Patent ID: 6993457
Filing Date: 2006-01-31
Classification: G01M

Abstract:
1. A method for determining which of a plurality N of components in a product are responsible for an observed problem of the product, the method comprising: identifying a first sample of the product not exhibiting the observed problem; identifying a second sample of the product exhibiting the observed problem; dismantling the first sample to obtain N separate first sample components; dismantling the second sample to obtain N separate second sample components; producing N new versions of the product, each containing a different one of the N first sample components; producing N new versions of the product, each containing a different one of the N second sample components; and determining which of the N second sample components is a source of the observed problem by comparative testing of the N new versions containing a different one of the N second sample components and the N new versions containing a different one of the N first sample components.