Systems and methods of ensuring and maintaining equipment viability for a task

Abstract

A device management system contemplates scheduling connected devices and personnel for tasks, monitoring the ability of the devices to perform the scheduled task by checking in with the devices based on their uses and locations, and to modify the functioning of the devices according to the tasks scheduled for the devices and their uses. Additionally, the system can incorporate uncommunicated “dumb” devices into the scheduling of tasks and track and manage those devices.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of controlling operation of a machine, comprising:
 using a computer to determine availability and readiness of the machine for a task at a scheduled time;   using the computer to determine availability and readiness of a human operator to work with the machine to execute the task at the scheduled start time;   using the computer to communicate the scheduled check-in time to the operator and the machine; and   using the computer to send an unlock message to the machine at an updated start time, wherein unlocking the machine allows the operator to access one or more functions of the machine.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein unlocking the machine automatically places a use restriction on the one or more functions of the machine. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of determining availability and readiness of the machine for a task comprises comparing attribute/value pairs for the machine with attribute/value pairs for the task. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the attribute/value pairs for the task include a location attribute/value pair corresponding to a location of a corresponding prior task. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the location attribute/value pair corresponds to a virtual location. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 using the computer to determine a check-in time for use of the machine for the task at the scheduled time;   using the computer to determine availability and readiness of a second machine for the task; and   using the computer to alter the check-in time for use of the machine based on the availability and readiness of the second machine for the task.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 in the event that the machine loses availability or readiness to execute the task at the scheduled time, then:   using the computer to determine availability and readiness of a second machine for the task at the scheduled time; and   using the computer to unlock the second machine for use by the operator at the scheduled time by sending a second unlock message to the second machine.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 in the event that the machine loses availability or readiness to execute the task at the scheduled time, then   in the event that no substitute machine is found to be available and ready to execute the task at the scheduled time, using the computer to reschedule the machine to execute the task at a different time from the scheduled time.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising using a computer to notify the operator that the task has been scheduled and that the operator is to assist in accomplishing the task at the scheduled time. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein at least first and second attributes of the attribute/value pairs of the machine include unique machine attributes and non-unique machine attributes. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein at least first and second attributes of the task attribute/value pairs of the task include unique task attributes and non-unique task attributes, respectively. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising, upon determination that the first machine lost availability or readiness to execute the task at the scheduled time, using the computer to electronically lock the machine to restrict the operator from using the machine at the scheduled time. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the use restrictions restrict at least one of the machine's (a) operating capacity and (b) total output, based upon a change in a task requirement for the machine.