System and method utilizing temporal constraints to coordinate multiple planning sessions
First Claim
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1. A method implemented in a computer control system for utilizing temporal constraints to coordinate multiple planning sessions for multi-step production processes such that scheduling constraints are satisfied and flexibility for individual job planning is retained, wherein said computer control system includes an outer planner loop module and an individual job planner, and wherein each job resides in a queue in which jobs are marked as being planned or unplanned, the method comprising:
- checking the queue of jobs for at least one imminent planned job, wherein said at least one imminent planned job is defined as any at least one planned job scheduled to begin soon, wherein soon is defined to be before a time at which the individual job planner will be done planning the next job, wherein said next job is defined as being an unplanned job to be pulled from the queue of jobs;
performing a temporal clamping process for said planned jobs scheduled to begin soon;
releasing said at least one planned job for production;
checking for additional imminent planned jobs;
calling the individual job planner to produce a plan for said next job if no said imminent planned jobs are identified; and
producing a plan for said next job, comprising;
receiving job specifications from the outer planner loop, wherein said job specifications specify desired objects to be produced, and wherein said outer planner loop manages the queue of planned and unplanned jobs and interacts with the computer control system;
receiving temporal constraint database from the outer planner loop, wherein said temporal constraint database includes at least one feasible time window for each time point, wherein said time point includes abstract identifiers for actions;
returning a plan for said next job to the outer planner loop;
updating temporal constraint database, wherein said updated temporal constraint database includes information about the time points of said next job; and
returning said updated temporal constraint database to the outer planner loop.
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Abstract
A method implemented in a computer control system utilizes temporal constraints to coordinate multiple planning sessions for multi-step production processes such that scheduling constraints are satisfied and flexibility for individual job planning is retained. The computer control system includes an outer planner loop module, which manages the queue of planned and unplanned jobs and interacts with the computer control system, and an individual job planner. The method includes checking the queue of planned jobs for imminent planned jobs, performing a temporal clamping process for planned jobs scheduled to begin soon, and releasing planned jobs for production. Checking is performed for additional imminent planned jobs and the individual job planner is called to produce a plan for the next job if no imminent planned jobs are identified. A plan is produced for the next job by the individual job planner.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A method implemented in a computer control system for utilizing temporal constraints to coordinate multiple planning sessions for multi-step production processes such that scheduling constraints are satisfied and flexibility for individual job planning is retained, wherein said computer control system includes an outer planner loop module and an individual job planner, and wherein each job resides in a queue in which jobs are marked as being planned or unplanned, the method comprising:
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checking the queue of jobs for at least one imminent planned job, wherein said at least one imminent planned job is defined as any at least one planned job scheduled to begin soon, wherein soon is defined to be before a time at which the individual job planner will be done planning the next job, wherein said next job is defined as being an unplanned job to be pulled from the queue of jobs;
performing a temporal clamping process for said planned jobs scheduled to begin soon;
releasing said at least one planned job for production;
checking for additional imminent planned jobs;
calling the individual job planner to produce a plan for said next job if no said imminent planned jobs are identified; and
producing a plan for said next job, comprising;
receiving job specifications from the outer planner loop, wherein said job specifications specify desired objects to be produced, and wherein said outer planner loop manages the queue of planned and unplanned jobs and interacts with the computer control system;
receiving temporal constraint database from the outer planner loop, wherein said temporal constraint database includes at least one feasible time window for each time point, wherein said time point includes abstract identifiers for actions;
returning a plan for said next job to the outer planner loop;
updating temporal constraint database, wherein said updated temporal constraint database includes information about the time points of said next job; and
returning said updated temporal constraint database to the outer planner loop. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A system implemented in a computer control system for utilizing temporal constraints to coordinate multiple planning sessions for multi-step production processes such that scheduling constraints are satisfied and flexibility for individual job planning is retained, wherein said computer control system includes an outer planner loop module and an individual job planner, and wherein each job resides in a queue in which jobs are marked as being planned or unplanned, the system comprising:
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means for checking the queue of jobs for at least one imminent planned job, wherein said at least one imminent planned job is defined as any at least one planned job scheduled to begin soon, wherein soon is defined to be before a time at which the individual job planner will be done planning the next job, wherein said next job is defined as being an unplanned job to be pulled from the queue of jobs;
means for performing a temporal clamping process for said planned jobs scheduled to begin soon;
means for releasing said at least one planned job for production;
means for checking for additional imminent planned jobs;
means for calling the individual job planner to produce a plan for said next job if no said imminent planned jobs are identified; and
means for producing a plan for said next job, comprising;
means for receiving job specifications from the outer planner loop, wherein said job specifications specify desired objects to be produced, and wherein said outer planner loop manages the queue of planned and unplanned jobs and interacts with the computer control system;
means for receiving temporal constraint database from the outer planner loop, wherein said temporal constraint database includes at least one feasible time window for each time point, wherein said time point includes abstract identifiers for actions;
means for returning a plan for said next job to the outer planner loop;
means for updating temporal constraint database, wherein said updated temporal constraint database includes information about the time points of said next job; and
means for returning said updated temporal constraint database to the outer planner loop. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. An article of manufacture comprising a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied in said medium which, when said program code is executed by said computer causes said computer to perform method steps for utilizing temporal constraints to coordinate multiple planning sessions for multi-step production processes such that scheduling constraints are satisfied and flexibility for individual job planning is retained, wherein said computer control system includes an outer planner loop module and an individual job planner, and wherein each job resides in a queue in which jobs are marked as being planned or unplanned, the method comprising:
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checking the queue of jobs for at least one imminent planned job, wherein said at least one imminent planned job is defined as any at least one planned job scheduled to begin soon, wherein soon is defined to be before a time at which the individual job planner will be done planning the next job, wherein said next job is defined as being an unplanned job to be pulled from the queue of jobs;
performing a temporal clamping process for said planned jobs scheduled to begin soon;
releasing said at least one planned job for production;
checking for additional imminent planned jobs;
calling the individual job planner to produce a plan for said next job if no said imminent planned jobs are identified; and
producing a plan for said next job, comprising;
receiving job specifications from the outer planner loop, wherein said job specifications specify desired objects to be produced, and wherein said outer planner loop manages the queue of planned and unplanned jobs and interacts with the computer control system;
receiving temporal constraint database from the outer planner loop, wherein said temporal constraint database includes at least one feasible time window for each time point, wherein said time point includes abstract identifiers for actions;
returning a plan for said next job to the outer planner loop;
updating temporal constraint database, wherein said updated temporal constraint database includes information about the time points of said next job; and
returning said updated temporal constraint database to the outer planner loop.
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Specification
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Current AssigneeXerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
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Original AssigneePalo Alto Research Center, Inc. (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
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InventorsRuml, Wheeler, Fromherz, Markus P J.
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Primary Examiner(s)Picard, Leo
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Assistant Examiner(s)Masinick, Michael D.
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Application NumberUS10/855,937Time in Patent Office362 DaysField of Search700/99, 700/100, 700/101, 700/103, 714/1, 705/8US Class Current700/103CPC Class CodesG05B 19/41865 characterised by job schedu...G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human...Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g....
