Patents by Inventor Christopher W. Nerkowski

Christopher W. Nerkowski has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 5050088
    Abstract: The present invention is a production control system and an associated method for interfacing automated material handling systems to manufacturing workcells, which workcells have processing equipment therein for performing processing jobs on provided material. An addressable library contains a plurality of program modules with each module defining a sequence of operations that are to be performed by at least one piece of processing equipment. In accordance with job descriptions and process scripts, program modules are selected to provide the capability of concurrently performing processing operations on the provided material. Each piece of processing equipment is programmed to be responsive to the sequence of operations defined by the program modules. The flow of material to and through each workstation is controlled by the job descriptions and process scripts. The processing operations are event tracked for signalling the occurrence of particular operations in the defined sequence of operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1991
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Andrew J. Buckler, Richard A. Roland, Christopher W. Nerkowski