US 11,686,635 B2 · Monitoring of tool calibration status in automated tool control systems

Abstract

A calibration monitoring system is provided to automatically monitor the calibration status of tools and other inventory items, such as upon the items being issued from or returned to the automated calibration monitoring system. The system identifies an inventory item, for example a calibrated torque wrench or other calibrated tool identified based on a unique identifying tag attached thereto. The system retrieves a calibration parameter value for the item from a calibration database, and completes a calibration measurement of the item based on the calibration parameter value. In the example, a torque measurement of the calibrated torque wrench can thus be automatically completed. In turn, the system determines a current calibration status of the item based on the calibration measurement, and selectively enables or disables issuance of the inventory item from the system according to the item's status as being in calibration or out of calibration.

Claims18

Dependent claims

An automated calibration monitoring system comprising:

a plurality of storage locations configured to store inventory items including a calibrated inventory item;
a database storing information on inventory items, including the calibrated inventory item, associated with the automated calibration monitoring system and configured for storage in the plurality of storage locations of the automated calibration monitoring system, wherein the database further stores a calibration parameter value for the calibrated inventory item;
and
a processor configured to, upon the calibrated inventory item being issued from or returned to the automated calibration monitoring system:
compare a calibration measurement of the calibrated inventory item with the calibration parameter value for the calibrated inventory item, wherein the processor selectively authorizes the issue or return of the calibrated inventory item according to a result of the comparison;
and
generate a report indicative of whether the calibration measurement corresponds to at least one of:
passing or failing a calibration test, a work location, or a work order.

5 more elements

A method for automated monitoring of calibration of inventory items in an automated calibration monitoring system comprising:

identifying, using a sensor of the automated calibration monitoring system configured to sense presence or absence of inventory items, a calibrated inventory item subject to monitoring of calibration;
retrieving, from a database communicatively connected to the automated calibration monitoring system and storing calibration parameter values for each of a plurality of inventory items, a calibration parameter value for the identified calibrated inventory item;
determining a calibration status of the calibrated identified inventory item based on a comparison of a calibration measurement of the calibrated inventory item with the retrieved calibration parameter value for the calibrated inventory item, wherein the automated calibration monitoring system selectively authorizes the issue or return of the calibrated inventory item from a storage location of the automated calibration monitoring system according to a result of the determination;
and
generating a report indicative of whether the calibration status corresponds to at least one of:
passing or failing a calibration test, a work location, or a work order.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Monitoring of tool calibration status in automated tool control systems

Life of this patent

Monitoring of tool calibration status in automated tool control systems

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18