Computer based interactive defect reporting system for the paperless reporting of problems in a vehicle forming part of a fleet
First Claim
1. A method for reporting defects and tracking repairs in one or more vehicles, comprising the steps of:
- (a) reporting a problem to an interactive computer based system by an on-board crew member accessing the system by utilizing a phone;
(b) storing the problem on the system as a voice message;
(c) providing advance notification to a maintenance facility towards which said vehicle is enroute (d) facilitating repair of the reported problem by enabling repair personnel to obtain a description of the problem by accessing at least one of (1) the voice message describing the problem; and
(2) a transcription of said voice message; and
(e) reporting the successful repair or other disposition of the problem to said interactive computer based system by said repair personnel or an authorized representative thereof utilizing a phone.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An interactive defect reporting system is designed to handle enroute equipment problems and repairs in a paperless process that enables on-board personnel to report equipment problems using a phone. After calling the system, the on-board personnel describes the, problem in their own words in as much detail as necessary. The computerized reporting system assigns a unique Trouble Ticket number to the report and all subsequent repairs. Mechanics listen to the Trouble Tickets or have transcribed copies faxed to their facilities. Trouble Tickets are also immediately available to all downline maintenance facilities so that mechanics can prepared for problems on a train well in advance of its arrival. Once a problem is fixed, the mechanics called in the repair and describe in detail what was done to fix the problem. On-board personnel can listen to the repairs or request a fax copy of the Trouble Ticket. The system updates an existing nationwide master system that contains all information pertaining to trains within the fleet so that any one with access to the master system can also access the Trouble Tickets and repair histories therefor. The interactive defect reporting system also has the capability of updating the nationwide master system with repair codes and equipment problem histories for auditing purposes.
56 Citations
34 Claims
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1. A method for reporting defects and tracking repairs in one or more vehicles, comprising the steps of:
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(a) reporting a problem to an interactive computer based system by an on-board crew member accessing the system by utilizing a phone;
(b) storing the problem on the system as a voice message;
(c) providing advance notification to a maintenance facility towards which said vehicle is enroute (d) facilitating repair of the reported problem by enabling repair personnel to obtain a description of the problem by accessing at least one of (1) the voice message describing the problem; and
(2) a transcription of said voice message; and
(e) reporting the successful repair or other disposition of the problem to said interactive computer based system by said repair personnel or an authorized representative thereof utilizing a phone. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A system for reporting defects and tracking repairs in one or more vehicles, comprising:
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(a) computerized data base system accessible by telephony;
(b) means, interactive with said computerized data base system, for storing a voice message containing information reporting a defect in said vehicle;
(c) means, interactive with said data base system, for storing a voice message indicative of a repair of the problem reported by said voice message; and
(d) means, interactive with said computerized data base system, for enabling authorized users of said system to selectively listen to at least one of said voice message problems and voice message repairs.
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Specification