System and method for tool tracking in a building or construction project

专利摘要:
System (100) for tracking of work tools used in a construction project (PR), comprising a central server (130), communicating with several mobile devices (120,121), and a software function, accessed from a devices, wherein the server comprises identifying information concerning tools, wherein each tool is associated with a particular performer.The invention isthe function allows a receiving performer, who is not associated with a particular tool, to electronically transfer an acknowledgement to the server of the reception of the tool, in that the server, as a result thereof, associates the tool with the performer erases an association between the tool and a delivering performer, and in that the server does not to erase an association between a tool and a delivering performer in case a request does not comprise an acknowledgement.The invention also relates to a method.
公开号:SE1451281A1
申请号:SE1451281
申请日:2014-10-24
公开日:2016-04-25
发明作者:Per Anderson
申请人:Rsg Stockholm Ab；
IPC主号:

专利说明:

System and method for tool tracking in a building or construction project The present invention relates to a system and a method for tool tracking in a building orconstruction project. ln particular, the invention relates to such a system and method using a central server in communication with a plurality of mobile electronic devices. ln the building and construction industries, projects typically have complex requirementsregarding tasks to be performed and their timing. At the same time, many individualpeople may be involved in one single project, making it difficult to keep track of theprogress and status of all project sub parts, including handling of accrued problems. Sincevarious performers need appropriate tools to perform their current task, tool tracking iskey to running a successful project. However, it is difficult to keep track of all the tools in the complex environment of a large building or construction project.
For instance, tools may be shared between several performers, borrowed by one per-former from another, break, or be left behind due to confusion regarding who has respon- sibility for a particular tool.
Also, running such projects is already complicated in itself, why cumbersome tool trackingsystems further add to the administrative burden of performers and project management.At many times, tool tracking system registration is skipped due to lack of time or the like.Also, known tool tracking systems have insufficient flexibility for tracking tools also insituations where tools have to be shared or replaced in unforeseen ways, such as when atool breaks and needs to be replaced with short notice, such as by borrowing another tool from a colleague.
CN 102118380 A discloses a system for adding handwritten signatures to digital docu- melltS.
CN 103577904 A discloses electronic signing by scanning a handwritten signature.
Application text 2014-10-24 140059SE EP 2014424 A1 discloses a system for automatic tool tracking.
JP 2012141831 A discloses a system for follow-up of a construction project, whereinmobile devices are used to document finished tasks by photography. Photographs are manually inspected in a central location.
KR 20120122189 A discloses a system in which a mobile device is used to capture animage of a construction site, which image is supplemented with additional information and stored centrally in a server.
KR 20130094465 A discloses a system for construction projects in which a performerreceived information about what is to be done to a mobile device, and is thereafterallowed to capture an image using the device of the finished job. Images are sent to a manager for manual inspection.
KR 20140025967 A discloses a system in which different persons can cooperate in a project, and wherein a person can photograph and sign a certain state.
TW |402761 B discloses a system for signing documents for digitalization.
US 2006173785 A1 discloses a system for planning of tasks to be performed by different persons organized in groups and in a hierarchy. The document also discloses delegation of tasks.
US 2010174656 A1 discloses a system for handling punch lists using mobile devices.
US 2012066019 A1 discloses a system for keeping track of a construction project, in which a central server automatically verifies completed tasks by measurements performed on site, such as by a tool or by input by a performer into a mobile device.
Application text 2014-10-24 140059SE US 2013109375 A1 discloses a system in which complex functionality is built into individu- al hand tools.
US 2013138466 A1 discloses various ways to get hand tools to automatically report the result of tasks performed using such hand tools.
US 2013281157 A1 discloses various ways of collecting data from the field using a mobile device.
US 2014006076 A1 discloses a method for automatic delegation to available resources.
US 2014278650 A1 discloses a system for use in for instance retail, in which staff have portable devices via which replacement personnel can be requested for certain tasks. A central server keeps a central planning over who does what.
US 7898403 B2 discloses a system for automatic tool tracking.
US 8271314 B2 discloses a platform for planning and follow-up of task based construction projects involving several different staff. A synchronization scheme is disclosed for com- municating information sharing even when offline.
US 8838980 B2 discloses a system for handling and incorporation of electronic signatures of and into document, such as in the form of copied signature images.
WO 2005001669 A3 discloses a system for automatic tool tracking.
WO 2009013045 A1 discloses a system for handling and tracking of tools. Each tool has a logic circuit for near field communication with a sender carried by a user. The system keeps track of user rights in terms of tool usage.
Application text 2014-10-24 140059SE Hence, the invention relates to a system for tracking of work tools used in a building orconstruction project, which system comprises a central server arranged to communicatewith several electronic mobile devices, which system furthermore comprises a softwarefunction arranged to be accessed from a respective one of said mobile devices by arespective performer controlling the respective mobile device in question, wherein thecentral server furthermore comprises a database comprising identifying informationconcerning a plurality of tools used in the project, wherein each individual tool is associat-ed with at most one particular performer, which system is characterised in that thesoftware function is arranged to allow a respective receiving performer, who is not associ-ated with a particular tool in the central server, using a mobile device, to electronicallytransfer an acknowledgement to the central server of the reception of the tool in questionby the receiving performer in question, in that the central server is arranged to, as a resultof the receipt of the said acknowledgement, associate the tool with the said respectiveperformer and thereby to erase a previously existing association between the particulartool and another, delivering performer, and in that the central server is arranged not toerase an association between a particular tool and a certain delivering performer who isassociated with the tool in question in the central server as a reaction to a request fromthe delivering performer in question, in case such request does not comprise an acknowl- edgement of the said type The invention also relates to a method for tracking of work tools used in a building orconstruction project, wherein a system comprises a central server and a software func-tion, which central server communicates with several electronic mobile devices, whichsoftware function is accessed from a respective one of said mobile devices by a respectiveper-former controlling the respective mobile device in question, wherein the centralserver furthermore is caused to comprise a database in turn comprising identifying infor-mation concerning a plurality of tools used in the project, wherein each individual tool isassociated with at most one particular performer, which method is characterised in thatthe software function is caused to allow a respective receiving performer, who is notassociated with a particular tool in the central server, using a mobile device, to electroni-cally transfer an acknowledgement to the central server of the reception of the tool in Application text 2014-10-24 140059SE question by the receiving performer in question, in that the central server, as a result ofthe receipt of the said acknowledgement, associates the tool with the said respectiveperformer and thereby to erase a previously existing association between the particulartool and another, delivering performer, and in that the central server does not to erase anassociation between a particular tool and a certain delivering performer who is associatedwith the tool in question in the central server as a reaction to a request from the deliver-ing performer in question, in case such request does not comprise an acknowledgement of the said type. ln the following, the invention will be described in closer detail, with reference to exempli- fying embodiments of the invention and to the enclosed drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is an overview diagram of a system according to the invention; Figure 2 is an overview diagram of the structure of a project and work assignment tovarious performers; Figure 3 is an overview diagram of documentation of a project; Figures 4-7 are respective flow charts of a respective method according to a first, second,third and fourth aspect of the present invention, which methods are all performed by asystem 100 according to the present invention; Figures 8a-8i are simplified screen dumps illustrating a method according to said firstaspect; Figures 9a-9h are simplified screen dumps illustrating a method according to said secondaspect; Figures 10a-10b are simplified screen dumps illustrating a method according to said thirdaspect; and Figures 11a-11e are simplified screen dumps illustrating a method according to said fourth aspect.
All figures share denotations for similar or identical parts.
Application text 2014-10-24 140059SE ln the following, first the system 100 will be described in general, together with certaingeneral features pertaining to all four aspects of the invention as described in closer detail thereafter.
Hence, figure 1 shows a system 100 for performing the various methods described herein,and in particular for use in the administration, follow-up and documentation of a building or construction project.
The system 100 comprises a central server 130, which may be a standalone server; aserver whose functionality is distributed across several physical server units; or the like.The server 130 is arranged to communicate with several electronic mobile devices 120,121, that may each be any type of portable digital device, such as a so-called smartphone;a laptop; a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant); a tablet computer; and so on. 120 is exempli-fied as a mobile phone; 121 as a laptop computer. lt is preferred, and for some embodi-ments described herein necessary, that the devices 120, 121 feature a respective screen120a, 121a capable of displaying and providing a GUI (Graphical User Interface), whichinterface is preferably an interactive graphical user interface (IGUI). lt is furthermorepreferable that the respective screen 120a, 121a is a touchscreen, in other words a screencapable of sensing and recording input from a user using a finger, a stylo or the like, actingdirectly on the respective screen 120a, 121a. I/|oreover, it is preferred that the electronicdevices 120, 121 are of general-purpose type, running an operating system and arrangedto generally allow a user to locally install software applications on the device 120, 121 in question.
The server 130 and the mobile devices 120, 121 can communicate with each other over adigital communication network 110, such as the internet or a private LAN. ln case a privateLAN is used, the system 100 may be used in a closed, geographically local environment inwhich the private LAN is arranged. The devices 120, 121 digitally communicate with thenetwork 110 wirelessly, such as via WLAN, GPRS, 3G, LTE or in any other as such conven- tional way. ln the said example when the network 110 is a private LAN, the mobile devices Application text 2014-10-24 140059SE 120, 121 preferably communicate with the network 110 using a WLAN part of the LAN110.
The communication between the central server 130 and each mobile device 120, 121 andstationary computer 122 may use any suitable protocol, preferably using a high-level API(Application Programming Interface) which is specifically adapted for the system 100 functionality.
Preferably, every performer, or substantially every performer, involved in a particularproject has a respective mobile device 120, 121, each in communication with the server130 as described above. Preferably, the server 130 communicates with at least ten, morepreferably at least one hundred, different such mobile devices 120, 121. Apart fromsystem-level configurations, it is preferred that initial project setup and comparableactivities, in other words all, or at least substantially all, information activities relating tothe actual realization of the project are conducted using mobile devices such as 120 and121, as described and exemplified below. As an exception, the same or similar functionali-ty as offered via mobile devices 120, 121, in particular regarding such initial project setup,may also be offered via a stationary computer 122, having a screen 122a. I/|oreover, thirdparties, such as an ordering customer to the project, or a supplier, may also be providedwith limited access to the system 100 functionality using a mobile device or stationarycomputer, such as a read-only version of the software function described below, arrangedto provide a read-only view on certain project-related information, such as general pro- gress and contact details to performers currently working on particular tasks.
The system 100 further comprises a database 131, which may be comprised in the server130 or be standalone and in communication with the server 130, and, like the server 130, can be in the form of one single physical storage or distributed.
Each mobile device 120, 121 is associated, in the database 131, with a particular user with a FeSpeCtlVe USel' aCCOUHt.
Application text 2014-10-24 140059SE The central server 130 is further connected to one or several third party servers 140, from which the server 130 may, for instance, obtain various documentation regarding a project.
The system 100 comprises the central server 130 and the database 131. However, ingeneral, nor the devices 120, 121, neither the server 140, form part of the system 100 assuch. However, the system 100 also comprises a software function according to thefollowing, arranged to be accessed from each respective one of said mobile devices 120,121 by a respective performer controlling the respective mobile device 120, 121 in ques- tion.
The software function can comprise various parts. A central pa rt is preferably executed onthe central server 130, and is in communication, as described above, with local partsaccessible from each respective mobile device 120, 121. That the software function is”accessible from” each mobile device 120, 121 is to be interpreted so that functionalityoffered by the respective local part of the software function can be accessed by a user ofthe mobile device 120, 121 in question using the physical mobile device 120, 121. Thismay mean that the local software function part is a locally installed application, which isexecuted on the hardware of the respective mobile device 120, 121 in question; that it ismade available to the user on the mobile device 120, 121 but executed or at least installedin a remote location, such as HTML5 functionality accessed via a standard web browserrunning on the device 120, 121 in question; or a mixture thereof, such as a locally installedapplication accessing functionality remotely via web service calls or the like. ln someembodiments described herein, the terms ”first software function” and ”second softwarefunction” are used, with the intended meaning of local software function parts as ac-cessed via a respective first and second mobile device 120, 121. lt is understood that thesoftware function could be provided to several mobile devices 120, 121 from one and thesame central location, such as from the server 130, but that the software function in suchcases will provide each respective user via a respective mobile device 120, 121 withfunctionality that is individualized for the particular user using the particular mobile device in question.
Application text 2014-10-24 140059SE The said software function is arranged to allow the user of a mobile device 120, 121, viawhich the software function is available, to interact with the mobile device 120, 121,hence accessing and using various functionality of the system 100 as described hereinaf- ter.
Figure 2 illustrates a simplified view of a project PR being managed using the system 100 and the mobile devices 120, 121. ”t” denotes time.
The project PR comprises at least one sub project SP1, SP2. ln the figures, SP1 is a livingroom refurnishing activity, while SP2 is a bathroom renovation activity. ln larger projects,there may be many sub projects, preferably at least 10, more preferably at least 100 subprojects. Each such sub project may be unique, but preferably at least 10, preferably atleast 20, sub projects are identical or similar, in the sense that they are identical apartfrom certain minor exceptions due to differing prerequisites. For instance, the project maybe a renovation of a block of apartment buildings, comprising apartments roughly fallinginto three categories (such as ”1 room", ”2 rooms” and ”3 rooms"). Then, the set of 1room apartments may have identical or at least very similar kitchens, which are to berefurnished in basically the same fashion. However, each tenant may be offered a varietyof individual selection, for instance in terms of tile coloring. ln this case, such differing tile coloring constitutes a minor exception in the above sense.
Each sub project comprises at least one work task, in turn constituting a time- and scopewise well-defined assignment, typically performed by a single or possibly a couple ofperformers. ln case several performers are involved in one single work task, the corre- sponding applies as described herein regarding one performer and a particular work task. ln figure 2, SP1 comprises tasks T11-T15, from T11 (demolition of old decorations) to T15(laying new wooden flooring). SP comprises work tasks T21-T23, from T21 (demolition) toT22 (heated floor) to T23 (installations). lt is realized that SP1, SP2, T11-T15 and T21-T23 merely constitute illustrating examples.
Application text 2014-10-24 140059SE lO lt is further realized that there may be more than three levels (project - sub project -work task) for complex projects. For instance, large sub projects may be organized into several sub sub projects, in a way which is analogous to the one described herein.
The system 100 is arranged to, in database 131, store information, such as personal andcontact information, about users. One category of users is performers P1, P11-P14, P21-P23 participating in the project. Performers P1, P11-P14, P21-P23 may each be associatedwith one or several particular profiles PR1-PR4, as indicated by straight lines in figure 2. Aprofile is a description of a certain competency, such as ”painting” or ”masonry”. Hence,one particular performer P13 may be associated with several profiles PR2, PR3. Each worktask is set up during project initiation, again in the database 131, with particular require-ments, one of which being the desired or required profile or profiles of a or the perform- er(s) that are to perform the work task in question.
Another category of users are external or third parties, such as an ordering customer CUST and suppliers SUPP1, SUPP2.
All registered users may use a respective mobile device of choice to access system 100functionality via the said software function, as described above. The nature and scope ofsuch access is typically automatically governed, by the server 130, on the basis of the type and profile(s) ofthe user in question.
During a project initiation phase, a particular performer P1 is preferably assigned theresponsibility for the project PR. The central server 130 is arranged to automatically, inconnection to the assuming of project PR responsibility by the performer P1, associate P1with system assignment rights to assign respective delegated sub project SP1, SP2 respon-sible users P11, P21, who in turn automatically, by the central server 130, achieve systemaccess assignment to assign delegated work task T11-T15, T21-T23 responsible performersP12-P14, P22-P23. These delegations are illustrated with short dashed curves in figure 2.As can be seen in figure 2, illustrated by long dashed curves, when all delegations havebeen accomplished, the assignments of the project PR are as follows: Application text 2014-10-24 140059SE ll Work task PerformerT11 P12 T12 P13, P14T13 P11 T14 P14 T15 P14 T21 P22 T22 P23 T23 P23 Hence, all actual work being performed in the project PR falls under at least one worktask. Each work task can be assigned to multiple performers, who then for instance workcollaboratively. Each performer may be assigned to several work tasks. A performer, such as P11, who is sub project SP1 responsible, may also be work task T13 responsible.
Via the software function, each performer may for instance take part of a graphical ganttdiagram of the project planning over time (as illustrated in figure 2), comprising thevarious work tasks and their mutual order and planned timing, and specifically graphical oralphanumerical information regarding the particular work task(s) assigned to the perform-er in question. What information is available and editable by each performer is dynamical-ly determined by the software function, in communication with the central server 130,based upon continuously updated information stored in database 131 regarding each performer regarding current assignment, profile, etc.
Figure 3 illustrates another view of the project PR as stored in the database 131 andmanaged by the central server 130. Preferably each work task, preferably also each subproject and preferably also the project PR itself, can be associated with a respective pieceof documentation D1-D11 (associations illustrated in figure 3 by straight lines). Such documentation, which preferably is digitally stored in the database 131, and/or fetched Application text 2014-10-24 140059SE 12 from or possibly linked to an external source 141, can be of two types, namely a priori information and dynamically created information.
A priori information is typically static and re|ates to the work task, sub project or project inquestion. lt may for instance comprise an ISO standard, a quality certification document, auser's guide to particular machines installed in a kitchen, an installation specification, etc.Dynamically created information is created during the process of project carry-through,and may for instance comprise a piece of photo documentation of a finished work task, adeviation report relating to a particular work task, and so on. Naturally, a priori infor- mation may also comprise images, video clips, etc.
Regarding both a priori information and dynamically created information, it is preferablytrue that a certain minimum information requirement, if any, is specified for each worktask, sub project and project, by the central server 130 and for each project managed by the system 100. ln order to finalize a project, it is preferably required that a respective piece of infor-mation D1-D11 of the prescribed type or types (comprising images, video clips, audio clips,alphanumerical pieces of information, etc.) is made available and stored in the database131 for each work task and sub project, as well as for the project PR itself. However, theinformational content of each piece of documentation D1-D11 is preferably not scruti-nized as such, it is rather the actual existence of a piece of documentation of the pre-scribed type which is verified. lt is also preferred that the project, each sub project andeach work task is allowed to have more associated information in the database 131, apart from that which is required, in case this is requested by individual performers.
Figure 3 also shows a way in which the project, sub projects and work tasks are associated in the database 131, in a tree structure. lt is preferred that the total number of tasks in the project PR is at least 50, preferably at least 100. lt is also preferred that the total number of sub projects is at least 10, preferably Application text 2014-10-24 140059SE 13 at least 20. Furthermore, it is preferred that the total number of performers is at least 20, preferably at least 50, most preferably at least 100.
First aspect Figure 4 illustrates a method according to a first aspect of the present invention, whichmethod is performed by the system 100. The method steps in figure 4 are worded from the point of view of the system 100, comprising the central server 130.
Hence, in a step 401, the central server 130 is provided, and arranged with the database131 for storing contact information regarding a plurality of performers of the abovediscussed type. The system 100 is also arranged with the above discussed software func-tion, arranged to be accessed from a respective mobile device 120, 121 by each performercontrolling the respective mobile device 120, 121 in question. The central server 130 ispreferably arranged to communicate with each mobile device 120, 121 via the said soft- ware function.
According to one important aspect of the embodiment shown in figure 4, the system 100is arranged to, in a step 402, store contact information regarding a plurality of the saidperformers, preferably all or at least substantially all of said performers. ln the same step,sub projects SP1, SP2 and work tasks T11-T15, T21-T23 are also defined and stored in the database 131, in the way illustrated conceptually in figure 3.
Furthermore, the central server 130 is arranged to associate various assignment rights todifferent performers as described above. Preferably, each performer is associated withparticular assignment rights from the start of the project, which assignment rights maychange due to, for instance, assignments given to the performer in question. Such assign-ment can be performed in connection to a project initiation or startup phase, in which aproject PR responsible P1 is appointed, as described above, and possibly also one orseveral other of the performers P11-P23 involved in the project PR. This may either beperformed using the software function in the way described hereinafter, either via a Application text 2014-10-24 140059SE 14 mobile device 120, 121 or the desktop computer 122 in communication with the central server 130.
Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the central server 130 is arranged to, aftersaid project initiation and preferably also during the execution of the project PR, receiveassignment requests from individual ones of said performers P1, P11-P14, P21-P23, and inreply to such requests associate a certain respective sub project SP1, SP2 and/or a certainrespective work task T11-T15, T21-T23 with a certain respective performer, as specified inthe said request, under condition that the requesting performer has proper assignment rights. ln other words, performers having been associated with adequate assignment rights may,before and preferably also during the project PR, assign responsibility for certain subprojects and/or certain work tasks to other performers, using the software function viathe respective mobile device 120, 121. Preferably, users assigned to sub projects mayassign work tasks comprised in such sub projects to other performers. However, it ispreferred that performers may also assign a work task with which they are currentlyassociated to a different performer, or even, in some embodiments, that certain perform-ers may assign individual sub projects and/or work tasks to particular performers even if not associated with such sub projects or work tasks themselves.
