AUTOMATED HANDTOOL TASK VERIFICATION

• US 20130138466A1
• Filed: 11/29/2012
• Published: 05/30/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Trimble Inc.
• Original Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited (Trimble Inc.)
• Inventors: Kahle, Kent, Bohle, Pat, Messmer, Markus, Glockner, Oliver, Beckenbauer, Angela, Cramer, Till, Winter, Andreas, Painter, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 9,898,705 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/7.15
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/063114 Status monitoring or status determination for a person or group

Abstract

A method of automated handheld tool task verification is disclosed. In one embodiment, at least one operating parameter for performing a task is received at a handheld tool. It is then verified at the handheld tool that it is configured with the at least one operating parameter. The handheld tool then generates data verifying that the task was performed in accordance with the at least one operating parameter.

Claims

1. A method of automated handheld tool task verification, said method comprising:

receiving at least one operating parameter for performing a task at a handheld tool;

verifying by said handheld tool that it is configured with said at least one operating parameter; and

generating by said handheld tool, data verifying that said task was performed in accordance with said at least one operating parameter.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

automatically detecting by said handheld tool an implement coupled with said handheld tool and wherein said at least one operating parameter is selected based upon an identification of said implement.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

determining a distance said handheld tool has travelled while performing said task.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

capturing at least one image, at a location where said task is performed, verifying that said task vas performed in accordance with said at least one operating parameter.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said verifying further comprises:

reporting the location of an object at a site by said handheld tool.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

generating, at a location e said task is performed, an updated record comprising said task; and

conveying said updated record to an information management system.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

receiving the data verifying that said task was performed in accordance with said at least one operating parameter at an information management system; and

using the data to update a record comprising said task.

8. A system for automated handheld tool task verification comprising:

a user interface coupled with a handheld tool and comprising a data receiver configured to receive an operating parameter for performing a task using said handheld tool;

a sensor coupled with said handheld tool and configured to determine that said handheld tool is configured with said operating parameter; and

wherein said user interface further comprises a communication transceiver configured to generate task data verifying that said task was performed in accordance with said operating parameter.

9. The system of claim 8 further comprising:

a sensor coupled with said handheld tool and configured to automatically detect an implement coupled with said handheld tool and wherein said operating parameter is selected based upon an identification of said implement.

10. The system of claim 8 wherein said handheld tool further comprises:

a position determination module configured to determine a distance said handheld tool has travelled while performing said task.

11. The system of claim 8 wherein said handheld tool further comprises an image capture device configured to capture at least one image by said handheld tool verifying that said task was performed in accordance with said operating parameter.

12. The system of claim 8 wherein said handheld tool further comprises a user interface configured to report the location of an object at a site by said handheld tool,

13. The system of claim 8 wherein said handheld tool is communicatively coupled with a reporting source configured to generate, at a location where said task is performed, an updated record comprising said task and wherein said updated record is conveyed to an information management system.

14. The system of claim 8 further comprising a communication transceiver configured to generate a message conveying the data verifying that said task was performed in accordance with said operating parameter to an information management system which uses the data to update a record comprising said task.

15. A non transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising computer executable code for directing a processor to execute a method for automated handheld tool task verification, said method comprising:

receiving at least one operating parameter for performing a task at a handheld tool;

verifying by said handheld tool that it is configured with said at least one operating parameter; and

generating by said handheld tool, data verifying that said task was performed in accordance with said at least one operating parameter.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein said method further comprises:

automatically detecting by said handheld tool an implement coupled with said handheld tool and wherein said at least one operating parameter is selected based upon an identification of said implement.

17. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein said method further comprises:

determining a distance said handheld tool as travelled while performing said task.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein said method further comprises:

capturing at least one image by said handheld tool verifying that said task was performed in accordance with said at least one operating parameter.

19. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein said method further comprises:

reporting the location of an object at a site by said handheld tool.

20. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein said method further comprises:

generating, at a location where said task is performed, an updated record comprising said task; and

conveying said updated record to an information management system;

receiving the data verifying that said task was performed in accordance with said at least one operating parameter at an information management system; and

using the data to update a record comprising said task.