Apparatus, methods and systems for knowledge based maintenance

Abstract

A processor based method comprising: identifying a device using a portable electronic apparatus; offering a plurality of options, for selection by a user of the portable electronic apparatus, about how to proceed for the purpose of attending the device; providing step-by-step guiding instructions as to how to attend the device, the guiding instructions being specific to the identified device and the option selected; if, after user follows the guiding instructions, the purpose of attending the device is achieved, ending the process; and, if, after user follows the guiding instructions, the purpose of attending the device is not achieved, providing communication options to the user, using the portable electronic apparatus.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A processor based emergency repair method comprising:
 measuring a parameter value of a monitored device via a sensor mounted in the monitored device;   communicating the parameter value by the sensor to a device processor installed in the monitored device;   communicating by the device processor to a knowledge processor also installed in the monitored device, when the parameter value falls outside a normal value range, the knowledge processor having an internal memory which stores backup guiding instructions for the monitored device and being adapted to send the backup guiding instructions locally to a portable electronic apparatus in an emergency when connection to a server is temporarily unavailable;   generating by the knowledge processor and sending to the server via a first transceiver installed in the monitored device a device failure alarm when the parameter falls outside the normal value range;   receiving the device failure alarm from the server on the portable electronic apparatus comprising a processor, a memory, a second transceiver, an input including a camera, an output including a display, the device failure alarm indicating an emergency of a need to attend the monitored device, which is about to fail or has failed, due to the parameter falling outside a normal value range and being received via the second transceiver;   receiving on the portable electronic apparatus a GPS location of the monitored device;   transporting the portable electronic apparatus at the GPS location of the monitored device;   while at the GPS location of the failed device, identifying the monitored device using the portable electronic apparatus;   providing on the portable electronic apparatus a plurality of options, for selection by a user of the portable electronic apparatus, about how to proceed for the purpose of attending the monitored device to avoid failure of the monitored device or to restore the monitored device if it already failed;   while at the GPS location of the failed device, providing step-by-step guiding instructions as to how to attend the monitored device, said guiding instructions being specific to the identified monitored device and the option selected;   if, after user follows the guiding instructions, the purpose of attending the monitored device is achieved, ending the attending; and,   if, after user follows the guiding instructions, the purpose of attending the monitored device is not achieved, providing communication options to the user, using the portable electronic apparatus.