Appeal No. 96-1599
Application 07/968,421
. . .
By means of the workpiece position estimation
device, the position of each workpiece on the line
is estimated based on the flow sequence data for
each workpiece collected at specified positions on
the line, workpiece passage timing data, and process
plan data. Then, based on the positions of each
workpiece on the line, which have been estimated by
this workpiece position estimation device, the
arrival time of each workpiece to a process
requiring initial setup work is calculated by means
of an arrival time calculation device. The timing
of operation start instructions, part supply
instructions, etc. for the initial setup work
corresponding to each workpiece is then determined
by an instruction timing determination device based
on
the arrival time of each workpiece thus calculated, and
the operation start instructions, part supply
instructions, etc.
are performed for the initial setup processing in the
timing determined thereby [translation, pages 5 and 6].
Given the disclosure of Hatano, the examiner contends
that “one having ordinary skill in the art would have found it
obvious to determine any obvious operation starting command in
accordance with any obvious parameter of the pieces to be
assembled” (answer, Paper No. 27, page 2). More specifically,
the examiner states that
Hatano fails to literally disclose that a preset
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Last modified: November 3, 2007