Method and system for monitoring and controllng a multi-variable process throughout a plurality of distinct phases of the process

A method for control of a multi-variable process throughout a plurality of successive, distinct phases of the process, comprising:

• (a) the step of accumulating sets of values of process and quality variables from previous multiple operations of the process through all the plurality of phases, the sets of values being accumulated as respective datasets of a historical record;
• (b) determining which of the plurality of phases is a current phase of the process;
• (c) deriving an operational envelope in respect of the current phase, the operational envelope being derived from the datasets of the historical record individual to the current phase;
• (d) indicating on respective axes of a multi-dimensional display representation current values of the process variables within the current phase of the process, the current values of the process variables within the current phase being indicated on their respective axes of the multi-dimensional display representation;
• (e) indicating the operational envelope against the respective axes of the multi-dimensional display representation to define bounds for values of the process variables within the current phase;
• and
• (f) controlling the process through each successive phase of the plurality of phases in dependence upon the bounds defined by the operational envelope for values of the process variables within that respective phase.

A system for control of a multi-variable process throughout a plurality of successive, distinct phases of the process, comprising:

• (a) means for accumulating sets of values of the process and quality variables from previous multiple operations of the process through all the plurality of phases, the sets of values accumulated being respective datasets of a historical record;
• (b) means for determining which of the plurality of phases is a current phase of the process;
• (c) means for deriving an operational envelope in respect of the current phase, the operational envelope being derived from the datasets of the historical record individual to the current phase;
• (d) means for indicating on respective axes of a multi-dimensional display representation current values of the process variables within the current phase of the process, the current values of the process variables within the current phase being indicated on their respective axes of the multi-dimensional display representation;
• (e) means for indicating the operational envelope against the respective axes of the multi-dimensional display representation to define bounds of the current for values of the process variables within the current phase;
• and
• (f) means for controlling the process through each successive phase of the plurality of phases in dependence upon the bounds defined by the operational envelope for values of the process variables within that respective phase.