CA2322834A1 - Inventory system comprising a data processing or communications system - Google Patents
Inventory system comprising a data processing or communications system Download PDFInfo
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- CA2322834A1 CA2322834A1 CA002322834A CA2322834A CA2322834A1 CA 2322834 A1 CA2322834 A1 CA 2322834A1 CA 002322834 A CA002322834 A CA 002322834A CA 2322834 A CA2322834 A CA 2322834A CA 2322834 A1 CA2322834 A1 CA 2322834A1
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q10/00—Administration; Management
- G06Q10/08—Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q10/00—Administration; Management
- G06Q10/08—Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
- G06Q10/087—Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
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Abstract
The invention relates to an inventory system for objects each having an individual object or station identifier which can be queried in a wireless manner. The inventory system comprises a computer or communications network having at least one data processing or communications system provided for general data processing or communications purposes. Said data processing or communications system is provided in the form of a work and/or server station or in the form of a communications terminal unit which is configured for processing data or exchanging data on a data network. The inventory system also comprises a generator for a location identifier, said identifier differing from other location identifiers, said generator being permanently connected to the installation site thereof. In addition, the inventory system has a receiver in the data processing unit for said location identifier and for the object or station identifier. A converter is provided which converts the location identifier, together or in association with at least one object or station identifier, into a data format, said format being used as an inventory identifier, which is suited for transmission over the data network. Said converter routes this on the data network for transmitting to a remote monitoring station.
Description
Inventory system with a data processing or communication installation The invention concerns an inventory system for articles which each have a respective individual inventory identification which can be interrogated from a central station, in particular wirelessly, as set forth in the classifying portion of claim 1.
In inventory systems of that kind, the important aspect is to detect the presence and the location of articles, in particular also apparatuses and computer or communication systems. In this connection, inventory systems are known in which the articles to be inventoried are provided with a label or tag having a telemetrically interrogatable identification, and they can be interrogated from a station which is disposed in the proximity and which by regular interrogation checks the presence and the nature of i5 the articles and thus has ready a list of the inventory identifications of the articles in the proximity.
An inventory system of that kind is known from US patent No 5 682 142. A disadvantage in that respect is that on the one hand special apparatuses must be furnished as local centers, the sole purpose of which lies in interrogation and possibly transmission of the interrogated inventory identifications to a higher-order station. The location of the articles detected by the local center is afforded only on the basis of possible individualization of the local center itself which therefore can no longer be put to universal use and which also cannot be simply interchanged, for example in a repair situation. In addition the local center must be developed as an apparatus which is provided specifically for that purpose, and it is in that respect relatively expensive in terms of prime cost and maintenance.
Therefore the object of the present invention is to provide an inventory system of the kind set forth in the opening part of this specification, which can be operated with conventional data processing apparatuses which do not need to be particularly individualized for the i intended purpose and which are also interchangeable at any time without particular conversion steps being required.
Based on an inventory system as set forth in the classifying portion of claim 1, that object is attained by the features recited in the characterizing portion of that claim.
The invention embraces the technical teaching that, based on a conventional data network which is equipped in particular with PC-compatible computers and which, in regard to one or more local stations, is retro-fitted or is implemented in standard terms with a receiver for signals to be externally received, in particular in the form of an expansion card, or externally by way of a serial or parallel interface, both the local information emitted by a fixedly installed receiver and also the article or station identifications which are transmitted from articles to be inventoried by active or passive communication are brought together to constitute a common data set and can be transmitted to a remote station in a connected data network.
It is particularly advantageous in this respect that the location identification remains in an external apparatus - in particular fixedly connected to the building or to a part of the building - at a predetermined location. It is precisely in the case of an apparatus which can be passively interrogated that an inexpensive and robust design configuration is a possibility so that the risk of failure is slight. A corresponding consideration applies in regard to the apparatuses carrying the inventory identifications. The whole of the remaining part of the system is of conventional design and also does not need to be particularly individualized for the identifications. Moreover this involves a normal computer or communication network which is in any case present as part of the usual infrastructure in corporations and organizations. The whole of the additional installation is accordingly extremely inexpensive, when the systems which could be obtained hitherto are taken for comparison.
Precise knowledge of the local association of apparatuses and systems is important in particular when repair or modification is to be implemented. As in that case a service engineer has to set off to the apparatus in question, it is useful if its location of installation is known at least in regard to one station of a network, more specifically that from which the engineer sets off. It is precisely the case with relatively large networks that it happens that, for organizational reasons, entire departments with their apparatuses and data processing equipment move into other buildings without this being known to the technical departments which are responsible for their maintenance.
