Importance

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Abstract

A method and system for remote assistance and review of an operator working with complex equipment. An operator at a station at a local site is coupled to an advisor at a station at a remote site, so that the advisor may view and hear the same stimuli as the operator, that the advisor and operator may communicate, and that the advisor may view and control the local apparatus. The operator has limited training or otherwise in need of support, and may be a field engineer or technician. The advisor has extensive training and able to provide technical support, and generally has extended and specialized knowledge with regard to the local apparatus, and may be a technical expert on the local apparatus. The operator may comprise an individual with technical training and knowledge, but lacking managerial or other authority, while the advisor comprises an individual with such authority. The operator communicates with the advisor by visual cues or ordinary speech, while the advisor views and listens to the local apparatus. The advisor gives advice to the operator for manipulating the local apparatus, and manipulates the local apparatus directly by means of the control signal or data signal feeds. Thus, the operator may operate the local apparatus as if the advisor were peeking over his shoulder; viewed alternatively, the advisor may operate the local apparatus as if the operator were an intelligent waldo. Alternatively, an intermediate advisor may advise/control the operator and be advised/controlled by a high-level advisor.

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First Claim