Patent ID: 8244391
Filing Date: 2012-08-14
Classification: G06Q,Y02P

Abstract:
1. A method of maximizing utilization of tools or resources in a manufacturing environment, said method comprising steps of forming a schedule for allocation during a schedule segment of tools or resources which are available at a first time, detecting availability of a tool or resource at a second time later than said first time, determining work in progress which can be performed by said tool or resource which became available at said second time, and dispatching items, in real time, to said tool or resource which became available at said second time to perform a portion of work in progress independently of and consistent with said schedule segment, wherein said dispatching step dispatches items in order of priority, wherein said priority is in order of at least one of the priority for delivery of one or more particular items, items which are waiting because of a tool or resource which is “down”, upon which a particular operation can be performed more quickly on a particular tool, number of items waiting for the same operation or items to be returned to a preferred line.