Francis M Marble

US Patent:

52893723, Feb 22, 1994

Filed:

Aug 18, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/931771

Inventors:

Jon E. Guthrie - Houston TX
Francis M. Marble - Dickinson TX
Clyde D. Ridgeway - Baytown TX

Assignee:

Loral Aerospace Corp. - New York NY

International Classification:

G06F 1500
G06F 704

US Classification:

364403

Abstract:

An equipment tracking system that provides for configuration management control over a plurality of pieces of equipment. The system includes a plurality of sets of sensors, a plurality of collectors, each individually coupled to a selected set of sensors, a concentrator coupled to the plurality of collectors, and a computer having a database for storing sensor data is coupled to the concentrator by way of a communication link. Each sensor is attached to a piece of equipment, and each sensor has a unique ID code. Each collector is coupled to a selected set of sensors, and is adapted to read out the ID code of each of the sensors at selected times, and store the changes for those sensors that have changed since the prior reading. The concentrator communicates with the plurality of collectors and causes the collectors to transmit the changed information. The present invention provides a non-manpower intensive system for providing current and accurate configuration management of thousands of pieces of equipment in a geographically dispersed environment.