Claims:1. A method for designing an optimized integrated container unit for liquid manufacturing or liquid mixing plants, the method comprising:
logically integrating, a plurality of components in the container, wherein the plurality of components comprise a filter, a reverse osmosis (RO) system, a storage tank, at least one dosing pump, at least one flow meter, one or more control valves, a static mixer, a dynamic mixer, a programmable logic controller (PLC) and a human machine interface (HMI) (301);
defining, based upon the logical integration, a set of control parameters with the PLC for controlling each of the logically integrated plurality of components (302);
extracting, based upon the logical integration and the defined set of control parameters, a set of functional relationship between one or more components amongst the plurality of components to execute a set of production activities corresponding to the final product to be produced via the optimized integrated container unit to be designed (303); and
designing, based upon the logical integration and the extracted set of functional relationship, the optimized integrated container unit, wherein the optimized integrated container unit comprises the liquid manufacturing or liquid mixing plant for executing the set of production activities to produce the final product (304).

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the optimized integrated container unit further comprises:
the one or more control valves for controlling a dosing port, wherein the dosing port facilitates transmission of water and one or more raw materials in a concentrated form;
the static mixer and the dynamic mixer for transmitting a semi-finished product to produce a homogenized mix product for producing the final product;
a hose for connecting the one or more components amongst the logically integrated plurality of components;
the flow meter connected with a dosing pipe and the dosing pump for controlling flow of the one or more raw materials; and
a plurality of dosing lines for facilitating the transmission of the one or more raw materials.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the flow meter communicates with the dosing pump via a plurality of control signals to control the flow of the one or more raw materials in the designed integrated container unit.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the flow meter controls the dosing pump by a set of programming logics to control the flow of the one or more raw materials in the designed integrated container unit.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of extracting the set of functional relationship is preceded by:
programming, using the HMI, a set of operating procedures defining a controlled production environment for the liquid manufacturing or mixing plant to be integrated as the integrated unit; and
collecting and monitoring, via the one or more hardware processors, a set of control data for producing a final product via the integrated container unit to be designed.

6. A system (100) for designing an optimized integrated container unit (201) for liquid manufacturing or liquid mixing plants, the system (100) comprising:
a memory (102) storing instructions;
one or more communication interfaces (106); and
one or more hardware processors (104) coupled to the memory (102) via the one or more communication interfaces (106), wherein the one or more hardware processors (104) are configured by the instructions to:
logically integrate a plurality of components in the container, wherein the plurality of components comprise a filter (202), a reverse osmosis (RO) system (203), a storage tank (204), at least one dosing pump (205), at least one flow meter (206), one or more control valves (207), a static mixer (208), a dynamic mixer (209), a programmable logic controller (PLC) (210) and a human machine interface (HMI) (211);
define, based upon the logical integration, a set of control parameters with the PLC (210) for controlling each of the logically integrated plurality of components;
extract, based upon the logical integration and the defined set of control parameters, a set of functional relationship between one or more components amongst the plurality of components to execute a set of production activities corresponding to the final product to be produced via the optimized integrated container unit (201) to be designed; and
design, based upon the logical integration and the extracted set of functional relationship, the optimized integrated container unit (201), wherein the optimized integrated container unit (201) comprises the liquid manufacturing or liquid mixing plant for executing the set of production activities to produce the final product.

7. The system (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the optimized integrated container unit (201) further comprises:
the one or more control valves (207) for controlling a dosing port, wherein the dosing port facilitates transmission of water and one or more raw materials in a concentrated form;
the static mixer (208) and the dynamic mixer (209) for transmitting a semi-finished product to produce a homogenized mix product for producing the final product;
a hose (212) for connecting the one or more components amongst the logically integrated plurality of components;
the flow meter (206) connected with a dosing pipe (217) and the dosing pump (205) for controlling flow of the one or more raw materials; and
a plurality of dosing lines for facilitating the transmission of the one or more raw materials.

8. The system (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the flow meter (206) communicates with the dosing pump (205) via a plurality of control signals to control the flow of the one or more raw materials in the designed integrated container unit.

9. The system (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the flow meter (206) controls the dosing pump (205) by a set of programming logics to control the flow of the one or more raw materials in the designed integrated container unit.

10. The system (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the step of extracting the set of functional relationship is preceded by:
programming, using the HMI (211), a set of operating procedures defining a controlled production environment for the liquid manufacturing or liquid mixing plant to be integrated as the integrated unit; and
collecting and monitoring, via the one or more hardware processors, a set of control data for producing a final product via the integrated container unit to be designed.
, Description:FORM 2

THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENT RULES, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10 and Rule 13)

Title of invention:

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DESIGNING AN OPTIMIZED INTEGRATED CONTAINER UNIT FOR LIQUID MANUFACTURING PLANTS

Applicant

Tata Consultancy Services Limited
A company Incorporated in India under the Companies Act, 1956
Having address:
Nirmal Building, 9th floor,
Nariman point, Mumbai 400021,
Maharashtra, India

The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.


TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The disclosure herein generally relates to plant engineering, and, more particularly, to systems and methods for designing an optimized integrated container unit for liquid manufacturing or liquid mixing plants.

BACKGROUND
[002] Production plants, especially liquid product plants, are usually constructed to be rigid and inflexible. In particular, the manufacturing technologies and components used are installed in a fixed manner, and therefore do not allow an adaptation of the production plant depending on load. For example, some traditional systems and methods cite a production plant comprising a transport system that is fixedly installed and connects several processing stations to one another. Different work tasks can be carried out at the processing stations depending on load, in order to optimize and increase the flexibility of the production line. Such fixedly installed production plants suffer from various limitations, for example, such production plants may not be able to optimize production as integration of new components or processing of some raw materials may not be possible due to the production plants being fixedly installed at a particular location.

