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:
Mar. 06, 2007
Filed:
Dec. 29, 2004
Steven P. Floeder, Shoreview, MN (US);
Brandon T. Berg, West Lakeland, MN (US);
Carl J. Skeps, Lakeville, MN (US);
James A. Masterman, Lake Elmo, MN (US);
Steven P. Floeder, Shoreview, MN (US);
Brandon T. Berg, West Lakeland, MN (US);
Carl J. Skeps, Lakeville, MN (US);
James A. Masterman, Lake Elmo, MN (US);
3M Innovative Properties Company, Saint Paul, MN (US);
Abstract
Techniques are described for inspecting a web and controlling subsequent conversion of the web into one or more products. A system, for example, comprises an imaging device, an analysis computer and a conversion control system. The imaging device images the web to provide digital information. The analysis computer processes the digital information to identify regions on the web containing anomalies. The conversion control system subsequently analyzes the digital information to determine which anomalies represent actual defects for a plurality of different products. The conversion control system determines a value for at least one product selection parameter for each of the products, and selects one of the products for conversion of the web based on the respective determined value. Exemplary product selection parameters include web utilization, unit product produced, estimated revenue or profit, process time, machine capacity and demand for the different products.