Capabilities for error categorization, reporting and introspection of a technical apparatus

A system comprising:

• a technical apparatus, and
• a memory device configured to store an apparatus state data structure for controlling the technical apparatus,
• wherein the apparatus state data structure comprises at least one capability data field, wherein each capability data field indicates a respective functionality of the technical apparatus,
• wherein the apparatus state data structure comprises at least one associated data field, wherein each associated data field is associated with a respective capability data field,
• wherein the at least one associated data field comprises at least one required component state data field and at least one required diagnostic data field,
• wherein each required component state data field indicates a configuration of a respective component required for the functionality of the capability data field associated with the respective required component state data field,
• wherein each required diagnostic data field indicates a respective operational state of a component of the technical apparatus required for the functionality of the capability data field associated with the respective required diagnostic data field, and
• wherein the at least one capability data field, the at least one associated data field, and the at least one required diagnostic data field are encoded together in a structured representation to thereby define the apparatus state data structure.

A computer readable storage medium having stored thereon an apparatus state data structure,

• wherein the apparatus state data structure comprises at least one capability data field, wherein each capability data field indicates a respective functionality of a technical apparatus,
• wherein the apparatus state data structure comprises at least one associated data field, wherein each associated data field is associated with a respective capability data field,
• wherein the at least one associated data field comprises at least one required component state data field and at least one required diagnostic data field,
• wherein each required component state data field indicates a configuration of a respective component required for the functionality of the capability data field associated with the respective required component state data field,
• wherein each required diagnostic data field indicates a respective operational state of a component of the technical apparatus required for the functionality of the capability data field associated with the respective required diagnostic data field, and
• wherein the at least one capability data field, the at least one associated data field, and the at least one required diagnostic data field are encoded together in a structured representation to thereby define the apparatus state data structure.

A method of operating a technical apparatus, wherein the method comprises using an apparatus state data structure for controlling the technical apparatus,

• wherein the apparatus state data structure comprises at least one capability data field, wherein each capability data field indicates a respective functionality of the technical apparatus,
• wherein the apparatus state data structure comprises at least one associated data field, wherein each associated data field is associated with a respective capability data field,
• wherein the at least one associated data field comprises at least one required component state data field and at least one required diagnostic data field,
• wherein each required component state data field indicates a configuration of a respective component required for the functionality of the capability data field associated with the respective required component state data field,
• wherein each required diagnostic data field indicates a respective operational state of a component of the technical apparatus required for the functionality of the capability data field associated with the respective required diagnostic data field,
• wherein the method further comprises determining a cause for a missing functionality of the technical apparatus using the apparatus state data structure,
• wherein determining the cause for the missing functionality of the technical apparatus using the apparatus state data structure comprises using a reasoning system,
• wherein the reasoning system is configured to determine the cause for the missing functionality based on each data field of the apparatus state data structure,
• wherein the reasoning system comprises logical rules configured to determine the cause for the missing functionality, and
• wherein the logical rules comprise logical operations on the data fields of the apparatus state data structure.

A system comprising:

• a technical apparatus, and
• a memory device configured to store an apparatus state data structure for controlling the technical apparatus,
• wherein the apparatus state data structure comprises at least one capability data field, wherein each capability data field indicates a respective functionality of the technical apparatus,
• wherein the apparatus state data structure comprises at least one associated data field, wherein each associated data field is associated with a respective capability data field,
• wherein the at least one associated data field comprises at least one required component state data field and at least one required diagnostic data field,
• wherein each required component state data field indicates a configuration of a respective component required for the functionality of the capability data field associated with the respective required component state data field,
• wherein each required diagnostic data field indicates a respective operational state of a component of the technical apparatus required for the functionality of the capability data field associated with the respective required diagnostic data field,
• wherein the memory device is configured to further store a reasoning system, wherein the reasoning system is configured to determine a cause for a missing functionality of the technical apparatus using the apparatus state data structure,
• wherein the reasoning system is configured to determine the cause for the missing functionality based on each data field of the apparatus state data structure,
• wherein the reasoning system comprises logical rules configured to determine the cause for the missing functionality, and
• wherein the logical rules comprise logical operations on the data fields of the apparatus state data structure.

A computer readable storage medium having stored thereon an apparatus state data structure,

• wherein the apparatus state data structure comprises at least one capability data field, wherein each capability data field indicates a respective functionality of a technical apparatus,
• wherein the apparatus state data structure comprises at least one associated data field, wherein each associated data field is associated with a respective capability data field,
• wherein the at least one associated data field comprises at least one required component state data field and at least one required diagnostic data field,
• wherein each required component state data field indicates a configuration of a respective component required for the functionality of the capability data field associated with the respective required component state data field,
• wherein each required diagnostic data field indicates a respective operational state of a component of the technical apparatus required for the functionality of the capability data field associated with the respective required diagnostic data field,
• wherein the computer readable storage medium has further stored thereon a reasoning system, wherein the reasoning system is configured to determine a cause for a missing functionality of the technical apparatus using the apparatus state data structure,
• wherein the reasoning system is configured to determine the cause for the missing functionality based on each data field of the apparatus state data structure,
• wherein the reasoning system comprises logical rules configured to determine the cause for the missing functionality, and
• wherein the logical rules comprise logical operations on the data fields of the apparatus state data structure.