Managing an inventory of devices
US5434775A · kind A · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 4, 1993 |
| Grant date | Jul 18, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 4, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG08B13/2474
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The locations of a plurality of devices are tracked using a network of communication links, each of which corresponds to a location. Each device is given a tag that identifies the device with respect to other devices and that is connectable to a communication link when the device is disposed at the location to which the link corresponds. Each tag that is connected to each communication link is detected, and the location of each device is determined based on the detection. One feature of the technique is additionally determining the conditions of the devices by correlating one or more communication links with conditions. The technique is simple to use and highly effective technique in tracking devices stored at various locations throughout a facility. Device location and condition are monitored continuously, thereby reducing the risk that the removal of a device from storage will go undetected.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.