Method for improving the utilization of manufacturing machines in manufacturing processes
AssigneeThorlabs, Inc.
InventorsAlex Cable, Paul Melone
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for improving the utilization of manufacturing machines in manufacturing processes. In a typical implementation, manufacturing machine utilization is improved by publishing a schedule of Production Events, accepting customer orders within Production Events, and calculating prices for the customers modified based on the customer orders.
Claims28
A computer-based method for scheduling production processes comprising:
- publishing, over a computerized network, a schedule of production events,
- accepting a first customer order within a first production event,
- accepting at least one additional customer order within the first production event,
- wherein a price is impacted by the first customer order and the at least one additional customer order.
(canceled)
5-6. (canceled)
9-10. (canceled)
The computer-based method of claim 10, further comprising accepting orders within the first production event for processes other than the specified production process, where one or more customers request slots in the first production event for processes other than the specified production process.
A computer-based method for scheduling a production process comprising:
- generating a first production event at the request of a first customer received from a computer-based interface device,
- presenting the first production event to one or more secondary customers, and
- assigning at least one slot in the first production event to the one or more secondary customers,
- wherein a price is impacted by the first customer order and the at least one additional customer order.
(canceled)
21-22. (canceled)
The computer-based method of claim 22, further comprising assigning slots in the first production event for processes other than the specified production process, where one or more of the one or more secondary customers request slots in the first production event for processes other than the specified production process.
The computer-based method of claim 22, further comprising providing for selection by one or more secondary customers a process other than the specified production process for the production event, presenting to the one or more secondary customers expected results of the process other than the specified production process, and providing an order in the unscheduled production run for the one or more secondary customers for a slot in the production event for the process other than the specified production process.
(canceled)
A computer-based method for facilitating a transfer of an ordered slot in a production process comprising:
- receiving at least one indication from a computer-based interface device that a first customer seeks a counterparty interested in acquiring a slot in a production event,
- receiving at least one indication from a computer-based interface device that a second customer is willing to transact on the opposite side of the market from the first customer for the acquisition of an ordered slot in a production event,
- providing an interface for the sale of a first ordered slot in a first production event from one customer to another, and
- transferring the first ordered slot in the first production event from one customer to another.
31-46. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.