Method and system for determining the inventory and location of assets
First Claim
1. A method for mapping the locations of objects relative to physical structures or locations, relative to which the objects are spatially arranged, the method comprising the steps of:
- moving a locator tool to a position at or moving along the objects and receiving a first input by which the locator tool is able to determine its own location and thereby the location or locations of the objects;
receiving at the locator tool a second input by which the identity of objects being mapped are identified; and
coupling outputs of the tool to a computer which receives location information and object identity information from the tool and creates a location map for a plurality of the objects.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method which allows the identity of assets and their physical locations to be mapped and associated with one another. The invention includes a locator tool which receives an input which allows the tool to determine its own spatial location and thereby the spatial locations of various objects such as furniture, computer equipment, and structural components such as doors, windows to be identified and located and thereafter mapped in the form of architectural layout, diagrams, and the like. The invention is also an inventory system as well as a verification system that allows objects or assets to be inventoried, tracked, or verified against purchasing lists or the like.
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Citations
57 Claims
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1. A method for mapping the locations of objects relative to physical structures or locations, relative to which the objects are spatially arranged, the method comprising the steps of:
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moving a locator tool to a position at or moving along the objects and receiving a first input by which the locator tool is able to determine its own location and thereby the location or locations of the objects;
receiving at the locator tool a second input by which the identity of objects being mapped are identified; and
coupling outputs of the tool to a computer which receives location information and object identity information from the tool and creates a location map for a plurality of the objects. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 45)
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35. A system for mapping the locations of objects relative to physical structures or locations, relative to which the objects are spatially arranged, the system comprising:
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a locator tool that can be positioned at or moved along the objects, the locator tool receiving a first input by which the locator tool is able to determine its own location and thereby the location or locations of the objects;
the locator tool receiving a second input by which the identity of objects being mapped are identified by the locator tool; and
a computer coupled to the locator tool and receiving from the locator tool, location information and object identity information and creating a location map for a plurality of the objects. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
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46. A method of creating a bill of materials for a construction site, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving materials from suppliers;
installing the materials at the construction site;
identifying the materials which have been received with an identification tool that is able to identify the materials that have been received; and
producing a bill of materials that have been received. - View Dependent Claims (47)
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48. A method of locating materials at a construction site, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving the materials from suppliers;
obtaining a location map which specifies the location of materials at the construction site;
locating the materials at the construction site in accordance with the information on the location map; and
verifying that the materials have been located in accordance with the specifications in the location map.
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49. A method of placing a plurality of articles at corresponding locations of each of the articles where the locations are distributed over a pre-defined site, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving the articles from suppliers;
inputting to a locator tool information defining the articles and the corresponding locations of each of the articles;
moving the locator tool over the site; and
finding with the assistance of the locator tool the corresponding locations of the plurality of articles and placing the articles at their respective locations. - View Dependent Claims (50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55)
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56. A method of verifying that a plurality of articles have been placed at corresponding locations of the articles, where the locations are distributed over a pre-defined site, the method comprising the step of:
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inputting to a locator tool information defining the articles and the corresponding locations of each of the articles;
moving the locator tool to positions of the articles at the site;
obtaining with the locator tool the geographical locations of the articles; and
verifying that each of the articles is located at its corresponding location. - View Dependent Claims (57)
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Specification