Abstract:
A system and method which allows the identity of assets and their physical locations to be mapped and associated with one another. The invention includes a locator tool which receives an input which allows the tool to determine its own spatial location and thereby the spatial locations of various objects such as furniture, computer equipment, and structural components such as doors, windows to be identified and located and thereafter mapped in the form of architectural layout, diagrams, and the like. The invention is also an inventory system as well as a verification system that allows objects or assets to be inventoried, tracked, or verified against purchasing lists or the like.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This Application claims priority and is entitled to the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/174,692 filed Jan. 6, 2000, and entitled “METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING THE INVENTORY AND LOCATION OF ASSETS.” The contents of the aforementioned application are incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates to inventory systems and, more particularly, to a method and system for determining the inventory and location of assets.  
           [0003]    In large organizations and others, an important requirement of asset management is the need to first have an accurate tabulation and second, to know the physical location of those assets in the inventory.  
           [0004]    Traditionally, an item is added to an inventory when it is acquired and then updated periodically. The task of performing periodic updates to the inventory is tedious and fraught with errors. Some automated systems require that a barcode label attached to the item be scanned (to identify the asset) and the location manually entered. Other systems attach electronic tags that act as electronic locators of the associated asset-some acting as transponders to identify themselves when polled and others as locator beacons. The former requires extensive manual interaction that is prone to error and the latter expensive equipment that itself can be lost or damaged, or, is quite simply overkill.  
           [0005]    Due to the periodic nature of most inventories, “instant” updates to an item&#39;s location are seldom required. Rather, an accurate last known location is of prime importance.  
           [0006]    In other situations, such as for architectural purposes, the location of an item, such as water pipes, lighting fixtures, junction boxes, etc., is of prime importance to ensure among other things that the plans and drawings are accurate. Often changes are made during construction and afterwards that are never incorporated into the plans. In some instances, there is a need to locate the position where an item should be and has been placed.  
           [0007]    In some industries, such as construction, there is a need to determine not only where items have been placed (installed) but also provide a measure of compliance. For example, after electrical equipment is installed at a construction site, the contractor produces a bill of materials for reimbursement. There is a need to not only produce but also verify that this bill of materials is correct and that the items have been installed in the proper locations.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    The term “map” is meant to connote any or all of the following: a diagram describing objects and their geographic positions; a list or table of objects and their spatial coordinates or relative placement; a list or table describing objects and their spatial locations; or a diagram, list or table describing the spatial arrangement of physical locations.  
           [0009]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and system wherein the identity of assets and their physical locations are associated with one another.  
           [0010]    A further object of the present invention is to provide a system and method whereby the physical placement or installation of assets is accomplished according to a pre-determined map of the geographic coordinates at which each such asset should be placed or installed.  
           [0011]    It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a system and method whereby the diagram describing the geographic coordinates where the items are intended to be located is automatically “updated” as the assets are installed (i.e., placed into service).  
           [0012]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a system and method whereby an inventory of the assets placed into service is obtained and reported.  
           [0013]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a system and method whereby an inventory of the assets placed into service is obtained, reported, and verified for compliance purposes.  
           [0014]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a system and method whereby a user can construct accurate drawings of buildings, etc.  
           [0015]    In a preferred embodiment, the present invention consists of a system that performs the following main functions:  
           [0016]    1. Acquires data that identifies the inventory item;  
           [0017]    2. Determines the geographical position of that item to the required level of accuracy;  
           [0018]    3. Optionally, records the date and time (timestamps) when the identifying data and geographical position have been acquired;  
           [0019]    4. Optionally, verifies that the item is already cataloged in a database;  
           [0020]    5. Optionally, converts the geographical position to a description of the physical location (e.g., “Building 1, Room 10-17” or “330 7 th  Ave, NYC 10001, 7 th  floor, NE corner”, etc.); and  
           [0021]    6. Optionally, transmits this data to another system for processing.  
           [0022]    Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention which refers to the accompanying drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0023]    The present invention is described below by reference to the drawings in which:  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 1 is a flow chart showing an inventory of assets in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing an inventory of assets with location names.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing a process to map an office layout.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 4 is an architectural layout. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0028]    With reference to the drawings, the invention is a system and method whereby the physical placement or installation of assets is accomplished according to a pre-determined map of the geographic coordinates in which each asset should be placed or installed. Assets are tracked by their “identities.” 
         [0029]    The identity of an asset, such as an inventory item, can be obtained via the use of barcode labels and a reader that is incorporated into the system. Another means of identification is by reference, i.e., associating the identity of that item to an employee, department, system or other relevant object or category. Yet another means of identification is the use of RF ID tags, wherein a tag reader (or reader/writer) is incorporated into the system.  
         [0030]    In the latter cases, information is written to an RF ID tag and this functionality can also be incorporated into the system. For example, the system assigns an ID number that is written to the tag, a description (e.g., “Gateway P6-350”), location (“Bldg 1, Rm 10-17”) or other identifying information (e.g., owner name, department, etc.).  
         [0031]    The geographical position of the item is obtained in a number of ways. In particular, time difference of arrival (TDOA) technology, used in the Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites and land-based transmitters, provides pinpoint accuracy to handheld receivers. GPS position data consists of latitude, longitude and elevation. Note that TDOA technology does not require satellites, but may be implemented locally using landbased transmitters.  
         [0032]    Other means of determining a geographical position include direction finding equipment, laser range finders, sonar and optical range finders. It is also possible to use two methods in tandem. For example, the data from a GPS receiver can pinpoint the location of range finding equipment and data from that equipment can be combined to calculate the exact geographical position of a desired item.  
         [0033]    Timestamps, consisting of the time and date, are generally associated with a measurement event and can be obtained in one or more ways. For example, an internal clock can be read or, if one is using a GPS receiver, the GPS clock signal is read, or the time can be manually entered. An event occurs when, for example, the barcode label is scanned and a GPS reading is taken. At that point in time, a timestamp is obtained and associated with data taken for the current event.  
         [0034]    Patent documents relating to devices that locate and track objects including by GPS include the following U.S. Pat. Nos.: 5,751,221, 5,739,765 5,689,238 5,450,070 4,101,873 5,828,306 5,418,537 5,402,466 5,357,560 5,353,376 5,334,974 5,319,698 5,317,620 5,247,564 5,148,471 5,081,667 5,019,802 4,961,212 4,833,477 4,825,457; 4,742,336; and 5,918,180. The contents of the aforelisted patents are incorporated by reference herein.  
         [0035]    The acquisition of geographic position data et al. can be performed in one or more of the following modes of operation:  
         [0036]    Data is acquired when the user pushes a button, switch, etc.  
         [0037]    Stopwatch mode wherein at the push of a button, data is acquired continuously (during which time the positioning device can be moved through a range of locations, as would be necessary, for example, to map the path of a cable), and at a user selectable rate, until the button is again pressed.  
         [0038]    Data is acquired when the geographic position has changed by a user selected amount, for example, when the position has changed by more than one foot.  
         [0039]    Data is acquired when a period of time has elapsed by a user selected amount, optionally at a user selected rate of repetition, for example, when one minute has elapsed and every minute thereafter.  
         [0040]    Data is acquired when a specified geographic position or location is reached.  
         [0041]    In any of the modes of operation, the present invention determines the position of an asset or location by processing geographic positioning data and applying any of a calibration, tolerance, or offset to the data. For example, a tolerance of one inch in any direction when locating an asset or applying an offset of six inches when determining the “center” of a tree trunk.  
         [0042]    In another mode of operation the geographic positioning device alerts the users when a specific location or region has been reached, allowing assets to be installed in the location specified by a predetermined map. Alerts can be visual such as a flashing light; audible such as a buzzer or tone generator; and mechanical such as vibration. Optionally, the frequency with which lights flash, etc. serves as a cue to the user that he is moving nearer or moving away from the proper location.  
         [0043]    Some modes of operation may involve two-way communication between the locator device and other devices such as a computer for uploading event data to be processed, downloading configuration data into the locator device, gathering positional data from range finders or GPS receivers, networking to other locator devices, etc. Depending upon the application, wireless technologies such as infrared (IrDA), radio frequency (RF transmitters) and wireless networks (e.g., Bluetooth) can be employed in addition to the more “traditional” methods of hardwire connections.  
         [0044]    Optionally, the invention maintains a database of known inventory items. The database can be located within the locator device, on a remote computer system, on another networked locator device, or combinations of the above. Additionally, the database can be specific to the locator device, a table, spreadsheet, or a general purpose database such as Microsoft Access, Oracle, etc.  
         [0045]    When the barcode is scanned, the scanned code is verified against the database. If an entry is not found, the user may be prompted to enter descriptive information about the item at which point a new inventory item is created. This is illustrated in FIG. 1. The Figure is a top level flow chart that begins with the start routine  20  and provides further routines  22  which scan bar codes or read an RFID tag which is associated with a physical item. At step  24  the software determines whether an item is in the database. If it is, the program proceeds to step  28  where the global positioning system coordinates are obtained and a time stamp is attached (at step  32 ) and thereafter the data is stored as indicated at  34 . The final housekeeping chores are done at the end box  38 .  
         [0046]    However, if an item is not in the database the query step  26  determines whether the item should be added to the database. If so, the program proceeds to step  30  where the item is added to the database and thereafter the software flow is as before. However, if an item is not to be added into the database, an error message is generated at step  36  and the program proceeds to the end box  38 .  
         [0047]    While a geographical position accurately describes a physical position, it is more natural for people to think in terms of physical locations or regions such as  
         [0048]    Building 1, Room 10-17  
         [0049]    330 7 th  Ave, NYC 10001, 7 th  floor, NE corner  
         [0050]    Parts Room 3-12, Bin 17  
         [0051]    Electrical Cable Conduit A-17  
         [0052]    Air Handler Return Vent AH-301, Section 1408  
         [0053]    The technology for associating a physical location to a geographic coordinate is well known in the art of Geographic Information Systems and can be readily incorporated into this invention. This is illustrated in FIG. 2 which is identical in virtually every respect to the flow chart of FIG. 1, but illustrates an intermediate step  33  which converts a geographic position to a location name so that it can be associated with more readily understandable position indicia.  
         [0054]    Optionally, this device may be limited to data gathering (functions 1-3, above) and that data processed by a central computer system. Numerous techniques can be incorporated to transfer this data: hardwire connection, docking station, SmartCard, Flash Memory, infrared/RF transmitter-receiver, modem, etc. The data can be read directly by the central computer, a local area network, or a wide area network (e.g., the Internet).  
         [0055]    In another embodiment, the system of the invention is used to manage the placement and retrieval of merchandise within a warehouse. As an item is received it may be placed in a location according to pre-determined criteria or simply at random. The location and identity of that item is recorded by the system and that information is updated if it is moved or removed from the warehouse. If the pre-determined criteria requires that the item be placed in or removed from a particular location, the geographic positioning device optionally alerts the user when that location has been reached.  
         [0056]    In another embodiment, the system of the invention is used to determine the position of generic items. For example, to “map” the layout of a suite of offices, one selects from a menu of items (e.g., desk, file cabinet, etc.), positions the portable device and then “presses a button” to record that location. Even more precisely, the position of two corners of the desk could be determined, thereby giving the exact orientation of the desk. Processing such position data is optionally used to produce a layout of the office.  
         [0057]    Thus if it is desired to map physical objects (depicted in FIG. 3) in space, such as a chair  50 , a desk  52 , a sofa  54  and a aggregation of items  56 , the software flow for mapping an office layout has an initialization routine  40  which is followed by a step  42  for selecting an item type and thereafter obtaining GPS coordinates. At step  44  the coordinates are converted to a location name. In the subsequent step  46 , the item and the location are entered into the database and then the program exits at  48 , to obtain an electronic or database definition of the layout of an office.  
         [0058]    In another embodiment, the invention is used in a similar manner to produce survey, landscaping and topographical data wherein such data is processed to identify and map the location of trees, plants, sheds, and other structures. Knowledge of the topography is very important in determining drainage conditions. Similarly, a user, such as a landscaper, can use the system onsite to “mark” the position of various trees and plants that are to planted there at a later time.  
         [0059]    In another embodiment, the invention is used to update architectural layouts. It is common when remodeling in a large office building for there to be minor differences in the interior dimensions from floor to floor. These differences are typically due to electrical wiring, heating and ventilating, interior walls, etc. Further, many times alterations and changes are made which are either poorly documented or not documented at all. While minor, an architect must take these into account when drafting new plans. Typically, this means taking numerous measurements even if one is working with an existing floor plan.  
         [0060]    For example, an item such as a wall is selected from a computer display, scanning a barcode on the diagram or entering a part number. The locator device receives the geographic coordinates (and tolerances) where the wall starts and ends. As the user moves the locator device, it visually or audibly notifies the user to “mark” the locations when each of those coordinates is reached and they are within the allowable tolerances. This may be done in a number of ways such as a “getting warmer/getting colder” tone that changes in frequency or pitch, or by use of a visual display that represents the current position of the locator relative to the diagram, allowing the user to move the locator until the display shows it to coincide with the desired point on the diagram. Optionally, when a first item is positioned, the next item is automatically selected for the user to layout. Additionally, multiple items may be selected, in which case the locator device directs the user to position each in turn. Optionally, the order in which the items are to be located is optimized according to criteria such as distance, order of precedence, installation time, availability of other resources (e.g., a forklift), etc. Optionally, the present invention verifies that items have been positioned in accordance to the diagram by taking an additional location measurement and comparing that against the intended location. In another mode of operation of this embodiment, and as a variant of a method previously described, the present invention determines after the fact the actual physical geographic placement of individual assets and “calibrates” the diagram describing the geographic coordinates where the items were intended to be placed. These calibrations are also used to facilitate the construction process.  
         [0061]    For example, the device can incorporate range finding equipment and, optionally, a GPS receiver. The equipment is placed in the center of the area, e.g. a room  61  (FIG. 4), to be surveyed and range data is gathered while the device is rotated through 360 degrees of arc. The resulting data now represents a “floor plan” which is used to generate a new or update an old architectural layout.  
         [0062]    In FIG. 4, an architectural layout is produced by placing the physical object locator  62  in the center of the room  61  and rotating it to locate, for example, the pipe  64  or the HVAC duct  66  resulting in a map  60  of physical objects which defines the location of items in terms of their angular and range locations, i.e., polar coordinates. This data can be easily converted to other data formats such as, for example, a Cartesian coordinate system or a matrix system.  
         [0063]    Furthermore, GPS data also produces precise elevation data which is used in this context to determine the actual floor of the building or buildings where objects are located. For example, by taking two calibrating elevation measurements, such as on the first and second floors, the locations of the other floors are readily deduced.  
         [0064]    In another embodiment, an architectural diagram, whether created by the present invention or by other means, describes the location of various interior walls, doors, windows, plumbing, ventilation, electrical equipment, etc. to be built or installed. Whether such items are pre-fabricated or custom built, a contractor must locate where and in what order these are to be installed. Whereas the previously described functions of the present invention have had as one of their objectives the creation of a diagram from data gathered via multiple physical location readings that are associated with existing physical objects, the invention also “goes the other way” in that it allows the objects described on an existing diagram to be conveniently associated with the corresponding location in physical space where the objects should be located and, if required, in a specified order.  
         [0065]    For example, an item such as a wall is selected from a computer display, scanning a barcode on the diagram or entering a part number. The locator device receives the geographic coordinates (and tolerances) where the wall starts and ends. As the user moves the locator device, it visually or audibly notifies the user to “mark” the locations when each of those coordinates is reached and they are within the allowable tolerances. This may be done in a number of ways such as a “getting warmer/getting colder” tone that changes in frequency or pitch, or by use of a visual display that represents the current position of the locator relative to the diagram, allowing the user to move the locator until the display shows it to coincide with the desired point on the diagram. Optionally, when a first item is positioned, the next item is automatically selected for the user to layout.  
         [0066]    In another mode of operation of this embodiment and as a variant of a method previously described, the present invention determines after the fact the actual physical geographic placement of individual assets and “calibrates” the diagram describing the geographic coordinates where the items were intended to be placed. These calibrations are also used to facilitate the construction process.  
         [0067]    Even though offices, homes, buildings, etc. are constructed according to architectural plans, the true physical placement of walls, doors, plumbing, electrical wiring and receptacles, etc. can and will vary.  
         [0068]    For example, the user selects an item such as a wall from a computer display, scanning a barcode on the diagram or entering a part number. Using the locator device, the user records the geographic coordinates where the wall starts and ends. Those locations are used to update the architectural plans.  
         [0069]    In some instances, the calibrated data is used to facilitate the construction process in determining the correct amount of raw materials that are required.  
         [0070]    For example, when a water heater is installed in a small office the water supply and delivery lines are routed through the floors and walls to the lavatory sinks. If each sink and the water heater are located precisely according to the diagram and the walls and floors are also constructed in precise accordance to the diagram, all of the water pipes could be pre-fabricated saving the plumbers and contractors both time and money. In reality, a misalignment of a single item by only an inch makes this totally impractical. However, the present invention makes it practical to pre-fabricate the water pipes by using actual geographic coordinates to determine all of the necessary bends, turns and runs.  
         [0071]    In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a system and method whereby an inventory of the assets placed into service is obtained and reported.  
         [0072]    In some industries, such as the construction industry, it is common to reimburse contractors according to equipment installed. Typically, contractors submit a bill of materials for reimbursement. Producing such a bill of materials can be burdensome and error-prone as can be verifying that such materials have actually been installed.  
         [0073]    The present invention is used in either of two ways: To record the location of each component as it is installed; or in an inventory mode wherein its location is determined. In either method, a timestamp is also recorded and used in the production of a bill of materials.  
         [0074]    Optionally, the inventory of installed items is used to produce a list for demonstrating compliance with local building codes and/or is correlated against a list of local building codes in order to verify compliance.  
         [0075]    Optionally, the present invention records the actual geographic location where each item is installed and that data used to update and/or construct accurate drawings of buildings and their components. In this instance, a location is not simply a “point in space” but a region of space such as that used for heating ducts, electrical conduits, water supply, sewerage, etc.  
         [0076]    For example, the placement of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning ducts, controls and equipment; electrical switches, fixtures, boxes, etc.; plumbing valves, fixtures, etc. can and do vary from what may be planned. As items are installed, the locator device records the geographic location of each. These locations are processed to produce an accurate architectural diagram.  
         [0077]    Optionally, when integrated with a drawing program such as Visio, the locator device providing geographic coordinates in real-time acts as a GUI “pointing” device (e.g., computer mouse) to first select and then place items in a drawing. For example, drawing a line involves marking the starting and ending points; a circle involves marking the center and radius; a curve is little more then connecting dots; etc.  
         [0078]    There are numerous benefits to this invention. Most notably, it  
         [0079]    Combines location with identification data to produce accurate inventories of physical assets;  
         [0080]    Reduces geographical positions to easy to understand location names;  
         [0081]    May be used to produce accurate office layouts;  
         [0082]    May be used to produce a bill of materials suitable for such purposes as demonstrating compliance with building codes and submission for reimbursement;  
         [0083]    Generates new or updated floor plans;  
         [0084]    May be used to produce accurate landscaping and topographical maps;  
         [0085]    May be used to accurately place and record the location of objects such as office equipment, trees and shrubbery, plumbing and electrical equipment, etc.;  
         [0086]    May be used to update and/or produce accurate architectural plans and drawings; and  
         [0087]    May be used in as a GUI pointing device to a drawing program.  
         [0088]    Furthermore, the event data produced by the present invention can be used to generate various reports such as a bill of materials and inventory lists. The data can be exported to other databases, tables, and files such as a spreadsheet.  
         [0089]    Although the present invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art. It is preferred, therefore, that the present invention be limited not by the specific disclosure herein, but only by the appended claims.