Language management in automated tool control systems

Abstract

To provide automated tool control systems for automatically reconfiguring a tool control storage device into configurations associated with user identification.SOLUTION: An automated inventory control system comprises a tool control storage device, an access control device, and a data storage. The tool control storage device includes a plurality of storage locations for storing objects. The access control device receives user credentials for access to the storage device. The data storage stores configurable parameters associated with the tool control storage device in a plurality of languages, and information corresponding to respective users of the tool control storage device including an assigned language. In response to the access control device receiving user credentials by the access control device, the tool control storage device obtains configurable parameters from the data storage.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 868,810, filed in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on June 28, 2019, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] Technical Field The present subject matter relates to automated tool management systems and techniques and apparatus for automatically configuring the automated tool management systems based on user identification. [Background technology]

[0003] background When employees use tools in a manufacturing or service environment, it is important that the instructions, guidelines, and warnings associated with tool use are understood by the employees. For example, in an aerospace work environment, it is important to ensure that employees understand work instructions, tool selection, safety guidelines, torque settings, system and tool status alerts, and warnings to properly maintain aircraft to safety standards.

[0004] Tools may be stored in a tool management store. Some tool management stores are built with displays and speakers to present tool-related information (i.e., work instructions, tool selection, safety guidelines, torque settings, system and tool status alerts and warnings) to employees. Some tool management stores store text strings, audio files, and video files that are used to present text on the display, to present audible messages through the speaker, and to present video messages using both the display and speaker.

[0005] Some tool management vaults store text strings, audio files, and video files in various languages, allowing the text, audible messages, and video messages to be presented in various languages. Each language may have its own directory containing a set of text strings, audio files, and video files. An administrator may use a system administration client software application to set a default language to be used by the tool management vault. The default language may be set, for example, per machine, per group of machines, or per work location. For example, when a specific language is set for a tool management vault, a group of tool management vaults, or a work location, that tool management vault and all tool management vaults or work locations in that group will present text strings, audio files, and video files only from the directory associated with that specific language. However, if an employee's preferred language differs from the specific language set as the default language for the tool management vault, this may cause miscommunication and errors that could adversely affect the maintenance of safety standards. To facilitate the movement of individuals from one country to another, a group of automated tool management systems may include users of various ethnicities and native languages. Therefore, configuring the tool management store in a specific language for each device, group of users, or work location may pose problems if one or more employees accessing the tool management store may not be fluent in the specific language for which the tool management store is configured. Due to language barriers, important information may not be fully understood by employees whose preferred language differs from the default language presented on the tool management store.

[0006] Some tool management stores require language and other parameters to be set prior to their use. For example, if a system administrator remotely resets the default language for a tool management store, a tool management store, a group of tool management stores, or a work area, the power to the tool management store, the tool management store in the group, or the work area must be cycled off and on to complete the resetting of the default language.

[0007] Therefore, there is a need for an improved system that allows tool management storage to be seamlessly reconfigured to accommodate the individual needs of employees. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] Detailed Description In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth by way of example to provide a thorough understanding of the relevant teachings. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present teachings may be practiced without such details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, and / or circuits have been described at a relatively high level, without detail, in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the present teachings.

[0009] To address the problems described in the background art, automated tool management systems have been developed that automatically reconfigure a tool management store to a configuration associated with a user identification each time an employee presents access credentials to the tool management store. Various systems and methods disclosed herein relate to automated tool management systems that automatically reconfigure a tool management store to a configuration associated with a user identification. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] Reference will now be made in detail to the examples illustrated in the accompanying drawings and discussed below. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] 1 illustrates an exemplary automated tool management system 100 in accordance with an exemplary aspect of the subject technology. The automated control system 100 includes a computing device 102, a database 104, tool management stores 106A, 106B, and 106C (collectively referred to hereinafter as "tool management stores 106"), and a network 108. In some aspects, the automated control system 100 may have more or fewer computing devices (e.g., 102), databases (e.g., 104), and / or tool management stores (e.g., 106A, 106B, and 106C) than those shown in FIG. 1.

[0012] Computing device 102 may represent various forms of processing devices having a processor, memory, and communication capabilities. The processor may execute computer instructions stored in the memory. Computing device 102 is configured to communicate with database 104 and tool management vaults 106A, 106B, and 106C over network 108. As non-limiting examples, processing devices may include a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a handheld computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or any combination of these or other processing devices.

[0013] The computing device 102 may have applications installed. For example, the applications may be associated with the tool management vaults 106A, 106B, and 106C. The tool management store 106A, 106B, and 106C may include an administration client software application for controlling and managing the tool management store 106A, 106B, and 106C. The administration client software application may associate user preferences with a user identification (ID). For example, when a user ID is initially configured, a user's preferred language may be assigned to the user ID. A system administrator may assign a specific default language to each user in the automated tool management system. The default language is associated with the user's ID and authentication information. The preferred language may be selected, for example, from a table and list of languages ​​provided by the administration client software application. Preferences, including the preferred language, may be changed. The preferred language associated with the user ID is used to present information associated with the user ID to the user to ensure the user's understanding of information (e.g., work instructions, tool selection, safety guidelines, torque settings, system and tool status alerts and warnings, etc.) being presented to the user via the tool management store 106A, 106B, and 106C.

[0014] Database 104 is a data storage for storing configurable parameters associated with user identification (ID). For example, database 104 may include directories for various languages. Each language may be provided with its own directory containing a set of text files, audio files, and video files associated with that language. The text files, audio files, and video files may be accessed by tool management vaults 106A, 106B, and 106C, which may use the configurable parameters stored in database 104.

