Patent · US Expired

Global equipment tracking system

US5289372A · kind A · utility

106Cited by
8References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 18, 1992
Grant dateFeb 22, 1994
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 18, 2012

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG07C3/00
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An equipment tracking system that provides for configuration management control over a plurality of pieces of equipment. The system includes a plurality of sets of sensors, a plurality of collectors, each individually coupled to a selected set of sensors, a concentrator coupled to the plurality of collectors, and a computer having a database for storing sensor data is coupled to the concentrator by way of a communication link. Each sensor is attached to a piece of equipment, and each sensor has a unique ID code. Each collector is coupled to a selected set of sensors, and is adapted to read out the ID code of each of the sensors at selected times, and store the changes for those sensors that have changed since the prior reading. The concentrator communicates with the plurality of collectors and causes the collectors to transmit the changed information. The present invention provides a non-manpower intensive system for providing current and accurate configuration management of thousands of pieces of equipment in a geographically dispersed environment. The present invention provides an automated system that instantaneously detects both authorized and non-authorized changes to a physic…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.