System and method of creating mass-customized multi-component articles

• US 20020169882A1
• Filed: 05/11/2001
• Published: 11/14/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Wole Fayemi
• Original Assignee: Wole Fayemi
• Inventors: Fayemi, Wole
• Application Number:
  US09/854,347
• Publication Number:
  US 20020169882A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/229
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/41805 characterised by assembly
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/35034 Adapt design to customer feedback
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/10 Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor

Abstract

A method for mass-customizing and assembling multi-component articles includes the steps of choosing the article and selecting the components attachable to the three-dimensional structure of the article, searching a database of constituent components that permits a consumer to choose the desired constituent component (s) compatible with a consumer'"'"'s previously selected components and combining the attributes of the constituent components to determine performance attributes of multi-component combinations.

Claims

3-1. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of choosing the multiple-components article to be assembled is undertaken by the consumer.

20. A method for mass-customizing and assembling automobiles, said method comprising the steps of:

selecting constituent components adaptable to said automobile;

searching a database wherein said database is in part a catalog of said constituent components that permits a consumer to choose one or more desired constituent conponents that are compatible with a consumer'"'"'s previously selected components; and

combining the attribute of said constituent components to determine performance attributes of multi-component combinations.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising the step of:

storing in a computer network, data relating to;

assessment of said consumer'"'"'s satisfaction with one or more of said constituent components or combinations thereof;

obtaining said constituent components from role players in an automobile manufacturing supply chain;

manufacturing and assembling said automobile;

transmitting said data to specified role players of said supply chain, so as to coordinate role player activity within and across each tier of said supply chain; and

coordinating the manufacture, shipping and actual delivery of said constituent components to an automobile assembling facility.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein said database stores data comprising:

choices of automobile customization and production features;

wherein said data relates to appearance, structural nature, performance or cost of any of said features; and

wherein said data defines said automobile features such as,

platform, manufacturing panel technology, choice of powertrain, year of the car, projected depreciated value of the individual parts, projected depreciated value of the car as a whole, choice of interior materials, choice of colors, choice of styling modifications, choice of electronic equipment and services, emission values, electronic footprint of engine/exhaust note, intended, and cost and price information.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the database further comprises a means to determine the present market demand for said automobile, said demand being determined by comparing said data with a current supply/demand curves for automobiles having characteristics similar to said automobile.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein the computer network transmits said consumer choice data to all role players at all tiers of the supply chain permitting all role players to monitor and update, their supply-related activities and their demand-related activities, and to transmit said updated information to all other role players at all tiers of said supply chain.

25. The method of claim 21, wherein all supply chain participants use database management software that recursively and continuously tracks consumer preferences and trends, and adjusts its inventories, availability, and costs of constituent components, and length of delays in shipping and final delivery times to another participant of said supply chain.

26. The method of claim 21, wherein each role player maximizes its demand-related activities by tracking consumer choices, and adjusting inventories accordingly.

27. The method of claim 21, wherein said automobile components may perform at least one function relating to the aesthetic, structural or performance nature of said customized automobile.

28. The method of claim 21, wherein said component database stores and recursively analyzes information relating to the appearance and/or the performance of said constituent components, the costs of purchasing and installing said components, and the availability of said constituent components so as to provide updated delivery dates of an assembled or modified automobile to a consumer.

29. The method of claim 21, wherein said computer network further performs the additional steps of:

receiving said consumer'"'"'s personal financial information and comparing said financial information with costs of producing and assembling said automobile; and

creating a personalized financing scheme to permit said consumer to purchase modifications of an automobile, or said customized automobile.