Elapsed time clock for part call tag-based replenishment system
US6502005B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 14, 2000 |
| Grant date | Dec 31, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 14, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06Q10/087
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An elapsed time clock is incorporated into a part call tag for requesting replenishment of components used by workstations of a manufacturing facility. One or more transmission readers spatially distributed around the manufacturing facility detect a part call signal transmitted from the part call tag. A reader output processing subsystem processes part call signals detected by at least one of the tag transmission readers to recover information contained in the part call signal. A management processor associates the recovered information with a respective workstation, and what component is to be replenished. The elapsed time clock is reset when the part call tag is operated to transmit a part call signal, and thereby serves as a call tag ‘stop watch’—informing workstation personnel of the length of time that has elapsed since the last part call transmission from that tag.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.