Enhanced service procedures using force measurement

An embodiment of the invention may include a method, computer program product and system for guided service procedure. The embodiment may include receiving feedback data from one or more of a plurality of sensors. Each of the plurality of sensors may detect a physical condition at a serviceable location within an item of equipment. The item of equipment may be undergoing a service procedure by an equipment servicer. The embodiment may include determining whether the received feedback data from one or more of the plurality of sensors exceeds a threshold value. Based on determining that the threshold value is exceeded, the embodiment may include alerting the equipment servicer during the service procedure.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a system for servicing equipment, and more specifically, to detecting physical conditions of components within equipment.

The use of items of equipment is widespread across many industries and entities including commercial businesses, consumer businesses, and the government. Implementing proper service procedures for an item of equipment may help to promote the correct and intended operation of the serviced equipment. The knowledge of the technician performing the service and their awareness of the physical condition of components within an item of equipment may also influence the quality and outcome of the service procedure.

BRIEF SUMMARY

An embodiment of the invention may include a method, computer program product and system for guided service procedure. The embodiment may include receiving feedback data from one or more of a plurality of sensors. Each of the plurality of sensors may detect a physical condition at a serviceable location within an item of equipment. The item of equipment may be undergoing a service procedure by an equipment servicer. The embodiment may include determining whether the received feedback data from one or more of the plurality of sensors exceeds a threshold value. Based on determining that the threshold value is exceeded, the embodiment may include alerting the equipment servicer during the service procedure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Service procedures for enterprise computing, medical, industrial, transportation, or other specialized equipment can be very complex. Servicing such complex items of equipment can be a challenge as it may present many opportunities for faults and mistakes to occur during the service procedure which may cause equipment malfunctions and possibly dangerous situations. Malfunctions caused by, for example, accidental component damage, miss-seated connectors, or servicing an incorrect location are often not detected until a system utilizing the item of equipment is attempted to be brought to normal power or operational status. Malfunction detection at this point may result in undesirable outcomes such as, equipment damage or extended outages of equipment use, lost productivity to clients, and increased service costs to maintain equipment.

Embodiments of the present invention disclose a physical condition detection system100, described below, which provides a method for enhancing equipment service procedures by introducing corrective steps based on feedback from a system of internal sensors which can be used to detect physical conditions at serviceable locations. In embodiments of the invention, serviceable locations may include, for example, power supplies, cable connectors, printed circuit board (“PCB”) connectors, computer hardware components, or other electrical and mechanical components within an item of equipment. In other embodiments, serviceable locations may include, for example, surfaces for which deflection can be measured and non-electrical connections such as a chassis frame. The feedback from the system of sensors may be used to monitor and correct a variety of situations. For example, if forces are detected in unexpected connector locations, or forces are out of acceptable tolerance limits for a given connector, service procedures could be amended in real time to prompt the servicer to inspect for damage or take appropriate corrective action. Furthermore, in another example, unexpected forces detected while an item of equipment is in normal run-time operation could be recorded, used to trigger warnings, and aid in debugging the item of equipment at a later date.

FIG. 1is a functional block diagram illustrating physical condition detection system100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In an example embodiment, physical condition detection system100may include equipment101, console connector110, and service console112.

In an example embodiment, equipment101represents a platform to house physical condition detection system100. Equipment101may be any item of specialized equipment used, for example, in a commercial, consumer, government, or public setting. Equipment101may include one or more input/output connectors102, one or more card connectors104, one or more sensors106A, one or more sensors106B, and service monitor108. In various other embodiments, equipment101may include a piece of complex manufacturing/assembly line equipment or a piece of complex medical equipment, such as an MRI machine. Additionally, in various other embodiments, equipment101may include commercial, industrial, aviation, or marine equipment.

In embodiments of the invention, input/output connector102represents an electrical connector through which input and output devices may be connected to equipment101. In various embodiments, input/output connector102may be, for example, a power connectors, a pc card adapter, an IBM GX adapter, an audio connector, a video connector, a modem, an Ethernet port, an infrared connector, a USB, a serial connector, a parallel connector, fire wire, a WiFi connector, or any other input/output connector known in the industry. In an example embodiment, three input/output connectors102are depicted, however, equipment101is not limited to three input/output connectors102. In an example embodiment, one input/output connector102may be a USB port, another input/output connector102may be an HDMI port, and yet another input/output connector102may be an Ethernet port.

In embodiments of the invention, card connector104represents an electrical connector into which a printed circuit board can be inserted to add functionality to equipment101. In various embodiments, card connector104may be, for example, a peripheral component interconnect (“PCI”) slot, an accelerated graphics port (“AGP”), memory connectors, or any other electrical connector for PCBs known in the industry. In various other embodiments, card connector104may represent a bridge between critical components, rather than optional peripheral components. For example, in a cell phone with multiple printed circuit boards connected by ribbon connectors. In an example embodiment, three card connectors104are depicted, however, equipment101is not limited to three card connectors104. In an example embodiment, one card connector104may be a slot for RAM, another card connector104may be a PCI slot, and yet another card connector104may be another PCI slot.

In embodiments of the invention, sensors106A-B may monitor and detect physical conditions at serviceable locations within equipment101. Serviceable locations within equipment101may be, for example, mechanical connector locations, such as input/output connector102and card connector104. Serviceable locations within equipment101may also include non-electrical connections. In various embodiments, sensors106A-B may send back an analog signal representing a physical condition (e.g. pressure, force, voltage) and/or a discrete signal (e.g. proper connection, pressure switch) at serviceable locations within equipment101. Sensors106A-B may also detect plugs/unplugs at serviceable locations within equipment101. Sensors106A-B may be mechanical, electrical, optical, or based on any other sensor design known in the industry for detecting physical conditions and providing feedback. In various embodiments, sensors106A-B may include, for example, a strain gauge mounted on a flat surface to measure deflection of that surface. Further examples may include a capacitive, acoustic, or optical sensor could measure the distance between two points to check for deflection, and an optical sensor could check for alignment. In an example embodiment, one or more of sensors106A-B may transmit feedback to service monitor108upon detection of some predefined physical condition or force at one or more serviceable locations within equipment101. In an example embodiment, sensor106A may monitor physical conditions at one or more input/output connectors102and sensor106B may monitor physical conditions at one or more card connectors104.

In embodiments of the invention, service monitor108may monitor feedback from one or more sensors within equipment101and communicate sensor feedback to service console112. In an example embodiment, service monitor108may be a microprocessor programmed to monitor feedback from sensors106A-B, located at various serviceable locations within equipment101. Service monitor108may also be programmed to transmit, via some connection, feedback from sensors106A-B to service console112. Furthermore, service monitor108, may be programmed to receive data or commands from service console112. In an example embodiment, service monitor108may monitor and receive feedback from sensors106A-B relating to the physical condition of serviceable locations within equipment101. Service monitor108may also transmit, over console connector110, the received sensor feedback to service console112.

In embodiments of the invention, console connector110represents a means for connection and transmission of sensor feedback data from sensors within equipment101, to service console112. In an embodiment, console connector110may be implemented with any architecture designed for passing data and/or control information between processors (such as microprocessors) and peripheral devices. In another embodiment, console connector110may be a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair cable, Ethernet cable or any other type of cable for sending and receiving information across a network. In an example embodiment, console connector110transmits sensor feedback data from service monitor108to service console112.

In yet another embodiment, console connector110may be implemented through a network, such as the Internet, representing a worldwide collection of networks and gateways to support communications between devices connected to the Internet. The network may include, for example, wired, wireless or fiber optic connections. In other embodiments, console connector110may be implemented as an intranet, a local area network (LAN), or a wide area network (WAN). In general, console connector110can be any combination of connections and protocols that will support communications between equipment101and service console112.

In embodiments of the invention, service console112represents a means for displaying information from one or more sensors, within equipment101, to an equipment servicer. Service console112may include service interface113and service program114. Service console112may be implemented as a hardware management console, a desktop computer, a notebook or a laptop computer, a smart phone, a tablet computer, a handheld device, a thin client, or any other electronic device or computing system known in the art, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, and may each include internal and external hardware components, as depicted in further detail below with reference toFIG. 4. Service console112may also be capable of hosting service interface113and service program114and of sending and receiving data to and from equipment101, through console connector110. In an example embodiment, service console112may display data received from service monitor108, via console connector110. The received data may contain information from sensors106A-B located within equipment101. Furthermore, in an example embodiment, service console112may also display suggested action in response to the received data.

In embodiments of the invention, service interface113includes components used to relay information to a user of service console112, as well as receive input from a user and transmit the input to an application residing on service console112. In an example embodiment, service interface113uses a combination of technologies and devices, such as device drivers, to provide a platform to enable users of service console112to interact with service program114. In the example embodiment, service interface113receives input from a physical input device, such as a touch screen or keyboard, via a device driver that corresponds to the physical input device. In an example embodiment, service interface113displays information from service program114to a user through a display.

In embodiments of the invention, service program114may interpret sensor data in accordance with embodiments of the physical condition detection system ofFIG. 1. Service program114may be a software application or configuration in a software application capable of interpreting data received from one or more of sensors106A-B located at serviceable locations within equipment101. In an example embodiment, service program114may interpret sensor data received by service console112, through console connector110. The received data may originate from one or more of sensors106A-B and relate to detected forces or physical conditions at one or more of input/output connectors102and one or more card connectors104, within equipment101. In another embodiment, service program114may be located on equipment101. The operations and functions of service program114are described in further detail below with regard toFIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 2shows a flowchart illustrating the operations of service program114in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention where the physical condition detection system ofFIG. 1is active during a service procedure. Referring to step S210, an equipment servicer may begin a service procedure on components, such as one or more input/output connector102and one or more card connectors104, within equipment101. In one embodiment, before an equipment servicer can begin a service procedure on components within equipment101, the equipment servicer may first need to remove or open a service panel to expose the serviceable locations. An electrical switch may be connected to a latch of the service panel. Upon removal or opening of the service panel, an electrical signal is sent to service program114to indicate that a service procedure is active. In an example embodiment, an equipment servicer may, upon initiation of a service procedure, set the service status of equipment101as active by turning on a service status indicator within service program114.

Referring to step S220, service program114may receive sensor data from equipment101, while equipment101is undergoing a service procedure. The received data may include information from one or more of sensors106A-B, located at serviceable locations, such as input/output connector102and card connector104, within equipment101. Service monitor108, located within equipment101, may monitor and collect the feedback data from sensors106A-B for transmission to service program114, via console connector110.

Referring to step S230, service program114may determine whether an error exists at a serviceable location within equipment101, based on the received sensor data corresponding to the serviceable location. In an example embodiment, an error may exist at a serviceable location if the sensor associated with that location detects an unexpected force or detects a force which exceeds an accepted predetermined tolerance value, defined by service program114. If an error exists at the serviceable location, service program114proceeds to step S250. If an error does not exist at the serviceable location, service program114proceeds to step S230. In another embodiment, an error may exist at one or more serviceable locations within equipment101, if the feedback from multiple sensors satisfies a multi-sensor consensus indicating an unexpected force, or if the combined feedback from multiple sensors exceeds a predetermined threshold or tolerance value. For example, if three of four pressure sensors detected an unexpected force at serviceable locations within equipment101.

Referring to step S240, service program114may determine whether or not the service procedure is finished. The determination of whether the service procedure is finished may be made via a servicer input, or using additional sensors in equipment101. In one embodiment, the status of the service procedure may be determined by an electrical switch connected to a latch of a service panel on equipment101. Once a removed or opened service panel has been replaced or closed, the electrical signal indicating an service procedure may be terminated. In an example embodiment, the status of the service procedure may be determined by a service status indicator within service program114. Upon completion of a service procedure, the equipment servicer may then use service program114to turn the service status indicator off. If the service status indicator is on, service program114may determine that the service procedure is not finished and return to step S210.

Referring to step S250, service program114may report the error to the equipment servicer. Service program114may also log the error made during the service procedure for future use in debugging or investigation into other problems that may arise in equipment101.

Referring to step S260, service program114may amend the service procedure in real time to ask the equipment servicer to confirm that a previous step was completed correctly, inspect the serviceable location for damage, or to take some other corrective action. For example, if service program114reports to the equipment servicer that a force exceeding some threshold value was detected at card connector104, service program114may then ask the equipment servicer to inspect card connector104for damage. Once corrective action has been presented to the equipment servicer, service program114proceeds to step S210.

FIG. 3shows a flowchart illustrating the operations of service console112in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention where the physical condition detection system ofFIG. 1is active during run-time operation. Referring to step S310, service program114may receive sensor data from equipment101, while equipment101is in run-time operation. The received data may include information from one or more of sensors106A-B, located at serviceable locations, such as input/output connector102and card connector104, within equipment101. Service monitor108, located within equipment101, may monitor and collect the feedback data from sensors106A-B for transmission to service program114, via console connector110.

Referring to step S320, service program114determines whether an error or fault exists at a serviceable location within equipment101, based on the received sensor data corresponding to the serviceable location. In an example embodiment, an error or fault may exist at a serviceable location if the sensor associated with that location detects a mechanical connector disconnect, an unexpected force, or a force which exceeds an accepted predetermined tolerance value, defined by service program114. If an error or fault exists at the serviceable location, service program114proceeds to step S330. If an error or fault does not exist at the serviceable location, service program114proceeds to step S310. In another embodiment, an error may exist at one or more serviceable locations within equipment101, if the feedback from multiple sensors satisfies a multi-sensor consensus indicating an unexpected force, or if the combined feedback from multiple sensors exceeds a predetermined threshold or tolerance value. For example, if three of four sensors detected an unexpected force at serviceable locations within equipment101.

Referring to step S330, service program114determines the severity of the error or fault detected in step S320, based on predetermined classifications, stored within service program114, of low severity errors or faults and high severity errors or faults. For example, a high severity error or fault may occur if a PCB adding functionality to equipment101, via card connector104, fails or becomes disconnected. Moreover, a low severity error may occur if an output device, such as display, connected via input/output connector102, fails or becomes disconnected. If service program114determines that the severity of the error or fault is high, service program114proceeds to step S340. If service program114determines that the severity of the error or fault is low, service program114proceeds to step S350.

Referring to step S340, service program114may take emergency action in response to detection of a high severity error or fault. Continuous monitoring of input/output connector102and card connector104, within equipment101, allow action to be taken during run-time operation in response to potential safety issues. In an example embodiment, detection of a high severity error or fault at a serviceable location within equipment101may trigger emergency action in the form of displaying a warning to a user of service program114, flashing a warning light, or playing an audible alarm, while equipment101is in run-time operation. In an example embodiment, emergency action may also include the powering off of the serviceable location (e.g. input/output connector102, card connector104), within equipment101, where the high severity error or fault was detected.

Referring to step S350, service program114may log the error or fault detected in step S330for analysis and for future use in debugging or investigation into other problems that may arise in equipment101. In an embodiment, service program114may store the logged error or fault within a database located on service console112and request a service procedure, performed by an equipment servicer, for the detected error in equipment101.

In another embodiment, where the physical condition detection system ofFIG. 1is active during run-time operation, service program114may, separately or additionally, utilize feedback from sensors106A-B to detect potential tampering with components at serviceable locations within equipment101. Service monitor108may continuously monitor the states of one or more sensors106A-B, within equipment101, and transmit sensor data to service program114, via console connector110. If one or more of sensors106A-B detects a force outside of what is expected during run-time operation, service program114may log the event for investigation and notify the system administrator responsible for operating equipment101of the potential need for maintenance, performed by an equipment servicer, within equipment101.

In yet another embodiment, where the physical condition detection system ofFIG. 1is active during run-time operation, service program114may, separately or additionally, utilize feedback from sensors106A-B to implement a plug odometer feature within equipment101. Some specialized items of equipment may be designed for a limited number of service operations before sensitive connections or components wear out. In an embodiment, equipment101may be designed for a limited number of service operations. Service monitor108may continuously monitor the connection states of one or more sensors106A-B, within equipment101, and transmit sensor data to service program114, via console connector110. Each time one or more of sensors106A-B detects a connection state in the form of a full or incomplete mechanical plug or other action at serviceable locations within equipment101, service program114may increment a counter. Once the counter has reached a predetermined threshold value, service program114may log the event and notify an equipment servicer that a component within equipment101has reached the end of its service life and requires replacing.

Service console112includes communications fabric902, which provides communications between computer processor(s)904, memory906, persistent storage908, network adapter912, and input/output (I/O) interface(s)914. Communications fabric902can be implemented with any architecture designed for passing data and/or control information between processors (such as microprocessors, communications and network processors, etc.), system memory, peripheral devices, and any other hardware components within a system. For example, communications fabric902can be implemented with one or more buses.

The programs service interface113and service program114in service console112are stored in persistent storage908for execution by one or more of the respective computer processors904via one or more memories of memory906. In this embodiment, persistent storage908includes a magnetic hard disk drive. Alternatively, or in addition to a magnetic hard disk drive, persistent storage908can include a solid state hard drive, a semiconductor storage device, read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), flash memory, or any other computer-readable storage media that is capable of storing program instructions or digital information.

Network adapter912, in these examples, provides for communications with other data processing systems or devices. In these examples, network adapter912includes one or more network interface cards. Network adapter912may provide communications through the use of either or both physical and wireless communications links. The programs service interface113and service program114in service console112is may be downloaded to persistent storage908through network adapter912.

I/O interface(s)914allows for input and output of data with other devices that may be connected to service console112. For example, I/O interface914may provide a connection to external devices920such as a keyboard, keypad, a touch screen, and/or some other suitable input device. External devices920can also include portable computer-readable storage media such as, for example, thumb drives, portable optical or magnetic disks, and memory cards. Software and data used to practice embodiments of the present invention, e.g., the programs service interface113and service program114in service console112, can be stored on such portable computer-readable storage media and can be loaded onto persistent storage908via I/O interface(s)914. I/O interface(s)914can also connect to a display922.

While steps of the disclosed method and components of the disclosed systems and environments have been sequentially or serially identified using numbers and letters, such numbering or lettering is not an indication that such steps must be performed in the order recited, and is merely provided to facilitate clear referencing of the method's steps. Furthermore, steps of the method may be performed in parallel to perform their described functionality.

Characteristics are as follows:

Service Models are as follows:

Deployment Models are as follows:

The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. The terminology used herein was chosen to explain the principles of the one or more embodiments, the practical application or technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments. Various modifications, additions, substitutions, and the like will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, as defined in the following claims.