Xerox Corporation

Palo Alto Research Center Inc.

Marc W Webster

Paul A Rulli

Daniel L McCue, Iii

Markus P Fromherz

Vijay A Saraswat

Douglas T Rabjohns

John C Austin

William Kenneth Stumbo

David W Covert

Michael E Farrell

Robert Michael Lofthus

Markus P J Fromherz

Wheeler Ruml

John Oliver Walker

Jose A Pena

Ronald J Root

Gene A McDaniel

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. The system controller planned exception handling/recovery or module controller directed exception handling/recovery is applied and normal operation is resumed.

Exception handling in manufacturing systems combining on-line planning and predetermined rules

An electronic image processing apparatus includes a controller and a plurality of resources in an arbitrary configuration. Each of the resources provides an associated processor storing data related to operational capabilities of the associated resource. The controller is adapted to dynamically configure the image processing apparatus to operate in accordance with the the operational capabilities of each of the processors by defining job requirements as a combination of images defining a set of sheets and specifying compilations of sheets. The job requirement is converted into an assembly tree relationship for merging into additional assembly trees for formulating the job requirement. The controller responds to the data related to the operational capabilities of each of the modules and to the the assembly tree relationship of images, copy sheets, and compilations of copy sheets for providing a production tree relationship of the operational capabilities of the modules including timing relationships for operating the image processing apparatus. The production tree relationship further permits arbitrary definition of a job requirement into a first segment independent of the capabilities of the modules and a second segment dependent upon selected capabilities of selected modules to allow the image processing apparatus to be partially configured based upon operator entered constraints. This technique further allows adaptive control of selective diagnostics.

Generic assembly trees providing job control and mix and match of modules

An electronic image processing apparatus has a controller and a plurality of resources in an arbitrary configuration. Each of the resources includes an associated processor storing data related to operational constraints of the associated resource and a bus interconnects the processors to the controller for directing the operation of the resources. The controller is adapted to operate independent of a particular configuration of the plurality of resources by receiving from each of the processors the data related to the operational constraints of each associated resource and interrogating each of the processors to determine the geometrical relationship of the interconnection of the resources. The controller then responds to the data related to the operational constraints of each of the processors and to the geometrical relationship of the interconnection of the resources to dynamically configure the image processing apparatus to operate in accordance with the the operational constraints of each of the processors and to the geometrical relationship of the interconnection of the resources.

Machine graphs and capabilities to represent document output terminals

A system is provided to allow for automated scheduling and completion of print jobs in a printing machine. A generic system for describing functionality of various modules forming a print engine is described. Such a module description is provided for each of a plurality of subassemblies which form the printing machine. A component communicates description information about itself to a scheduling unit once it is integrated into a complete printing machine. The scheduling unit, in turn, analyzes all functions available from various subassemblies comprising the machine. This analysis returns data representative of all available functions to the printing machines. Upon receipt of user input on one or more printing jobs, the scheduler then correlates the user information with the available properties of the printing machine to schedule an efficient completing of all printing tasks.

System for generically describing and scheduling operation of modular

Partial or untimed production trees to specify specific output terminal

An electronic image processing apparatus includes a controller and a plurality of resources in an arbitrary configuration. Each of the resources provides an associated processor storing data related to operational capabilities of the associated resource. The controller is adapted to dynamically configure the image processing apparatus to operate in accordance with the operational capabilities of each of the processors by defining job requirements as a combination of images defining a set of sheets and specifying compilations of sheets. The job requirement is converted into an assembly tree relationship for merging into additional assembly trees for formulating the job requirement. The controller responds to the data related to the operational capabilities of each of the modules and to the the assembly tree relationship of images, copy sheets, and compilations of copy sheets for providing a production tree relationship of the operational capabilities of the modules including timing relationships for operating the image processing apparatus. The production tree relationship further permits arbitrary definition of a job requirement into a first segment independent of the capabilities of the modules and a second segment dependent upon selected capabilities of selected modules to allow the image processing apparatus to be partially configured based upon operator entered constraints. This technique further allows adaptive control of selective diagnostics.

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Rochester, NY, United States of America

Marc W Webster