Worker Or Work Station Efficiency Patents (Class 700/111)
  • Patent number: 7920935
    Abstract: A manufacturing process for automatically delivering an appropriate level of instructions to a manufacturing operator on demand based on the manufacturing operator's level of activity and performance, the particular characteristics of the product being manufactured, and the particular production environment. Responsive to receiving an order for a product, the manufacturing process identifies an authorization level assigned to an operator performing a particular manufacturing activity on a part in the product and assigns a default level of instructions to the operator based on the authorization level. The process collects and models characteristics about the manufacturing environment, performance history of the operator, and knowledge decay of the operator to determine an appropriate level of instructions to provide to the operator performing a particular manufacturing activity. The manufacturing instructions associated with the appropriate level of instructions are then provided to the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ivory Wellman Knipfer, Eng Hin Koh, Ser Huay Tan, Matthew H. Zemke
  • Publication number: 20110066275
    Abstract: A monitoring system includes a control circuit configured to determine scrap values, yield values, and remainder values for at least a first operation and a second operation. The control circuit is configured to transmit one or more display signals. The one or more display signals include instructions to display a first operation status bar and a second operation status bar. The first operation status bar includes a first operation yield value, a first operation scrap value, and a first operation remainder value. The second operation status bar includes a second operation yield value, a second operation scrap value, and a second operation remainder value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Inventor: Arne Manthey
  • Publication number: 20110040399
    Abstract: A method includes receiving first input data from one or more first process control system components. The method also includes receiving second input data from one or more second process control system components. In addition, the method includes performing an iterative process that includes identifying one or more adjustments to at least one target quantity using the first input data, identifying one or more contribution values using the one or more adjustments, and identifying one or more estimated product yields using the one or more contribution values and the second input data. Each target quantity is associated with at least one intermediate or final product to be produced. Each contribution value is based on an intermediate product's contribution to each of multiple final products. Each estimated product yield is associated with an expected quantity of one of the intermediate and final products to be produced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Z. Lu
  • Patent number: 7890201
    Abstract: A production planning system creates executable an production plan for a production workplace while adjusting production capacity giving consideration to a period where production capacity is fixed in each workplace, a period where management of workers between workplaces is possible, and a period where it is not necessary to consider production capacity because of new employment of workers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidenori Ueno, Hiroyuki Kaneko
  • Patent number: 7835812
    Abstract: An apparatus for assisting decisions for improvement of environmental loads has: environmental load per-process collecting means; proportional distributing condition per-parts storing means for storing conditions to proportionally distribute the environmental loads every parts; parts attribute storing means; manufacturing condition storing means; parts attribute calculating condition storing means for storing environmental load calculating conditions to calculate the environmental load per parts; environmental load per-parts calculating means; environmental load per-parts/process storing means for storing the environmental loads every parts/process; bill of materials (BOM) storing means; product manufacturing amount storing means; contribution degree per-product/process evaluating means for collecting the environmental loads per parts/process and calculating a contribution degree of each product to the environmental load amount of each process by multiplying the collected environmental load amount by the numb
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Miyako Hotta, Norito Watanabe, Hiroyasu Kato, Tomoyo Aoyagi
  • Patent number: 7818081
    Abstract: A process to control product throughput in a multi-station manufacturing system is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Matthew Bernard Overley, Brian Kelly Bell
  • Publication number: 20100249967
    Abstract: Metrology data associated with a plurality of workpieces processed at a selected operation in the process flow including a plurality of operations is retrieved. A processing context associated with each of the workpieces is determined. The processing context identifies at least one previous tool used to perform an operation on the associated workpiece prior to the selected operation. A plurality of performance metrics is determined for a plurality of tools capable of performing the selected operation based on the metrology data. Each performance metric is associated with a particular tool and a particular processing context. A set of the performance metrics is identified for the plurality of tools having a processing context matching a processing context of a selected workpiece awaiting performance of the selected operation. The selected workpiece is dispatched for processing in a selected one of the plurality of tools based on the set of performance metrics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Robert Barlovic, Uwe Schulze, Jan Raebiger, Joerg Weigang, Jens Busch, Rolf Seltmann
  • Publication number: 20100249978
    Abstract: A method evaluates key production indicators in a manufacturing execution system (MES). An object oriented tool for modeling a production process is executed in the manufacturing execution system. The modeling includes a definition of plant floor equipment involved in the production process and corresponding MES applications managing the plant floor equipment. A plant performance analyzer tool for calculating the key production indicators on the plant floor equipment is executed. The key production indicators calculated by the plant performance analyzer tool in the object oriented tool are read. The step of modeling the production process includes the definition of a class associated to the key production indicators and including the calculus to be executed by the plant performance analyzer on the plant floor equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Marco Solimano, Stefano Dighero
  • Publication number: 20100249976
    Abstract: A method and system for evaluating a performance of a semiconductor manufacturing tool while manufacturing microelectronic devices are disclosed. At least one report is generated based on executions of at least one statistical test. The report includes at least one heat map having rows that correspond to sensors, columns that correspond to trace data obtained during recipe steps, and cells at the intersection of the rows and the columns. At least one sensor in the tool obtains trace data of a recipe step while manufacturing at least one microelectronic device. A computing device analyzes the obtained trace data to determine a level of operational significance found in the data and assigns a score to the trace data that indicates a level of operational significance. Then, the computing device places the score in a corresponding cell of the heat map. A user uses the cell for evaluating the tool performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ehud Aharoni, Robert J. Baseman, Ramona Kei, Oded Margalit, Kevin Mackey, Michal Rosen-Zvi, Raminderpal Singh, Noam Slonim, Hong Lin, Fateh All Tipu, Adam Daniel Ticknor, Timothy M. McCormack
  • Patent number: 7805212
    Abstract: An assembly machine includes a support structure having a plurality of selectively moveable support members that facilitate manually manipulating a tool relative to a work piece. A controller continuously gathers position information regarding the support members to determine every position of the tool. The controller includes a teach mode that allows for storing selected tool activation positions in particular sequences for subsequent control of the tool according to necessary procedures for completing a variety of assembly processes. One example machine designed according to this invention includes selectively controlled biasing members that maintain a zero balance on the tool, provide an operator assist to moving the tool or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Automated Solutions
    Inventors: Raymond Ormachea, Robert Bailey
  • Patent number: 7797130
    Abstract: According to typical inventive practice, a baseline describing a statistical distribution is established for a set of historical occurrences of an event. Comparison is made between the baseline and at least one current occurrence of the same event. Any current occurrence that is anomalous vis-à-vis the baseline is considered a possible leading indicator. According to some inventive embodiments of graphical presentation of such comparison, at least one graphical baseline comparative display component is rendered that includes a “bar” (describing a historical statistical distribution with respect to a criterion pertaining to occurrence of an event) and a “slider” (describing one or more current occurrences of the event). The bar includes at least one band representing a statistical mean range, and at least one band representing a statistical outlier range. Situation of the slider along the bar indicates whether and to what extent the current occurrence(s) is/are anomalous vis-à-vis the baseline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Eric J. Silberg, Phong Hua Nguyen, Daniel P. Everson, Naipei P. Bi
  • Patent number: 7783373
    Abstract: A process debug method used to identify at least one excursive machine in a manufacturing process comprising the following steps: First, a series of validity identification data is collected, and the serial validity identification data is associated with its pathway to obtain a plurality of validity identification data sequences in corresponding to the machines. Subsequently, a sorting process is conducted to cluster the validity identification data sequence into several groups, and the clustered groups are ranked into a first order. The validity identification data sequences are subjected a continuity analysis to determine the continuity of the defects occurring in a particular machine. And the continuities of the machines involved in a particular group are ranked into a second order. Accordingly, the excursive machines causing the defective end products in the manufacturing process can be identified by the way of joining the second orders according to the first order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Nupoint Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shin-Mu Tseng, Wei-Cheng Lin
  • Publication number: 20100211429
    Abstract: A system and method for managing abrasive blasting may include timing duration of blast media being blown in performing abrasive blasting using an abrasive blasting machine. Time duration that an operator worked in association with the duration of the blast media being blown may be received. A blasting efficiency ratio may be computed based on the duration of the blasting media being blown and duration of that the operator worked. The blasting efficiency ratio may be displayed to a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventor: Ronald C. Benson
  • Publication number: 20100168897
    Abstract: A control component and method for an energy management unit (EM) in an industrial automation arrangement which is configured to control one of a process, a subprocess and a system part of the industrial automation arrangement. Here, the control component is configured to detect the energy consumption of at least one part of the industrial automation arrangement, and the control component is configured to relate the detected energy consumption to at least one stored specification. The control component is also configured to generate a request for at least one automation component as the result of the relating operation. The control component is configured to transmit a message containing the request to the automation component and to receive an acknowledgement message from this automation component, where the request is directed to changing an operational state of one of the process, subprocess and system part that is controlled by the automation component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: Siemens AG
    Inventors: Joachim August, Norbert Brousek, Oliver Jöhssen, Joachim Ohlmann
  • Publication number: 20100125358
    Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention provide a shift report module that improves the accuracy of the information within the shift report by flagging or avoiding redundant entries between shift reports and ensuring that entries are not lost between shift reports based on the time that they were entered and the time that the shift reports were generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Applicant: SAP AG
    Inventors: Armin Friemelt, Cedric Reinartz
  • Patent number: 7720561
    Abstract: The non-productive motion of an automatic composite tape laydown machine is optimized to increase the overall rate of the laydown. Ordering of tape courses is analyzed to determine the time required to move between courses using a time function that reflects operating characteristics and limitations of the tape laydown machine. The ordering is optimized by re-ordering, grouping and/or partitioning the tape courses so as to reduce the non-productive motion of the machine. The optimized ordering is used by a NC program that controls the operation of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Wei-Pai Tang, Brice Johnson, Daniel Edward Gonsor
  • Publication number: 20100121474
    Abstract: Roughly described, a manufacturing process is enhanced by using TCAD and TCAD-derived models. A TCAD simulation model of the process is developed, which predicts, in dependence upon a plurality of process input parameters, a value for a performance parameter of a product to be manufactured using the process. Estimated, predicted or desired values for a calculated subset of the parameters (including either process input parameters or product performance parameters or both), are determined in dependence upon the process model, and further in dependence upon actual, estimated or desired values for a different subset of the parameters (again either process input parameters or product performance parameters or both). The determination is preferably made using a process compact model of the process, itself developed in dependence upon the simulation model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: Synopsys, Inc.
    Inventors: Lars Bomholt, Jim Chalmers, Wolfgang Fichtner
  • Patent number: 7711445
    Abstract: In a first aspect, a method of managing work in progress within a small lot size semiconductor device manufacturing facility is provided. The first method includes providing a small lot size semiconductor device manufacturing facility having (1) a plurality of processing tools; and (2) a high speed transport system adapted to transport small lot size substrate carriers among the processing tools. The method further includes maintaining a predetermined work in progress level within the small lot size semiconductor device manufacturing facility by (1) increasing an average cycle time of low priority substrates within the small lot size semiconductor device manufacturing facility; and (2) decreasing an average cycle time of high priority substrates within the small lot size semiconductor device manufacturing facility so as to approximately maintain the predetermined work in progress level within the small lot size semiconductor device manufacturing facility. Numerous other aspects are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Rice, Eric A. Englhardt, Vinay Shah, Martin R. Elliott, Robert B. Lowrance, Jeffrey C. Hudgens
  • Patent number: 7706906
    Abstract: A sensor net system including: a sensor node which includes: a sensor which obtains sensor data of a worker; a radio frequency circuit which notifies a server of the sensor data; and a server which includes: a relation list for correlating the sensor data with work status of the worker; a unit for confirming the work status of the worker based on the obtained sensor data by using the relation list; a unit for displaying the confirmed work status on a display unit connected to the server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Ara, Norihiko Moriwaki, Kazuo Yano
  • Patent number: 7672746
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for scheduling overtime and time-off for a workforce. In one embodiment, the method comprises: receiving a workforce schedule including assignments of workers to shifts; receiving a template describing alterations to shifts; and applying schedulable objects to the workforce schedule in accordance with a workload forecast and schedule constraints. In one embodiment, the system comprises: a user interface and a scheduler. The user interface allows creation of shift alteration templates and associating templates with workers. The scheduler uses the shift alteration templates to modify an existing schedule of assignments of workers to shifts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Verint Americas Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Hamilton, Jason Fama, Mike Bourke
  • Patent number: 7668614
    Abstract: Embodiments of a method of optimally scheduling, in near real-time, workunits for processing on processing stations in a processing system, while accounting for constraints such as processing station qualifications by workunit type and service type, and to meet certain business objectives such as cycle time and demand targets, are described. A method of scheduling the processing of workunits in a processing system comprises defining a plurality of workunits, aggregating the work units by workunit type and service to be performed on each workunit to define one or more workunit type-service type groupings. The method further allocates capacity of one or more processing stations to workunit type-service type groupings, assigns workunits of the plurality of workunits to meet the allocated capacity, and sequences the workunit type-service type groupings and workunits on each processing station of the one or more processing stations. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Nirmal Govind, Bala Iyer, Charles S. Lockwood, James R. Wuerfel, Peter J. Lopez
  • Publication number: 20100004776
    Abstract: An operation instructing system includes an individual process information obtaining section obtaining, each time a production element is put into the system, the process information about one of the production lines to produce the put production element; a state information obtaining section obtaining, on the basis of the process information, state information about remaining production processes the production elements currently in the production system; a determining section determining, each time operation completion report is obtained, the next manual step by the operator completed a manual step as a next operation step on the basis of the state information; and a notifying section notifying the operator of the next operation step. Accordingly, even when preferential degrees of operations randomly vary, operation shares of respective operators are clearly determined and the next operation steps are accurately notified to respective operator, so that the production efficiency can be improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Inventor: Masatomo MAIDA
  • Patent number: 7643897
    Abstract: A method for automatically checking a sequence of loading boats and batches for a semiconductor manufacturing process is provided. According to a developed logic, a loading sequence is automatically calculated by a system. By comparing the actual loading sequence with the calculated sequence when the boats are entering, it is ensured that no errors occur when loading the boats in the batches. When loading the boats in the batches, operators can truly load the boats in the batches according to the entering sequence together with the current confirmation mechanism, so as to ensure the boat positions for the loaded materials to be correct. The method for automatically checking the sequence of loading boats and batches is further capable of calculating the loading sequence through the developed logic by automatically determining runnable boat positions for the material after recording a parameter for detecting a previous boat by the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventor: Chien-Ting Kang
  • Publication number: 20090248189
    Abstract: The throughput of complex cluster tools of a semiconductor manufacturing environment may be determined for a desired manufacturing scenario on the basis of automatically generated throughput models. The throughput models may be established on the basis of rule messages with high statistical relevance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventors: Kilian Schmidt, Roy Boerner, Jan Lange
  • Patent number: 7593832
    Abstract: A system and method for meeting performance goals in an electronic system in an energy efficient manner. Various aspects of the present invention may comprise operating an electrical circuit at a current level of performance and a current level of energy efficiency by providing the electrical circuit with electrical power characterized by a current set of power characteristics (e.g., utilizing a power control module). The current level of performance may be determined (e.g., by a performance monitor) and compared to a desired level of performance (e.g., by the power control module). If the current level of performance is higher than the desired level of performance, then the electrical circuit may be operated at a next (e.g., lower) level of performance and a next (e.g., higher) level of energy efficiency by providing the electrical circuit with electrical power characterized by a next set of power characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Pieter Vorenkamp, Neil Y. Kim
  • Publication number: 20090216574
    Abstract: A monitoring system is disclosed for acquiring output activity, utilization capacity and/or effluent data from an facility on a facility-by-facility and/or an industry-by-industry basis. The system is designed to generate a plant and/or industry output activity database that is updated on a continuous, near continuous, periodic and/or intermittent basis so that subscribers are apprised of changes in plant or overall industry output. A clearing house is also disclosed for distributing the acquired data to subscribers to aid in analyzing, predicting trends, pricing, maintaining, adjusting, minimizing, and/or maximizing individual plant or overall industry output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2006
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventors: Jack Nuszen, Thomas Vo
  • Patent number: 7574278
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for scheduling in a wafer fab. The method comprising means for weighting inventories according to at least one of logpoints or reticle, and photolithography units, means for scheduling one of said inventories on one of said photolithography units, wherein said one of said inventories has a maximal weighting and means for eliminating any of said inventories not scheduled according to constraints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: James Heskin, Mark Shepheard, Julia Lafoy
  • Publication number: 20090177306
    Abstract: An press line including at least one mechanical press with at least one electric drive motor, a ram, a mechanical unit for operating the press, and one other device or auxiliary production device. The press is arranged so that the speed of the at least one said drive motor may be varied during at least one pressing or non-pressing part of a press cycle. Improved operating characteristics and optimised energy use and cycle times are obtained by controlling the speed of the motor and synchronizing a movement of the press to a movement or position of at least other device, loader or other press. A system includes the press. A computer program controlls the press line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: ABB RESEARCH LTD.
    Inventors: Sjoerd Bosga, Marc Segura Golorons
  • Publication number: 20090149983
    Abstract: A quality control system and method for monitoring an assembly operation is provided. The method can include: (1) providing an assembly line having a plurality of machines being assembled thereon; (2) providing a tool for performing an assembly operation; (3) performing a plurality of the assembly operations with the tool; (4) measuring a measurable parameter indicative of the performance of the tool for at least a subset of the plurality of assembly operations; (5) storing the measured values in an electronic format with a data collection device; (6) analyzing the measured values; and (7) providing a signal based on the analysis with the signal indicative of at least satisfactory or unsatisfactory performance of the tool. In some instances, the data collection device can provide for storing additional information and/or data with any particular stored measured value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason J. Dennis, Gary Lee, Sorin Buse
  • Patent number: 7542819
    Abstract: A method and a system for managing product output are proposed, for connecting work partners at different locations of an enterprise through a network to the managing system, wherein an enterprise can assign an order from a client to a work partner who needs to increase profits, and allow another work partner to perform product manufacture and output according to the order. Moreover, after loginning the managing system, work partners at different locations of the enterprise can accurately monitor and control operation conditions associated with product manufacture, so that the enterprise can effectively manage distribution and flow of business performances and profits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Inventec Corporation
    Inventors: Yi-Ming Liao, Pei-Huan Chung, Cheng-Ju Chen, Ching-Ching Chang, Wen-Yi Chang
  • Publication number: 20090105865
    Abstract: A metric based performance monitoring A process control system is disclosed in which diagnostics are performed at multiple levels of the plant, results of the diagnostics converted into Key Performance Indicators and compared to predetermined benchmarks such that an integrated and overall determination of the plants' performance may be displayed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: Yokogawa Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph Ching Hua Lee, Sharad Vishwasrao, Naveen Kashyap, Emelin Ornelas
  • Publication number: 20090099678
    Abstract: For a mounter, to provide a manufacturing management method which enables to suppress an occurrence of inventory shortage or excess inventory as much as possible, and to provide a manufacturing management method which allows energy savings when manufacturing is not performed at full capacity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroaki Kurata, Yasuhiro Maenishi
  • Patent number: 7519444
    Abstract: A computerized system is provided for scheduling a plurality of work orders in a manufacturing process. Each work order to be scheduled specifies a set of 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. The operations information includes the identity and sequence of operations to be performed for the work order, the identity of the resources needed to perform each operation, a minimum resource capacity needed to perform each operation, and the time needed to perform the operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Infor Global Solutions (Michigan), Inc.
    Inventors: Richard T. Lilly, David V. Layne
  • Publication number: 20090024240
    Abstract: An assembly line includes a plurality of assembly locations. One of a plurality of sequential assembly tasks is performed at each assembly location. A workstation, located at each assembly location, is configured to display information regarding one of a number of variations of the one assembly task to be performed. A timing device is provided for determining a start time of the one assembly task. A display of the workstation includes a timing indicator portion configured to change color in response to a predetermined lapse of time relative to the start time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Inventors: Lawrence W. Clark, Gary Champion, Mitchell Radebaugh
  • Publication number: 20090024239
    Abstract: A work management apparatus of the present invention includes bar-code readers that detect the input and output of target objects to and from each facility in each facility, a process management device that obtains, as workpiece information, information of date and time when the target objects enter into each facility and information of date and time when the target objects come out from each facility for every target object and every facility based on the detection results of the bar-code readers, sensors that detect operating conditions of each facility, and an analysis device that analyzes and outputs the operating conditions of each facility and the work progress of the target objects in each facility based on the obtained workpiece information and the information indicating the detected operating conditions of each facility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Kouji Yoshioka, Tomohiko Maeda, Kazayuki Furukawa
  • Patent number: 7440812
    Abstract: A method for monitoring a mounting tact of a component mounting apparatus including a component supplier for supplying a component and a component holder for holding the component from the component supplying device and mounting the component onto a circuit board. The method includes collecting and monitoring a mounting tact result value of the component mounting apparatus during a mounting operation via a communication system. The method further includes calculating a tact loss corresponding to an amount by which the mounting tact result value is greater than a standard mounting tact and monitoring the calculated tact loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshio Yano, Hiroshi Okamura, Yoshihiko Misawa
  • Patent number: 7426419
    Abstract: Photolithography operation in a wafer fab using relative weightings of work in progress to iteratively schedule wafers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: James Heskin, Mark Shepheard, Julia Lafoy
  • Publication number: 20080167746
    Abstract: A process debug method used to identify at least one excursive machine in a manufacturing process comprising the following steps: First, a series of validity identification data is collected, and the serial validity identification data is associated with its pathway to obtain a plurality of validity identification data sequences in corresponding to the machines. Subsequently, a sorting process is conducted to cluster the validity identification data sequence into several groups, and the clustered groups are ranked into a first order. The validity identification data sequences are subjected a continuity analysis to determine the continuity of the defects occurring in a particular machine. And the continuities of the machines involved in a particular group are ranked into a second order. Accordingly, the excursive machines causing the defective end products in the manufacturing process can be identified by the way of joining the second orders according to the first order.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: Nupoint Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shin-Mu Tseng, Wei-Cheng Lin
  • Patent number: 7398132
    Abstract: Described is a method and system for analyzing throughput of a production line. The method includes selecting among the stations, a set of susceptible stations that are affected by at least one selected event, ranking the susceptible stations with respect to a selected event and the predetermined criteria to determine an ordered list of more susceptible stations, altering the selected events to generate a new set of events, reranking the susceptible stations with respect to the selected events comprising the new event to determine a new ordered list of more susceptible stations and determining the most susceptible station based on a comparison criterion of the original ordered list of more susceptible stations and the new ordered list of more susceptible stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric A. Steinhilper
  • Patent number: 7395129
    Abstract: An optimizing apparatus for optimizing a mounter equipped with a line gang pickup head which picks up a plurality of components and mounts them on a board. The apparatus includes a nozzle set determination unit for determining a nozzle set which reduces a mounting time in view of a number of times interchanging pickup nozzles and a total task number necessary for mounting the plural components, a nozzle pattern determination unit for determining an optimal nozzle pattern as well as an arrangement of pickup nozzles (nozzle arrangement) at a nozzle station, based on the nozzle set determined by the nozzle set determination unit, and Z-axis arrangement/mounting order optimization unit for determining an array order of component feeders and a mounting order of components while maintaining the determined nozzle set and nozzle pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takuya Yamazaki, Yasuhiro Maenishi, Ikuo Yoshida, Akihito Yamasaki, Hiroyoshi Nishida, Chikashi Konishi, Masaya Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 7366579
    Abstract: A system which strengthens cooperation among workers in a business organization through flexible real-time communications and also allows interactive real-time data communications between the head of the organization (manager) and workers, thereby promoting communications within the organization and increasing productivity. The system holds: a commitment list which stores information on workers and work categories in which they are engaged, and a relation list which correlates sensing results with work categories in which they are engaged. A worker and work in which he/she is engaged are identified based on sensing result data and this is reflected in the commitment list data, and another worker related to the work is identified and the identified worker is notified of the work.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Ara, Norihiko Moriwaki, Kazuo Yano
  • Patent number: 7346413
    Abstract: Method, system and program product are disclosed for determining productivity for a tool including a plurality of processing modules. The invention provides an understanding of a relationship between measured variables and overall tool speed by calculating computational components for any empty module, any module speed diversity and any idle tool event, i.e., the potential productivity detractors for the tool. An overall productivity based on each of the computational components may also be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Beverly S. Bortnick, Donald P. Martin, James R. Morrison
  • Patent number: 7317961
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes a plurality of cells each including a predetermined processing unit, a transport mechanism, and a cell controller. The cell controller independently controls operations in each cell in accordance with transport setting and processing condition setting for each cell described in recipe data determined for each substrate unit to be processed. Because the processing and transport are performed independently of the operations of adjacent cells, substrates belonging to different substrate units are received through a feed inlet or the sane substrate inlet, are processed while being present in the same cell, and are transported to a feed outlet and a return outlet which are different substrate outlets. This allows the presence of different process flows in parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Dainippon Screen Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Hashinoki, Yasufumi Koyama, Takaharu Yamada
  • Publication number: 20070282479
    Abstract: The work movement analysis method for dividing a moving picture of a worker's work movement into a plurality of movement sections in an apparatus having display, storage, and processing units includes in the processing unit the steps of: defining a plurality of movement section classification buttons and providing the buttons to an operator; reproducing the moving picture in the display unit; allocating movement section identification information defined by a specific movement section classification button to a moving picture of a work; storing a position of a moving picture in the storage unit as an end position of a movement section; defining an end position of a previous movement section as a start position of the movement section and a reproduction start position of a moving picture of the work movement as the start position in a case of no end position, and dividing the work movement into the movement sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2007
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Shibuya, Toshiaki Seshimo, Mitsuhiro Ota, Shigeru Fujimori
  • Patent number: 7272461
    Abstract: A work data collection method is provided. The method includes photographing through a video camera a series of different jobs done by at least a worker, to record video signal of said jobs on a memory device of said video camera; inputting a break point signal in said video camera at each break point between said jobs, to record said break point signal on said memory device of said video camera along with said video signal; and displaying a list of titles of said jobs along with a clock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: FujiFilm Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Yoshikawa, Koichi Takahashi, Masaya Kaneko, Yuko Endo, Yoshio Obara
  • Patent number: 7257513
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring the performance of at least one machine operator, the system comprising at least one measuring device for measuring at least one machine parameter during operation of the machine by the operator, a server (8) for generating at least one performance indicator distribution from measurements of the at least one machine parameter and a performance indicator calculation module (18) for calculating at least one performance indicator from the at least one performance indicator distribution. Feedback may be provided to the operator by displaying the at least one performance indicator in substantially real-time to the operator on display module (6) onboard the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Leica Geosystems AG
    Inventor: Brendon Lilly
  • Publication number: 20070179652
    Abstract: By simulating a manufacturing environment on the basis of appropriate simulation models, a schedule may be established in which process restrictions, tool availability and product entity status are automatically taken into consideration. Moreover, by estimating the process flow efficiency provided by a simulated time progression of the process flow in the environment, an optimized schedule may be established, which may be accomplished by identifying less efficient product entities and re-scheduling one or more product entities in order to obtain an enhanced process flow efficiency. The technique of the present invention may be advantageously applied to the processing of advanced mass products requiring sophisticated process tools and process sequences, such as the processing of semiconductor devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2006
    Publication date: August 2, 2007
    Inventors: Joerg Weigang, Robert Ringel, Arndt Herrmann
  • Patent number: 7245978
    Abstract: Assisting-work management apparatus and an assisting-work management program for performing the assisting work in a substrate work machine system efficiently by a plurality of workers. A worker determining section (140) determines a worker to perform an objective work obtained according to assisting work occurrence information acquired by an assisting work occurrence information acquiring section (110) and a work informing section (180) informs the determined worker of the objective work. The workers determining section (140) can determine the worker of the objective work appropriately based on set worker information, current worker information, the worker intension, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Fuji Machine Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seigo Kodama, Hiroyuki Haneda
  • Patent number: 7221993
    Abstract: In a first aspect, a method of managing work in progress within a small lot size semiconductor device manufacturing facility is provided. The first method includes providing a small lot size semiconductor device manufacturing facility having (1) a plurality of processing tools; and (2) a high speed transport system adapted to transport small lot size substrate carriers among the processing tools. The method further includes maintaining a predetermined work in progress level within the small lot size semiconductor device manufacturing facility by (1) increasing an average cycle time of low priority substrates within the small lot size semiconductor device manufacturing facility; and (2) decreasing an average cycle time of high priority substrates within the small lot size semiconductor device manufacturing facility so as to approximately maintain the predetermined work in progress level within the small lot size semiconductor device manufacturing facility. Numerous other aspects are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Rice, Eric A. Englhardt, Vinay Shah, Martin R. Elliott, Robert B. Lowrance, Jeffrey C. Hudgens
  • Patent number: RE42077
    Abstract: A computer system (10) is provided which includes an electronic cash registers (11) electronically coupled to a cooking station monitor (12) and input (13), and a manager's station monitor (15), input (16), and printer (17). The system instructs the cook to initiate a cooking process in response to the number of items on hand and items currently being cooked in view of the number of items typically desired to have on hand at a particular time of the day.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Inventor: John K. Savage