Method and system for providing problem identification and trouble-shooting services

• US 20050033491A1
• Filed: 08/08/2003
• Published: 02/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Gross, Wolfgang, Hofler, Werner
• Granted Patent: US 7,275,016 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/33
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4184 characterised by fault tolerance, reliability of production system
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31324 Distributed real time knowledge, database
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/32235 Sharing of data between process control and maintenance management computers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]

Abstract

In a complex plant most of the problems or errors will occur only once. Therefore corrective maintenance and trouble-shooting staff can not go back or hark back to ready-made solutions for these problems or errors. The present invention provides a method and a computerized system which enables the corrective maintenance and trouble-shooting staff having access to experiences made on third party plants regarding these problems or errors.

Claims

1. A method for providing problem identification or trouble-shooting services in third party plants, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a forum for collecting solutions for one-time problems or limited-time problems that occurred at the third party plants;

classifying the problems; and

providing solution services for inquiring third party plants.

2. A method according claim 1, whereby the inquiring plant contacts the forum when a problem occurs within the plant.

3. A method according claim 2, whereby for the providing of a problem solution local knowledge of the third party plant is used.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the inquiring plant delivers feedback to the forum about the provided solution.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the feedback is used to optimize the provided solutions in the forum.

6. A method according claim 1, whereby the plant delivers solutions for problems that occurred in the plant to the forum.

7. A method according claim 1, whereby the forum generates at least one problem report to a third.

8. A method according to claim 7, whereby the third party subscribes to the forum to get a regular dedicated problem report from the forum.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the forum is integrated in a MES system of the third party.

10. A computerized system for providing problem identification or trouble-shooting services in third party plants, comprising:

at least one server for providing a forum for collecting solutions for problems that occurred at the third party plants;

mechanism for classifying of the problems;

mechanism for finding solutions to the problems; and

mechanism for providing solution services for inquiring third party plants about the problems.

11. A computerized system according claim 10, whereby the third party plant is a client of the system.

12. A computerized system according claim 11, whereby the client contacts the server when a problem occurs to get a solution to the problem.

13. A computerized system according claim 11, whereby for the providing of a problem solution local knowledge of the client is used.

14. A computerized system according claim 10, whereby, the client delivers feedback to the server about the provided solution in the system.

15. A computerized system according claim 14, whereby the server uses the feedback to optimize the provided solution.

16. A computerized system according claim 10, whereby the server generates at least one problem report for a third party.

17. A computerized system according claim 16, whereby the third party subscribes to the system to get a regular dedicated problem report from the server.

18. A computerized system according claim 10, whereby the system is connected to a MES system of a third party.