Parts monitoring system

Abstract

A part monitoring system comprises a plurality of monitoring units (12), each mounted on a part within an industrial system. An identification code is associated with each monitoring unit (12), and a plurality of light emitters (28) are provided on the monitoring units. A unique set of the light emitters (28) on each monitoring unit (12) illuminates in a manner corresponding to the identification code, and a handheld device is used to take an image of the light assemblies of a plurality of the monitoring units (12) when they are installed at a location within the industrial system. The image is processed by the central monitoring unit to recognize the illuminated lights of each monitoring unit (12) and associate the identification code of that monitoring unit (12) with one of the parts.