System and method for analyzing and reporting machine operating parameters

• US 20030115019A1
• Filed: 12/19/2001
• Published: 06/19/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Doddek, David J., Sorrells, Giles K.
• Granted Patent: US 8,014,974 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/183
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 23/0235 based on a comparison with predetermined threshold or range, e.g. "classical methods", carried out during normal operation; threshold adaptation or choice; when or how to compare with the threshold

Abstract

A system and method for analyzing and providing exception-based reports for machine data. The machine data is relayed to a remote system for automated analysis based on tests and parameters defined by an owner. If any exceptions are detected in the data based on the operator-defined input, output is generated. The output may take the form of exception-based printed or electronic reports, or the exception information may be relayed to a hand held device, preferably maintained by service personnel at the work site.

Claims

1. A method for analyzing machine data, the machine data representing at least one condition of a machine, comprising the steps of:

storing said machine data in a data system;

defining a procedure from pre-defined owner input;

processing said machine data based on said procedure to determine a machine exception; and

generating a notification in the event of said machine exception.

2. The method, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said pre-defined owner input comprises a selected test and defined parameters for said test.

3. The method, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said notification is relayed to a notification device.

4. The method, as set forth in claim 3, wherein said notification device is a hand held communications device.

5. The method, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said procedure is run on a sequencer.

6. The method, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said storing step comprises the steps of;

storing said machine data on said machine in packets; and

transferring said packets via a communications network to said data system.

7. The method, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said storing step includes the step of:

streaming said machine data from said machine to said data system via a communications network.

8. A system for analyzing machine data, the machine data representing at least one condition of a machine, comprising:

a data system for storing said machine data; and

an analyzer for accepting a defined procedure from an owner, said analyzer processing said machine data based upon said procedure to determine a machine exception and generating a notification in the event of said machine exception.

9. The system, as set forth in claim 8, further comprising:

a communications network for relaying said machine data from said machine to said data system.

10. The system, as set forth in claim 9, wherein said communications network comprises wireless communication means.

11. The system, as set forth in claim 8, wherein said procedure comprises a test selected by said owner and at least one parameter defined by said owner and associated with said test.

12. The system, as set forth in claim 9, further comprising:

a notification device for receiving said notification via said communications network.

13. The system, as set forth in claim 12, wherein said notification device comprises a hand held communication device.

14. A method for analyzing machine data, the machine data representing at least one condition of a machine, comprising the steps of:

storing said machine data in a data system;

defining at least one procedure to be associated with said machine data;

processing said machine data based upon said procedure;

determining a machine exception from said procedure; and

generating a report in the event of said machine exception.

15. The method, as set forth in claim 14, wherein said defining step includes the steps of:

selecting at least one test to be associated with said machine data;

defining at least one parameter associated with said test; and

wherein said processing step includes running said tests in relation to said machine data.

16. The method, as set forth in claim 14, wherein said processing step is performed by an analyzer based upon said procedure which is defined by an owner.

17. A system for analyzing machine data, the machine data representing at least one condition of a machine, comprising:

a data system for storing said machine data; and

an analyzer for accepting a defined procedure from an owner, said analyzer processing said machine data based upon said procedure to determine a machine exception, and said analyzer generating a report in the event of said machine exception.

18. The system, as set forth in claim 17, further comprising:

a communications network for relaying said machine data from said machine to said data system.

19. The system, as set forth in claim 17, wherein said procedure is comprised of at least one test selected by said owner, said test having at least one associated parameter defined by said owner.

20. A method for providing an exception-based report, said report based on machine data representing at least one condition of a machine, comprising the steps of:

analyzing said machine data based on prior input by an owner;

determining a machine exception based on said machine data; and

generating a report in the event of said machine exception.

21. The method, as set forth in claim 20, wherein said report comprises an exception alert and wherein said alert is relayed to a notification device.

22. The method, as set forth in claim 21, wherein said notification device comprises a portable communication device and wherein said alert is relayed by wireless means.

23. A system for providing an exception-based report, said report based on machine data representing at least one condition of a machine, comprising:

an analyzer for processing said machine data based upon prior input by an owner, said analyzer determining a machine exception based on said machine data, and said analyzer generating a report in the event of said machine exception; and

a notification device for receiving said report.

24. The system, as set forth in claim 23, wherein said report comprises an exception alert and wherein said notification device is a portable communications device.

25. The system, as set forth in claim 24, further comprising:

a communications network for wirelessly relaying said report to said notification device.

26. The system, as set forth in claim 25, further comprising:

a data system for storing said machine data; and

wherein said communications device relays said machine data from said machine to said data system.