AU758683B1

AU758683B1 - A training system and method for facilitating the training of operatives in support of materiel

Info

Publication number: AU758683B1
Application number: AU65466/01A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Carlyle Nagel
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-09-28
Filing date: 2001-08-24
Publication date: 2003-03-27
Anticipated expiration: 2020-09-28
Also published as: AU758618B1

Description

rN SE;E SUBSTITUTED SPECIFICATION LODGED JC o

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Applicant(s): CARLYLE NAGEL Invention Title: A TRAINING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FACILITATING THE TRAINING OF OPERATIVES IN SUPPORT OF MATERIEL The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: 2 A TRAINING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FACILITATING THE TRAINING OF OPERATIVES IN SUPPORT OF MATERIEL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method and a system for facilitating the training of operatives in support of materiel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The term materiel includes any "complex" article e.g.

an article which is made up of one of more assemblies.

Examples include machines including vehicles e.g. tanks, automobiles, aeroplanes, ships, etc. An automobile is a materiel item which includes a plurality of "subassemblies", e.g. engine, transmission, suspension, chassis etc.

Any materiel item will require support during its lifetime. In order to ensure that the support is carried out correctly, a supply of skilled operatives must be provided. For example, in order to ensure that vehicle engines are serviced correctly, a skilled mechanic must be available to carry out the service.

It is important that operatives are trained properly, in order to ensure that they can carry out support tasks efficiently and adequately. Further, not only must an operative be provided with initial training, but they*must also be provided with on-going training to ensure that their skills are kept up to date. Materiel items are in a constant state of development and change so the on-going training is as important as the initial training.

Training operatives will usually be trained by a trainer and will be provided with training materials which may include a workshop manual giving details of the 3 configuration of the materiel item or items that the trainee is being trained to support, and which might include course notes, training notes and questions for the operative to answer to test their knowledge.

These training materials are generally in printed form and are often not kept very up to date. Indeed, training may generally rely more on the skill and up to date knowledge of the trainer than the adequacy of the training materials.

Further, although training operatives may be provided with some practical training, the materiel items used for the practical will often be "up to date" items and are likely to be different, at least in some features, to the materiel items that the trainee may have to support in the field. It is particularly important to note that with some materiel items there may be many different configurations e.g. with aeroplanes or military vehicles often there are many different configurations of the same materiel item in the field at any one time. It is often impractical to provide a trainee with first hand training on all different configurations. This often leads to "training on the job", which is not totally satisfactory.

There is a need for an improved way of training operatives for support of materiel, and also a need for improved training materials.

Configuration management is required for managing information for the support of materiel. This information must provide enough information to instruct support of assemblies which constitute the materiel item. E.g. a particular ship may require oil to be applied to the shaft of the prop daily, in order that the shaft and prop assembly can be maintained correctly. A maintenance engineer must be provided with this information, or the 4 assembly and therefore the ship will not be properly maintained (leading to breakdown). Note that in the specification the term "support" is intended as a general term to cover any process which is required to keep a materiel item operating properly through its life time.

This includes maintenance, servicing, repair, but is not limited to just these processes.

The information presently available to enable TLS ("Through Life Support") of materiel is usually in the following form: a parts book, which designates the parts that make up an item of materiel; a parts list which lists the parts and identifies them by, eg a manufacturer's number, to enable obtaining spare parts. The parts list may be separate from the parts book; a repair book, which provides instructions for taking apart, repairing, putting back together, etc, the materiel type; a service manual, which provides instructions on how to apply regular maintenance to the materiel, e.g. oil change; a user manual, providing instructions on use of the materiel; drawings and diagrams of the materiel.

This information is provided in a non-integrated ("Stove Pipe") form. That is, the repair book, service manual, parts list, parts book, user manual, etc. are all provided separately from each other. When modifications are made to materiel, they may not be entered in some of the publications required from maintaining the materiel.

Further, even where they are entered, usually new versions of the publications are not produced until a significant 5 number of changes have occurred to justify the printing costs. To properly support a materiel item, therefore, firstly the information for the particular item configuration must have been maintained, and, secondly, the operative must be able to locate the correct publication.

The correct support of an item of materiel throughout its life is therefore a difficult and complex matter. The operative must have access to the correct support information. Particularly where many different configurations of type of materiel have been implemented, it is quite unlikely that the operative will have access to the correct publications. Further, the operative may not be aware that original consumables are no longer available, and replacements must be located. This can lead to the item being supported incorrectly. It can lead to a lot of time being consumed to locate the proper information required for support. It can lead to breakdown of materiel, because the materiel cannot or has not been supported correctly.

The organisation and maintenance of the information for supporting materiel is termed "configuration management".

The present applicants have devised a system and process for improving configuration management. This configuration management system and process is disclosed in the applicants' earlier Australian patent number 730713, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The configuration management system includes a computer system which includes a storage means, such as a database for storing a plurality of items of "task data".

Each task data item includes information data providing 6 information on the handling of an associated configuration item of materiel for particular support process.

"Configuration item" is the term given to a fundamental unit of an assembly of a materiel item, being the "smallest" unit which requires support (anything "smaller" is merely replaced). The particular support process may affect a plurality of configuration items e.g. to repair a configuration item in the transmission of a vehicle may require removal of assemblies such as the engine and will therefore affect configuration items in the engine and information will be required by the operative to enable them to correctly deal with the configuration items that may be affected in gaining access to the relevant transmission configuration item. In the applicants' earlier invention, each task data item provides information on the handling of a configuration item of materiel for a particular support process and each task data item is also linked, by a link means, to other task data items, the associated configuration items of which may be affected by a support process of the configuration item associated with the task data item. Inquiry means accesses a storage means to extract information required for a support process affecting at least one configuration item, the inquiry means utilising the link means to extract information from task data items associated with configuration items which may be affected by the support process affecting the at least one configuration item, whereby information is provided giving instructions on the handling of all configurations items affected by a particular support process. Information is therefore provided to an operative which enables the operative to fully carry out a support process affecting a particular configuration item e.g. in the transmission of a vehicle, 7 as information is provided from the links on the handling of all other configuration items affected by the support process e.g. other configuration items which may be affected in the engine of the vehicle.

The applicants' earlier invention therefore addresses some of the problems associated with the provision of the information required to support materiel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a training system for facilitating the training of an operative in the support of a configuration item of materiel, the training system comprising training material data including link means linking to a further system including storage means storing a task data item, the task data item including information data providing information on the handling of the configuration item of materiel for a support process, whereby the training system can return via the link means the information data providing the information on the handling of the configuration item for the support process.

Preferably, the further system includes further link means linking the task data item to one or more other task data items, the associated configuration item(s) of which may be affected by the support process of the configuration item associated with the task data item, and wherein the training system is arranged via the link means and the further link means to obtain the task data item for the particular configuration item the operative is being trained on together with the linked task data items.

In this way, the operative may be provided with the all the information required for them to be trained in the 8 support process of a configuration item, even information on configuration items that will be affected by the support processes of the particular configuration item.

For example, if the configuration item that the operative is being trained on is part of a vehicle suspension, the training system will return the support information required for configuration items that may need to be moved or accessed in order for the operative to access the specified part of the vehicle suspension.

Preferably, the training material data also includes instructions facilitating training of the operative.

Preferably, the training system is arranged to facilitate the training of an operative in the support of a plurality of configuration items of materiel.

Preferably, the link means links to all the task data items which may be associated with the configuration item.

Further, the system may include a plurality of task data items associated with each configuration item. Task data items may include information data on different support processes for the configuration item. For example, the support processes may include a "repair", "inspection", "disassembly", "assembly", "maintenance", "remove", "replace", support process. Preferably a task data item is associated with each support process.

The training system therefore can provide detailed information on the support processes that an operative may be being trained in relation to. Because the further system provides information on each configuration item, the training material data can be supplemented by up to date task data items including up to date information on the configuration item.

Preferably, the storage means of the further system is a computing system database. Preferably, the further 9 system is a configuration management system. Preferably, the further system is the configuration management system described in applicants' above-referenced patent, the specification of which is appended hereto as "Appendix A".

The training system may also be implemented by way of a computing system and the link means may include hyperlinks or any other suitable link to the further system. Alternatively, however, the training tool may be hardcopy training material and the link means may include references linking to the further system.

In an alternative embodiment, the training material may be training course material for use by a trainer to enable the trainer to run a training course. The training course material may include course instructions, questions for the operative, and any other material required for management of the training course. The links to the task data items of the further system enable the trainer to have access to all the up to date information.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of facilitating training of an operative in the support of a configuration item of materiel, comprising the steps of providing training materials, including link means linking to a further system including storage means storing a task data item, the task data item including information data providing information on the handling of the configuration item of materiel for a support process, whereby support information for the configuration item may be obtained from the further system.

A further aspect of the present invention relates to a system and method for facilitating a trainer to plan a training course, and preferably to prepare training materials. Presently, the trainer really has very little 10 in the way of structure available for him to plan a particular training course.

In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a training material preparation system for preparing training materials for use in training operative in the support of configuration items, comprising training material query means arranged to access a further system including storage means storing a plurality of items of task data, each task data item including information data providing information on the handling of an associated configuration item of materiel for a support process, the training query means being arranged to return task data items, whereby to obtain the information data on the support of the configuration item to enable planning of training courses for training operatives in the support of the particular configuration items.

Preferably, the task data item of the further system includes further link means linking to other task data items, the associated configuration items of which may be affected by a support process of the configuration item associated with the task data item.

Preferably, the trainer query means is arranged to return the task data item for all linked task data items.

The availability of the link to the task data items can enable a trainer to plan the training course with confidence. Preferably, the further system is kept very much up to date, so that the trainer can access information on configuration items for all materiel items which the operatives are being trained to support.

In accordance with a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of preparing training material for training an operative in the support 11 of configuration items, comprising the steps of accessing a further system including storage means storing a plurality of items of task data, each task data item including information data providing information on the handling of an associated configuration item of materiel for a support process, reviewing the task data items and obtaining information data on the support of the configuration item to enable planning of the training course.

In accordance with a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer program, which, when loaded onto a computing system, is arranged to control the computing system to provide a training system for facilitating the training of an operative in the support of a configuration item of materiel, the training system comprising training material data including link means linking to a further system including storage means storing a task data item, the task data item including information data providing information on the handling of the configuration item of materiel for a support process, whereby the training system can return via the link means the information data providing the information on the handling of the configuration item for the support process.

In accordance with a sixth aspect -of the present invention, there is provided a computer readable medium providing a computer program in accordance with the fifth aspect of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of an 12 embodiment thereof, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which; Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 2 is a schematic diagram further illustrating aspects of the system of the embodiment.of Figure 1.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to Figure 1, a training system arrangement in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, generally designated by reference numeral i, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is illustrated. In this embodiment, the training system arrangement is implemented by way of computer software running on a computing system 2. The computing system 2 may comprise any suitable computing infrastructure. In Figure 1 a representation of a PC is given. It will be appreciated, however, that the infrastructure need not be a PC, but could be a series of networked computers, server/client architecture, mainframe and terminal architecture, or any other type of computing system architecture.

The computing system 2 in this embodiment includes an output device 3 in the form of a printer for outputting hardcopy training materials 3A. Note that any output means may be provided and the invention is not limited to the use of a printer. Other output means could include a head-up display (to an operator in the field), screen, voice-output system, electronic paper, artificial intelligence training system, other computer systems and other media.

In this embodiment, the training system arrangement 1 includes a training system module 4 and a training planner 13 module 5. Together, these modules enable the implementation of: A. planning of training courses B. on-going management of training C. the provision of training instruction materials The training system module 5 enables on-going management of training and the provision of training instruction materials.

The training system arrangement includes link means, schematically represented by arrows 6 and 7 to a further system 8, which in this embodiment is a configuration management system. The link means may include any suitable link e.g. hyperlink from computing system 2, or any other type of link.

The storage means 8 of the configuration management system (note how that only the storage means 8 is shown in the drawing in actual implementation the configuration management system will also include an interface and means for accessing the storage means these are not shown) stores a plurality of items of task data. Each task data item includes information data providing information on the handling of an associated configuration item of materiel for a support process. The training system arrangement 1, linked to the storage means 8, therefore, is able to access the task data items, and obtain information for support of a particular configuration item that a trainee may require training in.

In this embodiment, the configuration management system of which the storage means 8 is a part is known as Continuous Acquisition and Lifecycle Support, or CALS.

The CALS system 2 manages and provides information required for support processes for configuration items of 14 materiel. As is described in Appendix A, a support process is organised into a number of "task data items" which are linked by further link means so that complete information for a particular support process can be provided. For example, an operative requiring information on a support process for a particular configuration item will be provided, by way of the linked task data items, with all the information required for the support process of that configuration item, and also information that may be required because of the effect of the support process on other configuration items that may need to be affected in order to implement the support process for the particular configuration item.

Each task data item includes detailed instructions for how to carry out the particular support process, and may include drawings of the appropriate aspects of the configuration item, a list of tools and other consumables lubricants, washers, etc) that may be required to complete the particular task.

The training system modules, includes training materials data. In this embodiment the data may include notes, instructions and questions for facilitating training of an operative to support a particular configuration item or configuration items of materiel (and any other information that may be required for training) The link 6 to the storage means 8 enables the training materials data to automatically link and fetch the task data items associated with the configuration item that the training material data relates to. Further, any task data items linked to the task data item associated with the configuration item are also accessed, so that the operative has the complete picture of information required to train in support of the particular configuration item, 15 including information on configuration items that may be affected by the support process for the particular configuration item.

In more detail, with reference to Figure 2, there are two main aspects to the training system module 4.

In the first aspect, the training materials data includes training instruction materials for use by a trainee operative, training to implement a particular support process.

In the example given in Figure 2, training instruction materials 10 include data for training an operative in support of assemblies relating to a tank (military vehicle). The tank, for example, may be managed by the defence forces and the trainee may be a trainee support operative for the defence forces.

The training instruction materials 10 will include notes 11 e.g. on aspects of the tank, instructions 12 e.g.

what instructions the operative is required to carry out in training, review the support process for servicing the tank) and questions 13 e.g. to test the operative's knowledge after they have completed a particular course section.

The training instruction materials 10 also include links 14 which may be, for example, "hyperlinks" to the CALS database 8. The links 14 will be to relevant task data items 15, 16 providing information on configuration items associated with the particular training instruction materials. For example, in the case illustrated in Figure 2, the training instruction materials 10 relate to instruction for servicing of the turret and hull assemblies of a military tank. The links 14 therefore link to task data items 15, 16 which provide information for the support processes for the servicing of the 16 configuration items of the turret and the hull of the specified tank. Each task data item, as discussed in Appendix A, includes instructions, drawings, tools, lists of consumables replacement parts, oils, etc).

The links 14 therefore act to significantly augment the instruction materials by providing up to date support process information, with all required details. Because the CALS database 8 is a comprehensive configuration management database, information on support processes for many different materiel items is available. The information is constantly updated. This provides a significant facility for augmenting training materials The training instruction materials may be provided to the trainee operative via the computing system 2 in the form of an interface on display 30 utilising keyboard 31 and any other interface tools, in known manner. The operative may "click" on the hyperlinks 14 in order to bring up the task data information, when appropriate.

Alternatively, the training system module 4 may download the linked task data items on request and print out the training instruction materials including the task data items via printer 3 as course materials 3A.

The training system module 4 also provides a trainer with a training management plan 20. The training management plan 20 includes course notes 21 for the trainer, training notes 22 and questions 23 which he can deliver to the trainee operatives. It also includes links 24 to the CALS database 8, to take advantage of the information available there.

The training system module 4 can thus produce training management plans for use by trainers as well as training instruction materials for use by trainees.

Again, the training management plan may be accessed via a 17 computing system to interface 30, 31, or printed out as a hardcopy 4, with the task data item information from CALS database 8 incorporated.

Another aspect to the management of training is the initial planning of the training course. The training system arrangement 1 of the present invention also facilitates planning and preparation of training courses.

The training planner module 5 provides a "framework" whereby a trainer, wishing to design a training course, can access and "browse" through CALS database 8 when preparing their training course. The training planner may include any suitable software which enables browsing and may also include a package which enables a trainer to prepare course notes and incorporate hyperlinks to CALS 8, so that for example a training management plan can be created, and also training instruction materials.

The training system of the present invention is not limited to use in training operatives for the support of materiel for use for the defence forces. It can be used to manage materiel utilised by any organisation, including manufacturers of manufactured good such as motor vehicles, aeroplanes or any other type of materiel.

The training system of the above-described embodiment is software based on a computing system. The training materials need not be software based, however, but could be hardcopy materials, including information which directs a user to the database containing the task data items.

Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.

18 APPENDIX A CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND PROCESS FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a configuration management system and process and particularly, but not exclusively, to a configuration management system and process for managing information required for the support of materiel.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION The term materiel includes any "complex" article eg an article which is made up of one or more assemblies.

Examples include machines including vehicles eg tanks, automobiles, aeroplanes, ships, etc. An automobile is a materiel item which includes a plurality of "subassemblies", eg engine, transmission, suspension, chassis etc.

Any materiel item will require support during its lifetime. To ensure that this is carried out correctly, information is required which will "teach" how to support the assemblies which constitute the materiel item. E.g. a particular ship may require oil to be applied to the shaft of the prop daily, in order that the shaft and prop assembly can be maintained correctly. A maintenance engineer must be provided with this information, or the assembly and therefore the ship will not be properly maintained (leading to breakdown). Note that in the specification the term "support" is intended as a general term to cover any process which is required to keep a material item operating properly through its life time.

19 The preparation and upkeep of information for supporting any materiel is a very complex matter. In particular, a materiel type (ie make of vehicle) may go through many design changes and modifications from the initial materiel design (and these design changes may occur even before any materiel item has been manufactured ie during development and testing from the original design, never mind design changes which occur after a materiel type has first been manufactured). The usual process followed in the construction of any materiel is that first of all the materiel is designed and an Engineering Drawing Pack (EDP) is produced which instructs construction of the materiel. The process then moves on to manufacture of the materiel items. During this construction phase (and sometimes before construction of a single materiel item has been completed, as discussed above), it may be determined that modifications to the materiel design are desirable. Engineering Change Proposals (ECPs) will be made for changing various aspects of the design. These will be reviewed and if approved an Engineering Change Order (ECO) will issue ordering the change. The change is then entered in the EDP and the modification is then applied during construction of materiel items. ECOs may be made at any time during the lifetime of a particular "type" of materiel eg model of car. At any time during this lifetime ("life of type" LOT), materiel items may have already been manufactured and sold and a decision will be made for any particular design change whether to recall items in the field for a retrofit to incorporate the design change or whether to continue with the type in two or more "configurations" (ie one configuration with the design modification, one without).

20 For any materiel type, many ECOs may be made during the LOT. Defence equipment is a particular example. The life of some types of tanks and aeroplanes may extend over several decades. During this time, many modifications can be made, and as it is often complex and costly to apply retrofits for modifications, retrofits will tend to be avoided where at all possible. This results in the existence of many different configurations of the one type of materiel being in existence, all of which require information to be available for support, which information may vary from configuration to configuration.

This leads to a significant problem in Through Life Support (TLS) of materiel throughout its LOT (Through Life Support TLS). As any particular item may be one of any number of configurations, it is difficult for the operative maintenance engineer) to access the correct information to enable them to support the materiel item. In some cases the information for the particular configuration may not even be available at all, as the information may not have been kept up to date.

The information presently available to enable TLS of materiel is usually in the following form: a parts book, which designates the parts that make up an item of materiel; a parts list which lists the parts and identifies them by, eg a manufacturer's number, to enable obtaining spare parts.

The parts list may be separate from the parts book; a repair book, which provides instructions for taking apart, repairing, putting back together, etc, the materiel type; 0) a service manual, which provides 21 instructions on how to apply regular maintenance to the materiel, e.g. oil change; a user manual, providing instructions on use of the materiel; drawings and diagrams of the material.

Further, even where they are entered, usually new versions of the publications are not produced until a significant number of changes have occurred to justify the printing costs. To properly support a materiel item, therefore, firstly the information for the particular item configuration must have been maintained, and, secondly, the operative must be able to locate the correct publication.

Yet another problem arises in relation to "consumables" which are required for support of materiel.

Consumables include materiels which are utilised during support, such as replacement parts, fluids required for service (eg type of oil). Over the LOT of materiel, original consumables may become unavailable (eg the originally specified replacement part may no longer be manufactured), and it will be necessary for the operative to, firstly, be aware that the consumable is no longer available and, secondly, locate a suitable replacement.

Further, the replacement may require a different method of handling, eg it may require installation in a different way. It is unlikely that the information on the 22 replacement consumable will be included in any of the publications discussed above. Indeed it is unlikely that the operative engineer will even be aware that the consumable is unavailable until an attempt to obtain a replacement is made, due to the "stove pipe" nature of the information available to the operative.

Yet a further problem is that even where an operative may have access to the correct publications the information required for a particular support process may not be presented in a convenient manner. A support process will affect at least one "configuration item".

Configuration item is the term given to a fundamental unit of an assembly of a materiel item, being the "smallest" unit which requires support (anything "smaller" is merely replaced eg a rocker-cover gasket is not a configuration item because it is replaceable, not supportable, but the rocker-box itself requires repair and maintenance). A particular support process may affect a plurality of configuration items, eg to repair a configuration item in 23 the transmission of a vehicle may require removal of assemblies such as the engine and will therefore affect configuration items in the engine and information will be required by the operative to enable them to correctly deal with the configuration items that may be affected in gaining access to the relevant transmission configuration item. Information on all the configuration items which are likely to be affected will not be presented in a convenient manner in the publications the operative presently has access to, and they will have to search through the publications to locate all the information that is required. It may often be difficult to do this and often all the required information may not be located, leading to error, leading to incorrect support.

Note that the technical terminology used above (EDP, ECO, etc) applies particularly to materiel in the Defence industry. The processes discussed apply generically, however, to any materiel, and the present configuration is not limited to materiel used in Defence.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION The present invention provides a system for managing information required for the support of materiel, comprising a computer system including storage means storing a plurality of items of task data, each task data item including information data providing information on the handling of an associated configuration item of materiel for a particular support process, each task data item also including link means linking to another task data item, the associated configuration item of which may be affected by a support process of the configuration item associated with the task data item, and enquiry means for accessing the storage means to extract information required for a support process affecting at least one 24 configuration item, the enquiry means utilising the link means to extract information of task data items associated with configuration items which may be affected by the support process affecting the at least one configuration item, whereby information may be provided giving instructions on the handling of all configuration items affected by a particular support process.

Information may preferably, therefore, be provided to an operative which enables the operative to fully carry out a support process affecting a particular configuration item eg in the transmission of a vehicle, as information is provided from the links on the handling of all other configuration items affected by the support process, e.g.

on the configuration items which may be affected in the engine of the vehicle.

Links may be-automated, for example, in the form of "hyperlinks". Alternatively, the link means may include a pointer to another task data item or items, requiring, for example, manual action, such as pressing of the key on a computer keyboard to locate and obtain the link task data item. In some cases, the link may link to an external task data item, which is external of the computer system, eg stored in hard copy, and the link provides pointer information which enables the operative to locate the hard copy. Preferably, metadata may be associated with the task data items as one method of linking the task data items eg. using an index of the metadata to look up the task data items which may be associated for a particular support process.

Note that configuration items are usually defined by official standards for particular materiel types, and the system of the present invention preferably utilises these definitions. Where these are not available, definitions 25 may be made for the system.

The task data items are preferably separated into different types of tasks, and a plurality of task data items may be associated with each configuration item. The types of task data item may preferably include: an "inspection" task data item. This provides the information required to enable inspection of a particular configuration item; a "repair" task data item. This provides information necessary to repair a particular configuration item; a "disassembly" task data item. This provides information necessary to disassemble a particular configuration item; a "assembly" task data item. This provides information necessary to assemble a particular configuration item; a "maintenance" task data item. This provides information necessary to maintain a particular configuration item; a "remove" task data item, including information necessary to remove a particular configuration item; a "replace" task data item, including information necessary to replace a particular configuration item.

Other task data item types may be included in the system, depending on the requirements of a particular materiel type and support processes that are required by the type. Further task data item types include calibrate; fault locate; operate; adjust; overhaul; preserve; handle; shipping; adjust; align; bleed; calibrate; clean; fault diagnose; function; test; install; lubricate; modify; operate; overhaul; preserve; purge; service; table; test; time; etc. so that task data items are preferably provided 26 as discrete entities including information instructing an operative to handle a particular configuration item for any support process that may be required for that configuration item. It will be understood that the present invention is not limited to the above list of task data item types.

In operation if, for example, inspection of a particular configuration item is required then the system will access the inspection task data item for that configuration item in order to provide the required information for that task. It will also enable access to task data items linked to the inspection task data item, to provide information which may be required to operate on other configuration items that may need to be operated on to enable the inspection process. For example, disassembly of configuration items which are "in the way" may be required before inspection of the configuration item can proceed. The inspection task data item will therefore be linked to disassembly task data items for the configuration items that have to be disassembled. Also, once the inspection process has been completed it will be necessary to assemble the configuration items, and task data items for assembly will also be accessed by the system. The operative undertaking the inspection task 2E vill thereo-e be provided with all the information they need to carry out the task, including information on configuration items which are affected by the inspection and need to be disassembled to enable the inspection, and then assembled to complete the support process.

The information may be presented as a print out from the computer system, on a CD, may be accessed over a computer network such as the Internet, or may be presented in any other convenient manner. As discussed above, some 27 task data items may be provided in hard copy.

The enquiry means preferably accesses the storage means by utilising addressing information based on standard assembly information defined for the particular materiel type. As discussed above, any materiel can be broken down into constituent assemblies, each of which can be broken down into constituent configuration items. The assembly information may be defined by standards (eg the US military standards applicable to Defence equipment) or the definitions may, alternatively, be devised for the system. For example, if an engineer wishes to maintain an assembly of a particular configuration of materiel, the system is accessed by designating the materiel type (eg Stinger Missile), the configuration of the type (eg mark 3 Stinger Missile), the assembly (Rocket Engine) and that maintenance information that is required. The system will then access the maintenance task data items associated with the configuration items constituting the mark 3 Stinger Missile rocket engine and provide the maintenance information requested together with any information from linked task data items associated with configuration items affected by the maintenance process. The links may be by any known means, but preferably metadata associated with task data items as utilised to link task data items.

The information provided for support preferably includes a series of process steps, together with a list of consumables that will be consumed during the process and also, preferably, a list of tools that will be required, so as to provide the operative with all the information required to carry out the process.

Consumables, as discussed above, are items that are required to carry out a support process. They may include replacement parts, replacement tool parts and in some 28 cases replacement tools. Generally, consumables include any item that is "consumed" during the support process (note that consumables may also include materials, such as oil, which may be consumed during a support process). For the purpose of this document, the term "consumables" may also include tools, such as special tools, which may be required to complete a task but which are not actually "consumed" during completion of the task (ie they may then be returned to the supplier or kept for a later occasion).

Preferably, the system also includes consumable locater means which is arranged to access a consumable database containing availability information on consumables, and to locate the information and determine whether the consumables are available, and to indicate availability in the information provided to the operative carrying out the process. In some cases, as discussed above, a consumable may not be available eg it may no longer be being manufactured. In such a case, the consumable database usually designates an alternative consumable. Preferably, the consumable locater means includes means for flagging the task data item that a particular consumable is not available and also to provide information data on the alternative consumable, so that the alternative consumable may be included in the list of consumables provided by the system. Preferably, impact processing means is arranged to locate other task data items which require a consumable which is no longer available or for which a replacement has been designated, and to flag those task data items to indicate this. Preferably, this is done by way of linking consumable item data in the system, so that all the consumable items affected by the change can be located.

29 In this way the system can be kept up to date, preferably automatically, maintaining the latest list of available parts, tools etc for support of a materiel type.

Preferably, the impact processing means is also arranged to locate task data items which require the affected consumable across different materiel types. It is thus possible to establish the impact of a consumable change across different materiel types, e.g. if a pump consumable is changed out of the manufacturer supply point, this may affect a truck and a car which share the common consumable item. The impact processing means preferably flags this change.

Preferably, as the information required for a particular process is being built, the consumable locater means is arranged to generate the list of consumable as a separate list "on the fly", so that the operative is provided with a list of process steps, information on how to carry out the process, and a separate list of parts and tools required.

Databases are maintained of parts and tools required for the maintenance and repair of materiel. These include the "Standard Defence Supply System" (SDSS)(a military supply system database) for military equipment. The system of the present configuration is able to access such systems, in the preferred embodiment, so that the consumable locater means can access the available information. Where such databases do not already exist they may be constructed to serve the system of the present invention.

Update of the information data stored in the storage means of the system of the present invention is preferably a substantially continuous process. Information will be input any time configurations of materiel are changed, 30 from ECOs, EDPs and other information available, including information provided by skilled people such as skilled engineers. This information can be obtained from the appropriate sources, eg Defence contractors where the system is a configuration management system for Defence materiel.

The present invention further provides a system for managing information required for the support of materiel, comprising a computer system including storage means for storing task data items including information data providing information on the handling of configuration items of materiel for a support process, the information data including consumable data including information on consumables required for the handling of configuration items for a support process, and consumable locater means for accessing a consumable data base containing availability information on the availability of consumables, and to indicate the consumable availability in information provided to a user of the system accessing the system to obtain information on how to carry out a support process of a configuration item.

Preferably, where the consumable database indicates that a consumable is no longer available, the system is arranged to flag this in the information provided to the Suser. Preferably, where the consumer database indicates that an alternative consumable is available, information .on the alternative is provided to the user, and, preferably impact processing means is arranged to locate consumable data in the storage means which relate to consumables which are no longer available and to flag this, and preferably provide data on any alternatives available, in order to maintain relevance of the system.

The system of this aspect of the invention may have 31 any or all of the features of the aspect discussed above.

The present invention further provides a method of managing information required for the support of materiel, comprising the steps of storing a plurality of items of task data in a storage means, each task data item including information data providing information on the handling of an associated configuration item of materiel through a particular support process, linking each task data item to other task data items, the associated configuration items of which may be affected by a support process of the configuration item associated with each task data item, whereby the storage means may be accessed to extract information required for a support process affecting at least one configuration item, the link means being utilised to extract information of a task data item associated with configuration items which may be affected by the support process affecting the at least one configuration item, whereby to provide information giving instructions on the handling of all configuration items affected by a particular support process.

The present invention yet further provides a method of managing information required for the support of materiel, comprising the steps of storing task data items including information data providing information on the handling of configuration items of materiel for a support process, including the step of storing consumable data including information on consumables required for the handling of configuration items for a support process, and providing consumable locator means for accessing a consumable database containing availability information on the availability of consumables, whereby to enable indication of the consumable availability in information provided to an operative.

32 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.

Features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment thereof, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1. is a schematic diagram of a system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, showing links to another system; Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing part of a database structure in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 is a schematic diagram, illustrating how assembly information for a particular materiel may be defined; Figures 4 and 5 are "print-outs" showing information provided by a system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention for an example materiel process.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Figure 1 schematically illustrates an example embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 1 indicates a system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention comprising a system database which is termed "continuous acquisition and lifetime support" (CALS Compatible Database) for materiel. Although not shown separately in the drawing, it will be appreciated that the CALS Compatible Database system will be supported by a computer hardware system which may be in the form of a central "mainframe' computer or computers with attached terminals for input 2 and output 3, or, more preferably, comprise a distributed architecture including a plurality of networked computing devices, preferably with one or more server computing devices, and including input means 33 for inputs 2 and output means for outputs 3. The system 1 may be connectable to an extended computer network, such as the Internet, for both input 2 and output 3. The database may include a standard relational database engine, such as ORACLE TM.

In accordance with this embodiment of the present invention, the system 1 includes storage means (computer memory in this case storing a plurality of task data items which include information on how to carry out support of configuration items of materiel. This particular embodiment is particularly for support of Defence equipment, but it will be appreciated that other embodiments may support any materiel. In order to obtain from CALS Compatible Database I the information required for carrying out a support process, which may affect more than a single configuration item, the task data items are linked within the database i, so that if support of one particular configuration item requires that other configuration items be affected, then the linked task data items for the affected configuration items will also be accessed and the appropriate information will be output 3 giving the operative the information required to carry out the particular support process. The engineer will be provided with the entire "story" to enable them to carry out the support process, which story will have been assembled by the system 1 from a plurality of discrete task data items linked to each other depending on the support process being queried by inputs 2.

The contents of task data items (the information provided) will be discussed in more detail later. As well as including data on "how to" (ie how to perform a particular process), data is included identifying "consumables" required to carry out a particular process.

34 Consumables include fluids required to be consumed during a service process (eg oils), replacement parts that may be required (eg bolts of specially hardened materiel), replacement tool parts required, any special tools that may be required, and generally anything that will need to be "consumed" to carry out the support process. A communications link 4, which may be any type of communications link, eg dedicated line, computer network, Internet, is provided from CALS Compatible Database 1 to the Standard Defence Supply System (A standard supply system database) 5. This database provides information on the availability and identification of consumables (each consumable included in this database has an identification token, such as a reference number, associated with it), so that an operative has all the information required to be able to requisition and obtain the consumables. CALS Compatible Database 1 includes a consumable locater means which is arranged to query the SDSS 5 for information on consumables required to carry out a particular support process, via communications link 4, so that the "story" provided as an output 3 includes the appropriate consumable information to enable the operative to be able to requisition the consumables required for the process.

The consumable locater means includes a suitable software engine to drive the SDSS 5 query process.

During the LOT of a particular materiel, consumables may cease to be available ig they may go out of production. The SDSS 5 is kept up to date as much as possible with the availability of consumables and, if particular consumables are no longer available, includes information on consumables that may be utilised as replacements. Where the consumable locater means identifies that a particular consumable is no longer 35 available, an impact processing means of the system 1 is arranged to scan CALS Compatible Database to locate all task data items the associated tasks of which require the use of that particular consumable, and to flag the task data items so that when they are accessed the output 3 will advise that the consumable is no longer available.

Where a replacement consumable is identified the impact processing means is arranged to provide information data on the replacement and include it in the task data. The impact processing means includes a suitable software engine to carry out this process.

Figure 2 illustrates an example of how CALS Compatible Database 1 is organised for an example materiel, in this case being a tank assembly. Referring to Figure 3, the US military standard for configuration management of Defence equipment sets down standards for the "breakdown" of materiel into "assemblies". A hierarchical structure is provided for each materiel type covered by the standard. In this example the materiel is a type of tank (note that the type of tank is not specifiedthe Figure 3 example is a mere schematic to illustrate the structure of the US mil standard, and is not an actual example of an actual materiel). At the top of the hierarchy is the tank assembly 10. This is the assembly of all the components of the tank. Step down in the hierarchy from the tank assembly 10 are the major assemblies that make up the tank assembly 10, including, for example, the power plant assembly 11, chassis assembly 12 and gun assembly 13. Other assemblies will exist here for a tank, but are not shown, for purposes of clarity.

Ghost lines 14, 15 indicate the existence of further assemblies. Further down in the hierarchy from these major assemblies are further assemblies (termed in Figure 36- 3 as sub-assemblies 16, but they are considered assemblies in their own right). These may include such assemblies as the engine 17 and turbocharger 18. Yet further down the hierarchy (and there may be any number of steps) are the configuration items 19, which sit at the bottom of the hierarchy. Ghost lines 20, 21 indicate the existence of further steps in the hierarchy.

Each assembly in the hierarchy has associated with it an identifier, which may be a token such as a reference number, so that each assembly can be separately designated. The CALS Compatible Database system 1 is organised and addressable utilising the US mil system.

Referring to Figure 2, there is illustrated a schematic "snapshot" of the CALS Compatible Database 1 database, organised in accordance with the US mil system. The snapshot is for the tank assembly 30 example. In the left hand column, identifiers 31 are illustrated. It can be seen that the identifier's 31 are logically structured in accordance with the assembly hierarchy from identifier "1" (the tank assembly) through for major assemblies, through l.X.Y for assemblies stepped down from these assemblies, etc. The final configuration items (being at the bottom of the assembly hierarchy) eg turbocharger 32 each have task data items 33 associated with them and stored in memory accessible via an addressing system based on the logical structure of the hierarchy. A plurality of task data items 33 may be associatedwith each configuration item, such as, for example, a repair task data item 34, a maintain task data item 35, a disassemble task data item 36 and an inspection task data item 37.

Each task data item includes data providing information on how to carry out support processes on the associated configuration item, as will be discussed in more detail 37 later.

As well, within the data structure, each task data item 34, 35, 36 and 37 may include one or more links 38, linking to other task data items associated with configuration items which will be affected by a particular support process on the configuration item. Links may be effected utilising metadata associated with the task data items, in a known manner. For example, in order to carry out a repair task 34 on the turbocharger 32 it may be necessary to access other components of the engine to disassemble them, for example, before the turbocharger 32 can be accessed. If an engineer requests information to enable repair 34 of the turbocharger for example, the system 1 accesses the repair task data item 34 for the turbocharger and also accesses task data items linked 38 to the repair task data item 34, to extract all the data required to enable the process.

In operation, therefore, an operative may require all the information necessary to service the engine of the tank assembly 30. The system 1 accesses all the maintain task data items for the configuration items of the engine and all the task data items linked to those task data items, to return all the information necessary to carry out this support process. In addition, by way of the consumable locater means, all consumables required for the process are identified and a separate consumables list is generated listing the consumables required for the process, together with the information required for their requisition.

The information provided by a task data item may include the following: "How to" information, giving process instructions on how to carry out a particular task (eg in the form of 38 series of steps for the engineer to perform): images eg engineering diagrams enabling analysis of materiel structures; labour cost information. Eg to give an idea of the likely cost of carrying out a particular task; MTTR (mean time to repair) information, giving an estimate of the likely time that may be required to carry out the task; staff required, e.g. what skills are required to carry out the particular task eg what type of engineer is required; consumable information (information on the consumables required for a particular task); tools required (some of these may be included in consumables, eg. where special tools are required which will need to be obtained from, for example, the SDSS); link data to other task data items requiring action in order to carry out this particular task (note that this link data may be termed "associations"). The link data may be in the form of metadata associated with the link data items.

references: these are to highlight particular aspects of a task that may require particular processing eg emphasising particular characteristics of components, such that the component gets very hot so that due care must be exercised when handling the component.

