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 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.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of Invention 
     The present invention relates to processes and equipment for communications between service providers and their remote equipment units, and more particularly, but not exclusively, to improving the efficiency of information exchange between the service providers and their remote equipment units. 
     2. Description of Prior Art 
     It is common for a business to have equipment units placed at remote locations. For example a semiconductor equipment company may place various manufacturing plants worldwide at remote locations. Generally, the remote equipment units (e.g., the manufacturing plants) are chosen by semiconductor company at locations which are physically situated close to the actual customer sites (e.g., users of semiconductor chips). The remote equipment units are generally monitored by sensors and other monitoring equipment including audio alarms and LED displays. If the remote equipment unit fails or is otherwise in need of repair, the sensors and other monitoring equipment indicate an alarm condition. Monitoring personnel notice the alarm condition and then contact a repair person by phone or other means (e.g., computer, pager, etc.). The repair person then visits the remote location to place the customers back in service. 
     Unfortunately, this process consumes a considerable amount of time. In particular, there is an undesirable down-time before the monitoring personnel notice the alarm condition and contact the repair person. The dollar cost increases drastically when the manufacturing plants are down for an extended period of time and the production has been stopped. 
     A different problem arises when the monitoring personnel are not available at the remote locations to watch for alarm conditions and to contact the repair person, e.g., during off-duty hours. In this case, the down-time is further exacerbated by the fact that the alarm conditions may go unnoticed for long periods of time. 
     Indeed, delays in contacting the repair person and in repairing the remote equipment units may be quite costly, especially when the business is handling crucial equipment. In a semiconductor industry, the manufacturing of chips may consist of several pieces of fabrication equipment and the down-time associated with any of the fabrication equipment can cause shut down of actual production. 
     One approach to these problems is to have the repair person be available at the remote location, but this strategy often adversely impacts the cost of the business. Additionally, more than one repair person (i.e., each having a different expertise) may be required for each type of equipment, thereby making it nearly impossible to have all required expertise available at the remote location. 
     Thus, there remains a need for a system and method for coordinating the prompt and efficient exchange of alarm and other information between service providers and their remote equipment units. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A system and method to more efficiently exchange information between a business, such as a semiconductor equiment company, and its remote equipment units are provided. 
     In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a distributed communications system capable of immediately handling a number of information items, each belonging to a different remote equipment unit is disclosed. The distributed communications 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. 
     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. 
     The distributed communications system of the present invention is also capable of keeping track of routine maintenance schedules. The distributed communications system may be programmed with a pre-determined routine maintenance schedule for each remote equipment unit. Based on this schedule, the distributed communications system automatically contacts the appropriate repair person by wireless paging and dispatches the repair person to the corresponding remote equipment unit for routine maintenance. 
     In one embodiment, the present invention is a method comprising the steps of: (a) determining at the central controller that a service condition exists for a particular equipment unit; 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. 
     In another embodiment, the present invention is a central controller for maintaining operability of a plurality of equipment units remotely located from the central controller, wherein the central controller determines that a service condition exists for a particular equipment unit; and the central controller automatically transmits a service request to notify a repair person remotely located from both the central controller and the particular equipment unit about the service condition. 
     Yet in one more embodiment, the present invention is an alarm transmitter configured to a particular equipment unit for maintaining operability of the particular equipment unit, wherein the alarm transmitter detects an alarm condition at the particular equipment unit and automatically transmits an alarm message identifying the particular equipment unit to the central controller, which, in turn, transmits a repair request to a repair person remotely located from both the central controller and the particular equipment unit about the alarm condition. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Further objects, features, and advantages of the present invention shall become apparent from the detailed drawings and descriptions provided herein: 
     FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a distributed communications system according to one embodiment of the present embodiment; 
     FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating major components of the wireless network used in distributed communications system; 
     FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating communication between the remote equipment units and the wireless network in accordance with a first embodiment; 
     FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating communication between the remote equipment units and the wireless network in accordance with a second embodiment; 
     FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary remote equipment unit having capabilities; and 
     FIG. 6 is a flow diagram depicting one process utilizing the distributed communications system of FIG.  1 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications in the described device, and any further applications of the principles of the invention as described herein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a distributed communications system  100  according to one embodiment the present invention. Generally, system  100  comprises a central controller  130  which provides automated management of communications between remote equipment units  102   a - 102   n  and repair persons S 1 , S 2 , S 3 , . . . , Sm of the business; where n and m represent the numbers of remote equipment units and repair persons respectively, expected to utilize system  100 . Each of repair person S 1 -Sm is provided with a wireless pager. Each wireless pager has a unique code and is configured to receive communication signals from a wireless network  120 . 
     Central controller  130  and remote equipment units  102   a - 102   n  communicate via wireless network  120 . Wireless network  120  may be an external or public telephone network, an internal office telephone network, or a combination of both. Wireless network  120  may be a cellular network, a telemetry system, or a personal communications system. Central controller  130  is configured to send and receive communication signals from wireless network  120 . 
     Each remote equipment unit  102   a - 102   n  has an alarm transmitter configured to communicate to wireless network  120 . For example, a basic transceiver may be coupled to remote equipment unit by an interface device which is adapted to the type of equipment. An advantage of this construction is that a small, low-cost, and easy-to-manufacture device may be readily adapted to be installed on pre-existing equipment without costly system upgrading. 
     Central controller  130  has a bus  131  interconnecting a wireless interface  115 , a processor  134 , a memory  136 , a keyboard interface  138 , and a video display interface  140 . Keyboard interface  138  is operatively coupled to a keyboard  142 , and video display interface  140  is operatively coupled to a video display (e.g., a computer monitor)  144 . Memory  136  is used to store a database comprising equipment codes for each remote equipment unit and contact information for the corresponding repair person. Memory  136  may also be used to store a routine maintenance schedule for each remote equipment unit. 
     Central controller  130  is adapted to handle remote communications to and from each remote equipment unit  102   a - 102   n . Central computer  130  receives communication signals embedded with alarm conditions and other information from each remote equipment units  102   a - 102   n . Processor  134  evaluates the incoming alarm signal to determine the source of the information (i.e., the identity of the transmitting remote equipment unit) and the nature of the alarm condition. Processor  134  then searches the database stored in memory  136  to find the contact information of the repair person responsible for repair of the transmitting remote equipment unit. Central controller  130  then alerts the corresponding wireless pager of the repair person via wireless network  120 . 
     Central controller  130  communicates with wireless network  120  via wireless interface  115 . Wireless interface  115  functionally interconnects central controller  130  to wireless system  120 . Wireless interface  115  includes an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter to convert incoming signals received from wireless network  120  an analog format into a digital format for storage in memory  136 . Also, wireless interface  115  includes a digital-to-analog (D/A) converter for communicating stored digital signals over an during outbound communication with wireless network  120 . 
     Central controller  130  may be a collection of one or more electronic components or a single custom integrated component. For example, central controller  130  may include digital circuits, analog circuits, fuzzy logic circuits, or a combination of these circuit types. Computer  130  may be programmable by software or firmware or be “hard-wired” as a state machine, or employ a combination of these techniques. However, it is preferred that central controller  130  be a programmable personal computer with software and hardware customized to practice the present invention. 
     This preferred configuration may include communication links to other I/O devices (not shown) such as a printer, loud speaker, microphone, mouse, modem, computer network, or other types of I/O devices as would occur to one skilled in the art. It is also preferred that processor  134  be a microprocessor of conventional configuration. Nonetheless, in other embodiments, central controller  130  may be arranged differently to provide the desired functionality. 
     FIG. 2 illustrates major components of wireless network  120  of FIG.  1 . In a preferred embodiment, the alarm transmitters  201   a - 201   n  coupled to remote equipment units  102   a - 102   n  transmit their alarm conditions and other reporting messages to central controller  130  by using wireless network  120 , which is preferably a conventional wireless network comprising at least one base-station  208  and a mobile telephone switching office (MTSO)  210 , which interfaces with a public-switched telephone network (PSTN)  212 . 
     Generally, alarm transmitters  201   a - 201   n  transmit signals to base-station  208  over access channel  230 . Base-station  208  receives signals from remote equipment units  102   a - 102   n  and forwards these signals to central controller  130 . 
     Base-station  208  is also configured to transmit signals tot he wireless pagers of the repair person via paging channel  240 . Generally, base-station  208  receives paging signals generated by central controller  130  and forwards these paging signals to a paging tower  250  via paging channel  240 . Paging tower  250  is configured to transmit these paging signals to the wireless pagers of the repair persons. In the preferred embodiment, base-station  208  and MTSO  210  are part of a code-division multiple-access (CDMA) spread spectrum communication system. Additionally, wireless network  120  may be designed in accordance with the Telecommunications Industry Association Electronic Industries Association (TIA/EIA) Interim Standard 95 (IS-95) standard, entitled “Mobile Station Base-Station Compatibility Standard for Dual-Mode Wideband Spread Spectrum Cellular System.” Alternatively, the wireless communication system may be designed in accordance with the ANSI J-STD-008, standard entitled “Personal Station-Base-Station Compatibility Requirements for 1.8 to 2.0 GHz Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) Personal Communications Systems.” 
