Abstract: A system and appertaining method isolates a hardware or user error in a software controlled apparatus e.g., an NMR-apparatus. A diagnostic function is added to an event log that uses a causality model to analyze the event log. A series of events in the event log is evaluated by comparing the events with at least one of a number of root cause related patterns, and a best match of these patterns is used to assign a root cause for the error. Various repair actions may be associated based on a probabilistic model. Additional information may be utilized to modify or improve respective probabilities associated with causes and/or repair actions. This additional information may utilize other automated diagnostic information or may query users for additional information.

Abstract: In a method to assist in the identification of a defective functional unit in a technical system that includes a number of functional units, a first test is implemented on the technical system for identification, the first tests implementing a measurement on the technical system and providing a first test result. Using a test model in which information is compiled about which functional units were tested, and using a system model in which information is compiled about the assembly of the technical system, an automated processing of the first test results is implemented. The first test result is analyzed in order to determine a group of functional units that may be defective, and using the analysis of the functional units of the group, defect probabilities are assigned.