Cooperative smart items

US6975915B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• SAP AG · DE

Inventors

• Bruno Robitaille · El Cajon, US
• Ming Xu · Kunshan, CN
• Philip Robinson · Newtownabbey, GB
• Stephan Haller · Karlsruhe, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 31, 2002
• Grant date: Dec 13, 2005
• Expiry date: Apr 5, 2023

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02P90/02
• WIPO field: Control
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Manufacturing processes and related systems are disclosed which provide for fast, reliable, inexpensive production of customizable goods. Types of manufacturing equipment elements are individually equipped with various sensors and effecters, and associated with a software agent running on a dedicated processor. The elements may be made mobile, perhaps by placing the individual pieces of equipment on a movable trolley, and further equipped with a wireless transceiver. In this way, the elements may be easily assembled for a manufacturing process, with minimal human intervention required. Moreover, the elements may execute the steps of the manufacturing process in an autonomous, intelligent fashion.