U.S. patent application number 15/624249 was filed with the patent office on 2018-03-08 for system and method for automatic tool tracking, monitoring, and inventory management.
The applicant listed for this patent is Recon Dynamics, LLC. Invention is credited to Gary W. Amundson, Salil P. Banerjee, Toby J. Champion, K. Deric Eldredge, Marty J. Feuerstein, Indrasis Mondal, Adrian M. Yip.
Application Number | 20180068542 15/624249 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52776495 |
Filed Date | 2018-03-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180068542 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mondal; Indrasis ; et
al. |
March 8, 2018 |
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATIC TOOL TRACKING, MONITORING, AND
INVENTORY MANAGEMENT
Abstract
Systems and methods for automatically tracking tools and
managing tool inventory. Tools may be assigned to a work group or
crew. Tools are tracked and monitored to determine whether the
tools are with their assigned group, relocated to a different
group, missing, or left behind at a job site. For relocated tools,
the tool tracking system may identify and output the time and the
group to which the tool has been relocated. For tools that are
missing, the system may compute and output the group or crew, time,
and location in the form of a street address, latitude, longitude,
and/or map where the missing tool was last seen. The system may
also send out real-time notifications (e.g., SMS text messages,
emails, phone calls) to designated personnel so that an appropriate
action can be taken. The tool tracking system also acts as an
inventory management system for tools.
Inventors: |
Mondal; Indrasis; (Kirkland,
WA) ; Eldredge; K. Deric; (West Jordan, UT) ;
Feuerstein; Marty J.; (Woodinville, WA) ; Yip; Adrian
M.; (Snohomish, WA) ; Banerjee; Salil P.;
(Kirkland, WA) ; Champion; Toby J.; (Bainbridge
Island, WA) ; Amundson; Gary W.; (Everett,
WA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Recon Dynamics, LLC |
Bothell |
WA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
52776495 |
Appl. No.: |
15/624249 |
Filed: |
June 15, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15339655 |
Oct 31, 2016 |
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15624249 |
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14047900 |
Oct 7, 2013 |
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15339655 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 4/029 20180201;
G08B 21/0275 20130101; H04W 4/80 20180201; G08B 21/0261 20130101;
H04W 84/10 20130101; G08B 13/2462 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G08B 13/24 20060101
G08B013/24; H04W 4/02 20060101 H04W004/02 |
Claims
1. A tool tracking system for tracking a tool, comprising: a tool
tag attachable to a tool and comprising a wireless transceiver
configured for short range wireless communication, the tool tag
configured to periodically transmit, via the wireless transceiver,
a tool tag message comprising a tool tag identification (ID); a
location and acquisition/communication unit (LAU) and a location
determination device, the LAU being positionable at a location
within range of the wireless transceiver of the tool tag, the LAU
being configured to receive the tool tag message from the tool tag
transceiver, and further configured to obtain location data from
the location determination device and to associate the obtained
location data with the received tool tag message, the LAU being
further configured to send the tool tag message and the associated
location data via a network; and a server computing device coupled
to the network and operative to receive the tool tag message and
the associated location data from the LAU using the server network
interface to track the location of the tool to which the tool tag
is attached.
2. The tool tracking system of claim 1, wherein the LAU is
associated with a vehicle operative to transport the tool, and the
network interface of the LAU comprises a wireless wide area network
(WWAN) modem.
3. The tool tracking system of claim 1, wherein the server
computing device comprises an association module configured to
assign the tool with the tool tag attached thereto to a first
group.
4. The tool tracking system of claim 3, wherein the association
module is further configured to reassign the tool with the tool tag
attached thereto to a second group different than the first
group.
5. The tool tracking system of claim 4, wherein the association
module is configured to, prior to reassigning the tool from the
first group to the second group, transmit to a user computing
device associated with a user via the network interface of the
server a request for permission to reassign the tool, and to
receive a response from the computer granting permission to
reassign the tool.
6. The tool tracking system of claim 3, wherein the server
computing device further comprises a tracking and monitoring module
operative to receive a plurality of messages from the LAU and,
based on the received messages, to determine a status of the tool
indicative of whether the tool is located with the first group,
whether the tool has been relocated to a second group different
than the first group, or whether the tool has been lost.
7. The tool tracking system of claim 1, further comprising an alert
and reporting module operative to send a timely notification,
indicative of the location of the tool, to a user computing device
associated with a user.
8. The tool tracking system of claim 7, wherein the alert and
reporting module is operative to establish a restricted period for
the tool wherein the tool is not to be used, to monitor use of the
tool, and to send a timely notification to a user computing device
associated with a user when the alert and reporting module detects
the tool being used during the restricted period.
9. The tool tracking system of claim 8, wherein the alert and
reporting module is operative to automatically establish the
restricted period based upon a work schedule of a user of the
tool.
10. The tool tracking system of claim 1, further comprising a
location and mapping module operative to utilize the received
location data to determine location information for the tool and to
transmit the location information to a user computing device
associated with a user via the network interface of the server
computing device.
