Configuration of a remote data collection and communication system

For use with a railroad locomotive comprising a plurality of operational systems monitored by an on-board monitor for collecting operational information from the operational systems in functional dependence on configuration information supplied to the on-board monitor by a remote monitoring and diagnostic center, wherein the operational information is analyzed at the remote monitoring and diagnostic center for assessing the operational performance of the locomotive, an apparatus for controlling the on-board monitor, comprising

• a configuration modifier for modifying the on-board monitor configuration information at the remote monitoring and diagnostic center in response to the operational performance of the locomotive;
• a storage device for storing the modified configuration information;
• a first transmitter for transmitting a unique identification signal and operational information from the on-board monitor to the remote monitoring and diagnostic center;
• a first receiver for receiving the unique identification signal and the operational information at the remote monitoring and diagnostic center,
• a second receiver at the on-board monitor;
• a second transmitter in communication with the storage device for transmitting modified configuration information from the remote monitoring and diagnostic center to said second receiver, and
• wherein said modified configuration information thereafter controls operation of the onboard monitor.

For use with a railroad locomotive comprising a plurality of operational systems monitored by an on-board monitor for collecting operational information from the operational systems in functional dependence on configuration information supplied to the onboard monitor by a remote monitoring and diagnostic center, where the operational information is transmitted to and analyzed at the remote monitoring and diagnostic center for assessing the operational performance of the locomotive, apparatus for controlling the on-board monitor comprising:

• a configuration modifier for modifying the on-board monitor configuration information at the remote monitoring and diagnostic center in response to the operational performance of the locomotive;
• a storage device for storing the modified configuration information;
• a first transmitter for transmitting a unique identification sisal from the on-board monitor to the remote monitoring and diagnostic center;
• a remote monitoring and diagnostic center receiver for receiving the unique identification signal at the remote monitoring and diagnostic center and for activating a remote monitoring and diagnostic center transmitter in response thereto, with the remote monitoring and diagnostic center transmitter being in communication with the storage device for transmitting modified configuration information;
• said remote monitoring and diagnostic center transmitter for calling the on-board monitor by transmitting a call signal thereto, in response to the unique identification signal;
• an on-board monitor receiver at the on-board monitor for receiving the call signal and for activating an on-board monitor transmitter in response thereto;
• said on-board monitor transmitter for transmitting operational information to the remote monitoring and diagnostic center receiver, and
• following transmission of the operational information, said remote monitoring and diagnostic center transmitter transmitting modified configuration information to said on-board monitor receiver.