Electronic support work station and method of operation

In a computer-controlled electronic support system including an electronic work station including a display screen and pointing device coupled to computer where an operator performs an operation on a workpiece, a method comprising the steps of:

• beginning the workpiece operation at the electronic work station by entering and processing a work order identifier;
• in response to the work order identifier processing, generating a corresponding workpiece identifier;
• retrieving from memory image and other information linked to the workpiece identifier;
• displaying on one area of the display screen, a menu with plural entries, each entry having menu options that are associated with the workpiece identifier;
• selecting a first menu entry and listing a number of menu options, each option corresponding to one of plural different images of the workpiece, and displaying a first one of the plural different images of the workpiece corresponding to a selected one of the options on a second area of the display screen;
• displaying on the displayed first workpiece image a plurality of graphics associated with the first workpiece image;
• using the pointing device to select one of the graphics;
• and
• in response to selection of one of the graphics, displaying information on the display screen relating to the workpiece corresponding to the selected graphic that will assist the operator in performing the operation on the workpiece.

An electronic work station used by an operator in performing an operation on a workpiece, comprising:

• a display having a display screen displaying text and graphic information;
• a pointing device permitting the operator to move a cursor on the display screen;
• a memory storing different images of the workpiece associated with the workpiece, graphics associated with each workpiece image, and text messages associated with the workpiece;
• data processing circuitry performing the following tasks:
• in response to an operator indication, retrieving from the memory and displaying a first one of the different images of the workpiece to assist the operator in performing the operation on the workpiece;
• displaying on the displayed first workpiece image plural graphics associated with the first workpiece image;
• using the pointing device to select one of the graphics;
• and
• in response to selection of one of the graphics by the pointing device, displaying information relating to the workpiece corresponding to the selected graphic that will assist the operator in performing the operation on the workpiece.

A workpiece support system for assisting an operator in performing operations different workpieces, comprising:

• a communications network;
• a main computer connected to the network including a workpiece transaction server, a database server, and main memory for storing database and image information relating to the workpieces;
• a storage area storing spare parts for use in performing support operations on the workpieces;
• and
• plural electronic work stations connected to the network, each work station including:
• a display having a display screen displaying textual and graphic information;
• a pointing device permitting the operator to move a cursor on the display screen;
• a work station computer for performing the following tasks to assist the operator in performing one or more operations on one of the workpieces;
• establishing communication over the network with the main computer transaction server to commence the one or more operations on the one workpiece, the transaction server providing a workpiece identifier;
• retrieving from the main memory through the database server database and image information associated with the workpiece identifier;
• displaying a first one of plural different images of the workpiece to assist the operator in performing the operation on the workpiece;
• displaying on the displayed first workpiece image a plurality of graphics associated with the first workpiece image;
• in response to selection of one of the graphics by the pointing device, displaying information on the display screen relating to the workpiece corresponding to the selected graphic that will assist the operator in performing the operation on the workpiece.