Object monitoring and management system

#This is the first application filed for the present invention.

#Not applicable.

#The present invention relates to computerized systems for monitoring and managing physical assets or other objects and, in particular, to a system for enabling paperless, cross-entity identification, monitoring and management of the physical assets or other objects to which a computer-readable identification tag can be affixed.

#Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in combination with the appended drawings, in which:

#FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an object monitoring and management system in accordance with the invention, and users of the system;

#FIG. 2 is a block diagram that schematically illustrates an example of a scope of access of each object owner to records in the database of the system illustrated in FIG. 1;

#It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings, like features are identified by like reference numerals.

#The invention provides a computerized object monitoring and management system that enables comprehensive paperless tracking, maintenance and/or management of physical assets. The system permits owners of the assets to control access to records so that maintenance service providers, regulatory authorities, and other third parties have access to information required for their respective functions on a cross-owner basis.

#FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram that schematically illustrates an object monitoring and management system 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. A globally accessible database 12 stores information about monitored objects 14. Each object 14 is identified by a physically attached computer readable identifier (e.g. a tag, barcode, or the like) 16. The database 12 is accessed via a gateway 18 that serves as a secure entry channel. Access to the database is restricted by a security layer 20, such as a firewall and/or other access control systems. The company/organization layer 22 represents entities that use the system for the propose of monitoring and managing objects they own, possess or control. The companies/organizations access the database 12 through the gateway 18 and security layer 20. Each company/organization 22 only has access to records in the database 12 related to monitored objects 14 that it owns, possesses or controls. A company/organization that is granted access to the system 10 can retrieve, write or modify records related only to its own objects. Each company/organization can have objects in one or more locations.