Automated reliability and maintainability process

Details Automated reliability and maintainability process Automated reliability and maintainability process

1998-05-11

2001-06-12

Butler, Dennis M. (Department: 2787)

Error detection/correction and fault detection/recovery

Data processing system error or fault handling

Reliability and availability

C714S047300

Reexamination Certificate

active

06247145

ABSTRACT:

REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX
Reference is made to the microfiche appendix which contains 350 pages of the system source code.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to systems which provide reliability and maintainability evaluation, and more specifically, to a system effectiveness data system (SEDS) for use on personal computers (PC).
Managing reliability and maintainability of operating systems is an ongoing technical challenge. Computer systems for reliability and maintainability analysis are disclosed in the following U.S. Patents, the disclosure of which are incorporated herein by reference:
U.S. Pat. No. 4,707,796 issued to Calabro et al; and
U.S. Pat. No. 4,472,804 issued to Fallwood et al.
The PCSEDS database is a major improvement over the original AFTEC COBAL database with the same name. The PC SEDS has added new capabilities to categorize and evaluate reliability and maintainability data for any test article. These improvements allow a nonprogrammer user to quickly extract results and build ad-hoc reports without a full-time programmer. Also, the front-end programs can be used for many different projects without modification.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The PC SEDS database system is designed to provide a flexible database system that can encompass any type of Reliability and Maintainability (R&M) evaluation, while accurately storing and characterizing the collected data. The PC SEDS database system includes interfaces for entering, editing, processing, and analyzing the stored data. Highlights of some of the unique capabilities are: Front-end programs tailor themselves based upon information stored in a set of look-up tables. This allows the same programs to be used for a variety of projects without rewriting any code. Non-programmers can customize analysis tools for special reports. Data can be analyzed using more than one set of part identifier codes at the click of a mouse button. Report criteria are set using a graphical menu system. Attaching additional tables can easily extend database capabilities. Easily exchanges data with other Windows programs. Database programs assist the user by making recommendations on categorizing results and looking up information, thereby increasing accuracy of the data.
The present invention allows remote users to input failure data that is used for reliability and maintainability decisions using the source code of the attached microfiche, and commercial off the shelf equipment including an Oracle client server and Microsoft Access versions of personal computers.
Database programs assist the user by making recommendations on categorizing results and looking up information, thereby increasing accuracy of the data. Algorithms in the database programs are used to process new data and provide recommendations on failure categories and parts, which may have initiated a string of failures. However, the user can override the database recommendation simply by changing the data. Gaming or second-guessing the database system is not necessary.
Database entry tools increase the accuracy of the data by providing the data collector with lookup and basic search tools.
The data collection program (or entire system) can be deployed to a remote location using a laptop computer.
Reports and other database products can be distributed via E-mail, thereby increasing timeliness and reducing costs.
Modifications to the database are accomplished using a graphical user interface, Microsoft Access.
Since PC SEDS is based upon a Structured Query Language (SQL) database engine (Microsoft Access), the basic table structure; algorithms; and in some cases, source code; can be upscaled to a client-server database using database programs such as Sun Micosystems ORACLE, Microsoft SQL Server or others.
PC SEDS can be modified to perform as a Failure Reporting and Corrective Action system (FRACAS) database with the addition of a few tables. A FRACAS database is used by a manufacturer to track failures and design changes through a products life style.
PC SEDS can be modified to store, process, and analyze reliability and maintainability data for products that are operated on a twenty-four hour basis.
It is an object of the present invention to store reliability and maintainability data.
It is another object of the invention to allow flexible categorization of data and be adaptable to many test programs.
It is another object of the invention to simplify data queries and provide data accessibility to engineers.
These and other advantages, objects and features of the invention will become more apparent after considering the following description taken in conjunction with the illustrative embodiment in the accompanying drawings.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4472804 (1984-09-01), Fullwood et al.
patent: 4695946 (1987-09-01), Andreasen et al.
patent: 4707796 (1987-11-01), Calabro et al.
patent: 5740429 (1998-04-01), Wang et al.
patent: 5967975 (1999-10-01), Ridgeway

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