Quality assurance system and method
First Claim
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1. A device for monitoring status of a tool, comprising:
- means for associating the device with the tool; and
a communication circuit coupled to a data structure and configured to store data regarding the status of the tool and to modulate a radio frequency interrogation signal in accordance with the stored data.
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Abstract
A system for monitoring and controlling a tool that includes a communication circuit associated with the tool and configured to store data regarding the status of the tool and to sense a condition of the tool for quality assurance and quality control. An actuator can be included for altering the operational status of the tool in response to a change in status or a change in condition.
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Citations
34 Claims
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1. A device for monitoring status of a tool, comprising:
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means for associating the device with the tool; and
a communication circuit coupled to a data structure and configured to store data regarding the status of the tool and to modulate a radio frequency interrogation signal in accordance with the stored data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A device for monitoring a tool, comprising:
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a sensor in physical association with the tool and configured to sense at least one condition of the tool and to generate a data signal in response to sensing the at least one condition of the tool;
a communication circuit coupled to the sensor and configured to receive the data signal and to modulate a received radio frequency interrogation signal with the data signal in response to the interrogation signal. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An apparatus, comprising:
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a tool;
a device for monitoring status of the tool, the device comprising;
means for associating the device with the tool; and
a communication circuit configured to store data regarding the status of the tool and to modulate a radio frequency interrogation signal in accordance with the stored data. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A system, comprising:
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means for associating the device with the tool;
a communication circuit coupled to a data structure and configured to store data regarding the status of the tool and to modulate a radio frequency interrogation signal in accordance with the stored data; and
an interrogator configured to transmit the radio frequency interrogation signals. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A method for monitoring a tool, the method comprising:
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providing means for associating a monitoring device with the tool;
providing the device with a communication circuit configured to store data regarding the status of the tool and to modulate a radio frequency interrogation signal in accordance with the stored data. - View Dependent Claims (31)
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32. A method for monitoring a tool, comprising:
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associating a sensor with the tool;
sensing at least one condition regarding the tool and generating a data signal in response to the sensed at least one condition; and
modulating a received radio frequency interrogation signal in accordance with the data signal. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34)
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Specification