Method and system for processing and presenting on-line, multimedia information in a tree structure
First Claim
1. A method for processing and presenting multimedia diagnostic information as a diagnostic tree structure including branches having a plurality of nodes and node-connecting links in a computer system, the method comprising the steps of:
- displaying multimedia diagnostic commands representative of various types of multimedia diagnostic information;
conveying multimedia diagnostic information to a user of the system;
storing a multiplicity of diagnostic information records mapped into the diagnostic tree structure, the diagnostic information records including;
information records denoting the text strings to be displayed;
information records denoting the multimedia commands to be displayed; and
information records denoting the multimedia diagnostic information to be presented;
receiving an initial command;
displaying a graphical representation of a plurality of nodes including a question and answer node of the diagnostic tree structure including at least one text string in response to the initial command;
displaying a plurality of multimedia diagnostic commands corresponding to the question and answer node;
receiving a user command related to one of the displayed multimedia diagnostic commands; and
presenting a selected amount of the multimedia diagnostic information to the user of the system in response to the user command.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Method and system are provided for processing and presenting on-line, multimedia information such as diagnostic information for a machine tool. The system uses multimedia information tools (i.e. graphics, documentation, drawings, photographs, full motion video with audio, PLC ladder, etc.) and techniques to assist maintenance personnel. Diagnostic development and multimedia information assignment are accomplished through graphical visual programming, which requires no conventional software programming efforts. The system uses diagnostic trees having multimedia graphic icons which define the diagnostic components. In developing a visual diagnostic tree, the multimedia information can be assigned or mapped to each node of the tree by selecting an appropriate icon to represent the multimedia from an icon library. Then, an appropriate media information file or record and comments for that icon are further added to define that node assignments. The system is user friendly, uses conventional hardware and can be used on the plant floor. The system is immediately executable and is generic. The method and system can also be used for training, process planning, marketing, sales, help desk applications, other machine diagnostics, and engineering design.
262 Citations
36 Claims
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1. A method for processing and presenting multimedia diagnostic information as a diagnostic tree structure including branches having a plurality of nodes and node-connecting links in a computer system, the method comprising the steps of:
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displaying multimedia diagnostic commands representative of various types of multimedia diagnostic information; conveying multimedia diagnostic information to a user of the system; storing a multiplicity of diagnostic information records mapped into the diagnostic tree structure, the diagnostic information records including; information records denoting the text strings to be displayed; information records denoting the multimedia commands to be displayed; and information records denoting the multimedia diagnostic information to be presented; receiving an initial command; displaying a graphical representation of a plurality of nodes including a question and answer node of the diagnostic tree structure including at least one text string in response to the initial command; displaying a plurality of multimedia diagnostic commands corresponding to the question and answer node; receiving a user command related to one of the displayed multimedia diagnostic commands; and presenting a selected amount of the multimedia diagnostic information to the user of the system in response to the user command. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A system for processing and presenting multimedia diagnostic information as a diagnostic tree structure including branches having a plurality of nodes and node-connecting links in a computer system having tree display means for displaying a graphical representation of nodes of the tree structure, the system comprising:
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command display means for displaying multimedia diagnostic commands representative of various types of multimedia diagnostic information; multimedia output means for providing multimedia diagnostic information to a user of the system; a knowledge base for storing a multiplicity of diagnostic information records mapped into the diagnostic tree structure, the diagnostic information records including; information records denoting the text strings to be displayed on the tree display means; information records denoting the multimedia commands to be displayed on the command display means; and information records denoting the multimedia information to be presented by said multimedia output means; means for receiving an initial command, the tree display means displaying a plurality of nodes including a question and answer node of the tree structure including at least one text string in response to the initial command, and the command display means displaying a plurality of multimedia diagnostic commands corresponding to the question and answer node on the command display means; and means for receiving a user command related to one of the displayed multimedia diagnostic commands, the multimedia output means presenting a selected amount of the multimedia diagnostic information to the user of the system in response to the user command. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A method for creating a diagnostic tree structure for processing and presenting multimedia diagnostic information, said tree structure including branches having a plurality of nodes and node-connecting links in a computer system, the method comprising the steps of:
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displaying multimedia diagnostic commands representative of various types of the multimedia diagnostic information; providing the multimedia diagnostic information to the system; inputing the multimedia diagnostic information to the computer system; storing the multimedia diagnostic information; storing a multiplicity of diagnostic information records mapped into the diagnostic tree structure having a plurality of nodes including a question and answer node, the diagnostic information records including; information records denoting text strings to be graphically displayed; information records denoting multimedia commands to be displayed; and information records denoting the multimedia diagnostic information to be presented; and assigning the stored multimedia diagnostic information to one or more of the diagnostic information records.
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36. A system for creating a diagnostic tree structure for processing and presenting multimedia diagnostic information, said tree structure including branches having a plurality of nodes and node-connecting links in a computer system having tree display means for displaying a graphical representation of nodes of the tree structure, the system comprising:
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a computer system, the computer system including; command display means for displaying multimedia diagnostic commands representative of various types of the multimedia diagnostic information; multimedia output means for providing the multimedia diagnostic information to a user of the system; multimedia input means for providing the multimedia diagnostic information to the system; multimedia storage means for storing the multimedia diagnostic information in the form of a knowledge base, the knowledge base storing a multiplicity of diagnostic information records mapped into the diagnostic tree structure having a plurality of nodes including a question and answer node, the diagnostic information records including; information records denoting text strings to be graphically displayed on the tree display means; information records denoting multimedia commands to be displayed on the command display means; and information records denoting the multimedia information to be presented by said multimedia output means; and means for assigning said stored multimedia diagnostic information to at least one information record.
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Specification