Computerized diagnostic and monitoring system

• US 5,453,939 A
• Filed: 09/16/1992
• Issued: 09/26/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Barney, Dennis A., Vance, Ricky D., Hoffman, John P., Kozlevcar, Joseph G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Voeltz, Emanuel T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): KEMPER, MELANIE A
• Application Number:
  US07/945,451
• Time in Patent Office: 1,105 Days
• Field of Search: 364/551.01, 364/424.01, 364/424.03, 364/424.04, 73/116, 73/117.2, 73/117.3, 340/438, 340/439, 340/461, 340/945, 340/959
• US Class Current: 702/183
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0808 Diagnosing performance data testing of vehicles G01M17/00; testing of electrical installation on vehicles G01R31/005
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0816 Indicating performance data, e.g. occurrence of a malfunction

Abstract

Systems for monitoring sensed parameters and diagnosing fault conditions are useful in many applications. Advantageously, such systems are capable of operating in a plurality of operating modes and in connection with each of a plurality of machines. In the subject invention, a plurality of gauges are included for indicating the levels of the sensed parameters. A plurality of symbols are included for identifying sensed parameters. A control receives an identification code and selectively illuminates one or more of a plurality of gauges and symbols in response to the identification code. A plurality of warning lights are each associated with a switch-type input. A display selectively indicates a pin code for each switch-type input having a fault condition. The indicator lights having an associated switch-type input in the fault condition are flashed. A device selectively indicates a pin code in response to each diagnosable input having a present or a previous fault condition.

Claims

1. An apparatus for indicating levels of sensed parameters related to machine operation, warning conditions, and fault conditions on any of a plurality of machines having an instrument panel and a plurality of switch-type inputs and diagnostic inputs, said instrument panel operating in one of a plurality of modes including a normal display mode, a service mode, a status mode, and a numeric readout mode, comprising:

means for producing an identification code, each of the plurality of machines having a unique identification code for identifying the machine to which the apparatus is connected;

a plurality of diagnostic sensor means for sensing a plurality of parameter levels and responsively producing a plurality of diagnostic sensor signals;

a plurality of gauge means for indicating a level of the sensed parameters;

a plurality of symbol means for identifying the sensed parameter being indicated on each of said gauge means, said plurality of gauge and symbol means being substantially visible to an operator only when illuminated;

means for selecting the normal display mode;

means for selecting the numeric readout mode;

control means for receiving said identification code and selectively illuminating one or more of said plurality of gauge and symbol means in response to said identification code and the instrument panel being in the normal display mode or the numeric readout mode;

a plurality of warning lights, each of said warning lights being associated with one of the switch-type inputs;

means for selecting the status mode;

display means for selectively indicating a pin code for each switch-type input having a fault condition;

means for flashing each of said warning lights having an associated switch-type input in the fault condition in response to the instrument panel being in the status mode;

means for selecting the service mode;

means for indicating a pin code in response to each of the diagnostic inputs having a present or a previous fault condition in response to the instrument panel being in the service mode;

a digital display;

means for selecting one of said plurality of diagnostic sensor signals corresponding to the one or more of said plurality of gauge and symbol means illuminated in response to said identification code; and

means for displaying the selected sensor signal in digital form on said digital display in response to the instrument panel being in the numeric readout mode.

2. A method for indicating levels of sensed parameters related to machine operation, warning conditions, and fault conditions on any of a plurality of machines having an instrument panel and a plurality of switch-type inputs and diagnostic inputs, the instrument panel including a plurality of indicating lights and a plurality of gauges and symbols, comprising the steps of:

producing an identification code, each of the plurality of machines having a unique identification code for identifying the machine to which the apparatus is connected;

selecting one of a normal display mode, a status mode, a service mode, or a numeric display mode;

sensing parameters and responsively producing sensor signals indicating one of a fault condition and a normal condition;

receiving the identification code, assigning one of the sensor signals to each of the illuminated gauges in response to the identification code and the selection of either the normal display mode or the numeric display mode, and selectively illuminating one or more of a plurality of gauges and symbols, each symbol identifying the sensed parameter indicated on the illuminated gauges;

indicating a level of the sensed parameters on the illuminated gauges;

selectively indicating a pin code for each switch-type input having a warning condition in response to selection of the status mode;

flashing each indicator light having an associated switch-type input in a fault condition in response to selection of the status mode;

indicating a pin code in response to each of the diagnostic inputs having a present or a previous fault condition in response to selection of the service mode;

selecting one of said sensor signals assigned to the gauges being illuminated in response to the identification code; and

displaying the level of the selected sensor signal in digital form on a digital display in response to selecting the numeric readout mode.