Monitoring system and methods for monitoring machines with same

A system comprising:

• at least one machine;
• a monitoring system coupled to the at least one machine, wherein the monitoring system comprises:
• a data management system comprising a database configured to store data representative of at least one operating characteristic of the at least one machine;
• a portable display assembly coupled to the data management system, the portable display assembly comprising:
• at least one sensor configured to detect the presence of the at least one machine within a predefined distance from a portion of the portable display assembly;
• a communication interface coupled to the at least one sensor and to the data management system for receiving the data;
• an image capturing device configured to capture at least one image of the at least one machine;
• and
• a display media coupled to the communication interface, wherein the display media comprises a lens with a screen, the display media is configured to present an output representative of the data to a user of the portable display assembly such that the user is able to view historical data and monitor real-time data of the at least one machine through the lens;
• wherein the portable display assembly is configured to superimpose the output on the at least one image.

A method for use in monitoring machines, the method comprising:

• detecting the presence of at least one machine from within a predefined distance;
• capturing at least one image of the at least one machine to enable the at least one machine to be identified based on the at least one image;
• receiving data representative of at least one operating characteristic of the at least one machine from a database;
• presenting via a display media an output representative of the data to a user of a portable display assembly such that the user is able to view historical data and monitor real-time data of the at least one machine;
• and
• superimposing the output on the at least one image.