Hence, in a step 403, the project PR is assigned, such as on the command of a manager, toperformer P1, in the example illustrated in figure 2 to performer P1. This typically meansthat performer P1 has responsibility for the execution of the project PR. Preferably, thisalso results in that the central server 130 automatically associates the performer P1 withassigning rights for sub projects SP1 and SP2, since these sub projects are sub projects to the project PR as defined in the database 131 as illustrated in figure 3.
Preferably, in a step 404 the performer P1 is notified as to the amended assignment rightsassociated with performer P1. This notification is preferably provided to the mobile device120, 121 of the performer P1, and is preferably automatically communicated to the Application text 2014-10-24 140059SE mobile device in question and displayed on the screen 120a, 121a thereof by the softwarefunction. Such notification procedure is described more in detail in relation to step 407 below.
After step 404, an IGUI provided by the software function, in communication with theserver 130 and on the screen display 120a, 121a of the mobile device 120, 121 of per-former P1, may be as is illustrated in figure 8a, which is a simplified screen shot. ln gen-eral, the various screen shots shown in the figures are such |GU|:s provided by the soft-ware function, in communication with the central server 130 and on the respective screendisplay of a mobile device used by the performer in question. The performer is, in the examples shown herein, identified at the top of the respective screen.
Hence, figure 8a identifies the performer P1 and P1:s assignment (the project PR). Thecheckmark next to ”PR” means that the assignment of PR to P1 has been confirmed and isin force. Furthermore, as a result of the assignment of P1 to PR in the central server 130,assignment rights for sub projects SP1 and SP2, being sub projects of the project PR, areautomatically associated with the performer P1, and the IGUI is updated accordingly bythe central sever 130. Hence, via interactive user controls (marked ”SP1:” and ”SP2:” infigure 8a), P1 may select among a list of possible performers to be assigned as responsiblefor each respective sub project SP1 and SP2. This list is preferably provided by the centralsever 130, based upon for instance profiles PR1-PR4 associated with various performers indatabase 131 and upon any limitations, also stored in database 131, regarding what performers may be sub project responsible, and so forth. ln the example shown in figure 8a, P1 has selected P11 as the performer responsible for SP1 and P21 for SP2. This assignment will thus result in the delegation shown in figure 2.
Hence, using the IGUI, in a step 405, the performer PR requests the central server 130 to assign at least one sub project SP1, SP2 to a particular respective performer P11, P21.
Application text 2014-10-24 140059SE 16 The central server 130 receives these requests, by the software function communicatingthem to the central server 130, and in reaction thereto, in a step 406, assigns each sub project SP1, SP2 accordingly. ln a preferred step 407, the assigned respective sub project responsible is notified. Thismay look like in figure 8b, in which a simple information message is displayed automatical-ly, for instance in the form of a push message being sent to the mobile device of P11 anddisplayed in a popup message box; or it may look like in figure 8c, in which the pushedmessage results in a dialog in which the performer P11 is allowed or required to confirmthe assignment before the assignment can enter into force. ln the latter case, it is pre-ferred that the confirmation is sent to the central sever 130, by the software function, andthat assignment does not enter into force in the central server 130 until such confirmation has been received from the mobile device of the performer P11 in question.
After the assignment has entered into force by storing the corresponding association inthe database 131, the IGUI of the assigned performer P11 in question is preferably updat-ed, such as indicated by the checkmark next to ”SP1” in figure 8d, to signal to the per- former P11 that the assignment in question is in force.
Then, after the notification in step 407 and the receipt of any mandatory confirmation, ina step 408, the central server 130 checks whether the sub project SP1 assigned to theperformer P11 in question comprises at least one, preferably several, work tasks. ln the present example, this is clearly the case, since SP1 comprises T11-T15 (see figure 3).
Following, or preferably in reply to (in case no confirmation is required from the assigneeperformer), such an assignment request concerning a particular performer P11, P21 and aparticular sub project SP1, SP2, which sub project in turn comprises at least one work task,the central server 130 is arranged to, in a step 409, automatically change the assignment rights for the assigned performer P11, P12 in question.
Application text 2014-10-24 140059SE 17 According to this aspect of the present invention, the respective assignment rights of P11,P12 are changed by the central server 130 so that the performer in question obtains theright to in turn assign, by subsequent assignment requests to the central server 130performed using the respective mobile device 120, 121 of the performer in question andthe said software function, the work tasks comprised in the sub project in question to yet other performers. ln other words, when a particular performer requests that a particular other performer isassigned to a particular sub project, the system 100 is arranged to automatically associatethe said other performer with assignment rights allowing the other performer to assignwork tasks that belong to the sub project in question to yet additional performers. Asmentioned above, what such additional performers are available for assignment may depend upon certain predetermined criteria stored in the database 131.
Then, in a step 410, the central server 130 is preferably arranged to, upon the said changeof assignment rights, automatically and electronically notify, via the respective mobiledevice 120, 121 and the software function, the assigned performer P11 in question, that the assignment rights have been changed for him or her. ln figure 8d, the presently described case in which the performer P11 in question hasgained the assignment rights by the central server 130 to assign work tasks for the particu-lar sub project SP1, the software function is arranged to automatically provide the IGUI ofP11:s mobile device with interactive graphical controls for assigning work task comprisedin the particular sub project SP1, preferably all work tasks T11-T15 comprised in the subproject, to a respective one additional performer. ln figure 8d, these controls are illustrat-ed as respective drop-down list for each work task T11-T15 in the sub project SP1, eachpopulated by the software function based upon information in the database 131 regarding availability of particular performers for particular work tasks.
Application text 2014-10-24 140059SE 18 Actually, in this exemplifying embodiment, the provision of these controls also constitutean implicit notification to P11 of the updated assignment rights for this performer P11, since no such assignment would be possible without such right in place.
Thereafter, the sub project responsible performer P11 may use the said controls torequest that a particular performer is assigned as responsible for a particular work task, byfor instance selecting a particular performer P12 for a particular work task T11. As a result,the central server 130 will, via the software function, in a step 411, receive an assignment request concerning said particular performer P12 and said particular work task T11.
As described above, each performer may preferably be associated with at least one profilePR1-PR4, and each work task is furthermore associated with at least one profile, in thecentral server 130, such as in the database 131. Then, in a step 412, the central server 130is arranged to compare the profile(s) of the particular performer P12 which is to beassociated with the particular work task T11 with the required profile(s) of the work taskT11 in question. The central server 130 is further arranged not to associate the certainwork task T11 with the certain performer P12, in reaction to the corresponding assign-ment request from P11, in case the certain work task T11 is not associated with at leastone profile which also is associated with the certain performer P12. ln the present exam-ple, the performer P12 is associated with the profile skill ”demolition”, why the assign- ment is allowed by the central server 130 in step 412.
Preferably, the central server 130 is then arranged to, in a step 413, cause the softwarefunction to provide information to the particular assigned performer regarding the as-signment request pertaining to the performer in question, and to allow the particularperformer in question to send an acknowledgement of the assignment in question to thecentral server 130, using his or her respective mobile device 120, 121. This may pertain toseveral work tasks for one and the same performer, as is illustrated in figure 8e, in relationto an exemplifying assignment request of P14 to T14 and T15, as sent by P11 using the IGUI illustrated in figure 8d. The software function hence provides, on request by the Application text 2014-10-24 140059SE 19 central server 130, the IGUI illustrated in figure 8e, in which performer P14 is asked to confirm his or her assignment to work tasks T14 and T15. ln a step 414, the acknowledgement is received by the central sever 130 from the mobile device 120, 121 and via the software function.
Preferably, the central server 130 is arranged not to associate, in a step 415, the perform-er P14 in question with the work task(s) T14, T15 in question before such an acknowl- edgement has been received by the central server 130.
Then, in a step 416, a notification is preferably provided to the assigned performer P14. lnthe view shown in figure 8e, an acknowledgement has been sent regarding T14, and P14has been associated as responsible with T14, which has also been notified by the centralserver 130 to the IGUI shown in figure 8e, as is illustrated using the checkmark next to"T14". The assignment of P15 to T15 is yet to be acknowledged and notified. ln figure 8f, asubsequent state of the IGUI is shown, in which the assignment to T15 has also been acknowledged and notified.
Once a particular sub project responsible P11 has been assigned to a sub project SP1which comprises at least one work task T11-T15, it is preferred that P11 is allowed tofurther edit details regarding performers assigned to such work tasks. Hence, the centralserver 130 is then arranged to, in response to, or at least following, an assignment requestconcerning a particular such performer P11 and a particular such sub project SP1, auto-matically change the assignment rights for the assigned performer, for instance as a partof step 409, so that the performer P11 is associated, in the database 131, with the right toadd performers to the system and/or to edit the contact information of performersassigned to work tasks T11-T15 comprised in the sub project SP1 in question. The case inwhich P11 is allowed to, in a step 417, edit contact information regarding P12 is shown infigure 8g, in which the phone number of P12 may be altered by performer P11. Such edits are communicated from the respective mobile device 120, 121, by the software function, Application text 2014-10-24 140059SE to the central server 130 for updating in the database 131 and automatic distribution to other users of the system 100.
According to an important part of the present aspect of the invention, the central server130 is furthermore arranged to continuously make available, to users P1, P11-P23, CUST,SUPP1, SUPP2 of the system, updated contact information for performers assigned to work tasks comprised in the project PR.
As such, the central server 130 is arranged to accept and reply to, from the mobile devices120, 121 and via the software function, requests regarding what work tasks a particularperformer is associated with. Furthermore, the central server 130 is preferably arrangedto accept and reply to such request regarding what performer or performers are associat-ed with a particular work task, and in such a reply include contact information regarding the performer or performers in question.
Hence, in a step 418, such a request regarding a work task is received by the central server130, such as provided from performer P21 or user CUST, using the respective mobiledevice 120, 121 and an IGUI provided thereon by the software function. The IGUI isillustrated in figure 8h, in which the querying performer, in this exemplifying case P21, hasselected the work task T11. Hence, the software function is preferably arranged to pro-vide, on the respective screen display 120a, 121a of said mobile device 120, 121, a con-tacting functionality, allowing the performer P21 controlling the mobile device 120, 121 inquestion to browse through the project in terms of sub projects and work tasks, and to select a particular work task T11.
Then, the software function provides P21 the opportunity to request from the centralserver 130 and, in a step 419, be provided and show contact information of the perform-er(s) assigned to the work task T11 in question, and/or, in a step 420, to automatically callthe performer P12 assigned to the work task T11 using the mobile device 120, 121 in question.
Application text 2014-10-24 140059SE 21 ln the first case, the software function queries the central server 130 for the contactinformation in question, which is returned to the mobile device 120, 121 and displayed toP21 in the IGUI. ln the second case, the software function in addition thereto, or instead ofshowing the contact information in said IGUI, automatically invokes a native telephonefunctionality on the mobile device, which device in that case is provided with voice com-munication functionality such as using VoIP (Voice over IP) or functionality for makingvoice calls over a mobile communications network using a SIM (Subscriber Identity I/|od-ule) card comprised in the mobile device in question, to initiate a voice call to the per-former P12 in question using the contact information provided by the central server 130 to the software function.
Furthermore, it is preferred that each performer that has been assigned to a particular subproject or to a particular work task is automatically associated, by the central server 130and in connection to when being assigned to the sub project or work task in question in away which is similar to step 409, with assignment rights to further assign his or own subproject or work task to other performers. Such reassignment of the performer's ownassignment then takes place via a respective IGUI provided on the screen display 120a,121a on a mobile device 120, 121 of the performer in question, as exemplified in figure 8i,showing a screen using which P14, who is assigned to T14, may reassign T14 to another performer, such as P12.
Using a system and method according to this aspect of the invention, the delegationprocess of a project can be distributed across many different actors and stake holders in aconvenient and automated way, but which still allows central control over what partiesare involved in what parts of the project. Also, it becomes easy to contact a particularperformer actually performing a particular task at the current time, even after local re-planning, illnesses and so forth. All this can be performed when in the field, since all stakeholders can use their own general-purpose mobile devices, such as normal smartphones, to interact with each other and the system 100.
Application text 2014-10-24 140059SE 22 This is particularly helpful for a building or construction project, in which a main contrac-tor typically brings in subcontractors in turn employing persons that are not necessarilyknown to the main contractor. By simply delegating a sub project to a particular person atsuch a subcontractor, and by providing access to the software function to each performer,the main contractor needs not keep track of what person is doing what tasks, since thisinformation is automatically updated as a consequence ofthe actual delegation to various performers of the work tasks involved.
Second aspect Figure 5 illustrates the method steps according to a second aspect of the invention,relating to a method for acknowledgement of an information content of a digitally stored document, which method is performed by the system 100. ln a step 501, which is similar to step 401, the central server 130 is provided. ln this step, afirst mobile electronic device 120 or 121 and a second mobile electronic device 121 or 120are also provided, both in communication with the central server 130 as described above.Both these mobile devices 120, 121 are in general as described above. At least the second mobile device, but preferably also a first mobile device, comprises a touchscreen. ln a step 502, or beforehand, the above mentioned association between a second user, inthe following exemplified as performer P14 or customer CUST, and the second mobiledevice is stored in the database 131, so that the central server 130 can identify the mobiledevice of the user in question. The ”second” user is, in the terminology of this second aspect of the invention, an acknowledging user. ln a step 503, the above discussed software function is provided. ln the following, a firstsuch software function is provided for allowing a first user, exemplified in the following asperformer P22, to access system functionality using the said first mobile device. A secondsuch software function is provided for the said second user to access system functionality using the said second mobile device. Hence, each of said first and second performers may Application text 2014-10-24 140059SE 23 interact with the respective first and second mobile device by the use of the first andsecond software function, respectively. The ”first” user is, in the terminology of thissecond aspect of the invention, a user requesting an acknowledgement from the second USeF.
According to the present aspect, in a step 506, the first software function is arranged toallow the first user, via the said first mobile device, to initiate a request that a second user,via the second software function and the second mobile device, acknowledges the said information content of the document in question.
Before step 506, however, the first user is allowed to specify what document the informa-tional contents of which is to be specified. The term ”document”, in this context, shouldbe understood as any digitally stored, well-defined set of information the informationalcontents of which can be presented to the second user by the second software functionand using the hardware functionality of the second mobile device. Hence, the documentmay comprise textual, image, video and/or audio data. Specifically, the document maycomprise, for instance, a piece of typed text, a recorded sound and/or a recorded photo- graphic image.
According to a first alternative embodiment, the user, in a step 504, selects a documentfrom a certain source, such as a document stored locally in the first mobile device, storedin the database 131 or on a third party information source such as server 140. Accordingto a second alternative embodiment, the first software function is instead arranged toallow the first user to create the document in step 504. For instance, an IGUI presented bythe first software function on the screen display of the first mobile device may comprisecontrols for activating a built-in camera or audio microphone on the first mobile device, orfor allowing the first user to enter text into the first mobile device. Such information iscaptured and then constitutes or is comprised in the document thereafter sent to the second user.
Application text 2014-10-24 140059SE 24 ln addition thereto, according to a preferred embodiment, the first software function isarranged to, in a step 505 performed in connection to the initiation by the first user of therequest, allow the first user to specify at least one information type of additional infor-mation which is to be provided by the second user, preferably selected from a still ormoving image or a sound recording. ln case such additional information is specified, thesecond software function is arranged to allow and require the second user to record suchadditional information of the specified type(s), using hardware of the second mobiledevice, before the signature image is sent (see below), and any such additional infor-mation is sent, together with the signature image, to the central server, associated with the signature image and stored in the central server. lt is preferred that the first software function is arranged to allow the first user to specifyzero, one or several such information types that are to be required as input from thesecond user as a part of the said acknowledgement. Hence there may be several requiredpieces of information to be entered by the second user, even of the same type. Forinstance, the second user may be required to provide two still images and a piece of text as a part of the acknowledgement.
According to one preferred embodiment, the first user is not required to identify him- orherself, to the second software function, in connection to initiating or sending the said request in step 506.
Then, in a step 507, the said request is electronically communicated to the second soft-ware function. Preferably, this takes place by the first software function communicatingthe acknowledgement request to the central server 130, which as a result thereof, andpossibly after certain verifications of access rights and the like, against information storedin the database 131, sends the acknowledgement request to the second software function for display to the second user on the second mobile device touchscreen.
As a reaction to the receipt of the acknowledgement request in step 507, the second software function is arranged to, in a step 508, provide the information content of the Application text 2014-10-24 140059SE document in visible format to the second user in a preferably interactive GUI provided onthe screen of the second device. ln addition thereto, in the same step 508, the secondsoftware function is arranged to also provide on the same screen a field, wherein thesecond user, in a step 510, graphically can draw a signature, so that a digitally storedsignature image is captured, in the form of a digitally stored image file comprising the saiddrawn signature. The signature can be captured in a way which is conventional as such, forinstance by providing a surface on the touchscreen across which the second user can drawa signature using a finger, a stylo or the like, where the motion of the finger or stylo is sensed and stored as a vectorized image file by the second software function. ln case any additional information is required by the first user as described above, thesecond software function is arranged to provide to the second user, in a step 509 and viathe said IGUI, the possibility to create such additional information, for example by auto-matically activating a camera or a microphone of the second device for use to record additional information of the specified type.
According to a preferred embodiment, the second software function is arranged to allowthe second user to identify him- or herself before sending the signature image. Suchidentification is prefera bly mandatory ifthis is requested, as part of the acknowledgementrequest produced by the first user. The identification may take place in several differentways, such as by allowing the second user to, via the said touchscreen, electronically enterpredetermined user credentials such as a username/password combination; or using abiometric sensor 120c, 121c, such as a fingerprint or iris sensor, in the second mobiledevice, which is used by the second software function to automatically sense and store one or several biometric measurement data regarding the second user.
Hence, in a step 511, such identifying information is captured by the second softwarefunction. According to one particular preferred embodiment, the identification is per-formed based upon the actual possession of the second mobile device as such, which isverified using a previously stored association in the central server 130 between the secondmobile device and the second user, so that the identification is automatically performed Application text 2014-10-24 140059SE 26 by the second software function and/or the central server 130 by identifying that thesecond mobile device is actually used to send the signature image. ln this case, the identi-fying information may be constituted by a piece of hardware-identifying information asread from the second mobile device by the second software function, or device-identifyinginformation pertinent to a communication session between the central server 130 and the second mobile device.
I/|oreover, the second software function may advantageously be arranged to automatical-ly record a geographic location of the second mobile device, using geographic locationsensing hardware of the second mobile device such as a GPS (Global Positioning System)function, in connection to the creation of the signature image. ln this case, the secondsoftware function is arranged to communicate the recorded geographic location to the central server 130 together with the signature image.
Hence, in step 512, the second software function is arranged to, as a response to theacknowledgement request sent in step 507, send the said signature image to the central server 130.
According to the present aspect of the present invention, the said signature image is not apart of the said document. This is to be interpreted so that the signature image is not anintegrated part of the document, such as an embedded image in a word processing formatdocument such as a DOCX document or a portable document format such as a PDF docu-ment. lnstead, the signature image is transferred to the central server 130 as a separateimage. Even more preferably, the document, in the sense ofthe one or several digital filesconstituting the document and coding the digital information to be acknowledged, doesnot contain information coding for the signature image, and the signature image is instead sent as a separate file. ln step 512, apart from the image file comprising the said signature, any of the capturedadditional and/or identifying information and/or position information is also sent to thecentral server 130.
Application text 2014-10-24 140059SE 27 Thereafter, in a step 513, any identifying information is verified by the central server 130using previously stored information in the database 131 regarding the second user.Alternatively, in particular if the identifying information is biometric information, theidentifying information is merely stored in the database 131 for future reference, and isnot subject of any verifying algorithms. The presence (rather than the contents) of anyadditional information is also preferably verified by the central server 130 in step 513, and any positioning information may be verified. lf all these verifications turn out in the positive, then, in a step 514, the central server isarranged to associate the signature image to the document and to store them both indigital format in the database 131, preferably along with any identifying information,additional information and positioning information provided by the second software function in the step 512.
Thereafter, in a step 515, the central server 130 is arranged to supply information to thefirst software function that the information content of the document has been duly acknowledged.
Lastly, in a step 516, in the case in which the acknowledgement of the informationalcontents of the document is intended to result in a particular predetermined action, suchaction is performed, preferably on the initiative of the central server 130 but possibly ofthe first software function. For instance, if the document contains a declaration that acertain work task has been finalized, the system 130 may record the work task as finalized in the database 131. ln a preferred embodiment, apart from the storing of the signature image in the database131, no other verification of the information contents of the document is made. ln otherwords, there is preferably no OCR (Optical Character Recognition), statistical imageanalysis, comparison analysis or any other automatic calculation with the purpose ofvalidating the informational contents of the document. lnstead, the acknowledgement Application text 2014-10-24 140059SE 28 from the second user and the presence of the signature image in the database 131 istaken for sufficient proof in order for the central server 130 to allow that the particular action is performed in step 516. lt is also preferred that no comparison of the signature image is performed to a knownsignature for the second user, but that the signature image is simply captured and stored in the database 131 for later reference.
