Diagnostic system and method

A diagnostic system for monitoring a process at a first location, said process including a plurality of sensors generating output signals related to operating conditions of the process, comprising:

• (A) first data storage means at said first location;
• (B) first computer means at said first location operable to periodically scan said sensor output signals and place into said first data storage means those signals which exhibit a predetermined difference from its value from a previous scan and those signals which exceed respective predetermined threshold values;
• (C) a diagnostic center at a second location remote from said first location and including second data storage and second computer means operable to perform diagnostic analysis;
• (D) first transmitter/receiver means, under control of said first computer means, for transmitting the contents of said first data storage means, via a data link, to said diagnostic center at predetermined scheduled periods of time and for transmitting said contents at an unscheduled period of time whenever a signal exceeds its predetermined threshold;
• (E) said diagnostic center including second transmitter/receiver means, under control of said second computer means to receive data sent from said first location whereby said second computer means may perform said diagnostic analysis;
• (F) said second transmitter/receiver means being additionally operable to transmit, via said data link, information resulting from said analysis back to said first transmitter/receiver means;
• (G) said first transmitter/receiver means being additionally operable to receive said transmitted information.