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Oilfield equipment identification apparatus

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

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