Calibration process management system and data structure

Abstract

A method for calibration process management of a calibration testing unit and a plurality of units under test, comprising configuring a user interface in communication with a calibration process management software system, configuring a communications link in communication with the software system, the software system capable of communicating with the calibration testing unit and the plurality of units under test, wherein the software system manages the user interface and the communications link in a manner permitting an operator to calibrate the plurality of units under test. Tracking of the calibrated units under test uses a permanent unique identifier and a dynamic unique identifier.

1 . A method for calibration process management of a calibration testing unit and a plurality of units under test, comprising:
 a) configuring a user interface in communication with a calibration process management software system;   b) configuring a communications link in communication with the software system, the software system capable of communicating with the calibration testing unit and the plurality of units under test; and   c) wherein the software system manages the user interface and the communications link in a manner permitting an operator to calibrate the plurality of units under test.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising tracking of the calibrated units under test using a permanent unique identifier and a dynamic unique identifier. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein each permanent unique identifier is assigned when an object is created, and each dynamic unique identifier is assigned any time the object is modified. 
   
   
       4 . A method for calibration process management of a calibration testing unit and a unit under test, comprising:
 a) configuring a user interface in communication with a calibration process management software system;   b) configuring a communications link in communication with the software system, the software system capable of communicating with the calibration testing unit and the unit under test;   c) assigning a permanent unique identifier when an object is created, and a dynamic unique identifier any time the object is modified; and   wherein the software system manages the user interface and the communications link in a manner permitting an operator to calibrate the unit under test.   
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising tracking of the calibrated unit under test using the permanent unique identifier and the dynamic unique identifier. 
   
   
       6 . A method for calibrating a UUT for a specific calibration function, comprising the steps of:
 a) receiving a first identification attribute associated with a UUT;   b) receiving a second identification attribute associated with a reference measuring unit;   c) receiving a specific calibration function to be tested;   d) maintaining in a first memory a reference database of one or more than one second identification attribute in holding relationship to one or more than one reference identification address, each reference identification address being associated with a single calibration function;   e) looking up in the reference database, the reference identification address being held by the second identification attribute, and associated with the specific calibration function;   f) selecting a unique record identification address;   g) receiving a value as found for the specific calibration function for the UUT;   h) storing in a second memory the value as found in a being-held relationship to the record identification address; and   i) storing in a third memory the record identification address in a being-held relationship to the reference identification address.   
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein either the first identification attribute or the second identification attribute, or both the first identification attribute and the second identification attribute, is an asset number. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising the steps of receiving a value as left for the specific calibration function for the UUT and storing in the second memory the value as left in a being-held relationship to the record identification address. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising the step of returning a test accuracy ratio 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising the step of returning an estimated measurement uncertainty. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising the step of automatically converting the units of the received value as found. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising the steps of:
 a) maintaining in a fourth memory an equipment database correlating for individual make and model of equipment, a nominal value to calibration function; receiving make and model of equipment attributes for the UUT;   b) looking up in the equipment database, the nominal value for the specific calibration function for the received make and model of equipment; returning the nominal value; and   c) calculating a calibration tolerance and returning the limits.   
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising the steps of receiving a value as left for the specific calibration function for the UUT and storing in a fifth memory the value as left in a being-held relationship to the record identification address. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising the step of indicating whether the value as found or the value as left is within the limits of the calibration tolerance.