Apparatus and method for monitoring a system

Claim 1

An apparatus for monitoring a system comprising: a. means for sensing a plurality of parameters associated with the system; b. transformation means for transforming each value of said plurality of parameters associated with the system using a function dependent on at least baseline and critical values of the parameter, wherein the transformation means employs a function which exhibits a minimum sensitivity for deviations close to the baseline value of the parameter of a form: y=1/2{1-exp(-M(x-x.sub.b1).sup.2)}, wherein y represents a value of the function, x represents a measured value of the parameter, x b1 represents the baseline value for the parameter, and M represents a mapping parameter such that ##EQU6## and ##EQU7## wherein y' represents a value of the function at x min , x min represents a minimum value of the parameter, y" represents a value of the function at x max , and x max represents a maximum value of the parameter; c. mapping means for mapping the function to a sequence of reference values and generating a deviation indicator for each parameter; and d. analysis means for analyzing the deviation indicators and generating an average deviation indicator.

Claim 2

An apparatus for monitoring a system comprising: a. means for sensing a plurality of parameters associated with the system; b. transformation means for transforming each value of said plurality of parameters associated with the system using a function dependent on at least baseline and critical values of the parameter, wherein the transformation means employs a function which exhibits a minimum sensitivity for deviations close to the baseline value of the parameter of a form: y=1/2{1-exp(-M(x-x.sub.b1).sup.2)}, wherein y represents a value of the function, x represents a measured value of the parameter, x b1 represents the baseline value for the parameter, and M represents a mapping parameter such that ##EQU6## and ##EQU7## wherein y' represents a value of the function at x min , x min represents a minimum value of the parameter, y" represents a value of the function at x max , and x max represents a maximum value of the parameter; c. mapping means for mapping the function to a sequence of reference values and generating a deviation indicator for each parameter; and d. analysis means for analyzing the deviation indicators and generating an average deviation indicator.

Claim 3

An apparatus for monitoring a system comprising: a. means for sensing a plurality of parameters associated with the system; b. transformation means for transforming each value of said plurality of parameters associated with the system using a function dependent on at least baseline and critical values of the parameter, wherein the transformation means employs a sigmoid function; c. mapping means for mapping the function to a sequence of reference values and generating a deviation indicator for each parameter; and d. analysis means for analyzing the deviation indicators and generating an average deviation indicator.

Claim 4

An apparatus for monitoring a system comprising: a. means for sensing a plurality of parameters associated with the system; b. transformation means for transforming each value of said plurality of parameters associated with the system using a function dependent on at least baseline and critical values of the parameter, wherein the transformation means employs a sigmoid function; c. mapping means for mapping the function to a sequence of reference values and generating a deviation indicator for each parameter; and d. analysis means for analyzing the deviation indicators and generating an average deviation indicator.

Claim 5

An apparatus for monitoring a system comprising: a. means for sensing a plurality of parameters associated with the system; b. transformation means for transforming each value of said plurality of parameters associated with the system using a function dependent on at least baseline and critical values of the parameter; c. mapping means for mapping the function to a sequence of reference values and generating a deviation indicator for each parameter, wherein the mapping means comprises a means for determining the deviation indicators employing a function of a form: DI=.left brkt-bot.K×y.right brkt-bot. wherein DI represents the deviation indicator, K represents a constant, y represents a value of the function, and ".left brkt-bot. .right brkt-bot." represents a floor function that returns a largest integer value of an expression contained between the ".left brkt-bot." and the ".right brkt-bot." symbols; and d. analysis means for analyzing the deviation indicators and generating an average deviation indicator.

