Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080263081 | METHOD, SYSTEM, AND STORAGE MEDIUM FOR PROVIDING A DYNAMIC, MULTI-DIMENSIONAL COMMODITY MODELING PROCESS - An exemplary embodiment of the invention relates to a method, system, and storage medium for providing a dynamic multi-dimensional commodity modeling process. The system includes a data collection component operable for collecting raw data, a dynamic multi-dimensional commodity model component, and a commodity tree generated by the dynamic multi-dimensional commodity model component. The system also includes a closed loop/corrective action component operable for resolving nonconformance issues resulting from analysis of the raw data and commodity tree, and an analytic engine in communication with the data collection component, the multi-dimensional commodity model component, and the closed loop/corrective action component. The analytic engine receives the raw data from the data collection component, receives the commodity tree, performs analytics on the raw data according to rules defined by the commodity tree, and transmits any nonconformance data resulting from performing the analytics to the closed loop/correction action component for resolution of any identified nonconformances. | 10-23-2008 |
20090030670 | REAL-TIME MULTI-LINGUAL ADAPTATION OF MANUFACTURING INSTRUCTIONS IN A MANUFACTURING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for real-time multi-lingual adaptation of manufacturing instructions in a manufacturing management system. In one embodiment of the invention, a manufacturing language adaptation method can be provided. The method can include identifying an operator receiving manufacturing instruction, determining a primary language preference for the operator and determining whether or not the manufacturing instructions have been translated into the primary language preference. If it is determined that the manufacturing instructions have been translated into the primary language preference, the manufacturing instructions can be presented to the operator in the primary language preference. Otherwise the manufacturing instructions can be submitted to a translation engine for translation into the primary language preference. | 01-29-2009 |
20090069919 | INTELLIGENT MASS PRODUCTION PLANNING AND ROUTING SYSTEM - Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to manufacturing production and provide a method, system and computer program product for mass production planning and routing. In one embodiment of the invention, a method for mass production planning and routing can be provided. The method can include initiating a production process sequence to produce a product according to an initial routing receiving a request to change the initial routing to a new routing, dynamically comparing the initial routing to the new routing, removing each production process from the new routing that had already been completed in the initial routing, and resuming the production process sequence with the new routing. | 03-12-2009 |
20090070164 | REAL TIME SELF ADJUSTING TEST PROCESS - Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to test processing manufactured products and provide a method, system and computer program product for self-adjusting test processing of manufactured goods in a supply chain management data processing system. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for real time self adjusting testing of products in a supply chain manufacturing operation can be provided. The method can include associating different products with optional test activities as part of one or more risk groups. Thereafter, a production order can be evaluated to identify a product, to match one or more of the risk groups to the product, and to omit associated ones of the optional test activities in the matched risk groups from a production process for the production order. | 03-12-2009 |
20090106061 | PROGRESSIVE VENDOR DATA MANAGEMENT AND VERIFICATION IN A MULTI-NODE SUPPLY NETWORK - Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to product data sharing in a multi-node supply chain and provide a method, system and computer program product for progressive vendor data management and verification in a multi-node supply chain. In one embodiment of the invention, a method for progressive vendor data management and verification in a multi-node supply chain can be provided. The method can include propagating vendor data requirements for a product component downstream from a root node in the supply chain to a leaf node in the supply chain producing a portion of the product component. The method further can include verifying vendor data at each node in the supply chain according to the vendor data requirements. | 04-23-2009 |
20090118853 | AUTOMATED PROCESS FOR HOLDING PRODUCTS AT PREDEFINED POINTS DURING MANUFACTURING - Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to manufacturing production and provide a method, system and computer program product for mass hold management and routing processing. In one embodiment of the invention, a method for halting, initiating or resuming production of a product during a manufacturing process can be provided. The method can include defining criteria that must be met by a work unit and defining a point in the manufacturing process. The method can further include applying the criteria to a plurality of work units currently in the manufacturing process. The method can further include identifying at least one work unit of the plurality of work units that meets the criteria, responsive to said applying the criteria to the plurality of work units, and halting, initiating or resuming manufacturing of the at least one work unit at the point. | 05-07-2009 |
20090169352 | DYNAMIC ITEM-SPACE ALLOCATION AND RETRIEVAL - Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to staging manufactured items and provide a method, system and computer program product for staging items in a manufacturing environment. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for staging items in a manufacturing environment can be provided. The method can include defining attributes of staging locations in a distribution area of the manufacturing environment, defining a set of staging strategies for use in the distribution area of the manufacturing environment, receiving a manufactured item in the distribution area and obtaining characteristics of the manufactured item, comparing the obtained characteristics of the manufactured item to the set of staging strategies to select the staging strategy to apply to the manufactured item and applying the selected staging strategy to the manufactured item to assign the manufactured item to storage in one of the staging locations in the distribution area based on matching the obtained characteristics of the manufactured item to the defined attributes of the one of the staging locations. The method can further include the retrieval of the manufactured item from the staging location at the appropriate time to allow for subsequent processing or shipment, and may include multiple iterations of the staging-retrieval process as required by the particular implementation. | 07-02-2009 |
20090171735 | AUTOMATED KITTING FOR SHORT BUILD MANUFACTURING - A method for managing production of a product when components of the product are missing during a manufacturing process is provided. The method includes applying a first set of rules for determining whether a short work unit can be released for manufacturing and clearing the short work unit to build. The method further includes allocating for manufacturing components of the short work unit present in inventory and storing a record including a list of short components. The method further includes generating a first kit and storing a record including a location of the first kit. The method further includes initiating manufacturing of the first kit and determining that at least one of the short components of the short work unit are present in inventory. The method further includes generating a second kit for the short components of the short work unit that are present in inventory. | 07-02-2009 |
20090171816 | ATTRIBUTE BASED INVENTORY USAGE AND STOCKING - A novel and non-obvious method, system and apparatus for controlling inventory stocking and usage based on part attributes. A method for controlling inventory stocking and usage based on part attributes that can include establishing a stock footprint, which maps stocking locations to attributes on a part, establishing a usage strategy, which maps a prioritized list of attributes to a part request order type, establishing a usage characteristic set, which maps a set of usage characteristics to the usage strategy, receiving a request order, and, applying the established usage strategy to the received request order based on matching a characteristic set of the received request order with the usage characteristic set of the established usage strategy. | 07-02-2009 |
20090299508 | CONTROLLED CANCELLATION FOR PRODUCTION FLOW AND PHYSICAL ASSETS - Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for controlling cancelled orders in a manufacturing environment. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for controlling cancelled orders in a manufacturing environment can be provided. The method can include receiving a cancellation of an order in the manufacturing environment, reading a list of work units associated with the order, obtaining at least one identifying attribute of each work unit in the list of work units associated with the order, reading a space maximum value associated with at least one identifying attribute of each work unit in the list of work units associated with the order, reading a stock maximum value associated with the at least one identifying attribute of each work unit in the list of work units associated with the order, determining a current stock value associated with at least one identifying attribute of a first work unit in the list of work units associated with the order, and if the current stock value is less than the space maximum value and the stock maximum value, setting a valid cancel optimization status indicator of the first work unit. The method can further include retrieving a cancel optimization model record matching the at least one identifying attribute of the first work unit, and can include applying the retrieved optimization model record to the first work unit to modify a process routing map of the first work unit. | 12-03-2009 |
20090299881 | TIME PHASE WORK POOL MANAGEMENT FOR RETURNED INVENTORY ASSET ROUTING - Embodiments of the present routing returned inventory assets and provide a method, system and computer program product for routing items in a manufacturing environment. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for routing items in a manufacturing environment can be provided. The method can include defining attributes of work pools in the manufacturing environment, defining a set of reuse strategies for use in the manufacturing environment, receiving a returned inventory asset in the manufacturing environment and obtaining at least one attribute of the returned inventory asset, comparing the obtained at least one attribute of the returned inventory asset to the set of reuse strategies to select the reuse strategy to apply to the returned inventory asset and applying the selected reuse strategy to the returned inventory asset to assign the returned inventory asset to one of the work pools in the manufacturing environment. The method can further include the transportation of the returned inventory asset to a temporary location other than the assigned work pool, and can include updating a returned inventory asset tracking record to indicate the assigned work pool. | 12-03-2009 |
20090299882 | CONVERTING ASSETS FOR REUSE DURING MANUFACTURING - Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to manufacturing production and provide a novel and non-obvious method, system and computer program product for reuse of cancelled products that are partially manufactured. In one embodiment of the invention, a method for reusing a partially manufactured product during a manufacturing process can be provided. The method can include reading a configuration of the partially manufactured product and reading a set of rules that match a given configuration with one of a set of defined target configurations. The method can further include executing the set of rules upon the configuration of the partially manufactured product so as to match the configuration of the partially manufactured product with a target configuration. The method can further include initiating re-configuration of the partially manufactured product to the target configuration with which it was matched and stocking in inventory the partially manufactured product that has been re-configured to the target configuration. | 12-03-2009 |
20100010917 | AUTO-ADJUSTING ORDER CONFIGURATION RULES USING PARTS SUPPLY - Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to commercial order processing and provide a novel and non-obvious method, computer system and computer program product for facilitating selection of configurations using supply data. In one embodiment of the invention, a method for facilitating configuration selection when ordering computer equipment is provided. The method includes reading a plurality of configuration rules that define constituent parts that are presented to a user for selection when ordering the end product. The method further includes reading supply data for the constituent parts, interpreting the supply data based on a set of user-definable meta rules, and modifying the plurality of configuration rules in accordance with the interpretations of the supply data. The method further includes receiving a request from the user to order the end product and providing the user with information regarding constituent parts that comprise the end product, according to the plurality of configuration rules. | 01-14-2010 |
20100023147 | RECONFIGURATION OF ASSETS FOR REUSE DURING MANUFACTURING - A method for reconfiguring a partially manufactured product during a manufacturing process is disclosed. The method can include reading a configuration of the partially manufactured product and reading at least one order for a manufactured product, wherein each order is associated with a target configuration. The method can further include reading a set of rules that match a given configuration with one of a set of target configurations and executing the set of rules upon the configuration of the partially manufactured product so as to match the configuration of the partially manufactured product with one of a target configuration of the at least one order. The method can further include initiating re-configuration of the partially manufactured product to the target configuration with which it was matched. Thus, the partially manufactured product is reused in the manufacturing process to fulfill an order it was not originally created to fulfill. | 01-28-2010 |
20100036515 | Real-Time Assembly and Part Validation and Auto-Disposition - Real-time assembly and part validation (or “containment”) and auto-disposition in a manufacturing environment. Validation and auto-disposition are performed in a real-time, proactive manner where the validation and auto-disposition processing are not coupled to the installation process. Validation problems or issues may therefore be identified and resolved before an assembly or part is needed for installation. | 02-11-2010 |
20110172799 | DYNAMICALLY GENERATING A MANUFACTURING PRODUCTION WORK FLOW - A method for dynamically altering manufacturing routings to add, remove, or skip operations and combinations of operations within a shop floor control system in real-time to respond to current conditions. One aspect of the present invention is a computer-implemented method for dynamically generating a manufacturing production work flow. One embodiment of this method comprises receiving indication that an assembly has completed a manufacturing operation, the assembly having a work flow and a sampling strategy associated therewith; querying a data source for characteristics of a plurality of previously sampled components; querying a manufacturing floor control system for current production status; and dynamically updating the work flow for the assembly based at least in part on the sampling strategy, characteristics of the plurality of previously sampled components, and the current production status. | 07-14-2011 |
20120017164 | Dynamic Personal Airport Advisor With Incorporated Service Call and Collaboration Function - A method and system for optimizing travel and time management during travel. A travel tool is provided to receive travel objectives, which may also be prioritized and set with the tool. In response to detecting a disruption of an aspect of the set travel plans, this disruption is evaluated in an effort to mitigate the effects of the disruption. The impact of the disruption is evaluated and the travel plans are re-calculated. At least one modification to the set of travel plans is provided and selected in compliance with the set objective. This selection is communicated to the travel tool. Based upon the selection, the travel plans are dynamically modified while attaining the set objectives. | 01-19-2012 |
20120174015 | Dynamic Personal Airport Advisor With Incorporated Service Call and Collaboration Function - Optimizing travel and time management during travel. A travel tool is provided to receive travel objectives, which may also be prioritized and set with the tool. In response to detecting a disruption of an aspect of the set travel plans, this disruption is evaluated in an effort to mitigate the effects of the disruption. The impact of the disruption is evaluated and the travel plans are re-calculated. At least one modification to the set of travel plans is provided and selected in compliance with the set objective. This selection is communicated to the travel tool. Based upon the selection, the travel plans are dynamically modified while attaining the set objectives. | 07-05-2012 |
20120215343 | DYNAMIC ITEM-SPACE ALLOCATION AND RETRIEVAL - Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to staging manufactured items and provide a method, system and computer program product for staging items in a manufacturing environment. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for staging items in a manufacturing environment can be provided. The method can include defining attributes of staging locations in a distribution area of the manufacturing environment, defining a set of staging strategies for use in the distribution area of the manufacturing environment, receiving a manufactured item in the distribution area and obtaining characteristics of the manufactured item, and comparing the obtained characteristics of the manufactured item to the set of staging strategies to select the staging strategy to apply to the manufactured item. | 08-23-2012 |
20130093570 | UTILIZING AN RFID TAG IN MANUFACTURING - Data associated with supply chain events for a manufactured assembly is automatically stored. In preferred embodiments the supply chain events for the manufactured assembly are stored on an RFID tag attached to the assembly as it travels through the supply chain to insure the data concerning the assembly is readily available and not separated from the assembly. In other embodiments, the supply chain events or characteristic data is stored on the RFID tag in a hierarchical structure beginning with the original state of the assembly and with additional entries for each step in the assembly process. In other embodiments, as the product undergoes rework, conversion to a different assembly, or personalizations, the new state of the assembly is stored in the RFID tag. In other preferred embodiments, other information is also stored on the RFID tag such as country of origin, failure data, cycle times and a quality status indicator. | 04-18-2013 |
20130103607 | Determination of Projected Carrier Assignment - A computer implemented method, a data processing system, and a computer program product determine carrier selection based on variable volumetric weight and variable completion times. A product is identified for production. The product for production has a variable weight and a variable dimension based on components included in the product for production. A projected volumetric weight of the product for production is determined. A projected completion time of the product for production is determined. A projected carrier assignment of the product for production is then determined in response to determining the projected volumetric weight of the product for production and determining the projected completion time of the product for production. | 04-25-2013 |
20130144673 | AUTONOMIC MANUFACTURING OPERATOR AUTHORIZATION ADJUSTMENT - Operator authorizations are autonomically adjusted in many ways to automatically account for many different variables. Operator authorization may be adjusted according to an operator's past activity record so previous experience is not lost when the operator is rehired. Operator authorization may be adjusted according to the operator's quality and performance. Operator authorization may also be adjusted by recognizing similar operations to those the operator is authorized to perform, and authorizing the operator to perform one or more similar operations. Operator authorization may also be adjusted to a lesser level or may be revoked for an operation based on the passage of time. A manufacturing system may efficiently track operators taking into account different activity periods, the passage of time, the operator's performance, and similar operations to autonomically adjust the authorization of the operators as needed. | 06-06-2013 |
20130173340 | Product Offering Analytics - Embodiments of the invention relate to supply chain recommendations in real-time. A filter model and a compliance model are provided to relate product proposal data with product order data, and to apply a measurement to the relationship in real-time. This applied measurement is a factor that is employed with respect to supply chain changes. Specifically, the measurement provides a measured correlation that is determinative of recommendations for changes to an associated supply chain. | 07-04-2013 |
20130173341 | Product Offering Analytics - Embodiments of the invention relate to supply chain recommendations in real-time. A filter model and a compliance model are provided to relate product proposal data with product order data, and to apply a measurement to the relationship in real-time. This applied measurement is a factor that is employed with respect to supply chain changes. Specifically, the measurement provides a measured correlation that is determinative of recommendations for changes to an associated supply chain. | 07-04-2013 |
20130231773 | DYNAMIC ITEM-SPACE ALLOCATION AND RETRIEVAL - Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to staging manufactured items and provide a method, system and computer program product for staging items in a manufacturing environment. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for staging items in a manufacturing environment can be provided. The method can include defining attributes of staging locations in a distribution area of the manufacturing environment, defining a set of staging strategies for use in the distribution area of the manufacturing environment, receiving a manufactured item in the distribution area and obtaining characteristics of the manufactured item, and comparing the obtained characteristics of the manufactured item to the set of staging strategies to select the staging strategy to apply to the manufactured item. | 09-05-2013 |