The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 25, 1999
Filed:
Apr. 04, 1997
Ronald G Canada, Knoxville, TN (US);
James C Robinson, Knoxville, TN (US);
Zbigniew Czyzewski, Knoxville, TN (US);
James W Pearce, Lenoir City, TN (US);
CSI Technology, Inc., Wilmington, DE (US);
Abstract
A wireless machine monitoring and communication system includes one or more machine monitors which attach to one or more machines to sense a physical characteristic of the machine, such as vibration or temperature, and to produce wireless transmissions corresponding to the sensed characteristic. A command station executes machine status polling in accordance with a time-division communication protocol and processes machine status data obtained during polling to determine the status of the machine. The machine monitor incorporates a wireless transmitter for transmitting at least status information, and the command station incorporates a wireless receiver for receiving monitor transmissions. To conserve power, the machine monitors are turned on only at preprogrammed times in accordance with the time-division communication protocol. Each machine monitor includes a receiver and the command station includes a transmitter to enable the command station to send commands to each machine monitor. A microcomputer in each monitor analyzes sensor data and a memory stores the analyzed sensor data. Repeaters are employed as necessary to assist in propagating wireless transmissions throughout the system. A tachometer sensor is employed at each machine to provide monitors and sensors with information relating to machine speed. A computer network is connected to the command station for transferring data and for controlling the overall operation of the system.