Abstract: In a management apparatus for managing a flow of linked jobs to be executed by a plurality of devices connected to a network, a storage device stores one or more flows. When a change of function in the devices is detected, one of the one or more flows stored in the storage device and affected by the change of function detected by the detector is corrected. Then the corrected flow is stored in the storage device. Alternatively, the corrected flow is presented to a user who owns the one of the one or more flows.

Abstract: A difference between a first expected required polish time for a first substrate and a second expected required polish time for a second substrate is determined using a first pre-polish thickness and a second pre-polish thickness measured at an in-line metrology station. A duration of an initial period is determined based on the difference between the first expected required polish time and the second expected required polish time. For the initial period at a beginning of a polishing operation, no pressure is applied to whichever of the first substrate and the second substrate has a lesser expected required polish time while simultaneously pressure is applied to whichever of the first substrate and the second substrate has a greater expected required polish time. After the initial period, pressure is applied to both the first substrate and the second substrate.

Abstract: A method is provided for classifying incoming products (e.g., chicken butterflies) to be portioned into two or more types of end products (e.g., sandwich portions, strips, nuggets, etc.) to meet production goals. The method includes generally five steps. First, information on incoming products is received. Second, for each incoming product, a parameter value (e.g., the weight of an end product to be produced from the incoming product) is calculated for each of the two or more types of end products that may be produced from the incoming product. Third, the calculated parameter values for the incoming products for the two or more types of end products, respectively, are normalized so as to meet the production goals while at the same time achieving optimum parameter values. Fourth, for each incoming product, the end product with the best (e.g., largest) normalized parameter value is selected as the end product to be produced from the incoming product.

Abstract: A controller of gaming machines that permit wagering on wagering games includes a first memory location that stores a first time-based schedule of gaming actions to be taken by the gaming machines that are located remote from the controller. A second memory location stores identities of first gaming machines. One of the first and second memory locations stores a pointer that links the other of the first and second memory locations and associates the first gaming machines with the first schedule so that one of the first schedule and first gaming machines can be modified independent of and without modifying the other of the first schedule and the first gaming machines. A data transmitter transmits instructions corresponding to the gaming actions defined by the first schedule to the first gaming machines.

Abstract: A method and a system for identifying failures in an aeroengine. The system includes: a mechanism defining a set of standardized indicators representative of operation of the aeroengine; a mechanism constructing an anomaly vector representative of a behavior of the engine as a function of the set of standardized indicators; a mechanism selecting in an event of an anomaly being revealed by the anomaly vector a subset of reference vectors having directions belonging to a determined neighborhood of a direction of the anomaly vector, the subset of reference vectors being selected from a set of reference vectors associated with failures of the aeroengine and determined using criteria established by experts; and a mechanism identifying failures associated with the subset of reference vectors.

Abstract: A method and system for optimizing modules of a steel manufacturing process includes a plurality of manufacturing modules for a manufacturing process. Each of the modules have a plurality of steps. The plurality of modules include at least an upstream module, a casting module, and a downstream module. Each of the plurality of modules have parameters, and include at least one variable event. The variable event is adjustable for optimization of the manufacturing process while the parameters are being maintained for each of the plurality of modules. A communication system is used for exchanging information between the modules while the manufacturing process is occurring to adjust the at least one variable event for optimizing the manufacturing process.

Abstract: A method is used for controlling a paced production line for processing airplane structural components, wherein the production line comprises at least one workstation having at least one processing machine. It is provided that the processing sequence in the workstation is determined for a production step by determining the expected or actual occupation of the working area by structural component(s) or structural component section(s) for the production step, and, on the basis of the occupation, all of the operations to be performed in this workstation in this production step are determined, and the processing sequence of these operations is optimized.

Abstract: A scheduler generates not only normal substrate transferring schedules for substrates newly supplied to a substrate processing apparatus, but also substrate transferring schedules for keeping a high production quantity in the event of a failure. The scheduler is used in a substrate processing apparatus including a plurality of substrate processing sections for processing substrates, a transfer device for transferring the substrates, and a controller for controlling the substrate processing units to process the substrates and controlling the transfer device to transfer the substrates.

Abstract: Processing print jobs on a computer which comprises generating a first print ready job file by a first print module based on an input print job file and generating a second print ready job file by a second print module based on the input print job file. The first print ready job file is compared to the second print ready job file, and if there is at least one difference between the first print ready job file and the second print ready job file, the input print job file is forwarded to a PSP (printer service provider) that is configured with the first print module or the second print ready job file is forwarded to a PSP that is configured with the second print module.

Abstract: A computerized system and method for supply chain order aids a manufacturer's production control departments in setting manufacturer production schedules and purchase schedules. A computerized production control system in communication with a computerized ordering system presents a consistent demand level to reduce changes to the purchase and delivery schedules. A next day production schedule is adjusted to keep total demand within the supply chain constant. At the end of a production day, actual production is compared to an original production plan to calculate an adjustment value. The adjustment value is applied to the next day's production schedule to revise the production schedule. If the actual number of units produced is lower than the planned number of units, units are added to the next day's purchase schedule to determine a revised purchase schedule. Other adjustments may be made if the actual number of units produced exceeds the planned number of units.

Abstract: In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, systems and methods are provided for production scheduling management by scheduling production events for each of a plurality of production resources used to manufacture one or more products relative to one or more time intervals while considering constraints related to product dependency trees for each of the one or more products. The systems and methods may include determining the constraints related to the product dependency trees for each of the one or more products, generating one or more potential production scheduling schemes for use of each production resource within the one or more time intervals while considering the constraints related to the product dependency trees for each of the one or more products, and generating a production schedule for the production events within the one or more time intervals based on the one or more potential production scheduling schemes.

Abstract: A system is disclosed that simplifies configuring an MES entity corresponding to a SCADA system object representing plant equipment. The system includes an equipment model builder (EMB) that receives a set of configured UCO information for a modeled piece of plant equipment in a SCADA system. The EMB extracts relevant MES information from the utilization capability object and invokes an application interface on an MES database to create a corresponding entity (e.g., a database element). Another aspect of the disclosed system and methods involves the enhancement of a SCADA system object, through a new MES facet, to support acquiring and reporting equipment status received via the SCADA system to a corresponding MES entity. A raw reason code configuration interface is provided by UCO configurator computer software executed on a computer. Each raw reason code is associated with a prioritized logical expression defining circumstances under which the reason code becomes true.

Abstract: A solution for managing a manufacturing environment using operating data for each of a plurality of tools in the manufacturing environment. The operating data can include actual resource consumption data and/or actual exhaust generation data for a tool while the tool implements at least a portion of a recipe to manufacture one of a plurality of types of products manufactured in the manufacturing environment. Operation of the manufacturing environment can be configured to optimize one or more aspects of resource consumption and/or exhaust generation during the manufacture of desired quantities of the plurality of types of products within a desired time frame using the operating data.

Abstract: A system handles conditional dependencies between alternative product segments of a production process modeled within a manufacturing execution system (MES). The system includes data processing units connected to a network and production components. The data processing units run MES software for controlling and monitoring the process. The MES software includes a production modeler embedding time-sensitive dependency information in each product segment to define the start of execution in relation to another product segment. The production modeler embeds in each product segment programmed for alternative execution conditional dependency information and a sequence attribute about the order of evaluation of the specified condition.

Abstract: A system for optimizing blending. The system can include a processor configured to aggregate material information, aggregate production information, model consumer liking of the at least one product, and provide plan information for controlling production resources based on the material information, the production information, and the consumer liking. The material information can be associated with a product input of the at least one product. The production information can be associated with the production resources of the at least one product.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of an improved production planning method that avoids or limits early builds. The method comprises running a conventional production planning program using standard inputs (e.g., date effective yields). The outputs of the program (e.g., a plan including planned inventory overstocks at given times) are evaluated to determine if the program plans an early build and if the planned early build may have been triggered by a predicted decrease in yield. If an early build is planned and if a correlation exists between the decrease in yield and the early build, then, optionally, new constraints are added into the program and the program is re-run so that the early build is either avoided or limited to that of the proper yield. Thus, the method can be used to reduce early builds due to an incorrect, nominally higher, yield without requiring the user to provide any special additional input data.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining a sequence of mounting a plurality of components on a board by using variable pitch heads having a plurality of pitches. The method includes: partitioning the board into a plurality of sectors, each of the sectors including a plurality of mounting points arranged in parallel with a direction in which the heads are arranged; dividing the board into a plurality of sub-boards including first sub-boards based on the sectors, each of the first sub-boards including as many mounting points as the heads; and determining a combination of a sequence of mounting the components on the board and at least one pitch among the pitches required to mount the components on the board in a shortest time, compared to another sequence or other sequences of mounting the components on the board and another pitch or other pitches among the pitches, based on the first sub-boards.

Abstract: A method of forecasting work hours per unit of time is provided. The method comprises estimating a project hour budget, determining a percentage of the project hour budget to be expended in each of a plurality of project phases based on average percentages of project hour budgets expended in each project phase in completed projects, and distributing the project hour budget across a plurality of units of time based on the percentage of the project hour budget to be expended in each project phase, on the project hour budget, and on a schedule of project milestones.

Abstract: A method of generating a product recipe for execution by a batch process in an automated manufacturing environment, such the product recipe is associated with a plurality of actions, a set of transitions, and a set of parameters, and such that the plurality of actions define a plurality of logical levels including a phase level at which the batch process interacts with equipment, includes receiving a procedure definition specifying the plurality of actions, receiving a transaction definition specifying the set of transitions so that each one in the set of transitions is associated with two or more of the plurality of actions, and receiving the set of parameters. Receiving the set of parameters includes receiving at least one dynamic input parameter that resolves to a value without obtaining the value from the recipe or an operator prompt associated at the phase level of the recipe.

Abstract: Computerized scheduling methods and computerized scheduling systems according to exemplary embodiments. A computerized scheduling method may be stored in a memory and executed on one or more processors. The method may include defining a main multi-machine scheduling problem as a plurality of single machine scheduling problems; independently solving the plurality of single machine scheduling problems thereby calculating a plurality of near optimal single machine scheduling problem solutions; integrating the plurality of near optimal single machine scheduling problem solutions into a main multi-machine scheduling problem solution; and outputting the main multi-machine scheduling problem solution.

Abstract: Disclosed are a device, a system, and a method for setting standard work times that take real-world manufacturing capabilities into account. Provided is a standard work time calculation device (10), which analyzes fluctuations in production line assessment indices on a per time period basis, and computes standard work times for each region, as classified according to the degree of fluctuation. The standard work time calculation device (10) comprises a fluctuation coefficient computation unit (111), which computes coefficients of fluctuation for the assessment indices, a fluctuation region identification unit (112), which identifies regions of fluctuation with coefficients of fluctuation that are greater than or equal to predetermined thresholds, and a standard work time computation unit (113), which computes standard work times for regions of fluctuation.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a system for electronically generating a virtualized work schedule based on a composite of data gathered from multiple work planning, scheduling and other management information systems utilized in structured maintenance projects for a large-scale assets during a scheduled maintenance period. The system can include a schedule management system configured to facilitate communications among workers and managers during the scheduled maintenance period and expedite completion of the structured maintenance project.

Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus which can securely show the status of recipe transition is provided. In a substrate processing apparatus 100 including a main control unit 312 which sends a control instruction to process a substrate, and a sub control unit 314 which carries out control of the apparatus in accordance with the control instruction from main control unit 312, the main control unit 312 has a memory unit 317 which stores plural recipes, a display control unit 336 which accepts an execution instruction to cause an arbitrary recipe of the plural recipes to be executed, and a display unit 334 which displays the arbitrary recipe designated by the display control unit 336, on an operation screen 308.

Abstract: A method and apparatus includes determining a number of planned starts of a product during a predetermined time period for future processing, averaging the number of planned starts for the predetermined time period, and setting a production rate for a first range based on the average number of planned starts.

Abstract: Only a wafer for QC check may be transferred and a production wafer may prevent from being transferred into an assigned process chamber whose QC check is not completed after a maintenance task, and the production wafer may be processed the assigned process chamber after the completion of the QC check. The wafer for QC check is transferred while inhibiting a transfer of the production wafer into the assigned process chamber, and the production wafer is transferred into each of the process chambers of the plurality except the assigned process chamber.

Abstract: A system and method for efficiently transcribing verbal messages to text is provided. Verbal messages are received and at least one of the verbal messages is divided into segments. Automatically recognized text is determined for each of the segments by performing speech recognition and a confidence rating is assigned to the automatically recognized text for each segment. A threshold is applied to the confidence ratings and those segments with confidence ratings that fall below the threshold are identified. The segments that fall below the threshold are assigned to one or more human agents starting with those segments that have the lowest confidence ratings. Transcription from the human agents is received for the segments assigned to that agent. The transcription is assembled with the automatically recognized text of the segments not assigned to the human agents as a text message for the at least one verbal message.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a system for electronically generating a virtualized work schedule based on a composite of data gathered from multiple work planning, scheduling and other management information systems utilized in structured maintenance projects for a large-scale assets during a scheduled maintenance period. The system can include a schedule management system configured to facilitate communications among workers and managers during the scheduled maintenance period and expedite completion of the structured maintenance project.

Abstract: An approach for monitoring energy consumption and detecting preventive maintenance issues in a system having control loops and associated devices. Settling time and error value in a control loop may be indicative of the loop's efficiency. Error value may be a difference between a measurement of a parameter and a setpoint for the parameter. Degradation of a loop's efficiency may be an indication of increased energy consumption by the system. Such degradation may also be indicative of a future defect in a control loop or devices associated with the control loop. Thus, the present approach may provide for energy monitoring and preventive maintenance of the system.

Abstract: A method of managing resources of a histological tissue processor, the tissue processor comprising at least one retort (12, 14) selectively connected for fluid communication to at least one of a plurality of reagent resources (26) by a valve mechanism (40), the method comprising the step of: nominating resources according to one of: group, where a group nomination corresponds to a resource's function; type, where a type nomination corresponds to one or more attributes of a resource within a group; station, where a station nomination corresponds to a point of supply of a resource.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for a quantifiable assessment of the delivery effectiveness of Quality Function Deployment (QFD) planning designs. In this regard, present embodiments provide quantifiable metrics that help a key stakeholder, such as a product or service provider, determine the level of success for each design requirement or Critical-To-Quality (CTQ) attribute defined in the QFD design process. Thus, based on presently described embodiments, the stakeholder can assess how well the deployment of their product or service met the original defined CTQs and/or design requirements and which CTQs and which design requirements related to those CTQs should garner further attention to ensure that the CTQ meets its objective, which in turn allows for the opportunity for the highest possible customer satisfaction with the new or re-designed product, process or service.

Abstract: A method and system for stabilizing dry-based density of wood chips from several sources feeding a chip processing stage upstream of a chip refining process, perform on-line estimation of a set of wood chip properties characterizing the wood chips, including light reflection-related property, moisture content and dry-based density, which are used by a reference model capable of comparing the estimated dry-based density with a predetermined target to produce error data, and selectively modifying discharge rate set points of one or more of the wood chip sources to minimize the error data within fluctuation limits around the target. The discharge rate of the wood chip sources is controlled in accordance with the set points to substantially stabilize the dry-based density of the wood chips.

Abstract: Systems and methods to provide network based calculations for planning and decision support tasks are provided. In example embodiments, a trigger to perform a calculation directed to a single process is received. The single process comprises an end-to-end process that combines a plurality of applications. A planning function that models the single process is provided to an engine within memory. Based on the planning function, data from within the memory that receives the planning function is retrieved. The retrieved data is used in the calculation. The planning function and retrieved data are provided to a coupled library of algorithms for performing the calculation. The calculation is then performed within the library in the memory using the planning function and the retrieved data.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a shape simulation apparatus including: a flux computation block configured to compute the flux of particles incident on the surface of a wafer covered with a mask; and a shape computation block configured to compute a surface shape of the wafer by allowing the coordinates of a plurality of calculation points established on the surface of the wafer to be time-evolved based on the incident flux computed.

