer satisfaction, and processing onsite invoicing and payments.
Innovation Solution
A cloud-based computing system with mobile applications that provide a workflow automation data structure (ADS) to direct, monitor, instruct, and interact with mobile workers. This system includes a data store configured on a per-vendor basis, with mobile devices equipped with cameras and geolocation modules, allowing for real-time tracking and data capture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple levels of managers communicate with mobile workers using verbal communication or text messaging, then worker guidance is provided, but tracking worker location and monitoring job progress becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual tracking methods (verbal communication and text messaging) with an automated electronic system that uses mobile devices equipped with location tracking capabilities. The system automatically captures and transmits worker location data, job status information, and completion documentation through a centralized platform, eliminating the need for manual tracking while maintaining communication effectiveness.
2Quantity of substance
If manual tracking and data collection methods are used, then worker communication is maintained, but comprehensive job documentation and customer confirmation become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple previously separate functions into a single integrated mobile application platform. The system combines worker communication, location tracking, job documentation, customer confirmation, and invoicing processing into one unified interface. This consolidation simplifies the overall system structure while enabling comprehensive data collection across all job aspects through a single device interface.
3Reliability
If traditional communication methods are used between managers and workers, then simple systems are maintained, but real-time monitoring and instruction capability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the centralized system continuously receives data from mobile workers including location information, job progress updates, and completion documentation. The system automatically processes this information and provides real-time feedback to workers through the mobile application, enabling dynamic monitoring and instruction adjustment without requiring complex hierarchical communication structures.
4Loss of information
If comprehensive job documentation is captured, then customer satisfaction can be confirmed, but data processing and invoicing become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by automatically generating and pre-configuring invoicing documents during the job execution phase. As workers complete job documentation through the mobile application, the system automatically captures all necessary information and pre-processes it into invoice formats, eliminating the need for separate post-job administrative work and accelerating the invoicing process.
Data Source
AI summary
Mobile work force (MF) workflow automation data structure (ADS) uses a cloud-based or web-based server coupled to a data store. Stored, dynamic and security-siloed MF-user personal profile (UPP) and customer UPPs feed main menu and sub-menu datasets for MF worker cell-phone-type devices. A MF vendor back-office has an assigned MF worker scheduling dashboard. The ADS system is a series of menus, sometimes sequentially tied together and at other times hierarchically linked for MF user selectable and actuatable menus. Downloaded menu datasets react to MF worker inputs resulting in uploaded MF datasets to the server. For each job/task/project “Type,” initially configured in ADS data store, the ADS provides downloadable datasets to multiple mobile MF servicing multiple customers at diverse destinations for a MF vendor, all supported by the vendor's secured data store.