WO1997017653A1 - Procede et appareil permettant de fournir des informations relatives a des pieces - Google Patents

Procede et appareil permettant de fournir des informations relatives a des pieces Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1997017653A1
WO1997017653A1 PCT/US1996/017881 US9617881W WO9717653A1 WO 1997017653 A1 WO1997017653 A1 WO 1997017653A1 US 9617881 W US9617881 W US 9617881W WO 9717653 A1 WO9717653 A1 WO 9717653A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
component
conesponding
ofthe
components
value
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1996/017881
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO1997017653A9 (fr
Inventor
Jonathan C. Stone
Venetia R. Lewallen
Jeff A. Morrison
Original Assignee
Transquest, Incorporated
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Transquest, Incorporated filed Critical Transquest, Incorporated
Priority to AU11577/97A priority Critical patent/AU1157797A/en
Publication of WO1997017653A1 publication Critical patent/WO1997017653A1/fr
Publication of WO1997017653A9 publication Critical patent/WO1997017653A9/fr

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q10/00—Administration; Management
    • G06Q10/08—Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
    • G06Q10/087—Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
    • G05B—CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS
    • G05B2219/00—Program-control systems
    • G05B2219/30—Nc systems
    • G05B2219/49—Nc machine tool, till multiple
    • G05B2219/49302—Part, workpiece, code, tool identification

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to information processing and, in particular, to a method and apparatus for processing maintenance facility-related information.
  • Typical complex mechanical platforms often comprise thousands of components that must be replaced or overhauled regularly. These components often comprise several parts and usually require specific tools for their extraction and subsequent re ⁇ insertion
  • an electrical connector would be one type of component and the contact pins and backshell ofthe connector would be constituent parts ofthe component. Finding information about these components, parts and tools can be a complicated process for the technician.
  • a technician In replacing a specific component of a platform, a technician typically references a schematic diagram corresponding to the individual platform being worked on to find a symbol corresponding to the individual part being replaced. Next to the symbol, is an Equipment List Designator (ELD) number.
  • ELD Equipment List Designator
  • the ELD number uniquely identifies the specific component and its location on a specific platform
  • the technician accesses a cross-reference manual to find the user-specific part number corresponding to the ELD number
  • each user such as an airline, will have its own unique list of part numbers describing the components found on all of its platforms
  • the technician can order the component using the user- specific part number from the user's inventory system
  • the technician must then access another cross-reference manual to find the manufacturer's part number The component is then ordered directly from the manufacturer or some other source
  • the technician may not want to use the component from the original manufacturer due to cost or other considerations
  • the original manufacturer may have sharply increased its price for a given component, or it might not supply a given part to a particular geographic market In this case, the technician will attempt to find an equivalent to the original component
  • the technician is required by federal aviation administration (FAA) regulations to find a substitute component having attributes of form, fit and function that equal or exceed the form, fit and function attributes ofthe original component
  • FAA federal aviation administration
  • a suitable substitute connector must have the same general shape as the original connector (the same form), it must be complimentary to the mate ofthe original connector (the same fit), and it must be able to withstand the same operating conditions (e.g. , temperature) and transfer signals in the same way as the original connector (the same function)
  • Finding such a suitable substitute component can be a laborious process
  • a technician must search through several different manufacturer's parts manuals, find what appears to be a suitable substitute component and then compare each attribute ofthe desired substitute to each attribute ofthe original component
  • the technician must also look up the required tooling for a component, as FAA regulations often mandate that a given component be worked on only with a specific tool
  • Maintenance facilities usually keep ad hoc lists of data about suitable substitute components for many ofthe original components they use, but these lists are often incomplete and frequently contain outdated information
  • the technician time wasted in looking up components and in trying to find suitable substitutes for components can be very costly
  • One airline estimates that in 1994 alone its cost spent in searching for component-related repair information was over $500,000 00 In addition to that figure, it lost over $500,000 00 due to the cost of flight delays due to electrical connector repair problems alone
  • a technician does not know an actual part number for a needed component, but knows only the form, fit and function of a desired component This is especially true in design facilities, where engineers must find a suitable component for a given function from all ofthe components available Because ofthe time involved the technician or engineer will frequently use the first component found having suitable form, fit and function Rarely will the technician or engineer perform a comprehensive cost and function analysis to find the optimal component This can result in the disadvantage of platforms, such as commercial aircraft, being repaired and designed with less than optimal components, and can also result in the disadvantage of considerable aggregate cost inefficiency occurring due to the use of non-competitively priced components
  • One aspect ofthe invention is a method of comparing components to determine which of a set of components is an acceptable substitute for a primary component, each ofthe components having at least one attribute
  • a first set of data including a plurality of component identifiers and a plurality of component values is accessed Each ofthe component identifiers corresponds to a component and each ofthe component values corresponds to a particular attribute associated with a component corresponding to one ofthe plurality of component identifiers
  • a primary component identifier ofthe plurality of component identifiers is selected The primary component identifier corresponds to the primary component Using preselected criteria, at least one component value corresponding to at least one selected attribute associated with the primary component is compared to a set ofthe plurality of component values, thereby determining which components are acceptable substitutes for the primary component
  • a list of components so determined to be acceptable substitutes for the primary component is then generated and displayed
  • This method may be implemented on a digital computer having a computer readable memory on which is stored the first set of data
  • Another aspect ofthe invention is a method of employing a computer to select at least one component from a set of components, where each ofthe components has at least one attribute
  • a set of data including a plurality of component identifiers and a plurality of values is accessed
  • Each ofthe component identifiers corresponds to a component and each ofthe values corresponds to an attribute associated with a component corresponding to one ofthe plurality of component identifiers
  • An attribute of a desired component is selected and at least one first value corresponding to the selected attribute associated with the desired component is entered into the computer.
  • the first value is compared to a subset ofthe plurality of values associated with the selected attribute, thereby determining which ofthe components are associated with the selected attribute having a value equal to the first value.
  • a first list of component identifiers corresponding to components so determined to have values ofthe selected attribute equal to the first value is then generated and displayed.
  • This method may be implemented on a digital computer having a computer readable memory on which is stored the set of
  • Another aspect ofthe invention is a series of operational steps, to be performed by a digital computer having a memory, for comparing components, each ofthe components having at least one attribute, to determine which of a set of alternate components is an acceptable substitute for a primary component.
  • a set of data stored in the memory is accessed.
  • the set of data includes a plurality of component identifiers, with each ofthe component identifiers corresponding to a component, and a plurality of values, with each ofthe values corresponding to a particular attribute associated with a component.
  • Input is received from a user, the input indicating a primary component identifier ofthe plurality of component identifiers, with the primary component identifier corresponding to the primary component.
  • a portion ofthe memory is searched and at least one value corresponding to a selected attribute associated with the primary component is compared, using preselected criteria, to a set ofthe plurality of values, thereby determining which ofthe set of alternate components is an acceptable substitute for the primary component.
  • Each one ofthe set of plurality of values corresponds to the selected attribute associated with one ofthe set of alternate components.
  • a list of component identifiers of components so determined to be acceptable substitutes for the primary component is then generated and displayed.
  • the apparatus includes a computer readable memory having a plurality of memory addresses and containing a data structure stored therein.
  • the data structure includes a first table, stored in the memory, with the first table including a first plurality of records
  • Each ofthe first plurality of records includes a first data field including a component identifier corresponding to a component, at least one second data field including a part identifier corresponding to a part included in the component corresponding to the component identifier included in the first data field, and at least one third data field having information about the component corresponding to the component identifier included in the first data field
  • the data structure also includes a second table, stored in the memory and including a second plurality of records Each of the second plurality of records includes a fourth data field that includes information about the part corresponding to a part identifier included in the second data field
  • the data structure also includes a plurality of first pointers, where each first pointer points to a memory address at which a selected one ofthe
  • Another aspect ofthe invention is a computer system for accessing information about a plurality of components that includes an apparatus for accessing information used by a maintenance facility
  • the apparatus includes a computer readable memory having a plurality of memory addresses and containing a data structure
  • the data structure includes a table, stored in the memory, that includes a plurality of records
  • Each ofthe plurality of records includes a first data field including a component identifier corresponding to a component and at least one second data field including a value for an attribute associated with the component
  • the system also includes a computer processor and a memory storing a computer program
  • the program directs the operation ofthe processor to access the table and receive input from a user indicating a selection by the user of a component identifier in the table corresponding to a primary component
  • the program also directs the computer to compare, using preselected criteria, at least one value corresponding to at least one selected attribute associated with the primary component to each second data field of a set ofthe plurality of records, and thereby determine which components
  • Another aspect ofthe invention is a method of assessing fees for access to a data base by a user having an account. At least one selected first display of information stored in the database and accessible by the user is designated as a pay screen. At least one instance ofthe user accessing the pay screen is recorded. A predetermined fee for each recorded use ofthe pay screen by the user is assessed to the user's account.
  • the utility ofthe invention includes providing a user with the ability to quickly find suitable substitutes for a selected component, the substitutes being at least equivalent to the selected component with respect to attributes of form, fit and function.
  • the utility ofthe invention also includes automating the process of providing a user with information about selected components.
  • the utility ofthe invention also includes providing a user with the ability to quickly identify a component by entering into a computer attributes of form, fit and function associated with the desired component.
  • the utility ofthe invention also includes providing a server with the ability to selectively assess charges to accounts for each use ofthe system based on a per-screen basis.
  • FIG. 1 is a simplified transition diagram of some ofthe states that can be accessed by the invention.
  • FIGS. 2A-2J are views of a representative sample ofthe screen displays corresponding to various states of one embodiment ofthe invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment ofthe invention.
  • FIG. 4A is a simplified entity relationship diagram showing the basic data structure employed in the invention.
  • FIG. 4B is a simplified memory space diagram showing one implementation of the data structure shown in FIG. 4A.
  • FIG. 5 is a an entity relationship diagram showing the data structure employed in one embodiment ofthe invention.
  • “Facility” means any facility that uses information about components and parts thereof Illustrative examples of facilities includes maintenance facilities, warehouses, design facilities, etc
  • Platform means any device that is maintained at a facility
  • Illustrative examples of platforms include aircraft, trains, factory equipment, buildings, etc
  • Component means any assemblage used by or kept at a facility
  • Part means any constituent unit of a component As used in the present application, a part may also be an assemblage of several constituent units
  • Such a part is thus treated as a component when referred to in the context of being an assemblage, and its constituent units are treated as parts
  • Pointing and clicking means indicating a selection by placing a cursor, represented as an arrow, at an area of interest, using an input device (e.g., a mouse ofthe type commonly used with personal computers) and depressing an input button on the input device, as is common with several contemporary operating systems
  • an input device e.g., a mouse ofthe type commonly used with personal computers
  • Component Identifier means any code that could uniquely identify a component and could include a manufacturer's part number, an equipment list designator, a milspec number, a warehouse number, a user's part number, or any other code used in a component identification system Similarly, "part Identifier” means any code that could uniquely identify a part 2 Description
  • the invention is a system that allows a technician to search a database comprising information about a plurality of components and find an acceptable substitute for a desired component It also allows a technician, or other user, to find a desired component based on the values of several attributes (Such attributes indicate the form, fit and function ofthe component and could include such attributes as temperature rating, material code, finish type, or any other attribute relevant to the function of a component ) When a component is found by the system, it displays various types of information about the component and its constituent parts
  • FIG 1 A simplified state transition diagram implementing the invention is shown in FIG 1 (detailed state transition diagrams, upon which a computer program implementing a first embodiment ofthe invention, can be found in Appendix A ofthe microfiche appendix)
  • the system first enters a log-on state 12 in which the user enters any necessary log on information (e.g., user LD, pass word, etc.) Once any logon conditions (e.g., verification of password) are satisfied, the system enters a state 14 in which the user has the option to enter a component identifier, if known Once the user has entered a component identifier (or has entered a blank), the system proceeds to a state 16 wherein the user is asked to choose a feature
  • the selectable features include the component feature 20, the part feature 40, the tool feature 50 and the comments/ questions feature 60.
  • the system enters one of three states corresponding to one of three user-chosen options: the general state 24, the detail state 26 and the packaging state 28.
  • the general state 24 the system provides the user with general attribute information about a selected component.
  • the system provides information specific to a given component
  • the system provides the user with information about what is included in a package with a selected component (e.g., what tools and ancillary parts are included)
  • the user can always cause the system to enter one ofthe following states- find alternates 30, in which the system finds alternate components or parts having the same form, fit and function as a selected component or part; find mates 32, in which the system finds components having complementary function to a selected component, show diagram 34, in which the system displays a diagram of a selected component, and return 36, in which the system returns to the first listed component after having displayed information about alternate components
  • the system enters a state 42 in which it displays information about a selected part of a selected component The user may then cause the system to enter a state 44 in which the system finds suitable alternate parts having the same form, fit and function as the selected part
  • the system will display information about the tools required in association with a selected component The user may then cause the system to enter a state 54 in which the system finds suitable alternate tools for a selected tool
  • the system allows the user to input information
  • information could comprise, for example, requests for information about components not yet included in the data structure
  • This feature 60 could be used to provide a communications link between a user and a technical representative It could also be used to perform statistical consumer analysis on the various users ofthe system
  • a logon screen 200 requires the user to enter a logon LD and a password After the correct password has been entered, the system presents the user with a manufacturer's part number screen 202, which allows the user to input a manufacturer's part number if known Next, the system presents a main screen 204, which allows the user to select a desired feature
  • a main connector screen 208 presents to the user a dynamic information area 206 and a static information area 230
  • the static information area 230 displays information that is not changeable by the user
  • the dynamic information area 206 displays information and allows the user to input information
  • the dynamic information area 206 is displayed as a series of representations of three index cards 210, 212, and 214
  • the general card 210 allows the user to access general attribute information about a selected connector If the user points and clicks on the detail card 212, the system presents a display (FIG 2C) showing detailed attribute information about the selected connector Similarly, if the user points and clicks on the packaging card 214, the system displays a screen (FIG 2D) with packaging attribute information about the selected connector (Packaging information indicates which items are packaged with the connector These items may include a backshell, all ofthe necessary contacts, and the tools required for connector installation )
  • the main connector screen 208 there are several icons on which a user can point and click to receive specific information or perform specific operations These include a "disconnect" icon 236 that allows the user to disconnect from the system at any time
  • the user can point and click on an "alternate” icon 224, which causes the system to search for other connectors having attributes that are as good or better than as those listed on the general card 210 and present a display (FIG 2E) providing connector information about suitable alternates
  • Some ofthe attributes require an exact match in order for the corresponding connector to be included on the list
  • the system searches for connectors having an insert configuration identical to that ofthe selected connector, whereas the system search for connectors having a temperature rating at least equal, but possibly better than that ofthe selected connector
  • the user can also change the attribute information on the general card 210 and then point and click on the alternate icon 224 to find a list of connectors having attributes identical to the displayed attributes
  • the user can also point and click on a "mates" icon 226 that causes the system to find connectors that are complimentary in function to the displayed connector
  • a "mates" icon 226 that causes the system to find connectors that are complimentary in function to the displayed connector
  • the displayed connector is a 16-pin male connector
  • the system upon pressing the mates icon 226, the system would present a list of 16-pin female connectors
  • the system displays a diagram (FIG 2F) ofthe connector listed on the general card 210
  • Such a diagram could take many forms, including a pin diagram ofthe connector, a drawing ofthe connector, or even a digitized photograph ofthe connector
  • FIG 2B several feature icons are provided at the top ofthe screen to allow the user to easily go back and forth between features
  • a "connector” icon 216 which allows the user to access the connector screen 208 at any time
  • a "contact” icon 218 which allows the user to access a screen (FIG 2G) with information about contacts associated with a selected component
  • a "tool” icon 220 which allows the user to access a screen (FIG 2H) with information about the tools necessary for installation and removal ofthe selected connector or part thereof
  • a “sealing plug” icon 232 which allows the user to access a screen (FIG 21) with information about sealing plugs used in association with a selected connector
  • a "backshell” icon 21 which allows the user to access a screen (FIG 2J) with information about backshells associated with a selected connector
  • many other icons could be employed to tailor the invention to a specific type of component and its constituent parts without departing from the scope of the invention
  • the system 300 may connect a maintenance facility 310 to an information supplier 340 via either a commercial data network 330 or conventional telephone lines 332 or both.
  • the maintenance facility 310 has at least one work station 314 that is connected to the commercial data network 330 through a local area network 312 (LAN).
  • the commercial data network 330 is connected to a LAN 344 belonging to the information supplier 340.
  • LAN 344 is in communication with a server 342, which could comprise a general purpose digital computer or a digital computer specifically designed for transaction processing.
  • the server has an associated memory 346 capable of storing a data base including the information about components and parts provided by the system 300
  • the memory 346 could take the form of a fixed magnetic medium, on-board computer memory chips, optical storage, or any other type of conventional computer memory (as would be obvious to one skilled in the art of computer system design).
  • Also connected to LAN 344 is at least one work station 354 which can be used by an operator for accessing information in association with telephone queries or for any other conventional use (such as system maintenance).
  • the maintenance facility 310 may also communicate with the information supplier 340 via the telephone system 332.
  • work station 314 is connected to a modem 316 that communicates through the telephone system 332 with a modem 348 connected to the server 342.
  • modem 316 that communicates through the telephone system 332 with a modem 348 connected to the server 342.
  • Either the user's work station 314 or the server 342, or both, may be connected to facsimile machines 318, 350.
  • queries, results or both may be communicated via facsimile transmission
  • the user may also use a telephone 320 to communicate with the information supplier 340
  • the user telephones queries to an operator (not shown) using telephone 352
  • the operator either telephones or faxes the results ofthe query to the user
  • many ways of communicating user queries to the system are possible, including using voice recognition equipment for receiving spoken queries, using dedicated hardware, or any other way of communicating queries to an information supplier
  • the memory 346 stores component and part data in the form of a relational data base
  • the data base comprises a data structure that relates information about components to information about parts
  • a simplified basic data structure 400 ofthe data base comprises a component info ⁇ nation table 402, a part information table 420 and a rule 430 for relating table 420 to table 402
  • the component information table 402 comprises a plurality of records 404
  • Each record 404 comprises a data field 406 storing a component identifier, at least one data field 408a storing a part identifier, a pointer 412 associated with a respective part identifier 408a, and at least one data field 410 storing information about the component identified in the component identifier data field 406
  • Each part identifier 408a could identify a different part of a component For example, if the component is a particular electrical connector, one part identifier could identify a backshell associated with the connector, another part identifier could identify a contact associated with the connector,
  • the part information table 420 comprises a plurality of records 424 Each record comprises a data field 408b storing a part identifier corresponding to a part identifier stored in a data field 408a in the component table 402, and at least one data field 422 storing information about the identified part
  • the rule 430 is the convention followed in recognizing and using a pointer 412 to find a given part record 424, as is obvious to those skilled in the art of data structure design
  • one embodiment ofthe memory space 440 used to store the data structure 400 comprises a first portion 442 of memory, having a plurality of memory locations 446, and a second portion 444 of memory, also having a plurality of memory locations 446
  • a first memory location 450 stores a component identifier
  • a second adjacent memory location 452 stores a part identifier
  • a third memory location 454 stores a pointer associated with the part identifier stored in memory location 452
  • the pointer is a memory address of a part identifier 460 corresponding to the part identifier stored in memory location 452
  • Also near memory location 450 is a memory location 456 storing component information Near the part identifier memory location 460 is at least one memory location 462 storing part information
  • This memory diagram is provided for illustrative purposes only, as would be obvious to one skilled in the art, many other configurations of memory space could be employed without departing from the scope ofthe invention
  • FIG. 5 a detailed entity relationship diagram of one embodiment of the invention used to access to information about electrical connectors, the data structure 500 ofthe data base involves many tables and complex relationships Although only an illustrative set of relationships will be discusses explicitly herein, definition tables for the relationships of FIG. 5 are given in Appendix B ofthe microfiche appendix Also, as shown in FIG.
  • cardinality of relationships is expressed using connecting lines between tables and symbols at their termini
  • An one (1) at a terminus indicates single cardinality for the data in a data field
  • an infinity symbol ( ⁇ ) indicates multiple cardinality
  • a line connecting two data fields having one terminus with a one next to it and the other terminus with an infinity symbol next to it indicates a "one-to-many" relationship between the data fields
  • a one-to-many relationship indicates that from a single data field the system can access many corresponding data fields, as is generally known to the art of software design
  • the primary table is the "connector" table 502, which comprises several data fields.
  • n id is the component identifier
  • mfr_part_nbr is the manufacturer's part number corresponding to a given connector
  • tmp rating nbr is a code indicating a temperature rating for the connector, etc.
  • the system accesses the "backshell” table 508, which then allows the user to access more information about a plurality of backshells associated with the selected connector.
  • Such information includes: a code indicating whether a selected backshell is self locking (stored in the "selfjock fl" data field); a code indicating the size ofthe backshell (stored in the "shell_size_nbr” data field); a code indicating the material that the backshell is made from (stored in the "matl cd” data field); etc.
  • the system can also access the backshell table 508 indirectly through a logical connection table 506 by accessing only the conn id data field in the connector table 502.
  • a logical connection table, such as table 506 is a table that does directly not provide the user any information, but merely provides a logical link between two other information-storing tables.
  • Some relationships can be rather complex. For example, in order to receive information about sealing plugs associated with a given connector, the system first accesses the "connector logical" table 516 to gain access to the "connector gauge tool” table 518. This allows the system to access the "contact logical” table 520, which allows access to the "sealing plug” logical table 522. This in turn allows access to the "sealing plug configuration" table 524 and then finally allows access to the "sealing plug” table 526, which has all ofthe necessary information about sealing plugs associated with a given connector.
  • Other tables in the data structure 500 include: the "image” table 562, which allows access to visual images, such as diagrams of a selected connector; the "contact” table 554, which allows access to information about the electrical contacts associated with a selected connector; the "tool” table 546, which allows access to information about the various tools required for installation and removal of a selected connector, or part thereof (As can be seen, several copies ofthe tool table 546 are presented in FIG.
  • the "storage location" table 544 indicates the location in a warehouse where a selected connector is stored;
  • the "equipment list designator” table 558 cross references a user's equipment list designator number to the system's component identifier;
  • the "aircraft” table 560 uniquely identifies a platform (in this case an aircraft) which uses a given connector;
  • the "manufacturer” table 536 identifies the manufacturer of a selected connector.
  • One embodiment ofthe present invention comprises a main program written in the Visual C++ programming language in object oriented format.
  • the monitor routine passes control to a data base wrapper routine written in a structured query language (SQL).
  • SQL structured query language
  • the data base wrapper calls an appropriate SQL procedure that accesses the required data field in the data structure Once the SQL procedure has found the conect data field, it passes the data to the data base wrapper routine, which passes it to the monitor routine.
  • the monitor routine then presents the data to the main program, which displays the data in the appropriate format
  • Source code for these routines are found at Appendix C ofthe microfiche appendix.
  • a user's guide that corresponds to the code of Appendix C is provided in Appendix D ofthe microfiche appendix.
  • the execution ofthe program involves first accessing a component table.
  • a primary component identifier is selected by the system from the table.
  • the system compares, using preselected criteria, at least one component value corresponding to at least one selected attribute associated with the primary component to a set of component values in the component table, or other related tables, thereby determining which components are acceptable substitutes for the primary component
  • the system generates and displays a list of components determined to be acceptable substitutes for the primary component
  • the system may also select a selected part identifier from one ofthe tables containing part information and compare, using preselected criteria, at least one value conesponding to at least one selected attribute associated with the part identifier to a set of part values to determine which parts are acceptable substitutes for the selected part
  • the system then generates and displays a list of parts determined to be acceptable substitutes for the selected part
  • Another way of selecting a component using the system includes using a bar code reader to read a selected bar code from a component and then transmitting the thus read selected bar code to a computer
  • the system may be configured with a direct link to a warehouse
  • the user may thus transmit an order for a selected component to a warehouse or a component supply facility
  • the system automatically accesses a database that comprises an indication the quantity ofthe selected component on hand at the component supply facility and reduces the quantity indication, thereby updating the database to reflect the order ofthe selected component

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Abstract

Procédé et appareil permettant d'avoir accès à des informations utilisées par une usine, qui comporte une mémoire (346) lisible informatique dotée d'une pluralité d'adresses et contenant une structure de données. Ladite structure de données comprend une pluralité de tables comprenant une pluralités d'enregistrements, chacun contenant un champ qui comporte un identificateur (14) de pièce ou un identificateur (4086) de partie correspondant à une pièce (20), et un champ qui comporte des informations sur la pièce (20) ou partie (40) correspondant à l'identificateur (14) de pièce ou à l'identificateur (4086) de partie. Des frais d'accès à la table par un utilisateur possédant un compte sont fixés. Un affichage choisi d'informations stockées dans la base de données est désigné comme écran de paiement. L'occurrence d'accès à l'écran de paiement par l'utilisateur est enregistrée. Des frais prédéterminés pour chaque utilisation enregistrée de l'écran de paiement par l'utilisateur sont fixés et portés au débit du compte de l'utilisateur.
PCT/US1996/017881 1995-11-09 1996-11-08 Procede et appareil permettant de fournir des informations relatives a des pieces WO1997017653A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU11577/97A AU1157797A (en) 1995-11-09 1996-11-08 Method and apparatus for providing component-related information

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US1211495P 1995-11-09 1995-11-09
US60/012,114 1995-11-09
US56291495A 1995-11-27 1995-11-27
US08/562,914 1995-11-27

Publications (2)

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WO1997017653A1 true WO1997017653A1 (fr) 1997-05-15
WO1997017653A9 WO1997017653A9 (fr) 1997-07-24

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Cited By (6)

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EP1022090A2 (fr) * 1999-01-21 2000-07-26 Murata Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha Machine de production
EP1170644A2 (fr) * 2000-07-04 2002-01-09 Murata Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha Système pour retrouver une pièce pour des machines de production utilisant un réseau
EP1176485A2 (fr) * 2000-07-04 2002-01-30 Murata Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha Méthode pour retrouver une partie d'une machine de production
WO2002009002A2 (fr) * 2000-07-20 2002-01-31 Planet Rascals Procede et articles de formation et de support lie a la faune et la conservation de la faune
WO2002086787A1 (fr) * 2001-04-20 2002-10-31 General Electric Company Procede et systeme permettant de gerer l'approvisionnement en pieces de rechange d'un appareil
EP1267310A2 (fr) * 2001-06-12 2002-12-18 United Technologies Corporation Méthode et appareil pour la gestion des opérations de maintenance

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US5393965A (en) * 1990-11-13 1995-02-28 Symbol Technologies, Inc. Flexible merchandise checkout and inventory management system
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US5582497A (en) * 1992-01-29 1996-12-10 Wing Labo Co., Ltd. Automatic warehouse system

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US5576951A (en) * 1984-05-24 1996-11-19 Lockwood; Lawrence B. Automated sales and services system
US4757267A (en) * 1987-06-17 1988-07-12 Applied Telematics, Inc. Telephone system for connecting a customer to a supplier of goods
US4757267B1 (fr) * 1987-06-17 1991-05-21 Applied Telematics Inc
US5063507A (en) * 1990-09-14 1991-11-05 Plains Cotton Cooperative Association Goods database employing electronic title or documentary-type title
US5393965A (en) * 1990-11-13 1995-02-28 Symbol Technologies, Inc. Flexible merchandise checkout and inventory management system
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Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1022090A2 (fr) * 1999-01-21 2000-07-26 Murata Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha Machine de production
EP1022090A3 (fr) * 1999-01-21 2005-11-23 Murata Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha Machine de production
EP1170644A2 (fr) * 2000-07-04 2002-01-09 Murata Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha Système pour retrouver une pièce pour des machines de production utilisant un réseau
EP1176485A2 (fr) * 2000-07-04 2002-01-30 Murata Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha Méthode pour retrouver une partie d'une machine de production
EP1170644A3 (fr) * 2000-07-04 2005-11-09 Murata Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha Système pour retrouver une pièce pour des machines de production utilisant un réseau
EP1176485A3 (fr) * 2000-07-04 2006-08-02 Murata Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha Méthode pour retrouver une partie d'une machine de production
WO2002009002A2 (fr) * 2000-07-20 2002-01-31 Planet Rascals Procede et articles de formation et de support lie a la faune et la conservation de la faune
WO2002009002A3 (fr) * 2000-07-20 2002-06-06 Planet Rascals Procede et articles de formation et de support lie a la faune et la conservation de la faune
US6739941B1 (en) 2000-07-20 2004-05-25 Planet Rascals Method and articles for providing education and support related to wildlife and wildlife conservation
WO2002086787A1 (fr) * 2001-04-20 2002-10-31 General Electric Company Procede et systeme permettant de gerer l'approvisionnement en pieces de rechange d'un appareil
EP1267310A2 (fr) * 2001-06-12 2002-12-18 United Technologies Corporation Méthode et appareil pour la gestion des opérations de maintenance
EP1267310A3 (fr) * 2001-06-12 2004-12-22 United Technologies Corporation Méthode et appareil pour la gestion des opérations de maintenance

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