Even though it is preferred that the first and second mobile devices are different devices,according to one preferred embodiment, the first software function is arranged to, inconnection to step 506, allow the first user to select whether the second user is toacknowledge the said information content using the first or the second mobile device.Then, in case the first mobile device is to be used, the said first and second mobile devicesare one and the same mobile device and the said first and second software functions areone and the same software function. ln other words, a first user may request a seconduser to acknowledge the informational contents of a certain document using the mobiledevice of the first user, by handing the mobile device in question to the second user forsigning on the touchscreen of the first mobile device. Apart from the used mobile device, the method may be as described above in connection to figure 5.
The general method for acknowledging the informational content of a document de-scribed herein can be used in various alternative embodiments tailored for particular situations.
As an example, in some situations the first user may be the same as the second user, ormay even be the central server 130. This would be the case when a user is finished with aparticular task. As will be described in closer detail below, for finalizing a task the per-former responsible for the task in question may be required to document the finished taskand to sign the documentation. Then, the central server 130 may be the requiring part,specifying the document as the work task finalization report and requiring the performerto create an image of the finished task as additional information in step 509. This is Application text 2014-10-24 140059SE 29 illustrated in figure 9g, in which the performer P14 has finalized the work task T14, andwishes to report this to the system. The central server 130 has previously associated thework task T14 with a requirement for providing a photograph as documentation of thefinalized work task, which is used for confirmation as well as a part of the final documen-tation ofthe project PR as described below. Then, the IGUI illustrated in figure 9g providesthe opportunity for P14 to, by clicking on the ”[capture]” box, activate the built-in cameraof P14:s mobile device, and then, by signing in the box ”Sign:”, sending both the document(the finalizing report), the required additional information (the photograph image) and thesignature image to the central server 130. lt is noted that the central server 130 in thisexample may have requested the acknowledgement of the document well ahead of time, such as in connection to the assignment of P14 to T15.
Figure 9a illustrates an example of a method according to the present aspect of theinvention, showing a simplified screen of the IGUI provided by the second softwarefunction on the second mobile device of the second user, in this case performer P14 whois accepting the assigning of the task T15. Hence, in a method as described in connectionto figure 4, the confirmation described above in connection to figure 8c may be replace bythe requirement of providing a signature according to the above described in connection to figure 5. ln the present case, the assignment of work task T15 comprises laying a floor, specificallyfinalizing floor heating, laying the wooden floor and then a layer of lacquer. ln order toconfirm the assignment of the task T15, the performer P14 must sign in the box marked”Sign:”, thereby acknowledging the informational content of the document in question,namely the text in the box labelled ”Description:”. Once acknowledged, the signatureimage file resulting from this is sent by the software function providing the IGUI illustratedin figure 9a, to the central server 130 and is stored in the database 131. That way, it ispossible to both quickly and easily obtain a confirmation from the provider P14. lt is alsopossible to, at a later point, investigate the signature image file in the database 131 and toverify that the performer P14 in question likely signed the assignment on that day. ln thiscase, the document in the form of the text in the ”Descriptionz” box may also be the Application text 2014-10-24 140059SE document the informational contents of which is to be acknowledged by P14 once final-ized, using a second signature by the performer P14, at that point together with for instance a photograph ofthe finalized flooring that must be provided by P14.
Figure 9b i|ustrates the case in which additional identifying information is requested as apart of the acknowledgement in figure 9b, in this case a conventional username/passwordcombination. Figure 9c i|ustrates the case in which a fingerprint sensor (dashed), which isa part of the second mobile device hardware, is used to capture biometric information asan additional identifying piece of information. The checkmark in figure 9c i|ustrates thatthe fingerprint of the performer P14 was successfully read and will be sent to the central server 130 along with the signature image as soon as performer P14 signs the ”Signz” box.
Upon signing, in this case the action to perform in step 516 is thus that the assignment ofthe work task T15 to P14 enters into force and is recorded in the database 131. ln the casewhen the performer P14 signs again, to report the finalization of the task T15, the actionto be performed is to mark the task T15 as finalized in the database 131, and perhaps notify affected performers as described below.
Figure 9d shows the case when the document is produced by a first user P22, specifyingthat an unexpected problem has occurred during the execution of a particular work taskassigned to P22. Namely, the room was found to be larger than expected, and more tilesmust be ordered. Hence, the first user P22 writes the text shown in the ”Descriptionz” box,and takes a photograph of the floor, using his or her mobile device. He specifies the userCUST as the second user, who is to acknowledge the informational content of the docu-ment produced by P22, and presses the ”Request” button. Figure 9e is what CUST thensees on his or her mobile device, in the IGUI provided by the second software function.The work task T21 is specified, as well as the document (text + photograph image) inquestion. When CUST then signs in the ”Signz” box, the problem and its proposed solutionis seen as acknowledged. The step 516 action may then be that the central server 130issues a corresponding problem report which is marked as confirmed with the orderingcustomer and ready for handling.
Application text 2014-10-24 140059SE 31 The performer P22 will, in turn, upon signing by CUST, receive information from thecentral server which is shown by the P22 mobile device IGUI, as illustrated in figure 9f. Thecheckmark shows that CUST has acknowledged the informational content of the docu- mefit.
Figure 9h i|ustrates the case when the performer P22 wishes to use his or her own mobiledevice for CUST to sign. Then, ”CUST” or ”THIS” is selected in an interactive control, suchas drop-down list, and if ”THIS” is selected, the IGUI illustrated in figure 9e is shown on the first mobile device, namely the mobile device of P22. ln addition to providing the signature image to the central server 130, the system 100 andmethod according to this aspect of the invention may be arranged to further increasesecurity by requiring the user to take a photograph of him- or herself in connection to thesigning on the mobile device screen. The software function may be arranged to automati-cally invoke a built-in camera to capture such an image during the signing by the perform-er in question, in case the mobile device has a camera facing the user when looking at thesaid screen. lt is also possible to do the corresponding with a built-in microphone of themobile device, which is then automatically activated to record a sound clip in connectionto the signing by the performer. ln this case, the performer may be encouraged to, forinstance, state his or her name during the audio clip. Another possibility is to automatical-ly capture a short video clip using a combination of camera and microphone. lt is alsopossible to allow the performer to manually capture such image and/or sound material inconnection to the signing, which then may be required by the software function in orderto be able to send the acknowledgement. Any such captured information is dealt with inthe corresponding way as described above for additional information, and is stored in the database 131 for future reference.
Using a method and a system 100 according to this aspect of the invention, a particularlysimple and flexible way of acknowledging information is achieved. Since a requesting partyor the central server 130 may specify what is to be acknowledged, by designating a partic- Application text 2014-10-24 140059SE 32 ular document, together with any particular requirements regarding identification, addi-tional information and so on, it can be guaranteed that the information can be easily andunambiguously acknowledged, with sufficient security and traceability, on the fly by therelevant user. By beforehand defining what information must be acknowledged in whatway in a particular project PR, for instance on the level of different types of work tasksrather than for individual work tasks, it can easily be guaranteed that particular well-defined information is produced as an integrated part of the execution of the project PR,since it is not possible to for instance delegate responsibility or finalizing particular work tasks without also providing additional information of a pre-specified type.
The principle of simply drawing a signature and storing the resulting image file will notprovide the highest possible level of security. However, this is an important point of thepresent invention. By lowering the security standards, it is possible to instead achieve asystem which is sufficiently secure for many purposes and still very user-friendly, simple and flexible.
Third aspect Figure 6 illustrates a method according to a third aspect of the present invention, for follow-up of a building or construction project, which is also performed by the system 100. ln a first step 601, similar to steps 401 and 501, above, the central server 130 is provided.ln a step 602, the above described software function is provided. ln steps 603 and 604, theproject PR is associated with at least one sub project SP1, SP2, as described above, andeach sub project SP1, SP2 is associated with at least one respective work task T11-T15,T21-T23, also as described above. These associations are preferably created in connection to project initiation, and are stored in the database 131. ln a step 605, the central server 130 is arranged to associate individual work tasks and/orindividual sub projects with additional digitally stored documents, pertaining to the work task or sub project in question. Such information may, for instance, be produced by a Application text 2014-10-24 140059SE 33 system 100 operator, be fetched or linked from a third party information source such asserver 140. The additional information is preferably stored, in digital format, or at least inthe form of a link, in the database 131 during a project initiation phase, with the intentionof forming a priori information as discussed above, which will form part of a final docu- mentation of the project PR once finalized (see below).
Apart from any such a priori information, the central server 130 is arranged to, in a step606, associate at least one work task, preferably most work tasks, most preferably sub-stantially all work tasks, with at least one respective documentation requirement. Suchdocumentation requirement pertains to dynamic documentation as discussed above, andthe requirement is seen as fulfilled by the central server 130 when a respective digitallystored media file of a particular predetermined respective media type has been receivedby the central server 130 and associated with the work task in question. Hence, that awork task or a sub project is associated with such a documentation requirement meansthat the work task or sub project in question will not be allowed to be marked as finalizedin the database 131 before the required documentation, in other words digitally storeddocuments of the prescribed media types, have been associated with the work task or subproject in question in the database 131. The media types may preferably be selected fromthe group comprising an image, a moving image and/or a sound, preferably with theadditional requirement that the document is captured using hardware of the mobile device of a performer assigned as responsible for the work task or sub project in question.
According to one preferred embodiment, at least one work task is associated, in thedatabase 131, with at least one digitally stored checklist which in turn comprises at leastone documentation requirement of the said type for the work task in question. Hence, thework task in question may be associated with a number of requirements that must be metin order for the work task to be marked as finalized in the database 131, one or several of which may be a documentation requirement as described above.
Preferably, at least one such digitally stored checklist comprises at least one digitally stored binary confirmation parameter, indicating whether a particular work sub task has Application text 2014-10-24 140059SE 34 been performed or not. Such a binary confirmation parameter may be on the format ”yes”or ”no” regarding a specific work sub task, such as ”layer of lacquer" for the work task T15 (above). ln a step 607, each work task is associated with at least one respective performer. Thisassigning step may be performed as described above, both in case assignments are madeas a part of an initial project initiation step and in case assignments and reassignments may be made during project execution as described above in connection to figure 4.
Similarly, the central server 130 is arranged to associate individual sub projects SP1, SP2 with respective sub project responsible users.
According to a preferred embodiment, the central server 130 is arranged to associate atleast one work task with a particular deadline in terms of a date or time at which the worktask in question should be finalized. Then, in a step 608, the central server 130 monitorsfor passed deadlines, and in case the deadline passes for a particular work task withoutthe work task in question having been marked as finalized in the database 131, the centralserver, in a step 609, provides a notification to a mobile device of the sub project respon-sible associated, in the database 131, with the sub project comprising the work task in question.
According to this third aspect of the present invention, the software function is arrangedto allow the respective assigned performers to, using their respective mobile device, markwork tasks that they are assigned to by association in the database 131 as finalized. As aresult of such marking, the software function is arranged to communicate to the centralserver 130 that the work task in question has been finalized. ln order for such finalizationto be acknowledged and entered into force by the central server 130, the said documenta- tion requirement or the type described above for the work task in question must be met.
Preferably, in order to allow the performer in question to meet such documentation requirement, the software function is arranged, in a step 610 in connection to the said Application text 2014-10-24 140059SE marking by the performer which is associated with the work task in question, to allow theperformer in question, using his or her mobile device, to produce the said at least onedigitally stored media file. This production may be made by allowing the performer toselect a document which is digitally stored on the said mobile device or otherwise accessi-ble from the said mobile device. However, it is preferred that the software function isarranged to allow the performer to produce the required at least one document usinghardware of the mobile device in question, such as a built-in camera or microphone, inconnection to making a request to finalize the work task in question. Then, the softwarefunction is arranged to communicate the produced document from the mobile device in question to the central server 130.
In particular, it is preferred that the software function is arranged to provide a, preferablyinteractive, GUI on a screen display 120a, 121a of the mobile device 120, 121 in question,which GUI is arranged to allow the performer in question to mark a particular work task asfinalized, with which work task the performer is associated as responsible in the database131. Preferably, the software function is arranged to allow the user to record the requiredmedia file via the same GUI and using a digital camera and/or a microphone of the mobile device in connection to said marking.
This is illustrated in figure 10a, in which performer P12 is assigned to work task T11 (seefigure 2). P12 has finalized T11, and wishes to report this to the system 100. Then, P12 isprovided with the IGUI illustrated in figure 10a, which, since T11 is associated in thedatabase 131 with a documentation requirement of an image, provides an opportunity forP12 to activate the built-in camera of the mobile device of P12, by selecting ”[capture]” inthe IGUI, and thereupon taking a photo of the current state of the finalized work task T11.After the production of the resulting digitally stored image file, P12 can sign in the ”Signz”box (as described above in connection to figure 5), the file is sent by the software function to the central server in a step 611.
Figure 10b illustrates a further example IGUI, in which example the software function is arranged to allow a performer P11, using his or her mobile device, to, in addition to Application text 2014-10-24 140059SE 36 producing the digitally stored media file, set the value of a couple of particular binaryconfirmation parameters. ln the example, the parameters are the T13 work task work subtasks of ”Levelling” and ”Lacquer”, which have been checked in the IGUI by P11 as illus-trated by the checkmarks in figure 10b. Like in figure 10a, by pressing ”[capture]”, the usercan invoke built-in mobile device hardware to capture an image, or any other digitallystored media file, such as a video or audio clip, depending on the documentation re-quirement defined for T13 in the database 131. lt is noted that, in the example shown infigure 10b, a signature is not required for task T13. ln fact, individual tasks and/or subprojects may be associated with such a signature requirement in the database 131 as an additional documentation requirement.
The confirmation parameters are then communicated in step 611 from the mobile device, by the software function, to the central server 130. ln addition thereto, according to a preferred embodiment the software function is ar-ranged to automatically record a geographic location of the mobile device 120, 121, usinggeographic location sensing hardware, such as GPS signal sensing hardware 120b, 121b, ofthe mobile device in question, in connection to the recording of the media file. Thisrecording may be similar to the one described above in connection to figure 5, step 511.The software function is arranged to communicate the recorded geographic location to the central server 130 together with the recorded media file.
According to this third aspect of the invention, the central server 130 is arranged to mark,in a step 613 and in the database 131, the work task in question as finalized not before allof the above said requirements have been fulfilled for the work task in question. Hence, ifthe performer P11 in the example illustrated in figure 10b presses ”Confirm” after havingtaken a required photograph using the mobile device in question, but without first check-ing the ”Levellingz” box, the central server 130 will not mark the task T13 as finalized inthe database 131. P11 will receive this information, for instance, by the assigned work task T13 not being marked as finalized with an appropriate check mark in the IGUI shown by Application text 2014-10-24 140059SE 37 the software function to P11. Alternatively, the software function may be arranged not to allow P11 to press ”Confirm” before all documentation requirements are met.
As a part of the verification performed by the central server 130 in step 612, the centralserver 130 may verify, depending on the documentation requirements associated in thedatabase 131 with the work task in question, that a digitally stored media file has beenreceived from the mobile device of the performer in question (but preferably not theactual contents of such image file); that all confirmation parameters have been appropri-ately set; the presence (and possibly the information contents) of any required locationinformation; and the presence (but preferably not the actual contents of) a digitally store signature image file. ln a preferred embodiment, the central server 130 is arranged to, for instance as a part ofthe said project initiation phase, associate individual work tasks with one or more previouswork tasks that need to be finalized before the work task in question is commenced. Thisinformation may form part of the definition of a gantt diagram view of the project PR, andis illustrated in figure 2 wherein T13 and T14 can be commenced only once T12 has beenfinalized; and T15 can be commenced only once T13 has been finalized. ln case the worktask that has been finalized by the central server 130 in step 613 has other work tasks thatare dependent upon the finalization of the work task, the central system 130 is arranged,once the work task in question is marked as finalized in the central server 130, to provide,in a step 614, a notification to a mobile device of a performer associated with any worktasks that depend on the particular work task in this manner. A corresponding sub projectand/or project responsible may also be automatically notified, in a similar way, when a particular work task has been finalized.
As can be seen in figure 6, after step 613 the method may reiterate to step 610, for finalization of other work tasks.
According to this third aspect of the invention, the central server 130 is arranged to, in a step 617 which is performed after a verification step 616, in turn similar to step 612, mark Application text 2014-10-24 140059SE 38 a certain sub project as finalized only once all work tasks comprised in the sub project inquestion have been marked as finalized in the central server 130. On the other hand, incase there are no particular documentation requirements on the sub project level for thesub project in question, the central server 130 is arranged to automatically mark a subproject as finalized as soon as all the work tasks of the sub project have been finalized. lncase there are such sub project level documentation requirements, the sub project isfinalized by the central server 130 as soon as both all the sub project work tasks have beenfinalized and the additional documentation requirements have been completed. Such subproject level documentation requirements may be fulfilled by an assigned sub projectresponsible performer using an IGUI provided on the mobile device of the performer inquestion, similar to the one illustrated in figures 10a or 10b. Hence, the sub projectfinalization in step 617 is similar to the work task finalization in step 613, but operating onthe sub project level rather than the work task level. ln case there are more project levelsthan three (project - sub project - work task), it is preferred that a corresponding mecha- nism is used for finalizing entities on each such level, such as sub sub projects.
According to a preferred embodiment, the central server 130 is arranged to, once aparticular sub project has been marked as finalized in the database 131, automaticallyprovide a digitally stored documentation of the sub project in question, comprising boththe above described a priori and dynamic information. Hence, both the said digitallystored media files, produced by the respective users in connection to the finalizationrequests described above, and the additional documents specified for example by thecentral server 130 during the initiation phase constitute said sub project documentation.Furthermore, all such dynamic and a priori documents pertaining to the sub project itselfand/or to individual work tasks comprised in the sub project form part of the said docu- mentation.
Hence, the documentation for a particular sub project is dynamically created duringproject execution, from a basis of existing priori information associated with sub projectsand/or individual work tasks and with incremental additions of dynamically producedinformation in connection to the finalization of individual work tasks. Since documentation Application text 2014-10-24 140059SE 39 requirements are centrally defined ahead of time, a complete final documentation of aspecified format can be guaranteed at the same time as the responsibility for creatingmany parts ofthe documentation can be delegated, even to performers that are unknown to a project manager at the time of planning and initiating the project.
Figure 3 illustrates conceptually the structure of the final documentation, comprisingdocuments D1-D11. lt is realized that each document D1-D11 may comprise several subparts, among which both a priori and dynamic sub parts may be present. Since the logicalstructure of the documentation is a tree structure which closely follows the tree structureof the whole project (as illustrated in figure 3), a useful documentation structure is alsoautomatically provided. Based upon the documentation tree illustrated in figure 3, it is easy to produce for instance a printed documentation with a table of contents.
The corresponding documentation can advantageously be applied to all sub projects SP1,SP2 in the project PR, and also to the project PR itself. Hence, the project PR may also beassociated with certain documentation requirements, such as a final overall qualityacknowledgement issued by the performer P1 using his or her mobile device before the project PR can be marked in the database 131 as finalized.
According to a preferred embodiment, the central server 130 is arranged to automaticallyprovide the said digitally stored documentation for at least particular sub projects SP1,SP2, preferably for the entire project PR, even before all sub projects have been finalized.Such provision of the final documentation may take place via the software function andthe respective mobile device of each user of the system 100, and hence in general relatesto unfinished documentation. ln this case, it is preferred that the central server 130 isarranged not to allow any such documentation associated with finalized work tasks orfinalized sub projects to be modified, but to allow documentation associated with not yetfinalized work tasks or sub projects to be modified. The access rights to such modification may be individually set in the database 131 during the said project initiation phase.
Application text 2014-10-24 140059SE ln other words, once a sub project of work task has been finalized, its documentation ispreferably freezed and can no longer be changed. Before this point, its documentationmay be possible to change, such as replacing a previously provided photograph of the finished work task, or with regards to a priori documentation.
Hence, in a preferred step 615, as a consequence ofthe finalization in step 613, the accessrights of the documentation pertaining to the work task in question are automaticallyupdated by the central server 130 in the database 131, so that the work task documenta- tion is freezed. ln particular, according to this exemplifying embodiment and for at least one work task,the software function is arranged to allow performers of the work task to edit the digitallystored documents associated with the work task in question, so that for instance, in theexample illustrated in figure 10a, a photo can be captured, sent to the central server 130without signing, and later be replaced by a new capture photo which is made final byentering a signature in the ”Signz” field in the IGUI. Once the work task in question hasbeen marked as finalized, the software function is then arranged to no longer allow any further editing of these documents by the performers of the work task.
A system and a method according to this third aspect of the present invention, in particu-lar in combination with a delegation methodology according to the said first aspect of theinvention for assigning responsibility for various sub projects and work tasks, and/or asignature provision methodology according to the said second aspect of the invention forproviding acknowledgement that specific work tasks have actually been finalized, providesa way to initiate and execute a building or construction project in a very distributed andflexible way, but with strong central control over the scope, planning and progress of theproject. Also, as soon as the project is finalized, a complete documentation, according to apreviously established definition, is instantaneously available to interested parties withhighly relevant content. Such documentation may even be accessed and used during the execution of the project before project finalization.
Application text 2014-10-24 140059SE 41 According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the above described definitions, interms of work task descriptions, work task and sub project documentation requirements,and so forth, are preferably determined for the project during said project initiation phasebased upon one or several predetermined sub project- and work task definition templates that may be selected into the project definition and then changed if needed.
Hence, in this case the central server 130 is arranged to initiate a sub project based upon aparticular digitally stored sub project template, whereby said template comprises aparticular set of work tasks and a particular set of dependencies between said work tasks.Then, a project manager or project responsible performer P1 is allowed to initiate a newsub project for a particular project by specifying a sub project template, perform anymodifications and then instruct the central server 130 to automatically create the subproject as well as corresponding work tasks and all documentation requirements for all of said work tasks.
This process can be performed using a suitable IGUI provided by the central server 130 tothe computer 123, or by the software function to the mobile device of the user in ques- tion.
Fourth aspect ln a fourth aspect ofthe invention, a method is provided for tracking of work tools used in a building or construction project, which method is also performed using the system 100. ln this case, the database 131 comprises identifying information concerning a plurality oftools used in the project, such as electrically, pneumatically or manually driven hand tools,machinery, etc. The tools must be portable in the sense that they can be physically deliv-ered from one performer to another, and are preferably handheld tools. On the other hand, they may also be larger machines, such as trucks.
Application text 2014-10-24 140059SE 42 ln a step 701, which is similar to steps 401, 501 and 601, the central server 130 is provid- ed. ln a step 702, the above described software is provided. ln a step 703, the said tools are each associated with unque identifying information ofsome type, such as seria| numbers or names, which identifying information is stored in the data base 131. ln a step 704, each individual tool used in the system 100 and according to this fourthaspect of the present invention is associated with at most one particular performer. Thisassociation is made by the central server 130 and is stored in the database 131. Typically,some tools may be associated with a particular performer already from the outset of theproject PR. However, many or most tools will be associated with a particular performer asa result of a checking out process or the like, from a tool warehouse or similar, once theperformer in question needs the tool in question for performing a particular work task inthe project PR. Each tool can preferably never be associated in the database 131 withmore than one performer. ln other words, there is always at the most one performer who has responsibility for a particular tool. ln the following, a performer being associated with a particular tool and who is about todeliver the tool, and therefore also the responsibility for the tool, will be called a ”deliver-ing performer". A performer who is about to accept the tool and assume responsibility therefore is called a ”receiving performer".
According to one preferred embodiment, the central server 130 is arranged to periodicallynotify, in a step 705, each performer who is associated with at least one tool of the factthat such association exists in the central server 130. Such notification may take place by,for instance, a popup dialog appearing on the screen 120a, 121a of a mobile device 120,121 of the performer in question, which popup is produced by the above discussedsoftware function on the initiative of the central server 130. The notification may be sent, for instance, daily or weekly, and may require an acknowledgement of the performer Application text 2014-10-24 140059SE 43 receiving the notification, such as by the performer in question having to produce a signature image on his or her mobile device in a way similar to the above described.
According to this third aspect of the present invention, the delivery of a tool from adelivering performer to a receiving performer can be registered with the central server 130 in a safe yet simple, distributed and flexible manner.
According to one preferred embodiment, the delivering performer may send, via an IGUIprovided by the software function on his or her mobile device, a request that a tool isdelivered to a particular receiving performer. Such request is preferably sent to the centralserver 130, which as a consequence thereof sends a confirmation request to the receiving pe rfo rmer.
According to a preferred embodiment, the delivering performer is not required to identifyhim- or herself in connection to the said request. This means that the delivering performeris not required to produce any proof of his or her identity in connection to making the saidrequest, not counting the fact that the delivering performer uses his or her mobile device to make the request. lt is furthermore preferred that the software function is arranged to allow the deliveringperformer to identify a tool, which preferably is associated with the delivering performerin the database 131, and to send a message to the mobile device 120, 121 of the receivingperformer comprising an identification of said tool, preferably by the software functioncommunicating the information to the central server 130, in turn communicating the information further to the mobile device of the receiving user.
Figure 11a illustrates an IGUI screen shot, wherein a delivering performer P12, who hascurrently ownership of a tiger saw tool with system-unique serial number 33524 andsystem name ”Tiger Saw #1", is allowed by the software function providing the said IGUIto identify the tool in question by allowing the delivering performer, via the said IGUIprovided on the screen display of his or her mobile device, to enter the unique code 33524 Application text 2014-10-24 140059SE 44 of the tool in a text field control. Alternatively, the delivering performer P12 could, forinstance, select the tool from a list, such as a list of all or a general subset of tools in thesystem, or a list of all tools currently being associated with the performer P12 in thedatabase 131 which information is provided to the software function by the central server130. ln other embodiments, the tool is automatically identified by the software functionby automatically reading a graphical code, such as a bar- or QR code, or a printed alpha- numerical string, on the tool using a built-in camera ofthe mobile device in question.
Figure 11a also illustrates that the delivering performer may be allowed, by the IGUI, toidentify a receiving performer, such as via a drop-down list. ln the illustrated example, performer P13 has been selected as the receiving performer. ln a preferred step 706, the delivering performer is allowed to initiate the transfer ofresponsibility of the identified tool in question, preferably using the said IGUI, such as bypressing ”Confirm” in figure 11a. This will preferably trigger a communication by thesoftware function to the central server 130 of the transfer request, which in turn willtrigger a communication from the central server 130 to the software function automatical-ly making available an IGUI on the mobile device of the receiving performer. ln this case,the receiving performer P13 obtains an IGUI screen such as the one illustrated in figure llb.
Then, according to a preferred embodiment, the software function is arranged, in a step707, to require the said receiving performer to identify him- or herself before sending saidacknowledgement. Such identification may take place in a way which is similar to the oneillustrated in figure 9b, in which a username/password is supplied for verification by the central server 130.
However, it is preferred that said identification is performed based upon the possessionby the receiving user of the respective mobile device in question, and the above describedpreviously stored association in the central server 130 between the mobile device inquestion and the receiving performer. ln this case, the identification is automatically Application text 2014-10-24 140059SE performed by the software function and/or the central server 130 by identifying the particular mobile device that is used to send the acknowledgement.
According to this fourth aspect of the invention, the software function is arranged to allowthe receiving performer, who is at this point not associated with the tool in question in thedatabase 131, using the mobile device of the receiving performer, to, in a step 707,electronically transfer an acknowledgement to the central server 130 of the reception of the tool in question by the receiving performer. ln the example shown in figure 11b, performer P13 will assume responsibility of the toolTiger Saw #1. According to a preferred embodiment, the software function is arranged to,in connection to the said identification ofthe received tool, allow the receiving performerto draw a signature on a touchscreen of said respective mobile device and to record thesignature as an image file, and in that the said acknowledgement comprises the recordedimage file. Hence, a signature image is created by the receiving performer using the IGUIprovided by the software function on his or her mobile device, as described above inconnection to figure 5. ln this case, when the receiving performer has signed in the box”Signz” in figure 11b, and the signature image has been communicated to the centralserver 130, the acknowledgement is considered finished. Then, the signature image isthen preferably merely stored in the database 131 for future reference, and is hence preferably not subjected to any verifying analysis, such as described above.
According to a particularly preferred embodiment, no other proof of acknowledgement isrequired from the receiving user by the central server 130 than the said signature image file. ln a preferred embodiment, illustrated in figure 11c, the receiving performer P13 first, in astep 708, identifies the received tool in question before sending said acknowledgement tothe central server 130. This identification takes place via the said IGUI, and for instanceinvolves, such as illustrated in figure 11c, the user specifying a unique code related to thetool, such as printed on the tool in question. This specification may take place by the user Application text 2014-10-24 140059SE 46 entering such a code directly, or in other ways, such as by automatic detection of a bar- orQR code using the built-in camera of the mobile device, as described above. ln figure 11c,by pressing ”[capture]”, the user activates a built-in camera of the mobile device, which inturn captures an image which is analyzed using image analysis techniques that are con-ventional as such to automatically detect a bar- or QR code which is physically printed onthe tool in question. Figure 11d shows the resulting screen of the IGUI after the detectionhas been performed. The checkmark indicates successful identification of the tool with code 33524, namely the ”Tiger Saw #1".
By pressing ”[capture]” again, the performer P13 can identify another tool. By pressing”Confirm”, the performer instructs the software function to send the acknowledgement. ltis noted that in the example illustrated in figures 11c and 11d, no signature is required,even if it is realized that this could very well be the case depending on the configuration of the system 100.
Hence, in a step 709, the software function is arranged to allow the user, via said IGUI, to acknowledge the reception ofthe tool in question.
As described above, each performer is preferably associated, in the database 131, withone or several particular profiles PR1-PR4. According to a preferred embodiment, eachone of a set of available profiles PR1-PR4 in the project PR is furthermore associated, inthe database 131, with zero or more tool categories. Such tool category typically pertainsto an area of use, so that a particular tool category is associated, in the database 131, withone or several performer profiles. For instance, the tool ”Tiger Say #1" belongs to a toolcategory ”demolition”, which in turn is associated with or maps to at least one performerprofile of performer P13. A screwdriver may be associated with a tool category ”general”,which in turn maps onto all performer profiles, and hence can be used by all performers.Hence, each tool which is registered for use in the project and administered by the system 100 is associated, in the database 131, with at least one tool category.
Application text 2014-10-24 140059SE 47 Then, in a preferred step 710, the central server 130 is arranged to verify that the per-former's profile(s) match the tool's profi|e(s), and not to erase an association between aparticular tool and a certain delivering performer in case the receiving performer is not associated with a profile in turn associated with the tool category ofthe tool in question.
Furthermore, the central server 130 is arranged to, also in step 710, verify the validity ofthe request sent in step 709, and not to erase such an association between a particulartool and a certain delivering performer who is presently associated with the tool in ques-tion in the database 131 as a reaction to a request from the delivering performer in question, in case such request does not comprise an acknowledgement of the said type.
However, if the verification(s) in step 710 turn out in the positive, the central server 130 isarra nged to, as a result ofthe receipt of the above described acknowledgement, associatethe tool with the receiving performer and thereby to erase a previously existing associa- tion between the particular tool and the delivering performer.
As a result, the responsibility for the tool in question passes to the receiving performerand the receiving performer is associated, in the database 131, with the tool in questionas its responsible performer. This will result in the IGUI screen illustrated in figure 11e, inwhich the receiving performer P13 is duly notified. ln case no signature was required inthe acknowledgement itself (above), a possibility such as the one shown in figure 11e, inwhich P13 can press a ”Confirm” button in order to send a confirmation of the receptionof the tool responsibility, can be presented to the receiving performer P13. ln case ”Deny”is pressed, the responsibility is preferably reversed, so that the delivering user still is associated with the tool in question.
According to a preferred embodiment, illustrated in figure 11a, a particular receiving user(”Repair”) is a receiver of broken tools, in the form of a recycling, service or repair station,or the like. Then, the software function is arranged to allow delivering performers tonotify the central server 130 that a particular tool, with which the performer in question iscurrently associated in the database 131, is broken or needs service by delivering the tool Application text 2014-10-24 140059SE 48 to the said particular receiving user. The ”Repair” account preferably is served by anautomatic algorithm, such as executed by the central server 130 and which, after anyrelevant checks regarding information integrity and the like, automatically accepts thedelivery of the broken tool, whereby the tool is associated with a ”repair mode” or thesimilar in the database and not with any particular performer, and after which the deliver-ing performer can physically deliver the tool to the repair workshop or any other real lifemanifestation of the ”Repair” user. Alternatively, the ”Repair” user is used by a physical,third-party repair shop, or the like, which also uses the system 100 via an own mobile device and the software function.
Using a method and a system 100 according to this fourth aspect, a simple, distributedand flexible way of handling tool responsibility is achieved, while still keeping real-time central control over the whereabouts and responsibility of tools used in the project PR.
There are several different alternative ways of providing the fourth aspect. ln one exam-ple, the delivering performer needs not do anything. lnstead, the receiving performeridentifies the tool using the camera of his mobile device, signs on the screen of the samemobile device and thereby is automatically registered in the database 131 as the respon-sible for the tool in question. ln another example, it is the delivering performer who takesthe initiative, identifying both the tool in question and the receiving user. The receivinguser may then only have to press a ”confirm” button on the screen of his or her mobiledevice to execute the reassignment of the tool responsibility. Hence, for different toolsand/or different situations, the system can be preconfigured to require more or less of thedelivering and receiving performers, respectively. The performers may also, on the otherhand, be left selecting a suitable way of handing over responsibility for each particularsituation. Since there is always some kind of acknowledgement by the receiving perform-er, in all these cases central control is enforced even when offering very flexible solutions to the performers using the tools in the field.
Application text 2014-10-24 140059SE 49 Above, preferred embodiments have been described. However, it will be apparent to theskilled person that many modifications may be made to the described embodiments without departing from the basic idea of the invention. ln general, the four aspects described above can be used in one and the same system, andfeatures described in relation to one aspect can freely be used in another aspect, as applicable.
One example of this is that the signature functionality described in the second aspect canbe used in any situation in which a performer needs to acknowledge something. This hasbeen exemplified in the case of work task delegation, in the first aspect; work task finaliza-tion, in the third aspect; and tool responsibility delegation, in the fourth aspect. However,there are many more situations in which such an acknowledgement is needed, such as forpersonal time and illness reporting; specific acknowledgments of important work task subparts, such as double-checking electrical wiring; and general error reporting, not associat- ed with any particular work task or tool.
Another example is that when responsibility for a particular work task is assigned to aparticular performer, the database may comprise preconfigured information regarding acertain set of tools needed to perform the said work task. Then, when signing his or hermobile device screen to acknowledge the responsibility for the work task, the performermay also, using the same signature, acknowledge the responsibility for the said set of tools.
Moreover, the software function described herein may actually be one and the samesoftware function, but be arranged to expose and make available several different sets offunctionality depending on the user that is using the mobile device used by the softwarefunction. For instance, a supplier may have only a read-only access to project information.For this reason and others, it is preferred that each user of the software function needs tolog in to the system using the respective mobile device, in a way which is conventional assuch, for instance using a username/password pair.
Application text 2014-10-24 140059SE The first and second software functions described above may be alike, so that for instancethe first software function and the second software function may both be arranged toallow a user to request that another user acknowledges the information content of aparticular document, as well as to allow such other user to acknowledge the document in question, as described above.
Apart from the above described embodiments in which a signature image file is used toacknowledge the information content of particular document, such a signature may alsobe used for the acknowledgment of general communication messages. For instance, aperformer may apply for a particular vacation by sending a project responsible performera direct message, which is signed by the responsible performer in question and therebyacknowledged as received or even granted. The signature image file is stored in the database 131 as described above for future reference.
Thus, the invention shall not be limited to the above described embodiments, but rather be variable within the scope of the enclosed claims. lt is realized that the software function described above can be embodied in a softwareproduct which is storable on physical storage media, such as a computer memory, and canbe installed and run from a general-purpose computer, such as the central server or a particular mobile device.
Application text 2014-10-24 140059SE

权利要求:
Claims (13)
[1] 1. System (100) for tracking of work tools used in a building or construction project(PR), which system comprises a central server (130) arranged to communicate with severalelectronic mobile devices (120,121), which system furthermore comprises a softwarefunction arranged to be accessed from a respective one of said mobile devices by arespective performer (P1,P11-P14,P21-P23) controlling the respective mobile device inquestion, wherein the central server furthermore comprises a database (131) comprisingidentifying information concerning a plurality of tools used in the project, wherein eachindividual tool is associated with at most one particular performer, c h a r a c t e r -i s e d i n that the software function is arranged to allow a respective receivingperformer, who is not associated with a particular tool in the central server, using amobile device, to electronically transfer an acknowledgement to the central server of thereception of the tool in question by the receiving performer in question, in that the centralserver is arranged to, as a result ofthe receipt of the said acknowledgement, associate thetool with the said respective performer and thereby to erase a previously existing associa-tion between the particular tool and another, delivering performer, and in that the centralserver is arranged not to erase an association between a particular tool and a certaindelivering performer who is associated with the tool in question in the central server as areaction to a request from the delivering performer in question, in case such request doesnot comprise an acknowledgement of the said type.
[2] 2. System (100) according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that thesoftware function is arranged to require the said receiving performer (P1,P11-P14,P21- P23) to identify him- or herself before sending said acknowledgement.
[3] 3. System (100) according to claim 2, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that saididentification is performed based upon the possession of the respective mobile device(120,121) in question and a previously stored association in the central server (130)between the mobile device and the receiving performer (P1,P11-P14,P21-P23), so that the identification is automatically performed by the software function and/or the central Application text 2014-10-24 140059SE server (130) by identifying the particular mobile device that is used to send the acknow- ledgement.
[4] 4. System (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r -i s e d i n that the delivering performer (P1,P11-P14,P21-P23) is not required toidentify him- or herself in connection to requesting that a tool is delivered to a receiving pe rfo rmer.
[5] 5. System (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r -i s e d i n that the software function is arranged to require the receiving performer(P1,P11-P14,P21-P23) to draw a signature on a touchscreen (120a,121a) of said respectivemobile device and to record the signature as an image file, and in that the said acknow- ledgement comprises the recorded image file.
[6] 6. System (100) according to claim 5,c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that no other proof of acknowledgement is required by the central server (130) than the said image file.
[7] 7. System (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r -i s e d i n that the central server (130) is arranged to periodically notify each per-former (P1,P11-P14,P21-P23) who is associated with at least one tool of the fact that such association exists in the central server.
[8] 8. System (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r -i s e d i n that the tool is identified by the said receiving performer(P1,P11-P14,P21- P23) before sending said acknowledgement.
[9] 9. System (100) according to any one of the claims 1-7, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that the software function is arranged to require the said delivering performer(P1,P11-P14,P21-P23) to identify a tool which is associated with the delivering performerin the central server (130), and to send a message to the mobile device (120,121) of the said receiving performer comprising an identification of said tool. Application text 2014-10-24 140059SE
[10] 10. System(100) according to claim 8or 9, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that thesoftware function is arranged to allow a performer (P1,P11-P14,P21-P23) to identify aparticular tool by allowing the performer, via a graphical user interface provided on thescreen display (120a,121a) of a respective mobile device (120,121), to select the tool froma list, enter a code which is unique to the tool in question, or by automatically reading a graphical code on the tool using a built-in camera (120d) ofthe mobile device.
[11] 11. System (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r - i s e d i n that each performer (P1,P11-P14,P21-P23) is associated, in the centralserver (130), with one or several particular profiles (PR1-PR4), in that each one of a set ofavailable profiles in the project (PR) is associated, in the central server, with zero or moretool categories, in that each tool is associated, in the central server, with a particular toolcategory, and in that the central server is arranged not to erase an association between a particular tool and a certain delivering performer in case the receiving performer is not associated with a profile in turn associated with the tool category of the tool in question.
[12] 12. System (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r - i s e d i n that a particular receiving performer (P1,P11-P14,P21-P23) is a receiver ofbroken tools, in the form of a recycling, service or repair station, or the like, and in thatthe software function is arranged to allow delivering users to notify the central server(130) that a particular tool is broken or needs service by delivering the tool to the said particular receiving user.
[13] 13. Method for tracking of work tools used in a building or construction project (PR),wherein a system comprises a central server (130) and a software function, which centralserver communicates with several electronic mobile devices (120,121), which softwarefunction is accessed from a respective one of said mobile devices by a respective perform-er (P1,P11-P14,P21-P23) controlling the respective mobile device in question, wherein thecentral server furthermore is caused to comprise a database (131) in turn comprisingidentifying information concerning a plurality of tools used in the project, wherein eachindividual tool is associated with at most one particular performer, c h a r a c t e r - i s e d i n that the software function is caused to allow a respective receiving per- Application text 2014-10-24 140059SE former, who is not associated with a particular tool in the central server, using a mobiledevice, to electronically transfer an acknowledgement to the central server of the recep-tion of the tool in question by the receiving performer in question, in that the centralserver, as a result of the receipt of the said acknowledgement, associates the tool with thesaid respective performer and thereby to erase a previously existing association betweenthe particular tool and another, delivering performer, and in that the central server doesnot erase an association between a particular tool and a certain delivering performer whois associated with the tool in question in the central server as a reaction to a request fromthe delivering performer in question, in case such request does not comprise an acknowl- edgement of the said type. Application text 2014-10-24 140059SE

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同族专利:

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公开号 | 公开日

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SE540752C2|2018-10-30|

引用文献:

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优先权:

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申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题

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SE1451281A|SE540752C2|2014-10-24|2014-10-24|System and method for tool tracking in a building or construction project|SE1451281A| SE540752C2|2014-10-24|2014-10-24|System and method for tool tracking in a building or construction project|