Patent ID: 6496751
Filing Date: 2002-12-17
Classification: G05B

Abstract:
A process management system for at least one of monitoring operation of a machine, controlling operation of the machine, and for analyzing and evaluating machine process variables, the process management system comprising:at least one sensor assembly that is capable of being disposed on the machine for at least one of sensing, monitoring, and transmitting machine process variables of the machine, the at least one sensor assembly being capable of transmitting signals concerning the machine process variables; at least one machine operator control unit that is capable of receiving signals transmitted from the at least one sensor assembly, the at least one machine operator control unit being capable of generating information concerning machine process variables; at least one process management system control unit that is capable of being connected to the at least one machine operator control unit; and at least one communications link that interconnects the at least one sensor assembly on the machine, the at least one machine operator control unit, and the at least one process management system control unit, each communications link capable of enabling the at least one process management system control unit to obtain the information concerning machine process variables; wherein at least one of the process management system control unit and the machine operator control unit is capable of analyzing and evaluating machine process variables to control the operation of the machine, and wherein operation of the machine is enhanced by users being able to access the analyzed and evaluated machine process variables and use the analyzed and evaluated machine process variables for at least one of: manufacturing planning, process planning, predicting process planning, and process variable planning decision making.