Lloyd Thomas Prout

US Patent:

48274232, May 2, 1989

Filed:

May 26, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/053909

Inventors:

Thomas B. Beasley - Pilot Mountain NC
Thomas W. Cearley - Clemmons NC
David A. Chandler - Winston-Salem NC
Kim A. Gondring - Winston-Salem NC
Richard A. Guarino - Pfafftown NC
William G. Hutchins - Pfafftown NC
Marvin R. Martin - Winston-Salem NC
Eugene E. Norris - Winston-Salem NC
Lloyd T. Prout - Winston-Salem NC
Jeffrey R. Schlottman - Winston-Salem NC
Charlotte M. Smith - Winston-Salem NC
William F. Summers - Mocksville NC
David C. Twine - Winston-Salem NC
R. Victor Walsh - Winston-Salem NC

Assignee:

R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company - Winston-Salem NC

International Classification:

G06F 1546
G06F 1516

US Classification:

364468

Abstract:

The Computer Integrated Manufacturing System includes a plurality of levels of computer control which organize and disseminate the information for controlling shop floor level systems. Both scheduling data and data relating to process, product, and material specifications as well as bills of material are generated in an upper level computer system and refined and down loaded as needed to lower level computers controlling the shop floor processes. The computers on the upper levels are capable of communication with the computers on the lower levels and computers on the same level are capable of communication with each other as needed to pass information back and forth.