CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT COMPONENT LOCATION TRACKING

• US 20100039317A1
• Filed: 08/18/2008
• Published: 02/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited (Trimble Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited (Trimble Inc.)
• Inventors: Cameron, John F.
• Granted Patent: US 7,911,379 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 342/357.520
• 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

Abstract

In a method for construction equipment component location tracking, a wireless mesh network communication is initiated between a component monitor and a component information unit which is mechanically coupled with the component. An identity of the component is received at the component monitor via the wireless mesh network communication. A Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver of the component monitor is utilized to ascertain a location of the component at a completion of an inventory action.

Claims

1. A method for construction equipment component location tracking, said method comprising:

initiating a wireless mesh network communication between a component monitor and a component information unit mechanically coupled with said component;

receiving an identity of said component at said component monitor via said wireless mesh network communication; and

utilizing a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver of said component monitor to ascertain a location of said component at a completion of an inventory action.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

transferring said location and said identity from said component monitor to an inventory unit configured for maintaining an inventory of component locations.

3. The method as recited in claim 2, further comprising:

associating said location with said identity and a time stamp in said inventory of component locations.

4. The method as recited in claim 3, further comprising:

displaying said location and said identity on a display device coupled with said inventory unit.

5. The method as recited in claim 4, wherein said displaying said location and said identity on a display device coupled with said inventory unit comprises:

displaying said location and said identity relative to a map of said component storage area.

6. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said utilizing a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver of said component monitor to ascertain a location of said component at a completion of an inventory action further comprises:

storing said location in association with said identity in a storage module of said component monitor.

7. A component monitor, comprising:

a mesh networking device configured for communicating with a component information unit via a wireless mesh network to access an identity of a component to which said component information unit is coupled;

a GNSS receiver configured for providing a location of said component;

a storage module configured for storing said location in association with said identity; and

a communication module configured for communicating with an inventory unit to transfer said location and said identity from said component monitor to said inventory unit, said inventory unit configured for maintaining an inventory of component locations.

8. The component monitor of claim 7, further comprising:

a signal module configured for signaling movement completion to said component information unit to indicate that an inventory movement of said component has been completed.

9. The component monitor of claim 8, wherein said signal module is further configured for signaling a request to said component information unit for information regarding said component.

10. The component monitor of claim 7, wherein said communication module comprises a wireless communication module configured for wirelessly communicating with said inventory unit.

11. A data mule for transferring data regarding a component:

an inventory positioning vehicle configured for transporting a component in an inventory movement within a component storage area;

a component monitor physically coupled with said inventory movement vehicle, said component monitor comprising;

a mesh networking device configured for communicating with a component information unit via a wireless mesh network to access an identity of a component to which said component information unit is coupled;

a GNSS receiver configured for providing a location of said component;

a storage module configured for storing said location in association with said identity; and

a communication module configured for communicating with an inventory unit to transfer said location and said identity from said component monitor to said inventory unit, said inventory unit configured for maintaining an inventory of component locations.

12. The data mule of claim 11, wherein said inventory movement vehicle is selected from a group of inventory movement vehicles consisting of:

a crane, a truck, a fork lift, and a loader.

13. The data mule of claim 11, wherein said component monitor is configured for storing said location and said identity at least until said communication module is able to establish communication with said inventory unit and transfer said location and said identity to said inventory unit.

14. A system for construction equipment component location tracking, said system comprising:

a component information unit mechanically coupled with a component and configured for providing an identity of said component via a wireless mesh network;

a component monitor physically separate from said component and configured for receiving said identity and noting a location of said component at a completion of an inventory action; and

an inventory unit configured for receiving said identity and said location from said component monitor and associating said location and said identity with a time stamp in an inventory of components.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein said component monitor is mechanically coupled with an inventory positioning vehicle.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein said component monitor is coupled with a vehicle used to transport said component between a component storage area and a job site.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein said component monitor is positioned proximal to a gate of a component storage area.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein said component monitor is coupled with a cab of a crane.

19. The system of claim 14, wherein said component monitor is configured within a hand-holdable portable device.

20. The system of claim 14, wherein said inventory unit further comprises a display for displaying said location and said identity relative to a map of said component storage area.