Claims:1. A computer implemented system (100) for tracking a plurality of articles having unique identification information, said system (100) comprising:
a memory (102) configured to store a set of predetermined rules;
a processor (104) adapted to cooperate with said memory and configured to generate system processing commands based on said stored predetermined rules;
a database (106) configured to store information related to said plurality of articles including source location information and destination location information, and corresponding unique identification information;
at least one user device (108) adapted to cooperate with said processor (104), having a camera configured to scan each of said plurality of articles to identify a corresponding unique identification information, and a location identifier configured to identify current location information of said plurality of articles, based on said system processing commands;
an extractor (110) adapted to cooperate with said processor (104), and said at least one user device (108) to receive identified unique identification information and configured to cooperate with said database (106) to extract source location information and destination location information corresponding to said plurality of articles based on said identified unique identification information and said system processing commands;
a monitoring module (112) configured to cooperate with said processor (104) and said at least one user device (108) to monitor said plurality of articles based on said current location information and said system processing commands to generating monitored information; and
a report generator (114) adapted to cooperate with said processor (104), said extractor (110), said at least one user device (108), and monitoring module (112) to respectively receive said system processing commands, said source location information, said destination location information, said current location information, and said monitored information, and configured to generate at least one report, having tracked information of said plurality of articles, based on said source location information, said destination location information, said current location information, said monitored information, and said system processing commands.

2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, which comprises:
an updater (116) configured to cooperate with said at least one user device (108) to receive said current location information corresponding to said plurality of articles, and update said stored information from said database (106) based on said received current location information;
a display (118) configured to cooperate with said report generator (114) to display said at least one report; and
a calculating module (120) configured to cooperate with said processor (104), said extractor (110) and said at least one user device (108) to calculate a turnaround time based on said current location information, said source location information, said destination location information and said system processing commands, and further configured to display said turnaround time and said display (118).

3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said unique identification information comprises a unique identifier, associated with each of said plurality of articles, selected from a group including QR code, barcode and RFID tag.

4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said reports are customizable based on predefined rules.

5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said user device (108) is selected from a group of cellphones, smartphones, PDAs, notepads, tablets, phablets, iPADs, and laptops.

6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, which includes an authorizer configured to provide access of the system (100) to a plurality of users based on their respective authority levels.

7. A computer implemented method for tracking a plurality of articles having unique identification information, said method comprising the following:
storing in a memory (102), a set of predetermined rules;
generating by a processor (104), system processing commands based on said stored predetermined rules;
storing in a database (106), information related to said plurality of articles including source location information and destination location information, and corresponding unique identification information;
scanning by at least one user device (108) having a camera and a location identifier, each of said plurality of articles to identify a corresponding unique identification information and current location information of said plurality of articles based on said system processing commands;
extracting from a database (106) by an extractor (110), source location information and destination location information corresponding to said plurality of articles based on said identified unique identification information and said system processing commands;
monitoring by a monitoring module (112), said plurality of articles based on said current location information and said system processing commands to generate monitored information; and
generating by a report generator (114), at least one report, having tracked information of said plurality of articles, based on said source location information, said destination location information, said current location information, said monitored information, and said system processing commands.
8. The method as claimed in claim 7, which comprises:
updating by an updater (116), said stored information from said database (106) based on said received current location information;
displaying on a display (118), said at least one report; and
calculating by a calculating module (120), a turnaround time based on said current location information, said source location information, said destination location information, and said system processing commands, and displaying said turnaround time on said display (118).
, Description:FIELD
The present disclosure relates to the field of tracking systems.
BACKGROUND
Typically, during shutdown of a plant, several thousands of articles/equipment like control valves, pressure safety valves, motors, etc., are sent to workshop for overhauling, repair and testing. There are many agencies and intermediate steps involved in this activity, and hence it is difficult to get updates on current status of the articles. Similarly, when a plant needs to be relocated, number of articles need to be moved in a limited time. It is a strenuous task to keep individual track of the articles. This activity of relocation is critical and hence current update is essential. Currently, the tracking mechanism which is used commonly is manual. An engineer in-charge at the plant and one at a destination location verbally communicate with each other to know the status of the equipment. During peak periods, the pressure of delivery and timely completion builds up and it becomes difficult for the people involved to maintain this communication which may delay the whole process. Moreover, the concerned person may not be aware of the quantity of the articles that are reaching the destination location, and hence mobilization of the resources to receive the articles also becomes difficult. Additionally, lot of time is spent in establishing and maintaining contact between people concerned with delivery of the articles.
Therefore, there is felt a need to limit the abovementioned drawbacks and provide a system for tracking a plurality of articles.
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows.
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a system for tracking a plurality of articles.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system for tracking a plurality of articles, which monitors status of the articles.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system for tracking a plurality of articles that generates reports of monitored data.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system for tracking a plurality of articles, which eliminates delay caused due to verbal communication between concerned personnel.
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY
A computer implemented system for tracking a plurality of articles having unique identification information is envisaged. The system comprises a memory, a processor, a database, at least one user device, an extractor, a monitoring module, and a report generator. The memory stores a set of predetermined rules. The processor cooperates with the memory and generates system processing commands based on the stored predetermined rules. The database stores information related to the plurality of articles including source location information and destination location information, and corresponding unique identification information. The at least one user device cooperates with the processor, and has a camera that scans each of the plurality of articles to identify a corresponding unique identification information, and a location identifier that identifies current location information of the plurality of articles, based on the system processing commands. The extractor cooperates with the processor, and the at least one user device to receive identified unique identification information, and with the database to extract source location information and destination location information corresponding to the plurality of articles based on the identified unique identification information and the system processing commands. The monitoring module cooperates with the processor and the at least one user device to monitor the plurality of articles based on the current location information and the system processing commands and generates monitored information. The report generator cooperates with the processor, the extractor, the monitoring module, and the at least one user device to respectively receive the system processing commands, the source location information, the destination location information, the monitored information, and the current location information, and generates at least one report, having tracked information of the plurality of articles, based on the source location information, the destination location information, the monitored information, the current location information, and the system processing commands.
The system also includes an updater, a display, and a calculating module. The updater cooperates with the at least one user device to receive the current location information corresponding to the plurality of articles, and updates the stored information from the database based on the received current location information. The display cooperates with the report generator to display the at least one report. The calculating module cooperates with the processor, the extractor and the at least one user device to calculate a turnaround time based on the current location information, the source location information, the destination location information and the system processing commands.
In one embodiment, the unique identification information comprises a unique identifier, associated with each of the plurality of articles, selected from a group including QR code, barcode and RFID tag. In another embodiment, the reports are customizable based on predefined rules. In yet another embodiment, the user device is selected from a group of cellphones, smartphones, PDAs, notepads, tablets, phablets, iPADs, and laptops. In another embodiment, the system includes an authorizer configured to provide access of the system to a plurality of users based on their respective authority levels.
A computer implemented method for tracking a plurality of articles having unique identification information is also envisaged. The method comprises the following:
• storing in a memory, a set of predetermined rules;
• generating by a processor, system processing commands based on the stored predetermined rules;
• storing in a database, information related to the plurality of articles including source location information and destination location information, and corresponding unique identification information;
• scanning by at least one user device having a camera and a location identifier, each of the plurality of articles to identify a corresponding unique identification information and current location information of the plurality of articles based on the system processing commands;
• extracting from a database by an extractor, source location information and destination location information corresponding to the plurality of articles based on the identified unique identification information and the system processing commands;
• monitoring by a monitoring module, the plurality of articles based on the current location information and the system processing commands to generate monitored information; and
• generating by a report generator, at least one report, having tracked information of the plurality of articles, based on the source location information, the destination location information, the current location information, the monitored information, and the system processing commands.
The method further comprises the following:
• updating by an updater, the stored information from the database based on the received current location information;
• displaying on a display, the at least one report; and
• calculating by a calculating module, a turnaround time based on the current location information, the source location information, the destination location information and the system processing commands.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
The computer implemented system and method for tracking a plurality of articles of the present disclosure will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:
Figure 1 illustrates a schematic block diagram of a computer implemented system for tracking a plurality of articles, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure; and
Figure 2 illustrates a flow diagram of a method of tracking a plurality of articles, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
List and details of reference Numerals used in the description and drawing:
Reference Numeral Reference
100 System
102 Memory
104 Processor
106 Database
108 At least one user device
110 Extractor
112 Monitoring module
114 Report generator
116 Updater
118 Display
120 Calculating module

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Typically, during shutdown of a plant, several thousands of articles/equipment like control valves, pressure safety valves, motors, etc., are sent to workshop for overhauling, repair and testing. There are many agencies and intermediate steps involved in this activity, and hence it is difficult to get updates on current status of the articles. Similarly, when a plant needs to be relocated, number of articles need to be moved in a limited time. It is a strenuous task to keep individual track of the articles. This activity of relocation is critical and hence current update is essential. Currently, the tracking mechanism which is used commonly is manual. An engineer in-charge at the plant and one at a destination location verbally communicate with each other to know the status of the equipment. During peak periods, the pressure of delivery and timely completion builds up and it becomes difficult for the people involved to maintain this communication which may delay the whole process. Moreover, the concerned person may not be aware of the quantity of the articles that are reaching the destination location, and hence mobilization of the resources to receive the articles also becomes difficult. Additionally, lot of time is spent in establishing and maintaining contact between people concerned with delivery of the articles. Therefore, there is felt a need to limit the abovementioned drawbacks and provide a system for tracking a plurality of articles.
The present disclosure envisages a system and method for tracking a plurality of articles having unique identification information. Referring to the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 illustrates a schematic block diagram of a computer implemented system 100 for tracking a plurality of articles, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 2 illustrates a flow diagram of a method 200 of tracking a plurality of articles, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
The computer implemented system (hereinafter referred to as system) 100 comprises a memory 102, a processor 104, a database 106, at least one user device 108, an extractor 110, a monitoring module 112, and a report generator 114.
The memory 102 is configured to store a set of predetermined rules. The memory 102 may include any computer-readable medium including volatile memory, such as static random access memory (SRAM) and dynamic random access memory (DRAM), and/or non-volatile memory, such as read only memory (ROM), erasable programmable ROM, flash memories, hard disks, optical disks, and magnetic tapes. In one embodiment, the set of predetermined rules include rules for scanning the articles, determining current location, extracting information from the database 106, monitoring, generating reports and the like.
The processor 104 cooperates with the memory 102 and generates system processing commands based on the stored predetermined rules. The processor 104 may be implemented as one or more microcontrollers, microprocessors, microcomputers, digital signal processors, central processing units, state machines, logic circuitries, and/or any devices that manipulate signals based on operational instructions. Among other capabilities, the processor 104 may be configured to fetch and execute computer-readable instructions or rules that may be stored in the memory 102.
The database 106 stores information related to the plurality of articles including source location information and destination location information, and corresponding unique identification information. In one embodiment, the unique identification information comprises a unique identifier, associated with each of the plurality of articles, selected from a group including QR code, barcode and RFID tag.
The at least one user device 108 cooperates with the processor 104, and has a camera (not shown in the figures) that scans each of the plurality of articles to identify a corresponding unique identification information, and a location identifier (not shown in the figures) that identifies current location information of the plurality of articles, based on the system processing commands. In an embodiment, the user device 108 is selected from a group of cellphones, smartphones, PDAs, notepads, tablets, phablets, iPADs, and laptops.
The extractor 110 cooperates with the processor 104, and the at least one user device 108 to receive identified unique identification information. The extractor 110 further cooperates with the database 106 to extract source location information and destination location information corresponding to the plurality of articles based on the identified unique identification information and the system processing commands.
The monitoring module 112 cooperates with the processor 104 and the at least one user device 108 to monitor the plurality of articles based on the current location information and the system processing commands and generate monitored information. The report generator 114 cooperates with the processor 104, the extractor 110, the monitoring module 112, and the at least one user device 108 to respectively receive the system processing commands, the source location information, the destination location information, the monitored information, and the current location information. The report generator 114 then generates at least one report, having tracked information of the plurality of articles, based on the source location information, the destination location information, the current location information, the monitored information, and the system processing commands. In one embodiment, the reports are customizable based on predefined rules.
The system 100 also includes an updater 116, a display 118, and a calculating module 120. The updater 116 cooperates with the at least one user device 108 to receive the current location information corresponding to the plurality of articles, and updates the stored information from the database 106 based on the received current location information. The display 118 cooperates with the report generator 114 to display the at least one report. In an embodiment, the display 118 has a large screen which can be used to continuously display reports on a shop floor.
The calculating module 120 cooperates with the processor 104 , the extractor 110, and the at least one user device 108 to calculate a turnaround time based on the current location information, the source location information, the destination location information and the system processing commands. In one embodiment, the source location information, the destination location information and the current location information include timestamp information, wherein time information related to the articles is also noted while leave a source location, reaching a destination location and during a current location. This timestamp information is used to calculate the turnaround time.
In one embodiment, the system 100 includes a registration module (not shown in figures) configured to enable a plurality of users to register with the system 100. In an embodiment, the plurality of users can use the at least one user device 108, which may be associated with the users, for registration. In a registration process, the users provide user details to the registration module via the at least one user device 108 or via an input module (not shown in figures). The user details include information related to the user like user name, age, address, designation, password/pin, contact details etc. A user profile for each user is then created based on the received information by a profile creator (not shown in the figures) and stored in the database 106. The database 106 also stores access type that should be provided for each authority level. For example, if the authority level is that of an administrator, full access to the system 100 is enabled which allows the user to view, modify, delete information/reports. An authority assigner (not shown in figures) present in the system is configured to assign an authority level to the users based on respective user profiles. The authority level corresponding to each user is also stored in the database 106 to enable the users to selectively access the system 100 as per their authority levels. An authorizer (not shown in figures) present in the system 100 is configured to authorize and provide selective access to the users based on their authority levels. When a user wishes to access/modify reports/data of the system 100, the authorizer requests the user to provide input including the user’s user name and password/pin and authorizes the user if the input provided by the user matches the data stored in the database 106. On successful authorization, the authorizer checks the authority level corresponding to the user profile associated with the authorized user and access type of the associated authority level, and provides the system access to the authorized user based on the authority level. In one embodiment, the updater 116 can be used by the authorized user, based on his assigned authority levels, to update information in the database 106.
Further, the system 100 also includes an alerting module (not shown in figures) configured to generate alerts in case of urgent requirements. Data related to conditions referring to urgent requirements can be stored in the database 106 which can be compared with the current data/condition of the system 100 to check for any kind of urgency. In one embodiment, the alerts can be generated at least by sounding an alarm on the shop floor and/or sending an SMS to concerned users.
The computer implemented method 200 for tracking a plurality of articles having unique identification information comprises the steps of storing in the memory 102, a set of predetermined rules 202; generating by the processor 104, system processing commands based on the stored predetermined rules 204; storing in the database 106, information related to the plurality of articles including source location information and destination location information, and corresponding unique identification information 206; scanning by the at least one user device 108 having a camera and a location identifier, each of the plurality of articles to identify a corresponding unique identification information and current location information of the plurality of articles based on the system processing commands 208; extracting from the database 106 by the extractor 110, source location information and destination location information corresponding to the plurality of articles based on the identified unique identification information and the system processing commands 210; monitoring by the monitoring module 112, the plurality of articles based on the current location information and the system processing commands to generate monitored information 212; and generating by a report generator 114, at least one report, having tracked information of the plurality of articles, based on the source location information, the destination location information, the current location information, the monitored information, and the system processing commands 214.
The method further comprises updating by the updater 116, the stored information from the database 106 based on the received current location information, displaying on a display 118, the at least one report, and calculating by a calculating module 120, a turnaround time based on the current location information, the source location information, the destination location information and the system processing commands.
TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS
The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of a system for tracking a plurality of articles that:
• monitors status of the articles;
• generates reports of monitored data; and
• eliminates delay caused due to verbal communication between concerned personnel.
The disclosure is described with reference to the accompanying embodiments which do not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure. The description provided is purely by way of example and illustration.
The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.
The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.
Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.
The numerical values mentioned for the various physical parameters, dimensions or quantities are only approximations and it is envisaged that the values higher/lower than the numerical values assigned to the parameters, dimensions or quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure, unless there is a statement in the specification specific to the contrary.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation