WO1992005503A1 - Means for structuring technical information in establishing a knowledge base and troubleshooting in technical equipment - Google Patents
Means for structuring technical information in establishing a knowledge base and troubleshooting in technical equipment Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO1992005503A1 WO1992005503A1 PCT/SE1991/000625 SE9100625W WO9205503A1 WO 1992005503 A1 WO1992005503 A1 WO 1992005503A1 SE 9100625 W SE9100625 W SE 9100625W WO 9205503 A1 WO9205503 A1 WO 9205503A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- node
- knowledge base
- equipment
- information
- nodes
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F11/00—Error detection; Error correction; Monitoring
- G06F11/22—Detection or location of defective computer hardware by testing during standby operation or during idle time, e.g. start-up testing
- G06F11/2257—Detection or location of defective computer hardware by testing during standby operation or during idle time, e.g. start-up testing using expert systems
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06N—COMPUTING ARRANGEMENTS BASED ON SPECIFIC COMPUTATIONAL MODELS
- G06N5/00—Computing arrangements using knowledge-based models
- G06N5/02—Knowledge representation; Symbolic representation
- G06N5/022—Knowledge engineering; Knowledge acquisition
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S706/00—Data processing: artificial intelligence
- Y10S706/902—Application using ai with detail of the ai system
- Y10S706/911—Nonmedical diagnostics
Definitions
- the invention relates to a means and a method for structuring technical information and is an development en ⁇ vironment designed to enable construction of an intelligent, electronic document in the quickest and most efficient way for troubleshooting, guidance and teaching in a complex technical equipment.
- On a computer screen is shown what pre ⁇ viously has been in manuals: block diagrams, circuit dia ⁇ grams, photographs and instructions.
- An experienced techni- cian uses the invention to find information about measurement results or sources of failures. A technician without computer experience can quickly learn to develop advanced systems. In troubleshooting an unexperienced technician is guided by the invention through the technical equipment until the fault is located.
- the present invention pro- vides a general method of structuring a knowledge base and of helping users without specific previous knowledge.
- the present invention provides a means and a method for structuring technical information in establishing a knowledge base for handling troubleshooting, guidance or teaching in technical equipment.
- the required concepts are defined capable of describing states in the knowledge base.
- Node types are defined indi- eating what type of information/instruction a node is to con- tain. Views are read containing pictures or graphic descrip ⁇ tions of the equipment.
- Nodes are inserted in the views to provide access points of various parts of the equipment, at least one of the nodes being a so-called rule node containing at least one rule having a condition part and a conclusion part .
- the condition part consists of conditions of the equip ⁇ ment and the conclusion part contains measures to be taken if the conditions are fulfilled.
- the knowledge base is divided into blocks, if necessary, a base block containing informa- tion common to all the blocks and information about linking of the blocks.
- the starting block is opened, whereupon a starting view is shown. Then it is possible to choose a new block, a new starting view being shown, choose a new view within the block in question and/or to choose a new node in the view in question to proceed.
- a rule node is chosen to obtain instructions about what measures are to be taken, the instructions being followed until a conclusion is reached. If further information is desired a new text node or picture node is chosen.
- Figure 1 shows the general structure of the invention with external and internal communication.
- Figure 2 shows an example of a view with nodes
- Figures 3A and B show symbols for picture nodes and text nodes, respectively.
- the invention provides an expert system structure for diagnosis, in other words a tool especially designed to build expert systems.
- a person without any experience of programming or expert systems can build a diag ⁇ nostic system.
- the system is useful for technicians per ⁇ forming troubleshooting in complex technical equipment.
- the diagnostic system collects knowledge from one or several experienced technicians.
- the knowledge is represented in rules guiding the troubleshooter to the source of the problem.
- the invention shows graphic circuit diagrams, block diagrams and photographs of the test equipment to provide the user with other relevant information.
- the invention is in principle constructed like ordinary expert system structures. However, in contrast to these, con ⁇ siderable effort has been invested in making the user and expert interfaces user friendly. Besides these two interfaces there is a knowledge base with rules and facts .
- An inference machine draws conclusions based on the contents of the know ⁇ ledge base.
- Figure 1 shows schematically the structure of the system in accordance with the invention.
- developers enter diagnostic knowledge through the expert interface into the knowledge base.
- the troubleshooter has access to the knowledge base by means of the user interface and the inference machine.
- the interfaces present views to the users to give access to the information.
- An example of such a view is shown in Figure 2.
- a view is a description of the object being diag ⁇ nosed.
- Typical views are photographs, block diagrams and cir ⁇ cuits schematics.
