U.S. patent application number 11/451022 was filed with the patent office on 2006-10-12 for apparatus and method for tracking and managing physical assets.
Invention is credited to Brent C. Parent, Andrew F. JR. Suhy.
Application Number | 20060229906 11/451022 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36576603 |
Filed Date | 2006-10-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060229906 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Suhy; Andrew F. JR. ; et
al. |
October 12, 2006 |
Apparatus and method for tracking and managing physical assets
Abstract
A computer based system automatically gathers, analyzes, and
delivers information relating to the procurement and utilization of
a plurality of such assets, such as a fleet of industrial
equipment, so as to maximize productivity and to reduce operating
costs and administrative burdens. Each of the assets is preferably
provided with a data acquisition device for sensing and storing one
or more operating characteristics associated therewith. That
information can be transmitted through space to a receiver
connected to a local controller for storing such information and
for transmitting such information over the internet to a remote
analysis system. The remote analysis system automatically updates
individual records associated with each of the assets with the
information received from the internet. In response to such
information, the remote analysis system automatically analyzes the
newly provided information and generates reports regarding
scheduled maintenance, warranty coverage, and other management
information. These reports can be transmitted back over the
internet to an administrative controller for review by one or more
persons responsible for managerial review. Additionally or
alternatively, the remote analysis system can automatically post
such reports on a website and, thus, be made available to one or
more of such persons upon request.
Inventors: |
Suhy; Andrew F. JR.; (West
New York, NJ) ; Parent; Brent C.; (Holland,
OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RADER, FISHMAN & GRAUER PLLC
39533 WOODWARD AVENUE
SUITE 140
BLOOMFIELD HILLS
MI
48304-0610
US
|
Family ID: |
36576603 |
Appl. No.: |
11/451022 |
Filed: |
June 12, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09441289 |
Nov 16, 1999 |
7062446 |
|
|
11451022 |
Jun 12, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
705/302 ;
705/305 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 30/012 20130101;
Y02P 90/80 20151101; G06Q 10/087 20130101; Y02P 90/86 20151101;
G06Q 10/20 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/001 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 99/00 20060101
G06Q099/00 |
Claims
1-16. (canceled)
17. A method for gathering and analyzing data relating to an asset
comprising the steps of: generating a maintenance invoice from an
analysis controller when service is performed on the asset, wherein
the maintenance invoice includes an indication of the amount of
usage of the asset; transmitting the maintenance invoice to an
administrative controller; comparing the indication of the amount
of usage of the asset with a predetermined standard that is
representative of a warranty period; and generating a warranty
report if the amount of usage is less than the predetermined
standard.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein said indication of the amount
of usage is captured by a data acquisition device.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein a receiver receives the
indication of the amount of usage from the data acquisition device
through a transmitter.
20. The method of claim 17, wherein the maintenance invoice is
transmitted to the administrative controller from the analysis
controller on a communications network.
21. The method of claim 17, wherein the comparing is performed on
the analysis controller.
22. The method of claim 17, wherein the warranty report is
generated from the administrative controller.
23. A system for gathering and analyzing data relating to an asset
comprising: an analysis controller that selectively generates a
maintenance invoice that includes an indication of an amount of
usage of an asset and that compares the indication of the amount of
usage of the asset with a predetermined standard that is
representative of a warranty period; a communications network; an
administrative controller that is in selective communication with
the analysis controller via the communications network and that
generates a warranty report if the amount of usage is less than the
predetermined standard.
24. The system of claim 23, further comprising a data acquisition
device that selectively captures data comprising an indication of
the amount of usage and that selectively communicates with the
analysis controller.
25. The system of claim 24, further comprising: a transmitter that
is selectively used to communicate the amount of usage from the
data acquisition device to the analysis controller; and a receiver
that is selectively used to receive the amount of usage in the
analysis controller.
26. The system of claim 23, wherein there are a plurality of
administrative controllers.
27. The system of claim 23, wherein said analysis controller is
configured to generate management reports relating to the
procurement and utilization of the asset.
28. The system of claim 27, wherein said analysis controller is
configured to post said reports to a website maintained on the
internet.
29. The system of claim 23, wherein there is a warranty associated
with the asset and there are a plurality of responsible parties
associated with said system, said analysis controller configured to
use at least a portion of said acquired data in automatically
determining which of said responsible parties has responsibility in
whole or in part for maintenance performed on the asset based on
said warranty.
