Complex Equipment Log Analysis for Faster Troubleshooting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Complex systems, such as immunoassay and clinical chemistry analyzers, face challenges in troubleshooting due to their complexity, leading to slow and labor-intensive manual troubleshooting processes that depend heavily on domain expert experience.
Innovation Solution
Automated analysis of log data using template extraction, clustering, and anomaly detection to identify and diagnose issues, facilitated by a Log Processing Computer that processes log files from multiple components and generates graphical user interfaces for rapid issue identification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual troubleshooting by domain experts is used, then problem resolution can be achieved, but the process is slow and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service troubleshooting by automatically analyzing log data, clustering similar issues, and providing diagnostic recommendations without requiring continuous human expert intervention. The automated log analysis system processes logs independently to identify patterns and potential problems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical manual review process with an automated computational system that uses algorithms for log parsing, clustering, and anomaly detection. This substitution eliminates the need for experts to manually read and interpret each log entry.
2Productivity
If automated log analysis is implemented, then troubleshooting efficiency improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the complex log analysis task into distinct functional modules: log collection, log parsing/template extraction, clustering of similar logs, anomaly detection, and diagnostic recommendation generation. Each module handles a specific aspect of the analysis process independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer between the complex system components and the user. This intermediary is the automated log analysis system that translates raw log data into meaningful insights and recommendations, shielding users from the underlying system complexity.
3Reliability
If manual log review is performed, then domain expertise can be applied, but labor requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service analysis by automatically executing log parsing, clustering, and anomaly detection algorithms without requiring human operators. The automated system maintains diagnostic accuracy through sophisticated algorithms while eliminating manual labor requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a computational copy of the domain expert's analysis capability. The automated system replicates the expert's diagnostic reasoning through trained algorithms and models, enabling consistent and reliable analysis without human intervention.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A computer-implemented method for analyzing log files generated by complex physical equipment includes receiving one or more log file generated by one or more components of physical equipment. Each of the log files comprises one or more log entries. A plurality of templates are extracted from each log file describing fixed portions of the log entries. The log entries are grouped in log files into a plurality of instances. Each instance corresponds to one of a plurality of partitions along one or more dimensions describing data in the log entries. A representation of each instance is created that describes a set of the templates included in the instance. A plurality of clusters are generated by applying a clustering process to the representations of the instances. A visual depiction of the clusters and the instances may then be created in a graphical user interface (GUI).