System and method for storing and retrieving equipment inspection and maintenance data
First Claim
1. A method for verifying physical access by an inspection agent to an equipment item, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a memory button comprising a read-write memory;
(b) associating a unique identifier with the memory button and with the equipment item;
(c) mounting the memory button in association with the equipment item;
(d) providing portable computing means having a read-write memory and user interface whereby user-defined data and commands may be entered into said read-write memory;
(e) providing a memory button probe in electronic communication with portable computing means, said memory button probe being adapted for electronic communication with said read-write memory, so as to transfer data from the portable computing means to the memory or from the memory to the portable means;
(f) associating a unique inspector code with a specific inspection agent;
(g) gaining physical access to the memory button, while carrying both the portable computing means and the memory button probe;
(h) by means of the user interface, entering the unique inspector code into the memory of the portable computing means; and
(i) actuating the memory button probe so as to record;
i.1 in the memory button'"'"'s read-write memory, the unique inspector code, plus the date and time; and
i.2 in the memory of the portable computing means, the unique identifier associated with the memory button, plus the time and date.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An inspection and maintenance data storage and retrieval system features memory buttons each mounted in association with an equipment item, with each memory button having a read-write memory and an associated unique identifier. Inspection and maintenance data relating to the equipment item is stored in a remote central database. A memory button probe is used in conjunction with a portable computer to write data to and to read data from the memory buttons'"'"' read-write memories. The portable computer transfers data from the memory button probe to the central database at the point of inspection or maintenance, and vice versa. Information relating to each inspection and maintenance task may be downloaded to the central database computer via the portable computer. The central database computer may be a network server providing authorized users with access to current maintenance and operational status information for the equipment items supported by the system.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for verifying physical access by an inspection agent to an equipment item, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a memory button comprising a read-write memory; (b) associating a unique identifier with the memory button and with the equipment item; (c) mounting the memory button in association with the equipment item; (d) providing portable computing means having a read-write memory and user interface whereby user-defined data and commands may be entered into said read-write memory; (e) providing a memory button probe in electronic communication with portable computing means, said memory button probe being adapted for electronic communication with said read-write memory, so as to transfer data from the portable computing means to the memory or from the memory to the portable means; (f) associating a unique inspector code with a specific inspection agent; (g) gaining physical access to the memory button, while carrying both the portable computing means and the memory button probe; (h) by means of the user interface, entering the unique inspector code into the memory of the portable computing means; and (i) actuating the memory button probe so as to record; i.1 in the memory button'"'"'s read-write memory, the unique inspector code, plus the date and time; and i.2 in the memory of the portable computing means, the unique identifier associated with the memory button, plus the time and date. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for verifying physical access by an inspection agent to an equipment item, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a memory button comprising a read-write memory; (b) associating a unique identifier with the memory button and with the equipment item; (c) affixing the memory button to the equipment item; (d) providing portable computing means having a read-write memory and a user interface whereby user-defined data and commands may be entered into said read-write memory; (e) providing a memory button probe in electronic communication with the portable computing means, said memory button probe being adapted for electronic communication with said read-write memory, so as to transfer data from the portable computing means to the memory or from the memory to the portable computing means; (f) associating a unique inspector code with a specific inspection agent; (g) gaining physical access to the memory button, while carrying both the portable computing means and the memory button probe; (h) by means of the user interface, entering the unique inspector code into the memory of the portable computing means; and (i) actuating the memory button probe so as to record; i.1 in the memory button'"'"'s read-write memory, the unique inspector code, plus the date and time; i.2 in the memory of the portable computing means, the unique identifier associated with the memory button, plus the time and date; (j) performing a selected inspection or maintenance task on the equipment item; (k) by means of the user interface, entering task performance information into the portable computing means relating to the completed performance of the selected inspection or maintenance task; (l) actuating the memory button probe so as to electronically transmit a signal, corresponding to said task performance information, from the portable computing means to the memory button, and so as to store said task performance information on the memory button'"'"'s read-write memory chip; (m) providing, at a location remote from the equipment unit, a central computer having a database, said central computer being in electronic communication with the portable computing means; and (n) transmitting a signal from the portable computing means to the central computer, so as to store said task performance information in said database; wherein; (o) the equipment unit has no onboard means for reading information stored in the memory button; (p) steps (g), (h), (i), (j), (k), and (l) are performed by the specific inspection agent referred to in step (f); and (q) the database of the central computer stores technical information relating to the selected equipment item. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification