초록 ▼

A system and method for monitoring remote equipment are provided. An interface unit, having a message generating mechanism, is capable of receiving signals from sensors. A central computer server is in communication with the interface unit and is adapted to receive and preferably store messages gene

A system and method for monitoring remote equipment are provided. An interface unit, having a message generating mechanism, is capable of receiving signals from 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 from a variety of different data transports. If 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. The interface unit may in addition or instead transmit normal status messages if the equipment and/or interface unit is functioning properly. The message profile is remotely configurable by the user.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method of monitoring remote equipment comprising the steps of:a) attaching an interface unit to at least one piece of remote equipment; b) communicating a message indicative of a state of the interface unit to a computer server as an incoming message; c) enabling a user to remotely configure or

1. A method of monitoring remote equipment comprising the steps of:a) attaching an interface unit to at least one piece of remote equipment; b) communicating a message indicative of a state of the interface unit to a computer server as an incoming message; c) enabling a user to remotely configure or modify a user-defined message profile containing outgoing message routing instructions, the user-defined message profile being storable on the computer server; d) determining whether an incoming message has not been received by the computer server from the interface unit indicative of improper operation of the interface unit; and e) if it is determined in step d) that an incoming message has not been received from the interface unit, forwarding at least one outgoing exception message based on the lack of the incoming message to at least one user-defined communication device specifiable in the user-defined message profile, wherein the user can remotely configure or modify the user-defined message profile by remotely accessing the computer server.