Apparatus and method for tracking and managing physical assets

Abstract

A computer based system automatically gathers, analyzes, and delivers information relating to the procurement and utilization of a plurality of such assets, such as a fleet of industrial equipment, so as to maximize productivity and to reduce operating costs and administrative burdens. Each of the assets is preferably provided with a data acquisition device for sensing and storing one or more operating characteristics associated therewith. That information can be transmitted through space to a receiver connected to a local controller for storing such information and for transmitting such information over the internet to a remote analysis system. The remote analysis system automatically updates individual records associated with each of the assets with the information received from the internet. In response to such information, the remote analysis system automatically analyzes the newly provided information and generates reports regarding scheduled maintenance, warranty coverage, and other management information. These reports can be transmitted back over the internet to an administrative controller for review by one or more persons responsible for managerial review. Additionally or alternatively, the remote analysis system can automatically post such reports on a website and, thus, be made available to one or more of such persons upon request.

1 - 16 . (canceled)  
     
     
         17 . A method for gathering and analyzing data relating to an asset comprising the steps of: 
 generating a maintenance invoice from an analysis controller when service is performed on the asset, wherein the maintenance invoice includes an indication of the amount of usage of the asset;    transmitting the maintenance invoice to an administrative controller;    comparing the indication of the amount of usage of the asset with a predetermined standard that is representative of a warranty period; and    generating a warranty report if the amount of usage is less than the predetermined standard.    
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said indication of the amount of usage is captured by a data acquisition device.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein a receiver receives the indication of the amount of usage from the data acquisition device through a transmitter.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the maintenance invoice is transmitted to the administrative controller from the analysis controller on a communications network.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the comparing is performed on the analysis controller.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the warranty report is generated from the administrative controller.  
     
     
         23 . A system for gathering and analyzing data relating to an asset comprising: 
 an analysis controller that selectively generates a maintenance invoice that includes an indication of an amount of usage of an asset and that compares the indication of the amount of usage of the asset with a predetermined standard that is representative of a warranty period;    a communications network;    an administrative controller that is in selective communication with the analysis controller via the communications network and that generates a warranty report if the amount of usage is less than the predetermined standard.    
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 23 , further comprising a data acquisition device that selectively captures data comprising an indication of the amount of usage and that selectively communicates with the analysis controller.  
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 24 , further comprising: 
 a transmitter that is selectively used to communicate the amount of usage from the data acquisition device to the analysis controller; and    a receiver that is selectively used to receive the amount of usage in the analysis controller.    
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein there are a plurality of administrative controllers.  
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein said analysis controller is configured to generate management reports relating to the procurement and utilization of the asset.  
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein said analysis controller is configured to post said reports to a website maintained on the internet.  
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein there is a warranty associated with the asset and there are a plurality of responsible parties associated with said system, said analysis controller configured to use at least a portion of said acquired data in automatically determining which of said responsible parties has responsibility in whole or in part for maintenance performed on the asset based on said warranty.  
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein a first responsible party comprises at least one of a manufacturer and a supplier of the asset and a second responsible party comprises at least one of an owner or user of the asset.  
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein said analysis controller includes a record of the asset, said record including said responsible parties and the nature of said responsibility, the nature of said responsibility including a factor based on said at least one operating characteristic of the asset.  
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein said factor comprises at least one of an amount of asset usage and date of service.  
     
     
         33 . A system for gathering and analyzing data relating to an asset comprising: 
 a data acquisition device that selectively captures data comprising an indication of an amount of usage of an asset;    an analysis controller that selectively communicates with the data acquisition device and generates a maintenance invoice that includes an indication of an amount of usage of an asset and that compares the indication of the amount of usage of the asset with a predetermined standard that is representative of a warranty period;    a transmitter that is selectively used to communicate the amount of usage from the data acquisition device to the analysis controller; and    a receiver that is selectively used to receive the amount of usage in the analysis controller;    a communications network; and    an administrative controller that is in selective communication with the analysis controller via the communications network and that generates a warranty report if the amount of usage is less than the predetermined standard.