WO2010003151A2

WO2010003151A2 - Method and apparatus for providing interactive responses to requests from intelligent machines

Info

Publication number: WO2010003151A2
Application number: PCT/US2009/049715
Authority: WO
Inventors: Adam Crossno; Bruce C. Lutz
Original assignee: OnAsset Intelligence Inc
Current assignee: OnAsset Intelligence Inc
Priority date: 2008-07-03
Filing date: 2009-07-06
Publication date: 2010-01-07
Anticipated expiration: 2011-01-03
Also published as: WO2010003151A3

Abstract

A method and apparatus is provided for matching received uniquely IDed requests for parts and/or services with suppliers conveniently accessible to a requestor. Such action may be accomplished by matching database supplier location information with requestor defined location information, forwarding the request only to those suppliers meeting predefined parameters, and returning supplier responses to the requestor. The method optionally includes the capability of modifying the request if a part is designated for special treatment because it is no longer available, is defective or has been found to be the subject of product update information. The apparatus further includes intelligent untended machines capable of modifying performance as a function of additional data obtained in a response to a request for parts and/or services.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING INTERACTIVE RESPONSES TO REQUESTS FROM INTELLIGENT MACHINES

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to an improved method of, and apparatus for locating and/or providing a source of parts and services for humans as well as for intelligent machines.

BACKGROUND

[0002] In the prior art, when one was attempting to find a source of parts or services, reference was typically made to the yellow pages of the phone book or to information obtained from friends to ascertain potential sources of those parts or services. Calls were then made to determine whether or not a potential source had a given part in stock and to determine the price and location of the source. If a given service was being sought, an alternate inquiry would pertain to timeliness of that source being able to provide the service. The time required to obtain the information often was considerable.

[0003] With present day technology, the internet or world wide web (WWW) can be used to widen the search for parts and services. However, it is seldom that an internet search will return immediate information as to whether or not a given part or service is presently available. Thus typically after a source has been located using the internet, the telephone must still be used if timeliness is a significant factor in obtaining the part or service.

[0004] The computer technology of today, using artificial intelligence in combination with machines such as automotive vehicles, provides the capability of sensing failed parts, the need for service and even predicting the likelihood of a parts failure based upon time of use or degradation of performance based upon sensors incorporated in a machine. This technology includes the capability of wirelessly transmitting the information as to failing or failed parts to a specific service entity. At the predefined service entity, a potential service time to repair the vehicle may be scheduled by service personnel and this potential service time information can be wirelessly returned to a display on the vehicle to allow the operator of the vehicle to make appropriate arrangements. Such a system is illustrated in a USPTO publication 20070271014. [0005] In a slightly different environment, it is even set forth in US patent

6,370,454 that, scheduling and notification to a vehicle operator may be done automatically by scheduling software when routine maintenance of a vehicle is to be performed.

[0006] The above publications are directed to specific services by a system restricted to a given class of vehicles or to a specific entity for servicing vehicles.

[0007] With the governments push toward safety of the public and manufacturers desire to have a better public image, there is an emphasis on providing improved parts and repair procedures from those set forth at the time of manufacture of that part or of devices and machines using a given part and/or service. Thus, by the time a part fails, there is often a recommendation for the use of a substitute part. The procedure for installing the substitute part may even involve changes such as different torque amounts to be used upon tightening the attaching bolts. Further, an analysis of repair procedures may indicate that, when a given part fails in a given machine, it is likely that another part will fail soon thereafter. Thus it has been found that, economically speaking, it is usually wise to replace both parts at the same time.

[0008] It would be desirable to have a universal M2M (machine to machine) search system, whether landline or wireless, that could respond to location identified requests for parts and/or services by supplying a listing of nearby suppliers that presently supply those parts or services. Such a system may optionally include additional data such as, a time frame for supplying said services or parts, not only to humans but also to machines. Computers incorporated in machines having advanced artificial intelligence may thus use this additional data to modify performance of the machine as a function of this additional data.

[0009] Such a system may further optionally include parts or services that could be substituted for the part or service requested even though there is no presently known problem with the requested part. As an example, the request may be for a tire manufactured by Firestone and a substitute may be listed for a Goodyear tire at a substantially lesser sale price.

[0010] It would further be desirable that the system provide the supplier notification as to whether the initial request is from an individual using a computer type device or from a computer assisted machine and sensor system that detects the need for parts, service and/or maintenance on site.