Claim 6

An apparatus for monitoring a system comprising: a. means for sensing a plurality of parameters associated with the system; b. transformation means for transforming each value of said plurality of parameters associated with the system using a function dependent on at least baseline and critical values of the parameter; c. mapping means for mapping the function to a sequence of reference values and generating a deviation indicator for each parameter, wherein the mapping means comprises a means for determining the deviation indicators employing a function of a form: DI=.left brkt-bot.K×y.right brkt-bot. wherein DI represents the deviation indicator, K represents a constant, y represents a value of the function, and ".left brkt-bot. .right brkt-bot." represents a floor function that returns a largest integer value of an expression contained between the ".left brkt-bot." and the ".right brkt-bot." symbols; and d. analysis means for analyzing the deviation indicators and generating an average deviation indicator.

Claim 7

An apparatus for monitoring a system comprising: a. means for sensing a plurality of parameters associated with the system; b. transformation means for transforming each value of said plurality of parameters associated with the system using a function dependent on at least baseline and critical values of the parameter, wherein the transformation means employs a function which exhibits a minimum sensitivity for deviations close to the baseline value of the parameter of a form: y=1/2{1-exp(-M(x-x.sub.b1).sup.2)}, wherein y represents a value of the function, x represents a measured value of the parameter, x b1 represents the baseline value for the parameter, and M represents a mapping parameter such that ##EQU8## and ##EQU9## wherein y' represents a value of the function at x min , x min represents a minimum value of the parameter, y" represents a value of the function at x max , and x max represents a maximum value of the parameter; c. mapping means for mapping the function to a sequence of reference values and generating a deviation indicator for each parameter; and d. analysis means for analyzing the deviation indicators and generating a system criticality indicator.

Claim 8

An apparatus for monitoring a system comprising: a. means for sensing a plurality of parameters associated with the system; b. transformation means for transforming each value of said plurality of parameters associated with the system using a function dependent on at least baseline and critical values of the parameter, wherein the transformation means employs a function which exhibits a minimum sensitivity for deviations close to the baseline value of the parameter of a form: y=1/2{1-exp(-M(x-x.sub.b1).sup.2)}, wherein y represents a value of the function, x represents a measured value of the parameter, x b1 represents the baseline value for the parameter, and M represents a mapping parameter such that ##EQU8## and ##EQU9## wherein y' represents a value of the function at x min , x min represents a minimum value of the parameter, y" represents a value of the function at x max , and x max represents a maximum value of the parameter; c. mapping means for mapping the function to a sequence of reference values and generating a deviation indicator for each parameter; and d. analysis means for analyzing the deviation indicators and generating a system criticality indicator.

Claim 9

An apparatus for monitoring a system comprising: a. means for sensing a plurality of parameters associated with the system; b. transformation means for transforming each value of said plurality of parameters associated with the system using a function dependent on at least baseline and critical values of the parameter, wherein the transformation means employs a sigmoid function; c. mapping means for mapping the function to a sequence of reference values and generating a deviation indicator for each parameter; and d. analysis means for analyzing the deviation indicators and generating a system criticality indicator.

Claim 10

An apparatus for monitoring a system comprising: a. means for sensing a plurality of parameters associated with the system; b. transformation means for transforming each value of said plurality of parameters associated with the system using a function dependent on at least baseline and critical values of the parameter, wherein the transformation means employs a sigmoid function; c. mapping means for mapping the function to a sequence of reference values and generating a deviation indicator for each parameter; and d. analysis means for analyzing the deviation indicators and generating a system criticality indicator.

Claim 11

An apparatus for monitoring a system comprising: a. means for sensing a plurality of parameters associated with the system; b. transformation means for transforming each value of said plurality of parameters associated with the system using a function dependent on at least baseline and critical values of the parameter; c. mapping means for mapping the function to a sequence of reference values and generating a deviation indicator for each parameter, wherein the mapping means comprises a means for determining the deviation indicators employing a function of a form: DI=.left brkt-bot.K×y.right brkt-bot. wherein DI represents the deviation indicator, K represents a constant, y represents a value of the function, and ".left brkt-bot. .right brkt-bot." represents a floor function that returns a largest integer value of an expression contained between the ".left brkt-bot." and the ".right brkt-bot." symbols; and d. analysis means for analyzing the deviation indicators and generating a system criticality indicator.