30. The system of claim 29, wherein a first responsible party
comprises at least one of a manufacturer and a supplier of the
asset and a second responsible party comprises at least one of an
owner or user of the asset.
31. The system of claim 29, wherein said analysis controller
includes a record of the asset, said record including said
responsible parties and the nature of said responsibility, the
nature of said responsibility including a factor based on said at
least one operating characteristic of the asset.
32. The system of claim 31, wherein said factor comprises at least
one of an amount of asset usage and date of service.
33. A system for gathering and analyzing data relating to an asset
comprising: a data acquisition device that selectively captures
data comprising an indication of an amount of usage of an asset; an
analysis controller that selectively communicates with the data
acquisition device and generates a maintenance invoice that
includes an indication of an amount of usage of an asset and that
compares the indication of the amount of usage of the asset with a
predetermined standard that is representative of a warranty period;
a transmitter that is selectively used to communicate the amount of
usage from the data acquisition device to the analysis controller;
and a receiver that is selectively used to receive the amount of
usage in the analysis controller; a communications network; and an
administrative controller that is in selective communication with
the analysis controller via the communications network and that
generates a warranty report if the amount of usage is less than the
predetermined standard.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates in general to systems for tracking
and managing physical assets to improve productivity. In
particular, this invention relates to a computer based system for
automatically gathering, analyzing, and delivering information
relating to the procurement and utilization of a plurality of such
assets, such as a fleet of industrial equipment, so as to maximize
productivity and to reduce the operating costs and administrative
burdens associated with such assets.
[0002] Many businesses operate a plurality of physical assets to
assist in the performance of the daily activities that are required
to produce goods or services. For example, a typical manufacturer
of goods often uses a fleet of industrial equipment, such as
forklifts, conveyors, machine tools, and the like, in its daily
operations to facilitate the manufacture of goods for its
customers. In a similar manner, a typical provider of services also
often employs a plurality of assets, such as computers,
communications equipment, photo imaging equipment, and the like, in
its daily operations to facilitate the performance of services for
its customers. Traditionally, businesses have purchased such assets
for use in their facilities and have employed staff to operate and
maintain the assets in furtherance of the manufacture of goods or
the performance of services.
[0003] Regardless of the specific nature of the business, the
operation of these assets has usually been considered to be
somewhat ancillary to the core nature of the business. In other
words, although the use of these assets is helpful (indeed,
sometimes necessary) for the business to manufacture the goods or
provide the services in a cost efficient manner, the ownership,
operation, and maintenance of such assets is not, of itself, a core
function of the business. Consequently, the costs associated with
the procurement and utilization of such assets have not been
traditionally monitored or analyzed by the business in great
detail. Rather, such costs have usually been considered to be
relatively fixed costs of doing business, and any management of
such assets has been performed, if at all, by relatively low level
employees having little training or inclination to increase
productivity and reduce costs.
[0004] Obviously, many businesses have been able to produce goods
and provide services without actively managing the costs of
obtaining and operating these assets. However, optimization of
productivity and minimization of costs are key considerations in
the modern business environment. Thus, it would be desirable to
provide a computer based system for automatically gathering,
analyzing, and delivering information relating to the procurement
and utilization of a plurality of such assets, such as a fleet of
industrial equipment, so as to maximize productivity and to reduce
operating costs and administrative burdens associated with such
assets.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] This invention relates to a computer based system for
automatically gathering, analyzing, and delivering information
relating to the procurement and utilization of a plurality of such
assets, such as a fleet of industrial equipment, so as to maximize
productivity and to reduce operating costs and administrative
burdens. Each of the assets is preferably provided with a data
acquisition device for sensing and storing one or more operating
characteristics associated therewith. That information can be
transmitted through space to a receiver connected to a local
controller for storing such information and for transmitting such
information over the internet to a remote analysis system. The
remote analysis system automatically updates individual records
associated with each of the assets with the information received
from the internet. In response to such information, the remote
analysis system automatically analyzes the newly provided
information and generates reports regarding scheduled maintenance,
warranty coverage, and other management information. These reports
can be transmitted back over the internet to an administrative
controller for review by one or more persons responsible for
managerial review. Additionally or alternatively, the remote
analysis system can automatically post such reports on a website
and, thus, be made available to one or more of such persons upon
request.
[0006] Various objects and advantages of this invention will become
apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed
description of the preferred embodiment, when read in light of the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a prior art computer
based system for tracking and managing a plurality of assets.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a prior art method for tracking
and managing assets in accordance with the prior art computer based
system illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a computer based
system for tracking and managing a plurality of assets in
accordance with this invention.
[0010] FIGS. 4A and 4B are first and second portions, respectively,
of a flow chart of a method for tracking and managing assets in
accordance with the computer based system illustrated in FIG.
3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0011] Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated in FIG.
1 a schematic block diagram of a prior art computer based system,
indicated generally at 10, for tracking and managing a plurality of
assets, several of which are indicated generally at 11. The assets
11 are illustrated as being a plurality of pieces of movable
industrial equipment, such as a plurality of conventional forklifts
or similar machinery, used in the manufacture of goods in a typical
factory environment. However, the prior art method could be used to
track and manage any type of asset 11, such as those described
above, used in the manufacture of goods or the performance of
services. The basic structure and operation of each of the
forklifts 11 are well known in the art and, therefore, require no
discussion for a complete understanding of this invention.
[0012] The prior art system 10 further included a remote analysis
system, indicated generally at 12, for tracking and managing the
assets 11. The remote analysis system 12 was completely separate
and apart from the assets 11 and included an analysis controller 13
having one or more input devices 14 and one or more output devices
15 connected thereto. The remote analysis system 12 could be
embodied as any conventional electronic controller, such as a
microprocessor-based computer device. The input device 14 was
embodied as a keyboard or other conventional mechanism for manually
inputting data in electronic form to the analysis controller 13 for
processing in the manner described below. The output device 15 was
embodied as a printer or other conventional mechanism for
generating a hard copy of the management information generated by
the analysis controller 13 in the manner described below.
[0013] Referring now to FIG. 2, there is illustrated a flow chart,
indicated generally at 20, of a prior art method for tracking and
managing the assets 11 in accordance with the prior art computer
based system 10 illustrated in FIG. 1. Throughout this discussion,
reference will be made to a first person or entity that owns or
operates the assets 11 that are being tracked and to a second
person or entity that is responsible for tracking the management
information relating to such assets 1 1. Notwithstanding this, it
will be appreciated that a single person or entity may not only own
and operate the assets 11, but also track the management
information relating thereto.
[0014] In an initial step 21 of the prior art method 20, a record
was created for each individual asset 11 by the person or entity
responsible for tracking such assets, such as one of the forklifts
11 illustrated in FIG. 1. This record was created electronically
within the analysis controller 13 by means of the input device 14
and included a variety of information that was desired to be
tracked for management purposes. First, the record included
information that uniquely identified the particular asset 11 being
tracked. Such identification information included, for example,
data regarding the make, model, year, and serial number of the
asset 11, plus any customer-assigned identification number. Second,
the record included information that related to the operational
characteristics of the particular asset 11 being tracked, such as
the physical requirements or limitations of the asset 11 (mast
height, load capacity, type of tires for the forklift 11, for
example), the type of fuel used, and the period of time or usage
between the performance of periodic maintenance. Third, the record
included information relating to the acquisition of the asset 11 by
the owner or lessee thereof. Such acquisition information included,
for example, the type and date of acquisition (purchase or lease,
for example), the name of the owner or lessee, the location at
which the asset 11 is used, the expected amount of usage of the
asset 11 (one, two, or three shifts, for example), and the cost of
the acquisition or lease. Furthermore, the record included an area
for adding additional information or remarks as desired.
[0015] In a second step 22 of the prior art method 20, it was
determined whether a maintenance invoice had been received by the
person or entity responsible for tracking the assets 11. Typically,
a maintenance invoice was a written communication that was
generated created by or at the request of the person or entity that
owned or operated the assets 11. The maintenance invoice was
usually generated upon the occurrence of an event relating to the
particular asset 11 and generally contained information regarding
the status of one or more operational characteristics of that asset
11. For example, after a particular forklift 11 had been operated
by the person or entity that owned or operated the asset 11 for a
particular period of time, it would require the performance of some
maintenance. This maintenance may, for example, have constituted
routine preventative service as a result of the elapse of a
predetermined period of time or usage. Alternatively, such
maintenance may have constituted non-routine service, such as a
repair of a mechanical breakdown. In either event, a maintenance
invoice was generated as a result of the performance of that
maintenance. The occurrence of other events related to the assets
11 could also result in the generation of maintenance invoices.
