Closed loop asset management process

• US 6,922,687 B2
• Filed: 12/21/2001
• Issued: 07/26/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Barca LLC
• Original Assignee: Barca LLC
• Inventors: Vernon, William Earl
• Primary Examiner(s): Rones, Charles
• Assistant Examiner(s): ABEL JALIL, NEVEEN
• Application Number:
  US10/028,055
• Publication Number:
  US 20030120677A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,313 Days
• Field of Search: 707 1- 10, 707/104.1, 707/100, 707/103.R, 705/28, 705/29, 705/56
• US Class Current: 235/462.01
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/919 Geographic
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/959 Network
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99931 Database or file accessing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing

Abstract

A method and system for managing assets used in business. A central computer database has records of tracked items identified by a unique identifying code. A communications link is provided between a scanner and the central computer database at each point in a cycle of change in status of the item. The code is scanned or otherwise given to the database when the item status is changed and the information scanned is transmitted to the central computer database. This arrangement provides users real-time sharing of relevant information such as order status, stocking location, notifications, or any other special instructions. The unique identifier number is physically placed on the item wherever possible. The unique identifier is unique for all items tracked by the system. No two items of different classes or within the same class possess the same unique identifier number.

Claims

1. A system for managing physical assets, the system comprising:

a computer database that for tracking physical assets with each physical asset assigned a unique identifying code that is unique for all assets tracked by the system with no two assets belonging to different classes of physical assets and no two assets belonging to the same class of physical assets having the same identifying code;

a plurality of scanners located in a corresponding plurality of different geographic locations throughout the system, the scanners being capable of reading the unique identifying code assigned to a particular physical asset, the unique identifying code being embedded in a unique identifying label attached to the physical asset;

a communications link between the plurality of scanners and the computer database; and

wherein

every time a status of a physical asset changes over the course of a cycle of change in status, the unique identifying label attached to the physical asset is scanned by one of the plurality of scanners and the unique identifying code is transmitted over the communications link to the computer database.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein geographic location information is transmitted over the communications link to the computer database along with the unique identifying code every time the status of the physical asset changes.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the unique identifying code assigned to a particular physical asset is associated with a unique record stored in the computer database.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the unique record comprises information specific to the physical asset.

5. The system of claim 4 further comprising a database server connected to the computer database for facilitating communication between a user and the computer database.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the database server is connected to a network.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the network comprises the World Wide Web.

8. The system of claim 6 wherein the location of the physical asset is updated in real-time to the computer database.

9. The system of claim 4 wherein the specific information in the record includes status information relating to the status of the physical asset.

10. The system of claim 4 wherein the record includes status information relating to the status of the physical asset.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein transmitting the unique identifying code over the communications link to the computer database causes the status information in the record to be updated.

12. The system of claim 10 wherein status update information is transmitted over the communications link to the computer database along with the unique identifying code every time the status of the physical asset changes.

13. The system of claim 4 wherein the user can update a record corresponding to a particular physical asset through a database server.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein in response to receiving the unique identifying code, the computer database transmits information stored in the record corresponding to the physical asset over the communications link.

15. The system of claim 1 wherein the unique identifying label attached to a physical asset is scanned every time the physical asset is moved.

16. The system of claim 1 wherein the communications link is wireless.

17. The system of claim 1 wherein a vendor is connected to the to the computer database over the communications link allowing the vendor to and provides information about a particular physical asset to the computer database.

18. The system of claim 1 wherein the status of a physical asset includes the geographic location of the physical asset.

19. The system of claim 1 wherein status update information is transmitted over the communications link to the computer database along with the unique identifying code every time the status of the physical asset changes.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein the status update information includes location information.

21. A method of asset management comprising:

assigning each physical asset to be tracked a unique identifying code that is unique for all assets to be tracked with no two assets belonging to different classes of physical assets and no two assets belonging to the same class of physical assets having the same identifying code;

providing the unique identification code assigned to a physical asset in a unique identifying label and attaching the unique identifying label to the physical asset;

providing a central computer database having a plurality of records, with each record being associated with a particular physical asset and being identified by the unique identifying code associated with the physical asset, with the record including information specific to the physical asset;

providing a plurality of scanners located in a corresponding plurality of different geographic locations and capable of reading the unique identifying labels;

providing a communications link between a the plurality of scanners and the central computer database;

scanning the unique identifying label attached to a physical asset with one of the scanners every time the status of the physical asset is changed over the course of a cycle of change in status; and

transmitting status update information and the unique identifying code over the communications link to the central computer database every time the status of the physical asset is changed over the course of a cycle of change in status.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the status of a physical asset includes the geographic location of the physical asset.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein scanning the unique identifying label attached to the physical asset encodes the geographic location of the physical asset in the status update information transmitted over the communications link to the computer database.

24. The method of claim 21 wherein the central computer database provides users real-time sharing of the information specific to the physical asset stored in the records of the central computer database.

25. The method of claim 21 further comprising:

uniquely identifying which specific product classes deserve tracking.

26. The method of claim 21 further comprising:

transmitting information stored in the record corresponding to the physical asset from the central computer database over the communications link in response to the central computer database'"'"'s receipt of the status update information and unique identifying code.

27. The method of claim 21 further comprising:

scanning the unique identifying label attached to a physical asset with one of the scanners at a plurality of different data exchange points;

transmitting status update information and the unique identifying code over the communications link to the central computer database upon scanning the unique identifying label at each of the plurality of data exchange points; and

transmitting information stored in the record corresponding to the asset, from the central computer database over the communications link in response to receipt of the status update information and unique identifying code.

28. The method of claim 21 wherein the status of a physical asset comprises:

installed at a customer location,

inventory,

disposed of, or

being repaired.

29. The method of claim 21 further comprising:

providing an electronic network for linking multiple computer systems located in various locations to the central computer database such that the computer systems can be used to access the records of physical assets and track the status of assets from various locations on a real-time basis.

30. The method of claim 29 wherein the data exchange points comprise:

an installation location, a maintenance location, and a disposal location.