Claim 12

An apparatus for monitoring a system comprising: a. means for sensing a plurality of parameters associated with the system; b. transformation means for transforming each value of said plurality of parameters associated with the system using a function dependent on at least baseline and critical values of the parameter; c. mapping means for mapping the function to a sequence of reference values and generating a deviation indicator for each parameter, wherein the mapping means comprises a means for determining the deviation indicators employing a function of a form: DI=.left brkt-bot.K×y.right brkt-bot. wherein DI represents the deviation indicator, K represents a constant, y represents a value of the function, and ".left brkt-bot. .right brkt-bot." represents a floor function that returns a largest integer value of an expression contained between the ".left brkt-bot." and the ".right brkt-bot." symbols; and d. analysis means for analyzing the deviation indicators and generating a system criticality indicator.

Claim 13

An apparatus for monitoring a system comprising: a. means for sensing a plurality of parameters associated with the system; b. transformation means for transforming each value of said plurality of parameters associated with the system using a function dependent on at least baseline and critical values of the parameter, wherein the function exhibits a minimum sensitivity for deviations close to the baseline value of the parameter, wherein the transformation means employs a function of a form: y=1/2{1-exp(-M(x-x.sub.b1).sup.2)}, wherein y represents a value of the function, x represents a measured value of the parameter, x b1 represents the baseline value for the parameter, and M represents a mapping parameter such that ##EQU10## and ##EQU11## wherein y' represents a value of the function at x min , x min represents a minimum value of the parameter, y" represents a value of the function at xmax, and x max represents a maximum value of the parameter; and c. mapping means for mapping the function to a sequence of reference values and generating a deviation indicator for each parameter.

Claim 14

An apparatus for monitoring a system comprising: a. means for sensing a plurality of parameters associated with the system; b. transformation means for transforming each value of said plurality of parameters associated with the system using a function dependent on at least baseline and critical values of the parameter, wherein the function exhibits a minimum sensitivity for deviations close to the baseline value of the parameter, wherein the transformation means employs a function of a form: y=1/2{1-exp(-M(x-x.sub.b1).sup.2)}, wherein y represents a value of the function, x represents a measured value of the parameter, x b1 represents the baseline value for the parameter, and M represents a mapping parameter such that ##EQU10## and ##EQU11## wherein y' represents a value of the function at x min , x min represents a minimum value of the parameter, y" represents a value of the function at xmax, and x max represents a maximum value of the parameter; and c. mapping means for mapping the function to a sequence of reference values and generating a deviation indicator for each parameter.

Claim 15

An apparatus for monitoring a system comprising: a. means for sensing a plurality of parameters associated with the system; b. transformation means for transforming each value of said plurality of parameters associated with the system using a function dependent on at least baseline and critical values of the parameter, wherein the function exhibits a minimum sensitivity for deviations close to the baseline value of the parameter; and c. mapping means for mapping the function to a sequence of reference values and generating a deviation indicator for each parameter, wherein the mapping means comprises a means for determining the deviation indicators employing a function of a form: DI=.left brkt-bot.K×y.right brkt-bot. wherein DI represents the deviation indicator, K represents a constant, y represents a value of the function, and ".left brkt-bot. .right brkt-bot." represents a floor function that returns a largest integer value of an expression contained between the ".left brkt-bot." and the ".right brkt-bot." symbols.

Claim 16

An apparatus for monitoring a system comprising: a. means for sensing a plurality of parameters associated with the system; b. transformation means for transforming each value of said plurality of parameters associated with the system using a function dependent on at least baseline and critical values of the parameter, wherein the function exhibits a minimum sensitivity for deviations close to the baseline value of the parameter; and c. mapping means for mapping the function to a sequence of reference values and generating a deviation indicator for each parameter, wherein the mapping means comprises a means for determining the deviation indicators employing a function of a form: DI=.left brkt-bot.K×y.right brkt-bot. wherein DI represents the deviation indicator, K represents a constant, y represents a value of the function, and ".left brkt-bot. .right brkt-bot." represents a floor function that returns a largest integer value of an expression contained between the ".left brkt-bot." and the ".right brkt-bot." symbols.

Claim 17

A method for monitoring a system comprising: a. a sensing step for sensing a plurality of parameters associated with the system; b. a transformation step for transforming each value of said plurality of parameters associated with the system using a function dependent on at least baseline and critical values of the parameter, wherein the transformation step employs a function which exhibits a minimum sensitivity for deviations close to the baseline value of the parameter of a form: y=1/2{1-exp(-M(x-x.sub.b1).sup.2)}, wherein y represents a value of the function, x represents a measured value of the parameter, x b1 represents the baseline value for the parameter, and M represents a mapping parameter such that ##EQU12## and ##EQU13## wherein y' represents a value of the function at x min , x min represents a minimum value of the parameter, y" represents a value of the function at x max , and x max represents a maximum value of the parameter; c. a mapping step for mapping the function to a sequence of reference values and generating a deviation indicator for each parameter; and d. an analysis step for analyzing the deviation indicators and generating an average deviation indicator.

Claim 18

A method for monitoring a system comprising: a. a sensing step for sensing a plurality of parameters associated with the system; b. a transformation step for transforming each value of said plurality of parameters associated with the system using a function dependent on at least baseline and critical values of the parameter, wherein the transformation step employs a function which exhibits a minimum sensitivity for deviations close to the baseline value of the parameter of a form: y=1/2{1-exp(-M(x-x.sub.b1).sup.2)}, wherein y represents a value of the function, x represents a measured value of the parameter, x b1 represents the baseline value for the parameter, and M represents a mapping parameter such that ##EQU12## and ##EQU13## wherein y' represents a value of the function at x min , x min represents a minimum value of the parameter, y" represents a value of the function at x max , and x max represents a maximum value of the parameter; c. a mapping step for mapping the function to a sequence of reference values and generating a deviation indicator for each parameter; and d. an analysis step for analyzing the deviation indicators and generating an average deviation indicator.

Claim 19

A method for monitoring a system comprising: a. a sensing step for sensing a plurality of parameters associated with the system; b. a transformation step for transforming each value of said plurality of parameters associated with the system using a function dependent on at least baseline and critical values of the parameter, wherein the transformation step employs a sigmoid function; c. a mapping step for mapping the function to a sequence of reference values and generating a deviation indicator for each parameter; and d. an analysis step for analyzing the deviation indicators and generating an average deviation indicator.

Claim 20

A method for monitoring a system comprising: a. a sensing step for sensing a plurality of parameters associated with the system; b. a transformation step for transforming each value of said plurality of parameters associated with the system using a function dependent on at least baseline and critical values of the parameter, wherein the transformation step employs a sigmoid function; c. a mapping step for mapping the function to a sequence of reference values and generating a deviation indicator for each parameter; and d. an analysis step for analyzing the deviation indicators and generating an average deviation indicator.

Claim 21

A method for monitoring a system comprising: a. a sensing step for sensing a plurality of parameters associated with the system; b. a transformation step for transforming each value of said plurality of parameters associated with the system using a function dependent on at least baseline and critical values of the parameter; c. a mapping step for mapping the function to a sequence of reference values and generating a deviation indicator for each parameter, wherein the mapping step comprises the step of determining the deviation indicators employing a function of a form: DI=.left brkt-bot.K×y.right brkt-bot. wherein DI represents the deviation indicator, K represents a constant, y represents a value of the function, and ".left brkt-bot. .right brkt-bot." represents a floor function that returns a largest integer value of an expression contained between the ".left brkt-bot." and the ".right brkt-bot." symbols; and d. an analysis step for analyzing the deviation indicators and generating an average deviation indicator.

Claim 22

A method for monitoring a system comprising: a. a sensing step for sensing a plurality of parameters associated with the system; b. a transformation step for transforming each value of said plurality of parameters associated with the system using a function dependent on at least baseline and critical values of the parameter; c. a mapping step for mapping the function to a sequence of reference values and generating a deviation indicator for each parameter, wherein the mapping step comprises the step of determining the deviation indicators employing a function of a form: DI=.left brkt-bot.K×y.right brkt-bot. wherein DI represents the deviation indicator, K represents a constant, y represents a value of the function, and ".left brkt-bot. .right brkt-bot." represents a floor function that returns a largest integer value of an expression contained between the ".left brkt-bot." and the ".right brkt-bot." symbols; and d. an analysis step for analyzing the deviation indicators and generating an average deviation indicator.

Claim 23

A method for monitoring a system comprising: a. a sensing step for sensing a plurality of parameters associated with the system; b. a transformation step for transforming each value of said plurality of parameters associated with the system using a function dependent on at least baseline and critical values of the parameter, wherein the transformation step employs a function which exhibits a minimum sensitivity for deviations close to the baseline value of the parameter of a form: y=1/2{1-exp(-M(x-x.sub.b1).sup.2)}, wherein y represents a value of the function, x represents a measured value of the parameter, x b1 represents the baseline value for the parameter, and M represents a mapping parameter such that ##EQU14## and ##EQU15## wherein y' represents a value of the function at x min , x min represents a minimum value of the parameter, y" represents a value of the function at x max , and x max represents a maximum value of the parameter; c. a mapping step for mapping the function to a sequence of reference values and generating a deviation indicator for each parameter; and d. an analysis step for analyzing the deviation indicators and generating a criticality indicator.

Claim 24

A method for monitoring a system comprising: a. a sensing step for sensing a plurality of parameters associated with the system; b. a transformation step for transforming each value of said plurality of parameters associated with the system using a function dependent on at least baseline and critical values of the parameter, wherein the transformation step employs a function which exhibits a minimum sensitivity for deviations close to the baseline value of the parameter of a form: y=1/2{1-exp(-M(x-x.sub.b1).sup.2)}, wherein y represents a value of the function, x represents a measured value of the parameter, x b1 represents the baseline value for the parameter, and M represents a mapping parameter such that ##EQU14## and ##EQU15## wherein y' represents a value of the function at x min , x min represents a minimum value of the parameter, y" represents a value of the function at x max , and x max represents a maximum value of the parameter; c. a mapping step for mapping the function to a sequence of reference values and generating a deviation indicator for each parameter; and d. an analysis step for analyzing the deviation indicators and generating a criticality indicator.

Claim 25

A method for monitoring a system comprising: a. a sensing step for sensing a plurality of parameters associated with the system; b. a transformation step for transforming each value of said plurality of parameters associated with the system using a function dependent on at least baseline and critical values of the parameter; c. a mapping step for mapping the function to a sequence of reference values and generating a deviation indicator for each parameter, wherein the mapping step comprises a step of determining the deviation indicators employing a function of a form: DI=.left brkt-bot.K×y.right brkt-bot. wherein DI represents the deviation indicator, K represents a constant, y represents a value of the function, and ".left brkt-bot. .right brkt-bot." represents a floor function that returns a largest integer value of an expression contained between the ".left brkt-bot." and the ".right brkt-bot." symbols; and d. an analysis step for analyzing the deviation indicators and generating a criticality indicator.

Claim 26

A method for monitoring a system comprising: a. a sensing step for sensing a plurality of parameters associated with the system; b. a transformation step for transforming each value of said plurality of parameters associated with the system using a function dependent on at least baseline and critical values of the parameter; c. a mapping step for mapping the function to a sequence of reference values and generating a deviation indicator for each parameter, wherein the mapping step comprises a step of determining the deviation indicators employing a function of a form: DI=.left brkt-bot.K×y.right brkt-bot. wherein DI represents the deviation indicator, K represents a constant, y represents a value of the function, and ".left brkt-bot. .right brkt-bot." represents a floor function that returns a largest integer value of an expression contained between the ".left brkt-bot." and the ".right brkt-bot." symbols; and d. an analysis step for analyzing the deviation indicators and generating a criticality indicator.

Claim 27

A method for monitoring a system comprising: a. a sensing step for sensing a plurality of parameters associated with the system; b. a transformation step for transforming each value of said plurality of parameters associated with the system using a function dependent on at least baseline and critical values of the parameter, wherein the function exhibits a minimum sensitivity for deviations close to the baseline value of the parameter, wherein the transformation step employs a function of a form: y=1/2{1-exp(-M(x-x.sub.b1).sup.2)}, wherein y represents a value of the function, x represents a measured value of the parameter, x b1 represents the baseline value for the parameter, and M represents a mapping parameter such that ##EQU16## and ##EQU17## wherein y' represents a value of the function at x min , x min represents a minimum value of the parameter, y" represents a value of the function at x max , and x max represents a maximum value of the parameter and c. a mapping step for mapping the function to a sequence of reference values and generating a deviation indicator for each parameter.

Claim 28

A method for monitoring a system comprising: a. a sensing step for sensing a plurality of parameters associated with the system; b. a transformation step for transforming each value of said plurality of parameters associated with the system using a function dependent on at least baseline and critical values of the parameter, wherein the function exhibits a minimum sensitivity for deviations close to the baseline value of the parameter, wherein the transformation step employs a function of a form: y=1/2{1-exp(-M(x-x.sub.b1).sup.2)}, wherein y represents a value of the function, x represents a measured value of the parameter, x b1 represents the baseline value for the parameter, and M represents a mapping parameter such that ##EQU16## and ##EQU17## wherein y' represents a value of the function at x min , x min represents a minimum value of the parameter, y" represents a value of the function at x max , and x max represents a maximum value of the parameter and c. a mapping step for mapping the function to a sequence of reference values and generating a deviation indicator for each parameter.

Claim 29

A method for monitoring a system comprising: a. a sensing step for sensing a plurality of parameters associated with the system; b. a transformation step for transforming each value of said plurality of parameters associated with the system using a function dependent on at least baseline and critical values of the parameter, wherein the function exhibits a minimum sensitivity for deviations close to the baseline value of the parameter; and c. a mapping step for mapping the function to a sequence of reference values and generating a deviation indicator for each parameter, wherein the mapping step comprises a step of determining the deviation indicators employing a function of a form: DI=.left brkt-bot.K×y.right brkt-bot. wherein DI represents the deviation indicator, K represents a constant, y represents a value of the function, and ".left brkt-bot. .right brkt-bot." represents a floor function that returns a largest integer value of an expression contained between the ".left brkt-bot." and the ".right brkt-bot." symbols.

Claim 30

A method for monitoring a system comprising: a. a sensing step for sensing a plurality of parameters associated with the system; b. a transformation step for transforming each value of said plurality of parameters associated with the system using a function dependent on at least baseline and critical values of the parameter, wherein the function exhibits a minimum sensitivity for deviations close to the baseline value of the parameter; and c. a mapping step for mapping the function to a sequence of reference values and generating a deviation indicator for each parameter, wherein the mapping step comprises a step of determining the deviation indicators employing a function of a form: DI=.left brkt-bot.K×y.right brkt-bot. wherein DI represents the deviation indicator, K represents a constant, y represents a value of the function, and ".left brkt-bot. .right brkt-bot." represents a floor function that returns a largest integer value of an expression contained between the ".left brkt-bot." and the ".right brkt-bot." symbols.