Abstract:
Remote digital task list management system that allows an admin or manager to customize a task list to be completed and allows the user to verify proper completion of each task and transmit digital proof from a network enabled communication device to the admin or manager, as specified by the admin or manager, in the form of a time stamp, GPS location, photograph, video, written description, and/or audio recording.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a digital task list management and verification system adaptable to all varieties of work, errands, chores, and recreational activities. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    For thousands of years, people have used task lists, sometimes called checklists, to manage work, errands, and chores. Task lists can be primitively simple. A list of a few tasks written down on a napkin can serve as an effective task list. Some task lists have the additional feature of indicating completion of a task by placing a checkmark next to the task or crossing the task off the list. 
         [0003]    The advent of the computer age has led people to prepare and use digital task lists. To date, computers have undoubtedly allowed people to increase the information and complexity of task lists, but the basic operation and function of such task lists has not changed. 
         [0004]    Currently, the value and reliability of a task list as a management tool or as proof of completion of the tasks on the list is limited by the veracity, subjectivity, and potential error of the individual performing the tasks on the list. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention is a remote digital task list management system that allows the admin or manager to customize a task list of tasks to be completed and then allows the user to verify proper completion of each task on the list and send digital proof of completion from a network enabled communication device to the admin or manager, as specified by the admin or manager, in the form of a time stamp, GPS location, photograph, video, and/or audio recording, resulting in unprecedented value and reliability of a task list as a management tool or as verifiable proof of proper completion of the tasks on the list. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a semi-schematic flow diagram illustrating a method of remote verification of task completion in accordance with the principles of one embodiment of the present invention including a task list creation application and a marketplace for task lists. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating a task list that has been distributed via a network to a network enabled device. 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating a user indicating completion of a task and that the task is automatically verified via time stamp, date stamp and GPS-location stamp. 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating a user being prompted to verify a task as complete by taking a photograph of the task. 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is a block diagram illustrating a user verifying a completed task by taking a photograph of the task. 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram illustrating a user being prompted to verify a task as complete by taking a photograph of themself (the user). 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  is a block diagram illustrating a user verifying a completed task by taking a photograph of themself. 
           [0013]      FIG. 8  is a block diagram illustrating a user being prompted to verify a task as complete by taking a photograph of themself (the user) while concurrently (or immediately thereafter) taking a photograph of the completed task. 
           [0014]      FIG. 9  is a block diagram illustrating verification of a task indicated as complete by taking a photograph of themself (the user) while concurrently (or immediately thereafter) taking a photograph of the completed task. 
           [0015]      FIG. 10  is a block diagram illustrating a user being prompted to verify a task as complete by composing a description of or notes about the completed task. 
           [0016]      FIG. 11  is a block diagram illustrating a user verifying a completed task by composing a description of or notes about the completed task. 
           [0017]      FIG. 12  is a block diagram illustrating a user being prompted to verify a task as complete by completing an audio recording of or about the completed task. 
           [0018]      FIG. 13  is a block diagram illustrating a user verifying a task as complete by completing an audio recording of or about the completed task using audio recording features of a network enabled communication device. 
           [0019]      FIG. 14  is a block diagram illustrating a user being prompted to verify a task as complete by recording a video of the completed task. 
           [0020]      FIG. 15  is a block diagram illustrating a user verifying a completed task by recording a video of the task. 
           [0021]      FIG. 16  is a block diagram illustrating a user being prompted to verify a task as complete by recording a video of themself (the user). 
           [0022]      FIG. 17  is a block diagram illustrating a user verifying a completed task by recording a video of themself (the user). 
           [0023]      FIG. 18  is a block diagram illustrating a user being prompted to verify a task as complete by recording a video of themself (the user) while concurrently (or immediately thereafter) recording a video of the completed task. 
           [0024]      FIG. 19  is a block diagram illustrating verification of a task as complete by recording a video of themself (the user) while concurrently (or immediately thereafter) recording a video of the completed task. 
           [0025]      FIG. 20  is a block diagram illustrating a task list on a device that has been completed by the user. 
           [0026]      FIG. 21  is a block diagram illustrating a message of successful completion of all tasks in a task list and confirmation of submitting the completed tasks to the server and admin. 
           [0027]      FIG. 22  is a flowchart illustrating one method of remote verification of task completion in accordance with the principles of the present invention including a task list creation application and a marketplace for task lists. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0028]    Turning now to the drawing in which like reference characters indicate corresponding elements throughout the several views, attention is first directed to  FIG. 1 , which illustrates an admin  1  who creates a task list  2  and/or acquires from a marketplace task list  18  and distributes to a user or users  4  who must remotely verify completion of assigned tasks  6 - 17  using a network enabled communication device  5 . As the user indicates completion of each task; each task is verified by several methods, depending on the capabilities of the network enabled communication device they are using  6 - 17 . A task may be verified by a time stamp  6  and date stamp  7  which is the local time and date at which they completed the task if device has an available internal clock/calendar. A task may be verified by a geo-location stamp  8  which is the GPS coordinates (as indicated by GPS Satellite  9 ) of where a network enabled communication device was when the task was indicated complete. A task may be verified by the user by taking a photograph of the task  10  that was completed. A task may be verified by taking a photograph of the user  11 . A task may be verified by taking a photograph of the user and the task concurrently at the time of task completion  12 . A task may be verified by composing a description of or about a task  13  that was completed. A task may be verified by recording audio of or about a task  14  that was completed. A task may be verified by recording a video of the task  15  at the time of completion. A task may be verified by recording a video of the user at the time of task completion  16 . A task may be verified by recording a video of the user and the task concurrently at the time of task completion  17 . 
         [0029]    The completed tasks would then be sent via a network  3  to a server  4  where they would be accessible by an admin or other users as required by the admin. 
         [0030]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating a task list  2  that has been distributed via a network to a network enabled device  5 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating a user indicating completion of a task  2  and that the task is automatically verified via time stamp, date stamp and GPS-location stamp  19  on a network enabled device  5 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating a user being prompted to verify a task  20  they indicated as complete by taking a photograph of the task on a network enabled device  5 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 5  is a block diagram illustrating a user verifying a completed task  21  by taking a photograph of the task  22  on the network enabled device  5 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram illustrating a user being prompted to verify a task they indicated as complete by taking a photograph of themself (the user)  23  on the network enabled device  5 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 7  is a block diagram illustrating a user verifying a completed task  24  by taking a photograph of themself  25  on the network enabled device  5 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 8  is a block diagram illustrating a user being prompted to verify a task they indicated as complete by taking a photograph of themself (the user) while concurrently (or immediately thereafter) taking a photograph of the completed task  26  on a network enabled device  5 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 9  is a block diagram illustrating verification of a task indicated as complete by taking a photograph of themself (the user)  27  while concurrently (or immediately thereafter) taking a photograph of the completed task  28  on a network enabled device  5 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 10  is a block diagram illustrating a user being prompted to verify a task as complete by composing a description of or notes about the completed task  29  on a network enabled device  5 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 11  is a block diagram illustrating a user verifying a completed task by composing a description of or notes about the completed task  30  on a network enabled device  5 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 12  is a block diagram illustrating a user being prompted to verify a task as complete by completing an audio recording  31  of or about the completed task on a network enabled device  5 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 13  is a block diagram illustrating a user verifying a task as complete by completing an audio recording of or about the completed task using audio recording features  32  on a network enabled device  5 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 14  is a block diagram illustrating a user being prompted to verify a task as complete by recording a video  33  of the completed task on a network enabled device  5 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 15  is a block diagram illustrating a user verifying a completed task by recording a video  34  of the completed task  35  on a network enabled device  5 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 16  is a block diagram illustrating a user being prompted to verify a task as complete by recording a video of themself  36  (the user) on a network enabled device  5 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 17  is a block diagram illustrating a user verifying a completed task by recording a video  38  of themself  37  on a network enabled device  5 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 18  is a block diagram illustrating a user being prompted to verify a task as complete by recording a video of themselves  38  (the user) while concurrently (or immediately thereafter) recording a video of the completed task on a network enabled device  5 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 19  is a block diagram illustrating verification of a task as complete by recording a video of themself (the user)  39  while concurrently (or immediately thereafter) recording a video of the completed task  40  on a network enabled device  5 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 20  is a block diagram illustrating a task list  41  on a device that has been completed by the user on a network enabled device  5 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 21  is a block diagram illustrating a message of successful completion of all tasks in a task list and confirmation of submitting the completed tasks to the server and admin  42  on a network enabled device  5 . 
         [0050]      FIG. 22  is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of remote verification of task completion in accordance with the principles of the present invention including a task list creation application  43  and a marketplace for task lists  44 . An admin creates a task list using a task list creation application  43  and determines how each task should be verified  46  and then assigns it to a user  47  who accesses the task list on a network enabled device  48  and then completes and verifies the tasks  49 . Once a user has completed the task list and submits the completed task list  50  the admin is notified and can access the user&#39;s task list along with various reporting features  51 . 
         [0051]    Alternatively, an admin selects a pre-made task list from a marketplace of task lists  44  and then proceeds as described above  46 - 51 . 
         [0052]    An admin may also place created task lists into the marketplace for commercial and personal uses  43 - 44 . 
         [0053]    This invention is adaptable to countless uses with substantial benefit. For example, embodiments of this invention could be used by: hotels to manage and verify housekeeping of rooms; health professionals to manage and verify daily medical treatments; Alzheimer patients to manage and verify daily medications; firefighters to manage and verify firefighting and safety procedures; restaurants to manage and verify sanitation and food duties; surgeons to manage and verify surgical procedures; policemen to manage and verify procedures in collecting and preserving evidence; construction workers to manage and verify procedures in constructing buildings; manufacturers to manage and verify manufacturing processes; lawyers to manage and verify litigation practices; farmers to manage and verify daily farming responsibilities; auditors to manage and verify audits; publishers to manage and verify delivery of publications; airlines and pilots to manage and verify pre-flight inspections; mechanics to manage and verify auto repairs; corporations to manage and verify compliance with laws and regulations; scientists to manage and verify steps in scientific experiments and processes; customer service centers to manage and verify customer performance of instructions; shippers to manage and verify delivery of packages; producers and sellers of products to manage and verify consumer adherence to instructions on installation, construction, and use of products; defense contractors to manage and verify compliance with government contracts and procedures for dealing with military assets; storefronts to manage and verify opening and closing procedures; utility companies to manage and verify routine inspections; theme parks to manage and verify routine inspections; bankers to manage and verify compliance with protocol and regulations; and grocery stores to manage and verifying fresh inventory of foods. Again, this list represents examples of just a few of countless applications of the invention. Nearly every individual, corporation, and professional can benefit from using an embodiment of this invention in managing and verifying the tasks with which they are charged. 
         [0054]    While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of these specific embodiments. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiments, but shall include all embodiments within the scope and spirit of the invention.