[0016] Regardless of the nature of the event that caused them to be
generated, the maintenance invoices were generated in hard copy
form and contained therein certain information that was desired to
be tracked for management purposes, such as the date and nature of
the maintenance that was performed, the amount of usage of the
asset 11 as of the date of such maintenance, and the cost of such
maintenance. To perform the second step 22 of the prior art method
20, the maintenance invoices were required to be physically
delivered from the location where the assets 11 were being used or
serviced to the location of the analysis controller 13 or to the
location of the input device 14 of the analysis controller 13. By
physically delivered, it is meant that the maintenance invoice was
transmitted in a non-electronic, hard copy form (including, for
example, by facsimile) from the person or entity that owned or
operated the asset 11 (and who performed, or had performed, the
maintenance on the asset 11) to the person or entity responsible
for tracking the assets 11.
[0017] As shown in FIG. 2, the prior art method 20 continuously
repeated step 22 until it was determined that a maintenance invoice
had been received by the person or entity responsible for tracking
the assets 11. When that occurred, the prior art method branched
from the step 22 to a step 23, wherein the record contained in the
analysis controller 13 relating to the particular asset 11 was
updated with the information contained in the maintenance invoice.
This step 23 was accomplished by utilizing the input device 14 to
manually enter the information contained in the maintenance invoice
into the record relating to the particular asset 11 contained in
the analysis controller 13.
[0018] Based upon the updated information contained in the record
of the asset 1 1, the analysis controller 13 was programmed to
perform a fourth step 24 of the prior art method 20, wherein it was
determined whether a sufficient period of time or usage had elapsed
as to trigger the performance of periodic routine maintenance for
that asset 11. Typically, such determination was made by
determining the amount of the elapsed time or usage of the asset 11
(by comparing the most recent indication of the date or amount of
usage of the asset 11 with the previous date or amount of usage
contained in the record stored in the analysis controller 13), and
by comparing such elapsed time or amount of usage with a
predetermined standard (also contained in the record of the asset
11 stored in the analysis controller 13). If it was determined that
a sufficient amount of elapsed time or amount of usage had
occurred, the method 20 branched from the step 24 to a step 25,
wherein a hard copy maintenance report was generated by the output
device 15. Then, in step 26 of the prior art method 20, the
maintenance report generated in the step 25 was physically
delivered from the person or entity responsible for tracking the
asset 11 to the person or entity that owned or operated the asset
11. The maintenance report advised the person or entity that owned
or operated the asset 11 that the time had arrived for the
performance of periodic routine maintenance.
[0019] Thereafter, the prior art method 20 entered a step 27,
wherein it was determined whether a predetermined period of time
had elapsed to generate a periodic management report covering some
or all of the assets 11 being tracked. Alternatively, if in step 24
of the prior art method 20, it was determined that a sufficient
amount elapsed time or amount of usage had not yet occurred, the
method 20 branched directly from the step 24 to the step 27. In
either event, such management reports were typically generated on a
monthly basis. Thus, if the end of the month had occurred, the
prior art method 20 branched from the step 27 to a step 28 wherein
a hard copy management report was generated by the output device
15. Then, in step 29 of the prior art method 20, the management
report generated in the step 28 was physically delivered from the
person or entity responsible for tracking the asset 11 to the
person or entity that owned or operated the asset 11 The management
report advised the person or entity that owned or operated the
asset 11 of the status of some or all of the assets 11 that were
being tracked, allowing various management oversight and decisions
to be made at that time. Thereafter, the prior art method 20
returned from the step 29 to the step 22, wherein it was determined
whether a maintenance invoice had been created by or at the request
of the person or entity that owns or operates the assets 11 and was
physically delivered to the person or entity responsible for
tracking the assets 11. Alternatively, if in step 27 of the prior
art method 20, it was determined that a predetermined period of
time had not yet elapsed to generate a periodic management report
covering some or all of the assets 11 being tracked, then the
method 20 returned directly from the step 27 to the step 22.
[0020] Referring now to FIG. 3, there is illustrated schematic
block diagram of a computer based system, indicated generally at
30, for tracking and managing a plurality of assets, indicated
generally at 31, in accordance with this invention. As with the
prior art system 10 described above, the illustrated assets 31 are
represented as a plurality of pieces of movable industrial
equipment, such as a plurality of conventional forklifts or similar
machinery, used in the manufacture of goods in a factory
environment. However, the method of this invention can be used to
track and manage any type of asset 31, such as those described
above, used in the manufacture of goods or the performance of
services.
[0021] As above, the basic structure and operation of each of the
forklifts 31 are well known in the art, and, therefore, require no
discussion for a complete understanding of this invention. However,
unlike the forklifts 11 of the prior art system 10, a data
acquisition device 32 is provided on each of the forklifts 31 for
sensing and storing one or more operating characteristics of the
associated forklift 31. The basic structure and operation of each
of the data acquisition devices 32 are conventional in the art. For
example, each of the data acquisition devices 31 may be embodied as
an electronic processor or controller that can sense or be
otherwise responsive to one or more operating conditions of the
associated forklift 31. Each of the data acquisition devices 31 can
be responsive to any desired operating conditions of the forklift
31 that might be considered important in making effective
management decisions regarding the operation of the forklift 31.
Such desired operating conditions can, for example, include the
time duration of use (and non-use), distances traveled, and the
like. The sensed operating conditions of the forklifts 31 are
preferably stored at least temporarily in a memory of the data
acquisition device 32 for subsequent communication to a remote
analysis system, indicated generally at 50, for analysis in the
manner described in detail below. Thus, the data acquisition
devices 32 sense and store the desired operating conditions for
each of the forklifts 31 during use.
[0022] Each of the forklifts 31 is further provided with a
transmitter 33 or other communications system for transmitting the
acquired data from the data acquisition device 32 to the remote
analysis system 50 for analysis. Each of the transmitters 33 may be
embodied as any conventional device for transmitting the acquired
data to the remote analysis system 50, such as a hard-wired
communications interface. However, as is well known, each of the
forklifts 31 is a movable vehicle that is capable of traveling
extensively throughout the particular environment in which it is
used. To facilitate the transmission of the acquired data,
therefore, the transmitter 33 is preferably embodied as a wireless
communications system, such as represented by an antenna 34. The
transmitters 33 and the wireless communications systems 34 can be
embodied as conventional radio frequency transmitters provided on
each of the forklifts 31 that transmit electromagnetic signals.
However, other well known forms of wireless communication, such as
those utilizing light or sound, may be used in lieu of a radio
frequency transmitter.
[0023] The wireless communications systems 34 are adapted to
transmit signals that are representative of the sensed operating
conditions of the forklifts 31 through space to a receiver 35. In
contrast to the forklifts 31 that can travel extensively throughout
the environment in which they are operated, the receiver 35 is
preferably provided at a fixed location within that environment. If
desired, a plurality of such receivers 35 may be provided at
different locations within the environment in which the forklifts
31 are operated. As the forklifts 31 move about the environment
during use, they will occasionally pass by or near the receiver 35.
When this occurs, the receiver 35 receives the data transmitted
from the respective data acquisition units 32. The receiver 35 is
also conventional in the art.
[0024] Preferably, the data acquisition units 32 and the receivers
35 are in bi-directional communication with one another. One
advantage of such bi-directional communication is that the data
acquisition unit 32 can send out a query signal on a predetermined
basis to be received by the receiver 35 when the two units 32 and
35 are sufficiently close to communicate reliably with one another.
Thus, when the data acquisition unit 32 contacts the receiver 35,
the receiver 35 can send a first signal back to the data
acquisition unit 32 to instruct it to begin transmitting the
acquired data. At the completion of the data transfer, the receiver
35 can send a second signal back to the data acquisition unit 32 to
acknowledge the receipt of the transmitted data. A conventional
error checking algorithm can be used to confirm the accuracy and
completeness of the transmitted data and, if necessary, request a
re-transmission thereof.
