Developing and Executing Workflow Processes Associated with Data-Encoded Tags

Abstract

Methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, are described for developing workflow processes associated with data-encoded tags. A server receives tag data associated with each of a plurality of data-encoded tags from one or more mobile devices capable of reading data-encoded tags. The server generates a collection of tags to include each of the plurality of data-encoded tags. The server develops a workflow process associated with the collection of tags using the received tag data, and stores the workflow process in a data storage module.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for developing workflow processes associated with data-encoded tags, the system comprising:
 a server configured to:
 receive, from one or more mobile devices capable of reading data-encoded tags, tag data associated with each of a plurality of tags; 
 generate a collection of tags to include each of the plurality of data-encoded tags; 
 develop a workflow process associated with the collection of tags using the tag data; and 
 store the workflow process in a data storage module. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of data-encoded tags are distributed at different locations. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of data-encoded tags include RFID tags, NFC tags, smart cards, 2D barcode tags, QR code tags, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the data associated with each tag includes location of the tag, color of the tag, design of the tag, affixed position of the tag, points of interest in proximity to the tag, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more mobile devices records the data associated with each tag in the form of audio, still pictures, video, text, numbers, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the server receives the tag data from the one or more devices as each tag is read. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the server receives the tag data from the one or more devices using a batch process. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein generating a collection of tags comprises:
 determining the identity of a collection of tags to be used; and   associating each of the plurality of data-encoded tags and corresponding tag data with the determined collection of tags.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the identity of the collection of tags is determined via user input. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more mobile devices store the recorded tag data in a local data storage module before the server receives the recorded tag data. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , the server further configured to:
 define a role for each of the plurality of data-encoded tags based on the tag data; and   develop the workflow process based on the defined role for each tag.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , the server further configured to receive, from the one or more mobile devices, user data associated with a user of the mobile device. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the workflow process is developed using the user data. 
     
     
         14 . A method for developing workflow processes associated with data-encoded tags, the method comprising:
 receiving, by a server from one or more mobile devices capable of reading data-encoded tags, tag data associated with each of a plurality of data-encoded tags;   generating, by the server, a collection of tags to include each of the plurality of data-encoded tags;   developing, by the server, a workflow process associated with the collection of tags using the received tag data; and   storing, by the server, the workflow process in a data storage module.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of data-encoded tags are distributed at different locations. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of data-encoded tags include RFID tags, NFC tags, smart cards, 2D barcode tags, QR code tags, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the data associated with each tag includes location of the tag, color of the tag, design of the tag, affixed position of the tag, points of interest in proximity to the tag, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the one or more mobile devices records the data associated with each tag in the form of audio, still pictures, video, text, numbers, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the server receives the tag data from the one or more devices as each tag is read. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the server receives the tag data from the one or more devices using a batch process. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein generating a collection of tags comprises:
 determining the identity of a collection of tags to be used; and   associating each of the plurality of data-encoded tags and corresponding tag data with the determined collection of tags.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the identity of the collection of tags is determined via user input. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the one or more mobile devices store the recorded tag data in a local data storage module before the server receives the recorded tag data. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 define, by the server, a role for each of the plurality of data-encoded tags based on the tag data; and   develop the workflow based on the defined role for each tag.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 14 , the server further configured to receive, from the one or more mobile devices, user data associated with a user of the mobile device. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the workflow process is developed using the user data.