Industrial process data acquisition and analysis

• US 7,218,974 B2
• Filed: 03/29/2005
• Issued: 05/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pro Mach Integrated Solutions (Canada) Inc.
• Original Assignee: Zarpac Inc.
• Inventors: Baird, John, Norris-Lue, Chris, Rintjema, Tim, Wu, Yvonne, Zepf, Paul J., Rumi, Eric M.
• Primary Examiner(s): PATEL, RAMESH B
• Application Number:
  US11/092,861
• Publication Number:
  US 20060224254A1
• Time in Patent Office: 777 Days
• Field of Search: 700/28, 700/37, 700 30- 31, 700/34, 700/46, 700 52- 53, 700 73- 74, 318/561, 702/180, 702/181, 702/182, 702/183, 702/184, 702/188
• US Class Current: 700/28
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 13/0275 using fuzzy logic only

Abstract

A method for optimizing an industrial process data is disclosed. The method includes collecting data from a plurality of sensor elements, wherein each sensor element collects data from a portion of the industrial process and verifying the data collected. The method further includes analyzing the data collected for efficiency and generating at least one recommendation for optimizing the industrial process. The method further includes presenting the at least one recommendation generated to an administrator of the industrial process.

Claims

1. A method for optimizing an industrial process, comprising:

collecting data from a plurality of sensor elements, wherein each sensor element collects data from a portion of the industrial process;

filtering the collected data by;

computing the mean and standard deviation of the collected data and separating the collected data into a collection of spurious data and a collection of filtered data based upon whether the collected data is a preselected multiple of the standard deviation above or a preselected multiple of the standard deviation below, respectively, the computed mean;

or

separating the collected data into a collection of spurious data and a collection of filtered data based upon whether the collected data repeats itself within a given time threshold;

or

separating the collected data into a collection of spurious data and a collection of filtered data based upon whether the collected data is below a preselected threshold;

generating at least one recommendation for optimizing the industrial process based upon the collection of filtered data; and

presenting the at least one recommendation generated to an administrator of the industrial process.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the industrial process comprises a plurality of portions.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein a sensor element collects data from any one of:

a machine;

a material input into a machine; and

a human operator.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of generating comprises:

generating at least one recommendation for optimizing the industrial process, wherein a recommendation includes a proposed change in training of an operator of the industrial process.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of generating comprises:

generating at least one recommendation for optimizing the industrial process, wherein a recommendation includes a proposed change in a machine of the industrial process.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of generating comprises:

generating at least one recommendation for optimizing the industrial process, wherein a recommendation includes a proposed change in an input material of the industrial process.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of presenting comprises:

presenting the at least one recommendation generated to an administrator of the industrial process via a display.

8. A system comprising one or more computer-readable media encoded with computer-readable instructions for optimizing an industrial process which, when executed, implement a method for:

collecting data from a plurality of sensor elements, wherein each sensor element collects data from a portion of the industrial process;

filtering the data collected by;

computing the mean and standard deviation of the collected data and separating the collected data into a collection of spurious data and a collection of filtered data based upon whether the collected data is a preselected multiple of the standard deviation above or a preselected multiple of the standard deviation below, respectively, the computed mean;

or

separating the collected data into a collection of spurious data and a collection of filtered data based upon whether the collected data repeats itself within a given time threshold;

or

separating the collected data into a collection of spurious data and a collection of filtered data based upon whether the collected data is below a preselected threshold;

generating at least one recommendation for optimizing the industrial process based upon the collection of filtered data; and

presenting the at least one recommendation generated to an administrator of the industrial process.

9. The computer readable medium of claim 8, wherein the industrial process comprises a plurality of portions.

10. The computer readable medium of claim 8, wherein a sensor element collects data from any one of:

a machine;

a material input into a machine; and

a human operator.

11. The computer readable medium of claim 8, wherein the instructions for generating comprise instructions for:

generating at least one recommendation for optimizing the industrial process, wherein a recommendation includes a proposed change in training of an operator of the industrial process.

12. The computer readable medium of claim 8, wherein the instructions for generating comprise instructions for:

generating at least one recommendation for optimizing the industrial process, wherein a recommendation includes a proposed change in a machine of the industrial process.

13. The computer readable medium of claim 8, wherein the instructions for generating comprise instructions for:

generating at least one recommendation for optimizing the industrial process, wherein a recommendation includes a proposed change in an input material of the industrial process.

14. The computer readable medium of claim 8, wherein the instructions for presenting comprise instructions for:

presenting the at least one recommendation generated to an administrator of the industrial process via a display.

15. An information processing system for optimizing an industrial process, comprising:

a memory for storing data from a plurality of sensor elements, wherein each sensor element collects data from a portion of the industrial process;

a processor configured for filtering the data collected by;

computing the mean and standard deviation of the collected data and separating the collected data into a collection of spurious data and a collection of filtered data based upon whether the collected data is a preselected multiple of the standard deviation above or a preselected multiple of the standard deviation below, respectively, the computed mean;

or

separating the collected data into a collection of spurious data and a collection of filtered data based upon whether the collected data repeats itself within a given time threshold;

or

separating the collected data into a collection of spurious data and a collection of filtered data based upon whether the collected data is below a preselected threshold;

and generating at least one recommendation for optimizing the industrial process based upon the collection of filtered data; and

an interface for presenting the at least one recommendation generated to an administrator of the industrial process.

16. The information processing system of claim 15, wherein the industrial process comprises a plurality of portions.

17. The information processing system of claim 15, wherein a sensor element collects data from any one of:

a machine;

a material input into a machine; and

a human operator.

18. The information processing system of claim 15, wherein a recommendation includes a proposed change in training of an operator of the industrial process.

19. The information processing system of claim 15, wherein a recommendation includes a proposed change in a machine of the industrial process.

20. The information processing system of claim 15, wherein a recommendation includes a proposed change in an input material of the industrial process.