- Attached to views are nodes which contain rules.
- When troubleshooting the service engineers navigate between test points before they arrive at the source of failure.
- the test points are often documented in service manuals.
- nodes are used instead of test points.
- a node can be a test point but also a physical object like a button or a fuse. Every node contains rules which lead the troubleshooter closer to the source of failure.
- the trouble ⁇ shooter studies the view and selects a node suitable for in- spection. When the node is selected further information or instructions are obtained, as is explained in detail below.
- Some nodes contain only information and may be of the types picture nodes or text nodes .
- Figures 3A and 3B the symbols are shown for picture nodes and text nodes, respecti- vely. These can be placed in views in the same way.
- the user selects a picture node he gets a graphical display on the screen, and when he selects a text node a text window is displayed.
- the text window allows for editing text.
- the information should be structured in the following way.
- Concepts are objects defined globally in the knowledge base and are used to define attributes, see below. From one and the same concept several different attributes can be defined. Each concept has a name and a domaine and may have different settings, which is explained below. The concept may also be associated with a picture and a question.
- the domaine contains elements of the same type.
- the concept voltage can be defined and given a domaine floating point number.
- the domaine of the concept then contains every floating point number and each floating point number is an element of the domaine.
- a domaine may be defined in three ways. It is possible to use a predefined domaine, define a closed interval or define a set. Two domaines are predefined according to the invention, integers and floating point numbers. The intervals may be integer intervals or floating point number intervals.
- a set is a list of elements and is usually designated x, y, z, where x, y and z are the elements of the set. For instance, it is possible to define the concept pulse with the domaine long, short, correct. When a set is defined as a domaine of a concept one should state if the set is to be single or multiple. This is described below in connection with the section about attri ⁇ butes.
- Unit, factor and tolerance are the settings of the con- cept.
- the domaine of a concept is an interval
- an integer domaine or a floating point number domaine a tole ⁇ rance may be associated with the concept.
- the tolerance can be relative or absolute.
- voltage the unit Volt and the factor 0.001 may be associated. If a user thereafter during a search gives the answer 2.3, the knowledge base will interpret this as 0.0023 Volts, i.e. 2.3 mVolt.
- the voltage is for instance allowed to vary within an interval. To continue the investigation it is sufficient if the voltage is between 1.5 mVolt and 2.5 mVolt. Then there is a tolerance of 0.5 mVolt.
- Attributes express states in the knowledge base by assigning to them values or sets of values. Each attribute has a domaine and only values included in this can be assigned to it. When an attribute is defined from a concept the attribute automatically gets the same domaine as the con ⁇ cept. When a value has been assigned to an attribute a fact has been added to the knowledge base. Attributes exist in rule conditions, see below, and are of three types - local, global and internal. A local attri ⁇ bute is an attribute defined in a rule node. A global attri ⁇ bute is an attribute defined in the base block, see below, and, thus, not in any special node. Internal attributes are predefined and may assume values expressing certain states of nodes in the knowledge base. Examples of such states are if nodes are untouched or dead.
- An attribute gets the same domaine as the concept from which the attribute is defined. If the domaine is a simple set the attribute defined from the concept can only assume one value at a time. If the set is multiple the attributes defined from the concept may assume several values. It is also possible to associate a tolerance, a unit and a factor with an attribute. If unit, factor and tolerance are indi- cated in the concept from which the attribute is defined these will be preselected in the attribute.
- a relation expresses the relationship between two terms, right-hand and left-hand terms. Their values or sets of values have to be of the same type, for instance integers. There are two kinds of terms - left-hand terms and right-hand terms . Left-hand terms are classified in three categories: global, local and internal attributes. Right-hand terms are classified in three categories: constants, local attributes and sets. Example. In the rule IF ' voltage ⁇ 2.5 Volts, THEN write the message "check C12", voltage is an attribute, 2.5 Volts is a constant and ⁇ is a relation. During an investigation a value is assigned to the attribute voltage, in this case being a left-hand term. The system will then investigate the relationship between this value and the value of the con ⁇ stant, i.e. investigate if the value assigned is less than 2.5 Volts. Here the right hand term is a constant.
- Commands are calls to the system and are of three kinds - predefined, self-defined and external.
- a self-defined command is a sequence of external, predefined and self- defined commands. The sequence may not call itself.
- External commands are procedures compiled externally and inputted into the resource part of the base block. Command sequences can be combined into methods. Methods occur in nodes and rules .
- a rule contains a condition part and a conclusion part.
- the condition part consists of an arranged set of conditions. The conditions are created using terms and relations and may be true or false. The condition is fulfilled when it is true.
- Two methods belong to each rule. One of these methods is associated with the condition part and contains commands "Check conditions", which is a command to the system to in ⁇ vestigate if the conditions of the rule can be fulfilled.
- the other method belongs to the conclusion part of the rule and is called if the conditions of the rule are fulfilled.
- the method always includes the command "Perform conclusion" .
- nodes When navigating in a knowledge base a sequence of nodes is treated. When a node is treated the method of the node is called.
- Base nodes do not contain any information but are used to mark a certain location on the screen picture.
- the rule node con ⁇ tains a number of rules .
- Text nodes and picture nodes contain text and picture information, respectively.
- Self-defined nodes are instances of node types created by oneself.
- the node types are type descriptions of nodes and belong to the base block. When a node type is created it is possible to create one or more instances of this. An instance of a node type is a node given the content of the node type. If the content of the node type is changed each instance of it will automatically be changed.
- the system has three predefined node types used to create common rule nodes, text nodes and picture nodes. It is also possible to create new node types to facilitate the development work.
- a rule node type created can for instance contain a number of attributes and commands.
- the user is to indicate the voltage and current in a transistor in several rule nodes it is suitable first to define a node type - transistor voltage - with the attributes used. Thereafter the node type can be used to readily create instances of this. Then these instances are of the rule node type "Transistor voltage”.
- node types There are four categories of self-defined node types: rule node types, text node types, picture node types and base node types.
- the node types contain various methods.
- a picture node type for instance always contains the command "Show picture” causing the showing of the content of a picture node.
- Each node type is represented by a symbol, see for in ⁇ stance Figure 2.
- a node type is created also a symbol has to be selected therefor. The symbol will then be in the Tool menu and it is then possible to create instances of the node type created in the same way as with predefined node types.
- a block is a document of its own containing views and nodes .
- the knowledge base can be divided into separate blocks, each block describing a defined part of the knowledge base.
- a knowledge base often consists of several blocks linked together. Each block has a starting view initially shown when a block is opened.
- Each knowledge base has a base block.
- the base block is a special block containing information about how the blocks are linked together.
- In the base block is also information common to all blocks belonging to the base block.
- Such infor ⁇ mation is node types, concepts, commands, pictures and text.
- Each navigation in the knowledge base starts in the base block.
- the system according to the invention is primarily in- tended for three types of users: beginners : they can use the system as a conventional expert system, in other words, the system will ask the user about information as required; experienced users: they can direct the system between a restricted number of nodes to state where the trouble ⁇ shooting is to continue; experts: the expert can move freely between the nodes. The system does not direct at all. The user himself can decide which one of the above modes he wants to use.
- the service engineer complements the knowledge base developed by the manufacturer with the experience he obtains in his usual work. This knowledge is often called rules of thumb. The service engineer's practical knowledge often results in short cuts in finding faults . This contributes to a more efficient system.
- the final user group of the system is the most impor- tant, the end users. It is they who really exploit the system for troubleshooting in technical equipment. They can not directly change the knowledge base.
- the advantages of the invention are several in trouble shooting and developing diagnostic systems, for instance: service engineers locate failures quicker, reducing the repair time, time-consuming search through manuals can be avoided while information is gathered at one place, personnel with little experience can troubleshoot inde- • pendently, the system reduces the training period for new service engineers, it will be easier to distribute and hold knowledge about technical equipment, diagnostic systems can be complemented and modified directly in connection with new discoveries and experiences, it will be easier for manufacturers to get feedback about problems, the development of expert systems for troubleshooting becomes faster, diagnostic equipment gets a uniform appearance, people who are not trained programmers can develop diag ⁇ nostic systems.
