Patent US5742915A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5742915A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Position referenced data for monitoring and controlling
Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
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Filing: 1995-12-13
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Granted: 1998-04-21
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Expires: 2015-12-13
Abstract
Abstract A system and method for recording the time and position of a machine during the occurrence of an event. The system includes means to determine the operating characteristics of the machine, means to determine a set of operating parameters of the machine, means to detect a significant event including a deviation in operating parameters, means to determine the time of occurrence and the geographic location at the time of occurrence, means to determine a level of significance of a deviation, means to store the information im memory, and means to transmit the information to a remote location.
Inventors
- 👤 Darrell E. Stafford
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 19:42
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08G; G08G1/00; G08G1/20; G07; G07C; G07C5/00; G07C5/008; G07C5/08; G07C5/0841; G07C5/085
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
A system for recording the time and position of a machine during an occurrence of an event, comprising: means for sensing operating characteristics of said machine; means for receiving said operating characteristics, responsively determining a set of operating parameters, and detecting a deviation in said operating parameters of said machine; means for determining a time of occurrence of said deviation; means for determining a geographic location of said machine at said time of occurrence; means for determining a level of significance of said deviation from one of three levels of significance, including a level one event, a level two event, and a level three event; means for storing said deviation, said time of occurrence, said geographic location, and said level of significance in memory; and means for transmitting said deviation, said time of occurrence, and said geographic location to a remote location.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
142 words
A system for recording the time and position of a machine during an occurrence of an event, comprising: means for sensing operating characteristics of said machine; means for receiving said operating characteristics, responsively determining a set of operating parameters, and detecting a deviation in said operating parameters of said machine; means for determining a time of occurrence of said deviation; means for determining a geographic location of said machine at said time of occurrence; means for determining a level of significance of said deviation from one of three levels of significance, including a level one event, a level two event, and a level three event; means for storing said deviation, said time of occurrence, said geographic location, and said level of significance in memory; and means for transmitting said deviation, said time of occurrence, and said geographic location to a remote location.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said deviation is defined as when a value of an operating parameter exceeds a predetermined limit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for detecting a deviation includes a microprocessor located on said machine.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said transmitting means transmits said level of significance to said remote location if said level of significance equals said level two event.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said transmitting means transmits said level of significance to said remote location if said level of significance equals said level three event.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system, as set forth in claim 5, wherein the occurrence of said level three event responsively causes said machine to shut down.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
A system, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said transmitting means transmits said deviation, said time of occurrence, and said geographic location in response to said level of significance being equal to one of said level two event and said level three event.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system, as set forth in claim 7, wherein said means for transmitting includes a long-range radiofrequency (RF) link.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
A system, as set forth in claim 8, wherein said transmitting means transmits said deviation, said time of occurrence, and said geographic location immediately after an occurrence of one of said level two event and said level three event.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system, as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least one of said operating parameters is equal to a corresponding at least one of said operating characteristics.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
A system, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for determining a set of operating parameters calculates at least one of said operating parameters as a function of at least one of said operating characteristics.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
58 words
A system, as set forth in claim 1, wherein: at least one of said operating parameters is equal to a corresponding at least one of said operating characteristics; and said means for determining a set of operating parameters calculates at least one other of said operating parameters as a function of at least one of said operating characteristics.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for determining a geographic location includes a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) System.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for transmitting includes a direct connect link to said memory.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system, as set forth in claim 14, wherein said means for transmitting transmits said deviation, said time of occurrence, and said geographic location over said direct connect link as the result of a query command.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for transmitting includes a short-range wireless link.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system, as set forth in claim 16, wherein said means for transmitting transmits said deviation, said time of occurrence, and said geographic location as said machine approaches a predetermined reporting station.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
131 words
A method for recording the time and position of a machine during an occurrence of an event, including the steps of: determining operating characteristics of said machine; receiving said operating characteristics and responsively determining a set of operating parameters of said machine; detecting a deviation of said operating parameters; determining a time of occurrence of said deviation; determining a geographic location of said machine at said time of occurrence; determining a level of significance of said deviation from one of three levels of significance, including a level one event, a level two event, and a level three event; storing said deviation, said time of occurrence, said geographic location, and said level of significance in memory; and transmitting said deviation, said time of occurrence, and said geographic location to a remote location.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
131 words
A method for recording the time and position of a machine during an occurrence of an event, including the steps of: determining operating characteristics of said machine; receiving said operating characteristics and responsively determining a set of operating parameters of said machine; detecting a deviation of said operating parameters; determining a time of occurrence of said deviation; determining a geographic location of said machine at said time of occurrence; determining a level of significance of said deviation from one of three levels of significance, including a level one event, a level two event, and a level three event; storing said deviation, said time of occurrence, said geographic location, and said level of significance in memory; and transmitting said deviation, said time of occurrence, and said geographic location to a remote location.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method, as set forth in claim 18, wherein the step of determining said level of significance is performed by a microprocessor located on said machine.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method, as set forth in claim 18, wherein at least one of said operating parameters is equal to a corresponding at least one of said operating characteristics.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method, as set forth in claim 18, wherein said step of determining a set of operating parameters includes the step of calculating at least one of said operating parameters as a function of at least one of said operating characteristics.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
62 words
A method, as set forth in claim 18, wherein at least one of said operating parameters is equal to a corresponding at least one of said operating characteristics, and said step of determining a set of operating parameters includes the step of calculating at least one other of said operating parameters as a function of at least one of said operating characteristics.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method, as set forth in claim 18, wherein the step of determining said time of occurrence is performed by reading a clock signal from a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) System.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method, as set forth in claim 18, wherein the step of storing is performed by a microprocessor located on said machine.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-04-20 | 2001-10-20 | 2002-04-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-04-20 | 2005-10-20 | 2006-04-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-04-20 | 2009-10-20 | 2010-04-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |