Modular optimizer with foreign module learning feature for optimization of component placement machines
First Claim
1. A method for use in determining a configuration of a production line comprising one or more component placement machines used to place components for assembly, the configuration being determined using a modular optimizer having associated therewith at least one machine optimizer module for a given component placement machine type, the method comprising the steps of:
- estimating an output value for at least one foreign optimizer module associated with a component placement machine type foreign to the modular optimizer; and
utilizing the estimated output value in the modular optimizer to determine the configuration of the production line.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A modular optimizer, for use in determining a configuration of a production line with one or more component placement machines, is configured to learn a foreign optimizer module associated with a component placement machine type foreign to the modular optimizer. The modular optimizer includes an adapting estimator which estimates an output value, such as a placement cycle time measure, for the foreign optimizer module. The estimated output value may be used in determining the configuration of the production line. In addition, the modular optimizer periodically calls the foreign optimizer module, and for a given one of the calls compares a resulting output value generated by the foreign optimizer module to the corresponding estimated output value generated by the adapting estimator. If for a given call of the foreign optimizer module the actual output value for a corresponding estimated value is determined to provide an improved result, one or more parameters of the estimator are altered so as to reduce an error associated with generation of subsequent estimated output values.
7 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for use in determining a configuration of a production line comprising one or more component placement machines used to place components for assembly, the configuration being determined using a modular optimizer having associated therewith at least one machine optimizer module for a given component placement machine type, the method comprising the steps of:
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estimating an output value for at least one foreign optimizer module associated with a component placement machine type foreign to the modular optimizer; and
utilizing the estimated output value in the modular optimizer to determine the configuration of the production line. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20)
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15. An apparatus for determining a configuration of a production line comprising one or more component placement machines used to place components for assembly, the configuration being determined using a modular optimizer having associated therewith at least one machine optimizer module for a given component placement machine type, the apparatus comprising:
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a memory for storing information characterizing at least a portion of the production line; and
a processor coupled to the memory and operative to estimate an output value for at least one foreign optimizer module associated with a component placement machine type foreign to the modular optimizer, and to utilize the estimated output value in the modular optimizer to determine the configuration of the production line.
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17. A modular optimizer for determining a configuration of a production line comprising one or more component placement machines used to place components for assembly, the modular optimizer comprising:
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at least one machine optimizer module for a given component placement machine type; and
an estimator operative to estimate an output value for at least one foreign optimizer module associated with a component placement machine type foreign to the modular optimizer;
wherein the modular optimizer utilizes the estimated output value in determining the configuration of the production line.
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19. An article of manufacture comprising a machine-readable medium for storing one or more software programs for use in determining a configuration of a production line comprising one or more component placement machines used to place components for assembly, the configuration being determined using a modular optimizer having associated therewith at least one machine optimizer module for a given component placement machine type, the one or more programs when executed implementing the steps of:
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estimating an output value for at least one foreign optimizer module associated with a component placement machine type foreign to the modular optimizer; and
utilizing the estimated output value in the modular optimizer to determine the configuration of the production line.
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Specification