Wireless communication system for welding-type devices

Abstract

A welding-type device has wireless communications to transmit wireless signals comprising at least identification information or location information. The information may be transmitted either automatically or in response to request signals. Such a welding-type device may be configured to communicate with other welding-type devices, a monitoring device, or both. A wireless communication system has at least one welding-type device, at least one wireless communication assembly, and at least one monitoring device and is capable of assisting a user in locating particular welding-type devices, preventing theft of welding-type devices, and scheduling preventive maintenance.

1 . A welding-type accessory comprising: 
 a welding wire containment device;    a memory device attached to the welding wire containment device and encoded with at least identification information;    a radio frequency transmitter operably connected to the memory device and configured to emit a radio frequency signal containing the identification information by which the welding wire containment device may be located.    
   
   
       2 . The welding-type accessory of  claim 1  wherein the radio frequency transmitter is configured to emit the signal at least one of continuously, at periodic intervals, or in response to a location request signal.  
   
   
       3 . The welding-type accessory of  claim 1  configured to operate in communication with at least one of a monitoring device, another welding-type accessory, a repeater unit, or a signal booster.  
   
   
       4 . The welding-type accessory of  claim 3  wherein the signal emitted by the radio frequency transmitter is configured to enable the welding-type accessory to be found via at least one of triangulation, a DME-VOR style locating, GPS data, or a LORAN style locating.  
   
   
       5 . The welding-type accessory of  claim 1  further comprising a device resource sensor attached thereto for detecting a remaining amount of welding wire on the wire containment device.  
   
   
       6 . The welding-type accessory of  claim 5  further comprising a processing unit configured to determine a time when additional consumables will be needed.  
   
   
       7 . The welding-type accessory of  claim 6  wherein the processing unit is further configured to cause the radio frequency transmitter to emit a notice signal of imminent device requirements to the radio frequency receiver.  
   
   
       8 . A method for maintaining an inventory of welding-type accessories comprising: 
 arranging at least one monitoring device in a facility;    configuring a plurality of welding-type accessories to emit wireless signals containing identification codes;    causing the at least one monitoring device to detect the wireless signals of the plurality of welding-type accessories; and    determining a relative location within the facility of at least one of the plurality of welding-type accessories.    
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising causing the plurality of welding-type accessories to emit the wireless signals in one of an active beacon mode or a passive transponder mode.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising determining at least one of a proximity, a direction, a relative location, and an absolute location for at least one of the plurality of welding-type accessories.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising determining the location, within the facility, of at least one of the plurality of welding-type accessories by at least one of triangulation, DME-VOR style locating, GPS data, or LORAN style locating.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the identification code includes compatible device type information.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising determining a number of welding-type accessories corresponding to a particular device type.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising increasing the transmission range of the plurality of welding-type accessories by utilizing at least one of repeater units or signal boosters.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising causing each of the plurality of welding-type accessories to sense a remaining amount of weld wire or a remaining amount of shielding gas thereof.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising causing each of the plurality of welding-type accessories to transmit a notification of imminent resource requirements.  
   
   
       17 . A tracking system comprising: 
 a plurality of wire reels each having a memory unit and a transmitter attached thereto and configured to emit locatable signals;    at least one monitor configured to find and track each of the plurality of wire reels by receiving the locatable signals; and    wherein the signals emitted by the plurality of wire reels contain remaining resource information.    
   
   
       18 . The tracking system of  claim 17  wherein the locatable signals are emitted either actively or passively.  
   
   
       19 . The tracking system of  claim 17  further comprising one of an arrangement of repeater units or an arrangement of signal boosters to increase transmission range of the plurality of wire reels.  
   
   
       20 . The tracking system of  claim 17  wherein the at least one monitor is configured to decode data from the signals emitted by the plurality of wire reels indicating at least one of an amount of remaining wire, compatible device type information, identification codes, serial numbers, or a current job assignment.  
   
   
       21 . The tracking system of  claim 17  wherein the at least one monitor is further configured to find and track each of the plurality of wire reels by at least one of triangulation, DME-VOR style locating, GPS data, or LORAN style locating.