System and method for monitoring tool usage
First Claim
1. A tool usage monitoring system, comprising:
- a sensing element operable to detect when a tool is in use and to produce a signal representative of tool usage;
a processor-based device communicatively coupled to the sensing element, wherein the processor-based device is programmed to maintain a running total of tool usage based on the signal representative of tool usage, and wherein the processor-based device also is operable to store a defined tool usage total corresponding to the tool; and
a user interface communicatively coupled to the processor-based device, wherein the processor-based device is programmed to send a signal to the user interface when the running total of tool usage one of equals or exceeds the defined tool usage total.
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Abstract
A tool usage monitoring system and method is provided. The system comprises a sensing element for detecting when a tool is in use and producing a signal representative of tool usage. A processor-based device that is communicatively coupled to the sensing element is also provided. The processor-based device is programmed to maintain a running total of tool usage based on the signal representative of tool usage. The processor-based device also is operable to store a defined tool usage total corresponding to the tool. The system further comprises a user interface coupled to the processor-based device. The processor-based device is programmed to send a signal to the user interface when the running total of tool usage either equals or exceeds the defined tool usage total. The system is also capable of monitoring usage of a plurality of tools.
53 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A tool usage monitoring system, comprising:
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a sensing element operable to detect when a tool is in use and to produce a signal representative of tool usage;
a processor-based device communicatively coupled to the sensing element, wherein the processor-based device is programmed to maintain a running total of tool usage based on the signal representative of tool usage, and wherein the processor-based device also is operable to store a defined tool usage total corresponding to the tool; and
a user interface communicatively coupled to the processor-based device, wherein the processor-based device is programmed to send a signal to the user interface when the running total of tool usage one of equals or exceeds the defined tool usage total. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A gage monitoring system, comprising:
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a sensing element operable to detect when a work piece is disposed proximate to the gage and to provide a signal representative of the work piece being disposed proximate to the gage; and
a wireless transmitter communicatively coupled to the sensing element, wherein the wireless transmitter is operable to transmit a signal representative of gage usage based on the signal representative of the work piece being disposed proximate to the gage. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of maintaining a device, comprising:
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sensing actual use of the device;
communicating data on actual use of the device to a processor-based device;
operating the processor-based device to automatically maintain a total of actual use of the device;
inputting a defined device usage corresponding to a maintenance activity into a processor-based device; and
operating the processor-based device to notify a user automatically when the total of actual usage of the device achieves the defined device usage. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A computer program, comprising:
programming instructions stored in a tangible medium, wherein the programming instructions direct a processor to receive usage data of the calibrated device and direct the processor to produce a signal to indicate to a user to check calibration of the calibrated device when a running total of usage of the calibrated device achieves a predefined amount of usage.
Specification