IP Library Granted Patent US 8,229,962
Granted Patent B1
US 8,229,962 · App. 12/906,653 · Granted Jul 24, 2012

Location-aware task management systems and methods

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,229,962
App. No.
12/906,653
Granted
Jul 24, 2012
Kind
B1
Abstract

Location-aware task management solutions are disclosed that can be used in a variety of task-management applications that prioritize tasks associated with a plurality of remote locations, based at least in part on the location of the remote user. For instance, certain systems utilize media access control (MAC) addresses of a plurality of wireless access points (WAPs) to identify and/or recommend which of a plurality of tasks should be completed by one or more remote users responsible for completing the tasks. In other instances, certain systems utilize GPS or RFID information to identify and/or recommend which of a plurality of tasks should be completed by one or more remote users responsible for completing the tasks.

Claims (34)

1. A method of dynamically reprioritizing an information technology (IT) task database, the method comprising:

receiving from a server a wireless access point (WAP) database, wherein the WAP database comprises at least one access address, the at least one access address associated with at least one first location;

receiving from the server a task database, wherein the task database comprises at least one task, wherein the at least one task is assigned to the task database by an IT administrator, the at least one assigned task having a first priority and associated with a physical location;

connecting to a WAP at a current location;

identifying an access address associated with the WAP at the current location;

transforming the current location access address into the at least one assigned task; and

reprioritizing the assigned tasks in the task database based at least in part on the current location, wherein the reprioritized task database comprises the at least one assigned task, the at least one assigned task having a second priority, wherein the second priority is different from the first priority.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the access address comprises a media access control (MAC) address, wherein identifying an access address associated with the WAP at the current location comprises identifying a MAC address associated with the WAP at the current location, and wherein transforming the current location access address into the at least one assigned task comprises transforming the current location MAC address into the at least one assigned task.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein transforming the current location MAC address into the at least one assigned task comprises:

using the current location MAC address as the at least one access address in the WAP database;

identifying the at least one first location using the WAP database and the current location MAC address;

using the at least one first location as the physical address associated with the at least one assigned task in the assigned task database; and

identifying the at least one assigned task using the task database and the at least one first location.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second priority is determined using a plurality of factors, wherein the plurality of factors comprises the current location.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the current location is defined, at least in part, by the signal strength of the WAP.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein connecting to the WAP comprises associating the WAP with the at least one first location in closest proximity to the WAP.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein reprioritizing the tasks in the task database comprises reordering the tasks in the task database based at least in part on the current location.

8. A computer readable storage medium comprising computer executable instructions configured to implement a method of dynamically reprioritizing an information technology (IT) task database, the method comprising:

receiving from a server a wireless access point (WAP) database, wherein the WAP database comprises at least one access address, the at least one access address associated with at least one first location;

receiving from the server a task database, wherein the task database comprises at least one task, wherein the at least one task is assigned to the task database by an IT administrator, the at least one assigned task having a first priority and associated with a physical location;

connecting to a WAP at a current location;

identifying an access address associated with the WAP at the current location;

transforming the current location access address into the at least one assigned task; and

reprioritizing the assigned tasks in the task database based at least in part on the current location, wherein the reprioritized task database comprises the at least one assigned task, the at least one assigned task having a second priority, wherein the second priority is different from the first priority.

9. The computer readable storage medium of claim 8 , wherein the access address comprises a media access control (MAC) address, wherein identifying an access address associated with the WAP at the current location comprises identifying a MAC address associated with the WAP at the current location, and wherein transforming the current location access address into the at least one assigned task comprises transforming the current location MAC address into the at least one assigned task.

10. The computer readable storage medium of claim 9 , wherein transforming the current location MAC address into the at least one assigned task comprises:

using the current location MAC address as the at least one access address in the WAP database;

identifying the at least one first location using the WAP database and the current location MAC address;

using the at least one first location as the physical address associated with the at least one assigned task in the assigned task database; and

identifying the at least one assigned task using the task database and the at least one first location.

11. The computer readable storage medium of claim 8 , wherein the second priority is determined using a plurality of factors, wherein the plurality of factors comprises the current location.

12. The computer readable storage medium of claim 8 , wherein the current location is defined, at least in part, by the signal strength of the WAP.

13. The computer readable storage medium of claim 8 , wherein the current location is defined, at least in part, by the proximity of the WAP.

14. The computer readable storage medium of claim 8 , wherein reprioritizing the task database comprises reordering the task database based at least in part on the current location.

Assignments (29)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 19, 2025
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: QUEST SOFTWARE INC.; ANALYTIX DATA SERVICES INC.; BINARYTREE.COM LLC; ERWIN, INC.
Reel/Frame 073606/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 18, 2025
From: GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: QUEST SOFTWARE INC.; ANALYTIX DATA SERVICES INC.; BINARYTREE.COM LLC; ERWIN, INC.
Reel/Frame 073613/0326 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 8, 2025
From: QUEST SOFTWARE INC.; ANALYTIX DATA SERVICES INC.; ERWIN, INC.
To: ALTER DOMUS (US) LLC
Reel/Frame 071527/0649 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 8, 2025
From: QUEST SOFTWARE INC.; ANALYTIX DATA SERVICES INC.; ERWIN, INC.
To: ALTER DOMUS (US) LLC
Reel/Frame 071527/0001 →
RELEASE OF FIRST LIEN SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Feb 2, 2022
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: QUEST SOFTWARE INC.
Reel/Frame 059105/0479 →
FIRST LIEN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 2, 2022
From: QUEST SOFTWARE INC.; ANALYTIX DATA SERVICES INC.; BINARYTREE.COM LLC; ERWIN, INC.; ONE IDENTITY LLC; ONELOGIN, INC.; ONE IDENTITY SOFTWARE INTERNATIONAL DESIGNATED ACTIVITY COMPANY
To: GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA
Reel/Frame 058945/0778 →
SECOND LIEN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 2, 2022
From: QUEST SOFTWARE INC.; ANALYTIX DATA SERVICES INC.; BINARYTREE.COM LLC; ERWIN, INC.; ONE IDENTITY LLC; ONELOGIN, INC.; ONE IDENTITY SOFTWARE INTERNATIONAL DESIGNATED ACTIVITY COMPANY
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 058952/0279 →
RELEASE OF SECOND LIEN SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Feb 2, 2022
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: QUEST SOFTWARE INC.
Reel/Frame 059096/0683 →
FIRST LIEN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 7, 2018
From: QUEST SOFTWARE INC.
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 046327/0347 →
SECOND LIEN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 7, 2018
From: QUEST SOFTWARE INC.
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 046327/0486 →
RELEASE OF FIRST LIEN SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS RECORDED AT R/F 040581/0850 Recorded May 22, 2018
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: QUEST SOFTWARE INC. (F/K/A DELL SOFTWARE INC.); AVENTAIL LLC
Reel/Frame 046211/0735 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Dec 6, 2017
From: DELL SOFTWARE INC.
To: QUEST SOFTWARE INC.
Reel/Frame 044800/0848 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ASSIGNEE PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 040587 FRAME: 0624. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Nov 28, 2017
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
To: QUEST SOFTWARE INC. (F/K/A DELL SOFTWARE INC.); AVENTAIL LLC
Reel/Frame 044811/0598 →
SECOND LIEN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 10, 2016
From: DELL SOFTWARE INC.
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 040587/0624 →
FIRST LIEN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 9, 2016
From: DELL SOFTWARE INC.
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 040581/0850 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN CERTAIN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (040039/0642) Recorded Oct 31, 2016
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
To: AVENTAIL LLC; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.
Reel/Frame 040521/0016 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 31, 2016
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
To: AVENTAIL LLC; DELL PRODUCTS, L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.
Reel/Frame 040521/0467 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 14, 2016
From: BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 040065/0618 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 14, 2016
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 040040/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 14, 2016
From: AVENTAIL LLC; DELL PRODUCTS, L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 040030/0187 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 14, 2016
From: AVENTAIL LLC; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 040039/0642 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 13, 2016
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; COMPELLANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 040065/0216 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (NOTES) Recorded Jan 2, 2014
From: APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; BOOMI, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL USA L.P.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; GALE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS FIRST LIEN COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 031897/0348 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (TERM LOAN) Recorded Jan 2, 2014
From: DELL INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; BOOMI, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL USA L.P.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; GALE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 031899/0261 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (ABL) Recorded Jan 2, 2014
From: DELL INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; BOOMI, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL USA L.P.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; GALE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 031898/0001 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Aug 20, 2013
From: QUEST SOFTWARE, INC.
To: DELL SOFTWARE INC.
Reel/Frame 031043/0281 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT COLLATERAL Recorded Sep 28, 2012
From: WELLS FARGO CAPITAL FINANCE, LLC (FORMERLY KNOWN AS WELLS FARGO FOOTHILL, LLC)
To: QUEST SOFTWARE, INC.; AELITA SOFTWARE CORPORATION; SCRIPTLOGIC CORPORATION; VIZIONCORE, INC.; NETPRO COMPUTING, INC.
Reel/Frame 029050/0679 →
AMENDMENT NUMBER SEVEN TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 20, 2011
From: QUEST SOFTWARE, INC.; AELITA SOFTWARE CORPORATION; SCRIPTLOGIC CORPORATION; VIZIONCORE, INC.; NETPRO COMPUTING, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO CAPITAL FINANCE, LLC, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 026159/0409 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 4, 2010
From: CAVALANCIA, NICHOLAS JOHN, II
To: QUEST SOFTWARE, INC.
Reel/Frame 025317/0351 →