Communications: electrical – Condition responsive indicating system – Specific condition
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-16
2001-03-20
Hofsass, Jeffery A. (Department: 2736)
Communications: electrical
Condition responsive indicating system
Specific condition
C340S989000, C340S426110, C340S505000, C340S506000, C340S522000, C340S870030, C701S001000, C701S066000, C701S207000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06204772
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to monitoring the operation of an earth moving machine, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for determining and reporting the position and time of operation of a machine.
BACKGROUND ART
In some working environments, a dealer will purchase earth moving machines and rent them to various operators, such as mine operators. The operators may work in a variety of locations throughout a country, or the world. The dealers may desire to track the movement of the rented earth moving machines. For example the dealer may desire to know when the machine is entering a service area so the appropriate service personnel may be alerted and ready for the machine. In addition mine site operators may want to track the operation of the machine across the mine site, making sure the machine operates in designated areas. In addition, dealers and mine site operators may desire to track the time of operation of the vehicle. For example, if a normal work shift is seven a.m. to five p.m. and the machine is started and operated at two a.m., then the machine may be in the process of being stolen. In addition, if the machines position leaves a designated area, the machine may be in the process of being stolen. Current systems are unable to provide a remotely reconfigurable position and time of operation monitoring capability that integrates the machines, remote data facilities and end-users.
The present invention is directed to overcome one or more of the problems set forth above.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect of the present invention, a method for monitoring the operation of a mobile machine is disclosed. The machine includes a mobile communicator adapted to communicate with a remote monitoring station. The method includes the steps of receiving a configuration message from the remote monitoring station via a wireless communication link, comparing at least one of a current machine position to the configuration message and a current machine time of operation to the configuration message, and sending an alarm message to the remote monitoring station in response the comparison.
In another aspect of the present invention, a method for monitoring the operation of a mobile machine is disclosed. The machine includes a mobile communicator adapted to communicate with a remote monitoring station. The method includes the steps of receiving a configuration message from the remote monitoring station via a wireless communication link, the configuration message including at least one of a geographic data packet and a time data packet, comparing a current machine position to the geographic data packet, comparing a current machine time of operation to the time data packet, and sending an alarm message to the remote monitoring station in response to either the position comparison or the time of operation comparison.
In yet another aspect of the present invention, a system adapted to monitor the operation of a mobile machine is disclosed. The system includes a remote monitoring station adapted to generate a configuration message, a mobile communicator adapted to receive the configuration message and responsively compare at least one of a current machine position to the configuration message and a current machine time of operation to the configuration message, and send an alarm message to the remote monitoring station in response the comparison, and a wireless communication link adapted to deliver the configuration message from the remote monitoring station to the mobile communicator.
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DeMay Rodney W.
Murr Donna J.
Vernon David B.
Wood Daniel C.
Caterpillar Inc.
Hofsass Jeffery A.
McPherson III W. Bryan
Pham Toan
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