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:
Apr. 20, 2010
Filed:
May. 15, 2007
Timothy James Gerber, Rochester, MN (US);
Ivory Wellman Knipfer, Rochester, MN (US);
Thomas S. Mazzeo, Durham, NC (US);
Matthew H. Zemke, Rochester, MN (US);
Timothy James Gerber, Rochester, MN (US);
Ivory Wellman Knipfer, Rochester, MN (US);
Thomas S. Mazzeo, Durham, NC (US);
Matthew H. Zemke, Rochester, MN (US);
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY (US);
Abstract
A method is provided for use in connection with build ahead configurations (BAC's), for enabling a manufacturer to quickly identify the available BAC that is most suitable for use in completing a product order. In one embodiment, directed to a method for increasing efficiency in constructing individual products of a particular product type, each individual product has an associated specification set. A number of BAC's are initially constructed, wherein each BAC comprises an at least partially complete product of the particular type, and likewise has an associated specification set. An order is received for an individual product of the particular type, wherein the order defines each specification in the specification set for the ordered product. Respective specifications for the ordered product are compared with the specifications of each BAC, in order to calculate a metric for each BAC, wherein the metric for a given BAC represents the effort required to modify the given BAC to conform to all specifications set of the ordered product.