Wireless system for monitoring theft of welding-type devices

Abstract

A welding-type device has wireless communications to transmit wireless signals comprising at least identification information. The information may be transmitted either automatically or in response to request signals. Such a welding-type device may be configured to communicate with other welding-type devices, a monitoring device, or both. A wireless communication system has at least one welding-type device, at least one wireless communication assembly, and at least one monitoring device and is capable of assisting a user in preventing theft of welding-type devices.

1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A system comprising:
 a remote monitoring device configured to monitor a work site area to receive a signal from a welding-type device located within the work site area, to determine a location of the welding-type device based at least in part on identification information stored in memory of the welding-type device, and to generate a notification relating to the determined location.   
     
     
         22 . The system of claim  1 , wherein the identification information comprises a serial number of the welding-type device. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the identification information comprises ownership information for the welding-type device. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the identification information comprises identification information relating to a user of the welding-type device. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein the identification information relating to the user is an employee ID. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the identification information comprises a system type of the welding-type device. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the identification information comprises a network ID of the welding-type device. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the identification information comprises a current job being performed by the welding-type device. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the identification information comprises operator comments entered by an operator of the welding-type device. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the welding-type device comprises one of a welder, a welding power source, a plasma cutting power source, an induction heating power source, a wire feeder or reel, a generator, a welding gun or torch, or a welding-related accessory. 
     
     
         31 . A welding-type device comprising:
 a processor configured to store identification information relating to the welding-type device in a memory medium of the welding-type device; and   wireless communication circuitry configured to transmit a wireless signal encoded with the identification information to a remote monitoring device configured to monitor a work site area within which the welding-type device is located, to determine a location of the welding-type device based at least in part on the identification information received via the wireless signal, and to generate a notification relating to the determined location.   
     
     
         32 . The welding-type device of  claim 31 , wherein the identification information comprises a serial number of the welding-type device. 
     
     
         33 . The welding-type device of  claim 31 , wherein the identification information comprises ownership information for the welding-type device. 
     
     
         34 . The welding-type device of  claim 31 , wherein the identification information comprises identification information relating to a user of the welding-type device. 
     
     
         35 . The welding-type device of  claim 34 , wherein the identification information relating to the user is an employee ID. 
     
     
         36 . The welding-type device of  claim 31 , wherein the identification information comprises a system type of the welding-type device. 
     
     
         37 . The welding-type device of  claim 31 , wherein the identification information comprises a network ID of the welding-type device. 
     
     
         38 . The welding-type device of  claim 31 , wherein the identification information comprises a current job being performed by the welding-type device. 
     
     
         39 . The welding-type device of  claim 31 , wherein the identification information comprises operator comments entered by an operator of the welding-type device. 
     
     
         40 . The welding-type device of  claim 31 , wherein the welding-type device comprises one of a welder, a welding power source, a plasma cutting power source, an induction heating power source, a wire feeder or reel, a generator, a welding gun or torch, or a welding-related accessory. 
     
     
         41 . A welding-type device comprising:
 a data storage unit configured to store a schedule of maintenance for the welding-type device;   a transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit a preventive maintenance notification signal and a signal relating to a location of the welding-type device to a remote monitoring device; and   a controller configured to identify a scheduled maintenance task based on the scheduled maintenance, and to cause the transmitter to transmit the preventive maintenance notification signal and the signal relating to the location of the welding-type device before the scheduled maintenance task is scheduled to be performed on the welding-type device.