Patent ID: 8195231

Claim:
A system for collection and distribution of machine data via a cellular communication device, comprising: an electronic control module located on a machine, the electronic control module configured to: collect operation data associated with the machine, wherein the electronic control module includes a serial communication port; and generate one or more text messages containing the operation data; a personal area network (PAN) control adapter removably coupled to the electronic control module via the serial communication port and configured to: wirelessly detect a mobile PAN-compatible cellular communication device carried by an operator of the machine and proximate the PAN control module; and transmit the one or more text messages containing the operation data to the mobile PAN-compatible cellular communication device such that the mobile the PAN-compatible cellular communication device carried by the operator of the machine forwards the operation data to a condition monitoring system via a cellular network, wherein the PAN-compatible cellular communication device is configured to forward the operation data by forwarding the one or more text messages containing the operation data to the condition monitoring system over the cellular network using a text messaging service.