Visual diagnostic system and subscription service

• US 20090005928A1
• Filed: 06/29/2007
• Published: 01/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Sells, Scott Matthew, Greene, James Lester
• Granted Patent: US 7,912,602 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/33
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/006 Indicating maintenance
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0808 Diagnosing performance data testing of vehicles G01M17/00; testing of electrical installation on vehicles G01R31/005
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0825 using optical means

Abstract

A visual diagnostic system is disclosed. The visual diagnostic system has a sensor located onboard a machine to generate a signal indicative of a status of a machine component, and a user interface associated with the machine to receive input from and provide information to a user. The visual diagnostic system also has a controller in communication with the sensor and the user interface. The controller is configured display on the user interface a model containing the machine component in response to the signal.

Claims

1. A visual diagnostic system, comprising:

a sensor located onboard a machine to generate a signal indicative a status of a machine component;

a user interface associated with the machine; and

a controller in communication with the sensor and the user interface, wherein the controller is configured display on the user interface a model containing the machine component in response to the signal.

2. The visual diagnostic system of claim 1, wherein displaying includes:

requesting access to a media asset containing data about the machine;

determining if the machine has a subscription to access the media asset;

receiving access to the media asset only if it is determined that the machine has a subscription; and

rendering the model containing the machine component based on the received access.

3. The visual diagnostic system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to:

display on the user interface a plurality of user-selectable entries each corresponding to a different hierarchical assembly that includes the machine component;

receive by way of the user interface a selection of the plurality of user-selectable entries; and

display on the user interface a model corresponding to the selection of the plurality of user-selectable entries.

4. The visual diagnostic system of claim 1, wherein the status includes a failure.

5. The visual diagnostic system of claim 4, wherein the controller is further configured to:

display a warning on the user interface that the machine component has failed;

prompt a user by way of the user interface to order a replacement for the machine component; and

receive by way of the user interface input indicating whether the replacement should be ordered.

6. The visual diagnostic system of claim 5, further including an off-board system in communication with the controller, wherein the controller is further configured to:

identify a dealer local to the machine that can supply the replacement; and

communicate to the off-board system an order for the replacement from the local dealer.

7. The visual diagnostic system of claim 5, wherein the controller is further configured to:

prompt the user to order a recommended accessory associated with the replacement; and

receive by way of the user interface input indicating whether the recommended accessory should be ordered.

8. The visual diagnostic system of claim 2, wherein the media asset comprises an encrypted JT CAD data format file containing information about the machine.

9. A method of visually identifying a failed component, comprising:

detecting a status of a machine component; and

displaying a model containing the machine component in response to the detected status.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein displaying includes:

requesting access to a media asset containing data about the machine;

determining if the machine has a subscription to access the media asset;

receiving access to the media asset only if it is determined that the machine has a subscription to access the media asset; and

rendering a model containing the machine component based on the received access.

11. The method of claim 9, further including:

displaying a plurality of user-selectable entries each corresponding to a different hierarchical assembly that contains the machine component;

receiving a selection of the plurality of user-selectable entries; and

displaying a model corresponding to the selection of the plurality of user-selectable entries.

12. The method of claim 9, further including:

displaying a warning that the component has failed based on the detected status;

prompting a user to order a replacement for the machine component; and

receiving input indicating whether the replacement should be ordered.

13. The method of claim 12, further including prompting the user to order a recommended accessory associated with the replacement.

14. The method of claim 12, further including:

identifying a dealer local to the machine that can supply the replacement; and

communicating an order for a the replacement from the local dealer.

15. A machine, comprising:

a power source configured to power machine operations;

a tool operatively coupled to receive power from the power source;

a traction device operatively coupled to receive power from the power source and to propel the machine;

a sensor to generate a signal indicative of a status of a component of at least one of the power source, tool, and the traction device;

a user interface to receive input from and provide information to an operator of the machine; and

a controller in communication with the sensor, the locating device, and the user interface, wherein the controller is configured display on the user interface a model containing the component in response to the signal.

16. The machine of claim 15, wherein displaying includes:

requesting access to a media asset containing data about the machine;

determining if the machine has a subscription to access the media asset;

receiving access to the media asset only if it is determined that the machine has a subscription to access the media asset; and

rendering the model containing the machine component based on the received access.

17. The machine of claim 15, wherein the controller is further configured to:

display on the user interface a plurality of user-selectable entries each corresponding to a different hierarchical assembly that includes the machine component;

receive by way of the user interface a selection the plurality of user-selectable entries; and

display on the user interface a model corresponding to the selection of the plurality of user-selectable entries.

18. The machine of claim 15, wherein the controller is further configured to:

display a warning on the user interface that the machine component has failed based on the status;

prompt a user by way of the user interface to order a replacement for the machine component; and

receive by way of the user interface input from the user indicating whether the replacement should be ordered.

19. The machine of claim 18, wherein the controller is further configured to:

identify a dealer local to the machine that can supply the replacement; and

communicate to an off-board system an order for the replacement from the local dealer.

20. The machine of claim 16, wherein the media asset comprises an encrypted JT CAD data format file containing information about the machine.