Using smart phones as a universal diagnostic tool

Abstract

Fault diagnosis is usually dealt with by experts. Ordinary users rarely understand the detailed internal structure of an automated system and the associated diagnostic methods. The result is that systems which could easily be made to work again are either thrown away or an elaborate service process has to be started involving calls to various service hotlines. This paper presents a diagnosis approach for ordinary users without diagnostic expertise. A commercially available smart phone equipped with a diagnostic application serves as a mobile diagnostic tool. An intuitive user interface concept and a connection to a central knowledge base enable user-friendly diagnosis. Further steps are described for interactive troubleshooting, so that the diagnosis tool provides maximum support here too.