US6662091B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Diagnostics/prognostics using wireless links
Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute Inc
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Filing: 2001-12-20
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Granted: 2003-12-09
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Expires: 2021-12-20
Abstract
Abstract A system and method for monitoring operating parameters of a machine (such as a vehicle) and producing diagnostic and/or prognostic results are disclosed. Active, semi-active, or semi-passive sensors are wirelessly linked with an interrogator that selectively interrogates the sensors, such as through transponders in wired communication with the sensors. A data concentrator or processor analyzes data from certain sensors and generates diagnostic/prognostic conclusions, in some cases using additional data selectively requested from and acquired by the sensors. In some embodiments, raw or abstracted data is communicated with a management center that provides troubleshooting information (again, possibly using additional, selectively acquired data), makes resource management decisions (such as preparing parts or labor resources to make a repair), and tracks problems in all or a subset of the machines being managed.
Inventors
- 👤 Bary W. Wilson
- 👤 Earl Heister
- 👤 Frank L. Greitzer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 04:19
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01D; G01D9/00; G01D9/005; G01D21/00; G01D21/02; G01M; G01M15/00; G01M15/04; G01M15/05; G01M17/00; G01M17/007; G07; G07C; G07C5/00; G07C5/008
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
A system, comprising: a processor; a wireless signal transceiver in communication with said processor; two or more sensors configured to detect two or more operating parameters of a machine and generate corresponding parameter information signals; one or more transponder means configured to receive the parameter information signals from said sensors and wirelessly communicate the operating parameter data to said wireless signal transceiver in response to a selective interrogation signal; a processor-readable medium, in communication with said processor, encoded with programming instructions executable by said processor to: control generation by said transceiver of the selective interrogation signal, and perform computations on the operating parameter data.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
104 words
A system, comprising: a processor; a wireless signal transceiver in communication with said processor; two or more sensors configured to detect two or more operating parameters of a machine and generate corresponding parameter information signals; one or more transponder means configured to receive the parameter information signals from said sensors and wirelessly communicate the operating parameter data to said wireless signal transceiver in response to a selective interrogation signal; a processor-readable medium, in communication with said processor, encoded with programming instructions executable by said processor to: control generation by said transceiver of the selective interrogation signal, and perform computations on the operating parameter data.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said computations comprise determining a machine state as a function of the operating parameter data.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 2 , further comprising a display means, in communication with said processor, for visually communicating the machine state to a person.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 3 , wherein: the machine has an operator compartment; and said display means is in the operator compartment.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 2 , further comprising: a stationary monitoring facility in communication with said processor through a wireless link; and a state message from said processor to said monitoring facility through said wireless link reflecting the machine state.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 5 , wherein the communication between said monitoring facility and said processor passes through a public access data network.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 5 , wherein said wireless link comprises a public access cellular communications network.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 5 , wherein said wireless link is a two-way link.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 8 , further comprising a responsive message from said monitoring facility to said processor, where the responsive message is sent in response to state messages that indicate one or more predetermined machine states.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system of claim 9 , wherein said responsive message is a request for specific additional data regarding one or more of the operating parameters; and further comprising a reply message through the wireless channel from said processor to said monitoring facility containing the requested additional data.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein at least one transponder means is an RF tag.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 11 , wherein the at least one transponder means includes no internal power source.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 11 , wherein the at least one transponder means comprises an internal power source.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 11 , wherein the at least one transponder means shares a power source with the machine.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
65 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein at least a first one of said one or more transponder means is further configured to: generate a selective interrogation signal to which a second one of said one or more transponder means is configured to respond; receive the parameter information signals from the second transponder means; and communicate the parameter information signals to said wireless signal transceiver.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
91 words
A system, comprising: a processor; a wireless signal transceiver in communication with said processor; one or more sensors collectively configured to detect two or more operating parameters of a vehicle; one or more tag means for receiving the operating parameters from said sensors and wirelessly communicating the operating parameters to said wireless signal receiver; a processor-readable medium, in communication with said processor, encoded with programming instructions executable by said processor to: develop a report signal as a function of the operating parameters; and send said report signal to a display device.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
91 words
A system, comprising: a processor; a wireless signal transceiver in communication with said processor; one or more sensors collectively configured to detect two or more operating parameters of a vehicle; one or more tag means for receiving the operating parameters from said sensors and wirelessly communicating the operating parameters to said wireless signal receiver; a processor-readable medium, in communication with said processor, encoded with programming instructions executable by said processor to: develop a report signal as a function of the operating parameters; and send said report signal to a display device.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 16 , wherein: the vehicle has an operator's compartment; and the display device is configured to be observed by a person in said operator's compartment.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 16 : further comprising a fleet command center; and wherein the display device is configured to be observed by a fleet operator in said fleet command center.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 16 , wherein said report signal reflects the result of processing a plurality of the operating parameters.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 19 wherein said report signal reflects diagnosis based on a plurality of operating parameters.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 19 , wherein said report signal reflects a prognosis based on a plurality of operating parameters.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 16 , wherein at least one of said one or more tag means is an RE tag.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 22 , wherein said RE tag is semi-passive.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 22 , wherein said RE tag is semi-active.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 22 , wherein said RE tag is active.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
46 words
The system of claim 16 , wherein said programming instructions are executable by said processor to: effect an interrogation of said one or more tag means to obtain one or more data signals; and perform at least one computation on said one or more data signals.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
176 words
A system for maintaining a plurality of vehicles, comprising: a management center; and an on-board subsystem on each vehicle, each said subsystem comprising: one or more sensors that collectively sense a plurality of operating parameters of the vehicle; one or more transceivers, each in communication with one or more sensors, that communicate a data signal indicative of the operating parameters in response to an interrogation signal; one or more interrogators configured to selectively produce the interrogation signals and receive the data signals; a processor, in communication with said one or more interrogators and a computer-readable medium, wherein the computer-readable medium is encoded with programming instructions executable by said processor to: perform analysis of the health of one or more portions of the vehicle based on the operating parameters indicated by the data signals to produce one or more result signals; and control production of interrogation signals by said one or more interrogators; and communications hardware in communication with said processor to communicate at least one of said one or more result signals to said management center.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
176 words
A system for maintaining a plurality of vehicles, comprising: a management center; and an on-board subsystem on each vehicle, each said subsystem comprising: one or more sensors that collectively sense a plurality of operating parameters of the vehicle; one or more transceivers, each in communication with one or more sensors, that communicate a data signal indicative of the operating parameters in response to an interrogation signal; one or more interrogators configured to selectively produce the interrogation signals and receive the data signals; a processor, in communication with said one or more interrogators and a computer-readable medium, wherein the computer-readable medium is encoded with programming instructions executable by said processor to: perform analysis of the health of one or more portions of the vehicle based on the operating parameters indicated by the data signals to produce one or more result signals; and control production of interrogation signals by said one or more interrogators; and communications hardware in communication with said processor to communicate at least one of said one or more result signals to said management center.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 27 , wherein said management center is configured to generate a response signal to said one or more result signals and send it to said communications hardware.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 28 , wherein said response signal indicates instructions to an operator of the vehicle.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
71 words
The system of claim 28 , wherein: said response signal comprises a request for additional information concerning additional operating parameters of the vehicle, where the additional operating parameters were not described in said result signal; and the programming instructions are further executable by said processor to: cause said one or more interrogators to selectively request the additional information; cause said communications hardware to transmit the additional information to said management center.
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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) | 2006-12-08 | 2007-06-09 | 2007-12-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-12-08 | 2011-06-09 | 2011-12-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-12-08 | 2015-06-09 | 2015-12-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |