EP0184088A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Expert system
Assignee: Tektronix Inc
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Filing: 1985-11-22
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2005-11-22
Abstract
Abstract An expert system directed toward troubleshooting of electronic circuitry provides a graphic presentation of the circuitry involved. The expert system comprises processor means (10), memory means (12) accessible by said processor means and display means (14) operated by said processor means. When the expert system presents a query to the user, parts or portions of the circuitry, to which the query is directed, are graphically identified in the display means (14). For example, probe icons are graphically presented at circuit points between which measurements are to be made in the corresponding real-world apparatus. After the user makes the required measurement, he can answer the query and receive troubleshooting advice which may include a graphic demonstration of the repair or component replacement that would correct the problem.
Inventors
- 👤 James H. Alexander
- 👤 Michael J. Freiling
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 16:39
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F11/00; G06F11/22; G06F11/2257; G06N; G06N5/00; G06N5/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
81 words
A method of providing expert information regarding a particular subject matter with respect to which a problem solution is sought, characterized by the steps of: consecutively presenting a plurality of rules wherein said rules include queries directed toward parts or portions of said particular subject matter, and visually providing a diagrammatic representation of said particular subject matter substantially simultaneously with a said query, including graphic identification of the part or portion on said subject matter to which the query is directed.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
81 words
A method of providing expert information regarding a particular subject matter with respect to which a problem solution is sought, characterized by the steps of: consecutively presenting a plurality of rules wherein said rules include queries directed toward parts or portions of said particular subject matter, and visually providing a diagrammatic representation of said particular subject matter substantially simultaneously with a said query, including graphic identification of the part or portion on said subject matter to which the query is directed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 1, characterized by visually supplying a solution output in response to answers to said queries.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 2, characterized by visually supplying a solution output includes graphic identification of a part or portion of said subject matter.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of providing troubleshooting assistance regarding an apparatus with respect to which a technician desires to accomplish repair, characterized by the steps of: presenting rules including queries directed toward component portions of said apparatus, providing a diagrammatic representation of said apparatus substantially simultaneously with a said query including graphic identification of the component portion with respect to which a query is made, and in response to an answering input by said technician, graphically identifying a failed component portion.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of providing troubleshooting assistance regarding an apparatus with respect to which a technician desires to accomplish repair, characterized by the steps of: presenting rules including queries directed toward component portions of said apparatus, providing a diagrammatic representation of said apparatus substantially simultaneously with a said query including graphic identification of the component portion with respect to which a query is made, and in response to an answering input by said technician, graphically identifying a failed component portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 4, characterized in that said rules logically define a testing procedure for identifying said failed component portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that said graphic identification includes iconic designation on said diagrammatic representation of locations in the corresponding real apparatus where measurements are to be made by said technician in order to supply said answering input.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
35 words
The method according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that said apparatus comprises an electronic circuit and said diagrammatic representation comprises stored schematic and circuit board diagrams thereof which are graphically displayed.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
36 words
The method according to one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that said graphic identification includes highlighting the component portion with respect to which a query is made or the component portion which has failed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
107 words
An expert system for providing information regarding a particular subject matter with respect to which a problem solution is sought, characterized by: processor means (10), memory means (12) accessible by said processor means wherein said memory stores a plurality of rules including queries directed toward parts or portions of said particular subject matter, said memory means also storing a diagrammatic representation of said subject matter, and display means (14) operated by said processor means (10) for visually presenting said queries and for visually presenting said diagrammatic representation together with graphic identification of a part or portion of said subject matter to which a query is currently directed.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
107 words
An expert system for providing information regarding a particular subject matter with respect to which a problem solution is sought, characterized by: processor means (10), memory means (12) accessible by said processor means wherein said memory stores a plurality of rules including queries directed toward parts or portions of said particular subject matter, said memory means also storing a diagrammatic representation of said subject matter, and display means (14) operated by said processor means (10) for visually presenting said queries and for visually presenting said diagrammatic representation together with graphic identification of a part or portion of said subject matter to which a query is currently directed.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The expert system according to claim 9, characterized by a troubleshooting assistance system for directing repair of an apparatus wherein said diagrammatic representation comprises stored diagrams of said apparatus.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
The expert system according to claim 10, characterized in that said graphic identification includes iconic designation on said diagrammatic representation of locations in the corresponding real apparatus where measurements are to be made in response to a query.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
53 words
The expert system according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that said display means (14) is operated by said apparatus to provide said graphic identification by means of presenting icons on the display associated with a part or portion of the subject matter to which a query is currently directed.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
44 words
The expert system according to one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that said processor means (10), in response to processor inputs provided in answer to said queries, and in response to said rules, provides a solution output in accordance with said rules.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
38 words
The expert system according to claim 13, characterized in that said display means (14) is operated by said processor to provide graphic identification of a part or portion on said diagrammatic representation to which a solution output relates.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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