Failure Recovery Priority Assignment for Device Maintenance Dispatch
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In customer-engineer dispatch systems, there is a lack of effective prioritization of device failure recovery, leading to inefficient allocation of limited maintenance personnel across devices with varying failure recovery complexities.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus with a priority setting unit that categorizes devices into two groups: one where recovery is not possible due to unknown failure situations or unscheduled periodic notifications, and another where recovery is possible but may require time, setting the lowest recovery priority for the first group and a higher priority for the second group based on specific conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If all devices with failures are handled equally by limited maintenance personnel, then no prioritization is applied, but the recovery time for critical devices increases and resource allocation becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments devices with failures into two distinct groups: Group 1 (devices where recovery determination is not possible) and Group 2 (devices where recovery determination is possible). This segmentation enables differentiated priority assignment, allowing maintenance personnel to focus on Group 2 devices that can be recovered through scheduled notifications, while deferring Group 1 devices. The segmentation resolves the contradiction by enabling efficient resource allocation based on recoverability, thereby improving overall recovery efficiency without increasing critical device recovery time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different failure recovery priorities to different device groups based on their specific characteristics. Group 1 devices receive the lowest priority (or no priority) since recovery determination is not possible, while Group 2 devices receive higher priority since they can be recovered through scheduled notifications. This localized quality assignment optimizes maintenance resource allocation, improving productivity while reducing loss of time for recoverable devices.
2Reliability
If maintenance personnel are dispatched to all failed devices immediately, then all devices receive attention, but the limited number of personnel cannot handle all devices effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by determining whether recovery is possible before dispatching maintenance personnel. The system first assesses each failed device to classify it into Group 1 or Group 2, then schedules notifications for Group 2 devices before personnel dispatch. This preliminary classification ensures that maintenance personnel are only dispatched to devices where recovery can be achieved, thereby ensuring recovery assurance while maintaining high personnel efficiency by avoiding unnecessary dispatches to Group 1 devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables self-service for Group 2 devices by implementing a scheduled notification mechanism that can recover devices without requiring immediate maintenance personnel intervention. The system automatically notifies Group 2 devices of their failure status and schedules recovery actions, allowing these devices to be recovered through automated processes. This self-service capability ensures reliable recovery for Group 2 devices while preserving maintenance personnel efficiency by reducing the need for human intervention.
3Ease of operation
If failure recovery priority is not differentiated among devices, then allocation is simple, but the allocation of limited maintenance resources becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing failed devices into two clear groups based on recoverability determination, which provides a simple yet effective basis for priority assignment. Group 1 devices (recovery not possible) and Group 2 devices (recovery possible) are clearly distinguished, making the priority assignment process straightforward. This segmented approach maintains ease of operation while dramatically improving resource allocation efficiency, as maintenance personnel can focus on Group 2 devices that will actually be recovered.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of failure recovery priority based on the device group classification. Group 1 devices are assigned the lowest priority (or excluded from priority scheduling), while Group 2 devices are assigned higher priority. This parameter change based on recoverability status simplifies the priority assignment process while optimizing resource allocation efficiency, resolving the contradiction between operational simplicity and resource efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus includes a priority setting unit configured to set the lowest failure recovery priority for devices belonging to a first group for which it is not possible to determine how to recover from failures, among devices in which the failures have occurred, and set a failure recovery priority higher than the lowest failure recovery priority, for devices belonging to a second group for which it is possible to determine how to recover from the failures, among the devices in which the failures have occurred.