Process planning for distributed manufacturing and repair

• US 6,973,361 B1
• Filed: 03/21/2000
• Issued: 12/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Beach, David A., Hammond, Christopher R., Keller, Jeffrey S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Picard, Leo
• Assistant Examiner(s): JARRETT, RYAN A
• Application Number:
  US09/531,818
• Time in Patent Office: 2,086 Days
• Field of Search: 700/97, 700/108, 700103-106, 702182-185, 707 1- 6, 707/10, 706/911, 706/912
• US Class Current: 700/104
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/80 Management or planning

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for optimizing the performance of a process, especially where the process is performed at several different locations. In one embodiment, one or more experts produce a decision tree for use in determining a recommended sequence of steps for the process. A computer network, such as the World Wide Web, is used to convey a request to a computer that has access to the decision tree for a recommended sequence of steps. The request includes any information that is needed by the decision tree to determine the recommended sequence of steps. In response to the request, the computer uses the information in the request and the decision tree to produce the recommended sequence of steps. The recommended sequence of steps is then directed over the network to the user.

Claims

1. A method for distributing information concerning recommended steps for repairing a part, comprising:

using a computer network to receive at a first location a request for a recommended repair sequence of steps for repairing the part, the request originating at a second location that is remote from the first location;

causing an input screen to be displayed at the second location to collect information about the recommended repair sequence of steps for repairing the part;

processing, at the first location, the request to produce the recommended repair sequence of steps for repairing the part;

determining the recommended repair sequence of steps and providing error proofing directions; and

using the computer network to convey from the first location to the second location a response that includes the recommended repair sequence of steps for repairing the part and error proofing directions based on the recommended repair sequence of steps included in the response.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said processing includes using a decision tree for use in determining the recommended repair sequence of steps.

3. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein:

the decision tree includes a decision node, said method further comprises determining if a first sequence of steps or a second sequence of steps is part of the recommended repair sequence of steps based on the decision node.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said processing includes using a notes tree for providing error proofing directions for the recommended repair sequence of steps in the response.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said processing includes using a notes tree for providing best practices directions for the recommended repair sequence of steps in the response.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said processing includes using a tree structure that is in the form a spreadsheet.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said processing includes calculating a value associated with a step of the recommended repair sequence of steps.

8. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein:

said calculating includes using a data file.

9. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein:

said calculating includes using a data file that is in the form of a spreadsheet.

10. A method for distributing information concerning recommended steps for repairing a part, comprising:

providing a computer network for communicating digital data between at least two locations;

first conveying, using the computer network, a request for a recommended repair sequence of steps for repairing the part, the request having originated at a first location and being directed to a second location; and

second conveying, in response to the request and using the computer network, a response that includes the recommended repair sequence of steps for repairing the part and error proofing directions based on the recommended repair sequence of steps included in the response, the response having originated at the second location and being directed to the first location.

11. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein:

providing a computer network further comprises providing a network that includes the World Wide Web.

12. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein:

said providing includes providing one of the following;

a local area network and a wide area network.

13. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein:

said first conveying includes conveying the request in the form of a spreadsheet.

14. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein:

said second conveying includes conveying the response in the form of a spreadsheet.

15. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein:

said second conveying includes conveying the recommended repair sequence of steps in the form of a spreadsheet.

16. A method for providing information concerning recommended steps for repairing a part, comprising the steps of:

providing, in a computer memory, a decision tree having at least two possible sequences of steps for repairing a part and error proofing directions based on the sequences of steps;

receiving a request, originating from a computer input device, for a recommended repair sequence of steps for repairing the part, the request including information for use in determining a recommended repair sequence of steps from the at least two possible sequences in the decision tree;

using, in a digital computer, the decision tree to determine a recommended repair sequence of steps for repairing the part and error proofing directions based on the recommended repair sequence of steps; and

transmitting the recommended repair sequence of steps and the error proofing directions towards a computer output device.

17. The method as claimed in claim 16, further comprising:

permitting an expert to modify the decision tree.

18. The method as claimed in claim 16, further comprising:

receiving the decision tree from a remote location relative to the digital computer.

19. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein:

said step of receiving includes conveying the request over a computer network.

20. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein:

said step of transmitting includes conveying the recommended repair sequence of steps over a computer network.