Systems and methods for welding asset movement tracking

Abstract

Systems and methods for welding asset movement tracking are disclosed. In some examples, a welding asset tracking system can include an asset tracking network having tags maintained by welding assets within a welding area, hubs, and / or gateways. Direction of travel of a monitored asset can be determined by comparing an order in which the asset is identified by the asset tracking network. Direction of travel, path of travel, and / or entry and exit of a tracked asset from a welding area can be stored for subsequent analysis and / or retrieval. Additionally or alternatively, functionality of the asset can be disabled and / or enabled based on whether the tracked asset is authorized to be removed from a designated area.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims preference and benefit to U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 62 / 893,911, filed August 30, 2019, entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR WELDINGASSET MOVEMENT TRACKING,” the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for tracking the movement of welding assets. Background Technology

[0004] Numerous welding assets can be employed in large welding environments (such as construction sites, factories, manufacturing plants, and shipyards). Because similar types of welding assets can be difficult to distinguish from one another, determining the location of specific welding assets in large welding environments or across multiple welding environments can be challenging and time-consuming. Additionally, replacing lost, misplaced, and / or stolen welding assets can be costly. Furthermore, reassigning welding assets from one welding job to another without prior knowledge of whether and / or how they were used can be inefficient.

[0005] By comparing such systems with the present disclosure as illustrated in the remainder of this application with reference to the accompanying drawings, the limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional methods will become apparent to those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This disclosure relates to systems and methods for tracking welded assets, substantially as shown by at least one drawing and / or described in conjunction with at least one drawing and as set forth in the claims.

[0007] These and other advantages, aspects and novel features of this disclosure, as well as the details of the examples shown in this disclosure, will be more fully understood from the following description and accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 A welding asset tracking system is described in accordance with various aspects of this disclosure.

[0009] Figure 2 This disclosure illustrates various aspects that can be discussed with [other parties]. Figure 1 Examples of different welding assets used in the welding asset tracking system.

[0010] Figure 3It demonstrates various aspects of the content of this disclosure. Figure 1 A simplified diagram of an example welding area of ​​a welding asset tracking system configured to track the movement of welding assets within the welding area.

[0011] Figure 4 It demonstrates various aspects of the content of this disclosure. Figure 1 A simplified diagram of an example welding area of ​​a welding asset tracking system configured to track the movement of welding assets within the welding area.

[0012] Figure 5a and Figure 5b This is a flowchart illustrating examples of machine-readable instructions representing various aspects of this disclosure, which can be generated by... Figure 3 and / or Figure 4 Example hub 160 is implemented to track the movement of welded assets within the weld area.

[0013] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating examples of machine-readable instructions representing various aspects of this disclosure, which can be generated by... Figure 3 and / or Figure 4 Example asset tracking server 110 is executed to track the movement of welded assets within the weld area.

[0014] The accompanying drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. Where appropriate, the same or similar reference numerals are used to denote the same or similar elements in the drawings. For example, reference numerals with letters (e.g., sensor 106a, sensor 106b) indicate examples of the same reference numerals (e.g., sensor 106) without that letter. Detailed Implementation

[0015] Some examples of this disclosure relate to a welding asset tracking system. In some examples, the welding asset tracking system may include an asset tracking network with tags, hubs, and / or gateways held by welding assets within a welding area. The asset tracking network may acquire welding data associated with one or more welding assets, as well as location data obtained via internal and / or external positioning systems, and / or transmit this data to an asset tracking server. In this way, the welding asset tracking server may continuously receive updated information about the identity, location, and / or purpose of each welding asset. By keeping the asset tracking network within the welding assets, the asset tracking network becomes more likely to have the density required for continuous tracking, as welding assets are often positioned near other welding assets so that they can be used together. The information obtained by this welding asset tracking system may be used by a welding asset manager to locate welding assets, assign assets to different welding jobs, determine whether assets should be introduced for maintenance, and / or determine whether new assets should be acquired.

[0016] Some publicly available examples determine the direction of travel of monitored assets by comparing the order in which assets are identified by tracking devices (e.g., hubs, gateways, etc.). The direction of travel, path of travel, and / or entry and exit from the welded area of ​​the tracked assets are stored for subsequent analysis and / or retrieval. Additionally or alternatively, the functionality of these assets can be disabled and / or enabled by the central asset tracking system based on whether the tracked asset is permitted to be removed from a designated area.

[0017] Some examples of this disclosure relate to a welding asset tracking system comprising: a first detector disposed at a first location near an entrance or boundary of a welding area, the first detector being configured to: acquire an asset identifier from the welding asset at a first time when the welding asset is near the first detector, and transmit a first signal indicating the first detector identifier, the first location, the asset identifier, or the first time; a second detector disposed at a second location closer to or further from the entrance or boundary than the first location, the second detector being configured to: acquire an asset identifier from the welding asset at a second time when the welding asset is near the second detector, and transmit a second signal indicating the second detector identifier, the second location, the asset identifier, or the second time; and a welding asset tracking server configured to: receive the first signal and the second signal; determine the direction of travel of the welding asset based on the first location, the first time, the second location, and the second time; and update a welding asset tracking database in response to determining whether the direction of travel is toward or away from the entrance or boundary of the welding area to indicate whether the welding asset has entered or left the welding area.

[0018] In some examples, the first detector includes a first communication circuitry configured to obtain the asset identifier from the welded asset, and the second detector includes a second communication circuitry configured to obtain the asset identifier from the welded asset. In some examples, the welded asset tracking server is configured to send an enable signal to the welded asset via the first detector or the second detector in response to determining that the welded asset has entered the welded area. In some examples, the welded asset tracking server is configured to send a disable signal to the welded asset via the first detector or the second detector in response to determining that the welded asset has left the welded area.

[0019] In some examples, the welding asset includes a wire feeder, welding power supply, operator badge, welding mask, air-purifying respirator, wire spool, wire drum, work order, workpiece, welding torch, grinder, fume extractor, foot pedal, gas cylinder regulator, power supply teaching panel, welding cable, or sensor module. In some examples, the welding asset includes a first welding asset, and the first detector or the second detector is held by a second welding asset. In some examples, the first detector or the second detector includes a gateway. In some examples, the first detector includes a first portion of the gateway, and the second detector includes a second portion of the gateway. In some examples, the first detector or the second detector includes a hub. In some examples, the first detector includes a first portion of the hub, and the second detector includes a second portion of the hub.

[0020] Some examples of this disclosure relate to a method for determining the movement of a welding asset through a welding area, the method comprising: determining a first position of the welding asset, the first position being related to a first time; determining a second position of the welding asset, the second position being related to a second time later than the first time; determining a direction of travel of the welding asset based on the first position and the second position via a processing circuit system; and updating a welding asset tracking database in response to determining whether the direction of travel is toward or away from an entrance or boundary of the welding area to indicate whether the welding asset has entered or left the welding area.

[0021] In some examples, determining the first location of the welded asset includes receiving a signal from a first detector located at a first location near the entrance or boundary of the weld area. In some examples, determining the second location of the welded asset includes receiving a signal from a second detector located at a second location closer to or further from the entrance or boundary than the first location. In some examples, the first signal represents the first location. In some examples, the first signal represents an identifier of the first detector, wherein determining the first location further includes determining the location of the first detector based on the identifier. In some examples, determining the location of the first detector includes looking up a stored detector location corresponding to the identifier.

[0022] In some examples, the method further includes sending an enable signal to the welding asset via the first detector or the second detector in response to determining that the welding asset has entered the welding area. In some examples, the method further includes sending a disable signal to the welding asset via the first gateway or the second gateway in response to determining that the welding asset has left the welding area. In some examples, the welding asset includes a wire feeder, welding power supply, operator badge, welding mask, air-purifying respirator, wire spool, wire drum, work order, workpiece, welding torch, grinder, fume extractor, foot pedal, gas cylinder regulator, power supply teaching disk, welding cable, or sensor module. In some examples, the welding asset includes a first welding asset, and the first detector or the second detector is held by a second welding asset.

[0023] Figure 1 An example of a welding asset tracking system 100 is shown. As illustrated, the welding asset tracking system 100 includes an asset tracking server 110, a local positioning system including one or more location beacons 120, and an asset tracking network comprising a plurality of welding assets 200 interconnected via one or more gateways 140, hubs 160, and / or tags 180. As illustrated, the gateway(s) 140, hub(s) 160, and / or tags 180 are held by one or more welding assets 200. In some examples, the gateway(s) 140, hub(s) 160, and / or tags 180 may be held within and / or on the welding assets 200 using one or more brackets, fasteners, housings, and / or other mechanisms. In some examples, one or more mobile devices 104 (e.g., smartphones, tablets, laptops, etc.) configured to be used with the welding asset tracking system 100 may also act as gateways 140 and / or asset tracking server 110. In some examples, one or more of the gateway 140, hub 160, and / or tag 180 may not be held by the soldered asset 200.

[0024] As used herein, welding asset 200 can mean any equipment, apparatus, accessories and / or tools used for welding activities and / or welding-type activities (e.g., metal fabrication, induction heating, grinding, polishing, plasma cutting, etc.). Figure 2 Several common examples of welding assets 200 that can be used with the welding asset tracking system 100 are shown. As shown, common welding assets 200 may include welding (and / or welding-type) power supplies 202, power supply teaching disks 204, gas cylinder regulators 206, gas cylinders 207, wire feeders 208, wire reels 210, wire spools 211, welding torches 212, welding cables 213, foot pedals 214, respirators 215, welding masks 216, lights 217 (e.g., attached to or separate from the welding mask 216), electrically powered air-purifying respirators (PAPR) 218, supplied-air respirators (SAR) 219, fume extractors 220 (e.g., for extracting welding fumes), box-type filtration systems 221, grinders 222, operator ID badges 224, welding materials 225 (e.g., multiple welding workpieces), and welding work orders 226 (e.g., affixed to a box or pallet containing the welding materials 225, or affixed to the welding materials 225 themselves). In some examples, the welding torch 212 may be a welding gun or a plasma welding torch. In some examples, the welding torch 212 may be robot-operated and / or machine-operated.

[0025] exist Figure 1In the examples, each weld asset 200 includes one or more sensors 106. In some examples, the one or more sensors 106 may be configured to continuously and / or periodically sense, detect, measure, and / or record sensor data related to the operation (and / or errors) of that particular weld asset 200. For example, a weld power supply 202 may have one or more sensors 106 configured to sense, detect, measure, and / or record input, intermediate, and / or output current and / or voltage, arc time, cooling gas flow rate, cooling equipment (e.g., fan) start-up time, weld start / end time, and / or total output energy. As another example, a wire feeder 208 may have one or more sensors 106 configured to sense, detect, measure, and / or record wire feed speed, motor current, motor voltage, cooling gas flow rate, cooling equipment (e.g., fan) start-up time, roller torque, roller speed, and / or total filler material output. As another example, the gas regulator 206 may have one or more sensors 106 configured to sense, detect, measure, and / or record gas flow rate, gas temperature, gas mixture, and / or total gas output. As another example, the welding mask 216 may have one or more sensors 106 configured to sense, detect, measure, and / or record the temperature in and / or around the welding mask 216, the air quality in and / or around the welding mask 216, the electromagnetic field (e.g., intensity, direction, etc.) near the welding mask 216, the movement of the welding mask 216, whether the mask 216 is in a darkened state (e.g., for an auto-darkening mask), and / or the total time spent in a darkened state (and / or undarkened state). As another example, the welding torch 212 may have one or more sensors 106 configured to sense, detect, measure, and / or record trigger start / stop time, trigger duration, arc time, position (e.g., relative to welding material 225 and / or clamping device), orientation (e.g., relative to welding material 225 and / or clamping device), motion (e.g., relative to welding material 225 and / or clamping device), current, and / or voltage. As another example, the foot pedal 214 may have one or more sensors 106 configured to sense, detect, measure, and / or record pedal actuation start / stop time, actuation duration, and / or actuation pressure. As another example, the teach pendant 204 may have one or more sensors 106 configured to sense, detect, measure, and / or record recent command history.As another example, operator badge 224 may have one or more sensors 106 configured to sense, detect, measure, and / or record scan history (e.g., the location where the badge was scanned when entering / leaving certain areas and / or using certain assets). As another example, PAPR 218 or fume extractor 220 may have one or more sensors 106 configured to sense, detect, measure, and / or record air circulation volume, air quality, air temperature, and / or filter condition.

[0026] In some examples, one or more sensors 106 may detect and / or record the time corresponding to the sensing, detection, measurement, and / or recording of sensor data. In some examples, one or more welding assets 200 may not have a sensor 106. In some examples, a stand-alone sensor 106 configured to be removably attached to a third-party (e.g., competitor) welding asset may itself be considered a welding asset 200. For example, a Hall effect sensor or reed switch sensor configured to be attached to a welding cable and / or detect the current passing through the welding cable may be fitted with its own tag 180, thereby effectively making sensor 106 itself a welding asset 200. As another example, an airflow sensor configured to be attached to a welding power supply 202 (e.g., inside the power supply 202 and / or in fluid communication with an external vent) may be configured to detect the cooling air circulating through the welding power supply 202 and fitted with its own tag 180, thereby effectively making sensor 106 itself a welding asset 200.

[0027] exist Figure 1In the example, each sensor 106 has an electrical and / or communication link to a tag 180, hub 160, and / or gateway 140 held by the welding asset 200. Through this link, sensor data sensed, detected, measured, and / or recorded by the sensor can be transmitted to the tag 180, hub 160, and / or gateway 140 held by the welding asset 200. As shown, the tag 180, hub 160, and / or gateway 140 each have a tag memory circuit system 182, a hub memory circuit system 162, and a gateway memory circuit system 142 respectively configured to store sensor data. In some examples, the tag memory circuit system 182, hub memory circuit system 162, and / or gateway memory circuit system 142 may also store the time corresponding to the detection, measurement, recording, and / or reception of the sensor data. In some examples, tag memory circuitry 182, hub memory circuitry 162, and / or gateway memory circuitry 142 may also store additional data related to the welded asset 200. Tag memory circuitry 182, hub memory circuitry 162, and / or gateway memory circuitry 142 may also store an identifier (e.g., a serial number) that is unique within the welded asset tracking system 100 and / or associated with the welded asset 200 holding tag 180, hub 160, or gateway 140 (and / or associated with tag 180, hub 160, or gateway 140 itself).

[0028] In some examples, smaller and / or less complex welding assets 200c (e.g., wire reel 210, work order 226, welding materials 225, operator badge 224, welding torch 212, grinder 222, welding mask 216, etc.) and / or welding assets 200c that frequently change position may retain a label 180. In some examples, the label 180 may be a relatively inexpensive and / or simple device and / or mechanism. Figure 1 In the example, tag 180 includes a tag communication circuitry 184 and a tag memory circuitry 182 that are electrically communicating with each other. As discussed above, tag memory circuitry 182 may store sensor data, one or more identifiers, and / or other data related to holding the welded asset 200c. Tag communication circuitry 184 may be configured for short-range communication, for example, via short-wavelength UHF protocols (commonly known as Bluetooth), IEEE 802.15.4 standard protocols (commonly known as Zigbee), Near Field Communication (NFC) protocols, and / or Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) protocols. In some examples, tag communication circuitry 184 may transmit data (e.g., tag data) stored in tag memory circuitry 182 via tag communication circuitry 184.

[0029] In some examples, tag 180 can be as simple as having no circuitry. For example, a simple welding asset 200 (e.g., a wire reel) without sensor 106 may not record dynamic data and / or require a dynamically updatable memory circuitry. In such examples, tag 180 can be implemented via (e.g., linear and / or one-dimensional) barcode 186 or matrix (and / or two-dimensional) barcode 188. In some examples, tag 180 (and / or barcode 186 or matrix barcode 188) can be held on the outside of welding asset 200a or in the housing, chassis, cover, and similar locations of welding asset 200a.

[0030] In some examples, a medium-sized and / or medium-complex welding asset 200b (e.g., welding mask 216, wire feeder 208, power supply 202) and / or a welding asset 200 that only occasionally changes position can hold a hub 160. In some examples, the hub 160 can be held on the outside of the welding asset 200b or within the housing, chassis, cover, and such of the welding asset 200b. In some examples, the welding asset 200b holding the hub can have existing circuitry (e.g., memory circuitry, control circuitry, and / or communication circuitry) that can be added relatively easily and / or at low cost to give the welding asset 200b the capabilities of the hub 160.

[0031] exist Figure 1 In the example, hub 160 includes a hub memory circuitry 162, a hub control circuitry 166, and a hub communication circuitry 164 that are electrically in communication with each other. In addition to identification and / or sensor data, hub memory circuitry 162 is shown to also store hub tracking program 400, which instructs hub 160 to perform its duties in the welding asset tracking system 100, as discussed further below. Hub control circuitry 166 controls the operation of hub 160 according to hub tracking program 400. In some examples, hub control circuitry 166 may include one or more processors.

[0032] exist Figure 1In some examples, hub communication circuitry 164 includes short-range hub communication circuitry 163. In some examples, short-range hub communication circuitry 163 may be configured for short-range wireless communication, such as via short-wavelength UHF protocols (commonly known as Bluetooth), IEEE 802.15.4 standard protocols (commonly known as Zigbee), NFC protocols, and / or RFID protocols. In some examples, hub 160 may use short-range hub communication circuitry 163 to obtain tag data from nearby tags 180 (and / or their tag communication circuitry 184 and / or tag memory circuitry 182) within communication range. In some examples, hub 160 may be configured (e.g., based on multiple identifiers) to communicate only with specific tags 180, specific weld assets 200, and / or specific types of weld assets 200, and / or to obtain tag data from them.

[0033] exist Figure 1 In some examples, hub 160 is connected to barcode scanner 168, which is configured to acquire tag data from barcode 186 and / or matrix barcode 188. In some examples, hub 160 may also use barcode scanner 168 to acquire tag data, in addition to or in addition to short-range hub communication circuitry 163. For example, wire feeder 208 (including welding asset 200b) may have barcode scanner 168, which is arranged and / or configured to scan barcode 186 or matrix barcode 188 embossed on the outer portion of wire reel 210 when wire reel 210 is loaded into wire feeder 208. In some examples, hub 160 may store tag data (and the corresponding times of sending and / or receiving tag data) in hub memory circuitry 162.

[0034] exist Figure 1In some examples, hub communication circuitry 164 also includes long-range hub communication circuitry 165. In some examples, long-range hub communication circuitry 165 may be configured for long-range wireless communication, for example, via cellular and / or IEEE 802.11 standards (commonly referred to as WiFi) protocols. As shown, hub 160 may communicate with one or more gateways 140 of welding asset tracking system 100 via long-range hub communication circuitry 165. In some examples, hub 160 may send tag data obtained from nearby tags 180 to one or more gateways 140 communicating with hub 160 via long-range hub communication circuitry 165. In some examples, hub 160 may additionally or alternatively send, via long-range hub communication circuitry 165, identification of welding asset 200b (and / or hub 160), sensor data from sensor 106b, and / or other data related to welding asset 200b to one or more gateways 140 communicating with hub 160. This data can be collectively referred to as hub data. In some examples, hub 160 can send tag data and / or hub data directly to asset tracking server 110 via long-distance hub communication circuitry 165. In some examples, for instance, if hub communication circuitry 164 cannot establish communication with gateway 140 and / or asset tracking server 110, hub 160 can send tag data and / or hub data to a second hub 160 of the welded asset tracking system 100. In such examples, the second hub 160 may communicate with gateway 140 (in which case tag data and / or hub data can be sent to gateway 140) or may not establish communication with gateway 140. If the second hub 160 also cannot establish communication with gateway 140, tag data and / or hub data can be forwarded to a third hub 160 (and so on, until the data reaches hub 160 communicating with gateway 140).

[0035] exist Figure 1 In some examples, gateway 140 is held by welding asset 200a. In some examples, larger and / or more complex welding asset 200a (e.g., wire feeder 208, power supply 202, etc.), and / or welding asset 200a with little significant change in position can hold gateway 140. In some examples, gateway 140 can be a more complex and / or more expensive device. However, in some examples, welding asset 200a can have an existing circuitry that can be added relatively easily and / or at low cost to give welding asset 200a gateway capabilities.

[0036] exist Figure 1In the example, each gateway 140 includes a gateway memory circuitry 142, a gateway control circuitry 146, and a gateway communication circuitry 144 that are electrically communicating with each other. In addition to identification and / or sensor data, the gateway memory circuitry 142 stores a gateway tracking program 401 that instructs the gateway 140 to perform its duties in the welding asset tracking system 100, as discussed further below. The gateway control circuitry 146 controls the operation of the gateway 140 according to the gateway tracking program 401. In some examples, the gateway control circuitry 146 may include one or more processors.

[0037] exist Figure 1 In some examples, the gateway communication circuitry 144 includes a short-range gateway communication circuitry 143. In some examples, the short-range gateway communication circuitry 143 may be configured for short-range wireless communication, for example, via short-wavelength UHF protocols (commonly known as Bluetooth), IEEE 802.15.4 standard protocols (commonly known as Zigbee), NFC protocols, and / or RFID protocols. In some examples, the gateway 140 may use the short-range gateway communication circuitry 143 to obtain tag data from nearby tags 180 and / or hub data from nearby hubs 160. Although not shown, in some examples, the gateway 140 may connect to a barcode scanner 168 and use the barcode scanner 168 to obtain tag data from barcodes 186 and / or matrix barcodes 188. In some examples, the gateway 140 may store tag data and / or hub data (and the corresponding times for sending and / or receiving tag data / hub data) in the gateway memory circuitry 142.

[0038] exist Figure 1 In some examples, the gateway communication circuit system 144 also includes a long-range gateway communication circuit system 145. In some examples, the long-range gateway communication circuit system 145 can be configured for long-range wireless communication, for example, via cellular and / or IEEE 802.11 standards (often referred to as WiFi) protocols. As shown, the gateway 140 can communicate with one or more hubs 160 of the welding asset tracking system 100 via the long-range gateway communication circuit system 145. In some examples, the gateway 140 can receive hub data (and / or asset identifiers, sensor data, timestamps, etc.) obtained from nearby hubs 160 via the long-range gateway communication circuit system 145. In some examples, the gateway 140 can also communicate with other gateways 140 of the welding asset tracking system 100 via the gateway communication circuit system 144 (e.g., the long-range gateway communication circuit system and / or the short-range gateway communication circuit system).

[0039] exist Figure 1In some examples, gateway 140 also includes a Global Positioning System (GPS) communication circuitry 147. As shown, gateway 140 communicates with an external positioning system 108 (e.g., GPS, WiFi, and / or cellular positioning system). In some examples, GPS communication circuitry 147 enables communication with external positioning system 108. In some examples, external positioning system 108 may provide gateway 140 with the location (e.g., latitude and / or longitude) of gateway 140 and / or maintain the location of the gateway's welded asset 200a via external positioning system 108 and / or GPS communication circuitry 147. In some examples, one or more hubs 160 may also have GPS communication circuitry 147 (and / or other suitable communication circuitry) to communicate with and / or obtain location information from external positioning system 108.

[0040] exist Figure 1 In some examples, hub 160 (e.g., via short-range hub communication circuitry 163) communicates with a local positioning system including one or more location beacons 120. In some examples, gateway 140 may also communicate with the local positioning system (e.g., via short-range gateway communication circuitry 143). In some examples, such as when external positioning system 108 is unavailable, inaccessible, and / or undesirable for other reasons, the local positioning system may be used to estimate and / or determine the (relative, local, and / or global) location of gateway 140, hub 160, tag 180, and / or welded asset 200. In some examples, multiple location beacons 120 may be distributed across the welded area to provide dense, fine-grained, and / or more precise local positioning.

[0041] exist Figure 1In the example, the location beacon 120 of the local positioning system includes a beacon memory circuitry 122, a beacon communication circuitry 124, and a beacon user interface (UI) 126 that are electrically communicating with each other. As shown, the beacon memory circuitry 122 stores the location 128 of the beacon 120. This beacon location 128 can be a relative location (e.g., 100 feet northwest of beacon 2, the midpoint between the front door and the west window, etc.), a local location (e.g., welding unit 5, rear door, front wall, loading bay, etc.), and / or a global location (e.g., 41.8823°N, 87.6404°W). In some examples, the beacon location 128 can be entered and / or modified via the beacon UI 126. In some examples, the beacon location 128 can be entered and / or modified via a third-party device (e.g., mobile device 104) communicating with the location beacon 120 (e.g., via the beacon communication circuitry 124). In some examples, the beacon location 128 can be transmitted to a hub 160 and / or gateway 140 within communication range via the beacon communication circuit system 124.

[0042] In some examples, the maximum communication range of the beacon communication circuitry 124 can be reduced to a predetermined communication range. For example, this reduction in maximum communication range can be achieved via a beacon UI 126 communicating with the beacon communication circuitry 124 and / or a third-party device. In some examples, the maximum communication range and / or the predetermined communication range can be stored in the beacon memory circuitry 122 and / or accessed at a defined location.

[0043] In some examples, hubs 160 and / or gateways 140 of the welding asset tracking system 100 can determine their location via an external positioning system 108 and / or a local positioning system. For example, a gateway 140 communicating with an external positioning system 108 can determine its global location via a GPS communication circuit system 147 and send that location to asset tracking servers(s) 110. The asset tracking servers 110 (and / or gateway 140 itself) can then determine and / or estimate the location of any gateway 140, hub 160, and / or tag 180 for which gateway 140 has acquired (and / or transmitted) data. As another example, a hub 160 that cannot access the external positioning system 108 can access one or more location beacons 120 of the local positioning system and thus estimate and / or determine the hub's location based on the beacon location 128 of the location beacons 120. Subsequently, the asset tracking server 110 (and / or hub 160 itself or a gateway 140) can determine and / or estimate the location of any hub 160 and / or tag 180 for which hub 160 has obtained (and / or transmitted) data.

[0044] In some examples, location determination and / or estimation may include a location radius and / or area with uncertainty (e.g., a location within 50 meters of gateway 12, or somewhere within facility 13). In some examples, location determination and / or estimation can be made more accurate and / or precise by using multiple location beacons 120 in combination with trilateration and / or triangulation. In some examples, location determination and / or estimation can be made more accurate and / or precise by using other factors (e.g., communication range, signal strength, signal time of flight, signal direction, etc.). In some examples, gateway(s) 140 and / or hub(s) 160 may be configured with multiple antennas (e.g., 2, 3, 4, etc.) to facilitate the detection of signal direction (e.g., by determining which antenna(s) receives the signal first). In some examples, location information from external positioning system 108 and local positioning system may be combined to determine location more accurately and / or more precisely.

[0045] In some examples, one or more gateways 140, hubs 160, tags 180, and / or sensors 106 may store their locations in their own respective memory circuitry, enabling location determination without the aid of an external positioning system. In some examples, gateways 140, hubs 160, tags 180, and / or sensors 106 may also be set up, updated, paired, and / or otherwise configured via location information (and / or other information) using a third-party device (e.g., mobile device 104) communicating with gateways 140, hubs 160, tags 180, and / or sensors 106. In some examples, gateways 140, hubs 160, tags 180, and / or sensors 106 held by welded assets 200 may be set up, paired, and / or otherwise configured via an interface holding welded assets 200.

[0046] exist Figure 1 In some examples, gateway 140 also communicates with one or more asset tracking servers 110 via network 101 (e.g., LAN, WAN, Internet, etc.). In some examples, gateway 140 may communicate directly with asset tracking servers(s) 110 without going through network 101. In some examples, gateway communication circuitry 144 (e.g., long-distance gateway communication circuitry 145) may be configured to facilitate communication with asset tracking servers(s) 110 and / or network 101. In some examples, asset tracking servers(s) 110 may be implemented within one or more gateways 140.

[0047] In some examples, gateway 140 can send information obtained from other gateways 140, hubs 160, and / or tags 180 to asset tracking servers(s) 110. In some examples, one or more hubs 160 can also communicate with asset tracking servers(s) 110 and / or send information obtained from other hubs 160 and / or tags 180 to asset tracking servers(s) 110 without going through gateway(s) 140. In some examples, one or more mobile devices 104 configured to be used with welding asset tracking system 100 can also act as gateway 140 and send information obtained from other gateways 140, hubs 160, and / or tags 180 to asset tracking servers(s) 110. For example, one or more welding operators, administrators, maintenance workers, technicians, etc., can carry mobile devices 104 configured to act as mobile gateways 140 with welding asset tracking system 100. In such an example, the mobile gateway 140 can acquire location data, hub data, and / or tag data (and / or gateway data) when it is near the location beacon 120, gateway 140, hub 160, and / or tag, and send the data to the asset tracking server(s) 110.

[0048] exist Figure 1 In some examples, one or more asset tracking servers 110 include a server communication circuitry 114, a server processing circuitry 116, and a server storage circuitry 112 that are electrically communicating with each other. In some examples, only one asset tracking server 110 may be used. In some examples, multiple asset tracking servers 110 may be used. As shown, one or more asset tracking servers 110 communicate with one or more gateways 140 via network 101. In some examples, the asset tracking servers(s) 110 may also communicate with one or more hubs 160. In some examples, the asset tracking servers(s) 110 may communicate directly with one or more gateways 140 and / or hubs 160 without going through network 101. In some examples, the server communication circuitry 114 may facilitate communication with network 101, gateways 140, and / or hubs 160.

[0049] exist Figure 1In some examples, server memory circuitry 112 stores asset tracking database 118 and asset tracking program 403. In some examples, asset tracking database 118 may store data obtained from gateway 140, hub 160, tag 180, and / or sensor 106 of welding asset tracking system 100. In some examples, certain data in asset tracking database 118 may be correlated to facilitate reporting, analysis, and / or tracking. For example, sensor data obtained from multiple sensors 106 of the same welding asset 200 may be linked and / or correlated. As another example, data regarding the same welding asset, or welding assets of the same or similar type, welding assets located in the same or similar locations, welding assets used by the same or similar operators, and / or welding assets involved in the same or similar operations may be linked and / or correlated. In some examples, asset tracking database 118 may be stored in server memory circuitry 112 of an asset tracking server 110. In some examples, copies of asset tracking database 118 may be stored across several asset tracking servers 110. In some examples, different parts of the asset tracking database 118 may be stored in several different asset tracking servers 110.

[0050] exist Figure 1 In some examples, server memory circuitry 112 further stores asset tracking program 403. In some examples, asset tracking program 403 may include computer (and / or processor) readable (and / or executable) instructions. In some examples, server processing circuitry 116 may control the operation of asset tracking server 110 according to asset tracking program 403. In some examples, server processing circuitry 116 may include one or more processors.

[0051] In some examples, asset tracking program 403 may direct server processing circuitry 116 to organize and / or store data received via the asset tracking network in asset tracking database 118. In some examples, asset tracking program 403 may further direct asset tracking server(s) 110 to query and / or parse data in asset tracking database 118, such as in response to one or more user requests (e.g., user requests received from terminals, mobile devices, and / or other devices communicating with asset tracking server(s) 110). For example, asset tracking server 110 may receive one or more requests to determine a specific welded asset, a specific welded asset type, a welded asset in a specific location, a welded asset performing a specific operation, the location of a welded asset used by a specific operator, etc. In response, asset tracking server 110 may query and / or parse data in asset tracking database 118 to respond to the request.

[0052] Figure 3 It demonstrates having Figure 1 A simplified diagram of the various components of a welding asset tracking system 100, specifically a welding area 300 configured to track the movement of welding assets 200c within the welding area 300.

[0053] Figure 3 Example welding area 300 includes welding assets 200b of multiple retaining hubs (such as welding power supplies, wire feeders and / or other equipment) and / or welding assets 200c of multiple retaining tags, each of the multiple retaining hub welding assets may include a corresponding hub 160. Welding area 300 further includes multiple self-standing hubs 160a, 160b. Figure 3 Hub 160a has a first effective communication area 302a within which it can communicate with tag 180, other hubs 160, gateway 140, mobile device 104, and / or any other device configured to communicate with hubs 160a and 160b. Similarly, hub 160b has a second effective communication area 302b within which it can communicate with other devices. Although in Figure 3 The example shows two hubs 160a and 160b, but additional hubs and corresponding communication areas can be used. As an addition to or alternative to the soldered asset 200b of the retaining hub, the soldered area 300 may include one or more soldered assets 200a of the retaining gateway that may have similar communication areas.

[0054] exist Figure 3 In the example, asset tracking server 110 (e.g., Figure 1 The asset tracking server 110 communicates with hubs 160, 160a, and 160b to monitor the location and / or status of welded assets. Example asset tracking server 110 may include an asset tracking database (e.g., database 118) and / or communicate with an external database. Asset tracking server 110 updates asset tracking database 118 using the location and / or status of assets 200a, 200b, 200c and / or other devices communicating with hubs 160, 160a, and 160b.

[0055] Example hubs 160a and 160b are arranged such that communication areas 302a and 302b partially overlap, but also have non-overlapping portions. In other examples, hubs 160a and 160b have minimal or no overlapping areas. By monitoring the order in which mobile devices (e.g., mobile device 104, assets 200a, 200b, 200c) move into and / or out of communication areas 302a and 302b (e.g., as determined by detection performed by hubs 160a and 160b), example asset tracking server 110 can determine the direction of travel of devices (e.g., mobile device 104, assets 200a, 200b, 200c). In some examples, asset tracking server 110 further determines whether assets 200a, 200b, 200c have left and / or entered soldering area 300.

[0056] In some other examples, the individual hubs 160a, 160b can be replaced by a single hub with an antenna array configured to determine the direction of signals received from the asset. In such an example, the hub can use a first direction determination to determine a first location of the asset and a second direction determination to determine a second location of the asset. The hub can then send one or more signals to the asset tracking server to indicate multiple locations of the asset as detected by the hub.

[0057] In the operational example, the first asset 304a is conveyed along the first direction 306a through the welding area 300. Example: The first asset 304a is a labeled asset 200c, affixed with a label 180a storing identification information about the first asset 304a. The first asset 304a can be a wire feeder, welding power supply, operator badge, welding mask, air-purifying respirator, welding wire spool, work order, workpiece, welding torch, grinder, fume extractor, sensor module, parts bin, and / or any other asset.

[0058] As the first asset 304a travels along the first direction 306a, it first enters the communication area 302a of the hub 160a. The hub 160a may repeatedly (e.g., continuously) send wireless interrogation signals. When received by the first asset 304a, these interrogation signals cause the tag 180a to respond with asset identification and / or other information. For example, if the tag 180a knows the location of the first asset 304a (e.g., via a GPS positioning circuitry, communication with location beacon 120, etc.), the tag 180a may further transmit the location information along with the asset identification to the hub 160a.

[0059] Additionally or alternatively, one or more tags 180 may be configured to repeatedly (e.g., continuously, periodically, etc.) transmit identification signals, including asset identifiers, within the communication area of ​​the tag 180. When the asset and the corresponding tag move, the communication area of ​​the tag 180 also moves. When the communication area of ​​the tag 180 overlaps with a hub, gateway, mobile device, and / or other tracking device, the tracking device receives asset identifiers and any other information (e.g., location information) from the tag 180.

[0060] exist Figure 3 In the example, hub 160a obtains an asset identifier from asset 304a when the soldered asset is within the communication area 302a of hub 160a (e.g., asset 304a is near hub 160a). In response to obtaining the asset identifier, hub 160a transmits a first signal to asset tracking server 110, wherein the first signal includes or represents the following: asset identifier, a first location of hub 160a and / or the location of asset 304a, an identifier of hub 160a, and / or the time when the asset identifier was received at hub 160a.

[0061] As the first asset 304a continues generally along the first direction 306a, the first asset 304a enters the communication area 302b of the hub 160b. In the same manner as described above with respect to the hub 160a, the hub 160b obtains an asset identifier from the asset 304a when the asset 304a enters the communication area 302b and an inquiry signal is received from the hub 160b. In response to obtaining the asset identifier from the asset 304a, the hub 160b transmits a second signal to the asset tracking server 110, wherein the second signal includes or represents the following: the asset identifier, the second location of the hub 160b and / or the location of the asset 304a, the identifier of the hub 160b, and / or the time when the asset identifier was received at the hub 160b. Example hubs 160a and 160b can be configured to report similar or identical information about the asset 304a to the asset tracking server 110, while providing different time information indicating tracking events and / or hub identification information.

[0062] As asset 304a continues to travel along the first direction 306a, asset 304a leaves communication area 302a. Example hub 160a can (e.g., based on repeated responses or heartbeat transmissions from tag 180a to repeated interrogation signals) continue to identify the presence of asset 304a within communication area 302a, and will identify the approximate time when no response is received from tag 180a as the time when asset 304a leaves communication area 302a. In some examples, hub 160a can transmit a third signal to asset tracking server 110 to indicate that asset 304a has left communication area 302a. Similarly, hub 160b can identify when asset 304a has left communication area 302b and report this to asset tracking server 110.

[0063] Example asset tracking server 110 receives a first signal from hub 160a and a second signal from hub 160b. Asset tracking server 110 can store or receive location information about hubs 160a, 160b and / or corresponding communication areas 302a, 302b. Using the corresponding time when asset 304a is detected entering communication area 302a and communication area 302b, and / or the corresponding time when asset 304a is detected leaving communication area 302a and communication area 302b, and the location of hubs 160a, 160b and / or communication areas 302a, 302b, asset tracking server 110 determines the direction of travel of the first asset 304a. For example, in Figure 3 In the illustrated setup, using the time series of entering communication area 302a, entering communication area 302b, leaving communication area 302a, and leaving communication area 302b, the asset tracking server 110 can determine that the first asset 304a exists in welding area 300 (and / or a sub-area of ​​welding area 300) at the reported times(s) and determine that the first asset 304a is traveling along direction 306a. The asset tracking server 110 uses location information, time information, status information, and / or direction information associated with the asset identifier to update the asset tracking database 118.

[0064] Conversely, the asset tracking server 110 can determine that a second asset 304b with a second tag 180b is traveling in a second direction 306b based on signals from hubs 160a and 160b, which identify that the second asset 304b sequentially enters communication area 302b, enters communication area 302a, leaves communication area 302b, and leaves communication area 302a. Using these techniques, the asset tracking server 110 can determine the location and direction of travel of assets for any desired arrangement of hubs 160 with corresponding communication areas 302.

[0065] Figure 4 It demonstrates having Figure 1Another example of the components of the welding asset tracking system 100 is a simplified diagram of a welding area 400, which is configured to track the movement of welding assets within the welding area 400. Figure 4 In the example, hubs 160c, 160d, 160e, and 160f are arranged in pairs within the welding area 400, adjacent to entrance channels 402a and 402b (e.g., boundaries, doorways, elevators, stairwells, ladders, etc.) leading to the welding area 400. The first pair of hubs 160c and 160d are arranged adjacent to the first entrance channel 402a, and the second pair of hubs 160e and 160f are arranged adjacent to the second entrance channel 402b.

[0066] Example pairs of hubs 160c, 160d, 160e, and 160f have corresponding communication zones 302c, 302d, 302e, and 302f. Asset tracking server 110 is referenced above. Figure 3 The described example uses a similar or identical method to determine the direction of travel of an asset. Additionally, the example asset tracking server 110 can determine whether an asset (e.g., asset 304c traveling along the first direction 306c, asset 304d traveling along the first direction 306c) is entering and / or leaving the welding area 400 based on the determined direction of travel and the location of hubs 160c, 160d, 160e, 160f near the entrance channels 402a, 402b.

[0067] Using the corresponding times when asset 304c is detected entering communication areas 302c and 302d, and / or the corresponding times when asset 304c is detected leaving communication areas 302c and 302d, and the positions of hubs 160c, 160d and / or communication areas 302c, 302d, asset tracking server 110 determines the direction of travel of asset 304c. For example, in Figure 3In the illustrated arrangement, using the time series of entering communication area 302c, entering communication area 302d, leaving communication area 302c, and leaving communication area 302d, asset tracking server 110 can determine that a first asset 304c exists in welding area 400 (and / or a sub-area of ​​welding area 400) at the reported times(s) and determine that asset 304c is traveling in direction 306c. Based on the proximity of hubs 160c, 160d and / or communication areas 302c, 302d to entry channel 402a, and the travel direction 306c of asset 304c, asset tracking server 110 further determines that asset 304c has entered welding area 400 from outside the welding area 400. Similarly, asset tracking server 110 can determine that asset 304d is leaving area 400 based on the proximity of hubs 160e, 160f and / or communication areas 302e, 302f to entry channel 402b, and the direction of travel 306c of asset 304d. Asset tracking server 110 updates asset tracking database 118 using location information, time information, status information, and / or direction information associated with asset identification, and / or updates the asset tracking database using entry determination and / or departure determination.

[0068] Although Figure 3 and Figure 4 The example disclosed with reference to hub 160 can be used, but other types of detectors (such as gateway 140 and / or mobile device 104) can be used to identify assets and report the identification of assets to asset tracking server 110. For example, assets 200b of other holding hubs and / or assets 200a of holding gateways can be configured to acquire asset identification from assets 200c that are passing by and transmit signals including asset identification, time information, location information, and / or other data that can be used by asset tracking server 110 to determine the position and / or direction of travel of the welded assets.

[0069] In some examples, asset tracking server 110 can determine whether to send an enable or disable command to an asset entering or leaving a welding area. For example, asset tracking database 118 and / or asset tracking server 110 can store and / or implement policies to prevent unauthorized removal of welding assets from a designated welding area. Example policies include ordering the asset to temporarily disable itself (e.g., by programmatically refusing to function, setting a lockout mechanism, etc.) in response to asset tracking server 110 determining that the asset has been removed from an authorized area by someone other than those authorized to remove assets from authorized areas. Welding assets can be configured to ignore disable signals when a priority code or similar exception is entered into the welding asset.

[0070] In addition to enabling and / or disabling commands, or as alternatives to enabling and / or disabling commands, an asset may remain enabled as long as it receives a heartbeat command from the system (e.g., via tag 180) through one or more hubs 160, gateways 140, location beacons 120, etc. When an asset or tag 180 does not receive a heartbeat signal for at least a threshold time, the asset may self-disable (e.g., programmatically refuse to perform one or more functions, set a lockout mechanism, etc.), issue a perceptible alarm (e.g., emit an alarm sound, display a notification that a heartbeat signal is not present, etc.), and / or take any other configured action in response to the lack of a heartbeat signal.

[0071] Similarly, the example asset tracking server 110 can periodically determine whether any assets and / or tags 180 have not been recorded within a threshold time period (e.g., by receiving asset identifiers via hub 160, gateway 140, etc.). The asset tracking server 110 marks (or otherwise identifies or tags) those assets and / or tags identified as unrecorded for a sustained threshold time period in database 118. Marking assets can cause the asset tracking server 110 to take notification actions (e.g., immediately and / or periodically notify designated personnel of a list of “lost” assets), and / or take one or more actions upon subsequent receipt of asset identifiers (e.g., when the asset is returned or otherwise reconnected to the asset tracking network). For example, if an asset identifier has not been recorded in database 118 for at least 14 days, the asset tracking server 110 can notify the equipment administrator (e.g., via email, text message, etc.) of the asset's status and / or last known location, and / or notify the equipment administrator upon the next communication with or identification of the asset identifier.

[0072] Based on multiple location comparisons between assets and authorized personnel to determine whether the asset is close to these authorized personnel, asset tracking server 110 can determine that the asset is authorized to leave with the authorized personnel. If the asset is not authorized to leave but is determined to leave the authorized area, the example asset tracking server 110 can transmit a disable signal to one or more hubs 160, gateways 140, and / or mobile devices 104. The disable signal identifies the asset to be disabled. In response to receiving a disable signal identifying the welded asset, one or more hubs 160, gateways 140, and / or mobile devices 104 respond to subsequent communication with the identified welded asset by sending a disable command to the welded asset.

[0073] Upon receiving a disable command, the welding asset can configure one or more hardware, firmware, and / or software features to disable its use until a subsequent enable signal is received. Disable and / or enable commands can be encrypted and / or otherwise securely transmitted to the welding asset to prevent human intervention.

[0074] While the above examples describe disabling assets, other actions and / or response levels can be taken. For example, asset tracking server 110 can perform different actions based on the type and / or value of assets identified as departing. As an example, low-value assets and / or assets that cannot be effectively disabled may cause asset tracking server 110 to register or record the asset's departure (e.g., time, location, asset identifier, description of the asset, etc.) to alert the equipment administrator (and / or other personnel), and / or activate an alarm on the tag 180 of the asset about to depart in a manner similar to a disabling signal. Conversely, higher-value assets may cause asset tracking server 110 to record the departure, thereby alerting the equipment administrator and / or sending a disabling signal to the asset.

[0075] When an enable command is received later (e.g., in a similar manner to assigning a disable command to an asset), the welded asset can reset the disable feature to re-enable the asset's operation.

[0076] While disabling certain types of assets may be effective, disabling others may be undesirable or impractical. For example, disabling work orders, welding wire, workpieces, operator badges, and / or other types of assets may be undesirable and / or impractical.

[0077] In some examples, asset tracking server 110 (e.g., via processing circuitry 116) (e.g., in response to a request for information about an asset) provides a map showing the asset's path of travel and / or location via a user interface. For example, asset tracking server 110 may retrieve historical location and direction of travel information stored in asset tracking database 118, correlate the location and direction with a map of one or more welding areas, and provide a map to a user interface (e.g., a web interface, application interface, etc.) including the determined location and / or direction, as well as the interpolated location and / or direction. In this way, supervisors or equipment managers can more easily determine the location of a requested asset by viewing the determined path of the asset.

[0078] Figure 5a This is a flowchart illustrating example machine-readable instructions 500, which can be generated by... Figure 3 and / or Figure 4Example hub 160 performs this function to track welded assets 200a, 200b, 200c in the welded area (e.g., Figure 3 The welding area 300 and Figure 4 Movement within the welding area (400).

[0079] At box 502, communication circuitry 164 determines whether the welded asset (e.g., Figure 3 The first asset 304a) receives an asset identifier. If an asset identifier has not yet been received (box 502), control returns to box 502 to monitor for the asset identifier. When an asset identifier is received (box 502), at box 504, the control circuitry 166 determines whether the received data includes location information. For example, some asset tags 180 may provide location information. If location information is not included (box 504), at box 550, the control circuitry 166 determines the location of the asset. The following references... Figure 5b To describe an example implementation of box 550.

[0080] After determining the location of the asset (box 550) or when including location information (box 504), at box 506, the communication circuitry 164 transmits a first signal to the asset tracking server 110. In some examples, if the hub 160 does not have a suitable communication circuitry or protocol for direct communication with the asset tracking server 110 (e.g., via network infrastructure), the hub 160 may transmit the first signal via gateway 140, mobile device 104, and / or other intermediate devices or gateways. Example first signals include or represent an asset identifier, the time the asset identifier was received, and the location of the asset (e.g., the location of hubs 160a, 160b, a description of communication areas 302a, 302b, a given location of asset 304a, etc.).

[0081] At block 508, communication circuitry 164 determines whether a disable signal for welded asset 304a has been received (e.g., from asset tracking server 110). The disable signal may have been received before receiving the asset identifier from asset tag 180a and / or in response to the first signal. If a disable signal has been received (block 508), at block 510, communication circuitry 164 transmits a disable command to welded asset 304a (e.g., to tag 180a). This disable command may (e.g., via tag 180a) instruct welded asset 304a to disable operation of welded asset 304a via hardware, software, and / or firmware technologies.

[0082] If a disable signal has not yet been received (box 508), then at box 512, the communication circuitry 164 determines whether an enable signal for the welded asset 304a has been received (e.g., from the asset tracking server 110). An enable signal may have been received before receiving the asset identifier from the asset tag 180a and / or in response to the first signal. If an enable signal has been received (box 512), then at box 514, the communication circuitry 164 transmits an enable command to the welded asset 304a (e.g., to the tag 180a). This enable command may (e.g., via the tag 180a) instruct the welded asset 304a to re-enable operation of the welded asset 304a via hardware, software, and / or firmware technology after a disable command.

[0083] Example instruction 500 may end after transmitting an enable command (box 514), a disable command (box 510), or before an enable signal (box 512) has been received.

[0084] Figure 5b This is a flowchart representing example machine-readable instructions 550, which can be generated by... Figure 3 and / or Figure 4 Example hub 160 is used to perform this action in order to determine the location of the asset. Example instruction 550 can be executed to implement... Figure 5a The frame is 550.

[0085] As shown, box 550, which determines the location of (multiple) assets, begins at box 552, where control circuitry 166 determines whether hub communication circuitry 164 is configured to access external positioning system 108 (e.g., GPS, WiFi, and / or cellular positioning system). If so, at box 554, control circuitry 166 determines, via communication with external positioning system 108, the location of the soldered asset 200b (and / or hub 160) holding the hub. In some examples, the determined location may include an approximate location with an uncertain radius (e.g., a location within a 30m radius of a given latitude / longitude). In some examples, at box 556, control circuitry 166 may also use a local positioning system (e.g., to determine the location more precisely).

[0086] If control circuitry 166 determines that the hub communication circuitry is not configured to access external positioning system 108 (block 552), then at block 556, control circuitry 166 uses a local positioning system to determine the location of the welding asset 200b (and / or hub 160) holding the hub. In some examples, using the local positioning system may include (e.g., via hub communication circuitry 164) communicating with one or more location beacons 120 within the communication range of hub 160 to obtain one or more beacon locations 128 corresponding to the one or more location beacons 120. In some examples, control circuitry 166 may use one or more location beacons 120 to determine the location of the welding asset 200b holding the hub. In some examples, the determined location may be an approximate location with a degree of uncertainty (e.g., location within a 30m radius of a given latitude / longitude, location somewhere within welding unit 10, etc.). In some examples, the degree of uncertainty may be at least partially based on the communication range of beacon communication circuitry 124 and / or (e.g., hub 160 within the communication range of beacon location 128) hub communication circuitry 164. In examples where more than one location beacon 120 and / or beacon location 128 is used, control circuitry 166 may use trilateration and / or triangulation to make the location more accurate.

[0087] After determining the location of the holding asset (box 554 or box 556), at box 558, control circuitry 166 determines one or more other locations of one or more other solder assets 200. In some examples, control circuitry 166 may determine the other locations of one or more other solder assets 200 based on the determined location of the holding hub's solder assets 200. For example, control circuitry 166 may consider the communication range (and / or the communication range of hub communication circuitry 164) of tag communication circuitry 184 (with which hub communication circuitry 164 is already communicating) and determine that the corresponding tag 180 and / or the solder asset 200c of the holding tag must be within the communication range of the hub 160's location. As another example, control circuitry 166 may determine that tag data was obtained via barcode scanner 168 and determine that the corresponding tag 180 and / or the solder asset 200c of the holding tag must be within the scanning range of barcode scanner 168. In some examples, control circuitry 166 may send determined locations (and / or determined times) to welded assets 200 (and / or held tags 180, hubs 160, and / or gateways 140) for storage in a memory circuitry, and / or store the locations in a hub memory circuitry 162.

[0088] In some examples, box 558 may be performed by asset tracking server 110 (e.g., via processing circuitry system 116) instead of hub 160. For example, hub 160 and / or gateway 140 may periodically determine their own locations and send these locations (along with their identifiers) to asset tracking server 110. Subsequently, asset tracking server 110 may determine which hub 160 and / or gateway 140 received which tag data (and / or hub data) and use the previously received locations of hubs and / or gateways 140 to determine the location of the soldered asset 200c (and / or the soldered asset 200b) holding the tag corresponding to the tag data (and / or the soldered asset 200b holding the hub corresponding to the hub data). In some examples, box 558 may be skipped entirely. Figure 5b In the example, after box 558, instruction 550 ends and control returns to... Figure 5a Box 506.

[0089] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating example machine-readable instructions 600, which can be generated by... Figure 3 and / or Figure 4 Example asset tracking server 110 performs operations to track welded assets 200a, 200b, 200c in the welded area (e.g., Figure 3 The welding area 300 and Figure 4 Movement within the welding area (400). See below for reference. Figure 1 The asset tracking server 110 describes example instruction 600.

[0090] At block 602, communication circuitry 114 determines whether a first signal associated with an asset identifier has been received. For example, communication circuitry 114 may receive a message including the asset identifier from hub 160 or other devices that have detected the asset. If the first message has not yet been received (block 602), control returns to block 602 to monitor for the first signal.

[0091] If the first signal has been received (box 602), then at box 604, the communication circuitry 114 determines whether a second signal associated with the asset identifier has been received. The second signal is received from a different hub 160 or other device than the first signal, and is received at a later time than the first signal. If the second signal has not yet been received (box 604), then at box 606, the example communication circuitry 114 determines whether a timeout has occurred. For example, a timeout timer can be started when the first signal is received at box 602.

[0092] If no timeout has occurred (box 606), control returns to box 604 to monitor for a second signal. If a timeout has occurred (box 606), control returns to box 602. For example, if no second signal is received before the timeout, the first signal can be discarded and the communication circuitry 114 can monitor for a new first signal.

[0093] If a second signal has been received (block 604), then at block 608, the processing circuitry 116 determines the direction of asset travel based on the first and second signals. For example, the processing circuitry 116 may determine the direction of asset travel based on the location of the communication area associated with the hub 160 that reports the asset identifier, and the order in which the asset identifier is observed to enter the communication area (e.g., the order determined by the time reported in the first and second signals).

[0094] At box 610, the processing circuitry 116 updates the welding asset tracking database (e.g., database 118) based on the direction of asset travel and the asset's location. For example, the processing circuitry 116 may store the time when the hub 160 observed the asset identifier and the direction in which the asset is traveling.

[0095] In some examples, asset tracking server 110 can (e.g., based on tracking information stored in asset tracking database 118) use a combination of observations of the asset's location and / or orientation to display the asset's path on a map of one or more welding areas. For example, processing circuitry system 116 can interpolate the asset's movement based on the observed location, the time of observation, and the determined orientation, and present the asset's path and / or location to equipment administrators, supervisors, or other users requesting information about the asset.

[0096] At box 612, the processing circuitry 116 determines whether the welding asset is leaving a designated area. For example, the processing circuitry 116 can determine the location of the observed asset (e.g., Figure 4 The location of hubs 160e and 160f and the determined direction of the asset (e.g., direction 306d) indicate or suggest that the asset is being transported via an access route (e.g., Figure 4 The entry channel 402b) exits the designated area. If it is determined that the welding asset is leaving the area (box 612), then at box 614, the processing circuitry 116 can determine whether the asset should be disabled. For example, the processing circuitry 116 can determine whether the asset is a type that can be effectively disabled (e.g., wire feeder, power supply, etc.), whether the asset is covered by a policy that specifies whether an asset should be disabled (e.g., stored in database 118), and / or whether the asset is associated with a person authorized to remove assets from the area.

[0097] If a welding asset is to be disabled (box 614), then at box 616, the communication circuitry 114 sets a disable signal to identify the welding asset. For example, the disable signal may cause hub 160, gateway 140, mobile device 104, and / or any other device subsequently communicating with the welding asset identified in the disable signal to issue a command to the asset to trigger a disable routine, in which operation of the asset is prohibited until an enable command is received at the asset.

[0098] If it is determined that the welding asset is not leaving the area (box 612), then at box 618, the processing circuitry 116 determines whether the welding asset is entering the area. For example, the processing circuitry 116 can determine the location of the observed asset (e.g., Figure 4 The location of hubs 160c and 160d) and the determined orientation of the asset (e.g., orientation 306c) indicate or suggest that the asset is being transported via an access channel (e.g., Figure 4 Entrance passage 402a) leads out of the area.

[0099] If a welding asset is entering the area (box 618), at box 620, the communication circuitry 114 sends an enable signal identifying the welding asset. For example, a disable signal could cause hub 160, gateway 140, mobile device 104, and / or any other device subsequently communicating with the welding asset identified in the enable signal to command the asset to trigger an enable routine (or disable a disable routine) to enable the asset to operate. In some examples, the processing circuitry 116 may determine whether the enable signal is correct before sending it.

[0100] Example instruction 600 ends after an enable signal (box 620), when the welding asset has not entered the area (box 618), after a disable signal (box 616), or when the asset will not be disabled (box 614).

[0101] The asset tracking server 110 can execute or implement example instructions 600 for any number of assets at a given time.

[0102] This method and / or system can be implemented using hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. It can be implemented centrally on at least one computing system or distributedly across several interconnected computing systems or cloud systems, with different elements spread across them. Any kind of computing system or other apparatus suitable for performing the methods described herein is appropriate. A typical combination of hardware and software may be a general-purpose computing system having a program or other code that, when loaded and executed, controls the computing system to cause it to perform the methods described herein. Another typical implementation may include an application-specific integrated circuit or chip. Some implementations may include a non-transitory machine-readable (e.g., computer-readable) medium (e.g., a flash drive, optical disc, magnetic disk, etc.) storing one or more lines of code executable by a machine, thereby enabling the machine to perform the processes described herein.

[0103] Although this method and / or system has been described with reference to certain embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes can be made and equivalents can be substituted without departing from the scope of this method and / or system. Furthermore, many modifications can be made to adapt specific situations or materials to the teachings of this disclosure without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Therefore, this method and / or system is not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, but rather will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

[0104] As used herein, "and / or" refers to any one or more items in a list connected by "and / or". For example, "x and / or y" refers to any element in the three-element set {(x),(y),(x,y)}. In other words, "x and / or y" means "one or both of x and y". As another example, "x, y and / or z" refers to any element in the seven-element set {(x),(y),(z),(x,y),(x,z),(y,z),(x,y,z)}. In other words, "x, y and / or z" means "one or more of x, y and z".

[0105] As used herein, the terms “for example” and “for instance” refer to a list of one or more non-restrictive examples, instances, or illustrations.

[0106] As used herein, the terms “connection,” “connected to,” and “connected with” refer to structural and / or electrical connections, whether attachment, affixation, joining, joining, fastening, linking, and / or otherwise securing. As used herein, the term “attachment” refers to attachment, affixation, joining, joining, fastening, linking, and / or otherwise securing. As used herein, the term “connection” refers to attaching, affixing, joining, joining, fastening, linking, and / or otherwise securing.

[0107] As used herein, the terms “circuit” and “circuit system” refer to physical electronic components (i.e., hardware) and any software and / or firmware (“code”) that can configure, be executed by, and / or otherwise associate with the hardware. As used herein, for example, a particular processor and memory may constitute a first “circuit” when executing a first line or more of code, and a second “circuit” when executing a second line or more of code. As used herein, when a circuit system includes the hardware and / or code (if necessary) necessary to perform a function, the circuit system is “operable” and / or “configured” to perform that function, regardless of whether the execution of that function is disabled or enabled (e.g., through user-configurable settings, factory settings, etc.).

[0108] As used herein, control circuitry may include digital and / or analog circuitry, discrete and / or integrated circuitry, microprocessors, DSPs, etc., located on one or more circuit boards to form part or all of a controller and / or software, hardware and / or firmware for controlling the soldering process and / or devices such as power supplies or wire feeders.

[0109] As used herein, the term "processor" means a processing device, apparatus, program, circuit, component, system, or subsystem, whether implemented in hardware, tangibly embodied software, or both, and whether or not it is programmable. As used herein, the term "processor" includes, but is not limited to, one or more computing devices, hardwired circuitry, signal modification devices and systems, devices and machines for controlling systems, central processing units, programmable devices and systems, field-programmable gate arrays, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), systems-on-a-chip (SoCs), systems including discrete components and / or circuitry, state machines, virtual machines, data processors, processing facilities, and any combination thereof. A processor can be, for example, any type of general-purpose microprocessor or microcontroller, digital signal processing (DSP) processor, application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), graphics processing unit (GPU), reduced instruction set computer (RISC) processor with an advanced RISC machine (ARM) core, etc. The processor may be coupled to and / or integrated with memory devices.

[0110] As used herein, the terms “memory” and / or “memory device” refer to computer hardware or circuitry used to store information for use by a processor and / or other digital devices. Memory and / or memory devices can be any suitable type of computer memory or any other type of electronic storage medium, such as read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), cache memory, optical disc read-only memory (CDROM), electro-optical memory, magneto-optical memory, programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), computer-readable media, etc. Memory can include, for example, non-transitory memory, non-transitory processor-readable media, non-transitory computer-readable media, non-volatile memory, dynamic RAM (DRAM), volatile memory, ferroelectric RAM (FRAM), first-in-first-out (FIFO) memory, last-in-first-out (LIFO) memory, stack memory, non-volatile RAM (NVRAM), static RAM (SRAM), cache, buffer, semiconductor memory, magnetic memory, optical memory, flash memory, flash memory cards, compact flash memory cards, memory cards, secure digital memory cards, microcards, mini-cards, expansion cards, smart cards, memory sticks, multimedia cards, picture cards, flash memory devices, identity module (SIM) cards, hardware drives (HDDs), solid-state drives (SSDs), etc. Memory can be configured to store code, instructions, applications, software, firmware, and / or data, and can be provided externally or internally to the processor, or both.

[0111] For convenience, the term "electricity" is used throughout this specification, but "electricity" also includes related measurements such as energy, current, voltage, and enthalpy. For example, controlling "electricity" may involve controlling voltage, current, energy, and / or enthalpy, and / or control based on "electricity" may involve control based on voltage, current, energy, and / or enthalpy.

[0112] As used herein, welding type refers to welding, cladding, brazing, plasma cutting, induction heating, carbon arc cutting and / or hot wire welding / preheating (including laser welding and laser cladding), carbon arc cutting or planing, and / or resistance preheating.

[0113] As used herein, welding power refers to power suitable for performing the following operations: welding, cladding, brazing, plasma cutting, induction heating, carbon arc cutting and / or hot wire welding / preheating (including laser welding and laser cladding), carbon arc cutting or planing, and / or resistance preheating.

[0114] As used herein, a welding power supply and / or power source means any device capable of providing power to welding, cladding, brazing, plasma cutting, induction heating, laser processing (including laser welding, laser composite processing and laser cladding), carbon arc cutting or planing, and / or resistance preheating when power is applied to it, including but not limited to transformer-rectifiers, inverters, converters, resonant power supplies, quasi-resonant power supplies, switch-mode power supplies, and their associated control circuitry and other auxiliary circuitry.

[0115] Disabling circuitry, actuators, and / or other hardware can be accomplished via hardware, software (including firmware), or a combination of hardware and software, and may include physical disconnection, power-off, and / or software controls that restrict the execution of commands to activate the circuitry, actuators, and / or other hardware. Similarly, enabling circuitry, actuators, and / or other hardware can be accomplished via hardware, software (including firmware), or a combination of hardware and software using the same mechanisms used for disabling.

Claims

1. A welding asset tracking system, comprising: A first detector, positioned near the entrance or boundary of the welding area, is configured to: At the first instant when the welding asset is near the first detector, obtain the tag identifier of the tag or obtain the asset identifier of the welding asset including the tag, and Transmit one or more first signals, the one or more first signals representing (i) a first detector identifier of the first detector or a first detector location of the first detector, (ii) an asset identifier or a tag identifier, and (iii) the first time; A second detector is positioned at a location closer to or further from the entrance or boundary than the first detector location, and the second detector is configured to: At a second time when the welded asset is near the second detector, the tag identifier or the asset identifier is obtained, and Transmit one or more second signals, the one or more second signals representing (i) the second detector identifier of the second detector or the second detector location of the second detector, (ii) the asset identifier or the tag identifier, and (iii) the second time; as well as Welding asset tracking server, the welding asset tracking server being configured to: Receive the one or more first signals and the one or more second signals. The direction of travel of the welding asset is determined based on the first detector position of the first detector, the first time, the second detector position of the second detector, and the second time. In response to determining whether the direction of travel is toward or away from the entrance or boundary of the welding area, the welding asset tracking database is updated to indicate whether the welding asset has entered or left the welding area. In response to determining that the welding asset has left the welding area, a disable signal is sent to the welding asset via the first detector or the second detector.

2. The welding asset tracking system of claim 1, wherein, The first detector includes a first communication circuit system configured to obtain the tag identifier or the asset identifier from the tag of the welded asset, and the second detector includes a second communication circuit system configured to obtain the tag identifier or the asset identifier from the tag of the welded asset.

3. The welding asset tracking system of claim 1, wherein, The welding asset tracking server is configured to send an enable signal to the welding asset via the first detector or the second detector in response to determining that the welding asset has entered the welding area.

4. The welding asset tracking system of claim 1, wherein, The welding assets include wire feeders, welding power supplies, operator badges, welding masks, air-purifying respirators, wire spools, wire drums, work orders, workpieces, welding torches, grinders, fume extractors, foot pedals, gas cylinder regulators, power supply teaching panels, welding cables, or sensor modules.

5. The welding asset tracking system of claim 1, wherein, The welding asset includes a first welding asset, and the first detector or the second detector is held by a second welding asset.

6. The welding asset tracking system of claim 1, wherein, The first detector or the second detector includes a gateway.

7. The welding asset tracking system of claim 1, wherein, The first detector includes a first portion of the gateway, and the second detector includes a second portion of the gateway.

8. The welding asset tracking system of claim 1, wherein, The first detector or the second detector includes a hub.

9. The welding asset tracking system of claim 1, wherein, The first detector includes a first portion of the hub, and the second detector includes a second portion of the hub.

10. A method for determining the direction of travel of a welding asset moving through a welding area, the method comprising: At the welding asset tracking server, one or more first signals are received from a first detector, the one or more first signals representing (i) a tag identifier of a tag or an asset identifier of a welding asset including the tag, (ii) a first detector location of the first detector or a first detector identifier of the first detector, and (iii) a first time when the first detector obtains the tag identifier or the asset identifier. At the welding asset tracking server, one or more second signals are received from the second detector, the one or more second signals representing (i) the tag identifier of the tag or the asset identifier of the welding asset including the tag, (ii) the second detector position of the second detector or the second detector identifier of the second detector, and (iii) the second time when the second detector obtains the tag identifier or the asset identifier; The direction of travel of the welding asset is determined by the processing circuitry of the welding asset tracking server based on the location of the first detector, the first time, the location of the second detector, and the second time. In response to determining whether the direction of travel is toward or away from the entrance or boundary of the welding area, the welding asset tracking database is updated to indicate whether the welding asset has entered or left the welding area; as well as In response to determining that the welding asset has left the welding area, a disable signal is sent to the welding asset via the first detector or the second detector.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein, The first detector is positioned at the first detector location near the entrance or boundary of the welding area.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein, The second detector is positioned closer to or further away from the entrance or boundary than the position of the first detector.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein, The one or more second signals represent the second detector identifier, and the method further includes determining the location of the second detector based on the second detector identifier via the processing circuitry system.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein, The one or more first signals represent the first detector identifier of the first detector, wherein the method further includes determining the location of the first detector based on the first detector identifier.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein, Determining the location of the first detector includes finding the stored location of the detector corresponding to the first detector identifier.

16. The method of claim 10, further comprising: In response to determining that the welding asset has entered the welding area, an enable signal is sent to the welding asset via the first detector or the second detector.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein, The welding assets include wire feeders, welding power supplies, operator badges, welding masks, air-purifying respirators, wire spools, wire drums, work orders, workpieces, welding torches, grinders, fume extractors, foot pedals, gas cylinder regulators, power supply teaching panels, welding cables, or sensor modules.

18. The method of claim 10, wherein, The welding asset includes a first welding asset, and the first detector or the second detector is held by a second welding asset.

19. A welding asset tracking system, comprising: A first detector is disposed at a first location near the entrance or boundary of the welding area, and the first detector is configured to: At the first moment when the welding asset is near the first detector, an asset identifier is obtained from the welding asset, and The transmission represents a first signal indicating the first detector identifier, the first location, the asset identifier, or the first time. A second detector is positioned at a second location that is closer to or further from the entrance or boundary than the first location, and the second detector is configured to: At a second time when the welding asset is near the second detector, the asset identifier is obtained from the welding asset, and Transmit a second signal representing the second detector identifier, the second location, the asset identifier, or the second time; as well as Welding asset tracking server, the welding asset tracking server being configured to: Receive the first signal and the second signal, The direction of travel of the welding asset is determined based on the first position, the first time, the second position, and the second time. In response to determining whether the direction of travel is toward or away from the entrance or boundary of the welding area, the welding asset tracking database is updated to indicate whether the welding asset has entered or left the welding area. The welding asset tracking server is configured to send a disable signal to the welding asset via the first detector or the second detector in response to determining that the welding asset has left the welding area.

20. A method for determining the movement of a welded asset through a welded area, comprising: Determine a first location of the welded asset, the first location being related to a first time; Determine a second location of the welded asset, the second location being related to a second time later than the first time; The direction of travel of the welding asset is determined based on the first position and the second position via a processing circuit system. In response to determining whether the direction of travel is toward or away from the entrance or boundary of the welding area, the welding asset tracking database is updated to indicate whether the welding asset has entered or left the welding area; as well as In response to determining that the welding asset has left the welding area, a disable signal is sent to the welding asset via a first gateway or a second gateway.

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