Control console remote monitoring system

• US 6,525,664 B1
• Filed: 11/10/1994
• Issued: 02/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michael J. Erland
• Original Assignee: Michael J. Erland
• Inventors: Erland, Michael J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lieu, Julie
• Application Number:
  US08/338,235
• Time in Patent Office: 3,029 Days
• Field of Search: 340/635, 340/539, 340/825.5, 340/825.54, 340/825.55, 340/540, 340/439, 340/438, 364/424.03, 364/424.01, 455/67.7, 455/69, 455/70
• US Class Current: 340/635
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 1/08 using electric transmission ; transformation of alarm signals to electrical signals from a different medium, e.g. transmission of an electric alarm signal upon detection of an audible alarm signal

Abstract

A portable monitoring unit remotely monitors measurement data provided at a control console that includes a processor adapted for processing measurement data related to a plurality of monitored parameters and for providing an alarm-condition signal when an alarm condition is indicated by such processing. The alarm-condition signal is transmitted by a two-way radio coupled to the control console. The portable unit includes a display device; a keypad for selecting a parameter as to which measurement data is to be displayed by the display device and for enabling the measurement data that is to be displayed to be requested from the control-console processor; a two-way radio for transmitting such request to the radio that is coupled to the control console and for receiving the alarm-condition signal transmitted by the radio that is coupled to the control console; and a processor coupled to the keypad, the portable-unit radio and the display device, and adapted for responding to an operation of the keypad to select a parameter as to which measurement data requested from the control-console processor is to be displayed by causing the portable-unit radio to transmit to the radio coupled to the control console a request for transmission of the measurement data selected by operation of the keypad and for causing the display device to display either the alarm condition or measurement data that is transmitted by the radio coupled to the control console in response to such request and received by the portable-unit radio.

Claims

1. A portable monitoring unit for remotely monitoring measurement data provided at a control console that includes processing means for processing measurement data related to a plurality of monitored parameters and for responding to a request for transmission of measurement data pertaining to a parameter selected from said plurality of monitored parameters by causing a radio coupled to the control-console processing means to transmit said selected-parameter measurement data, and for displaying an alarm condition indicated by the control-console processing means and transmitted by the radio that is coupled to the control console, the portable unit comprising

a display device;

a keypad for selecting said parameter as to which measurement data is to be displayed by the display device and for enabling said measurement data that is to be displayed to be requested from the control-console processing means;

a radio for transmitting a said request to the radio that is coupled to the control console and for receiving said measurement data transmitted by the radio that is coupled to the control console;

a processor coupled to the keypad, the portable-unit radio and the display device, and adapted for responding to an operation of the keypad to select a parameter as to which measurement data requested from the control-console processing means is to be displayed by causing the portable-unit radio to transmit to the radio coupled to he control console a request for transmission of said measurement data selected by operation of the keypad and for causing the display device to display said measurement data that is received by the portable-unit radio; and

means other than the display device for providing an alarm;

wherein the portable-unit processor is also coupled to the alarm providing means and is adapted for responding to receipt of an alarm-condition signal by the portable-unit radio by causing the alarm providing means to provide an alarm and by causing the display device to display said alarm condition; and

wherein the portable-unit processor is also adapted for responding to receipt of an alarm-condition signal by the portable-unit radio by causing the display device to display said alarm condition in preference to any previously so requested said selected-parameter measurement data.

2. A portable monitoring unit for remotely monitoring measurement data provided at a control console that includes processing means for processing measurement data related to a plurality of monitored parameters and for responding to a request for transmission of measurement data pertaining to a parameter selected from said plurality of monitored parameters by causing a radio coupled to the control-console processing means to transmit said selected-parameter measurement data, and for displaying an alarm condition indicated by the control-console processing means and transmitted by the radio that is coupled to the control console, the portable unit comprising

a display device;

a keypad for selecting said parameter as to which measurement data is to be displayed by the display device and for enabling said measurement data that is to be displayed to be requested from the control-console processing means;

a radio for transmitting a said request to the radio that is coupled to the control console and for receiving said measurement data transmitted by the radio that is coupled to the control console;

a processor coupled to the keypad, the portable-unit radio and the display device, and adapted for responding to an operation of the keypad to select a parameter as to which measurement data requested from the control-console processing means is to be displayed by causing the portable-unit radio to transmit to the radio coupled to the control console a request for transmission of said measurement data selected by operation of the keypad and for causing the display device to display said measurement data that is received by the portable-unit radio; and

means other than the display device for providing an alarm;

wherein the portable-unit processor is also coupled to the alarm providing means and is adapted for responding to receipt of an alarm-condition signal by the portable-unit radio by causing the alarm providing means to provide an alarm and by causing the display device to display said alarm condition;

wherein the keypad is adapted for enabling selection of an alarm-acknowledgment signal for transmission to the control console; and

wherein the portable-unit processor is adapted for responding to operation of the keypad to select said alarm acknowledgment signal for transmission by causing the portable-unit radio to transmit said alarm-acknowledgment signal to the radio coupled to the control console.

