Automated handtool task verification

• US 9,898,705 B2
• Filed: 11/29/2012
• Issued: 02/20/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Trimble Inc.
• Original Assignee: Trimble Inc.
• Inventors: Kahle, Kent, Bohle, Pat, Painter, Robert, Messmer, Markus, Glockner, Oliver, Beckenbauer, Angela, Cramer, Till, Winter, Andreas
• Primary Examiner(s): Cruz, Nadja Chong
• Application Number:
  US13/689,595
• Publication Number:
  US 20130138466A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,909 Days
• Field of Search: 705 715
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/063114 Status monitoring or status determination for a person or group

Abstract

A method of automated handheld tool task verification is disclosed. In one embodiment, at least one operating parameter for performing a task is received at a handheld tool. It is then verified at the handheld tool that it is configured with the at least one operating parameter. The handheld tool then generates data verifying that the task was performed in accordance with the at least one operating parameter.

Claims

1. A method of automated handheld tool task verification, said method comprising:

receiving, by a handheld tool, at least one operating parameter for performing a task with said handheld tool;

verifying by said handheld tool that it is configured with said at least one operating parameter;

performing in one step, performed by said handheld tool, marking a position on a material and performing said task on said material at said position, wherein said task includes drilling a hole into said material at a location, wherein said location includes one or more structures surrounding said hole; and

generating by said handheld tool, data verifying that said task was performed in accordance with said at least one operating parameter, wherein generating said data includes;

capturing, by a camera coupled to said handheld tool, at least one image at said location where said task is performed;

determining, by a positioning infrastructure separate from said handheld tool, based on said at least one image, whether said hole damaged said one or more structures surrounding said hole; and

wherein said positioning infrastructure further comprises a communication transceiver configured to generate task data, including said at least one image, verifying that said task was performed in accordance with said operating parameter.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

automatically detecting by said handheld tool an implement coupled with said handheld tool and wherein said at least one operating parameter is selected based upon an identification of said implement.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

determining a distance said handheld tool has travelled while performing said task.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

generating, at said location where said task is performed, an updated record comprising said task; and

conveying said updated record to an information management system.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

receiving the data verifying that said task was performed in accordance with said at least one operating parameter at an information management system; and

using the data to update a record comprising said task.

6. A system for automated handheld tool task verification comprising:

a user interface coupled with a handheld tool and comprising a data receiver configured to receive an operating parameter for performing a task using said handheld tool;

a sensor coupled with said handheld tool and configured to determine that said handheld tool is configured with said operating parameter;

said handheld tool, performing in one step while operated by a single operator, marking a position on a material and performing said task on said material at said position, wherein said task includes drilling a hole into said material at a location, wherein said location includes one or more structures surrounding said hole;

a camera coupled to said handheld tool and configured to capture at least one image at said location where said task is performed;

a positioning infrastructure separate from said handheld tool configured to determine, based on said at least one image, whether said hole damaged said one or more structures surrounding said hole; and

wherein said positioning infrastructure further comprises a communication transceiver configured to generate task data, including said at least one image, verifying that said task was performed in accordance with said operating parameter.

7. The system of claim 6 further comprising:

a first sensor coupled with said handheld tool and configured to automatically detect an implement coupled with said handheld tool and wherein said operating parameter is selected based upon an identification of said implement.

8. The system of claim 6 wherein said handheld tool further comprises:

a position determination module configured to determine a distance said handheld tool has travelled while performing said task.

9. The system of claim 6 wherein said handheld tool is communicatively coupled with a reporting source configured to generate, at said location where said task is performed, an updated record comprising said task and wherein said updated record is conveyed to an information management system.

10. The system of claim 6 wherein said communication transceiver is further configured to generate a message conveying said data verifying that said task was performed in accordance with said operating parameter to an information management system which uses said data to update a record comprising said task.

11. A non-transitory computer-readable media storage medium comprising computer executable code for directing a processor to execute a method for automated handheld tool task verification, said method comprising:

receiving, at a handheld tool, at least one operating parameter for performing a task with said handheld tool;

verifying by said handheld tool that it is configured with said at least one operating parameter;

performing in one step, performed by said handheld tool, marking a position on a material and performing said task on said material at said position, wherein said task includes drilling a hole into said material at a location, wherein said location includes one or more structures surrounding said hole; and

generating by said handheld tool, data verifying that said task was performed in accordance with said at least one operating parameter, wherein generating said data includes;

capturing, by a camera coupled to said handheld tool, at least one image at said location where said task is performed;

determining, by a positioning infrastructure separate from said handheld tool, based on said at least one image, whether said hole damaged said one or more structures surrounding said hole; and

wherein said positioning infrastructure further comprises a communication transceiver configured to generate task data, including said at least one image, verifying that said task was performed in accordance with said operating parameter.

12. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 11, wherein said method further comprises:

automatically detecting by said handheld tool an implement coupled with said handheld tool and wherein said at least one operating parameter is selected based upon an identification of said implement.

13. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 11, wherein said method further comprises:

determining a distance said handheld tool has travelled while performing said task.

14. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 11, wherein said method further comprises:

generating, at said location where said task is performed, an updated record comprising said task; and

conveying said updated record to an information management system.