     However, it should be noted that the teachings of the present invention are applicable to other wireless communication systems whether cellular or non-cellular, and regardless of the modulation scheme employed. For example, the present invention is equally applicable to time-division multiple-access (TDMA) based systems such as the U.S. TDMA standard IS-54, or the pan-European standard Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM). Additionally, the teachings of the present invention are applicable to analog frequency modulation communication systems, such as the Advanced Mobile Phone System (AMPS). 
     FIG.  2  and its related description is described in the context of a wireless network, wherein the wireless network acts as a communicating medium between the remote equipment units and the central controller as well as between the central controller and the wireless pagers of repair persons. In practice, various different alternative embodiments may be utilized, e.g. two separate networks may be utilized wherein the first network facilitates communications between the remote equipment units and the central controller, and the second network facilitates communications between the central controller and the wireless papers. In the case of two networks, the first network may be a land-line network providing direct connectivity between the remote equipment units and the central controller, and the second network may be a wireless network. 
     Alarm transmitters  201   a - 201   n  may transmit their respective alarm signals to central controller  130  in a variety of different ways. As illustrated in FIG. 3, in a first embodiment based on one of the previously mentioned CDMA standards, the alarm transmitters  201   a - 201   n  transmit their reporting messages to a respective home base unit  322 . For example, in FIG. 3 alarm transmitter  201   a  is shown communicating with home base unit (HBU)  222  over communication link  324 . 
     In this first embodiment, link  324  may be a wireless RF link over a licensed or unlicenced RF band, in which case both alarm transmitter  201   a  and HBU  322  would employ RF transceivers. An advantage to using an RF link for link  324  is that the transmitting power, and thus the cost, of alarm transmitter  201   a  is small due to the relatively short distance between alarm transmitter  201   a  and HBU  322 . Alternately, link  324  may be an electrical power line capable of employing power-line carrier (PLC) modulation, and both alarm transmitter  201   a  and HBU  322  employ PLC transceivers. 
     In this first embodiment, HBU  322  preferably collects and transmits the reporting messages generated by remote equipment unit  102   n  to base-station  208  over a telecommunications channel. This telecommunications channel may be a random-access CDMA channel which nominally provides for call originations, responses to pages, orders, and registrations for conventional subscriber stations. 
     However, it should be noted that, in alternate embodiments, HBU  322  may utilize a pre-installed land-line communication link  326  connected directly to PSTN  212  in order to communicate with central controller  130 . This alternate embodiment would have the advantage of reduced cost of communication if a pre-existing land-line communication link  226  already existed at the remote location. 
     In a second embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in FIG. 4, each of the alarm transmitters , e.g., alarm transmitter  201   b , may comprise a low-power CDMA transceiver such as that described with reference to the first embodiment. However, instead of the HBU  322  providing the intermediate “hop” to base-station  208 , a CDMA repeater  418  would relay RF signals over access channel  230  from the alarm transmitters to base-station  208 . CDMA repeater  418  would comprise, for example, a high-power amplifier and associated transponding circuitry as is known in the art. CDMA repeater  418  could be located, for example, at the top of a utility pole or on a rooftop, to provide, sufficient line-of-sight communication with both the alarm transmitters and base-station  208 . 
     An advantage of using CDMA repeater  418  to relay messages back and forth between the alarm transmitters and base-station  208  is that the RF power output of alarm transmitters  201   a - 201   n , and consequently their cost, would be reduced significantly over embodiments where the alarm transmitters must each transmit enough power to contact base-station  208  directly over an access channel. Although the alarm transmitters would be on the order of 500 feet to 1,000 feet from CDMA repeater  418 , CDMA repeater  418  itself could be on the order of six or seven miles from the nearest base-station  208 . 
     Additionally, CDMA repeater  418  is much less complex and less expensive to manufacture, install, and maintain than base-station  208 . Thus, the effective coverage area of base-station  208  may be extended by CDMA repeater  418  without the need for additional base-stations. 
     It should be noted that CDMA repeater  424  could utilize a wire-line backhaul interface to base-station  208 , such as fiber optic lines or the like, depending on the nature of the installation site, and the availability of wire-line resources near the installation site. Such a fiber-optic outfitted repeater  418  would include the same RF link to the alarm transmitters as was discussed above, but would have a fiber-optic link to the base-station  208 . 
     Yet, in one more embodiment, the alarm transmitters communicate directly with base-station  208  over an access channel. In this embodiment, the alarm transmitters would require a higher-power transceiver than that used for the first and second embodiments. However, initial installation and retrofitting of the existing remote equipment units would be easier because HBU  222  and CDMA repeater  218  would not be needed. 
     In any of these embodiment wireless network  120  is configured to provide communications capabilities between remote equipment units  102   a - 102   n  and computer  130 . Wireless network  120  also provides wireless communication capabilities between computer  130  and the wireless pagers of the repair persons SI-Sm. 
     Referring now to FIG. 5, an exemplary remote equipment unit  102   a , having an alarm transmitter  201   a  is illustrated. Alarm transmitter  201   a  may be coupled to existing remote equipment units, thereby supporting portability. 
     Alarm transmitter  201   a  comprises a wireless interface  501  for communicating to wireless network  120 . For example, a basic transceiver may be coupled to each pre-existing remote equipment unit by an interface device which is adapted to the type of equipment. Wireless interface  501  is used for transmitting alarm signals from remote equipment unit  102   a  to wireless network  120 . Alarm transmitter  201   a  also comprises an analog multiplexer (AMUX)  508  which is capable to collect analog alarm signal and then to an analog-to-digital converter (A/D)  510 . A/D converts the analog alarm signals to a digital signal representative of the alarm condition, and passes the resulting digital signal to wireless interface  501 . Wireless interface  501  then transmit the digital alarm signal to wireless network  120 . 
     Alarm transmitter  201   a  may comprise a microprocessor  514  having signal processing capabilities, for example, microprocessor  514  may periodically check for any alarm conditions present on the remote equipment unit and report the results to central controller  130  via wireless network  120 . Microprocessor  514  may also generate a fault condition message for transmission to wireless network  120 . Such a fault condition would occur if there were excessive operational failures sensed on the remote equipment unit including if there were a local blackout or brownout. The fault condition message may contain an encoded representation of the actual failures sensed. 
     FIG. 6 depicts a flow diagram of one process utilizing system  100  of FIG.  1 . Generally, the process starts when an alarm condition is detected at one of the remote units by the corresponding alarm transmitter (block  601 ). The alarm transmitter then processes the alarm condition and transmits an alarm signal to central controller  130  via wireless network  120  (block  603 ). 
     Central controller  130  receives an incoming alarm signal and evaluates it to determine its source (i.e., to determine the identity of the transmitting alarm transmitter and the corresponding remote equipment unit) (block  605 ). Central controller  130  also determines the nature of the alarm condition. Central controller  130  then searches its database to find a matching data record in the database (block  607 ). Generally, the matched data record contains the contact information about the repair person responsible for repair of the transmitting alarm transmitter and its corresponding remote equipment unit. 
     After a matching record has been identified, the contact information about the repair person is processed and the corresponding wireless pager of the repair person is alerted (block  609 ). In the case of numeric pagers, a corresponding equipment code may be transmitted indicating that repair person should visit the identified remote equipment location. In case of text pagers, a more detailed message may be transmitted. For example, the message may say “Equipment  102   c  needs repair. Report immediately.” 
     Generally, central controller  130  transmits messages to the wireless pagers upon the receipt of alarm messages from the receipt of alarm signals from the remote equipment units. But, in case of routine maintenance, central controller  130  may not wait for an incoming alarm signal. Instead, central controller  130  tracks the maintenance schedule based on a pre-recorded program in its memory, and automatically generates control messages to be transmitted to corresponding wireless pagers of the repair persons. In case of numeric pagers, a corresponding equipment code may be transmitted indicating that service associate should visit that particular remote equipment location to perform a routine maintenance. In case of text pagers, a more detailed message may be transmitted. For example, the message may say “Equipment  102   c  is due for a routine maintenance. Report at earliest convenience.” 
     The principles of the present invention are flexible and the present invention may be practiced with a plurality of different networks. In one embodiment, the neural networks may be utilized to sense maintenance needs on the remote equipment units, and the data relating to maintenance needs may be transmitted over a third generation wide-band CDMA network to alert a technician. 
     In another embodiment, the known multilayer neural networks may be incorporated in the architecture of remote equipment units. In a neural network-based process control, neural networks are used to detect and measure any maintenance condition. The neural network pattern classification and intensity analysis capabilities allows powerful, real-time monitoring capabilities. In this embodiment, neural wireless networks may be used for transmitting maintenance conditions. 
     It will be further understood that various changes in the details, materials, and arrangements of the parts which have been described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of this invention may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as expressed in the following claims.