US20080001771A1 - Method and system for reporting machine status - Google Patents

Abstract

A data communication system for a component of a machine includes a control module configured to monitor at least one type of machine data associated with the machine component configured to be mounted on the machine. The data communication system also includes a processor device configured to receive and process the machine data from the control module, and a transceiver device configured to communicate with the processor device and at least one off-board system. The processor device, the transceiver device, and the control module are formed integral with the machine component such that the data communication system communicates the machine data to the at least one off-board system when the machine component is not mounted on the machine.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION
• This is application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 11/477,514 filed on Jun. 30, 2006, for “Method And System For Providing Signatures For Machines,” which is incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
• The present disclosure relates generally to a method and system for reporting information, and more particularly, to a method and system for reporting machine status.
BACKGROUND
• Machines and machine components have routinely been the target of thieves, especially when there is a need for equipment, such as after a natural disaster. Stolen machines may be stripped and sold for parts, and therefore, create difficulties for authorities and machine owners to identify missing parts. To assist with identifying machines and machine components, markings are used, such as labels, etchings, etc., that uniquely identify a given component or machine. However, these markings may be removed or altered to change the identification information.
• Furthermore, law enforcement officials may not be trained to identify machines properly. For example, transported machines that are subject to inspection may have identification information printed on a component or sticker attached to the machine. However, alterations to the identification information frustrate the machine identification process. That is, law enforcement attempts to accurately identify machines with altered markings and identifications hinder the ability to locate missing machines and components.
• One method of locating a missing vehicle is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,418,537 (the '537 patent) to Bird. In the system disclosed by the '537 patent, a vehicle owner notifies a vehicle location service center that a vehicle is missing. In response, the vehicle location service center broadcasts a paging request. The paging request is received by the vehicle, which sends its present location to the vehicle location service center so that the vehicle can be recovered.
• Although the system of the '537 patent provides a method for recovering missing vehicles by broadcasting a paging request to the missing vehicle, the method has some drawbacks. For example, once the missing vehicle is located electronically, there is a time delay until the actual retrieval of the vehicle because the person retrieving the missing vehicle must travel to the location of the vehicle. Thus, the missing vehicle may be moved while the person sent to retrieve the missing vehicle is en route to the vehicle's detected location. Furthermore, if the paging responder or a similar device is removed from the vehicle, the vehicle is unable to respond to the paging request and thus unable to be located. In a further aspect, if a component of the missing vehicle is removed from the vehicle, the component is unable to be tracked.
• The disclosed system is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems set forth above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a data communication system for a component of a machine. The data communication system includes a control module configured to monitor at least one type of machine data associated with a machine component configured to be mounted on a machine, a processor device configured to receive and process the machine data from the control module, and a transceiver device configured to communicate with the processor device and at least one off-board system. The processor device, the transceiver device, and the control module are formed integral with the machine component such that the data communication system communicates the machine data to the at least one off-board system when the machine component is not mounted on the machine.
• In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a method for reporting that at least one machine and/or machine component is missing. The method includes determining a type of notification service for the machine and/or machine component, and collecting machine data from the machine and/or machine component via a communication system formed as an integral part of the machine component. The machine data includes data reflecting at least one operational parameter associated with the respective machine and/or machine component. The method also includes determining that the machine and/or machine component is missing based on the collected machine data, and sending a notification message to a first entity based on the specified type of notification service. The notification message includes data reflecting that the machine and/or machine component is missing.
• In yet another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a system for reporting a status of a machine and/or machine component. The system includes a data communication system formed as an integral part of a machine component configured to be mounted on a machine, and the data communication system is configured to communicate machine data from the machine component. The machine data includes data reflecting at least one operational parameter associated with the machine component. The system also includes a service center configured to receive the machine data from the data communication system and store the machine data. The data communication system communicates the machine data to the service center when the machine component is not mounted on the machine. The service center and/or the data communication system is further configured to determine a status of the machine and/or machine component based on the collected machine data, and send a notification message to a first entity. The notification message includes data reflecting the status of the machine and/or machine component.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
• FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of an exemplary machine;
• FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary communication system; and
• FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating exemplary disclosed steps for collecting and storing information and for locating a machine.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• FIG. 1 illustrates anexemplary machine10 having one ormore components11. Amachine component11 may be an electronic, electrical, mechanical, electro-mechanical, etc., portion ofmachine10 that performs some operation related to the overall operation of machine10 (e.g., a hydraulic component, an engine, a transmission, etc.).Machine10 may embody a fixed or mobile machine that performs some type of operation associated with an industry such as mining, construction, farming, transportation, or any other industry known in the art. For example,machine10 may be a commercial machine, such as a truck, crane, earth moving machine, mining vehicle, material handling equipment, farming equipment, marine vessel, aircraft, an excavator, a dozer, a loader, a backhoe, a motor grader, a dump truck, or any type of machine that operates in a work environment such as a construction site, mine site, power plant, etc.
