Patents by Inventor Joseph R. Herron

Joseph R. Herron 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: 9952587
    Abstract: A system and method relating to an assembly process of a machine is disclosed. The machine may include a plurality of attachments categorized as core or optional. Each attachment may include a plurality of components each categorized the same as the attachment which the component is a part of. The system may comprise a user interface and a controller configured to display machine information. The machine information may include an image of a portion of the machine. Components categorized as core may be visually differentiated from components categorized as optional. The controller may be configured to modify the categorization of a first attachment, change a first process day on which the first attachment is deducted from inventory to a second process day as a result of modifying the categorization, and adjust a need date for the plurality of components of the first attachment based on the change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph R. Herron, Yamin Z. Mohammed
  • Publication number: 20170052533
    Abstract: A system and method relating to an assembly process of a machine is disclosed. The machine may include a plurality of attachments categorized as core or optional. Each attachment may include a plurality of components each categorized the same as the attachment which the component is a part of. The system may comprise a user interface and a controller configured to display machine information. The machine information may include an image of a portion of the machine. Components categorized as core may be visually differentiated from components categorized as optional. The controller may be configured to modify the categorization of a first attachment, change a first process day on which the first attachment is deducted from inventory to a second process day as a result of modifying the categorization, and adjust a need date for the plurality of components of the first attachment based on the change.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph R. Herron, Yamin Z. Mohammed
  • Publication number: 20160148135
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for balancing an assembly line. According to certain embodiments, a plurality of routings is received. A plurality of fields is extracted from each of the plurality of routings. A line balancing report may be generated based on the extracted fields.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph R. HERRON, Yamin Z. MOHAMMED
  • Publication number: 20160140472
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for managing assembly accountability grief. According to certain embodiments, a change that creates at least one grief is detected. An accountability report associating the at least one grief with an affected model is received. Moreover, the at least one grief may be assigned to a workcenter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph R. HERRON, Yamin Z. MOHAMMED
  • Publication number: 20160140470
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for optimizing inventory using lead-time offset values. According to certain embodiments, a master routing, master component inventory, and routing report are received. An earliest required lead-time offset value for each component in the master component inventory is determined, and the earliest required lead-time offset value for each component in the master component inventory is compared to the planned lead-time offset value for the component. Each component for which the earliest required lead-time offset value is greater than the planned lead-time offset value is identified, and the planned lead-time offset value for each identified component is set to the earliest required lead-time offset value for the component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph R. HERRON, Yamin Z. MOHAMMED
  • Publication number: 20160139571
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for managing changes to manufacturing processes. According to certain embodiments, a first change is received for a first routing having a first effective date. A first change master associated with the first effective date is selected, and the first change is assigned to the first change master. A second change for the first routing is also received. The first change master is selected based on the first effective date, and the second change is applied to the first routing using the first change master.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph R. HERRON, Yamin Z. Mohammed
  • Publication number: 20160104087
    Abstract: A method for validating material requirements planning data is disclosed. The method includes receiving a first set of scheduling data from a first resource planning tool, receiving a second set of scheduling data from a second resource planning tool, performing a comparison of the first set of scheduling data and the second set of scheduling data, and generating a report based on the comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Yamin Z. Mohammed, Joseph R. Herron