HVAC service tool with internet capability
First Claim
1. A diagnostic system comprising:
- an on-site service tool operatively connected to and capable of interfacing with a process system and obtaining data and/or information from the process system;
a display associated with the service tool and operatively capable of displaying the data and/or information;
an on-site technician operating the on-site service tool and reviewing the data and/or information;
a remote service tool;
a remote duplication capability remotely duplicating to the remove service tool the data and/or information displayed by the display or obtained from the process system; and
an off-site observer operating the remote service tool and receiving the data and/or information from the remote duplication capability and providing instructions and/or advice to the on-site technician.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for servicing a computer controlled machine comprising: a computer controlled machine including a device operable to perform a function, a controller controlling the operation of that device, and a data access port for transferring data and commands from the controller; and a service tool operably connected to the data access port, the service tool including a remote communications capability, a computer, and diagnostics and graphing software; and an expert observer system operably linked to the remote communications capability of the service tool and including historical machine data, machine sales information, software revisions for the controller, additional diagnostics software, and an expert observer capable of providing a mentor capability to the operator of a service tool.
72 Citations
58 Claims
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1. A diagnostic system comprising:
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an on-site service tool operatively connected to and capable of interfacing with a process system and obtaining data and/or information from the process system;
a display associated with the service tool and operatively capable of displaying the data and/or information;
an on-site technician operating the on-site service tool and reviewing the data and/or information;
a remote service tool;
a remote duplication capability remotely duplicating to the remove service tool the data and/or information displayed by the display or obtained from the process system; and
an off-site observer operating the remote service tool and receiving the data and/or information from the remote duplication capability and providing instructions and/or advice to the on-site technician. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A portable service tool comprising:
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a body;
first, second and third communication systems within the body, each communication system having a respective first, second and third external port;
diagnostics function, operably connected to the first, second, and third communications systems, located within the body operable to receive data from the first system, to analyze said data, and to forward the analyzed results to the second and third communications systems;
wherein the third communication system includes a remote communications facility, the second communication system is connected by the second port to a service technician, and the first communication system receives analog and/or digital data. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of servicing an automated system comprising the steps of:
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dispatching a service technician to the automated system;
connecting a portable service tool to the automated system;
connecting the service tool via a remote link to a remote location;
performing diagnostics on the automated system;
forwarding the results of the diagnostics to the remote location;
analyzing the diagnostic results at the remote location; and
providing advice and direction to the service technician from the remote location. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A method of improving diagnostics of an HVAC system comprising the steps of:
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providing a field service technician at the location of the HVAC system;
linking an expert observer at a remote site to the field service technician;
analyzing the HVAC system on location;
substantially simultaneously providing the analysis to both the service technician and the expert observer;
analyzing the results at the remote site using the expert observer; and
providing the analysis from the expert observer to the service technician at the HVAC system location. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. A system for servicing a computer controlled machine comprising:
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a computer controlled machine including a device operable to perform a function, a controller controlling the operation of that device, and a data access port for transferring data and commands from the controller; and
a service tool operably connected to the data access port, the service tool including a remote communications capability, a computer, and diagnostics and graphing software; and
an expert observer system operably linked to the remote communications capability of the service tool and including historical machine data, machine sales information, software revisions for the controller, additional diagnostics software, and an expert observer capable of providing a mentor capability to the operator of a service tool. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42)
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43. A service arrangement comprising:
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a computer or control system;
a local observer in proximity to the system and operatively capable of accessing, maintaining, repairing, modifying, servicing, or upgrading the system;
a remote observer located elsewhere;
a service tool operatively capable of providing data and/or information to the local and remote observers, receiving data and information from the local observer and modifying the system accordingly. - View Dependent Claims (44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50)
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51. A method of servicing, upgrading or maintaining a computer or control system comprising the steps of:
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monitoring, analyzing, servicing or diagnosing a computer or control system to obtain specific information about the status, condition and operational capabilities of the system;
providing, substantially at the same time, the information to a local observer in the area of the system and to a remote observer located out of the proximity of the system; and
communicating advice or commentary from the remote observer to the local observer. - View Dependent Claims (52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58)
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Specification