Patent ID: 8198986

Claim:
A method for verifying physical access by an inspection agent to an equipment item, said method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a memory button comprising a read-write memory chip, said memory chip having stored therein a unique and unalterable identification number; (b) associating the memory chip's unique identification number with the equipment item; (c) affixing the memory button to the equipment item; (d) providing portable computing means having a read-write memory and a user interface whereby user-defined data and commands may be entered into said read-write memory; (e) providing a memory button probe in electronic communication with the portable computing means, said memory button probe being adapted for electronic communication with the memory chip of the memory button, so as to transfer data from the portable computing means to the memory chip or from the memory chip to the portable computing means; (f) associating a unique inspector code with a specific inspection agent; (g) gaining physical access to the memory button, while carrying both the portable computing means and the memory button probe; (h) by means of the user interface, entering the unique inspector code into the memory of the portable computing means; and (i) actuating the memory button probe so as to record: i.1 in the read-write memory of the memory chip, the unique inspector code, plus the date and time; and i.2 in the memory of the portable computing means, the memory chip's unique identification number, plus the time and date.