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:
Jan. 25, 2000
Filed:
Jul. 08, 1997
Patrick F Denardo, Endicott, NY (US);
Philip D Heinlein, Binghamton, NY (US);
Timothy J Maguire, Vestal, NY (US);
David J Wolstromer, Endwell, NY (US);
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY (US);
Abstract
A network computer system and method for analyzing a system of continuous process lines. Groupware is used to implement the analysis stage of continuous flow manufacturing (CFM) methodology using a network of portable computers. Preferably in one meeting, in response to prompts of a facilitator, participants input all the required qualitative and quantitative data about each process line in the system being analyzed. The input data is anonymously displayed to all the participants, the data is corrected and verified by group consensus achieved informally or by automatic tabulation of anonymous voting as needed. The verified data is organized into a GroupWare database (flat files and/or a part of a relational database). Bridge programs automatically read the GroupWare database and reorganize the data to create a program input database. Then preferably in the same meeting a flow chart program (e.g. a computer aided design CAD system) is used to generate flow charts for each process line from the program input database and a report program (e.g. the report module of a database management system) is used to generate data sheets for the process steps from the program input database. The flow charts and data sheets are corrected and revised until verified by group consensus. Thus, the analysis of a system of continuous processes can be performed in one or at least in a small number of group meetings over a much shorter elapsed time.