Title of Invention

METHOD FOR OUTPUTTING MEASURED VALUES AND DISPLAY DEVICE

Abstract The invention relates to a method for emitting measuring values on a display (27) for a display device. According to said method, the measuring values that are recorded by a measuring device (24) on at least one test object (11) are forwarded to a signal processing device; a measuring value is detected at each measuring point (14-21) on the test object (11), or a plurality of measuring values are detected at each measuring point (14-21) on the test object (11); the average value is determined at each measuring point (14-21), from the number of detected measuring values; the average values of the respective measuring points (14-21) on at least one test object (11) are sorted according to the rank thereof in a evaluation device comprising an electronic calculator; and said average values are represented on the display (27) together with an upper and a lower boundary line.
Full Text Method for outputting measured values
and display device
The subject matter of the invention relates to a method
5 for outputting measured values, in particular in the
case of quality inspection, and to a display device.
Carrying out quality control during the production of
items such as, for example, the coating of a body with
10 paint and before the delivery of items is of
substantial importance for customer satisfaction and,
in some instances, also for product safety. Moreover,
strict incoming controls of delivered products are
carried out in order to ensure that parts corresponding
15 to the requirements for quality and, if appropriate,
safety are delivered, and that no bad parts are further
processed. Such quality controls must be carried out
within a very short time. It is simultaneously
necessary to enable a quick statement on the quality of
20 the test item, in order to keep down the costs of
quality control. The usual approach is to acquire one
or more measured values from a test item that are
passed on to be processed and output. The determined
data are acquired and output in lists. However, the
25 user cannot recognize simply and quickly whether the
acquired measured values correspond to the stipulations
with reference to the tolerance bands. There is a need
for a complicated individual comparison of the
determined values and the required values in order to
30 separate the bad parts from the good parts. This is the
case, in particular, with measurement methods in which
measurement signals are acquired electronically via
measuring devices and are output by a signal
acquisition device in a display. Moreover, it is
35 impossible for the individual measured values to be
assigned to a measuring point or measuring surface.
It is therefore the object of the invention to provide

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a method for outputting measured values and a display
device for carrying out the method that enables a
statement to be made on the quality of the test item(s)
immediately after carrying out a number of individual
5 measurements.
This object is achieved according to the invention by
the features of claim 1 and 13. Further advantageous
embodiments are specified in the further claims.
10
The inventive method has the advantage of very quickly
enabling a qualitative statement on the test item(s).
The staff carrying out the inspection can recognize
immediately after carrying out a measurement whether
15 the test item(s) or elements of the test items fulfill
the various requirements in accordance with the
predetermined quality conditions.
After the measurement has been carried out and the
20 measured values have been checked by running through a
number of steps, a diagram in which the mean values of
individual measurement series are assigned to an axis
is output in a display. A first visualization of the
measurement results is thereby provided for simple
25 evaluation.
According to an advantageous refinement of the method,
it is provided that after being plotted on an axis the
mean values are projected onto a straight line. The
30 straight line is formed via an auxiliary axis between a
minimum and a maximum mean value, the rank values or
the measurement series and/or random samples being
plotted on the auxiliary axis. At the same time, the
mean values have a ratio to an upper and lower limiting
35 value or limit line. Consequently, it is immediately
clear to the staff carrying out the test as to whether
a test item fulfills the prescribed requirements, that
is to say whether the mean values lie inside, partially

- 3 -
outside or outside the limiting values. The
representation of the mean values on a straight line
enables the recognition of a uniform production by
means of a number of juxtaposed mean values. Deviations
5 are likewise plotted by a larger distance of the mean
values along the straight line from the next mean value
or group of mean values, and are thus immediately
recognizable.
10 It is provided according to an advantageous refinement
of the invention that a confidence interval is
displayed in relation to each mean value on the
straight line plotted according to the rank value or by
specification of the measurement series. The confidence
15 interval corresponds, for example, to three times the
standard deviation. Consequently, an upper and a lower
bound of the confidence interval runs hyperbolically in
relation to the straight line on which the rank mean
values are plotted. Consequently, in the vicinity of an
20 upper or lower limit line, in particular, it is
possible to detect in addition to the desired value or
limiting value of the confidence interval the extent to
which the individual measurements still lie inside or
outside the limiting value or the limit lines. In
25 addition, the confidence interval can be displayed by
regression lines.
According to a further advantageous refinement of the
invention, it is provided that the measured values of
30 the test item(s) which lie in the limit range of the
confidence interval or outside the confidence interval
are displayed on the display preferably automatically
or upon request from the user by actuating a key on an
operator panel. Once a measuring point of a test item
35 lying in the limit range or outside the confidence
interval is displayed, the staff can immediately
recognize a problem site and institute further measures
as appropriate. For example, during ongoing production

- 4 -
in which housings or bodies are being painted it
becomes possible when measuring a number of elements to
detect directly that element which, for example, has an
excessively thick or excessively thin layer of paint.
5 It is thereby possible for individual process
parameters to be readjusted directly as appropriate
while production is running. If what is involved are
supply parts that are to be tested, the supplier can be
immediately informed of the site or region to be
10 reworked. If the test item comprises only one measuring
point and a number of test items have been tested
consecutively within a measurement series or random
sample and at least one rank value of the mean values
lies outside the limit range of the neighboring region
15 or outside the neighboring region, the test item or the
element can be determined exactly and rejected, or
production can be correspondingly corrected and
readjusted. A similar statement holds for measured
values that lie outside an upper and a lower limiting
20 value.
According to an advantageous refinement of the method,
it is provided that the rank values lying outside the
upper and lower limiting value or outside the
25 confidence interval are displayed to the user in the
display in a fashion deviating in color and/or shape
from the rank values lying inside the confidence
interval or the upper and lower limit line. The staff
are provided with an additional mode of signaling by
30 the optical highlighting of the rank values, or the
individual measured values relevant thereto, lying
inside or outside a range. It can advantageously be
provided that the rank values lying outside the
confidence interval are highlighted by a signaling
35 color, for example red and/or a corresponding
background by means of a color and/or hatching, the
rank values lying inside the confidence interval or the
upper and lower limit lines being identified by a

- 5 -
corresponding display, hatching and/or background, for
example in a green fashion. An upper and lower limit
line can, in addition, be displayed by a third color,
hatching or other identification.
5
According to a further advantageous refinement of the
method, it is provided that a scatter of the measured
values in relation to the respective mean values is
displayed. This scatter is displayed by a bar that
10 extends above and below the mean value and comprises
the greatest and least measured value of a measurement
series. It is thereby possible to enable a more exact
analysis and evaluation. When production whose quality
is being optimized bit by bit is underway, it is
15 possible for individual parameters to be inferred more
precisely and accessed for setting by enlarging or
diminishing such a bar.
The confidence interval or the standard deviation is
20 advantageously set to a predetermined percentage
fraction. It is thereby determined which percentage
fraction of all the measured values is adopted as a
"good part", and which residual percentage fraction
lies outside the prescribed tolerance. The confidence
25 interval therefore stipulates a scatter within the mean
value that is considered to be permissible.
In a further method step for determining a result, it
is provided that each measurement series is checked for
30 a normal distribution of the individual measured
values. Such a check establishes whether there are
significant differences between the measured values of
the measurement series, and so the subsequent steps for
evaluating the measurement results are provided with a
35 basis which assumes that each measured value is to be
assigned with high probability the mean value of the
measurement series.

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After a further advantageous step for evaluating the
measurement results, it is provided that the
homogeneity of the variances of the measurement series
is checked. This check and the preceding checks for
5 normal distribution of the measured values of a
measurement series can form a precondition as to
whether it is possible to carry out a variance analysis
or scatter decomposition. In the case of homogeneous
variance, that is to say that no significant
10 differences have been determined, it is subsequently
possible to carry out a variance analysis in order to
form homogeneous subgroups. When significant
differences are determined between the mean values,
homogeneous groups are formed that are separated into
15 such subgroups by further methods. It is possible by
means of such group formation to make a simple
statement as to whether the mean values are comparable,
that is to say whether upon comparing a number of
coated items or systems that apply a layer thickness,
20 comparable layer thicknesses or conditions are found,
or whether any adjustment or correction is required.
According to a further advantageous refinement of the
method, it is provided that in a further step after the
25 checking of the normal distribution of the measured
values and the checking of the homogeneity of the
variances a significance test is carried out for the
mean values of the individual measurement series or
measuring points. The significance is a variable that
30 belongs to the confidence level and enables a statement
to be made as to whether the mean values of each
measurement series belong to one another. A
significance obtains as soon as the condition is
fulfilled that FBeob > Ftab, FBeob resulting from the

(sum of the
35 quotient of the variance II
mean values of each measurement series in relation to
the mean value of all the measurement series as a
function of the number of the measurement series) and

- 7 -


the variance I
(sum of the individual
squared standard deviations as a function of the number
of individual measurements). This significance test,
which can be carried out by various methods, serves the
5 purpose of forming homogeneous subgroups. Such mean
values that are assigned to a subgroup can be displayed
with the same identification and/or color such that the
membership of the individual mean values in a group
immediately becomes apparent to the viewer.
10
According to a further advantageous refinement of the
method, it is provided that the number of the
individual measurements of measuring points of a test
item is the same. A balanced evaluation is spoken of
15 given the same number of individual measurements per
measuring point on an item. Alternatively, it can be
provided that a different number of individual
measurements are required per measuring point so that
an unbalanced evaluation is spoken of. An unbalanced
20 evaluation is mostly required whenever, for example, a
very small surface on a housing is to be tested in
conjunction with a large surface on the same housing,
and the small surfaces enable only a small number of
measuring points.
25
After the significance test, it is possible to display
immediately to the user by outputting mean values that
are not significantly different from one another which
elements, in particular of different test items, or
30 subregions belong to the corresponding rank values.
Furthermore, the significance test can establish which
mean values form a subgroup and are, in turn,
homogeneous per se. The various subgroups can therefore
be used to draw an inference as to which of the parts
35 with the coating lie inside the tolerances, and whether
systematic errors may be present.
At the same time, it is possible to establish which

- 8 -
elements or product groups require corrections by
specifying limits, for example in the sense of the
control cards. The gradient of the straight lines on
which the mean values are plotted in terms of rank can
5 production engineering. A production method is ideally
under control whenever no further significant
differences can be demonstrated between the individual
elements or subregions. It is thereby possible to
eliminate systematic differences between the elements.
10 This means in the case of the checking of layers of
paint, for example, that the elements have an area with
a layer of paint of the same thickness, taking account
of the random samples that, as a rule, do not
correspond to the same elements of the individual
15 objects, or partially correspond.
The significance test is preferably carried out in a
trial run or a preliminary run before starting up
series production. It is thereby possible to optimize
20 the setting of the process for producing an item.
Consequently, losses can be prevented when starting up
or running series fabrication. The quality class in
which the process is to be found is immediately evident
to the test staff from the display of the mean values,
25 which are not significantly different from one another,
with the same identification or color in a common
region along the Y-coordinate. If the mean values are
displayed with the same color or in a common region,
the process to be checked, the preliminary run for
30 series fabrication or the like is optimally set. If
different colors or different areas to which the mean
values are assigned are displayed, there is a need for
readjustment, it being possible to contribute to
raising the process capability by adapting the
35 significantly different mean values, and consequently
to minimize the losses.
The object of the invention is achieved by means of a

- 9 -
display device as claimed in claim 13. This display
device comprises a connection for a measuring apparatus
to which a measuring apparatus can be connected in
order to carry out individual measurements. The
5 individual measured values are acquired in an
evaluation device, provided in the display device and
having an electronic computer, and respectively
assigned to a measurement series. The evaluation unit
uses a number of individual measurements of a
10 measurement series to determine mean values that are
output in a fashion projected onto the straight line in
a diagram in the case of which the mean values are
plotted over an auxiliary axis. The result of the
quality inspection is thereby clearly visible to the
15 operating staff or inspection staff.
According to an advantageous refinement of the
invention, it is provided that a measuring apparatus
designed as a measuring probe and which is provided for
20 measuring the thickness of thin layers is provided at
the connection. The layer thickness measurement can be
performed, for example, by means of a magneto-inductive
method in which, for example, nonmagnetic layers on a
ferromagnetic base material are detected, examples
25 being zinc, chromium, copper, tin and/or paint,
varnish, plastic, enamel, iron or steel. Likewise, it
is possible to carry out the so-called eddy current
method in which electrically nonconducting layers on
nonferrous metals are determined, such as, for example,
30 paint, varnish or plastic on aluminum, brass or zinc as
well as anodized layers on aluminum. The inventive
display device is not restricted thereto, and can
likewise comprise a measuring apparatus for measuring
layer thicknesses using the X-ray fluorescence method
35 or further radiation methods as well as a microhardness
measuring system or the like. Further measuring probes
or test units for acquiring measured values can
likewise be connected to the display device.

- 10 -
According to a further advantageous refinement of the
display device, it is provided that a measuring
apparatus is integrated in the display device. The
5 measuring apparatus is adapted to the respective
measurement task. As a result, a test unit is provided
that enables simple handling and qualified
pronouncement of the quality of a test item.
10 The invention and further advantageous refinements and
developments of the same are described and explained in
more detail below with the aid of the examples
illustrated in the drawings. The features to be
gathered from the description and the drawings can be
15 applied according to the invention individually per se,
or severally in any desired combination. In the
drawing:
figure 1 shows a schematic illustration of a test
20 item,
figure 2 shows a diagram of acquired measured
values from individual measurements,
25 figure 3 shows a table of the individual
measurements in accordance with
figure 2,
figure 4 shows a diagram in which mean values
30 from individual measurements in
accordance with figure 3 are illustrated
according to a rank sequence,
figure 5a shows a diagram in which the not
35 significantly different mean values are
illustrated by the same identifiers,
figure 5b shows a further diagram in which the not

- 11 -
significantly different mean values are
reduced, and
figure 6 shows a diagram in which the mean values
5 are illustrated according to rank for a
number of test items.
A test item 11 in the form of a housing is illustrated
in figure 1, by way of example. This can also be, for
10 example, a body of a water, land or air vehicle, or
other items. This test item 11 is, for example, coated,
and the quality inspection of this test item 11
requires that a prescribed uniform layer thickness be
applied to the test item 11 within a tolerance range.
15 It is provided for the purpose of testing the test item
11 that a number, for example six, of measuring ranges
or measuring points are to be monitored. These include
a front side 14, a top side 16, a lateral surface 17, a
turned edge 18 and 19 in an opening 21, as well as a
20 holding lug 22 on the top side 16. According to a
butterfly diagram that encompasses the individual
surfaces to be tested, the individual surfaces or
measuring ranges are tested one after another in a
prescribed sequence. For example, the aim is to carry
25 out ten individual measurements at each measuring point
14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21 in order to acquire measured
values. The measuring points are illustrated by a
cross. The individual measurements are carried out with
the aid of a measuring probe 23 of a measuring
30 apparatus 24 for measuring layer thickness. It is also
possible to carry out the number of individual
measurements of a measurement series at the same
measuring point. The measuring apparatus 24 is
connected via a connection to a display device 26, or
35 in a display device 26 or is integrated in a display
device 26, or vice versa. The display device 26
comprises at least one evaluation device with an
electronic computer, a display 27 in which the measured

- 12 -
values determined from the individual measurements are
evaluated, together with the further data in order to
assess the quality inspection, and are acquired and
displayed in the display 27, and can also be
5 interrogated for various parameters. An operator
interface 28 is provided for actuating the display
device 26.
Figure 2 illustrates a diagram that can be output in
10 the display 27 on the display device 26 by plotting on
the x-axis the number of individual measurements, and
on the y-axis the acquired measured values, by way of
example, the layer thickness in µm. The measurement
series 1 illustrated shows the measurement on the front
15 side 14, the measurement series 2 that on the top side
16, etc.
In figure 3, the individual measured values within the
measurement series 1 to 6 shown by way of example are
20 assigned in tabular fashion to each measuring point 14
to 21. A test is made in a first step as to whether the
measurement series satisfies a normal distribution. The
mean value and the associated standard deviation are
determined from each measurement series 1 to n. The
25 standard deviation is used to determine whether, for
example, rank 1 and rank 2 differ significantly from
one another, or whether they do not differ
significantly from one another, and can form a
homogeneous subgroup. It is preferred to acquire an
30 equal number of measurement values for each measuring
point 14 to 21 in order to form the mean values. The
determination of rank is thereby based on balanced mean
values. Alternatively, the rank values can also be
formed from unbalanced mean values. The significance of
35 the deviations is to be evaluated as a function
thereof.
In order to obtain a statement on the quality of the

- 13 -
layer thickness on a surface of the test item(s) 11 or
of the parameters and/or variables to be tested, in a
further step the mean values of the individual measured
values at each measuring point 14 to 21 are sorted by
5 rank and projected onto a straight line 30. The highest
and the lowest mean value form the starting points for
the straight lines 30 extending therebetween. This
illustration of a diagram in accordance with figure 4
is output in the display 27. The x-axis can show the
10 ranks 1 . . . n, and the y-axis the layer thickness. The
x-axis is preferably represented as feature axis, that
is to say the number of the measurement series is
plotted on it. This enables simple conclusions.
15 The display 27 also illustrates the upper limiting
value 32 and lower limiting value 33 that form a
tolerance band relating to a prescribed desired layer
thickness in accordance with the characteristic 35.
These upper and lower limiting values 32, 33 are a
20 function of stipulations relating to permissible
percentage or absolute deviations.
For each mean value, the scatter band of the individual
measured values at a measuring point 14 to 21 in
25 relation to the mean value determined therefrom is
illustrated by a vertical bar 37. In this case,
individual points that form the measured values of a
measuring point are illustrated alternately along the
bar 37. The bars 37 of the rank values 3 and 7 show
30 that there is a very large scatter band of the
individual measurements, which even lie in part outside
the confidence interval.
The respective spacing of the individual rank values or
35 of a group of rank values from one another exhibits a
high or low uniformity of the layer thicknesses
determined at the respective measuring points 14 to 21.
For example, the rank value 1 in the range I shows that

- 14 -
said rank value deviates clearly from the rank values 2
to 7 in the range II. It is thereby possible to
determine directly that the rank value 1 concerns a
measuring point that deviates clearly from the
5 remaining ones. The assignment of the individual mean
values to the respective subgroup is performed in
various ways, depending on the presuppositions. For
example, if a normal distribution of the individual
measurements obtains for all measurement series, a test
10 is subsequently made for homogeneity of the variances
of the individual measurement series. If no
significance is established in this test, an unbalanced
variance analysis is subsequently performed. If a
significance is established by this unbalanced variance
15 analysis, grouping is performed. Subgrouping does not
take place otherwise. If the test establishes
significant differences in the homogeneity of the
variances of the measurement series, a further test is
carried out which, in turn, fixes a subgroup upon the
20 establishment of significance.
If at least one measurement series is not normally
distributed upon testing all the measurement series for
normal distribution, a further test is performed to
25 establish the significance. If significant differences
are established in the case of the measurement series,
a renewed test is performed for homogeneity in the
variances of the measurement series. Subgrouping is
carried out using a cross table method subsequent
30 thereto in the case both of establishing significance
and of establishing that no significance obtains.
Fixing the subgroups enables easier readjustment of
individual parameters in the production or
establishment of systematic errors in the case of
35 fabricated products.
The measuring point is to be recapitulated by the
assignment of the rank value to the mean value and by

- 15 -
the assignment of the latter, in turn, to the
measurement series, the result being to produce a
simple and quick evaluation. It is thereby possible,
for example, to determine in a simple way that the
5 front side of the housing has an excessively thin
varnish layer, and the varnishing station is
consequently set anew.
The range II shows that the rank values are essentially
10 arranged at regular spacings from one another such that
there is a high uniformity with reference to the mean
value of the layer thicknesses. The mean values can
thus be brought into relationship with one another when
being assessed and do not differ significantly from one
15 another. It is to be seen from the gradient of the
straight line 30 that the mean values all lie within
the upper and lower limiting values 32 and 33. The
flatter the gradient of the straight line 30, the lower
is the tolerance of the mean values among one another
20 relative to the desired value, and the higher is the
uniformity of the fabricated products.
If the mean values lie near the desired value and have
a flat or vanishing gradient, high quality steps obtain
25 in the production of the test items 11.
By way of example, the normal distribution is
additionally illustrated in the case of the rank value
1. This normal distribution is stored for each rank
30 value 1 to n, and can advantageously be interrogated
individually. Consequently, the scatter band about the
mean value can additionally be illustrated by the
normal distribution.
35 The confidence interval for the individual measured
values can form the basis for each midpoint. The
confidence interval of the individual values, which
exhibits a hyperbolic shape, is illustrated by the

- 16 -
characteristics 38, 39. This corresponds, for example,
to three times the standard deviation, and is plotted
in relation to the respective mean value.
5 Figure 5a illustrates a diagram in which the mean
values not differing significantly from one another are
illustrated by the same identifiers A, B, C ..., etc.
For example, the mean values are marked along a
straight line by different colors or symbols. It is
10 thereby to be seen that the mean values of the ranks 1
to 3, the mean values of the ranks 4 and 5, the mean
values of the ranks 6 and 7 and the mean values of the
ranks 8 and 9 do not differ significantly from one
another, but that the individual groups A, B, C, D of
15 the rank values differ significantly from one another
among themselves. Instead of a colored illustration, it
is also possible to use different symbols along the
straight line 30. It is provided in accordance with a
preferred alternative refinement that a representation
20 in the form of bars is output along the ordindate; it
extends over the range of the mean values from mean
values that do not differ significantly from one
another. Furthermore, it can advantageously be provided
that a subgroup mean value is illustrated for the
25 respective subgroup as an orientation aid of the same
color as a horizontal straight line, and that the
measured value range of the subgroup is output as bars
of the same color on the measured value axis. By way of
example, four groups A to D are output along the
30 ordinate in figure 5a. The operating staff are thus
immediately shown that a process is not optimally set.
When a process is optimally set, only one identifier, a
bar, or only one color is displayed for the rank
values.
35
Such a result in accordance with figure 5a can be
achieved, for example, for a pre-production fabrication
or a preliminary run. In order to raise the process

- 17 -
reliability, the ranks 8 and 9 are, for example,
controlled downward from the upper range. This means
that the process parameters that are responsible for
the measuring points on which which the mean value of
5 the rank 8 or 9 is based are corrected downward such
that, in the example of the measurement of a varnish
layer thickness, the measuring points with a smaller
varnish layer are provided. When a measurement is
carried out once again, it is possible, for example, to
10 obtain therefrom the result in accordance with the
display in figure 5b. It is clear therefrom that the
mean values not differing significantly from one
another have been reduced to three subregions B, C, D
or three associated elements. The gradient of the
15 straight line 30 is simultaneously reduced. This
indicates directly that the process capability has been
improved.
The ranks 1, 2 and 3 could be raised correspondingly in
20 a next step. This means that the varnish layers there
are provided with an increased layer thickness. This
systematic approach makes it clear that it is possible
to infer exactly the individual process parameters
whose causes can be analyzed, and which therefore lead
25 to a quick setting of the process parameters.
Moreover, a statement can be made by means of such a
representation as to whether the overall course of the
straight line 30 is too high or too low. The
30 representation of the gradient of the straight line 30
and the position thereof relative to the desired mean
value enables a quick statement on this.
The display selected in figures 5a and 5b can also be
35 selected for carrying out random samples in order to
display which same elements or subregions of different
elements or test items comprise individual values not
differing significantly from one another. Trends or

- 18 -
tendencies in a fabrication cycle that may need to be
corrected can thereby be detected.
An overall view of similar elements from their
5 combination is enabled by such displays or, in other
words, elements that differ from one another are
displayed in an obvious way such that the user can
intervene in the fabrication process in a targeted
manner and optimize and readjust as appropriate.
10
The display in accordance with figure 6 shows a diagram
in the case of which the characteristic in accordance
with figure 4 of a number of test items 11 are combined
in a diagram and displayed in the display 27. This
15 enables a comparison between different test items 11 as
such, always in relation to the respective measuring
points. The rank sequence is plotted on the x-axis in
the diagram while, other than in the display in
accordance with figure 4, the y-axis plots a deviation
20 a in µm that results from the actual value determined
less the desired value. The zero line corresponds to
the desired value in accordance with the characteristic
35 in figure 4. Alternatively, the rank axis can also
be output as a feature axis or as a neutral auxiliary
25 axis.
This display 27 shows by way of example four
characteristics 42, 43, 44 and 46 that respectively
display, by way of example, eleven measurement series
30 on four different test items 11. It may be seen from
the different courses of the characteristics 42, 43,
44, 46 which test items 11 fulfill the requirements,
and which test items or their individual measuring
points lie outside the permissible tolerance. The
35 characteristic 43 has a very flat gradient, and
therefore comprises only slight deviations in the mean
values from the desired value. This characteristic 43,
as well as the characteristics 42 and 44, lie

- 19 -
respectively within the tolerance between the upper and
lower limiting values 32, 33. The characteristic 46
shows that the rank value 10 lies on the upper limiting
value 32, and that the rank value 11 lies outside the
5 upper limiting value 32. In the case of the rank value
10, a range of the measured values lies within the
tolerance band in terms of the normal distribution,
whereas the other half of the confidence interval lies
outside the upper limiting value 32.
10
An item of additional information is that the rank
values 10 and 11 are outliers defined as a poor part.
It is clear from the display of the scatter band in
relation to the mean value that no measured value of
15 the rank 11 lies inside the permissible limit lines 32,
33. The display 27 can be used to infer directly that
the test item 11 that leads to a characteristic 43
originates from a supplier who supplies a product of
high quality. The test items 11 in accordance with the
20 characteristics 42 and 44 are to be classed as of
poorer quality than the test item in accordance with
the characteristic 43. However, from a consideration of
the confidence interval these are still within the
upper and lower limiting values 32, 33. The test item
25 11 in accordance with the characteristic 46 lies
outside the quality range and is classed as a poor
part.
A good part can be assumed if the confidence interval
30 that is illustrated by the characteristics 38 and 39
lies within an upper and lower limiting value 32, 33,
respectively, in relation to the mean values
determined. Such a display 27 enables a quick statement
on the product capability that takes account of the
35 individual measurement at one or more measuring points
of a product. The product capability is, furthermore,
characterized by a parameter cp that results from a
quotient of the tolerance, or the upper and lower

- 20 -
limiting values 32, 33, and the confidence interval. An
unpredictable process result obtains for characteristic
values cp characteristic value equal to or greater than one.
5 Process results can then be predicted statistically.
This renders it possible to draw specific conclusions
concerning causes of error. The aim is preferably a
characteristic value of cp > 3.
10 A further quality criterion capable of being derived
from the measurement series is the rank alternating
frequency of the respective measuring points of similar
test items 11. The lower the rank alternating frequency
that results from the rank sequences of the mean values
15 for the respective measuring points of a respective
test item 11, the more uniform is the quality of the
test item 11. It is then possible in the case of coated
test items 11 to draw the inference that virtually
identical process conditions obtain by means of which
20 specific measuring points of a test item are provided
with essentially the same layer thickness.
The output of the values in accordance with figures 4
and 5 on the basis of the preceding formation of the
25 mean values from individual measurements, and of
sorting by rank value enables a quick and simple
assessment of the respective test item 11.
The inventive method is also used, in particular, for
30 statistical process control. For example, a
predetermined number of parts are tested by using
random samples within a predetermined time interval.
The test items 11 and the measurement task, or the
35 monitoring, can be applied in completely different
fields. For example, time-dependent variations can be
acquired at a measuring object. This would be the case,
for example, with the action on a coating by UV light

- 21 -
or a medium. Such changes in state, or further changes
in state can likewise be determined and tested. It is
thereby also possible to find an opening for temporal
factors in the evaluation in addition to the factors
5 that are purely actually to be measured.
The synchronism of equipment or systems can be tested
and monitored as further examples of application. The
same holds for the testing of travel paths or repeat
10 accuracies of manipulators, or the precision of
automatic mounting processes.
By running a number of consecutive evaluation steps of
the individual measurements and of the measurement
15 series of one or more measuring objects, the above-
named method illustrates in a very simple way which
mean values of the random samples can be compared with
one another and thus belong together, and which mean
values form individual subgroups that possibly lie
20 outside prescribed tolerances. The associated values
relating to the subgroups can easily be verified in
order to undertake a correction as appropriate.
All the above-described features are respectively
25 essential per se to the invention, and can be combined
with one another at will.

- 22 -
Claims
1. A method for outputting measured values in a
display (27) of a display device (26), in which the
5 measured values are acquired by a measuring apparatus
(24) on one or more test items (11), a measured value
is acquired at a number of measuring points (14 to 21)
of a test item (11) or a number of measured values are
acquired of a number of measuring points (14 to 21) on
10 the test item (11), the mean value is determined for
each measuring point (14 to 21) from the number of the
acquired measured values, and the mean values of the
respective measuring points (14 to 21) of one or more
test items (11) are sorted by rank in an evaluation
15 device that comprises an electronic computer, and the
mean values are plotted on an axis.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in
that after the plotting of the mean values on an axis,
20 the mean values are projected onto a straight line (30)
that is formed between a minimum and a maximum mean
value that are plotted via the rank value of the
measurement series or of the measuring point.
25 3. The method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in
that a confidence interval in which the mean values are
plotted according to rank sequence is displayed on the
straight line (30) for each mean value.
30 4. The method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in
that the measuring points or measured values of the
test item(s) (11) that lie in the limit range of the
confidence interval or outside the confidence interval
are displayed on the display (27).
35
5. The method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in
that a rank value in a fashion deviating from at least
one rank value lying inside the confidence interval or

- 23 -
the upper and lower limit line (32, 33) is displayed
and shown to the user for the purpose of acquiring a
rank value outside the upper and lower limit line (32,
33) or outside the confidence interval in the display
5 (27).
6. The method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in
that a scatter band for the measured values in relation
to the respective mean values is displayed.
10
7. The method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in
that the confidence interval is set to a predetermined
percentage fraction.
15 8. The method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in
that each measurement series is checked for a normal
distribution of the individual measured values.
9. The method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in
20 that the homogeneity of the variances of the
measurement series is checked.
10. The method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in
that the number of the measured values of each
25 measuring point of a test item (11) is the same.
11. The method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in
that a significance test is carried out for the mean
values of individual elements or measuring points (14
30 to 21), and the mean values not significantly different
from one another preferably form a homogeneous group
and are displayed with the same identification and
color in a region along the Y-coordinate or in a
fashion projected onto the straight line (30).
35
12. The method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in
that the significance test of the mean values is
carried out in a preliminary run before series

- 24 -
production.
13. A display device, in particular for carrying out
the method as claimed in one of claims 1 to 11,
5 characterized in that a connection (29) is provided for
a measuring apparatus (26) for carrying out individual
measurements, and a signal acquisition device for the
measured values from measurement signals of the
individual measurements, which are respectively
10 assigned to a measuring point (14 to 21) of a test item
(11), and having an evaluation device that comprises an
electronic computer and acquires a number of
measurement series with one or more measured values at
one or more measuring points (14 to 21) from one or
15 more test items (11), the evaluation device determining
mean values from the number of measured values at a
measuring point (14 to 21) and outputting them, in a
fashion projected onto a straight line, in a diagram on
which the mean values are plotted via an auxiliary
20 axis.
14. The display device as claimed in claim 13,
characterized in that a measuring apparatus (24)
designed as a measuring probe (23) and intended for
25 measuring the thickness of thin layers is provided at
the connection (29).
15. The display device as claimed in claim 13,
characterized in that the measuring apparatus (24) is
30 integrated in the display device (26).

The invention relates to a method for emitting measuring values on a display (27) for a
display device. According to said method, the measuring values that are recorded by a
measuring device (24) on at least one test object (11) are forwarded to a signal processing
device; a measuring value is detected at each measuring point (14-21) on the test object
(11), or a plurality of measuring values are detected at each measuring point (14-21) on
the test object (11); the average value is determined at each measuring point (14-21),
from the number of detected measuring values; the average values of the respective
measuring points (14-21) on at least one test object (11) are sorted according to the rank
thereof in a evaluation device comprising an electronic calculator; and said average
values are represented on the display (27) together with an upper and a lower boundary
line.

Documents:

01033-kolnp-2007-abstract.pdf

01033-kolnp-2007-claims.pdf

01033-kolnp-2007-correspondence others 1.1.pdf

01033-kolnp-2007-correspondence others 1.2.pdf

01033-kolnp-2007-correspondence others 1.3.pdf

01033-kolnp-2007-correspondence others.pdf

01033-kolnp-2007-description complete.pdf

01033-kolnp-2007-drawings.pdf

01033-kolnp-2007-form 1.pdf

01033-kolnp-2007-form 2.pdf

01033-kolnp-2007-form 26.pdf

01033-kolnp-2007-form 3.pdf

01033-kolnp-2007-form 5.pdf

01033-kolnp-2007-international publication.pdf

01033-kolnp-2007-international search report.pdf

01033-kolnp-2007-pct request form 1.1.pdf

01033-kolnp-2007-pct request form.pdf

01033-kolnp-2007-priority document.pdf

01033-kolnp-2007-translated copy of priority document.pdf

1033-KOLNP-2007-(26-11-2013)-ANNEXURE TO FORM 3.pdf

1033-KOLNP-2007-(26-11-2013)-CLAIMS.pdf

1033-KOLNP-2007-(26-11-2013)-CORRESPONDENCE.pdf

1033-KOLNP-2007-(26-11-2013)-DESCRIPTION (COMPLETE).pdf

1033-KOLNP-2007-(26-11-2013)-FORM-1.pdf

1033-KOLNP-2007-(26-11-2013)-FORM-2.pdf

1033-KOLNP-2007-(26-11-2013)-FORM-3.pdf

1033-KOLNP-2007-(26-11-2013)-FORM-5.pdf

1033-KOLNP-2007-(26-11-2013)-OTHERS.pdf

1033-kolnp-2007-form 18.pdf

1033-KOLNP-2007-PRIORITY DOCUMENT 1.1.pdf

abstract-01033-kolnp-2007.jpg


Patent Number 259331
Indian Patent Application Number 1033/KOLNP/2007
PG Journal Number 11/2014
Publication Date 14-Mar-2014
Grant Date 07-Mar-2014
Date of Filing 23-Mar-2007
Name of Patentee IMMOBILIENGESELLSCHAFT HELMUT FISCHER GMBH & CO. KG.
Applicant Address INDUSTRIESTRASSE 21, 71069 SINDELFINGEN
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 FISCHER, HELMUT IM EICHLI 20, CH-6315 OBERAGERI
PCT International Classification Number G01D 1/02
PCT International Application Number PCT/EP2005/010583
PCT International Filing date 2005-09-30
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 10 2004 052 302.9 2004-10-27 Germany
2 10 2004 048 187.3 2004-09-30 Germany