Extensible model network representation system for process planning
DCFirst Claim
1. A computer system for modeling a process capability for use in process planning on the computer system, the computer system comprising:
- a plurality of operation models defined from an operation model type and stored by the computer system, each operation model representing an activity that can be performed by a process;
a plurality of resource models defined from a resource model type and stored by the computer system, each resource model representing capacity available for use in performing an activity and rules for allocating capacity to the activity, the activity represented by an operation model; and
a plurality of buffer models defined from a buffer model type and stored by the computer system, each buffer model representing rules for controlling a flow of material between activities, the activities represented operation models;
the operation model type, buffer model type, and resource model type each having a plurality of fields defining attributes, the plurality of fields including a plurality of extension selector fields that allow a user to specify one of a plurality of optional extensions incorporating additional fields and semantics in addition to fields specified by the model type into each model selecting the optional extension; and
a process network model, stored by the computer system, interrelating the operation models, the buffer models, and the resource models as nodes;
the process network model formed by the plurality of operation models each specifying buffer models from which material is consumed and buffer models to which material is supplied and specifying resource models having capacity used in performing the activity specified by the operation model;
such that both material and capacity usage are simultaneously represented by the process network model along with timing constraints between activities.
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Abstract
A computer software system for modeling a process capability on a computer is provided. The computer software system comprises an operation model type for defining a plurality of operation models (33, 36, 44, 52 and 57). Each operation model represents an activity that can be performed by a process. A resource model type is for defining a plurality of resource models (32, 38, 40, 46, 48, 54, 56 and 58). Each resource model represents capacity available for use in performing an activity and rules for allocating capacity to the activity. A buffer model type is for defining a plurality of buffer models (34, 42, 50, and 60). Each buffer model represents rules for controlling a flow of material between activities. The operation model type, buffer model type, and resource model type each comprise a plurality of fields defining attributes that include a plurality of extension selector fields. Defined operation models, buffer models, and resource models are stored as nodes in an interrelated process network model.
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Citations
40 Claims
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1. A computer system for modeling a process capability for use in process planning on the computer system, the computer system comprising:
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a plurality of operation models defined from an operation model type and stored by the computer system, each operation model representing an activity that can be performed by a process; a plurality of resource models defined from a resource model type and stored by the computer system, each resource model representing capacity available for use in performing an activity and rules for allocating capacity to the activity, the activity represented by an operation model; and a plurality of buffer models defined from a buffer model type and stored by the computer system, each buffer model representing rules for controlling a flow of material between activities, the activities represented operation models; the operation model type, buffer model type, and resource model type each having a plurality of fields defining attributes, the plurality of fields including a plurality of extension selector fields that allow a user to specify one of a plurality of optional extensions incorporating additional fields and semantics in addition to fields specified by the model type into each model selecting the optional extension; and a process network model, stored by the computer system, interrelating the operation models, the buffer models, and the resource models as nodes; the process network model formed by the plurality of operation models each specifying buffer models from which material is consumed and buffer models to which material is supplied and specifying resource models having capacity used in performing the activity specified by the operation model; such that both material and capacity usage are simultaneously represented by the process network model along with timing constraints between activities. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. A computer system for executing computer software for modeling a process capability, the computer system comprising:
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a data storage device operable to store data relating to a model of process capability; an execution memory operable to store data representing computer software; and a processor coupled to the data storage device and to the execution memory, the processor operable to execute the computer software, wherein the computer software system comprises; a plurality of operation models defined from an operation model type, each operation model representing an activity that can be performed by a process; a plurality of resource models defined from a resource model type, each resource model representing capacity available for use in performing an activity and rules for allocating capacity to the activity; and a plurality of buffer models defined from a buffer model type, each buffer model representing rules for controlling a flow of material between activities; the operation model type, buffer model type, and resource model type each having a plurality of fields defining attributes, the plurality of fields including a plurality of extension selector fields that allow a user to specify one of a plurality of optional extensions incorporating additional fields and semantics in addition to fields specified by the model type into each model selecting the optional extension; and a process network model, interrelating the operation models, the buffer models, and the resource models as nodes; the process network model formed by a plurality of operation models each specifying buffer models from which material is consumed and buffer models to which material is supplied and specifying resource models having capacity used in performing the activity specified by the operation model; such that both material and capacity usage are simultaneously represented by the process network model along with timing constraints between activities. - View Dependent Claims (40)
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Specification