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US08/030,068 US5548714A (en) | 1990-09-21 | 1991-09-18 | Means for structuring technical information in establishing a knowledge base and troubleshooting in technical equipment |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
SE9003009-9 | 1990-09-21 | ||
SE9003009A SE467026B (en) | 1990-09-21 | 1990-09-21 | DEVICE FOR STRUCTURING TECHNICAL INFORMATION WHEN CREATING A KNOWLEDGE DATABASE AND TROUBLESHOOTING IN TECHNICAL EQUIPMENT |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO1992005503A1 true WO1992005503A1 (en) | 1992-04-02 |
Family
ID=20380416
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/SE1991/000625 WO1992005503A1 (en) | 1990-09-21 | 1991-09-18 | Means for structuring technical information in establishing a knowledge base and troubleshooting in technical equipment |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US5548714A (en) |
EP (1) | EP0549697A1 (en) |
SE (1) | SE467026B (en) |
WO (1) | WO1992005503A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (16)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6728343B1 (en) | 1998-03-16 | 2004-04-27 | Conair Corporation | User appliance with voice help guide |
JP3159165B2 (en) * | 1998-03-31 | 2001-04-23 | 日本電気株式会社 | Method and apparatus for managing estimated logical state in failure diagnosis and machine-readable recording medium recording program |
DE19850122A1 (en) * | 1998-04-17 | 1999-10-28 | Siemens Ag | Automatic configuration arrangement for technical object testing arrangement e.g. for electric motors |
US6240329B1 (en) | 1998-11-09 | 2001-05-29 | Chin-Yang Sun | Method and apparatus for a semiconductor wafer inspection system using a knowledge-based system |
FR2789502B1 (en) * | 1999-02-08 | 2001-08-10 | Bull Sa | METHOD AND TOOL FOR ANALYZING AND LOCATING HARDWARE FAULTS IN A COMPUTER MACHINE |
US6970885B1 (en) * | 1999-10-05 | 2005-11-29 | General Electric Company | Method and system for enabling training of field service personnel and field service of machines |
US6829734B1 (en) | 2000-04-04 | 2004-12-07 | International Business Machines Corporation | Method for discovering problem resolutions in a free form computer helpdesk data set |
WO2001082136A2 (en) | 2000-04-20 | 2001-11-01 | General Electric Company | Method and system for graphically identifying replacement parts for generally complex equipment |
US6625770B1 (en) * | 2000-06-20 | 2003-09-23 | Lsi Logic Corporation | Method of automatically generating schematic and waveform diagrams for relevant logic cells of a circuit using input signal predictors and transition times |
MXPA03001692A (en) * | 2000-08-23 | 2004-06-22 | Gen Electric | Method for training service personnel to service selected equipment. |
US6745195B1 (en) | 2000-09-15 | 2004-06-01 | General Electric Company | System, method and computer program product for generating software cards that summarize and index information |
WO2002054239A2 (en) | 2000-12-29 | 2002-07-11 | General Electric Company | Method and system for identifying repeatedly malfunctioning equipment |
US20020156692A1 (en) * | 2001-04-20 | 2002-10-24 | Squeglia Mark R. | Method and system for managing supply of replacement parts of a piece of equipment |
US7035770B2 (en) * | 2003-12-18 | 2006-04-25 | Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd. | Fuzzy reasoning model for semiconductor process fault detection using wafer acceptance test data |
JP5521807B2 (en) * | 2010-06-16 | 2014-06-18 | 富士通株式会社 | Failure cause estimation apparatus, failure cause estimation program, and failure cause estimation method |
US9239991B2 (en) | 2013-09-05 | 2016-01-19 | General Electric Company | Services support system and method |
Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2190772A (en) * | 1986-05-05 | 1987-11-25 | David Martin Menne | Data storage/retrieval |
WO1990000776A1 (en) * | 1988-07-07 | 1990-01-25 | Abb Atom Ab | A method and a presentation system for linking of information presented by means of a presentation unit |
Family Cites Families (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4964125A (en) * | 1988-08-19 | 1990-10-16 | Hughes Aircraft Company | Method and apparatus for diagnosing faults |
US4954964A (en) * | 1988-11-09 | 1990-09-04 | Singh Gurvinder P | Apparatus and method for expert analysis of metal failure with automated visual aide |
US5107497A (en) * | 1989-07-28 | 1992-04-21 | At&T Bell Laboratories | Technique for producing an expert system for system fault diagnosis |
US5107499A (en) * | 1990-04-30 | 1992-04-21 | At&T Bell Laboratories | Arrangement for automated troubleshooting using selective advice and a learning knowledge base |
-
1990
- 1990-09-21 SE SE9003009A patent/SE467026B/en not_active Application Discontinuation
-
1991
- 1991-09-18 WO PCT/SE1991/000625 patent/WO1992005503A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1991-09-18 US US08/030,068 patent/US5548714A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1991-09-18 EP EP91917325A patent/EP0549697A1/en not_active Ceased
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2190772A (en) * | 1986-05-05 | 1987-11-25 | David Martin Menne | Data storage/retrieval |
WO1990000776A1 (en) * | 1988-07-07 | 1990-01-25 | Abb Atom Ab | A method and a presentation system for linking of information presented by means of a presentation unit |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
SE9003009L (en) | 1992-03-22 |
SE9003009D0 (en) | 1990-09-21 |
US5548714A (en) | 1996-08-20 |
SE467026B (en) | 1992-05-11 |
EP0549697A1 (en) | 1993-07-07 |
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