Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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=
PARTS MARKING SYSTEM AND METHOD
BACKGROUND
[0001] Oftentimes, large entities, e.g., a government or a large
corporation, manage
and maintain numerous assets such as fleets of vehicles or other heavy
equipment,
e.g., delivery trucks or tanks. In so managing and maintaining, these large
entities
sometimes fmd it difficult to gather and retain complete and reliable
information for
life cycle management of property and equipment. Thus, such entities are
oftentimes
unable to determine that all assets are reported, verify the existence of
inventory,
substantiate the amount of reported inventory and property, or optimally use
historical
information for physical asset management.
[0002] In light of the foregoing, it is difficult for the large entities
to achieve goals of
financial reporting and accountability, e.g., legislative goals set for
government
entities related to financial reporting, accountability, and life cycle
management. In
this regard, the entities are oftentimes unable to know the quantity,
location,
condition, and value of assets it owns, safeguard its assets from physical
deterioration,
theft, loss, or mismanagement, prevent unnecessary storage and maintenance
costs or
purchase of assets already on hand, and determine the full costs of programs
that use
these assets, e.g., government programs.
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[0003] Thus, it is possible that those who manage government assets are
not receiving
accurate information for making informed decisions about future funding,
oversight
of federal programs involving inventory, and operational readiness
[0004] As an example, each vehicle in a large fleet is made up of a
plurality of parts,
each of which is owned and inventoried by the entity However, information
related
to parts used in maintenance or parts that are already installed on vehicles
can be
difficult to track
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] The invention can be better understood with reference to the
following
drawings The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale relative to
each
other, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles
of the
disclosure Furthermore, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts
throughout the several views
[0006] FIG 1 is a block diagram illustrating a part marking system (PMS)
in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure
[0007] FIG 2 depicts exemplary implementation data, algonthms, and
marking
options for use in the PMS of FIG 1
[0008] FIG 3 depicts exemplary marking options for use in the PMS of FIG
1
[0009] FIG 4 is a block diagram illustrating a more detailed depiction
of the parts
marking system of FIG 1
[0010] FIG 5 is a depiction of an exemplary menu graphical facilitator
101 interface
(GUI) of the parts marking system of FIG 2
[0011] FIG 6 is a depiction of an exemplary Add/Search GUI of the parts
marking
system of FIG 2
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[0012] FIG 7 is a depiction of an exemplary "When to Mark Part" GUI of
the parts
marking system of FIG 2
[0013] FIG 8 is a depiction of an exemplary "Main" GUI of the parts
marking system
of FIG 2
[0014] FIG 9 is a depiction of an exemplary "Part Number Status Lists"
GUI of the
parts marking system of FIG 2
[0015] FIG 10 is a depiction of an exemplary "Approval Status Update"
GUI of the
parts marking system of FIG 2
[0016] FIG 11 is a depiction of an exemplary report generated by the
parts marking
system of FIG 2
[0017] FIG 12 is a depiction of an exemplary "Import Data" GUI of the
parts
marking system of FIG 2
[0018] FIG 13 is a depiction of an exemplary "General" GUI of the parts
marking
system of FIG 2
[0019] FIG 14 is a depiction of an exemplary "Label Analysis" GUI of the
parts
marking system of FIG 2
[0020] FIG 15 is a depiction of an exemplary "Information Worksheet" GUI
of the
parts marking system of FIG 2
[0021] FIG 16 is a depiction of an exemplary "Label Consequences" GUI of
the parts
marking system of FIG 2
[0022] FIG 17 is a depiction of an exemplary direct parts marking (DPM)
GUI of the
parts marking system of FIG 2
[0023] FIG 18 is a depiction of an exemplary DPM algonthm GUI of the
parts
marking system of FIG 2
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[0024] FIG 19 is a depiction of an exemplary "Enter decision" GUI of the
parts
marking system of FIG 2.
[0025] FIG 20 is a depiction of an exemplary advantages versus
limitations GUI
corresponding to laser bonding of the parts marking system of FIG 2.
[0026] FIG 21 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary parts marking
process
performed using the parts marking system of FIG 2.
[0027] FIG 22 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary architecture and
functionality of
parts marking logic of the parts marking system of FIG 2.
SUMMARY
[0028] A parts marking system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment
of the
present disclosure has memory for storing data indicative of at least one
algorithm
associated with at least one object material and logic configured to display
the at least
one algorithm to a display device and receive a user input for at least one
part in
response to the displayed algorithm.
[0029] A parts marking method in accordance with an exemplary embodiment
of the
present disclosure comprises the steps of storing data indicative of at least
one
algorithm associated with at least one object material and displaying the at
least one
algorithm to a display device. The method further comprises receiving a user
input
for at least one part in response to the displayed algorithm.
[0029a] In accordance with another aspect, there is provided a parts
marking system,
comprising:
memory for storing algorithm data indicative of at least one algorithm that
when
applied to user input data produces an output identifying which of a plurality
of possible
direct parts marking (DPM) techniques are available for a particular part that
is associated
with at least one object material, the algorithm data comprising technical
limitation data
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defining the one or more DPM techniques for the particular part, each DPM
technique stored
correlated to applicable technical limitation data related to hardness,
environmental pressure,
thickness, surface roughness, contrast difference, weight, or temperature; and
logic configured to receive the user input data comprising a plurality of
inputs
identifying a part for analysis and identifying physical characteristics of
the part other than a
part identifier, the logic further configured to select one of the plurality
of possible DPM
techniques by applying the algorithm to the user input data, the logic further
configured to
display identifying data indicative of the selected DPM technique.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] Embodiments of the present disclosure generally pertain to parts
marking
systems and methods. Specifically, a parts marking system (PMS) of the present
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disclosure facilitates making optimal choices regarding the application of an
identifier
on a part, hereinafter referred to as an "object identifier" (0I), and the
object
identifier's location on the part Furthermore, the system facilitates in
identifying a
technically appropriate parts marking application Exemplary types of marking
applications include, but are not limited to labels, dot peen (DP) marking,
laser bond
(LB) marking, ink jet (IJ) marking, and chemical etching (CE) Note that such
list is
not exhaustive and other parts marking applications in other embodiments are
possible Note that label refers to any article that can be attached to an
object for
identification or description purposes, e g, a slip, a tag, a data plate, or
tape
[0031] When determining whether a label is technically appropnate for a
part and
determining what type of label is technically appropnate for the part, an
exemplary PMS
is used to perform a label analysis A label analysis, among other things,
includes
identifying functions, functional failures, failure modes, failure effects,
and
consequences associated with each label analysis Notably, the PMS provides a
proactive analysis technique that enables the identification of plausible
failure modes
related to marking a part with a particular label, so that appropriate action
can be
identified to manage the consequences of such plausible failure modes
[0032] Furthermore, when determining whether a direct parts marking
(DPM)
application, e g , DP marking, LB marking, IJ marking, or CE is technically
appropriate, an exemplary PMS is used to facilitate a direct parts marking
(DPM)
analysis In the DPM analysis, the PMS facilitates selecting options
corresponding to
particular technical limitations associated with available parts marking
applications
Whether a parts marking application is technically appropriate for a
particular part
depends on a plurality of factors, which are described further herein
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[0033] FIG 1 illustrates a PMS 100 in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment of
the present disclosure Prior to beginning a parts marking analysis using the
PMS 100
in accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a facilitator 101 and any required
team
members gather implementation strategy data related to the types of parts that
are to
be marked, the kinds of materials that the parts will consist of, entity
restraints related
to the marking of parts, e g, government regulations or corporate guidelines,
monetary factors related to the marking of parts, safety factors, whether the
entity
desires to track particular parts, and the like In addition, technical
limitations
corresponding to specific equipment that may be used to perform DPM techniques
is
gathered Such list is not exhaustive, and other types of factors may be
considered in
other embodiments
[0034] The PMS 100 is then configured to reflect such gathered
information, which
wi!! now be described in more detail with reference to FIGs 2-4
[0035] After the PMS system 100 is configured according to the
implementation
information and strategies, the facilitator 101 gathers with a plurality of
team
members 102-106 The facilitator 101 requests data identifying a part for
analysis,
which is described in more detail hereafter, and the facilitator 101 queries
the team
members 102-106 in accordance with the implementation strategy data with which
the
PMS system 100 was configured In this regard, the PMS system 100 provides a
plurality of options from which the facilitator 101 may select corresponding
to
particular factors, as described herein, related to the implementation
strategy The
team members 102-106 preferably communicate data corresponding to such
requests
to the facilitator 101 The number of team members 102-106 shown in FIG 1 is
merely an exemplary number and other numbers of team members are possible in
other embodiments
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[0036] Notably, the facilitator 101 leads a parts marking analysis for
an identified
part(s) by requesting particular data from the team members 102-106 associated
with
the implementation strategies In particular, the facilitator 101 and the team
members
102-106, hereinafter referred to as the PMS team, perform a parts marking
analysis so
that an optimal marking application and marking location for the identified
part is
achieved
[0037] As the facilitator 101 queries the team members 102-106, the team
members
102-106 provide information corresponding to the queries of the facilitator
101 The
facilitator 101 enters data or selects displayed options corresponding to the
information provided from the team members 102-106 into the PMS 100
Furthermore, as the facilitator 101 enters the data into the PMS 100, the PMS
100
communicates the entered data to the visual device 110 Such process is
descnbed in
more detail throughout the present disclosure
[0038] The team members 102-106 preferably comprise a group of
individuals who
are knowledgeable in a particular technical area directly related to the
identified part
For example, if the part that is the subject of the analysis pertains to the
aerospace
industry, the team members 102-106 may comprise a system engineer, a mechanic,
a
depot representative, a person responsible for technical publications, a
maintenance
test pilot, an instructor pilot, a crew member, and/or an original equipment
manufacturer (OEM) Such a team comprising the members 102-106 provides a
knowledge base relative to the technical area that is being analyzed Note that
the
depot is a maintenance area, where particular pieces of equipment are taken,
for
example, to be overhauled or repaired
[0039] During the course of an analysis by the team members 102-106 and
the
facilitator 101 using the PMS 100 of the present disclosure, there may be
required
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data identified during the analysis that the team members 102-106 are unable
to
provide In such a scenario, the PMS 100 retains information corresponding to
the
data needed for a complete analysis, so that such data may be sought from
other
sources, e g, other experts not on the team
[0040] Prior to initiating the parts marking analysis, the facilitator
101 preferably
compiles implementation information and strategies related to a plurality of
assets and
corresponding parts Thus, some information related to such parts is already
stored in
the PMS For example, the implementation information and strategies may
identify a list
of parts that are to be marked, including part numbers, common names for the
parts,
nomenclature related to the parts, and the like Additionally, the
implementation
information and strategies may include a list of marking equipment available,
for
example, dot peen equipment, laser-bonding equipment, chemical etching
equipment,
and/or ink jet equipment The marking equipment information may further compnse
technical limitations associated with the marking equipment available
Additionally,
there may be desired factors associated with marking the selected parts For
example, an
entity may desire to mark all parts that cost more than $10,000, mark each
part that may
result in safety consequences if the part fails, mark each part that may
result in
environmental consequences if the part fails, or mark each part that the
entity desires to
track generally Note that the options for inclusion in the parts marking
implementation
and strategies noted above are merely exemplary Such information and
strategies may
change and adapt depending upon the use of the PMS 100
[0041] The parts marking analysis preferably comprises numerous parts
For
example, the analysis might comprise a label analysis for determining the
physical
aspects of the label, i e , one-part label, two-part label, and/or other type
of label
known in the art and for determining if a label is a possible marking
technique for a
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particular part Further, the PMS team populates an information worksheet,
which
includes functions, functional failures, failure modes, and failure effects,
as described
hereinabove, and a label consequences analysis to determine the consequences
of a
label falling off of a particular location Furthermore, the PMS team might
analyze
the use of DPM for a particular part, including separately analyzing the use
of a
particular DPM technique for each part
[0042] FIG 2 further illustrates how the PMS 100 uses a portion of the
implementation strategy data 2800 that is gathered by the facilitator 101 or
other
individual(s) As described herein, the PMS 100 is to be used by the
facilitator 101
and the PMS team to determine how a part will be marked, e g, a label or via
DPM,
the location on the part where the part will be marked, and marking
instructions
technically appropriate for each part
[0043] Further as described herein, the implementation strategy data
2800 comprises
data indicating the types of DPM equipment that will be used and the type of
labels
that may be used to mark particular parts Furthermore, the implementation
strategy
data 2800 may comprise data defining the technical limitations of the DPM
equipment
and/or the technical limitations of the labels For example, some DPM
techniques
may only be able to be used on certain types of metals, e g, aluminum or
titanium, or
some labels may not be applicable to a part because of the label's technical
limitations, e g, the label's size or the type of adhesive that is used on a
particular
label
[0044] Therefore, the PMS 100 is configured such that marking options
identified in
the implementation strategy data 2800 are those desired by the implementing
entity,
mandated by the available equipment, or necessary for a particular part
material and
are available for selection by the facilitator 101 as identified by the PMS
team Data
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that may be identified in implementation information and strategies and used
to
configure the PMS system 100 will be identified throughout
[0045] As shown in FIG 2, the implementation strategy data 2800 is
preferably used
to generate a plurality of algorithms 2801-2804 An "algorithm" in this
disclosure is a
compilation of technical limitations associated with one or more particular
parts
marking techniques, and the technical limitations may be expressed in the form
of
questions having selectable options, e g, yes/no, 1/0, or the like The
algorithms
2801-2804 are generated based upon the implementation information and
strategies,
including the type of mark, e g, label or DPM and the type of equipment that
will be
used to adhere the mark to the part or directly mark the part in order to
determine one
or more technically appropriate marking techniques
[0046] Therefore, an exemplary algorithm 2801 may be generated for
determining a
technically appropriate DPM technique for a part consisting of a particular
material,
"Material A," where a plurality of options is available Note that exemplary
materials
might be, for example, aluminum, titanium, rubber, composite, or the like Such
list
is exemplary, and other types of materials are possible in other embodiments
[0047] For example, the algorithm 2801 indicates that for DPM for a part
consisting
of Material A, the following marking techniques are available, including a
"Dot Peen
Marking Option" 2805, an "Ink Jet Marking Option" 2806, a "Chemical Etching
Marking Option" 2807, and a "Laser-Bonding Marking Option" 2808 As will be
described further herein, while each of these techniques may be available, the
parts
marking analysis will further indicate, based upon any technical limitations
of the
equipment or the technique, which of the marking options 2805-2808 is
technically
appropriate for the particular part
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[0048] In another example, the exemplary algonthm 2802 may be generated
for
determining a technically appropriate DPM technique for a part consisting of a
particular material, "Material B," where only two marking options are
available
Notably, the algonthm 2802 indicates that the "Dot Peen Marking Option" 2805
and
the "Chemical Etching Marking Option" 2807 are technically possible for
"Material
B" and so is available for analysis As described herein, while each of these
techniques may be available, the parts marking analysis will further indicate,
based
upon any technical limitations of the equipment or the technique, which of the
marking options 2805 and/or 2807 is technically appropriate and therefore
possible
for the particular part
[0049] In another example, the exemplary algorithm 2803 may be generated
for
determining a technically appropriate DPM technique for a part consisting
either of
"Material C" or "Material D" In this regard, a particular algorithm 2803 may
be used
for parts consisting of different kinds of metals For example, the algorithm
2803
may be used to analyze parts consisting of titanium or consisting of aluminum
The
algonthm 2803 indicates two available marking options "Ink Jet" 2806 and
"Chemical Etching" 2807
[0050] In another example, the exemplary algorithm 2804 may be generated
for
determining a technically appropriate label for a part In this regard, a
particular
algorithm 2804 may be used to determine whether a "One-Part Label Marking
Option" 2809 or a "two-part Label Marking Option" 2810 is desirable As
described
further herein, such an algorithm 2804 for determining whether a label should
be used
and what type of label should be used may include a failure modes and effects
analysis, as described further herein
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[0051] FIG 3 further describes the marking options 2805-2810 In this
regard, each
marking option that is available in a particular algorithm 2801-2804 (FIG 2)
further
comprises a plurality of technical limitations 1161-1164 and 1188-1189 For
example, the "Dot Peen Marking Option" for a particular metal, e g, aluminum,
may
only be plausible if the part under analysis is less than or equal to "54" on
the
Rockwell Hardness C-Scale, if the part is not used in a high pressure
operating
context, or the part is greater than 020 inches thick Thus each of the
foregoing is a
"DP Technical Limitation" 1161 corresponding to the particular marking option,
e g,
dot peen Such technical limitations are preferably displayed to the
facilitator 101
and/or PMS team in the form of questions and/or statements, which is described
in
more detail with reference to FIG 18 Such technical limitations may be
associated
with a plurality of options for the user to select, e g, yes/no if the
limitation is in the
form of a question Further, however, some technical limitations may be in the
form
of a statement, and the facilitator 101, with input from the PMS team, enters
data
addressing such statement For example, the One-Part Label Technical
limitations
1188 may comprise data indicative of failure modes and effects analysis
Technical
limitations are described further here
[0052] Furthermore, in each algorithm 2801-2804 there may be general
limitations
related to DPM For example, DPM may not be possible if the surface roughness
is
not between 8 and 250 micro-inches, which may be a general technical
limitation to
using DPM Thus, if the marking area can not be prepared for DPM applications,
then DPM may not be technically appropriate at all for the particular part and
thus not
available to the PMS team as a marking option
[0053] FIG 4 depicts a PMS 100 in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment of
the present disclosure The exemplary PMS 100 generally comprises a processing
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unit 204, an input device 208, a display device 210, a projection device 212,
and an
output device 240
[0054] The PMS 100 further compnses parts marking logic (PML) 214 and a
parts
marking database (PMD) 216 The PMD 216 comprises part data 226, information
worksheet data 218, consequence data 225, label analysis data 221, report data
220,
transfer data 219, import data 281, DPM data 227, and algorithm data 230 The
algonthm data 230 further comprises DPM algorithm data 231 and label algorithm
data 232 Each is described further herein
[0055] In the exemplary PMS 100 shown by FIG 4, the PMD 216 and the PML
214
are implemented in software and stored in memory 202 In other embodiments, any
of the foregoing components may be implemented in hardware and/or a
combination
of hardware and software
[0056] The processing unit 204 may be a digital processor or other type
of circuitry
configured to run the PML 214 and/or other software components of the PMS 100
by
processmg and executing the instructions of such components The processing
unit 204
communicates to and dnves the other elements within the PMS 100 via a local
interface
206, which can include one or more buses Furthermore, an input device 208, for
example, a keyboard, a switch, a mouse, and/or other types of interfaces, can
be used to
input data from a facilitator 101 of the PMS 100, and display device 210 can
be used to
output data to the facilitator 101 (FIG 1)
[0057] The PMS 100 may further comprise a projection device 212 that can
be
connected to the local interface 206 The projection device 212 may capture
information
that the facilitator 101 enters into the PMS 100 via the input device 208
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An exemplary input device 208 may include, but is not limited to, a keyboard
device,
serial port, scanner, camera, microphone, or local access network connection
An
exemplary display device 210 may include, but is not limited to, a video
display
[0058] As noted herein, various components, such as the PML 214 and the
PMD 216,
are shown in FIG 2 as software stored in memory 202 Such components can be
stored and transported on any computer-readable medium for use by or in
connection
with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as a computer-
based
system, processor-containing system, or other system that can fetch the
instructions
from the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device and execute the
instructions In the context of this document, a "computer-readable medium" can
be
any means that can contain, store, communicate, propagate, or transport the
program
for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus,
or
device The computer readable medium can be, for example but not limited to, an
electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor
system,
apparatus, device, or propagation medium Note that the computer-readable
medium
could even be paper or another suitable medium upon which the program is
printed,
as the program can be electronically captured, via for instance optical
scanning of the
paper or other medium, then compiled, interpreted or otherwise processed in a
suitable manner if necessary, and then stored in a computer memory
[0059] As described hereinabove, portions of the data, including the
algorithm data
230 and a portion of the part data 226, may be pre-populated based upon the
implementation information and strategies 2800 (FIG 2) Thus, when a parts
marking analysis begins, the facilitator 101 may request information
identifying a part
for analysis, and when the facilitator 101 enters such data, the PML 214 may
retrieve
data describing the part under analysis from the part data 225 and display the
retrieved
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part data 225 to the display device 210 and the projection device 212 If the
logic 214
does not locate data corresponding to the identified part in the part data
225, the
facilitator 101 can add a new part to the part data 226 for analysis
[0060] If the PMS team desires to perform a label analysis on the part,
the facilitator
101 initiates a label analysis via the input device 208, which is described
further
herein, and the PML 214 displays label algorithm data 232 to the display
device 210
As described hereinabove, the label algorithm data 232 may comprise a series
of
technical limitations in the form of questions Further, the algorithm data 232
comprises selectable options corresponding to each of the technical
limitations and
may include a failure modes and effects analysis and a consequence evaluation,
each
of which is described further herein
[0061] Thus, the facilitator 101 elicits selections corresponding to the
label algonthm
data 232 and the facilitator 101 enters such selections via the input device
208 The
PML 214 stores such responses in label analysis data 221 for the identified
part under
analysis In this regard, label analysis data 221 preferably comprises general
data
related to attaching a label or labels to the identified part For example, the
label
analysis data 221 may comprise data indicative of whether the part is
conducive to a
two-part label or a one-part label described further herein Such information
is merely
exemplary, and other label analysis data 221 is possible in other embodiments
The
facilitator 101 enters label analysis data 221 via the input device 208, and
the logic
214 stores such label analysis data 221 in memory 202
[0062] The facilitator 101 elicits information worksheet data 218 from
the PMS team
corresponding to the identified part Information worksheet data 218 preferably
comprises data identifying functions, functional failures, failure modes, and
failure
effects corresponding to attaching a label to the identified part Information
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worksheet data 218 is described in more detail with reference to FIG 15 The
facilitator 101 enters Information worksheet data 218 via the input device
208, and the
logic 214 stores such information worksheet data 218 in memory 202
[0063] The facilitator 101 elicits consequence data 225 from the PMS
team
corresponding to the identified part Consequence data 225 preferably comprises
data
detailing identified consequences of a label falling off of an identified part
Consequence data 225 is described in more detail with reference to FIG 16 The
facilitator 101 enters consequence data 225 via the input device 208, and the
logic 214
stores such consequence data 225 in memory 202
[0064] If the PMS team desires to perform a DPM analysis on the part,
the facilitator
101 initiates DPM analysis via the input device 208, which is described
further herein,
and the PML 214 displays DPM algorithm data 231 to the display device 210 As
described heremabove, the DPM algorithm data 231 may compnse a senes of
technical limitations in the form of questions or statements Further, the DPM
algorithm data 231 comprises selectable options corresponding to each of the
DPM
technique technical limitations
[0065] Thus, the facilitator 101 elicits selections corresponding to the
DPM algorithm
data 231 and the facilitator 101 enters such selections via the input device
208 As
described hereinabove, the DPM algorithm data 231 compnses questions
corresponding to the materials, envirom-nent, and DPM application limitations
related
to the part The PML 214 stores such responses in DPM data 227 for the
identified
part under analysis In this regard, DPM data 227 preferably comprises general
data
related to marking a part via one or more DPM techniques For example, the DPM
data 227 may comprise data indicative of whether the part is metallic or
nonmetallic,
whether the part is coated, and/or what type of metal makes up the identified
part
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DPM data 227 is described in more detail with reference to FIG 17 The
facilitator
101 enters DPM data 226 via the input device 208, and the logic 214 stores
such DPM
data 227 in the PMD 216 in memory 202
[0066] As described hereinabove, the DPM algorithm data 231 preferably
comprises
specific inquiries for determining whether a part is conducive to a particular
DPM
application, i e , chemical etching, laser bonding, ink jet marking, dot peen
marking,
etc Further, the DPM algorithm data 231 comprises data indicative of
which types of
DPM techniques are identified for use in the implementation information and
strategies for a particular implementing entity Such data is used in order to
configure
the PMS 100 specific to each implementing entity, including options related to
such
inquiries as described hereinabove DPM algorithm data 231 is described in more
detail with reference to FIG 18 The DPM algorithm data 231 is pre-populated in
the
PMS 100 prior to a parts marking analysis via the input device 208, and the
logic 214
stores such DPM algorithm data 231 in memory 202
[0067] Furthermore, data related to the parts marking analysis is stored
in the PMD
216, and the PML 214 generates reports 220 corresponding to the data stored in
PMD
216 For example, the PML 214 may generate a report detailing the status of a
plurality of parts, e g , whether the parts have been analyzed, whether an
analysis of
the parts has been sent to a validating authority, or whether the parts
marking analysis
and recommendations have been approved by an approval authority
[0068] FIG 5 depicts a graphical user interface (GUI) 300 in accordance
with an
exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure
[0069] The "Parts Marking" GUI 300 preferably comprises pushbuttons 301-
305, and
each button 301-305 displays a window, each of which is described further
herein,
when selected by the facilitator 101 (FIG 1)
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[0070] The "Add/Search Menu" pushbutton 301 enables the facilitator 101
to add a
particular part and its associated data to the PMD 216 and navigate existing
parts
stored in the PMD 216 When the facilitator 101 selects the pushbutton 301, the
PML
214 displays to the display device 210 an "Add/Search Menu" GUI 400, which is
described in more detail with reference to FIG 6
[0071] The "Part Number Status Lists" pushbutton 302, when selected,
displays a
plurality of pushbuttons (not shown) that enable the facilitator 101 to
retneve lists of
part numbers from the PMD 216 based on specific criteria Thus, the pushbutton
302,
when selected, displays a "Status Lists" GUI 1900, as depicted in FIG 9
[0072] With reference to FIG 9, the GUI 1900 enables a facilitator 101
to view a
plurality of status lists corresponding to a part or a plurality of parts
[0073] The GUI 1900 compnses pushbuttons 1901-1912 The "All Records"
pushbutton 1901, when selected, displays a list of parts and corresponding
parts
marking information and where such part is in an approval process As described
further herein, the PMS 100 is used in order to generate parts marking
procedures for
a plurality of parts Such procedures for marking the parts may undergo an
approval
process, e g , the team generates the information, a validation team reviews
the
information, and an approval authority approves the information Thus, the "All
Records" pushbutton 1901 may further display where each part is in the
approval
process
[0074] The "Batch Numbers" pushbutton 1902 may display, when selected, a
window
that enables a facilitator 101 to display a plurality of parts associated with
a batch
number In this regard, the facilitator 101 may enter the batch number and all
the
parts associated with that batch number are displayed, including the parts'
common
names and approval status
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[0075] The "In Queue to Validation Team" pushbutton 1903 may display,
when
selected, a window that exhibits a list of parts that are to be sent to an
approval
authority, e g, a second or third tier In this regard, an analysis has been
performed
on the parts, and the parts and associated information are to be provided to
another
tier for validation For example, the list may indicate part numbers, common
names
and nomenclature for those parts in queue to the validation team
[0076] The "Approval Status" pushbutton 1904 may display, when selected,
a
window that exhibits a list of part numbers and their associated approval
status when
that status is chosen
[0077] The "Type of Object Identification" pushbutton 1905 may display,
when
selected, a window that exhibits a list of parts and status by their
associated type of
object identifier, when that object identification is chosen In this regard,
parts may
be listed indicating DPM, DPM candidate, or Label Note that a DPM candidate
refers to a part that is waiting for a DPM analysis to be performed
[0078] The "Investigate DPM" pushbutton 1906 may display, when selected,
a
window that exhibits a list of parts that is waiting for a DPM analysis In
this regard,
such a list comprises part numbers associated with parts that the PMS team
desires to
analyze for a DPM method
[0079] Further lists that may be generated include a list of parts by
date entered by
selecting the "Facilitator by Date Entered" pushbutton 1907, a list of parts
having
parking lot data by selecting the "Parking Lot" pushbutton 1908, or a list of
by
analysis date by selecting "Analyzed by Date" pushbutton 1909 Furthermore, a
facilitator 101 may generate a status list showing a list of parts having
action items by
selecting the "Action Items" pushbutton 1910, or a list of parts that are not
parts
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marking candidates by selecting the "Not a Parts Marking Candidate" pushbutton
1911
[0080] The GUI 1900 further comprises an "Approval Status Update,
Transfer Data
to Validation Team, Import Data from Validation Team" pushbutton 1912 When
pushbutton 1912 is selected, a GUI 2100 is displayed as depicted in FIG 10 The
GUI 2100 enables a facilitator 101 to review data related to the status of a
part or a
batch of parts, change data related to the status of parts, and/or transfer
data related to
a part or a batch to a validation team or an approval authority, e g , manager
or the
like, so that they can add to or comment on the data
[0081] GUI 2100 comprises a "Choose Criteria to Populate List Below"
menu 2050, a
"Select New Status" menu 2051, an "Update Current Status" menu 2052, and a
"Set
List for Transfer" menu 2053
[0082] The menu 2050 enables a facilitator 101 to display a part or a
list of parts in
the listing window 2054 In this regard, the menu 2050 comprises a text field
2101
for selecting data indicative of the current status of a part or a batch of
parts Thus,
for example, if the facilitator 101 selects data indicative of a status "In
Queue for
Validation Team," as described heremabove, then the PML 214 displays the parts
in
the window 2054 from the part data 226 associated with the status identifier
entered
by the facilitator 101 Note that the exemplary window 2054 lists the parts by
part
number and associated procedure number, nomenclature, batch number, and
current
status identifier In addition, the facilitator 101 may retrieve parts for
display in the
window 2054 by selecting a batch number in text box 2102 or by entering a
procedure
string in text box 2103 The text box 2104 displays the total number of parts,
i e,
records retrieved Further pushbutton 2180, when selected, displays all part
numbers
associated with all batch numbers in the part data 226 For example, if text
box 2101
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indicated "In Queue to Validation Team" and the text field 2102 indicated
batch
number "3" for example, if the facilitator 101 selects "All Batches," then the
PML
214 removes the "3" limitation on the search and displays all records from all
batches
that have a status of in queue to validation team
[0083] Note that the window 2054 comprises a plurality of text boxes
2112-2115 for
displaying part numbers retrieved based upon cntena entered in menu 2050 Only
four text boxes 2112-2115 are shown for exemplary purposes However, the number
of text boxes 2112-2115 displayed will directly reflect the number of parts
retrieved
based upon the criteria entered Furthermore, text boxes 2116-2119 display
alphanumeric codes identifying parts marking procedure, text boxes 2120-2123
display nomenclature, text boxes 2124-2127 display batch numbers, and text
boxes
2128-2131 display current status identifiers corresponding to the part number
text
boxes 2112-2115, respectively
[0084] After the facilitator 101 has selected one or more parts for
display to the
window 2054, the facilitator 101 may then change the status of the parts
listed In this
regard, the text boxes 2128-2131 display the current status of each part
listed The
facilitator 101 may select a new status identifier, e g, awaiting approval, or
approved,
and enter the new status in a text box 2105 The "Populate Temp Status"
pushbutton,
when selected, then populates "Temp Status" text boxes 2132-2135 with the new
status selected in box 2105 Note that "Delete Temp Status" may be selected in
order
to delete the new status identifiers populated in the "Temp Status" text boxes
2132-
2135
[0085] Once the facilitator 101 has selected a status identifier for the
"Temp Status"
text boxes associated with each part, the facilitator 101 may then update the
"Current
Status" text boxes 2128-2131 by selecting the "Update Current Status with Temp
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Status" pushbutton 2108 When the facilitator 101 selects the pushbutton 2108,
the
PML 214 changes the data stored in the PMD 216 associated with the
corresponding
parts to reflect the new status identifier In addition, the PML 214 also
displays the
new status identifiers to the current status text boxes 2128-2131
[0086] The "Set List for Transfer" menu 2053 comprises three pushbuttons
2109-
2111 When the "Transfer Database" pushbutton 2109 is selected, the PML 214
generates a transfer data 219 that the PML 214 stores in memory 202, as
described
herein In this regard, the PML 214 retrieves data describing the parts
associated with
the part numbers displayed in window 2054 The PML 214 then generates the PMD
219
[0087] The GUI 2100 may further compnse a pushbutton (not shown) that,
when
selected, displays a window (not shown) for receiving recipient information, e
g,
email address or web site address Thus, the facilitator 101 may then select a
transfer
button (not shown) based upon the recipient information entered, and the PML
214
transmits the PMD 219 to the recipient Thus, the listed parts and associated
parts
marking data making up a record in the PMD 216 may be transmitted to a
validation
team and/or an approving authority for review, as described herein
[0088] In addition, the GUI 2100 comprises an "Import Database"
pushbutton 2110
When the pushbutton 2110 is selected, the PML 214 may retrieve import data 281
and
store the import data 281 in the PMD 216 The PMS 100 may receive import data
281 from a validation team and/or an approving authority, and the received
import
data 281 may compnse changes to a previous transfer data 219
[0089] Thus, the GUI 2100 further comprises a "Compare/Transfer Data"
pushbutton
2111 When the pushbutton 2111 is selected, the PML 214 displays a window 2300
as depicted in FIG 5F
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[0090] The GUI 2300 displays a window 2301 populated with data related
to a part
number currently stored in the PMD 216 Furthermore, the GUI 2300 displays a
window 2302 populated with data related to the same part number, however, the
data
displayed is retrieved from the imported database 219 The GUI 2300 further
comprises check boxes 2304-2313 corresponding at least a portion of the data
contained in each of the "PMD Record" 2301 and the "Import Record 2302" Note
that the records 2301 and 2302 have a plurality of text fields 2316-2328 and
2329-
2341, respectively
[0091] When a facilitator 101 desires to transfer augmented data from
the "Import
Record" 2302 to the "PMD Record" 2301, facilitator 101 selects a check box
2304-
2313 corresponding to that portion of the data 2316-2328 and 2329-2341 that
the
facilitator 101 desires to transfer and selects the "Transfer Checked Items"
pushbutton
2315 The PML 214 then replaces the data related to the data checked in the PMD
for
the currently displayed part number data in the "Import Record" 2302
Additionally,
the facilitator 101 may select the "Check All" pushbutton to move all the data
in the
"Import Record" 2302 to the "PMD Record" 2301
[0092] The "Report Menu" pushbutton 303 enables the facilitator 101 to
request
reports 220 from the PMD 216 corresponding to the PMD 216 and the algorithmic
data 230 described further herein When the facilitator 101 selects the
pushbutton 303
from the GUI 300, the PML 214 displays to the display device 210 a list of
reports
that the PML 214 can create or has already created Thus, the facilitator 101
can
retrieve a report and display it to display device 210 or pnnt the report to
an output
device 240 or display such report to the display device 210 or visual device
110
[0093] An exemplary report 2400 is illustrated in FIG 11 The report 2400
depicts a
label procedure report for a part named "FWD Rotary Wing Blade" The report
2400
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provides the part number "118P229-71," a common name "FWD Blade," a procedure
number "CH88-PM-07-888A," and a date "12-May-2005"
[0094] Additionally, the report 2400 provides a labeling procedure
including the type
of label, "2-Part Label," and a label location, "on the damper attachment lug"
The
report further exhibits a photograph or drawing that may show the label
location and
the placement on the part and any special installation instructions
[0095] The "Miscellaneous Notes" pushbutton 304 may display a window
(not
shown) that enables the facilitator 101 to enter notes regarding a particular
part of
analysis
[0096] The "When to Mark Part" pushbutton 305 displays a GUI 2000
depicted in
FIG 7 when selected The GUI 2000 enables a facilitator 101 and/or the PMS team
to determine/view when a part is to be marked In this regard, the GUI 2000
comprises a pull down menu 2001 that the facilitator 101 can use to select a
particular
"When to Mark Part" opportunity and thus the PML 214 displays the parts to be
marked at that time For example, the facilitator 101 may choose "400 HR
Maintenance Cycle" and thus the PML 214 displays the parts that have been
identified to be marked at the 400 HR Maintenance Cycle GUI 2000 further
comprises a "Common Name" text box 2002 that displays the common name of the
part, a "Part Number" text box 2003 that displays the part number of the part,
and a
"Type OI" text box 2004 that displays the type of object identifier, e g, a
label or
particular DPM technique, chosen by the PMS team to be used to mark the part
In
addition, the GUI 2000 comprises check boxes 2005 and 2006 that indicate if
the part
is subject to overhaul or to be at the depot, respectively Additionally, a
"Click-CM"
pushbutton, when selected, displays a current maintenance schedule for the
part The
GUI 2000 also displays in text box 2008 that allows the facilitator 101 and
the PMS
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team to choose or view when the part is to be marked based on the
opportunities
shown in 2005, 2006, and 2007
[0097] As mentioned hereinabove, when the facilitator 101 selects the
pushbutton 301
(FIG 5), the PML 214 displays the GUI 400 (FIG 6) to the display device 210
The
GUI 400 comprises a text box 402 in which the facilitator 101 may enter data,
via the
input device 208, indicative of a part number After the facilitator 101 has
entered the
text into the text box 402, the facilitator 101 selects a "Click to Add"
pushbutton 414
[0098] When the facilitator 101 selects the pushbutton 414, the PML 214
stores the
part number in the part data 226 of the PMD 216 and displays to the display
device
210 the "Main" GUI 500 of FIG 8, which is described in more detail hereafter
[0099] Furthermore, the GUI 400 enables a facilitator 101 to search the PMD
216 for
existing part numbers In this regard, the facilitator 101 may search existing
part
numbers by part number, common name, national stock number (NSN), or
nomenclature Thus, the GUI 400 comprises an "Enter a Part Number String" text
box 404, an "Enter a Common Name Stnng" text box 405, an "Enter an NSN String"
text box 406, and an "Enter a Nomenclature String" text box 407
[00100] When the facilitator 101 enters data into any one of the text boxes
404-407
and selects a "Search" pushbutton 416, the PML 214 displays a list of part
numbers
associated with the entered search string, i e , part number, common name, NSN
number, and/or nomenclature The facilitator 101 can then select the part from
the list
of parts, and when the facilitator 101 selects the desired part, the PML 214
displays
the "Main" GUI 500 (FIG 8) exhibiting the selected part
[00101] Additionally, the GUI 400 enables a facilitator 101 to edit and/or
view a part
number Thus, the GUI 400 comprises a "Choose a Part Number" text box 420
When the facilitator 101 enters/chooses data into the text box 420 and selects
an
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"Edit/View" pushbutton 421, the PML 214 retrieves information from the PMD 216
corresponding to a part that matches the data entered/chosen into the text box
420
The PML 214 displays the retrieved information in the "Main" GUI 500 described
in
more detail with reference to FIG 8
[00102] In addition, the GUI 400 comprises a "Choose a Procedure to
Edit" text box
422 and corresponding "Edit/View" pushbutton 423 that, when selected, displays
the
GUI 500 of FIG 8 exhibiting the part number associated with the procedure
number
entered/chosen into the text box 422 (FIG 6) Therefore, if the facilitator 101
desires
to edit a procedure, the facilitator 101 can enter/choose the procedure number
into text
box 422, select the pushbutton 423, and the PML 214 displays the GUI 500
corresponding to the particular part number
[00103] In addition, the GUI 400 comprises a "Choose a Recently Added,
Searched or
Edited Part number" pull down menu 424 Therefore, the facilitator 101 may
select a
recently added, searched or edited part number and select the "Edit/View"
pushbutton
425 to edit or view the part number or select the "Delete History" pushbutton
426 to
delete the part numbers in the pull down menu 424 from history
[00104] Further, the GUI 400 enables a facilitator 101 to delete a part
number from the
PMD 216 In this regard, the facilitator 101 can enter/choose a part number
into text
box 427 and select the "Delete" pushbutton 428 The PML 214 then deletes the
part
associated with the entered/chosen part number from the PMD 216
[00105] FIG 8 depicts the "Main" GUI 500 As described herein, the GUI
500 is
generally displayed by the logic 214 when the facilitator 101 elects to
retneve
information corresponding to a particular part or elects to edit an existing
part stored
in the PMD via the GUI 400 (FIG 6) In this regard, the PML 214 retneves
desired
,
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information from the PMD 216 and populates the GUI 500 with the information
retrieved
[00106] Furthermore, the "Main" GUI 500 is displayed by the logic 214
when the
facilitator 101 selects the "Click to Add" button 414 (FIG 6) The GUI 500
displays
the added part number and description information and the PML 214 stores data
in
PMD 216 corresponding to the new part number not already in the PMD 216 In
this
regard, the PML 214 displays the GUI 500 to the display device 210, and the
facilitator enters data into the GUI 500 related to the part that the
facilitator 101
desires to enter into the PMD 216
[00107] The GUI 500 of FIG 8 comprises a text box 502 that the logic 214
populates
with a desired part number, which is entered into the GUI 400 as described
herein
Note that the part number, common name, and/or nomenclature displayed in text
boxes 502, 504, or 506, respectively, may already be stored and correlated in
the
PMD 216 However, as descnbed heremabove, the facilitator 101 may desire to
enter
a new part number in GUI 400 (FIG 6) by selecting the "Click to Add"
pushbutton
414 after entenng a part number in text box 402 (FIG 6) Furthermore, the GUI
500
comprises a text box 508 for displaying or entering data that describes the
location of
the part identified in the "Part Number" text box 502
[00108] In one embodiment, the GUI 500 comprises a window 510 for
displaying
several photographs and/or drawings indicative of the part identified in the
text box
502 Note that the drawing may be in any format, e g , portable document format
(PDF), tagged image file format (TIFF), or a windows bitmap (BMP)
[00109] In this regard, the PML 214 may retrieve several photographs
and/or drawings
from the PMD 216 and display the photograph or drawing in the window 510 along
with an associated caption describing the photograph or drawing in text box
512
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Additionally, the GUI 500 comprises a "Browse" button 511 When the facilitator
101 selects the button 511, the logic 214 displays data indicative of the file
system
(not shown) of the PMS 100, and the facilitator can select from the file
system a file
name indicative of a file that contains data defining a photograph or drawing
of a part,
which the logic 214 can display in window 510
[00110] Furthermore, the GUI 500 may comprise an "Enlarge" pushbutton
1871, a
"Select Drive" pushbutton 1872, and an "Add/Delete Label Location" pushbutton
1873 The "Enlarge" pushbutton 1871, when selected, may display an enlarged
version of the drawing and/or photograph in window 510 The facilitator 101 and
the
PMS team may then be able to view in better detail that which is displayed in
window
510
, [00111] The GUI 500 comprises a "Record Navigation" menu 515 and a
"Mark
Analysis" menu 519 The "Record Navigation" menu 515 comprises a "General"
pushbutton 516 and a "Main" pushbutton 518, which generally enable a
facilitator
101 to access data currently being stored in the PMD 216 (FIG 2)
[00112] When the facilitator 101 selects the "General" pushbutton 516,
the PML 214
(FIG 4) displays to the display device 210 a "General" GUI 600, which is
described
in more detail with reference to FIG 13 The GUI 600 (FIG 13) provides general
information about the part currently selected in the "Part Number" text box
