Granted Patent B2

US 12,607,989 · App. 18/366,999 · Granted Apr 21, 2026

Inventors: Aaron K. Baughman (Cary, NC); Martin G. Keen (Cary, NC); Mauro Marzorati (Lutz, FL); Sarbajit K. Rakshit (Kolkata, IN)

Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION

G05B19/41845G05B2219/33315

Abstract

Claims (37)

1 . A computer-based method of altering a machine based on a predicted problem in a multi-machine environment, the method comprising:

receiving data relating to an operational activity and functionalities of a primary machine from various components of the primary machine in a multi-machine environment;

executing a digital twin simulation of a digital twin model of the primary machine performing the operational activity on an object in accordance with the functionalities;

identifying a problem condition with at least one component of the primary machine in executing one or more steps of the operational activity based on the digital twin simulation;

determining whether the primary machine is capable of performing an alternative operational activity on a different object with the problem condition, wherein the alternative operational activity is different than the operational activity;

in response to determining the primary machine is capable of performing the alternative operational activity with the problem condition, causing the primary machine to move to location of the alternative operational activity to perform the alternative operational activity;

in response to determining the primary machine is not capable of performing the alternative operational activity on the different object with the problem condition, causing one or more secondary machines having at least one substitute component for the at least one component of the primary machine to move to location of the primary machine and to attach the at least one substitute component to a problem area of the primary machine with the problem condition to assist the primary machine in performing the operational activity on the object.

2 . The computer-based method of claim 1 , further comprising:

scheduling a maintenance action for the at least one component of the primary machine having the problem condition.

3 . The computer-based method of claim 1 , wherein one or more mobile robotic devices are utilized to transport the one or more secondary machines to a location of the primary machine.

4 . The computer-based method of claim 1 , wherein a sequence of the one or more steps of the operational activity is adapted based on one or more capabilities of the at least one substitute component of the one or more secondary machines.

5 . The computer-based method of claim 1 , wherein the functionalities of the primary machine are selected from a group consisting of applying coolant to the object, lasering the object, gripping the object, and cleaning the object.

6 . A computer system, the computer system comprising:

one or more processors, one or more computer-readable memories, one or more computer-readable tangible storage medium, and program instructions stored on at least one of the one or more computer-readable tangible storage medium for execution by at least one of the one or more processors via at least one of the one or more computer-readable memories, wherein the computer system is capable of performing a method comprising:

receiving data relating to an operational activity and functionalities of a primary machine from various components of the primary machine in a multi-machine environment;

executing a digital twin simulation of a digital twin model of the primary machine performing the operational activity on an object in accordance with the functionalities;

identifying a problem condition with at least one component of the primary machine in executing one or more steps of the operational activity based on the digital twin simulation;

determining whether the primary machine is capable of performing an alternative operational activity on a different object with the problem condition, wherein the alternative operational activity is different than the operational activity;

in response to determining the primary machine is capable of performing the alternative operational activity with the problem condition, causing the primary machine to move to location of the alternative operational activity to perform the alternative operational activity;

in response to determining the primary machine is not capable of performing the alternative operational activity on the different object with the problem condition, causing one or more secondary machines having at least one substitute component for the at least one component of the primary machine to move to location of the primary machine and to attach the at least one substitute component to a problem area of the primary machine with the problem condition to assist the primary machine in performing the operational activity on the object.

7 . The computer system of claim 6 , the method further comprising:

scheduling a maintenance action for the at least one component of the primary machine having the problem condition.

8 . The computer system of claim 6 , wherein one or more mobile robotic devices are utilized to transport the one or more secondary machines to a location of the primary machine.

9 . The computer system of claim 6 , wherein a sequence of the one or more steps of the operational activity is adapted based on one or more capabilities of the at least one substitute component of the one or more secondary machines.

10 . The computer system of claim 6 , wherein the functionalities of the primary machine are selected from a group consisting of applying coolant to the object, lasering the object, gripping the object, and cleaning the object.

11 . A computer program product, the computer program product comprising:

one or more computer-readable tangible storage medium and program instructions stored on at least one of the one or more computer-readable tangible storage medium, the program instructions executable by a processor capable of performing a method, the method comprising:

receiving data relating to an operational activity and functionalities of a primary machine from various components of the primary machine in a multi-machine environment;

executing a digital twin simulation of a digital twin model of the primary machine performing the operational activity on an object in accordance with the functionalities;

identifying a problem condition with at least one component of the primary machine in executing one or more steps of the operational activity based on the digital twin simulation;

determining whether the primary machine is capable of performing an alternative operational activity on a different object with the problem condition, wherein the alternative operational activity is different than the operational activity;

in response to determining the primary machine is capable of performing the alternative operational activity with the problem condition, causing the primary machine to move to location of the alternative operational activity to perform the alternative operational activity;

in response to determining the primary machine is not capable of performing the alternative operational activity on the different object with the problem condition, causing one or more secondary machines having at least one substitute component for the at least one component of the primary machine to move to location of the primary machine and to attach the at least one substitute component to a problem area of the primary machine with the problem condition to assist the primary machine in performing the operational activity on the object.

12 . The computer program product of claim 11 , the method further comprising:

scheduling a maintenance action for the at least one component of the primary machine having the problem condition.

13 . The computer program product of claim 11 , wherein one or more mobile robotic devices are utilized to transport the one or more secondary machines to a location of the primary machine.

14 . The computer program product of claim 11 , wherein a sequence of the one or more steps of the operational activity is adapted based on one or more capabilities of the at least one substitute component of the one or more secondary machines.

Assignments (1)

Continuity (1)

References Cited (15)