Tool tracking and task management in a three-dimensional environment

A system for affixing a fastener or fastener collar comprising:

• a handheld tool configured to engage a corresponding fastener or fastener collar;
• a communication device affixed to the handheld tool and configured to wirelessly communicate with a base station;
• and
• a computer configured to:
• receive, from the base station, data identifying a position, orientation and movement of the handheld tool within a region of three-dimensional space;
• access a map of the region of three dimensional space, including an identification of a location of the corresponding fastener or fastener collar;
• determine, based on the position of the handheld tool and the identification of the location of the corresponding fastener or fastener collar, a relative position of the handheld tool with respect to the corresponding fastener or fastener collar;
• determine, based on one or more force measurements, and the orientation and movement of the handheld tool, one or more forces applied by the handheld tool on the corresponding fastener or fastener collar, the one or more forces including respective directions that indicate tightening and loosening operations performed by the handheld tool;
• determine a status of the corresponding fastener or fastener collar based on the one or more forces including the respective directions;
• and
• provide an indication of the relative position of the handheld tool with respect to the corresponding fastener or fastener collar, and the status of the corresponding fastener or fastener collar.

A method for affixing a fastener or fastener collar, the method comprising:

• receiving, at a computer, from a base station, data identifying a position, orientation and movement, within a region of three-dimensional space, of a handheld tool to which a communication device is affixed;
• determining a location of the corresponding fastener or fastener collar, based on the position of the handheld tool and a user input to a user input interface of the communication device or the computer, and without a previously-stored or mapped location of a corresponding fastener or fastener collar;
• and
• generating a graphical user interface (GUI) including a digital representation of the region of three-dimensional space with an identification of the location of the corresponding fastener or fastener collar.

A method for affixing a fastener or fastener collar, the method comprising:

• receiving, at a computer, from a base station, data identifying a position, orientation and movement, within a region of three-dimensional space, of a handheld tool to which a communication device is affixed;
• accessing a map of the region of three dimensional space, including an identification of a location of a corresponding fastener or fastener collar;
• determining, based on the position of the handheld tool and the identification of the location of the corresponding fastener or fastener collar, a relative position of the handheld tool with respect to the corresponding fastener or fastener collar;
• determining, based on one or more force measurements, and the orientation and movement of the handheld tool, one or more forces applied by the handheld tool on the corresponding fastener or fastener collar, the one or more forces including respective directions that indicate tightening and loosening operations performed by the handheld tool;
• determining a status of the corresponding fastener or fastener collar based on the one or more forces including the respective directions;
• and
• providing an indication of the relative position of the handheld tool with respect to the corresponding fastener or fastener collar, and the status of the corresponding fastener or fastener collar.