Abstract: A graphical forensic scheduling system is described. The system may receive a data date on a time-scaled project schedule. The system may calculate link gaps based on predecessor and successor relevant dates on either side of the data date. The system may automatically correct logic ties if actual dates for related activities are out-of-sequence. The system may calculate and display forensic floats, forensic drifts, and forensic total floats for actualized activities based on an algorithmic function of all link gaps on either side of the data date, i.e. forensic gap or otherwise. The as-built critical path may be determined based on the forensic total floats. The system may continuously and automatically refresh in real-time, forensic float, forensic drift and forensic total float any time a gap on either side of the data date takes on a revised value due to activities being repositioned on the timescale.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a system and method for allocating labor to units processed in a materials handling facility are described. Embodiments may include a labor allocation system configured to receive information associated with a materials handling process that includes handling multiple units. For each unit, such information may indicate a respective pre-handling time period and a respective post-handling time period. The labor allocation system may determine a measure of variability of the pre-handling time periods associated with the units. The labor allocation system may also determine a measure of variability of the post-handling time periods. In response to determining that one of the measures of variability is less than the other, the labor allocation system may determine that each time period associated with the lesser measure of variability is representative of a quantity of labor expended to process a respective unit in accordance with the materials handling process.

Abstract: Methods and systems for fabricating integrated circuits are provided. In an embodiment, a method for fabricating integrated circuits includes hosting process recipes on a recipe management system (RMS). Processes are performed according to the process recipes on substrates with equipment units. Movement of substrates to and from equipments units is controlled with a local storage controller. A real time dispatcher (RTD) establishes a priority for processes on substrates. Further, a manufacturing execution system (MES) supervises locations of substrates and processes to be performed. Information is communicated to a local scheduler from the RMS, from each equipment unit, from the local storage controller, from the RTD, and from the MES. Based on the information, the local scheduler schedules movement of the substrates to and from the equipment units.

Abstract: Disclosed is a processing apparatus to restrain load of a common usage system shared by a plurality of liquid processing modules. A processing module group includes k sets of share groups comprising a plurality of processing modules to perform an identical processing for each substrate (where, k?2), each set of share groups includes n processing modules (where, n?2), and each processing module includes the common usage system shared by n processing modules in each set and having a maximum capacity capable of processing m processing modules (where m?n). A carrying mechanism repeatedly loads a substrate one by one to the processing module of each set in sequence.

Abstract: A computer-readable recording medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute a procedure for generating a diagram, the procedure includes: displaying a first selection screen for displaying at least a date that is on or after a date when a request to generate a diagram is received and that corresponds to a particular day of the week, on an apparatus of a requester; and generating the diagram on the basis of plan data concerning scheduled production volumes on a daily basis for a product, the diagram being configured in such a way that a time bucket for the scheduled production volumes to be displayed is changed from a daily basis to a weekly basis by using a first date selected via the first selection screen as a boundary.

Abstract: A graphic user interface (GUI) display of computer status is provided across multiple computer platforms. A computer and physical layout are identified and this information is used to provide a desired set of displays. Data is parsed from an output from the computer and is stored in a data store in a predetermined common format as a part of a collection of parsed data. A graphic display depicting a physical layout of at least one aspect of a computer or the physical layout is provided along with data retrieved from the collection of parsed data and corresponding to the computer associated with the display depicting the physical layout in accordance with the identification of the computer and physical layout.

Abstract: The present invention provides a production schedule creating apparatus that acquires daily operation record for each process and changes the production sequence so as to instruct an operation in order to meet due date. A production schedule creating method plans a production schedule of a production process. The production process includes a plurality of operation processes. The production schedule creating method estimates a future status of delivery delay using a current status of the production process, performs a production simulation using a plurality of dispatching rules on a production process where the future delivery delay is estimated by the estimation, selects the most appropriate dispatching method with respect to a threshold value of a production management index of an on-time delivery rate and total overtime hours based on a result of the performed production simulation, and provides a production instruction to the production process using the selected dispatching method.

Abstract: A system, program and related computer implemented method for selecting a controller and constructing it to automate one or more processes is provided. The method comprises the steps of: constructing a controller from a plant described by an LPV model to which a scheduling parameter is given by: a) calculating one or more v gaps and a mean value of each candidate of a plant parameter vector of said LPV model based on a requirement of preselected constraints; b) choosing a candidate via information gathered by proof based on the magnitude of differences between the v gaps; c) converting the LPV model into LMI and finding controllers, according to an H? criterion, at all combination end points of a maximum value and a minimum value of the plant parameter vector thus chosen; and d) choosing and constructing said chosen controller for said plant.

Abstract: A method of managing product end of life over an end of life horizon includes the step of selecting an objective of either maximizing gross profit or minimizing writeoff costs for a selected plurality of products being discontinued. The products may have parts in common. A subset of all possible combinations of product demand levels is selected. Each combination is associated with a probability. A procurement plan that optimizes the selected objective is generated based on the selected subset of demand levels given a non-zero pre-existing inventory of at least some parts of the selected products.

Abstract: An operating method is disclosed for a processing system that comprises multiple process modules each adapted to perform substantially the same process upon a substrate. During process module conditioning as a preparatory step for executing a required process recipe, each time one process module completes conditioning, successive transfer of unprocessed substrates from a cassette to the process module is started on an associated substrate transfer route, and successive processes that use the process module are started for the unprocessed substrates. The processing system can be operated efficiently, even if the nonuniformity of the conditioning time required exists between process modules of the same specifications.

Abstract: A method identifies time sensitive processing sequences within a production environment using a computerized device. The processing sequences perform operations utilizing one or more tools. The method also identifies non-committed work in process items that are grouped in non-committed lots for release into one or more of the time sensitive processing sequences, and identifies committed work in process items that are being processed in committed lots within the time sensitive processing sequences, using the computerized device. The method sorts the non-committed lots by a predetermined priority, again using the computerized device. Starting with the highest priority non-committed lot (and continuing with others of the non-committed lots in priority order) the method determines whether there is available tool capacity to process a non-committed lot through each corresponding time sensitive processing sequence using the computerized device.

Abstract: A method of generating capacity, production and inventory plans, over a designated planning horizon, which will optimize, with respect to a designated performance index, the operations of one or more bulk product blending and packaging plants and a specified number, ranging from zero to a certain count, of distribution centers while meeting key operating constraints. Also decision making tools and computer implemented programs for performing the method.

Abstract: A method for scheduling a production process is disclosed, wherein a production order requiring components is placed on a production schedule, the availabilities of the components, which are required for the production order, are detected by a computing unit, production orders requesting one or more of the components are classified depending on the availabilities of the corresponding components, and the production order is displayed with a first optically observable marker if the order requests a missing component and/or produces a missing component.

Abstract: A manufacturing exception handling system is described for use with a manufacturing execution system that controls a semiconductor manufacturing process. The present invention provides real time information to the user that identifies restrictions that have been placed on the use of entities and inventories in the semiconductor manufacturing process. The present invention also provides real time information to the user that identifies the persons who are authorized to remove the restrictions. The present invention saves the time and effort that would otherwise be required to find out why a restriction existed and who could remove the restriction during the semiconductor manufacturing process.

Abstract: A computerized system for scheduling a plurality of work orders in a manufacturing process. Each work order specifies operations to be performed using a plurality of resources and materials. Data including resource availability information for each resource used in the manufacturing process, material availability information for each material used in the manufacturing process, and work order information is received and stored in a computer. The work order information includes a release date for the work order, a want date for the work order, operations information, and material requirements information. Resource capacity and a start date/time and a finish date/time are assigned to each operation based upon the resource availability information, the material availability information, and the work order information. The assigned resource capacity, the assigned start date/time, and the assigned finish date/time for each operation are displayed on a computer screen in a graphical format.

Abstract: A method includes generating a reticle transport job using a computing device. The reticle job identifies a selected reticle. A reticle pod available for transporting the reticle is autonomously identified using the computing device. The reticle transport job is updated suing the computing device with an identifier of the reticle pod.

Abstract: A method and system of semiconductor fabrication are provided. In the method, an equipment unit performs a process on substrates using a current reticle. The equipment unit also communicates processing data to a local reticle controller. The local reticle controller schedules removal of the current reticle from the equipment unit and delivery of a subsequent reticle to the equipment unit based on the processing data for further substrate processing.