WO2019020398A1

WO2019020398A1 - Method for monitoring an inventory, in particular a mobile inventory

Info

Publication number: WO2019020398A1
Application number: PCT/EP2018/069022
Authority: WO
Inventors: Joachim Schadow; Dominik RAPP; Florian Esenwein; Joern Stock; Judith ARMBRUSTER
Original assignee: Robert Bosch Gmbh
Priority date: 2017-07-28
Filing date: 2018-07-12
Publication date: 2019-01-31
Also published as: DE102017213074A1

Abstract

The invention is directed to a method for monitoring an inventory (10), in particular a mobile inventory (10), especially of objects used by craftspeople. According to the invention, a scan of the surroundings of the inventoried objects is performed automatically in at least one scanning process interval (12) by means of an external unit (14), in particular an external unit (14) carried along by a user (16), when at least one predefined, user-independent event occurs.

Description

description

Method for monitoring an inventory, in particular carried

State of the art

There has already been proposed a method for monitoring an inventory, in particular of craft items, in particular being carried along.

Known inventory management systems primarily aim to digitize inventory management and allow for association with people and places. For example, inventory lists can be digitally maintained in the system and inventory items can be assigned to persons. In this case, the assignment of duration can be done over a longer period of time or the assignment by means of a digital tool output, which changes within a short time by means of entries and deregistrations in short time intervals repeatedly implemented. If the inventory item is assigned to a person, then this person is also responsible for the inventory item. Under responsible is to be understood in particular that the person can be contacted in case of queries or, if the inventory item is lost, can be reconstructed, where the inventory item was last seen on which site he was possibly forgotten. For example, to avoid forgetting or losing a jobsite, the responsible user may manually perform a scan to verify that all relevant inventory items have been invited to the vehicle. If the scan is negative, so not all inventory items were found, so the user can search again on the site specifically for the missing inventory item and invite it, which is a forgetting prevented by such a manual scan. The basis for the inventory management systems is in particular that the data is updated and maintained especially for events. An event of critical importance is when a user leaves a construction site, warehouse, etc. The loss of equipment is done in addition to a theft in particular by forgetting devices on construction sites and Co. With the inventory management system, the user has the ability to scan by means of a check whether he has invited all inventory items, but also partially the scanning is forgotten.

Furthermore, vehicles are already known which enable a scan by means of the vehicle infrastructure unit. The driver can be informed, for example, about the vehicle infrastructure unit, which inventory items are in the van or other conditions of the inventory items. For this purpose, the vehicle infrastructure of the vehicle accesses an output, for example, to an entertainment system or a navigation system.

Disclosure of the invention

The invention is based on a method for monitoring an, in particular entrained, inventory, in particular of craft items.

It is proposed that in at least one scanning process section by means of an external unit, in particular an external unit carried by a user, an inventory environmental scan be automatically carried out when at least one predetermined, user-independent event occurs. Preferably, the inventory environment scan is not explicitly triggered by a user, such as by deliberate actuation of an actuator. Particularly preferably, the method is used to monitor whether a user carries with him an associated inventory with it.

In this context, an "inventory" is to be understood as meaning all registered objects associated with a specific user, Preferably, an inventory consists of at least one object, preferably a plurality of objects, which are each assigned to the same user - zers as a virtual and / or real inventory list. The inventory of a user is in particular fundamentally changeable. Furthermore, the term "entrained inventory" should be understood to mean, in particular, an inventory located in an environment of the user The inventory may be directly on the user's body, for example by means of a tool belt, in a tool box, in a motor vehicle or only in a direct Working environment of the user lying down.

In principle, it would also be conceivable for the inventory to include, in addition to or as an alternative to the objects, persons, in particular employees assigned to the user. For example, it would be conceivable that a pending order

Employees are assigned to complete the order, whereby a presence of the employees can be checked. An "object" is to be understood in particular as meaning an object which is provided at least for carrying out at least one function and which, in particular for performing the function, is preferably at least passable and / or portable by a person. preferably a hand tool, and / or a building accessory, such as a ladder and / or a cable drum, and / or a portable construction machine, such as a drying device A "portable power tool" is to be understood here in particular as a machine tool for machining workpieces, which can be transported by a user without transportation. The portable power tool in particular has a mass which is smaller than 40 kg, preferably smaller than

10 kg and more preferably less than 5 kg. A "hand tool" is intended in particular to mean a workpiece-processing machine, but advantageously a drilling machine, a hammer and / or hammer, a saw, a planer, a screwdriver, a milling cutter, a grinder, an angle grinder, a garden implement and / or For example, the article may also be a drill, a chisel, a percussion drill, a grinder, a lawn mower or the like Alternatively, the article may be a workwear such as a safety vest, or an electronic one Working device, such as a measuring device. The external unit may in particular be a mobile, in particular electrical, unit, such as a wearable, a laptop, a tablet, a smartphone, a smartwatch, a PDA or the like. The external unit preferably comprises in particular a sensor module and / or a communication module. Preferably, this is to be understood in particular as meaning a unit that can be carried by a user. Particularly preferably, the external unit is designed in particular hand-held. In this context, a "sensor module" is to be understood as meaning, in particular, a module having at least one sensor unit, preferably a multiplicity of different sensor units.

In this context, a "communication module" is to be understood as meaning, in particular, a module which comprises at least one wireless and / or wired communication unit. [Für Für] For the implementation, the external unit is formed in particular by a mobile device Nearly every craftsman, in particular a mobile craftsman, possesses today a smartphone, tablet, etc. These are either provided by the company or are privately procured and are also used for professional purposes, etc. telephone voting, WhatsApp, etc. The use of a mobile device compared with eg a vehicle infrastructure unit

Advantage that the system is directly applicable to a variety of users without, for example, vehicles need to be upgraded. An alternative use of vehicle infrastructure elements, such as entertainment system, display, GPS, data bus, etc. requires an intensive, lengthy agreement for a possible implementation. An implementation is only possible with new vehicles, which have the corresponding infrastructure or can be updated. Furthermore, an integration with all vehicle manufacturers due to the effort is not expected or possible and thus the restrictions are too clear. Concepts such as Ford, where the vehicle infrastructure is used, are therefore only useful in a supplementary sense and not for a fundamental, immediate implementation, since only a small market penetration is possible. In principle, however, it would also be conceivable that the external unit, in particular via an already provided connection, to a vehicle infrastructure, in particular to an output of information, particularly preferably to a use of the vehicle infrastructure as HMI, can access.

Furthermore, in this context, under a "user-independent event", in particular a predetermined one, at least not directly by one

User triggered event to be understood. Preferably, this is to be understood in particular as meaning an event which can be detected freely by a direct detection of the user. In particular, the event may be triggered in particular by the user, the event itself being different from a conscious actuation of an actuating element by the user. Particularly preferably, this is to be understood as meaning, in particular, an event triggered by the user, which, however, is independent of the inventory environment scan. The user-independent event is in particular an event which can be used to trigger the inventory environment scan, but is independent of this.

In this context, an "inventory environment scan" is to be understood as meaning, in particular, the acquisition of an inventory in an environment of the user, which is preferably understood as meaning the acquisition of an inventory carried by the user Inventory, that is to say also only a part of an inventory, such as only particularly relevant items of the inventory, is particularly preferably the inventory environment scan, in particular for a comparison of an inventory list associated with the user with that in an environment of the user

Inventory provided. The inventory environment scan serves, in particular, to identify items of the inventory list which are not located in a user's environment. Particularly preferably, the inventory environmental scan and the detection of the event is realized by means of a program stored and executed on the external unit, in particular by means of an application. The term "provided" should be understood to mean in particular specially programmed, designed and / or equipped.Assuming that an object is intended for a specific function should in particular mean that the object fulfills this specific function in at least one application and / or Operating condition fulfilled and / or executes. By means of the embodiment of the method according to the invention, an inventory environment scan can, in particular, advantageously be carried out automatically.

As a result, forgotten items of inventory can be determined particularly advantageously simply, in particular without user intervention. It can be automatically enabled to monitor the inventory. In particular, a high level of user comfort can be achieved. Advantage of the invention is in particular an automation of an inventory environment scan. Advantageously, the user does not have to trigger scans manually, but the external unit executes them based on an event, such as by detecting the driving. As a result, in particular an advantageously high level of user-friendliness can be achieved. Forgetting and / or the loss of inventory items is / are automatically and specifically prevented or at least avoided. It is also proposed that the event is formed by a driving condition. Preferably, this is detected by means of the external unit in particular when the user is in a vehicle, in particular moved, and then performs in particular automatically an inventory environment scan. A driving mode in this case forms in particular an event in which the external unit and / or the user are in a running state, in particular with a motor vehicle. Preferably, the event starts in particular in a transition from a non-driving state to a driving state. In principle, however, it would also be conceivable that the event is already triggered by getting into a motor vehicle. The driving condition may be in particular motor vehicle specific. In particular, it would be conceivable for the inventory environment scan to be started only in a driving operating state in a defined motor vehicle. As a result, in particular a reliable inventory environment scan can be achieved. In particular, it can be achieved that, for example, when leaving a workstation, a warehouse and / or a construction site, an inventory

Environmental scan is performed. In this way, in particular forgotten items of inventory can be determined. Preferably, in particular an automatic driving reminder can be made possible thereby. In particular, the Driving Reminder can check as soon as possible after departure whether the user has invited all items of the inventory into the van. preferential In this case, it would also be conceivable for the user to be informed if not all objects have been invited.

Furthermore, it is proposed that in at least one monitoring method section for detecting the event by means of at least one sensor unit of the external unit, a movement parameter of the external unit is monitored over a defined period of time. Preferably, a movement speed of the external unit over a defined period of time is monitored in the monitoring process section for detecting the event by means of at least one sensor unit of the external unit.

In the event of an overshoot of a defined speed of movement over a defined period of time, the occurrence of the event is automatically deduced. In this context, a "sensor unit" is to be understood as meaning, in particular, a unit which is intended to accommodate at least one parameter and / or one physical characteristic, the recording being active, in particular by generating and emitting an electrical measurement signal, and / or passive Various sensor units which appear sensible to a person skilled in the art are conceivable. A "movement parameter" in this context is to be understood in particular to mean a parameter by means of which a characteristic of the movement of the sensor module is understood external unit, such as, in particular, a path length, a speed and / or a direction of the movement, are conceivable, and various motion characteristics appearing appropriate to a person skilled in the art are conceivable In particular, when using a smartphone as an external unit in particular already existing sensors can be used to capture the event. It is also proposed that in at least one monitoring process section for detection of the event by means of the external unit, the establishment of a data connection between the external unit and a motor vehicle is detected. Preferably, in the at least one monitoring process section for detecting the event by means of the external unit, the production of a pairing of the external unit with the motor vehicle detected. The preparation of a data connection can be done both by means of a wired data connection, such as by the attachment of the external unit to the motor vehicle, as well as by means of a wireless data connection, such as by Bluetooth or NFC. Alternatively, however, it would also be conceivable for the external unit to detect the event by detecting a charging process of the external unit in the motor vehicle. As a result, in particular an advantageously reliable detection of the event can be achieved. In particular, when using a smartphone as an external unit in particular already existing sensors can be used to record the event.

It is further proposed that in at least one comparison process section, an inventory captured in an environment of the external unit is compared with a stored inventory list. The stored inventory list can in particular be stored either directly on the external device as well as retrieved by means of a, in particular mobile, data connection from another device, a database, a company server and / or a cloud. The comparison process section preferably serves in particular for determining a difference between the inventory recorded in an environment of the external unit and the stored inventory list. Particularly preferably, the comparison process section serves, in particular, for determining items of the inventory list which are not located in an environment of the external unit, in particular the external unit and the user. As a result, in particular an advantageous detection of a deviation of the detected inventory from a stored inventory list can be achieved. In particular, it can be checked whether an entire inventory or at least the detectable objects of the inventory are carried.

Furthermore, it is proposed that in at least one output method step, in the event of a deviation of the detected inventory from a stored inventory list, a warning message be output by means of the external unit. Preferably, a warning message, in particular optically, such as by means of a push message on the external device, acoustically, such as by means of a warning tone, and / or haptic, such as a vibration signal output. In the case of an optical message, it would be conceivable in particular that the name of the device of the inventory that has not been detected in an environment of the external unit is output directly. In particular, it is provided to inform the user directly on detection of the deviation about the deviation in order to enable the fastest possible retrieval of the object. However, it is also conceivable that one type of alert message will be distinguished according to the relevance of the missing item of the inventory. For example, it would be conceivable that an acoustic signal is output only for particularly relevant objects. This reliably prevents forgetting and / or losing items of the inventory. It can be achieved, for example, that an unnoticed forgetting of objects of the inventory, for example on a construction site, is prevented or at least avoided. It can be achieved as quickly as possible completion of the entrained inventory. For example, it can also be avoided that items of inventory required on a construction site are forgotten during a trip to the construction site. It can be on a manual

Examination of the entrained inventory.

Furthermore, it is proposed that in at least one output method step, the inventory be used to output inventories of a stored inventory list that was not recorded in an environment of the external unit. Preferably, in the output method step, items of a stored inventory list which have not been detected in an environment of the external unit are output by the external unit. An output is carried out in particular optically on a display of the external unit. The information can be output in particular in the form of a push message. In principle, however, another kind of output that would appear meaningful to a person skilled in the art would also be conceivable. This can reliably inform a user of a missing item. It is possible to avoid forgetting and / or losing items of the inventory.

It is further proposed that in at least one processing step, a status of an unrecognized inventory item of the inventory list is manually changed via the external unit. Preferably, in the processing step, the user can manually change a status of a non-registered inventory item of the inventory list via the external unit. It can in particular a Whereabouts of the unrecorded inventory item of the inventory list are documented. For example, the transfer of an inventory item to another person and thus the shift of the inventory item can be documented in a different inventory inventory. A change of the status can take place in particular directly via the external unit. Preferably, a change in the status is stored and documented, in particular, on a database, a company server and / or a cloud. This can advantageously be documented quickly and easily the whereabouts of inventory items. Furthermore, deliberately forgetting documentation can be avoided.

It is further proposed that, in at least one locating step, at least one locating characteristic of an unrecognized inventory item of the inventory list is recorded via the external unit and a location is output. In this context, a "location characteristic" is intended in particular to mean a

Characteristic are understood, by means of which a location of the inventory item can be determined. In this case, the parameter can be both an indication of an absolute position of the inventory item, such as GPS coordinates of the inventory items, and a position of the item of inventory relative to the external unit, such as a distance and / or direction. There are various, a professional appear useful sense locus conceivable. As a result, it is possible for a user to ascertain, in particular, directly the whereabouts of the inventory item of the inventory list that has not been recorded. As a result, in particular, a quick and easy retrieval of the unrecognized inventory item of the

Inventory list can be reached. In particular, a high level of user comfort can be achieved.

Furthermore, the invention is based on a system having at least one inventory object, which has at least one communication unit, and with an external unit which has a communication unit for communication with the inventory item and a computing unit for carrying out a method. Preferably, the inventory item further comprises a sensor unit for detecting a location characteristic. Alternatively or additionally, it would also be conceivable for the external unit to detect a last location where there was an active connection between the external unit and the inventory item. This can be used in particular to draw conclusions about a location of the inventory item. A "communication unit" is to be understood in this context in particular as a unit which is provided for providing a, in particular wireless, communication with another unit, in particular the external unit or the inventory item. The communication unit preferably has at least one interface for communication with the further unit. Preferably, the communication unit should in particular be understood to mean a unit which is provided for exchanging data. In particular, the communication unit has at least one information input and at least one information output. Preferably, the communication unit has at least two information inputs and at least two information outputs, wherein in each case at least one information input and at least one information output are provided for connection to a physical system. Particularly preferred is to be understood as an interface between at least two physical systems. Various communication units that appear reasonable to a person skilled in the art are conceivable, but in particular a wireless interface, such as Bluetooth, WLAN, Zigbee, NFC, RFID, GSM, LTE or UMTS, for example, and / or a wired interface, such as a USB Connection, a CAN bus interface, an RS485 interface, an Ethernet interface, an optical interface, a KNX interface and / or a powerline interface. A "computing unit" should be understood to mean, in particular, a unit having an information input, an information processing and an information output Advantageously, the arithmetic unit has at least one processor, a memory, input and output means, further electrical components, an operating program, control routines, control routines and / or The components of the arithmetic unit are preferably arranged on a common board and / or advantageously arranged in a common housing, whereby an advantageous system can be provided for monitoring an inventory, in particular of craft items, in particular. The method according to the invention and the system should not be limited to the application and embodiment described above. In particular, the method according to the invention and the system for fulfilling a mode of operation described herein can have a number deviating from a number of individual elements, components and units and method steps mentioned herein. In addition, in the value ranges indicated in this disclosure, values lying within the stated limits are also to be disclosed as disclosed and used as desired.

drawing

Further advantages emerge from the following description of the drawing. In the drawing, an embodiment of the invention is shown. The drawing, the description and the claims contain numerous features in combination. The person skilled in the art will expediently also consider the features individually and combine them into meaningful further combinations.

Show it:

Fig. 1 shows a motor vehicle, a user, and a system with several

Inventory items and with an external unit in a schematic representation,

2 shows a schematic communication setup of the system with an inventory item and with the external unit and

Fig. 3 is a schematic flow diagram of a method to a

Monitoring of a carried inventory.

Description of the embodiment

Figure 1 shows a motor vehicle 22. The motor vehicle 22 is exemplified by a van. The motor vehicle 22 serves to transport an inventory 10 of a user 16. The motor vehicle 22 has a transport area 44 for this purpose. Furthermore, the motor vehicle 22 comprises a driver's cab 46 for the user 16. In Figure 1, the user 16 travels with the motor vehicle 22 and the inventory 10 is located in the transport area 44 of the motor vehicle 22. The user 16 carries an external unit 14 with him. The external unit 14 is formed by a smartphone. In principle, however, it would also be another embodiment of the external unit that appears appropriate to a person skilled in the art

It is conceivable, for example, as a wearable, as a laptop, as a tablet, as a smartwatch or as a PDA.

Inventory 10 consists of several inventory items 30, 30 ', 30 ". Inventory items 30, 30', 30" are formed in particular by craft items. The inventories objects 30, 30 ', 30 "are formed by way of example from a rotary hammer, a tool box and an angle grinder, but in principle another embodiment which would appear meaningful to a person skilled in the art would also be conceivable.The embodiment of the articles 30, 30', 30" depends in particular from an inventory associated with user 16

10 off. The inventory objects 30, 30 ', 30 "are assigned to the user 16. The inventory objects 30, 30', 30" are assigned to the user 16 via an inventory list. Furthermore, the items of inventory 30, 30 ', 30 "each have a communication unit 36. The communication unit 36 is formed by a Bluetooth communication unit The communication unit 36 can be formed both by an integrated communication unit 36 and by an optional communication unit 36 , such as from a TrackTag or Bluetooth module The inventory items 30, 30 ', 30 "and the external unit 14 form a system 34.

The external unit 14 also has a communication unit 38. The communication unit 38 is exemplified by a Bluetooth communication unit. The communication unit 38 is formed by an already existing, integrated communication unit 38. In principle, however, another embodiment that would appear meaningful to a person skilled in the art would also be conceivable. The communication unit 38 is provided for communication with the inventory objects 30, 30 ', 30 ". The communication unit 38 is in communication with the communication units 38 of FIG The external unit 14 has an output unit 48. The external unit 14 serves as a user interface through which information can be output to the user 16. Information can be output to a user 16 via the output unit 48. *** " Furthermore, the user 16 may use the external unit 14 as an input unit for inputting information, in particular via the output unit 48. The external unit 14 is therefore used to provide information and / or information. or to output data and also to enable settings and / or changes in the inventory management system via the external unit 14

Further, the data storage unit, data processing unit and / or data acquisition unit of the external unit 14 is used to operate the inventory management system on the external unit 14 and to evaluate and process data. Furthermore, the external unit 14 is used to acquire data information, such as data. by means of the communication unit 38 and by means of sensor units. The communication unit 38 can in particular also be used to exchange data with other system partners, to forward and / or to update them, for example with sensor modules, a backend, a PC, a smartwatch, a handheld power tool or building infrastructure units.

Furthermore, the external unit 14 is provided for communication with a cloud 50. Data can be called up via the Cloud 50, in particular a current inventory list. Further, inputs may be deposited by the user 16 on the cloud 50. For example, data stored on the Cloud 50 can be changed. In addition, the cloud 50 can also be accessed by further external units 52, 54. For example, an inventory list may also be adjusted by a manager who plans, for example, future orders. An implementation can take place, for example, via a web application for the connection of the back-office. This allows a quick and easy creation and management of inventory lists can be achieved. Furthermore, the external unit 14 has a computing unit 40. The arithmetic unit 40 is provided at least for carrying out a method. The method is carried out by means of an application executed on the arithmetic unit 40.

The method is provided for monitoring an entrained inventory 10. In particular, the method has the task of informing the user 16 if he has moved away from a location with the motor vehicle 22 and has forgotten something there. For example, the user 16 packs his motor vehicle 22 on a construction site or in a warehouse and leaves the location with the motor vehicle 22. The user 16 is assigned tools and other inventory items 30, 30 ', 30 "by means of an inventory list, which are also stored on the external unit 14 and / or retrieved from the cloud 50. When leaving the construction site with the motor vehicle 22, the Users 16 have all his assigned inventory items 30, 30 ', 30 "have invited and lead with him.

In the method, an inventory environment scan is automatically carried out in a scanning process section 12 by means of the external unit 14, which is in particular carried by the user 16, when a predetermined, user-independent event occurs. In particular, the user 16 remains free to perform an inventory environment scan whenever he wishes. However, at an event, the external unit 14 automatically performs an inventory environment scan and informs the user of the result if necessary. The event is formed by a driving condition. The driving mode thereby forms an event in which the external unit 14 and the user 16 are in a running state and / or in a motor vehicle 22. In the inventory environment scan, the external unit 14 checks existing and / or possible data connections with the inventory objects 30, 30 ', 30 ". In the scanning method section 12, a scanning process is started in a first method step 66.

It is searched for all BT signals, which in particular corresponds to the broadcast of the associated system components. The application can use the information from the broadcast to check whether the signals In addition, they are associated with a system and can uniquely identify the system components, such as a Mac address or system ID. This ID is linked to an item of inventory 30, 30 ', 30 ", with which the external unit 14 can recognize whether the consumer items 30, 30', 30" deposited by the user 16 and thus their ID were found in the scan.

The duration of a scan depends in particular on the transmission interval of the system components, which is, for example, between 0.5 seconds and 30 seconds, in particular between 1 second and 20 seconds and preferably 8 seconds. Since, depending on the nature of the environment and possibly disturbances, not all emitted signals can always be reliably detected, the

Scandauer designed so that at least more than one signal can be received. Thus, a transmission interval is e.g. between 3 seconds and 90 seconds, especially between 10 seconds and 60 seconds and preferred

For 40 seconds. This can ensure that if one signal is lost, the system component can still be detected because a second or third signal can be received within the scan. Subsequently, therefore, in a branch 68, a scan duration is limited to, for example, 40 seconds. It is also conceivable to use different frequencies or channels in order to achieve even more security in receiving the signal. Since after starting the external unit 14 after a certain

As a result of the system's time saving the running applications in order to save especially computing power and / or energy, Bluetooth scans can only be carried out with a lower priority and intensity, which increases the time for a reliable Bluetooth scan result. Therefore, to achieve a reliable result after driving off, it can

Make sense to provide for a scan duration between 5 minutes and 15 minutes, in particular 10 minutes. In the future, the time should be reduced in particular to between 1 minute to 5 minutes and preferably to 2 minutes. Preferably, however, the inventory environment scan can also be ended before the scan duration has elapsed, when all inventory objects 30, 30 ', 30 "of the inventory list have been detected.

For this purpose, in a monitoring process section 18, a movement characteristic of the external unit 14 is recorded over a defined period of time for detection of the event by means of a sensor unit 20 of the external unit 14. monitored away. In the monitoring process section 18, a movement speed of the external unit 14 is monitored over a defined period of time for detection of the event by means of the sensor unit 20 of the external unit 14. The sensor unit 20 is formed by an acceleration sensor. In principle, however, another embodiment that would appear meaningful to a person skilled in the art would also be conceivable, for example as a GPS sensor. When exceeding a defined speed of movement over a defined period, the occurrence of the event is automatically deduced. For this purpose, the external unit 14 has, in particular, an operating system which recognizes how the external unit 14 and thus the user 16 are moving, for example on foot, by bicycle or by motor vehicle 22. This status is also referred to below as the activity. If the user 16 sits in his motor vehicle 22 and drives off with the motor vehicle 22, it can take between 30 seconds and 5 minutes, in particular between

