Abstract: A system for using a troubleshooting engine to assemble an interactive multimedia repair guide for assisting a service technician in the repair of a defective product, and a mehof of using the same. The system includes a dynamic knowledge database for storing product history records relating to defects reported concerning the product. The database also contains design information related to the product for correlation with the defect reports and use in analyzing future reported defects. A product performance counter (PPC) analysis module receives PPC data from an individual product, generates a PPC profile based on the received data, and compares the profile to stored design and historical PPC profiles to produce a weighted prediction report of likely defects. This report is transmitted to the troubleshooting engine, which directs a multimedia application to transmit diagnosis and repair instructions to a service center technician.

Abstract: The present invention is generally comprised of an appliance that may be of assistance in photographing of an object and a method for using the appliance, wherein the appliance provides a means for photographing the object without the appearance of a background in the photograph of the object. In some embodiments, the appliance is generally comprised of a protective housing, a reflective backdrop, and backdrop attachment means to removably or permanently attach the reflective backdrop to the protective housing. The protective housing generally encloses the reflective backdrop, which preferably has a surface possessing retroreflective or diffuse-reflective properties. In other embodiments, the appliance is generally comprised of a supporting member, a retroreflective backdrop, and backdrop attachment means to attach the retroreflective backdrop to the supporting member.

Abstract: A system for using a troubleshooting engine to assemble an interactive multimedia repair guide for assisting a service technician in the repair of a defective product, and a mehof of using the same. The system includes a dynamic knowledge database for storing product history records relating to defects reported concerning the product. The database also contains design information related to the product for correlation with the defect reports and use in analyzing future reported defects. A product performance counter (PPC) analysis module receives PPC data from an individual product, generates a PPC profile based on the received data, and compares the profile to stored design and historical PPC profiles to produce a weighted prediction report of likely defects. This report is transmitted to the troubleshooting engine, which directs a multimedia application to transmit diagnosis and repair instructions to a service center technician.