Dynamic decision sequencing method and apparatus for optimizing a diagnostic test plan

摘要

A dynamic diagnostic plan generator arranges diagnostic test procedures related to a vehicle/power tool/patient symptom or operational problem in a sequence based on a probabilistic Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA). The diagnostic plan generator also tracks a vehicle/power tool/patient state, and provides instructions for test preparation steps and instructions for performing the diagnostic test procedures. The plan generator further generates schematic illustrations of the diagnostic test procedures, and creates a diagnostic data structure containing information related to the diagnostic test procedures. In addition, the diagnostic plan generator sends and receives information regarding actual failure mode occurrences, for example, to and from a central database. Furthermore, the diagnostic plan generator facilitates the creation of failure mode tests by an expert diagnostics author.

主权项

1. A computer-implemented method of dynamically producing a diagnostic test procedure sequence to diagnose a disease or disorder of a patient, comprising:
receiving disease or disorder historical data over a communication network from a central database; updating disease or disorder analysis based on the historical data; selecting a first plurality of diagnostic test procedures related to a symptom exhibited by the patient; arranging an order of the first plurality of diagnostic test procedures based on a probabilistic disease or disorder analysis and time required to perform each of the first plurality of diagnostic test procedures; formatting a step of a first diagnostic test procedure from among the first plurality of diagnostic test procedures for display on a display device; displaying the formatted step on the display device; arranging an order of a second plurality of diagnostic test procedures, which includes one diagnostic test procedure of the first plurality of diagnostic test procedures, during execution of the first plurality of diagnostic test procedures, and based on intermediate diagnostic test information obtained from execution of the first diagnostic test procedure, wherein arranging the order of the second plurality of diagnostic test procedures is based at least in part on the updated disease or disorder analysis; and displaying a step of a second diagnostic test procedure from among the second plurality of diagnostic test procedures on the display device, wherein each of the above steps is performed by a computer.