• Machine10 may be equipped with adata communication system12, which includes at least one electronic control module (ECM)13, agateway processor device14, atransceiver device15, and a global positioning satellite (GPS)device16. Although the following description relates to the identification ofmachine10, one ormore machine components11 may each also be equipped withdata communication system12. Accordingly, in certain embodiments,machine10 may include multipledata communication systems12 mounted on one or moreseparate machine components11.
• Data communication system12 may be formed integral withcorresponding machine10 and/orcomponent11. Alternatively, one or more ofECM13,gateway processor device14,transceiver device15, andGPS device16 may be formed integral withcorresponding machine10 and/orcomponent11. For example,component11 may be formed integral withECM13,gateway processor device14,transceiver device15, andGPS device16. As a result, whencomponent11 is removed from itsassociated machine10, thendata communication system12 or one or more ofECM13,gateway processor device14,transceiver device15, andGPS device16 remain attached tocomponent11 and fully operational.
• Furthermore,data communication system12 may be tamper-proof. Removingdata communication system12 frommachine10 and/orcomponent11 may cause the machine and/or component to be disabled.Machine10 and/orcomponent11 may then be reactivated bydealer42 or other entity40. At that time,dealer42 may inspectmachine10 and/orcomponent11 to determine whether it has been reported missing.
• Data communication system12 may be a system configured to collect and transmit machine data, location data, and identification data. In one embodiment,ECM13 stores machine data including, for example, identification information specific tomachine10. For example, the identification information may include a machine identifier (e.g., a serial number, registration number, or other information assigned to machine10). Further,ECM13 may collect and/or store other types of machine data, such as scheduling data (e.g., whenmachine10 is scheduled to change location and/or howlong machine10 is scheduled to remain at a location, identification of types of authorized operations during scheduled shifts, etc.), machine operational data (e.g., operational historical parameter data (e.g., oil pressure, motor speed, temperatures, fluid levels, and/or other parameter data related to the operation ofmachine10 or a component11)), timings, fault codes, etc.ECM13 may collect the machine data from one ormore machine components11. Alternatively, or in addition,ECM13 may collect machine data from one or moreother ECMs13 associated with one or moreother machine components11.
• ECM13 may also be associated with at least one sensor (not shown) for monitoring and recording at least one type of machine data. For example, an engine ECM may receive signals from engine sensors, such as, for example, an atmospheric pressure sensor, a fuel flow sensor, a boost pressure sensor, a water temperature sensor, and an engine speed sensor. Additional sensors may be included to measure other properties of the engine as necessary, as would be apparent to one skilled in the art. Another exemplary ECM is a transmission ECM, which may be associated with sensors that monitor the transmission, such as a gear code sensor, a transmission output speed sensor, and a differential oil temperature sensor. Other sensors may be associated with the transmission ECM as would be apparent to one skilled in the art.
• As explained,machine10 may includemultiple ECMs13. Each of theseECMs13 may be different types ofECMs13. For example,machine10 may include a hydraulic system ECM, a chassis ECM, and/or a brake/cooling ECM. These other ECMs may also be associated with one or more sensors for collecting machine data related to one ormore machine components11, such as a hydraulic system, the chassis, the brake/cooling systems, etc. Other sensors and ECMs may be included for collecting machine data related to other components as would be apparent to one skilled in the art. Each ECM may be associated with one or more sensors, and the specific types of sensors and the number of sensors associated with each ECM may be based on the type of application and information to be obtained by the sensors.
• Gateway processor device14 includes one or more processor devices that execute program instructions to perform various functions such as requesting and/or receiving information fromECM13 andGPS device16. Further,gateway processor device14 may generate messages to transmit to an off-board system, such as aservice center20, an entity40, and/or a personal device50 (FIG. 2).Gateway processor device14 may be configured with different types of hardware and/or software (e.g., a microprocessor, a gateway, a product link device, a communication adapter, etc.).Gateway processor device14 may also provide interface functions for transmitting data to, and receiving data from,data communication system12. Further,gateway processor device14 may execute software for performing one or more functions consistent with the disclosed embodiment. Also,gateway processor device14 may include storage device(s) for maintaining data for use by one or more on-board modules (e.g., ECM13), or one or more off-board systems (e.g.,service center20, entity40,portable device50, etc.). For example,gateway processor device14 may be configured to perform protocol conversions (e.g., tunneling and translations), intelligent routing, and server-based operations, such as data provisioning, application provisioning, Web server operations, electronic mail server operations, data traffic management, and any other type of server-based operations that enabledata communication system12 to retrieve, generate, and/or provide data to off-board systems, e.g.,service center20, entity40, and/orportable device50. For clarity of explanation,FIG. 1 showsgateway processor device14 as a distinct element. However, “gateway” functionality may be implemented via software, hardware, and/or firmware within other one or more on-board modules, such asECM13, which communicates with off-board systems. Thus,gateway processor device14 may, in certain embodiments, represent functionality or logic embedded within another element.
• Transceiver device15 includes one or more devices that transmit and receive information, such as information collected and stored bygateway processor device14 fromECM13 andGPS device16.Transceiver device15 may transmit the information to the off-board system, such asservice center20 and/orportable device50. Further,transceiver device15 may receive information, such as requests for machine information from the off-board system. Alternatively,transceiver device15 may represent separate transmission and receiver devices, or other devices for providing a communication interface betweenmachine10 andservice center20.
• GPS device16 generates location data, e.g., GPS coordinates, formachine10 based on data from a satellite, local tracking system, or any other position sensing system known in the art. The location data may be collected bygateway processor device14 and may be transmitted to the off-board system viatransceiver device15.
• Data communication system12 may be configured with software to provide and transmit machine data or other data in a passive or non-passive manner. For example,data communication system12 may be attached to an antenna. An off-board system, such asservice center20 and/orportable device50, which are described below, may be used to send a signal to one or more devices ofdata communication system12, such as thegateway processor device14. In a passive system, the signal from the off-board system may include a small amount of radio frequency to energizedata communication system12 such thatdata communication system12 then emits a radio frequency signal, which may be received by the off-board system. In an active system,data communication system12 may provide a power source for emitting the radio frequency signal. The radio frequency signal emitted bydata communication system12 transfers machine data or other data to the off-board system.
• FIG. 2 illustrates anexemplary communication system60 includingmachine10,service center20 including amachine information database22, anetwork30 including, e.g., one or more additional wireless and/or wire-line communication networks (e.g., satellite networks, RF networks, fiber optic or coaxial cable based networks, twisted pair telephone line networks, or any other type of communication network), and other entities40, e.g., owners (not shown), leasing entities (not shown),dealers42,law enforcement44, and vendors46. According to certain embodiments,communication system60 may perform one or more processes for identifying and/or locatingmachines10 and/ormachine components11 implemented with adata communication system12. The interaction withincommunication system60 to report information aboutmachine10 and/orcomponent11 is described below with reference toFIG. 3.
• FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing an exemplary machine locating process consistent with certain disclosed embodiments to reportinformation regarding machine10 and/orcomponent11 to locate a missingmachine10 and/orcomponent11. In one embodiment,service center20 and/or an entity40, such as an owner, lessor, or lessee ofmachine10 and/orcomponent11, may determine a type of notification service formachine10 and/or component11 (step100). The notification service specifies how designated entities are informed of a status ofmachine10 and/or component11 (e.g., thatmachine10 and/orcomponent11 is missing, a geographic location ofmachine10 and/orcomponent11, machine data ofmachine10 and/orcomponent11, etc.). The status ofmachine10 and/orcomponent11 may be communicated using notification messages that are automatically generated bymachine10,component11,service center20, and/or other entities40.
• In one aspect,service center20,machine10, and/orcomponent11 may determine the type of notification service automatically based on one or more factors such as type ofmachine10 and/orcomponent11, geographic location ofmachine10 and/orcomponent11, target entity receiving the notification messages, etc. Alternatively, entity40 may specify the type of notification service. After the type of notification service is selected, information specifying the selected type of notification service may be stored inservice center20,machine10, and/orcomponent11 so that the notification messages may be automatically generated. In one aspect, the information specifying the type of notification service may be stored inmachine information database22 and associated with machine data used for identifyingmachine10 and/orcomponent11 as described below.
• According to one type of notification service,machine10 and/orcomponent11 may automatically generate notification messages that include location data and/or machine data related tomachine10 and/orcomponent11. The location data may be determined usingGPS device16 indata communication system12.Machine10 and/orcomponent11 may send the notification messages periodically to designated entities40, e.g., owners (not shown), leasing entities (not shown),dealers42,law enforcement44, and vendors46. According to another type of notification service,machine10 and/orcomponent11 may send the notification messages toservice center20, which monitors the location ofmachine10 and/orcomponent11.Service center20 may then send the notification messages to target entities, which are entities40 that are pre-selected when selecting the type of notification service.
• The determination of the type of notification service may include selecting the target entities for receiving the notification messages. Such entities may include dealers of the specific type of machine and/or component, dealers in a specified geographical area surrounding the last known location ofmachine10 and/orcomponent11, law enforcement, vendors and/or dealers that deal with machines and/or components associated withmachine10 and/orcomponent11, competitors of the owner and/or manufacturer ofmachine10 and/orcomponent11, etc. A competitor may be an entity that deals directly or indirectly with the same type of machines and/or machine components as the owner and/or manufacturer ofmachine10 and/orcomponent11. Alternatively, the owner and/or manufacturer ofmachine10 and/orcomponent11 may agree with competitors to share notification messages formachines10 and/orcomponents11 from their respective affiliated business entities (e.g., dealers, vendors, other owners and/or manufacturers, etc.). This information-sharing arrangement may be established when the type of notification service is selected. The type of information-sharing arrangement and/or the type of notification service may be modified any time after initially specifying the type of service and/or information-sharing arrangement.
• The determination of the type of notification service may also include determining the number and frequency of notification messages. For example, the notification messages may be sent once or multiple times, and a maximum and/or minimum number of notification messages may be specified. The notification messages may be sent regularly after predetermined periods of time.
• The determination of the type of notification service may also include determining the type of data included in the notification messages. For example, the notification message may indicate thatmachine10 and/orcomponent11 is missing and may include contact information associated with the owner and/or leasing entity of themachine10 and/orcomponent11. The location data that may be included in the notification message may be the location data relating to the last known location of themachine10 and/orcomponent11, i.e., the GPS coordinates last stored byGPS device16. The notification messages may also include machine data fromECM13 ofdata communication system12 associated withmachine10 and/orcomponent11. For example, the notification message may include identification information assigned tomachine10 and/orcomponent11, machine data reflecting operational characteristics ofmachine10 and/orcomponent11, etc.
