Abstract: Methods and systems for assessing an organization. Values of each of one or more first parameters associated with a first dimension, and values of each of one or more second parameters associated with a second dimension, are received. The first dimension corresponds to an existing innovation strength of the organization. The second dimension corresponds to future innovation strength of said organization. A first rating and a second rating is assigned to each of first parameters and second parameters, respectively, associated with a first dimension and a second dimension, respectively. Based on the first rating and the second rating, a first score and a second score, respectively, is determined. The organization is categorized in one or more categories based on the first score and the second score. Further, the categorization of the organization is displayed through a user-interface on a display device.

Abstract: Controllers communicate commands in terms of goals and constraints. A goal is an objective. A constraint is information regarding how the goal is to be achieved. For example, a constraint may specify when, or how much of, a resource may be used to achieve a goal. Additionally, or alternatively, a constraint may specify an acceptable or expected accuracy or tolerance regarding how the goal is achieved. Each controller is expected to achieve assigned goals in accord with associated constraints. Thereby, system communication may be reduced. If controllers achieve goals according to specified constraints, the controllers do not need to provide updates or be updated regarding the status of activities of other controllers or regarding other operational context information. In some embodiments, commands are generally not acknowledged. Instead, serving controllers respond to a command with an error message if a goal cannot be met in accord with an associated constraint.

Abstract: Respective coordinators are spawned or activated to coordinate activities with regard to respective tasks. Where the respective tasks require cooperative efforts of a plurality of controllers, the respective coordinators ensure cooperative efforts by generating and communicating cooperative commands to the plurality of controllers. The coordinators may act as clearinghouses for system data, selectively requesting and relaying system information to appropriate controllers. For example, a document processing system activates respective coordinators for respective sheets of print media. The respective coordinators orchestrate the transportation of the sheets by sequentially orchestrating the activities of sequentially selected pluralities of transportation actuator controllers. Selected sheet position information from sensors and/or from models maintained by the actuator controllers may be relayed by the coordinators to selected actuator controllers as appropriate to the sheet transportation tasks.

Abstract: A frameless media path module is provided for a media processing system feeding media streams through a media path structured for serial or parallel flows. The frameless media path module includes a plurality of media guides and not less than two media transport nips operated by at least one actuator. Means is included for attaching the frameless media path module to a supporting structure. Media state sensing electronics detect media edge or relative motion and intermodule electrical communication capability is provided.

Abstract: A printing system includes a plurality of printers, at least a first and a second of the plurality of printers printing in a first print modality. A scheduling system schedules printing of a set of pages by the plurality of printers. The set of pages, when assembled, may include pages where a high level of consistency is desired, such as facing pages or pages which are otherwise to be placed in close relationship. The scheduling system includes at least two scheduling modes, a first mode in which a consistency constraint is applied to the set of pages, and a second mode, different from the first mode, in which the consistency constraint is not applied. The printing system is configured for printing the set of pages in accordance with the first mode and in accordance with the second mode.

Abstract: A method for performing exception handling operates within a computer controlled multi-step production system for producing objects. The system includes a system controller, within which reside a planner/scheduler and module controller(s). The system controller receives a stream of object specifications for objects to be produced including the jobs to which they belong. The planner/scheduler plans and schedules the jobs incrementally, and the system controller sends commands to the module controller(s) directing production of the planned and scheduled objects by production system modules. The method includes receiving notice in the system controller of a problem situation present within the multi-step production system and halting planning for the production of subsequent objects. Plans are canceled plans for all objects that have not begun production, and all objects affected by the problem situation are marked as bad objects.

Abstract: A combinatorial search method implemented in a computer control system utilizes on-line state-space planning of operations for multi-step production processes. The planner considers various possible combinations of actions, searching for one that correctly transforms the initial state of the object into the specified desired final state. Each combination of actions the planner considers is called a search node, with each node containing a plan representing a series of actions of various machines on a single object and also containing the predicted state of the object with those actions applied either forward or backward. The method includes determining which of the search nodes to extend further at each search iteration and if the object state in the chosen search node conforms to the desired state of the object, or whether actions should be added to the node's plan.

Abstract: A system and method for self-synchronization of modular production systems having components with various alternative capabilities for processing and transporting work units along transport highways, for various component/transport highway configurations. The method includes determining jobs of interest, with each job requiring the production of at least one work unit. The configuration of the components, including at least one machine module, and the transport highway is determined. Each component duration time is determined and a default self-synchronization time is identified. The default self-synchronization time is optimized by adjusting not less than one component duration time.

Abstract: A method for developing and using real time applications for a dynamic system having a sensing subsystem, actuation subsystem, a control subsystem, and an application subsystem utilizes stochastic compute time algorithms. After optimization functions, desired state and constraints are received and detector data has been provided from a sensor subsystem, a statistical optimization error description is generated. From this statistical optimization error description a strategy is developed, including the optimization errors, within the control subsystem. An execution module within the control subsystem then sends an execution strategy to various actuators within the actuation subsystem.