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:
Feb. 01, 2000
Filed:
Nov. 04, 1997
Brian C Barker, Poughkeepsie, NY (US);
John T Federico, Wappingers Falls, NY (US);
George R Goth, Poughkeepsie, NY (US);
Perry G Hartswick, Millbrook, NY (US);
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY (US);
Abstract
A system monitors usage of a tool in a tool set and warns an operator and/or prevents usage of a tool chosen by an operator, subject to possible override by the operator, if permitted, in order to balance usage among tools of the tool set and verify operational conditions of tools of the tool set through usage. The system and method are entirely transparent to the operator and the operator is permitted full flexibility of tool choice unless tool usage becomes unbalanced. The system and method preferably limits usage based on length of consecutive usage and percentage of product processed by each tool. Use of new, modified or repaired tools is also prevented until the tool is certified for a particular process and defined to the system.