Inventory control for web-based articles

A system comprising:

• an imaging device that images a sequential portion of a web to provide digital information;
• an analysis computer that processes the digital information with an initial algorithm to identify regions on the web containing anomalies;
• and
• a conversion control system that selects one of a plurality of converting sites to convert the web into a product and analyzes at least a portion of the digital information with at least one subsequent algorithm to determine which anomalies represent actual defects in the web for the products.

A conversion control system comprising:

• a database storing data defining a set of rules;
• an interface to receive anomaly information from an analysis machine, wherein the anomaly information identifies regions of a web containing anomalies;
• and
• a conversion control engine that selects one of a plurality of converting sites to convert the web into a product based on the set of rules;
• wherein the conversion control engine analyzes at least a portion of the digital information with at least one algorithm to determine which anomalies represent actual defects in the web for the products.

A computer-readable medium comprising instructions that cause a processor to:

• store data defining a set of rules for selecting potential web converting sites;
• receive anomaly information from an analysis computer located within a manufacturing plant, wherein the anomaly information identifies regions of a web containing anomalies;
• and
• apply the rules to select one of a plurality of web converting sites to convert the web into a product in accordance with the anomaly information.