초록 ▼

A system and method for monitoring remote equipment such as HVAC equipment, are provided. A sensor is in communication with a piece of remote equipment. An interface unit, having a message generating mechanism, is capable of receiving signals from the sensors. The interface unit is provided with a p

A system and method for monitoring remote equipment such as HVAC equipment, are provided. A sensor is in communication with a piece of remote equipment. An interface unit, having a message generating mechanism, is capable of receiving signals from the sensors. The interface unit is provided with a programmable logic controller which performs Boolean operations or expressions on the signals received by the sensors. A central computer server is in communication with the interface unit and is adapted to receive and preferably store messages generated by the interface unit. When a sensor detects an exception condition in a piece of remote equipment, the sensor transmits a signal to the interface unit, and the interface unit generates an incoming exception message and forwards the message to the server. The server forwards at least one outgoing exception message to at least one predetermined user-defined communication device based on the incoming exception message. Multiple outgoing exception messages may be forwarded to multiple communication devices in accordance with a user-defined message profile, or a single outgoing exception message may be forwarded in response to receipt of multiple incoming exception messages. The message profile is remotely configurable by the user.

대표청구항 ▼

[What is claimed is:] [1.]at least one sensor monitoring at least one parameter of the remote equipment;a bi-directional interface unit connected to said sensors and the remote equipment, said interface unit having a message generating mechanism that generates messages based on data received from sa

[What is claimed is:] [1.]at least one sensor monitoring at least one parameter of the remote equipment;a bi-directional interface unit connected to said sensors and the remote equipment, said interface unit having a message generating mechanism that generates messages based on data received from said sensor;a central computer server in communication with said interface unit, said server adapted to receive messages generated by said interface unit and said interface unit adapted to receive command messages from said server; andan Internet interface linked to said central computer server and selectively remotely accessible by users via the Internet,wherein when a user enters a command into said Internet interface, said Internet interface transmits said command messages to said central computer server and said central computer server transmits said command messages to said remote equipment, said command messages including at least one of commands to activate, commands to deactivate, and commands to alter the functioning of the remote equipment, andwherein when said sensor detects an exception condition in the remote equipment, said interface unit generates an incoming exception message and forwards said message to said server, and wherein said server forwards at least one outgoing exception message to at least one predetermined user-defined communication device based on said incoming exception message.