• The type of data included in the notification messages may also depend on the designated entity receiving the notification message and/or the type of trigger event that caused the generation of the notification message. For example, for a missing machine, a notification message may be sent to local law enforcement that includes a machine identifier, machine description, last known location, and information indicating the particular trigger event causing the generation of the notification message. On the other hand, a notification message including the machine identifier and lessee identification information may be sent to an insurance company insuring the machine, owner of the machine, etc.
• After specifying the type of notification service,service center20 receives machine data fromdata communication system12 associated withmachine10 and/or component11 (step102). The machine data is used to identifymachine10 and/orcomponent11. As described above, the machine data may include identification information assigned tomachine10 and/orcomponent11, machine data reflecting operational characteristics ofmachine10 and/ormachine component11, etc. For example, the machine data may include one or more machine parameters, e.g., a machine identifier, a historical operational parameter, work site information or other scheduling operational parameter, and/or a fault code. The machine data is unique to aparticular machine10 and/orcomponent11 and may include a series of values or a string of digits.Service center20 may also receive location data related tomachine10 and/orcomponent11, which is determined usingGPS device16 indata communication system12.
• Service center20 may store the machine data received frommachine10 and/orcomponent11 in machine information database22 (step104). In addition, the information specifying the type of notification service may be associated and stored with the machine data for eachrespective machine10 and/orcomponent11.Steps102 and104 may be executed one or more times during the lifetime of machine10 (e.g., following an assembly ofmachine10, beforemachine10 has been delivered to a work site, and/or after delivery ofmachine10 to the work site). Further, steps102 and104 may be executed once, after a predetermined event has occurred, or periodically at regular time intervals.
• During operation,machine10 and/orcomponent11 may periodically, or as demanded byservice center20, provide a notification message toservice center20. For example, at the end of a shift for machine10 (e.g., at the end of the day),machine10 and/orcomponent11 may automatically provide a notification message, including location data, scheduling data, and/or machine data, toservice center20.
• Aspects related to certain embodiments enable the machine data to be used to locate and verify the identity of a machine or machine component. In circumstances where amachine10 and/orcomponent11 is reported to be in an abnormal condition, such as when it is missing (e.g., stolen, not returned at end of lease, moved from authorized locations, performing operations or tasks outside defined thresholds or time constraints, unscheduled operation, etc.), trigger events may be implemented to initiate processes for locating and/or verifying the identity of the inspected machines or components. Thus,machine10 and/orcomponent11 may be determined to be missing based on an unscheduled trigger event, e.g., starting, changing operations, changing operators, moving, etc. For example,gateway processor device14 may store scheduling data formachine10 indicating whenmachine10 is scheduled to operate and when it is scheduled not to operate.Gateway processor device14 may also receive machine data (e.g., engine data from an engine ECM indicating when the engine has started, transmission data from a transmission ECM indicating when the transmission is operating, etc.).Gateway processor device14 may compare the scheduling data to the machine data, e.g., in real time or periodically, to determine whether there is a conflict (i.e.,machine10 and/orcomponent11 is operating when it is not scheduled). As a result,gateway processor device14 may generate and send a notification message toservice center20 viatransceiver device15 indicating thatmachine10 and/orcomponent11 is missing. The notification message may include machine data, such as identification information used byservice center20 to identifymachine10 and/orcomponent11 from other machines and/or components listed inmachine information database22. The notification message may also include information indicating the particular trigger event ofmachine10 and/orcomponent11 causing the generation of the notification message. Alternatively, instead of missingmachine10 sending the notification message directly toservice center20, an owner and/or lessee of missingmachine10 and/orcomponent11, or another entity40 (e.g.,dealers42,law enforcement44, and vendors46) may determine thatmachine10 and/or component is missing, and then may generate and send a notification message reporting thatmachine10 and/orcomponent11 is missing toservice center20.
• In another embodiment,service center20 may store scheduling data formachine10 and/orcomponent11. Further,service center20 may receive messages periodically frommachine10 and/orcomponent11 that include location data formachine10 and/orcomponent11. The messages received frommachine10 and/orcomponent11 may also include other identification information, such as the machine data used to identifymachine10 and/orcomponent11.Service center20 may compare the location data to the stored scheduling data to determine whether there is a conflict. If so,service center20 may identify an abnormal condition formachine10 and/orcomponent11.
• Service center20 receives the notification message reporting thatmachine10 and/orcomponent11 is missing (step106). Alternatively,service center20 may determine thatmachine10 and/orcomponent11 is missing based on other information (e.g., machine data). As another alternative,service center20 may determine thatmachine10 and/orcomponent11 is missing based on a lack of messages (e.g., status reports or any other type of message sent periodically toservice center20 frommachine10 and/or component11) after a predetermined period of time.
• In one aspect, one or more entities40 (e.g.,dealers42,law enforcement44, and/or vendors46) may each access aseparate database43,45,47 (FIG. 2) that stores machine data for one ormore machines10 and/orcomponents11. Eachseparate database43,45,47 may include machine data for different sets ofmachines10 and/orcomponents11 to allow each entity40 to monitor a specified set ofmachines10 and/orcomponents11. Afterservice center20 receives the message reporting thatmachine10 and/orcomponent11 is missing,service center20 may initiate an update of one ormore databases43,45,47 (step107). For example,service center20 may store information indicating thedatabases43,45,47 that store machine data associated with eachparticular machine10 and/orcomponent11. As a result,service center20 may initiate an update ofdatabases43,45,47 that include machine data associated with theparticular machine10 and/orcomponent11 that is reported missing.Service center20 may also updatedatabases43,45,47 that are accessed by entities40 located within a predetermined area from the last known location of missingmachine10 and/orcomponent11. Alternatively,service center20 may update alldatabases43,45,47 connected to network30.
