Split core clamp-on portable ammeter device that uses measured amperage and methods to calculate and monitor the productivity status of a selected industrial machine

Abstract

A portable split core clamp-on non-invasive ammeter device (1) capable of determining the productivity status of an industrial machine by capturing and analyzing amperage measurement samples. The analysis and transmission of data and parameters via the internet is performed by an embedded printed circuit board (PCB) and its components (48). The productivity status refers to the activity that the machine is doing. Users can predefine a list of productivity status names and input their respective amperage threshold limits. The device (1) is responsible for comparing amperage measurements to these predefined threshold limits to determine the latest productivity status of the monitored machine. Among many features, this device (1) includes: A reset button (20), a status light (21), a power input port (19) a plastic casing (18), a PCB (48), and an ADC. Among optional features, the device (1) can have a mountable sticky or magnetic base (49) and a rechargeable battery.

Description

DescriptionTitle of Invention: Split Core Clamp-on Portable Ammeter Device that Uses Measured Amperage and Methods to Calculate and Monitor the Productivity status of a Selected Industrial Machine

[0001] This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application US 63 / 543,153.Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to the field of electronic monitoring devices and, more specifically, to a novel portable device and methods for determining the productivity status of an industrial machine using a non-invasive amperage sensor.Background Art

[0003] Tracking the productivity of manufacturing machinery has become increasingly relevant as companies strive to have a competitive edge over rivals where the amount of hours and minutes that a machine is producing or idling has a direct correlation to the amount of products or units that a machine can output. In this context, productivity refers to the ability of a machine to maximize the amount of work done given a span of time.

[0004] Business owners and machine operation managers need to know when their machines are producing, idling, on, or off, among many other possible productivity status values. The present patent application proposes a simplified solution to this need where an easy to install non-invasive portable device can be used to calculate and report the productivity status of an industrial machine in real time. Additionally, this device transmits the duration of each productivity status to an online server so that users can visualize it in a trendline chart.

[0005] Identifying and tracking the productivity status of an industrial machine can be expensive, requiring solutions that are built into the machine itself. Additionally, tracking the status of machines can be challenging for many businesses due to the need for pre-installed sensors on site, or the need to conduct complex installations such as but not limited to wiring a tracking device to the circuitry or sensors of the measured machine.

[0006] There is a need for a device which is non-invasive, portable and quick to install empowering businesses to track the productivity status of their machines in real time. Additionally, this device has internet access, enabling users to visualize machine productivity data using charts and reports available in their web browsers or through an installable software application.

[0007] This device solves the problem of machine manufacturing managers not being aware of the exact moment at which machines become idle. This challenge is solvedby implementing a notification system by using emails and text messages to report productivity status changes as configured by the user. As an example, if a machine has been idling for more than 5 minutes, the user of this patent application device would receive notifications. The user can change this configuration so that he / she gets notification after a different idling duration.

[0008] This device solves the problem of machine manufacturing managers not being aware of what their industrial machines are doing through time or at present time. A facility may have a variety of machines belonging to different manufacturers. In this last scenario, each manufacturer may provide a method to remotely monitor their industrial machine, but this would not be a centralized solution to view all industrial machines on a single screen. The device proposed in this patent application provides a single solution to centralize the tracking of the productivity status of industrial machines regardless of whether they have machines belonging to different manufacturers, and regardless of whether the monitored machines have pre-installed sensors or not.

[0009] US20130226317 describes an “apparatus that analyses attributes of diverse machine types” while expressing the following in its description: “The system of the invention broadly comprises a first and a second device. Said first device receives the operational data from the sensors / transducers that monitor the machine(s).” In this statement it is evident that the transducer is not part of their portable apparatus. Instead, the “first device” only receives data from the transducer. This “first device” is also responsible for transmitting data and identifying patterns of behavior. While US20130226317 has many claims, none of them specify having a built-in split core current transformer or any transducer embedded into their portable device. Additionally, their first device receives operational data rather than capturing energy measurement samples using a split core current transformer.

[0010] US20240055955 explains in the description, that “It is within the scope of this invention for a hardware and / or a software system to be configured to monitor motor work and display predetermined parameters to a remote monitoring device such as an electronic device using any communication method including, but not limited to, wired and / or wireless network protocols, Wi-Fi, and / or Bluetooth. It is within the scope of this invention for this hardware system to utilize a current transformer and / or current sensor configured to monitor armature amperage.”

[0011] US20240055955 claims “a current sensor, the current sensor is located external to the housing of the brushed electric DC motor.” While patent US20240055955 describes a current transformer being used to monitor an electrical motor, it does not describe this transformer as part of a portable device, and it does not say what kind of transformer it is. Additionally, the transformer is explicitly meant to track & report armature amperage. On the other hand, the device proposed in this patent applicationpossesses a micro-controller capable of reporting the productive status of a machine where amperage is captured using a non-invasive built-in split core clamp-on current transformer.

[0012] US20130238155 claims a “Method and apparatus for detecting statuses of energy source consumption devices” by “reading a total energy consumption value measured by an energy meter and a set of status combinations preset for the energy meter, wherein the set of status combinations include mapping relationships between status combinations and total energy consumption values” and “the difference between a total energy consumption value included in the mapping relationship and the read total energy consumption value is below a predetermined threshold; and selecting one of the found mapping relationships, and determining the current statuses of the respective energy source consumption devices.”

[0013] It is clear that US20130238155 describes in claim 1 that threshold values are compared against the mathematical subtraction (difference) between energy values in a mapping table and energy measurements obtained from an energy meter. US20130238155 is focused on “searching the set of status combinations for mapping relationships.” Their system reads stored probable status combinations and calculates weight probabilities where the fourth weight is used to determine the mapping of the highest probability. They also claim that “The current statuses of the respective energy source consumption devices are determined according to the status combination in one of the found mapping relationships.”

[0014] US20130238155 intends to “improve the efficiency and accuracy of detecting the statuses of the energy source consumption devices” In contrast, the current patent application describes a portable device capable of reporting the productivity status of machines.

[0015] US20130238155 is focused on probability methods and formulas for determining the statuses of energy source consumption devices given a set of status combinations preset for the energy meter. On the other hand, the device presented in this patent application is a single portable device capable of taking amperage measurement samples from a machine in a non-invasive manner, and then providing users with the latest productivity status of the machine together with a timeline of productivity status values where status is determined by the proposed device when comparing amperage measurement samples against upper and lower threshold limits. For example, if the measured machine is consuming between 5 Amps and 30 amps, the machine is idling. Or if the measured machine has zero amps, then the machine is off. And, if a machine is consuming 31 amps or more, then the machine is producing.

[0016] CN110376542 is about an “Electric energy meter status evaluation system and method” where the status evaluation system includes upper and lower limits todetermine the operating status of the energy meter. While CN110376542 seems similar to the present patent application, they differentiate because CN110376542 is focused on the state of energy meter itself, rather than a measured machine. Their operating states threshold are focused on how well the energy meter is functioning, for example good, normal, or anomaly. CN110376542 goals are: Calculating a quantization risk value of the pre-judgment risk factor and determining the operation state of the electric energy meter. What sets this patent application device apart is that it calculates and reports the productivity status of a measured machine in a non-invasive manner.

[0017] IN202221000778 is about a “SMART PREPAID ENERGY SYSTEM ANDMETHOD” which describes the following: “The present invention relates to smart prepaid energy system which can easily connect with existing energy meter and identify energy meter power consumption and its operation. Further, the present invention provides prepaid billing, energy consumption amount and malfunction identification. As an outcome of the present invention, the consumer can identify daily usage.” Other features of IN202221000778 include a “data management ware, the wireless data transmission appearance, smart electric meter, wherein smart electric meter has contained the installation shell, the sampling circuit board, embedded microcontrol module.” Some of the features of IN202221000778 may appear to be similar to the present patent application, but in reality, they are completely different. For example, they both obtain data from an energy meter, they both have an embedded micro-controller, a sampling circuitry, and they both report daily usage to client users via wireless communication. The difference consists of the kind of data captured, the method of capturing data, the algorithms, and the information displayed to the end user. IN202221000778 is a device that connects with an existing energy meter to track it rather than possessing its own built-in non-invasive energy sensor. Additionally, IN202221000778 is focused on capturing and reporting energy consumption amounts and malfunctioning detections of energy meter. This is different from the present patent application where the main goal of the device is to report the live productivity status of the monitored machine as well as providing a timeline of productivity status values.

[0018] WO2014137533 titled “WIRELESS MONITOR MAINTENANCE ANDCONTROL SYSTEM” describes a system and method for monitoring the status of machinery. While their premise looks similar to the present patent application, they do not include amperage sensors or any kind of energy meter in their claims. Additionally, they are focused on motorized vehicles.

[0019] JP2020028208 describes “a power data processing system including a smart meter having a communication route for measuring the amount of electric power distributed to an electric apparatus and communicating the measured electric energy as electricpower data to the outside, and a processing means for processing the electric power data communicated from the smart meter.” And JP2020028208 shows the following in claim 3: “The power data processing system according to claim 1, wherein the activity state of the user estimated by the artificial intelligence program is communicated to the terminal of the user as data.” From this claim it is evident that JP2020028208 is focused on detecting the activity state of users and not the productivity status of a measured machine. Additionally, the description mentions a smart meter without specifying the kind of meter or if it is portable or not.

[0020] About US5870698 describing a “multi-purpose machine metering / monitoring apparatus” that claims an “externally mounted machine metering and monitoring apparatus for selectively metering and monitoring operational characteristics of a predetermined type of machine, said apparatus comprising a data input device” where they do not specify what kind of input device is claimed. For example, their generic claims regarding inputs include an “optically isolated signal input ports and analog / digital signal input ports, wherein said optically isolated signal input ports are configurable to accept count signals, level detector signals, interval timer signals, and combinations of said count signals, level detector signals, and interval timer signals, and wherein said analog / digital signal input ports are configurable to accept temperature sensor signals, pressure sensor signals-and digitized data.”

[0021] None of these input signals mention sensor for capturing samples of amperage or electricity. Additionally, they broadly claim the ability to monitor operational characteristics rather than specifying which are these characteristics and what their algorithms deliver to the end user.Summary of Invention

[0022] The invention of this patent application is a portable split core clamp-on non-invasive ammeter device capable of identifying the productivity status of an industrial machine by capturing amperage samples and comparing these samples to predefined threshold values.

[0023] The “productivity status” refers to the identified activity that the machine is performing. The “amperage thresholds” refers to a user predefined group of numerical amperage threshold limits. And a “productivity status name” refers to a user predefined name given to a group of one or more amperage thresholds. When functioning, the device compares amperage measurements to these predefined amperage thresholds to determine the latest productivity status of the measured machine. Algorithms used by the device may be more complex than a simple comparison.

[0024] The following examples demonstrate how a user may choose to configure amperage thresholds and productivity status names to monitor their machine using the deviceof this patent application: Machine X is “working” when amperage is greater than 50 amps. Machine X is “idling” when the amperage is between 10 amps and 50 amps. Machine X is “off’ when the amperage is zero. Machine X is “producing product A” when the amperage is between 55 amps and 60 amps. In these examples, the double quoted texts are the productivity status names predefined by the user. Additionally, “Machine X” is the name that the user chose for the monitored machine. The user can predefine the name of their choice for the machine they are monitoring. These examples are just examples and are not intended to limit the values that a user may predefine in the configuration.

[0025] Other features of the device include internet capabilities to transmit live productivity status values and the duration of each status to an online server. Predefined values and other parameters data can be exchanged between the can be exchanged between the device and the online server via the internet.

[0026] The invention of this patent application delivers online information to users.Information such as: A centralized dashboard showing the live productivity status of each monitored machine. A centralized dashboard grouping machines by their productivity status to distinguish working machines (producing), idling machines, and off machines, where other groups can be configured by the user. Coloring can be used to distinguish machines by their productivity status, for example: green indicates working (producing), yellow indicates idling, and red indicates off. Coloring can be configured by the user. User-interfaces showing the changes in productivity status through time for the selected machine(s). User-interfaces displaying the amount of time each machine has been idling at present time since it last worked. User interfaces can also indicate other durations as configured by the user. For example, how long the machine has been running, how long the machine has been off.

[0027] This portable device includes the ability to notify users when their industrial machine has been in a productivity status for a specified period of time. For example, sending notifications when a machine has been idling for more than 10 minutes. The user is able to configure these notifications by applying a value in units of time to the selected productivity status names.

[0028] This portable device has an optional mountable base which allows the device to hold firmly to a surrounding surface area. This optional base can be magnetic or sticky and must be screwed using a hole in the bottom plastic casing.

[0029] The hole of the bottom plastic casing can also be used to screw the portable device 15 directly to other surface areas to hold it firmly on site.

[0030] Another optional feature of the device includes the ability to electrically power its embedded PCB (Printed Circuit Board) by correctly wiring its USB-C charging port to the circuitry of the monitored machine, or any close by circuitry. The device can alsobe charged using a conventional power plug. The device has an optional rechargeable battery.Technical Problem

[0031] Business owners and machine operation managers need to know when their machines are producing, idling, on, or off, among many other possible productivity status values. There is a need for an easy to install device capable of reporting the status of machines live.Solution to Problem

[0032] The present patent application proposes a simplified solution to this technical problem where an easy to install non-invasive portable device can be used to measure, calculate and report the productivity status of an industrial machine in real time. Advantageous Effects of Invention

[0033] The device of this patent application solves the limitations that machine manufacturing managers face when not being aware of what their industrial machines are doing at present time. Managers are also missing historical information regarding the activities of their industrial machines which this solution can provide. Furthermore, this device is compatible with any industrial electrical equipment and installation is easy. The user just needs to clamp the device onto the measured wired of the machine and input Wi-Fi credentials. This is a universal solution for monitoring the productivity status of electrical industrial machines.Brief Description of Drawings

[0034] [Fig.l] is a graphic representation of the entirety of the device subject to this patent application. This device being a “Split Core Clamp-on Portable Ammeter Device that Uses Measured Amperage and Methods for Monitoring the Productivity Status of a Selected Machine.”

[0035] [Fig.2] is the top view of the device.

[0036] [Fig.3] is the front view of the device.

[0037] [Fig.4] is the right-side view of the device.

[0038] [Fig.5] is the bottom view of the device.

[0039] [Fig.6] is a two-dimensional representation of the three-dimensional device. This figure assist users to understand the location of figures 2, 3, 4, 5 relative to the three- dimensional representation of the device. [Fig.6] is the same representation as [Fig.l].

[0040] [Fig.7] displays an exploded view of the device revealing the PCB (Printed Circuit Board) and the screws that hold the device together.

[0041] [Fig.8] displays an exploded view of the device where the non-invasive split core clamp-on current transformer is split into two parts. These two parts are joined together by a hinge (27) when properly assembled.

[0042] Figures 9 through 14 show all six sides of the device, where: [Fig.9] is the top view, [Fig.10] is the left side view, [Fig.11] is the back view, [Fig.12] is the front view, [Fig.13] is the right-side view, [Fig.14] is the bottom view.Description of Embodiments

[0043] Referring to “the device” as one embodiment of the invention shown in [Fig.l].The device is displayed in an exploded view in [Fig.7] revealing its PCB 48 (Printed Circuit Board). Also, all six sides of the device can be visualized in figures 9 through 14.

[0044] The non-invasive split core clamp-on current transformer 17 is of commercial construction, i.e., it can be a regular commercially available split core clamp-on current transformer. This transformer 17 is designed to clamp onto a user selected power source wire, where this wire feeds an industrial machine.

[0045] The selected wire is measured by the device to monitor the “productivity status” of the machine. The PCB 48 is responsible for comparing amperage samples with threshold values to calculate the productivity status of the machine. This productivity status information is used to report the live status of the industrial machine as well as a historical timeline of the status values, among other information.

[0046] The PCB 48 contains a terminal block 23 which is connected to the transformer 17 via proper wiring where wiring is applied by common sense and is not displayed in the drawings. The terminal block 23 is responsible for supplying the electrical current from the transformer 17 to the amperage sensor located in the PCB. The amperage sensor and an ADC (analog to digital converter) provides the calculated amperage to the MCU 25 (Microcontroller Unit).

[0047] The PCB 48 contains a reset button 20. This reset button 20 allows users to reset the Wi-Fi configuration of the device. Pressing this button 20 sets the PCB 48 into peer-to- peer mode enabling users to access the local web server hosted in the device.

[0048] The user interface of the local device web server provides users with device information, and it also permits users to input Wi-Fi credentials. These credentials will then enable the device to maintain internet connectivity with an online server.

[0049] The Wi-Fi capable PCB 48 exchanges information such as productivity status values, the duration of each status value, configuration settings, and energy metrics such as amperage.

[0050] The PCB 48 contains a status light 21 which is responsible for signaling users about the connectivity status of the device. This PCB 48 has a Firmware Update Connector 24.

[0051] The PCB 48 contains a USB-C power input port 19 that feeds the device with energy enabling it to perform its tasks. Additionally, the PCB 48 has a battery power inputport 22 which is used to charge an optional electric battery. This optional electric battery is commercially available, i.e., it can be a regular commercially available rechargeable electric battery used to store energy. The battery power input port 19 can also be used to take energy from the battery to power the PCB 48.

[0052] The bottom plastic casing 18 goes mounted on top of the split-core current transformer 17 by inserting and adjusting screw 30 through hole 37. And also, by inserting and adjusting screw 31 through hole 38.

[0053] Screws 33, 34, 35, 36 are four screws that are used to install each corner of this PCB 48 to the bottom plastic casing 18.

[0054] The bottom plastic casing 18 has a hole 40 at the bottom. This hole allows users to screw the device into any surrounding surface. Screws 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36 are commercially available, i.e., they can be regular commercial screws.

[0055] The device has an optional mountable base 49, which can be magnetic or sticky. This mountable base 49 is responsible for holding the device firmly on site to monitor a machine. Installation can be performed by screwing base 49 to the bottom casing 18 using screw 32 and holes 39 and 40.

[0056] The USB-C power input port 19 can be connected to a USB-C cable to feed the device with energy.

[0057] The split core clamp-on current transformer 17 has a hinge 27 which holds the device together as a single piece. While [Fig.8] displays an exploded view of transformer 17 where the hinge 27 is dislocated, the hinge is meant to always be joined together forming a joint. When closing the hinge 27, part 28 clicks and locks onto part 29. And if the user desires to open the transformer 17, the user must release part 28 from part 29.

[0058] Opening the hinge 27 allows for proper installation of the device on site by clamping the transformer 17 onto one of the power source wires of the industrial machine that the user wishes to monitor.

[0059] The firmware update connector 24 lets the user update the device with software code so that the device can operate as expected.Examples

[0060] A plastic bag manufacturing facility business owner wishes to monitor the activity of his / her machines in a centralized manner. The business owner has 5 plastic extruders, 2 recycling machines and 3 bag sealers. While all of these machines are different, having a different manufacturer, they can all be monitored with the device of this patent application. The business owner only needs to purchase 10 devices and hook each one of them to each machine. Then input the Wi-Fi credentials, and he / she is done. The device will start transmitting productivity status to a centralized server, among otherdata. With proper website credentials, the user can visualize the productivity status of his / her machines on the website or app in a centralized manner. On the website, under settings of the device, the user can configure threshold values to monitor specific productivity status values.Industrial Applicability

[0061] The device of this patent application can be installed in any electrically powered industrial machine where the device has continuous access to the internet via Wi-Fi.Reference Signs List

[0062] Reference to Deposited Biological Material

[0063] Sequence Listing Free Text

[0064] Citation List

[0065] Patent Literature

[0066] PTL1:Non Patent Literature

[0067] NPL1:

Claims

AMENDED CLAIMS received by the International Bureau on 02 May 2025 (02.05.2025)Claim 1 (Amended): A portable device for monitoring the operational state of an industrial machine, comprising a split-core current transformer; a printed circuit board incorporating: (i) an amperage sensor that receives a current signal from the split-core current transformer and outputs a corresponding voltage signal, (ii) an Analog-to-Digital Converter that receives the voltage signal from the amperage sensor and converts it to a digital signal, (iii) a Wi-Fi transceiver, (iv) an embedded web server, and (v) a processing unit that compares digitized amperage values from the Analog-to-Digital Converter with user-defined threshold values stored in a memory to determine and report the operational state of an industrial machine via the Wi-Fi transceiver and the embedded web server.Claim 2 (Amended): The device of claim 1 , wherein the processing unit compares digitized amperage values from the Analog-to-Digital Converter with alternative threshold values obtained from at least one of: hardcoded values, or software-generated thresholds, instead of user-defined threshold values stored in a memory.Claim 3 (Amended): The processing unit of claim 1 is further configured to (i) provide a user interface via the embedded web server for inputting user-defined threshold values; (ii) provide a user interface via the embedded web server for saving Wi-Fi credentials; (iii) receive the user-defined threshold values via Wi-Fi API call.Claim 4: The amperage sensor described in claim 3 is connected to the split core clamp-on current transformer of claim 2 via properwiringwhere wiring is applied by common sense. This amperage sensor converts amperage readings from the current transformer to signals that the PCB (Printed Circuit Board) and its MCU (Microcontroller Unit) can receive as inputs for analysis.Claim 5 (Amended): The device of claim 1 , wherein the printed circuit board has at least one status light dedicated to signal the status of the PCB.Claim 6 (Amended): The embedded web server of claim 1 includes a user interface for visualizing devicerelated information and accessing device-configuration settings.Claim 7 (Amended): The device of claim 1 , wherein the printed circuit board has a user-operated switch.Claim 8 (Amended): The device of claim 1 further comprising the processing unit being configured to communicate data bidirectionally with a designated online API server via the internet when internet access is available, and to store historical data in memory for subsequent transmission upon restoration of internet access.Claim 9 (Amended): The online API server of claim 8 provides API services to the printed circuit board, to an online database, to select mobile applications, to select website applications, and to select computer applications.ClaimIO (Amended): The applications described in claim 9 are meant to provide visual displays, reports, and user configurable settings regarding the device.Claim 11 (Amended): When a user saves the settings described in claim 10, these settings are sent to the printed circuit board in the form of parameters by utilizing API services.Claim 12 (Amended): The device of claim 1 , wherein the processing unit determines, using algorithms, that a monitored machine (i) is currently in an idling operational state, or (ii) has been in an idling operational state for a measured amount of time.Claim 13 (Amended): The device of claim 1 , wherein the processing unit determines, using algorithms, that a monitored machine (i) is currently in an on operational state, or (ii) has been in an on operational state for a measured amount of time.Claim 14 (Amended): The device of claim 1 , wherein the processing unit determines, using algorithms, that a monitored machine (i) is currently in an off operational state, or (ii) has been in an off operational state for a measured amount of time.Claim 15 (Amended): The device of claim 1 , wherein the processing unit determines, using algorithms, that a monitored machine (i) is currently in a producing operational state, or (ii) has been in a producing operational state for a measured amount of time.Claim 16 (Amended): The device of claim 1 , wherein the processing unit determines the amount of continuous time that a monitored machine has been at a detected operational state until present time.Claim 17 (Amended): The device of claim 1 , wherein the processing unit stores at least one user-defined operational state name for each user-defined threshold set.Claim 18 (Amended): The device of claim 2, wherein the processing unit stores at least one hardcoded operational state name associated with at least one of: hardcoded values, or software-generated thresholds.Claim 19: Hardcoded Thresholds: Claiming the unique abilities of claims 12, 13, 14, 15,16, 17 and 18 where amperage samples are compared with hardcoded threshold values instead of user predefined threshold values to determine the status of an industrial machine.Claim 20: Calculated Thresholds: Claiming the unique abilities of claims 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18 where amperage samples are compared with system calculated threshold values instead of user predefined threshold values to determine the status of an industrial machine.Claim 21: Alternative Energy Metrics: Claiming the unique abilities of claims 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20 where a different energy metric and corresponding sensor is used. Therefore, claiming a portable device capable of comparing an energy metric with corresponding predefined energy threshold limits to deduce the status or productivity status of an industrial machine. These alternative energy metrics refer to voltage (V), power (kW) or energy (kWh).Claim 22: Live Status: Claiming the unique ability of displaying the information gathered through means of at least one of the following claims 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 in an online website or application where users can visualize the live status (or live productivity status) of each industrial machine in a centralized display.Claim 23: Color Coding: Claiming the unique ability of applying colors to the status (or productivity status) of each industrial machine described in claim 22 by deducing the status of the monitored 15 machine where status information is gathered through means of at least one of the following claims 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 . For example, green for producing, yellow for idling, red for off.Claim 24: Claiming the unique ability of utilizing the online server from claim 9 to notify users via email or text message when an industrial machine has been at a status or productivity status long enough where duration is measured as described in claims 12, 13, 14, 15 and 18. The user can input what “long enough” means in units of time such as seconds, minutes or hours so that the notification can be triggered by the server.Claim 25: Machine Status History: Claiming the unique ability of creating a historical timeline of industrial machine status values (or productivity status values) where the status values are obtained as explained in claims 16, 17 and may include other variants has explained in claims 19, 20, 21 . This timeline can be displayed via an online website or application so that users can visualize how their industrial machines change status (or productivity status) through time.Claim 26: A plastic casing as described in claim 1 designed to contain and protect the programmable circuit board of claim 3. This plastic casing must be screwed to the split core current transformer of claim 2 to assemble the device of claim 1 into a single piece.Claim 27: The plastic casing of claim 26 has a screwable hole at the bottom. This hole allows the device to be screwed to surrounding surface areas providing a fixed position on site for the device of claim 1 .Claim 28: Claiming an optional mountable magnetic base as described in claim 1 which can be screwed into the base of the plastic casing of claim 26 using the hole described in claim 27. This magnetic base is used to hold the device firmly against metallic surface areas.Claim 29: Claiming an optional mountable sticky base as described in claim 1 which can be screwed into the base of the plastic casing of claim 26 using the hole described in claim 27. This sticky base is used to hold the device firmly on site against flat surface areas.Claim 30 (Amended): The user-operated switch of claim 7 is used to activate the access to the embedded eb server.Claim 31 (Amended): The device of claim 1 , wherein the printed circuit board has a USB-C power input port configured to receive power from an external power source for operational use.Claim 32 (Amended): The USB-C of claim 31 , wherein the external power source is a power adapter.Claim 33 (Amended): The device of claim 1 , wherein the printed circuit board has a battery power input port capable of charging a commercially available compatible battery as well as extracting energy from this battery to energize the printed circuit board.Claim 34 (Amended): The applications of claim 9 wherein a dashboard displays the location of each monitored machine within a floor plan image, where the location is based on user defined settings.Claim 35 (Amended): The dashboard of claim 34 includes user-defined configuration setting to specify the shape and size of each monitored machine within an image of a factory floor plan.Claim 36 (Amended): The applications of claim 9 wherein a dashboard displays one color for each monitored machine to represent the live operational state.Claim 37 (Amended): The bidirectional data of claim 8 includes energy metrics such as amperage, peak amperage, average amperage, and lowest amperage.

Images