Systems and methods for identifying attachments

• US 20080059339A1
• Filed: 08/31/2006
• Published: 03/06/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Gualandri, J. Joseph
• Application Number:
  US11/513,148
• Publication Number:
  US 20080059339A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/28
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for identifying machine attachments. In one implementation, a system is provided for identifying attachments connected to a machine. The system includes a server in communication with the machine over a network. Further, the server receives data from the machine identifying an attachment connected to the machine and determines whether the attachment was included in a lease for the machine.

Claims

1. A system for identifying attachments connected to a machine, the system comprising:

a server in communication with the machine over a network, wherein the server receives data from the machine identifying an attachment connected to the machine and determines whether the attachment was included in a lease for the machine.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the received data indicates a date and time when the attachment was detected as being connected to the machine.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the received data includes a machine identification number and an attachment identifier uniquely identifying the attachment.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the server determines whether the attachment was included in the lease by comparing the attachment identifier to data representing terms of the lease corresponding to the machine identification number.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein the server generates a message that indicates the machine identification number and the attachment identifier.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the server generates a message that indicates whether the attachment was included in the terms of the lease agreement.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the received data further identifies an option included in the machine.

8. A method for identifying attachments connected to a machine, the method comprising:

transmitting, over a network, a request for identification of an attachment connected to the machine;

receiving data from the machine identifying the attachment; and

determining whether the attachment was included in a lease for the machine.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the received data indicates a date and time when the attachment was detected as being connected to the machine.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the received data includes a machine identification number and an attachment identifier uniquely identifying the attachment.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

comparing the attachment identifier with data representing terms of the lease corresponding to the machine identification number.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

generating a message that indicates the machine identification number and the attachment identifier.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

generating a message that indicates whether the attachment was included in the terms of the lease agreement.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein the received data further identifies an option included in the machine.

15. A computer-readable medium storing instructions executable by a processor for identifying attachments connected to a machine according to a method, the method comprising:

transmitting, over a network, a request for identification of an attachment connected to the machine;

receiving data from the machine identifying the attachment; and

determining whether the attachment was included in a lease for the machine.

16. The computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the received data indicates a date and time when the attachment was detected as being connected to the machine.

17. The computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the received data includes a machine identification number and an attachment identifier uniquely identifying the attachment.

18. The computer-readable medium of claim 17, further comprising:

comparing the attachment identifier with data representing terms of the lease corresponding to the machine identification number.

19. The computer-readable medium of claim 17, further comprising:

generating a message that indicates the machine identification number and the attachment identifier.

20. The computer-readable medium of claim 18, further comprising:

generating a message that indicates whether the attachment was included in the terms of the lease agreement.