Asset tracking and work tool identification
First Claim
1. A tracking system for a work tool, the tracking system comprising:
- a tracking device coupled to the work tool and configured to transmit a work tool identification signal;
a wireless communication device configured to scan for and detect the work tool identification signal within a work area;
a location identification module coupled to the wireless communication device and configured to receive the work tool identification signal, and generate a work tool location signal, including a location indicator and a unique work tool identifier;
a communication module coupled to the wireless communication device and configured to add a date and time stamp to the work tool location signal and transmit the work tool location signal to an asset location control center;
at least one accelerometer coupled to the tracking device, the accelerometer activating the tracking device when the work tool is picked up by a work machine such that the tracking device communicates with a machine control module located on the work machine; and
a controller located in the asset location control center configured to receive the work tool location signal with the date and time stamp, the controller programmed to save the work tool location signal with the date and time stamp into an asset location database such that the asset location database displays a last known location of the work tool.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A tracking system for a work tool is disclosed. The tracking system may include a tracking device coupled to the work tool and configured to transmit a work tool identification signal and a scanning device configured to scan and detect the work tool identification signal within the area around the scanning device and the tracking device. A location identification module and a communication module may be coupled to the scanning device and configured to receive the work tool identification signal, generate a work tool location signal including a location indicator and an identification of the work tool, add a date and time stamp to the work tool location signal and transmit the work tool location signal to an asset location center. The tracking system may further include a controller configured to receive and save the work tool location signal with the date and time stamp into an asset location database.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A tracking system for a work tool, the tracking system comprising:
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a tracking device coupled to the work tool and configured to transmit a work tool identification signal; a wireless communication device configured to scan for and detect the work tool identification signal within a work area; a location identification module coupled to the wireless communication device and configured to receive the work tool identification signal, and generate a work tool location signal, including a location indicator and a unique work tool identifier; a communication module coupled to the wireless communication device and configured to add a date and time stamp to the work tool location signal and transmit the work tool location signal to an asset location control center; at least one accelerometer coupled to the tracking device, the accelerometer activating the tracking device when the work tool is picked up by a work machine such that the tracking device communicates with a machine control module located on the work machine; and a controller located in the asset location control center configured to receive the work tool location signal with the date and time stamp, the controller programmed to save the work tool location signal with the date and time stamp into an asset location database such that the asset location database displays a last known location of the work tool. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of tracking a location of a work tool, the method comprising:
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coupling a tracking device to the work tool and configuring the tracking device to transmit a work tool identification signal, at least one accelerometer being coupled to the tracking device, the accelerometer activating the tracking device when the work tool is picked up by a work machine such that the tracking device communicates with a machine control module located on the work machine; scanning for the work tool identification signal using a scanning device configured to detect the work tool identification signal within a work area; programming a work tool location signal based on a location of the scanning device when the work tool identification signal is received, including a date and time stamp with the work tool location signal; transmitting the work tool location signal to a controller located in an asset location control center; and receiving the work tool location signal, saving the work tool location signal with the date and time stamp to an asset location database, and displaying a last known location of the work tool in the asset location database. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A work machine including a tracking system for a work tool, the work machine comprising:
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a frame configured to support a power source of the work machine and the work tool operably coupled to the frame; a tracking device coupled to the work tool and configured to transmit a work tool identification signal; a wireless communication device connected to the work machine and configured to scan for the work tool identification signal within a work area; a machine control module communicably coupled to the wireless communication device and configured to receive the work tool identification signal, the machine control module including; a location identification module communicably coupled to the machine control module to generate a work tool location signal based on a detection location of the work tool identification signal; a communication module communicably coupled to the machine control module to add a date and time stamp to the work tool location signal and transmit the work tool location signal to a controller located in an asset location control center; and at least one accelerometer coupled to the tracking device, the accelerometer activating the tracking device when the work tool is picked up by the work machine and the tracking device communicating with the machine control module. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification