System and method for remotely monitoring the condition of machine

{
  "publication_number": "US6654673B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "System and method for remotely monitoring the condition of machine",
  "abstract": "A system and method for monitoring various conditions of a machine which may be remotely located. The parameters available in the machine's monitoring system are synchronized in machine and remote systems. A diagnostic system comprised of a prognostics engine or an interface reviews data stored in the remote system and determines the parameters to be monitored and the allowable tolerances, which are relayed to the machine system. The monitoring system monitors the condition of the machine based upon the diagnostic system's directions, and the machine system reports when the parameters vary from the defined tolerances.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A system for modifying a monitoring system of a machine, said monitoring system monitoring at least one condition of the machine, comprising: a diagnostic system for modifying said monitored condition to a modified condition, wherein said diagnostic system comprises a prognostics engine, said prognostics engine having at least one pre-defined condition based on machine status; and a communications system for relaying said modified condition to said monitoring system, wherein said monitoring system monitors the machine based on said modified condition.",
    "2. The system, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said prognostics engine modifies said monitored condition to said pre-defined condition when the machine has a status equal to said stored machine status.",
    "3. The system, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said monitored condition includes at least one parameter to be monitored.",
    "4. The system, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said monitored condition includes at least one tolerance for determining a normal operating condition of said monitored condition.",
    "5. The system, as set forth in claim 1, further comprising: a remote data system for receiving said monitored condition from said monitoring system, said remote data system storing said monitored condition and providing said monitored condition to said prognostics engine.",
    "6. The system, as set forth in claim 5, wherein said diagnostic system comprises an interface accessible by an owner.",
    "7. The system, as set forth in claim 6, wherein said interface includes an interactive website for accepting at least one modification to said monitored condition.",
    "8. The system, as set forth in claim 7, wherein said modified condition is relayed from said website to said monitoring system through at least an Internet connection.",
    "9. A system for modifying a monitoring system of a machine, said monitoring system monitoring at least one condition of the machine, comprising: a remote data system for storing said monitored condition remotely from the machine, said monitored condition including at least one of a parameter and a tolerance; a communication system for relaying said machine condition to said remote data system; and a prognostics engine, said prognostics engine having at least one pre-defined condition based on a stored machine status, said prognostics engine modifying said monitored condition to said pre-defined condition when the machine has a status equal to said stored machine status, said prognostics engine storing said modified condition in said remote data system, wherein said communication system relays said modified condition to said monitoring system.",
    "10. The system, as set forth in claim 9, further comprising: an interface for allowing an owner to modify said monitored condition stored in said remote data system, said interface comprised of an interactive website and an Internet connection, said modified condition being stored in said remote data system for relay to said monitoring system of the machine.",
    "11. A method for modifying a monitoring system of a machine, said monitoring system monitoring at least one condition of the machine, comprising the steps of: storing said monitored condition in a remote data system; modifying said monitored condition to a modified condition through a diagnostic system, wherein said diagnostic system comprises a prognostics engine, said prognostics engine having at least one pre-defined condition based on a stored machine status; and relaying said modified condition to said monitoring system wherein said monitoring system monitors the machine based on said modified condition.",
    "12. The method, as set forth in claim 11, wherein said prognostics engine modifies said monitored condition to said pre-defined condition when the machine has a status equal to said stored machine status.",
    "13. The method, as set forth in claim 11, wherein said monitored condition includes at least one parameter to be monitored.",
    "14. The method, as set forth in claim 11, wherein said monitored condition includes at least one tolerance for determining a normal operating condition of said monitored condition.",
    "15. The method, as set forth in claim 11, wherein said diagnostic system comprises an interface, said interface including an interactive website and an Internet connection, wherein said website accepts said modified condition."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present invention relates generally to remotely modifying a monitoring system on a machine and, more particularly, to the selection and modification of parameters to be monitored.\n\nModern machines contain various electronic control and monitoring systems, which control and operate the machine and machine components and monitor the condition of the machine, its systems, and components. The control and monitoring systems are typically comprised of several electronic control modules, each of which is related to a function or component of the machine. For example, one module may control the engine, and a second module may monitor various conditions of the engine, i.e. temperature, speed, oil pressure, and the like.\n\nTypically, if the monitored conditions fall outside of pre-defined tolerances, an error or fault code is stored along with data collected during the event. This data is then available for analysis by a service technician when diagnosing the problem or malfunction. Usually, during a service call to the machine, the technician, utilizing a portable computing device, such as, for example, a laptop or hand-held personal digital assistant (PDA), directly accesses the control system of the machine via an access port on the machine. The technician is then able to download the fault data for immediate analysis on the portable computer or for transport to an office for analysis.\n\nOftentimes, machines are located quite remotely from an office site, thus making visits by a technician expensive and time-consuming.",
  "cpc": [
    "G06F 11/2294",
    "G05B 2219/24048",
    "G05B 2219/2663",
    "G05B 23/0213",
    "G07C 3/00"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "G05B 23/02",
    "G06F 11/273"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Caterpillar Inc"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Alan L. Ferguson",
    "Daniel C. Wood",
    "Steven W. O'Neal"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2001-12-14",
  "publication_date": "2003-11-25",
  "grant_date": "2003-11-25",
  "priority_date": "2001-12-14",
  "application_number": "US-1793601-A",
  "family_id": "21785365",
  "cited_by_count": 34,
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}