Task data may include other information and is not limited to the above list.

Note that link means may also link to "external" task data items. Some task data items may not be stored in the CALS compatible database, but may in fact be stored manually, eg in a library (which in effect can be considered as an extension of the CALS compatible 39database). In this case, the link means includes pointers or references in the task data item leading the operative to the external task data item.

The link means may operate to link task data items in any known manner. For example, within the CALS compatible database, the link means may include "hyperlinks" providing a jump to the stored data for the linked task data item. Alternatively, manual operation of the computer keyboard may be required to locate the linked task data item from a pointer provided in the task data item. Alternatively, the process may be completely automated and a software engine tracks links and provides the total "story" including all the task data items, as an output. Further, as discussed above, the link means may include pointers to external task data items.

Alternatively, as discussed above, link means may utilise metadata.

Referring to Figures 4 and 5, an example print-out is shown for a "crank pin bearings remove" process and "crank pin bearings replace" process for a hypothetical vehicle.

The information provided includes a list of instructions 51 showing "how to" carry out the processes; links 53, 54, 55, 56, 57 and 58; the list of consumables required 59, 60 (which include "special'tools" and "parts"), and "equipment condition" information 61, 62.

The links 53 through 58 are in this case hyperlinks and when an operative "clicks" on these links, then the associated task data items are located and output.

The consumables required are identified by "Part Number", the "NSN" serial number which shows that the parts are available (from access to the SDSS database), a "Description" and "Quantity".

The system 1 produces an entire story from the task 40 data extracted from CALS Compatible Database 1 for any particular process, together with a separate list of consumables.

To maintain the system 1, particularly to ensure that the correct data is added to the system 1 for materiel with a long lifetime and in different configurations, constant acquisition of the appropriate information to input 2 to the system 1 is generally required. The input information may include information from EDPs, ECOs, legacy information from publications relating to materiel, the skill and knowledge of engineers who are aware of how to carry out particular tasks, etc. Input such as this for Defence materiel may be made available from Defence contractors.

The above description is of an embodiment for use with the maintenance and repair of Defence materiel. It will be appreciated that embodiments could be built for the maintenance and repair of any materiel, e.g. domestic vehicles (automobiles).

As well as the advantages discussed in the preamble of the specification, there is a further advantage of the present system in that it leads to an improvement in health and safety, particularly where "reference" information highlights particular aspects of a task such as, for example, that a component gets very hot.

Information is therefore provided which preferably assists with safe handling of a configuration item.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the configuration as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the configuration as broadly described. The present 41 embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims

1. A training system for facilitating the training of an operative in the support of a configuration item of materiel, the training system comprising training material data including link means linking to a further system including storage means storing a task data item, the task data item including information data providing information on the handling of the configuration item of materiel for a support process, whereby the training system can return via the link means the information data providing the information on the handling of the configuration item for the support process.

2. A training system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the further system includes further link means linking the task data item to one or more other task data items, the associated configuration item(s) of which may be affected by the support process of the configuration item associated with the task data item, and wherein the training system is arranged via the link means and the further link means to obtain the task data item for the particular configuration item the operative is being trained on together with the linked task data items.

3. A training system in accordance with claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the training material data also includes instructions for facilitating training of the operative.

4. A training system in accordance with claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the further system is a configuration management system. A training system in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the training material is training material for use by a trainee operative.

C 43

6. A training system in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the training course material is training material for use by a trainer.

7. A method of facilitating training of an operative in the support of a configuration item of materiel, comprising the steps of providing training materials, including link means linking to a further system including storage means storing a task data item, the task data item including information data providing information on the handling of the configuration item of materiel for a support process, whereby support information for the configuration item may be obtained from the further system.

8. A method in accordance with claim 7, when the further system includes further link means linking the task data item to one or more task data items, the associated configuration item(s) of which may be affected by the support process of configuration item associated with the task data item, and a method comprising the further step of obtain via the link means and the further link means the task data item for the particular configuration item that the operative is being trained together with the linked task data items.

9. A method in accordance with claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the training material is training material for use by a trainee operative.

A method in accordance with claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the training materials is training material for use by a trainer.

11. A training material preparation system for preparing training materials for use in training operative in the support of configuration items, comprising training :,,,\material query means arranged to access a further system 44 including storage means storing a plurality of items of task data, each task data item including information data providing information on the handling of an associated configuration item of materiel for a support process, the training query means being arranged to return task data items, whereby to obtain the information data on the support of the configuration item to enable planning of training courses for training operatives in the support of the particular configuration items.

12. A training material preparation system in accordance with claim 11, the task data item of the further system including further link means linking to other task data items, the associated configuration items of which may be affected by a support process of the configuration item associated with the task data item.

13. A method of preparing training material for training an operative in the support of configuration items, comprising the steps of accessing a further system including storage means storing a plurality of items of task data, each task data item including information data providing information on the handling of an associated configuration item of materiel for a support process, reviewing the task data items and obtaining information data on the support of the configuration item to enable planning of the training course.

14. A computer program, which, when loaded onto a computing system, is arranged to control the computing system to provide a training system for facilitating the training of an operative in the support of a configuration item of materiel, the training system comprising training material data including link means linking to a further system including storage means storing a task data item, he task data item including information data providing information on the handling of the configuration item of materiel for a support process, whereby the training system can return via the link means the information data providing the information on the handling of the configuration item for the support process.

A computer readable medium providing a computer program in accordance with claim 14.

16. Training material prepared in accordance with the method of claim 13. A- c