Automated calibration monitoring system and method for monitoring of tool calibration status in automated tool control systems

Abstract

A calibration monitoring system is provided to automatically monitor the calibration status of tools and other inventory items, such as when items are issued from or returned to the system. The system identifies inventory items, such as calibration torque wrenches or other calibration tools identified based on unique identification tags attached to them. The system retrieves calibration parameter values ​​for the item from a calibration database and performs calibration measurements based on these values. In this example, torque measurements for calibration torque wrenches can therefore be performed automatically. In turn, the system determines the current calibration status of the item based on the calibration measurements, and selectively enables or disables the issuance of inventory items from the system depending on whether the item is calibrated or uncalibrated.

Description

Automatic Calibration Monitoring System and Method for Monitoring Tool Calibration Status in an Automated Tool Control System This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 567,510, filed Oct. 3, 2017, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The subject matter relates to techniques and apparatus for monitoring the tool calibration status of tools in an automated tool control system. Torque wrenches have long been used in industry to precisely tighten fasteners during assembly, maintenance, and repair operations. This is particularly true in the aerospace industry, where the use of torque wrenches is required and strictly controlled. In the aerospace and other industries, it is required that users periodically calibrate torque wrenches. Typically, calibration involves the user performing a torque test on the tool, the user recording the torque test results in a log to generate a record of tool calibration for future reference, and depending on the results of the torque test, the user determining whether the tool should be used. The procedures for tool calibration and recording are typically performed manually by the user, and thus both calibration and recording are subject to human error. For example, if the torque test results are not correctly recorded or an incorrect target range is used, a torque wrench with an incorrect calibration value may continue to be used for the torque and tightening of fasteners, even though the tool is applying an unknown and potentially incorrect torque load to the fasteners. When this situation is discovered, each fastener joint torqued by the uncalibrated wrench (e.g., each fastener joint torqued since the last accurately recorded calibration operation of the wrench) is suspect and typically must be inspected and retorqued. Accordingly, there is a need for a system that is configured to automatically monitor the calibration status of tools and, based on the calibration status, control the check-in and check-out of such tools from an automated tool control system. The teachings herein alleviate one or more of the above problems such that an automatic calibration monitoring system is used to automatically monitor the calibration status of tools or other inventory items. According to one aspect of the disclosure, an automatic calibration monitoring system includes a plurality of storage locations, a database, and a processor. The plurality of storage locations are configured to store inventory items including calibrated inventory items. The database stores information about inventory items including calibrated inventory items that are associated with the automatic calibration monitoring system and are configured to be stored in the plurality of storage locations of the automatic calibration monitoring system. The database further stores calibration parameter values for the calibrated inventory items. The processor is configured to compare the calibration measurements of the calibrated inventory items with the calibration parameter values for the calibrated inventory items when the calibrated inventory items are issued from or returned to the automatic calibration monitoring system. Based on the result of the comparison, the processor selectively authorizes the issuance or return of the calibrated inventory items. The automatic calibration monitoring system may further include a calibration measurement device communicatively connected to the processor and configured to perform calibration measurements of the calibrated inventory items to obtain calibration measurements. The calibration measurement device may transmit the obtained calibration measurements to the processor. The calibrated inventory item may be a torque wrench, and the calibration measuring instrument may be a torque tester. The processor may further be configured to transmit a calibration target value for the calibrated inventory item to the calibration measurement device when the calibrated inventory item is issued from or returned to the automatic calibration monitoring system. After transmitting the calibration target value, the processor may receive the obtained calibration measurements from the calibration measurement device. The calibration parameter values stored in the database may include an acceptable range of calibration parameter values stored in the database, and when the calibration measurement is within the acceptable range of calibration parameter values, the processor may selectively authorize the issuance or return of the calibrated inventory item. The automatic calibration monitoring system may further include a sensing device configured to sense the information used by the processor to determine the presence or absence of inventory items at a plurality of storage locations. The processor may be configured to determine the presence of the calibrated inventory item at a storage location among the plurality of storage locations based on the information sensed by the sensing device. The sensing device may include an image sensor configured to capture an image of the storage location of the automatic calibration monitoring system, and the processor may be configured to determine the presence of the calibrated inventory item by determining whether the calibrated inventory item appears in the image captured by the image sensor. Each inventory item associated with the automatic calibration monitoring system may have a tag that uniquely identifies the inventory item, and the processor may be configured to uniquely identify the inventory item present at a storage location among the plurality of storage locations by identifying the tag that uniquely identifies the inventory item in the information sensed by the sensing device. Each inventory item associated with the automatic inventory control system may have a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag that uniquely identifies the inventory item, and the automatic inventory control system may further include an RFID sensor configured to read the RFID tags of the inventory items located within the plurality of storage locations. The database may store a record of the work order associated with the previously issued calibrated inventory item, and the database may store a record of the previous calibration measurements of the calibrated inventory item. The processor can be configured to retrieve from the database all records related to calibrating the inventory item and corresponding to the work order for calibrating the inventory item issued after the last stored record of the previous calibration measurement of the inventory item being calibrated when it is determined that the compared calibration measurement for calibrating the inventory item does not match the calibration parameter value for calibrating the inventory item. According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, a method for automatically monitoring the calibration of inventory items in an automatic calibration monitoring system includes the following steps: using a sensor of the automatic calibration monitoring system configured to sense the presence or absence of an inventory item to identify a calibrated inventory item undergoing calibration monitoring. Retrieving from a database the calibration parameter value for the identified calibrated inventory item, the database being communicatively connected to the automatic calibration monitoring system and storing the calibration parameter value for each of a plurality of inventory items. Determining the calibration status of the calibrated inventory item based on a comparison of the calibration measurement of the calibrated inventory item with the retrieved calibration parameter value for the calibrated inventory item. Based on the determined result, the automatic calibration monitoring system can selectively authorize the release of the calibrated inventory item from the storage location of the automatic calibration monitoring system or the return of the calibrated inventory item to the storage location of the automatic calibration monitoring system. The method may further include the following step: before determining, receiving the calibration measurement of the calibrated inventory item from a calibration measurement device, the calibration measurement device being communicatively connected to the automatic calibration monitoring system and configured to perform the calibration measurement of the calibrated inventory item. The calibrated inventory item can be a torque wrench, and the calibration measuring instrument can be a torque tester. The method may further include the following step: transmitting the calibration target value for the calibrated inventory item to the calibration measurement device, wherein after transmitting the calibration target value, the automatic calibration monitoring system receives the calibration measurement from the calibration measurement device. Each inventory item associated with the automatic calibration monitoring system can have a label that uniquely identifies the inventory item, and the automatic calibration monitoring system is configured to uniquely identify the calibrated inventory item by recognizing the label that uniquely identifies the calibrated inventory item in the information sensed by the sensor. Each inventory item associated with the automatic inventory control system can have a visible label that uniquely identifies the inventory item, and the automatic inventory control system can identify the calibrated inventory item by recognizing the visible label of the calibrated inventory item in the image captured by the image sensing device of the automatic inventory control system. Each inventory item associated with the automatic inventory control system can have a radio frequency identification (RFID) label that uniquely identifies the inventory item, and the automatic inventory control system can identify the calibrated inventory item by reading the RFID label of the calibrated inventory item. Additional advantages and novel features will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following, or may be learned by practice or use of the various aspects of the methods, means and combinations described in the detailed examples discussed below. The advantages of the present teachings may be realized and obtained by practicing or using the various aspects of the methods, means and combinations set forth in the detailed examples discussed below. In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth by way of example in order to provide a thorough understanding of the relevant teachings. However, it should be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art that the present teachings may be practiced without such details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components and / or circuitry have been described at a relatively high level without detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the present teachings. The various systems and methods disclosed herein relate to automatically monitoring the tool calibration status in an automated tool control system. An automated calibration monitoring device, such as an automated inventory control system, stores calibration devices (such as calibration torque wrenches and other calibration tools) and monitors the issuance / removal of tools from and to the system. The calibration measurement device additionally communicates with a calibration database storing calibration values for the tools. The automated calibration monitoring device is configured to uniquely identify the tools (and other objects, typically referred to as inventory items) stored therein and selectively allow the issuance of individual tools / objects / inventory items from storage and / or return the tools / objects to the storage device based on the results of the calibration measurements (such as torque measurements of the tool / object). In operation, the calibration measurement device (such as an electronic torque tester) receives the unique identification of the tool / object from the automated calibration monitoring device, retrieves the calibration value of the identified tool / object from the calibration database, and performs the calibration measurement based on the retrieved calibration value. In turn, the automated calibration monitoring device determines whether the calibration measurement is within an acceptable range for the tool / object and selectively allows the issuance of the tool / object from the automated calibration monitoring device and / or returns the tool / object to the automated calibration monitoring device based on the determination (e.g., based on determining that the tool / object is accurately calibrated). In one example, the tool / object is a calibration torque wrench designed to apply a pre-calibrated maximum torque value stored in a calibration database. In this example, the automatic calibration monitoring device uniquely identifies the torque wrench based on a label or identifier applied thereto and detects that the user has removed the torque wrench from the automatic calibration monitoring device. Based on this detection, the automatic calibration monitoring device prompts the user to test the current calibration of the torque wrench and, for measurement purposes, transmits the calibration value of the torque wrench to an electronic torque tester. Just before performing a torque measurement on the torque wrench based on the transmitted calibration value, the automatic calibration monitoring device determines whether the measurement falls within an acceptable range around the calibration value and permits the torque wrench to be issued from the automatic calibration monitoring device. However, if the measurement falls outside the acceptable range around the calibration value, the automatic calibration monitoring device warns the user and instructs the user to return the torque wrench to the automatic calibration monitoring device for re-calibration. Typically, tools or other inventory objects stored in the automatic calibration monitoring device can be uniquely identified by the automatic calibration monitoring device. For this purpose, the tool / object can have a label or other identifier applied thereto such that tools / objects that visually appear similar to each other (e.g., two visually identical torque wrenches) can be uniquely / individually identified. The label or identifier can encode the serial number or other unique identifier of the tool and enable the calibration status of each tool / object to be individually monitored and recorded in relation to the unique identifier of the tool / object. Subsequently, the calibration of each tool / object can be monitored each time the tool / object is issued from or returned to the automatic calibration monitoring device, and / or on a pre-scheduled basis, on a cycle basis based on several issues / returns since the previous calibration measurement, etc. The issue and / or return of each tool / object can be further associated with a work order or task order, and the most recently recorded calibration measurement value of the tool / object can be associated with each operation (e.g., tightening each bolt or fastener) performed as part of the work order or task order. In this way, if it is determined during the next calibration measurement operation that the tool / object has become uncalibrated, a record is generated for audit purposes of all operations performed by the tool / object between calibration measurements. Reference is now made in detail to the example illustrated in the accompanying drawings and discussed below. FIG. 1A is a block diagram illustrating components of an automatic calibration monitoring device 100, such as an automatic tool control system 200 that serves as the calibration monitoring device illustratively shown in FIG. 2A. The automatic calibration monitoring device 100 can be used as part of an automatic calibration monitoring system 190, such as that shown in the block diagram of FIG. 1B. As shown in FIG. 1A, the automatic calibration monitoring device 100 includes a storage location 130 for storing objects / tools therein, and one or more sensing subsystems 150 for determining the inventory status of the objects / tools in the automatic calibration monitoring device 100. Additionally, the automatic calibration monitoring device 100 may include one or more of a user interface 105, an access control device 106, and a network interface 108. The automatic calibration monitoring device 100 may also include a direct wired or wireless communication interface, such as a Bluetooth communication interface for direct communication with a calibration device 160 or other automatic calibration monitoring devices. The storage location 130 is provided within the body of the automatic calibration monitoring device 100, where tools / objects can be safely stored. The storage location 130 may include one or more storage drawers (see, for example, 230 in FIGS. 2A to 2C), shelves, cabinet doors, etc. The user interface 105 may include one or more user input / output devices, such as a display (e.g., a touch-sensitive display), a keyboard, a mouse or touchpad, a speaker, and / or a microphone, etc. The user interface 105 can be used to output information to the user of the device 100 (e.g., via the display) and / or receive inputs and selections from the user (e.g., via the touch-sensitive input device). The access control device 106 may include one or more of a card reader (e.g., an identification card reader), an iris scanner, etc., for receiving identification information from a user seeking access to the device 100. The access control device 106 may also include an alarm for issuing an alarm in response to detecting an unauthorized access attempt, and a locking mechanism for securely locking or preventing access to the storage location 130 when an unauthorized user logs into the device 100. The network interface 108 enables the automatic calibration monitoring device 100 to communicate with other networked automatic calibration monitoring devices (e.g., 100a to 100n in FIG. 1B), calibration devices (e.g., 160a to 160m in FIG. 1B), a calibration database 170, an automatic inventory control database (e.g., 180 in FIG. 1B), and / or other components of a networked automatic calibration monitoring system 190 (see FIG. 1B) available for monitoring the calibration and inventory status of objects / tools across multiple automatic calibration monitoring devices 100 across one or more wired or wireless networks. The automatic calibration monitoring device 100 is further configured to include or interface with a calibration device 160 (e.g., a calibration measurement device) and a calibration database 170. As shown by the dashed lines in FIG. 1A, the calibration device 160 and the calibration database 170 may be located within the automatic calibration monitoring device 100 and may directly interface with the automatic calibration monitoring device 100. Alternatively, the calibration device 160 and the calibration database 170 may be provided separately from the automatic calibration monitoring device 160 and may be communicatively coupled to the automatic calibration monitoring device 100 via a wired or wireless communication link and / or network (see, e.g., FIG. 1B). As described further below in detail, the calibration device 160 may be used to measure the calibration status of a tool / object. In some examples, the calibration device 160 may take the form of a torque tester or other torque measurement device configured to measure the output torque of a torque wrench. For example, the calibration device 160 may be an electronic torque tester, such as a torque tester that includes a piezoelectric torque sensor mounted in a frame and is operable to obtain a torque reading and transmit the torque reading to the automatic calibration monitoring device 100. The calibration device 160 may optionally include a display for displaying the calibration measurement (e.g., the torque reading) to a user. In various examples, the torque sensor in the calibration device 160 may be sized for measuring various applied torque loads. Additionally, the calibration device 160 may be communicatively coupled to the automatic calibration monitoring device 100 or a network such that calibration measurement data can be transmitted via a wired or wireless communication interface and link. Although the foregoing description has detailed the calibration torque wrench and associated torque tester as examples of a tool / object and its associated calibration device 160, the automatic calibration monitoring device 100 may be used with other types of calibration tools. As one example, a calibration torque wrench may have associated torque calibration values and / or angle calibration values that are measured by the calibration device 160. As another example, the calibration tool may be a torque screwdriver having associated torque calibration values and / or angle calibration values that are measured by the calibration device 160. As a further example, a precision caliper may be used for precise distance / width / length measurements, and a calibration device 160 such as a precision measurement tool may be used to measure and monitor its calibration. As another example, a digital multimeter for electrical measurement may be used for precise voltage, current, and resistance measurements, and a calibration device 160 such as a precision voltage / current / resistance meter may be used to measure and monitor its calibration. The automatic calibration monitoring device 100 further includes a data processing system 140 (such as a computer) for controlling the functions of the automatic calibration monitoring device 100. For inventory control purposes, the data processing system 140 processes the sensed data received from the sensing subsystem 150 and determines the inventory status and storage location 130 of the object / tool based on the sensed data. In one example, the data processing system 140 processes images captured by a camera or other image sensing device and / or signals received by an RFID sensor. The data processing system 140 includes one or more processors 142 (e.g., microprocessors) and a memory 144 (including non-transitory memory, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), etc.). The memory 144 includes a program memory storing program instructions for causing the automatic calibration monitoring device 100 to perform calibration monitoring and inventory control functions (such as those described herein). The memory 144 also includes a database of object / tool information, which may include object / tool identifiers, object / tool images, object / tool tag information (e.g., for RFID or barcode tags), object / tool inventory status, and calibration status information, etc. The program instructions further cause the device 100 to communicate with the calibration device 160 to obtain calibration measurements of the object / tool as further detailed below. The components of the automatic calibration monitoring device 100 of FIG. 1A are communicatively connected to each other, for example, via a communication bus or other communication link. The data processing system 140 serves as a central processing unit (CPU) for executing program instructions (such as program instructions stored in a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium (e.g., the memory 144)) and for controlling the operation of the automatic calibration monitoring device. Additionally, the sensing subsystem 150 and the calibration device 160 may include microprocessors that are operable to execute program instructions and perform functions related to sensing / monitoring / measurement operations. The automatic calibration monitoring device 100 can also communicate with wired and / or wireless local area networks and / or wide area networks (e.g., the Internet) via the network interface 108. For example, as shown in the automatic calibration monitoring system 190 of FIG. 1B, the monitoring system 190 can include multiple automatic calibration monitoring devices 100a to 100n. Each automatic calibration monitoring device (e.g., 100a) can communicate with one or more other automatic calibration monitoring devices (e.g., 100n) and / or other components forming the automatic calibration monitoring system 190, such as calibration devices 160a to 160m, calibration database 170 (including, for example, a calibration server storing the calibration database), and automatic inventory control database 180 (including, for example, an inventory control server storing the inventory control database). In this case, the automatic calibration monitoring device 100a can communicate with other systems and / or servers across the network and can exchange information about calibration measurements, inventory status, stored objects / tools, and operation data with these systems and / or servers. The automatic calibration monitoring device 100a can alternatively or additionally communicate directly with some components of the system 190, such as via a direct wired or wireless (e.g., Bluetooth) link with the calibration devices 160a to 160m or other components. The networked calibration monitoring system shown in FIG. 1B can use Windows Communication Foundation (WCF) or similar technologies to generate a "network service" for enabling communication between the device and the database. In particular, the communication between the device and the database can use common protocols and information formats (such as protocols and formats compatible with WCF) to store and enable a simple exchange of inventory, calibration, and other information between the device and the server. The automatic calibration monitoring device 100 can take the form of an automatic tool control system 200 (such as that shown in FIG. 2A), which provides monitoring of the tool calibration status (e.g., torque calibration status). The automatic tool control system 200 depicted in the figure takes the form of an automatic tool control (ATC) toolbox, but can more generally take the form of an ATC storage cabinet, ATC tool bed, etc. Connect the automatic tool control system 200 to a torque calibration device 207 via a direct wired or direct wireless communication link or via a wired or wireless network, such as a piezoelectric torque test / measurement device used as the calibration device 160. The torque calibration device 207 can be installed on the automatic tool control system 200 (illustrated as such in FIG. 2A), or provided separately or remotely from the automatic tool control system 200. Although not illustrated in FIG. 2A, the automated tool control system 200 includes databases (e.g., an object database and / or a calibration database 170 and an inventory control database 180 stored in the memory 144) for storing and retrieving tool-related data, including usage and calibration data for torque tools. The databases can be local to the automated tool control system 200 (see, e.g., FIG. 1A), or communicatively coupled thereto via a network interface (see, e.g., FIGS. 1A and 1B). The automated tool control system 200 is an example of a highly automated inventory control system that utilizes one or more sensing technologies to identify the inventory status of tools and other objects in storage units. As used throughout this disclosure, the term inventory status means information related to the presence / occurrence or absence / non-occurrence of an object in a storage system, and / or information regarding the issuance of an object from the tool control system 200 and its storage location 130 and the return of the object to the tool control system 200 and its storage location 130. In various examples, machine vision, radio frequency (RF) sensing, and / or other sensing methods used by the tool control system 200 are used to determine the inventory status to identify the inventory status of objects configured for storage therein. As shown in each of FIGS. 2A, the tool control system 200 includes a user interface 205, an access control device 206 (such as a card reader) for verifying the identity and authorization level of a user intending to use the tool control system 200, and a plurality of tool storage drawers 230 for storing tools. The storage system can include shelves, compartments, trays, containers, or other object storage devices instead of the drawers 230 from which tools or objects are issued and / or returned, or the other object storage devices include storage devices from which objects are issued and / or returned. In further examples, the storage system includes storage hooks, hanging racks, toolboxes with drawers, storage cabinets, cabinets with shelves and / or doors, safes, boxes, closets, vending machines, barrels, crates, and other material storage components. The user interface 205 is an input and / or output device of the tool control system 200, which is configured to display information including tool calibration and measurement information to the user. The access control device 206 is used to restrict or allow the user to access the tool storage drawer 230. The access control device 206 keeps some or all of the storage drawers 230 locked in the closed position via the use of one or more electronically controlled locking devices or mechanisms until the access control device 206 verifies and authorizes the user's access to the storage system. The access control device 206 further includes a processor and software to electronically identify the user requesting access to the secure area or object storage device and determine the access level that should be granted or denied to the identified user. If the access control device 206 determines that the user is authorized to access the control system 200, it unlocks some or all of the storage drawers 230 according to the user's authorization level, allowing the user to remove or replace tools. In particular, the access control device 206 can identify a predetermined authorized access level to the system (e.g., a full access level that provides access to all drawers 230, a partial access level that provides access to only specific drawers 230, etc.), and based on those predetermined authorized access levels, allow or deny the user's physical access to the three-dimensional space or object storage device. The access control device 206 can also be used to deny the user access to the drawer 230 storing the identified uncalibrated tool and / or deny the user access to the stored tool until the identified uncalibrated tool is returned to the appropriate storage location. The tool control system 200 includes one or more different sensing subsystems. In an illustrative example, the tool storage system 200 includes an image-based sensing subsystem, which is configured to use one or more cameras to capture images of the contents or storage locations of the system. The image sensing subsystem is further configured to process the images to identify the tools / objects that appear or disappear therein and determine the inventory situation based on the processed image data. The image sensing subsystem can include one or more lens-based cameras, CCD cameras, CMOS cameras, video cameras, or other types of devices that capture images. The tool control system 200 may additionally or alternatively include an RFID sensing subsystem that includes one or more RFID antennas, an RFID transceiver, and an RFID processor. The RFID sensing subsystem is configured to transmit RF sensing signals via the RFID transceiver and antenna when performing RF-based scanning of the inventory control system 200, receive RFID signals sensed by the RFID antenna and transceiver in response to the transmitted RF sensing signals from RFID tags that are mounted on or included in tools or other inventory items, and process the received RFID signals to identify individual tools or inventory items. In particular, the received RFID signals may be processed to extract tag identification data included in the returned RFID signals and, based on the correlation between the tag identification data and tool data stored by the system, identify individual tools or inventory items located within the tool control system 200. FIG. 2B illustrates a detailed view of an exemplary drawer 230 of the control system 200 in the open position. The storage drawer 230 includes a foam base 280 that has a plurality of storage locations for storing tools, such as tool cutouts 281. Each cutout has a specific profile and shape for appropriately receiving a tool having a corresponding shape. The tool can be secured in each storage location by using hooks, Velcro, latches, pressure from the foam, etc. Generally, each storage drawer 230 includes a plurality of storage locations for storing various types of tools. As used throughout this disclosure, a storage location is a location within a storage system for storing or protecting an object. In some embodiments, each tool has a specific pre-designated storage location within the tool storage system. In other embodiments, the plurality of storage locations may have similar (or the same) shapes and thus several similarly shaped tools can be placed in any one of the plurality of storage locations. As shown in FIG. 2B, one or more tools in the drawer 230 may have unique identifiers, such as identification tags 231a and 231b that are mounted on or attached to or within them. The identification tags can be RFID tags, barcode tags, etc. In the case of an RFID tag, the RFID tag can be placed on the surface of the tool and thus visible to the user (such as tag 231a), or the RFID tag can be placed inside the tool and thus not visible to the user (such as tag 231b). Generally, barcode tags are placed on the surface of the tool (such as tag 231a). As illustratively shown in FIGS. 2C through 2E, tags placed on tools can be visible, and each tag can encode an identifier that is unique to the tool on which it is placed. Visible tags can be placed on tools so as to be visible to the image sensing system of the tool storage system 200. For example, the tag can include a tag 231c having a visible pattern thereon for recognition by an image-based sensing subsystem (FIGS. 2C and 2D), or the tag can include a tag 231d disposed on or in the tool and having an RFID-readable (or other wirelessly readable) code encoded therein (FIG. 2E). A combination tag including both visible and RFID-readable codes can also be used. One or more of the inventory control database 180, the calibration database 170, and the object database (stored in the memory 144) store the unique identifier of each tag associated with information about the object / tool, such that information about each object / tool can be retrieved from the database based on the identifier of the tool tag. The tags can be formed of polycarbonate, polyester, or other suitable materials and can have an adhesive backing for adhering to the tools to which they are to be mounted. In one example, different colored stripes or bands are used to encode the information encoded in the tag, such as those shown in the illustrative example of FIG. 2C (where white, purple, red, black, dark blue, light blue, green, and yellow stripes are illustrated). Primary colors and / or mixed colors can be used. Each color stripe on the tag is equivalent to a number (or alphanumeric character), and the combination of colors produces a code. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2C, all stripes have the same length and width; in other embodiments, adjacent stripes can have different lengths and / or widths. In embodiments where the sensing subsystem 150 includes an RF-based sensing subsystem, the RF sensing subsystem can be configured to sense the RFID tags of tools located in all storage locations 130 and storage drawers 230 of the system 100 / 200, or can be configured to sense the RFID tags of tools located in a particular subset of the storage locations 130 or drawers 230 of the system 100 / 200. In one example, the RF sensing subsystem is configured to sense the RFID tags of tools located only in the topmost and bottommost drawers 230 of the system 200, and the RF sensing subsystem includes RFID antennas disposed directly above the topmost and bottommost within the system 200 to sense the RFID tags of tools located in those drawers. Other configurations of RFID antennas can also be used. As described above, the automatic calibration monitoring device 100 is configured to monitor the calibration status of stored objects such as tools. The operation of the automatic calibration monitoring device 100 will now be described in conjunction with FIGS. 3A through 3E, which illustrate a simplified flowchart outlining the operation involved in automatically monitoring the calibration status of inventory objects such as tools. Figure 3A illustrates a simplified flowchart of a method 300 for automatically monitoring the calibration status of an object / tool. As shown in Figure 3A, the method includes detecting a change in the inventory status of at least one object / tool in step 301. For example, the automatic calibration monitoring device 100 uses its sensing subsystem 150 to detect that the inventory status of one or more objects / tools has changed. In one instance, the automatic calibration monitoring device 100 can detect that an object / tool previously stored in the storage location 130 of the device 100 has been removed from or issued from the storage location. In another instance, the automatic calibration monitoring device 100 can detect that an object / tool not previously stored in the device 100 has been placed in or returned to the storage location 130 of the device 100. In a further instance, the automatic calibration monitoring device 100 can detect that an object / tool has entered the sensing and detection range of the sensing subsystem 150, for example as a result of the object / tool being placed within the RF reading range of the RF sensor of the sensing subsystem 150. For example, an RFID sensor located near the calibration device 160 can detect the RFID tag of an object / tool within its sensing range, and thus satisfy step 301. In response to the detection in step 301, the automatic calibration monitoring device 100 proceeds to verify the object calibration status of the object / tool in step 305. The verification of the calibration status will be described in more detail below in conjunction with Figures 3C to 3E. However, generally, the verification can involve using the calibration device 160 to perform measurements of the calibration of the object / tool, and determining whether the measurements are within the calibration range of the object / tool. For example, the verification can involve using an electronic torque tester to perform torque calibration measurements of a tool such as a calibrated torque wrench, and determining whether the resulting torque measurements are within the acceptable range of the wrench. Figure 3B illustrates a simplified flowchart of a method 301 for detecting a change in inventory status. Note that method 301 can be initiated as a result of a change in the inventory status of a tool / object detected by the sensing subsystem 150 of the automatic calibration monitoring device 100. Generally, the change can be detected as part of using the sensing subsystem 150 to perform a scan of the objects / tools in the automatic calibration monitoring device 100 in order to identify objects / tools that may have been issued from or returned to the device 100. The scan can be automatically triggered by the device, for example on a periodic basis. The scan can be triggered by a user, for example in response to the user selecting a calibration option on the user interface 105 of the device 100. The scan can also be triggered in response to detecting that the user has logged into the device 100 (e.g., using the access control device 106), detecting that a drawer 230, door or lock of the device 100 has been opened or closed (or is being opened or closed), detecting that a scan request has been received by the network interface 108 (e.g., from a central calibration monitoring server), etc. As shown in FIG. 3B, method 301 includes, in step 302, using the sensing subsystem 150 to perform a scan of the inventory of the automatic calibration monitoring device 100 and processing the sensing signals from the sensing subsystem 150. For example, in the case of an image-based sensing subsystem, one or more images of the storage location 130 can be captured and processed by the data processing system 140 to identify the objects / tools currently located in the storage location. In the case of an RFID-based sensing subsystem, one or more RF scans of the device 100 can be performed and processed by the data processing system 140 to identify the codes of the RFID tags currently within the RF range of the RF sensing antenna. Conversely, the automatic calibration monitoring device 100 proceeds to step 304 to identify the objects / tools that have experienced a change in inventory status based on the results of the scan (step 302) and the previous record of the inventory status of the device 100. For example, the data processing system 140 can compare the list of objects / tools identified as present in the device 100 as a result of the scan with the list of objects / tools previously recorded as present in the device 100 to identify any objects / tools that have experienced a change in inventory status. Step 304 can cause the device 100 to identify one or more objects that have experienced a change in inventory status, such as determining one or more objects that have been issued from the device 100 and have returned to the device 100. As described in more detail below in connection with FIGS. 3C through 3E, in response to the identification of the objects in step 304, the automatic calibration monitoring device 100 proceeds in step 305 to verify the object calibration status of the objects / tools. FIG. 3C illustrates a simplified flowchart of method 305 for verifying the calibration status of the identified objects. The method can include, in step 306, the automatic calibration monitoring device 100 triggering calibration measurements for the objects identified in step 304 and, based on the results of the calibration measurements, determining in step 314 the current calibration status of each object. Steps 306 and 314 are described in more detail below in connection with FIGS. 3D and 3E. Note that in the case where multiple objects / tools are identified in step 304, step 305 can be repeated for each identified object / tool. Figure 3D illustrates a simplified flowchart of a method 306 for triggering calibration measurements. According to method 306, the automatic calibration monitoring device 100 determines in step 307 whether the object identified in step 304 is a calibration object that has undergone calibration. To make the determination, the automatic calibration monitoring device 100 can query a database of object information stored in the memory 144 and determine whether the object is identified therein as a calibration object. Additionally or alternatively, the automatic calibration monitoring device 100 can query the calibration database 170 or the inventory control database 180 to determine whether the object is identified therein as a calibration object. If the object has not undergone calibration, the control returns to step 301. Alternatively, in the case where multiple objects are identified in step 304, the control returns to step 305 to trigger calibration measurements for the next identified object. In the case where the object is identified as having undergone calibration, the automatic calibration monitoring device 100 proceeds to step 309, where at least one calibration parameter value of the identified object is retrieved from the calibration database 170. The calibration parameter values of the identified object typically include a calibration target value and a calibration range of acceptable calibration values. The calibration parameter values can additionally include information about the last calibration performed on the object, such as the time of the last calibration, the elapsed time since the last calibration, the number of emissions and / or returns since the last calibration, the number of operations since the last calibration, etc. In step 311, the automatic calibration monitoring device 100 optionally determines whether calibration measurements of the object are required, and in the case where it is determined that calibration is not required, returns the control to step 301, or in the case where multiple objects are identified in step 304, returns the control to step 305. Generally, by default, the automatic calibration monitoring device 100 will determine in step 311 that calibration measurements are required, such that the control will proceed to step 313. However, in the case where calibration measurements were recently performed on the object and / or in the case where it is identified based on previous measurements that the object is not calibrated, the automatic calibration monitoring device 100 can determine that calibration measurements are not required. Based on the time of the last calibration (e.g., if the last calibration measurement was performed less than a predetermined threshold time t before the current time, such as less than 1 hour, 1 day, or 1 week before the current time), the elapsed time since the last calibration (e.g., if the elapsed time is less than a predetermined threshold time), the number of emissions and / or returns since the last calibration (e.g., if the number of emissions since the last calibration is less than a predetermined threshold number, such as less than 2 emissions), the number of operations since the last calibration (e.g., if the number of operations involving the object since the last calibration is less than a predetermined threshold number, such as less than 10 fastening operations), etc., the device 100 determines that a calibration was recently performed. In step 313, a calibration measurement of the object is performed. The calibration measurement may include the automatic calibration monitoring device 100 providing instructions to the user via the user interface 105 to perform the calibration measurement. The measurement may further include the device 100 providing a calibration target value of the object to the calibration device 160 such that the calibration device 160 can perform the measurement based on the target value. In response to performing the measurement, the calibration device 160 returns a calibration measurement value to the device 100, which corresponds to the measured calibration of the object. FIG. 3E illustrates a simplified flowchart of a method 314 for determining the calibration status of an object. According to method 314, the automatic calibration monitoring device 100 receives the calibration measurement value of the object obtained in step 313 from the calibration device 160. The device 100 proceeds to step 315 to compare the calibration measurement value with a calibration range of acceptable values to determine whether the measurement value falls within the acceptable value range of the object. If the calibration measurement value falls within the calibration range of acceptable values, the device 100 determines that the object is calibrated; or, if the calibration measurement value falls outside the calibration range of acceptable values, the device 100 determines that the object is uncalibrated. The device proceeds to step 317 to update the calibration status (calibrated or uncalibrated) of the object in the calibration database 170 and / or the inventory control database (e.g., 180, or stored in the memory 144). The calibration database 170 may additionally be updated to store the calibration measurement value and other data related to the calibration measurement of step 313 (e.g., date / time of the calibration measurement, the calibration target value used, the identity of the calibration device 160 used for the measurement, etc.). Conversely, the automatic calibration monitoring device 100 may, in step 319, enable or disable the issuance and / or return of the object / tool based on the updated calibration status of the object. For example, just upon determining that the object / tool is calibrated, the automatic calibration monitoring device 100 may enable or authorize the issuance and / or return of the object / tool from / to the storage location of the device 100. Or, just upon determining that the object / tool is uncalibrated, the automatic calibration monitoring device 100 may disable or prevent the issuance of the object / tool from the device 100 and may request the rapid return of the object / tool to the device 100. The foregoing discussion has focused on the case of issuing one or more calibration objects / tools (e.g., torque tools such as torque wrenches). By assuming that the single issued tool is the only tool available for the calibration measurement and by correlating all calibration measurement-related data and results received from the calibration device 160 with the single issued or returned object / tool, the system can handle the case where a single object / tool is issued. In the case of simultaneously issuing or returning multiple objects / tools, various options can be presented by the system. One option is to provide a choice to the user. The system displays a list of the calibrated objects / tools being issued or returned via the user interface 105, and the user selects one to be the current calibration measurement and proceeds to perform the calibration measurement on the selected object / tool. Once the calibration measurement of the selected object / tool is completed, the object / tool disappears from the display screen, and the user has the opportunity to select the next object / tool for calibration. An alternative provides for the system to select which object / tool is to undergo the calibration measurement and display the information of the object / tool selected by the system on the display screen. Subsequently, the user is responsible for providing the selected object / tool to the calibration device 160 for the calibration measurement. After testing the tool, the system selects the next object / tool and displays the identification of the next object / tool. The process will repeat until all the objects / tools issued and returned have undergone the calibration measurement. A further alternative provides a sensing subsystem 150 on or near the calibration device 160 such that the calibration device (e.g., a torque testing device) can directly sense and identify the unique identifier attached to the object / tool provided therein as calibration. For example, an RFID sensor provided near the calibration device 160 and having a short RFID reading range (e.g., up to 20 cm in front of the calibration device 160) can be used to automatically identify the object / tool having an RFID tag, with the RFID tag located near the calibration device 160. Subsequently, the calibration device 160 can report the measured calibration value together with the identity of the object / tool detected near the automatic calibration monitoring system. The purpose of the systems and methods disclosed herein is to provide an efficient process for enabling the automatic monitoring of tool calibration using, for example, an automatic tool control system consistent with a calibration device (such as a torque testing device). Specifically, many efficiencies and advanced functions will be enabled by the combined use of devices that perform advanced functions enabled by software programming executed on the system processor. The above-described systems and methods utilize a database for storing calibration data of objects / tools. The calibration monitoring system 190 can include a separate data storage device or database in a separate calibration monitoring device 100a to 100n and / or one or more centralized master databases residing in one or more central servers. Generally, calibration-related data for each calibrated object, tool, and other inventory items will be pre-stored in the calibration database 170 and / or pre-loaded into the memory 144 of the automatic calibration monitoring device 100 for calibration status monitoring as described above. Generally, the calibration data of the tools stored in the calibration database 170 includes one or more of the data entries shown in Table 1 below: More specifically, the calibration database 170 can store the following data for each calibration tool / object: a) A device identification code, such as a unique tool ID and / or a code included on a label attached to the object / tool; b) A description of the object / tool; c) The calibration target value of the object / tool, corresponding to the calibration value of the object / tool to be calibrated. The calibration target value can be provided as a single target value or as a target calibration curve including a plurality of target values, each target value being related to the test standard applied (e.g., different applied loads, such as 40, 80, 120, 160, and 200 N*m). When using a target calibration curve, the calibration measurement includes measuring the calibration of the object / tool (when each test standard is applied sequentially), and reporting the measurements obtained for each test standard; d) The calibration target acceptable range, corresponding to the range of calibration values within which the object / tool is considered to be calibrated. The target acceptable range can be expressed as a range of calibration values and / or as a percentage of the deviation from the calibration target value (e.g., + / -0.5%); e) One or more previous calibration measurement values, corresponding to the last recorded calibration measurement value / level, and optionally additional previously recorded calibration measurement values / levels; f) A timestamp (e.g., date and time) for each of the one or more previous calibration measurement values; g) Optionally, the calibration device identity of the calibration device 160 for each of the one or more previous calibration measurement values (e.g., sensor ID and optionally capacity rating); h) When appropriate, the database can also store: (i) The measurement unit of each calibration target value, range, and previous calibration measurement, (ii) Deflection or angular displacement (e.g., for each previous calibration measurement, the deflection or angular measurement of the displacement reached during the calibration test), (iii) Air pressure and / or temperature (e.g., for each previous calibration measurement), etc. In addition, the calibration database 170 can store additional calibration data including the object / tool calibration interval or schedule (e.g., indicating the maximum interval between calibrations of the instruction), which can include the next calibration due date (e.g., calculated based on the object calibration schedule and the date of the last calibration measurement), which can be recorded by date or by time interval (e.g., measured in minutes, hours, days, weeks, etc.), by number of uses, by number of days, etc. When stored, the calibration interval or schedule can be specific to each tool / object, so as to store different schedules for each tool; specific to the category of tool / object, so as to store the same schedule for each tool category while storing different schedules for different tool categories; or the same for all tools / objects. The calibration database 170 can store further calibration data including object calibration data, including