Self documenting record of instrument activity and error messages stamped with date and time of occurrence
First Claim
1. A method for maintaining a self-documenting logfile in a computer said logfile being automatically updated without intervention by a user and recording information indicative of a status of a substantially computer-controlled device having one or more application programs, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) accepting one or more input commands from a user;
(b) monitoring device characteristics indicative of the status of the device;
(c) detecting an event upon occurrence of at least one of;
(i) a deviation in the device status,(ii) a procedural step occurring while the device is in operation,(iii) a user input in response to said deviation in the device status,(iv) a user input initiating said deviation in the device status, and(v) a user input initiating a procedural step while the device is in operation;
(d) writing an indication of the event to said logfile together with a record of at least the time and date of the event, thereby creating an event line;
(e) archiving said logfile on to a means for storing data;
(f) retrieving said logfile upon user demand;
(g) verifying said one or more input commands by determining whether the input commands meet an acceptability criteria and detecting inadvertent alteration of said logfile; and
(h) formatting the logfile with a start up event line before an event line is written to the logfile, the start up event line being indicative of an application program selected by the user for controlling at least one of the device characteristics.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of creating a self-documenting logfile which records the status and operation of a substantially computer-controlled device. The method comprises the steps of accepting input commands from a user for controlling the device status and operation; monitoring the device characteristics; detecting deviations in the device status, user inputs, and procedural steps in the device'"'"'s operation; writing these detected events to the logfile with the date and time of which the detected event occurred; and retrieving the logfile upon user demands for review of the logfile. In order to comply with good laboratory practices (GLP), the method additionally comprises steps for verifying the user input commands by determining the acceptability of the input commands, detecting inadvertent alteration to the logfile and testing the validity of the logfile for invalid data. Steps for providing an enciphering key within the event lines which comprise the logfile in order to detect tampering are also disclosed.
98 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method for maintaining a self-documenting logfile in a computer said logfile being automatically updated without intervention by a user and recording information indicative of a status of a substantially computer-controlled device having one or more application programs, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) accepting one or more input commands from a user; (b) monitoring device characteristics indicative of the status of the device; (c) detecting an event upon occurrence of at least one of; (i) a deviation in the device status, (ii) a procedural step occurring while the device is in operation, (iii) a user input in response to said deviation in the device status, (iv) a user input initiating said deviation in the device status, and (v) a user input initiating a procedural step while the device is in operation; (d) writing an indication of the event to said logfile together with a record of at least the time and date of the event, thereby creating an event line; (e) archiving said logfile on to a means for storing data; (f) retrieving said logfile upon user demand; (g) verifying said one or more input commands by determining whether the input commands meet an acceptability criteria and detecting inadvertent alteration of said logfile; and (h) formatting the logfile with a start up event line before an event line is written to the logfile, the start up event line being indicative of an application program selected by the user for controlling at least one of the device characteristics. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for maintaining a self-documenting logfile in a computer said logfile being automatically updated without intervention by a user and recording information indicative of a status of a substantially computer-controlled device having one or more application programs, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) accepting one or more input commands from a user; (b) monitoring device characteristics indicative of the status of the device; (c) detecting an event upon occurrence of at least one of; (i) a deviation in the device status, (ii) a procedural step occurring while the device is in operation, (iii) a user input in response to said deviation in the device status, (iv) a user input initiating said deviation in the device status, and (v) a user input initiating a procedural step while the device is in operation; (d) writing an indication of the event to said logfile together with a record of at least the time and date of the event, thereby creating an event line; (e) archiving said logfile on to a means for storing data; (f) retrieving said logfile upon user demand; (g) verifying said one or more input commands by determining; (i) whether the input commands meet an acceptability criteria, (ii) whether inadvertent alteration to said logfile has occurred, and (iii) whether said logfile is valid; (h) formatting the logfile with a start up event line before an event line is written to the logfile, the start up event line being indicative of an application program selected by the user for controlling at least one of the device characteristics; (i) informing the user of an error if creation of said logfile fails; and (j) verifying the presence of said logfile while an application program is operating, wherein the verification comprises; (i) opening the logfile and informing the user if said logfile cannot be opened; (ii) accepting an acknowledgement input from the user, the input being indicative of a response to the information that the logfile cannot be opened; and (iii) creating a new logfile, wherein the new logfile comprises an alternate start up message indicative of the application program initiated at an unknown time and further indicating that event lines may have been lost. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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Specification