System and Method of Data Harvesting

• US 20080249647A1
• Filed: 04/03/2007
• Published: 10/09/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Hansen, Neils R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,664,613 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/109
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling

Abstract

Data harvesting can be carried out relative to performance or reliability information associated with one or more groups of electrical units. Ambient condition detectors associated with a variety of industrial or commercial installations and subject to a variety of different conditions can be returned for performance and reliability testing after predetermined usage intervals. Analysis of test results can be maintained in a database. Customers can be provided multilevel access to the information in the database. Reliability and test results for a class of detectors can be provided to a number of customers that have provided samples for evaluation. Application specific information can be limited to a particular customer or customers.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

selecting at least one type of product for evaluation;

removing a plurality of the selected products from respective installed locations;

collecting the plurality of products at a predetermined location;

establishing a test plan for members of the plurality;

conducting tests of the members of the plurality in accordance with the plan;

conducting an analysis of the test results, including comparing test results with test results of unused product of the same type;

providing a mass storage device; and

storing results of the testing and analysis in the storage device

2. A method as in claim 1 which includes providing a hard copy of selected results of the analysis.

3. A method as in claim 1 which includes visually displaying at least one of test or analysis results.

4. A method as in claim 1 which includes supplying replacements for the members of the collected plurality.

5. A method as in claim 1 which includes establishing a multi-level access process relative to results stored in the storage device.

6. A method as in claim 5 where the access process includes communicating with a plurality of displaced locations via a computer network.

7. A method as in claim 6 where the access process includes receiving inquiries from at least one of the locations relative to at least one of stored test results or stored analysis results.

8. A method as in claim 7 which includes:

responding to an inquiry in accordance with one of at least two access levels where one level provides access to a first extent of stored information, and another level provides access to a second, different extent of stored information.

9. A method as in claim 8 where the another level is more restricted than the one level.

10. A method as in claim 9 where the second extent of stored information relates to a predetermined installed location.

11. A system comprising:

a test facility to test used product returned from a field installation;

an analyzer to receive test results relative to at least one class of returned product and to generate outputs indicative of a predetermined analysis process;

a storage apparatus which can store, for subsequent retrieval, test results and analyze outputs;

a communications interface, coupled to the storage apparatus, which can receive at least one query from a displaced source seeking to obtain selected results and outputs.

12. A system as in claim 11 where the interface includes circuitry to obtain access authorizing indicia, associated with the source.

13. A system as in claim 12 where the interface limits access to stored information in accordance with the authorizing indicia.

14. A system as in claim 12 where the interface includes at least one programmable processor and associated control software to communicate with the displaced source via a computer network.

15. A system as in claim 12 which includes a graphical user'"'"'s interface coupled to the communications interface.

16. A system as in claim 11 which includes a shipment facility to return replacement, unused product to the field installation as replacement for the received product.

17. A system as in claim 11 where the test facility tests both application independent and application specific device characteristics.

18. A system as in claim 17 where application independent characteristics are tested for product returned from a plurality of different field installations.

19. A system as in claim 11 where the analyzer is responsive to application specific information.

20. A system as in claim 11 where the used product is selected from a class which includes at least gas detectors, smoke detectors, electro-chemical units, or electrical units.