Wireless communication device for field personnel

• US 7,139,564 B2
• Filed: 08/08/2001
• Issued: 11/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Olive Tree Patents 1 LLC
• Original Assignee: Thomas H. Hebert
• Inventors: Hebert, Thomas H.
• Primary Examiner(s): TIEU, BINH KIEN
• Application Number:
  US09/924,959
• Publication Number:
  US 20020055358A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,931 Days
• Field of Search: 379/21, 379/1.01, 379/29.01, 379/106.01, 379/106.03, 379/106.04, 379/102.05, 455/423, 455/424, 455/425, 455/67.1, 700/9, 700 17- 19, 700 65- 66, 700/83, 700/204, 700276-277, 700/300
• US Class Current: 455/423
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

First, a system for providing direct field technical, troubleshooting, engineering analysis, equipment performance and efficiency analysis, new equipment and parts information, invoicing and sales support by means of data input and data retrieval in the field through the use by field located personnel of a hand-held, wireless communication device that allows direct field communication with a base or service provider master computer and software programs. Finally, utilization of a base or service provider located mater computer and software programs to provide all the primary computing processes needed to support a limited field located data entry and retrieval device that could further use the input data to establish a master computer file for a customer, equipment, performance and invoicing database.

Claims

1. An HVAC field located support computer, comprising:

(a) a recorder for recording HVAC system data and equipment data;

(b) a recorder for acquiring and recording HVAC system and equipment operational data from temporary field installed sensors;

(c) a transmitter for transmitting raw HVAC data from the field location to a central computer system for processing;

(d) a receiver for receiving processed and analyzed HVAC data at the field location from the central computer;

(e) a display for displaying a series of prompts to prompt the entry of additional HVAC data as required by the central computer for completion of the HVAC diagnosis/analysis, said HVAC diagnosis/analysis comprising information needed by the HVAC technician to repair any needed functionality of the HVAC system and to increase efficiency of the HVAC system;

(f) a display for displaying the results of the central computer'"'"'s HVAC diagnosis/analysis; and

(g) a printer for printing out the results of the central computer'"'"'s HVAC diagnosis/analysis.

2. The HVAC field located support computer of claim 1 wherein at least part of said field support computer is a field located data input, storage and retrieval computer.

3. The HVAC field located support computer of claim 1 wherein at least part of said field support computer is a field located wireless communication device capable of transmitting and receiving computer generated data.

4. The HVAC field located support computer of claim 1 wherein at least part of said field support computer is a central computer system capable of interpreting and analyzing raw HVAC data and providing HVAC analysis and diagnosis based upon the raw HVAC data.

5. The HVAC field located support computer of claim 1 wherein at least part of said field support computer is a centrally located wireless communication device capable of transmitting and receiving computer generated HVAC data.

6. The HVAC field located support computer of claim 1 further comprising an external data store.

7. The HVAC field located support computer of claim 1 wherein said external data store contains HVAC operational data and specifications specific to the HVAC equipment being analyzed/diagnosed.

8. The HVAC field located support computer of claim 1, wherein said external data store contains parts cost and availability specific to the HVAC equipment being analyzed and diagnosed.

9. The HVAC field located support computer of claim 1 wherein the central computer establishes a customer data sheet for historical recording of analysis and diagnosis.

10. The HVAC field located support computer of claim 1 wherein the central computer establishes a customer data sheet for invoicing and billing purposes.

18. The HVAC field located support computer of claim 1, wherein said external data store contains HVAC parts cost and availability specific to the equipment being analyzed and diagnosed.

19. The HVAC field located support computer of claim 1 wherein the central computer establishes a customer data sheet for historical recording of analysis and diagnosis.

20. The HVAC field located support computer of claim 1 wherein the central computer establishes a customer data sheet for invoicing and billing purposes.

11. An HVAC field located support computer, comprising:

(a) a recorder, operable by a field located technician or engineer for recording HVAC system data and equipment data;

(b) a recorder for acquiring and recording system and equipment operational data from temporary field installed sensors;

(c) a transmitter for transmitting raw HVAC data from the field location to a central computer system for processing;

(d) a receiver for receiving processed and analyzed HVAC data at the field location from the central computer;

(e) a display for displaying a series of prompts to enter additional HVAC data as required by the central computer for completion of the HVAC diagnosis/analysis, said HVAC diagnosis/analysis comprising information needed by the HVAC technician to repair any needed functionality of the HVAC system and to increase efficiency of the HVAC system;

(f) a display for displaying the results of the central computer'"'"'s HVAC diagnosis/analysis; and

(g) a printer for printing out the results of the central computer'"'"'s diagnosis/analysis.

12. The HVAC field located support computer of claim 11 wherein at least part of said field support computer is a field located data input, storage and retrieval computer.

13. The HVAC field located support computer of claim 11 wherein at least part of said field support computer is a field located phone line capable of transmitting and receiving computer generated data.

14. The HVAC field located support computer of claim 11 wherein at least part of said field support computer is a central computer system capable of interpreting and analyzing raw HVAC data and providing HVAC analysis and diagnosis based upon the raw HVAC data.

15. The HVAC field located support computer of claim 11 wherein at least part of said field support computer is a centrally located phone line communication device capable of transmitting and receiving computer generated data.

16. The HVAC field located support computer of claim 11 further comprising means for accessing an external data store.

17. The HVAC field located support computer of claim 11 wherein said external data store contains operational HVAC data and specifications specific to the equipment being analyzed/diagnosed.