Abstract: Allocating limited manufacturing resources to achieve a feasible production plan that is consistent with customer demand is a difficult and common problem faced in many manufacturing industries. For large-scale multi-stage manufacturing systems, existing methods are typically based either on allocating limited resources sequentially, according to a priority ranked list of production starts, or linear programming based models. The output of such planning models is a production plan which specifies the quantity of each part to produce at each plant, using resources available to the enterprise. Typically there are lot-sizing rule defining the permissible production start quantities. The invention disclosed herein is a method for applying these rules to the lot-sizing of production starts within a linear program. It employs advanced heuristics that consider both established operational objectives (e.g.

Abstract: A method and system for resource rationing which employs decision rules for the optimal allocation of supply and capacity over time that satisfy two key requirements (a) being consistent with accepted operational objectives (e.g. low inventory, short lead times, prioritized allocation of supply and capacity) and (b) allowing for the timely computation of a feasible production schedule. The method and system is generally characterized in that it is able to divide each of the priority ranked scheduled releases (Material Requirements Planning (MRP)) into “N” separate and smaller sized scheduled releases where the priority of each of the “N” releases may be equal to the priority of the original release. The “N” separate and smaller sized scheduled releases are sorted according to priority and then used to determine an optimal supply schedule for allocating resources including component supply and assembly capacity.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for efficiently modeling the situation where a product manufactured within a multi-stage manufacturing system has components upstream in the supply chain which may substitute for one another. The invention selectively permits substitutions based on rules associated with downstream operations or customer shipments. One component may substitute for another provided that the assembly consuming the component belongs to a certain set of assemblies. The invention also encompasses a method by which this can be integrated into a production planning system based on a linear programming (LP) model.

Abstract: This invention provides a resolution control system for a display device, which may have a lighted display and control circuitry. The lighted display may be backlit, frontlit, or emissive. The resolution control system may have two or more digital-to-analog converters, which may be provided by digital-to-analog converter (DAC) circuitry in the control circuitry. The DACs convert data values into an output voltage for controlling an operating parameter, which may be brightness, contrast, and the like. The DACs have a cascade arrangement where the output voltage of one DAC is the input voltage of another DAC.

Abstract: According to the system and the method of the present invention, a display's visibility is maintained depending on lighting conditions that are sensed by an ambient light sensor (16). Logic (10) is applied to the output of the light sensor (16) and in conjunction with a headlight status indicator (14) to determine whether daytime (D) or nighttime (N) lighting condition exists and to determine a brightness level (18) to be commanded to the display. The logic (10) of the present invention maintains a visible display even in situations where a vehicle's headlights are active during daylight lighting conditions.

Abstract: A method and system for resource rationing which employs decision rules for the optimal allocation of supply and capacity over time that satisfy two key requirements (a) being consistent with accepted operational objectives (e.g. low inventory, short lead times, prioritized allocation of supply and capacity) and (b) allowing for the timely computation of a feasible production schedule. The method and system is generally characterized in that it is able to divide each of the priority ranked scheduled releases (Material Requirements Planning (MRP)) into “N” separate and smaller sized scheduled releases where the priority of each of the “N” releases may be equal to the priority of the original release. The “N” separate and smaller sized scheduled releases are sorted according to priority and then used to determine an optimal supply schedule for allocating resources including component supply and assembly capacity.

Abstract: This invention provides a resolution control system for a display device, which may have a lighted display and control circuitry. The lighted display may be backlit, frontlit, or emissive. The resolution control system may have two or more digital-to-analog converters, which may be provided by digital-to-analog converter (DAC) circuitry in the control circuitry. The DACs convert data values into an output voltage for controlling an operating parameter, which may be brightness, contrast, and the like. The DACs have a cascade arrangement where the output voltage of one DAC is the input voltage of another DAC.

Abstract: According to the system and the method of the present invention, a display's visibility is maintained depending on lighting conditions that are sensed by an ambient light sensor (16). Logic (10) is applied to the output of the light sensor (16) and in conjunction with a headlight status indicator (14) to determine whether daytime (D) or nighttime (N) lighting condition exists and to determine a brightness level (18) to be commanded to the display. The logic (10) of the present invention maintains a visible display even in situations where a vehicle's headlights are active during daylight lighting conditions.

Abstract: The invention provides a brightness control system for a backlight display device that uses the efficiency of the backlight to control the backlight to a desired brightness or luminance. The backlight display device may have a display panel, a backlight, a temperature measurement device, and control circuitry. The control circuitry provides a drive current to the backlight in response to a backlight efficiency and a desired brightness signal. The backlight efficiency is a function of the backlight temperature. The brightness control system may maintain the desired brightness throughout the dynamic range of the backlight display device.

Abstract: A system for disabling display illumination includes an electronic device, such as a radio, navigation system or entertainment device having a graphical display that may be covered with a door for enhancing vehicle interior appearance. To allow the graphical display to be read during night time driving conditions, the graphical display includes some form of graphical back lighting. A transceiver is coupled to the electronic device and generates an infrared signal for inter-module communication. When the door is closed, this infrared signal is reflected back to the electronic device indicating that the door is closed. Using this reflected signal, the graphical back lighting may be disabled to eliminate light leaks and reduce heat buildup.

Abstract: Removal of iron from aluminous material such as bauxite is effected by treatment with a gas mixture comprising sulphur dioxide and carbon monoxide in a first step, followed by chlorination in a second step whereby ferric chloride is produced and removed by volatilization. Aluminium chloride of low iron content may be obtained from the purified aluminous material by chlorination.