System for automatic authorization and notification of transmitted data

• US 20070203670A1
• Filed: 02/28/2006
• Published: 08/30/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Earle, Kevin
• Application Number:
  US11/363,254
• Publication Number:
  US 20070203670A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/188
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0841 Registering performance data recording measured values G01D; information storage G11B

Abstract

A data acquisition system for a machine is disclosed. The data acquisition system has an interface control module located on the machine and an offboard data system in communication with the interface control module. The interface control module is configured to collect information related to performance of the machine. The offboard data system is configured to receive a request for the information collected by the interface control module and determine whether a current user of the machine is a new user or an existing user. The offboard data system is further configured to initiate an authorization process associated with communication of the requested information in response to the determination.

Claims

1. A data acquisition system for a machine, comprising:

an interface control module located on the machine and configured to collect information related to performance of the machine; and

an offboard data system in communication with the interface control module and being configured to;

receive a request for the information collected by the interface control module;

determine whether a current user of the machine is a new user or an existing user; and

initiate an authorization process associated with communication of the requested information in response to the determination.

2. The data acquisition system of claim 1, wherein the authorization process includes comparing details of the request for information with a previously executed agreement.

3. The data acquisition system of claim 1, wherein the authorization process includes providing notification to the current user of the machine of an intent to communicate the requested information.

4. The data acquisition system of claim 3, wherein the notification includes a signal sent to an operator station of the machine.

5. The data acquisition system of claim 1, wherein the offboard system is configured to determine whether the current user is a new user or an existing user by monitoring an operational characteristic of the machine.

6. The data acquisition system of claim 5, wherein the operational characteristic includes a global position of the machine.

7. The data acquisition system of claim 5, wherein the operational characteristic includes a technique in which the machine is operated.

8. The data acquisition system of claim 1, wherein the offboard system is configured to determine whether the current user is a new user or an existing user by receiving a manual indication that a transference of the machine has occurred.

9. The data acquisition system of claim 1, wherein the offboard system if further configured to communicate the requested information following completion of the authorization process.

10. A method of communicating data from a machine, comprising:

collecting information related to performance of the machine;

receiving a request for the collected information from offboard the machine;

determining whether a current user of the machine is a new user or an existing user; and

initiating an authorization process in response to the determination.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein initiating an authorization process includes comparing details of the request for information with a previously executed agreement.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein initiating an authorization process includes providing notification to the current user of the machine of an intent to communicate the requested information.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of determining whether a current user of the machine is a new user or an existing user includes monitoring an operational characteristic of the machine.

14. The method of claim 10, further including communicating the requested information following completion of the authorization process.

15. A machine, comprising:

a power source configured to produce a power output;

an interface control module configured to monitor and collect information related to performance of the power source; and

an offboard data system in communication with the interface control module and being configured to;

receive a request for the information collected by the interface control module;

determine whether a current user of the machine is a new user or an existing user;

initiate an authorization process associated with communication of the requested information in response to the determination; and

communicate the requested information following completion of the authorization process.

16. The machine of claim 15, wherein the authorization process includes comparing details of the request for information with a previously executed agreement.

17. The machine of claim 15, wherein the authorization process includes providing notification to the current user of the machine of an intent to communicate the requested information.

18. The machine of claim 15, wherein the offboard system is configured to determine whether the current user is a new user or an existing user by monitoring an operational characteristic of the machine.

19. The machine of claim 18, wherein the operational characteristic includes at least one of:

a global position of the machine; and

a technique in which the machine is operated.

20. The machine of claim 15, wherein the offboard system is configured to determine whether the current user is a new user or an existing user by receiving a manual indication that a transference of the machine has occurred.