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:
Dec. 27, 2011
Filed:
May. 09, 2008
John M. Spangler, Peoria, IL (US);
Mark E. Dietz, Hanna City, IL (US);
John M. Spangler, Peoria, IL (US);
Mark E. Dietz, Hanna City, IL (US);
Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US);
Abstract
A control system for a manufacturing chain having a plurality of modular manufacturing stations positioned in series includes a memory for storing a plurality of unique operation patterns thereon. The control system also includes at least one communications conduit for receiving a first position signal from a first position tracking device of each modular manufacturing station. A processor is configured to independently transmit at least one operation signal corresponding to one of the unique operation patterns to an article transportation device of each modular manufacturing station via the communications conduit based, at least in part, on the first position signal from each modular manufacturing station. The communications conduit further receives a second position signal from a second position tracking device of each modular manufacturing station. The processor is further configured to transmit an index signal to the article transportation device of each modular manufacturing station via the communications conduit based, at least in part, on the second position signal from each modular manufacturing station.