Automated Scheduling Engine for Aerospace Task Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aerospace manufacturers face inefficiencies and errors in managing and scheduling tasks using paper-based methods, which are time-consuming, prone to manual errors, and fail to timely display critical data, leading to logical errors and resource misallocation.
Innovation Solution
A computer-based system with a graphical user interface that automatically displays and reschedules tasks using a scheduling engine, preventing scheduling errors by ensuring tasks are assigned to valid time slots and resources, and automatically adjusting affected tasks, allowing for easy drag-and-drop task management on desktop or tablet devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual paper-based scheduling methods are used, then flexibility in task management is maintained, but time consumption and error rates increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual paper-based scheduling with an automated computer-based scheduling system. The mechanical act of manually updating paper charts is substituted with electronic automated scheduling that pulls data from external systems via API integrations, eliminating manual data entry and update processes while maintaining scheduling functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates digital copies of scheduling information from external systems rather than manual transcription. The system automatically captures and displays task data, resource allocations, and schedule changes from integrated systems, eliminating the need to manually copy and update paper-based representations.
2Reliability
If manual configuration of data display is used, then simplicity of system is maintained, but data integrity and accuracy deteriorate due to manual errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automated feedback loops where the scheduling system continuously receives updates from external systems and automatically adjusts displays and notifications. This closed-loop approach ensures data accuracy by automatically detecting and propagating changes without manual intervention, while the modular architecture manages complexity through standardized integration interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-updating and self-correction by automatically pulling data from external systems and adjusting schedules without human intervention. The automated scheduling engine detects conflicts, validates constraints, and resolves scheduling issues autonomously, eliminating manual errors while maintaining manageable system complexity through rule-based automation.
3Loss of information
If critical data is displayed in a single location on paper, then simplicity of display is maintained, but data availability and timeliness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-location data display across multiple devices and interfaces. The scheduling system provides universal access to critical data through web-based interfaces, mobile devices, and integrated system displays simultaneously, ensuring all users access the same real-time information without duplicating physical displays.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional paper displays to multi-dimensional digital display across multiple devices and locations. Critical data is propagated across spatial dimensions (multiple locations) and temporal dimensions (real-time updates), ensuring timely availability without the complexity of managing multiple physical display systems.
4Ease of operation
If manual rescheduling is performed, then flexibility in adjustment is maintained, but logical errors and resource conflicts increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-rescheduling by automatically detecting schedule changes and propagating adjustments through the schedule. When tasks are moved or resources are reallocated, the automated engine detects dependencies, validates constraints, and resolves conflicts autonomously, maintaining ease of operation through simple user actions while ensuring logical correctness through automated validation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual rescheduling operations with automated computational processes. The mechanical process of manually checking and adjusting schedules is substituted with algorithmic rescheduling that automatically detects conflicts, validates logical constraints, and resolves resource allocations, maintaining operational simplicity while eliminating human error.
5Adaptability or versatility
If past time slots or unavailable resources are manually assigned, then scheduling flexibility is maintained, but scheduling validity and resource availability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automated feedback validation that checks scheduling requests against calendar availability and resource status before confirmation. The system provides real-time feedback on slot availability and resource status, preventing invalid assignments while maintaining flexibility by allowing users to adjust selections based on system feedback rather than rigid constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies preliminary validation to prevent invalid scheduling assignments before they occur. By checking calendar availability and resource status in advance and blocking invalid selections, the system prevents scheduling errors proactively while maintaining user flexibility through guided selection of valid options rather than restrictive prohibitions.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer based scheduling and rescheduling method, apparatus and system for an electronic calendar. The electronic calendar illustrates a time progression of scheduled tasks in a horizontally or vertically oriented view of time. The electronic calendar and its graphical user interface (GUI) provide a viewing pattern for the user. Direction in the viewing pattern is synonymous with increasing/decreasing dates-times in the time progression of scheduled tasks. A scheduling-rescheduling engine schedules into the calendar user requested tasks and automatically reschedules impacted previously scheduled tasks. The scheduling-rescheduling engine also schedules user selected resources (e.g., people, robots, tools, etc.) per scheduled task.