Computer system for quality control correlation

US6522939B1 · kind B1 · utility

Inventors

• Robert D. Strauch · Jacksonville, US
• John Lepper · Jacksonville, US
• Wallace Anthony Martin · Orange Park, US
• Ravi Sanka · Jacksonville, US
• Craig William Walker · Jacksonville, US
• Daniel Tsu-Fang Wang · Jacksonville, US
• Lars William Johnson · Indialantic, US
• Leonard R. Reinhart · Melbourne Beach, US
• Larry G. Hearin · Round Rock, US
• Carolyn R. Solberg · Austin, US
• Jeffrey L. Wilson · Elgin, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 1, 1996
• Grant date: Feb 18, 2003
• Expiry date: Jul 1, 2016

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02P90/80
• WIPO field: Control
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A production control system provides real-time monitoring of process parameters in an automated production line that manufactures contact lenses, the line and having a plurality of process stations with each process station having one or more process control devices that control production operations at each respective process station and generates production parameter data therefrom. The system includes a line monitor device for receiving an externally generated production order including a lot number, product type, and quantity, and further coordinates manufacturing processes at each of the plurality of process stations, and tracks order production. A plurality of cell monitor devices retrieves the production data from one or more process control devices and processes the data to ensure that production parameters are within predefined limits. Real-time viewing of respective line status and device status information is provided by an interface device that accesses respective line status information from the line monitor device and production data from said cell monitor. Activation and completion of orders at each process station is also provided via the interface device.