11. The tool tracking system of claim 10, wherein the location
information comprises a physical address that is displayable on a
display of the user computing device.
12. The tool tracking system of claim 1, wherein the server
computing device comprises a finder and routing module operative to
receive a request for the tool from a user computing device
associated with a user via the network interface of the server
computing device, and to transmit instructions that cause the tool
to be routed according to the request.
13. The tool tracking system of claim 1, wherein the location
determination device of the LAU comprises a global positioning
system (GPS) receiver.
14. The tool tracking system of claim 1, wherein the tool tag
further comprises a sensor operative to sense an environmental
condition associated with the tool.
15. The tool tracking system of claim 14, wherein the sensor
comprises a motion sensor, temperature sensor, pressure sensor,
optical sensor, sonic sensor, ultrasonic sensor, magnetometer,
accelerometer, or gyroscope.
16. The tool tracking system of claim 1, wherein the wireless
transceiver of the tool tag and the network interface of the LAU
are configured for communication using at least one of
Bluetooth.RTM., ZigBee.RTM., LE Bluetooth.RTM. or a Wi-Fi.RTM.
protocol.
17. A tool tracking system for tracking a plurality of tools,
comprising: a plurality of tool tags each attachable to one of the
plurality of tools and comprising a wireless transceiver configured
for short range wireless communication, each of the tool tags being
configured to periodically transmit, via the wireless transceiver,
a tool tag message comprising a tool tag identification (ID); a
plurality of location and acquisition/communication units (LAUs)
each comprising a processor, a data storage device, a network
interface, and a location determination device, each of the
plurality of LAUs being positionable at a location within range of
at least a subset of the wireless transceivers of the plurality of
tool tags, each of the plurality of LAUs being configured to
receive tool tag messages from the wireless transceivers of the
plurality of tool tags, and further configured to obtain location
data from the location determination device and to associate the
obtained location data with the received tool tag messages
comprising the tool tag IDs, each of the plurality of LAUs being
further configured to periodically send the received tool tag
messages and the associated location data over a network using the
network interface; and a server computing device comprising a
processor, a data storage device, a server network interface, and a
tracking and monitoring module configured to receive the tool tag
messages and the associated location data from the plurality of
LAUs using the server network interface to track the location of
the tools to which the plurality of tool tags are attached, the
server computing device further comprising an association module
configured to assign each of the plurality of tool tags to one or
more groups, and to determine a status of each of the tools
associated with the tool tags indicative of, for each tool, whether
the tool is located with its assigned group, whether the tool has
been relocated to a group different than the group to which it is
assigned, or whether the location of the tool is unknown.
18. The tool tracking system of claim 17, wherein the association
module is further configured to reassign the group to which each of
the tool tags and its respective tools is assigned.
19. The tool tracking system of claim 17, wherein the association
module is further configured to reassign the group to which each of
the tool tags is assigned dependent on the location data received
from the LAUs.
20. The tool tracking system of claim 17, further comprising a data
collection unit comprising a processor, a data storage device, a
network interface, and a short range transceiver, the data
collection unit operative to receive data from one or more LAUs
using the short range transceiver, and to transmit data to the
server computing device using the network interface.
21. The tool tracking system of claim 17, wherein the location
determination device of the plurality of LAUs comprises a global
positioning system (GPS) receiver.
22. The tool tracking system of claim 17, wherein the one or more
groups comprise a work crew or a vehicle.
23. The tool tracking system of claim 17, wherein the server
computing device further comprises an alert and reporting module
operative to send a timely notification, indicative of the location
of at least one of the tools, to a user computing device associated
with a user.
24. The tool tracking system of claim 23, wherein the alert and
reporting module is operative to establish a restricted period for
the tool wherein the tool is not to be used, to monitor use of the
tool, and to send a timely notification to a user computing device
associated with a user when the alert and reporting module detects
the tool being used during the restricted period.
25. The tool tracking system of claim 24, wherein the alert and
reporting module is operative to automatically establish the
restricted period based upon a work schedule of a user of the
tool.
26. A computer-implemented method for tracking and monitoring
tools, comprising: under the control of one or more computer
systems configured with executable instructions, receiving tool tag
messages at a location and acquisition/communication unit (LAU)
using short range wireless communication from a plurality of tool
tags each associated with one of the tools, the tool tag messages
each including a tool tag identification (ID); obtaining location
information indicative of a present location of the LAU;
associating the received tool tag IDs with the location
information; and sending the tool tag IDs and the associated
location information from the LAU to a server computing device over
a network.
27. The computer-implemented method of claim 26, further
comprising: assigning each of the tool tag IDs to a group; storing
the tool tag IDs and the associated location information in a data
storage device of the server computing device; and determining
whether each of the tool tags is located with its assigned group
using the received tool tag IDs and location information.
28. The computer-implemented method of claim 27, further comprising
sending a timely notification to a user computing device comprising
a status of one of the tools associated with one of the tool tags,
the status being indicative of whether the tool is located with its
assigned group, whether the tool has been relocated to a group
different than its assigned group, or whether the location of the
tool is unknown.
29. The computer-implemented method of claim 26, wherein at least a
subset of the tool tags comprises one or more sensors, and the tool
tag messages further include sensor data obtained from the one or
more sensors.
30. The computer-implemented method of claim 29, wherein the one or
more sensors comprises a motion sensor, temperature sensor,
pressure sensor, optical sensor, sonic sensor, ultrasonic sensor,
magnetometer, accelerometer, or gyroscope.
31. The computer-implemented method of claim 29, further comprising
determining a status of at least one of the tools using the sensor
data.
32. The computer-implemented method of claim 29, further comprising
establishing a restricted period for the tool wherein the tool is
not to be used, monitoring use of the tool, and sending a timely
notification to a user computing device associated with a user when
the tool is being used during the restricted period.
33. The computer-implemented method of claim 32, wherein monitoring
use of the tool comprises evaluating the sensor data.
34. A computer-implemented method for tracking and monitoring
tools, comprising: under the control of one or more computer
systems configured with executable instructions, assigning a tool
to a first group, the tool having a tool tag attached thereto that
is operative to periodically transmit, via a wireless transceiver,
a tool tag message comprising tool tag identification (ID) data for
each respective tool tag; receiving tool tag messages from the tool
tag at a location and acquisition/communication unit (LAU) via a
short range transceiver; obtaining location information indicative
of a present location of the LAU; associating the received tool tag
messages with the location information; sending the tool tag
messages and the associated location information from the LAU to a
server computing device over a network; and determining a status of
the tool using the tool tag messages and the associated location
information, the status being indicative of whether the tool is
located with the first group, whether the tool has been relocated
to a group different than the first group, or whether the location
of the tool is unknown.
35. The computer-implemented method of claim 34, further comprising
sending a timely notification to a user computing device comprising
the status of the tool.
36. The computer-implemented method of claim 35, wherein the
notification comprises location data indicative of the location of
the tool.
37. The computer-implemented method of claim 34, wherein the tool
tag comprises a sensor and the tool tag messages comprise sensor
data, and determining the status of the tool comprises evaluating
the sensor data.
38. The computer-implemented method of claim 34, further comprising
providing a user interface accessible by a user computing device
associated with a user over a network, the user interface being
operative to present the status of the tool to the user.
39. The computer-implemented method of claim 38, wherein the user
interface allows a user to reassign the tool from the first group
to a second group different from the first group.
40. The computer-implemented method of claim 34, further comprising
reassigning the tool to a second group different from the first
group dependent on the determined status of the tool.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 15/339,655 filed on Oct. 31, 2016, which is a continuation of
U.S. application Ser. No. 14/047,900 filed on Oct. 7, 2013, the
entire disclosure and content of which are hereby incorporated by
reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Tools, including hand tools and power tools, are extensively
used at construction sites or other locations. Tools belonging to
one or more entities (e.g., a construction company, a public
utility, etc.) may be stored at a distribution center and then used
by one or more work groups or crews at various locations.
Frequently, tools can be misplaced or lost. Tools can also be
stolen by an unauthorized person and removed from a particular
location. Misplaced and lost tools are a significant problem for
several industries, such as public utilities, construction, and
manufacturing. Lost tools reduce efficiency and productivity.
Further, replacing lost tools is costly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] Various embodiments in accordance with the present
disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings, in
which:
[0004] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a tool tracking system
according to an embodiment.
[0005] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a server or processing
unit of the tool tracking system of FIG. 1.
[0006] FIG. 3 illustrates an environment in which the tool tracking
system of FIG. 1 may operate.
[0007] FIG. 4A illustrates a first portion of a flow diagram for a
tool tracking and monitoring module of the tool tracking
system.
[0008] FIG. 4B illustrates a second portion of the flow diagram for
the tool tracking and monitoring module of the tool tracking
system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0009] In the following description, various embodiments will be
described. For purposes of explanation, specific configurations and
details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding
of the embodiments. However, it will also be apparent to one
skilled in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without
the specific details. Furthermore, well-known features may be
omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the embodiment being
described.
[0010] Embodiments of the present invention are directed to systems
and methods for automatically tracking tools and managing tool
inventory. The systems and methods disclosed herein automatically
or manually assign tools to a work group or "crew," track tools,
and monitor whether the tools are with their assigned group or
crew, relocated to a different group or crew, missing, or left
behind at a location such as a job site. For relocated tools, the
system may identify and output the time and the group to which the
tool has been relocated. For tools that are missing or left behind
at a job site, the system may compute and output the group or crew,
time and location in the form of a street address, latitude,
longitude, and/or a map where the missing tool was last seen. The
system may also send out notifications (e.g., short message service
(SMS) text messages, emails, and/or phone calls) in real-time with
the above-referenced information to designated personnel so that an
action can be taken immediately. This dramatically reduces the time
spent looking for lost or missing tools and significantly reduces
the costs incurred due to missing tools. As discussed in more
detail below, the system may also be configured to generate
automatic alerts, such as geofencing alerts, environmental
conditions alerts, tampering alerts, etc.