3. A portable monitoring unit for remotely monitoring measurement data provided at a control console that includes processing means for processing measurement data related to a plurality of monitored parameters and for responding to a request for transmission of measurement data pertaining to a parameter selected from said plurality of monitored parameters by causing a radio coupled to the control-console processing means to transmit said selected-parameter measurement data, the portable unit comprising

a display device;

a keypad for selecting said parameter as to which measurement data is to be displayed by the display device and for enabling said measurement data that is to be displayed to be requested from the control-console processing means;

a radio for transmitting a said request to the radio that is coupled to the control console and for receiving said measurement data transmitted by the radio that is coupled to the control console;

a processor coupled to the keypad, the portable-unit radio and the display device, and adapted for responding to an operation of the keypad to select a parameter as to which measurement data requested from the control-console processing means is to be displayed by causing the portable-unit radio to transmit to the radio coupled to the control console a request for transmission of said measurement data selected by operation of the keypad and for causing the display device to display said measurement data that is received by the portable-unit radio; and

a memory for storing said measurement data received by the portable-unit radio;

wherein the keypad is adapted for enabling selection of said parameter as to which measurement data from the memory is to be displayed by the display device; and

wherein the portable-unit processor is also coupled to the memory and is adapted for causing said measurement data related to a plurality of said monitored parameters received by the portable-unit radio to be stored in the memory and for responding to an operation of the keypad to select said parameter as to which measurement data form the memory is to be displayed by causing the display device to display said measurement data for the selected parameter from the memory by said operation of the keypad.

4. A remote monitoring system, comprising a control console and a portable monitoring unit, wherein the control console, includes

processing means for processing measurement data related to a plurality of monitored parameters and for responding to a request for transmission of measurement data pertaining to a parameter selected from said plurality of monitored parameters by causing a radio coupled to the control-console processing means to transmit said selected parameter measurement data;

and wherein the portable monitoring unit includes

a display device;

a keypad for selecting said parameter as to which measurement data is to be displayed by the display device and for enabling said measurement data that is to be displayed to be requested from the control-console processing means;

a radio for transmitting a said request to the radio that is coupled to the control console and for receiving said measurement data transmitted by the radio that is coupled to the control console; and

a processor coupled to the keypad, the portable-unit radio and the display device and adapted for responding to an operation of the keypad to select a parameter as to which measurement data requested from the control-console processing means is to be displayed by causing the portable-unit radio to transmit to the radio coupled to the control console a request for transmission of said measurement data selected by operation of the keypad and for causing the display device to display said measurement data that is received by the portable-unit radio;

wherein the control-console processing means is adapted for processing said measurement data in relation to predetermined parameter thresholds, for providing an alarm-condition signal upon said processed measurement data, reaching said parameter threshold, and for causing the radio coupled to the control console to transmit said alarm-condition signal to the portable-unit radio;

wherein the portable unit further includes means other than the display device for providing an alarm;

wherein the portable-unit processor is also coupled to the alarm providing means and is adapted for responding to receipt of a said alarm-condition signal by the portable-unit radio by causing the alarm providing means to provide an alarm and by causing the display device to display said alarm condition; and

wherein the control-console processing means is adapted for responding to said processed measurement data reaching said parameter threshold by causing the radio coupled to the control console to transmit said alarm-condition signal to the portable-unit radio in preference to any previously so requested said measurement data.

5. A remote monitoring system, comprising a controls console and a portable monitoring unit, wherein the control console, includes

processing means for processing measurement data related to a plurality of monitored parameters and for responding to a request for transmission of measurement data pertaining to a parameter selected from said plurality of monitored parameters by causing a radio coupled to the control-console processing means to transmit said selected-parameter measurement data;

and wherein the portable monitoring unit includes

a display device;

a keypad for selecting said parameter as to which measurement data is to be displayed by the display device and for enabling said measurement data that is to be displayed to be requested from the control-console processing means;

a radio for transmitting a said request to the radio that is coupled to the control console and for receiving said measurement data transmitted by the radio that is coupled to the control console; and

