System of machine maintenance

• US 20020042761A1
• Filed: 10/05/2001
• Published: 04/11/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PPI Technologies Incorporated (PPI Technologies Global LLC)
• Original Assignee: PPI Technologies Incorporated (PPI Technologies Global LLC)
• Inventors: Murray, Stuart C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,386,363 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/28
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/20 Administration of product repair or maintenance
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0627 using item specifications
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0635 Processing of requisition or of purchase orders

Abstract

A system for remote maintenance for a machine. The system includes a database having information for a plurality of machines. A customer accesses the database in order to receive an illustration of at least one of said plurality of machines. Thereafter, the customer identifies a portion of the machine illustration and is provided with ordering data for that portion of the machine (e.g., a machine component, sub-component or part). Using this ordering data the customer can order parts of its machine. Additionally, using an imaging device, such as a digital camera, the customer can transmit images of the machine to an off-site expert and receive real-time information related to the assembly, installation, repair or maintenance of the machine.

Claims

1. A system for remote maintenance for a machine, the system comprising the steps of:

providing a database having information for a plurality of machines;

providing access to said database to display an illustration of at least one of said plurality of machines; and

sending ordering data for a selected portion of said illustration representing at least one component of the at least one machine.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising the step of receiving an order for said at least one component.

3. The system of claim 2, further comprising the step of transferring the order to an accounting system.

4. The system of claim 3, further comprising the step of generating documentation for the order.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said documentation is in an electronic format.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein said documentation is in a printed format.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said step of sending confirmation of the transmitted order comprises sending an inventory verification.

8. The system of claim 2, wherein said step of receiving an order for said at least one component comprises electronically contacting a computer device associated with at least one vendor.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said ordering data comprises technical information.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said technical information is selected from a group consisting of descriptions, dimensions, functions, tolerances and machine documentation.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein said ordering data comprises sales information.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein said sales information is selected from a group consisting of part numbers, descriptions, per unit and discount unit costs.

13. The system of claim 1, further comprising the step of sending confirmation of the transmitted order.

14. The system of claim 1, further comprising the step of sending ordering data for at least one sub-component of said component.

15. The system of claim 1, further comprising the step of receiving an image of a machine transmitted by an imaging device.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein said imaging device comprises a digital camera.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein said digital camera comprises a digital video camera.

18. The system of claim 15, further comprising the step of transmitting expert information regarding the machine.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein said expert information comprises assembly, installation, maintenance or repair information.