[0011] In some embodiments, the system also acts as an inventory
management system for tools, wherein the status and whereabouts of
a tool may be identified via a software user interface accessible
on various computing devices. The system may allow users to
schedule important events for tools such as calibrations,
inspections, maintenance, repair, etc., and the system may
automatically send out reminders before the event. In some
embodiments the reminders are sent through SMS text message, email,
phone, etc., to designated personnel.
[0012] In some embodiments, the system assists in planning smart
and efficient routing of tools and crew from one job site to
another. For example, if a crew at a job site requires a specific
tool, an operator or member of the crew may log into the system
through a computing device, such as a smartphone, tablet, or
laptop, and may locate the crew or job site where the required tool
can be borrowed. The system may also allow an operator to plan and
optimize the route of a crew visiting multiple job sites by
minimizing the travel distance and time.
[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a tool tracking system
10 according to an embodiment. The tool tracking system 10 includes
seven main components: a tool tag 12, a data and location
acquisition/communication unit ("LAU") 14, a data collection unit
16, an inventory tag 18, an inventory tag reader 20, a server
computing device or processing unit ("server") 22, and a software
user interface 24. Each of these components is described in further
detail below with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. FIG. 3 illustrates
an environment in which the tool tracking system 10 shown in FIG. 1
may be implemented.
[0014] Generally, the tool tag 12 is a small, low power radio tag
that is attachable to or positioned within a tool 26 that is to be
tracked and monitored. As shown in FIG. 3, the tool tracking system
10 may include tool tags 12 for each of the tools 26 that are
tracked by the tool tracking system. Thus, the tool tag 12 shown in
FIG. 1 is representative of a single tool tag. The tool tag 12
includes a short range wireless transceiver 28, a processor 30,
data storage device 32, and one or more sensors 34. The processor
30 is generally responsible for executing computer programs stored
on the data storage device 32, which may include one or more types
of volatile (RAM) memory and non-volatile (ROM) memory. The
wireless transceiver 28 of the tool tag 12 may include one or more
short range wireless network transceivers, such as but not limited
to Bluetooth.RTM., LE Bluetooth.RTM. or ZigBee.RTM.
transceivers.
[0015] The sensors 34 may include one or more accelerometer/motion
sensors, gyroscopes, magnetometers, temperature sensors, pressure
sensors, optical sensors, sonic or ultrasonic sensors, or other
sensors. The sensors 34 are configured to gather information
relating to the environment in which the tool 26 associated with
the tool tag 12 is located or used. For example, the sensors 34 may
include a motion sensor operative to determine whether the tool 26
is currently in use, traveling in a vehicle, stationary, etc. The
number and type of sensors 34 may depend on the characteristics of
the tool 26 to which the tool tag 12 is attached. For example, more
expensive tools 26 may be equipped with tool tags 12 having more
sensors 34 than less expensive tools. As another example, tools 26
only suitable for operating in certain environments (e.g., certain
temperature ranges) may include a sensor 34 (e.g., a temperature
sensor) that are operative to detect those operating environments.
In general, the tool tag 12 is configured to be small in size and
to have a long battery life, for example, in the range of several
years.
[0016] The tool tag 12 is configured to transmit radio messages via
the short range wireless transceiver 28 that include a tag
identification (ID) and sensor data at regular intervals to be
received by the LAU 14. As shown in FIG. 3, the tool tracking
system 10 may include multiple LAUs 14 (e.g., LAU-A and LAU-B)
located in various vehicles 36 or positioned at various locations
proximate to where tools 26 are used, including but not limited to
job sites, distribution centers, and repair centers. In FIG. 3, the
LAU-A is positioned in a truck 36A and the LAU-B is positioned in a
different truck 36B. The trucks 36A and 36B are representative of
vehicles associated with the tool tracking system 10, sometimes
generally referred to herein as "trucks 36." After each
transmission of a tool tag message, the tool tag 12 may wait to
receive an acknowledgment from the LAU 14. If the tool tag 12 does
not receive an acknowledgment, it may retransmit the message with a
higher power. If the tool tag 12 still does not receive an
acknowledgment, the tool tag may continue to increase the power up
to a maximum power to improve the likelihood that it will be able
to communicate with the LAU 14. If no acknowledgment is received
after the tool tag 12 has transmitted at the maximum power setting,
the tool tag 12 may then switch into a "lost mode." In the lost
mode, the tool tag 12 may transmit a "lost" status message at the
highest power. If any LAU 14 receives the lost mode message, the
receiving LAU 14 may forward the message to the server 22, which
may generate one or more actionable alerts that are sent out to
user computing devices associated with designated personnel.
[0017] In some embodiments, the tool tag 12 also automatically
controls regular transmission intervals based on the usage of the
tool 26 or equipment (generally referred to herein as "tool") to
which the tool tag is attached. The tool tag 12 may intelligently
determine whether the tool 26 is being used by utilizing and/or
combining the output from one or more of the sensors 34 such as, an
accelerometer, a gyroscope, a magnetometer, a temperature sensor, a
pressure sensor, optical sensors, and the like. If the tool tag 12
determines that the tool 26 is not being used, in some embodiments
the tool tag may increase the time interval between transmissions
to save battery life.
[0018] The tool tag 12 may be assigned to one or multiple LAUs 14
associated with the tool tracking system 10. For clarity, a single
LAU 14 is shown in FIG. 1 and two LAUs (LAU-A and LAU-B) are shown
in FIG. 3. Referring to FIG. 1, in some embodiments the LAU 14 has
four primary functions: acquire or receive tool tag messages
(including sensor data) from the tool tags 12; send acknowledgments
to tool tags upon receiving a tag message therefrom; acquire
location information that may be used to determine the location of
tool tags 12; and communicate the tool tag and location information
to the data collection unit 16 or to the server 22.
[0019] The LAU 14 may include, but is not limited to, one or more
processors 38 generally responsible for executing computer programs
stored on a data storage device 40 of the LAU. The LAU 14 may also
include a wireless wide area network (WWAN) modem 42 for
transmitting and receiving data content (e.g., such as content
received from the tool tag 12 and delivered to the server 22) over
a data communication network 44 (see FIG. 3). The data
communication network 44 may include a cellular network and/or the
Internet, as well as one or more other wired or wireless
networks.
[0020] The LAU 14 may also include a short range transceiver 46
(e.g., a Bluetooth.RTM., Wi-Fi.RTM., LE Bluetooth.RTM., and/or
ZigBee.RTM. enabled communications transceiver) that allows the LAU
to wirelessly communicate with one or more electronic devices. In
some embodiments, one or more LAUs 14 of the tool tracking system
10 may only include the short range transceiver 46 while others may
include both the short range transceiver and the WWAN modem 42. The
LAU 14 further includes a global positioning system (GPS) receiver
48 or other device operative to determine the location of the LAU
14. As shown in FIG. 3, using the GPS receiver 48, the LAU-A and
LAU-B may obtain location information by receiving signals from GPS
satellites 50. Since the tool tags 12 communicate with the LAUs 14
using short range communication, the location of the LAU that
receives a communication from a tool tag is indicative of the
location of that tool tag. As can be appreciated, the location of
the tool tags 12 can therefore be determined without requiring each
tool tag to include expensive and bulky location determination
devices (e.g., GPS receivers).
[0021] Generally, each LAU 14 may be assigned to a truck, crew, job
site, depot, repair center, distribution center, etc. ("group"). In
operation, the LAU 14 continuously listens for radio tool tag
messages received from tool tags 12 that are each attached to one
of the tools 26 (see FIG. 3). When the LAU receives a tool tag
message, it may send an acknowledgment message to the tool tag that
sent the message, as discussed above. The LAU 14 collects and
stores the messages it receives from the tool tags 12 for a
predefined interval. At the end of the interval, the LAU 14
packages the messages received from the tool tags 12 along with the
GPS location information from the GPS receiver 48 and sends the
data either to the data collection unit 16 positioned nearby (e.g.,
at a job site) via a short range wireless link using the short
range transceiver 46 or to the server 22 using the WWAN modem 42.
In a situation where the LAU 14 cannot establish a link to the
server 22 or the data collection unit 16, the LAU may relay the
data to a nearby LAU (e.g., from LAU-A to LAU-B shown in FIG. 3)
located in a different truck or located somewhere else in the job
site to be forwarded by that LAU 14 to the server 22. Additionally
or alternatively, the LAU 14 may store the data until it is able to
transmit the data to the data collection unit 16 or to the server
22.
[0022] The tool tracking system 10 may include numerous data
collection units 16, although only a single data collection unit is
shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 for clarity. The data collection unit 16 is
operative to collect data from all the LAUs 14 that are within
range through short range wireless links and then forward the
received data to the server 22 through wired or wireless
communication over the data communications network 44 (e.g., the
Internet). For example, a single data collection unit 16 may be
positioned at a job site to receive data from multiple LAUs 14 that
are also positioned at the job site (e.g., LAUs attached to trucks
36 that travel to the job site).
[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, the data collection unit 16 includes a
processor 52 responsible for executing computer programs stored in
a data storage device 54 of the data collection unit. The data
collection unit 16 further includes a short range transceiver 56
configured to implement one or more short range wireless
communication protocols (e.g., Wi-Fi.RTM., ZigBee.RTM.,
Bluetooth.RTM., LE Bluetooth.RTM., or the like). The data
collection unit 16 may also include a WWAN modem 60 for
transmitting and receiving data content (e.g., such as content
received from the LAU 14 and delivered to the server 22) over the
data communication network 44 (see FIG. 3). In some embodiments,
the data collection unit 16 further includes an Ethernet interface
58 or its equivalent to facilitate wired network communication with
the server 22. The data collection unit 16 may be installed at a
job site, depot, repair center, and/or a distribution center. The
tool tracking system 10 may include a plurality of data collection
units 16 each distributed at various locations.
[0024] Referring to FIG. 1, the inventory tag 18 is a small tag
that is attachable to a tool 62 that is generally not meant to be
tracked in any way other than for inventory purposes. The tool
tracking system 10 may include numerous inventory tags 18, each
associated with a particular tool 62. The inventory tag 18 includes
a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip 64 and/or a barcode 66
and is attached to the tool 62. The inventory tag 18 may include a
unique inventory tag ID that is programmed into the RFID chip 64 or
into the barcode 66. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that
the term "barcode" is intended to encompass other forms of printed
symbology, such as 2D codes, QR codes, and the like.
[0025] The inventory tag reader 20 is operative to read the
inventory tag ID of the inventory tag 18 by either reading the
programmed ID from the RFID chip 64 using an RFID reader 68 or by
reading the ID from the barcode 66 using a barcode reader 70. The
inventory tag ID may then be sent to the server 22 using a network
transceiver 72 of the inventory tag reader 20 configured to
communicate through wired or wireless connection with the server
22.
[0026] FIG. 2 illustrates a more detailed diagram view of the
server 22, which may be located a remote location or in the
"cloud." The server 22 may include, but is not limited to, one or
more processors 74 generally responsible for executing computer
programs stored on the server's system memory 76, which may include
volatile (RAM) memory and non-volatile (ROM) memory. The server 22
may also include a user interface 78 that allows a
user/administrator to interact with the server's software and
hardware resources.
[0027] The server 22 may also include a network transceiver 80 and
a network interface 82 for transmitting and receiving data content
(e.g., such as content received from the LAUs 14, the data
collection units 16, or the inventory tag reader 20) over one or
more data communication networks 44. The server 22 may also include
a system bus 84 that facilitates data communications amongst the
hardware resources of the server. As shown in FIG. 2, the system
memory 76 includes a data storage structure, such as a database
module 86, a tracking and monitoring module 88, an association
module 90, a location and mapping module 92, an alert and reporting
module 94, an inventory management and scheduling module 96, and a
finder and routing module 98. Each of these modules is discussed
below.
[0028] All the data received from the tool tags 12, LAUs 14, and
data collection units 16, along with the location information are
stored in the database module 86. In some embodiments, the database
module 86 may comprise a NoSQL/SQL database. The database module 86
also holds IDs for tool tags 12, inventory tags 18, LAUs 14, data
collection units 16, as well as associated tools 26, trucks 36,
crews, job sites, repair centers, etc.
[0029] The tracking and monitoring module 88 is generally
responsible for tracking and monitoring all tools 26 with tool tags
12 associated therewith and making decisions regarding whether the
status of a tool is "OK," "missing," or "relocated" to another
truck, crew, job site, depot, repair center, or distribution
center. At the end of each reporting interval, the tracking and
monitoring module 88 consolidates all the messages it has received
in that interval from the LAUs 14. As discussed above, each message
from one of the LAUs 14 contains all the messages it has received
from the tool tags 12 within a reporting interval. The tracking and
monitoring module 88 then decides whether a tool tag 12, and its
associated tool 26, is with its assigned group (e.g., truck, crew,
job site, depot, repair center, distribution center, etc.),
relocated to a different group, left behind at a location such as a
job site, or missing.
[0030] An algorithm the tracking and location module 88 may utilize
is illustrated by a flowchart 100 shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. As
discussed above, the tracking and location module 88 of the server
22 receives and consolidates messages it has received from the LAUs
14. The messages include tool tag messages that may include tool
tag IDs, sensor data, etc. Initially, at block 102 a user may set a
time threshold for missing tools detection (e.g., T minutes) and a
reporting interval (e.g., TR minutes). Then, for each tool in a
particular group to which it has been assigned, the tracking and
reporting module 88 may determine if the tool tag associated with
the tool has not reported in (via tool tag messages send to LAUs
14) in more than the threshold for missing detection time (T),
blocks 104 and 106. If the tool has not reported in and all the
LAUs 14 have sent in their messages within the threshold for
missing tools detection time T, the tool is assigned a status of
"lost," blocks 108 and 110 (see FIG. 4B).
[0031] If the tool has reported in within the threshold for missing
tools detection time (T) (block 106="yes"), the tracking and
location module 88 collects all messages from the LAUs 14 within
the reporting interval (TR), block 112. At decision block 114, if
any of the LAUs 14 associated with the group to which the tool tag
(and tool) is assigned ("assigned LAUs") have heard from the tool
tag within the reporting interval (TR) (block 114="yes"), the last
report time for the tool tag is set as the current time (block
116), the group for the tool tag remains set to the assigned LAU
(block 118), and the status for the tool is set to "OK," block
120.
