초록 ▼

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 sy

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 equipment unit. Based on this schedule, the system automatically contacts the appropriate repair person by wireless paging and dispatches the repair person to the corresponding remote equipment unit for routine maintenance. Thus, the down-time of the remote equipment unit is reduced because the alarm condition is immediately transmitted to the central controller and the corresponding repair person is contacted automatically. There is no undesired down-time before monitoring personnel notices the alarm condition and contacts the corresponding repair person.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. In a system comprising a central controller remotely located from a plurality of equipment units, a method for maintaining operability of the equipment units, comprising the steps of:(a) determining at the central controller that a service condition exists for a particu

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. In a system comprising a central controller remotely located from a plurality of equipment units, a method for maintaining operability of the equipment units, comprising the steps of:(a) determining at the central controller that a service condition exists for a particular equipment unit remotely located from the central controller; and(b) automatically transmitting a service request to notify a repair person remotely located from both the central controller and the particular equipment unit about the service condition, wherein:the repair person is selected from a plurality of repair persons based on the service condition; anddifferent repair persons are associated with different types of service conditions.