CAPTURING SYSTEM INTERACTIONS

• US 20100121598A1
• Filed: 11/13/2008
• Published: 05/13/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Guldan, David A., Hagen, Cole D., Moretti, Anthony D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,920,988 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/81
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 30/00 Computer-aided design [CAD]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 30/15 Vehicle, aircraft or watercraft design

Abstract

A computer-implemented method for capturing interactions in a system is disclosed. The method includes receiving a selection of a first component of the system and receiving a selection of a second component of the system. The method further includes receiving a selection of an interaction between the first component and the second component, and displaying a list of functions performed by the selected interaction.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for capturing interactions in a system, comprising:

receiving a selection of a first component of the system;

receiving a selection of a second component of the system;

receiving a selection of an interaction between the first component and the second component; and

displaying a list of functions performed by the selected interaction.

2. The method of claim 1, further including receiving a selection of a function in the list.

3. The method of claim 2, further including generating a failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) document for the system based on the first component, on the second component, and on the selected function.

4. The method of claim 2, further including:

retrieving a phrase describing the selected function; and

generating, based on the retrieved phrase, a sentence for the interaction, the sentence describing how the first component interacts with the second component in performing the selected function.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the phrase is retrieved from a library of phrases describing functions performed by interactions between components in the system.

6. The method of claim 4, further including generating an interaction report for the system, the interaction report listing the first component, the second component, and the generated sentence.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the functions in the list are contained in a library of functions describing interactions between components in the system.

8. A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program which, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform a method for capturing interactions in a system, the method comprising:

receiving a selection of a first component of the system;

receiving a selection of a second component of the system;

receiving a selection of an interaction between the first component and the second component; and

displaying a list of functions performed by the selected interaction.

9. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 8, the method further including receiving a selection of a function in the list.

10. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 9, the method further including generating a failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) document for the system based on the first component, on the second component, and on the selected function.

11. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 9, the method further including:

retrieving a phrase describing the selected function; and

generating, based on the retrieved phrase, a sentence for the interaction, the sentence describing how the first component interacts with the second component in performing the selected function.

12. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 11, wherein the phrase is retrieved from a library of phrases describing functions performed by interactions between components in the system.

13. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 11, the method further including generating an interaction report for the system, the interaction report listing the first component, the second component, and the generated sentence.

14. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the functions in the list are contained in a library of functions describing interactions between components in the system.

15. An apparatus, comprising:

an input device for receiving user input;

a display device;

a component database containing information about components of a system;

an interaction function library containing information about functions performed by interactions between the components of the system; and

a processor in communication with the input device, the display device, the component database, and the interaction function library, the processor being configured to;

receive, via the input device, a selection by the user of a first component of the components of the system;

receive, via the input device, a selection by the user of a second component of the components of the system;

receive, via the input device, a selection by the user of an interaction between the first component and the second component;

identify functions performed by the selected interaction contained in the interaction function library; and

display, via the display device, a list of the identified functions.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, the processor being further configured to receive, via the input device, a selection by the user of a function in the list.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, the processor being further configured to:

generate a failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) document for the system based on the first component, on the second component, and on the selected function; and

display the FMEA document via the display device.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, the interaction function library further storing a library of phrases describing the functions, and the processor being further configured to:

retrieve a phrase describing the selected function from the interaction function library; and

generate, based on the retrieved phrase, a sentence for the selected interaction, the sentence describing how the first component interacts with the second component in performing the selected function.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, the processor being further configured to generate an interaction report for the system, the interaction report containing the first component, the second component, and the generated sentence.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, the processor being further configured to display the interaction report.