a processor coupled to the keypad, the portable-unit radio and the display device, and adapted for responding to an operation of the keypad to select a parameter as to which measurement data requested from the control-console processing means is to be displayed by causing the portable-unit radio to transmit to the radio coupled to the control console a request for transmission of said measurement data selected by operation of the keypad and for causing the display device to display said measurement data that is received by the portable-unit radio;

wherein the control-console processing means is adapted for processing said measurement data in relation to predetermined parameter thresholds, for providing an alarm-condition signal upon said processed measurement data reaching said parameter threshold, and for causing the radio coupled to the control console to transmit said alarm-condition signal to the portable-unit radio;

wherein the portable unit further includes means other than the display device for providing an alarm;

wherein the portable-unit processor is also coupled to the alarm providing means and is adapted for responding to receipt of a said alarm-condition signal by the portable-unit radio by causing the alarm providing means to provide an alarm and by causing the display device to display said alarm condition; and

wherein the control-console processing means is adapted for responding to said processed measurement data reaching said parameter threshold by causing the radio coupled to the control console to transmit to the portable-unit radio in real time said measurement data for said parameter for which said threshold was reached in preference to any previously so requested said measurement data.

6. A remote monitoring system, comprising a control console and a portable monitoring unit wherein the control console, includes

processing means for processing measurement data related to a plurality of monitored parameters and for responding to a request for transmission of meausremeent data pertaining to a parameter selected from said plurality of monitored parameters by causing a radio coupled to the control-console processing means to transmit said selected-parameter measurement data;

and wherein the portable monitoring unit includes

a display device;

a keypad for selecting said parameter as to which measurement data is to be displayed by the display device and for enabling said measurement data that is to be displayed to be requested from the control-console processing means;

a radio for transmitting a said request to the radio that is coupled to the control console and for receiving said measurement data transmitted by the radio that is coupled to the control console; and

a processor coupled to the keypad, the portable-unit radio and the display device, and adapted for responding to an operation of the keypad to select a parameter as to which measurement data requested from the control-console processing means is to be displayed by causing the portable-unit radio to transmit to the radio coupled to the control console a request for transmission of said measurement data selected by operation of the keypad and for causing the display device to display said measurement data that is received by the portable-unit radio;

wherein the control-console processing means is adapted for processing said measurement data in relation to predetermined parameter thresholds, for providing an alarm-condition signal upon said processed measurement data reaching said parameter threshold, and for causing the radio coupled to the control console to transmit said alarm-condition signal to the portable-unit radio;

wherein the portable unit further includes means other than the display device for providing an alarm;

wherein the portable-unit processor is also coupled to the alarm providing means and is adapted for responding to receipt of a said alarm-condition signal by the portable-unit radio by causing the alarm providing means to provide an alarm and by causing the display device to display said alarm condition; and

wherein the control-console processing means is adapted for responding to a second provision of an alarm-condition signal after a previous provision of said alarm-condition signal pertaining to a different monitored parameter by causing the radio coupled to the control-console processing means to transmit said second provided alarm-condition signal in preference to said previously provided alarm-condition signal.

7. A remote monitoring system, comprising a control console and a portable monitoring unit, wherein the control console, includes

processing means for processing measurement data related to a plurality of monitored parameters and for responding to a request for transmission of measurement data pertaining to a parameter selected from said plurality of monitored parameters by causing a radio coupled to the control-console processing means to transmit said selected-parameter measurement data;

and wherein the portable monitoring unit includes

a display device;

a keypad for selecting said parameter as to which measurement data is to be displayed by the display device and for enabling said measurement data that is to be displayed to be requested from the control-console processing means;

a radio for transmitting a said request to the radio that is coupled to the control console and for receiving said measurement data transmitted by the radio that is coupled to the control console, and

a processor coupled to the keypad, the portable-unit radio and the display device, and adapted for responding to an operation of the keypad to select a parameter as to which measurement data requested from the control-console processing means is to be displayed by causing the portable-unit radio to transmit to the radio coupled to the control console a request for transmission of said measurement data selected by operation of the keypad and for causing the display device to display said measurement data that is received by the portable-unit radio;

wherein the control-console processing means is adapted for processing said measurement data in relation to predetermined parameter thresholds, for providing an alarm-condition signal upon said processed measurement data reaching said parameter threshold, and for causing the radio coupled to the control console to transmit said alarm-condition signal to the portable-unit radio;

wherein the portable unit further includes means other than the display device for providing an alarm;

wherein the portable-unit processor is also coupled to the alarm providing means and is adapted for responding to receipt of a said alarm-condition signal by the portable-unit radio by causing the alarm providing means to provide an alarm and by causing the display device to display said alarm condition; and

wherein the control-console processing means is adapted for responding to a said request for measurement data received by the radio coupled to the control console after the provision of said alarm-condition signal by causing the radio coupled to the control-console processing means to transmit said selected-parameter measurement data in preference to said previously provided alarm-condition signal.

8. A remote monitoring system, comprising a control console and a portable monitoring unit, wherein the control console, includes

processing means for processing measurement data related to a plurality of monitored-parameters and for responding to a request for transmission of measurement data pertaining to a parameter selected from said plurality of monitored parameters by causing a radio coupled to the control-console processing means to transmit said selected-parameter measurement data;

and wherein the portable monitoring unit includes

a display device;

a keypad for selecting said parameter as to which measurement data is to be displayed by the display device and for enabling said measurement data that is to be displayed to be requested from the control-console processing means;

a radio for transmitting a said request to the radio that is coupled to the control console and for receiving said measurement data transmitted by the radio that is coupled to the control console; and

a processor coupled to the keypad, the portable-unit radio and the display device, and adapted for responding to an operation of the keypad to select a parameter as to which measurement data requested from the control-console processing means is to be displayed by causing the portable-unit radio to transmit to the radio coupled to the control console a request for transmission of said measurement data selected by operation of the keypad and for causing the display device to display said measurement data that is received by the portable-unit radio;

wherein the control-console processing means is adapted for processing said measurement data in relation to predetermined parameter thresholds, for providing an alarm-condition signal upon said processed measurement data reaching said parameter threshold, and for causing the radio coupled to the control console to transmit said alarm-condition signal to the portable-unit radio;

wherein the portable unit further includes means other than the display device for providing an alarm;

wherein the portable-unit processor is also coupled to the alarm providing means and is adapted for responding to receipt of a said alarm-condition signal by the portable-unit radio by causing the alarm providing means to provide an alarm and by causing the display device to display said alarm condition;

wherein the portable-unit keypad is adapted for enabling selection of an alarm-acknowledgment signal for transmission to the control console;

wherein the portable-unit processor is adapted for responding to operation of the keypad to select said alarm-acknowledgment signal for transmission by causing the portable-unit radio to transmit said alarm-acknowledgment signal to the radio coupled to the control console; and

wherein the control-console processing means is adapted for responding to receipt of said alarm-acknowledgment signal by the radio that is coupled to the control-console processing means by discontinuing provision of said alarm-condition signal.

9. A remote monitoring system, comprising a control console and a portable monitoring unit, wherein the control console, includes

processing means for processing measurement data related to a plurality of monitored parameters and for responding to a request for transmission of measurement data pertaining to a parameter selected from said plurality of monitored parameters by causing a radio coupled to the control-console processing means to transmit said selected-parameter measurement data;

and

wherein the portable monitoring unit includes

a display device;

a keypad for selecting said parameter as to which measurement data is to be displayed by the display device and for enabling said measurement data that is to be displayed to be requested from the control-console processing means;

a radio for transmitting a said request to the radio that is coupled to the control console and for receiving said measurement data transmitted by the radio that is coupled to the control console; and

a processor coupled to the keypad, the portable-unit radio and the display device, and adapted for responding to an operation of the keypad to select a parameter as to which measurement data requested from the control-console processing means is to be displayed by causing the portable-unit radio to transmit to the radio coupled to the control console a request for transmission of said measurement data selected by operation of the keypad and for causing the display device to display said measurement data that is received by the portable-unit radio;

wherein the control console further comprise a memory and a display; and

wherein the control-console processing means is adapted for causing said selected-parameter measurement data transmitted in response to said requests to be stored in the control-console memory and for causing said stored data to be retrieved from the control-console memory for display by the control-console display.

10. A remote monitoring system, comprising a control console and a portable monitoring unit, wherein the control console, includes

processing means for processing measurement data related to a plurality of monitored parameters and for responding to a request for transmission of measurement data pertaining to a parameter selected from said plurality of monitored parameters by causing a radio coupled to the control-console processing means to transmit said selected-parameter measurement data;

and

wherein the portable monitoring unit includes

a display device;

a keypad for selecting said parameter as to which measurement data is to be displayed by the display device and for enabling said measurement data that is to be displayed to be requested from the control-console processing means;

a radio for transmitting a said request to the radio that is coupled to the control console and for receiving said measurement data transmitted by the radio that is coupled to the control console;

a processor coupled to the keypad, the portable-unit radio and the display device, and adapted for responding to an operation of the keypad to select a parameter as to which measurement data requested from the control-console processing means is to be displayed by causing the portable-unit radio to transmit to the radio coupled to the control console a request for transmission of said measurement data selected by operation of the keypad and for causing the display device to display said measurement data that is received by the portable-unit radio; and

a memory for storing said measurement data received by the portable-unit radio;

wherein the keypad is adapted for enabling selection of said parameter at to which measurement data from the memory is to be displayed by the display device; and

wherein the portable-unit processor is also coupled to the memory and is adapted for causing said measurement data related to a plurality of said monitored parameters received by the portable-unit radio to be stored in the memory and for responding to an operation of the keypad to select said parameter as to which measurement data from the memory is to be displayed by causing the display device to display said measurement data for the selected parameter from the memory by said operation of the keypad.

11. A remote monitoring system, comprising a control console and a portable monitoring unit, wherein the control console, includes

processing means for processing measurement data related to a plurality of monitored parameters and for responding to a request for transmission of measurement data pertaining to a parameter selected from said plurality of monitored parameters by causing a radio coupled to the control-console processing means to transmit said selected-parameter measurement data;

and wherein the portable monitoring unit includes

a display device;

a keypad for selecting said parameter as to which measurement data is to be displayed by the display device and for enabling said measurement data that is to be displayed to be requested from the control-console processing means;

a radio for transmitting a said request to the radio that is coupled to the control console and for receiving said measurement data transmitted by the radio that is coupled to the control console; and

a processor coupled do the keypad, the portable-unit radio and the display device, and adapted for responding to an operation of the keypad to select a parameter as to which measurement data requested from the control-console processing means is to be displayed by causing the portable-unit radio to transmit to the radio coupled to the control console a request for transmission of said measurement data selected by operation of the keypad and for causing the display device to display said measurement data that is received by the portable-unit radio;

wherein the control console is in the engine room, the control room or the bridge of a ship and the monitored parameters pertain to operation of the ship;

wherein the control-console processing means is adapted for processing said measurement data in relation to predetermined parameter thresholds, for providing an alarm-condition signal upon said processed measurement data reaching said parameter threshold, and for causing the radio coupled to the control console to transmit said alarm-condition signal to the portable-unit radio;

wherein the portable unit further includes means for providing an alarm;

wherein the portable-unit processor is also coupled to the alarm providing means and is adapted for responding to receipt of said alarm-condition signal by the portable-unit radio by causing the alarm providing means to provide an alarm and by causing the display device to display said alarm condition;

wherein the portable-unit keypad is adapted for enabling selection of an alarm-acknowledgment signal for transmission to the control console;

wherein the portable-unit processor is adapted for responding to operation of the keypad to select said alarm-acknowledgment signal for transmission by causing the portable-unit radio to transmit said alarm-acknowledgement signal to the radio coupled to the control console; and

wherein the control-console processing means is adapted for responding to receipt of said alarm-acknowledgment signal by the radio that is coupled to the control-console processing means by discontinuing provision of said alarm-condition signal.

12. A remote monitoring system, comprising a control console and a portable monitoring unit, wherein the control console, includes

processing means for processing measurement data related to a monitored parameter in relation to a predetermined parameter threshold, for providing an alarm-condition signal upon said processed measurement data reaching said parameter threshold, and for causing a radio coupled to the control console to transmit said alarm-condition signal;

and wherein the portable monitoring unit includes

a radio for receiving said alarm-condition signal transmitted by the radio that is coupled to the control console;

a display device;

means other than the display device for providing an alarm;

a processor coupled to the portable-unit radio, the alarm providing means and the display device, and adapted for responding to receipt of said alarm-condition signal by the portable-unit radio by causing the alarm providing means to provide an alarm and by causing the display device to display said alarm condition;

a keypad for enabling said measurement data to be requested from the control-console processing means;

wherein the portable-unit processor is adapted for responding to an operation of the keypad to request said measurement data from the control-console processing means by causing the portable-unit radio to transmit to the radio coupled to the control console a request for transmission of said measurement data;

wherein the control-console processing means is adapted for responding to receipt by the radio coupled to the control console of said request for said measurement data by causing the radio couple to the control-console processing means to transmit said requested measurement data to the portable-unit radio;

wherein the portable-unit processor is adapted for responding to receipt by the portable-unit radio of said requested measurement data by causing the display device to display said requested measurement data that is received by the portable-unit radio in response to said request;

wherein the portable-unit keypad is adapted for enabling selection of an alarm-acknowledgment signal for transmission to the control console;

wherein the portable-unit processor is adapted for responding to operation of the keypad to select said alarm-acknowledgment signal for transmission by causing the portable-unit radio to transmit said alarm-acknowledgment signal to the radio coupled to the control console; and

wherein the control-console processing means is adapted for responding to receipt of said alarm-acknowledgment signal by the radio that is coupled to the control-console processing means by discontinuing provision of said alarm-condition signal.