Method for Automatically Configuring a System For Managing Material Handling Assets
First Claim
1. A method by which a facility management computer system discovers presence of a previously unknown material handling asset upon installation at the facility, said method comprising:
- storing configuration data in a memory wherein the configuration data comprise an identification of the material handling asset and information specifying at least one physical characteristic of the material handling asset;
delivering the memory storing configuration data to the facility;
electrically connecting the memory to facility management computer system;
upon connection of the memory to the facility management computer system, automatically transferring the configuration data from the memory into the facility management computer system, andthe facility management computer system using the configuration data to manage operation of the material handling asset.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A facility management computer system is automatically configured when a material handling asset, such as a lift truck, is installed at the facility. A memory stores metadata comprising an asset identification and data specifying characteristics and parameters of the asset that are necessary or desirable in order to enable the facility management computer system to utilize the asset and perform functions, such as assigning work tasks, evaluating asset performance, and scheduling maintenance and repairs, for example. During asset installation the memory is electrically connected to facility management computer system. Upon that connection, the metadata are transferred automatically from the memory into the facility management computer system. Thereafter, the facility management computer system uses the metadata to manage operation of the material handling asset.
29 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method by which a facility management computer system discovers presence of a previously unknown material handling asset upon installation at the facility, said method comprising:
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storing configuration data in a memory wherein the configuration data comprise an identification of the material handling asset and information specifying at least one physical characteristic of the material handling asset; delivering the memory storing configuration data to the facility; electrically connecting the memory to facility management computer system; upon connection of the memory to the facility management computer system, automatically transferring the configuration data from the memory into the facility management computer system, and the facility management computer system using the configuration data to manage operation of the material handling asset. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for configuring a facility management computer system that contains a file identifying assets at a facility, wherein when a material handling vehicle is installed at the facility the method adds an identification of the material handling vehicle to the file, said method comprising:
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storing metadata in a memory on the material handling vehicle, wherein the metadata comprise a vehicle identification and information specifying characteristics of the material handling vehicle; the material handling vehicle automatically establishing communication with the facility management computer system via a wireless communication link; upon establishing communication, automatically transferring the metadata from the memory via wireless communication link to the facility management computer system, and the facility management computer system adding the vehicle identification and information about the material handling vehicle to the file identifying assets at the facility. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification