System and method for accommodating atypical customer requirements in a mass customization manufacturing facility

• US 6,631,606 B2
• Filed: 03/05/2001
• Issued: 10/14/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Lawton, Stephen H., Toth, Kristin E., Brown, Mark D., Sanders, John H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sipos, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): Huynh, Louis
• Application Number:
  US09/799,850
• Publication Number:
  US 20010037157A1
• Time in Patent Office: 953 Days
• Field of Search: 533/96, 534/45, 534/73, 700/95, 700/112, 700/228, 717/168, 717/169, 717/170, 717/171, 717/172, 717/173, 717/174, 717/175, 717/176, 717/177, 717/178
• US Class Current: 53/473
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/00 Programme-control systems
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/44 pneumatic
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/04 Forecasting or optimisation specially adapted for administrative or management purposes, e.g. linear programming or "cutting stock problem" market predictions or forecasting for commercial activities G06Q30/0202

Abstract

A build cell is utilized to manufacture computers and load data into the computers according to customer orders. The build cell may include a build station at which components are assembled into a computer and a first network connection that links the computer with an on-site server. The build cell may also include a supplemental network connection that links the computer with an off-site server. Data from the on-site and off-site servers can be transferred to the computer via the first network connection and the supplemental network connection, respectively.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing computers and loading data into the computers according to customer orders, the method comprising:

assembling components into a computer within a build cell, wherein the build cell includes a first network connection in communication with an on-site server and a supplemental network connection in communication with an off-site server;

connecting the computer in the build cell to the first network connection in communication with the on-site server;

transferring data from the on-site server to the computer in the build cell via the first network connection;

connecting the computer in the build cell to the supplemental network connection in the build cell; and

transferring data from the off-site server to the computer in the build cell via the supplemental network connection, such that the data from the on-site server and the data from the off-site server are transferred to the computer while the computer remains in the build cells;

wherein the operation of transferring data from the on-site server comprises transferring data from the on-site server to the computer in the build cell in accordance with a specific customer order for a specific customer; and

wherein the operation of transferring data from the off-site server comprises transferring proprietary data of the specific customer from the off-site server to the computer in the build cell.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of transferring data from the on-site server comprises transferring a first set of software from the on-site server to the computer in the build cell.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of transferring data from the off-site server comprises transferring a second set of software from the off-site server to the computer in the build cell.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of transferring data from the off-site server comprises obtaining data from the off-site server via a satellite link.

5. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

assembling the components into the computer at a build station within the build cell;

transporting the computer from the build station to a burn station within the build cell;

transferring data from the on-site server to the computer in the burn station via the first network connection;

transporting the computer from the burn station of the build cell to a finishing station in the build cell, wherein the finishing station includes the supplemental network connection; and

connecting the computer in the finishing station to the supplemental network connection, whereby the data from the off-site server is loaded at the finishing station.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of transferring proprietary data of the specific customer from the off-site server to the computer in the build cell comprises transferring proprietary software of the specific customer from the off-site server to the computer in the build cell.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of transferring proprietary data of the specific customer from the off-site server to the computer in the build cell comprises transferring at least one item selected from the following group of items from the off-site server to the computer in the build cell:

proprietary software of the specific customer;

network configuration specifications for the specific customer; and

historical data of the specific customer.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of transferring proprietary data of the specific customer from the off-site server to the computer in the build cell comprises transferring data to the computer from a remote server managed by or on behalf of the specific customer.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the operation of transferring proprietary data of the specific customer from the off-site server to the computer in the build cell comprises transferring data developed specifically for the specific customer from the off-site server to the computer in the build cell.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the operation of transferring data developed specifically for the specific customer from the off-site server to the computer in the build cell comprises transferring software configuration data from the off-site server to the computer in the build cell.

11. A method for manufacturing computers and loading data into the computers during the manufacturing process according to customer orders, the method comprising:

assembling components into a computer at a build station of a build cell;

connecting the computer in the build cell to a first network connection in communication with an on-site server;

transferring data from the on-site server to the computer in the build cell via the first network connection;

transporting the computer from the bum station of the build cell to a finishing station of the build cell;

connecting the computer in the finishing station to a supplemental network connection in communication with an off-site server; and

transferring data from the off-site server to the computer via the supplemental network connection while the computer is in the finishing station of the build cell;

wherein the operation of transferring data from the on-site server comprises transferring data from the on-site server to the computer in the build cell in accordance with a specific customer order for a specific customer; and

wherein the operation of transferring data from the off-site server comprises transferring proprietary data of the specific customer from the off-site server to the computer in the build cell.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of transferring data from the on-site server comprises transferring a first set of software from the on-site server to the computer in the build cell.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of transferring data from the off-site server comprises transferring a second set of software from the off-site server to the computer in the finishing station of the build cell.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of transferring data from the off-site server comprises obtaining data from the off-site server via a satellite link.

15. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

transporting the computer from the build station to a bum station of the build cell; and

connecting the computer in the bum station to the first network connection, whereby the data from the on-site server is loaded onto the computer while the computer is at the burn station.

16. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

collecting the components at a kitting facility;

transporting the components to the build cell;

transporting the computer to a boxing facility after the data from the on-site server and the off-site server has been loaded; and

packaging the computer at the boxing facility.

17. A method for manufacturing computers and loading data into the computers according to customer orders, the method comprising:

collecting components at a kitting facility of a manufacturing facility;

transporting the components to a build cell of the manufacturing facility;

assembling the components into a computer at a build station of the build cell;

connecting the computer to a first network connection in communication with an on-site server;

transferring data, in accordance with a customer order of a specific customer, from the on-site server to the computer via a first network connection;

transporting the computer to a finishing station of the build cell;

connecting the computer to a supplemental network connection in communication with an off-site server;

transferring proprietary data of the specific customer from the off-site server to the computer via the supplemental network connection;

transporting the computer to a boxing facility after the data from the on-site server and the off-site server has been loaded; and

packaging the computer at the boxing facility.