Distributed Monitoring And Control System

• US 20130086208A1
• Filed: 12/24/2011
• Published: 04/04/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Aljex Software, Inc. (The Descartes Systems Group Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Aljex Software, Inc. (The Descartes Systems Group Incorporated)
• Inventors: Heine, Thomas
• Application Number:
  US13/337,115
• Publication Number:
  US 20130086208A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/217
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3006 where the computing system is distributed, e.g. networked systems, clusters, multiprocessor systems multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46; allocation of resources G06F9/50
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3013 where the computing system is an embedded system, i.e. a combination of hardware and software dedicated to perform a certain function in mobile devices, printers, automotive or aircraft systems testing or monitoring of control systems or parts thereof G05B23/02
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3055 Monitoring arrangements for monitoring the status of the computing system or of the computing system component, e.g. monitoring if the computing system is on, off, available, not available error or fault processing without redundancy G06F11/0703; error detection or correction by redundancy in data representation G06F11/08; error detection or correction by redundancy in operation G06F11/14; error detection or correction by redundancy in hardware G06F11/16
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management

Abstract

A distributed computer system in which a central maintenance system communicates with a plurality of communication devices associated with remotely distributed equipment. The operator of each piece of remotely distributed equipment uses a communication device to communicate any problems related to the equipment, or other requirements such as the need for supplies. The communication devices can be notebook computers, tablet computers, smart phones, or any other suitable device. They communicate in real time with the central maintenance system. The information may include damage description, component descriptions, supply orders, as well as information regarding probable scheduling changes. The central maintenance system also has the capability to communicate instructions or requests for information to selected communication devices.

Claims

1. A remote monitoring and control system, comprising:

a central system having means to bidirectionally communicate with a plurality of remote communication devices;

a plurality of remote communications devices, each remote communications device associated with one or more selected items, and further having means to bidirectionally communicate data related to the selected item to the central system;

a touch panel screen in the remote communications device to display images of the selected item multiple viewpoints, the images of selected items segmented such that each segment relates to a preselected portion of the selected item;

means to enter data in the remote communications device that is related to the selected item based on information selected by touching portions of the touch panel screen, each portion of the touch panel screen associated with a selected portion of the equipment; and

means to transmit the data to the central system such that the central system can determine actions required for the item;

whereby the central system then initiate actions related to the selected item.

2. A system, as in claim 1, wherein:

remote communications device is a laptop computer, tablet computer or smart phone.

3. A system, as in claim 2, wherein:

the data entered into the remote communications device is text data.

4. A system, as in claim 3, wherein:

the data entered into the remote communications device is data related to maintenance, scheduling, equipment malfunction, and/or cargo information.

5. A system, as in claim 3, wherein:

the data entered into the remote communications device is data related to factory equipment.

6. A system, as in claim 3, wherein:

the data entered into the remote communications device is data related to insurance claims.

7. A system, as in claim 3, further comprising:

a drop-down menu having a list of text data entries; and

the data entered into the remote communications device is selected from the list of text data entries.

8. A system, as in claim 7, wherein:

the data entered into the remote communications device is data related to maintenance, scheduling, equipment malfunction, and/or cargo information.

9. A system, as in claim 3, wherein:

the data entered into the remote communications device is entered manually.

10. A system, as in claim 9, wherein:

the data entered into the remote communications device is data related to maintenance, scheduling, equipment malfunction, and/or cargo information.

11. A system, as in claim 3, wherein:

the data entered into the remote communications device is entered via voice to text software.

12. A system, as in claim 11, wherein:

the data entered into the remote communications device is data related to maintenance, scheduling, equipment malfunction, and/or cargo information.

13. A system, as in claim 3, wherein:

the data entered into the remote communications device further comprises audio, image, or video data.