Manufactured product configuration
First Claim
1. A station for verifying configuration of software installed on manufactured products with two or more parts, the station comprising:
- a data retrieval component operative to retrieve, from one part of the two or more parts manufactured during a manufacturing process, an actual software configuration revision of a first software installed on the one part, the retrieving the actual software configuration revision occurring during the manufacturing process or occurring after the manufacturing process but before shipping a manufactured product;
a data access component operative to obtain from a server a desired software configuration revision of the first software installed on the one part, the data access component having substantially instant access to the desired software configuration revision once the desired software configuration revision is written to the server; and
a configuration verification component operative to compare the actual software configuration revision retrieved from the one part with the desired software configuration revision obtained from the server, and to generate an output based on the comparison, wherein the output indicates whether the actual software configuration revision should be accepted for the one part, wherein the configuration verification component is operative to guide an operator to reconfigure the one part using the desired software configuration revision when the desired software configuration revision should be accepted for the one part, and wherein guiding the operator to reconfigure the one part includes providing the operator with a visual or voice prompt configured to guide the operator in a process of installing the desired software configuration revision on the one part.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
One aspect related to design of systems and methods for manufacture of products is configuration. More particularly, this relates to verification of an existing configuration and to reconfiguration of a product following manufacturing. The present invention contemplates an approach to designing a station capable of configuration verification and reconfiguration and of preventing shipment of a product if an undesirable configuration is detected. A preferred approach also includes guiding the operator to take possible remedial action. The preferred approach further includes storing various types of data needed for the verification and reconfiguration in a server, thereby making such data substantially instantly accessible for verification and reconfiguration purposes. Such data preferably includes software capable of adapting the functions of the station itself, i.e., the tasks to be performed at the configuration verification and reconfiguration station. A system design using this approach is particularly useful in the manufacture of a microwave radio.
56 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A station for verifying configuration of software installed on manufactured products with two or more parts, the station comprising:
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a data retrieval component operative to retrieve, from one part of the two or more parts manufactured during a manufacturing process, an actual software configuration revision of a first software installed on the one part, the retrieving the actual software configuration revision occurring during the manufacturing process or occurring after the manufacturing process but before shipping a manufactured product; a data access component operative to obtain from a server a desired software configuration revision of the first software installed on the one part, the data access component having substantially instant access to the desired software configuration revision once the desired software configuration revision is written to the server; and a configuration verification component operative to compare the actual software configuration revision retrieved from the one part with the desired software configuration revision obtained from the server, and to generate an output based on the comparison, wherein the output indicates whether the actual software configuration revision should be accepted for the one part, wherein the configuration verification component is operative to guide an operator to reconfigure the one part using the desired software configuration revision when the desired software configuration revision should be accepted for the one part, and wherein guiding the operator to reconfigure the one part includes providing the operator with a visual or voice prompt configured to guide the operator in a process of installing the desired software configuration revision on the one part. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method performed in a station for verifying configuration of software installed on manufactured products with two or more parts, the method comprising:
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retrieving, from one part of the two or more parts manufactured during a manufacturing process, an actual software configuration revision of a first software installed on the one part, the retrieving occurring during the manufacturing process or occurring after the manufacturing process but before shipping a manufactured product; obtaining from a server a desired software configuration revision of the first software installed on the one part; comparing the actual software configuration revision retrieved from the one part with the desired software configuration revision obtained from the server; generating an output based on the comparison, wherein the desired software configuration revision is substantially instantly accessible to the station once the desired software configuration revision is written to the server, wherein the output indicates whether the actual software configuration revision should be accepted for the one part; and guiding an operator to reconfigure the one part using the desired software configuration revision when the desired software configuration revision should be accepted for the one part, wherein guiding the operator to reconfigure the one part includes providing the operator with a visual or voice prompt configured to guide the operator in a process of installing the desired software configuration revision on the one part. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A station for verifying configuration of software installed on manufactured products with two or more parts, the station comprising:
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means for retrieving, from one part of the two or more parts manufactured during a manufacturing process, an actual software configuration revision of a first software installed on the one part, the means for retrieving occurring during the manufacturing processor or occurring after the manufacturing process but before shipping a manufactured product; means for obtaining from a server a desired software configuration revision of the first software installed on the one part, the means for obtaining having substantially instant access to the desired software configuration revision once the desired software configuration revision is written to the server; and means for comparing the actual software configuration revision retrieved from the one part with the desired software configuration revision obtained from the server, and for generating an output based on the comparison, wherein the output indicates whether the actual software configuration revision should be accepted for the one part, wherein the means for comparing is operative to guide an operator to reconfigure the one part using the desired software configuration revision when the desired software configuration revision should be accepted for the one part, and wherein guiding the operator to reconfigure the one part includes providing the operator with a visual or voice prompt configured to guide the operator in a process of installing the desired software configuration revision on the one part.
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Specification