System and method for dynamically providing feedback

• US 7,920,980 B2
• Filed: 07/17/2008
• Issued: 04/05/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Barat, Venkatesh
• Primary Examiner(s): Raymond; Edward
• Application Number:
  US12/174,836
• Publication Number:
  US 20100016995A1
• Time in Patent Office: 992 Days
• Field of Search: 702/81, 702182-185
• US Class Current: 702/81
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/217 Database tuning G06F16/2282 takes precedence; database performance monitoring G06F11/3409

Abstract

A method for dynamically providing feedback is presented. The method includes monitoring one or more steps performed by one or more components in a machine, where the one or more steps are associated with a workflow. Further, the method includes analyzing the one or more steps performed by the one or more components to dynamically determine feedback based on the one or more steps performed by the one or more components, where the feedback comprises other steps in the workflow. In addition, the method includes presenting the feedback. Systems and computer-readable medium that afford functionality of the type defined by this method is also contemplated in conjunction with the present technique.

Claims

1. A method for dynamically providing feedback, the method comprising:

operatively associating one or more feedback agents with one or more components in a machine;

monitoring one or more steps performed by the one or more components in the machine, wherein the one or more steps are associated with a workflow;

analyzing the one or more steps performed by the one or more components to dynamically determine feedback based on the one or more steps performed by the one or more components, wherein the feedback comprises subsequent steps to be performed in the workflow; and

presenting the feedback.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising storing one or more predetermined workflows in a data repository.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising operatively associating a feedback agent with each of the one or more components in the machine.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising registering the feedback agent corresponding to each of the one or more components with the data repository.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein dynamically determining feedback based on the one or more steps performed by the one or more components comprises:

retrieving data associated with the one or more steps performed by the one or more components; and

processing the retrieved data by performing statistical analysis of the retrieved data to generate statistically confident feedback.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising storing the statistically confident feedback in the data repository to enhance a knowledge base of the data repository.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein presenting the feedback comprises providing a visual output, an audio output, or a combination thereof.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the visual output comprises a visual pattern of lights of similar or different colors, patterns of characters, text, or combinations thereof.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the audio output comprises a predetermined audio signal, a sequence of audio signals, a prerecorded voice, a dynamically synthesized voice, or combinations thereof.

10. The method of claim 7, further comprising selecting a mode of presenting feedback.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein providing a visual output, an audio output, or a combination thereof comprises proactively providing feedback based upon operation of a sequence of steps by the one or more components in the machine.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein providing a visual output, an audio output, or a combination thereof comprises proactively providing feedback based upon operation of a sequence of steps performed by the one or more components in the machine and a predetermined delay in the operation of the steps.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein providing a visual output, an audio output, or a combination thereof comprises reactively providing feedback based upon a trigger.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the trigger comprises a mechanical stimulation, an audio stimulation, or a combination thereof.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein providing a visual output, an audio output, or a combination thereof comprises proactively providing feedback in a demonstration mode.

16. A method for dynamically providing feedback, the method comprising:

operatively associating one or more feedback agents with one or more components in a machine;

selecting a mode of presenting feedback;

monitoring one or more steps performed by the one or more components in the machine, wherein the one or more steps are associated with a workflow;

analyzing the one or more steps performed by the one or more components to dynamically determine feedback based on the one or more steps performed by the one or more components, wherein the feedback comprises other steps in the workflow; and

presenting the determined feedback.

17. A system for dynamically providing feedback, the system comprising:

a data repository configured to facilitate generation of feedback based on one or more steps performed by one or more components in a machine; and

one or more feedback agents associated with the one or more components in the machine, wherein the one or more feedback agents are operatively coupled to the data repository, and wherein the one or more feedback agents are configured to aid in dynamically providing feedback based on the one or more steps performed by one or more components in a machine.

18. The system for dynamically providing feedback of claim 17, wherein the one or more feedback agents are configured to monitor the one or more steps performed by the one or more components in the machine, wherein the one or more steps are associated with a workflow.

19. The system for dynamically providing feedback of claim 17, wherein one or more predetermined workflows are stored in the data repository.

20. The system for dynamically providing feedback of claim 17, wherein the data repository is configured to:

retrieve data associated with the one or more steps performed by the one or more components; and

process the retrieved data by performing statistical analysis of the retrieved data to generate statistically confident feedback.

21. The system for dynamically providing feedback of claim 20, wherein the data repository is further configured to store the generated statistically confident feedback in the data repository to enhance a knowledge base of the data repository.

22. The system for dynamically providing feedback of claim 21, further comprising one or more output devices configured to present the feedback generated by the data repository, wherein the feedback comprises a visual output, an audio output, or a combination thereof.

23. The system for dynamically providing feedback of claim 22, further configured to allow selection of a mode of presenting feedback, wherein the mode of presenting feedback comprises a proactive mode, a reactive mode, a demonstration mode, or combinations thereof.

24. The system for dynamically providing feedback of claim 23, further comprising one or more input devices configured to allow selection of the mode of presenting feedback.

25. A computer readable medium comprising one or more tangible media, wherein the one or more tangible media comprise:

code adapted to operatively associate one or more feedback agents with one or more components in a machine;

code adapted to monitor one or more steps performed by the one or more components in the machine, wherein the one or more steps are associated with a workflow;

code adapted to analyze the one or more steps performed by the one or more components to dynamically determine feedback based on the one or more steps performed by the one or more components, wherein the feedback comprises subsequent steps to be performed in the workflow; and

code adapted to present the feedback.