SELF-CONTAINED MONITORING AND REMOTE TESTING DEVICE AND METHOD
First Claim
1. A monitoring and remote testing unit for a mail conveyance machine comprising:
- a plurality of sensing devices adapted for operation during conveyance of the unit through the mail conveyance machine, the plurality of sensing devices including;
an accelerometer;
a camera;
an infrared thermometer;
a static charge detector;
a microphone;
a strain gauge; and
a hygrometer;
a processor adapted to receive data sensed by the plurality of sensing devices during conveyance of the unit through the mail conveyance machine;
a memory device coupled to the processor and adapted to store data from the plurality of sensing devices during conveyance of the unit through the mail conveyance machine;
a battery adapted to provide electrical power to the plurality of sensing devices, the processor, and the memory device;
a housing containing the plurality of sensing devices, the processor, the memory device, and the battery, the housing being adapted for conveyance by the mail conveyance machine; and
a wireless communication device in the housing adapted to wirelessly transmit data sensed by the plurality of sensing devices during conveyance of the unit through the mail conveyance machine to a receiver located outside of the housing.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A self-contained monitoring and remote testing (SMART) unit for a mail conveyance machine includes a housing and a set of condition monitoring devices provided in the housing. The housing may be sized and adapted for conveyance by the mail conveyance machine. A ruggedized processor may be included in the housing. The processor may receive data from the set of condition monitoring devices during conveyance of the unit through the mail conveyance machine. The processor may be adapted to endure vibrations and impact during conveyance. Each of the condition monitoring devices of said set may be configured to measure a different property of the conveyance machine as the housing is conveyed therethrough. The measurements from the condition monitoring devices can be used to determine an operating condition of the conveyance machine.
31 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A monitoring and remote testing unit for a mail conveyance machine comprising:
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a plurality of sensing devices adapted for operation during conveyance of the unit through the mail conveyance machine, the plurality of sensing devices including; an accelerometer; a camera; an infrared thermometer; a static charge detector; a microphone; a strain gauge; and a hygrometer; a processor adapted to receive data sensed by the plurality of sensing devices during conveyance of the unit through the mail conveyance machine; a memory device coupled to the processor and adapted to store data from the plurality of sensing devices during conveyance of the unit through the mail conveyance machine; a battery adapted to provide electrical power to the plurality of sensing devices, the processor, and the memory device; a housing containing the plurality of sensing devices, the processor, the memory device, and the battery, the housing being adapted for conveyance by the mail conveyance machine; and a wireless communication device in the housing adapted to wirelessly transmit data sensed by the plurality of sensing devices during conveyance of the unit through the mail conveyance machine to a receiver located outside of the housing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system monitoring unit for a machine that conveys a product comprising:
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means for condition monitoring; means for processing data from the means for condition monitoring; and a housing containing said means for condition monitoring and said means for processing data, wherein the housing is sized and shaped like the product, the housing being adapted for conveyance through the machine in order to determine the condition of the machine. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for monitoring a conveyance machine, the conveyance machine configured to convey a plurality of products therethrough, the method comprising:
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at a first time, conveying a system testing unit through the conveyance machine, the system testing unit including a plurality of monitoring devices in a common housing, the housing sized and shaped one of the products; during said conveying, obtaining first data indicative of an operating condition of the conveyance machine from the plurality of monitoring devices; and simultaneously conveying the plurality of products together with the system testing unit through the conveyance machine. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification