Method for tracking chemicals

• US 6,108,617 A
• Filed: 09/18/1995
• Issued: 08/22/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Inventors: Schomer, Dawne P.
• Primary Examiner(s): ASSOUAD, PATRICK J
• Application Number:
  US08/529,303
• Time in Patent Office: 1,800 Days
• Field of Search: 364/403, 364/500, 364/468, 235/775, 235/385
• US Class Current: 702/188
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/845 Inventory and reporting systems for greenhouse gases [GHG]

Abstract

A method for establishing a correspondence between chemical use and the process where use occurs. The process is assigned a process identification number (PIN). After chemicals have been assigned into an inventory, the chemicals are assigned to the process and a report is generated reporting the chemical use corresponding to the process.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a chemical for use in a process, the method of comprising the steps of:

defining a plurality of control points, at least one of said control points used to control the process;

assigning a process identification number (PIN) to the process;

identifying a plurality of operators, at least one of said operators assigned to said at least one of said control points;

allowing only said at least one of said operators to inventory the chemical to said at least one of said control points for the use in the process;

allowing only said at least one of said operators to issue the chemical from said inventory for the use in the process;

sensing the use of the chemical in the process at a plurality of use points;

sensing disposal of the chemical in the process at a plurality of disposal points; and

removing the chemical from said inventory in response to said sensing steps.

2. The method of claim 1 further including the step of reporting the use and disposal of the chemical in response to said sensing steps.