Patent Publication Number: US-2004059616-A1

Title: System and method for managing measurement work flow

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] 1. Field of the Invention  
       [0002] The present invention relates to a system and method for managing work flow, and particularly to a system and method for managing measurement work procedure.  
       [0003] 2. Background of the Invention  
       [0004] In a large enterprise, a work task is usually performed in accordance with a corresponding work flow or procedure. A logical, organized work flow or procedure enhances efficiency. In a manufacturing enterprise, poor work procedure not only retards production efficiency, but also often leads to industrial injury. With the continuing development of computer technology, many systems and methods for work flow management have been developed to increase production efficiency.  
       [0005] An example of a computerized work flow management system is found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,974,392, which discloses a work flow system for task allocation and reallocation. A manager server unit employed by the system divides a work effort into a plurality of tasks, and allocates the tasks to client units. The client units each comprise task execution persons fitted for the respective tasks. The work flow system includes a personnel data file, and a function for allocating tasks to client units. The personnel data file stores personal data on each task execution person, including the person&#39;s ability to perform each executable task. The function for allocating tasks to client units allocates tasks based on the personnel data file. The personnel data file is regularly updated based on the results of recently completed tasks.  
       [0006] However, the above-described work flow system for task allocation and reallocation only concerns allocation of tasks in a general work flow. In a manufacturing enterprise, a common task is to measure a variety of objects. In a measurement work flow, the procedure for measuring an object typically involves the use of computer measurement programs. Different measurement operators may generate varying measurement data on the same object using the very same measurement programs. On the other hand, the measurement programs themselves may contain error, or may be flawed when used for measuring certain objects. Thus, a system and method for effectively managing measurement work flow is desired.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a system for managing measurement work flow, and for improving measurement procedure based on measurement data obtained.  
       [0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for managing measurement work flow, and for improving measurement procedure based on measurement data obtained.  
       [0009] In order to accomplish the above-mentioned objects, the present invention provides a system and method for managing measurement work flow. A preferred embodiment of the system comprises a plurality of drawing receiving apparatuses each for obtaining design drawings of objects to be measured, a plurality of measuring apparatuses each for measuring objects and generating measurement data on measured objects, and a plurality of managing computers. Each managing computer comprises: a measurement program managing module for managing measurement programs for objects, such as querying, writing and storing the measurement programs; a measurement assignment managing module for managing measuring tasks, and for assigning various measuring tasks to different measurement operators; a report generating module for generating measurement reports on measured objects based on measurement data generated by the measuring apparatuses; a quality control module for checking generated measurement reports, and for modifying measurement programs if there are errors in the measurement reports; and a database comprising a measurement program list, a measurement assignment list, and a measurement report list.  
       [0010] A preferred embodiment of the method comprises the steps of: (i) submitting a measurement application sheet to a managing computer; (ii) checking whether the measurement application sheet accords with an actual object to be measured; (iii) obtaining drawings of the object if the measurement application sheet accords with the actual object, and numbering the object; (iv) determining whether there are suitable measurement programs for the object; (v) measuring the object if there are suitable measurement programs, and generating measurement data on the object; and (vi) generating a measurement report on the object based on the measurement data. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0011] Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will be drawn from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention with the attached drawings, in which:  
     [0012]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of hardware infrastructure of a measurement work flow management system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0013]FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of software infrastructure of a managing computer of the system of FIG. 1;  
     [0014]FIG. 3 is a flow chart of managing measurement work flow in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0015]FIG. 4 is a flow chart further detailing one step of FIG. 3 regarding designing and writing measurement programs; and  
     [0016]FIG. 5 is a flow chart further detailing another step of FIG. 3 regarding modifying measurement programs. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION  
     [0017]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of hardware infrastructure of a measurement work flow management system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The measurement work flow management system comprises a plurality of drawing receiving apparatuses  30 , a plurality of managing computers  40 , and a plurality of measuring apparatuses  50 . For the sake of simplicity, only one drawing receiving apparatus  30 , one managing computer  40 , and one measuring apparatus  50  are illustrated and detailed for the purposes of describing the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The managing computer  40  is used for managing an entire measurement work flow of an enterprise. The drawing receiving apparatus  30  is connected to the managing computer  40 , and is used for obtaining drawings sent from a client computer  10 . The drawings are design drawings of objects to be measured. The client computer  10  and the drawing receiving apparatus  30  are linked via a communication network  20 . The communication network  20  may be the Internet, or a local area network (LAN). The client computer  10  can also send measurement application sheets to the managing computer  40  via the communication network  20 , bypassing the drawing receiving apparatus  30  (as shown by the dashed line in FIG. 1). The measuring apparatus  50  is connected to the managing computer  40 , and is used for measuring objects sent by clients. Measurement data generated by the measuring apparatus  50  are sent to and stored in the managing computer  40 .  
     [0018]FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of software infrastructure of the managing computer  40 . The software infrastructure comprises a measurement program managing module  401 , a measurement assignment managing module  402 , a report generating module  403 , a quality control module  404 , and a database  405 . The database  405  comprises a measurement program list  410  for storing various measurement programs for objects to be measured, a measurement assignment list  420  for storing information on measurement operators and measuring tasks of each operator, and a measurement report list  430  for storing measurement reports on objects that have been measured.  
     [0019] The measurement program managing module  401  is used for managing measurement programs for objects, such as querying, writing and storing the measurement programs. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, different objects are measured by means of different measurement programs. After receiving an object to be measured, an operator queries the measurement program list  410  in the database  405  to determine whether there are suitable measurement programs for the object. If there are no suitable measurement programs, the operator designs and writes measurement programs employing the measurement program managing module  401 , and stores the written measurement programs in the measurement program list  410 .  
     [0020] The measurement assignment managing module  402  is used for managing measuring tasks, and for assigning various measuring tasks to different measurement operators. When a new measuring task arises, the measurement assignment managing module  402  queries the measurement assignment list  420  to select an operator most suitable for performing the new measuring task. The selected operator may be a person whose schedule allows timely performance, and who has the particular skill and capability needed to accomplish the measuring task well.  
     [0021] The report generating module  403  is used for generating a measurement report on a measured object based on measurement data generated by the measuring apparatus  50 , and for storing the generated measurement report in the measurement report list  430 . The quality control module  404  is used for checking whether there are errors in measurement reports in the measurement report list  430 , and for modifying measurement programs if there are errors in a measurement report.  
     [0022]FIG. 3 is a flow chart of managing measurement work flow in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. When a client wants to measure an object, at step S 301 , the client submits a measurement application sheet to a measuring department of the enterprise. The client can submit the measurement application sheet to the managing computer  40  of the measuring department via the client computer  10 . At the same time, the client delivers the object to the measuring department. At step S 302 , the measuring department checks whether the measurement application sheet accords with the actual object. If the measurement application sheet does not accord with the actual object, the measuring department rejects the measurement application sheet, and the procedure returns to step S 301 . If the measurement application sheet accords with the actual object, at step S 303 , the measuring department obtains drawings of the object by means of the drawing receiving apparatus  30 . At step S 304 , the measuring department numbers the object to ensure systematic managing of all measured objects. Then the measurement assignment managing module  402  queries the measurement assignment list  420  to select a most suitable operator to perform measuring of the object. At step S 305 , an operator is selected to perform the measurement assignment. At step S 306 , the operator checks whether there are measurement programs for the object. If there are measurement programs for the object, at step S 308 , the operator measures the object. If there are no measurement programs for the object, at step S 307 , the operator designs and writes appropriate measurement programs for the object, and then at step S 308  measures the object. After the object has been measured, the measuring apparatus  50  sends measurement data on the object to the managing computer  40 . At step S 309 , the report generating module  403  generates a measurement report on the object based on the measurement data, and stores the generated measurement report in the measurement report list  430  in the database  405 . At step S 310 , the operator checks whether the measurement report has any errors. If the measurement report has one or more errors, at step S 311 , the operator fills in a measurement error list, and modifies measurement programs so that the object can be re-measured at step S 308 . If the measurement report does not have any errors, at step S 312 , the measurement report is delivered to the client.  
     [0023]FIG. 4 is a flow chart further detailing step S 307  of FIG. 3, in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. At step S 401 , the measurement program managing module  401  checks whether there are suitable measurement programs available for the object to be measured, according to a material code of the object. The material code provides a classification of the object. Various classifications of objects have corresponding measurement programs for measuring of objects within the respective classifications. If suitable measurement programs are available, the procedure is completed. If no suitable measurement programs are available, at step S 402 , an operator inputs basic data on the object. The basic data comprise a client name, a program name and a classification of the object. At step S 403 , the user opens a program writing window. At step S 404 , the user designs and writes measurement programs for the object. At step S 405 , the written measurement programs are stored in the measurement program list  410  in the database  405 .  
     [0024]FIG. 5 is a flow chart further detailing step S 311  of FIG. 3, in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. If there are errors in a generated measurement report, at step S 501 , an operator fills in a measurement error list detailing the errors. At step S 502 , the quality control module  404  determines whether the errors were caused by a measuring procedure. If the errors were not caused by a measuring procedure, at step S 503 , the measurement error list is rejected, and the procedure is completed. If the errors were caused by a measuring procedure, at step S 504 , the operator modifies measurement programs for the object. At step S 505 , the operator checks the modified measurement programs. At step S 506 , the modified measurement programs are delivered for re-measuring of the object.  
     [0025] While the present invention has been described above, it should be understood that it has been presented by way of example only and not by way of limitation. Thus the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.