System and method for compiling a machine service history

• US 6,840,445 B2
• Filed: 12/09/2002
• Issued: 01/11/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Gatz, Michael C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Stcyr, Daniel
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hess, Daniel A.
• Application Number:
  US10/314,513
• Publication Number:
  US 20040108378A1
• Time in Patent Office: 764 Days
• Field of Search: 235/385, 701 29- 35
• US Class Current: 235/385
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/24001 Maintenance, repair
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/35291 Record history, log, journal, audit of machine operation
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/35414 Remote instruction to operate machine tool
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/49305 Store, memory on tool with control and maintenance data
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/0029 the arrangement being specially adapted for wireless interrogation of grouped or bundled articles tagged with wireless record carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]

Abstract

A system and method for compiling a service history for a machine. A transmitter is attached to a serviceable part for a machine. When the part is installed, the transmitter relays an identification which is received by a receiver preferably attached to the machine. A processor stores the identification and associated machine data to build the service history. The service history data may be relayed to a remote storage system for storage and display.

Claims

1. A system for compiling a machine service history, comprising:

a machine that includes at least one serviceable component and an associated machine service history;

a transmitter coupled to the serviceable component of the machine, the transmitter adapted to transmit a signal that includes a current identification of the serviceable component;

a sensor adapted to receive a transmission, which includes the current identification, from the transmitter;

a processor adapted to compare the current identification to an expected identification and store the current identification and a time stamp if the current identification is different from the expected identification.

2. The system, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the transmitter comprises an RFID tag and the sensor comprises an RFID receiver.

3. The system, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the sensor and the processor are coupled to the machine.

4. The system, as set forth in claim 3, wherein the processor is further adapted to store current machine data when the current identification is stored.

5. The system, as set forth in claim 4, wherein the current machine data includes engine hours associated with the serviceable component.

6. The system, as set forth in claim 4, further including:

a data storage system located remotely from the machine, the data storage system adapted to store the current identification and current machine data within the machine service history; and

a communication system adapted to relay the stored current identification and current machine data to the data storage system.

7. The system, as set forth in claim 6, further including:

an interface adapted for displaying the machine service history.

8. A system for compiling a service history of a machine comprising:

a plurality of interchangeable components, each of the components having a transmitter coupled thereto, each transmitter adapted to transmit a component identification, the plurality of interchangeable components adapted to be coupled to the machine;

a sensor adapted to receive the component identification of each of the plurality of interchangeable components while the interchangeable component is coupled to the machine;

a processor adapted to receive the component identification of each of the plurality of interchangeable components from the sensor and store each component identification and an associated time stamp.

9. The system, as set forth in claim 8, wherein the transmitters comprise RFID tags and the sensor comprises an RFID receiver.

10. The system, as set forth in claim 8, wherein the sensor and the processor are coupled to the machine.

11. The system, as set forth in claim 8, further including:

a data storage system located remotely from the machine, the data storage system adapted to store each of the component identifications and associated machine data within the machine service history; and

a communication system adapted to relay each of the stored component identifications and associated machine data from the processor to the data storage system; and

an interface adapted for displaying the machine service history stored in the data storage system.

12. A method of recording the existence of a current component on a machine, comprising the steps of:

transmitting from a transmitter coupled to the current component a current identification;

receiving the current identification from the transmitter;

comparing the current identification to an expected identification; and

if the current identification is different from the expected identification, recording the current identification and a time stamp for the current component.

13. The method, as set forth in claim 12, wherein the current identification is relayed by an RFID tag coupled to the current component and wherein the identification is received by an RFID receiver.

14. The method, as set forth in claim 13, wherein the RFID receiver is coupled to the machine.

15. The method, as set forth in claim 12, wherein the current identification is recorded in a memory coupled to the machine.

16. The method, as set forth in claim 12, wherein the recording step further includes recording current machine data.

17. The method, as set forth in claim 16, wherein the current machine data includes engine hours.

18. The method, as set forth in claim 16, further including the steps of:

transmitting the recorded current identification and current machine data to a remote system; and

compiling a machine service history comprised of the current machine data and current identification.

19. The method, as set forth in claim 18, further comprising the step of:

displaying the machine service history.

20. The method, as set forth in claim 12, wherein the transmitting, receiving and comparing steps are performed each time the machine is started.