Integrated material management module
US6418352B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 9, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jul 9, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 9, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P90/80
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A module for use in a system for processing articles, in which the system includes a plurality of machine tools for processing articles, a pod for carrying the articles to be processed by the machine tools from one machine tool to another, a host processing controller associated with the machine tools for controlling the operation thereof, a robot connected to each machine tool for receiving a pod, opening the pod and for transporting the articles from within the pod into position on the machine tool for processing. An identification device is carried by the pod for identifying a particular pod and the articles carried in the pod. The module includes a single wire connection between the identification system, the host controller and the robot. The module has a microprocessor to identify the source of a signal and for routing the signal between the identification system and the host controller and between the host controller and the robot depending on its source.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.