[0032] If any of the assigned LAUs 14 have not heard from the tool
tag within the reporting interval (block 114="no"), the tracking
and location module 88 next checks to see whether any of the LAUs
from a group to which the tool is not assigned ("unassigned LAUs")
have heard from the tool tag within the reporting interval (TR),
block 122. If so, the tracking and location module 88 first checks
to make sure all the assigned LAUs 14 have reported in during the
reporting interval, block 124. If all the assigned LAUs 14 have
reported in, meaning only an unassigned LAU heard from the tool tag
in the last reporting interval (TR), then the last report time for
the tool tag is set as the current time (block 126), the group for
the tool tag is reassigned to the group to which the LAU that heard
from the tool tag is assigned (block 128), and the status for the
tool tag is set to "relocated," block 130.
[0033] Referring back to FIG. 2, the association module 90 is
responsible for the automatic assignment and reassignment of tools
26 to groups (e.g., trucks, crews, job sites, depots, repair
centers and distribution centers). In some embodiments, the
automatic assignment and reassignment of the tools 26 may be
performed based on the logic described below.
[0034] Initially, the tools 26 may be assigned to distribution
centers. Whenever one of the tools 26 gets relocated to a group
such as a truck, crew, job site, depot, or repair center from a
distribution center, it automatically is associated with that
group. Similarly, whenever one of the tools 26 is relocated to a
distribution center from a group, it is automatically associated
with that distribution center. If one of the tools 26 is relocated
to a group from a couriering/dispatching truck, which is a special
vehicle that is used for couriering or dispatching tools among
yards, distribution centers, job sites, and repair centers, the
tool automatically gets associated to that group. If one of the
tools 26 is relocated to a courier/dispatching truck from a group,
the tool automatically is associated to that courier/dispatching
truck.
[0035] In some embodiments, whenever a tool is relocated to a new
group from another group, the association module 90 may not
automatically reassign the tool. Instead, a user or operator may be
presented with an option in the user interface 24 (discussed below)
to accept or reject the assignment of the tool to the new group.
For example, the association module 90 of the tool tracking system
10 may allow a user to enable an "automatic association mode" for
one or more selected groups. The user can enable this feature from
the user interface 24 (see FIG. 1). When the automatic association
mode is enabled for a particular group, any tool that is determined
to have been relocated to that group is automatically reassigned to
the group without requiring selection or approval by a user. In
some embodiments, the tool tracking system 10 may also allow tools
to be associated using RFID or barcode scanning. Moreover, at any
point in time, a user may also manually assign or reassign a tool
to any group using the user interface 24 shown in FIG. 1, which is
accessible via a suitable user computing device. If a group is in a
"manual association mode," a tool that is determined to have been
relocated to a new group is reassigned to the group only after
notification to and approval by a user.
[0036] The location and mapping module 92 shown in FIG. 2 is now
described. As discussed above, each LAU 14 may have a GPS receiver
48. Each time one of the LAUs 14 receives a tool tag message from a
tool tag 12, it attaches the time and the location coordinates
(e.g., latitude, longitude, and elevation) with the message. Since
the tool tags 12 communicate with the LAUs 14 via short range
wireless communication, the location of the LAU that receives a
message from a tool tag is approximately the location of the tool
tag and associated tool 26. The location and mapping module 92
utilizes this information to determine when and where a tool 26,
truck, or crew was last seen. The location and mapping module 92
also uses the location coordinates to map the objects to the
closest physical address (e.g., a street address). This information
is then available via the user interface 24 where the location
coordinates may be displayed on a map along with the determined
physical address.
[0037] The alert and reporting module 94 is generally responsible
for generating and reporting alerts including, but not limited to,
missing and relocated tool alerts, geofencing alerts, environmental
alerts, and security alerts.
[0038] If one of the tools 26 has been missing or has been
relocated for a certain time threshold set by a user (e.g.,
threshold T discussed above with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B), the
alert and reporting module 94 may generate a missing or relocated
tool alert and send the alert to interested users. The alerts may
be sent by email, SMS text message, phone call, and the like, so
that urgent action may be taken. The alert and reporting module 94
may send the time and location information relating to when the
tool 26 was last seen. Further, if the alert and reporting module
94 receives a message from a tool that is transmitting in lost
mode, the alert and reporting module may generate and send an
immediate alert along with the received location information.
[0039] In some embodiments, the tool 26 may be assigned to be used
only at specified geographical areas. In this geofencing
application, an alert may be generated and sent if the tool 26 is
moved out of the specified area. The specified geographic area may
be static or may be selectively modified by users or administrators
of the tool tracking system 10.
[0040] In some embodiments, the tool 26 may be assigned to be used
under certain environmental conditions, such as certain
temperatures and/or pressures. If the environmental condition of
the tool 26 exceeds the assigned environmental thresholds, an
environmental alert may be generated and sent as discussed above.
The environmental conditions of the tool 26 may be monitored using
the one or more sensors 34 shown in FIG. 1.
[0041] In some embodiments, the tool 26 may be assigned to be used
within certain hours of the day. If the tool 26 is used or tampered
with outside of the specified hours (e.g., during a restricted
period), an alert may be generated and sent. The restricted period
may be scheduled automatically (e.g., based on a work schedule,
etc.) or may be scheduled manually as needed. As discussed above,
use of the tool 26 may be detected by one or more sensors 34 of the
tool tag 12.
