Method and system of asset identification and tracking for enterprise asset management

• US 7,852,222 B2
• Filed: 11/24/2008
• Issued: 12/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Verisae (Fortive Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Verisae (Fortive Corp.)
• Inventors: McConnell, Robert S., Johnson, Daniel T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mullen; Thomas J
• Application Number:
  US12/277,171
• Publication Number:
  US 20090072977A1
• Time in Patent Office: 750 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572.4, 340/572.1, 340/573.1, 340/679, 340/5.2, 340/5.61, 340/10.1, 340/10.51, 340/825.49, 705 8- 11, 705/28
• US Class Current: 340/572.4
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/29 Geographical information databases
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/08 Auctions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes

Abstract

A system and method for managing enterprise assets located at geographically distributed sites utilizing wireless tag technologies. The method includes storing in a database information relating to each asset, wherein the stored information includes cost of each asset and cost of service for each asset. The method further includes tracking and storing information relating to servicing of the assets, including the cost of servicing. Information relating to the assets is then displayed to a user of the system.

Claims

1. A system for managing a plurality of assets and allowing a user to access asset information, the system comprising:

(a) a central processor accessible on a computer network;

(b) a database for storing asset information for a plurality of assets, the database being in communication with the central processor, wherein the asset information comprises at least information relating to location, ownership, maintenance and repair of the plurality of assets;

(c) at least one tag reader in communication with the central processor, wherein each of the at least one tag readers is associated with one of a plurality of distributed sites;

(d) an asset tag associated with each of the plurality of assets, each asset tag comprising at least a unique identification for an asset with which the asset tag is associated, the asset tag configured to communicate with the tag reader; and

(e) tracking software associated with the central processor, the tracking software configured to track a location of each of the plurality of assets.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the tracking software is configured to track movement of any of the plurality of assets into or out of any of the plurality of distributed sites based on information collected by the at least one tag reader from the asset tag of any asset being moved.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the tracking software is configured to update the asset information of any one of the plurality of assets based on movement of the asset into or out of any of the plurality of distributed sites.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising notification software associated with the central processor, the notification software configured to transmit a notification message to a user based on movement of an asset.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the notification software is configured to prompt the user to confirm that the movement of the asset is authorized.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the notification message comprises information regarding transport of the asset to the user, wherein the notification software is further configured to prompt the user to confirm receipt of the asset.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one tag reader is an RFID portal.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one tag reader comprises an automatic alarm component, wherein the at least one tag reader is configured to trigger the automatic alarm component based on any unauthorized movement of any one of the plurality of assets.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the asset tags are configured to communicate with the tag reader wirelessly.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising a client processor in communication with the central processor through the computer network, wherein the client processor is configured to allow the user to input, query, and download asset information from the central processor.

11. A system for managing a plurality of assets of a plurality of distributed sites of an enterprise and allowing a user to access asset information, the system comprising:

(a) a central processor accessible on a computer network;

(b) a database for storing service provider information and asset information for the plurality of assets, the database being in communication with the central processor, wherein the asset information comprises at least information relating to location, ownership, maintenance and repair of the plurality of assets;

(c) at least one tag reader in communication with the central processor, wherein each of the at least one tag readers is associated with one of the plurality of distributed sites;

(d) an asset tag associated with each of the plurality of assets, each asset tag comprising at least a unique asset identification for an asset with which the asset tag is associated, the asset tag configured to communicate with the tag reader; and

(e) a user tag associated with each of a plurality of users, wherein the plurality of users comprise at least one service provider, each user tag comprising at least a unique identification for a user with which the user tag is associated, the user tag configured to communicate with the tag reader;

(f) asset tracking software associated with the central processor, the asset tracking software configured to track a location of each of the plurality of assets; and

(g) user tracking software associated with the central processor, the user tracking software configured to track a location of each of the plurality of users.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the user tracking software is configured to track movement of any of the plurality of users into or out of any of the plurality of distributed sites based on information collected by the at least one tag reader from the user tag of any user.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the user is a service provider, and further wherein the user tracking software is further configured to confirm the entrance or exit of the service provider at any one of the plurality of distributed sites.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the user tracking software is further configured to confirm that the service provider is authorized to enter any particular one of the plurality of distributed sites.

15. The system of claim 13, further comprising access software configured to allow the service provider access to the system via a client computer or kiosk based on the information communicated to the tag reader from the user tag of the service provider.

16. The system of claim 11, further comprising notification software associated with the central processor, the notification software configured to transmit a notification message to a user based on movement of an asset.

17. The system of claim 11, wherein each of the asset tags are configured to communicate with the tag reader wirelessly.

18. The system of claim 11, further comprising a client processor in communication with the central processor through the computer network, wherein the client processor is configured to allow the user to input, query, and download asset information from the central processor.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the client processor is a kiosk.

20. A system for managing a plurality of assets and allowing a user to access asset information, the system comprising:

(a) a central processor accessible on a computer network;

(b) a database for storing service provider information and asset information for the plurality of assets, the database being in communication with the central processor, wherein the asset information comprises at least information relating to location, ownership, maintenance and repair of the plurality of assets;

(c) at least one tag reader in communication with the central processor, wherein each of the at least one tag readers is associated with one of a plurality of distributed sites;

(d) an asset tag associated with each of the plurality of assets, each asset tag comprising at least a unique asset identification for an asset with which the asset tag is associated, the asset tag configured to communicate wirelessly with the tag reader;

(e) a user tag associated with each of a plurality of users, wherein the plurality of users comprise at least one service provider, each user tag comprising at least a unique identification for a user with which the user tag is associated, the user tag configured to communicate wirelessly with the tag reader;

(f) a client processor in communication with the central processor through the computer network, wherein the client processor is configured to allow the user to input, query, and download asset information from the central processor;

(g) asset tracking software associated with the central processor, the asset tracking software configured to track a location of each of the plurality of assets;

(h) user tracking software associated with the central processor, the user tracking software configured to track a location of each of the plurality of users; and

(i) notification software associated with the central processor, the notification software configured to transmit a notification message to a user based on movement of an asset.