502 of
FIG 8
[00113] When the facilitator 101 selects the "Main" pushbutton 518,
the logic 214
(FIG 4) displays to the display device 210 the "Main" GUI 500, which is
described
hereinabove with reference to FIG 8
[00114] The "Mark Analysis" menu 519 compnses a "Label Analysis"
pushbutton
520, an "Information Worksheet" pushbutton 522, and a "Label Consequences"
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pushbutton 524 Each button 520, 522, and 524 provides a specific analysis
functionality with respect to an object identifier that is to be used on the
part
identified in the text box 502, and each is described in more detail with
reference to
FIGs 14-16
[00115] Additionally, the GUI 500 compnses a "Direct Parts Marking"
(DPM)
pushbutton 526, a "Return to Search Results" pushbutton 528, a "Main Menu"
pushbutton 532, and an "Edit Menu" pushbutton 530
[00116] When the facilitator 101 selects the DPM button 526, the logic
214 displays to
the display device 210 the GUI 1000, which is descnbed in more detail with
reference
to FIG 17 When the pushbutton 528 is selected, the logic 214 displays a
listing of
parts that may have resulted in an earlier search as described with reference
to FIG 6
The button 532 displays the "Parts Marking" GUI 300 of FIG 5, and the button
530
displays GUI 400 of FIG 6
[00117] The GUI 500 further comprises a text box 556 for providing the
status of a
record, and a button 560 that, when selected, displays the status history of a
record
Further, the GUI 500 comprises a text box 554 for displaying the object
identifier
category of the currently displayed part, a text box 552 for displaying a
procedure
number associated with the part, and an automation button 558 for
automatically
formulating a procedure number
[00118] When the part that is currently being displayed has associated
validation
remarks, such remarks are indicated in check box 586 In this regard, a
facilitator 101
can select "Validation Remarks" pushbutton 550 to open a window comprising an
editable text box (not shown) The facilitator 101 can enter data indicative of
validation remarks in the text box, and when the facilitator 101 returns back
to the
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"Main" GUI 500, the check box 586 exhibits a check indicating that there are
validation remarks
[00119] In addition, if the PMS team determines that the part currently
displayed is not
a parts marking candidate, then the facilitator 101 can select the push button
548, and
the PML 214 displays an editable text box (not shown) in which the facilitator
101
can enter data indicative of reason why the part is not a parts marking
candidate even
though the part meets other parts marking criteria laid out in the
implementation
information and strategies When the facilitator 101 returns back to the "Main"
GUI
500, a check box 587 exhibits a check indicating that there are reasons
indicated for
why the part is not a parts marking candidate
[00120] Furthermore, the "Facilitator Use" menu 581 comprises a
"Revision
Information" check box 589 to indicate that revisions of the information
related to the
part exist In this regard, the "Revision Information" pushbutton 588, when
selected,
displays an editable text box for entenng revision information When the
facilitator
101 returns back to the "Main" GUI 500, the check box 589 exhibits a check
indicating that there is revision information
[00121] As described herein, a part may be a member of a plurality of
parts, wherein a
batch number identifies the plurality Data indicative of the batch in which
the part
number belongs is exhibited in text box 590 As the approval process for parts
marking descriptions for the plurality associated with the batch number is
analyzed
and reviewed, the parts can be retrieved by searching the PMD 216 via the
batch
number
[00122] The GUI 500 further comprises a check box 562 that indicates
that a part is
currently listed in the "Parking Lot" Note that when a part is listed in the
"Parking
Lot," such indication means that prior to making a decision on the part's
marking
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analysis, additional information may be needed Thus, the facilitator 101 can
enter
data describing the reasons for the part being in the parking lot into
editable text box
534 Thus, when the facilitator 101 returns back to the "Main" GUI 500, the
check
box 562 exhibits a check indicating that there is parking lot information
[00123] Further, there may be additional remarks related to the part If
so, then the
GUI 500 further comprises a "Remarks" pushbutton 536 and a corresponding check
box 564, which behave substantially similar to the "Parking Lot" pushbutton
534 and
corresponding check box 562
[00124] The GUI 500 may further comprise a "Record Copy" pushbutton 540,
a
"Spelling" pushbutton 538, and a "Master Facilitator Copy" pushbutton 563 The
"Spelling" pushbutton 538, when selected, checks the spelling in the displayed
descriptions and other displayed text The facilitator may select the
pushbutton 538 in
order to run a spell check on the information provided in the GUI 500
[00125] Further, the "Record Copy" pushbutton 540 is for providing a
record copy of
another part number to transport into the current working record In one
embodiment,
the pushbutton 540 displays a window from which data can be cut and pasted
into the
GUI 500 In another embodiment, the pushbutton 540 automatically transports
selected data into the GUI 500 without the facilitator having to cut and paste
the data
[00126] "Master Facilitator Copy" pushbutton 563 is for displaying a
master record
copy (not shown) for use by the facilitator 101 The master record copy
preferably is
a window that shows all the information related to the part including its
marking
information
[00127] In addition, the "Facilitator Use" menu 581 compnses a "Date
Entered" text
box 544 for entenng the ongination date of the information relating to the
part
currently displayed in the text box 502 Further the menu 581 comprises a "Date
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Analyzed" text box 546 for entering data indicative of the date on which a
parts
marking analysis was performed for the part number displayed in text box 502
The
"Facilitator Use" menu 581 further comprises an "Action Item" pushbutton 542
The
pushbutton 542, when selected, displays a window (not shown) that enumerates
at
least one action item associated with the identified part In this regard, the
action item
window may exhibit data indicative of the part number, common name, actionee
(the
individual or group that is to take the action), the action to be taken, the
due date, and
corresponding remarks
[00128] Note that the data described heremabove that is entered via the
GUI 500 is
preferably stored in the PMD 216 as part data 226
[00129] As described heremabove, if the facilitator 101 selects the
"General"
pushbutton 516, then the PML 214 displays to the display device 210 the GUI
600
described now with reference to FIG 13 The GUI 600, like the GUI 500, displays
or
receives text via text boxes, pull down menus, and/or check boxes
corresponding to
the "Part Number" 502, the part "Nomenclature" 504, and/or the part "Common
Name" 506
[00130] Additionally, the GUI 600 compnses a table that includes other
part numbers
608-611 that are affiliated with the part currently displayed in text box 502
and each
other part number's corresponding NSNs 612-615 including other cage codes If
other part numbers exist in the table, then the text box 616 provides an
indication of
additional part numbers, e g, a check mark
[00131] Additionally, the GUI 600 comprises an "Analysis Criteria" box
618 As
described herein, the type of cntena that is to be considered when analyzing a
part is
dependent upon several factors, including the desires of the implementing
entity for
which the part is being analyzed In this regard, the "Analysis Criteria" box
618 can
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comprise a plurality of configurable check boxes to indicate done or more of
the
listed criteria pertains to the displayed part number For example, the box 618
comprises selection boxes 619, 620, 621, and 622 and exhibit specific analysis
cntena When box 619 is selected, this indicates that the part costs more than
$10,000, if the "safety" box 620 is checked this indicates that the part has
safety
consequences, if the "environmental" box 621 is selected, this indicates that
failure of
the part has environmental consequences, and the "tracked" box 622, if
checked,
indicates that the implementing entity desires to track the part number for a
particular
reason Thus, if one or more of these boxes is check, then there exists a
reason(s) for
labeling the part with an object identifier As descnbed hereinabove, other
analysis
criteria in other embodiments are possible depending upon the type of parts
that are
indicated in the implementation information and strategies for marking and any
requirements that may be placed upon an implementing entity Thus, the boxes
619-
622 are configurable based upon such analysis cntena identified
[00132] The GUI 600 comprises an "NSN" text box 624 for displaying the
NSN
information related to the part, a "Cage Code" text box 625 for displaying the
cage
code associated with the part number, an "Parts List Figure No "text box 626
for
displaying a figure number corresponding to a drawing associated with the part
number, a source maintenance recoverability ("SMR) Code" text box 627 for
entering
and/or displaying the SMR code associated with the part number, a "Label
Nomenclature" text box 628 for displaying the label nomenclature associated
with the
part number, and a work unit code ("WUC") text box 629 for entering and/or
displaying the WUC code associated with the part number Further, the GUI 600
comprises a "Quantity of Object on Asset" text box 630 for entering and/or
displaying
the quantity or number of a particular part contained on a particular asset, e
g , two
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rotary blades on a helicopter The "Latest Acquisition Cost" text box 631 may
be
provided for entering and/or displaying the latest acquisition cost associated
with the
part number, and the "Latest Acquisition Date" text box 632 may be provided
for
entering and/or displaying the latest acquisition date associated with the
part number
Other information that may be provided including a "Field Cost" text box 633
for
entering and/or displaying the field cost for which the displayed part is
bought by the
end user
[00133] The GUI 600 further provides boxes 624-633, check box 634, and
text boxes
635 and 636 for entering and/or displaying information provided by the
facilitator 101
relating to the part number indicated in text box 502 Such information is
configurable based upon the application in which the PMS 100 is used For
example,
the check boxes 624-634 may be used to provide additional tracking information
or
maintenance charactenstics or additional maintenance and/or part management
data
[00134] Additionally, the GUI 600 comprises a "Priority" pushbutton 650,
a check box
655, and "Add/Delete Priority" pushbutton 645 When the pushbutton 650 is
selected, the PML 214 displays a window comprising a list of priority
indicators for
marking of the part Such data may include, for example, "funding availability"
pnonty indicator or "immediate" indicator The facilitator 101 can add priority
indicators by selecting a pushbutton (not shown) If pnonty data is provided
for the
displayed part, the PML 214 displays an indicator in check box 655 The GUI 600
further comprises a "Current Maintenance" push button 637 that, when
depressed,
displays an editable text box for entered current maintenance package
information
associated with the part being analyzed When information is entered in the
editable
check box, the PML 214 displays an indicator in check box 636
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[00135] Note that each of the informational check boxes 624-633 and 635-
636 are
populated with data that is provided prior to analysis However, some of the
data, for
example the current maintenance data in the aforedescnbed editable text box,
may be
retrieved from the team during analysis Further note that the analysis
criteria in box
618 and the additional information in text boxes 624-635 are exemplary
criteria only,
and other criteria can be used in other embodiments depending upon an
implementing
entity's requirements
[00136] Once the facilitator 101 has entered information corresponding
to the part
number displayed in the text box 502, the PMS team performs an analysis to
determine if a label or labels are technically appropnate In this regard, the
facilitator
101 selects the "Label Analysis" pushbutton 520, and the PML 214 displays to
the
display device 210 a GUI 700 illustrated in FIG 14
[00137] As described heremabove, the "Label Analysis" screen is
preferably generated
based upon label algorithm data 232, which is obtained from implementation
information and strategies for a particular implementing entity For example,
if it is
determine that there are two types of labels available, a one-part and a two-
part, then
the first question in the "Label Analysis" GUI 700 is "Is there room for a two-
part
label?"
[00138] The GUI 700 comprises a selection box 702 for selecting an
option that is also
provided by the label algorithm data 232 For example, the selectable option
data
may be an affirmative or a negative response to whether there is room on the
part
being analyzed for placing a two-part label Thus, the PMS team answers the
question of whether there is room on the part for a two-part label, and if the
PMS
team determines that there is room for a two-part label, then the facilitator
selects an
affirmative indication for the box 702 For example, the box 702 may provide a
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down menu when the down arrow 701 is selected Thus, the facilitator 101 may
select a "Yes" or a "Y" from the pull down menu to indicate an affirmative
response
To the contrary, the part may not be suitable for a two-part label, thus the
facilitator
101 would select a negative indication, for example a "No" or an "N," for the
text box
702
[00139] The GUI 700 further comprises a selection box 704 for selecting
an
affirmative or a negative response to the question of whether there is room on
the part
being analyzed for placing a one-part label Thus, the PMS team answers the
question
of whether there is room on the part for a one-part label, and if the PMS team
determines that there is room for a one-part label, then the facilitator
selects an
affirmative indication in the box 704 For example, the box 704 may provide a
pull
down menu when the down arrow 703 is selected Thus, the facilitator 101 may
select a "Yes" or a "Y" from the pull down menu to indicate an affirmative
response
To the contrary, the part may not be suitable for a one-part label, in which
case the
facilitator 101 would enter a negative indication, for example a "No" or a "N"
in the
text box 704
[00140] Notably, the queries made on the "Label Analysis" GUI 700 are
configurable,
as described hereinabove For example, if an implementing entity that is to use
the
PMS 100 to perform a label analysis desires not to have any two-part labels,
then the
question corresponding to the box 702 would not be available Likewise, if the
entity
desired to use other types of labels, e g , tape, then such a selection would
be
available Note that the questions that are asked in the label analysis are
technical
limitations with respect to the use of labels In this regard, if the part is
not big
enough for a two-part label, then such a question describes a technical
limitation to
the use of the two-part label on the part being analyzed
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[00141] Once the PMS team determines whether a two-part label, a one-
part label,
and/or another type of label known in the art can be used on the part, the PML
214
automatically populates box 708 from question/answers from boxes 702,and 704
[00142] Further, the PMS team describes the optimal location of the
label determined
In this regard, the facilitator 101 enters information describing the location
on the part
for the label type indicated in the text box 708 Notably, the PMS team may
navigate
to the GUI 500 described with reference to FIG 8, by selecting the pushbutton
518,
and view the photograph or drawing of the part in making the location
determination
[00143] With reference to FIG 14, the PMS team then provides information
describing
adverse conditions that the part may be subjected to during operation that may
affect
whether or not a label is technically appropriate In this regard, the GUI 700
comprises boxes 712-714 including box 712 for indicating whether the label
might be
subject to fluid contamination, box 713 for indicating whether the label is
subject to
high traffic and/or maintenance traffic, and box 714 for indicating whether
the label is
subject to adverse environmental conditions In addition, the GUI 700 comprises
a
check box 792 for indicating whether adverse conditions are described in more
detail
In this regard, the facilitator 101 may select the "Adverse Conditions
Details"
pushbutton 791 If selected, the PML 214 may display a window (not shown) for
entering data further descnbmg the details, and the PML 214 may store such
data in
the PMD 216 associated with the part
[00144] These adverse conditions questions are technical limitations to
the label
analysis The facilitator selects options from the pull down boxes 712, 713,
and 714
These options and technical limitations are determined by the implementation
information and strategies as described heremabove for each implementing
entity In
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this regard, the adverse condition questions are also configurable depending
upon the
type of environment or external exposures that a part may endure during
operation
[00145] Further, the GUI 700 provides a box 718 for indicating whether
the surface
area is still conducive to label application in light of the previous analysis
and exists
to allow the PMS team to decide if label analysis should be continued As
described
heremabove, the GUI may provide a pull down functionality via the arrow 719
Whether the surface area is still conducive to label application may depend
upon a
number of factors that the PMS team considers in making such a determination
[00146] Additionally, the GUI 700 compnses a technical limitation
descnbed by the
query of "Will adhesive adhere to the parts surface" and provides options in a
pull
down menu 788 for answering such a query
[00147] Further, the GUI 700 provides a box 722 for providing an
affirmative or
negative option to indicate whether there are special installation
instructions for
applying the suggested label in box 708 to the part being analyzed
Additionally, the
GUI 700 comprises a button 720, and, when selected, the logic 214 displays to
display
device 210 an editable text box (not shown) in which the facilitator can enter
information describing the special instructions determined by the PMS team
[00148] Further, the GUI 700 comprises a box 724 for providing an
affirmative or
negative option to indicate whether the part can be marked without disassembly
or
removal Thus, the facilitator 101 enters an affirmative or negative response
determined by the PMS team in the box 724 Corresponding text box 726 receives
data indicating the removal or disassembly procedure/details
[00149] The GUI 700 also comprises a box 730 for indicating
affirmatively or
negatively whether the ()I is accessible using a hand-held scanner without
disassembly or removal Thus, the facilitator 101 enters an affirmative or
negative
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response determined by the PMS team in the box 730 Corresponding text box 728
receives data indicating the removal or disassembly procedure/details
[00150] The "Label Analysis" GUI 700 embodies exemplary label algorithm
data 232
In this regard, the questions/statements and options provided to respond to
the
exemplary questions/statements make up an exemplary label algorithm Other
questions/statements in other embodiments of a "Label Analysis" GUI 700 can be
used with other options, and such algorithms can be configured based upon the
implementation information and strategies as described herein
[00151] The PMS 100 stores data indicative of the selected options and
other data
entered in the "Label Analysis" GUI 700 in the label analysis data 221 of the
PMD
216
[00152] Once the PMS team performs the basic label analysis using GUI
700, the
facilitator continues the analysis by selecting the "Information Worksheet"
pushbutton 522 When the pushbutton 522 is selected, the logic 214 displays the
GUI
800 depicted in FIG 15 to the display device 210
[00153] The GUI 800 enables the PMS team to perform an information
worksheet
analysis via the display device 210 and the visual device 110 In this regard,
the PMS
team begins by identifying a variety of functions, functional failures,
failure modes,
and failure effects related to the placing of a label on a part or such
functions,
functional failures, failure modes, and failure effects may be identified
prior to the
PMS team gathering, and the PMD 216 may be populated with function, functional
failure, failure mode, and failure effect data In this regard, the pre-
populated
identified functions, functional failures, failure modes, and failure effects
may be
technical limitations associated with an algorithm, and such functions and
functional
failures may be stored in the information worksheet data 218 (FIG 4)
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[00154] Such function data is entered or displayed into text box 811
When adding a
function, the facilitator 101 selects the "Add" pushbutton 801 As the
facilitator 101
enters additional functions or scrolls through pre-populated functions, the
PML 214
increments a counter in text box 837
[00155] Exemplary functions that may be identified by the PMS team
include, for
example, to safely and permanently display human and machine-readable part
information so that it can be identified and traced, to avoid damage to the
part and/or
the vehicle in which the part is installed, and to avoid introducing any
additional
failure modes to the system in which the part is installed Note that such
functions
may vary for different applications of the PMS 100
[00156] Once the PMS team has reviewed pre-populated functions and/or
added new
functions associated with the label under analysis, the PMS team identifies
"Functional Failures" associated with each pre-populated function and/or added
function As functional failures are identified, the facilitator 101 enters
such
functional failure data by selecting an "Add" pushbutton 802 and entering data
into
the text box 812 describing the functional failure A counter in text box 827
indicates
the number associated with the displayed functional failure in text box 812
[00157] Exemplary functional failures associated with an identified
function may
include the label falls off, the label is humanly illegible, or the label is
not machine-
readable Note that such functional failures may vary for different
implementing
entities of the PMS 100
[00158] Once the PMS team has identified functional failures associated
with the label
under analysis, the PMS team identifies "Failure Modes" associated with the
identified functional failures The facilitator 101 enters such failure mode
data by
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selecting an "Add" pushbutton 803 and entering data describing the failure
mode in
text box 813
[00159] Once the PMS team has identified failure modes, the PMS team
identifies
"Failure Effects" associated with each failure mode identified The facilitator
101
enters such failure effects into the text box 814 associated with each failure
mode
The described compilation of failure modes and failure effects is hereinafter
referred
to as a "FMEA"
[00160] Based on the FMEA, if the PMS team desires to continue the label
analysis,
the GUI 800 comprises a box 806 for indicating an affirmative or negative
response as
to whether to still continue the analysis Further, the GUI 800 comprises a box
804
for indicating an affirmative or negative response as to whether the label
determined
in text box 708 (FIG 14) is recommended in light of the information provided
in the
FMEA
[00161] Note that the "Record Navigation" menu 515 and the "Mark
Analysis" menu
519 behave in substantially the same manner as described heremabove
[00162] Furthermore, the GUI 800 comprises a "Facilitator Use" box 599
The box
599 comprises a "Spell Check" pushbutton 561 that, when selected, checks the
spelling in the text boxes in the GUI 800 The box 599 further comprises a
"Totals"
pushbutton 562 that when depressed displays a text box (not shown) that
details the
total number of functions, functional failures, failure modes, and failure
effects
contained in the information worksheet performed in the GUI 800, when selected
The "Copy" pushbutton 563 displays a copy of the current window so that the
facilitator 101 can copy data from one window to the working GUI 800 Further,
the
"Copy" pushbutton 563 is for providing a record copy of another part number to
transport into the current working record In one embodiment, the pushbutton
563
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displays a window from which data can be cut and pasted into the GUI 800 In
another embodiment, the pushbutton 563 automatically transports selected data
into
the GUI 800 without the facilitator having to cut and paste the data
[00163] Finally, the box 599 comprises a "Renumber" pushbutton 564 that
renumbers
functions, functional failure, failure modes, and failure effects when
selected
[00164] The PML 214 stores the FMEA data and any other data entered in
the
"Information Worksheet" GUI 800 in the information worksheet data 218 (FIG 4)
[00165] Once the Information Worksheet GUI 800 is completed by the PMS
team, the
facilitator 101 may select the "Label Consequences" button 524, and the logic
214
displays the GUI 900 described in more detail hereafter with reference to FIG
16
[00166] The GUI 900 further exhibits a plurality of questions indicative
of technical
limitations associated with the consequences of a particular label falling off
of its
location identified in text box 710 (FIG 14), as described heremabove In this
regard,
the GUI 900 comprises text boxes for entering data and selection boxes for
selecting
options corresponding to a plurality of queries aimed at gathering information
