SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR STORING AND RETRIEVING EQUIPMENT INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE DATA
First Claim
1. A method of managing inspection or maintenance information related to a selected aircraft component, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) performing a selected inspection or maintenance task on a selected aircraft component affixed to an aircraft and having a contact memory button affixed thereon, the contact memory button including a read-write memory chip and contact means;
(b) entering task performance information relating to the performed selected inspection or maintenance task into a portable computing device;
(c) engaging the contact means of the contact memory button with contact means of a memory button probe interfaced with the portable computing device;
(d) sending a signal corresponding to the task performance information from the portable computing device/to the contact memory button to thereby store the task performance information on the read-write memory chip; and
(e) sending a signal corresponding to the task performance information from the portable computing device to a central computer positioned at a location remote from the aircraft component and in communication with the portable computing device to thereby also store the task performance information in a database associated with the central computer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An inspection and maintenance data storage and retrieval system features uniquely identified read/write memory buttons mounted in or on an equipment unit such as an aircraft, in association with specific components of the equipment unit. Technical information useful for inspection and maintenance of the components, plus historical inspection and maintenance information, is stored in a central database computer remote from the equipment unit. A memory button probe, used in conjunction with a portable computer, enables storage on the memory buttons of information relating to inspection and maintenance carried out on the corresponding equipment components, as well as technical information related to the components. The portable computer is connected to the central database computer, preferably through a wireless Internet connection, thus enabling downloading of technical information from the central database to the portable computer at the point of inspection or maintenance. Information relating to each inspection and maintenance task may be downloaded to the central database computer via the portable computer. The central database computer may be a network server providing authorized users with access to current maintenance and operational status information for the equipment units supported by the system.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method of managing inspection or maintenance information related to a selected aircraft component, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) performing a selected inspection or maintenance task on a selected aircraft component affixed to an aircraft and having a contact memory button affixed thereon, the contact memory button including a read-write memory chip and contact means; (b) entering task performance information relating to the performed selected inspection or maintenance task into a portable computing device; (c) engaging the contact means of the contact memory button with contact means of a memory button probe interfaced with the portable computing device; (d) sending a signal corresponding to the task performance information from the portable computing device/to the contact memory button to thereby store the task performance information on the read-write memory chip; and (e) sending a signal corresponding to the task performance information from the portable computing device to a central computer positioned at a location remote from the aircraft component and in communication with the portable computing device to thereby also store the task performance information in a database associated with the central computer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of managing inspection or maintenance information related to a selected aircraft component, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) entering into a portable computing device, task performance information relating to a selected inspection or maintenance task performed on a selected aircraft component affixed to an aircraft and having a contact memory button affixed thereon; (b) engaging contact means of the contact memory button with contact means of a memory button probe associated with the portable computing device; (c) sending from the portable computing device to the contact memory button, a signal corresponding to the task performance information responsive to the step of engaging the contact means of the contact memory button with the contact means of the memory button probe to thereby store the task performance information on the contact memory button; and (d) sending from the portable computing device to a central computer positioned at a location remote from the aircraft component and in communication with the portable computing device, a signal corresponding to the task performance information to thereby also store the task performance information in a database associated with the central computer. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method as defined in claim 17, wherein:
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(a) the step of sending a signal corresponding to the task performance information to the central computer includes sending the unique inspector code, time, and date; (b) the aircraft has no onboard means of retrieving information stored in the contact memory button; and (c) the contact memory button includes an unalterable read-only memory identifier associated with the selected aircraft component.
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18. Software contained on a portable computing device for managing inspection or maintenance information related to a selected aircraft component, said software being adapted to cause the portable computing device to perform the operations of:
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(a) receiving task performance information relating to a selected inspection or maintenance task performed on a selected aircraft component affixed to an aircraft responsive to user entry thereof, the aircraft component having a contact memory button affixed thereon, the contact memory button including contact means for receiving the task performance information; (b) sending from the portable computing device to the contact memory button a signal corresponding to the task performance information responsive to user engagement of the contact means of the contact memory button with contact means of a memory button probe associated with the portable computing device to thereby store the task performance information on the contact memory button; and (c) sending from the portable computing device to a central computer positioned at a location remote from the aircraft component and in communication with the portable computing device, a signal corresponding to the task performance information to thereby also store the task performance information in a database associated with the central computer. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A method of managing inspection or maintenance information related to a selected aircraft component, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) performing a selected inspection or maintenance task on a selected aircraft component affixed to an aircraft and having a contact memory button affixed thereon, the contact memory button including a read-write memory chip and contact means; (b) entering task performance information relating to the performed selected inspection or maintenance task into a portable computing device; (c) engaging the contact means of the contact memory button with contact means of a memory button probe interfaced with the portable computing device; (d) sending a signal corresponding to the task performance information from the portable computing device to the contact memory button to thereby store the task performance information on the read-write memory chip; and (e) sending a signal corresponding to the task performance information from the portable computing device to a central computer positioned at a location remote from the aircraft component and in communication with the portable computing device to thereby also store the task performance information in a database associated with the central computer; wherein; (f) the contact memory button includes an unalterable read-only memory identifier; (g) the method further comprises the step of associating the unalterable read-only memory identifier with the selected aircraft component; (h) the method further comprises the step of associating a unique inspector code with a specific inspection agent; and (i) the step of sending a signal corresponding to the task performance information to the contact memory button includes sending the unique inspector code, time, and date.
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Specification