The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 10, 1998
Filed:
Mar. 24, 1997
Ronald Roscoe Bush, Austin, TX (US);
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY (US);
Abstract
A method and system for optimized material movement within a computer based manufacturing system utilizing global positioning systems. A tracking module which includes a wireless communication device, such as a cellular telephone chip set, and a position determination system, such as a global positioning receiver chip set, is built into each shipping container, vehicle or the like which is utilized to transport material for a computer based manufacturing system. The source and itinerary for each shipment of material, as well as a manufacturing schedule, are then loaded into the computer system which controls the manufacturing system. Periodically, the location of each shipment is then determined by querying the tracking module for a current actual location which is then compared within the computer system with a planned location, determined from the stored itinerary for that shipment. Variations in location of a selected shipment which exceed a specified amount are then utilized to initiate a variation in the manufacturing process, issue alternate shipment orders or initiate the selection of an alternate source for the material within that shipment.