US5255197A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Line production management system
Assignee: Honda Motor Co Ltd
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Filing: 1991-07-03
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Granted: 1993-10-19
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Expires: 2011-07-03
Abstract
Abstract A line production management system is provided. In the line production management system, a primary computer, a primary controller, a secondary controller, a tertiary controller and a number of processing machines are provided. The primary controller maintains work files containing work sequence data defining the classification, work priority and quantity of the work objects to be processed, and transmits the work file information through a communication network. The secondary controller generates and maintains correlation files to correlate each work sequence data included in the work files information with the codes which determine each processing to be applied to each work object in each work station, and transmits the correlation files through the communication network. The tertiary controller generates step files based on the work files and correlation files received through the communication network. The step files contain processing instruction data for each work station. In each work station, the processing machines are automatically controlled according to the processing instruction data received from the tertiary controller.
Inventors
- 👤 Kouji Iida
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 03:38
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05B; G05B19/00; G05B19/02; G05B19/418; G05B19/41835; G05B19/4184; G05B2219/00; G05B2219/30; G05B2219/31; G05B2219/31015; G05B2219/31467; G05B2219/32; G05B2219/32002; G05B2219/32051; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P90/00; Y02P90/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
172 words
A line production management system, wherein an assigned quantity of work objects flow from upstream work stations to downstream work stations according to an assigned work sequence in an automated production line, said line production management system comprising: a primary controller to maintain work files containing work sequence data defining the classification, work priority and quantity of the work objects to be processed, and to transmit said work files information through a communication network; a secondary controller to generate and maintain correlation files to correlate each work sequence data included in said work files information with codes which determine each process to be performed for each work object in each work station, and to transmit said correlation files through said communication network; a tertiary controller to generate step files based on said work files and correlation files received through said communication network, said step files containing processing instruction data for each work station; and processing means to process said work objects according to the processing instruction data received from said tertiary controller.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
172 words
A line production management system, wherein an assigned quantity of work objects flow from upstream work stations to downstream work stations according to an assigned work sequence in an automated production line, said line production management system comprising: a primary controller to maintain work files containing work sequence data defining the classification, work priority and quantity of the work objects to be processed, and to transmit said work files information through a communication network; a secondary controller to generate and maintain correlation files to correlate each work sequence data included in said work files information with codes which determine each process to be performed for each work object in each work station, and to transmit said correlation files through said communication network; a tertiary controller to generate step files based on said work files and correlation files received through said communication network, said step files containing processing instruction data for each work station; and processing means to process said work objects according to the processing instruction data received from said tertiary controller.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A line production management system according to claim 1, wherein said secondary controller supplements the functions provided by said primary controller and tertiary controller.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
A line production management system according to claim 1, wherein said primary controller transmits batch processing instruction data, grouped into an assigned quantity of car bodies, to said tertiary controller and to said processing means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
74 words
A line production management system according to claim 1, wherein said primary controller contains information codes for the purpose of correlating and organizing information transmitted from said primary controller, wherein said information codes include at least one of model-based destination codes for each assembly line; option codes for the same; machine job pattern codes for the same; work material codes for the same; and setting of the representation numbers for the various collective codes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
A line production management system according to claim 1, wherein a net quantity monitoring controller is utilized to monitor dynamic quantities of production of work objects flowing between one assembly line and another assembly line to produce net quantity information which is distributed through the communication network to other controllers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
A line production management system according to claim 5, wherein said net quantity monitoring controller receives production status data from a plurality of processing stations, said production status data including operational mode of processing machines, such as cumulative quantities processed and machine cycle times.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
A line production management system according to claim 5, wherein said net quantity monitoring controller computes dynamic flowing quantities of work objects between said one assembly line and neighboring assembly lines according to data obtained from said one line and from said neighboring assembly lines.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
A line production management system according to claim 1, wherein said system is provided with: a net quantity monitoring controller to monitor and store data on the processing status, flow quantity and cycle times and to transmit said data to said primary controller.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
A line production management system according to claim 1 further comprising: display means to display work content information on both processed and unprocessed work objects.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
64 words
A line production management system according to claim 1, wherein said display means displays at least one group of data, transmitted through said communication network, selected from the group consisting of a summary of processing status of various lines, the status of the next processing stage, the quantities of flowing work objects, the quantities of processed work objects on processing machines and cycle times.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
45 words
A line production management system according to claim 9, wherein said display means displays information concerning model-based processing data grouped according to destinations, and the quantities remaining in the current lot, next lot and reserved lot for each of the work objects on the line.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
A line production management system according to claim 1 further comprising: external interrupt means for accepting external interrupt signals.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
A line production management system according to claim 12, wherein said external interrupt means includes processing control signal means for controlling the operations of said processing means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
45 words
A line production management system according to claim 12, wherein said external interrupt means allows an operator of said processing means to select processing pattern data for processing machines, and to specify the quantity of said work objects to be processed on said processing machines.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
A line production management system according to claim 9, wherein said display means is capable of automatically displaying identification parameters, such as models and options, to characterize said work objects.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
A line production management system according to claim 9, wherein said display means is capable of displaying said external interrupt signal data.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
A line production management system according to claim 1 further comprising: monitoring means for monitoring the performance of said processing machines.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
A line production management system according to claim 17, wherein said monitoring means is a central remote observation type monitoring means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
62 words
A line production management system according to claim 17, wherein said monitoring means provides at least one monitoring action through said communication network, including transmission of status data of a next processing stage and a quantity of flowing work objects or to count a quantity of work objects processed through numerically controlled processing machines or the cycle times of said processing machines.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
A line production management system according to claim 1 further comprising: abnormality monitoring means for monitoring the abnormality of said processing means, and display means to display said abnormality.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
A line production management system according to claim 20, wherein said abnormality monitoring means is a central remote observation type abnormality monitoring means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
32 words
A line production management system according to claim 20, wherein said abnormality monitoring means includes means for monitoring and displaying abnormalities occurring in numerical control processing means and in said communication network.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
A line production management system according to claim 17, wherein said monitoring means is a local observation type monitoring means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
A line production management system according to claim 20, wherein said abnormality monitoring means is a local observation type monitoring means.
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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) | 1996-10-18 | 1997-04-19 | 1997-10-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-10-18 | 2001-04-19 | 2001-10-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-10-18 | 2005-04-19 | 2005-10-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |