Wireless asset monitoring and security system using user identification tags
First Claim
1. An asset monitoring and security system, comprising:
- at least one asset assigned a unique identifier and operable to transmit an identification signal embodying the identifier over a wireless communications link;
at least one user identification device assigned a unique identifier and operable to transmit an identification signal embodying the identifier over a wireless communications link;
a data store for maintaining a list of the assets, a list of users authorized to use the assets, and privileges associated with the assets for each of the authorized users; and
a control unit adapted to receive identification signals from the assets and user identification devices and determines positions of the assets and user identification devices within a defined area based on the identification signals from the assets and user identification devices, wherein the control unit updates the data store with an associate between a given asset and a given user when the distance between the given asset and the given user is less than a defined threshold and is further operable to initiate an alarm event when privileges associated with a given authorized user for a given asset are exceeded, wherein the assets include a lock-out mechanism that impedes use of the asset when the lock-out mechanism is activated and wherein the control unit activates the lock-out mechanism of a given asset when the privileges associated with the asset for authorized users of the asset are exceeded.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An asset monitoring and security system includes at least one asset and at least one user identification device assigned a unique identifier and operable to transmit an identification signal embodying the identifier over a wireless communications link. A data store maintains lists of the assets, users authorized to use the assets, and privileges associated with the assets for each of the authorized users. A control unit is adapted to receive identification signals from the assets and user identification devices and monitor positions of the assets and user identification devices within a defined area based on the identification signals. The control unit communicates with the data store and is further operable to initiate an alarm event when privileges associated with a given authorized user for a given asset are exceeded. Each of the assets includes a lock-out mechanism that impedes use of the asset when the lock-out mechanism is activated.
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Citations
41 Claims
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1. An asset monitoring and security system, comprising:
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at least one asset assigned a unique identifier and operable to transmit an identification signal embodying the identifier over a wireless communications link; at least one user identification device assigned a unique identifier and operable to transmit an identification signal embodying the identifier over a wireless communications link; a data store for maintaining a list of the assets, a list of users authorized to use the assets, and privileges associated with the assets for each of the authorized users; and a control unit adapted to receive identification signals from the assets and user identification devices and determines positions of the assets and user identification devices within a defined area based on the identification signals from the assets and user identification devices, wherein the control unit updates the data store with an associate between a given asset and a given user when the distance between the given asset and the given user is less than a defined threshold and is further operable to initiate an alarm event when privileges associated with a given authorized user for a given asset are exceeded, wherein the assets include a lock-out mechanism that impedes use of the asset when the lock-out mechanism is activated and wherein the control unit activates the lock-out mechanism of a given asset when the privileges associated with the asset for authorized users of the asset are exceeded. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An asset monitoring and security system, comprising:
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at least one asset assigned a unique identifier and operable to transmit an identification signal embodying the identifier over a wireless communications link; at least one user identification device assigned a unique identifier and operable to transmit an identification signal embodying the identifier over a wireless communications link; a data store for maintaining a list of the assets, a list of users authorized to use the assets, and privileges associated with the assets for each of the authorized users; and a control unit adapted to receive identification signals from the assets and user identification devices and determines positions of the assets and user identification devices within a defined area based on the identification signals from the assets and user identification devices, wherein the control unit updates the data store with an associate between a given asset and a given user when the distance between the given asset and the given user is less than a defined threshold and is further operable to initiate an alarm event when privileges associated with a given authorized user for a given asset are exceeded, wherein the assets include a lock-out mechanism that impedes use of the asset when the lock-out mechanism is activated and wherein the control unit deactivates the lock-out mechanism of a given asset when a user identification device of an authorized user of the asset is within a predetermined distance of the asset and activates the lock-out mechanism when a user identification device of an authorized user is not within the predetermined distance of the asset. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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Specification