the range of maximum and / or minimum acceptable torque levels under various loads, and / or the range of maximum and / or minimum acceptable torque angular displacements under various loads (e.g., in the case where the tool / object is a calibrated torque wrench). The calibration database 170 can store further calibration data including processing data, which can include (a) calibration and test processing data according to ISO 6789-2:2017; (b) conformance testing of ISO 6789-1:2017; (c) uncertainty testing of ISO 6789-2:2017; (d) 20%, 60%, 100% of the maximum torque value of each tool / object; (e) the number of required test points; (f) the target torque value; and / or (g) upper and lower limits. One of the memories 144 of the calibration database 170, the inventory control database 180, and / or the automatic calibration monitoring device 100 can additionally store data related to each object / tool, which includes data identifying the object / tool (such as part number, description, or other unique identifier), the storage location of the object / tool within the device 100, the manufacturer or supplier, the related object / tool / part, etc. Data related to a specific torque device and related to the calibration of the device can include calibration intervals, scheduled calibration, last calibration, best torque curve, the torque applied and the resulting angular displacement, calibration torque value, pass / fail criteria, etc. Various configurations of the automatic calibration monitoring (ACM) device 100 will be described below in combination with the calibration device 160 (e.g., torque tester), the calibration database 170, the inventory control (IC) database 180, and the object / tool 401 that undergoes calibration measurements and tests. Figures 4A to 4D illustrate various system connection configurations that can be used for the automatic calibration monitoring system described above. In Figure 4A, a first configuration is used, where the object / tool 401 that undergoes calibration measurements is not configured for electronic data transfer or communication (or does not use the electronic data transfer or communication function of the object / tool). In this case, the calibration device 160 can be co-located with the ACM device 100 and communicatively connected to the ACM device for calibration measurements. In turn, the ACM device 100 (e.g., the tool control system toolkit 200) is communicatively connected to the networked calibration database 170 and / or the inventory control database 180 for information exchange purposes. Figure 4B illustrates a second configuration in which the calibration object / instrument 401 is configured for electronic data transfer and communicatively connected to a calibration device 160 (e.g., a torque tester). The calibration device 160 is again communicatively connected to the ACM device 100. In turn, the ACM device 100 is communicatively connected to a networked calibration database 170 and / or an inventory control database 180 for information exchange purposes. Figure 4C illustrates a third configuration in which the calibration object / instrument 401 is not configured for electronic data transfer (or the electronic data transfer function of the calibration object / instrument is not used). In this case, the calibration device 160 may be located at the ACM device 100 or remote from the ACM device 100 and communicatively connected to a networked calibration database 170 and / or an inventory control database 180 for information exchange purposes. Thus, both the ACM device 100 and the calibration device 160 are independently connected to a networked calibration database 170 and / or an inventory control database 180 for information exchange purposes. Figure 4D illustrates a fourth configuration in which the calibration object / instrument 401 is configured for electronic data transfer. The calibration object / instrument 401 and the calibration device 160 may be located at the ACM device 100 or remote from the ACM device 100. The calibration object / instrument 401, the ACM device 100, and the calibration device 160 are all communicatively connected to a networked calibration database 170 and / or an inventory control database 180 for information exchange purposes. Although the inventory control system discussed in related Figure 2A takes the form of a toolbox, calibration tools including torque devices are stored in a central repository (e.g., a tool crib) in many work environments, and the tools are issued from the central repository to technicians for use at different or remote work locations. In such an environment, the calibration device 160 may be provided within the tool crib or at the issue points (e.g., the entrance and exit) of the tool crib to enable calibration measurements to be performed when entering or leaving the tool crib. When an object / instrument equipped with a unique identifier is scanned as having been issued from the automated tool control system (e.g., issued at the tool crib issue entrance), the calibration monitoring system automatically identifies the object / instrument and retrieves the calibration data associated with the object / instrument. The system also provides an alert to the user that the object / instrument must have been measured for calibration before being issued. A calibration device 160, such as an electronic torque tester, can be equipped with the ability to measure or test the calibration of a tool (such as a torque device) using a manually input pass / fail criterion and display the results. More advanced calibration tools can electrically transmit torque measurement data to a software package for analysis. This transmission and analysis can be done locally on the calibration device, or the data can be transmitted across a network to another device (e.g., an automatic calibration monitoring device). However, in either case, the calibration device did not previously have the ability to automatically identify a specific object / tool / device, and the pass / fail criterion or test data was associated with the system for the object / tool / device for specific identification. For example, previously, the identity of the object / tool / device to be tested had to be manually input by the user into the calibration device. In contrast, in the automatic calibration monitoring system described herein, the calibration device 160 (e.g., a torque tester) is configured to have data processing and data storage capabilities, calculation software, wired and / or wireless network communication capabilities, a user interface, and components for automatically inputting data. The calibration device 160 can be powered by an AC power source, a battery, or a combination of a battery and / or an AC power source. The user interface can be an LED display, an LCD display, a monitor, or other currently used technology for displaying information. The data input interface for the calibration device 160 can include wired or wireless communication capabilities, a keyboard, a keypad, a mouse, RFID, an optical (barcode) scanner, a camera, etc. Based on the above functions, the automatic calibration monitoring device can be used for auditing purposes. In particular, if an object / tool (e.g., a torque device) fails a calibration measurement test when it returns to the automatic calibration monitoring system, the system can retrieve data from memory that indicates the work location and / or work order under which the object / tool was issued. In such a case, the system can generate a report that indicates that the object / tool failed the calibration measurement test and identifies the last work location and / or work order under which the object / tool was issued. The report can be automatically distributed by email or text message to the appropriate personnel determined by the system administrator. For auditing purposes, the report can also indicate all the work locations and / or work orders under which the object / tool was issued since its last calibration measurement. If the work order contains information describing the route or product for which the object / tool is used (e.g., a list of fasteners as part of the work order), the system can also list in the report each product (e.g., individual fasteners) that may have been incorrectly processed since the object / tool was last issued and passed the calibration measurement test. The system can also generate a verification report that shows all the calibrated objects / tools issued for a work location or work order and their recorded calibration measurement test values and other relevant data. As described above, the automatic calibration monitoring device 100 is operable to request calibration measurements (e.g., torque measurements) from the calibration device 160 and verify the calibration status of tools or other inventory objects stored in the automatic calibration monitoring device 100. Objects / tools typically have unique identifiers associated therewith and with tags provided on the tool / object, and the identifiers and associated tool / object devices are identified in the inventory control and / or calibration database as tools / objects to be monitored for calibration. Thus, when a tool / object is issued from or returned to the system, the automatic calibration monitoring device 100 can identify the calibrated tool / object by recognizing the unique identifier attached to the tool / object. The tool / object further has calibration data, including target calibration values stored and associated in the database. Thus, the automatic calibration monitoring system can request calibration measurements or tests to be performed on the tool / object to confirm whether the calibrated tool / object is accurately calibrated before and / or after each use of the object. The parameters for calibration monitoring (for determining whether the tool is calibrated or uncalibrated) can be determined by the user but are typically retrieved from the calibration database as the calibration target values associated with the unique identifier of the tool / object in the database. Accordingly, the automatic calibration monitoring device 100 and the tool control system 200 (and the software executed thereon and associated therewith) are programmed to compare calibration data (such as torque data for a tool obtained from a calibration measurement device (e.g., a torque tester)) with one or more calibration target values for the tool (such as calibration values associated with the unique identifier of the tool and stored in one or more of the inventory control and calibration databases). Based on this comparison, the automatic calibration monitoring device 100 can determine whether the tool meets the calibration request set by the calibration value. If the calibration request is not met, the automatic calibration monitoring device 100 can identify the tool as uncalibrated and can issue an alert to any user seeking to issue or checkout the tool from the system 100. Thus, if the results of the calibration measurements fall within the acceptable calibration ranges stored for each tool / object in the calibration database, the automatic calibration monitoring system 100 can permit the issue and return of calibrated tools / objects. When an object / tool is issued from the automatic calibration monitoring system, if the calibration measurement value does not meet or fall within the acceptable range of the calibration value of the tool / object, the automatic calibration monitoring system may prohibit the issuance of the calibrated object / tool. For example, the system may issue auditory and visual instructions to return the tool / object that does not meet the calibration test criteria to an appropriate storage location within the device. The system may alternatively or additionally issue auditory and visual instructions to transfer the tool / object that does not meet the calibration test criteria to an appropriate location where repair and recalibration processes occur. As part of this process, when the test tool / object does not meet the calibration criteria pre-stored in the calibration database, the automatic calibration monitoring system may issue a status alert to the user, system administrator, calibration laboratory personnel, etc., so that the alerted parties can appropriately respond to the situation (e.g., by recalibrating the object, by flagging work orders related to incorrect calibration, etc.). When an object / tool is returned to the automatic calibration monitoring system, if the calibration measurement result does not meet the acceptable calibration requirements when the object / tool is returned to the storage device after use, the system may require the object / tool to be returned to its appropriate storage location within the storage device. Alternatively, if the calibration measurement result does not meet the calibration requirements, the system may require the object / tool to be transferred to an appropriate calibration laboratory. Again, when the test object / tool does not meet the calibration measurement criteria pre-stored in the calibration database, the automatic calibration monitoring system may issue a status alert to the user, system administrator, calibration laboratory personnel, etc., so that the alerted parties can appropriately respond to the situation (e.g., by recalibrating the object, by flagging work orders related to incorrect calibration, etc.). The calibration monitoring device 100 utilizes one or more of various sensing technologies to determine the issuance / return or appearance / disappearance of an object from its storage. For example, image-based sensing technology (e.g., using a camera), RFID-based sensing technology, one or more of individual switches or sensors (e.g., contact sensors, capacitive sensors, inductive sensors, weight sensors, or other sensors) may be used, such as sensing technologies for an automatic tool control (ATC) image toolbox, ATC RFID storage cabinet, and / or ATC tool bed management system, to sense the issuance / return or appearance / disappearance of an object. Further details of the sensing technologies and related sensing methods for inventory control have been described in U.S. Patent No. 9,741,014, issued on August 22, 2017, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Unique identifiers such as color code tags, RFID tags, barcodes, etc. can be attached to inventory objects or tools, including those stored in the storage containers of the automatic calibration monitoring system 100 and calibration objects / tools for uniquely identifying articles (e.g., to distinguish between two articles that otherwise cannot be distinguished by the sensing techniques of the system, such as using an image system to sense two visually identical tools). Examples of identification tags including combinations of parallel color lines forming unique color sequences are discussed in relation to FIGS. 2B - 2E. FIG. 5 provides a functional block diagram schema of a general computer hardware platform that can be used as a network or host computer platform for implementing a server. As described herein, the computer platform of FIG. 5 can be used to implement a server and related functions that support the calibration database 170 and / or the automatic inventory control database 180, and can be used to implement an inventory control server or a calibration monitoring server that performs one or more of the functions described in FIGS. 3A - 3E. The computer platform of FIG. 5 can also be combined with user interface elements to implement a personal computer or other types of workstations or terminal devices, such as implementing computing functions within the calibration device 160 or the object / tool 401. It is believed that those of ordinary skill in the art are familiar with the structure, programming, and general operation of such computer equipment, and thus the accompanying drawings should be self - explanatory. For example, the server shown in FIG. 5 includes a data communication interface for packet data communication. The server also includes a central processing unit (CPU) in the form of one or more processors for executing program instructions. The server platform typically includes an internal communication bus, a program storage, and a data storage for various data files processed and / or transmitted by the server, although the server often receives programming and data via network communication. The hardware components, operating systems, and programming languages of such servers are well - known in the art, and it is assumed that those of ordinary skill in the art are sufficiently familiar with them. Of course, the server functions can be implemented in a distributed manner on several similar platforms to distribute the processing load. Unless otherwise specified, all measurements, values, levels, positions, sizes, dimensions, and other specifications set forth in this specification (including in the following claims) are approximate and not exact. They are intended to have a reasonable range consistent with the functions they relate to and the conventions in the art to which they pertain. The scope of protection is limited only to the present and subsequent claims. This scope is intended and should be construed to be as broad as is consistent with the ordinary meaning of the language used in the claims when interpreted in light of this specification and the subsequent prosecution history, and to include all structural and functional equivalents. Nevertheless, no claim is intended to cover subject matter that fails to meet the requirements of Sections 101, 102, or 103 of the Patent Act, nor should they be construed in such a way. Any unintended inclusion of such subject matter is hereby disclaimed. Except as otherwise immediately stated above, nothing that is stated or illustrated is intended or should be construed to dedicate any component, step, feature, object, benefit, advantage, or equivalent to the public, whether or not it is recited in the claims. It should be understood that, unless the specific meaning is otherwise set forth herein, the terms and expressions used herein have the ordinary meaning of such terms and expressions as are relevant to the corresponding individual fields of research and study. Relational terms such as first and second may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action, and do not necessarily require or imply any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The term "comprising," "including," or any other variation thereof is intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitation, an element preceded by "a" or "an" does not exclude the presence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes the element. A summary of the disclosure is provided to enable the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. Additionally, in the foregoing detailed description, it can be seen that, for the purposes of simplifying the disclosure, various features are combined in various embodiments. This method of disclosure should not be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, the inventive subject matter lies in less than all of the features of a single disclosed embodiment. Accordingly, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter. Although the best mode and / or other examples have been described above, it should be understood that various modifications can be made therein, and the subject matter disclosed herein can be implemented in various forms and examples, and the teachings can be applied to many applications, only some of which are described herein. The following claims are intended to claim any and all applications, modifications, and variations that fall within the true scope of this teaching. 100: Device 100a: Device 100n: Device 105: User Interface 106: Access Control Device 108: Network Interface 130: Storage Location 140: Data Processing System 142: Processor 144: Memory 150: Sensing Subsystem 160: Device 160a: Device 160m: Device 170: Calibration Database 180: Inventory Control Database 190: System 200: System 205: User Interface 206: Access Control Device 207: Torque Calibration Device 230: Drawer 231a: Label 231b: Label 231c: Label 231d: Label 280: Foam Base 281: Cutout 300: Method 301: Step 302: Step 304: Step 305: Step 306: Step 307: Step 309: Step 311: Step 313: Step 314: Step 315: Step 317: Step 319: Step 401: Object / Tool The accompanying drawings illustrate one or more embodiments in accordance with the present teachings by way of example and not limitation. In the drawings, like reference numerals represent like or similar elements. FIG. 1A is a functional block diagram of an automatic calibration monitoring device that can support the calibration monitoring service described herein. FIG. 1B is a functional block diagram of an automatic calibration monitoring device that can support the calibration monitoring service described herein. FIG. 2A is a perspective view of an automatic tool control system that can support the calibration monitoring service described herein. FIG. 2B is a top view of the open drawer of the automatic tool control system shown in FIG. 2A. FIGS. 2C, 2D, and 2E illustrate various illustrative labels and other automatic calibration monitoring devices that can be used to uniquely identify inventory items in the automatic tool control system shown in FIG. 2A. FIGS. 3A-3E illustrate a simplified flowchart that illustrates a method involved in supporting an automatic calibration monitoring service via an automatic calibration monitoring device and / or system such as those shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. FIGS. 4A-4D illustrate simplified functional block diagrams that illustrate the information flow involved in providing a calibration monitoring service between components of an automatic calibration monitoring device and / or system similar to those shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. FIG. 5 is a simplified functional block diagram of a computer that can be configured as a host or server to, for example, serve as a calibration server or an inventory control server that supports a database in the automatic calibration monitoring system of FIG. 1B. Domestic deposit information (please note in the order of deposit institution, date, number) None Foreign deposit information (please note in the order of deposit country, institution, date, number) None 100: Device 105: User Interface 106: Access Control Device 108: Network Interface 130: Storage Location 140: Data Processing System 142: Processor 144: Memory 150: Sensing Subsystem 160: Device 170: Calibration Database

Claims

1. An automatic calibration monitoring system, comprising: A plurality of storage locations configured to store a stock item including a calibration stock item containing a calibration parameter value; and a processor configured to, upon issuing or returning the calibration stock item to the automatic calibration monitoring system: compare a calibration measurement of the calibration stock item with the calibration parameter value used for the calibration stock item, wherein, based on a result of the comparison, the processor selectively authorizes the issuance or return of the calibration stock item; and, upon determining that the calibration measurement of the calibration stock item is inconsistent with the calibration parameter value used for the calibration stock item, retrieve from a database all records related to the calibration stock item and corresponding to work orders issued for the calibration stock item after the last stored record of a previous calibration measurement of the calibration stock item; and generate a report identifying products using the calibration stock item since the last stored record of a previous calibration measurement of the calibration stock item.

2. The automatic calibration monitoring system as described in claim 1, further comprising: A calibration measurement device is communicatively connected to the processor and configured to perform a calibration of the calibration inventory item to obtain the calibration measurement, wherein the calibration measurement device transmits the obtained calibration to the processor.

3. The automatic calibration monitoring system as described in claim 2, wherein the calibration inventory item is a torque wrench and the calibration measuring device is a torque tester.

4. The automatic calibration monitoring system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the processor is further configured to: transmit a calibration target value for the calibration stock item to the calibration measuring device as the calibration stock item is sent from or returned to the automatic calibration monitoring system, and wherein after the calibration target value is transmitted, the processor receives the obtained calibration from the calibration measuring device.

5. The automatic calibration monitoring system as described in claim 1, further comprising: A database that stores information about inventory items, including the calibration inventory item, which is associated with the automatic calibration monitoring system and configured to be stored in the plurality of storage locations of the automatic calibration monitoring system, wherein the database further stores: work orders previously issued in connection with the calibration inventory item, and previous calibration measurements of the calibration inventory item.

6. The automatic calibration monitoring system as described in claim 1, wherein: The calibration parameter value stored in the database includes an acceptable range of calibration parameter values ​​stored in the database, and when the calibration measurement is within the acceptable range of calibration parameter values, the processor selectively authorizes the issuance or return of the calibration inventory item.

7. The automatic calibration monitoring system as described in claim 1, further comprising: A sensing device configured to sense information used by the processor to determine the presence or absence of inventory items in a plurality of storage locations, wherein the processor is configured to determine the presence of a calibration inventory item in a storage location among the plurality of storage locations based on the information sensed by the sensing device.

8. The automatic calibration monitoring system as described in claim 7, wherein: The sensing device includes an image sensor configured to capture images of the plurality of storage locations of the automatic calibration monitoring system, and a processor configured to determine the presence of the calibration inventory item by determining whether the calibration inventory item appears in an image captured by the image sensor.

9. The automatic calibration monitoring system as described in claim 8, wherein: Each inventory item associated with the automatic calibration monitoring system has a tag that uniquely identifies the inventory item, and the processor is configured to uniquely identify an inventory item appearing in one of the plurality of storage locations by identifying the tag that uniquely identifies the inventory item in the information sensed by the sensing device.

10. The automatic calibration monitoring system as described in claim 9, wherein: Each inventory item associated with the automatic calibration monitoring system has a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag that uniquely identifies the inventory item, and the automatic calibration monitoring system further includes an RFID sensor configured to read the RFID tags of the inventory items located in the plurality of storage locations.

11. The automatic calibration monitoring system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the database stores records of work orders previously issued in relation to the calibration stock item, and the database stores records of previous calibration measurements of the calibration stock item.

12. A method for automatically monitoring the calibration of inventory items in an automatic calibration monitoring system, comprising the steps of: identifying a calibration inventory item using a sensor of the automatic calibration monitoring system configured to sense the presence or absence of the inventory item, the calibration inventory item containing a calibration parameter value and being subject to calibration monitoring; comparing a calibration measurement of the calibration inventory item with the calibration parameter value used for the calibration inventory item, wherein, based on a result of the comparison, a processor selectively authorizes the issuance or return of the calibration inventory item; upon determining that the calibration measurement of the calibration inventory item is inconsistent with the calibration parameter value used for the calibration inventory item, retrieving from a database all records related to the calibration inventory item and corresponding to work commands issued for the calibration inventory item after the last stored record of a previous calibration measurement of the calibration inventory item; and generating a report identifying products using the calibration inventory item since the last stored record of a previous calibration measurement of the calibration inventory item.

13. The method as described in claim 12 further includes the following steps: prior to the determination, receiving the calibration measurement of the calibration stock item from a calibration measurement device communicatively connected to the automatic calibration monitoring system and configured to perform the calibration measurement of the calibration stock item.

14. The method as described in claim 13, wherein the calibration stock item is a torque wrench and the calibration measuring device is a torque tester.

15. The method as described in claim 14 further includes the steps of: transmitting a calibration target value for the calibration inventory item to the calibration measurement device, and wherein, after transmitting the calibration target value, the automatic calibration monitoring system receives the calibration measurement from the calibration measurement device.

16. The method as described in claim 12, wherein: Each inventory item associated with the automatic calibration monitoring system has a tag that uniquely identifies the inventory item, and the automatic calibration monitoring system is configured to uniquely identify the calibration inventory item by recognizing the tag that uniquely identifies the calibration inventory item in the information sensed by the sensor.

17. The method as described in claim 16, wherein: Each inventory item associated with the automatic calibration monitoring system has a visible tag that uniquely identifies the inventory item, and the automatic calibration monitoring system identifies the calibration inventory item by recognizing the visible tag of the calibration inventory item in an image captured by an image sensing device of the automatic calibration monitoring system.

18. The method as described in claim 17, wherein: Each inventory item associated with the automatic calibration monitoring system has a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag that uniquely identifies the inventory item, and the automatic calibration monitoring system identifies the calibration inventory item by reading the RFID tag of the calibration inventory item.

19. The method as described in claim 12, wherein the database stores records of work orders previously issued in connection with the calibration stock item, and the database stores records of previous calibration measurements of the calibration stock item.

20. The method as described in claim 12, wherein: The calibration parameter value stored in the database includes an acceptable range of calibration parameter values ​​stored in the database, and when the calibration measurement is within the acceptable range of calibration parameter values, selective authorization is granted to issue or return the calibration inventory item.

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