Apparatus for communicating with a machine when the machine ignition is turned off

• US 5,714,946 A
• Filed: 04/26/1996
• Issued: 02/03/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: McCoy, Steven R., Gottshall, Paul C., Young, Paul M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): HILL, ANDREW M
• Application Number:
  US08/638,456
• Time in Patent Office: 648 Days
• Field of Search: 340/870.16, 340/825.06, 340/870.07, 340/870.3, 340/870.39, 340/825.09, 455/38.2, 455/38.3, 455/343, 455/345
• US Class Current: 340/870.16
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/42 Transmitting or receiving remote control signals via a network
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/50 Receiving or transmitting feedback, e.g. replies, status updates, acknowledgements, from the controlled devices
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/51 Remote controlling of devices based on replies, status thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/1615 Switching on; Switching off, e.g. remotely battery saving circuits associated with selective call operation H04W52/00; details of power consumption reduction in a PLL, H03L7/0802, H03L7/14, H03L2207/08, H03L2207/18; muting amplifiers by gain control see H03G3/34

Abstract

An apparatus for communicating with an electronic control module on an engine of a machine from a remote location is disclosed. The apparatus includes an electronic controller associated with a power supply on the electronic control module. A sensor is connected to the electronic controller for sensing an engine parameter indicative of the operating state of the engine. A communications interface for transmitting and receiving a communication signal is associated with the electronic controller. An ignition switch is connected to the power supply, such that when the ignition switch is in the off position, the electronic controller is powered down. The electronic controller is subsequently powered up if a communication signal is received from the remote location. This in turn allows a sensed engine parameter to be communicated to the remote location, and further allows machine information to be downloaded from the remote location to the electronic control module while the ignition switch remains in the off position.

Claims

1. An apparatus for communicating with an electronic control module on an engine of a machine from a remote location, comprising:

an electronic controller, said electronic controller receiving and generating machine information, said electronic controller associated with a power supply on said electronic control module;

a memory device associated with said electronic controller;

a sensor connected to said electronic controller for sensing an engine parameter indicative of the operating state of said engine;

a communications interface for transmitting and receiving a communication signal, said communications interface associated with said electronic controller; and

an ignition switch associated with the power supply on said electronic control module, said ignition switch being moveable between an on position and an off position, such that when said ignition switch is in the off position, said electronic control module is powered down;

said electronic control module being subsequently powered up upon receipt of the communication signal from said remote location, thereby allowing the sensed engine parameter to be communicated to the remote location, and further allowing machine information to be communicated between the remote location and the electronic control module while the ignition switch remains in the off position.

2. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, including a communications network connected between said communications interface and said remote location, said communications network adopted to relay information between the machine and the remote location.

3. An apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said communications network is a satellite communications network.

4. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said communications interface is a transceiver.

5. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, including a communications controller, said communications controller being connected to said electronic controller and said power supply, said communications controller adapted to produce a command signal in response to the communication signal being received from the remote location, said command signal being received by the power supply, which in turn supplies power to the electronic controller.

6. An apparatus as recited in claim 5, including a communications driver, said communications driver connected between said communications controller and said communications interface, said communications driver sending/receiving messages to/from said communications controller and said communications interface.