[0015] Tool management stores 106A, 106B, and 106C (hereinafter collectively referred to as "tool management stores 106") are configured to transfer and receive data to and from database 104 over the network. The data may include configurable parameters such as text files, audio files, and video files required to configure tool management store 106 according to user preferences.

[0016] The tool management storage 106 is a toolbox in some embodiments. More generally, the tool management storage 106 may be a tool locker or any other secure storage device or enclosed secure storage area (e.g., a tool shed or walk-in tool locker). Each of the tool management storage 106 is an example of a highly automated inventory control system that utilizes multiple different sensing technologies to identify the inventory status of objects within a storage unit. In one example, the tool management storage 106 uses machine imaging and RF sensing methods to identify the inventory status of objects within a storage unit.

[0017] Exemplary features include the ability to process complex image data with efficient utilization of system resources, autonomous image and camera calibration, identification of tool characteristics from image data, adaptive timing for capturing inventory images, efficient generation of reference data for checking inventory status, autonomous compensation for image quality, etc. Further features include the ability to emit and receive RF sensing signals, such as RF identification (RFID) signals, process the received signals to identify a particular tool, and cross-reference tool information obtained through multiple different sensing modalities (e.g., camera and RFID-based modalities) to provide advanced features.

[0018] 2A and 2B illustrate various exemplary tool management storage systems 106. The tool management storage system 106 includes a user interface 305, an access control device 306, such as a card reader, for verifying the identity and authority level of a user attempting to access the tool management storage system 106, and a number of tool storage drawers 330 for storing tools. Instead of drawers 330, the storage system may include a storage system in which tools or objects are issued and / or It may include shelves, compartments, bins, or other object storage devices, including storage devices to which objects are returned or to which objects are delivered and / or returned. In further examples, storage systems include storage hooks, hangers, toolboxes with drawers, lockers, cabinets with shelves, safes, boxes, closets, vending machines, barrels, crates, and other material storage means.

[0019] The user interface 305 is an input and / or output device of the tool management store 106 configured to display information to a user. The information may include work instructions, tool selection, safety guidelines, torque settings, system and tool status alerts and warnings. For example, the user interface 305 may be configured to display information in text strings and images in a default language assigned to the user currently having access to the tool management store 106. Although not shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B , the tool management store 106 may include a speaker as another output device of the tool management store 106 for outputting information.

[0020] The access control device 306 authenticates user authorization to access the automated tool management system 100. Specifically, the access control device 306 is used to restrict or grant access to the tool storage drawers 330. The methods and systems used to electronically identify users requesting access may include, individually or in combination, one or more of: RFID proximity sensors with cards, magnetic stripe cards and scanners, barcode cards and scanners, universal access cards and readers, biometric sensor ID systems including facial recognition, fingerprint recognition, handwriting analysis, iris recognition, retinal scanning, vein matching, voice analysis, and / or multimodal biometric systems, as well as other technologies not mentioned.

[0021] The access controller 306 further includes a processor and software for electronically identifying a user requesting access to a secured area or object storage device. For example, when a user presents their credentials to the tool management store 106, the access controller 306 recognizes the default language assigned to the user identification. The tool management store 106 accesses a language directory in the database 104 associated with the recognized default language. The tool management store 106 configures operating code within the tool management store 106 to display text strings, audio files, and video files stored in the tool management store 106 according to the language directory associated with the user's default language. For example, if the tool management store 106 is configured to display text, audio, and video messages in Portuguese, the tool management store 106 selects the appropriate text strings, audio files, and video files to be displayed from the Portuguese language directory. The same may be true for English, Spanish, Chinese, and other language files loaded into language directories in the database 104.

[0022] This ensures user understanding of work orders, tool selection, safety guidelines, torque settings, system and tool status alerts and warnings, which may be presented via speakers provided on the user interface 305 and / or the tool management store 106. In some embodiments, a unit of measure (English / Metric) may also be assigned to the user identification and applied to the tool management store 106 when the user access credentials are presented to the tool management store 106. In some other embodiments, the work orders associated with the user ID, the tools associated with the work orders and user ID, and other users (e.g., coworkers) associated with the user ID are configured in the tool management store 106 when the user logs in with the user's credentials. It may also be used to

[0023] Through the use of one or more electronically controlled locking devices or mechanisms, the access controller 306 keeps some or all of the storage drawers 330 locked in a closed position until the access controller 306 authenticates the user's authority to access the tool management storage 106. Once the access controller 306 determines that the user is authorized to access the tool management storage 106, the access controller 306 unlocks some or all of the storage drawers 330, depending on the user's authorization level, allowing the user to remove or replace tools. In particular, the access controller 306 may identify predetermined authorized access levels to the system and grant or deny physical access by the user to the three-dimensional space or object storage based on those predetermined authorized access levels.

[0024] The tool management store 106 includes several different sensing subsystems. In an exemplary embodiment, the tool management store 106 includes a first sensing subsystem in the form of an image sensing subsystem configured to capture images of the system's contents or storage locations. The image sensing subsystem may include a lens-based camera, a CCD camera, a CMOS camera, a video camera, or any type of device for capturing images. The tool management store 106 further includes a second sensing subsystem in the form of an RFID sensing subsystem including one or more RFID antennas, RFID transceivers, and an RFID processor. The RFID sensing subsystem is configured to emit RF sensing signals, receive RFID signals returned in response from RFID tags mounted or embedded on tools or other inventory items, and process the received RFID signals to identify individual tools or inventory items.

[0025] The image sensing subsystem is described in further detail below in connection with FIG. 3B. While FIG. 3B corresponds to the specific embodiment of the tool management storage 106 shown in FIG. 1C, the teachings illustrated in FIG. 3B can be applied to each of the embodiments of FIGS. 1A-1C. The RFID sensing subsystem may be configured to sense RFID tags of tools located in all storage drawers 330 of the tool management storage 106, or may be configured to sense RFID tags of tools located in a particular subset of the drawers 330 of the tool management storage 106. In one example, the RFID sensing subsystem is configured to sense RFID tags of tools located only in the top and bottom drawers 330 of the tool management storage 106, and the RFID sensing subsystem includes RFID antennas located directly above the top and bottom drawers 330 in the tool management storage 106 to sense RFID tags of tools located in those drawers. Other configurations of RFID antennas may also be used.

[0026] The tool management store 106 further includes a data processing system, such as a computer, for processing images captured by the image sensing devices, for processing RFID signals captured by the RFID antennas and transceivers, and / or for processing other sensory signals received by other sensing subsystems. The data processing system includes one or more processors (e.g., microprocessors) and memory that stores program instructions that cause the tool management store 106 to communicate electronically with the sensing devices, directly or via a network, and to obtain data from the sensing devices regarding the presence or absence of objects in the three-dimensional space or within the object storage device. The images, RFID signals, and other sensory signals captured or received by the sensing subsystems are processed by the data processing system to determine the inventory status of the system or each storage drawer. Here, inventory status refers to information regarding the presence or absence of objects in the storage system.

[0027] The data processing system may be part of the tool management store 106. Alternatively, the data processing system may be a remote computer coupled to the tool management store 106 and having a data link, such as a wired or wireless link, or a combination of a computer integrated into the tool management store 106 and a computer remote from the tool management store 106. Additionally, the data processing system may be connected to a computer network and exchange data with management software applications (e.g., as may be executed on a server) that are used to manipulate and store data, store information related to that data, and display it to system users.

[0028] 3A shows a detailed view of one drawer 330 of the tool management storage apparatus 106 in the open position. In some embodiments, each storage drawer 300 includes a foam base 180 having multiple storage locations, such as tool cutouts 181, for storing tools. Each cutout is specifically contoured and shaped to fitably receive a tool having a corresponding shape. Tools may be secured in each storage location using hooks, Velcro, latches, pressure from the foam, etc.

[0029] Generally, each storage drawer 330 includes multiple storage locations for storing various types of tools. As used throughout this disclosure, a storage location is a location within the storage system for storing or securing an object. In one embodiment, each tool has a specific, pre-designated storage location within the tool storage system. Additionally, one or more tools within a drawer 330 may be equipped or affixed with an RFID tag.

[0030] FIG. 3B shows a perspective view of an imaging subsystem within the tool management store 106, according to one embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3B , the tool management store 106 includes an imaging section 315 that houses an image sensing subsystem including three cameras 310 and a light directing device, such as a mirror 312 having a reflective surface positioned approximately 45 degrees downward relative to the vertical, for directing light reflected from a drawer 330 toward the camera 310. After the directed light reaches the camera 310, the camera 310 forms an image of the drawer 330. A shaded area 340 below the mirror 312 represents the field of view of the imaging sensing subsystem of the tool management store 106. As shown in 340, the imaging subsystem scans a portion of the open drawer 336 that passes through the field of view of the imaging sensing subsystem, for example, as the drawer 336 is opened or closed. The imaging subsystem thereby captures an image of at least a portion of the open drawer 336. Processing of the captured images is used to determine the inventory and / or storage location of tools in the portion of the drawer 336 that is open.

[0031] Generally, the image sensing subsystem performs an inventory of a particular drawer 330 in response to capturing an image of the particular drawer and detecting movement of the particular drawer. For example, the image sensing subsystem may perform an inventory of the drawer in response to detecting that the drawer is being closed or is fully closed. In another example, the image sensing subsystem may image the drawer both when it is open and when it is closed.

[0032] The RF sensing subsystem is generally configured to perform an inventory check of a drawer with which an RF-based tag is associated. The RF-based tag may be an RFID tag attached to or embedded within a tool. Typically, the RF-based tag encodes an identifier unique to the tool such that both the tool type (e.g., screwdriver, torque wrench, etc.) and the specific tool (e.g., a specific torque wrench from among multiple torque wrenches of that model and type) can be identified from reading the RF-based tag. In particular, the information encoded in the RF-based tag is generally unique to the tool such that it can be used to distinguish between two tools of the same type, model, age, physical appearance, etc.

[0033] The RF sensing system includes antennas mounted in or around the tool management store 106. Generally, the antennas may be mounted inside the tool management store 106 and configured to detect only the presence of RF-based tags located within the tool management store 106 (or other defined three-dimensional space). In some examples, each antenna may be mounted to only detect the presence of RF-based tags located within a particular drawer or compartment of the tool management store 106, and different antennas may be associated with and mounted to different drawers or compartments. In further embodiments, some antennas may also be configured to detect the presence of RF-based tags in the vicinity of the tool management store 106, even if the RF-based tags are not located within the tool management store 106.

[0034] Each antenna is coupled to an RF transceiver that operates to cause the antenna to emit an RF sensing signal used to excite RF-based tags located within the vicinity of the antenna, and to sense RF identification signals returned by the RF-based tags in response to the RF sensing signals. One or more RF processors control the operation of the RF transceivers and process RF identification signals received through the antennas and transceivers.

[0035] In some embodiments, the RF sensing subsystem performs an RF-based scan of the tool management store 106 when a drawer or compartment storing a tool having an RF identification tag is fully closed. In particular, the RF-based scan can be performed in response to detecting that a drawer is fully closed, or can be performed any time the drawer is fully closed. In some examples, the RF-based scan can also be triggered by a user logging in or out of the tool management store 106. In general, the RF-based scan can be performed in response to similar triggers that cause a camera-based inventory of the tool management store 106 to be performed.