[0011] It would also be desirable to automatically determine that a request for a given part is either impossible to fulfill or that it is desirable to order other parts to be replaced at the same time and thus such a request requires "special treatment" before being forwarded to a supplier. As indicated above, it would further be desirable for machines requesting parts to be able to modify their mode of operation as a function of data contained in one or more received responses to a request for parts and/or services.

SUMMARY

[0012] The present invention comprises a centralized system that stores a listing or database of uniquely identified parts and services, sometimes referred to as "IDed items", along with a listing or database of entities that typically carry those types of parts and services and the location of those entities. To minimize the computation load at the central system, the listing may preferably be set up in a tree type structure where categories of parts and services contain subcategories until a final subcategory contains only specific parts or services uniquely IDed. The listing may optionally include a "special treatment" field whereby stored information may be accessed in situations where a specific part is no longer available, where it is no longer advisable that the requested part be used in certain machines and/or has a recommended substitute or where it has been determined that it is typically desirable to replace other parts when a given part fails.

[0013] When a request for a part or service is received by a centralized computer or other distribution center, the request (whether or not modified by special treatment status) is forwarded to entities within a given or predefined vicinity of a location specified in the request or as predefined by a requestor. If all initial supplier responses are negative, the size of the given vicinity may optionally be expanded until one or more positive responses are obtained. The positive responses may then be forwarded as received or in consolidated format by the centralized system to the initiating requestor or other designated remote contact when the requestor is a machine responding to one or more sensor signals indicative of a potential or actual machine problem.

[0014] In situations where the initiating requestor is a machine that is capable of intelligently modifying its' operation as a function of the type of response received in reaction to the request for parts and/or services, the centralized system may optionally provide additional data to the requesting machine. An example of such additional data may be a signal indicative of the time before the request can be satisfied. With such information, an advanced artificial intelligence machine may be able to modify its performance to a lesser level whereby a part that is sensed as being likely to fail will be more likely to still be operational at a time when a provider believes that a repair can be performed. Other similar intelligent machine performance modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art of software design along with machine operation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] For a more complete understanding of one or more embodiments of the present invention and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0016] FIGURE 1 illustrates an exemplary system including requestors, suppliers, a centralized computer system and associated communication network;

[0017] FIGURE 2 comprises an exemplary presentation of the types of information that may be sent from a requestor of parts or services to a central processor or other distribution system;

[0018] FIGURE 3 comprises an exemplary presentation of the types of information sent from the central processor or other distribution system to suppliers in the vicinity of the requestor that typically can supply the type of part or service requested;

[0019] FIGURE 4 comprises an exemplary presentation of the types of information returned to the central processor from each of the suppliers polled that choose to respond to the request;

[0020] FIGURES 5A, 5B and 5C comprise exemplary presentations of information returned to the central processor from polled suppliers in a format to be supplied to a requesting entity or that entity's remote human contact in at least some situations where the requesting entity is a computer or other smart device responding to sensor inputs;

[0021] FIGURE 6 comprises an exemplary presentation of information that may optionally be returned to a requesting entity or an available contact when a given part and/or service is found to require special treatment;

[0022] FIGURE 7 comprises an exemplary presentation of an advanced artificial intelligence machine that is capable of modifying its performance based upon data received in response to a request for parts and/or services; and

[0023] FIGURE 8 comprises an exemplary presentation of a response that may be provided to an intelligent machine as opposed to the responses that may be provided to the human contact for the machine as set forth in FIGURES 5 and 6. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Referring now to FIGURE 1, blocks 102 and 104 represent a set of first through Nth entities respectively that may be requesting goods and/or services. Each of these requesting entities will have a unique identifying number or other designation. Such unique designations, as well as other predefined parameters, may be set up upon initial registration with some centralized entity such as a central server. The requesting entities may be computer devices accessed by humans or may be computer type devices acting in conjunction with sensors monitoring one or more aspects of a remote unit. As an example, a sensor on an engine may indicate that the temperature of a cooling fluid is too high compared with the ambient temperature and thus a request from an associated computer may be for a service technician to be dispatched to the site of the engine. Alternatively, for the same engine, a further sensor may have detected noises or vibrations in the water pump that are typically associated with eminent water pump failure. Thus, through computer programmed artificial intelligence, the request may be specifically directed to probable replacement of the water pump. Blocks 106 and 108 represent a set of first through Nth suppliers respectively that may be able to supply one or more types of requested goods and/or services. A block 110 represents one or more centralized servers, processors or other request receiving distribution centers used to provide standards, maintain one or more databases (lists) of parts and services as well as optional special treatment data and circumstances. Block 110 also operates to act as an interface between requesting entities and potential suppliers of parts and services. A block 112 represents an entity that provides a monitoring service for maintaining and/or modifying the database(s) as well as the communication and ID standards of the block 110. A cloud 114 represents a communication network which typically will be wireless but may be any combination of wired and/or wireless communication paths for communication between the various blocks shown as may be available. A dash line remote contact block 116 is shown within block 102. The dash line is used to show that, in some conditions or situations, a reply from a central unit 110 would be sent to a contact at a communication address different from the communication address of the requesting entity. A similar dash line remote contact block 118 is shown within block 104.

[0025] FIGURE 2 comprises an exemplary set of blocks broadly describing the various data containing fields or sections of a message or data packet 200 that may be used to request a part or service from block 110. For the purpose of this description, various communication protocol components necessary to accomplish computer to computer data transmissions, such as message headers and so forth, are not illustrated as these components are well known to those skilled in the art and comprise no critical portion of this invention. As shown, a portion labeled as block 202 may contain a server address such as that of server 110 in FIGURE 1. A portion labeled as a block 204 may contain a number or other designation uniquely identifying or otherwise describing a specific part or service. A portion shown as a block 206 may be used to indicate a type of service requested when a part is being uniquely IDed. A portion 208 may contain a further number or other designation uniquely identifying or otherwise describing a specific site for a requested service. As an example, if the part requested was a automotive tire, the service could be merely a purchase, a purchase and mounting at the site of the tire supplier or a purchase and mounting at the site of the tire requester. The site of the requestor may be provided by a human initiating a request. In a similar manner, the site location may be provided by stored information for non-mobile machines. Mobile machines, on the other hand, may retrieve location data from on-board GPS (Global Position System) type devices. Again, each of these different service request types would preferably have a unique identifier. Although more unique designations may well be required, the three portions 204, 206 and 208 may alternatively be reduced to a multiplicity of single IDs for a given tire and each potential type of service to be provided. A portion labeled as a block 210 comprises a requestor ID along with date and time of request whereby each request from a given requestor may be easily identified by the central server 110. A portion labeled as a block 212 may be used to indicate the urgency of the request. In other words, a request from a person stuck in traffic on the freeway with a flat tire would typically want higher priority of service than if he merely noted that the tires on his car are getting worn and should be replaced within the next few months.

[0026] A message packet 300 of FIGURE 3 may be substantially identical to that of

FIGURE 2, when special treatment of a requested part is not involved, except that an initial portion labeled as block 302 comprises a specific potential supplier address rather than the server address. The remaining portions identified as 304, 306, 308, 310 and 312 may contain the same data as provided in the portions 204, 206, 208, 210 and 212 respectively of the original request. The message packet 300 would then be sent to potential suppliers contained within a database of the server 110 and which suppliers are within a predefined distance from the location of (or specified by) the requesting entity.

[0027] The system is set up, when special treatment is indicated, in various ways.

The part or service block 304 may merely be modified to request additional or substitute parts in the manner set forth in the special treatment information and forwarded to the supplier. The special treatment information may also be returned to the requestor (or to a designated contact when the requesting entity is a remote device) at the time the request is forwarded to suppliers in situations like when the requested part is no longer available but a readily available substitute is available in a manner similar to that shown in FIGURE 6. Alternatively, the special treatment information may be included in the pricing and availability information provided in connection with the responses illustrated in connection with FIGURES 5A-C. Although not specifically shown, a response may optionally be provided to remote intelligent devices at the same time as responses are sent to human contacts regarding special treatment. If that device has sufficient artificial intelligence, machine performance may be modified as a function of any additional data provided along with the response. Such additional data, as an example, being an indication that there will be a delay in fulfilling the request for parts and/or services.

[0028] When the special treatment indicates that the requested part is no longer to be used for repair of certain machines and the requestor is a remote machine, the registration data accessible by the server 110 may be used to appropriately modify the request before transmission to one or more suppliers. When the request is initiated by an individual, the system may be programmed to send the special treatment information to the requestor along with responses from suppliers or alternatively may be programmed to request further clarification based upon special treatment information before transmitting parts and/or services requests to suppliers in a manner similar to that set forth in connection with FIGURE 6.

