Patent ID: 6122621
Filing Date: 2000-09-19
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
A computer implemented progress management assistance method wherein a computer is programmed to perform the steps of:setting a first lot to be produced in a first facility;setting a second lot to be produced in the first facility or a second facility different from the first facility just after the production of the first lot in a first production schedule or just before the production of the first lot in a second production schedule;describing a first production time by a first numerical value as a start time for production of the first lot in the first production schedule or as a finish time for production of the first lot in the second production schedule;describing a first production period by a second numerical value to continue the production of the first lot during the first production period described by the second numerical value in the first or second production schedule;describing a second production time with a first pointer, which indicates a first pointer time obtained by adding the first production period to the first production time to designate a finish time for the production of the first lot at the second production time in the first production schedule, or which indicates a first pointer time obtained by subtracting the first production period from the first production time to designate a start time for the production of the first lot at the second production time in the second production schedule;describing a third production time with a second pointer, which indicates the second production time, to designate in the first production schedule a start time for the production of the second lot at the third production time agreeing with the second production time, or to designate in the second production schedule a finish time for the production of the second lot at the third production time agreeing with the second production time;describing a second production period by a third numerical value to continue the production of the second lot during the second production period described by the third numerical value in the first or second production schedule;describing a fourth production time with a third pointer, which indicates a third pointer time obtained by adding the second production period to the third production time to designate a finish time for the production of the second lot at the fourth production time in the first production schedule, or which indicates a third pointer time obtained by subtracting the second production period from the third production time to designate a start time for the production of the second lot at the fourth production time in the second production schedule; andautomatically changing the second production time described with the first pointer, the third production time described with the second pointer and the fourth production time described with the third pointer according to the first pointer, the second pointer and the third pointer in cases where any of the first production time, the first production period or the second production period is changed in the first or second production schedule.