×

Real-time statistical process monitoring system

  • US 5,339,257 A
  • Filed: 05/15/1991
  • Issued: 08/16/1994
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/15/1991
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A system for monitoring a multiparameter manufacturing process by examining on a real-time basis a stream of data units, each data unit including a numerical characteristic indicative of a current state of one of the parameters of that manufacturing process and a tag identifying the parameter, the system comprising:

  • grouping means, operating on each data unit as it is received by the monitoring system, for grouping all of the data units having identical tags together into groups of numerical characteristics, the size of each group being selectively variable for each tag,pattern recognition means, operating as each data unit is received on each group of numerical characteristics assembled by the grouping means, for recognizing statistical patterns in the numerical characteristics, each pattern recognition means recognizing a single selected statistical pattern and including an output for result values indicative of the such recognition,a plurality of registers, each register receiving the result values from a selected pattern recognition means,comparing means for comparing the content of each register with a chosen standard for that register as each result value is received in the register to provide a comparison result at an output thereof indicative of the significance of any recognized statistical pattern, andsignal managing means for directing to at least one controller of the manufacturing process a signal of the comparison result of any register the output of which indicates that a statistically significant pattern of numerical characteristics has been identified, the signal including an indication of the significance of the pattern and the manufacturing process parameter involved to permit human evaluation of and, if necessary, intervention in the manufacturing process.

View all claims
  • 2 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×