Dynamic GUI for Automotive Repair Information Retrieval
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automotive repair technicians face challenges in efficiently locating relevant information within electronic specification manuals, which are often fragmented across multiple locations, leading to increased time and effort in diagnosing and repairing vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A computer-executable program generates a graphical user interface with a procedure pane and a reference pane, allowing technicians to view procedure information and related reference information concurrently, with the reference pane updating dynamically based on the selected procedure, and a method to update a database with effectiveness ratings of repair procedures from service centers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If technicians use electronic specification manuals in PDF format, then information can be stored and viewed on display devices, but searching and locating relevant information becomes limited and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The specification manual is segmented into multiple organized sections including table of contents, chapters directed to various automobile portions, and index. The graphical user interface further segments information into procedure panes and reference panes, allowing technicians to access specific segments without searching through entire documents.
Solution Approach 2:
A computer-executable program acts as an intermediary between the technician and the specification information. This program provides enhanced searching capabilities, automatic table of contents generation, and intelligent information retrieval, mediating the interaction to reduce time loss while maintaining information accessibility.
2Reliability
If reference information is distributed across multiple locations and manuals, then comprehensive information is available, but locating all relevant information becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges information from multiple specification manuals and locations into a unified graphical user interface. Related procedure information and reference information are combined and displayed together in coordinated panes, allowing technicians to access comprehensive diagnostic information without navigating through multiple separate manuals.
Solution Approach 2:
The graphical user interface serves multiple functions: displaying table of contents, showing chapter information, providing index access, presenting procedure steps, and displaying reference information all in one universal interface. This multi-functional system consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate tools or manuals.
3Measurement precision
If technicians manually locate reference information in different sections or books, then accurate diagnostic data can be obtained, but additional effort and time are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically organizing specification information into a structured graphical user interface with pre-generated tables of contents, chapter summaries, and cross-referenced index entries. When a technician selects a procedure, related reference information is automatically retrieved and displayed, eliminating the need for manual location and verification.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback by dynamically updating the display based on technician interactions. When a procedure is selected, the interface automatically updates to show relevant reference information, and when reference information is viewed, the system maintains context to facilitate easy return to procedure steps, creating a responsive feedback loop that enhances ease of operation while maintaining accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A graphical user interface is configured to display information related to diagnosis and/or repair of various objects, such as automobiles. The GUI displays relevant reference information, of any type, next to procedure steps of a selected diagnostic or repair procedure. Advantageously, reference information from multiple sources may be automatically selected for display in the GUI according to a current task that is selected by the user. Accordingly, a technician viewing the GUI does not need to access any other reference information, valuable man hours are spared, and efficiency increases. In one embodiment, the layout and immediate availability of relevant reference information may also increase the learning capabilities of the viewing technician. Thus, the layout of information in the GUI as described herein may facilitate increased employee productivity and increased employee learning.