Patent ID: 7194381

Claim:
A method for the evaluating and modifying the operating conditions of a machine or an installation, comprising the steps of: measuring at least one parameter a number of times to create a database, which comprises values (x 1 ,y 1 ) to (x n ,y n ) of the parameter; determining an extrapolation range, x s ; performing an extrapolation in the range x s ; determining a measure of quality, K, of the extrapolation calculated on the basis of the database wherein K is a function of at least two variables taken from the group consisting of V, ΔI, S, C, with V being a ratio of the value range of the database to the extrapolation range, x s which is determined by x s >x 1 , x n with ΔI being the x uncertainty of the adjustment curve in the x direction, with S being continuity as a measure of the change in the y values in the database and with C being the time constancy of the extrapolation; and controlling the parameter value so that the value will be retained within a limit, wherein the evaluation of the operating conditions is used to optimize the operation of the machine or the installation.