Apparatus and method for tracking and managing physical assets

• US 7,152,035 B1
• Filed: 09/01/2000
• Issued: 12/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLC (Dana, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dana Corporation (Dana, Inc.)
• Inventors: Suhy, Andrew F. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Trammell, James P.
• Application Number:
  US09/653,735
• Time in Patent Office: 2,300 Days
• Field of Search: 705/1, 705/8, 705/9, 705/10, 705/28, 705/35
• US Class Current: 705/305
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/20 Administration of product repair or maintenance
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/80 Management or planning

Abstract

A computer based system automatically gathers, analyzes, and delivers information relating to the procurement and utilization of a plurality of such assets, such as a fleet of industrial equipment, so as to maximize productivity and to reduce operating costs and administrative burdens. Each of the assets is preferably provided with a data acquisition device for sensing and storing one or more operating characteristics associated therewith. That information can be transmitted through space to a receiver connected to a local controller for storing such information and for transmitting such information to a remote analysis system. The remote analysis system automatically updates individual records associated with each of the assets with the information received. In response to such information, the remote analysis system automatically analyzes the newly provided information and generates reports regarding scheduled maintenance, warranty coverage, and other management information. These reports and newly provided information can also be transmitted for review and usage by one or more additional parties including an asset owner who sets lease rates in part based on asset usage as determined from objective criteria.

Claims

1. A system for gathering and analyzing data relating to a non-fixed movable asset comprising:

a local controller located at a first location for acquiring data that is representative of at least one operating characteristic of the asset;

an analysis controller located at a second location that is responsive to said acquired data from said local controller for generating an analysis of said acquired data; and

an electronic communications network connected between said local controller and said analysis controller and permitting transmission of said acquired data from said local controller to said analysis controller; and

a sub-system that analyzes said at least one operating characteristic of the asset to determine a lease rate for the asset, the lease rate being a variable.

2. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein said lease rate includes a minimum charge if said operating characteristic is below a pre-determined threshold.

3. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein said lease rate includes a surcharge if said operating characteristic is above a pre-determined threshold.

4. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein said lease rate includes a minimum charge if said operating characteristic is below a pre-determined threshold and a surcharge if said operating characteristic is above a pre-determined threshold.

5. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein there are a plurality of operating characteristics used to determine said lease rate.

6. A system as recited in claim 5, wherein said plurality of operating characteristics includes time of operation within a fixed period of time.

7. A system as recited in claim 1, said analysis controller receiving maintenance information affecting said operating characteristic, said maintenance information affecting said lease rate.

8. A system as recited in claim 1, said analysis controller receiving maintenance information affecting said operating characteristic, wherein a first party represents an asset user and a second party represents at least one of an asset supplier and a maintenance organization, and further comprising an asset owner, wherein said asset owner analyzes said maintenance information for a plurality of assets associated with at least one of said asset supplier and said maintenance organization to evaluate its relationship based on overall maintenance performance.

9. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein said asset is limited to motion in a pre-determined geographic region to ensure the acquisition of the data.

18. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein said lease rate is lower if timely maintenance is performed and said lease rate is higher if said maintenance is untimely.

19. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein said lease rate is based on a hybrid lease arrangement comprising the following elements:

a minimum payment that has to be made if measurement of said operating characteristic is below a pre-determined minimum threshold;

a usage based-payment if measurement of said operating characteristic is above said pre-determined minimum threshold and below a pre-determined maximum threshold;

a penalty payment or surcharge if measurement of said operating characteristic is higher than said pre-determined maximum threshold.

20. A system as recited in claim 19, wherein said operating characteristic is utilization.

21. A system as recited in claim 19, comprising the further element of adjusting said lease rate based on a determination of asset maintenance timeliness.

10. A method for gathering and analyzing data relating to an asset comprising the steps of:

activating a local controller located at a first location;

acquiring data that is representative of at least one operating characteristic of the asset which is communicated from the asset to said local controller;

transmitting said operating characteristic at pre-determined intervals from said local controller to an analysis controller located at a second location using an electronic communications network connected between said local controller and said analysis controller; and

a sub-system receiving data from said analysis controller and using said data, including said at least one operating characteristic of the asset, and

determining a lease rate for the asset based in part on said at least one operating characteristic of the asset.

11. A method as recited in claim 10, said at least one operating characteristic representing an objective criteria, said determining step comprising the sub-steps of measuring said criteria and generating a usage-based analysis of asset utilization.

12. A method as recited in claim 11, said determining step comprising the sub-step of charging a minimum lease rate when said asset utilization is below a pre-determined threshold.

13. A method as recited in claim 11, said determining, step comprising the sub-step of charging a surcharge when said asset utilization exceeds a pre-determined threshold.

14. A method as recited in claim 11, said determining step comprising the sub-steps of charging a minimum lease rate when said asset utilization is below a first pre-determined threshold and charging a surcharge when said asset utilization exceeds a second predetermined threshold.

15. A system for gathering and analyzing data relating to a non-fixed movable asset limited to motion in a predetermined geographic region to ensure the acquisition of said data comprising:

a local controller located at a first location for acquiring data that is representative of at least one operating characteristic of the asset;

an analysis controller located at a second location that is responsive to said acquired data from said local controller for generating an analysis of said acquired data, said analysis controller receiving maintenance information affecting said operating characteristic; and

an electronic communications network connected between said local controller and said analysis controller and permitting transmission of said acquired data from said local controller to said analysis controller; and

a sub-system that analyzes said at least one operating characteristic of the asset to determine a lease rate for the asset, an asset owner establishing said lease rate and analyzing said maintenance information as a factor in setting said lease rate.

16. A system as recited in claim 15, wherein said lease rate includes a minimum charge if said operating characteristic is below a pre-determined threshold or a surcharge if said operating characteristic is above a pre-determined threshold.

17. A system as recited in claim 15, wherein a first party comprises an asset owner and a second party represents at least one of an asset supplier and a maintenance organization, and wherein said asset owner analyzes said maintenance information for a plurality of assets associated with at least one of said asset supplier and said maintenance organization to evaluate its relationship based on overall maintenance performance.