US6006192A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method for production planning in an uncertain demand environment
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1997-03-12
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Granted: 1999-12-21
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Expires: 2017-03-12
Abstract
Abstract A decision-making method suitable for production planning in an uncertain demand environment. To this end, the method comprises combining an implosion technology with a scenario-based analysis, thus manifesting, a sui generis capability which preserves the advantages and benefits of each of its subsumed aspects.
Inventors
- 👤 Feng Cheng
- 👤 Daniel Patrick Connors
- 👤 Thomas Robert Ervolina
- 👤 Ramesh Srinivasan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 06:34
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q10/00; G06Q10/04; G06Q10/06; G06Q10/063; G06Q10/0637; G06Q10/06375; G06Q10/0639; G06Q10/06393; G06Q10/08; G06Q10/087; G06Q10/0872; G06Q10/08726; G06Q10/0875; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/08; G06Q20/20; G06Q20/201; G06Q20/207; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/02; G06Q30/0201; G06Q30/0202; G06Q40/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
A method for producing planning in an uncertain demand environment, said method comprising the steps of: a. providing plurality of demand scenarios having discrete time periods, and a probability for each of said demand scenarios; b. representing uncertainty in a demand environment by employing a scenario-based analysis including the steps of performing multiple optimization runs against different demand scenarios; and c. generating optimal deterministic solutions for each of said demand scenarios using an implosion technology; d. computing expected payoffs for said demand scenarios and choosing an optimal production plan having a best of said expected payoffs; and e. modifying manufacturing of said products according to said chosen optimal production plan.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
110 words
A method for producing planning in an uncertain demand environment, said method comprising the steps of: a. providing plurality of demand scenarios having discrete time periods, and a probability for each of said demand scenarios; b. representing uncertainty in a demand environment by employing a scenario-based analysis including the steps of performing multiple optimization runs against different demand scenarios; and c. generating optimal deterministic solutions for each of said demand scenarios using an implosion technology; d. computing expected payoffs for said demand scenarios and choosing an optimal production plan having a best of said expected payoffs; and e. modifying manufacturing of said products according to said chosen optimal production plan.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said generating step comprises the following steps: 1. generating production plans for each of said demand scenarios having a fixed production decision
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
generating production plans for each of said demand scenarios having a varied production decision using said production plan generated in step (b) for a first discrete time period and solving for demand scenarios for remaining discrete time periods as indicated in said production decision using an implosion technology.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
generating production plans for each of said demand scenarios having a varied production decision using said production plan generated in step (b) for a first discrete time period and solving for demand scenarios for remaining discrete time periods as indicated in said production decision using an implosion technology.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said optimal production plan is created based initially on a particular demand scenario.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 3, wherein said optimal production is adjusted according to unfolding sequel demand scenarios.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 4, wherein said optimal production is obtained using an implementable production policy for an entire demand scenario tree.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 5, wherein an expected performance measure is computed for each said implementable production policy based on a particular initial demand scenario.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
130 words
A computer program device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by a machine to perform method steps for production planning in an uncertain demand environment, said method comprising the steps of: a. providing plurality of demand scenarios having discrete time periods, and a probability for each of said demand scenarios; b. representing uncertainty in a demand environment by employing a scenario-based analysis including the steps of performing multiple optimization runs against different demand scenarios; and c. generating optimal deterministic solutions for each of said demand scenarios using an implosion technology; d. computing expected payoffs for said demand scenarios and choosing an optimal production plan having a best of said expected payoffs; and e. modifying manufacturing of said products according to said chosen optimal production plan.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
130 words
A computer program device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by a machine to perform method steps for production planning in an uncertain demand environment, said method comprising the steps of: a. providing plurality of demand scenarios having discrete time periods, and a probability for each of said demand scenarios; b. representing uncertainty in a demand environment by employing a scenario-based analysis including the steps of performing multiple optimization runs against different demand scenarios; and c. generating optimal deterministic solutions for each of said demand scenarios using an implosion technology; d. computing expected payoffs for said demand scenarios and choosing an optimal production plan having a best of said expected payoffs; and e. modifying manufacturing of said products according to said chosen optimal production plan.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 7, wherein said generating step comprises the following steps:
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
63 words
generating production plans for each of said demand scenarios having a fixed production decision 2. generating production plans for each of said demand scenarios having a varied production decision using said production plan generated in step (b) for a first discrete time period and solving for demand scenarios for remaining discrete time periods as indicated in said production decision using an implosion technology.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
63 words
generating production plans for each of said demand scenarios having a fixed production decision 2. generating production plans for each of said demand scenarios having a varied production decision using said production plan generated in step (b) for a first discrete time period and solving for demand scenarios for remaining discrete time periods as indicated in said production decision using an implosion technology.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 8, wherein said optimal production plan is created based initially on a particular demand scenario.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 9, wherein said optimal production is adjusted according to unfolding sequel demand scenarios.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 10, wherein said optimal production is obtained using an implementable production policy for an entire demand scenario tree.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 11, wherein an expected performance measure is computed for each said implementable production policy based on a particular initial demand scenario.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-12-20 | 2003-06-21 | 2003-12-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-12-20 | 2007-06-21 | 2007-12-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-12-20 | 2011-06-21 | 2011-12-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |