Determining batch start versus delay
US7027885B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 30, 2002 |
| Grant date | Apr 11, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 11, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P90/80
- WIPO fieldIT methods for management
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The invention is a technique by which a manufacturing process flow determines when to begin processing a batch of lots. The invention includes a method for determining whether to begin processing a batch in one aspect and a manufacturing process flow in a second aspect. The method comprises: ascertaining a respective time at which each of a plurality of additional lots will be received into the batch, the batch including a plurality of present lots; assessing a cost for a machine, each additional lot, and each present lot for each respective time at which each additional lot will be received should the machine begin processing the batch at the respective time; and determining the respective time at which the total cost borne by the machine, each additional lot, and each present lot will be at a minimum. The manufacturing process flow comprises a processing tool that processes batch-by-batch, a batch of present lots, a plurality of additional lots that may be included in the batch, and a software agent or a computing system. The software agent/computing system is capable of performing the method set forth above.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.