In the case of the inventory system according to the invention with means for automatic common detection and care and maintenance of the location data of apparatuses or objects and data processing systems, location data on the one hand and apparatus or system data on the other hand are linked with the purpose, with the inventory identification obtained in that way, of obtaining information and a precise overview regarding the locations and change in locations of any objects or data processing systems and having those items of information ready for further processing purposes with data processing means. In that respect the objects or systems do not necessarily have to have functions relating to data processing - in particular it is also possible to use communication systems. This provides that the system according to the invention is particularly suitable for any kind of inventory tasks in which information carriers which cannot be evaluated by data processing procedures such as stuck-on plates or badges with inventory numbers are to be replaced by electronic information sources which can be evaluated by the process.
It will be seen that a particular advantage is enjoyed if static evaluation procedures and processing operations in respect of the inventory information can be executed with the same data processing or communication apparatuses which also made it possible to have the items of information ready.
In this respect, articles, apparatuses or stations which are to be identified in inventory terms means in particular all objects which are to be evaluated or assessed in the sense of fixed assets, and in respect of which there is a need for inventory data arising out of demands in terms of (accountancy) procedures and/or office procedures. Security-relevant access protection processes can also be enlarged in that respect, by the aspect of locational information.
It is particularly advantageous that the location identification is linked in the data processing system to at least one article or system identification to afford a data unit which is to be transmitted on the data network to a monitoring station and which forms an inventory identification and which differs from the data format of the location identification contained therein - when same is considered alone - so that this data unit can no longer be linked in another fashion to a further article and/or station identification to give a valid inventory identification.
That ensures that location data can be used exclusively at their location of origin and there cannot therefore be any errors in terms of transmission i5 or compilation in the sense that article or station identifications are combined with location data at a location other than that which is associated with the location identification as information.
Furthermore, in an advantageous manner, there can be provided means for wireless transmission of a location identification from a transmitting assembly which is fixedly connected to a part of the building and which comprises a store or memory for the location identification and an HF-transmitter which is adapted for transmission of the respective identification to the HF-receiver.
Transmitters of that kind can be inconspicuously fitted in position and concealed in the building installation so that they are safe from attack or modifications.
In a corresponding manner the transmitting assembly for the article or station identification can be connected to articles. It also comprises an HF-transmitter which is adapted to transmit the respective identification to the H F-receiver.
In inventory systems of that kind, the important aspect is to detect the presence and the location of articles, in particular also apparatuses and computer or communication systems. In this connection, inventory systems are known in which the articles to be inventoried are provided with a label or tag having a telemetrically interrogatable identification, and they can be interrogated from a station which is disposed in the proximity and which by regular interrogation checks the presence and the nature of i5 the articles and thus has ready a list of the inventory identifications of the articles in the proximity.
An inventory system of that kind is known from US patent No 5 682 142. A disadvantage in that respect is that on the one hand special apparatuses must be furnished as local centers, the sole purpose of which lies in interrogation and possibly transmission of the interrogated inventory identifications to a higher-order station. The location of the articles detected by the local center is afforded only on the basis of possible individualization of the local center itself which therefore can no longer be put to universal use and which also cannot be simply interchanged, for example in a repair situation. In addition the local center must be developed as an apparatus which is provided specifically for that purpose, and it is in that respect relatively expensive in terms of prime cost and maintenance.
Therefore the object of the present invention is to provide an inventory system of the kind set forth in the opening part of this specification, which can be operated with conventional data processing apparatuses which do not need to be particularly individualized for the i intended purpose and which are also interchangeable at any time without particular conversion steps being required.
Based on an inventory system as set forth in the classifying portion of claim 1, that object is attained by the features recited in the characterizing portion of that claim.
The invention embraces the technical teaching that, based on a conventional data network which is equipped in particular with PC-compatible computers and which, in regard to one or more local stations, is retro-fitted or is implemented in standard terms with a receiver for signals to be externally received, in particular in the form of an expansion card, or externally by way of a serial or parallel interface, both the local information emitted by a fixedly installed receiver and also the article or station identifications which are transmitted from articles to be inventoried by active or passive communication are brought together to constitute a common data set and can be transmitted to a remote station in a connected data network.
It is particularly advantageous in this respect that the location identification remains in an external apparatus - in particular fixedly connected to the building or to a part of the building - at a predetermined location. It is precisely in the case of an apparatus which can be passively interrogated that an inexpensive and robust design configuration is a possibility so that the risk of failure is slight. A corresponding consideration applies in regard to the apparatuses carrying the inventory identifications. The whole of the remaining part of the system is of conventional design and also does not need to be particularly individualized for the identifications. Moreover this involves a normal computer or communication network which is in any case present as part of the usual infrastructure in corporations and organizations. The whole of the additional installation is accordingly extremely inexpensive, when the systems which could be obtained hitherto are taken for comparison.
Precise knowledge of the local association of apparatuses and systems is important in particular when repair or modification is to be implemented. As in that case a service engineer has to set off to the apparatus in question, it is useful if its location of installation is known at least in regard to one station of a network, more specifically that from which the engineer sets off. It is precisely the case with relatively large networks that it happens that, for organizational reasons, entire departments with their apparatuses and data processing equipment move into other buildings without this being known to the technical departments which are responsible for their maintenance.
In the case of the inventory system according to the invention with means for automatic common detection and care and maintenance of the location data of apparatuses or objects and data processing systems, location data on the one hand and apparatus or system data on the other hand are linked with the purpose, with the inventory identification obtained in that way, of obtaining information and a precise overview regarding the locations and change in locations of any objects or data processing systems and having those items of information ready for further processing purposes with data processing means. In that respect the objects or systems do not necessarily have to have functions relating to data processing - in particular it is also possible to use communication systems. This provides that the system according to the invention is particularly suitable for any kind of inventory tasks in which information carriers which cannot be evaluated by data processing procedures such as stuck-on plates or badges with inventory numbers are to be replaced by electronic information sources which can be evaluated by the process.
It will be seen that a particular advantage is enjoyed if static evaluation procedures and processing operations in respect of the inventory information can be executed with the same data processing or communication apparatuses which also made it possible to have the items of information ready.
In this respect, articles, apparatuses or stations which are to be identified in inventory terms means in particular all objects which are to be evaluated or assessed in the sense of fixed assets, and in respect of which there is a need for inventory data arising out of demands in terms of (accountancy) procedures and/or office procedures. Security-relevant access protection processes can also be enlarged in that respect, by the aspect of locational information.
It is particularly advantageous that the location identification is linked in the data processing system to at least one article or system identification to afford a data unit which is to be transmitted on the data network to a monitoring station and which forms an inventory identification and which differs from the data format of the location identification contained therein - when same is considered alone - so that this data unit can no longer be linked in another fashion to a further article and/or station identification to give a valid inventory identification.
That ensures that location data can be used exclusively at their location of origin and there cannot therefore be any errors in terms of transmission i5 or compilation in the sense that article or station identifications are combined with location data at a location other than that which is associated with the location identification as information.
Furthermore, in an advantageous manner, there can be provided means for wireless transmission of a location identification from a transmitting assembly which is fixedly connected to a part of the building and which comprises a store or memory for the location identification and an HF-transmitter which is adapted for transmission of the respective identification to the HF-receiver.
Transmitters of that kind can be inconspicuously fitted in position and concealed in the building installation so that they are safe from attack or modifications.
In a corresponding manner the transmitting assembly for the article or station identification can be connected to articles. It also comprises an HF-transmitter which is adapted to transmit the respective identification to the H F-receiver.
In this respect in particular the location or article identification can be defined by an electrical parameter of at least one electrical or electronic component.
In another advantageous development of the inventory system according to the invention the HF-transmitter is a passive system which receives its energy from a further HF-source which is arranged in particular at the receiver. In that way it is possible to forego regular maintenance and replacement of batteries at the transmitting assemblies.
If the system according to the invention involves a communication network, an ISDN arrangement is advantageously provided as with same it is possible in a simple manner to transmit additional items of information in digital form, in particular in the D-channel.
It is further desirable if the communication or data network is superimposed on a power network on the basis of the "data-on-powerline"
principle. In that case, the appropriate filters for signal/power separation are to be provided at the terminal apparatuses.
Other advantageous developments of the invention are characterized in the appendant claims or are set forth in greater detail hereinafter together with the description of the preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the drawings in which:
Figure 1 as a preferred embodiment of the invention shows a computer data network co-operating with the inventory system according to the invention which is provided with the features in accordance with the invention, and Figure 2 shows a block circuit diagram of a detail of the embodiment of Figure 1 with the parts, which concern the invention, of a data processing system with network connection.
In the case of the computer network 1 shown in Figure 1, provided in spatially mutually separated relationship at different installation locations 2 through 5 are various data processing systems 6 through 9.
The data processing systems 6 through 9 which preferably form work or server stations are connected by way of data network connections 11 through 14 which are in the form of ground tanks to a data network 10 by way of which data exchange takes place. Provided in the data network connections 11 through 14 are location transmitting assemblies which are set forth in greater detail hereinafter as transmitting assemblies for clear location identification, each of which contains an item of information about the installation location of the station. The data processing station 8 is in this respect in particular in the form of a central monitoring station for the inventory data. Here listing, print-out and further processing of the inventory data, for example with table calculation or database programs, i 0 ca n be effected .
Instead of the computer data network shown in Figure 1 it is also possible to use a communication network which is provided with means for the digital transmission of data. This preferably involves an ISDN
system. The embodiment shown as a block circuit diagram in Figure 2 and provided with the elements concerning the invention diagrammatically illustrates a data processing station 7. The station 7 has a conventional processor system 21 which is combined to form a single block and which is intended to represent the elements and units provided in the casing of a PC including local peripherals such as screen, keyboard and printer with relevant hardware and software. Connected to that processor system 21 is a network interface 22 which provides the connection to the data network 10 by way of a data network connection unit 12. In this arrangement the network interface 22 is controlled by the processor system 21 by way of a data converter 24 which also forms the network interface of the processor system, in such a way that transmission of the data by way of the network is implemented in accordance with the protocols provided in the network.
A store or memory 23 for location and article or station identifications is connected to an HF-receiver 27 in order to pick up by way of the HF-receiver those identifications from transmitting assemblies 20 through 20.2 which are disposed in the proximity and which are provided with a corresponding HF-transmitter. The HF-transmitters used are passive, that is to say they can be interrogated by radio waves which either are modified in terms of their resonance characteristics or which are transmitted to the receiver after rectification and fresh modulation in the HF-transmitter part.
The transmitting assemblies are fixedly connected either to a part of the building or however to articles to be inventoried. The location transmitting assembly 20 which is connected to a part of the building has a store or memory (not shown) for the location identification LD2 which is modulated on an HF of a frequency band which is cleared for purposes of this kind, preferably 430 MHz. The two transmitting assemblies for article or station identifications 20.1 and 20.2 are of a similar design configuration - both in relation to each other and also with the location transmitting assembly 20 - but they differ in terms of the emitted code.
They emit article identifications GD3 and GD4 respectively. The transmitting assemblies can be produced in small sizes and can be inconspicuously added to apparatuses or parts of buildings. Conversion from one type to the other is possible by simply changing over or adding a component which determines the identification to be emitted. In that respect however it is important that the identifications for location on the one hand and articles on the other hand belong to different data quantities which overall cannot have any doublets and which therefore are not compatible both with each other and also in opposing relationship.
The same applies to the inventory identification which is composed of a respective location identification and at least one article identification. As therefore they belong to different data quantities, this ensures that an inventory identification or its article or location component thereof cannot be combined with a new location or article identification, which would simulate the presence of a false article at a false location. The availability of the location identification in its form which is emitted by the transmitting assembly or a form which is derived therefrom is limited to the area around the transmitting assembly. Transport on the data or communication network is effected only in a data format which contains both the location identification and also the article identification.
The store or memory for the received location identification LD2 and the article identifications GD3 and GD4 are transmitted to a converter 24 which again stores those items of data. The location identification is further transmitted in association with the station identification SD2 associated therewith from a transmitting assembly 25 for one of the stations, together with the other identifications, in a suitable protocol at predetermined times or on demand beyond the nearest data network connection unit 22 to other data processing systems in the data network 10, and in that respect in particular to a remote monitoring station.
The location and article data or data processing station data (LD +
SD) which are compiled or transmitted in corresponding association are brought together in such a protocol which is suitable for the transmission of data on the network. The transmitted compiled location and article data differ in that respect from the pure location and data processing station data LD and SD when considered alone.
The converter 24 of the data processing station 7 is connected to the processor part 21 which controls the described data communication.
