Method of improving quality of manufactured modules
First Claim
1. A method of improving the quality of manufactured modules, comprising:
- issuing a quality ticket uniquely identifying a defective module and a symptom thereof;
storing the quality ticket in a database;
determining a defect of the defective module based on the quality ticket stored in the database and by utilizing a knowledge base stored in the database;
logging, by an operator, a repair suggestion in the quality ticket based on said defect determination;
performing a repair action intended to repair the defective module based on the logged repair suggestion contained in the quality ticket;
logging the repair action to the defective module in the quality ticket;
testing the repaired module to determine if the defect has been corrected; and
updating the knowledge base according to said testing.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method of improving the quality of manufactured modules includes logging manufacturing information to a database and utilizing a knowledge base to determine defects of a manufactured module. A quality ticket is issued for defective modules that is used to log and store defect symptom information in the database. Defects may be determined based on the quality ticket and by utilizing the knowledge base. Repair suggestions may be made and logged to the quality ticket based on the defect determination. Repairs are performed and repair actions logged to the quality ticket. Tests are then performed on the repaired modules. Based on the test results, the knowledge base is updated. In other words, the knowledge base learns over time as more modules, symptoms, defects and actions are tracked. The knowledge base aids during troubleshooting by providing a list of repair actions and frequency of such repair actions that successfully repaired the defect identified in the quality ticket. Alternatively, the knowledge base may provide a list of defects and defect frequency for the symptom identified in the quality ticket. Using these techniques, the quality of a manufactured item may be improved.
17 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of improving the quality of manufactured modules, comprising:
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issuing a quality ticket uniquely identifying a defective module and a symptom thereof;
storing the quality ticket in a database;
determining a defect of the defective module based on the quality ticket stored in the database and by utilizing a knowledge base stored in the database;
logging, by an operator, a repair suggestion in the quality ticket based on said defect determination;
performing a repair action intended to repair the defective module based on the logged repair suggestion contained in the quality ticket;
logging the repair action to the defective module in the quality ticket;
testing the repaired module to determine if the defect has been corrected; and
updating the knowledge base according to said testing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A system for improving the quality of manufactured modules, comprising:
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a network;
a database operatively connected to said network, said database storing a knowledge base and a quality ticket uniquely identifying a defective module and a symptom thereof;
a workstation operatively connected to said database via said network, said workstation usable by an operator to determine a defect of the defective module based on the quality ticket and by utilizing the knowledge base stored in said database;
said workstation also usable by the operator to log a repair suggestion in the quality ticket based on the defect determination and view the logged repair suggestion to aid in the repair of the defective module;
said workstation further usable by the operator to log a repair action to the defective module in the quality ticket;
said workstation further usable by the operator to provide feedback as to whether the defect has been corrected based on testing of a repaired module; and
said knowledge base being updated according to the feedback. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification