Floating process flow control system to handle operation events in a full automation plant
Patent 7039482 Issued on May 2, 2006. Estimated Expiration Date: 
October 28, 2023. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.
October 28, 2023. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.Patent ReferencesSorting sequential data prior to distribution over parallel processors in random access manner Patent #: 5612863 InventorsApplicationNo. 10694683 filed on 10/28/2003US Classes:700/99, Resource allocation100/108, With piercing point or edge100/110, Drainage through or along pressure surface100/121, Roll703/22, Software program (i.e., performance prediction)700/95, Product assembly or manufacturing700/108, Performance monitoring700/97, Design or planning700/121, Integrated circuit production or semiconductor fabrication700/96, Integrated system (Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM)700/100, Job scheduling705/28Inventory managementExaminersPrimary: Picard, Leo P.Assistant: Lee, Douglas S. Attorney, Agent or FirmInternational ClassG06F 19/00AbstractA method to handle operation exceptions in an automated manufacturing system is achieved. The method comprises providing an automated manufacturing system comprising a means to track progress of work in process against standard process flows and a means to select product lots for processing from the work in process and to select equipment for processing the product lots based on next step information from the standard process flows. The automated manufacturing system is monitored for operation exception events. The product lots must deviate from the standard process flows. A floating process flow is selected corresponding to the operation exception event and the product lots from a floating process flow database. The floating process flow is linked to the standard process flow such that the next step is derived from the floating process flow. Manufacturing is continued using the floating process flow. The floating process flow is unlinked from the standard process flow such that the next step is derived from the standard process flow when the floating process flow is completed. A control system apparatus for handling operation exceptions in an automated manufacturing plant is achieved.Field of SearchDesign or planningResource allocation Job scheduling Priority ordering Job release determination Performance monitoring Defect analysis or recognition Having particular work transport control between manufacturing stations Integrated circuit production or semiconductor fabrication Software program (i.e., performance prediction) | |
