Process and system for configuring repair codes for diagnostics of machine malfunctions

• US 6,543,007 B1
• Filed: 11/19/1999
• Issued: 04/01/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: GE Global Sourcing LLC (Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation)
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Bliley, Richard Gerald, Gibson, David Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Iqbal, Nadeem
• Application Number:
  US09/443,734
• Time in Patent Office: 1,229 Days
• Field of Search: 714/26, 714/27, 714/30, 714/32, 714/38, 714/47, 714/52, 714/57, 705/1, 705/400, 701/29, 701/35, 707/104, 707/500
• US Class Current: 714/26
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/2257 using expert systems

Abstract

A process and system for populating a database of repair codes used by respective diagnostic tools to identify repairs of respective machines is provided. The process allows for collecting a list of available repair codes. The process further allows for executing expert analysis upon the collected list so as to determine compatibility of the respective repair codes with the diagnostic tools. A customizing step allows for customizing the list of repair codes based upon the executed expert analysis, and

a storing step allows for storing the customized list of repair codes in the database of repair codes.

Claims

1. A process for developing, populating and maintaining a database of repair codes each configured for use with a plurality of diagnostic tools used to identify repairs needed on respective machines, the process comprising:

a) identifying and collecting a plurality of available repair codes;

b) executing expert analysis upon the available repair codes so as to determine the compatibility of each repair code therein with the diagnostic tools;

c) customizing the repair codes based upon the executed expert analysis so as to make them compatible with the diagnostic tools; and

d) storing the customized repair codes in the database of repair codes for later use in diagnosing machines to be repaired with the diagnostic tools.

2. The process of claim 1 wherein the customizing step comprises adding any missing repair codes to the database of repair codes.

3. The process of claim 1 wherein the customizing step comprises resolving any diagnostics ambiguities, if any, in respective ones of the repair codes.

4. The process of claim 1 wherein the customizing step comprises deleting or modifying any repairs codes unsuitable for the diagnostic tools.

5. The process of claim 1 wherein the customizing step comprises deleting any inapplicable repair codes.

6. The process of claim 1 further comprising a step of executing new iterations of steps a) through d) at predetermined intervals so as to maintain the database of repair codes substantially up to date.

7. The process of claim 1 further comprising a step of executing new iterations of steps a) through d) upon deployment of configuration changes and/or new models of the machine.

8. The process of claim 1 wherein the respective machines comprise a fleet of locomotives.

9. The process of claim 1 wherein the database of repair codes comprises respective repair codes for respective subsystems of the locomotive.

10. The process of claim 1 wherein the customizing step comprises:

adding any missing repair codes to the list of repair codes;

resolving any diagnostic ambiguities in respective ones of the repair codes; and

deleting any repair codes indicative of repairs unsuitable and/or inapplicable for the diagnostics tools.

11. A system for developing, populating and maintaining a database of repair codes each configured for use with a plurality of diagnostic tools used to identify repairs needed on respective machines, the system comprising:

means for identifying and collecting a plurality of available repair codes;

means for executing expert analysis upon the available repair codes so as to determine compatibility of each repair code therein with the diagnostic tools;

means for customizing the repair codes based upon the executed expert analysis to make them compatible with the diagnostic tools; and

means for storing the customized repair codes in the database of repair codes for later use in diagnosing machines to be repaired with the diagnostic tools.

12. The system of claim 11 further comprising means for adding any missing repair codes to the database of repair codes.

13. The system of claim 11 further comprising mean for resolving any diagnostics ambiguities, if any, in respective ones of the repair codes.

14. The system of claim 11 further comprising means for deleting or modifying any repairs codes unsuitable for the diagnostic tools.

15. The system of claim 11 further comprising means for deleting any inapplicable repair codes.

16. The system of claim 11 further means for executing new iterations at predetermined intervals so as to maintain the database of repair codes substantially up to date.

17. The system of claim 11 further comprising means for executing new iterations upon deployment of configuration changes and/or new models of the machine.

18. The system of claim 11 wherein the respective machines comprise a fleet of locomotives.

19. The system of claim 11 wherein the database of repair codes comprises respective repair codes for respective subsystems of the locomotive.

20. The system of claim 11 further comprising:

means for adding any missing repair codes to the database of repair codes;

means for resolving any diagnostic ambiguities in respective ones of the repair codes; and

means for deleting any repair codes indicative of repairs unsuitable and/or inapplicable for the diagnostic tools.

21. A system for developing, populating and maintaining a database of repair codes each configured for use with a plurality of diagnostic tools used to identify repairs needed on respective machines, the system comprising:

a database configured to identify and collect a plurality of available repair codes;

a processor configured to perform expert analysis upon the available repair codes so as to determine compatibility of each repair code therein with the diagnostic tools; and

a processor configured to customize the repair codes based upon the executed expert analysis to make them compatible with the diagnostic tools, wherein the database is further configured to store the customized repair codes for later use in diagnosing machines to be repaired with the diagnostic tools.