System of machine maintenance

• US 8,108,182 B2
• Filed: 10/30/2007
• Issued: 01/31/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Profile Packaging Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Profile Packaging Incorporated
• Inventors: Murray, Stuart C.
• Primary Examiner(s): RUDY, ANDREW J
• Application Number:
  US11/928,899
• Publication Number:
  US 20080103937A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,554 Days
• Field of Search: 700/95, 700/100, 700/117, 700/175, 700/174, 700/177, 700/180, 702/184, 702/182, 702/183, 702/185, 705/26.61, 705/26.63, 705/30, 705/34
• US Class Current: 702/184
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/20 Administration of product repair or maintenance
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0627 using item specifications
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0635 Processing of requisition or of purchase orders

Abstract

A system for remote maintenance for a machine. The system includes a database having information for a plurality of machines. A customer accesses the database in order to receive an illustration of at least one of said plurality of machines. Thereafter, the customer identifies a position of the machine illustration and is provided with ordering data for that portion of the machine (e.g., a machine component, sub-component or part). Using this ordering data the customer can order parts of its machine. Additionally, using an imaging device, such as a digital camera, the customer can transmit images of the machine to an off-site expert and receive real-time information related to the assembly, installation, repair or maintenance of the machine.

Claims

1. A method for remote maintenance for a machine, the method comprising:

providing a computer server including a processor, a memory and data storage, the server operating to transmit and receive data, and the server further including a database having information for a plurality of machines, the information including illustrations of the plurality of machines;

receiving by the server at least one command from a remote terminal to access said database to display an illustration of at least one of said plurality of machines, the at least one command being generated in response to a request for maintenance of a remotely located machine;

transmitting by the server an illustration of the remotely located machine; and

transmitting by the server ordering data for a selected portion of said illustration corresponding to at least one component of the remotely located machine.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving an order for said at least one component.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising transferring the order to an accounting system.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising generating documentation for the order.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the step of generating documentation includes generating documentation in an electronic format.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of generating documentation includes generating documentation in a printed format.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of transmitting ordering data includes generating an inventory verification.

8. The method of claim 2, wherein said step of receiving an order for said at least one component comprises electronically contacting a computer device associated with at least one vendor.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said ordering data comprises technical information.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said technical information is selected from a group consisting of descriptions, dimensions, functions, tolerances and machine documentation.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of transmitting ordering data includes the transmitting of sales information.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of transmitting sales information, includes the transmitting of sales information that is selected from a group consisting of part numbers, descriptions, per unit and discount unit costs.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of transmitting a confirmation of the transmitted order.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of transmitting ordering data for at least one sub-component of said at least one component.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving an image of a machine transmitted by an imaging device.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of receiving an image of a machine transmitted by an imaging device includes receiving an image transmitted by a digital camera.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of receiving an image of a machine transmitted by digital camera includes receiving an image transmitted by a digital video camera mounted to the at least one machine.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising transmitting expert information regarding the machine.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of transmitting expert information regarding the machine includes transmitting information selected from a group consisting of assembly, installation, maintenance and repair information.