Process Key Control for Distributed Product Compilation Production

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for producing product compilations lack flexibility and adaptability, requiring a central higher-order control system to provide all relevant control instructions to machines, which can lead to inefficiencies and limitations in production processes.

Innovation Solution

The method involves using a process key with a uniform resource identifier (URI) and a control element region, which includes machine-specific control information or instructions, allowing machines to recognize and execute work steps independently, and enabling distributed production across separate locations without a central control system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a central higher-order control system is used to provide all control instructions to machines, then production control is centralized and coordinated, but system complexity increases and flexibility decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction control coordinationVSAvoidcentral control system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the centralized control system into distributed control elements embedded in individual machines and products. Each machine receives control instructions directly from the product's identification means rather than from a central controller, dividing the control function across multiple independent units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The product compilation itself carries the control instructions through its identification means, enabling it to direct its own processing through different machines. The product essentially controls its own production journey without requiring external centralized coordination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If a central control system is used to manage all production instructions, then coordination is improved, but adaptability to different production locations and machines deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction coordinationVSAvoidadaptability to different locations and machines

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The identification means with embedded control instructions is universally applicable across different machines and production locations. The same identification means can guide a product through various machines at different locations, making the system adaptable without requiring location-specific control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The control instructions are dynamically assigned to specific products based on their identification means, allowing the production process to adapt to different machines and locations in real-time. The system can dynamically route products to appropriate machines based on the instructions carried by each product.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If control instructions are embedded in identification means of each product, then flexibility and adaptability improve, but information security requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction flexibilityVSAvoiddata security

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Each product's identification means contains control instructions tailored specifically to that product's requirements, enabling localized control decisions. This local quality approach allows flexible adaptation while maintaining security by limiting access to only the instructions needed for that specific product.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Control instructions are pre-encoded in the identification means before the product enters production. This preliminary action ensures that security-sensitive information is established in advance with appropriate access controls, rather than being transmitted or stored in vulnerable locations during production.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Productivity

If machine-readable data is attached directly to products, then production efficiency improves, but data protection against unauthorized access becomes more challenging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction throughputVSAvoidunauthorized data access

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The identification means with control instructions is nested within or attached to the product in a hierarchical structure. This nesting allows the data to be physically close to the product for efficient processing while maintaining layered security controls that protect the embedded information from unauthorized access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The identification means acts as an intermediary between the product and the machines, carrying control instructions in an encoded format that requires authentication or specific machine capabilities to read and interpret. This intermediary layer protects the data while enabling efficient communication during production.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11294346B2Method for producing a product compilation

Publication Date: 2022.04.05 FERAG AG

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for producing a product compilation, which comprises at least one main product and at least one or more subproducts. The main product or a subproduct is provided as a leading object with machine-readable data, which comprise a process key (1), which comprises at least one uniform resource identifier (URI, 2) and a control element region (3), wherein, in the production process, at least one machine recognizes the process key (1) and a work step of the machine is triggered by the process key (1).