SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR STORING AND RETRIEVING EQUIPMENT INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE DATA

• US 20090051502A1
• Filed: 04/14/2008
• Published: 02/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Erin P. Reilly, Gary T. Aitken, Ron Craik, Tim J. Gibbs
• Original Assignee: Ron Craik
• Inventors: CRAIK, Ron
• Granted Patent: US 8,198,986 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/10.510
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling

Abstract

An inspection and maintenance data storage and retrieval system features one or more memory buttons mounted in association with an equipment item. Each memory button incorporates a uniquely identified read/write memory chip, and may comprise a contact memory button, an RFID chip, or other type of read-write memory. Technical information useful for inspection and maintenance of the equipment item, plus historical inspection and maintenance information, is stored in a central database computer remote from the equipment item. 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 equipment item, as well as related technical information. 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 items supported by the system.

Claims

1. A method for verifying physical access by an inspection agent to an equipment item, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a memory button comprising a read-write memory chip sealed, said memory chip having stored therein a unique and unalterable identification number;

(b) associating the memory chip'"'"'s unique identification number with the equipment item;

(c) affixing the memory button to the equipment item;

(d) providing portable computing means having a read-write memory and a user interface whereby user-defined data and commands may be entered into said read-write memory;

(e) providing a memory button probe in electronic communication with the portable computing means, said memory button probe being adapted for electronic communication with the memory chip of the memory button, so as to transfer data from the portable computing means to the memory chip or from the memory chip to the portable computing means;

(f) associating a unique inspector code with a specific inspection agent;

(g) gaining physical access to the memory button, while carrying both the portable computing means and the memory button probe;

(h) by means of the user interface, entering the unique inspector code into the memory of the portable computing means; and

(i) actuating the memory button probe so as to record;

i.1 in the read-write memory of the memory chip, the unique inspector code, plus the date and time; and

i.2 in the memory of the portable computing means, the memory chip'"'"'s unique identification number, plus the time and date.

2. The method of claim 1, comprising the further and subsequent steps of:

(j) performing a selected inspection or maintenance task on the equipment item;

(k) by mean of the user interface, entering task performance, information into the portable computing means relating to the completed performance of the selected inspection or maintenance task; and

(l) actuating, the memory button probe so as to electronically transmit a signal, corresponding to said task performance information, from the portable computing means to the memory button, and so as to store said task performance information on the memory button'"'"'s read-write memory chip.

3. The method of claim 2, comprising the further and subsequent steps of:

(m) providing, at a location remote from the equipment item, a central computer having a database, said central computer being in electronic communication with the portable computing means; and

(n) transmitting a signal from the portable computing means to the central computer, so as to store said task performance information in said database;

wherein;

(o) the equipment item has no onboard means for reading information stored in the memory button;

(p) steps (g), (h), (i), (j), (K), and (l) are performed by the specific inspection agent referred to in step (f); and

(q) the database of the central computer stores technical information relating to the selected equipment item.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the memory button comprises a read-write RFID chip.

6. The method of claim 2 wherein the memory button comprises a read-write RFID chip.

7. The method of claim 3 wherein the memory button comprises a read-write RFID chip.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the memory button stores technical information relating to the equipment item, and wherein the method comprises the additional step of downloading selected technical information from the memory button, for use in association with the selected inspection or maintenance task, by engaging the contact means of the memory button probe with the contact means of the memory button.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the equipment hem is a component of a stationary installation.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the stationary installation is a stationary equipment unit.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein the stationary installation is a fixed structure.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein the equipment item is a component of a mobile equipment unit.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the mobile equipment unit is a ship.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the mobile equipment unit is an aircraft.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein the mobile equipment unit is a weaponry unit.

4. The method of claim 4 comprising, the additional step of transmitting a signal from the portable computing means to the central computer, instructing the central computer to transmit, from the database to the portable computing means, selected technical information relating to the equipment item.

8. The method of claim 4 wherein the memory button comprises a read-write RFID chip.

9. The method of claim 4, comprising the additional step of transferring said technical information from the portable computing means to the memory button by engaging the contact means of the memory button probe with the contact means of the memory button.

10. The method of claim 8, comprising the additional step of transferring said technical information from the portable computing means to the memory button by engaging the contact means of the memory button probe with, the contact, means of the memory button.

19. A method for verifying, physical access by an inspection agent to an equipment item, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a memory button comprising a read-write memory chip sealed, said memory chip having stored therein a unique and unalterable identification number;

(b) associating the memory chip'"'"'s unique identification number with the equipment item;

(c) affixing the memory button to the equipment item;

(d) providing portable computing means having a read-write memory and a user interface whereby user-defined data and commands may be entered into said read-write memory;

(e) providing a memory button probe in electronic communication with the portable computing means, said memory button probe being adapted for electronic communication with the memory chip of the memory button, so as to transfer data from the portable computing means to the memory chip or from the memory chip to the portable computing means;

(f) associating a unique inspector code with a specific inspection agent;

(g) gaining physical access to the memory button, while carrying both the portable computing means and the memory button probe;

(h) by means of the user interface, entering the unique inspector code into the memory of the portable computing means; and

(i) actuating the memory button probe so as to record;

i.1 in the read-write memory of the memory chip, the unique inspector code, plus the date arid time;

i.2 in the memory of the portable computing means, the memory chip'"'"'s unique identification number, plus the time and date;

(j) performing a selected inspection or maintenance task on the equipment item;

(k) by means of the user interface, entering task performance information into the portable computing means relating to the completed performance of the selected inspection or maintenance task;

(l) actuating the memory button probe so as to electronically transmit a signal, corresponding to said task performance information, from the portable computing means to the memory button, and so as to store said task performance information on the memory button'"'"'s read-write memory chip;

(m) providing, at a location remote from the equipment unit, a central computer having a database, said central computer being in electronic communication with the portable computing means; and

(n) transmitting a signal from the portable computing means to the central computer, so as to store said task performance, information in said database;

wherein;

(o) the equipment unit has no onboard means for reading information stored in the memory button;

(p) steps (g), (h), (i), (j), (k), and (l) are performed by the specific inspection agent referred to in step (f); and

(q) the database of the central computer stores technical information relating to the selected equipment item.

20. The method of claim 19 comprising the additional step of transmitting a signal from the portable computing means to the central computer, instructing the central computer to transmit, from the database to the portable computing means, selected technical information relating to the equipment item.

21. The method of claim 19 wherein the memory button comprises a read-write RFID chip.