Applying relational database technology to process control in manufacturing processes

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United States of America Patent

PATENT NO 6466935
SERIAL NO

09327372

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ATTORNEY / AGENT: (SPONSORED)

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Abstract

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A system, method, and program for controlling a manufacturing process is described. A highest priority work item having a ready status for a processing step is retrieved from one or more relational database tables. The processing step is performed by either a processing device or by a work flow management system having one or more work managers. Upon completion of the processing step, the status of the work item in the one or more relational database tables is updated to a completed status of the processing step. The completed status of the processing step represents a ready status for a new processing step. For one embodiment of the present invention, the manufacturing process is a production printing and mailing operation that performs a plurality of processing steps on a mail piece. As the mail piece is processed, it is transformed from a print file to printed media in an envelope ready for mailing.

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Patent Owner(s)

Patent OwnerAddress
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONNEW ORCHARD ROAD ARMONK NY 10504

International Classification(s)

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Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
Stuart, Anthony Franke Deer Isle, ME 8 680

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