WO2001059555A2

WO2001059555A2 - Enterprise task management system and lcd touch screen display for use therewith

Info

Publication number: WO2001059555A2
Application number: PCT/IB2001/000473
Authority: WO
Inventors: David Elderfield; Doug Martyn; Campbell M. Stewart
Original assignee: David Elderfield; Doug Martyn; Stewart Campbell M
Priority date: 2000-02-09
Filing date: 2001-01-30
Publication date: 2001-08-16
Also published as: WO2001059555A3; AU3950001A

Abstract

The present invention features a hermetically sealed flat-panel touch screen display for use in a comprehensive task management/condition monitoring system. The system is particularly useful in a fast food restaurant although it is readily adaptable to other fields such as medical/dental, manufacturing, etc. Communication between the flat-panel touch screen display and a central computer or controller typically takes place over the ac power mains or over existing telephone lines. Data from the inventive display system may be transmitted to a local computer, a remote, in-building computer, or a remote, out-of-building computer. Any data communications strategy may be employed such as traditional phone-based modems, or ISP/website connections by means of 'webphone' attachments. A variety of operating modes including an intelligent training mode, a time clock mode, a bulletin board model, etc. are provided.

Description

ENTERPRISE TASK MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND LCD TOUCH SCREEN DISPLAY FOR USE THEREWITH

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a computer-based task management system. More particularly, the invention comprises a robust, hermetically sealed flat- panel, touch screen display which acts as a central input-output station for a computer-based task management system for use in institutional and commercial settings such as, for example, fast food restaurants, emergency medical facilities, industrial plant operation control rooms, factory floors, and others. In general, the present invention is suited for use in applications were: 1) operations are generally carried out standing up; 2) non-completion of a specific task causes a liability; 3) there is a harsh environment (i.e., temperature, humidity, grease, a constrained operating_^ area, harsh chemicals or cleaning agents, etc.); 4) there is a high staff turnover or a steep training curve. Typical of such suitable applications include EMS. medical and dental operatories, manufacturing floors, fir fighting and other emergency services.

In every enterprise, particularly those providing goods and services over-the-counter to the general public, the management of the personnel is a daunting task. This is particularly true in the fast food industry where the physical condition of the restaurant spaces (e.g., the dining room, the rest rooms, etc.) must be carefully monitored and problems quickly corrected. Meanwhile, food products must be prepared and dispensed in a swift, safe, sanitary manner and waste properly handled. All this while minimizing the wait time of customers. To properly manage a successful fast food establishment requires the skills of a virtual choreographer. A smoothly integrated team is required to respond to assigned tasks in a quick and efficient manner. One little breakdown in the chain of command or the dropping of the ball by even a single team member generally results in chaos. Another factor complicating the situation is that many employees of fast food restaurants have relatively low skill levels and turnover tends to be high. Both these factors place a large training burden on the employer and the net result is, all too often, an undertrained staff. In the past, crew chiefs armed with the ever-present clip board attempted to manage the chaos, barking orders to the "troops".

Monitoring sanitation and health conditions is another area placing great demands on management. Raw food storage conditions, contamination possibilities, cooking processes (i.e., time and temperature), cooling and holding conditions, etc. all must be monitored both to insure compliance with statutory requirements such as are imposed by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at a national level as well as with other rules and regulations promulgated by state/provincial and local governing authorities. Generally, a plan must be in place for proper storing, cooking and handling of the food products being served with management required to monitor and assert compliance.

2. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Monitoring of conditions in a food service establishment is discussed in United States Patent No. Numbers 5,900,801 for INTEGRAL MASTER SYSTEM FOR MONITORING FOOD SERVICE REQUIREMENTS FOR COMPLIANCE AT A PLURALITY OF FOOD SERVICE ESTABLISHMENTS, and 5,939,974 for SYSTEM FOR MONITORING FOOD SERVICE REQUIREMENTS FOR COMPLIANCE AT A FAST FOOD

ESTABLISHMENT, both issued to Ronald J. Heagle, et al . Both of these patents teach systems for monitoring and controlling many aspects of sanitation and security in a food service establishment. Specifically, each teaches a computer-based monitoring system having a variety of sensors and monitors associated with key areas and/or processes. Sensors such as thermometers, motion detectors, smoke detectors, pH monitors and the like, both permanent and portable, are used to monitor various conditions and employee conditions throughout the establishment. Multiple workstation monitors throughout the establishment act as both input and output stations for accepting operator input and displaying instructions to employees. In contradistinction, the task management system of the instant invention encompass a far broader scope of operation. In addition to having the capability to perform any subset or all of the tasks taught by HEAGLE, at al, the inventive system provides several other functions not heretofore taught in an integral system.

The flat-panel touch screen display (FPTSD) of the invention eliminates the need for keyboards, keypads, mice or any other input devices. Management functions such as an employee attendance recording function (time clock) are included.

In day-to-day use, the inventive FPTSD displays a prioritized list of tasks which need to be performed. The list is generally in chronological order based upon need completion date/time, however, other orders may be selected when required. Task completion is recorded by the completing employee and is automatically time stamped.

New employee training is readily accomplished using a special training mode which works interactively with a trainee to monitor progress and record related data for remediation as required.

A red flag mode instantly alerts personnel "on the floor" of an urgent management communication or of a special task requiring attention. Red flag mode messages also advise management personnel of equipment problems and time disputes (i.e., punch clock discrepancies due to being off site) .

The inventive FPTSD also acts as a bulletin board, displaying such employee morale boosting information as birthday greeting, slogan of the week, employee recognition messages, etc.

Emergency procedures are displayed on the FPTSD when required unlike HEAGLE, et al . which may display a code and direct employees to a code book which may not be available when urgently needed.

The inventive FPTSD utilizes a unique communications scheme wherein all data is uploaded or downloaded through the ac power mains. This eliminates extra data cabling and allows for rapid installation (i.e., just plug in the FPTSD) and ease of relocation. The unit is hermetically sealed and designed for wall mounting which allows placement in the center of the work activities without adding to the clutter of a surface or taking up valuable counter top real estate. None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is, however, seen to anticipate or suggest the instant invention as claimed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a computer-based task management/monitoring system. More particularly, the invention comprises a robust, hermetically sealed flat-panel, touch screen display which acts as a central input-output station for a computer-based task management and condition monitoring system having a wide variety of operational modes.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a robust, hermetically sealed flat-panel touch screen display for service as an input/output station for a comprehensive task management/condition monitoring system.

It is another object of the invention to provide a flat-panel touch screen display which is extremely thin and which may be unobtrusively wall-mounted in a central area of activity.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a flat-panel touch screen display which utilizes existing hard wired ac power mains and telephone lines for all data communication to and from the display.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a task management system wherein a list of tasks is presented on a flat-panel touch screen display in a prioritized order and wherein tasks may be marked as completed at the display.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a system wherein a flat-panel touch screen display may function as a bulletin board displaying general information and employee morale boasting messages .

It is again an object of the invention to provide a red flag alert mode wherein an urgent message or instruction is displayed on a flat-panel touch screen display in a special attention getting mode.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a task management system with a training mode whereby a new employee may be semi-automatically trained by the system utilizing a flat-panel touch screen display and wherein a trainee's initial undertaking of a task can be automatically noted, and a prompt to review completion of the task is generated.

A further object of the invention is to provide a system wherein tasks are broken down into procedural steps, and wherein completion of tasks can be monitored.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a system wherein the status of predetermined parameters may be monitored and reported at the flat- panel touch screen display along with instructions for rectifying any out-of-spec condition.

Another object of the invention is to provide emergency response instructions to users at the flat- panel touch screen display in response to a user request or automatically in response to an predetermined condition being monitored.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a task management system where users are alerted by both visual and aural stimuli when a task is overdue for completion and wherein the stimuli may vary in accordance with the, length of time the task completion is overdue.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a task management system which will record an employee's first attempts at a task and wherein a new task line is automatically generated indicating that the employee's task must be reviewed by a supervisor or other designated personnel.

It is an additional object of the invention to provide a task management system having a stand-alone mode of operation.

It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.

These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various other objects, features, and attendant advantages of the present invention will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is perspective schematic view of the flat-panel, touch screen display of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is block diagram of the inventive task management/condition monitoring system;

FIGURE 3 is a system schematic diagram showing data communication via the ac mains wiring;

FIGURE 4A is a system schematic diagram showing data communication using a modem-based data link;

FIGURE 4B is a system schematic diagram showing a telephone-based data communication strategy; FIGURE 5 is a view of a generic screen displayed by the inventive task management system;

FIGURE 6a is a view of the main bulletin board screen;

FIGURE 6b is a view of the bulletin viewer pop-up window of the bulletin board system;

FIGURE 6c is a view of pass number entry pop-up window of the bulletin board system;

FIGURE 7a is a view of the main punch clock screen;

FIGURE 7b is a view of the punch card pop-up window;

FIGURE 7c is a view of the punch confirmation pop- up window;

FIGURE 7d is a view of the punch bulletin viewer pop-up window; FIGURE 8a is a view of the checklist subsystem main screen;

FIGURE 8b is a view illustrating the expand/collapse feature of the checklist subsystem;

FIGURE 8c is a view illustrating the workgroup filtering feature of the checklist subsystem;

FIGURE 8d is a view illustrating the task type filtering feature of the checklist subsystem;

FIGURE 8e is a view illustrating a combination of the workgroup and task type filtering features of the checklist subsystem;

Figure 9 is a view of the main task manager screen;

FIGURE 10a is a view of the main task scheduler screen;

FIGURE 10b is view of the task scheduler task confirmation pop-up window; FIGURE 10c is a view of task scheduler pass number pop-up window;

FIGURE lOd is a view of the clear task scheduler tables options pop-up window;

FIGURE 11a is a view of the main task gallery screen;

FIGURE lib is view of the task gallery task viewer pop-up window;

FIGURE lie is the task gallery task properties pop-up window;

FIGURE lid is a view of the task gallery sub-tasks viewer pop-up window; and

FIGURE lie is a view of task gallery pass number pop-up window.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention relates to a management and process control tool based on a unique, hermetically- sealed flat-panel touch screen input/output device.

The heart of the inventive system is robust, hermetically sealed, flat-panel touch screen data display/input device, shown in FIGURE 1, generally at reference number 100. For purposes of disclosure an AMLCD display has been chosen although it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that any other suitable active or passive flat-panel display technology such as gas plasma could also be used. A display screen area 102 is surrounded by a frame 104. The display resolution is typically 600 X 800 but higher resolutions may be employed as emerging technology makes these devices more affordable and the invention is not, therefore, considered limited to this resolution. The device chosen for purposes of disclosure is a unit having a width "w", a height "h" and a thickness "t". In the embodiment chosen for purposes of disclosure, "w" is approximately 12", "h" is approximately 9" and "t" is approximately 1". Many other sizes, aspect ratios and/or form factors could also be used to practice the invention. In use, the inventive touch screen display 100 may be mounted on a wall or similar surface at or near eye level. In the preferred embodiment, a locking or tamper-resistant wall mounting bracket (not shown) is provided. A suitably configured key is provided with the unit to release it from the bracket. Because of the wall mounting, no counter or desk surface is required and the display 100 may be easily accessed by many people.

An integral touch screen (not shown) is incorporated into the display screen area 102 which allows data input/selection by means of a wand 106 shown touching a spot 108 on display ^■ screen 102. In the embodiment chosen for purposes of disclosure, wand 106 is an inductive element designed to interact with a mesh (not shown), typically located behind display 102.

Display 100 is a totally self-contained unit with all necessary display and input electronics built in. A unique feature of display 100 is that in one embodiment of the invention, the only electrical connection is a power cable 110 for connection to the ac mains through plug 112. All data is transmitted through the power mains thereby eliminating the need for signal cables. This provides many advantages such as ease of installation, placement, mobility (i.e., no data cable need to be relocated) and safety as there are no additional data cables with which to contend. A wide variety of schemes are well known to those skilled in the art for transmitting data on ac power lines and any suitable technique may be employed. Typically a carrier current strategy using pulse code modulation (pcm) is employed. In alternate embodiments, other wireless connection methods such as infra red (ir) or radio-frequency (r.f.) could also be used. For applications designed for less demanding environments or where ease of relocation are not a major concern, it should be obvious that data could also be provided through a traditional I/O cable or by any other data communications method well known to those skilled in the art .

The display 100 is designed for reliable operation in environments traditionally hostile to similar electronic equipment. It is completely hermetically sealed thereby keeping moisture, dirt, dust, grease, chemical vapors, etc. out of the unit. The surface is smooth, having no projections, grooves, and the like which would otherwise accumulate build up of dirt, grease, and other contaminants. A back plane (not shown) , made from copper or another thermally- conductive material, in cooperation with metal frame 114, is designed as a heat sink with a capacity adequate for keeping the internal components (not shown) at a safe operating temperature. Frame 114 is typically made from anodized aluminum but could be formed from any other suitable heat-conducting material.

An optional IR scanner 116 is shown mounted external to display 100. The functions of scanner 116 could also be totally contained within the display housing. Scanner 116 is adapted to perform two functions: to act as a bar code scanner capable of scanning employee badges, UPC bar codes and the like; and also acting as an I/O port for portable devices having compatible IR communication ports.

Referring now to FIGURE 2, there is a schematic block diagram of the components of touch screen display 100 (FIGURE 1) . The heart of display 100 is the CPU 200. A wide variety of different CPUs well known to those skilled in the art may be chosen. In one embodiment, a proprietary CPU based on a Motorola 823 chip has been designed based on a Touchstone board design which may be purchased from AudeSi Technologies. Of primary interest is the ability of the CPU 200 to support a virtual Java machine as well as all necessary drivers for the various peripheral devices which must be supported.

The LCD flat-display 202 is shown connected to CPU 200. In the preferred embodiment, a passive display such as a dual-scan, full color display having resolution of 600 x 800 pixels has been chosen. Many other active or passive-technology flat panel displays having different resolutions could be utilized.

A variety of memory 204 is also connected to CPU 200. A combination of FLASH memory supporting application programs, RAM serving as buffers and dynamic data storage may be utilized. At least a portion of memory 204 is non-volatile, supported either by battery back-up (not shown) or through selection of a particular non-volatile memory technology such as FRAM. Touch-screen 206, also connected to CPU 200, utilizes an inductive pickup system wherein a pen 106 (FIGURE 1) outside display screen 202 interacts with a pickup grid (not shown) behind LCD screen 202 such that pen coordinate information is generated and supplied to CPU 200. Pen 106 will be tethered to display 100 to insure that it will always be in place when needed. The inductive pen 106 may be either self-powered or, optionally, be powered through its tethering cord from a power source inside display 100. The pick-up grid may be based on printed circuit board (PCB) technology or on any other technology capable of deploying the grid in close proximity to the LCD display screen 202. The preferred embodiment utilizes pen/grid resolution of approximately 1016 ppi with an accuracy of approximately ± 0.010 inch when the pen 106 is substantially perpendicular to display screen 202. A pen slew rate of up to 60 inches per second may be obtained. The use of an inductive technology allows display 100 to be completely hermetically sealed while still allowing touch screen inputs.

Active/passive infrared (IR) port 208 is also connected to CPU 200. IR port 208 is a multifunction device consisting of a built-in IR source (not shown) coupled with an IR sensor (not shown) . This allows IR port 208 to serve as a passive reader of bar coded documents, etc. by sensing IR energy generated by the IR source and reflected from the document to the internal IR sensor. IR port 208 also allows uploading data from external devices (not shown) having complimentary IR ports. An IR port-equipped digital thermometer has been found useful. Any other measurement, monitoring, or sensing apparatus equipped with a suitable IR data communication link may be accommodated by the system of the present invention.

RF communication module 210 connects CPU 200 to the "outside world" typically by means of a carrier- current RF signal transmitted by the ac power mains via the power cable supplying power to display 100. Carrier current data communications systems are well known to those skilled in the art. The inventive system utilizes a carrier frequency of approximately 3.3 MHz and has a transmitter power output of approximately +16 dB minimum. Because the communications is two-way, a receiver (not shown) is also included in RF communications unit 210. A receiver sensitivity of approximately -70 dB minimum has been found satisfactory for accurate data communications over the ac mains at the 3.30 MHz frequency.

Referring next to FIGURE 3, there is shown a schematic diagram of the inventive flat-panel touch screen display 100 (FIGURE 1) connected to ac power lines 118 by means of cable 110 and ac socket 112. Plug 112 is connected to a suitable, mating electrical outlet 120. A data transceiver 122 located within the housing of display 100 interacts with the ac power lines 118 to transmit and receive data from and to display 100, respectively. A central computer 124 is equipped with a similar data transceiver 126 which is compatible with transceiver 122 and performs similar data transmission and reception functions at computer 124. Transceiver 126 is shown hard wired to ac power lines 118. In actual operation, the connection would probably be by means of a conventional electrical outlet, plug and cable (none of which are shown) . While shown schematically within computer 124, transceiver 126 could be implemented as a stand-alone device external to the computer housing. An interconnection (not shown) could then be made between computer 124 and transceiver 126 using a two-way parallel, serial (i.e., RS232, RS422, etc., Universal Serial Bus (USB) , fire wire, ir, SCSI, or any other data communication means known to those skilled in the art. Computer 124 is shown equipped with a conventional keyboard 128 and monitor 130.

The topology shown in FIGURE 3 assumes that display 100 and central computer 124 are within close proximity of one another. Most data communication methods relying on transmission over ac power mains 118 require that no transmitter and receiver be separated by a transformer or power meter. While bridging devices (not shown) may sometimes be used to route data signals around transformers, power meters and the like, their use may limit the data bandwidth available and put limitations on signal strengths. However, as will be described hereinafter, these obstacles can be circumvented in systems modified to utilize in-building AC lines and telephone lines. A modem attachment may be used to extend the system outside of the building. Referring now to FIGURE 4A there is shown schematic diagrams of display 100 connected to either ac power lines 118 by means of cable 110 and ac socket 112. A stand-alone data transceiver 132 similar in function to transceiver 126 (FIGURE 3) is connected to ac power mains 118 at a suitable physical location within the same building as display 100. In a first embodiment, a signal connection 134 links transceiver 132 to a modem 136 which is, in turn, connected to a communications circuit 138. Communications circuit 138 could be a dial-up telephone line, a leased private line, an internet-based communications link, microwave link or any other data communications link well known to those skilled in the art. The communication method employed forms no part of the instant invention.

In a second embodiment, transciever 132' is connected to a suitable webphone interface 136' by a signal connection 134' webphone 136' is connected by means of a data communications link 138' to Internet Service Provider (ISP) 139. By means of ISP 139, the display 100 is connected to the internet (world-wide web) (not shown) and thereby to any number of destinations such as remote computers, data storage sites, etc. 140'. In either embodiment, data from display 100 is transmitted via power lines 118 to a data transciever 132, 132'.

Referring now to FIGURE 4B, there is shown a schematic block diagram of a third embodiment of the invention. Display 100 is still connected to ac outlet 120 through plug 112. In this embodiment, no data is, however, communicated through the ac mains. Rather a modified data interface 122 ' is connected to a data cable such as a phone line 500 terminating typically in a industry standard RJ-11 plug 502. Plus 502 is typically connected to a mating RJ-11 socket 404 and thence to a telephone circuit 506. Phone line 506 is connected to modem 136 and then to communications circuit 138 to either a receiving end modem 140 and computer 142. In a variation of this embodiment, modem 136 may be connected to a webphone 136' and then to ISP 139 and, ultimately, to the internet (world-wide web) (not shown) and thereby to any number of destinations such as remote computers, data storage sites, etc. 140' . Referring again also to FIGURE 4A, central computer 142, presumably located at a distance remote from transceiver 132, is equipped with a compatible modem 140 connected to communications circuit 138. In operation, there is little difference between the embodiments shown in FIGURES 1 and 3 except for those imposed by the separation of display 100 and computer 142.

The embodiment chosen for purposes of disclosure shows a single flat-panel touch screen display 100 connected to the computer 124, 142. Multiple displays 100 may be connected to computer 124, 142 by using suitable data communications strategies (i.e., unit addressing, etc.) to ensure that two-way communication goes to the proper display. Such communications strategies are well known to those skilled in the art.

The applications of the inventive flat-panel touch screen display 100 with its attendant data communications strategy are numerous. For purposes of disclosure, an application in a fast food restaurant is described. This is in no means intended to limit the inventive system to that environment. Many other environments such as medical/dental and manufacturing have already been identified as suitable environments for the inventive system.

Display 100 may perform a wide variety of functions. Its central, wall-hung location provides for easy viewing by a large number of the personnel working at any given time in the restaurant.

An easy to use, graphical user interface (GUI) is provided for the inventive display. This is accomplished by the use of the JAVA language developed by Sun Microsystems, Inc. Several subsets and variations on the basic JAVA language as described are available including a subset of the language (i.e., embedded JAVA) for use in embedded, dedicated controllers for use in dedicated application such as the system of the present invention. The use of one of the many development tool kits such as an Abstract Windowing Tool Kit (AWT) allows for the creation of the user interface. Of course, the use of JAVA language is merely illustrative. Any suitable language or program which attains similar results will be acceptable in place of JAVA products. The inventive system utilizes several software subsystems to perform its intended functions: the bulletin board system, the checklist system, the punch clock system and the task manager system. Because the inventive system is completely software driven, there is virtually no limitation to the other system task which might be performed on the inventive display system. Modifying software (i.e., PROMS, etc.) within the inventive display is possible in addition to changing the software at the supporting computer system. This allows for the use of the inventive display in environments other than those chosen for purposes of disclosure. Specifically, additional tracking and/or information management tasks may readily be added.

Referring now to FIGURE 5, there is shown the fundamental screen layout 300 of the inventive system. Two rows of tabs 302 at the top of screen 300 provide functions common to all subsystems. The remaining area 304 of screen 300 is dedicated to the specific information required by the subsystem currently in use. Referring now to FIGURES 6a, 6b and 6c, there are shown three screens associated with the bulletin board subsystem. The subsystem is designed to list daily bulletins in a single Bulletin Table. Bulletins are typically posted from other subsystems and generally represent events which are unusual, critical, or otherwise noteworthy. Captured and organized in one central location, the bulletin board subsystem provides a collection of information which defines the overall state of the inventive systems on a moment by moment basis. Bulletins such as employee messages and birthday announcements assist in making the system a focal point for daily events. The main bulletin board screen 300 is shown in FIGURE 6a.

A Bulletin Viewer (FIGURE 6b) is a pop-up window used to view the contents of either a single or selected, multiple bulletins. The bulletin viewer is accessed by pressing the "VIEW" button 314 on screen 301. All bulletins originate somewhere (e.g., a person, workgroup or system) and the "From:" field 302 displays the bulletin source. Likewise, the "To:" field 304 is also displayed. The body text of the bulletins is displayed in central screen area 306. Forward and backward navigation keys 308, 310 allow for movement back and forth, respectively, through the bulletins. Finally, "Return" button 312 closes the bulletin viewer and returns the user to the main bulletin board screen 301 (FIGURE 6a) .

Bulletins may be cleared from the system by selecting the "CLEAR" button 316. A pass number is required before bulletins may be removed from the system. FIGURE 6c shows the pop-up pass number entry screen 318. Employees authorized to clear bulletins know the "secret" pass number code. Additional authentication could optionally be required, for example a scan of the employee badge by the IR scanner.

Referring again to FIGURE 6a, bulletin type selection buttons 320 allow selecting all bulletins, red flag bulletins, blue star bulletins, messages, or birthday bulletins.

Typically the first encounter an employee will have with display 100 is "clocking in" (i.e., using the time clock function of the system to electronically punch a time card) . IR badge reader 116 (FIGURE 1) will typically be used to scan a bar code on the employee's badge thereby providing security in that another employee may not fraudulently clock another employee in or out.

Referring now to FIGURES 7a, 7b, 7c and 7d, there are shown four screens associated with the Punch Clock subsystem. In FIGURE 7a, the main punch clock screen 330 is shown. Employee names 332, three-character ID codes 334 and group assignments 336 are all shown. In and Out times 338 are also displayed are displayed in the 12 right-most column. This arrangement is accomplished by the use of both horizontal 340 and vertical 342 scroll bars. Up to six complete punch in/punch out cycles per day may be accommodated. This number of punch cycles can be expanded to accommodate future industry requirements.

To punch in or out, the employee selects his or her name from the employee list and the presses the "PUNCH" button 344. To view their "punch card" in further detail, the "VIEW" button 346 may be pressed. FIGURE 7b illustrates the punch card screen 348. Two weeks data is displayed for the selected employee. The bottom row of the screen 348 show a running total of the employee's daily time. As an added convenience to the employee, three boxes 350, 352, 354 display total time for last week, the current week and the total for both weeks, respectively. The "CLEAR" button 356 clears the screen and the "RETURN" button 358 returns the user to the main punch clock screen 330. Utilizing the "CLEAR" button removes the totals from the three boxes that refer to a selection of workdays, and restores them to their default totals for the entire punch card.

Referring again to FIGURE 7a, when ready to punch in or out, the employee presses the "PUNCH" button 344. FIGURE 7c shows the punch confirmation screen 360. The screen verifies the employee name, provides a greeting and directs the employee to any pertinent bulletins. Pressing "RETURN" button 362 confirms the punch and returns the user to main punch clock screen 330. Pressing "CANCEL" button 364 cancels the punch operation and also returns the user to main punch clock screen 330. A bulletin viewer screen 366 (FIGURE 7d) is accessible from the punch clock confirmation screen 360. In form and function bulletin viewer screen 366 behave identically to the primary bulletin viewer screen described in detail hereinabove.

The third subsystem to be described is the Checklist subsystem. This is arguably the most important of a minimum of the four subsystems and forms the heart of the inventive task management system. Referring now to FIGURES 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d and 8e, there are shown five screens associated with the checklist subsystem.

Figure 8a shows the main checklist screen 370. A series of tabs 372 allow selection of seven different days with the current day tab 374 assuming a center position in the row of tabs 372. Task lists for the immediate past three days as well as the next three days are also available by selecting the appropriate tab 372. A series of tasks arranged in chronological order based upon their required completion times is displayed in the central portion 376 of screen 370. The task list scrolls automatically keeping pace with the current time providing users with sets of tasks matching the current context. Each task appears in a bold type while sub-tasks associated with each task appear in a normal type. Each task also is assigned a sequence number 378 displayed in the left-most column of screen 370. Tasks are automatically scrolled off the display as they are "checked off". Tasks not checked off before their due time start blinking. As more tasks become due, they begin to pile up on the screen calling attention to the overdue work.

Optionally, an audible signal may be provided when a task or tasks become significantly overdue, subject to special steps which may have been initiated as a result of identification of tasks experiencing problematic completion in the recent past. The system has some intelligence, and will note problematic tasks. A positive feedback loop can be activated that will turn on an audible reminder for problem tasks. As these tasks begin to experience regular "on schedule" completion, the feedback loop will reverse the process and restrict the reminder state to merely visual flashing emphasis of the task lines in question. Only on very high priority tasks would the audible alarm be used strictly as an "overdue" reminder. Tasks are checked off in one of two ways: 1) directly checking off the task, or 2) checking off each of the sub-tasks associated with the task. Regardless of the method by which the task is checked off, the done time and the user id of the employee checking off the task are recorded. Once recorded, the task is cleared from the screen 370. "EXPAND" key 380 and "COLLAPSE" key 382 are used to alter the display to hide and "unhide" the rows of sub-tasks associated with a particular task. FIGURE 8b shows a screen with all sub-tasks hidden.

As with every table displayed by the inventive system, the checklist table may be filtered on a workgroup basis. FIGURE 8c shows a checklist table that has both been collapsed (i.e., no sub-tasks are displayed) and displaying only tasks belonging to the "FRT" group. Task filtering is accomplished by depressing one or more of the group selection buttons 384.

The checklist table may also be filtered by task type. FIGURE 8d shows a screen with only task type "promo" tasks selected. Task type are selected by depressing one or more of the task selection buttons 386.

FIGURE 8e show the affect of combining both group selection and task selection simultaneously. In this example, only promo tasks assigned to the FRT group are displayed in a collapsed format.

After a predetermined period of inactivity, the main checklist screen 370 (FIGURE 8a) is re-displayed with focus set to the current day and time period.

An integral part of the checklist subsystem is the

Task Manager subsystem. The main purpose of the task manager is to allow the insertion into the checklist system tasks that do not normally follow a regular cycle. A simple "pick-n-place" (i.e. drag and drop) system is used to select tasks from the task gallery and place them in the task scheduler.

Referring now to FIGURE 9, the main screen 390 of the task manager subsystem are shown. On the left half of screen 390, there appears the task gallery which ^'is a series of "gallery" tables enumerating task defined in the system. The task gallery will be described in detail hereinbelow. On the right-hand portion of the screen is shown the task scheduler screen.

Refer now to FIGURES 10a, 10b, 10c and lOd. In operation, pre-defined tasks from the task gallery are first placed onto the task scheduler screen. The task scheduler automatically assigns a "due time" for each task based on its insertion point into the task scheduler. Fine tuning of the schedule may be done by dragging a task or tasks to a different position in the task scheduler table. Once satisfied with the arrangement of tasks in the task scheduler, the user presses the "ACCEPT" button 392 whereupon the task scheduler confirmation pop-up window 394 (FIGURE 10b) is displayed. A summary of the task or tasks just placed in the task scheduler table is presented. The "RETURN" button 396 returns the user to the main task scheduler screen 390 so that the task schedule may be further modified. Pressing the "ACCEPT" button 398, however, sends the task scheduler table to the checklist subsystem. Sending the task scheduler table to the checklist subsystem is considered a critical operation and is, therefore, allowed only by authorized users. Upon pressing "ACCEPT" button 398, the pass number pop-up screen 400 appears (FIGURE 10c) . In form and function, pop-up screen 400 is identical to those previously described. Upon entry of a valid pass number, the tasks contained in the task scheduler table are finally sent to the checklist subsystem.

The task scheduler table is automatically cleared after it is passed to the checklist subsystem. Individual tasks may, however, be cleared by highlighting the desired task and then pressing "CLEAR" button 404 (FIGURE lOd) . If "CLEAR" button 404 is pressed while no task is selected, the clear options pop-up window 402 is displayed (FIGURE lOd) . Three options are presented: 1) clear last tasks; 2) clear table; and 3) clear all tables. The user must select one of the three options and then press "CLEAR" button 406. Referring now to FIGURES 11a, lib, lie, lid and lie, the Task Gallery subsystem of the inventive task management system is illustrated.

The task gallery is the repository of predefined tasks and sub-task, each with its own set of properties. Before a task may be placed in the task scheduler subsystem, it is available and selected from the task gallery. The main task scheduler screen 410 is shown in FIGURE 11a. The left-hand portion on the screen is associated with the task gallery. A display bar 412 and the lower-left corner of screen 410 shows that at this time, 36 tasks have been selected. Selected tasks are displayed in a highlighted fashion, each selected task having a unique sequence number 414 indicating their ordering in the selection list. A selection set may be a single task or may be numerous tasks selected from multiple task gallery tables. A series of task-type selection tabs 416 allow the user to access task gallery tables associated with each of the predetermined task types. If the user is satisfied with the tasks selected, they may be inserted into the task scheduler by picking a range of due times.

The user may opt to examine in more detail any or all of the tasks, selected or unselected. "VIEW" button 418 provides this option. In addition, the selected task set may be cleared by pressing "CLEAR" button 420.

When "VIEW" button 418 is pressed, the task viewer pop-up window 422 (FIGURE lib) is displayed. Menu tabs 424 allow selecting general parameters as shown in window 422 or, alternately, sub-task or properties windows. On the general screen as shown, the task description, task type, workgroup assignment, a particular employee to whom the task is to be assigned, a row index in the gallery and a gallery id designation. The task gallery viewer does not allow altering any of the displayed information. Navigation backward and forward through the selected task list is accomplished by the navigation arrow keys 426 and 428. FIGURE lie illustrates the task properties pop-up window which appears if the properties menu tab 424 (FIGURE lib) has been pressed. If any of the task properties are changed, the changes are made globally in every instance of the task.

FIGURE lid illustrates the sub-task pop-up window accessed by pressing the sub-task menu tab 424 (FIGURE lib) .