• Service center20 uses machine data included in the notification message reporting thatmachine10 and/orcomponent11 is missing to identify the machine data associated withmachine10 and/orcomponent11 inmachine information database22.Service center20 may then flag the information inmachine information database22 and/ordatabases43,45,47 associated with missingmachine10 and/or component11 (step108).
• When an entity40 attempts to complete a transaction (e.g., a purchase, trade-in, sale, or other customer or third party transaction) associated with a flaggedmachine10 and/orcomponent11, a warning or alarm message is generated and presented to the entity40 that attempted to complete the transaction (step109). The warning or alarm message may be generated by the entity40 based on the machine data stored indatabases43,45,47 and/or may be generated byservice center20 based on the machine data stored inmachine information database22. A notification message may be sent by entity40 that attempted to complete the transaction and/orservice center20 to the target entities selected for the specified notification service associated with the missingmachine10 and/orcomponent11.
• Furthermore,service center20 and/or entity40 may flag particular types ofcomponents11 that are associated with the type of missingmachine10. Then, a warning or alarm message may be generated when attempting to complete a transaction involving anycomponents11 that may be used with missingmachine10. In another aspect,service center20 and/or entity40 may flag particular types ofmachines10 that are associated with the type of missingcomponent11. Then, a warning or alarm message may be generated when attempting to complete a transaction involving anymachines10 that may operate using missingcomponent11.
• Service center20 reports the loss to predetermined entities40 (step110).Service center20 reports the loss by sending notification messages according to the type of notification service selected formachine10 and/orcomponent11 in step.100. In one aspect,service center20 implements, or delegates implementation of, the specified notification service by generating notification messages that include at least a portion of the machine data and/or location data stored inmachine information database22 for missingmachine10 and/orcomponent11. For example,service center20 may generate a notification message including a machine identifier, machine description, contact information for reporting known information about missingmachine10 and/orcomponent11, and last known location.
• Afterservice center20 reports to the predetermined entities40 thatmachine10 and/orcomponent11 is missing using the notification messages,service center20 may act as a hub for receiving responses to the notification messages from the predetermined entities40 (step111). The responses may include information regarding missingmachine10 and/orcomponent11. For example, entity40 may locate missingmachine10 and/orcomponent11 and may provide a message toservice center20 in response to the notification message indicating the geographic location of the missingmachine10 and/orcomponent11.Service center20 may then generate and send a report including information included in the response, such as the location of missingmachine10 and/orcomponent11, to other entities, such as local law enforcement, other dealers, custom officials, etc. The report may be an e-mail, webpage, or other electronic format, and may include a map showing the location of missingmachine10 and/orcomponent11.
• After flagging the machine data inmachine information database22,service center20 may also send command messages throughnetwork30 to command all missingmachines10 and/orcomponents11 that are flagged inmachine information database22 to reply with a locating message (step112). In response to the command message fromservice center20, missingmachine10 and/orcomponent11 may transmit the locating message toservice center20 via network30 (step114). The locating message may include location data associated with missingmachine10 and/orcomponent11 determined byGPS device16 and machine data including identification information associated with missingmachine10 and/or component11 (e.g., one or more historical operational parameters, scheduling operational parameters, and/or other machine data used to uniquely identifymachine10 and/or component11).
• In one embodiment, the specific parameters of machine data provided by missingmachine10 and/orcomponent11 in the locating message may be specified byservice center20 in the command message. For example, in the command message,service center20 may request that missingmachine10 include in the locating message the same parameters used to identify themachine10 inmachine information database22. In another embodiment, the specific parameters of identification information provided by missingmachine10 and/orcomponent11 in the locating message may be determined automatically by missingmachine10 and/orcomponent11.Machine10 and/orcomponent11 stores information identifying the specific parameters used to identify themachine10 inmachine information database22 and may send the specified parameters toservice center20 when requested.
• Service center20 compares the received machine data to the machine data associated withmachines10 and/orcomponents11 stored in machine information database22 (step116). Because the same parameters are used to identifymachine10 and/orcomponent11, the machine data formachine10 and/orcomponent11 received in the locating message may be identical to stored machine data for thesame machine10 and/orcomponent11 that is stored inmachine information database22. In one embodiment, the machine data may be substantially identical. That is, sets of data are substantially identical when they are equal to within a predetermined range, threshold, etc., of sets of data, such as a percentage value (e.g., 1%), a decimal value, (e.g., within 0.0001, 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, etc.), or any other type of threshold or range. Thus, when the machine data received in the locating message matches (or substantially matches) one of the sets of machine data listed indatabase22,service center20 may determine the identity of missingmachine10. The comparison of the machine data may require an exact match or a substantial match. For example, to attain an exact match,service center20 may determine that the machine data from the locating message matches one of the sets of machine data stored indatabase22 when each digit in the set of machine data from the locating message is identical to a corresponding digit of one of the sets of machine data stored in database22 (e.g., 00111 and 00111). On the other hand, to attain a substantial match,service center20 may identifymachine10 and/ormachine component11 when a predetermined number of digits (or a predetermined percentage of digits, etc.) match (e.g., 00111 and 0011x).
• For example, the locating message from missingmachine10 and/orcomponent11 may include location data and an identifier. Whenservice center20 receives the locating message,service center20 compares the identifier received from missingmachine10 and/orcomponent11 in the locating message to the identifiers stored inmachine information database22 for the missing machines. If there is a match, then the identity of missingmachine10 and/orcomponent11 has been determined.
• After determining the identity of missingmachine10 and/orcomponent11,service center20 may also send a notification message to one or more designated entities40 (e.g., owners, lessees,dealers42,law enforcement44, and/or vendors46) indicating that the machine and/or component is missing (step120). The notification message identifies missingmachine10 and/orcomponent11 and may include, for example, a message indicating thatmachine10 and/orcomponent11 is reported as missing, a machine identifier, and/or the location data received in the locating message from missingmachine10 and/orcomponent11. This information may be used to identify, locate, retrieve, and/or returnmachine10 and/orcomponent11 to its owner. The notification message may be an e-mail, webpage, or other electronic format, and may include a map showing the location of missingmachine10 and/orcomponent11.
• Service center20 may also store location data for entities40 and determine one or more entities40 that are within a selected geographical range from missingmachine10 and/orcomponent11 based on the location data received in the locating message from missing machine (e.g., within a predetermined radius from missingmachine10 and/or component11).Service center20 may send the notification message to one or more geographically closest entities (step122).
• A portable device50 (FIG. 2) may also be used to determine the identity ofmachine10 and/orcomponent11.Portable device50 may be a handheld or portable device used by one or more entities40, e.g.,dealers42,law enforcement44, and/orvendors46.Portable device50 may be a handheld computer (e.g., a laptop, personal digital assistant (PDA), etc.), implemented using, for example, PALM® or PocketPC® technology and wireless capabilities. Entity40 may useportable device50 to receive information using, for example, a sensor (e.g., an RFID reader or bar code reader) that gathers information from acommunication port18 onmachine10 and/orcomponent11. Thecommunication port18 is connected togateway processor device14 to allow the information stored ongateway processor device14 and/orECM13 to be transferred toportable device50. Alternatively, a wireline link may be provided to removably attachportable device50 tocommunication port18, e.g., a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port, RS 232 port, or a port using another communication protocol indata communication system12. Entity40 may be able to access information received fromgateway processor device14 by executing software performed byportable device50.Portable device50 may also include atransceiver device52 that allowsportable device50 to transmit information to and receive information fromservice center20.Transceiver device20 may transmit or receive information via wireless or wireline network toservice center20.
• In one embodiment,portable device50 may read machine data (e.g., identification information) fromcommunication port18 onmachine10 and/orcomponent11 and may transmit the machine data to service center20 (step130). The specific parameters of the machine data read byportable device50 may be identified based on information stored inportable device50.
• Service center20 may compare the received machine data to machine data associated with one or more machines and/or components stored in machine information database22 (step132).Service center20 may identifymachine10 and/orcomponent11 if, for example, the received machine data matches the machine data for amachine10 and/orcomponent11 listed inmachine information database22. After determining the identity ofmachine10 and/orcomponent11, if it is determined thatmachine10 and/orcomponent11 is flagged as a missing machine and/or component,service center20 may send a notification message toportable device50. The notification message may include machine data such as a machine identifier and/or location data.
• For example,portable device50 may read machine data (e.g., identification information) frommachine10 and/orcomponent11 and may transmit the machine data to servicecenter20.Service center20 compares the machine data received fromportable device50 to the machine data stored inmachine information database22 for flagged missing machines and/or components. If the machine data read byportable device50 matches (or substantially matches) one of the sets of machine data stored inmachine information database22,service center20 may generate data reflecting that the identity ofmachine10 and/orcomponent11 is determined. After determining the identity ofmachine10 and/orcomponent11,service center20 may determine whethermachine10 and/orcomponent11 is flagged as a missing machine and/or component. If so,service center20 may send a notification message toportable device50 indicating that the machine and/or component was reported as being missing. The notification message may include a machine identifier, location data, and any other information related to the machine (e.g., identity of the owner, contact information, etc.).
• Alternatively, or additionally,portable device50 may also execute a process that determines the identity ofmachine10 and/or component11 (step148). To do so,portable device50 may execute processes similar to those described above in connection withservice center20. For example,portable device50 may compare the machine data read frommachine10 and/orcomponent11 against a set of stored machine data downloaded fromservice center20.Portable device50 may store data that is also stored inmachine information database22 and may receive periodic updates fromservice center20. If the machine data read fromportable device50 matches (or substantially matches) one of the stored sets of machine data,portable device50 may generate data reflecting that the identity ofmachine10 and/orcomponent11 has been determined.Portable device50 may send this message toservice center20 for further processing. Thus,portable device50 may be used to identifymachine10 without having to transmit the machine data that it reads frommachine10 and/orcomponent11 toservice center20. After determining the identity ofmachine10 and/orcomponent11,portable device50 may also determine ifmachine10 and/orcomponent11 is flagged as a missing machine and may notifyservice center20. Then,service center20 may send a notification message to designated entities40, e.g.,dealers42,law enforcement44, and/orvendors46.
INDUSTIRAL APPLICABILITY
• The disclosed embodiments enable machines to be accurately identified and located. For example,machine10 and/orcomponent11 may automatically send messages toservice center20 reporting that it is operating under an abnormal condition (e.g., stolen, not returned at end of lease, moved from authorized locations, performing operations or tasks outside defined thresholds or time constraints, unscheduled operation, etc.).Service center20 may then automatically send notification messages to designated entities, e.g., local law enforcement, vendors, and dealers. Thus, these entities may be updated as to machine status, such as thefts. This reduces the time to recover a stolen machine, which for example may reduce the negative impact on the machine owner's business.
