Wireless tracking and inventory monitoring for welding-type devices
First Claim
1. A method for implementing a consumable inventory system comprising:
- configuring a number of welding-type consumable containers to emit locatable data signals;
emitting locatable data signals from at least one of the welding-type consumable containers;
arranging a wireless detection network in a facility to receive the locatable data signals;
associating a non-transitory computer readable storage medium with a processing unit of the wireless detection network; and
storing a computer program on the non-transitory computer readable storage medium which, when executed by the processing unit, causes the processing unit to;
determine a remaining amount of welding-type consumables within the facility;
automatically generate a re-supply order when the remaining amount of welding-type consumables reaches a threshold re-supply level;
determine a location within the facility of a particular welding-type consumable container based upon a locatable data signal received therefrom;
determine whether the particular welding-type consumable container is located within an incompatible welding process zone; and
generate an incompatibility signal if the particular welding-type consumable container is located within an incompatible welding process zone.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A welding-type device has a wireless communication unit to transmit wireless signals comprising at least identification information or location information. The information may be transmitted either automatically or in response to request signals. Such a welding-type device may be configured to communicate with other welding-type devices, a monitoring device, or both. A wireless communication system has at least one welding-type device, at least one wireless communication assembly, and at least one monitoring device and is capable of assisting a user in locating particular welding-type devices, monitoring inventory, preventing theft of welding-type devices, and scheduling preventive maintenance.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method for implementing a consumable inventory system comprising:
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configuring a number of welding-type consumable containers to emit locatable data signals; emitting locatable data signals from at least one of the welding-type consumable containers; arranging a wireless detection network in a facility to receive the locatable data signals; associating a non-transitory computer readable storage medium with a processing unit of the wireless detection network; and storing a computer program on the non-transitory computer readable storage medium which, when executed by the processing unit, causes the processing unit to; determine a remaining amount of welding-type consumables within the facility; automatically generate a re-supply order when the remaining amount of welding-type consumables reaches a threshold re-supply level; determine a location within the facility of a particular welding-type consumable container based upon a locatable data signal received therefrom; determine whether the particular welding-type consumable container is located within an incompatible welding process zone; and generate an incompatibility signal if the particular welding-type consumable container is located within an incompatible welding process zone. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A welding-type consumable inventory unit comprising:
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a shipment unit having a transceiver attached thereto; a plurality of welding-type consumable containers stored with the shipment unit, each of the plurality of welding-type consumable containers having a low power transmitter which is constructed to emit a signal indicating consumable type data; and wherein the transceiver is positioned to receive signals of the low power transmitters and emit a locatable signal of relatively higher transmission strength representing the consumable type data of the plurality of welding-type consumable containers, the transceiver is configured to determine interoperatibility of the plurality of welding-type consumable containers with a welding-type device within a selected distance of the shipment unit, and the transceiver is configured to generate an incompatibility signal when the plurality of welding-type consumable containers and the welding-type device are not interoperable. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
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10. A consumable monitoring network comprising:
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at least one wireless transceiver having a processing unit and positioned within a facility to receive wireless signals of welding-type devices in the facility and process location and characteristic data therefrom; a memory unit having welding-type compatibility data stored thereon and connected to communicate with the at least one wireless transceiver; and wherein the at least one wireless transceiver is configured to generate an incompatibility signal by comparing location and characteristic data of at least one welding-type device with compatibility data stored on the memory unit, wherein the welding-type compatibility data comprises one of interoperability data for a number of welding-type device categories or data indicating welding-type processes designated for a number of locales of the facility and welding-type device categories compatible with each welding-type process, and the wireless transceiver is configured to determine welding-type process compatibility of a welding-type device within a locale of the facility and generate the incompatibility signal when the welding-type device is not compatible with the welding-type process of the locale. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification