US5961561A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for remote maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of a motorized wheelchair
Assignee: Invacare Corp
•
Filing: 1997-08-14
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Granted: 1999-10-05
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Expires: 2017-08-14
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for the remote maintenance, troubleshooting, and/or repair of electric or motorized wheelchairs is disclosed. A wheelchair diagnostic system includes a data communications network, a motorized wheelchair having a controller associated therewith, a modem coupled between the controller and the data communications network, a remote data processing unit coupled to the data communications network, and a diagnostics tool executing on the remote data processing unit which facilitates communicating with the controller across the data communications network. The diagnostics tool includes computer readable code which causes data from the controller to be downloaded across the data communications network to the remote data processing unit so that a service technician can view error code and drive parameter data for troubleshooting, diagnosing and/or repairing the wheelchair.
Inventors
- 👤 II Theodore D. Wakefield
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 08:35
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M17/00; G01M17/007; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S180/00; Y10S180/907
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
A method of remote communication between a remote data processing unit with an associated video monitor and a motorized wheelchair having an associated controller and an associated modem, said remote data processing unit and said controller each being capable of generating data, comprising the steps of using the modem to establish a data communications link between the controller and the remote data processing unit; uploading first data from the controller across the data communications fink to the remote data processing unit for display on the video monitor; downloading second data from the remote data processing unit across the data communications link to the controller; and terminating the data communications link after the controller acknowledges receipt of the second data.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
119 words
A method of remote communication between a remote data processing unit with an associated video monitor and a motorized wheelchair having an associated controller and an associated modem, said remote data processing unit and said controller each being capable of generating data, comprising the steps of using the modem to establish a data communications link between the controller and the remote data processing unit; uploading first data from the controller across the data communications fink to the remote data processing unit for display on the video monitor; downloading second data from the remote data processing unit across the data communications link to the controller; and terminating the data communications link after the controller acknowledges receipt of the second data.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1, further including the step of: modifying at least a portion of the first data to generate the second data.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the downloading second data step includes the step of: storing the second data in a memory associated with the controller.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the uploading first data includes the step of: reading the first data from a memory associated with the controller.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the uploading first data step includes the step of: reading at least one of error code data and first data from a memory associated with the controller.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said first data and said second data are drive parameter data, further including the steps of: modifying at least a portion of the first drive parameter data to generate second drive parameter data; and downloading the second drive parameter data from the remote data processing unit across the data communications link to the controller.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 6, further including the step of: storing at least one of the error code data, first drive parameter data, and second drive parameter data in a database record.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 6, further including the step of: printing out at least one of the error code data, first drive parameter data, and second drive parameter data on a printer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
90 words
A wheelchair diagnostic system, comprising: a data communications network; a motorized wheelchair having a controller associated therewith; a modem coupled between the controller and the data communications network; a remote data processing unit coupled to the data communications network; and a diagnostics tool executing on the remote data processing unit which facilitates communicating with the controller across the data communications network, the diagnostics tool including computer readable code means for causing first data from the controller to be downloaded across the data communications network to the remote data processing unit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
90 words
A wheelchair diagnostic system, comprising: a data communications network; a motorized wheelchair having a controller associated therewith; a modem coupled between the controller and the data communications network; a remote data processing unit coupled to the data communications network; and a diagnostics tool executing on the remote data processing unit which facilitates communicating with the controller across the data communications network, the diagnostics tool including computer readable code means for causing first data from the controller to be downloaded across the data communications network to the remote data processing unit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
46 words
The wheelchair diagnostic system of claim 9, further including: computer readable code means for modifying the first data to generate second data; and computer readable code means for uploading the second data across the data communications network to the controller for storage in a controller memory.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The wheelchair diagnostic system of claim 9, wherein the first data includes at least one of error code data and drive parameter data.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
107 words
A program product comprising: a computer usable medium having computer readable program code means embodied therein for causing a computer to display first data received across a data communication network from a controller associated with a wheelchair, the computer readable program code means in the article of manufacture comprising: computer readable program code means for causing the computer to effect downloading of the first data from a memory associated with the controller; and computer readable program code means for causing the computer to effect displaying the first data on a video monitor, the first data including at least one of error code data and drive parameter data.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
107 words
A program product comprising: a computer usable medium having computer readable program code means embodied therein for causing a computer to display first data received across a data communication network from a controller associated with a wheelchair, the computer readable program code means in the article of manufacture comprising: computer readable program code means for causing the computer to effect downloading of the first data from a memory associated with the controller; and computer readable program code means for causing the computer to effect displaying the first data on a video monitor, the first data including at least one of error code data and drive parameter data.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The program product of claim 12, further including computer readable program code means for causing the computer to effect modifying the first data to generate second data.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
The program product of claim 12, further including computer readable program code means for causing the computer to effect uploading the second data across the data communications network to the memory associated with the controller.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
35 words
The program product of claim 12, further including computer readable program code means for causing the computer to effect storing at least one of the first data and the second data in a database record.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
The program product of claim 12, further including computer readable program code means for causing the computer to effect printing at least one of the first data and the second data on a printer.
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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) | 2002-10-04 | 2003-04-05 | 2003-10-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-10-04 | 2007-04-05 | 2007-10-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-10-04 | 2011-04-05 | 2011-10-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |