Interlock System and Method

• US 20110248821A1
• Filed: 04/08/2010
• Published: 10/13/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Merten C. William
• Original Assignee: Merten C. William
• Inventors: Merten, C. William
• Granted Patent: US 8,362,876 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.74
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/30 using a wired architecture
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/47 using RFID associated with sensors
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom

Abstract

A network of interlocks and input devices and a system for tracking their use and control, in which each interlock and input device is associated with a machine which performs a process. Machines are associated with input devices by reading machine identifications from Data Storage Devices (DSDs) with input devices. To disarm an interlock prior to using a machine, the input device is used to read one or more DSDs containing information required to track the process. The input device sends the DSD data to a CPU which then sends an authorization signal to a machine interface. Upon receiving the signal, the machine interface enables the machine to be turned on. The CPU logs the process and DSD data. Once the operator turns off the machine, it cannot be restarted until the operator reads the DSDs required by the machine.

Claims

1. A system for operating and monitoring a machine process, comprising:

a computer;

at least one machine, and at least one machine interface;

at least one database capable of storing user data and operand data;

at least two data storage devices, including a user identification data storage device and an operand identification data storage device;

said user identification data storage device including user identification data pertaining to a particular user, and said operand identification data storage device including operand data pertaining to a particular operand;

a data storage device reader in communication with said computer and at least one machine interface, said data storage reader capable of reading the user data and the operand data on said data storage devices and communicating the user data and the operand data to said computer;

software executing on said computer for storing the user data and the operand data in said database; and

software executing on said computer for transmitting a signal to the at least one machine interface upon the receipt of the user data and the operand data to enable the user to power on said machine;

wherein said at least one machine may remain powered on until the user turns off said at least one machine.

2. The system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a communications link between said computer and said machine interface, and a communications link between said machine interface and said machine, wherein at least one of said communications links comprises a wireless communications link.

3. The system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a machine identification data storage device including machine data pertaining to said at least one machine; and

software executing on said computer for associating said machine data with said user data and said operand data in said database;

wherein said data storage device reader reads said machine data on said machine identification data storage device.

4. The system according to claim 1, further comprising:

software executing on said computer for verifying permission to activate said at least one machine based at least in part on permission data stored in said database.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein said data storage device reader is a wireless reader.

6. The system according to claim 1, further comprising:

means for applying pneumatic pressure to or isolating pneumatic pressure from said machine, said means controlled at least in part by said machine interface.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

software executing on said computer for associating time data with said user data and said operand data in said database

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

initialization software executing on said computer for associating said data storage device reader, said at least one machine, and said at least one machine interface.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a data storage device writer for writing data to at least one of said data storage devices.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said storage device writer software is capable of creating permissions.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of said data storage devices is a magnetic swipe card, a bar code, radio frequency identification device, or a punch card.

12. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

an incorporant identification data storage device including incorporant data pertaining to a particular incorporant;

software executing on said computer for associating said incorporant data with said user data and said operand data in said database;

wherein said data storage device reader reads said incorporant data on said incorporant identification data storage device.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein:

said machine process comprises a manufacturing process;

said incorporant data comprises sub-assembly information;

said user data comprises user information about a person who will operate said at least one machine;

said operand data comprises product information; and

said database is capable of storing permission information;

the system further comprising;

software executing on said computer for verifying that the user has permission to operate said at least one machine.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein:

said machine process comprises an intravenous infusion process;

said at least one machine comprises an intravenous infusion device;

said incorporant data comprises intravenous drug information;

said user data comprises user information about a person who will operate the intravenous infusion device;

said operand data comprises patient information; and

said database is capable of storing prescription and permission information;

the system further comprising;

software executing on said computer for verifying that the user has permission to administer an intravenous drug; and

software executing on said computer for verifying that the patient information and the intravenous drug information match the prescription information.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein:

said machine process is a food preparation process;

said at least one machine comprises a food preparation machine;

said incorporant data comprises ingredient information;

said user data comprises user information about a person who will operate the food preparation machine; and

said operand data comprises food product information.

16. A method for operating and monitoring a machine, comprising the steps of:

operating a data storage device reader to read a user data storage device, said data storage device reader capable of communicating user data to a computer with software executing thereon;

operating a data storage device reader to read an operand data storage device, said data storage device reader capable of communicating operand data to a computer with software executing thereon; and

enabling said machine to be turned on by a user after receiving said user data and said operand data, said machine capable of remaining on until the user turns off said machine.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of:

operating a data storage device reader to read a machine data storage device, said data storage device reader is capable of communicating machine data to a computer with software executing thereon, and said machine data pertains to said at least one machine.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein:

said machine is a medical intravenous infusion device;

said user data comprises user information about a person who will operate the medical intravenous infusion device; and

said operand data comprises patient information;

said method further comprising the step of;

operating a data storage device reader to read an incorporant data storage device, said data storage device reader is capable of communicating incorporant data to a computer with software executing thereon, and said incorporant data comprises intravenous drug information.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein:

said machine is a food production machine;

said user data comprises user information about a person who will operate the food preparation machine; and

said operand data comprises food product information;

said method further comprising the step of;

operating a data storage device reader to read an incorporant data storage device, said data storage device reader is capable of communicating incorporant data to a computer with software executing thereon, and said incorporant data comprises ingredient information.

20. A system for operating and monitoring a machine process, comprising:

a computer;

at least one machine, and at least one machine interface;

at least one database;

a user identification data storage device including user identification data pertaining to a particular user;

an operand identification data storage device including operand data pertaining to a particular operand;

a machine identification data storage device including machine data pertaining to said at least one machine;

an incorporant identification data storage device including incorporant data pertaining to a particular incorporant;

a data storage device reader in communication with said computer and at least one machine interface;

software executing on said computer for storing at least the user data and the operand data in said database; and

software executing on said computer for transmitting a signal to the at least one machine interface upon the receipt of the user data and the operand data to enable the user to power on said machine;

wherein said at least one machine may remain powered on until the user turns off said at least one machine.