Abstract: The instant application describes an inventory control system including an object storage device including a drawer or a tray for housing objects; a sensing device configured to acquire an image including information about the objects stored in the object storage device; an interface circuitry in communication with the sensing device and configured to generate object data based on the image acquired by the sensing device; and a processor configured to provide an integrated network access and transmit the object data across a network using a Web Service as defined by World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), the Web Service being a data link interface between the inventory control system and a remote system.

Abstract: An automated asset management system includes a plurality of storage locations for storing objects, and first and second sensing subsystems each configured to sense presence or absence of the objects in the plurality of storage locations. The first and second sensing subsystems are used to sense the presence or absence of a same particular object using different respective sensing modalities. In operation, a first scan of the storage locations is performed using the first sensing subsystem, and the presence or absence of the particular object is determined using the first sensing modality. In turn, a second scan of the storage locations is performed using the second sensing subsystem, and the presence or absence of the particular object is confirmed using both the result of the determination made using the first sensing modality and a determination of the presence or absence of the particular object using the second sensing modality.

Abstract: An automated asset management system includes a plurality of storage locations for storing objects, and first and second sensing subsystems each configured to sense presence or absence of the objects in the plurality of storage locations. The first and second sensing subsystems are used to sense the presence or absence of a same particular object using different respective sensing modalities. In operation, a first scan of the storage locations is performed using the first sensing subsystem, and the presence or absence of the particular object is determined using the first sensing modality. In turn, a second scan of the storage locations is performed using the second sensing subsystem, and the presence or absence of the particular object is confirmed using both the result of the determination made using the first sensing modality and a determination of the presence or absence of the particular object using the second sensing modality.

Abstract: An inventory control device, such as an electronic toolbox, monitors the identity of battery packs that are mounted in the device and used to provide electrical power to the device. The device retrieves a unique identifier for each battery pack, and monitors the operation of each battery pack. The monitored data can be logged into memory for future use, communicated to a user of the inventory control device, and/or used to predict the future performance or replacement date for a battery pack. The monitored data can also be communicated across a communication network to an inventory control server that monitors the operation and performance of battery packs throughout an electronic tools control system including multiple toolboxes. The server can further track the operation and locations of battery packs through all of the toolboxes.

Abstract: Systems for monitoring an inventory condition of objects based on captured images are described. An exemplary system includes at least one storage drawer, each storage drawer including a plurality of storage locations for storing objects; and a data storage device storing reference data for each storage drawer. The reference data includes, for each region of interest corresponding to each respective storage drawer, at least one of a reference image signature representing attributes of the region of interest when a stored object is present, and a reference image signature representing attributes of the region of interest when the stored object is not present.

Abstract: An inventory control system is described that includes a tool storage device including a drawer or a tray providing a pallet, wherein the pallet includes storage locations for objects; a sensing device configured to form an image of the storage locations; and a data processor configured to determine presence or absence of the pallet and presence or absence of objects within the storage locations of the pallet using the information from the image.

Abstract: Systems for monitoring an inventory condition of objects based on captured images are described. An exemplary system includes at least one storage drawer, each storage drawer including a plurality of storage locations for storing objects; and a data storage device storing reference data for each storage drawer. The reference data includes, for each region of interest corresponding to each respective storage drawer, at least one of a reference image signature representing attributes of the region of interest when a stored object is present, and a reference image signature representing attributes of the region of interest when the stored object is not present.

Abstract: An inventory control device, such as an electronic toolbox, monitors the identity of battery packs that are mounted in the device and used to provide electrical power to the device. The device retrieves a unique identifier for each battery pack, and monitors the operation of each battery pack. The monitored data can be logged into memory for future use, communicated to a user of the inventory control device, and/or used to predict the future performance or replacement date for a battery pack. The monitored data can also be communicated across a communication network to an inventory control server that monitors the operation and performance of battery packs throughout an electronic tools control system including multiple toolboxes. The server can further track the operation and locations of battery packs through all of the toolboxes.

Abstract: An inventory control system and method determines an inventory condition of objects stored in the system. Embodiments include a storage container including a plurality of storage locations for storing objects; an image sensing device to capture image data of the container, including image data of the plurality of storage locations and a target area that includes an individual object storage location having less than the plurality of storage locations; a data storage device for storing the image data of the container; and a data processor. The processor receives initial image data representing an initial image of the plurality of storage locations, and image data representing an image of the target area captured subsequent to the initial image; modifies the initial image data based on the image data of the target area to generate adjusted image data; and stores the adjusted image data in the data storage device.

Abstract: An inventory control system is provided for monitoring the removal and replacement of objects stored in the system. The system includes a storage container including a plurality of storage locations for storing objects; a sensing device configured to detect the presence or absence of objects in the storage locations; a display device; and a data processor. The data processor is configured to receive work order data identifying a particular work order; receive information associated with the work order based on the work order data; and display the information associated with the work order on the display device.

Abstract: The instant application describes an inventory control system including an object storage device including a drawer or a tray for housing objects; a sensing device configured to acquire an image including information about the objects stored in the object storage device; an interface circuitry in communication with the sensing device and configured to generate object data based on the image acquired by the sensing device; and a processor configured to provide an integrated network access and transmit the object data across a network using a Web Service as defined by World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), the Web Service being a data link interface between the inventory control system and a remote system.

Abstract: An inventory control system is described that includes a tool storage device including a drawer or a tray providing a pallet, wherein the pallet includes storage locations for objects; a sensing device configured to form an image of the storage locations; and a data processor configured to determine presence or absence of the pallet and presence or absence of objects within the storage locations of the pallet using the information from the image.

Abstract: Systems for monitoring an inventory condition of objects based on captured images are described. An exemplary system includes at least one storage drawer, each storage drawer including a plurality of storage locations for storing objects; and a data storage device storing reference data for each storage drawer. The reference data includes, for each region of interest corresponding to each respective storage drawer, at least one of a reference image signature representing attributes of the region of interest when a stored object is present, and a reference image signature representing attributes of the region of interest when the stored object is not present.

Abstract: A wheel balancing system determines a type of corrective weight for application to an edge of a rim of a wheel for correcting imbalance of the wheel. One or more corrective weights are identified from a varied inventory of corrective weights. An inventory database is incremented or decremented for each identified corrective weight. Database reports can be generated that specify weight usage and inventory status. One or more wheel balancers may be coupled to a network.

Abstract: A wheel balancing system may include a wheel imbalance measuring system, a memory system, a user interface, and a processing system. The processing system may be configured to cause initial imbalance information relating to an initial imbalance in a wheel assembly that was measured by the wheel imbalance measuring system to be stored in the memory system. The processing system may also be configured to recall the initial imbalance information from the memory system after a residual imbalance measurement of the wheel assembly by the wheel imbalance measuring system. The processing system may also be configured to cause the user interface to communicate weight information to the user about an amount and placement location of at least one weight needed to correct for the imbalance based on the initial imbalance information recalled from the memory system.

Abstract: A non-contact method and system for analyzing tire conditions. The system includes an emitter source for emitting radiation signals towards a tire having a treaded surface between two sidewalls. A detector is provided to receive signals reflected by the tire in response to the emitted radiation signals. A data processing system, coupled to the emitter source and the detector, obtains geometrical information, such as height, of a plurality points on the tire based on the signals received from the detector. The data processing system determines a condition of the tire by comparing geometrical information for a designated portion of the plurality points with other portion points on the tire. A color-coded surface profile showing a height distribution of the tire is also generated to assist diagnosis of the tire.

Abstract: A method of determining a type of corrective weight for application to an edge of a rim of a wheel for correcting imbalance of the wheel, including measuring dimensions of an edge of a rim of a wheel to produce measured dimensions, comparing the measured dimensions to actual dimensions of different types of rim edges, determining a type of rim edge the wheel has based upon the comparison between the measured dimensions and the stored dimensions, and indicating a type of corrective weight appropriate for application to the edge of the rim of the wheel based upon the type of rim edge determined.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a parameter entry device for a vehicle wheel balancer utilizes a parameter entry device having an elongated rod slideably and rotatably mounted to the balancer in parallel with the rotatable wheel-mounting shaft. A transverse arm having a known length and a wheel contacting tip is connected to the rod. A rotary encoder is coupled to the rod so that when the tip is positioned for measuring wheel components the encoder measures angular displacement. Angular measurements of two known radial positions are used for determining the relative angles between each angle and the rest position of the arm to establish a reference. Using the established reference, measurements for determining radius and diameter of various wheel components can be made.

Abstract: An improvement to a vehicle wheel balancer having a rotatable shaft upon which a wheel to be balanced is mountable and a digital signal processor, the improvement comprising a parameter entry device for determining the offset and diameter of the wheel which comprises an elongated rod slideably and rotatably mounted to the balancer in parallel with the rotatable shaft; a transverse arm connected to an end of the rod nearest the wheel, the arm comprising a wheel contacting tip; a first rotary encoder coupled to the distal end of the rod and having a shaft associated with the rod, wherein rotation of the rod rotates the shaft and thereby causes the first rotary encoder to generate a digital signal representative of the amount of rotation of the rod; a rack mounted to the balancer in alignment with the rod; and a second rotary encoder coupled to the rod and having a shaft associated with a rotatable gear which engages the rack, wherein extension of the rod rotates the shaft and thereby causes the second rotary en