WIRELESS SYSTEM FOR MONITORING THEFT OF WELDING-TYPE DEVICES

• US 20140284323A1
• Filed: 06/09/2014
• Published: 09/25/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Original Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Inventors: Albrecht, Bruce Patrick, Ulrich, James F.
• Application Number:
  US14/299,748
• Publication Number:
  US 20140284323A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 219/660
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 9/10 Other electric circuits therefor; Protective circuits; Remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 9/1087 Arc welding using remote control
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 9/32 Accessories earthing connections H01R
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4063 Monitoring general control system G05B19/4062 takes precedence

Abstract

A welding-type device has wireless communications to transmit wireless signals comprising at least identification information. The information may be transmitted either automatically or in response to request signals. Such a welding-type device may be configured to communicate with other welding-type devices, a monitoring device, or both. A wireless communication system has at least one welding-type device, at least one wireless communication assembly, and at least one monitoring device and is capable of assisting a user in preventing theft of welding-type devices.

Claims

1-20. -20. (canceled)

21. A system comprising:

a remote monitoring device configured to monitor a work site area to receive a signal from a welding-type device located within the work site area, to determine a location of the welding-type device based at least in part on identification information stored in memory of the welding-type device, and to generate a notification relating to the determined location.

23. The system of claim 21, wherein the identification information comprises ownership information for the welding-type device.

24. The system of claim 21, wherein the identification information comprises identification information relating to a user of the welding-type device.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein the identification information relating to the user is an employee ID.

26. The system of claim 21, wherein the identification information comprises a system type of the welding-type device.

27. The system of claim 21, wherein the identification information comprises a network ID of the welding-type device.

28. The system of claim 21, wherein the identification information comprises a current job being performed by the welding-type device.

29. The system of claim 21, wherein the identification information comprises operator comments entered by an operator of the welding-type device.

30. The system of claim 21, wherein the welding-type device comprises one of a welder, a welding power source, a plasma cutting power source, an induction heating power source, a wire feeder or reel, a generator, a welding gun or torch, or a welding-related accessory.

31. A welding-type device comprising:

a processor configured to store identification information relating to the welding-type device in a memory medium of the welding-type device; and

wireless communication circuitry configured to transmit a wireless signal encoded with the identification information to a remote monitoring device configured to monitor a work site area within which the welding-type device is located, to determine a location of the welding-type device based at least in part on the identification information received via the wireless signal, and to generate a notification relating to the determined location.

32. The welding-type device of claim 31, wherein the identification information comprises a serial number of the welding-type device.

33. The welding-type device of claim 31, wherein the identification information comprises ownership information for the welding-type device.

34. The welding-type device of claim 31, wherein the identification information comprises identification information relating to a user of the welding-type device.

35. The welding-type device of claim 34, wherein the identification information relating to the user is an employee ID.

36. The welding-type device of claim 31, wherein the identification information comprises a system type of the welding-type device.

37. The welding-type device of claim 31, wherein the identification information comprises a network ID of the welding-type device.

38. The welding-type device of claim 31, wherein the identification information comprises a current job being performed by the welding-type device.

39. The welding-type device of claim 31, wherein the identification information comprises operator comments entered by an operator of the welding-type device.

40. The welding-type device of claim 31, wherein the welding-type device comprises one of a welder, a welding power source, a plasma cutting power source, an induction heating power source, a wire feeder or reel, a generator, a welding gun or torch, or a welding-related accessory.

41. A welding-type device comprising:

a data storage unit configured to store a schedule of maintenance for the welding-type device;

a transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit a preventive maintenance notification signal and a signal relating to a location of the welding-type device to a remote monitoring device; and

a controller configured to identify a scheduled maintenance task based on the scheduled maintenance, and to cause the transmitter to transmit the preventive maintenance notification signal and the signal relating to the location of the welding-type device before the scheduled maintenance task is scheduled to be performed on the welding-type device.