Oilfield equipment identification apparatus

• US 5,360,967 A
• Filed: 08/25/1993
• Issued: 11/01/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Den-Con Electronics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Gregg S. Perkin, Lawrence A. Denny
• Inventors: Denny, Lawrence A., Perkin, Gregg S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rosenberger, Richard A.
• Application Number:
  US08/111,781
• Time in Patent Office: 433 Days
• Field of Search: 235/375, 235/385
• US Class Current: 235/375
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/006 Accessories for drilling pipes, e.g. cleaners wear protectors E21B17/10; handling drilling pipes E21B19/00; thread protectors B65D59/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07749 the record carrier being capable of non-contact communication, e.g. constructional details of the antenna of a non-contact smart card
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07758 arrangements for adhering the record carrier to further objects or living beings, functioning as an identification tag
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07788 the antenna being of the capacitive type
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0008 General problems related to the reading of electronic memory record carriers, independent of its reading method, e.g. power transfer
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10326 the antenna being of the very-near field type, e.g. capacitive

Abstract

An apparatus for identifying equipment, including the maintenance of usage histories for the equipment and recommending whether the equipment is to be used in a prospective application based on prospective application and usage history. A portable encapsulated passive circuit capable of transmitting an identification code is affixed to a piece of equipment. The circuit is activated by a portable reader which receives and decodes the identification code and transmits it to a central computer. The central computer verifies the reader and the existence of the equipment in a database and retrieves the usage history for the equipment. Based on the usage history, the prospective application and guidelines for usage of equipment, the computer determines the advisability of using the equipment in the prospective application and transmits the recommendation back to the portable reader.

Claims

1. An interactive apparatus for identifying equipment and maintaining usage histories for a plurality of items, the apparatus comprising:

(a) a portable passive circuit for storing and transmitting a unique identification code corresponding to an item, said circuit comprising

a first coupling means for receiving an electromagnetic signal of a predetermined frequency,

a power means electrically connected to said first coupling means for providing power to said circuit,

means for generating a unique identification code in response to activation of said power means, said unique identification code corresponding to said item, and

a second coupling means for transmitting said identification code by means of an electromagnetic signal;

(b) means for encapsulating said passive circuit;

(c) means for affixing said encapsulated circuit to said item;

(d) a central computer, said computer adapted for interactively receiving and processing item identification and usage data, comprising;

means for transmitting data to and receiving data from a reader means, said data including said unique identification code generated by said encapsulated passive circuit, said identification code corresponding to the item,

means for storing and retrieving a plurality of usage records for a plurality of items, each of said usage records corresponding to an individual item and said unique identification code, and

means for updating said usage records with said item current usage information;

(e) a portable reader means for identifying said items, said reader means comprising;

means for transmitting an electromagnetic signal of a predetermined frequency, said signal being tuned to said passive circuit first coupling means,

means for receiving and decoding said electromagnetic signal generated by said passive circuit, said receiving means being tuned to said passive circuit second coupling means,

means for entering current usage information for said item into said central computer,

means for transmitting data to and retrieving data from said central computer, said data including said unique identification code, said means corresponding to said central computer transmitting and receiving means,

means for displaying said usage information entered in said reader or retrieved from said central computer,

said central computer further including;

means for storing and retrieving predetermined recommended usage criteria for said equipment;

means for updating said usage records with said current usage information;

means for determining whether said updated usage record exceeds said predetermined recommended usage criteria for said equipment; and

means for notifying said reader means where said temporarily updated usage record exceeds said recommended usage criteria.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for transmitting data to and receiving data from said reader means includes an electrical conductor.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for transmitting data to and receiving data from said reader means includes a radio frequency signal.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for interactively entering current usage information for said item includes a keypad on said reader means.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said reader means for retrieving data from said central computer includes means for retrieving said usage records.