Patent ID: 6253159
Filing Date: 2001-06-26
Classification: G05B,Y02P

Abstract:
A method of measuring a parameter of goods during fabrication of such goods in a manufacturing operation, the method comprising:(a) establishing a target parameter to be measured on the goods, and acceptable conditions of the target parameter;(b) developing a measurement strategy for measuring the target parameter;(c) detecting the target parameter with respective at least first and second separate and distinct replications of determinations of the condition of the established target parameter on a segment of a unit of the goods at a given stage of development of the target parameter on the goods, using at least one of multiple independent determinors or a common determinor taking multiple real time determinations of the established target parameter at corresponding multiple sites on the unit of goods which sites desirably indicate, in combination, a common acceptable condition of the target parameter, and thereby developing respective at least first and second separate and distinct replicate determination signals representative of the target parameter on the unit of goods;(d) subsequent to developing the measurement strategy, programming a user-programmable computer to use an analysis method capable of assessing accuracy of determinor sensory input pertaining to the target parameters to evaluate the determination signals;(e) transmitting the determination signals to the user-programmable computer for analysis; and(f) processing the determination signals in the user-programmable computer so as to use the respective analysis method to analyze the determination signals so received for conformity to the established acceptable conditions.