System and method for installed base data maintenance

• US 20070293151A1
• Filed: 06/15/2006
• Published: 12/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Mullen, Paul Lawrence
• Granted Patent: US 7,940,169 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/39
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders

Abstract

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for tracking devices. The method for tracking devices comprises carrying a reading device to passively receive identification data from a transmitter without action on the part of the user. Additionally, the method comprises providing the identification data to a database.

Claims

1. A method for tracking devices comprising:

carrying a reading device, the reading device configured to passively receive identification data from a transmitter without action on the part of a user; and

providing the identification data to a database.

2. The method of claim 1 comprising associating the identification data with time and date information.

3. The method of claim 1 comprising installing a transponder on a device to be tracked.

4. The method of claim 1 comprising associating location information with the identification data.

5. The method of claim 4 comprising providing a global position system.

6. The method of claim 4 comprising carrying a global positioning system with the reading device.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein providing the identification data to a database comprises:

downloading the information data to a computing device; and

transferring the identification data to the database via network connection.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the database reflects installed base.

9. A method of tracking installed systems comprising:

carrying a wireless reader to locations where devices of interest are installed;

collecting identification data for the devices of interest using the wireless reader without action on the part of the person carrying the reader; and

providing the identification data to a database.

10. The method of claim 9 comprising collecting location information associated with devices of interest.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein collecting location information comprises providing a global positioning system device in a vehicle.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein collecting location information comprises carrying a global positioning system device with the wireless reader.

13. The meth of of claim 10 comprising associating an appointment log with the identification data.

14. The method of claim 9 comprising associating identification data with time and date of collection.

15. A system for tracking installed equipment comprising:

an information device associated with a piece of equipment configured to transmit identification data corresponding to the equipment; and

a wireless receiver configured to receive the identification data when transmitted without user action.

16. The system of claim 15 comprising a global positioning system configured to provide location information to the database.

17. The system of claim 15 wherein the wireless receiver comprises an alarm, wherein the alarm indicates proximity of the wireless receiver to equipment.

18. The system of claim 15 wherein the computing device is a handheld computing device.

19. A tracking system comprising:

an information device associated with a piece of equipment configured to transmit identification data corresponding to the equipment;

a wireless receiver configured to receive the identification data when transmitted without user action;

a computing device configured to download identification data from the wireless receiver and transmit the identification data via a transmission network; and

a database configured to receive identification data via the transmission network.

20. The system of claim 19 comprising a global potisitioning system configured to provide location information to the database.

21. A method for maintaining a database of devices of interest, comprising:

tagging each device of interest with a wireless identification device, each wireless identification device containing identification information for the device of interest to which it is tagged;

transporting a reading device within communication range of at least one of the devices of interest, the reading device configured to receive the identification information for each device of interest when within communication range of that device of interest; and

updating a database of the devices of interest using the identification information received by the reading device.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising receiving location information representative of the location of each device of interest when the reading device receives the identification information for that device of interest, wherein updating the database further includes updating the location of that device of interest using the location information.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising transporting a position sensing system with the reading device, the position sensing system generating the location information.

24. The method of claim 22, further comprising providing a position sensing system for each device of interest, the reading device configured to receive the location information for each device of interest from the position sensing system for that device of interest.

25. A method for maintaining an installation database of devices of interest, comprising:

tagging each device of interest with a wireless identification device, each wireless identification device containing identification information for the device of interest to which its tagged;

providing a reading device to each of a plurality of field workers who travel to locations where the devices of interest are installed, wherein each reading device is configured to receive the identification information for the devices of interest when the field worker travels within communication range of the wireless identification devices; and

updating an installation database of the devices of interest using the identification information received by the reading devices.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the devices of interest include healthcare equipment, and the field workers provide service for the healthcare equipment.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the locations where the field workers travel include a plurality of healthcare facilities which use different asset tracking systems.

28. The method of claim 25, further comprising sensing the location of each device of interest when the reading device receives the identification information for that device of interest, wherein updating the installation database includes updating the location at which that device of interest is installed.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the devices of interest include healthcare equipment, and the installation database tracks the installed locations of that equipment.