Importance

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Abstract

A system and method for monitoring remote equipment such as HVAC equipment, are provided. A sensor is in communication with a piece of remote equipment, and a local transmitter is connected to the sensor. An interface unit, having a message generating mechanism and an antenna, is capable of receiving signals from the sensors of several pieces of equipment, forming a local network. 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. When 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. Multiple outgoing exception messages may be forwarded to multiple communication devices in accordance with a user-defined message profile, or a single outgoing exception message may be forwarded in response to receipt of multiple incoming exception messages. The message profile is remotely configurable by the user. Incoming and/or outgoing exception messages are stored and later retrievable and sortable by any of a number of parameters such as brand, model, installation date, local climate, and local weather conditions.

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First Claim