1 minute and 3 minutes, and more preferably at least approximately

It takes 2 minutes for the external unit 14 to change a movement status or an activity and to recognize the driving. The external unit 14, in particular the application on the external unit 14, calls in a first method step 58 of the monitoring process section 18 at regular intervals the status of the activity from. If this changes in a branch 60 of the monitoring process section 18 to drive with a motor vehicle 22, then the external unit 14 can start immediately with an inventory environment scan to check whether all inventory objects 30, 30 ', 30 "in the environment and thus in the motor vehicle 22. In addition to an immediate inventory environmental scan, filters for increasing functional reliability are also possible, for example, in a second method step 62 of the monitoring process section 18, it is possible to wait for the activity after a time of, for example, 10 s to 4 min, in particular 30s, is still eg driving with the motor vehicle 22 in order to filter possibly occurring short-term false triggers If the activity then continues in a second branch 64 of the monitoring process section 18 to drive with a motor vehicle 22, then the external unit 14 start the inventory environment scan to Check if all inventory items 30, 30 ', 30 "in the area and are thus in the motor vehicle 22nd Alternatively or additionally, it is also conceivable that in the monitoring process section 18 for detecting the event by means of the external unit 14, the establishment of a data connection between the external unit 14 and the motor vehicle 22 is detected. For this purpose, in the monitoring process section 18 for detecting the event by means of the external unit 14

Producing a pairing of the external unit 14 with the motor vehicle 22 and a motor vehicle 22 associated with the Bluetooth module are detected. Alternatively, the production of a data connection can take place both by means of a wired data connection, such as, for example, by plugging in the external unit 14 on the motor vehicle 22, as well as by means of a wireless connection

Data connection, such as using Bluetooth or NFC done directly to the motor vehicle 22. In this case, it would be conceivable, for example, that after the branching 60 of the monitoring process section 18, the accessibility of the tag of the motor vehicle 22 is detected in a third method step 70 of the monitoring process section 18. Can subsequently in a third

Branching 72 of the monitoring process section 18 of the day of the motor vehicle 22 are detected, the external unit 14 can start the inventory environmental scan. This ensures that the user 16 also moves with the motor vehicle 22 in which the inventory 10 should be contained. For example, in a pause, the user 16 travels with one

Colleagues and their vehicle can be recognized by the external unit 14, the activity "driving", but the app does not find the "Van day" with which the application can see that he is not moving with his motor vehicle 22 and thus the inventory 10 is not carried. In addition to the above-mentioned filters, further filters that appear appropriate to a person skilled in the art are conceivable, such as, for example, the speed of the motor vehicle 22, the change of the location (GPS) or geofancing.

After the inventory environment scan of the scanning process section 12, in a comparing process section 24, in an environment of the external environment

Unit 14 captured inventory 10 compared with a stored inventory list. The stored inventory list is stored directly on the external unit 14. However, it would also be conceivable for the data to be retrieved from the cloud 50 by way of example using a mobile data connection. In a first method step 74 of the comparison method section 24, the captured inventory 10 becomes compared with a stored inventory list. In the comparison process section 24, a desired-actual comparison takes place. For this purpose, the user 16 is assigned the stored inventory list, which can be called up by the external unit 14. The stored inventory list documents 16 associated inventory items 30, 30 ', 30 "." Important inventory items 30, 30',

30 "are provided with an optional communication unit 36, in particular with a Bluetooth module, which makes it possible to scan the communication unit 36 by means of the external unit 14 and thus to check the presence of the inventory item 30, 30 ', 30". If the inventory article 30, 30 ', 30 "or the communication unit 36 is present, this is stored and at

Need spent or forwarded. Subsequently, an evaluation of the comparison takes place in a branch 76 of the comparison process section 24. There can be two results here. On the one hand, all the inventory items 30, 30 ', 30 "stored in the inventory list for the user 16 can be recognized, so that no further actions are required., Moreover, not all the inventory items 30, 30', 30" can be recognized.

