INTERFACE METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR USE WITH COMPUTER DIRECTED ASSEMBLY AND MANUFACTURING
A computer-implemented user interface displayed on a display of a computer directed assembly workstation is provided for interacting with a sequence of assembly instructions. In some embodiments, an in-use view area is displayed on the user interface providing a “live” image of an item the assembler is currently working on. This in-use view area generally involves taking videos of tools, materials, matrix trays with materials, and/or components of the final product as they are manipulated by the assembler. The user interface further displays a preassembled view area providing an image of at least one preassembled item provided as an example of a properly assembled item. This example helps the assembler process each assembly instruction with greater accuracy and speed. This preassembled view area may include other products previously assembled and useful to the assembler performing the assembly task including images and videos of materials, components, and/or matrix trays with materials.
1 . A computer-implemented user interface method displayed on a display device of a computer device for interacting with a sequence of assembly instructions for creating a manufactured product, the method comprising:
providing an in-use view area on the user interface that provides an image of at least one in-use item an assembler is currently using in conjunction with assembling a manufactured product;
providing a preassembled view area on the user interface that provides an image of at least one preassembled item used in guiding the assembler in the assembly of the manufactured product with the at least one in-use item the assembler is currently using;
and
providing a text assembly instructions area that provides at least one instruction from the sequence of assembly instructions for using the at least one in-use item the assembler is currently using in conjunction with assembling the manufactured product.
2 . The computer-implemented user interface method of claim 1 , wherein the in-use item is selected from a set of in-use items including a component making up a portion of the manufactured product, a matrix tray assembled with materials, and a material to be attached to the component.
3 . The computer-implemented user interface method of claim 1 , wherein the in-use item is being assembled in accordance with the sequence of assembly instructions.
4 . The computer-implemented user interface method of claim 1 , wherein a portion of the image of the at least one in-use item is highlighted and then identified near where a material is to be attached to the in-use item being assembled.
5 . The computer-implemented user interface method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one preassembled item is selected from a set of preassembled items including a matrix tray assembled with materials, a product assembled with one or more components, a component assembled with one or more materials, and materials to be attached to the at least one in-use item the assembler is currently using.
6 . A computer program product for creating a user interface for display on a display device of a computer device to interact with a sequence of assembly instructions for creating a manufactured product, tangibly stored on a computer readable medium, comprising instructions operable to cause a programmable processor to:
provide an in-use view area on the user interface that provides an image of at least one in-use item an assembler is currently using in conjunction with assembling a manufactured product;
provide a preassembled view area on the user interface that provides an image of at least one preassembled item used in guiding the assembler in the assembly of the manufactured product with the at least one in-use item the assembler is currently using; and
provide a text assembly instructions area that provides at least one instruction from the sequence of assembly instructions for using the at least one in-use item the assembler is currently using in conjunction with assembling the manufactured product.
7 . The computer program product of claim 6 , wherein the in-use item is selected from a set of in-use items including a component making up a portion of the manufactured product, a matrix tray assembled with materials, and a material to be attached to the component.
8 . The computer program product of claim 6 , wherein the in-use item is being assembled in accordance with the sequence of assembly instructions.
9 . The computer program product of claim 6 , wherein a portion of the image of the at least one in-use item is highlighted and then identified near where a material is to be attached to the in-use item being assembled.
10 . The computer program product of claim 6 , wherein the at least one preassembled item is selected from a set of preassembled items including a matrix tray assembled with materials, a product assembled with one or more components, a component assembled with one or more materials, and materials to be attached to the at least one in-use item the assembler is currently using.
11 . An apparatus that creates a user interface for display on a display device of a computer device to interact with a sequence of assembly instructions for creating a manufactured product, the apparatus comprising:
a processor capable of executing instructions; and
a memory holding instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to:
provide an in-use view area on the user interface that provides an image of at least one in-use item an assembler is currently using in conjunction with assembling a manufactured product,
provide a preassembled view area on the user interface that provides an image of at least one preassembled item used in guiding the assembler in the assembly of the manufactured product with the at least one in-use item the assembler is currently using, and
provide a text assembly instructions area that provides at least one instruction from the sequence of assembly instructions for using the at least one in-use item the assembler is currently using in conjunction with assembling the manufactured product.
12 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the in-use item is selected from a set of in-use items including a component making up a portion of the manufactured product, a matrix tray assembled with materials, and a material to be attached to the component.
13 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the in-use item is assembled in accordance with the sequence of assembly instructions.
14 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein a portion of the image of the at least one in-use item is highlighted and then identified near where a material is to be attached to the in-use item being assembled.
15 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the at least one preassembled item is selected from a set of preassembled items including a matrix tray assembled with materials, a product assembled with one or more components, a component assembled with one or more materials, and materials to be attached to the at least one in-use item the assembler is currently using.