[0029] FIGURE 4 presents an exemplary message packet 400 that may be returned from a contacted supplier. These messages would typically only be from those suppliers that are able to supply a part or service that does or could satisfy the entity request. As shown, a block 402 contains the address of the request distribution block 110. A block 404 includes the supplier's address. A block 406 identifies one or more parts or services that the responding supplier can provide. As previously indicated, the part or service listed in 406 may be a substitute for the specific part or service requested in block 204 of FIGURE 2. An optional block 408 provides an indication as to whether or not the supplier can provide the service. This block would be necessary if the central server is programmed to keep track of whether or not a timely response is received from all suppliers to whom a specific request was sent. A block 410 provides an indication as to when a responding supplier can provide the requested part or service. A block 412 provides a cost to requestor indication. A block 414 provides information as to whom to contact to obtain the part or service from that supplier. A final block 416 repeats the requestor identity information as received by the supplier in block 310 of FIGURE 3. [0030] FIGURES 5A, 5B and 5C set forth exemplary sets of information that may be provided to a requestor when the request is generated by a human. Alternatively, these same sets of information may be sent to a remote contact when the request is generated by a computer device attached to machine condition sensing elements. Some of the information provided, such as a supplier source's street name, address and telephone number may be stored in the server 110 to minimize the data transmitted from a supplier. Further, the part requested may be transmitted to and from the supplier may be coded as one or more ID numbers but these ID numbers may be converted by server 110 to be more user friendly or human readable in the form shown. In other words, common descriptions of tires and brands are shown in FIGURES 5A-C rather than ID numbers. Similarly, an ID number may be used to represent the phase "delivered and mounted on vehicle at customer's site". Additionally, the distance from each supplier to the location of service to be provided may be calculated by the server 110 using supplier location data stored in the server 110. At the time that these responses are sent to designated human contacts for remote devices, responses will typically also be sent to the actual requesting machines. When optional additional data is provided in these remote entity machine directed responses, the requesting machines having sufficient artificial intelligence may modify their performance as a function of the additional data provided in these responses.

[0031] As may be noted in FIGURE 5 A, even though a request may have been only for the price of a single tire to be picked up from a supplier, Jack's Auto has the ability to deliver the requested item and mount the tires on a vehicle in the event the requestor is interested in not having to take the time to pick up one or more tires. Further, a per-tire discount is provided if the requestor decides to purchase 4 tires rather than a single tire. Such additional information may optionally be transmitted in separate additional messages but preferably will be included in a single message that allows predefined data fields such as 406 of FIGURE 4 to be expandable.

[0032] FIGURE 5B is similar in data provided the requesting entity but provides information that B&G Tires has more Goodyear tires of the size requested than it does Firestone tires and that they can be purchased at a substantially cheaper price.

[0033] The data comprising FIGURE 5C informs the requestor that Auto Supply will sell Firestone tires to the requestor at the lowest price. However, this supplier is located the furthest away from the location of service to be provided. As may be noted, Auto Supply may be able to provide service at the customer's site if the requestor is willing to call and discuss terms. [0034] Although not graphically illustrated in the figures shown, each of the replies to the requestor may include additional information such as a map showing a route to be traveled from the location of service to be provided to each responding supplier. Supplying this additional information in the form of maps is well known in the art and will not be further discussed.

[0035] Also the replies to the requestor may include minimal amounts of part associated information such as the fact that a given supplier has tools, repair manuals and parts normally associated with the replacement of a requested item. An example of such additional information is provided in connection with FIGURE 5C.

[0036] As indicated previously, there will be times that a requested part and/or service is no longer produced, has been replaced by an available substitute in the marketplace, has been found to be defective or for some other reason is not available. In such cases, information similar to that shown in FIGURE 6 may be provided to a requestor. Such information may originate from a supplier or may result from reprogramming the central server 110 to respond to requests for given parts with certain messages. Such reprogramming may be initiated by manufacturers of parts found to be defective or outdated as well as by manufacturers of products using parts found to be defective. Thus manufacturing entities may advantageously use the system to advise customers that service data obtained subsequent to manufacture of a product shows that upon failure of a given part it should be replaced with a different part or that service experience shows that typically the failure of a given part is soon followed by failure of a related part.

[0037] As also previously indicated, the requestor may be a remote machine incorporating failure sensors and intelligent request capability to request certain given parts in response to given sensed conditions. Further, it may be determined from an analysis of repair data, long after production of these remote machines, that failure of a given part, such as the coolant fan mentioned in conjunction with FIGURE 6, is likely to cause eminent failure of a related part, such as a coolant thermostat. It would thus be desirable for the owner or repair manager of those devices to be able to revise the requested repair procedures without having to send a technician to accomplish a reprogramming of each remote machine to request replacement of the related part at the same time as failure of the given part is detected. Such action may be instituted by reprogramming the central server 110 to automatically modify a request, received for a given part and/or service from specified remote devices, whereby the request sent to a supplier specifies replacement of both the requested part as well as the related part.

[0038] In this manner, extended service capability may be provided to remote machines on a true machine to machine basis under altered circumstances through the ability to reprogram a central server for a given set of machines without the necessity of physically traveling to and modifying each individual remote device.

[0039] In FIGURE 7 a remote entity 700 is shown that may be representative, in more detail, of one of the entities, such as 104, in FIGURE 1. This remote and/or otherwise untended entity will typically be an operating machine having moving parts that wear or break and need to be replaced from time to time. As shown, the machine 700 includes a network communicator 702 in communication with a computer or other similar intelligent device 704 designed or programmed to make decisions and take actions based upon sensed inputs. The network communicator 702 is designed to communicate with one or more wired or wireless networks via the communication link shown as 706. The computer 704, in some remote entities such as this unit, supplies signals, via one or more communication links 708, to one or more items that need to be controlled as shown by a block 710. These controlled items may or may not be the same as the items being monitored as will be explained infra. One or more sensors, represented by a block 712, operate to monitor predetermined characteristics of monitored items 710 and supply output signals to computer 704. A dash line block 714 is also shown to represent a human contact that typically can be contacted in connection with any problematic situations occurring with respect to the remote entity 700.

[0040] FIGURE 8 represents a response that may be provided to a requesting remote entity from the central unit 110 of FIGURE 1. While the present system may be operated in many different formats, the remote unit would preferably receive some type of acknowledgement response immediately after making a request whereby the remote unit would know that the request had been successfully transmitted to the central unit. Thereafter, at least the more intelligent remote units would preferably receive some type of response each time the central unit 110 transmits a message to the human contact (physically remote from entity 700) represented by block 714. Such a response may be optionally be provided to all units, whether or not they are able to profitably react to the indicated additional data or the more detailed responses may be provided to only remote entities as set forth in a database of the central unit 110. [0041] As indicated within the dash line block of FIGURE 8, the response may also include further signals indicating whether the request has been scheduled to be fulfilled (pos), has not yet been scheduled (neg) or requires special treatment before it can be scheduled.

[0042] Reference will now be returned to FIGURE 1. As may be apparent from the above, the server(s) 110 will preferably be constructed or otherwise set up with access to one or more databases that operate to uniquely identify each type of part and/or service to be provided along with many other types of data such as data pertaining to any special treatment to be accorded to specific parts and/or services requests. Preferably these database(s) are constructed in a tree type structure. In other words, as an example, a given ID may broadly define vehicle tires while first subset numbers may be used to identify tire sizes. Subsets under sizes may well be directed to number of plies or ply rating, sidewall color, manufacturers of these various tire sizes and so forth.

[0043] As new products or services are generated, these products or services are assigned unique identifiers by personnel in the monitoring station 112 and added to the database(s) within the server 110. Such new products and services would typically be provided to the monitoring station 112 by suppliers or manufacturers of these products and services for approval to be entered into the system but could be initiated in response to requests from entities such as 102 and 104.

[0044] Reference will now be made to each of the eight figures. In operation, a request such as shown in FIGURE 2, in a format defined by the system and which format may be stored in server 110, is made by an entity such as block 104. This request, as an example, may use an identifier known to the requestor to be for a Firestone tire commonly known as a P225/75R-15. Alternatively, the requestor may access the server 110 in a search mode to locate this specific tire while providing the server 110 with the service requested, the location of the requestor or location of the service to be provided, the requestor's ID and the urgency whereby the server 110 may generate the request data in a manner conforming to the standardized format of FIGURE 2. When a requestor uses the search mode to find a part that is designated for special treatment, this information may be displayed to allow the requestor to make a more informed (or modified) request. This request is formulated within or otherwise received by the server 110.

[0045] Typically a response or negative action acknowledgement of some type similar to that shown in FIGURE 8, is returned to the requesting entity to inform same that the request has been received and is being acted upon. The server 110 then searches its' databases to find suppliers within a predefined radius or geo-fence of the location 208 that would be likely to provide the product or service requested. Server 110 then generates a request that conforms to a standard that all system networked suppliers can understand. Such request may be of the type shown in FIGURE 3. Suppliers that can supply the requested product or service or an approved substitute generate a response such as shown in FIGURE 4 to be received by server 110. If less than a given number of positive responses are received within a given time, block 110 may proceed with a repeat of the search and generation of requests for a larger area. Positive responses by definition, in this application, comprise those responses indicating that the requested product, service or a substitute therefore is available from that supplier. The server then converts the information to a human readable form or format and sends this information to the requestor or to a remote contact where the request is initiated by machine sensor. Examples of possible requestor responses to a request for a single Firestone P225/75R-15 tire are shown in FIGURES 5A, 5B and 5C. When the requestor is an intelligent machine, the responses of the types shown in FIGURES 5 and 6 are sent to one or more designated human remote contacts.

[0046] As an additional capability of this invention, the system may be provided with the ability to authorize replacement of parts from specified requestor IDs. As an example, when the request is initiated by a remotely located machine sensor that detects actual or impending failure of a critical part. The server may be programmed to authorize replacement by the first supplier responding that the service can be provided within a predetermined time unless overruled by an authorized remote contact. Normally, such system authorization would also be communicated to the authorized remote contact for that machine as identified by the request ID or alternatively upon requestor registration with the system.

[0047] Although not specifically shown, the supplier response includes the possibility of a supplier of services specifying a time to perform these services if the requestor responds within a given time period and accepts the service offered.

[0048] As mentioned previously, the central server 110 may be readily reprogrammed in response to requests from entities such as manufacturers of parts found to be defective or of greatly improved products that may readily be substituted for original parts. Such reprogramming requests may also be received from entities owning or otherwise managing the operation and/or repair of remotely located or otherwise un-tended machine with sensors that are able to detect likely or present failure of parts and are further able to request parts and/or service in a manner such as indicated with respect to entity 104/118. [0049] The reprogramming of the central server 110, in the case of an untended machine may be as simple as, upon receiving a request for part "A" from a specific entity having the ID of block 104, to reformat the request presented to one or more suppliers such as 106, to provide part "C" or alternatively, as suggested supra, with both part "A" and part "B" that has been found to typically fail soon after part "A" fails. However, the system shown has the capability of upgrading the software of appropriately designed untended machines so that the untended machine can request the correct part or parts rather than have the central processor make the correction.

[0050] As previously indicated, untended machines with sophisticated artificial intelligence software may have the ability to modify the performance of the machine to lessen the probability of complete failure before a repair request can be fulfilled. As an example, if a sensor, similar to those in block 712 of FIGURE 7, detects vibrations in a pump of the type that typically are associated with failure of the pump, the computer 704 may send a signal via lead 708 to the electric motor or other mechanical drive unit controller to reduce the rotational speed of the pump to prolong its life until a repair can be accomplished. If the computer receives a response, such as shown in FIGURE 8, that indicates the repair is scheduled to be made yet that day, it may, under predetermined conditions, change the signal to the drive controller and return the pump to its normal operating speed. On the other hand, if a response is received indicating that the repair is not to be completed for several weeks, the computer 704 may send a signal the drive controller to reduce the rotational speed of the pump even further if, for the application of the pump, it is more essential that fluid be continuously passed than to have maximum quantity of fluid passed.

[0051] As another example of operative modification, a decision may be made by computer 704 to merely periodically stop operation of an engine, to allow same to cool off, upon detection of overheating the cooling fluid or of one or more parts.

[0052] In summary, the present invention facilitates the process of finding suppliers of specific parts and services, obtaining pricing information and when such parts and/or services may be obtained. In essence the server 110 acts as an extremely informative but location filtered "yellow pages" middleman in maintaining a listing of all suppliers interested in supplying parts and services along with their location. Thus, for the convenience of the requestor, an incoming request for a part or service can be directed to only those suppliers near the location of the requestor. [0053] The present invention also minimizes the problems of updating software of intelligent machines that may be able to detect failure problems and request service. This minimization may be accomplished by modifying the programming of an intermediary between the intelligent machine and the supplier such as server 110.

[0054] The system set forth in this invention advantageously operates to maximize the performance of untended machines that can modify their operation as a function of when a request for parts and/or services is scheduled or otherwise likely to be fulfilled.

[0055] The overall process of this invention involves, at least some of the steps of, assembling a database of suppliers that typically can supply predefined types of uniquely identified parts and/or services, defining standardized request and response formats to be used by potential suppliers interested in receiving M2M requests for parts and/or services, defining standardized request formats to be used by requestors interested in making M2M requests for parts and/or services, registering potential requestors and suppliers, providing them with appropriate software or other data to enable them to access the system request line or in the case of suppliers to respond to parts and/or services requests, receiving requestor initiated requests for parts and/or services at a computer unit with access to at least a portion of said database of suppliers in the vicinity of a location specified by said requestor, forwarding at least some fields of received requests to at least one supplier meeting predefined parameters with respect to said received requests, receiving replies from any suppliers responding to forwarded requests, converting replies received from suppliers responding to forwarded requests to and then forwarding human readable form replies to predetermined requestor defined contacts.

[0056] It is to be understood that, for the purposes of this invention, an "item" request that is uniquely IDed may refer to a product, a service or both. While the description of operation as set forth so far, presents requestor location comprising a part of the a requestor initiated request, location data of requestors may comprise part of centrally stored and/or accessible databases if the system is set up to require such information as part of a registration process by requestors.

[0057] By adding further fields and server programming, the requestor may readily be allowed to specify additional restrictions to or expansions of the request. One example is to alter the radius or geo-fence limitations of the area within which the server 110 uses to determine which suppliers should be sent requests for a given part or service.

[0058] Having thus described the present invention by reference to certain of its preferred embodiments, it is noted that the embodiments disclosed are illustrative rather than limiting in nature and that a wide range of variations, modifications, changes, and substitutions are contemplated in the foregoing disclosure and, in some instances, some features of the present invention may be employed without a corresponding use of the other features. Many such variations and modifications may be considered desirable by those skilled in the art based upon a review of the foregoing description of preferred embodiments. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A method of facilitating machine to machine (M2M) item IDed requests: assembling a database of parts and/or services by unique IDs (identifications); assembling a database of suppliers that typically can supply predefined types of uniquely

IDed items; defining standardized request and response formats to be used by potential suppliers interested in receiving M2M item IDed requests; defining standardized request formats to be used by requestors interested in making M2M item IDed requests; receiving requestor initiated item IDed requests at a computer unit with access to at least a portion of said database of suppliers located in the vicinity of a location specified by said requestor; forwarding at least some fields of received requests to at least one supplier meeting predefined parameters with respect to said received requests; receiving replies from any suppliers responding to forwarded requests; converting replies received from suppliers responding to forwarded requests to human readable form; and forwarding human readable form replies to predetermined requestor defined contacts.

2. Apparatus operable to facilitate machine to machine (M2M) requests for parts and/or services comprising: a computer accessible database of parts and/or services wherein each item is associated with unique IDs (identifications); a computer accessible database of suppliers that typically can supply predefined types of uniquely IDed parts and/or services; computer accessible standardized request and response formats to be used by potential suppliers interested in receiving M2M requests for parts and/or services; computer accessible standardized request formats to be used by requestors interested in making M2M requests for parts and/or services; a computer unit operable to receive requestor initiated requests for parts and/or services, said computer unit being operable to access to at least a portion of said database of suppliers located in the vicinity of a location specified by said requestor; request transmission circuitry operable to forward at least some fields of computer unit received requests to at least one supplier meeting predefined parameters with respect to said received requests; supplier response receiving circuitry operable to receive replies from any suppliers responding to forwarded requests; conversion circuitry operable to convert replies received from suppliers responding to forwarded requests to human readable form; and forwarding circuitry operable to forward human readable form replies to predetermined requestor defined contacts.

3. A method of matching requests for parts and/or services to suppliers conveniently located with respect to a given requestor: receiving requestor initiated requests for parts and/or services at a computer unit with access to a database of suppliers; forwarding at least some fields of received requests to at least one supplier meeting predefined parameters with respect to said received requests, said parameters including requestor location data; receiving replies from any suppliers responding to forwarded requests; and forwarding positive replies to predetermined requestor defined contacts.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein: checking of a parts and/or services database occurs, before forwarding received requestor initiated requests, for determining whether or not the requested parts and/or services is designated as a special treatment item; and if, the received information indicates the requesting entity is a human and the parts and/or services require special treatment, generating a response for transmission to the requestor indicating the special treatment set forth in the parts and/or services database, otherwise, continuing to the following supplier request forwarding step as modified by any special treatment determined from the special treatment data.

5. Apparatus operable to match uniquely IDed (identified) item requests to suppliers within a predefined geo fence: a distribution unit operable to receive requestor initiated item IDed requests, said distribution unit having access to a database of suppliers and their location; distribution unit transmission circuitry operable to forward at least some fields of received requests to at least one supplier meeting predefined parameters with respect to said received requests; distribution unit response reception circuitry operable to receive replies from any suppliers responding to forwarded requests; and distribution unit forwarding circuitry operable to forward at least one of received responding supplier replies to a requestor contact.

6. A computer based program comprising: instructions operable to receive requestor initiated item IDed requests; instructions operable to access a database of suppliers and their location, said database including additional predefined parameters relative each of said suppliers; instructions operable to compare a set of requestor related parameter requirements with supplier parameters of said database and to select those suppliers meeting said set of requestor related parameter requirements; instructions operable to forward at least some fields of received requests to at least one supplier selected during a comparison operation; instructions operable to receive replies from any suppliers responding to forwarded requests; and instructions operable to forward at least one of received responding supplier positive replies to a requestor contact.

7. A method of providing information relative a source of parts and/or services closest to a location specified by requestor comprising: receiving requests for parts and/or services at a central server where the received request includes data sufficient to identify the requestor and the location specified by the requestor desiring parts and/or services; checking a supplier database accessible by the central server to ascertain those suppliers typically handling parts and/or services in the category of the parts and/or services requested and nearest to the location specified by the requestor; generating a supplier parts and/or services request; transmitting the generated supplier parts and/or services request to at least one of those suppliers found in the supplier database checking step; receiving supplier generated responses at said central server; and generating requestor responses indicative of the information provided in received supplier generated responses.

8. A method of obtaining parts and/or services comprising: receiving requests for parts and/or services at a central server where the received request includes data sufficient to identify the requestor and the location specified by the requestor desiring parts and/or services; checking a parts and/or services special treatment list; and if, the received information indicates the requesting entity is a human and the parts and/or services require special treatment, generating a response for transmission to the requestor indicating the special treatment required, otherwise, generating a request, for transmission to a supplier, for the requested parts and/or services as modified by any special treatment determined from the special treatment list.

9. Apparatus for obtaining parts and/or services comprising: circuitry operable for receiving requests for parts and/or services at a central server where the received request includes data sufficient to identify the requestor and the location specified by the requestor desiring parts and/or services; circuitry operable for checking a parts and/or services special treatment list; and circuitry operable for determining if, the received information indicates the requesting entity is a human and the parts and/or services require special treatment, and operable for generating a response for transmission to the requestor indicating the special treatment required, otherwise, being operable for generating a request, for transmission to a supplier, for the requested parts and/or services as modified by any special treatment determined from the special treatment list.

10. Apparatus operable for providing information relative a source of parts and/or services closest to a location specified by requestor comprising: circuitry operable for receiving requests for parts and/or services at a server where the received request includes data sufficient to identify the requestor and the location specified by the requestor desiring parts and/or services; circuitry operable for checking a supplier database accessible by the server to ascertain those suppliers typically handling parts and/or services in the category of the parts and/or services requested and nearest to the location specified by the requestor; circuitry operable for generating a supplier parts and/or services request; circuitry operable for transmitting the generated supplier parts and/or services request to at least one of those suppliers found in the supplier database checking step; circuitry operable for receiving supplier generated responses at said server; and circuitry operable for generating requestor responses indicative of the information provided in received supplier generated responses.

11. An intelligent machine comprising: at least one sensor operable to monitor at least one characteristic of a machine's operation, said at least one sensor being further operable to output at least one signal indicative of the monitored characteristic; a decision making device in communication with said at least one sensor operable to receive sensed characteristic signals from said at least one sensor, said decision making device being further operable to provide predetermined output control signals in response to given sensed conditions; and controller means operable to receive said output control signals from said decision making device, said controller being operable to modify at least one operational characteristic of said intelligent machine as a function of a received output control signal.

12. A method of extending the operational life of an untended intelligent machine having a failing part comprising: providing a sensor that monitors a characteristic of a given machine part wherein the monitored characteristic typically changes values in a known manner when said given machine part is near end of useful life; and altering a performance characteristic of said untended machine.

13. The method of claim 12 additionally comprising: sending a request for service when said monitored characteristic changes in value by a predetermined amount from a normal value; receiving a response to said request for service; evaluating any additional data comprising a part of said received response; and altering the performance characteristic of said untended machine as a function of said additional data.