Distributed communications system for reducing equipment down-time
US6246325A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 18, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jun 12, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 18, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04W88/02
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system and method to more efficiently exchange information between a service provider, such as a semiconductor company, and its remote equipment units. The system capable of immediately handling a number of information items, each belonging to a different remote equipment unit is disclosed. The system includes a central controller configured for interfacing with a plurality of remote equipment units via a wireless network. The central controller is configured to receive information from each remote equipment unit via a wireless network. This information includes alarm conditions and corresponding requests for repair. Each of the remote equipment units is identified by a unique code which is included in the information transmitted to the computer to identity the source (i.e., identity of the transmitting remote equipment unit). The central controller uses the code of the transmitting remote equipment unit to retrieve the corresponding data record stored in its memory. The repair person identified in the selected data record is then contacted automatically, e.g., by wireless paging. The system may be programmed with a pre-determined routine maintenance schedule for each remote equi…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.