U.S. patent application number 14/740246 was filed with the patent office on 2015-12-17 for apparatus and method for automatically allocating the use of assets.
The applicant listed for this patent is NewVistas, LLC. Invention is credited to Richard D. Brinkworth, David Caldwell, Sky A. Evans, David R. Hall, Mark D. Hall, Davido L. Hyer, Pablo A. Penailillo, Joel W. Pomije.
Application Number | 20150363727 14/740246 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54836455 |
Filed Date | 2015-12-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150363727 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hall; David R. ; et
al. |
December 17, 2015 |
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY ALLOCATING THE USE OF
ASSETS
Abstract
A method for automatically allocating use of an asset is
disclosed. Such a method includes tracking proximity of a first
asset relative to a second asset and determining when the first
asset is proximate the second asset. The method further senses use
of the second asset while the first asset is proximate the second
asset. Sensing use may include sensing vibration of the second
asset, temperature of the second asset, electrical current drawn by
the second asset, or the like. The method automatically allocates
use of the second assert to at least one of the first asset, an
entity associated with the first asset, and a project associated
with the first asset. A corresponding system and computer program
product are also disclosed herein.
Inventors: |
Hall; David R.; (Provo,
UT) ; Hyer; Davido L.; (Spanish Fork, UT) ;
Hall; Mark D.; (Springville, UT) ; Pomije; Joel
W.; (Missoula, MT) ; Brinkworth; Richard D.;
(Spanish Fork, UT) ; Evans; Sky A.; (Provo,
UT) ; Caldwell; David; (Provo, UT) ;
Penailillo; Pablo A.; (Provo, UT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
NewVistas, LLC |
Provo |
UT |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
54836455 |
Appl. No.: |
14/740246 |
Filed: |
June 15, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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62011664 |
Jun 13, 2014 |
|
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62015996 |
Jun 23, 2014 |
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62087124 |
Dec 3, 2014 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/7.23 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 20/14 20130101;
G08B 7/06 20130101; G06Q 10/06315 20130101; G08B 5/36 20130101;
G08B 21/0272 20130101; G06Q 30/04 20130101; G06Q 10/06313 20130101;
G06Q 10/063118 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 10/06 20060101
G06Q010/06 |
Claims
1. A method for automatically allocating use of an asset, the
method comprising: tracking proximity of a first asset relative to
a second asset; determining when the first asset is proximate the
second asset; sensing use of the second asset while the first asset
is proximate the second asset; and automatically allocating use of
the second assert to at least one of the first asset, an entity
associated with the first asset, and a project associated with the
first asset.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first asset is one of an
individual and a group of individuals.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first asset is a work
order.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the second asset is a piece of
equipment.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the second asset is one of a room
and a work area.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein sensing use comprises sensing at
least one of vibration of the second asset, temperature of the
second asset, and electrical current drawn by the second asset.
7. The method of claim 1, further comprising enabling an individual
to manually adjust the allocation of use of the second asset.
8. A system for automatically allocating use of an asset, the
system comprising: at least one processor; at least one memory
device operably coupled to the at least one processor and storing
instructions for execution on the at least one processor, the
instructions causing the at least one processor to: track proximity
of a first asset relative to a second asset; determine when the
first asset is proximate the second asset; sense use of the second
asset while the first asset is proximate the second asset; and
automatically allocate use of the second assert to at least one of
the first asset, an entity associated with the first asset, and a
project associated with the first asset.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein the first asset is one of an
individual and a group of individuals.
10. The system of claim 8, wherein the first asset is a work
order.
11. The system of claim 8, wherein the second asset is a piece of
equipment.
12. The system of claim 8, wherein the second asset is one of a
room and a work area.
13. The system of claim 8, wherein sensing use comprises sensing at
least one of vibration of the second asset, temperature of the
second asset, and electrical current drawn by the second asset.
14. The system of claim 8, wherein the instructions further enable
an individual to manually adjust the allocation of use of the
second asset.
15. A computer program product to automatically allocate use of an
asset, the computer program product comprising a non-transitory
computer-readable storage medium having computer-usable program
code embodied therein, the computer-usable program code comprising:
computer-usable program code to track proximity of a first asset
relative to a second asset; computer-usable program code to
determine when the first asset is proximate the second asset;
computer-usable program code to sense use of the second asset while
the first asset is proximate the second asset; and computer-usable
program code to automatically allocate use of the second assert to
at least one of the first asset, an entity associated with the
first asset, and a project associated with the first asset.
16. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the first
asset is one of an individual and a group of individuals.
17. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the first
asset is a work order.
18. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the second
asset is a piece of equipment.
19. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the second
asset is one of a room and a work area.
20. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein sensing use
comprises sensing at least one of vibration of the second asset,
temperature of the second asset, and electrical current drawn by
the second asset.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
No. 62/011,664 filed on Jun. 13, 2014 and entitled "Systems and
Methods for Automating Allocations, for Automating and
Incentivizing Business Processes, and for Cooperative Networking of
Businesses and Individuals"; U.S. Provisional Patent No. 62/015,996
filed on Jun. 23, 2014 and entitled "Wireless Beacon Hardware and
Systems Platform"; and U.S. Provisional Patent No. 62/087,124 filed
on Dec. 2, 2014 and entitled "Wireless Asset Management
System".
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The invention relates to systems and methods for wirelessly
tracking, managing, and controlling assets; automating allocations;
and facilitating cooperative networks of businesses.
[0004] 2. Background of the Invention
[0005] Allocating and managing/using allocations in business
operations of all kinds has historically involved a mix of manual
and automated processes: workers in production plants, hospitals,
law offices, and the like manually allocate time (time on site,
labor time by project/customer, etc.), manually allocate use of
assets/resources (locations, machinery, vehicles, etc.), and
manually allocate expenses. The manual time and expense allocations
are vital for the business systems that take care of payroll,
customer billing, maintenance, and so on. These downstream
processes are where the bulk of automation exists in existing
systems, but manual elements are involved to some extent in all of
them, and the upstream allocation processes are almost exclusively
manual in nature.
[0006] Some existing systems may allow for automatic allocations,
but only in a very limited sense. The automation in these existing
systems is applied only in strictly-defined situations and must be
set up with a manual process. Increasing the automation of
allocations without sacrificing accuracy is highly desirable in
that manual allocations take time away from more essential
functions and are subject to intentional and unintentional
omissions, data entry errors, mistakes related to poor judgment,
and poor recollection. Operations of all sizes must deal with these
problems, and larger and more complex operations are subject to
larger and more complex errors, which frequently are addressed by
adding layers of control/management, each with its own share of
manual allocation processes and their accompanying problems and
inefficiencies.
[0007] In view of the foregoing, what are needed systems and
methods to more effectively track, manage, and control assets.
Ideally, such systems and methods will enable various types of
allocations (e.g., time, use, expenses) to be automated.
SUMMARY
[0008] The invention has been developed in response to the present
state of the art and, in particular, in response to the problems
and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved by
currently available systems and methods. Accordingly, improved
systems and methods have been developed to wirelessly track,
manage, and control assets, as well as automate allocations.
Features and advantages of different embodiments of the invention
will become more fully apparent from the following description and
appended claims, or may be learned by practice of the invention as
set forth hereinafter.
[0009] In a first embodiment of the invention, a method for
automatically allocating the time of an individual to a project is
disclosed. Such a method includes associating a project with a
location, such as the location of an asset (e.g., machine,
equipment, room, area, etc.), and tracking proximity of an
individual to the location. A "project" may include work associated
with a particular client, work order, assignment, or the like. A
"location" may include a stationary or changing (i.e., mobile)
location. The method further determines an amount of time that the
individual is deemed to be proximate (e.g., near or within a
specified distance or vicinity of) the location. The method
automatically allocates time of the individual to the project
during the time the individual is proximate the location. In
certain embodiments, the method further enables the individual to
manually adjust the time that is allocated to the project during
the time the individual is proximate the location. A corresponding
system and computer program product are also disclosed herein.
[0010] In a second embodiment of the invention, a method for
automatically allocating the time of an asset is disclosed. Such a
method includes tracking proximity of a first asset relative to a
second asset. The first asset may include, for example, a work
order or one or more individuals. The second asset may include, for
example, a piece of equipment, a room, or a work area. The method
determines a duration of time the first asset is deemed to be
proximate the second asset. In accordance with the duration of
time, the method automatically allocates time of the second assert
to at least one of the first asset, an entity associated with the
first asset, and a project associated with the first asset. A
corresponding system and computer program product are also
disclosed herein.
[0011] In a third embodiment of the invention, a method for
automatically determining allocations of time or use is disclosed.
Such a method includes gathering, using at least one sensor,
environmental information describing an environment around an
entity. The entity includes at least one of a person and a physical
asset. The method further determines what supplemental information
is needed to supplement the environmental information in order to
determine an allocation for the entity, wherein the allocation
includes at least one of an allocation of time and an allocation of
use. The method is configured to automatically request the
supplemental information from an individual. The method is further
configured to receive the supplemental information from the
individual and use the environmental information and supplemental
information to determine the allocation for the entity. A
corresponding system and computer program product are also
disclosed herein.
[0012] In a fourth embodiment of the invention, a method for
automatically allocating use of an asset is disclosed. Such a
method includes tracking proximity of a first asset relative to a
second asset and determining when the first asset is proximate the
second asset. The method further senses use of the second asset
while the first asset is proximate the second asset. Sensing use
may include sensing vibration of the second asset, temperature of
the second asset, electrical current drawn by the second asset, or
the like. The method automatically allocates use of the second
assert to at least one of the first asset, an entity associated
with the first asset, and a project associated with the first
asset. A corresponding system and computer program product are also
disclosed herein.
[0013] In a fifth embodiment of the invention, a method for
automatically tracking assets and gathering information associated
therewith is disclosed. Such a method includes attaching a tracking
beacon to an asset and wirelessly monitoring, with an asset
tracking system, a location of the asset using the attached
tracking beacon. The method further enables a user to manually
input information associated with the asset using an input element
(e.g., button, directional switching device, touchscreen, etc.)
incorporated into the tracking beacon. The method wirelessly
transmits the information from the tracking beacon to the asset
tracking system. A corresponding system and computer program
product are also disclosed herein.
[0014] In a sixth embodiment of the invention, a method for
facilitating transactions between a network of businesses includes
determining, for a given time period, a first invoice directed from
a first business to a second business, and a second invoice
directed from the second business to the first business. The method
further includes aggregating the first and second invoices to
determine a net payment needed to pay both the first invoice and
the second invoice. The net payment is transferred between the
first business and the second business. The method further includes
updating an accounting platform for each of the first business and
the second business to indicate that the first invoice and the
second invoice have been paid.
[0015] In a seventh embodiment of the invention, a method includes
establishing a cooperative network of businesses, establishing a
first entity configured to own and invest in intellectual property
assets utilized by the cooperative network of businesses; and
establishing a second entity configured to own and invest in
physical assets shared and utilized by the cooperative network of
business.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] In order that the advantages of the invention will be
readily understood, a more particular description of the invention
briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific
embodiments illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding
that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the
invention and are not therefore to be considered limiting of its
scope, the invention will be described and explained with
additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying
drawings, in which:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a high level diagram showing one embodiment of a
system for automating allocations;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a high level diagram showing how the system of
FIG. 1 may be used to automatically allocate time to people and
projects;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a high level diagram showing how the system of
FIG. 1 may be used to automatically allocate time to assets and
projects;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a high level diagram showing how the system of
FIG. 1 may be used to automatically allocate time to maintenance
tasks;
[0021] FIG. 5 is a high level diagram showing how the system of
FIG. 1 may be used to automatically allocate expenses to
assets;
[0022] FIG. 6 is a high level diagram showing how the system of
FIG. 1 may be used to automatically allocate expenses to
maintenance tasks;
[0023] FIG. 7 shows one embodiment of a system of location beacons
and asset beacons set up in or around an office building;
[0024] FIG. 8 shows one embodiment of a system of location beacons
and asset beacons set up in or around a car dealership;
[0025] FIG. 9 shows one embodiment of a system of location beacons
and asset beacons set up in or around a convention or trade show
facility;
[0026] FIG. 10 shows one embodiment of a system of location beacons
and asset beacons set up at an amusement park;
[0027] FIG. 11 shows one embodiment of a system of location beacons
and asset beacons set up at a residential home;
[0028] FIG. 12A shows one embodiment of location beacon mounted in
a standard, rocker light switch cover;
[0029] FIG. 12B shows one embodiment of a location beacon mounted
in a dual-gang rocker light switch cover;
[0030] FIG. 13 shows a beacon device in a wall plate that is
affixed to a wall with standard screws or other mounting
systems;
[0031] FIG. 14A shows one embodiment of a beacon device that pivots
along a center ridge held against a wall;
[0032] FIGS. 14B and 14C show embodiments of a beacon device that
pivot around a partial spherical feature held against a wall;
[0033] FIGS. 15A and 15B show location beacons configured to
provide visual feedback via an LED or set of LEDs, or a display
such as a single, multi-line, or graphical LCD;
[0034] FIG. 16 shows one embodiment of a beacon configured to be
attached to an asset;
[0035] FIG. 17 is a high-level block diagram showing business
relationships and flow of monies in a cooperative network of
businesses;
[0036] FIG. 18 is a high-level block diagram showing business
relationships and flow of profits in a cooperative network of
businesses;
[0037] FIG. 19 is a high-level block diagram showing reinvestment
of capital in a cooperative network of businesses; and
[0038] FIG. 20 is a high-level block diagram showing how an
integration module in accordance with the invention may be used to
facilitate transactions and flow of monies in a cooperative network
of businesses.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0039] It will be readily understood that the components of the
present invention, as generally described and illustrated in the
Figures herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of
different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed
description of the embodiments of the invention, as represented in
the Figures, is not intended to limit the scope of the invention,
as claimed, but is merely representative of certain examples of
presently contemplated embodiments in accordance with the
invention. The presently described embodiments will be best
understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are
designated by like numerals throughout.
[0040] The present invention may be embodied as a system, method,
and/or computer program product. The computer program product may
include a computer readable storage medium (or media) having
computer readable program instructions thereon for causing a
processor to carry out aspects of the present invention.
[0041] The computer readable storage medium may be a tangible
device that can retain and store instructions for use by an
instruction execution device. The computer readable storage medium
may be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic storage
system, a magnetic storage system, an optical storage system, an
electromagnetic storage system, a semiconductor storage system, or
any suitable combination of the foregoing. A non-exhaustive list of
more specific examples of the computer readable storage medium
includes the following: a portable computer diskette, a hard disk,
a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable
programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), a static
random access memory (SRAM), a portable compact disc read-only
memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a memory stick, a
floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such as punch-cards or
raised structures in a groove having instructions recorded thereon,
and any suitable combination of the foregoing. A computer readable
storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construed as being
transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freely
propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves
propagating through a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g.,
light pulses passing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical
signals transmitted through a wire.
[0042] Computer readable program instructions described herein can
be downloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a
computer readable storage medium or to an external computer or
external storage system via a network, for example, the Internet, a
local area network, a wide area network and/or a wireless network.
The network may comprise copper transmission cables, optical
transmission fibers, wireless transmission, routers, firewalls,
switches, gateway computers and/or edge servers. A network adapter
card or network interface in each computing/processing device
receives computer readable program instructions from the network
and forwards the computer readable program instructions for storage
in a computer readable storage medium within the respective
computing/processing device.
[0043] Computer readable program instructions for carrying out
operations of the present invention may be assembler instructions,
instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine
instructions, machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware
instructions, state-setting data, or either source code or object
code written in any combination of one or more programming
languages, including an object oriented programming language such
as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, and conventional procedural
programming languages, such as the "C" programming language or
similar programming languages. The computer readable program
instructions may execute entirely on a user's computer, partly on a
user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on a
user's computer and partly on a remote computer, or entirely on a
remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, a remote
computer may be connected to a user's computer through any type of
network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area
network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external
computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet
Service Provider). In some embodiments, electronic circuitry
including, for example, programmable logic circuitry,
field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or programmable logic arrays
(PLA) may execute the computer readable program instructions by
utilizing state information of the computer readable program
instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry, in order to
perform aspects of the present invention.
[0044] Aspects of the present invention are described herein with
reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of
methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products
according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood
that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block
diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations
and/or block diagrams, may be implemented by computer readable
program instructions.
[0045] These computer readable program instructions may be provided
to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose
computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to
produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via
the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing
apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts
specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
These computer readable program instructions may also be stored in
a computer readable storage medium that can direct a computer, a
programmable data processing apparatus, and/or other devices to
function in a particular manner, such that the computer readable
storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises an
article of manufacture including instructions which implement
aspects of the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block
diagram block or blocks.
[0046] The computer readable program instructions may also be
loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing
apparatus, or other device to cause a series of operational steps
to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus, or
other device to produce a computer implemented process, such that
the instructions which execute on the computer, other programmable
apparatus, or other device implement the functions/acts specified
in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
[0047] The embodiments of the invention described herein resolve
problems associated with manual allocations and existing automatic
allocation solutions. This is at least partly accomplished by
bringing together information from disparate sources and using an
algorithm to, in full or in part, automatically and predictively
allocate time, assets/resources, expenses, etc. Source information
may originate from any number of independent systems. These systems
may individually or collectively provide or gather one or more of
the following types of information: locations of people, locations
of assets, use of assets, use of communications systems, use of
software, use of digital resources, monetary transactions,
scheduled and unscheduled events, and the like. The systems may
also provide or gather information regarding the duration and/or
frequency for any or all of the items listed above, as well as
intersections for any or all of the items listed above (i.e., this
person at this location used this software to access this digital
resource at this time, etc.).
[0048] An automatic allocation algorithm in accordance with the
invention may be designed to work with any information provided,
and does not require all the data types listed above. As
information is passed to the automatic allocation algorithm, it may
combine new details with historic trends and other user input. The
algorithm may process all input and then output allocations that
are automatically associated with one or more people, assets, or
other elements in independent systems or in the systems providing
the inputs.
[0049] The allocations generated by the algorithm described above
may be edited and/or automatically updated as more information is
gathered, and/or may be used to trigger other actions within the
originating systems and/or other independent systems. Ideally, all
source information is collected automatically and all allocations
are automatically and completely determined. However, the system
may also be designed to use any amount of manually-entered
information, and the system may be beneficial even if it only makes
partially-complete allocations with the information provided. The
system may, in certain embodiments, be configured to accept manual
edits to past output, using these edits as a training component.
Furthermore, the algorithm may be configured to weight input and
output based on manual and/or automated factors, to account for the
incompleteness and/or the trustworthiness of the information source
or sources.
[0050] Referring to FIG. 1, one embodiment of a system 100 for
automating allocations is illustrated. As shown, the system 100
includes a database 102 of allocations, or allocation database 102,
the purpose of which will be described in more detail hereafter.
The system 100 further includes an accounting system 104 and
database 104 that includes information and functions related to
projects and billing codes, customer management/invoicing,
capitalizing/expensing costs and/or assets, tracking and managing
costs of products and services provided internally and externally,
and the like. A file system 106 and related information 106 may
contain or generate information regarding who has accessed
particular files, which software was used, and the like. An
analysis/processing system 108 may receive information from all of
the other systems/sources and process this information using an
allocation algorithm to determine the allocations discussed above.
The analysis/processing system 108 may send the resulting
allocations to the allocations database 102 and other systems as
applicable.
[0051] In certain embodiments, the system 100 may further utilize a
database 110 of personnel, assets, and/or projects. Although this
database 110 is shown to be a single database 100, the information
contained therein may be distributed across multiple different
databases. The system 100 may also, in certain embodiments,
reference a database 112 of information related to use of
communication services (voice calls, text messages, e-mail
messages, etc.). This database 112 may contain all content of the
communications or only metadata such as type of communication,
sender, receiver, duration, and so forth.
[0052] The system 100 may also utilize a maintenance
scheduling/tracking system 114 and database 114 that ties into
personnel records, asset records, scheduling records, and the like.
Among other tasks, this system 114 may track assignments of assets
to people and/or projects, periodic and unscheduled maintenance,
and repairs based on the use/needs of individual projects. The
system 100 may also utilize a scheduling system 116 and database
116 containing information on timing and duration of events as well
as the people/assets associated therewith.
[0053] The system 100 may also, in certain embodiments, reference
information gathered from mobile and stationary computer systems
118 and beacons 118. These computer systems and beacons may be
registered such that a location, person, and/or asset is affiliated
therewith. The devices/beacons may be configured to collect and
report information on a periodic basis. Information collected may
include software that is used, location data, duration data,
proximity of other people/assets, signal strength, temperature,
light intensity, humidity, vibration, pressure, current, and the
like. This information may, in certain embodiments, be stored in a
database 120.
[0054] The analysis and processing system 108 may not require
inputs from all sources shown in order to function properly.
Sources may be added or removed as needed, as time, cost, and
compatibility constraints allow. Similarly, all information
generated within the system 100 does not have to be available at
one time. Rather, scheduling constraints may limit when processing
is finalized, when updates can occur, etc. Although all beacon-type
devices shown in FIG. 1 only pass information to mobile devices
which in turn pass information to database-type systems, this is
not meant to be a limiting condition. Beacons may also be designed
and configured in such a way that they pass information directly to
the databases described in association with FIG. 1.
[0055] Referring to FIG. 2, a real-world example of how a system
100 in accordance with the invention may be used to automatically
allocate time to people and projects is illustrated. As shown, the
system 100 is set up such that a beacon 118j is associated with a
conference room in the personnel/assets/projects database 110. Two
mobile devices 118i and 118k are associated with two individuals in
this same database 110. In the scheduling system 116, the
conference room associated with the beacon 118j is also associated
with a specific project in the personnel/assets/projects database
110 from 9:00 to 11:00 on a given day.
[0056] All applicable information may be passed to the
analysis/processing system 108, which may automatically create
entries in the allocations database 102. In this example, assume
that entries are created in the allocations database 102 for three
hours of time to the appropriate project for each person involved.
In this example, the system 100 uses actual results (i.e., the
number of hours actually spent in the conference room) to allocate
three hours for each person rather than just the two hours
scheduled in the personnel/assets/projects database 110.
[0057] In certain embodiments, other individuals may be associated
with the meeting and have allocations created even if the
individuals are not physically present in the meeting. For example,
an individual's participation in a meeting may be determined by
awareness of a standard work location of the invitees and/or
presence of a call-in number in a scheduling system entry for the
meeting and/or knowing that an individual has joined the meeting by
phone (based on information in the communication services database
112). Even if some or all invitees do not have registered mobile
devices, their presence may be determined based on door access (if
a security system feeds information to the database 120 of times,
places, etc.), lack of activity on the file system 106 during the
meeting time, or the like. If invitees do have registered mobile
devices, their absence may be determined if their mobile devices
are detected at a different location during the meeting.
[0058] Referring to FIG. 3, a real-world example of how a system
100 may be used to automatically allocate time to assets and
projects is illustrated. As shown, the system 100 is set up such
that a beacon 118f is associated with an asset 118e in the
personnel/assets/projects database 110. A mobile device 118g is
registered to an individual in this same database 110, as are
certain digital assets in the file system 106, either explicitly or
by way of association with past allocations.
[0059] On a given day, the beacon 118f reports close proximity of
the mobile device 118g from 9:00 to 10:00, and also reports
vibrations characteristic of asset use during that time. The mobile
device 118g is used during this time to access the digital assets
referenced above. This information is passed to the appropriate
database 120. All applicable information is passed to the
analysis/processing system 108, which automatically creates entries
in the allocations database 102. In this case, the entries allocate
one hour of time to the appropriate project for both the person who
registered the mobile device 118g and the asset 118e itself.
[0060] Another possible approach for the above-described workflow
may not involve or depend on the file-system awareness described
above. Instead, a beacon may be attached or connected to a
work-in-progress traveler and/or the work-in-progress itself.
Automatic allocations may occur in accordance with movements of the
traveler based on proximity of registered/associated assets and
individuals. One benefit of this kind of tracking is that it may
provide additional insights with respect to process delays, costs
of storage, or the like.
[0061] Referring to FIG. 4, a real-world example of how a system
100 in accordance with the invention may be used to automatically
allocate time to maintenance tasks is illustrated. Continuing with
the example described in association with FIG. 3, assume that as
soon as an hour of use is allocated to the asset 118e, it crosses
an hours-of-use threshold established in the maintenance system
114. This triggers a maintenance task. In this example, the
maintenance system 114 alerts a person, using a mobile device 118g,
that is registered as someone qualified to perform the task.
[0062] The beacon 118f subsequently detects the proximity of the
mobile device 118g from 11:00 to 3:00. This information is passed
to the appropriate database 120. All applicable information is
passed to the analysis/processing system 108, which automatically
generates entries in the allocations database 102. In this example,
the entries may allocate four hours of time to the appropriate
maintenance task to both the person associated with the registered
mobile device 118g and to the asset 118e. The allocation
information may also be passed to the maintenance system 114, which
may in turn prompt the user for confirmation that the task is
complete, and/or reset the hours-of-use for the asset 118e since
performance of the last maintenance task.
[0063] In certain embodiments, the system 100 may be configured to
treat all work performed by certain individuals as maintenance
related. This work/time may be allocated to related projects and/or
may be used to modify overhead cost calculations. Janitorial staff,
for example, may move from place to place through an entire
facility. If a certain room or work area is used for three projects
between cleanings, and project A has used it for fifty percent of
the time, while projects B and C have each used it for twenty-five
percent of the time, the cleaning time may be allocated
proportionally to all three projects. In other embodiments, all
cleaning may be treated as an overhead cost, and grouped with
utilities or the like as the basis for a usage rate assigned to a
facility and/or room/work area. The usage rate may be fixed for a
given period of time or may be automatically adjusted to reflect
allocations as they occur.
[0064] Referring to FIG. 5, a real-world example of how a system
100 in accordance with the invention may be used to automatically
allocate expenses to assets is illustrated. In this example, a
credit card is associated with a person in the
personnel/assets/projects database 110 and in the accounting system
104.
[0065] Assume that the accounting system 104 processes an expense
for $1,054.22 charged to the credit card. Within a few days (before
or after), an asset 118c in the maintenance system 114 is upgraded
and the value assigned is increased by $1,054.22. All applicable
information is passed to the analysis/processing system 108, which
automatically creates an entry in the allocations database 102 that
allocates $1,054.22 to the appropriate asset. While not shown,
other allocations may also occur at this time (e.g., expense
allocations totaling $1,054.22 for projects that have recently used
the asset, adjustments of the burden rate of the asset, etc.).
[0066] Referring to FIG. 6, a real-world example of how a system
100 in accordance with the invention may be used to automatically
allocate expenses to maintenance tasks is illustrated. As shown, an
outside company 600 is associated with a maintenance contract for
an asset 118c in the maintenance database 114.
[0067] Assume that the accounting system 104 processes a $2,000
invoice from the company 600. All applicable information is passed
to the analysis/processing system 108, which automatically creates
an entry in the allocations database 102 that allocates $2,000 to
the maintenance of the asset 118c in the maintenance database 114.
In certain embodiments, the system 100 may be configured to send a
notification to a person on record as the asset manager.
[0068] Although the examples discussed in FIGS. 2 through 6
automatically perform various allocations without user
intervention, the system 100 may also be configured to accept some
amount of manually input information. For example, continuing with
the example discussed in association with FIG. 6, assume that the
accounting system 104 processes an invoice for $5,000 from a
company associated with a specific project in the
personnel/assets/projects database 110. The analysis/processing
system 108 may be configured to automatically allocate $5,000 to
the appropriate project. However, assume for the sake of example
that information form a chart of accounts is required for the
allocation, and that the analysis/processing system 108 is unable
to determine the correct chart of accounts selection. As a result,
the analysis/processing system 108 sends notice of an incomplete
allocation to a person in the personnel/assets/projects database
110 associated with the project. In certain embodiments, this
person is selected based on an explicit designation as a project
manager, or based on being a principle source of past allocations.
The person may then fill in the missing information so that the
analysis/processing system 108 can complete the allocation.
[0069] In other embodiments, if a company is not explicitly
associated with a specific project, it may still be associated
based on matching past expense allocations in the allocations
database 102. If past allocations correlate with two projects
rather than one, and if time stamp information does not clearly
favor one project over the other, the system 100 may request not
only chart of accounts information, but also present the person
providing the manual input with both options and prompt him or her
to choose one or split the expense between both (equally or
otherwise).
[0070] Further variations are also possible. For example, if no
prior allocations match in the allocations database 102, matching
contact information in the communications database 112 may be used
to notify a person associated with a device that was the source of
the matching contact information. This system may compare other
allocations from other persons in the same or similar situations
and systematically create a list of potential allocations as
options for this specific allocation. The person can then select
the correct allocation from the list or manually enter a new
allocation.
[0071] In situations where an allocation cannot be automatically
completed, sending notice of an incomplete allocation and
collecting missing information may be performed directly by the
analysis/processing system 108, or may be performed by other
systems such as systems 102, 104, 110. The missing information may
be collected using alerts/notifications sent directly to a user,
presented either within the component systems or through an
independent communication platform, such as by text message. One
advantage of using an independent communication platform is that
multiple hardware types may be supported without needing to adapt
the implementation. More active collection methods have the
advantage of gathering the information when/where the user is
temporally and/or spatially nearer to the events in question.
[0072] For example, in the scenario presented above dealing with
the $5,000 invoice, the system 100 may automatically send the
following message to the number on file for the project manager:
"Which chart of accounts option should be used for the new $5,000
invoice from Company X?" This message may be followed by a numbered
list of options, with the last number being an option to request
more info. The manager may reply with the correct option, and the
system 100 may complete the allocation accordingly. If configured
to request confirmation, the system 100 may send a follow-up
message such as: "The $5,000 invoice from Company X will be
allocated to Furniture & Fixtures. Reply with `change` if this
is incorrect."
[0073] In cases where the invoice could be assigned to multiple
projects, the following message could be automatically sent to a
project manager: "A $5,000 invoice just arrived from Company X.
Should it be allocated to . . . ," followed by a numbered list of
options, with the last number being an option to request more
information. Assuming the invoice needs to be allocated to multiple
projects, the manager may select an option to split the invoice
equally or unequally between multiple projects. In certain
embodiments, the system 100 may send a follow-up message such as:
"Enter the dollar value or percentage of $5,000 for project XYZ."
After receiving a reply, the system 100 may send a final
confirmation message. For example, if the reply designated a value
less than 100 without a dollar sign or percent symbol, the system
100 may request clarification regarding whether a dollar value or
percent value was intended.
[0074] Even when allocation is fully automated, any number of the
subsystems shown in FIG. 1 may enable automatically-generated
results to be displayed and edited and, as noted earlier, the
analysis/processing system 108 may be configured to work within the
limitations of the component systems to update allocations as
needed and use manual input to complete allocations and refine
future decisions.
[0075] Use of digital assets (e.g., documents, files, etc.) in the
file system 106 may be a good indicator of whether an individual or
group of individuals has been working on a project. Access to
digital assets, such as the time the digital assets are open,
changes to the digital assets, frequency of changes, timing of
changes, start/end times, or the like may be used to infer (alone
or along with other gathered information described herein) work on
a particular project and enable the analysis/processing system 108
to automatically allocate the time of individuals or assets, or the
use of assets, to particular projects. In certain embodiments,
files may include a project code in their names or include other
hooks or identifiers to allow the analysis/processing system 108 to
determine an amount of time that has been spent on a project. In
some embodiments, a database may be maintained that ties particular
digital assets to particular projects. Emails, phone calls, text
messages, or other communications may also be analyzed in a similar
manner to automatically determine or estimate an amount of time or
use to allocate to a project.
[0076] As described herein, various embodiments of the system 100
are location-aware, meaning that the system 100 may be able to
determine the location of people and/or assets in order to automate
allocation. This location awareness may be provided by beacon-type
hardware within a relatively small geographic area (indoor and
outdoor use within a single building or group of buildings).
However, the system 100 may also be configured to be more broadly
location aware. For example, when mobile or other devices can no
longer detect beacon-type signals, for example, the devices may be
configured to switch to collecting location information based on
cell towers, GPS signals, or the like. The switch may, in certain
embodiments, be triggered based on geofence-type
rules/measurements. Battery life considerations may reduce the
frequency/accuracy of location data collected in this mode, but
even with reduced frequency/accuracy the information may
nevertheless have great utility for the analysis/processing system
108.
[0077] In order to make the system 100 location-aware, a plurality
of wireless location beacons may be strategically placed around a
facility or area. Each such location beacon may broadcast a
universally unique identifier that may be received by other beacons
or smart devices, such as smart phones and tablet computers. Such
beacons may form at least part of a mesh network wherein some
beacons act as gateways to transmit data to and from other devices.
The broadcast may also designate a location of the beacon. This
location may be programmed into the beacon when placed or may be
determined by some other means, such as GPS. Location beacons may
be powered by a battery, hard wiring, or energy harvesting, such as
solar power. In some embodiments, location beacons may also include
integrated sensors, such as accelerometers, thermometers,
microphones, light sensors motion sensors, and the like. Readings
from such integrated sensors may also be broadcast. Such
broadcasted readings may be used to provide input to intelligent
appliances or systems such as lighting or HVAC systems.
[0078] In some embodiments, location beacons may be placed around a
facility or area such that they are spread evenly, cover specific
rooms or regions, or monitor entrances and exits. When disposed at
an entrance or exit, a location beacon may identify items passing
through the entrance or exit and record information such as the
date and time associated with the event. Recorded information may
be stored locally or transmitted and stored externally. A location
beacon may also be connected to an access control system to
authenticate persons or objects attempting to gain access to a room
or region.
[0079] A wireless asset beacon (also referred to herein as a
tracking beacon) may be attached to an asset and may periodically
scan its vicinity for location beacons. Based on signal strengths
from nearby location beacons, an asset beacon may be able to
determine which location beacon is closest or coordinate its
position via triangulation. In some embodiments, asset beacons may
additionally or alternatively determine their location via GPS or
inertial sensors.
[0080] Some embodiments of asset beacons may comprise audio
generation capabilities such as speakers to provide alarms or other
audible tones. Such an alarm or tone may be useful when searching
for an asset. Other embodiments may comprise visual displays such
as LEDs or LCDs capable of providing visual feedback. These
embodiments may allow asset beacons to operate as emergency
signaling devices based on a variety of sensor inputs including
temperature, movement, proximity, and/or environmental factors,
such as radiation, gas, or liquid.
[0081] Asset beacon broadcasts may be received by other beacons,
smart devices, or a mesh network. In some embodiments, asset
beacons may comprise an input device, such as a switch, button, or
dial, and may broadcast input received to wirelessly indicate
progress or completion of a task or control the operation of remote
lights or equipment.
[0082] A plurality of location beacons and asset beacons may
interact together to form a system. Such a system may trigger
actions based on movement, location, or proximity of the asset
beacons. For example, an alarm function may be triggered if a given
asset is moved outside of an authorized area or at all. A work
order may be identified as completed when another asset arrives at
the end of a production line. A door may be opened or unlocked when
a certain asset arrives. An electric timecard may be punched when
an employee arrives. Assets may be documented entering or leaving a
facility.
[0083] The beacons in such a system may be configured with various
parameters including signal strength, broadcast frequency, ID, and
location parameters. Such a system may be viably implemented using
technologies such as Bluetooth-based protocols like iBeacon, RFID,
802.11, and other technologies.
[0084] A smart device may be loaded with software capable of
supporting and interacting with such a system. For example, a list
of location beacons may be stored in software, and the software may
recognize a location beacon in proximity to the smart device so
that the smart device's location can be determined and send to a
server. The software may also send user information to the server
to be stored in a database. After a smart device receives
confirmation from the server that the information was stored, it
may scan for asset beacons, storing their identifiers and
self-reported location, signal strength, and transmission power
settings. Asset beacon information may then be uploaded to the
server. A directory of assets and users may be searched to show the
most recent location or a history of locations for tracking
purposes. The software may monitor and process data from integrated
sensors and may be capable of controlling one or more beacons. The
software may be able to provide alerts based on one or more
parameters to provide information to a user and/or system. A smart
device may use geo-fencing or other triggers to turn scanning on
and off based on proximity to a geo-location to save battery
life.
[0085] FIG. 7 shows one embodiment of a system of location beacons
and asset beacons set up in or around an office building 700. In
the illustrated embodiment, various different symbols are used to
represent entry/exit beacons, location beacons, asset beacons,
smart devices, and inventory/assets on pallets or otherwise. As
shown, the office building 700 includes office space 702, a server
room 704 for IT assets, a conference room 706, and a
warehouse/storage area 708.
[0086] Data collected by the location beacons and asset beacons may
be valuable to a company or organization. For example, groups of
individuals that spend too much time together may be identified
from the data, and workplace arrangements may be modified to
optimize group interactions. Users may be automatically clocked in
or out of a time keeping system for payroll or project management
based on physical presence or other parameters. As discussed in
association with FIGS. 1 through 6, automated systems may
automatically associate personnel with one or more assets and/or
locations to automatically allocate time and asset usage. If not
fully automated, reminders may be added to a timecard timeline to
help accurately allocate time based on with whom and where a user
was located. Management may observe accurate, consistent data
regarding employee locations throughout a day. Locations of
personnel and assets may be mapped and displayed in real-time or
near real-time on a digital map. Movement of asset beacons and
changes in sensor readings on various beacons may be used in
analytics systems to monitor behavior, predict future behavior,
and/or update a status of one or more assets or processes.
[0087] Information from asset beacons may be entered into an asset
tracking database, human resource system for employee time and
location tracking, a work order and/or inventory management system
for tracking inventory assets, and/or a system for allocating
machine/asset time and labor time. Such systems may be hosted on
one or more servers 710. Location beacons may be installed in rooms
702, 704, 706 and areas 708, and their signal strength may be
adjusted to match a size of the room or area and to minimize
overlap of signals between adjacent rooms or areas.
[0088] In certain embodiments, smart devices may be manually
activated or triggered through a geo-location or proximity trigger,
after which the smart device may determine a location by scanning
for a strongest location beacon. After finding the strongest
location beacon, the device may scan for asset beacons disposed
proximate thereto, gather unique asset identifications and signal
strength information, and send this information to an appropriate
system for storage, trending, or analysis.
[0089] In certain cases, a person with a smart device may enter or
be located in an area hosting a location beacon, as is shown in
rooms 702, 704. The smart device may periodically update a system
with location information and may also detect assets in a current
area or adjacent areas. The updates may be stored in systems for
storage, trending or analysis. In other cases, multiple persons,
each with a smart device, may be located in a room or area and
their smart devices may detect location beacons and asset beacons
in the same or adjacent rooms, as shown in the conference room 706.
Each person's smart device may also, in certain embodiments, detect
other persons' smart devices in the vicinity.
[0090] Assets that are movable, such as a laptop computer, may be
able to be moved to various rooms/areas in a facility 700. A
location of the assets may be determined as people with smart
devices move through the facility and periodically capture location
and nearby asset signals. In certain embodiments, an asset tracking
system may be capable of analyzing and algorithmically estimating a
location of one or more assets based on a triangulation of signal
strength and location from various smart device records. Signal
records with strength values may be used to calculate a location of
an asset.
[0091] A location beacon at an entry 712 or exit 712 may detect one
or more smart devices, through proximity or another trigger, to
document an asset entry into or exit from an area 708.
Additionally, the smart devices may be configured to transmit entry
or exit signals for access control systems instead of using a
keypad, proximity card, or other system to grant or deny
access.
[0092] In certain embodiments, forklifts 714, trucks 716, and other
vehicles may be equipped with an asset beacon, and the asset
beacon's position may be derived from signals gathered by one or
more location beacons. Similarly, pallets 718, boxes, or other
storage apparatus or containers may be tagged with asset beacons
and stored in various locations.
[0093] A person driving a forklift 714 may have a smart device
carried on his body or attached to his vehicle to gather
information as he moves through the facility 700. As the forklift
714 moves through an area 708, location information may be derived
by scanning for location beacons and triangulating a location.
Asset beacons having sufficient signal strength may be detected and
recorded. Additional records of position and beacon signal strength
may allow the location of assets to be triangulated with a high
degree of accuracy.
[0094] In certain embodiments, trucks 716, trailers, railcars,
containers, and storage areas may be equipped with location beacons
as well as asset beacons. A person with a smart device may detect
one or more assets including trucks and trailers, and the person
may document the contents of the vehicle as items are loaded or
unloaded. Sensors may be installed to capture asset data as a truck
or other vehicle passes by the sensors. An asset within a vehicle
or container may be associated with the vehicle or container.
[0095] In a storage or warehouse area 708, location beacons may be
arranged in a pattern that may facilitate a triangulation of
position based on the strength of a signal of one or more of the
beacons. The location beacons may capture a signal of one or more
asset beacons and algorithmically determine a location of the one
or more asset beacons based on signal strength and a multiplicity
of scan events. In certain embodiments, location beacons may be
arranged vertically as well as horizontally in order to effectively
locate assets in a vertical as well as a horizontal plane. For
example, locations of pallets or boxes may be determined in both
vertical positions on a shelving unit as well as in a horizontal
plane.
[0096] In certain cases, a person with a smart device may perform
maintenance on an asset, such as a shop machine 720 or air
conditioning unit. One or more asset beacons may be scanned to
identify the asset. The asset's location may be verified via
reference to one or more location beacons, and asset information,
associated maintenance information, or other information may be
stored in appropriate systems. In certain embodiments, an asset
beacon may include a passive device for establishing location and
proximity. The asset beacon may also include functionality for
collecting data, such as run time and/or hours of service, etc.
This may be accomplished by use of an accelerometer, current
monitor, on/off switch, or other mechanism for collecting usage,
duration, or service information.
[0097] In certain cases, a person may perform manufacturing work
using a machine having an asset beacon associated therewith. Work
may be performed on a work order, work instructions, an electronic
device--such as a tablet--for displaying work information, a parts
container or caddy comprising raw materials or other components, or
the like. The system may log and/or store a location of a user, a
work order, an asset, or a combination thereof, and convey
information to a server 710 based on proximity for allocation of
asset time and costs, labor time and costs, materials consumption,
work order progress, and the like.
[0098] FIG. 8 shows one embodiment of a system of location beacons
and asset beacons set up in or around a car dealership 800
containing one or more automobiles 802. In this embodiment, mobile
assets, such as automobiles 802, may be equipped with asset beacons
and entrances and exits to the car dealership 800 may be equipped
with location beacons. By placing several location beacons
sequentially at each entrance 804 or exit 804, a direction of
travel of the asset may optionally be determined and recorded. In
certain embodiments, a smart device 806 may be moved through the
car dealership 800 to detect asset beacons so that they may be
recorded. In such embodiments, the system may reconcile present
assets with previously recorded assets and report any issues, such
as missing assets.
[0099] In the illustrated embodiment, asset beacons may be designed
so that they are temporarily and removably attached to an
automobile. For example, a magnet may be used to attach an asset
beacon to an exterior, interior, or undercarriage of an automobile
802, or temporary adhesive may be used to adhere the asset beacon
under a dash or to some other part of an automobile 802. In certain
embodiments, an asset beacon may be attached to an accessory fuse
location in an automobile 802. Alternatively, a temporary beacon
may be attached to a key chain or placed on an automobile
dashboard.
[0100] In one embodiment, a person with a smart device 806 may pass
through a car dealership 800 and his location may be triangulated
based on wireless signals from one or more location beacons. Asset
beacons, their respective signal strengths, and their relative
locations, may be recorded and stored. In certain embodiments, the
smart device 806 may be configured to identify an asset and collect
management data, such as work performed on the asset.
[0101] Asset beacons may be configured to simply report ID
information, or report more complex information. In certain
embodiments, asset beacons may be configured to report information
gathered from sensors, such as a GPS sensors, temperatures sensors,
pressure sensors, accelerometers, vibration or movement sensors,
light sensors, audio sensors, radiation, or the like. This
information may be used to calculate and/or record an average
speed, acceleration, deceleration, impacts, or other information
for service or management of assets.
[0102] In certain embodiments, when an automobile 802 is admitted
to a maintenance facility 808 of a car dealership 800, an asset
beacon may be placed on the automobile 802. This asset beacon may
associate the automobile with a customer and automobile maintenance
record. When a mechanic performs services on the automobile 802,
parts used and time spent may be collected using a smart device 810
linked to the asset beacon by proximity or manual selection. In
other embodiments, the asset beacon itself may incorporate buttons,
a touchscreen, or other input elements to enable information (e.g.,
maintenance information, etc.) to be input and stored for the
automobile 802. This information may be stored locally on the asset
beacon and/or communicated to a remote device or server.
[0103] FIG. 9 shows one embodiment of a system of location beacons
and asset beacons set up in or around a convention or trade show
facility 900. Location beacons may be placed at major checkpoints
around the facility 900 such as at display booths, meeting rooms
902, auditoriums, and gathering areas. Convention or trade show
participants may be issued an asset beacon that they may wear or
carry. The system may monitor the entry and exit of participants
and gather other information about participant movement in and
around the facility 900. This may be used to determine human
traffic flow patterns, booth visits, duration of visits, activities
or seminars attended, distribute information or materials to
participants via proximity triggers, collect feedback based on
location, or the like.
[0104] In certain embodiments, such a system may interact with
other systems such as asset tracking databases, human resource
systems for employee time and location tracking, contact management
systems, document storage and dissemination systems, or
person-to-person messaging systems. Location beacons may provide
entry/exit information to a person with a smart device 904 that may
store that information locally or on a central system. The smart
device 904 may also activate specific functions, such as a map with
a location depiction, booth locator, person locator, seminar
locator, reminders, and the like. Location and asset beacons may
monitor a passage of a smart device or a wearable companion beacon
906.
[0105] Location beacons may be strategically placed to provide
location awareness or additional functionality. These location
beacons may use varying densities and transmission power settings,
and also a location within a matrix to provide general area or very
specific location information. The location beacon 908a is a
location beacon for monitoring a general area. The location beacons
908b are used for gathering information, such as visit durations,
flow of participants, or the like. The location beacon 908c
represents a location beacon assigned to a larger booth. Location
beacons may gather and store data from one or more smart devices or
from one or more other beacons. Information from the booths may
also be presented to one or more smart devices for advertising,
informational, or other purposes. Smart devices and related
software may use location beacon information for establishing
current location, provide search and direction capabilities to find
a vendor or product, or can be used to map and collect data on the
person's path through the area including duration of visits to
specific areas, data accessed from the area, etc., to a central
system for data mining and marketing analysis.
[0106] In certain embodiments, location beacons such as the
location beacon 908d may be used with one or more smart devices to
help find people in an area, find others with similar interests,
establish current locations, provide a map for locating people or
meetings, and/or provide announcements regarding activities,
offers, or the like. Location beacons such as the location beacon
908e may be used to document meeting attendance, collect feedback
for presenters, provide voting and preferences input from
attendees, provide for automated drawing and giveaway programs, and
to collect attendee information for entry into billing, customer
management, and other types of systems. In certain cases, a person
may manage contact with a vendor in a booth using a smart device to
request information, enter drawings, and/or participate in
interactive services.
[0107] FIG. 10 shows one embodiment of a system of location beacons
and asset beacons set up at an amusement park 1000. Location
beacons may be placed at major checkpoints around the amusement
park 1000 such as at entrances 1002, rides, shops, restaurants,
stages and other activity areas. Guests to the amusement park 1000
may be issued an asset beacon that they may wear or carry. The
system may track the guests to gather information, such as entry or
exit of guests, location of guests, wait times, and queue lengths.
Based on this information, suggestions may be made to the guests as
to where shorter wait times or queue lengths may be found. In
certain embodiments, alerts may be sent to a parent or responsible
individual when a child has wandered too far away from him or her.
Signs may be adjusted to provide individual messages to specific
guests such as where to find their friends or relatives.
[0108] In operation, guests may receive and/or register one or more
asset beacons or smart devices with the system before entering the
amusement park 1000. In certain embodiments, an entry area 1004 may
provide services, such as wireless connectivity and support for
software installation and associated services via kiosks 1006. The
entry area 1004 may also provide location services via one or more
location beacons. Location beacons may log entry into or out of an
area. Location beacons may also provide location information to
smart devices which may be logged into systems for providing
services, such as person-to-person messaging, finder services, and
mapping services. Additional services may be provided based on a
user's location within the amusement park 1000.
[0109] In certain embodiments, location beacons may be disposed at
or near an entrance 1008 of a ride/amusement queue, and may be used
to validate admission to the area, monitor a number of guests in
line, track waiting times, suggest nearby activities or
restaurants, and the like. The location beacons may also be used to
provide priority access or other perks.
[0110] Strategically placed kiosks may allow for various software
services. These software services may include aid for finding other
members of a party, messaging, or "meet me" types of notifications.
The strategically placed kiosks may also provide services for
finding areas and amusements and finding shortest queues. A person
may be identified by the kiosk via a smart device or asset
beacon.
[0111] Both asset beacons and/or smart devices may be usable for
admission systems and prioritization in queues, as well as
providing services for locating individuals. A combination of at
least two smart devices and/or asset beacons may be used for
maintaining contact with other party members. For example, as a
child with an asset beacon moves away from a parent, an alarm may
notify the parent and one or more location beacons may relay
proximity data of the child's asset beacon to a smart device so the
parent can locate and reunite with the child. The asset beacon may
also be used at an exit to alert a parent and/or staff if a child
wearing the asset beacon leaves an area without a parent device in
close proximity thereto. In certain embodiments, a party member may
send and receive messages with other members of party via a smart
device or kiosk.
[0112] FIG. 11 shows one embodiment of a system of location beacons
and asset beacons set up at a residential home 1100, such as a
single-family dwelling, multi-family dwelling, or apartment. Such a
system may aid in determining the location of objects within the
home 1100, controlling appliances in the home 1100, monitoring
environmental conditions in the home 1100, authorizing and/or
denying entry to the home 1100, and the like.
[0113] Asset beacons may be placed on or attached to various
objects of interest or value in or near the home 1100. Such assets
may include, for example, keys, remote controls for electronics,
electronic devices (e.g., phones, tablets, laptops, computers,
televisions, cameras, video equipment, audio equipment, etc.),
briefcases or luggage, artwork, valuable or keepsake items,
furniture, tools, vehicles or equipment stored at or near the home
1100, and the like. These asset beacons may allow a user to track
the location of the objects in or around the home. Location beacons
may be strategically placed in or around the home 1100 to detect
the asset beacons as well as provide other features and functions.
In certain embodiments, off-site tracking functionality, such as
GPS sensors, may be incorporated into the asset beacons to enable
the associated assets to be tracked when away from the home
1100.
[0114] In certain embodiments, asset beacons may be configured to
emit an alarm or sound tone to aid in locating assets. Such an
alarm or sound may, in certain embodiments, be activated for all
assets or only for select assets. The asset beacons may, in certain
embodiments, be configured to receive remote commands or activation
signals to activate such alarms or sounds.
[0115] In certain embodiments, asset beacons may provide a gateway
to control various devices or appliances throughout a home 1100,
either individually or collectively. For example, motorized window
blinds or other window coverings may be equipped with asset beacons
that may also function as gateways to remotely control or program
the window blinds. Other appliances or devices within a home 1100
may be remotely controlled or programmed in a similar manner.
Similarly, asset beacons may incorporate sensors (e.g., temperature
sensors, pressure sensors, light sensors, accelerometers, motion
sensors, etc.) to gather various types of data throughout a home
1100. This data may, in certain embodiments, be used by home
automation systems or other control systems to control other
devices (e.g., HVAC systems, lighting, fans, automated window
coverings, door/window locks, etc.) in the home 1100.
[0116] Location beacons placed throughout the home 1100 may, in
addition to being used to locate asset beacons, be used to control
other devices or appliances, or be used to gather various types of
data. For example, location beacons may incorporate buttons,
touchscreens, or other input elements to enable a user to control
other devices or appliances, either by way of asset beacons or
directly using various home automation protocols. Using these input
elements, the location beacons may be used to turn various devices
on or off, adjust a parameter (e.g., speed, temperature, intensity,
etc.) associated with a device, toggle between different devices or
functions, or the like. Location beacons may also be used to relay
programming, control signals, and/or data between devices (e.g.,
smart devices, computers, etc.) and asset beacons or other devices.
Thus, the location beacons may provide a mesh network for relaying
information.
[0117] Referring generally to FIGS. 12A through 16, how asset
beacons and location beacons are implemented in hardware may vary
in different embodiments. As explained above, asset beacons and
location beacons may use a variety of different communication
protocols, including Bluetooth-based protocols such as iBeacon,
RFID, 802.11, and other technologies. The protocol selected may be
based on a desired communication range, power usage, reliability,
and the like.
[0118] The manner in which asset beacons and location beacons are
powered may vary in different embodiments. Beacons may, in certain
embodiments, be powered by a small rechargeable battery or
capacitor. Stationary beacons, such as location beacons, may be
hardwired into existing electrical systems to increase reliability
and reduce the need for low power electronics. A battery backup may
be provided in stationary implementations if needed or desired. In
certain embodiments, a solar cell or other energy harvesting
technology may be used to maintain a battery charge and reduce or
eliminate the possibility of a discharged battery that renders the
device inoperative. Advanced use of solar or other ambient energy
harvesting such as radio frequency energy collection may reduce or
minimize the potential for data loss or system control issues due
to discharged batteries. It may also allow for smaller batteries or
even the elimination of batteries and use of capacitors to level
energy harvesting fluctuations. Solar cells with logic, sensor, and
radio components integrated via a laminated printed circuit board
(PCB), or adhesively mounted to form a lightweight and very thin
profile, can be weather proofed and integrated into a variety of
platforms.
[0119] In other embodiments, asset beacons and location beacons may
be powered using insulated, spring-closed, clips/clamps with
ferrite components to enable easy installation to a light switch or
electrical plug by clamping around the neutral and common wires,
over their insulation. Such an embodiment allows for charging of an
onboard battery whenever the switch is on or a device is plugged
into an outlet and used which causes electrical current to pass
through the clamps.
[0120] Various sensors may be incorporated into a beacon's circuit
board. These sensors may be used to automate local functions or may
be relayed to a smart device/application or a central system for
monitoring, trending, and control functions. For example,
temperature sensors may be used to control environmental systems
locally in an automated system, and/or provide override
capabilities in a local or centralized system. Ambient light
sensors may be used to control lighting fixtures or circuits,
automated window covering systems, and the like. Motion may be
detected using accelerometers, gyroscopes, or other sensors to
detect movement including vibration. A timer/clock may be
incorporated into the beacons to activate/deactivate processes or
devices based on time of day, elapsed time, or a preconfigured
schedule. Electrical current sensors may be used to determine power
consumption, power density, measure start and stop times of
activity, total run time, and the like.
[0121] Proximity sensors may be used to detect other beacons or
radio frequency sources, light of a specific frequency or
brightness, magnetic fields, or other objects or energy sources
that are in close proximity to a beacon. Touch sensors such as
physical buttons, capacitive touch sensors, or other types of touch
sensors may be used to activate features, acknowledge inputs, and
the like. Longer touch sensors built into the edge of a solar cell
or front of a beacon device may be used to provide sliding
functions to increase/decrease a parameter. Pressure sensors may be
used to detect pressure changes due to weather, detect movement via
localized pressure changes, detect opening of doors/windows, or the
like. Audio sensors may be used to detect the breakage of
doors/windows, and/or recognize voice or sound patterns. Optical
sensors may be used to recognize patterns in order to sense
gestures, facial or other features, barcodes, or additional visible
or invisible optically recognizable features. GPS sensors may be
used to acquire and record location information from Global
Positioning System satellite signals. Chemical sensors may be used
to monitor/detect presence or change in environmental chemicals
such as carbon monoxide, smoke, radioactive particles, dust, and
the like.
[0122] In certain embodiments, a speaker with a tone generator or
other output to acknowledge button presses or other actions may be
included in a beacon to provide feedback either through audible
sound or vibration. This can be used in a "find-me" mode where the
beacon emits a tone to assist in locating the beacon and the asset
that it is attached to. In other or the same embodiments, small
LEDs or other light-emitting devices may be included to provide
feedback in place of or to supplement audio tones or vibration.
Additionally, it is also contemplated that a LCD, LED or other
display may be used to provide interactive menus for a beacon in
certain embodiments.
[0123] Input to the beacon may be provided by various buttons or
touch sensors and various input codes may be used to activate
specific functions. These may include, but are not limited to,
quick touch, longer touch, sequential touches, code of touch such
as pressing two buttons in a specific sequence such as AABA, AABB,
or ABAB etc. to activate various functions and responses to the
system. Buttons may be arranged and mounted in a variety of ways
according to the purpose of the device. These buttons may be used
for item selection, Yes/No, plus/minus, increase/decrease, on/off,
acknowledge/cancel, and/or the like. Buttons may be mounted on the
front of the device for direct press or the device itself may be
mounted on a one, two, or three-dimensional rocker mount that
allows for pressing of the device. This may activate one or more
buttons by pressing the button against the mounting surface, as
will be discussed in association with FIGS. 14A through 14C. Return
to a neutral position may be accomplished via a variety of elastic
or springy materials such as metal or plastic springs, springy foam
materials, or the like.
[0124] Beacons may be as simple as a device that periodically
transmits an identification data stream at a predetermined signal
strength and frequency which can be used to identify and track an
asset or establish the location of an asset or person. Additional
functionality such as the inclusion of sensors enables tracking of
variables such as environmental factors like temperature or
movement of the asset and allow for the device to take actions such
as sounding an alarm tone or flashing an LED strobe to more
advanced actions such as collecting and transmitting data to a
smart device/app or centralized system for monitoring, trending,
and decision making. Each type of beacon, whether it be an asset
beacon or location beacon, may function as a tracking beacon to
determine the location of assets or people or for marking a
location that can be referenced for the calculation of
position.
[0125] The addition of input functionality allows for the control
of systems and devices as well as the collection of inputs for
local action by the device or the transmission of this data to
other systems for monitoring, trending, and decision making. Local
actions may include dimming lights and turning them on or off
depending on the sunlight entering the room or signaling air
conditioning system to raise or lower temperature in the area or
provide an override via the button actuation to turn devices on or
off and adjust levels. More advanced systems may utilize sensors
and manual inputs to gather data centrally to initiate maintenance
based on run time, vibration, and other sensor inputs such as fluid
or air contamination to indicate danger or need for maintenance.
Additionally, process type systems can use sensor data such as
proximity to other beacons to relate work data and progress of
work. This may be used by a manufacturing system to associate a
work order traveler beacon to an operator with a smart device/app
with beacon functions, working on a machine with an asset beacon.
This may allow the system to allocate machine usage time, labor
hours, and related data in that system with no manual
intervention.
[0126] In certain embodiments, a mobile asset beacon may be
implemented using a single circuit board engineered to contain all
system components. A high efficiency solar cell may, in certain
embodiments, be manufactured directly onto the back of the circuit
board. This solar cell may be configured to capture light from near
infrared to near ultraviolet. Printed circuit board traces may be
built into the side opposite the solar cell to support a Bluetooth
chip, rechargeable battery, and supporting components.
[0127] A case may be lower-pressure injection over-molded onto the
circuit board to completely water proof system components. In
certain embodiments, magnets may be included in the back of the
case to allow for quick attachment of the beacon to other
components. Alternatively, or additionally, clamps, clips, or a
strap may be attached to the case for attaching the beacon to
assets, people, or the like.
[0128] As previously mentioned, the beacons may use Bluetooth, and
more particularly Bluetooth Low Energy (LE), as the communication
technology. This technology enables concurrent peripheral and
broadcaster roles. This technology can also advertise iBeacon or
other data while concurrently scanning for its current location and
storing the last known location, then adding the information to the
advertising packet. The firmware is wirelessly updateable, and
iBeacon or other system parameters (e.g., proximity UUID, major,
minor, transmission strength, transmission interval, identifier,
etc.) may be updated from a smart phone application. Bluetooth or
other wireless technology may wirelessly transmit data through a
mesh network to a gateway on another type of network, such as
Ethernet, for use in centralized systems.
[0129] FIG. 12A shows one embodiment of location beacon 1200
mounted in a standard rocker light switch cover 1202a. The center
switch portion is a beacon device 1200 with an integrated solar
cell facing outward and electronics and switch features hidden
behind a cover. The external dimensions are designed such that it
allows for integration of a standard rocker-type switch cover 1202a
that is attached directly to a surface such as a wall with no
alteration or holes other than the face plate mounting holes. The
beacon may be attached to a wall or surface by covering the beacon
with the wall plate and attaching the wall plate to the wall or
surface. In certain cases, a beacon 1200 may be added to a current
wall-mounted electrical switch location by adding the beacon 1200
device to one side and changing to a dual gang or larger panel
cover 1202b and mounting the beacon device 1200 or devices in the
additional opening(s), as shown in FIG. 12B.
[0130] FIGS. 13 and 14A-C show a beacon device 1200 configured to
fit in a standard, rocker light switch cover 1202a. As shown in
FIG. 13, the beacon device 1200 fits into that opening and the wall
plate 1202a is affixed to the wall with standard screw or other
mounting systems. FIGS. 14A-C show various embodiments of the back
of a beacon device 1200, which is held against a wall by a wall
plate 1202. FIG. 14A shows one embodiment of a beacon device 1200
that pivots along a center ridge 1400 held against a wall. FIGS.
14B and 14C show embodiments of a beacon device 1200 that pivot
around a partial spherical feature 1402 held against a wall.
[0131] In the embodiment of FIG. 14A, pressing either end of the
device will actuate a switch 1404a, 1404b on the respective end.
The switch 1404a, 1404b may be spring loaded with an elastic
material to cause it to return a neutral position after being
pressed. This type of input operation will work with one, two,
three, four or more switches 1404 arranged in appropriate locations
around a fulcrum type of feature. FIG. 14B shows a configuration
having switches 1404a-d in the corners and a partial sphere feature
1402 that allows the device to pivot around its center. Pressing a
corner will actuate the switch 1404 under the corner. Pressing an
edge will actuate two corner switches 1404 simultaneously, enabling
additional types of inputs or selections. FIG. 14C shows a
configuration having switches 1404a-d located on the edges of the
device 1200. Pressing an edge will actuate the switch 1404 under
the edge. Pressing a corner will actuate two edge switches 1404
simultaneously, enabling additional types of inputs or
selections.
[0132] The beacon devices 1200 shown in FIGS. 14A through 14C may
be used as either asset beacons or location beacons, either in
stationary or mobile applications. The ability to use a beacon 1200
as an input device allows the beacon to be used in a wide variety
of different applications. For example, the inputs on the beacon
may be used to control a wide variety of different devices. In one
contemplated embodiment, the beacon device enables a large number
of different devices (e.g., window blinds or groups of window
blinds, lights, fans, heating systems, cooling systems, etc.) to be
controlled without requiring separate controls for each device or
system. For example, using the directional switches 1404
illustrated in FIG. 14C, actuating the switches 1404 on the sides
of the device 1200 may be used to select a device or system to
control, whereas actuating the top and bottom switches 1404 may be
used to adjust an amount associated with the device or system.
Specifically, actuating the switches 1404 on the sides of the
device 1200 enables a user to select a current function for the
beacon device 1200. A set of indicators (e.g., colored LEDs, LEDs
with accompanying pictures or icons, etc.) may optionally be
provided to indicate the current function of the beacon device
1200. Actuating the switches 1404 on the top/bottom of the device
1200 enables the user to increase or decrease an amount associated
with the current function.
[0133] In other applications, the beacon device 1200 may be used to
input information associated with an asset. For example, if the
beacon is attached to or travelling with an asset, a user may input
information to indicate a status of the asset. For example, a
button press or combination of button presses may be used to
indicate that certain tasks (e.g., maintenance tasks, manufacturing
tasks, service tasks, etc.) have been completed or are being
performed on an asset. This allows the asset's status, in addition
to its location, to be tracked from a remote or centralized
location. Such an embodiment would allow, for example, the status
of a work order to be tracked as it passes from station to station
within a factory. Other applications are also possible and within
the scope of the invention.
[0134] FIGS. 15A and 15B show location beacons 1200 configured to
provide visual feedback via an LED 1500a or set of LEDs 1500a, or a
display 1500b such as a single, multi-line, or graphical LCD 1500b.
The LEDs 1500a may be single or multi-color and may be used to
indicate item selected, indicate a level such as temperature level
for an air conditioner control, or light level for a dimmer
function. This may be displayed as turning on/off discrete LEDs as
the level changes or changing the color of the LEDs such as from
red to blue as cooler temperature is selected through activation of
the switching functions by pressing the corners or quadrants of the
device. The remainder of the face of the device 1200 may be a solar
cell used to charge and maintain the operating power requirements
of the device. Lights 1500a or displays 1500b may be arranged as
desired for functions around edges of the device to provide
data/feedback on selection and status of selected functions.
[0135] FIG. 16 shows one embodiment of a beacon 1200 configured to
be attached to an asset. Such a beacon 1200 may be used, for
example, to track a process such as a work order in a manufacturing
environment. FIG. 16 shows a top 1602 of the device 1200 with the
solar cell enclosed in the case 1600. FIG. 16 also shows a back
1604 of the case 1600 that can be manufactured with multiple types
of mounting methods. A magnet may be molded internally into the
case 1600 for magnetic attachment to a machine or other asset. A
clip, bracket, or other attachment device may be built into the
device 1200 or attached with adhesive or screws to provide for a
variety of mounting options. An adhesive such as double-sided tape
or an epoxy or glue may be used to provide a more permanent bond to
an asset or location such as a ceiling grid, door jamb, wall,
vehicle, or the like.
[0136] Beacons such as that shown in FIG. 16 may be equipped with
various sensors and may be employed in asset management systems
where beacons transmit ID values and a signal strength value. A
smart device/application or other more advanced beacon device may
evaluate, record, and transmit data as needed for locating and
tracking assets and/or people. This may be used to manage labor
time and/or asset usage, or may allow health and safety systems to
quickly locate people or a document's last known location. Advanced
beacons with sensors may monitor and trigger local actions as well
as trigger actions in centralized systems through detection of
hazardous conditions or based on specific stimuli.
[0137] As previously mentioned herein, processes in current
business systems that occur before and after the allocation
processes described above are both manual and automatic in nature.
Where manual input is required, these processes are frequently
delayed and more urgent or more interesting work pushes the mundane
review and approval tasks lower on the priority list. Even when
clear deadlines are in place, processes are usually so rigidly
defined that bottlenecks are avoided only when extra
resources/personnel are dedicated exclusively to the mundane work.
And even with dedicated resources/personnel, manual tasks are not
always completed on time, and bottlenecks arise that impact many or
all system processes/users. These are often resolved only when
stakeholders with sufficient administration privileges take care of
the work that others have neglected.
[0138] A related shortcoming of many current systems is the large
timeframe required for collecting and processing information.
Larger (longer duration) payment and billing cycles, for example,
are needed in current systems because shorter cycles may exacerbate
the problems just described, but these larger cycles are inherently
limiting--they limit/delay awareness of issues, they limit
flexibility, and they limit cash flow.
[0139] To address and overcome these issues, a combination of
automation and incentives may be used. Many processes may be
automated by automatically creating component items (as with the
automatically-created time/use/expense allocations described above)
and not requiring explicit approvals of newly-created items. This
entails management by exception. Accordingly, the system 100 may be
configured to address the needs discussed below.
[0140] Review is ideally completed on a regular basis. The main
incentive for regular review (and for many other processes
described herein) is quick payment for services to the individual
rendering the services. Up to a minimum time span, employees and
contractors may be able to control the frequency of their own
payments by fulfilling review and reporting requirements. One
example implementation uses a one-week timeframe for most
processes. This keeps information fresh without making the review
and approval requirements overly-burdensome because of too short of
a cycle time.
[0141] Delays in review, when they occur, will ideally have minimal
impact. In other words, if, despite the incentives, time/expense
allocations for an individual employee/contractor are still late,
only that individual should be impacted. In one example
implementation, each user must "close out" each week of allocations
by digitally signing to verify the accuracy of the allocations and
reporting on problems, progress, and plans for the week. If the
week isn't closed out, payment for the incomplete/missing
allocations may be delayed or not made at all. Because this
incentive is mainly effective for promoting time allocations and
reimbursements, the example implementation described herein allows
for other expenses to be allocated and edited by many other
users.
[0142] Review will ideally require minimal effort. The example
implementation described herein may meet this need by gathering all
vital information in a single interface. This interface may be
designed to make key values clearly evident. This may include
flagging certain allocation types as favorable or unfavorable based
on funding considerations, urgency, or the like. The interface may
also be designed to facilitate drilling down to details, as well as
making problems stand out so that they can easily be identified and
corrected.
[0143] When problems are discovered, the system will ideally allow
them to be resolved with minimal effort. The example implementation
described herein may meet this need by giving stakeholders editing
privileges appropriate to their position/need, by making it
possible to edit from any access point in the drilldown noted
above, and by automatically notifying all other impacted
stakeholders when edits take place.
[0144] For example, credit card expenses may be processed such that
all transactions are linked to specific individuals, and
transaction information is passed to the users without any need to
access bank/card provider systems. To the extent that automatic
allocations are possible as described above, a credit card purchase
of an item/service used for a project with a cost-plus type
contract may automatically go from point of sale to allocated to
invoiced and paid with full visibility of all aspects of the
process by all involved parties in one system. (The component
transactions take place in other systems, but information about
them is passed to or gathered by a single system, which allows for
editing and/or viewing the transaction details.
[0145] Invoice expenses may be screened to extract key values, then
directed and allocated in the same way as credit card expenses. If
the invoices are submitted through a payment portal, no screening
may be needed. Certain users may examine a controller checks panel
on a weekly basis, and these users may verify that they have
reviewed the summary information for accuracy and address problems
as needed. A timeline and editing rights setup may allow most
problems to be addressed immediately.
[0146] As noted above, editing and visibility of items and
allocations may be available to some or all stakeholders in real
time, with clearly-defined limitations and deadlines for editing.
The system may limit who can allocate to what, when the allocations
can be made, and may prohibit certain types of allocations by
certain users, and/or may trigger alerts/notifications when certain
limits are passed, certain users make allocations/edits, or the
like. The system may support ad-hoc adaptations of these
limitations and/or creation of additional rules and/or notification
triggers.
[0147] Where applicable, overtime and/or bonus pay allocations may
be made automatically based on rules that flag consecutive time
past a given threshold for the higher rate. Another approach may
allow accepting manual input if more than one project is involved.
This manual input may allow any time during the period to be
flagged for the higher rate.
[0148] Human resource processes may also be automated, and may in
certain embodiments be tied to the close-your-week-to-get-paid
incentive described above. As with nearly all other system
components, these elements may be directly built into the main
system or some or all of them may be indirectly integrated from
third-party providers. Also common with other elements is the
ability of the central analysis/processing system 108 shown in FIG.
1 to make use of the data specified not only to inform automatic
allocations, but also to weight the information as it is processed
by the algorithm. For example, if the analysis/processing system
108 shows that a user is near two different machines for a given
time, it may choose which machine to allocate against based on
which machine is listed in the profile for that person. If both
machines are listed, the algorithm may give additional weight to
the machine for which the user has a higher certification higher.
Alternatively, or additionally, the analysis/processing system 108
may evaluate historical information (e.g., which machine was used
or primarily used by the user in the past) to select the
machine.
[0149] Specific human resource elements/processes that may be
automated and/or tied to incentives may include hiring and
onboarding; profile updates including providing/updating pictures,
expertise/skills information, tax withholding, etc.; benefits setup
and maintenance; peer ratings/evaluations, both overall and in
specific skills/areas of expertise; granting and tracking trainings
and certifications, both mandatory and optional; and
termination.
[0150] Other processes and incentives may also be established. For
example, an interface for submitting daily/weekly reports may be
built into the system 100 and serve as a proactive way to gather
information that otherwise would only be reported with extra effort
on the part of the individual. This information may be used by the
automatic allocation algorithm to determine how to allocate time,
use, or expenses. An interface may also be provided to provide and
manage benefits, such as health benefits.
[0151] Referring generally to FIGS. 17 through 19, supply and
demand market forces work best when the entities involved are
independent, but independence is often trumped by market forces
that promote consolidation. Consolidation brings many
disadvantages, ranging from reduced flexibility to diffusion of
responsibility to counterproductive optimization of only certain
portions of the consolidated business. To date, few alternatives to
consolidation have proven viable.
[0152] The alternative described in association with FIGS. 17
through 19 is a hybrid system that allows independent entities to
work together and makes use of automatic allocations and other
business processes described above. As noted in the explanation
associated with FIG. 1, the analysis/processing system 108 may be
configured to pass output to external systems. Because of this,
various of the benefits described herein in terms of a single
business/operation may also be realized across multiple businesses
as otherwise independent business systems participate in a network
that exchanges data and operates on common time lines and within
the framework described and illustrated in FIGS. 17 through 20.
[0153] Advantages of the system/network include self-regulated
optimization, increased focus on primary functions of each entity,
and novel methods for funding new entities. At the same time, the
network has many of the benefits of consolidation, without its
drawbacks. These benefits include controlled coordination and
cooperation, centralized and specialized support functions
(accounting, human resources, information technology, intellectual
property, etc.), and economies of scale in terms of capital
resources (and thus the availability of resources that may
otherwise be cost prohibitive for smaller independent
entities).
[0154] One implementation or embodiment of a networked group of
businesses and individuals has the following features (involved
parties may establish all of the key parameters of the relationship
by mutual agreement): Capital resources and support services
(including data exchange and business automation services as
described above) may be directly provisioned to individually-owned
businesses 1708 by a large capital provider 1704 ("capital
corporation" 1704). The capital corporation 1704 may allow each
business 1708 to operate independently while simultaneously
offering the advantages of a large organization. The owner 1710
holds an interest in his or her own business 1708 and also in the
larger system 1700. The capital corporation 1704 provides
intellectual assets and intangibles and owns and obtains
protections for all intellectual property (IP), such as IP
generated by the businesses 1708. The IP is licensed to the
businesses 1708, and each business owner 1710 has a legally binding
right to share proceeds from IP transactions (e.g., sale of IP,
licensing of IP, etc.). The capital corporation 1704 may
invewherest in the development of a business 1708 and its IP, and
startup expenses are treated as investments in IP. Development
expenses may include costs related to testing, reduction to
practice, market studies, early stage marketing, operating
expenses, base compensation to the business owner 1710, and the
like. Part of the arrangement may set terms for a base compensation
paid to the business owner 1710. In certain cases, this base
compensation is set at a minimal living wage as opposed to
market-rate compensation. As the business 1708 becomes profitable,
the compensation may increase as detailed below.
[0155] A property holding corporation 1706 may provide and invest
in space, furniture, and major equipment. It may own all real
property and may lease or license it to businesses 1708 at fair
value on a shared or exclusive-use basis. It may also provide or
arrange for support services, and a manager or board from the
property holding entity 1706 serves as a general advisor to a
business 1708 and monitors performance, adherence to terms, and the
like. In this embodiment, both the capital corporation 1704 and the
property holding corporation 1706 are controlled by a trust 1702.
There may be no individual owners of the platform, and the trust
1702 may be established for the benefit of participants. This
structure guarantees the continuity of the system and creates
fiduciary duties to participants.
[0156] In certain embodiments, each individual entity 1708 is
organized as an S-Corporation with a single owner 1710 that chooses
its own name, has its own bank account, executes its own business
plan, and is responsible for its own commitments. Each entity 1708
may own several types of assets: tools, inventories (including work
in progress), accounts receivable, supplies, consumables, contract
rights relating to the business (including licenses), name,
goodwill, customer lists, and cash in bank accounts. The business
owners 1710 may receive a legally binding stewardship covering all
assets, with rights to use identified space and equipment, rights
to use IP within a defined field of business 1708, full control of
the business 1708 and all of its assets, and rights in the increase
of the business 1708 and a share of proceeds from the IP it
creates. The owners 1710 may, in certain embodiments, withdraw the
full or partial value of this stewardship if leaving the system
1700, but the capital corporation 1704 may be entitled to recover
its investments. The right of an owner 1710 to share in proceeds
from IP transactions held by the capital corporation 1704 may also
terminate upon exit. Each business 1708 may be required to pay a
participation fee (possibly based on a percentage of revenues),
which may allow the capital corporation 1704 to completely or
partially cover the costs of its services and expenses.
[0157] The capital corporation 1704 may account for all expenses
and investments that are associated with a business 1708. All such
expenses and investments, optionally augmented by some
percentage/rate, may constitute a preferential return to the
capital corporation 1704 and may be recouped before the business
owner 1710 may share in business profits. Once the preferential
return is paid, the business owner 1710 and the capital corporation
1704 may share profits of the business 1708, with adjustments (if
necessary) to assure payment of the owner's base compensation and
participation fees, and potentially with a cap on the return on
investment to the capital corporation 1704.
[0158] The relationship between the businesses 1708 and the capital
corporation 1704 may be fundamentally different from traditional
funding. In a traditional funding arrangement, all business assets
are typically put into an operating company, a bank takes a
security interest in all of the company's assets, and a venture
capitalist takes a percentage ownership in the company itself. In
the approach detailed herein and illustrated in FIG. 18, the
business owner 1710 owns specific assets 1800 and shares profits
1802 derived from those assets 1800, the capital corporation 1704
invests in intellectual assets 1804 and shares profits 1806 derived
from those assets 1804, and the property holdings corporation 1706
owns specific assets, which it leases.
[0159] As shown in FIG. 19, in this implementation, the capital and
property holding corporations 1704, 1706 do not necessarily invest
cash in new businesses 1708 with the expectation of receiving a
cash payout, but maintain a platform of intellectual property and
physical assets that can support a community of businesses 1708. So
long as the individual business owners 1710 participate in the
community, each may be expected to keep capital within the
community. Profits that aren't used to satisfy reasonable needs and
wants of the owner 1710 are ideally reinvested in the business 1708
or the community.
[0160] Any business owner 1710 may sell all of the assets of his or
her business 1708. Such a sale of operational assets may be
required to generate sufficient proceeds to cover the agreed-on
investment return. With the cooperation of the capital corporation
1704, the owner 1710 may sell the business 1708 as a whole,
including intellectual property. The reinvestment requirement
described above applies to the proceeds of a sale. Such proceeds
may be distributed first to the capital and property holding
corporations 1704, 1706 to allow them to recoup their investments,
and then in accordance with percentages pertaining to intellectual
property transactions.
[0161] The network business relationship may come to an end in
other ways. For example, the capital corporation 1704 may
discontinue support for a business 1708, in which case the owner
1710 may retain the value of assets and in some cases retain
exclusive rights in intellectual assets. In other cases, a business
owner 1710 may resign from the business 1708 and turn all of the
assets over to the property holding corporation 1706. With the
cooperation of the capital and property holding corporations 1704,
1706, a business owner 1710 may sell the business 1708 to another
network participant. In other cases, an owner 1710 may sell the
operations of the business 1708 to someone outside the network,
including nonexclusive rights in intellectual assets, or, with the
cooperation of the capital corporation 1704, with exclusive rights
in intellectual assets. An owner 1710 may also negotiate a
separation from the network and buy out the capital corporation's
interest in the business 1708.
[0162] Referring to FIG. 20, in certain embodiments in accordance
with the invention, an integration module 2000 in accordance with
the invention may be provided to facilitate transactions between
the community of businesses 1708, the capital corporation 1704, the
property holdings corporation 1706, and the like. In traditional
economic models made up of independent businesses, each business
will typically utilize an accounting platform (e.g., QuickBooks,
Peachtree, etc., including online versions of each) to perform
bookkeeping and accounting functions. These functions may include,
among others, keeping track of accounts receivable, accounts
payable, general ledger items, billing, stock/inventory, purchase
orders, sales orders, expenses, debt collection, payroll,
timesheets, electronic payment processing, and the like. Each
independent business must typically use and maintain their own copy
of the accounting platform, as well as make sure the information
contained therein is accurate and up-to-date. This can be a
significant burden on a business and may take away from time
performing key work and functions of the business.
[0163] In general, most accounting packages implement double-entry
bookkeeping, wherein each entry to an account is offset by a
corresponding entry to a different account. These entries may occur
in asset, liability, income, expense, capital, or other accounts.
Transactions that occur between businesses may require bookkeeping
entries in each of the business's books. For example, a transaction
between business A and business B (e.g., sale of a product from
business A to business B, provision of a service from business A to
business B, etc.) may require both businesses to update their books
to record the transaction. Personnel may be required at both
business A and business B to properly record these transactions in
their respective accounting systems. Time and effort required by
both business A and business B to perform the transaction and
associated accounting reduces the efficiency of both businesses.
Further inefficiencies may be present when additional businesses
are parties to a transaction.
[0164] An integration module 2000 in accordance with the invention
may help to facilitate transactions within the community of
businesses 1708 described herein by allowing transactions to occur
between businesses 1708, the capital corporation 1704, and the
property holdings corporation 1706 in a more seamless manner.
Specifically, the integration module 2000 may function as a type of
middleware between the accounting systems of the businesses 1708,
the capital corporation 1704, and the property holdings corporation
1706. In certain embodiments, the integration module 2000 accesses
the different accounting systems through application programming
interfaces (APIs) thereof. When a transaction occurs between
business A and business B, the integration module 2000 may make
appropriate entries in the books of both business A and business B
to properly record the transaction. In essence, "double-entry
bookkeeping" becomes automated quadruple- or sextuple-entry
bookkeeping depending on the number of parties involved and the
number of accounting systems that are updated by the integration
module 2000.
[0165] The integration module 2000 may also be configured to reduce
a number of payments that are transferred between businesses. For
example, if business A performs work for business B in the amount
of $1200 and business B performs work for business A in the amount
of $500, under normal conditions business A may send an invoice for
$1200 to business B and business B may send an invoice for $500 to
business A. This would result in two separate invoices and two
different payments to satisfy the invoices. Because the integration
module 2000 may access each of the businesses' accounting systems,
the integration module 2000 may calculate a net amount owed between
entities. In the example provided above, business B would owe
business A $700 ($1200-$500). A single payment of $700 may be made
from business B to business A instead of the two separate payments
described above. When this payment is made, the integration module
2000 may update the books for business A and business B to indicate
that both invoices have been submitted and paid. This functionality
may be extended to transactions between more than two entities,
where a net amount owed between entities is calculated and a single
or smaller number of payments are made.
[0166] FIG. 20 shows one example of a transaction that may be
facilitated by an integration module 2000 in accordance with the
invention. In the illustrated embodiment, business A performs a
total of five hours of work (worth $100) on work orders for
business B. An invoice to business B is created in business A's
accounting system for $100. Similarly, business B performs a total
of 10 hours of work (worth $500) on work orders for business A. An
invoice to business A is created in business B's accounting system.
Once the week (or other selected time period) has closed, the
integration module 2000 determines the net payment of $400
($500-$100) that needs to flow from business A to business B. The
integration module 2000 pulls the $400 from business A and
transfers it to business B as park of weekly funding. The
integration module 2000 marks both invoices as paid in the
accounting systems of business A and business B. If sufficient
funds are not available in business A's account, the funds may be
pulled from the account of the capital corporation 1704 and an
invoice in created for repayment. The integration module 2000 may
recoup funds over time or all at once and may send alerts for
specific in-the-red thresholds.
[0167] The flowcharts and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate
the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible
implementations of systems, methods, and computer-usable media
according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this
regard, each block in the flowcharts or block diagrams may
represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises
one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified
logical function(s). It should also be noted that, in some
alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may
occur out of the order noted in the Figures. For example, two
blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially
concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the
reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will
also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or
flowchart illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the block
diagrams and/or flowchart illustrations, may be implemented by
special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified
functions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and
computer instructions.
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