[0036] As part of performing an RF-based scan of the tool management store 106, the RF processor typically needs to perform multiple consecutive scans to ensure that all RF-based tags are detected. Specifically, the RF processor generally does not know how many RF tags it needs to detect because one or more tags may be missing (e.g., if a tool is checked out). Furthermore, the RF processor generally cannot guarantee that all RF tags in its vicinity have been detected in response to a single scanning operation (corresponding to emitting one RF sensing signal and processing any RF identification responses received in response to that one RF sensing signal). As a result, the RF processor generally ends up performing 10, 20, or more consecutive RF-based scans whenever an inventory check of the tool management store 106 is to be performed. Because multiple RF-based scans need to be performed, the RF scanning operation may require 10 seconds or more to be performed, causing significant inconvenience to users of the tool management store 106.

[0037] As mentioned above, imaging-based inventory scanning of the tool management store 106 has the disadvantage of being unable to distinguish between physically identical tools. Furthermore, RF-based scanning of the tool management store 106 may suffer from significant delays and cannot determine whether only the RF tag (and not the RF tag attached to the associated tool) has been returned to a drawer or storage compartment. Thus, both scanning methods, when used alone, are susceptible to fraud and inconvenience (by using tool notches or by using RFID tags that have been removed from the tool). Furthermore, each technique may not be suitable for inventorying all tools within a particular tool management store 106, e.g., some Such tools may be too small to have RF-based tags mounted thereon, or attaching such tags to the tools may make them unwieldy. Therefore, inventorying such tools may be better suited to visual scanning methods, even in a tool management store 106 that is capable of RF-based sensing.

[0038] To address the shortcomings of scanning methods when used individually, in some embodiments, the tool management store 106 advantageously uses a combination of scanning methods. For example, the tool management store 106 may first perform a first inventory scan based on image-based scanning to obtain a quick (e.g., near-instantaneous) determination of whether any tools are missing from the tool management store 106 based solely on the image-based scan. The results of the first inventory scan are additionally used to determine the number of RF-based tags expected to be within the tool management store 106. For example, in a tool management store 106 that typically stores "m" tools with associated RF tags, the first inventory scan may be used to determine that "n" tools with associated RF tags are missing from the tool management store 106. The first inventory scan may then be used to determine that "mn" RF-based tags should be searched for using a second inventory scan (e.g., RF-based scanning).

[0039] The second inventory scan (e.g., RF-based scan) then needs to be performed once and repeated only if fewer than 'mn' RF-based tags are detected by the first iteration of the second inventory scan (e.g., RF-based scan). Thus, the second inventory scan can be completed very efficiently, especially in situations where only one or several secondary scans are required to detect all of the 'mn' RF-based tags expected to be detected within the tool management store 106.

[0040] Finally, an inventory cross-check is performed between the results of the first inventory scan and the results of the second inventory scan to ensure that the results of the two scans are consistent. Specifically, the inventory cross-check is performed to ensure that both inventory scans identified the same tools as being present in the tool management store 106 and the same tools as not being present in the tool management store 106. If the results of the two inventory scans do not match each other, a user alert is issued.

[0041] As described above, RF-based scanning can be used to identify whether a particular tool (among multiple similar tools) has been checked out or returned to the tool management store 106. Thus, RF-based scanning can be used to determine how many times a particular tool has been checked out and / or for how long the particular tool has been checked out. Thus, the tool management store 106 can determine, for example, whether a particular tool should be scheduled for recalibration or other maintenance. In one example, the tool management store 106 can thus individually track the use of different torque wrenches and ensure that each torque wrench is recalibrated after a certain number of uses.

[0042] Inventory checks performed by the tool management store 106 using multiple sensing technologies can be used to identify individual users who have received and / or returned objects / tools, identify the objects / tools being issued or returned, place a timestamp on each transaction in the system, and store item and user data in a database.

[0043] While the above examples have focused on embodiments using camera-based and RF-based sensing technologies, the automated asset management system may use other combinations of sensing technologies. The sensing technologies and sensing devices used within the tool management store 106 may include any of the following: It may contain one or more of: Optical identification sensors: sensors for detecting 1D barcodes using line scanners / cameras; sensors for detecting 2D barcodes using cameras / other imaging sensors; machine vision identification sensors with cameras / other imaging sensors (using various sensing techniques including UV, infrared (IR), visible light, etc.); and laser scanning, etc.; RF identification sensors: RFID tags (active and / or passive RFID tags) attached / embedded in the tool; other RF technologies used in a similar capacity, such as Ruby, Zigbee, WiFi, NFC, Bluetooth, Bluetooth lower energy (BLE), etc.; · Direct electronic connection to the tool: such as a tool with an attached / embedded connector that plugs into the identification system (as opposed to wireless); Weight sensors: weighing scales to detect the weight of an object; multiple weighing scales to detect weight distribution; Contact switches / sensors: single go / no-go sensors; arrays of sensors for detecting shape / contours, etc.; an acoustic emitter / detector pair; and / or Magnetic induction / sensing such as iron tool locator products.

[0044] A detailed example of one illustrative embodiment is provided below. In this illustrative embodiment, a physically defined, secure three-dimensional object storage device is provided. The storage device is a container to which tools and / or objects are delivered and / or returned. The physically defined, secure three-dimensional object storage device comprises a processor and software, the software operative to cause the three-dimensional object storage device to electronically communicate with a sensing device, either directly or via a network, and obtain data from the sensing device indicative of the presence or absence of an object within the three-dimensional object storage device. In this example, the sensing device used within the three-dimensional object storage device includes a camera and a machine vision identification device, such as an RFID antenna and decoder.

