US6163761A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for monitoring and controlling production and method therefor
Assignee: Cognis Corp
•
Filing: 1997-09-25
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Granted: 2000-12-19
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Expires: 2017-09-25
Abstract
Abstract An electronic production system and method are capable of handling dynamic process production data. The electronic production system includes a memory; an input/output interface for receiving production data from a plurality of sensors detecting operation of a plurality of processes of a facility; and a processor. The processor includes a plurality of dynamically operating software modules, each responsive to the production data of a respective process for storing and dynamically updating the production data in the memory; an event log generator, responsive to the production data stored in the memory, for generating event logs and for transmitting the event logs to a management system connected to the input/output interface; and a graphic user interface, responsive to the dynamically operating software modules updating the production data, for displaying the production data graphically and dynamically as the production data changes. Improved efficiency and inventory tracking are effected by the electronic production system, as well as vertical integration from processes to the management system of the facility, and horizontal integration of diverse applications.
Inventors
- 👤 James Thomas Kent
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 07:39
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q10/00; G06Q10/06; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99941; Y10S707/99944
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
201 words
An electronic production system for monitoring and controlling production in connection with a facility, the system comprising: means for collecting production data, the production data collected being associated with a plurality of processes being performed in connection with the facility; means for processing the production data, the processing means being responsive to the production data collecting means and having data storage means associated therewith, the processing means storing at least portions of the production data received from the production data collecting means in the data storage means, the processing means dynamically updating the production data received from the production data collection means in response to the plurality of processes of the facility, and the processing means responding to commands input by a system user; means for generating records of event occurrences, the event records generating means being responsive to the processing means and the event occurrences being associated with the plurality of processes of the facility; and means for the system user to interface with the electronic production system, the user interface means being responsive to the processing means and permitting the system user to visually monitor and, by inputting commands, to substantially control the plurality of processes of the facility.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
201 words
An electronic production system for monitoring and controlling production in connection with a facility, the system comprising: means for collecting production data, the production data collected being associated with a plurality of processes being performed in connection with the facility; means for processing the production data, the processing means being responsive to the production data collecting means and having data storage means associated therewith, the processing means storing at least portions of the production data received from the production data collecting means in the data storage means, the processing means dynamically updating the production data received from the production data collection means in response to the plurality of processes of the facility, and the processing means responding to commands input by a system user; means for generating records of event occurrences, the event records generating means being responsive to the processing means and the event occurrences being associated with the plurality of processes of the facility; and means for the system user to interface with the electronic production system, the user interface means being responsive to the processing means and permitting the system user to visually monitor and, by inputting commands, to substantially control the plurality of processes of the facility.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the production data collecting means further includes a plurality of electronic sensors.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the production data collecting means further includes means for manually providing production data.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 3, wherein the manual production data provision means further includes means for manually providing an estimate of the production data.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the production data collecting means further includes means for formatting the production data.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the processing means generates color codes associated with portions of the production data.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 6, wherein the user interface means displays at least a portion of the production data in a predetermined color corresponding to the color code associated with that portion of the production data.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the user interface means displays a layout associated with the facility.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 8, wherein the layout contains regions and further wherein certain of the regions correspond to areas where certain of the plurality of processes are being conducted.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the user interface means displays at least one graphic representation corresponding to at least one of the processes of the facility.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 10, wherein the user interface means displays information substantially in the vicinity of the at least one graphic representation, the information relating to the at least one process corresponding to the at least one graphic representation.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 11, wherein the processing means dynamically updates the at least one graphic representation and the information in automatic response to the production data.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 11, wherein the processing means dynamically updates the at least one graphic representation and the information in response to selected inputs provided by the system user via the user interface means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 1, further comprising means for controlling the schedule of at least one of the plurality of processes of the facility in response to a selected scheduling command input by the system user.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the processing means is operatively coupled to an accounting/facility management system for storing production and inventory histories in response to the event occurrence records and the production data.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the processing means is operatively coupled to facility process-related applications.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
123 words
An electronic production method for monitoring and controlling production in connection with a facility, the method comprising the steps of: (a) collecting production data, the production data collected being associated with a plurality of processes being performed in connection with the facility; (b) processing the production data; (c) storing at least portions of the production data; (d) dynamically updating the production data in response to the plurality of processes of the facility; (e) responding to commands input by a system user; (f) generating records of event occurrences, the event occurrences being associated with the plurality of processes of the facility; and (g) permitting the system user to visually monitor and, by inputting commands, to substantially control the plurality of processes of the facility.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
123 words
An electronic production method for monitoring and controlling production in connection with a facility, the method comprising the steps of: (a) collecting production data, the production data collected being associated with a plurality of processes being performed in connection with the facility; (b) processing the production data; (c) storing at least portions of the production data; (d) dynamically updating the production data in response to the plurality of processes of the facility; (e) responding to commands input by a system user; (f) generating records of event occurrences, the event occurrences being associated with the plurality of processes of the facility; and (g) permitting the system user to visually monitor and, by inputting commands, to substantially control the plurality of processes of the facility.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 17, wherein the processing step further includes generating color codes associated with portions of the production data.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of displaying at least a portion of the production data in a predetermined color corresponding to the color code associated with that portion of the production data.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of displaying a layout associated with the facility.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 20, wherein the layout contains regions and further wherein certain of the regions correspond to areas where certain of the plurality of processes are being conducted.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of displaying at least one graphic representation corresponding to at least one of the processes of the facility.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 22, further comprising the step of displaying information substantially in the vicinity of the at least one graphic representation, the information relating to the at least one process corresponding to the at least one graphic representation.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 23, wherein the processing step further includes the step of dynamically updating the at least one graphic representation and the information in automatic response to the production data.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 23, wherein the processing step further includes dynamically updating the at least one graphic representation and the information in response to selected inputs provided by the system user.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of controlling the schedule of at least one of the plurality of processes of the facility in response to a selected scheduling command input by the system user.
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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) | 2003-12-19 | 2004-06-19 | 2004-12-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-12-19 | 2008-06-19 | 2008-12-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-12-19 | 2012-06-19 | 2012-12-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |