SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR STORING AND RETRIEVING EQUIPMENT INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE DATA
First Claim
1. A system for accessing and storing data pertaining to inspection and maintenance of an equipment unit, said system comprising:
- (a) one or more memory buttons, each said memory button being adapted to permit electronic storage of data therein, and to permit reading of data stored therein;
(b) a memory button probe, said probe being adapted for transferring data to, and for reading data stored in, the said one or more memory buttons;
(c) a portable computing device having a memory;
(d) a first data transfer link, whereby the portable computing device is in electronic communication with the memory button probe;
(e) a central computer having a database for storing data relating to the equipment unit, said central computer being at a location remote from the equipment unit; and
(f) a second data transfer link, whereby the portable computing device is in electronic communication with the central computer and database;
wherein each memory button is mounted on or in the equipment unit.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An inspection and maintenance data storage and retrieval system features uniquely identified read/write memory buttons mounted in or on an equipment unit such as an aircraft, in association with specific components of the equipment unit. Technical information useful for inspection and maintenance of the components, plus historical inspection and maintenance information, is stored in a central database computer remote from the equipment unit. A memory button probe, used in conjunction with a portable computer, enables storage on the memory buttons of information relating to inspection and maintenance carried out on the corresponding equipment components, as well as technical information related to the components. The portable computer is connected to the central database computer, preferably through a wireless Internet connection, thus enabling downloading of technical information from the central database to the portable computer at the point of inspection or maintenance. 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 units supported by the system.
40 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for accessing and storing data pertaining to inspection and maintenance of an equipment unit, said system comprising:
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(a) one or more memory buttons, each said memory button being adapted to permit electronic storage of data therein, and to permit reading of data stored therein;
(b) a memory button probe, said probe being adapted for transferring data to, and for reading data stored in, the said one or more memory buttons;
(c) a portable computing device having a memory;
(d) a first data transfer link, whereby the portable computing device is in electronic communication with the memory button probe;
(e) a central computer having a database for storing data relating to the equipment unit, said central computer being at a location remote from the equipment unit; and
(f) a second data transfer link, whereby the portable computing device is in electronic communication with the central computer and database;
wherein each memory button is mounted on or in the equipment unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of storing and retrieving inspection and maintenance information regarding an equipment unit, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a memory button, said memory button being adapted to permit electronic storage of data therein, and to permit reading of data stored therein;
(b) installing said memory button on or in the equipment unit in convenient proximity to a selected inspection and maintenance point;
(c) providing a memory button probe adapted for transferring data to, and for reading data stored in, the memory button;
(d) providing a portable computing device having a memory, and having a first data transfer link whereby said portable computing device is in electronic communication with the memory button probe;
(e) providing, at a location remote from the equipment unit, a central computer having a database, said central computer having a second data transfer link whereby the central computer is in electronic communication with the portable computing device;
(f) as desired, storing technical information relating to the equipment unit in the database;
(g) as desired, storing technical information relating to the equipment unit in the memory button;
(h) as desired, engaging the memory button probe with the memory button, so as to read selected data stored therein, and to transmit said selected data via said first data transfer link to the portable computing device;
(i) as desired, transmitting a signal from the portable computing device to the central computer via said second data transfer link, instructing the central computer to transmit selected data from the database to the portable computing device via the second data transfer link;
(j) performing an inspection or maintenance task on the equipment unit;
(k) entering task performance information into the portable computing device relating to the performance of said inspection or maintenance task;
(l) electronically transmitting a signal, corresponding to said task performance information, from the portable computing device to the memory button, via said first data transfer link and the memory button probe, so as to store said task performance information on the memory button; and
(m) electronically transmitting a signal, corresponding to said task performance information, from the portable computing device to the central computer, via said second data transfer link, so as to store said task performance information in the database. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification