Tool, for asset data management

• US 7,493,276 B2
• Filed: 09/21/2001
• Issued: 02/17/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kyndryl Incorporated
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Boisselle, Robert J. Jr., Adams, Douglas B., Parent, Wayne L., Ferris, Tony Patrick
• Primary Examiner(s): Zeender; F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sheikh; Asfand M
• Application Number:
  US09/961,192
• Publication Number:
  US 20030061159A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,706 Days
• Field of Search: 705/32
• US Class Current: 705/30
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0027 of actual mobile position, i.e. position determined on mobile
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/063 Operations research, analysis or management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06311 Scheduling, planning or task assignment for a person or group
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/102 Bill distribution or payments
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0284 Time or distance, e.g. usage of parking meters or taximeters
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/12 Accounting
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 1/10 together with the recording, indicating or registering of other data, e.g. of signs of identity

Abstract

A tool for asset data updating is provided. The tool comprises: a portable computing device capable of wirelessly receiving a GPS location and updating of asset data including, among other things, asset condition and/or GPS location. The tool also comprises knowledge based software capable of time tracking, work order management and billing. The knowledge based software is provided in combination with the asset updating.

Claims

1. A tool for use by a service technician to find and service an asset that is geographically dispersed from other assets, the tool comprising:

a single hand-held portable computing device;

a database located on the portable computing device;

a wireless interface adapted for connecting the portable computing device to a network via a wireless access protocol;

software installed on the portable computing device, wherein the software includes at least one of a first module adapted to conduct diagnostic tests on the asset, a second module adapted to record information, and a third module adapted to scan a barcode on the asset, wherein the software includes a fourth module adapted to track user time, a fifth module adapted to manage work orders, and a sixth module adapted to generate billing information, wherein the software includes a seventh module adapted to receive electronic signatures on the portable computing device, and wherein the software includes messaging software;

a global positioning system (GPS) device attached to the portable computing device; and

asset tracking software, installed on the portable computing device, for receiving an asset GPS location from the asset via the wireless interface, for directing the service technician to the asset, and for updating asset data, including the asset GPS location, via the wireless interface, wherein the asset tracking software includes an eighth module adapted to calculate travel time from a first location to a second location, and wherein the asset tracking software includes a ninth module adapted to provide a real-time map based on a GPS location of the tool.