[0045] The physically defined, secure three-dimensional object storage device is equipped with an electronically controlled locking mechanism along with an access control device including a processor and software means for electronically identifying a user requesting access to the secured area or object storage device. The processor and software identify predetermined authorized access levels to the system and grant or deny physical access by the user to the three-dimensional space or object storage device based on those predetermined authorized access levels. The access control device used to electronically identify the user requesting access uses an RFID proximity sensor in conjunction with a card.

[0046] The physically defined secure object storage device comprises a drawer. At least one RFID antenna is mounted within the storage device and configured to scan for RFID tags within the storage device. In embodiments with multiple RFID antennas, different RFID antennas may be distributed throughout the storage device. The processor and memory storing executable software program instructions of the storage device may be connected to a computer network and may exchange data with a management software application (e.g., running on a remote server) used to manipulate and store data, and to store and display information related to that data to a system user.

[0047] In operation, a user scans or approaches an access card to an access control device of a storage device. A processor in the access control device determines the user's access level based on the access card. If it is determined that the user is authorized for access to the storage device, the authorized user gains access to the object storage device. Then, The sensing subsystem and data processing system of the storage device are activated. Light emitting diodes (LEDs) used to provide light to the system are activated and cameras are activated. The storage system latches are then unlocked and a user opens one or more drawers and retrieves or returns one or more objects.

[0048] Note that if a user opens an imaging-only drawer (i.e., a drawer whose inventory status is determined using imaging only, without RFID), the RFID scanning subsystem does not need to be activated and the system can use data imaging only. Specifically, the imaging subsystem is optionally used to image the drawer as it opens and as it closes (or once it is closed), and the presence or absence of an object is determined using only the captured images.

[0049] However, when a user opens a drawer in which RFID scanning is used to determine inventory status, a camera-based scan of the drawer is optionally performed before or as the drawer is opened. Additionally, the RFID sensing subsystem may be activated and an RFID scan completed before the drawer is opened to identify all RFID tags present in the storage system (or all RFID tags present in the drawer to be opened). Specifically, an RFID scan is optionally performed prior to the drawer being opened. Furthermore, a camera-based scan of the drawer is performed as the drawer is closed. An RFID scan of the drawer or box is performed in response to the drawer being fully closed or in response to the user logging out of the storage system. Thus, the imaging subsystem determines and reports the presence or absence of objects in the drawer, and the RFID subsystem scan uses RFID tag data to confirm the presence or absence of specific objects in the drawer or box. Thus, the imaging data and RFID tag data are combined to report the presence or absence of serialized items through the use of RFID data, in addition to the presence or absence of all scanned tools. Inventory scan results are shown on the display. When the user logs out, the object status is sent over the network to the primary database and / or management application. The LED light is turned off, the lock is engaged, and the camera is set to idle.

[0050] Additionally, the storage system may perform other actions, for example, the system may activate or initiate RFID scans on the contents of the object storage device on a scheduled or timed basis between user accesses to verify that the contents of the storage device have not changed since the last user access.

[0051] For example, an automated asset management system, such as a toolbox, may use both camera-based and radio frequency (RF)-based sensing technologies to sense the presence and / or other attributes of a particular tool (or tools). The camera-based sensing may provide an instantaneous (or near-instantaneous) indication of whether a particular tool is present or absent within the system. The RF-based sensing may enable the system to distinguish between multiple tools (e.g., similar torque wrenches) that are identical to the camera-based sensing module, for example, by distinguishing between tool serial numbers (or other unique identifiers) or other unique tool identifiers encoded on RF-based tags. Furthermore, the automated asset management system may be configured to perform RF-based sensing more efficiently by utilizing a combination of camera-based and RF-based sensing modalities, as described in more detail below.

[0052] 4 depicts a flowchart illustrating an example process 400 for automatically configuring a tool management store 106 in accordance with an example aspect of the subject technology. For purposes of explanation, the various blocks of the example process 400 are referred to herein as components described herein. The blocks of process 400 are described with reference to components and / or processes. One or more of the blocks of process 400 may be implemented by, for example, one or more components or processors of tool management store 106 of FIG. 1 . In some implementations, one or more of the blocks may be implemented by one or more different processors or controllers, separate from other blocks. Furthermore, for purposes of explanation, the blocks of process 400 are described as occurring sequentially or linearly. However, multiple blocks of process 400 may occur in parallel. Furthermore, the blocks of process 400 need not be performed in the order shown, and / or one or more of the blocks of process 400 need not be performed.

[0053] In block 401, the tool management store 106 receives a user ID and / or user authentication information via the access control device 306. In block 403, the tool management store 106 recognizes a language assigned to a user associated with the received user authentication information. For example, when setting a user ID for a user, a preferred language may be assigned to the user ID. In block 405, the tool management store 106 accesses a language directory in the database 104 associated with the assigned language. In block 407, the tool management store 106 configures itself using parameters such as text strings, audio files, and video files in the language directory. For example, the tool management store 106 sets operational code within the tool management store 106 to present information in the user interface 305 and through a speaker in the assigned language.

[0054] 5 conceptually illustrates an exemplary electronic system 500 in which some implementations of the subject technology may be implemented. In one or more implementations, the computing device 102 and the tool management store 106 may be or include all or some of the electronic system components described below with respect to the electronic system 500. The electronic system 500 may be a computer, a telephone, a personal digital assistant (FDA), or any other type of electronic device. Such an electronic system includes various types of computer-readable media and interfaces for various other types of computer-readable media. The electronic system 500 includes a bus 508, a processing unit 512, a system memory 504, a read-only memory (ROM) 510, a permanent storage device 502, an input device interface 514, an output device interface 506, and a network interface 516.

[0055] Bus 508 collectively represents all system, peripheral, and chipset buses that communicatively connect the many internal devices of electronic system 500. For example, bus 508 communicatively connects processing unit 512 with ROM 510, system memory 504, and permanent storage device 502.

[0056] From these various memory units, the processing unit 512 retrieves instructions to execute and data to process in order to perform the processes of the present disclosure. The processing unit may be a single processor or a multi-core processor in different implementations.

[0057] The ROM 510 stores static data and instructions needed by the processing unit 512 and other modules of the electronic system. The permanent storage device 502, on the other hand, is a read-write memory device. This device is a non-volatile memory unit that stores instructions and data even when the electronic system 500 is off. Some implementations of the present disclosure use mass storage devices (e.g., magnetic or optical disks, or flash memory) as the permanent storage device 502.

[0058] Other implementations use removable storage (e.g., floppy disk, flash drive) as permanent storage 502. Like permanent storage 502, system memory 504 is a read-write memory device. However, unlike storage 502, system memory 504 is a volatile read-write memory, such as random access memory. System memory 504 stores some of the instructions and data the processor needs during execution. In some implementations, the processes of the present disclosure are stored in system memory 504, permanent storage 502, or ROM 510. For example, various memory units include instructions for displaying graphical elements and identifiers associated with respective applications, receiving certain user inputs to display visual representations of shortcuts associated with respective applications, and displaying visual representations of the shortcuts. From these various memory units, processing unit 512 retrieves instructions to execute and data to process in order to execute the processes of some implementations.

[0059] The bus 508 also connects to an input device interface 514 and an output device interface 506. The input device interface 514 allows a user to communicate information and select commands to the electronic system. Input devices used with the input device interface 514 include, for example, an alphanumeric keyboard and a pointing device (also called a "cursor control device"). The output device interface 506 allows, for example, the display of images generated by the electronic system 500. Output devices used with the output device interface 506 include, for example, a printer and a display device, such as a cathode ray tube (CRT) or a liquid crystal display (LCD). Some implementations include a device, for example, a touchscreen, that functions as both an input device and an output device.

[0060] 5, the bus 508 also couples the electronic system 500 to a network (not shown) via a network interface. As such, the computer can be part of a network of computers (e.g., a LAN, a WAN, or an intranet, or a network of networks, such as the Internet). Any or all of the components of the electronic system 500 can be used in conjunction with the present disclosure.

[0061] Many of the features and applications described above are implemented as software processes specified as a set of instructions recorded on a computer-readable storage medium (also referred to as a computer-readable medium). When these instructions are executed by one or more processing units (e.g., one or more processors, processor cores, or other processing units), the instructions cause the processing units to perform the operations indicated in the instructions. Examples of computer-readable media include, but are not limited to, magnetic media, optical media, electronic media, etc. Computer-readable media do not include carrier waves and electronic signals that pass over wireless or wired connections.

[0062] Unless otherwise specifically stated, all measurements, values, ratings, locations, dimensions, sizes, and other specifications set forth herein are approximate and not exact, and are intended to have a reasonable range consistent with the function to which they relate and what is customary in the art to which they pertain.

[0063] Except as stated immediately above, nothing described or illustrated herein is intended to, or should be construed as, resulting in the public offering of any component, step, feature, object, benefit, advantage, or equivalent.

[0064] As used herein, the term "software" refers to software that is stored in, for example, read-only memory or other The term "software" is meant to include firmware resident in electronic storage in the form of a program, or applications that may be stored in magnetic storage, optical storage, solid state storage, etc., that can be loaded into memory for processing by a processor. Also, in some implementations, multiple software aspects of the disclosure may be implemented as sub-portions of a larger program while remaining separate software aspects of the disclosure. In some implementations, multiple software aspects may also be implemented as separate programs. Finally, any combination of separate programs that together implement the software aspects described herein is within the scope of the present disclosure. In some implementations, a software program, when installed to operate on one or more electronic systems, defines one or more specific machine implementations that perform the operations of the software program.

[0065] A computer program (also known as a program, software, software application, script, or code) can be written in any form of programming language, including compiled or interpreted, declarative or procedural, and can be deployed in any form, including as a stand-alone program or as a module, component, subroutine, object, or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment. A computer program may, but need not, correspond to a file in a file system. A program can be stored in a portion of a file that holds other programs or data (e.g., one or more scripts stored in a markup language document), in a single file dedicated to the program, or in multiple cooperating files (e.g., files that store one or more modules, subprograms, or portions of code). A computer program can be deployed to be executed on one computer or on multiple computers located at one site or distributed across multiple sites and interconnected by a communications network.

[0066] The functions described above can be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, computer software, firmware, or hardware. The present technique can be implemented using one or more computer program products. The programmable processor and computer can be included in or packaged as a mobile device. Processes and logic flows can be executed by one or more programmable processors and by one or more programmable logic circuits. General-purpose and special-purpose computing devices and storage devices can be interconnected via a communication network.

[0067] Some implementations include electronic components, e.g., microprocessors, storage, and memory, that store computer program instructions on machine-readable or computer-readable media (alternatively referred to as computer-readable storage media, machine-readable media, or machine-readable storage media). Some examples of such computer-readable media include RAM, ROM, read-only compact discs (CD-ROMs), recordable compact discs (CD-Rs), rewritable compact discs (CD-RWs), read-only digital versatile discs (e.g., DVD-ROMs, dual-layer DVD-ROMs), various recordable / rewritable DVDs (e.g., DVD-RAMs, DVD-RWs, DVD RWs, etc.), flash memory (e.g., SD cards, miniSD cards, microSD cards, etc.), magnetic or solid-state hard drives, read-only and recordable Blu-Ray® discs, ultra-high density optical discs, any other optical or magnetic media, and floppy disks. The computer-readable media can store computer programs that are executable by at least one processing unit and that include sets of instructions for performing various operations. Examples of computer programs or computer code include, for example, machine code produced by a compiler, and It includes files containing high-level code that can be executed by a computer, electronic component, or microprocessor using a printer.

[0068] Although the above description primarily refers to microprocessors or multi-core processors executing software, some implementations are performed by one or more integrated circuits, such as application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) or field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). In some implementations, such integrated circuits execute instructions stored on the circuit itself.

[0069] As used herein, the terms "computer," "server," "processor," and "memory" all refer to electronic or other technological devices. These terms exclude people or groups of people. For purposes of this specification, the term display or view means a display on an electronic device. As used herein in this application, the term "computer-readable medium" is strictly limited to a tangible physical object that stores information in a form readable by a computer. This term excludes any wireless signals, wired download signals, and any other transitory signals.

[0070] To provide for user interaction, implementations of the subject matter described herein may be implemented on a computer having a display device, e.g., a CRT or LCD monitor, for displaying information to the user, and a keyboard and pointing device, e.g., a mouse or trackball, by which the user can provide input to the computer. Other types of devices may be used to provide for user interaction as well; for example, feedback provided to the user may be any form of sensory feedback, e.g., visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback; input from the user may be received in any form, including acoustic input, voice input, or tactile input. Additionally, the computer may interact with the user by sending documents to and receiving documents from devices used by the user, e.g., by sending web pages to a web browser on the user's client device in response to a request received from the web browser. Embodiments of the subject matter described herein may be implemented in a computing system that includes a back-end component, e.g., a data server; a middleware component, e.g., an application server; a front-end component, e.g., a client computer having a graphical user interface or web browser through which a user can interact with an implementation of the subject matter described herein; or any combination of one or more such back-end, middleware, or front-end components. The components of the system may be interconnected by any form or medium of digital data communication, e.g., a communications network. Examples of communications networks include local area networks (LANs) and wide area networks (WANs), internetworks (e.g., the Internet), and peer-to-peer networks (e.g., ad hoc peer-to-peer networks).

[0071] A computing system may include clients and servers. Clients and servers are generally remote from each other and typically interact through a communication network. The relationship of clients and servers arises by virtue of computer programs running on the respective computers and having a client-server relationship to each other. In some embodiments, servers send data (e.g., HTML pages) to client devices (e.g., for the purpose of displaying the data to and receiving user input from a user interacting with the client device). Data generated by the process (e.g., the results of a user interaction) can be received at the server from the client device.

[0072] It is understood that any specific order or hierarchy of steps in the disclosed processes is illustrative of example approaches. Based on design preferences, it is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps in the processes may be rearranged, or all of the steps shown may be performed. Some of the steps may occur simultaneously. For example, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous in some situations. Furthermore, the separation of various system components in the above-described embodiments should not be understood as requiring such separation in all embodiments, and it should be understood that the described program components and systems may generally be integrated into a single software product or packaged into multiple software products.

[0073] The foregoing description is provided to enable those skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects. Accordingly, the claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects set forth herein but are to be accorded the full scope consistent with the claim language, and reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean "one and only," unless specifically so stated, but rather "one or more." Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term "some" refers to one or more. Masculine pronouns (e.g., "his") include feminine and neuter pronouns (e.g., "her" and "its"), and vice versa. Headings and subheadings, if any, are used for convenience only and do not limit the disclosure.

[0074] As used herein, when a series of items is followed by the word "and" or "or" separating any of the items, the phrase "at least one of" preceding the series modifies the list as a whole, not each member (i.e., each item) of the list. The phrase "at least one of" does not require the selection of at least one of each listed item; rather, the phrase allows for the inclusion of at least one of any of the items, and / or at least one of any combination of the items, and / or at least one of each of the items. By way of example, the phrase "at least one of A, B, and C" or "at least one of A, B, or C" refers to A only, B only, or C only; any combination of A, B, and C; and / or at least one of each of A, B, and C, respectively.

[0075] Terms such as "an aspect," "that aspect," "another aspect," "some aspects," "one or more aspects," "an implementation," "that implementation," "another implementation," "some implementations," "one or more implementations," "an embodiment," "that embodiment," "another embodiment," "some embodiments," "one or more embodiments," "a configuration," "that configuration," "another configuration," "some configurations," "one or more configurations," the subject technology, the present disclosure, other variations, etc. are used for convenience and do not imply that disclosure of such terms is essential to the subject technology or that such disclosure applies to all configurations of the subject technology. Disclosure of such terms may apply to all configurations or to one or more configurations. Disclosure of such terms may provide one or more examples. Terms such as "one aspect" or "some aspects" may refer to one or more aspects, and vice versa, as is true of other such terms.

[0076] To the extent that the systems discussed herein may collect or utilize usage data associated with a user, the user may not be able to use the system to access or utilize usage data. The system may provide an opportunity to control whether to collect user information (e.g., user preferences) and to control the user interface (UI) associated with the application based on the collected usage data. The user may also be given the option to turn on or off certain features or functions provided by the system. In some aspects, the user may choose to disable features and functions provided by the system described herein (e.g., control the UI associated with the application based on the collected usage data). Additionally, the user may specify that certain data be treated in one or more ways before it is stored or used, such that personally identifiable information is removed. For example, the user's identity may be treated such that personally identifiable information cannot be determined for the user, or the user's geographic location, if location information is obtained, may be generalized (e.g., to the city, zip code, or state level) so that the user's specific whereabouts cannot be determined. Thus, the user has control over whether and how user information is collected, stored, and used by the disclosed system.

[0077] All structural and functional equivalents of the elements of the various aspects described throughout this disclosure that are known or later become known to those skilled in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the subject technology. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be made public, regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly set forth in the description above. Furthermore, to the extent that words such as "including" and "having" are used in the specification or claims, such words are intended to be inclusive in the same manner as "comprising," as the word "comprises" is interpreted when used as a transitional term in the claims.

[0078] It will be understood that terms and expressions used herein have the ordinary meanings ascribed to such terms and expressions with respect to their corresponding respective fields of study and research, unless a specific meaning is otherwise indicated herein. Relational terms such as first and second may be used merely to distinguish one entity or action from another and do not necessarily require or imply any actual relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variation thereof, are intended to encompass a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that includes a list of elements does not include only those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent in such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element preceded by the indefinite article "a" or "an" includes additional elements. Without limitation, nothing in this document precludes the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.

[0079] In the foregoing description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each embodiment. Rather, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment.

[0080] While the foregoing has set forth what is considered to be the best mode and / or other examples, it should be understood that various modifications may be made, that the subject matter disclosed herein may be embodied in various forms and examples, and that the teachings may be applied to numerous applications, only a few of which are described herein. The present disclosure is intended to encompass any and all applications, modifications, and variations that fall within the true scope of the present teachings.

Claims

1. 1. An automated inventory control system comprising: a storage device including a plurality of storage locations for storing objects; an access control device configured to receive user authentication information for access to the storage device; a data storage configured to store configurable parameters associated with the storage device in a plurality of languages ​​and information corresponding to each user of the storage device, including an assigned language; 12. The automated inventory control system, wherein the storage device is configured to retrieve configurable parameters from the data storage in response to the access control device receiving user authentication information by the access control device.

2. The automated inventory management system of claim 1 , wherein the configurable parameters from the data storage are in the assigned language corresponding to the user.

3. The automated inventory control system of claim 1 , wherein the configurable parameters include text files, audio files, and video files in multiple languages.

4. further comprising a display associated with said storage device; the configurable parameters include display information including one or more of work instructions, tool selection, safety guidelines, torque settings, system and tool status alerts, or warnings; 2. The automated inventory control system of claim 1, wherein after the access control device receives user authentication information from the user, the storage device is configured to display the display information in the assigned language corresponding to the user.

5. The automated inventory control system of claim 1 , wherein the access control devices include one or more of an RFID proximity sensor, a magnetic stripe card scanner, a barcode scanner, a camera, or a biometric sensor.

6. 3. The automated inventory control system of claim 2, wherein the data storage stores text strings, audio files, and video files in multiple language directories, each associated with a different language.

7. the information corresponding to each user of the storage device further includes an assigned unit of measure; 10. The automated inventory control system of claim 1, wherein in response to the access control device receiving user authentication information from a user, the storage device is configured to retrieve configurable parameters from the data storage in the assigned unit of measure of the information corresponding to the user.

8. 10. The automated inventory management system of claim 1, wherein the storage device is further configured to retrieve configurable parameters from the data storage based on one or more of a work order associated with the user, one or more tools associated with the work order or the user, or a second user associated with the user.

9. The automated inventory control system of claim 1 , wherein the storage device is one of a tool locker, a tool yard, or a secure storage device.

10. The automated inventory control system of claim 1 , further comprising one or more sensing systems configured to detect the presence or absence of the object.

11. the one or more sensing systems one or more cameras configured to capture images of the plurality of storage locations; one or more RF sensors configured to detect RFID tags; one or more electrical connections configured to connect to the respective objects; one or more scales configured to detect the weight of each object; an array of contact sensors configured to detect the shape of the object; one or more ultrasonic sensors, each including an emitter configured to emit acoustic waves and a detector configured to detect the acoustic waves; or and one or more magnetic induction sensors configured to detect metal objects.

12. further comprising one or more network connections configured to connect the data storage to the storage device and one or more other storage devices; the data storage is physically remote from the storage device and one or more of the one or more other storage devices; 2. The automated inventory management system of claim 1, wherein the data storage is configured to transmit the configurable parameters to the storage device and each of the one or more other storage devices in the assigned language corresponding to the user.

13. 1. A method for an automated inventory control system, comprising: storing the object at a storage location in a storage device; assigning a language from a plurality of languages ​​to a user of the storage device; storing, in a data storage, configurable parameters associated with said storage device in a plurality of languages ​​and information corresponding to each user of said storage device, including an assigned language; receiving, at an access control device, user authentication information for access to the storage device; and retrieving configurable parameters from the data storage in response to receiving user authentication information for the user.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the configurable parameters from the data storage are in the assigned language corresponding to the user.

15. further comprising the step of displaying display information in the assigned language corresponding to the user on a display associated with the storage device; The method of claim 13 , wherein the displayed information includes one or more of work instructions, tool selection, safety guidelines, torque settings, system and tool status alerts, or warnings.

16. moreover, receiving, at the storage device, information reflecting one or more of: a work order associated with the user, one or more tools associated with the work order or the user, or a second user associated with the user; and retrieving configurable parameters from the data storage based on the received information.

17. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing executable instructions for carrying out a process. wherein the process comprises: associating a language of a plurality of languages ​​with a user of the storage device; storing, in a data storage, configurable parameters associated with said storage device in a plurality of languages ​​and information corresponding to each user of said storage device, including an assigned language; receiving, from an access control device, user authentication information for access to the storage device; and retrieving configurable parameters from the data storage in response to receiving user authentication information for the user.

18. 20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the configurable parameters from the data storage are in the assigned language corresponding to the user.

19. 20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the process further includes, in response to receiving user authentication information for the user, configuring the storage device to display text strings, audio files, and video files stored on the storage device according to a language directory associated with the assigned language of the user.

20. The process further comprises: associating a unit of measure with a user of the storage device; and configuring the storage device to display values ​​according to the units of measure associated with the user in response to receiving user authentication information for the user.

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