[0025] Another advantage of such bi-directional communication is
that data in the form of new commands, program updates,
instructions, and the like can be sent to the data acquisition
units 32 from the receiver 35. In some instances, such as when a
data acquisition unit 32 is in generally continuous communication
with a receiver 35, a user of the forklift 31 can be prompted to
provide certain information for transmission to the receiver 35 for
further analysis.
[0026] The receiver 35 is connected to a local controller 36. The
local controller 36 is also, of itself, conventional in the art and
may be embodied as an electronic controller that is adapted to
receive and store at least temporarily the data from each of the
receivers 35. Alternatively, if the assets 3 1 are fixed in
position, such as in the case of a plurality of stationary machines
used in a manufacturing environment, the receiver 35 or receivers
35 may be provided on movable structures that move about the
environment to receive the information transmitted therefrom. In
either event, it is desirable that the local controller 36
acknowledge receipt of the information transmitted from the data
acquisition devices 32, allowing the data acquisition devices 32 to
delete the transmitted information and begin storing newly acquired
information. A combined system including the data acquisition
device 32, the transmitter 33, the wireless communications system
34, the receiver 35, and software for operating the local
controller 36 to gather and report data is commercially available,
such as from I.D. Systems, Inc. of New York, N.Y.
[0027] Thus, after the forklifts 31 have been operated for a period
of time, the local controller 36 will have gathered and stored
therein a certain amount of information regarding the individual
operating characteristics for each of the forklifts 31. The local
controller 36 is programmed to periodically transmit the
information stored therein to the remote analysis system 50 for
analysis. This can be accomplished by providing the local
controller 36 with a conventional modem 37 or other communications
device that can convert the stored information into a format that
is compatible for transmission through an electronic communications
network, such as the internet 40. As is well known, the internet 40
is a digital electronic communications network that connects
computer networks and organizational computer facilities around the
world. Access to the internet 40 can be easily obtained in most
locations through the local telephone lines or by similar
means.
[0028] The system 30 of this invention may be used to track and
manage a plurality of assets 31 located at any desired physical
location. Additionally, the system 30 of this invention may be used
to track and manage assets 31 located at a plurality of different
physical locations, as suggested by the dotted lines in FIG. 3.
Each different physical location can be provided with one or more
receiver 35, a local controller 36, and a modem 37 to connect the
system 30 to the internet 40.
[0029] As mentioned above, the sensed operating conditions of the
forklifts 31 are intended to be transmitted to the remote analysis
system 50 for analysis. Referring again to FIG. 3, it can be seen
that the remote analysis system 50 includes an analysis controller
51 that is connected to communicate through the internet 40 by
means of a modem 52 or similar communications device. If desired, a
communications server 51a may be connected between the analysis
controller 51 and the modem 52. The communications server 51a is
provided to selectively receive and organize the information from
each of the local controllers 36 for delivery to the analysis
controller 51. The analysis controller 51 can be embodied as any
conventional electronic controller that is capable of receiving the
sensed operating conditions of the forklifts 31 and for processing
that information in a desired manner described in detail below.
Ideally, the sensed operating conditions of the forklifts 31 are
used to automatically generate and analyze management reports
relating to the procurement and utilization of a plurality of the
forklifts 31 to maximize productivity and to reduce operating costs
and administrative burdens. An input device 53 and an output device
54, both of which are conventional in the art, may be connected to
the analysis controller 51.
[0030] As also shown in FIG. 3, one or more administrative
controllers 55 (only one is illustrated) can be connected to the
internet 50 through respective modems 56 or similar communications
devices. Each of the administrative controllers 55 can also be
embodied as any conventional electronic controller that can request
and receive information from the remote analysis system 50 through
the internet 40. In a manner that is described in detail below, the
administrative controllers 55 are provided to request and receive
the management information generated by the remote analysis system
50. If desired, the local controller 36 can also function as an
administrative controller 55, although such is not necessary. An
input device 57 and an output device 58, both of which are
conventional in the art, may be connected to the administrative
controller 55.
[0031] Referring now to FIGS. 4A and 4B, there is illustrated a
flow chart, indicated generally at 60, of a method for tracking and
managing the assets 31 in accordance with this invention using the
computer based system 30 illustrated in FIG. 3. Throughout this
discussion also, reference will be made to a first person or entity
that owns or operates the assets 31 that are being tracked and to a
second person or entity that is responsible for tracking
information relating to such assets 31. As above, it will be
appreciated that a single person or entity may not only own and
operate the assets 31, but also track the information relating
thereto.
[0032] In an initial step 61 of the method 60, a record is created
for each individual asset 31 by the person or entity responsible
for tracking such assets, such as one of the forklifts 31
illustrated in FIG. 3. The record can be created electronically
within the analysis controller 51 by means of the input device 53
and can include a variety of information that is desired to be
tracked for management purposes, including all of the information
described above in connection with the forklifts 11 and the
analysis controller 13. Additionally, the record can further
include information regarding the nature and time duration of a
warranty provided by the manufacturer or supplier of the assets 31.
Such warranty information can be used in the manner described in
further detail below to automatically determine whether the
responsibility for the maintenance being performed on the asset 31,
either in whole or in part, should rest with the manufacturer or
the supplier of the asset 31 or with the owner or user of the asset
31.
[0033] In a second step 62 of the method 60, it is determined
whether a maintenance invoice has been received by the person or
entity responsible for tracking the assets 31. Such maintenance
invoices can be generated and delivered in the same manner as
described above. If it is determined that a maintenance invoice has
been received by the person or entity responsible for tracking the
assets 31, the method branches from the step 62 to a step 63,
wherein the record contained in the analysis controller 51 relating
to the particular asset 31 is updated with the information
contained in the maintenance invoice in the same manner as
described above. Next, the method enters a step 64 wherein the
record contained in the analysis controller 51 relating to the
particular asset 31 is updated with information from the internet
40. Alternatively, if it is determined that a maintenance invoice
has not been received by the person or entity responsible for
tracking the assets 31, the method branches directly from the step
62 to the step 64.
[0034] As discussed above, the local controller 36 will have
gathered and stored therein a certain amount of information
regarding the individual operating characteristics for each of the
forklifts 3 1. The local controller 37 is programmed to
periodically transmit the information stored therein to the remote
analysis system 50 for analysis. The analysis controller 51 can
include a memory circuit for storing this information from the
local controller 36. The transmission of the information from the
local controller 36 to the analysis controller 51 can be performed
in real time, upon occurrence of predetermined events (such as the
gathering of a predetermined amount of information), or at
predetermined time intervals. In any event, the record contained in
the analysis controller 51 is automatically updated with the latest
information regarding the status of the asset 31, without any human
intervention.
[0035] Based upon the updated information contained in the record
of the asset 31, the analysis controller 51 next determines whether
a sufficient period of time or usage has elapsed as to trigger the
performance of periodic routine maintenance for that asset 31. This
determination can be made in the same manner as described above in
connection with 24 of the prior art method 20. If it is determined
that a sufficient amount elapsed time or amount of usage had
occurred, the method 60 branches from the step 65 to a step 66,
wherein an electronic maintenance report is generated. If desired,
a hard copy of the maintenance report can also be generated by an
output device 54 connected to the analysis controller 51. Then, in
step 67 of the method 60, the electronic maintenance report
generated in the step 66 is delivered from the person or entity
responsible for tracking the asset 31 to the person or entity that
owns or operates the asset 31 through the internet 40. As above,
the maintenance report can advise the person or entity that owns or
operates the asset 31 that the time had arrived for the performance
of periodic routine maintenance. The electronic maintenance report
can, for example, be delivered through the internet 40 to one or
more of the administrative controllers 55 as desired.
Alternatively, or additionally, the electronic maintenance report
can be delivered through the internet 40 to one or more of the
local controllers 36. Also, in step 68 of the method 60, the
electronic maintenance report generated in the step 66 is posted on
a website maintained on the internet 40. The website may be
maintained either by the person or entity responsible for tracking
the asset 31 or by the person or entity that owns or operates the
asset 31 through the internet 40. As opposed to the direct
electronic delivery of the maintenance report to a particular
person or group of persons contemplated in the step 67, the step 68
contemplates that the maintenance report is made available to such
person or group of persons at their request over the internet
40.
[0036] Thereafter, the method 60 enters a step 69, wherein it is
determined whether any maintenance that has been performed on the
asset 31 occurred within the warranty period provided by the
manufacturer or supplier. Alternatively, if in the step 65 of the
method 60, it was determined that a sufficient amount elapsed time
or amount of usage had not yet occurred, the method 60 branches
directly from the step 65 to the step 69. In either event, this
determination can be made by comparing the date of service or
amount of usage of the asset 31 with the warranty information
contained in the record for that asset 31 contained in the analysis
controller 51. If it is determined that service on the asset 31
occurred within the warranty period, the method 60 branches from
the step 69 to a step 70, wherein an electronic warranty report is
generated. If desired, a hard copy of the warranty report can also
be generated by the output device 54 connected to the analysis
controller 5 1. Then, in step 71 of the method 60, the electronic
warranty report generated in the step 70 is delivered from the
person or entity responsible for tracking the asset 31 to the
person or entity that owns or operates the asset 31 through the
internet 40. As above, the warranty report can advise the person or
entity that owns or operates the asset 31 that the service
performed on the asset 31 should be paid for by the manufacturer or
supplier of the asset 31. The electronic warranty report can, for
example, be delivered through the internet 40 to one or more of the
administrative controllers 55 as desired. Alternatively, or
additionally, the electronic warranty report can be delivered
through the internet 40 to one or more of the local controllers 36.
Also, in step 72 of the method 60, the electronic warranty report
generated in the step 70 is posted on a website maintained on the
internet 40. The website may be maintained either by the person or
entity responsible for tracking the asset 31 or by the person or
entity that owns or operates the asset 31 through the internet 40.
As opposed to the direct electronic delivery of the warranty report
to a particular person or group of persons contemplated in the step
71, the step 72 contemplates that the warranty report is made
available to such person or group of persons at their request over
the internet 40.
[0037] Thereafter, the method 60 enters a step 73, wherein it is
determined whether a predetermined period of time has elapsed to
generate a periodic management report covering some or all of the
assets 31 being tracked. Alternatively, if in step 69 of the method
60, it was determined that a sufficient amount elapsed time or
amount of usage had not yet occurred, the method 60 branches
directly from the step 69 to the step 73. In either event, such
management reports are typically generated on a monthly basis.
Thus, if the end of the month has occurred, the method 60 branches
from the step 73 to a step 74, wherein an electronic management
report is generated. If desired, a hard copy of the management
report can also be generated by the output device 54 connected to
the analysis controller 51. Then, in step 75 of the method 60, the
electronic management report generated in the step 74 is delivered
from the person or entity responsible for tracking the asset 31 to
the person or entity that owns or operates the asset 31 through the
internet 40. As above, the management report can advise the person
or entity that owns or operates the asset 31 of the same
information as the management reports discussed above. The
electronic management report can, for example, be delivered through
the internet 40 to one or more of the administrative controllers 55
as desired. Alternatively, or additionally, the electronic
management report can be delivered through the internet 40 to one
or more of the local controllers 36. Also, in step 76 of the method
60, the electronic warranty report generated in the step 74 is
posted on a website maintained on the internet 40. The website may
be maintained either by the person or entity responsible for
tracking the asset 31 or by the person or entity that owns or
operates the asset 31 through the internet 40. As opposed to the
direct electronic delivery of the management report to a particular
person or group of persons contemplated in the step 75, the step 76
contemplates that the management report is made available to such
person or group of persons at their request over the internet.
[0038] Thus, the computer based system 30 of this invention
provides a superior method for tracking and managing the assets 31
than the prior art system 10. First, by providing the assets with
the data acquisition devices 32 and the communications system 33
and 34, the operational characteristics and other information
regarding the assets 31 is automatically sensed and transmitted to
the analysis controller 51 on a real time basis, without requiring
human intervention or assistance. Second, the analysis controller
51 is programmed to analyze such information as it is received and
to automatically generate maintenance and warranty reports in
response thereto. Third, all of the reports generated by the
analysis controller 51 are automatically delivered to the
appropriate persons through the internet 40, either directly to one
or more of the administrative controllers 55 or by posting on a
website. As a result, the computer based system 30 facilitates the
gathering, analyzing, and delivering of information relating to the
procurement and utilization of the assets 31 so as to maximize
productivity and to reduce operating costs and administrative
burdens.
[0039] In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes,
the principle and mode of operation of this invention have been
explained and illustrated in its preferred embodiment. However, it
must be understood that this invention may be practiced otherwise
than as specifically explained and illustrated without departing
from its spirit or scope.
* * * * *