• In one embodiment, a databaselisting missing machines10 and/orcomponents11 may be maintained or it may be used to contact themissing machines10 and/orcomponents11. In situations where a missingmachine10 and/orcomponent11 may be unable to respond immediately to a message fromservice center20 instructingmachine10 and/orcomponent11 to respond with its location data (e.g., because a battery inmachine10 and/orcomponent11 is removed or is dead),machine10 and/orcomponent11 may delay its response (e.g., when the battery is replaced). Therefore,service center20 may be able to contact missingmachine10 and/orcomponent11 by sending out the command message periodically.
• The command message may be received bytransceiver device15 and processed bygateway processor device14 ofmachine10 and/orcomponent11. For example, the command message may include a request to send location data reflecting a geographic location ofmachine10 and/orcomponent11. Thegateway processor device14 may process the request for location data and may respond to the request by generating a locating message that indicates the location ofmachine10 and/orcomponent11, e.g., using GPS coordinates. Thetransceiver device15 may then send the locating message toservice center20. After receiving the locating message,service center20 may generate a report indicating the location ofmachine10 and/orcomponent11 using an e-mail, web page, or other electronic format. The report may include a map showing the location ofmachine10 and/orcomponent11, and may be sent to a designated entity, e.g., customer, business unit manager, etc.
• A type of notification service may be selected based on the frequency and number of notification messages, the target entities for receiving the notification messages, and the type of data included in the notification messages. By being able to customize the type of notification service for eachmachine10 and/orcomponent11, the notification service may be more efficient, thereby allowing a status of each machine to be communicated effectively and decreasing the time required to identify, locate, retrieve, and/or return missing machines and/or components to their owners. As a result, the cost to insure each machine and/or component may decrease.
• In a further embodiment, machine data, such as engineering documents supplied from a manufacturer, for one ormore machines10 and/orcomponents11 may be stored inmachine information database22. Ifmachine10 and/orcomponent11 is stolen,service center20 may access the machine data stored inmachine information database22.Service center20 may then generate a notification message that is sent to alldealers42 who sell the same type of missingmachine10 and/orcomponent11, who sell the types of machines that use missingcomponent11, who sell the types of components used in missingmachine10, etc.Service center20 may update dealers'databases43 to indicate thatmachine10 and/orcomponent11 is missing. As a result,dealer42 receives a warning ifdealer42 attempts to process a transaction that involves missingmachine10 and/orcomponent11 and/or any associated machines and/or components. Then,dealer42 may check the machine and/or component involved with the transaction to determine whether it is missingmachine10 and/orcomponent11. For example, when a machine is determined to be missing,service center20 flags the machine data associated with the machine inmachine information database22 and may send a notification message to dealers that deal with the same type of machine as the missing machine and the same type of components that are used in the missing machine. Alternatively, or in addition, each dealer uses a database that is updated automatically byservice center20 with information regarding the missing machine and/or component. As a result, each dealer may be notified by their respective databases if a customer attempts to trade-in or sell the missing machine and/or a component of the missing machine. The dealer may then inspect the missing machine and/or component, report the location of the missing machine and/or component toservice center20, etc.
• In yet another embodiment,portable devices50 may be provided to inspection agents (e.g., law enforcement, customs agents, dealers, etc.) for use during inspection ofmachine10 and/or component11 (e.g., at a stop and check on the highway, at a border, in a dealer lot, etc.). An inspection agent may be notified in response tomachine10 and/orcomponent11 determining that it has been stolen and/or when the owner ofmachine10 and/orcomponent11 notifiesservice center20. Furthermore, an inspection agent may useportable device50 to properly identify amachine10 and/orcomponent11 that is being inspected and be notified if the machine has been reported missing. Accordingly, if the machine identification information inscribed on the machine is not readable and/ordata communication system12 onmachine10 and/orcomponent11 is unable to transmit identification information (e.g.,transceiver device15 is removed or damaged), the inspection agent may useportable device50 to read the identification information fromdata communication system12 onmachine10 and/orcomponent11 to determine its status.
• In addition, after identifying a missing machine,service center20 orportable device50 may transmit a notification message to designated entities so that the designated entities may locate and/or retrieve themachine10 and/orcomponent11. This allows themachine10 and/orcomponent11 to be located and/or retrieved more quickly, thereby preventing thieves from moving the missing machine and/or component to a different location when recovery personnel are en route to the machine's detected location.
• Communication betweenservice center20 anddata communication systems12 onmachines10 and/orcomponents11 allows more efficient tracking ofmachines10 and/orcomponents11. According to one embodiment, ifmachine10 has been leased,service center20 may track whenmachine10 has been returned to the lessor. For example, on the day that the lease expires,service center20 may send a message tomachine10 to command it to reply with location data.Service center20 then compares the location data received bymachine10 to scheduling data associated withmachine10 stored inservice center20. The scheduling data reflects thatmachine10 must be returned to the lessor and that the machine's location should be within a predetermined area surrounding the lessor's location.Service center20 may alert the target entities for the specified notification service to notify them whether the lessee has returnedmachine10. Therefore, the location of themachines10 may be tracked more efficiently.
• In another embodiment,service center20 may identify extended use ofmachine10 beyond the date of expiration of the lease. For example,service center20 may send a message tomachine10 on the expiration date of the lease ofmachine10 to command it to reply with service meter hours ofmachine10, i.e., the number ofhours machine10 has been operating. If the lessee returnsmachine10 to the lessor after the expiration date of the lease,service center20 may determine whethermachine10 was used during the time period between the expiration date of the lease and theday machine10 was returned to the lessor. Thus,service center20 may track whether there was extended use ofmachine10 beyond the expiration date of the lease ifmachine10 is returned to the lessor.
• It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the method and system for inspecting machines. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the disclosed method and system for inspecting machines. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope being indicated by the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims (20)

