Process for monitoring equipment and device for implementing said process

Claim 1

A method of monitoring an item of equipment by a user, of the type in which stresses undergone by said items of equipment are sensed and signals corresponding to said stresses are recorded by a monitoring device, and said signals are then read out of said monitoring device, the method comprising the steps of: storing in a memory, rules pertaining to a monitoring job; providing at least one sensor to sense said stresses while said monitoring device is in a monitoring state and while said monitoring device is in an acquisition state; placing said monitoring device in said monitoring state wherein electrical power is cut off substantially from said memory and from a recorder; storing a date and a time at which said monitoring job is started when said monitoring device is first placed in said monitoring state; providing threshold detector means, operable in said monitoring state and connected to a threshold voltage level, for determining if said signal from said at least one sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold level; changing over said monitoring device from said monitoring state to said acquisition state wherein electrical power is supplied to said recorder, when said signal from said at least one sensor exceeds said predetermined threshold level; and sensing sensor signals representing said stresses and recording in real time at least some of said sensor signals as stress data in accordance with said rules pertaining to said monitoring job; prohibiting unauthorized access to said rules stored in said memory; prohibiting unauthorized access to said stresses data recorded according to said rules; and changing over said monitoring device from said monitoring state to said acquisition state when recording any event which may have an effect of neutralizing said at least one sensor.

Claim 2

A method of monitoring an item of equipment by a user, of the type in which stresses undergone by said items of equipment are sensed and signals corresponding to said stresses are recorded by a monitoring device, and said signals are then read out of said monitoring device, the method comprising the steps of: storing in a memory, rules pertaining to a monitoring job; providing at least one sensor to sense said stresses while said monitoring device is in a monitoring state and while said monitoring device is in an acquisition state; placing said monitoring device in said monitoring state wherein electrical power is cut off substantially from said memory and from a recorder; storing a date and a time at which said monitoring job is started when said monitoring device is first placed in said monitoring state; providing threshold detector means, operable in said monitoring state and connected to a threshold voltage level, for determining if said signal from said at least one sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold level; changing over said monitoring device from said monitoring state to said acquisition state wherein electrical power is supplied to said recorder, when said signal from said at least one sensor exceeds said predetermined threshold level; and sensing sensor signals representing said stresses and recording in real time at least some of said sensor signals as stress data in accordance with said rules pertaining to said monitoring job; prohibiting unauthorized access to said rules stored in said memory; prohibiting unauthorized access to said stresses data recorded according to said rules; and changing over said monitoring device from said monitoring state to said acquisition state when recording any event which may have an effect of neutralizing said at least one sensor.

Claim 7

A device for monitoring items of equipment by a user, comprising: a recorder assembly; at least one sensor connected to said recorder assembly; a microprocessor connected to a data bus; a plurality of memories connected to said data bus; time stamp means connected to said data bus; means for programming said microprocessor; means for reading out data from said plurality of memories; said plurality of memories comprising: i) a first memory for storage of a program for data acquisition and programming; ii) a second memory for storage of rules and specific data constituting a specific monitoring job, said second memory being in a state of permanent back-up as soon as said rules and specific data are effectively stored therein, and said second memory being protected against unauthorized access; and iii) a third memory for storage of data representing a signal from said at least one sensor; means for selective access to said first memory, said second memory and said third memory and being associated with blocking means for blocking unauthorized access to said first memory, said second memory, and said third memory and capable of being released only by authorized users; said recorder assembly, said microprocessor, said plurality of memories, said means for programming said microprocessor, said means for reading out data, and said means for selective access having main electrical power removed when said device is in a monitoring state; said recorder assembly, said microprocessor, and said plurality of memories having main electrical power applied when said device is in an acquisition state; threshold detector means, operable in said monitoring state and connected to a threshold voltage level, for determining if said signal from said at least one sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold level; means for changing over said device from said monitoring state to said acquisition state when said recorder records any event which may have an effect of neutralizing said at least one sensor.

Claim 8

A device for monitoring items of equipment by a user, comprising: a recorder assembly; at least one sensor connected to said recorder assembly; a microprocessor connected to a data bus; a plurality of memories connected to said data bus; time stamp means connected to said data bus; means for programming said microprocessor; means for reading out data from said plurality of memories; said plurality of memories comprising: i) a first memory for storage of a program for data acquisition and programming; ii) a second memory for storage of rules and specific data constituting a specific monitoring job, said second memory being in a state of permanent back-up as soon as said rules and specific data are effectively stored therein, and said second memory being protected against unauthorized access; and iii) a third memory for storage of data representing a signal from said at least one sensor; means for selective access to said first memory, said second memory and said third memory and being associated with blocking means for blocking unauthorized access to said first memory, said second memory, and said third memory and capable of being released only by authorized users; said recorder assembly, said microprocessor, said plurality of memories, said means for programming said microprocessor, said means for reading out data, and said means for selective access having main electrical power removed when said device is in a monitoring state; said recorder assembly, said microprocessor, and said plurality of memories having main electrical power applied when said device is in an acquisition state; threshold detector means, operable in said monitoring state and connected to a threshold voltage level, for determining if said signal from said at least one sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold level; means for changing over said device from said monitoring state to said acquisition state when said recorder records any event which may have an effect of neutralizing said at least one sensor.