Patent ID: 7908300
Filing Date: 2011-03-15
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method for guided annotation of process deviations by an individual for a manufacturing process, comprising: providing said manufacturing process having an associated computing system including a historical database comprising real-time parametric data associated with a plurality of process performance measures and values from a plurality of actuators for controlling aspects of said manufacturing process, including stored deviations for said plurality of process performance measures, stored quantitative deviation attributes thereof and at least one cause associated with each of said stored deviations; said individual selecting at least one present deviation (D) to be annotated responsive to a deviation in a target process performance measure (T) selected from said plurality of process performance measures; retrieving, by using a computer, said stored quantitative attributes associated with said D, said T, and a target value or target interval for said T; searching said database to identify a plurality of similar deviations from said stored deviations determined to be similar to said D; statistically processing said plurality of similar deviations to generate a listing indicating a relative likelihood of said at least one cause associated with said plurality of similar deviations, and presenting said listing to said individual, and said individual completing an annotation for said deviation in said T by selecting a present cause for said D from said at least one cause associated with said plurality of similar deviations.