FIGURE lie illustrates the pass number pop-up window associated with the task gallery operations.

Its operation is identical to other pass number screens already described.

In a typical fast food restaurant, personnel typically consist primarily of relatively young (i.e., high school or college-age students) employed on a part-time basis. Restaurants are typically open long hours so that multiple shifts of workers are needed. Also typically, the rate of pay is poor to moderate so staff turnover is high. This results in high training overhead. As may be seen by the sub-system description and illustrative screens, the inventive system is designed to be both highly intuitive but, perhaps more importantly, to have a training mode of operation. In training mode, a user is instructed by an interactive teaching module in the operation of the system and in performing the job for which he/she is being trained. A progress monitor assess the areas where the user may require remediation or further instruction and tailors the interactive session to provide for individual needs. This ensures maximum training efficiency without needing to divert a crew chief or supervisor from more productive duties in the restaurant. The system notes first time sign-offs by new employees of tasks designated as difficult. Responsively, the system generates a new task line to be reviewed by experienced personnel who then co-sign with their identification device.

Any number of additional functions may be provided at display 100.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

I claim:

1) An enterprise management communications system, comprising:

a) a touch screen display for receiving and displaying data and generating data in responsive to an external, localized stimulation of said touch screen, said display having a first wireless data communications transceiver adapted to transmit said generated data and to accept said received data; and

b) a computer adapted for generating and receiving data and having a second wireless data communications transceiver communicative with said first wireless data communications transceiver whereby a two-way flow of data between said touch screen display and said computer is maintained.

2) The enterprise management communications system as recited in claim 1, wherein said touch screen display comprises a flat-panel touch screen display.

3) The enterprise management communications system as recited in claim 2, wherein said a flat-panel touch screen display comprises a hermetically sealed housing.

4) The enterprise management communications system as recited in claim 3, wherein said computer comprises a software program for performing predetermined computational tasks associated with said received data and for generating data in response thereto for transmission to said touch screen display.

5) The enterprise management communications system as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

c) a wand adapted for interaction with said touch screen display for facilitating providing said external, localized stimulation to said touch screen display.

6) The enterprise management communications system as recited in claim 5, wherein said wand is an inductive wand.

7) The enterprise management communications system as recited in claim 5, further comprising:

d) badge reading means proximate said touch screen display.

8) The enterprise management communications system as recited in claim 7, wherein said badge reading means comprises an infrared reader adapted to read a bar code from a document proximate thereto.

9) The enterprise management communications system as recited in claim 8, wherein said infrared reader is further adapted to receive an infrared communications signal from an external device having a compatible infrared communications port.

10) The enterprise management communications system as recited in claim 3, wherein said first wireless data communications transceiver and said second wireless data communications transceiver communicate over an ac power line.

11) The enterprise management communications system as recited in claim 10, wherein said communications over said ac power line comprises a carrier current communication system.

12) The enterprise management communications system as recited in claim 10, wherein said communications over said ac power line comprises pulse code modulation (PCM) .

13) The enterprise management communications system as recited in claim 3, wherein said first wireless data communications transceiver and said second wireless data communications transceiver communicate over an in-building telephone cable in such a manner as to not interfere with existing telephone communications .

14) The enterprise management communications system as recited in claim 13, wherein said communications over said in-building telephone cable comprises a carrier current communication system.

15) The enterprise management communications system as recited in claim 13, wherein said communications over said in-building telephone cable comprises pulse code modulation (PCM) .

16) The enterprise management communications system as recited in claim 12, wherein said touch screen display comprises at least two touch screen display terminals each having a unique data address identification.

17) The enterprise management communications system as recited in claim 15, wherein said touch screen display comprises at least two touch screen display terminals each having a unique data address identification.

18) The enterprise management communications system as recited in claim 5, further comprising: d) means for monitoring at least one physical condition.

19) The enterprise management communications system as recited in claim 18, wherein said means for monitoring a condition comprises means for monitoring at least one of the list: temperature, humidity, pH, occupancy, sanitation.

20. A method for assigning and monitoring completion of tasks, comprising:

a) providing a flat-panel touch screen display system having a wireless data communication interface adapted to transmit and receive data;

b) providing a computer operatively connected to said display by said wireless data communication interface;

c) running a computer program comprising a task management software program on said computer, said program maintaining a list of tasks requiring attention, each of said tasks having a required completion time associated therewith;

d) presenting at least a portion of said list of tasks requiring completion;

e) accepting an input from said flat-panel touch screen display indicating completion of at least one of said tasks;

f) identifying any of said tasks of said list of tasks which remain uncompleted after said required completion time associated therewith;

g) providing an alert at said flat-panel touch screen display that at least one of said list of tasks is overdue for completion.