Patent ID: 7274973

Claim:
An apparatus for monitoring operating data generated by components of a heating, ventilation, air conditioning and/or refrigeration (HVAC/R) system of a facility, the components configured to operate within pre-programmed operating parameters and including a UV lamp and a control unit comprising a first flash code lamp and a second flash code lamp, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of sensors configured to sense operating data from the components of the HVAC/R system, the plurality of sensors including a first optical sensor positioned to sense the operation of the UV lamp, a second optical sensor positioned to sense operation of the first flash code lamp, and a third optical sensor positioned to sense operation of the second flash code lamp; a first flash code reader comprising a housing for mounting the second optical sensor adjacent the first flash code lamp; a second flash code reader comprising a housing for mounting the third optical sensor adjacent the second flash code lamp; a first computer located on or near the HVAC/R system configured to store the pre-programmed operating parameters for the components and operable to receive the operating data from the sensors and to generate error messages when the operating data is outside the pre-programmed operating parameters; a second computer located remotely from the HVAC/R system and operable to communicate with the first computer to receive and store the operating data and the error messages generated by the first computer; and a communications system configured to facilitate communications between the first computer and the second computer, wherein the first computer is physically integrated with the control unit, and wherein the control unit is operable to generate flash codes via the first flash code lamp and the second flash code lamp, the first flash code lamp operable to provide operating data in the form of a visual indication of the operation of a furnace, an interior A/C unit, and a blower, the second flash code lamp operable to provide operating data in the form of a visual indication of the operation of an outside A/C unit.