corresponding to the consequences of a label falling off which allows the PMS
team
to select a label as a marking option
[00167] The GUI 900 comprises a text box 902 for entering data
describing where a
label conducive to detachment might fall off Thus, the facilitator 101
requests
information from the PMS team corresponding to where a label(s) would fall
off, and
the facilitator 101 enters such information in text box 902
[00168] The PMS team further analyzes the consequences if the label
falls off via the
GUI 900 by entenng data in boxes 903-907 Furthermore, pushbuttons 910-914 may
be selected so that the facilitator 101 can enter additional data regarding
each box
903-907
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[00169] In this regard, the GUI 900 comprises text box 903 for providing
an
affirmative or negative response as to whether, if the label being analyzed
falls off, if
such falling off might have adverse effects on operational safety If the PMS
team
determines that there are or are not safety consequences, the GUI 900 further
provides
a pushbutton 910, and when the button 910 is selected, the logic 214 displays
an
editable text box (not shown) for entering detailed information corresponding
to
safety consequences information identified by the PMS team
[00170] The GUI 900 comprises text box 904 for providing an affirmative
or negative
response as to whether, if the label being analyzed falls off, such falling
off might
cause a breach of an environmental standard or regulation If the PMS team
determines affirmatively/negatively that there are environmental consequences,
the
GUI 900 further provides a pushbutton 911, and when the button 911 is
selected, the
logic 214 displays an editable text box (not shown) for entenng detailed
information
corresponding to the environmental consequences information identified by the
PMS
team
[00171] The GUI 900 comprises text box 905 for providing an affirmative
or negative
response as to whether, if the label being analyzed falls off, such falling
off might
cause an adverse effect on operational capability If the PMS team determines
affirmatively/negatively that there are operational consequences, the GUI 900
further
provides a pushbutton 912, and when the button 912 is selected, the logic 214
displays
an editable text box (not shown) for entering detailed information
corresponding to
the operational consequences information identified by the PMS team
[00172] The GUI 900 comprises text box 906 for providing an affirmative
or negative
response as to whether, if the label being analyzed falls off, such falling
off might
cause equipment damage If the PMS team determines affirmatively/negatively
that
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there may be equipment damage consequences, the GUI 900 further provides a
pushbutton 913, and when the button 913 is selected, the logic 214 displays an
editable text box (not shown) for entering detailed information corresponding
to the
equipment damage information identified by the PMS team
[00173] The GUI 900 comprises text box 907 for providing an affirmative
or negative
response as to whether, if the label being analyzed falls off, is the level of
risk
associated with such falling acceptable If the PMS team determines
affirmatively/negatively that the level risk associated with the label falling
off is
acceptable, the GUI 900 further provides a pushbutton 914, and when the button
914
is selected, the logic 214 displays an editable text box (not shown) for
entering
detailed information corresponding to details regarding the level of risk
associated
with the label(s) falling off identified by the PMS team
[00174] In light of the information provided regarding the consequences
of the label
falling off, the PMS team then determines whether the label being analyzed is
recommended If the team determines that the label is recommended, the GUI 900
comprises a box 908 for entenng an affirmative indication, i e, a "Yes" or a
"Y," that
indicates that the label is recommended Otherwise, the facilitator 101 can
enter data
indicating that the team does not recommend the analyzed label, i e, a "No" or
a "N"
If a negative entry is made in text box 908, the PML 214 displays a dialog box
(not
shown) that asks whether to continue to the DPM analysis, as described with
respect
to FIG 17
[00175] The GUI 900 further comprises a "First Iteration" selection box
961 for
selecting whether the recommendation made in box 908 is a result of a first
iteration
of the algorithm exhibited by GUI 700 (FIG 14), GUI 800 (FIG 15), and GUI 900
(FIG 16) If it is not the first iteration, then the facilitator 101 selects a
negative
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indication form the pull down box 961 In one embodiment, the facilitator 101
selects
the pushbutton 962, and the PML 214 displays an editable text (not shown) for
entering data describing the first iteration so that an audit trail of
decisions can be
maintained
[00176] As described herein, DPM is distinguishable from marking via a
label In this
regard, DPM refers to placing part information directly on the part Thus, the
PMS
team determines whether the part is conducive to DPM by using the GUI 1000
depicted in FIG 17 and the GUI 1100 depicted in FIG 18
[00177] Furthermore, GUI 1000 and GUI 1100 embody an exemplary
algorithm, e g,
algorithms 2801-2803 (FIG 2), which will be indicated further herein
[00178] The exemplary GUI 1000 comprises a plurality of questions
corresponding to
an algorithm for deciding upon a DPM technique In this regard, the GUI 1000
comprises a text box 1002 for indicating whether the part composition is a
metal or a
nonmetal Exemplary metals include, for example, titanium or aluminum Exemplary
nonmetals include, for example, rubber, plastic, or composite materials As
described
hereinabove, different materials will have different algorithms associated
with them
Thus, the GUI 1000 will change depending upon the type of part that is being
analyzed
[00179] In this regard, the text box 1002 may comprise a pull down menu
1001 that
lists a plurality of options for the facilitator 101 and the PMS team when
selecting
data in response to this question The menu may comprise the different
available
selections, e g, metal or nonmetal Note that the questions related to DPM may
vary
depending upon the particular application of the GUI 1000 Furthermore, the PML
214 determines the algorithm that is employed in GUI 1100 based upon the
selections
made on GUI 1000 (FIG 17) In this regard, if it is a metal and that metal is
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identified as "aluminum", then an algorithm comprising marking options
corresponding to techniques that are to be used for marking aluminum is
displayed
when the algorithm is run by selecting a "Run Algorithm" pushbutton 1012,
described
further herein
[00180] The GUI 1000 further comprises a text box 1004 for indicating
whether the
surface of the part is painted In this regard, the text box 1004 may comprise
a pull
down menu (not shown) actuated by selecting the arrow 1003 The menu may
comprise the different available selections, e g, painted/not painted or
true/false
Further, the facilitator may enter an affirmative or negative response, for
example, if
the surface is painted, the facilitator 101 enters a "Yes" or a "Y" in the
text box 1004
by entering text into the box 1004 or selecting an affirmative indication from
a pull
down menu displayed by selecting the arrow 1003 Again, the algorithm employed
to
determine whether the part can be marked using DPM and the marking options
available for marking the part may aid in defining the algorithm that is
employed in
GUI 1100, described further herein
[00181] The GUI 1000 further comprises a text box 1006 for indicating
whether the
surface can be prepared for DPM application In this regard, the text box 1006
may
comprise a pull down menu (not shown) actuated by selecting the arrow 1005 The
menu may comprise the different available selections, e g, "yes" or "no" Note
that if
the surface cannot be prepared for DPM, and the facilitator 101 answers "no"
in box
1006 via the pull down menu 1005, then the PML 214 indicates in text box 1016
that
DPM is not possible
[00182] The GUI 1000 further comprises a text box 1008 for indicating
the type of
metal that the part is made of In this regard, the text box 1008 may comprise
a pull
down menu (not shown) actuated by selecting the arrow 1007 The menu may
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comprise the different available selections, e g, aluminum, steel, bronze,
and/or brass
Note that the pull down selections, e g, aluminum, steel, bronze, etc , can be
populated depending upon the type of application for which the PMS 100 is
being
used for a specific implementing entity Furthermore, the PML logic 214
determines
the algorithm that is employed in GUI 1100 based upon the selection made in
text box
1008 in this regard, if the part is aluminum, then an algorithm comprises DPM
marking options corresponding to techniques that are technically possible for
marking
aluminum and is displayed when the algonthm is run by selecting a "Run
Algorithm"
pushbutton 1012, described further herein Furthermore, the answers in text
boxes
1002 and 1008 determine the "Metal Group" 1010 in which the part is a member
In
this regard, there may be several metals, e g, aluminum and steel, which
belong to the
same metal group in that the same algorithm can be used to determine the type
of
DPM that can be employed to mark the part
[00183] When the facilitator 101 selects the button 1012, the PML 214
displays a GM
1100 described in more detail with reference to FIG 18 The GUI 1100 aids the
PMS
team in deciding which type of DPM is recommended in regard to the part being
analyzed
[00184] Once the algorithm is run, the GUI 1000 comprises a "DPM
Analysis Results"
box 1015 that indicates whether DPM is possible and what types of DPM are
possible
and not possible for the part being analyzed
[00185] In this regard, the box 1015 indicates in a text box 1016 an
affirmative or a
negative indication of whether it is possible to use DPM If DPM is possible at
all,
the box 1015 further compnses boxes 1018-1021 that indicate which types of DPM
are possible, and boxes 1022-1025 that indicate which types of DPM are not
possible
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[00186] Further, the GUI 1000 comprises a text box 1088 or a pull down
menu (not
shown) that allows the facilitator 101 to choose which DPM technique is
recommended by the PMS team
[00187] As indicated hereinabove, when the facilitator 101 selects the
button 1012, the
PML 214 displays GUI 1100 of FIG 18 The PML 214 selects one of a plurality of
algorithms that are coded into PML 214 prior to analysis and are based on the
specific
implementation strategies for a particular implementing entity for display in
GUI
1100 based upon the answers to the queries in GUI 1000 (FIG 17)
[00188] The GUI 1100 enables the PMS team to determine which types of
DPM are
technically appropriate, if any In this regard, the GUI 1100 comprises a text
box
1102 for displaying the metal identified in box 1010 (FIG 17) and a text box
1104 for
displaying the part number associated with the part currently being analyzed
Furthermore, the GUI 1100 provides a box 1106 for indicating which step the
PMS
team is currently on as it goes through each step in the algorithm depicted in
GUI
1100
[00189] As noted herein, the algorithm displayed in GUI 1100 depends
upon answers
to questions in GUI 1000 In this regard, the algorithm in GUI 1100 comprises
four
decision areas 1196-1200 As the facilitator 101 enters data indicative to
options
related to each of the part marking techniques, the PML logic 214 determines,
based
upon the data entered, whether the marking technique related to the data being
entered
is possible or not possible The PML 214 then automatically moves the
facilitator 101
on the GUI from one marking technique area 1196-1200 to another
[00190] In decision area 1200, the PMS team analyzes whether the part
generally can
be marked using a DPM method by displaying questions (not shown) related to
general technical DPM limitations For example, if the part has a surface on
which a
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DPM can be placed or if the surface thickness is adequate for placing a DPM
Note
that these questions are configurable based upon the implementing entity for
which
the particular PMS 100 is designed For example, aerospace research may
disallow
DPM for surfaces of a particular thickness or made of a particular type of
metal If
the facilitator 101 enters data, based upon input from the PMS team, that
indicates
that DPM is possible, then the PML 214 automatically controls the analysis
flow by
highlighting and/or disabling selected decision areas based upon the options
selected
by the facilitator 101 corresponding to the technical limitations of each DPM
technique as described further herein In this regard, as described herein, the
algorithm displayed comprises the decision areas 1196-1199 corresponding to
DPM
techniques determined to be technically appropriate for the matenal displayed
in text
box 1102
[00191] Note that, based upon the answers to the questions in decision
area 1200, none
or all of the decision areas 1196-1199 may be made editable by the PML 214
Likewise, based upon the answers to the questions in decision areas 1196-1199,
one
or more of the decision areas 1196-1199 may be made editable by the PML 214
[00192] In one embodiment, if each general technical DPM limitation in
decision area
1200 is answered affirmatively, then the PML 214 enables each of the decision
areas
1196-1199 However, in other embodiments of the algorithm, other combinations
of
enabled/disabled decision areas 1196-1199 are possible and are dependent upon
the
affirmative/negative selected options in decision areas 1196-1199
[00193] If each decision area 1196-1199 is technically appropriate, the
PML 214
enables all decision areas 1196-1199 and automatically moves an indicator (not
shown) to the dot peen technical limitations 1161 Thus, the facilitator 101
and the
PMS team may then provide affirmative/negative responses corresponding to the
dot
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peen technical limitations 1161 of the decision area 1196 If dunng analysis of
the
dot peen technical limitations 1161 the facilitator 101 enters a negative
response, then
the PML 214 automatically moves the indicator to the ink jet technical
limitations
1162 of the decision area 1197 If the answers to such technical limitations
indicate
that dot peen can not be performed, then the PML 214 (FIG 4) places a "No" in
text
box 1144 If the answers to such technical limitations indicate that dot peen
can be
performed, then the PML 214 (FIG 4) places a "Yes" in text box 1130 ,
[00194] Thus, as indicated herein above, after it is determined whether
or not dot peen
is possible, the PML 214 automatically moves the indicator to the ink jet
technical
limitations 1162 of the decision area 1197 If during analysis of the ink jet
technical
limitations 1162 the facilitator 101 enters a negative response, then the PML
214
automatically moves the indicator to the laser bond technical limitations 1163
of the
decision area 1198 If the answers to such technical limitations indicate that
ink jet
can not be performed, then the PML 214 (FIG 4) places a "No" in text box 1145
If
the answers to such technical limitations indicate that ink jet can be
performed, then
the PML 214 (FIG 4) places a "Yes" in text box 1140 ,
[00195] Thus, as indicated herein above, after it is determined whether
or not ink jet is
possible, the PML 214 automatically moves the indicator to the laser bond
technical
limitations 1163 of the decision area 1198 If during analysis of the laser
bond
technical limitations 1163 the facilitator 101 enters a negative response,
then the PML
214 automatically moves the indicator to the chemical etching limitations 1164
of the
decision area 1199 If the answers to such technical limitations indicate that
laser
bond can not be performed, then the PML 214 (FIG 4) places a "No" in text box
1160 If the answers to such technical limitations indicate that laser bond can
be
performed, then the PML 214 (FIG 4) places a "Yes" in text box 1162
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[00196] Thus, as indicated herein above, after it is determined whether
or not laser
bond is possible, the PML 214 automatically moves the indicator to the
chemical etch
technical limitations 1164 of the decision area 1199 If during analysis of the
chemical etch technical limitations 1164 the facilitator 101 enters a negative
response,
then the PML 214 places a "No" in the text box 1146 and the algorithm
terminates If
the answers to such technical limitations indicate that chemical etching can
be
performed, then the PML 214 (FIG 4) places a "Yes" in text box 1148 and the
algorithm terminates
[00197] Note that, the decision areas 1196-1199 are arranged in
succession within the
algorithm so that each decision area 1196-1199 is enabled/disabled as a result
of the
affirmative/negative answers to the general technical limitations or preceding
technical limitations 1161-1163 In this regard, the PML 214 automatically
moves the
indicator from the preceding decision area 1200 or 1196-1198 to the next
decision
area 1196-1199 However, in other embodiments, the decision areas may be
enabled/disabled and the indicator may be automatically moved independent of
the
affirmative/negative answers to the preceding technical limitations 1161-1163
[00198] In yet another embodiment, if in decision area 1200, based upon
options
selected in the general technical DPM limitations 1200, the PML 214 determines
that
chemical etching, for example, is the only technically appropriate DPM
technique, the
PML 214 may only enable chemical etching decision area 1199 Thereafter,
chemical
etch decision area 1199 behaves as described herein above
[00199] As noted herein above, if the questions answered in the general
technical DPM
limitations in decision area 1200 indicate that more than just chemical
etching
decision area 1198 is technically appropriate, those applicable decision areas
1196,
1197, and 1199 are enabled by the PML 214
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[00200] Note that, the DPM techniques illustrated in GUI 1100 are for
exemplary
purposes and varying combinations of those identified DPM techniques or
different
DPM techniques may be used in other embodiments Further note that, four DPM
techniques are shown in the algorithm in GUI 1100 for exemplary purposes
However, other quantities of DPM techniques in other embodiments are possible
[00201] GUI 1100 further comprises a "Facilitator Use" menu 1121 The
menu 1121
provides text boxes 1167 and 1169 for entering additional information related
to the
part being analyzed In this regard, if there is additional information needed
in order
to make a determination as to the label algorithm, the facilitator 101 selects
the
"Parking Lot" pushbutton 1167, and the PML 214 displays an editable text box
(not
shown) for entering information corresponding to the additional information
needed
for the analysis The PML 214 then enters an indication in the "Parking Lot"
box
1166, e g a check mark, indicating that additional information is needed
Further, the
GUI 1100 provides the "DPM Remarks" check boxes 1168, and the PML 214 enters
an indication in the check box 1168 that there are DPM remarks associated with
the
part being analyzed if the facilitator 101 enters data by selecting the "DPM
Remarks"
pushbutton 1169 Thus, when the facilitator 101 selects the "DPM Remarks"
pushbutton 1169, the logic 214 displays an editable text box (not shown) for
entering
information corresponding to the remarks related to the analysis
[00202] Further, the "Facilitator Use" menu 1121 comprises a "Start
Over" button
1170 Thus, if the facilitator 101 and/or the PMS team determine that the
algorithm
being performed needs to be started over, the logic 214 resets the GUI 1100
when the
facilitator selects button 1170 The menu 1121 also comprises a "Return to DPM"
button 1172, and if the facilitator 101 determines that the GUI 1000 (FIG 17)
is
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needed during the analysis, the PML 214 displays the GUI 1000 when the
facilitator
101 selects the button 1172
[00203] With respect to FIG 17, once the PMS team has completed running
the
algorithm in FIG 18, the facilitator 101 may select the "Enter Decision"
button 1014
When button 1014 is selected, the logic 214 displays the "Enter Decision for
PN"
GUI 1200 depicted in FIG 19
[00204] GUI 1200 illustrated in FIG 19 comprises a text box 1202 for
displaying the
suggested order of the parts marking as a result of the DPM algorithm Such
suggested order is predetermined during the implementation information and
strategies development, therefore, the text field 1202 is pre-populated As an
example, text field 1202 might exhibit "ink jet, dot peen, chemical etch," and
this
order may have been determined based upon cost or other factors
[00205] Further, the GUI 1200 comprises text box 1204 for displaying the
current part
number and a text box 1205 for displaying the current part common name
Further,
the GUI 1200 comprises a "DPM Techniques Advantages and Limitations" menu
1208 that shows each of the DPM techniques included in PML 214 The menu
compnses pushbuttons 1210-1213 that, when selected, displays the advantages
and
limitations associated with each DPM technique Menu 1208 provides a laser
bonding button 1210, ink jet button 1211, chemical etching button 1212, and
dot peen
button 1213, and if the facilitator 101 selects, for example, the laser bond
button 1210,
the PML 214 displays GUI 1300 of FIG 20 for PMS team reference purposes The
GUI 1200 further compnses a text box 1288 for entering data indicative of a
technically appropriate DPM method chosen by the PMS team for marking the part
as
a result of the algorithm
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[00206] GUI 1300 provides a summary of the advantages and limitations
corresponding to laser bond DPM In this regard, the GUI 1300 may comprise a
box
1302 enumerating the advantages of laser bond DPM, which may include that
laser
bond parts marking is resistant to high heat, is unaffected by salt, fog,
and/or spray,
exhibits the best resolution, is consistent, and is a non-contact application
On the
other hand, the GUI 1300 may comprise a box 1304 enumerating the limitations
of
laser bond parts marking, which may include that the laser bond parts marking
is
limited to the work enclosure, it cannot be used to mark on a painted surface,
and it is
time intensive GUI 1300 in FIG 13 displays advantages and limitations specific
to
laser bonding, however, other techniques will be correlated with other
Advantages/Limitations for display in GUI 1300 in other embodiments
[00207] FIG 21 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary parts marking
process of the
present disclosure
[00208] The facilitator 101 and/or the PMS team identify a part for
analysis in step
1402 Preferably, information relating to the part identified is gathered prior
to any
parts marking analysis For example, the facilitator 101 may collect
information
including a drawing and/or a photograph or a specification sheet corresponding
to the
part Furthermore, as described herein, data relating to a part may be pre-
populated
prior to the analysis in the "General" GUI 600 depicted in FIG 13
[00209] The PMS team then determines whether a label analysis is desired
in step
1404 If a label analysis is not desired in step 1404, then the PMS team
determines in
step 1414 whether a DPM analysis is desired
[00210] If a label analysis is desired, then the PMS team performs a
label algorithm in
step 1406 In this regard, the PMS team determines whether a one-part or two-
part
label, for example, can be used on the part Further, the PMS team determines a
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location for the label, adverse conditions that may affect the label, and
other
installation instructions Note that such technical limitations corresponding
to a label
algorithm are configurable and may change depending upon the implementation
strategy and the implementing entity
[00211] The PMS team then performs a function, functional failure,
failure mode and
failure effect analysis related to the application of the label on the
identified part in
step 1408 The PMS team then determines consequences related to the label
falling
off in step 1410
[00212] Based upon the information obtained in steps 1406, 1408, and
1410, the PMS
team provides a recommendation on the type of label to use in step 1412
[00213] If a label is not desired in step 1404 or in addition to
recommending a label in
step 1412, the PMS team then determines whether direct parts marking (DPM) is
desirable for the part under analysis in step 1414 If DPM is not desirable,
then the
analysis ends However, if DPM is desired, the PMS team analyzes each DPM
technique that is pre-populated in the PMS 100 and whether one of the pre-
populated
DPM techniques can be used on the part in step 1416
[00214] After the PMS team determines the types of DPM that are
technically
appropriate for use on the part, the PMS team then determines a recommendation
of a
DPM technique based upon the PMS team analysis and a prioritized list pre-
populated
of DPM techniques that may be used to mark the part in step 1418
[00215] FIG 22 is a flowchart depicting architecture and functionality
of exemplary
PML 214 (FIG 2) of the present disclosure
[00216] The PML 214 configures parts marking options based upon
implementation
strategies in step 1504 For example, an implementing entity may identify that
it is
technically appropriate to use labels and specific DPM techniques to mark
parts
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Such information is used to configure the PMS 100 such that options are made
available to the PMS team during analysis to reflect the implementation
strategies
[00217] The PML 214 then stores data indicative of a plurality of parts
for marking in
step 1506 The PML 214 then receives data indicative of parts marking options
corresponding to at least one of the parts in step 1508
[00218] The PML 214 then stores data indicative of the determined best
parts marking
alternative and receives data indicative of a marking procedure corresponding
to the
selected alternative in step 1510 The PML 214 generates at least one report
associated with the best parts marking alternative and marking procedure
corresponding to the alternative in step 1512
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