Metering device and process to record engine hour data
First Claim
1. A metering device adapted to be logically coupled to a control unit used to selectively energize a prime mover, the metering device being configured to provide and store data that can be used to determine how long the prime mover has been energized and comprising:
- (a) a memory for storing the data that can be used to determine how long the prime mover has been energized;
(b) a data interface enabling the data to be extracted from the metering device;
(c) a timer adapted to provide a time signal; and
(d) a controller logically coupled to the memory, the data interface, and the timer and configured to be coupled to a power supply, the controller being configured to implement the following functions;
(i) determining when the control unit is in a state indicating that the prime mover is energized;
(ii) using the time signal from the timer while the control unit is in a state indicating that the prime mover is energized to generate a first type of data that can be used to determine how long the prime mover has been energized;
(iii) storing the first type of data in the memory; and
(iv) responding to a request for data from the data interface by retrieving first type of data from the memory and communicating the retrieved data to the data interface for extraction.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A handheld, portable device (20, 140 , or 140′ ) is used to store data that indicate an operator was sufficiently close to each of a plurality of components during a safety inspection to actually inspect the components. The portable device includes a sensor (46) that detects tokens (12, 16, 24), such as radio frequency identification tags, which are affixed adjacent to the components. Messages (58) appearing on a display (40, 152) of the portable device prompt the operator to proceed to each checkpoint, determine a state of the component disposed there, and if the component is not operating properly, indicate a plurality of predefined conditions from which the operator can choose to identify the observed condition of the component. The state and condition of each component entered during the safety inspection are stored as data that are subsequently transferred to a remote data storage site over a wire or wireless link.
94 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A metering device adapted to be logically coupled to a control unit used to selectively energize a prime mover, the metering device being configured to provide and store data that can be used to determine how long the prime mover has been energized and comprising:
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(a) a memory for storing the data that can be used to determine how long the prime mover has been energized;
(b) a data interface enabling the data to be extracted from the metering device;
(c) a timer adapted to provide a time signal; and
(d) a controller logically coupled to the memory, the data interface, and the timer and configured to be coupled to a power supply, the controller being configured to implement the following functions;
(i) determining when the control unit is in a state indicating that the prime mover is energized;
(ii) using the time signal from the timer while the control unit is in a state indicating that the prime mover is energized to generate a first type of data that can be used to determine how long the prime mover has been energized;
(iii) storing the first type of data in the memory; and
(iv) responding to a request for data from the data interface by retrieving first type of data from the memory and communicating the retrieved data to the data interface for extraction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for collecting data corresponding to an operational status of a prime mover included on one of a vehicle and equipment, comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a metering device that is adapted to be logically coupled to a control unit used to selectively energize a prime mover;
(b) coupling the metering device to the control unit of the prime mover such that the metering device is enabled to produce and store data corresponding to the operational status of the prime mover when the control unit is in a position in which the prime mover is energized, the data being indicative of how long the prime mover has been energized; and
(c) extracting the data from the metering device. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method for collecting data enabling indicative of how long a prime mover has been energized, comprising the steps of:
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(a) collecting data when a control unit configured to selectively energize the prime mover is in a position indicative of the prime mover being energized;
(b) storing the data in a memory; and
(c) extracting the data from the memory, when the prime mover is not energized and when the control unit is in an off position. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification