Patent ID: 7260501

Claim:
A diagnostic method for implementing at least one performance limit on a system, comprising: (a) generating a hybrid quantitative and graphical dependency model that captures at least one fault-to-error characteristic for the system, (b) establishing at least one fault condition associated with the system; (c) running at least one test design on the hybrid quantitative and graphical dependency model for the system; (d) evaluating performance of the at least one test design with respect to the at least one fault condition using the hybrid quantitative and graphical dependency model to refine the hybrid quantitative and graphical dependency model for the system; (e) implementing the refined hybrid quantitative and graphical dependency model in connection with at least one of diagnosis of a fault in system performance and monitoring of system performance; and (f) outputting at least one error code based on implementation of the refined hybrid quantitative and graphical dependency model.