If the acquired inventory 10 deviates from a stored inventory list, an output method step 26 follows the comparison method section 24. In the output method step 26, if the acquired inventory 10 deviates from a stored inventory list, a warning message is issued by the external unit 14. In the output method step 26, inventory 10 of a stored inventory list that has not been detected in an environment of the external unit 14 is output by the external unit 14. In the output method step 26, inventory items 30, 30 ', 30 "of the stored inventory list are output by means of the external unit 14, which were not detected in an environment of the external unit 14. An output occurs acoustically, for example 30, 30 ', 30 "detects when the user 16 is driving, acoustic information is advantageous. The acoustic information is preferably an individual ringtone or ring tone, which can preferably be uniquely assigned to the application. By means of the acoustic signal, the user 16 already has the information that he has forgotten at least one item of inventory item 30, 30 ', 30 "and can correspondingly immediately reverse or, if required, continue to receive information about the external unit 14. the or alternatively in addition to the acoustic information and optical information on the output unit 48 of the external unit 14 are displayed. The information may contain various contents which appear meaningful to a person skilled in the art, eg the result of the scanning process, the message "an inventory item was forgotten", the number of forgotten inventory items 30, 30 ', 30 ", which item of inventory item 30, 30', 30 have been forgotten or the last viewed position of the inventory item 30, 30 ', 30 ". The information is preferably output in the form of a push message 56. In FIG. 2, a push message 56 is indicated by way of example on the output unit 48 of the external unit 14. In principle, however, other types of information appearing appropriate to a person skilled in the art are also conceivable for user 16 information.

In order to obtain further information, the user 16 has the option of opening the application in a further method step 78, for example directly or via the push message 56. Within the application, the user 16 now also has the option of processing the scan result.

If the user 16 has handed over the inventory item 30, 30 ', 30 "to a colleague or employee, he can enter this in the application, so that he will not be reminded.After the output method step 26, therefore, in particular optionally, in one processing step 28, a status of an unrecognized inventory item 30, 30 ', 30 "of the inventory list is manually changed via the external unit 14. For this purpose, the user 16 can manually change a status of an unrecognized inventory item 30, 30 ', 30 "of the inventory list in the processing step 28 via the output unit 48 of the external unit 14. For example, the transfer of an inventory item 30, 30', 30" can a further person and thus the shift of the inventory item 30, 30 ', 30 "into a differing inventory list are documented.The change of the status is stored and documented via the external unit 14 on the cloud 50.

Also, the user 16 can clear the inventory item 30, 30 ', 30 "from an inventory list in a further method step 80 and, for example, the construction site Assign or, if he left an inventory item 30, 30 ', 30 "in the warehouse or warehouse, assign this.

Alternatively, however, the user 16 may also drive back and search and load the forgotten inventory item 30, 30 ', 30 "on the job site or in a warehouse 12. For this, after the output method step 26, in a location step 32 via the external unit 14, a location characteristic of an unrecognized Inventory items 30, 30 ', 30 "of the inventory list recorded and issued a location. The external unit 14 outputs a stored position of the external unit 14, which lastly had a data connection to the unrecognized inventory item 30, 30 ', 30 ". The external unit 14 documents its own position at regular intervals, in particular the GPS Coordinates, as well as coupled at this time inventory items 30, 30 ', 30 ". In this case, it would be conceivable, in particular, for the external unit 14 to suggest a navigation directly to the inventory item 30, 30 ', 30 "which is not recorded.

Claims

claims

1. A method for monitoring an, in particular entrained, inventory (10), in particular of craft items, characterized in that in at least one scanning process section (12) by means of an external unit (14), in particular one of a user (16) entrained external unit (14), upon occurrence of at least one predetermined, user-independent event automatically an inventory environment scan is performed.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the event is formed by a driving condition.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in at least one monitoring process section (18) for detecting the event by means of at least one sensor unit (20) of the external unit (14) a movement characteristic of the external unit (14) over a defined period is monitored.

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in at least one monitoring process section (18) for detecting the event by means of the external unit (14) detects the establishment of a data connection between the external unit (14) and a motor vehicle (22) becomes.

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in at least one comparison process section (24) in an environment of the external unit (14) detected inventory (10) is compared with a stored inventory list.

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in at least one output method step (26), in a deviation of the detected inventory (10) from a stored inventory list, by means of the external unit (14) a warning message is issued.

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in at least one output method step (26) by means of the external unit (14) inventory (10) of a stored inventory list is output, which was not detected in an environment of the external unit (14) ,

8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in at least one processing step (28) via the external unit (14), a status of an unrecognized inventory item (30, 30 ', 30 ") of the inventory list is manually changed.

9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that detected in at least one locating step (32) via the external unit (14) at least one locating characteristic of an unrecognized inventory item (30, 30 ', 30 ") of the inventory list and issued a location becomes.