US5216613A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Segmented asynchronous operation of an automated assembly line
Assignee: Texas Instruments Inc
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Filing: 1992-08-12
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Granted: 1993-06-01
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Expires: 2012-08-12
Abstract
Abstract An automated assembly line is controlled by a computer system. The assembly line is comprised of a plurality of machines which are each segmented into its basic unit operations providing work stations. The work stations are then controlled by the computer system and operated asynchronously with respect to the other work stations of the assembly line.
Inventors
- 👤 Claude D. Head, III
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 21:26
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05B; G05B19/00; G05B19/02; G05B19/418; G05B19/41815; G05B2219/00; G05B2219/30; G05B2219/45; G05B2219/45051; G05B2219/45213; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P90/00; Y02P90/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
173 words
A method for controlling the operation of an assembly line comprised of a plurality of work stations utilizing a computer having stored in its memory work station operation programs, which control the operation of each work station of said assembly line, and a supervisory program causing said computer to perform the following steps: (a) during execution of said supervisory program, sequentially checking the state of each work station to determine whether said work station requires control; (b) initiating the execution of the work station operation program of each work station if said work station requires control; (c) executing portions of said work station operation program to initiate operation groups by said work stations individually to the extent to which said work stations require control; and (d) allowing each work station to continue the operating group independently of the work station operation programs until said supervisory program determines a further control is required to provide an independent asynchronous operation of each work station with respect to any other work station of said assembly line.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
173 words
A method for controlling the operation of an assembly line comprised of a plurality of work stations utilizing a computer having stored in its memory work station operation programs, which control the operation of each work station of said assembly line, and a supervisory program causing said computer to perform the following steps: (a) during execution of said supervisory program, sequentially checking the state of each work station to determine whether said work station requires control; (b) initiating the execution of the work station operation program of each work station if said work station requires control; (c) executing portions of said work station operation program to initiate operation groups by said work stations individually to the extent to which said work stations require control; and (d) allowing each work station to continue the operating group independently of the work station operation programs until said supervisory program determines a further control is required to provide an independent asynchronous operation of each work station with respect to any other work station of said assembly line.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
90 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein each work station operation program includes: (a) requesting a workpiece from preceding work station within said assembly line; (b) preparing for the arrival of said workpiece; (c) acknowledging receipt of said workpiece to said preceding work station; (d) starting processing of said workpiece; (e) informing following work station that the processing of said workpiece is complete and said workpiece is ready for release; and (f) releasing the workpiece to said following work station and informing said following work station when said workpiece exits.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
150 words
A method of controlling the asynchronous operation of an assembly line provided with a plurality of work stations for processing workpieces utilizing a computer having a work station operation control routine stored therein comprising the steps of: (a) setting an indicator in said computer to request a workpiece from an adjacent upstream work station; (b) controlling said work station to begin preparation for said workpiece; (c) setting indicator in said computer to acknowledge receipt of said workpiece from said upstream work station; (d) controlling the beginning of one or more processing steps by said work station upon said workpiece; (e) setting indicator in said computer to inform an adjacent downstream station when processing of said workpiece is complete and said workpiece is ready for release; (f) releasing said workpiece to said downstream work station; and (g) setting an indicator in said computer when said workpiece exits from said work station.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
150 words
A method of controlling the asynchronous operation of an assembly line provided with a plurality of work stations for processing workpieces utilizing a computer having a work station operation control routine stored therein comprising the steps of: (a) setting an indicator in said computer to request a workpiece from an adjacent upstream work station; (b) controlling said work station to begin preparation for said workpiece; (c) setting indicator in said computer to acknowledge receipt of said workpiece from said upstream work station; (d) controlling the beginning of one or more processing steps by said work station upon said workpiece; (e) setting indicator in said computer to inform an adjacent downstream station when processing of said workpiece is complete and said workpiece is ready for release; (f) releasing said workpiece to said downstream work station; and (g) setting an indicator in said computer when said workpiece exits from said work station.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
134 words
A method of controlling asynchronous operation of an assembly line having a plurality of work stations for processing workpieces utilizing a computer, which has a work station operation control routine stored in said computer to cause said computer to perform the following operations upon execution of said operation control routine, comprising the steps of: (a) controlling beginning of one or more processing steps by said work station upon said workpiece; (b) setting an indicator in said computer to inform an adjacent downstream work station when the processing of said workpiece is complete and said workpiece is ready for release; (c) controlling beginning of release of said workpiece to said downstream work station; and (d) setting an indicator in said computer to inform said downstream work station when said workpiece exits from said work station.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
134 words
A method of controlling asynchronous operation of an assembly line having a plurality of work stations for processing workpieces utilizing a computer, which has a work station operation control routine stored in said computer to cause said computer to perform the following operations upon execution of said operation control routine, comprising the steps of: (a) controlling beginning of one or more processing steps by said work station upon said workpiece; (b) setting an indicator in said computer to inform an adjacent downstream work station when the processing of said workpiece is complete and said workpiece is ready for release; (c) controlling beginning of release of said workpiece to said downstream work station; and (d) setting an indicator in said computer to inform said downstream work station when said workpiece exits from said work station.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
121 words
A method of controlling the asynchronous operation of an assembly line provided with a plurality of work stations utilizing a computer having stored in a memory thereof programs including work station operation programs for controlling the operation of each work station of said assembly line, comprising the steps of: (a) upon execution of said work station operation programs, initiating one or more processing steps by said work station upon workpieces disposed therein and setting a respective counter to a predetermined initial value; (b) operating said respective counters until a preselected end value is reached; (c) sequentially checking the status of said counters; and (d) executing portions of said work station operation program after said respective counter reaches said preselected end value.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
121 words
A method of controlling the asynchronous operation of an assembly line provided with a plurality of work stations utilizing a computer having stored in a memory thereof programs including work station operation programs for controlling the operation of each work station of said assembly line, comprising the steps of: (a) upon execution of said work station operation programs, initiating one or more processing steps by said work station upon workpieces disposed therein and setting a respective counter to a predetermined initial value; (b) operating said respective counters until a preselected end value is reached; (c) sequentially checking the status of said counters; and (d) executing portions of said work station operation program after said respective counter reaches said preselected end value.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
175 words
A control system having a stored program computer for controlling the operation of an assembly line having a plurality of work stations for performing operations on a workpiece, said control system comprising: (a) a memory for storing work station operating programs therein, each work station operating program controlling operations of one work station of said assembly line, said computer executing said work station operating program for initiation of operation groups by a said work station; (b) work station control counters for counting from a set level, at least one work station control counter associated with each work station of said assembly line, said computer responding to said work station operating program to periodically set said work station control counter to a predetermined set level, each predetermined set level indicating the time interval required for said work station to complete a particular operation group; and (c) means for checking the value stored in each work station control counter for initiating further execution of said work station operation program after said counter reaches a predetermined end level.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
175 words
A control system having a stored program computer for controlling the operation of an assembly line having a plurality of work stations for performing operations on a workpiece, said control system comprising: (a) a memory for storing work station operating programs therein, each work station operating program controlling operations of one work station of said assembly line, said computer executing said work station operating program for initiation of operation groups by a said work station; (b) work station control counters for counting from a set level, at least one work station control counter associated with each work station of said assembly line, said computer responding to said work station operating program to periodically set said work station control counter to a predetermined set level, each predetermined set level indicating the time interval required for said work station to complete a particular operation group; and (c) means for checking the value stored in each work station control counter for initiating further execution of said work station operation program after said counter reaches a predetermined end level.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
164 words
A method for controlling the operation of an assembly line comprised of a plurality of work stations utilizing a computer having stored in its memory work station operation programs, which control the operation of each work station of said assembly line, and a supervisory program causing said computer to perform the following steps: (a) during execution of said supervisory program, responding to any work station requiring control; (b) initiating the execution of the work station operation program of each work station if said work station requires control; (c) executing portions of said work station operation program to initiate operation groups by said work stations individually to the extent to which said work stations require control; and (d) allowing each work station to continue the operating group independently of the work station operation programs until said supervisory program determines a further control is required to provide an independent asynchronous operation of each work station with respect to any other work station of said assembly line.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
164 words
A method for controlling the operation of an assembly line comprised of a plurality of work stations utilizing a computer having stored in its memory work station operation programs, which control the operation of each work station of said assembly line, and a supervisory program causing said computer to perform the following steps: (a) during execution of said supervisory program, responding to any work station requiring control; (b) initiating the execution of the work station operation program of each work station if said work station requires control; (c) executing portions of said work station operation program to initiate operation groups by said work stations individually to the extent to which said work stations require control; and (d) allowing each work station to continue the operating group independently of the work station operation programs until said supervisory program determines a further control is required to provide an independent asynchronous operation of each work station with respect to any other work station of said assembly line.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-05-31 | 1996-11-30 | 1997-06-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-05-31 | 2000-11-30 | 2001-06-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-05-31 | 2004-11-30 | 2005-06-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |