Architecture for network-enabled tools
First Claim
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1. A system comprising:
- an enterprise-level network architecture including a communication system;
a first tool in communication with the communication system and configured to perform a first number of tasks using a first number of process parameters;
a first sensor system in communication with the communication system and configured to collect first process data while the first tool performs the first number of tasks;
a second tool in communication with the communication system and configured to perform a second number of tasks using a second number of process parameters, the second tool being different than the first tool, the second number of tasks being different than the first number of tasks, and the second number of process parameters being different than the first number of process parameters;
a second sensor system in communication with the communication system and configured to collect second process data while the second tool performs the second number of tasks, the second sensor system being different than the first sensor system; and
a central server that is part of the enterprise-level network architecture, the central server configured to monitor the first tool as the first tool performs the first number of tasks and also to monitor the second tool as the second tool performs the second number of tasks, the central server further configured to receive the first process data and the second process data, the central server further configured to analyze the first process data and the second process data to determine whether a process parameter update is needed for the first tool, for the second tool, or for both;
wherein the first tool further comprises a first data processing system in communication with the communication system and configured to receive a first number of process parameter updates from the central server while the first tool performs the first number of tasks, and wherein the second tool further comprises a second data processing system in communication with the communication system and configured to receive a second number of process parameter updates from the central server while the second tool performs the second number of tasks.
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Abstract
The different advantageous embodiments provide a system comprising a wireless network, a number of tools, and a central server. The number of tools is connected to the wireless network. The number of tools is configured to perform a number of tasks and collect process data while performing the number of tasks. The central server is connected to the wireless network. The central server is configured to monitor the number of tools performing the number of tasks and receive the process data collected by the number of tools over the wireless network.
13 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A system comprising:
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an enterprise-level network architecture including a communication system; a first tool in communication with the communication system and configured to perform a first number of tasks using a first number of process parameters; a first sensor system in communication with the communication system and configured to collect first process data while the first tool performs the first number of tasks; a second tool in communication with the communication system and configured to perform a second number of tasks using a second number of process parameters, the second tool being different than the first tool, the second number of tasks being different than the first number of tasks, and the second number of process parameters being different than the first number of process parameters; a second sensor system in communication with the communication system and configured to collect second process data while the second tool performs the second number of tasks, the second sensor system being different than the first sensor system; and a central server that is part of the enterprise-level network architecture, the central server configured to monitor the first tool as the first tool performs the first number of tasks and also to monitor the second tool as the second tool performs the second number of tasks, the central server further configured to receive the first process data and the second process data, the central server further configured to analyze the first process data and the second process data to determine whether a process parameter update is needed for the first tool, for the second tool, or for both; wherein the first tool further comprises a first data processing system in communication with the communication system and configured to receive a first number of process parameter updates from the central server while the first tool performs the first number of tasks, and wherein the second tool further comprises a second data processing system in communication with the communication system and configured to receive a second number of process parameter updates from the central server while the second tool performs the second number of tasks. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method performed in an enterprise-level network architecture including a communication system, a first tool in communication with the communication system and configured to perform a first number of tasks using a first number of process parameters;
- a first sensor system in communication with the communication system and configured to collect first process data while the first tool performs the first number of tasks;
a second tool in communication with the communication system and configured to perform a second number of tasks using a second number of process parameters, the second tool being different than the first tool, the second number of tasks being different than the first number of tasks, and the second number of process parameters being different than the first number of process parameters;
a second sensor system in communication with the communication system and configured to collect second process data while the second tool performs the second number of tasks, the second sensor system being different than the first sensor system; and
a central server that is part of the enterprise-level network architecture, the central server configured to monitor the first tool as the first tool performs the first number of tasks and also to monitor the second tool as the second tool performs the second number of tasks, the central server further configured to receive the first process data and the second process data, the central server further configured to analyze the first process data and the second process data to determine whether a process parameter update is needed for the first tool, for the second tool, or for both, the method comprising;operating, using the central server, the first tool to perform the first number of tasks; operating, using the central server, the second tool to perform the second number of tasks; analyzing, using the central server, one of the first process data and the second process data using the central server; and determining, using the central server, whether the process parameter update is needed for the first tool, for the second tool, or for both; wherein the first tool further comprises a first data processing system in communication with the communication system and configured to receive a first number of process parameter updates from the central server while the first tool performs the first number of tasks, and wherein the second tool further comprises a second data processing system in communication with the communication system and configured to receive a second number of process parameter updates from the central server while the second tool performs the second number of tasks, the method further comprising; receiving the first number of process parameter updates at the first tool while the first tool performs the first number of tasks; and receiving the second number of process parameter updates at the second tool while the second tool performs the second number of tasks. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
- a first sensor system in communication with the communication system and configured to collect first process data while the first tool performs the first number of tasks;
Specification