Combined multi-set inventory and employee tracking using location based tracking device system

A computer based method for tracking an assembly job with a plurality of inventory sets in a multi-step assembly process within an assembly area having a plurality of assembly locations, the method comprising:

• determining a first position within the assembly area based on tracking data received from a first inventory tracking device, the first position associated with a first inventory set;
• determining a second position within the assembly area based on tracking data received from a first employee tracking device, the second position associated with a first employee;
• recording starting information indicative of a job start time in response to determining that the first position and the second position correspond to a first assembly location within the assembly area associated with a first assembly step;
• determining a third position indicative of a change in assembly location of the first inventory set from the first assembly location to a second assembly location based on tracking data received from the first inventory tracking device, wherein the second assembly location is associated with a second assembly process step;
• and
• recording a first assembly step time based on the starting information and in response to the change in assembly location of the first inventory set.

A computer system for tracking an assembly job with a plurality of inventory sets in a multi-step assembly process within an assembly area having a plurality of assembly locations, the system comprising:

• means for determining a first position within the assembly area based on tracking data received from a first inventory tracking device, the first position associated with a first inventory set;
• means for determining a second position within the assembly area based on tracking data received from a first employee tracking device, the second position associated with a first employee;
• means for recording starting information indicative of a job start time in response to determining that the first position and the second position correspond to a first assembly location within the assembly area associated with a first assembly step;
• means for determining a third position indicative of a change in assembly location of the first inventory set from the first assembly location to a second assembly location based on tracking data received from the first inventory tracking device, wherein the second assembly location is associated with a second assembly process step;
• and
• means for recording a first assembly step time based on the starting information and in response to the change in assembly location of the first inventory set.

A computer software product for tracking an assembly job with a plurality of inventory sets in a multi-step assembly process within an assembly area having a plurality of assembly locations, the computer software product comprising a set of instructions that when executed in a computer processor implement the steps of:

• determining a first position within the assembly area based on tracking data received from a first inventory tracking device, the first position associated with a first inventory set;
• determining a second position within the assembly area based on tracking data received from a first employee tracking device, the second position associated with a first employee;
• recording starting information indicative of a job start time in response to determining that the first position and the second position correspond to a first assembly location within the assembly area associated with a first assembly step;
• and
• determining a third position indicative of a change in assembly location of the first inventory set from the first assembly location to a second assembly location based on tracking data received from the first inventory tracking device, wherein the second assembly location is associated with a second assembly process step.

A computer system for tracking an assembly job with a plurality of inventory sets in a multi-step assembly process within an assembly area having a plurality of assembly locations, the system comprising:

• a location determination unit for receiving position coordinates from a plurality of tracking devices associated with inventory sets and employees and for determining, for each tracking device, an assembly location in the assembly area where the tracking device is located;
• a tracking unit communicatively coupled with the location determination unit for receiving the assembly locations of the tracking devices, the tracking unit for comparing assembly locations and storing data associated with the assembly locations and times associated with location changes of the inventory sets and the employees;
• and
• a reporting unit communicatively coupled to the tracking unit for analyzing the data and determining information for generating assembly job reports based on the data.