Working machine body managing system

• US 20040030919A1
• Filed: 05/08/2003
• Published: 02/12/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Shin Caterpillar Mitsubishi Ltd. (Caterpillar Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Shin Caterpillar Mitsubishi Ltd. (Caterpillar Incorporated)
• Inventors: Tanaka, Masayuki, Moriya, Naoyuki, Binnaka, Madoka
• Application Number:
  US10/416,416
• Publication Number:
  US 20040030919A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/200
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/202 Personal digital assistant [PDA]
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/205 Remotely operated machines, e.g. unmanned vehicles E02F3/8866 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2292 Systems with two or more pumps
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2296 Systems with a variable displacement pump
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/26 Indicating devices E02F5/145 takes precedence

Abstract

For a machine controller (12) for controlling a machine (11) of an operating machine, a personal digital assistant (PDA) (14) which makes communications via a non-contact communications medium (15) such as in frared light or radio waves. This PDA (14) has, at least, an anti-theft protecting function based on verification of an identification code, an operation managing function for obtaining operation management data, and a machine monitoring display function for monitoring by displaying a machine condition. By use of the single PDA (14), at least the anti-theft protecting function, operation managing function, and the machine monitoring display function can be carried out in an integrated manner, therefore, time, labor and expenses required to install devices for each function can be reduced and handling thereof is not decentralized and can be easily carried out by the single PDA (14).

Claims

1. A machine management system for an operating machine comprising:

a communicable machine controller for controlling a machine of an operating machine, and

a personal digital assistant (PDA) which is communicable with this machine controller and has, by communicating with the machine controller, at least an anti-theft protecting function based on verification of an identification code, an operation managing function for obtaining operation management data, and a machine monitoring display function for monitoring by displaying a machine condition.

2. A machine management system for an operating machine as set forth in claim 1 having

a non-contact communications medium as a communications medium between a machine controller and a PDA.

3. A machine management system for an operating machine as set forth in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein

the operating machine has an operator'"'"'s cab, and

the PDA becomes communicable with the machine controller by entrance of a machine operator who carries the PDA with him/her inside the operator'"'"'s cab.

4. A machine management system for an operating machine as set forth in any of claim 1 through claim 3, wherein

the machine controller has a function to start the operating machine only when an operator identification code transmitted from the PDA by an operating machine operator is authenticated by a controller identification code stored in the machine controller.

5. A machine management system for an operating machine as set forth in claim 4, wherein

the PDA has a function to communicate with a computer of a base station and obtains a modified operator identification code from the computer of the base station.

6. A machine management system for an operating machine as set forth in claim 5, wherein

the machine controller has a function to store operation management data collected from the machine and transmit the same to the PDA, and

the PDA has a function to transmit, in a communication to obtain a modified operator identification code from the computer of the base station, the operation management data of the machine received from the machine controller to the computer of the base station.

7. A machine management system for an operating machine as set forth in any of claim 1 through claim 6, wherein

the PDA makes it possible to carry the operation management data of the machine obtained from the machine controller.

8. A machine management system for an operating machine as set forth in any of claim 1 through claim 7, wherein

a tool which can be replaced depending on the type of operation and is hydraulically controlled is fitted to the operating machine,

the tool has an identifying means for identifying itself from others,

the PDA has a function to read the identifying means of the tool and transmit the same to the machine controller, and

the machine controller has a function to perform controls suitable for the identified tool.

9. A machine management system for an operating machine as set forth in claim 8, wherein

the machine controller has a function to stop the machine and tool in a non-communicable condition with the PDA.