The arrangement according to the invention comprises a system with three logical functional units:
a) a transmitting assembly for the location data which are available exclusively in the area around this local transmitting arrangement and which are processed only by the data processing or communication system which is responsible for combining that identification together with the further article or station identifications. Those data can therefore not go directly to other data processing or communication systems which are disposed at spatially remote and thus "foreign" installation locations. For that purpose, it is possible to use separate connecting lines or communication channels between location transmitting assembly and data processing system or however suitable filters or switches which interrupt the data connection to the overall network synchronously for output of the location information. Only the connection to the respective data processing system is retained in that respect. In that case the location transmitting assembly must be fixedly anchored at the installation location, for example by means of a ~~ground tank unit".
b) a transmitting arrangement for an article or station identification.
c) a mixing and converting unit for location data and article data, which is arranged in the processing station. Here the items of information from a) and b) are brought together and held ready for further processing in the form of a data unit. In that respect they include a data format which permits passing of the information formed jointly from a) and b) in the direction of the data network.
The respective data quantities however are such that both the location identifications and also the article and inventory identifications belong to different data quantities so that the location identification of a remote station cannot occur together with the identification of an article which does not have its place of installation at the transmitting assembly of the location identification. In this respect therefore selection of the data format and optionally additional encoding and filtering of the data forms a safeguard against faulty controls and misassociations.
The specified conditions are readily to be observed on conventional data processing and communication systems so that the system according to the invention can be easily added to conventional data processing and communication installations.
The location transmitting assemblies which are considered can also be in particular transmitters which transmit the location data to the data processing system by way of radio, infrared or sound waves. The location transmitting assemblies are shielded relative to each other so that multiple associations of a data processing system with a plurality of location transmitting assemblies are not possible.
If the communication or data network is superimposed on a power network on the basis of the "data-on-powerline" principle, then the appropriate filters are provided at the terminal units for signal/power separation, although this is not shown in detail in the Figures.
The invention is not limited in terms of implementation thereof to the above-described preferred embodiments. On the contrary, a number of alternative configurations are possible, which make use of the illustrated structure even in configurations of a basically different kind.
In another advantageous development of the inventory system according to the invention the HF-transmitter is a passive system which receives its energy from a further HF-source which is arranged in particular at the receiver. In that way it is possible to forego regular maintenance and replacement of batteries at the transmitting assemblies.
If the system according to the invention involves a communication network, an ISDN arrangement is advantageously provided as with same it is possible in a simple manner to transmit additional items of information in digital form, in particular in the D-channel.
It is further desirable if the communication or data network is superimposed on a power network on the basis of the "data-on-powerline"
principle. In that case, the appropriate filters for signal/power separation are to be provided at the terminal apparatuses.
Other advantageous developments of the invention are characterized in the appendant claims or are set forth in greater detail hereinafter together with the description of the preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the drawings in which:
Figure 1 as a preferred embodiment of the invention shows a computer data network co-operating with the inventory system according to the invention which is provided with the features in accordance with the invention, and Figure 2 shows a block circuit diagram of a detail of the embodiment of Figure 1 with the parts, which concern the invention, of a data processing system with network connection.
In the case of the computer network 1 shown in Figure 1, provided in spatially mutually separated relationship at different installation locations 2 through 5 are various data processing systems 6 through 9.
The data processing systems 6 through 9 which preferably form work or server stations are connected by way of data network connections 11 through 14 which are in the form of ground tanks to a data network 10 by way of which data exchange takes place. Provided in the data network connections 11 through 14 are location transmitting assemblies which are set forth in greater detail hereinafter as transmitting assemblies for clear location identification, each of which contains an item of information about the installation location of the station. The data processing station 8 is in this respect in particular in the form of a central monitoring station for the inventory data. Here listing, print-out and further processing of the inventory data, for example with table calculation or database programs, i 0 ca n be effected .
Instead of the computer data network shown in Figure 1 it is also possible to use a communication network which is provided with means for the digital transmission of data. This preferably involves an ISDN
system. The embodiment shown as a block circuit diagram in Figure 2 and provided with the elements concerning the invention diagrammatically illustrates a data processing station 7. The station 7 has a conventional processor system 21 which is combined to form a single block and which is intended to represent the elements and units provided in the casing of a PC including local peripherals such as screen, keyboard and printer with relevant hardware and software. Connected to that processor system 21 is a network interface 22 which provides the connection to the data network 10 by way of a data network connection unit 12. In this arrangement the network interface 22 is controlled by the processor system 21 by way of a data converter 24 which also forms the network interface of the processor system, in such a way that transmission of the data by way of the network is implemented in accordance with the protocols provided in the network.
A store or memory 23 for location and article or station identifications is connected to an HF-receiver 27 in order to pick up by way of the HF-receiver those identifications from transmitting assemblies 20 through 20.2 which are disposed in the proximity and which are provided with a corresponding HF-transmitter. The HF-transmitters used are passive, that is to say they can be interrogated by radio waves which either are modified in terms of their resonance characteristics or which are transmitted to the receiver after rectification and fresh modulation in the HF-transmitter part.
