Apparatus and method for displaying information related to a machine

• US 20020099520A1
• Filed: 12/20/2001
• Published: 07/25/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Vernon, David B., Schoonover, Rodney L., Forcash, Joe E., Falada, Gregory J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,034,710 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/182
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 23/0272 Presentation of monitored results, e.g. selection of status reports to be displayed; Filtering information to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 3/00 Registering or indicating the condition or the working of machines or other apparatus, other than vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G21C 17/00 Monitoring; Testing measuring in general G01; Maintaining
• CPC Class Codes: G21D 3/007 Expert systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 30/30 Nuclear fission reactors

Abstract

A system and method for displaying information related to the status of at least one machine of a plurality of machines. This system includes a data module coupled to each of the plurality of machines. The data module is adapted to collect and store information related to the corresponding machine. A data link is coupled to the data module. A display module is coupled through the data link. The data link is adapted to transmit data information between the data module coupled to each machine and the display module. The display module is adapted to display information relating from only a subset of the plurality of machines. The subset is selected from the plurality of machines as a function of machine parameters input by a user.

Claims

1. A method for displaying information relating to the status of at least one machine of a plurality of machines, including the steps of:

relaying information from the plurality of machines to a central location over a communications data link;

selecting a subset of machines from the plurality of machines as a function of machine parameters;

displaying information relayed from only the subset of machines.

2. A method, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the machine parameters includes at least one of a machine make, a machine model, a machine serial number and a machine identifier.

3. A method, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the machine parameters includes a distance from a selected location.

4. A method, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the machine parameters includes a rental status.

5. A method, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the machine parameters includes a registration status.

6. A method, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the information relayed from the machine includes a date and time stamp.

7. A method, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the information relayed from the machine (102, 302) includes a service meter update.

8. A method, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the information relayed from the machine includes a fuel level.

9. A method, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the information relayed from the machine includes a location.

10. A method, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the information relayed from the machine includes diagnostic information.

11. A method, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the information relayed from the machine includes status information.

12. A method, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the central location is a dealer.

14. A method, as set forth in claim 13, including the step of providing a search equipment screen for allowing the user to select the at least one machine from the plurality of machines.

15. A method, as set forth in claim 13, including the step of providing a history dialog for displaying a history of a selected machine.

16. A method, as set forth in claim 13, wherein the history is one of a message, event, and status type.

17. A method, as set forth in claim 13, including the step of providing a send commands screen for sending commands to the machines.

18. A method, as set forth in claim 13, including the step of providing a reports screen for defining a report.

19. A method, as set forth in claim 13, including the step of providing an event reaction screen for defining reactions to specified events.

20. A method, as set forth in claim 13, including the step of providing a view screen for displaying information related to a selected machine.

21. A method, as set forth in claim 20, wherein the displayed information is one of a registry, service meter and grief types.

22. A method, as set forth in claim 13, including the step of providing a product watch screen for defining a product watch for at least one machine.

25. A system, as set forth in claim 24, wherein the machine parameters includes at least one of a machine make, a machine model, a machine serial number and a machine identifier.

26. A system, as set forth in claim 24, wherein the machine parameters includes a distance from a selected location.

27. A system, as set forth in claim 24, wherein the machine parameters includes a rental status.

28. A system, as set forth in claim 24, wherein the machine parameters includes a registration status.

29. A system, as set forth in claim 24, wherein the information relayed from the machine includes a date and time stamp.

30. A system, as set forth in claim 24, wherein the information relayed from the machine (102, 302) includes a service meter update.

31. A system, as set forth in claim 24, wherein the information relayed from the machine includes fuel level.

32. A system, as set forth in claim 24, wherein the information relayed from the machine includes a location.

33. A system, as set forth in claim 24, wherein the information relayed from the machine includes diagnostic information.

34. A system, as set forth in claim 24, wherein the information relayed from the machine includes status information.

36. A system, as set forth in claim 35, including a search equipment screen for allowing the user to select the at least one machine from the plurality of machines.

37. A system, as set forth in claim 35, including a history dialog for displaying a history of a selected machine.

38. A system, as set forth in claim 35, wherein the history is one of a message, event, and status type.

39. A system, as set forth in claim 35, including a send commands screen for sending commands to the machines.

40. A system, as set forth in claim 35, including a reports screen for defining a report.

41. A system, as set forth in claim 35, including an event reaction screen for defining reactions to specified events.

42. A system, as set forth in claim 35, including a view screen for displaying information related to a selected machine.

43. A system, as set forth in claim 42, wherein the displayed information is one of a registry, service meter and grief types.

44. A system, as set forth in claim 35, including a product watch screen for defining a product watch for at least one machine.

47. A computer program product, as set forth in claim 46, wherein the machine parameters includes at least one of a machine make, a machine model, a machine serial number and a machine identifier.

13. A method for displaying information relating to the status of at least one machine of a plurality of machines, including the steps of:

relaying information from the plurality of machines to a central location over a communications data link;

selecting a subset of machines from the plurality of machines as a function of machine parameters input by a user;

displaying information relayed from only the subset of machines; and

,

providing a graphical user interface for operation by the user.

23. A method for displaying information relating to the status of at least one machine of a plurality of machines, including the steps of:

relaying information from the plurality of machines to a central location over a communications data link;

selecting a subset of machines from the plurality of machines as a function of machine parameters; and

,

displaying information relayed from only the subset of machines, wherein the machine parameters includes at least one of a machine make, a machine model, a machine serial number and a machine identifier, a distance from a selected location, a rental status, a registration status, a date and time stamp, a service meter update, and a fuel level.

24. A system for displaying information relating to the status of at least one machine of a plurality of machines, comprising:

a data module coupled to each of the plurality of machines, the data module adapted to collect and store information related to a corresponding machine;

a datalink coupled to the data module; and

,

a display module coupled to the datalink, the datalink being adapted to transmit data and information between the data module coupled to each machine and the display module, the display module being adapted to display information relayed from only a subset of the plurality of machines, the subset selected from the plurality of machines as a function of machine parameters input by a user.

35. A system for displaying information relating to the status of at least one machine of a plurality of machines, comprising:

a data module coupled to each of the plurality of machines, the data module adapted to collect and store information related to a corresponding machine;

a datalink coupled to the data module;

a display module coupled to the datalink, the datalink being adapted to transmit data and information between the data module coupled to each machine and the display module, the display module being adapted to display information relayed from only a subset of the plurality of machines, the subset selected from the plurality of machines as a function of machine parameters input by a user; and

,

a graphical user interface for operation by the user.

45. A system for displaying information relating to the status of at least one machine of a plurality of machines, comprising:

a data module coupled to each of the plurality of machines, the data module adapted to collect and store information related to a corresponding machine;

a datalink coupled to the data module; and

a display module coupled to the datalink, the datalink being adapted to transmit data and information between the data module coupled to each machine and the display module, the display module being adapted to display information relayed from only a subset of the plurality of machines, the subset selected from the plurality of machines as a function of machine parameters input by a user, wherein the machine parameters includes at least one of a machine make, a machine model, a machine serial number and a machine identifier, a distance from a selected location, a rental status, a registration status, a date and time stamp, a service meter update, and a fuel level.

46. A computer program product for displaying information relating to the status of at least one machine of a plurality of machines, wherein information from the plurality of machines is relayed to a central location over a communications data link, comprising:

computer readable program code means for selecting a subset of machines from the plurality of machines as a function of machine parameters; and

,

computer readable program code means for displaying information relayed from only the subset of machines.

48. A method for displaying information relating to the status of at least one product of a plurality of products, including the steps of:

relaying information from the plurality of products to a central location over a communications data link;

selecting a subset of products from the plurality of products as a function of product parameters;

displaying information relayed form on the subset of products.