公开(公告)号：US07873962B2

公开(公告)日：2011-01-18

申请号：US11102910

申请日：2005-04-08

申请人： Lara S. Crawford ,  Haitham A. Hindi ,  Markus P. J. Fromherz ,  Craig Eldershaw ,  Wheeler Ruml ,  Kimon D. Roufas

发明人： Lara S. Crawford ,  Haitham A. Hindi ,  Markus P. J. Fromherz ,  Craig Eldershaw ,  Wheeler Ruml ,  Kimon D. Roufas

IPC分类号： G06F9/46 ,  G06F15/16 ,  G06F3/12 ,  G06F7/66 ,  G06K15/00

CPC分类号： G05B19/41865 ,  G05B2219/32297 ,  G05B2219/33273 ,  G05B2219/45187 ,  G06F3/1296 ,  Y02P90/20

摘要： Respective coordinators are spawned or activated to coordinate activities with regard to respective tasks. Where the respective tasks require cooperative efforts of a plurality of controllers, the respective coordinators ensure cooperative efforts by generating and communicating cooperative commands to the plurality of controllers. The coordinators may act as clearinghouses for system data, selectively requesting and relaying system information to appropriate controllers. For example, a document processing system activates respective coordinators for respective sheets of print media. The respective coordinators orchestrate the transportation of the sheets by sequentially orchestrating the activities of sequentially selected pluralities of transportation actuator controllers. Selected sheet position information from sensors and/or from models maintained by the actuator controllers may be relayed by the coordinators to selected actuator controllers as appropriate to the sheet transportation tasks.

摘要翻译： 产生或激活相应的协调员，以协调相关任务的活动。 在各个任务需要多个控制器的协同努力的情况下，各个协调器通过生成并向多个控制器传送协作命令来确保合作努力。 协调员可以充当系统数据的清算所，选择性地请求和将系统信息中继到适当的控制器。 例如，文档处理系统激活相应的打印介质的协调器。 相应的协调员通过顺序地编排顺序选择的多个运输执行器控制器的活动来协调运输。 来自传感器和/或由致动器控制器维护的模型的选择的纸张位置信息可以由协调器被中继到选择的执行器控制器，以适合于纸张传送任务。

公开(公告)号：US08607102B2

公开(公告)日：2013-12-10

申请号：US11522171

申请日：2006-09-15

申请人： Meera Sampath ,  Markus P. J. Fromherz ,  Dusan G. Lysy ,  Rajinderjeet Singh Minhas ,  Naveen Sharma ,  William Joseph Hannaway ,  Wheeler Ruml

发明人： Meera Sampath ,  Markus P. J. Fromherz ,  Dusan G. Lysy ,  Rajinderjeet Singh Minhas ,  Naveen Sharma ,  William Joseph Hannaway ,  Wheeler Ruml

IPC分类号： G06F11/00

CPC分类号： H04N1/00204 ,  G03G15/0194 ,  G03G15/5079 ,  G03G15/55 ,  G03G2215/00021 ,  G06F11/0733 ,  G06F11/0748 ,  G06F11/0793 ,  G06F17/243 ,  H04N1/00244 ,  H04N1/00413 ,  H04N1/00474 ,  H04N1/00477 ,  H04N1/00493 ,  H04N2201/0094

摘要： A printing system includes a plurality of print media processing modules which transfer print media therebetween during printing and a fault management agent associated with each of the modules for acquiring fault-related data from the respective processing module. A fault management system is in communication with the fault management agents and receives fault-related data from the fault management agents. The fault management system processes the fault related data to identify faults in the system, such as when a first of the processing modules is a cause of fault-related data acquired in a second of the processing modules. When a fault is identified, a reconfiguration agent may reconfigure the printing system to mitigate an impact of at least one of the identified faults.

摘要翻译： 打印系统包括在打印期间在其间转印打印介质的多个打印介质处理模块和与每个模块相关联的故障管理代理，用于从相应的处理模块获取故障相关数据。 故障管理系统与故障管理代理进行通信，从故障管理代理接收故障相关数据。 故障管理系统处理故障相关数据以识别系统中的故障，例如当第一处理模块是在第二处理模块中获取的故障相关数据的原因时。 当识别出故障时，重新配置代理可以重新配置打印系统以减轻所识别的故障中的至少一个的影响。

公开(公告)号：US07451132B2

公开(公告)日：2008-11-11

申请号：US10855936

申请日：2004-05-27

申请人： Wheeler Ruml ,  Markus P J. Fromherz

发明人： Wheeler Ruml ,  Markus P J. Fromherz

IPC分类号： G06F7/00 ,  G06F17/30

CPC分类号： G06Q10/06 ,  Y10S707/99933 ,  Y10S707/99934 ,  Y10S707/99935

摘要： A combinatorial search method implemented in a computer control system utilizes on-line state-space planning of operations for multi-step production processes. The planner considers various possible combinations of actions, searching for one that correctly transforms the initial state of the object into the specified desired final state. Each combination of actions the planner considers is called a search node, with each node containing a plan representing a series of actions of various machines on a single object and also containing the predicted state of the object with those actions applied either forward or backward. The method includes determining which of the search nodes to extend further at each search iteration and if the object state in the chosen search node conforms to the desired state of the object, or whether actions should be added to the node's plan. Actions that are applicable to the chosen node's object state are selected, transformations are applied to the attributes, and the resulting plan is returned to the system.

摘要翻译： 在计算机控制系统中实现的组合搜索方法利用多步骤生产过程的在线状态空间规划操作。 计划员考虑各种可能的动作组合，搜索正确地将对象的初始状态转换为指定的期望最终状态的组合。 计划者认为的每个动作组合称为搜索节点，每个节点包含一个计划，该计划表示单个对象上各种机器的一系列动作，并且还包含具有向前或向后应用的动作的预测状态。 该方法包括确定哪些搜索节点在每个搜索迭代中进一步扩展，并且如果所选择的搜索节点中的对象状态符合对象的期望状态，或者是否应该将动作添加到节点的计划中。 选择适用于所选节点的对象状态的动作，将变换应用于属性，并将生成的计划返回给系统。

公开(公告)号：US07043321B2

公开(公告)日：2006-05-09

申请号：US10855938

申请日：2004-05-27

申请人： Wheeler Ruml ,  Robert M. Lofthus ,  Ronald J. Root ,  Markus P J. Fromherz ,  Marc W. Webster

发明人： Wheeler Ruml ,  Robert M. Lofthus ,  Ronald J. Root ,  Markus P J. Fromherz ,  Marc W. Webster

IPC分类号： G06F19/00

CPC分类号： G05B19/41865 ,  G06Q10/06 ,  Y02P90/20

摘要： A method for performing exception handling operates within a computer controlled multi-step production system for producing objects. The system includes a system controller, within which reside a planner/scheduler and module controller(s). The system controller receives a stream of object specifications for objects to be produced including the jobs to which they belong. The planner/scheduler plans and schedules the jobs incrementally, and the system controller sends commands to the module controller(s) directing production of the planned and scheduled objects by production system modules. The method includes receiving notice in the system controller of a problem situation present within the multi-step production system and halting planning for the production of subsequent objects. Plans are canceled plans for all objects that have not begun production, and all objects affected by the problem situation are marked as bad objects. The system controller planned exception handling/recovery or module controller directed exception handling/recovery is applied and normal operation is resumed.

摘要翻译： 用于执行异常处理的方法在用于生成对象的计算机控制的多步骤生产系统中操作。 该系统包括系统控制器，其中驻留有计划器/调度器和模块控制器。 系统控制器接收要生产的对象的对象规范流，包括它们所属的作业。 计划员/调度员逐渐计划和调度作业，系统控制器向模块控制器发送命令，指导生产系统模块生产计划和计划的对象。 该方法包括在系统控制器中接收在多步生产系统中存在的问题状况的通知，并停止生产后续对象的规划。 计划被取消所有尚未开始生产的对象的计划，受问题情况影响的所有对象都被标记为不良对象。 系统控制器计划的异常处理/恢复或模块控制器定向异常处理/恢复，并恢复正常操作。

公开(公告)号：US06898475B1

公开(公告)日：2005-05-24

申请号：US10855937

申请日：2004-05-27

申请人： Wheeler Ruml ,  Markus P J. Fromherz

发明人： Wheeler Ruml ,  Markus P J. Fromherz

IPC分类号： G05B19/418 ,  G06Q10/00 ,  G06Q50/00 ,  G06F19/00

CPC分类号： G05B19/41865 ,  G06Q10/06 ,  Y02P90/20

摘要： A method implemented in a computer control system utilizes temporal constraints to coordinate multiple planning sessions for multi-step production processes such that scheduling constraints are satisfied and flexibility for individual job planning is retained. The computer control system includes an outer planner loop module, which manages the queue of planned and unplanned jobs and interacts with the computer control system, and an individual job planner. The method includes checking the queue of planned jobs for imminent planned jobs, performing a temporal clamping process for planned jobs scheduled to begin soon, and releasing planned jobs for production. Checking is performed for additional imminent planned jobs and the individual job planner is called to produce a plan for the next job if no imminent planned jobs are identified. A plan is produced for the next job by the individual job planner.

摘要翻译： 在计算机控制系统中实现的方法利用时间约束来协调用于多步骤生产过程的多个规划会话，使得满足调度约束并且保持单个作业计划的灵活性。 计算机控制系统包括外部计划器循环模块，其管理计划和计划外作业的队列并与计算机控制系统交互，以及单独的作业计划器。 该方法包括检查即将来临的计划作业的计划作业的队列，对计划的即将开始的计划作业进行临时夹紧过程，并释放计划的作业进行生产。 执行附加即将来临的计划作业的检查，并且如果没有确定即将来临的计划作业，则调用单个作业计划器来为下一个作业生成计划。 由个人工作计划员制定下一份工作的计划。

公开(公告)号：US20060230403A1

公开(公告)日：2006-10-12

申请号：US11102910

申请日：2005-04-08

申请人： Lara Crawford ,  Haitham Hindi ,  Markus Fromherz ,  Craig Eldershaw ,  Wheeler Ruml ,  Kimon Roufas

发明人： Lara Crawford ,  Haitham Hindi ,  Markus Fromherz ,  Craig Eldershaw ,  Wheeler Ruml ,  Kimon Roufas

IPC分类号： G06F9/46

CPC分类号： G05B19/41865 ,  G05B2219/32297 ,  G05B2219/33273 ,  G05B2219/45187 ,  G06F3/1296 ,  Y02P90/20

摘要： Respective coordinators are spawned or activated to coordinate activities with regard to respective tasks. Where the respective tasks require cooperative efforts of a plurality of controllers, the respective coordinators ensure cooperative efforts by generating and communicating cooperative commands to the plurality of controllers. The coordinators may act as clearinghouses for system data, selectively requesting and relaying system information to appropriate controllers. For example, a document processing system activates respective coordinators for respective sheets of print media. The respective coordinators orchestrate the transportation of the sheets by sequentially orchestrating the activities of sequentially selected pluralities of transportation actuator controllers. Selected sheet position information from sensors and/or from models maintained by the actuator controllers may be relayed by the coordinators to selected actuator controllers as appropriate to the sheet transportation tasks.

摘要翻译： 产生或激活相应的协调员，以协调相关任务的活动。 在各个任务需要多个控制器的协同努力的情况下，各个协调器通过生成并向多个控制器传送协作命令来确保合作努力。 协调员可以充当系统数据的清算所，选择性地请求和将系统信息中继到适当的控制器。 例如，文档处理系统激活相应的打印介质的协调器。 相应的协调员通过顺序地编排顺序选择的多个运输执行器控制器的活动来协调运输。 来自传感器和/或由致动器控制器维护的模型的选择的纸张位置信息可以由协调器被中继到选择的执行器控制器，以适合于纸张传送任务。

公开(公告)号：US08463416B2

公开(公告)日：2013-06-11

申请号：US12504063

申请日：2009-07-16

申请人： Wheeler Ruml ,  Minh Binh Do ,  Rong Zhou

发明人： Wheeler Ruml ,  Minh Binh Do ,  Rong Zhou

IPC分类号： G06F19/00

CPC分类号： G06F3/1214 ,  G03G15/5083 ,  G03G2215/00113 ,  G03G2215/00126 ,  G06F3/1215 ,  G06F3/124 ,  G06F3/126 ,  G06F3/1263 ,  G06F3/1285 ,  G06Q10/06

摘要： Features described herein relate to concurrently processing multiple batches of job requests for one or more machines and/or components thereof, using a plurality of job planning queues. Each batch of job requests is allocated to a planning queue, and each planning queue comprises an unplanned subqueue that stores unplanned jobs, an unsent subqueue that stores planned jobs waiting to be executed, and a sent subqueue that stores planned jobs that have been output to the machine(s) for execution. A job planner and related components determine which unsent subqueue has the fewest planned jobs at a given point in time, and selects an unplanned job from the unplanned subqueue in the same planning queue as the identified unsent subqueue. The planner then generates a plan for the selected job and inserts the planned job into the unsent subqueue for eventual output to the machine(s) for execution. In this manner, the unsent subqueues for each planning queue are maintained with substantially equal numbers of planned jobs ready for execution, which improves throughput by ensuring that all machines and/or associated components are kept busy.

公开(公告)号：US20080300706A1

公开(公告)日：2008-12-04

申请号：US11807475

申请日：2007-05-29

申请人： Wheeler Ruml ,  Minh Binh Do ,  Rong Zhou ,  Haitham Ali Hindi

发明人： Wheeler Ruml ,  Minh Binh Do ,  Rong Zhou ,  Haitham Ali Hindi

IPC分类号： G06F19/00

CPC分类号： G06Q10/06 ,  G06Q10/04 ,  G06Q50/04 ,  Y02P90/30

摘要： Features described herein relate to optimizing a job plan procedure for selecting a plan for executing a manufacturing job. A planner can receive a model of a system that is to perform a job, and may select a precomputed plan that is sufficient to perform the job. The precomputed plan is identified during a first portion of a planning period, and the remainder of the planning period may be utilized to search for and identify a better plan for executing the job. If a better plan cannot be identified by the end of the planning period, then the selected precomputed plan can be executed.

摘要翻译： 本文描述的特征涉及优化用于选择用于执行制造作业的计划的作业计划过程。 计划员可以接收要执行作业的系统的模型，并且可以选择足以执行作业的预先计算的计划。 在计划期间的第一部分期间识别预先计算的计划，并且可以利用计划周期的其余部分来搜索和识别用于执行作业的更好的计划。 如果在规划期结束时无法确定更好的计划，则可以执行所选的预计算方案。

公开(公告)号：US20050278303A1

公开(公告)日：2005-12-15

申请号：US10855936

申请日：2004-05-27

申请人： Wheeler Ruml ,  Markus Fromherz

发明人： Wheeler Ruml ,  Markus Fromherz

IPC分类号： G06F7/00

CPC分类号： G06Q10/06 ,  Y10S707/99933 ,  Y10S707/99934 ,  Y10S707/99935

摘要： A combinatorial search method implemented in a computer control system utilizes on-line state-space planning of operations for multi-step production processes. The planner considers various possible combinations of actions, searching for one that correctly transforms the initial state of the object into the specified desired final state. Each combination of actions the planner considers is called a search node, with each node containing a plan representing a series of actions of various machines on a single object and also containing the predicted state of the object with those actions applied either forward or backward. The method includes determining which of the search nodes to extend further at each search iteration and if the object state in the chosen search node conforms to the desired state of the object, or whether actions should be added to the node's plan. Actions that are applicable to the chosen node's object state are selected, transformations are applied to the attributes, and the resulting plan is returned to the system.

摘要翻译： 在计算机控制系统中实现的组合搜索方法利用多步骤生产过程的在线状态空间规划操作。 计划员考虑各种可能的动作组合，搜索正确地将对象的初始状态转换为指定的期望最终状态的组合。 计划者认为的每个动作组合称为搜索节点，每个节点包含一个计划，该计划表示单个对象上各种机器的一系列动作，并且还包含具有向前或向后应用的动作的预测状态。 该方法包括确定哪些搜索节点在每个搜索迭代中进一步扩展，以及如果所选择的搜索节点中的对象状态符合对象的期望状态，或者是否应该将动作添加到节点的计划中。 选择适用于所选节点的对象状态的动作，将变换应用于属性，并将生成的计划返回给系统。

公开(公告)号：US07966336B2

公开(公告)日：2011-06-21

申请号：US11948265

申请日：2007-11-30

申请人： Wheeler Ruml

发明人： Wheeler Ruml

IPC分类号： G06F7/00

CPC分类号： G06F17/30961

摘要： A data structure is described that comprises a balanced binary tree and a binary heap, which may be utilized for combinatorial searching algorithms. For instance, solutions for performing a task, such as a print job or the like, are associated with nodes that are utilized to generate the data structure. Each node is associated with a quality indicator that describes a most optimal solution that may be reached through the node when traversing the binary tree. The binary heap is generated from a subset of the nodes in the tree, wherein each node in the subset has a quality indicator value that is within a predefined range of a best known solution quality. The binary heap is sorted according to a search effort indicator value for each node, where nodes that are more easily reached in the tree are placed higher in the heap to facilitate rapid identification.

摘要翻译： 描述了包括平衡二叉树和二进制堆的数据结构，其可以用于组合搜索算法。 例如，用于执行诸如打印作业等的任务的解决方案与用于生成数据结构的节点相关联。 每个节点都与一个质量指标相关联，该指标描述了遍历二叉树时通过节点可以达到的最佳解决方案。 该二进制堆是从树中的一个节点的子集生成的，其中该子集中的每个节点具有在最佳已知解决方案质量的预定范围内的质量指标值。 根据每个节点的搜索工作指标值对二进制堆进行排序，其中在树中更容易到达的节点放置在堆中较高的位置以便于快速识别。