Icon based process design and control system
US5576946A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 7, 1995 |
| Grant date | Nov 19, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 7, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P90/02
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A control system for creating, modifying, initiating and controlling a manufacturing process is provided using computer on-screen icons as metaphors for actual process steps. The icons are selected on-screen from a library of icons, and are selectively inserted in, appended to, edited or deleted from the manufacturing process. Each icon represents a discrete process step including associated default-value physical parameters, which may be modified (edited) within predetermined boundary limits. Using the icons, the physical manufacturing process is symbolically assembled on-screen and saved to a storage medium from which it is accessed for use. During actual operation, the manufacturing process is displayed on-screen in an animated graphic representation, with real-time presentation of instantaneous parameter values. The control system also selectively provides on-screen trend graphs showing in strip-chart form the recent history of selected process variables. Other features provide on-screen execution and control of start-up, operation, alternative operation, suspended operation (park), shut-down, and servicing functions.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.