Methods and Systems for Machine-Related Information Delivery

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention comprise methods and systems for training, maintenance, trouble-shooting and repair of machinery and equipment.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for providing computer-based, machine-related information through a computing device, said method comprising:
 a) receiving a machine event selection for a machine wherein said selection identifies a machine event; and   b) displaying an event-specific visual representation of said machine, wherein said event-specific visual representation comprises at least one component representation for at least one component of said machine, wherein said at least one component is represented in a condition defined by said machine event and wherein said at least one component representation comprises a selectable component link to information related to said at least one component.   
     
     
         2 . A method as described in  claim 1  wherein said event-specific visual representation comprises a schematic diagram of said machine and said at least one component representation comprises a schematic symbol of said at least one component. 
     
     
         3 . A method as described in  claim 1  wherein said event-specific visual representation comprises a digital image of said machine and said at least one component representation comprises a portion of said image. 
     
     
         4 . A method as described in  claim 1  wherein selection of said selectable component link provides access to at least one of a component digital image, a component training animation, a component video, component repair data, a component part list, component identification data, a component programmable logic controller (PLC) address, component-related PLC code, a component diagnostic process and a component ordering process. 
     
     
         5 . A method as described in  claim 1  wherein said receiving comprises receiving user input identifying said machine event through a menu selection. 
     
     
         6 . A method as described in  claim 1  further comprising displaying a link to at least one alternative, system-specific, event-specific visual representation of a system of said machine for said machine event, wherein said alternative visual representation comprises at least one system component representation for at least one system component of said system of said machine, wherein said at least one system component is represented in a condition defined by said machine event and wherein said at least one system component representation comprises a selectable system component link to information related to said at least one system component. 
     
     
         7 . A method as described in  claim 1  further comprising receiving a user identification and wherein the complexity of said event-specific visual representation varies according to a user's knowledge as defined in said user identification. 
     
     
         8 . A method as described in  claim 1  wherein said machine event selection is performed by an automated process. 
     
     
         9 . A method for providing computer-based, machine-related information through a computing device, said method comprising:
 a) receiving a machine event selection for a machine wherein said selection identifies a machine event;   b) receiving a graphical preference selection identifying a preferred visual representation;   c) displaying said preferred visual representation,
 i) wherein said preferred visual representation represents said machine in a condition defined by said machine event selected in said machine event selection; 
 ii) wherein said preferred visual representation is in a graphical format defined by said graphical preference selection; 
 iii) wherein said preferred visual representation comprises at least one component representation for at least one component of said machine, 
 iv) wherein said at least one component is represented in a condition defined by said event; 
 v) wherein said at least one component representation comprises a selectable component link to information related to said component; and 
   d) displaying a visual representation selection process that provides access to at least one alternative visual representation of said machine when said visual representation selection process is selected,
 i) wherein said alternative visual representation represents said machine in a condition defined by said machine event selected in said machine event selection. 
   
     
     
         10 . A method as described in  claim 9  wherein selection of said selectable component link provides access to at least one of a component digital image, a component training animation, a component video, component repair data, a component part number, component safety information, a component part list, component identification data, a component programmable logic controller (PLC) address, component-related PLC code, a component diagnostic process and a component ordering process. 
     
     
         11 . A method as described in  claim 9  wherein said preferred visual representation is selected from a visual representation set consisting of a hydraulic schematic, an electrical schematic, a programmable logic controller (PLC) schematic, a machine image, a machine diagram and a machine component list. 
     
     
         12 . A method as described in  claim 9  further comprising displaying a visual representation selection menu that allows a user to select an alternative visual representation. 
     
     
         13 . A method as described in  claim 9  wherein said machine event selection is received from user input. 
     
     
         14 . A method as described in  claim 9  wherein said machine event selection process is received from an automated diagnostic process. 
     
     
         15 . A method as described in  claim 9  wherein said graphical preference selection is received from user input. 
     
     
         16 . A method as described in  claim 9  wherein said graphical preference selection is received from an automated diagnostic process. 
     
     
         17 . A method as described in  claim 9  further comprising receiving input to and maintaining a maintenance log for said machine. 
     
     
         18 . A method for providing computer-based, machine-related information through a computing device, said method comprising:
 a) receiving a machine event selection for a fluid-power machine wherein said selection identifies a machine event;   b) receiving a graphical preference selection identifying a preferred visual representation, wherein said preferred visual representation is selected from a visual representation set consisting of a hydraulic schematic, an electrical schematic, a programmable logic controller (PLC) schematic, a machine image, a machine diagram and a machine component list;   c) displaying said preferred visual representation,
 i) wherein said preferred visual representation is identified by said graphical preference selection, 
 ii) wherein said preferred visual representation represents said machine in a condition defined by said machine event selected in said machine event selection; 
 iii) wherein said preferred visual representation comprises at least one component representation for at least one component of said machine, 
 iv) wherein said at least one component is represented in a condition defined by said event; 
 wherein said at least one component representation comprises a selectable component link to information related to said at least one component; and 
   d) displaying a visual representation selection process that provides access to at least one alternative visual representation of said machine when said visual representation selection process is selected,
 i) wherein said alternative visual representation represents said machine in a condition defined by said machine event selected in said machine event selection, and 
 ii) wherein said alternative visual representation is selected from said visual representation set. 
   
     
     
         19 . A method as described in  claim 18  wherein said hydraulic schematic comprises color-coding of hydraulic circuits. 
     
     
         20 . A method as described in  claim 18  further comprising receiving input to and maintaining a maintenance log for said fluid-power machine.