Interactive symptomatic recording system and method utilizing symptomatic memory

A method enabling a lay person at an equipment site to record and communicate operating conditions of equipment during an abnormal mode of operation to skilled service personnel at a service site to thereby enable said service personnel to thereafter perform service on said equipment based upon said operating symptoms to diagnosis and correct the abnormal mode of operation, comprising the steps of:

• providing a sensor array on said equipment;
• said sensor array providing a plurality of outputs that are indicative of a plurality of operating conditions of said equipment that occur as said lay person operates said equipment;
• providing memory means on said equipment;
• providing first control means on said equipment responsive to an action by said lay person as said lay person operates said equipment;
• actuation of said first control means by said lay person causing said plurality of outputs of said sensor array to be stored in said memory means recording operating conditions associated with said equipment at a time when said lay person actuates said first control means in response to said lay person experiencing an abnormal mode of operation of said equipment;
• providing a query generator at a service site for generating a symptom-related query to said equipment site;
• providing a presentation device at said equipment site for receiving said symptom-related query and for presenting said symptom-related query to said lay person;
• providing second control means responsive to actuation by said lay person in response to said symptom-related query;
• and
• providing a content of said memory means to said service site for analysis by said service personnel in response to actuation of said second control means.

An Internet-based system for providing interactive communication between a plurality of service sites and a plurality of equipment sites at which a plurality of equipment needing service due to abnormal operating mode is operated by an equipment operator comprising:

• a sensor array, memory and a manual actuator at each of said plurality of equipment;
• actuation of said actuator by an equipment operator when an abnormal mode of operation of a given equipment at a corresponding equipment site is experienced by said equipment operator causing equipment operating conditions sensed by said sensor array be to stored in said memory of said given equipment;
• first means at said corresponding equipment site for causing a request for service to be sent via the Internet from said corresponding equipment site to a selected service site;
• query means at said selected service site responsive to said request for service for sending a symptom query via the Internet from said selected service site to said corresponding equipment site;
• second means of said corresponding equipment site responsive to said symptom query for sending a content of said memory of said given equipment via the Internet from said corresponding equipment site to said selected service site;
• and
• a compiler at said given service site responsive to said content of said memory of said given equipment for providing a service plan based upon said content of said memory of said given equipment.

A method allowing a lay person to submit operating conditions and symptoms relating to a malfunction of equipment, and allowing a service provider to generate a chart of operating conditions and symptoms for use in servicing said equipment;

• comprising the steps of:
• providing a sensor array having a plurality of outputs corresponding to a plurality of operating conditions of said equipment;
• providing memory on said equipment;
• providing an actuator on said equipment;
• instantaneous operation of said actuator causing instantaneous values of said plurality of outputs corresponding to said plurality of operating conditions of said sensor array to be stored in said memory;
• initiating a request for service to said service provider by said lay person, said request indicative of the symptoms relating to said malfunction of said equipment;
• in response to said request, querying said lay person for operating conditions of said equipment by said service provider;
• in response to said query, providing a content of said memory to said service provider by said lay person;
• in response to receiving said content of said memory, compiling said content of said memory at said service provider;
• and
• outputting a chart of operating conditions and symptoms of said equipment based upon said compilation, said chart for use by said service provider, and said chart having sufficient information so said lay person does not need to have direct communication with said service provider when leaving said equipment with said service provider.