Communication system and method

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9820107-B2
Application number	US-201615211115-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 15, 2016
Priority date	Jul 17, 2015
Publication date	Nov 14, 2017
Grant date	Nov 14, 2017

Abstract

A communication system comprises a mobile reporting device and a server. The mobile reporting device comprises a signal receiver configured to receive data usable to determine the location of the reporting device; a communication module configured to transmit data to and receive data from a server, the data including location data from the location determiner; a display including a user interface. The server comprises a database with a location module configured to store a default room location for a plurality of personnel; a server communication module configured to transmit data to and receive data from the reporting device; an information module configured to provide information on the personnel; a controller configured to determine, based on the location data, which personnel default locations are within a predetermined distance of the reporting device, to control the server communication module to transmit to the reporting device information from the information module regarding the personnel associated with the default locations within the predetermined distance for display on the user interface.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A communication system comprising:
a mobile reporting device and a server;
the mobile reporting device comprising:
a signal receiver configured to receive data usable to determine the location of the reporting device;
a communication module configured to transmit data to and receive data from a server, the data including location data from the location determiner; and
a display including a user interface;

the server comprising:
a database with a location module configured to store a default room location for a plurality of personnel;
a server communication module configured to transmit data to and receive data from the reporting device;
an information module configured to provide information on the personnel, wherein the information includes comparative information regarding a change of the information over a period of time; and
a controller configured to determine, based on the location data, which personnel default locations are within a predetermined distance of the reporting device, to control the server communication module to transmit to the reporting device information from the information module regarding the personnel associated with the default locations within the predetermined distance for display on the user interface, wherein the server is configured to store mapping information including a 2D or 3D map indicating or rendering where the located person is located relative to the current location of the reporting device.

2. The communication system according to claim 1 , wherein the information is selected from one or more of:
how to say name of personnel in written form and/or as an audio message;
image of personnel;
personal interests of personnel;
assignments of personnel;
personnel performance statistics;
area performance statistics relevant to personnel;
achievements of personnel; and
goals of personnel.

3. The communication system of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined distance is selected from one of 10 meters, 5 meters, or 3 meters.

4. The communication system of claim 1 , wherein the server includes a map module configured to store the mapping information of a locality including a rendering of the current location, and wherein the server is configured to provide as the information-a map indicating where the located person is located relative to the current location of the reporting device.

5. The communication system of claim 1 , wherein the mobile reporting device is a lap top computer, a PDA, a tablet, a mobile phone, a smart watch, or smart glasses.

6. The communication system of claim 1 , wherein the mobile reporting device is configured to display an image of any personnel within the predetermined distance and whereby an individual image can be selected by a user to view the information associated with the specified person.

7. The communication system of claim 1 , wherein the location signal receiver comprises a sensor configured to receive a light signal and to process the light signal to determine a modulation of the light signal and to transmit to the server light signal modulation data.

8. The communication system of claim 7 , further comprising a plurality of modulated light emitters, wherein each emitter has a different modulation from the others and the server database is configured whereby the location of the reporting device is determined from the modulated light signals.

9. The communication system of claim 1 , wherein the user interface includes the option for the reporting device not to receive certain data types as selected by a user.

10. The communication system of claim 1 , wherein the comparative information shows the change of the information over the period of time, where relevant.

11. A communication system comprising:
a mobile reporting device, a mobile communication device and a server;
the mobile reporting device comprising:
a first location signal receiver configured to receive data usable to determine the location of the reporting device;
a first communication module configured to transmit data to and receive data from a server, the data including location data from the first location signal receiver;
a display including a user interface;

the mobile communication device comprising:
a second location signal receiver configured to receive data usable to determine the location of the mobile communication device;
a second communication module configured to transmit and receive data to the server, the data including location data from the second location signal receiver; the server comprising:
a server communication module configured to transmit data to and receive data from the reporting device;
an information module configured to provide information on the personnel, wherein the information includes comparative information regarding a change of the information over a period of time;
a controller configured to determine, based on the location data, which mobile communication device locations are within a predetermined distance of the reporting device, to control the server communication module to transmit to the reporting device information from the information module regarding the personnel associated with the reporting devices within the predetermined distance, wherein the server is configured to store mapping information including a 2D or 3D map indicating or rendering where the located person is located relative to the current location of the reporting device.

12. The communication system of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined distance is adjusted dynamically over time according to the distance to the nearest communication device, or to maintain the number of communication devices below a predetermined threshold.

13. The communication system according to claim 11 , wherein the information is selected from one or more of:
how to say name of personnel in written form and/or as an audio message;
image of personnel;
personal interests of personnel;
assignments of personnel;
personnel performance statistics;
area performance statistics relevant to personnel;
achievements of personnel; and
goals of personnel.

14. The communication system of claim 11 , wherein the server includes a map module configured to store the mapping information of a locality including a rendering of the current location, and wherein the server is configured to provide as the information-a map indicating where the located person is located relative to the current location of the reporting device.

15. The communication system of claim 11 , wherein the mobile reporting device is a lap top computer, a PDA, a tablet, a mobile phone, a smart watch, or smart glasses.

16. The communication system of claim 11 , wherein the mobile reporting device is configured to display an image of any personnel within the predetermined distance and whereby an individual image can be selected by a user to view the information associated with the specified person.

17. The communication system of claim 11 , wherein the location signal receiver comprises a sensor configured to receive a light signal and to process the light signal to determine a modulation of the light signal and to transmit to the server light signal modulation data.

18. The communication system of claim 11 , wherein the comparative information shows the change of the information over the period of time, where relevant.

19. A communication method for use with a communication system comprising:
a mobile reporting device and a server;
the method comprising:
the mobile reporting device receiving data u

Assignees

• Wal Mart Stores Inc

Inventors

• High Donald R
• Mchale Brian Gerard
• Atchley Michael D

Classifications

• G01S5/0027

  of actual mobile position, i.e. position determined on mobile · CPC title

• G01C21/206

  specially adapted for indoor navigation · CPC title

• G06Q10/063112

  Skill-based matching of a person or a group to a task · CPC title

• H04W4/027 Primary

  using movement velocity, acceleration information · CPC title

• H04L67/306

  User profiles · CPC title