[0042] The inventory management and scheduling module 96 is
generally responsible for managing inventory of tools 26 and for
scheduling maintenance, inspection, calibration, repair, or the
like for tools, equipment, and/or trucks. The inventory management
and scheduling module 96 may manage inventory various levels
including truck, crew, job site, depot, repair center, distribution
center, and organization levels. A user of the tool tracking system
10 may allocate a tool 26 or group of tools to a specific truck 36,
crew or a job site, and upon return of the tools take an inventory
to see if all the items have been returned. A user may also
schedule a time for an action to be taken in the future, such as
maintenance, inspection, calibration, repair, or the like, and the
inventory management and scheduling module may automatically
generate a reminder and send the reminder to the interested
users.
[0043] The finder and routing module 98 may be used to find or
locate tools 26, trucks 36, or crews. In the case of the tool 26,
the finder and router module 98 may determine with which truck or
crew the tool is located (e.g., address and location coordinates).
In the case of the truck 36 or the tool 26, the finder and routing
module 98 may determine its current location coordinates and
physical address. If a new tool is needed at a job site, the finder
and routing module 98 may first find tools 26 that are available
among all crews, trucks, job site and depots, or a selected subset
thereof, and then determine which of the available tools would be
most efficient to route to the requesting job site.
[0044] If a truck or a crew is needed at a job site, the finder and
routing module 98 may first locate the available trucks and crews
that are either close by or scheduled to be near or to pass by the
job site where the truck or crew is needed. The finder and routing
module 98 may then determine which truck or crew will be the most
efficient to route to the job site by optimizing availability,
traffic, scheduling, and distance.
[0045] A user of the tool tracking system 10 can access the system
using the user interface 24. The user interface 24 may be a web
application that can be accessed from anywhere using any Internet
enabled computing device (e.g., a laptop, smartphone, etc.), or a
dedicated application for a smartphone, tablet, laptop, desktop
computer, or other computing device.
[0046] The user interface 24 is operative to display the status of
all the tools 26 and crews associated with the tool tracking system
10. For each tool 26, the user interface 24 may display a map with
the location, addresses and the time when the tool was last seen or
relocated. For every truck 36 and crew, the user interface 24 may
display a map with the current location, physical address, and
time.
[0047] As discussed above, the user interface 24 allows the user to
enable association of tools 26 with a group. The user may accept or
reject reassignment of tools 26 to a new group (e.g., a new truck,
crew, etc.). The user interface 24 allows users to view and manage
inventory for trucks 36, crews, job sites, depots, repair centers,
distribution centers, and the overall organizational level. Users
can also find and route tools 26, trucks 36, and crews to job
sites. The user interface 24 also allows users to schedule
maintenance, repair, calibration, repair date, etc. for tools 26
and trucks 36.
[0048] The user interface 24 also allows users to configure the
type and recipient of various alerts that may be sent by the alert
and reporting module 94 of the server 22 (see FIG. 2). Different
recipients may receive different types of alerts depending on the
recipients' position, work schedule, current location, preferences,
etc. For example, one user may only receive alerts during the hours
of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. via SMS text message, whereas another
user may receive alerts 24 hours a day via SMS text message, email,
and phone calls. As another example, in the case where one of the
tools 26 has been left at a job site, a driver of a truck 36 that
has just left the job site may receive an alert indicating the tool
was left behind. In some embodiments, the user interface 24 also
allows users to create reports, charts, plots, etc. of status,
usage and performance information relating to tools, trucks, crews,
etc.
[0049] The foregoing described embodiments depict different
components contained within, or connected with, different other
components. It is to be understood that such depicted architectures
are merely exemplary, and that in fact many other architectures can
be implemented which achieve the same functionality. In a
conceptual sense, any arrangement of components to achieve the same
functionality is effectively "associated" such that the desired
functionality is achieved. Likewise, any two components so
associated can also be viewed as being "operably connected", or
"operably coupled", to each other to achieve the desired
functionality.
[0050] While particular embodiments of the present invention have
been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in
the art that, based upon the teachings herein, changes and
modifications may be made without departing from this invention and
its broader aspects and, therefore, the appended claims are to
encompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as
are within the true spirit and scope of this invention.
Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention is solely
defined by the appended claims. It will be understood by those
within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially
in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are
generally intended as "open" terms (e.g., the term "including"
should be interpreted as "including but not limited to," the term
"having" should be interpreted as "having at least," the term
"includes" should be interpreted as "includes but is not limited
to," etc.).
[0051] It will be further understood by those within the art that
if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended,
such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the
absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example,
as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may
contain usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one
or more" to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such
phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a
claim recitation by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any
particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to
inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same
claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least
one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and/or
"an" should typically be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one
or more"); the same holds true for the use of definite articles
used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a
specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly
recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such
recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the
recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations,"
without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations,
or two or more recitations).
[0052] Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the
appended claims.
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