1. A data communication system for a component of a machine, comprising:

a control module configured to monitor at least one type of machine data associated with a machine component configured to be mounted on a machine;

a processor device configured to receive and process the machine data from the control module; and

a transceiver device configured to communicate with the processor device and at least one off-board system;

wherein the processor device, the transceiver device, and the control module are formed integral with the machine component such that the data communication system communicates the machine data to the at least one off-board system when the machine component is not mounted on the machine.

2. The data communication system ofclaim 1, wherein the processor device, the transceiver device, and the control module remain attached to the machine component when the machine component is removed from the machine.

3. The data communication system ofclaim 1, wherein the machine component is disabled when at least one of the processor device, the transceiver device, and the control module is removed from the machine component.

4. The data communication system ofclaim 1, wherein the processor device is further configured to receive and process machine data from a plurality of control modules, each control module being configured to monitor machine data from at least one of the machine component or the machine.

5. The data communication system ofclaim 1, further including a locating device configured to determine a geographic location of the machine component and send location data reflecting the geographic location to the processor device.

6. The data communication system ofclaim 5, wherein the locating device remains attached to the machine component when the machine component is removed from the machine.

7. The data communication system ofclaim 5, wherein the processor device is configured to:

determine that the machine component is in an abnormal condition based on the machine data, and

send a notification message to the at least one off-board system including data reflecting a status of the machine component and the location data.

8. The data communication system ofclaim 5, wherein:

the machine data includes operational schedule data reflecting a time when at least one of the machine component or the machine has been operated and corresponding location data for the operation time; and

the processor device is further configured to compare the operational schedule data and corresponding location data with stored operational schedule data for the at least one of the machine component or the machine to determine whether the machine component was at least one of operating at an unauthorized time or operating in an unauthorized location.

9. A method for reporting that at least one of a machine or a machine component is missing, the method comprising:

determining a type of notification service for the at least one of the machine or the machine component;

collecting machine data from the at least one of the machine or the machine component via a communication system formed as an integral part of the machine component, the machine data including data reflecting at least one operational parameter associated with the respective at least one of the machine or the machine component;

determining that the at least one of the machine or the machine component is missing based on the collected machine data; and

sending a notification message to a first entity based on the specified type of notification service, the notification message including data reflecting that the at least one of the machine or the machine component is missing.

10. The method ofclaim 9, wherein the determining of the type of notification service includes:

determining a known location of the at least one of the machine or the machine component; and

selecting the first entity based on a comparison between a location of the first entity and the known location of the at least one of the machine or the machine component.

11. The method ofclaim 10, further including receiving location data from the first entity in response to the notification message, the location data reflecting a location of the at least one of the machine or the machine component.

12. The method ofclaim 10, further including automatically generating, by the first entity, an alarm message if the first entity attempts to complete a transaction associated with the at least one of the machine or the machine component.

13. The method ofclaim 9, wherein the determining of the type of notification service includes identifying the first entity as an entity that deals with a same type of the at least one of the machine or the machine component.

14. The method ofclaim 9, wherein the at least one of the machine or the machine component is a missing machine, and wherein determining the type of notification service includes identifying the first entity as an entity that deals with a type of machine component associated with a type of the missing machine.

15. The method ofclaim 9, wherein the at least one of the machine or the machine component is a missing machine component, and wherein determining the type of notification service includes identifying the first entity as an entity that deals with a type of machine associated with a type of the missing machine component.

16. The method ofclaim 9, wherein determining the type of notification service includes determining at least one competitor of at least one entity that deals with a type of the at least one of the machine or the machine component, wherein the first entity is one of the at least one competitor.

17. A system for reporting a status of at least one of a machine or a machine component, the system comprising:

a data communication system formed as an integral part of a machine component configured to be mounted on a machine, the data communication system being configured to communicate machine data from the machine component, the machine data including data reflecting at least one operational parameter associated with the machine component; and

a service center configured to receive the machine data from the data communication system and store the machine data;

wherein the data communication system communicates the machine data to the service center when the machine component is not mounted on the machine, and

wherein at least one of the service center and the data communication system is further configured to:

determine a status of at least one of the machine or the machine component based on the collected machine data, and

send a notification message to a first entity, the notification message including data reflecting the status of the at least one of the machine or the machine component.

18. The system ofclaim 17, wherein the service center is configured to:

store a type of notification service for the at least one of the machine or the machine component; and

send the notification message to the first entity based on the specified type of notification service.

19. The system ofclaim 18, wherein the service center is further configured to:

determine a last known location of the at least one of the machine or the machine component; and

selecting the first entity based on a distance between a location of the first entity and the last known location of the at least one of the machine or the machine component.

20. The system ofclaim 17, wherein:

the service center is further configured to determine the first entity; and

the first entity is an entity that deals with a same type of the at least one of the machine or the machine component, an entity that deals with a type of a machine or machine component associated with the same type of the at least one of the machine or the machine component, or a competitor of the entity that deals with the same type of the at least one of the machine or the machine component.

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