Patents by Inventor Nicholas J. Widis

Nicholas J. Widis 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).

  • Method, system and facility for controlling resource allocation within a manufacturing environment
    Patent number: 7054704
    Abstract: A method and system provide for the control of resource allocation within a build-to-order manufacturing environment. One example embodiment of a method according to the present disclosure includes an operation for monitoring a work-in-process (WIP) profile that represents dynamic attributes of an area in a manufacturing facility. A user interface in a control center for the manufacturing facility may be automatically updated to depict one or more of the dynamic attributes in substantially real time, based on one or more of the WIP profiles. After the user interface is updated, user input that specifies a desired reallocation of resources for the manufacturing facility may be received. The user input may trigger communications with one or more areas in the manufacturing facility to implement the desired reallocation of resources. Alternative embodiments may include additional or alternative features, such as features for error detection and recovery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Branden Clark Bickley, Mark Allen Pape, Richard M. Williams, Nicholas J. Widis, Brian J. Hunt
  • Method, system and facility for controlling resource allocation within a manufacturing environment
    Patent number: 6950714
    Abstract: A method and system provide for the control of resource allocation within a build-to-order manufacturing environment by monitoring a work-in-process (WIP) profile that represents dynamic attributes of an area in a manufacturing facility. A user interface in a control center for the manufacturing facility is automatically updated to depict one or more of the dynamic attributes in substantially real time, based on one or more of the WIP profiles. After the user interface is updated, user input that specifies a desired reallocation of resources for the manufacturing facility is received. The user input may then trigger communications with one or more areas in the manufacturing facility to implement the desired reallocation of resources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Branden Clark Bickley, Mark Allen Pape, Richard M. Williams, Nicholas J. Widis, Brian J. Hunt
  • Method, system and facility for controlling resource allocation within a manufacturing environment
    Publication number: 20040010334
    Abstract: A method and system provide for the control of resource allocation within a build-to-order manufacturing environment. One example embodiment of a method according to the present disclosure includes an operation for monitoring a work-in-process (WIP) profile that represents dynamic attributes of an area in a manufacturing facility. A user interface in a control center for the manufacturing facility may be automatically updated to depict one or more of the dynamic attributes in substantially real time, based on one or more of the WIP profiles. After the user interface is updated, user input that specifies a desired reallocation of resources for the manufacturing facility may be received. The user input may trigger communications with one or more areas in the manufacturing facility to implement the desired reallocation of resources. Alternative embodiments may include additional or alternative features, such as features for error detection and recovery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2003
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Applicant: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Branden Clark Bickley, Mark Allen Pape, Richard M. Williams, Nicholas J. Widis, Brian J. Hunt
  • Method, system and facility for controlling resource allocation within a manufacturing environment
    Patent number: 6615092
    Abstract: A method, a system and a facility provide for the control of resource allocation within a build to order manufacturing environment. A system for providing a control center for a manufacturing facility is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of information sources operably associated with manufacturing products within the manufacturing facility. A user interface of the system displays selective information associated with portions of the manufacturing facility within a control center operable to manage production within the manufacturing facility. The system further includes a resource allocator operably coupled to the control center and the plurality of information sources and the resource allocator is operable to monitor work in process within the manufacturing facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Branden Clark Bickley, Mark Allen Pape, Richard M. Williams, Nicholas J. Widis, Brian J. Hunt
  • Method, system and facility for controlling resource allocation within a manufacturing environment
    Publication number: 20020123814
    Abstract: In accordance with teachings of the present disclosure, a method, system and facility are described for controlling resource allocation within a build to order manufacturing environment. A system for providing a control center for a manufacturing facility is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of information sources operably associated with manufacturing products within the manufacturing facility. A user interface of the system displays selective information associated with portions of the manufacturing facility within a control center operable to manage production within the manufacturing facility. The system further includes a resource allocator operably coupled to the control center and the plurality of information sources and the resource allocator is operable to monitor work in process within the manufacturing facility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2001
    Publication date: September 5, 2002
    Applicant: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.
    Inventors: Branden C. Bickley, Mark A. Pape, Richard M. Williams, Nicholas J. Widis, Brian J. Hunt