The transmitting assemblies are fixedly connected either to a part of the building or however to articles to be inventoried. The location transmitting assembly 20 which is connected to a part of the building has a store or memory (not shown) for the location identification LD2 which is modulated on an HF of a frequency band which is cleared for purposes of this kind, preferably 430 MHz. The two transmitting assemblies for article or station identifications 20.1 and 20.2 are of a similar design configuration - both in relation to each other and also with the location transmitting assembly 20 - but they differ in terms of the emitted code.
They emit article identifications GD3 and GD4 respectively. The transmitting assemblies can be produced in small sizes and can be inconspicuously added to apparatuses or parts of buildings. Conversion from one type to the other is possible by simply changing over or adding a component which determines the identification to be emitted. In that respect however it is important that the identifications for location on the one hand and articles on the other hand belong to different data quantities which overall cannot have any doublets and which therefore are not compatible both with each other and also in opposing relationship.
The same applies to the inventory identification which is composed of a respective location identification and at least one article identification. As therefore they belong to different data quantities, this ensures that an inventory identification or its article or location component thereof cannot be combined with a new location or article identification, which would simulate the presence of a false article at a false location. The availability of the location identification in its form which is emitted by the transmitting assembly or a form which is derived therefrom is limited to the area around the transmitting assembly. Transport on the data or communication network is effected only in a data format which contains both the location identification and also the article identification.
The store or memory for the received location identification LD2 and the article identifications GD3 and GD4 are transmitted to a converter 24 which again stores those items of data. The location identification is further transmitted in association with the station identification SD2 associated therewith from a transmitting assembly 25 for one of the stations, together with the other identifications, in a suitable protocol at predetermined times or on demand beyond the nearest data network connection unit 22 to other data processing systems in the data network 10, and in that respect in particular to a remote monitoring station.
The location and article data or data processing station data (LD +
SD) which are compiled or transmitted in corresponding association are brought together in such a protocol which is suitable for the transmission of data on the network. The transmitted compiled location and article data differ in that respect from the pure location and data processing station data LD and SD when considered alone.
The converter 24 of the data processing station 7 is connected to the processor part 21 which controls the described data communication.
The arrangement according to the invention comprises a system with three logical functional units:
a) a transmitting assembly for the location data which are available exclusively in the area around this local transmitting arrangement and which are processed only by the data processing or communication system which is responsible for combining that identification together with the further article or station identifications. Those data can therefore not go directly to other data processing or communication systems which are disposed at spatially remote and thus "foreign" installation locations. For that purpose, it is possible to use separate connecting lines or communication channels between location transmitting assembly and data processing system or however suitable filters or switches which interrupt the data connection to the overall network synchronously for output of the location information. Only the connection to the respective data processing system is retained in that respect. In that case the location transmitting assembly must be fixedly anchored at the installation location, for example by means of a ~~ground tank unit".
b) a transmitting arrangement for an article or station identification.
c) a mixing and converting unit for location data and article data, which is arranged in the processing station. Here the items of information from a) and b) are brought together and held ready for further processing in the form of a data unit. In that respect they include a data format which permits passing of the information formed jointly from a) and b) in the direction of the data network.
The respective data quantities however are such that both the location identifications and also the article and inventory identifications belong to different data quantities so that the location identification of a remote station cannot occur together with the identification of an article which does not have its place of installation at the transmitting assembly of the location identification. In this respect therefore selection of the data format and optionally additional encoding and filtering of the data forms a safeguard against faulty controls and misassociations.
The specified conditions are readily to be observed on conventional data processing and communication systems so that the system according to the invention can be easily added to conventional data processing and communication installations.
The location transmitting assemblies which are considered can also be in particular transmitters which transmit the location data to the data processing system by way of radio, infrared or sound waves. The location transmitting assemblies are shielded relative to each other so that multiple associations of a data processing system with a plurality of location transmitting assemblies are not possible.
If the communication or data network is superimposed on a power network on the basis of the "data-on-powerline" principle, then the appropriate filters are provided at the terminal units for signal/power separation, although this is not shown in detail in the Figures.
The invention is not limited in terms of implementation thereof to the above-described preferred embodiments. On the contrary, a number of alternative configurations are possible, which make use of the illustrated structure even in configurations of a basically different kind.
Claims (11)
1. An inventory system for articles which each have a respective individual, interrogatable article or station identification, characterized by a computer or communication network having at least one data processing or communication system provided for general data processing or communication purposes, in the form of a work and/or server station or a communication terminal respectively, which is adapted for data processing or for the exchange of data on a data processing or comunication network, a transmitting assembly for a local identification which differs from other location identifications, the transmitting assembly being fixedly connected to its location of installation, a receiving means in the data processing apparatus both for said location identification and also for the article or station identification, and a converter which converts the location identification together with or in association with at least one article or station identification into a data format suited for transmission by way of the data processing and communication network, as an inventory identification, and delivers same to the data network for transmission to a remote monitoring station.
2. An inventory system as set forth in claim 1 characterized in that the location identification is connected in the data processing system to at least one article and/or station identification to form a data unit which is to be transmitted on the data network to a monitoring station and which forms an inventory identification, which data unit differs from the data format of the location identification contained therein alone so that said data unit can no longer be connected in another manner to a further article and/or station identification to form a valid inventory identification.
3. An inventory system as set forth in claim 1 or claim 2 characterized in that all location, article and station identifications and inventory identifications belong to different data quantities which also have no doublets in mutual relationship.
4. An inventory as set forth in one of the preceding claims characterised in that the article or station identification can be wirelessly interrogated.
5. A process as set forth in one of the preceding claims characterized by means for the wireless transmission of an identification from a transmitting assembly which is fixedly connected to a part of a building and which comprises a store for the location identification and an HF-transmitter which is adapted to transmit the respective identification to the HF-receiver.
6. An inventory system as set forth in claim 1 or claim 2 characterized by means for the wireless transmission of an identification from a transmitting assembly for the article or station identification, which is connected to an article and/or a data processing station and which comprises a store for the article or station identification and an HF-transmitter which is adapted to transmit the respective identification to the HF-receiver.
7. An inventory system as set forth in of claims 3 through 5 characterized in that the location, article or station identification is defined by an electrical parameter of at least one electrical or electronic component.
8. An inventory system as set forth in claim 1 or claim 2 characterized in that the transmitting assembly for the location identification on the one hand and the transmitting assembly for the article or station identification on the other hand are of technically similar nature and can be used for the one purpose or the other by virtue of suitable change-over switching means and/or by the addition of a component which determines the identification to be emitted.
9. An inventory system as set forth in one of the preceding claims characterized in that the HF-transmitter entails a passive system which takes its power from a further HF-source which in particular is arranged at the receiver.
10. An inventory system as set forth in one of the preceding claims characterized in that the communication network is an ISDN
arrangement or a data-on-powerline network.
arrangement or a data-on-powerline network.
11. A process as set forth in claim 10 characterized in that there are provided filters for the separation of inventory data from communication and/or the supply voltage of the power network.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DE19812908.4 | 1998-03-18 | ||
| DE19812908A DE19812908A1 (en) | 1998-03-18 | 1998-03-18 | Inventorying system with a data processing or communications unit |
| PCT/EP1999/001965 WO1999048033A1 (en) | 1998-03-18 | 1999-03-18 | Inventory system comprising a data processing or communications system |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2322834A1 true CA2322834A1 (en) | 1999-09-23 |
Family
ID=7862126
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002322834A Abandoned CA2322834A1 (en) | 1998-03-18 | 1999-03-18 | Inventory system comprising a data processing or communications system |
Country Status (12)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP1062611B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JP2002507526A (en) |
| KR (1) | KR20010041968A (en) |
| CN (1) | CN1301367A (en) |
| AT (1) | ATE239263T1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU3036099A (en) |
| BR (1) | BR9908829A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2322834A1 (en) |
| DE (2) | DE19812908A1 (en) |
| RU (1) | RU2000124065A (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1999048033A1 (en) |
| ZA (1) | ZA200004886B (en) |
Families Citing this family (9)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE10033652A1 (en) * | 2000-07-11 | 2002-01-24 | Messer Griesheim Gmbh | Monitoring system for remote controlled inventory, has head office with evaluation unit that processes signal sequence of data from receiver to obtain actual state of inventory |
| JP4153690B2 (en) * | 2001-10-25 | 2008-09-24 | 本田技研工業株式会社 | Hydrogen stand filling management device |
| DE10325703B4 (en) * | 2002-06-18 | 2008-06-19 | Teratron Gmbh | Automatic tracking of files |
| DE10251906B4 (en) * | 2002-11-07 | 2006-03-02 | Siemens Ag | Method and arrangement for the inventory of network components connected to a network |
| DE10259391B4 (en) * | 2002-12-19 | 2006-04-13 | Phoenix Contact Gmbh & Co. Kg | Location-specific adaptation of an intelligent unit |
| DE102005027671A1 (en) * | 2005-06-15 | 2006-12-28 | Siemens Ag | System and method for RFID-supported system configuration |
| DE102008004657B4 (en) | 2008-01-16 | 2009-09-03 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Data processing network and method for operating a data processing network |
| DE102008027846B4 (en) * | 2008-06-11 | 2019-06-27 | Endress+Hauser SE+Co. KG | Device for automatically detecting the topology of the individual components of a process plant in automation technology |
| JP7339038B2 (en) * | 2019-07-10 | 2023-09-05 | Juki株式会社 | Parts management system and parts management method |
Family Cites Families (13)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4636950A (en) * | 1982-09-30 | 1987-01-13 | Caswell Robert L | Inventory management system using transponders associated with specific products |
| GB8408538D0 (en) * | 1984-04-03 | 1984-05-16 | Senelco Ltd | Transmitter-responder systems |
| US4688026A (en) * | 1984-05-15 | 1987-08-18 | Scribner James R | Method of collecting and using data associated with tagged objects |
| US4850009A (en) * | 1986-05-12 | 1989-07-18 | Clinicom Incorporated | Portable handheld terminal including optical bar code reader and electromagnetic transceiver means for interactive wireless communication with a base communications station |
| US5051741A (en) * | 1990-03-28 | 1991-09-24 | Wesby Philip B | Locating system |
| US5218344A (en) * | 1991-07-31 | 1993-06-08 | Ricketts James G | Method and system for monitoring personnel |
| CA2098347A1 (en) * | 1993-06-14 | 1994-12-15 | Kazuto Kubota | Apparatus for controlling file retrieval |
| US5434775A (en) * | 1993-11-04 | 1995-07-18 | The General Hospital Corporation | Managing an inventory of devices |
| JP3116710B2 (en) * | 1994-03-18 | 2000-12-11 | 株式会社日立製作所 | Information terminal system |
| US5682142A (en) | 1994-07-29 | 1997-10-28 | Id Systems Inc. | Electronic control system/network |
| WO1997001154A1 (en) * | 1995-06-21 | 1997-01-09 | Medestate Ltd. | A tag and tag monitoring system |
| DE19602596A1 (en) * | 1996-01-25 | 1997-07-31 | Bosch Gmbh Robert | Method for transmitting identifiers after connecting an electrical device to a bus line |
| US5883582A (en) * | 1997-02-07 | 1999-03-16 | Checkpoint Systems, Inc. | Anticollision protocol for reading multiple RFID tags |
-
1998
- 1998-03-18 DE DE19812908A patent/DE19812908A1/en not_active Withdrawn
-
1999
- 1999-03-18 JP JP2000537161A patent/JP2002507526A/en active Pending
- 1999-03-18 WO PCT/EP1999/001965 patent/WO1999048033A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1999-03-18 CN CN99806332A patent/CN1301367A/en active Pending
- 1999-03-18 RU RU2000124065/09A patent/RU2000124065A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1999-03-18 AT AT99911812T patent/ATE239263T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1999-03-18 CA CA002322834A patent/CA2322834A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1999-03-18 BR BR9908829-0A patent/BR9908829A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1999-03-18 AU AU30360/99A patent/AU3036099A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1999-03-18 EP EP99911812A patent/EP1062611B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1999-03-18 DE DE59905331T patent/DE59905331D1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1999-03-18 KR KR1020007010292A patent/KR20010041968A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
-
2000
- 2000-09-14 ZA ZA200004886A patent/ZA200004886B/en unknown
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| BR9908829A (en) | 2000-12-12 |
| DE59905331D1 (en) | 2003-06-05 |
| CN1301367A (en) | 2001-06-27 |
| JP2002507526A (en) | 2002-03-12 |
| WO1999048033A1 (en) | 1999-09-23 |
| RU2000124065A (en) | 2002-09-10 |
| AU3036099A (en) | 1999-10-11 |
| ZA200004886B (en) | 2001-01-24 |
| EP1062611A1 (en) | 2000-12-27 |
| DE19812908A1 (en) | 1999-09-23 |
| ATE239263T1 (en) | 2003-05-15 |
| EP1062611B1 (en) | 2003-05-02 |
| KR20010041968A (en) | 2001-05-25 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued |