System and method for analyzing and reporting machine operating parameters

• US 8,014,974 B2
• Filed: 12/19/2001
• Issued: 09/06/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Doddek, David J., Sorrells, Giles K.
• Primary Examiner(s): BHAT, ADITYA S
• Application Number:
  US10/025,717
• Publication Number:
  US 20030115019A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,548 Days
• Field of Search: 701/33, 701/35, 701/201, 709/207, 455/424, 702/183, 714/48
• US Class Current: 702/183
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 23/0235 based on a comparison with predetermined threshold or range, e.g. "classical methods", carried out during normal operation; threshold adaptation or choice; when or how to compare with the threshold

Abstract

A system and method for analyzing and providing exception-based reports for machine data. The machine data is relayed to a remote system for automated analysis based on tests and parameters defined by an owner. If any exceptions are detected in the data based on the operator-defined input, output is generated. The output may take the form of exception-based printed or electronic reports, or the exception information may be relayed to a hand held device, preferably maintained by service personnel at the work site.

Claims

1. A method for analyzing machine data, the machine data representing at least one condition of a machine, comprising the steps of:

storing said machine data in a data system;

defining a testing procedure by selecting from a plurality of pre-defined owner inputs each associated with one or more diagnostic processes, wherein at least one of the owner inputs is associated with one or more diagnostic processes that are different from the one or more diagnostic processes with which at least one of the other owner inputs is associated;

processing said machine data based on said testing procedure to determine a machine exception; and

generating a notification in the event of a machine exception;

wherein defining the testing procedure includes conditioning at least one diagnostic process to execute automatically based on the results of at least one other diagnostic process.

2. The method, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said pre-defined owner input comprises a selected test and defined parameters for said test.

3. The method, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said notification is relayed to a notification device.

4. The method, as set forth in claim 3, wherein said notification device is a hand held communications device.

5. The method, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said testing procedure is run on a sequencer.

6. The method, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said storing step comprises the steps of

storing said machine data on said machine in packets;

and

transferring said packets via a communications network to said data system.

7. The method, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said storing step includes the step of:

streaming said machine data from said machine to said data system via a communications network.

8. A system for analyzing machine data, the machine data representing at least one condition of a machine, comprising:

a data system configured to store machine data;

an owner input device configured to accept a plurality of different owner inputs, each associated with one or more diagnostic processes, wherein at least one of the owner inputs is associated with one or more diagnostic processes that are different from the one or more diagnostic processes with which at least one of the other owner inputs is associated; and

an analyzer configured to accept a procedure selected by an owner from said plurality of owner inputs, process said machine data based upon said procedure to determine a machine exception, and generate a notification in the event of a machine exception;

wherein the analyzer is configurable to execute at least one diagnostic process automatically based on the results of at least one other diagnostic process.

9. The system, as set forth in claim 8, further comprising:

a communications network for relaying said machine data from said machine to said data system.

10. The system, as set forth in claim 9, further comprising:

a notification device for receiving said notification via said communications network.

11. The system, as set forth in claim 10, wherein said notification device comprises a hand held communication device.

12. The system, as set forth in claim 9, wherein said communications network comprises wireless communication means.

13. The system, as set forth in claim 8, wherein said procedure comprises a test selected by said owner and at least one parameter defined by said owner and associated with said test.