SUMMARY
[003] Embodiments of the present disclosure present technological improvements as solutions to one or more of the above-mentioned technical problems recognized by the inventors in conventional systems. For example, in one embodiment, a method for designing an optimized integrated container unit for liquid manufacturing or liquid mixing plants, the method comprising: logically integrating, a plurality of components in the container, wherein the plurality of components comprise a filter, a reverse osmosis (RO) system, a storage tank, at least one dosing pump, at least one flow meter, one or more control valves, a static mixer, a dynamic mixer, a programmable logic controller (PLC) and a human machine interface (HMI); defining, based upon the logical integration, a set of control parameters with the PLC for controlling each of the logically integrated plurality of components; extracting, based upon the logical integration and the defined set of control parameters, a set of functional relationship between one or more components amongst the plurality of components to execute a set of production activities corresponding to the final product to be produced via the optimized integrated container unit to be designed; and designing, based upon the logical integration and the extracted set of functional relationship, the optimized integrated container unit, wherein the optimized integrated container unit comprises the liquid manufacturing or liquid mixing plant for executing the set of production activities to produce the final product.
[004] In another aspect, there is provided a system for designing an optimized integrated container unit for liquid manufacturing or liquid mixing plants, the system comprising a memory storing instructions; one or more communication interfaces; and one or more hardware processors coupled to the memory via the one or more communication interfaces, wherein the one or more hardware processors are configured by the instructions to: logically integrate a plurality of components in the container, wherein the plurality of components comprise a filter, a reverse osmosis (RO) system, a storage tank, at least one dosing pump, at least one flow meter, one or more control valves, a static mixer, a dynamic mixer, a programmable logic controller (PLC) and a human machine interface (HMI); define, based upon the logical integration, a set of control parameters with the PLC for controlling each of the logically integrated plurality of components; extract, based upon the logical integration and the defined set of control parameters, a set of functional relationship between one or more components amongst the plurality of components to execute a set of production activities corresponding to the final product to be produced via the optimized integrated container unit to be designed; and design, based upon the logical integration and the extracted set of functional relationship, the optimized integrated container unit, wherein the optimized integrated container unit comprises the liquid manufacturing or liquid mixing plant for executing the set of production activities to produce the final product
[005] In yet another aspect, there is provided one or more non-transitory machine readable information storage mediums comprising one or more instructions which when executed by one or more hardware processors causes the one or more hardware processors to perform a method for designing an optimized integrated container unit for liquid manufacturing or liquid mixing plants, the method comprising: logically integrating, a plurality of components in the container, wherein the plurality of components comprise a filter, a reverse osmosis (RO) system, a storage tank, at least one dosing pump, at least one flow meter, one or more control valves, a static mixer, a dynamic mixer, a programmable logic controller (PLC) and a human machine interface (HMI); defining, based upon the logical integration, a set of control parameters with the PLC for controlling each of the logically integrated plurality of components; extracting, based upon the logical integration and the defined set of control parameters, a set of functional relationship between one or more components amongst the plurality of components to execute a set of production activities corresponding to the final product to be produced via the optimized integrated container unit to be designed; and designing, based upon the logical integration and the extracted set of functional relationship, the optimized integrated container unit, wherein the optimized integrated container unit comprises the liquid manufacturing or liquid mixing plant for executing the set of production activities to produce the final product
[006] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[007] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate exemplary embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain the disclosed principles.
[001] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a system for designing an optimized integrated container unit for liquid manufacturing or liquid mixing plants, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[002] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a standard container to be used for designing the optimized integrated container unit for liquid manufacturing or liquid mixing plants, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[003] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating the steps involved in the process of designing the optimized integrated container unit for liquid manufacturing or liquid mixing plants, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[004] FIG. 4 illustrates the designed optimized integrated container unit with the liquid manufacturing or liquid mixing plant, and comprising of a logically integrated plurality of components, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[005] Exemplary embodiments are described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. Wherever convenient, the same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. While examples and features of disclosed principles are described herein, modifications, adaptations, and other implementations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosed embodiments. It is intended that the following detailed description be considered as exemplary only, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.
[006] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems and methods for designing an optimized integrated container unit for liquid manufacturing or liquid mixing plants. Conventional manufacturing plants for the production of liquid products, for example shampoo, are typically designed for a specific type of location and thus are able to utilize fixed production components and systems. This results in production limitations and hamper integration of new techniques and components into a manufacturing system. Thus, a flexible adaptation of the operation of the production plant to a respective current production location is required. The method disclosed attempts to overcome the limitations of traditional system and methods. For example, the method disclosed provides for an integration of a manufacturing plant inside a container, thereby facilitating an optimization of production and other activities.
[007] Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1 through 4, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown preferred embodiments and these embodiments are described in the context of the following exemplary system and/or method.
[008] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a system 100 for designing an optimized integrated container unit (201) for liquid manufacturing or liquid mixing plants, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the system 100 includes one or more processors 104, communication interface device(s) or input/output (I/O) interface(s) 106, and one or more data storage devices or memory 102 operatively coupled to the one or more processors 104. The one or more processors 104 that are hardware processors can be implemented as one or more microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, central processing units, state machines, logic circuitries, and/or any devices that manipulate signals based on operational instructions. Among other capabilities, the processor(s) is configured to fetch and execute computer-readable instructions stored in the memory 102. In an embodiment, the system 100 can be implemented in a variety of computing systems, such as laptop computers, notebooks, hand-held devices, workstations, mainframe computers, servers, a network cloud and the like.
[009] The memory 102 may include any computer-readable medium known in the art including, for example, volatile memory, such as static random access memory (SRAM) and dynamic random access memory (DRAM), and/or non-volatile memory, such as read only memory (ROM), erasable programmable ROM, flash memories, hard disks, optical disks, and magnetic tapes. In an embodiment, the memory 102 can be configured to store any data that is associated with logical integration of components, functional relationship between components, the designed optimized integrated container unit (201), and production activities etc. is stored in the memory 102. Further, all information (inputs, outputs and so on) pertaining to designing of the optimized integrated container unit (201) for liquid manufacturing or liquid mixing plants may be stored in a database, as history data, for reference purpose.
[010] The I/O interface device(s) 106 can include a variety of software and hardware interfaces, for example, a web interface, a graphical user interface, and the like and can facilitate multiple communications within a wide variety of networks N/W and protocol types, including wired networks, for example, LAN, cable, etc., and wireless networks, such as WLAN, cellular, or satellite. In an embodiment, the I/O interface device(s) can include one or more ports for connecting a number of devices to one another or to another server.
[011] FIG. 2 illustrates a sample of a container that may be used for designing the optimized integrated container unit (201) for liquid manufacturing or liquid mixing plants, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The container, in general, may comprise of an air conditioner, a door for human entrance, a shutter door, and a human machine interface (HMI) screen.
[012] FIG. 3, with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, illustrates an exemplary flow diagram of a method for designing the optimized integrated container unit (201) for liquid manufacturing or liquid mixing plants, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. In an embodiment the system 100 comprises one or more data storage devices of the memory 102 operatively coupled to the one or more hardware processors 104 and is configured to store instructions for execution of steps of the method by the one or more processors 104. The steps of the method of the present disclosure will now be explained with reference to the components of the system 100 as depicted in FIG. 1 and the flow diagram. In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the hardware processors 104 when configured the instructions performs one or more methodologies described herein.
[013] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, at step 301, the one or more hardware processors 104 are configured to logically integrate, a plurality of components in the container, wherein each of the plurality of components correspond to a manufacturing plant or a mixing plant, especially a liquid manufacturing or a liquid mixing plant. The plurality of components that may be logically integrated (as shown in the FIG. 4) may comprise (but not limited to) a filter (202), a reverse osmosis (RO) system (203), a storage tank (204), at least one dosing pump (205), at least one flow meter (206), one or more control valves (207), a static mixer (208), a dynamic mixer (209), a programmable logic controller (PLC) (210) (or called as a PLC Panel 210)) and a human machine interface (HMI) (211).
[014] A hose (212) connects one or more components amongst the plurality of components, for example, an inlet and a mobile tank (216). A Tote (213) is used for storing of raw materials, colors, etc. A temporary product storage tank (214) stores homogenized mix product. A final product outlet (215) connects various components amongst the plurality of components. The mobile tank (216) is connected to the inlet via the hose (212). A dosing pipe (217) is connected with the flow meter (206) for controlling flow of the one or more raw materials. A high and low level transmitter (218) controls the bore-well pump. A main header (219) may be implemented for carrying raw materials, for example, water. The functions of each of the plurality of components to be logically integrated for designing the optimized integrated container (201) are discussed in detail in subsequent paragraphs.
[015] In an embodiment, the one or more hardware processors 104 are configured to perform the logical integration based upon technical requirements of integrating any liquid manufacturing or liquid mixing plant in the container, for example, raw materials to be processed, final product to be generated, design requirements, addition of other minor raw materials to be done later, structural integrity and other architectural requirements. The process of logical integration thus comprises integrating each of the plurality of components in such a way that an initial design (of integrated components) may be obtained for performing various functions (discussed in step 302 below). Thus, the initial design serves as a basis for designing the optimized integrated container (201). By referring to FIG. 4 again, the plurality of components logically integrated may be referred.
[016] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, at step 302, the one or more hardware processors 104 are configured to define, based upon the logical integration, a set of control parameters with the PLC (210), for controlling each of the logically integrated plurality of components. In an embodiment, the set of control parameters may be defined for controlling various functions associated with integrating of the liquid manufacturing or liquid mixing plant in the container to design the optimized integrated container unit (201).
[017] For example, the defined set of control parameters may facilitate receiving of input signals, an indication of measured process attributes in physical process equipment, and transmitting command signals, or other parameters that are used to govern the physical process equipment. Considering an example scenario, the flow meter (206) may be configured and defined via the PLC (210) to monitor the flow and control the dosing pump (205) speed or any other motor speed, so that a pre-programmed quantity of raw material can be added in the main header (219).
[018] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, at step 302, the one or more hardware processors 104 are further configured to program, using the HMI (211), a set of operating procedures defining a controlled production environment for the liquid manufacturing or liquid mixing plant to be integrated as the integrated unit. Considering an example scenario, the one or more hardware processors 104 may define that before start of the manufacturing process, a recipe selection to be done in the HMI (211).
[019] Similarly, an automatic condition may be programmed, wherein when the water level of the storage tank (204) decreases then a low level set point set in the HMI (211) will start. Further, while the water level of the storage tank (204) increases, then the high set point set in the HMI (211) will stop. The set of operating procedures thus provide for an optimized production environment, thereby controlling production functions associated with the liquid manufacturing in the container.
[020] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, at step 302, the one or more hardware processors 104 are finally configured to collect and monitor a set of control data for producing a final product via the integrated container unit to be designed. In an embodiment, the set of control data may comprise an information ranging from operating parameters of each piece of equipment that comprises the manufacturing plant and its processes to the daily weather conditions that may affect the plant operation. Further, information on the volume of raw materials, the volume of product produced, the specifications and quality requirements for both the raw materials and the finished products may be monitored.
[021] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, at step 303, the one or more hardware processors 104 are configured to extract, based upon the logical integration and the defined set of control parameters, a set of functional relationship between one or more components amongst the plurality of components to execute a set of production activities corresponding to the final product to be produced. In general, the addition and mixing of raw materials in an optimized quantity will make the required final product in a container, hence, extracting functional relationships between various components optimizes the production.
[022] Considering an example scenario, a functional relationship may be extracted between the main header (219) and a dosing line (not shown in the figure), wherein the main header (219) (carrying raw materials, for example, water) may be connected with the dosing line (amongst a plurality of dosing lines), wherein each of the plurality of dosing lines is the supply line of other raw material/chemical that may be required to added to make any final product.
[023] Further, one end of each of the plurality of dosing lines may be connected with the main header (219) via an open/close valve, wherein the open/close valve opens or closes the dosing line, so that raw material addition to the main header (219) can be started or stopped. Still further, the other end of dosing line may be connected with the flow meter (206) and other end of the flow meter (206) may be connected with the dosing pump (205).
[024] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, at step 304, the one or more hardware processors 104 are configured to design, based upon the logical integration and the set of functional relationship extracted, the optimized integrated container unit (201), wherein the optimized integrated container unit (201) comprises the liquid manufacturing or liquid mixing plant for executing the set of production activities to produce the final product, and wherein the final product may comprise of any liquid product. By referring to FIG. 4 yet again, the designed optimized integrated container unit (201) may be referred.
[025] By referring to FIG. 4 yet again, it may be noted that the optimized integrated container unit (201) serves as the liquid manufacturing or liquid mixing plant by implementing the logically integrated components to execute the set of production activities to produce the final liquid product. By referring to FIG. 4 yet again, it may be noted that the one or more control valves (207) are used for controlling a dosing port (not shown in the figure), and the dosing port facilitates transmission of water and one or more raw materials in a concentrated form. The static mixer (208) and the dynamic mixer (209) facilitate transmission of a semi-finished product for producing a homogenized mix product, thereby facilitating production of the final product. The final product outlet (215), as mentioned supra, facilitates connecting of various components.
[026] The flow meter (206) is connected with a dosing pipe (217) and the dosing pump (205) for controlling flow of the one or more raw materials, while each of the plurality of dosing lines facilitate the transmission of the one or more raw materials. In an embodiment, the flow meter (206) as a part of the optimized container unit (201), communicates with the dosing pump (205) via a plurality of control signals to control the flow of the one or more raw materials in the designed integrated container unit and also controls the dosing pump (205) by a set of programming logics to control the flow of the one or more raw materials in the designed integrated container unit. The process of manufacturing the liquid inside the optimized container unit (201) comprising of the logical integrated components, the defined set of control parameters and the extracted set of functional relationship may now be discussed in detail.
[027] In an embodiment, initially, external bore-well water is connected with the dosing pipe (217) (which placed just near to an access door of the optimized integrated container unit (201)) via a rigid pipe (not shown in the figure). Power and compressed air supply is provided to the container from external source. Water is fed and stored in the storage tank (204) via the filter (202). The one or more hardware processors 104 are configured to maintain the water level in the storage tank (204) by 2 level transmitters. The high and low level transmitter (218) controls the bore-well pump. Stored water from the storage tank (204) water is then fed to the RO System (203) for purification process. Purified water passes through the main header (219), where the plurality of dosing lines are connected.
[028] A raw material dosing point (not shown in the figure) comprises the control valve (207) for on/off function of the dosing port. As mentioned above, the flow of raw material addition to the main header (219) is controlled by the flow meter (206) connected in the plurality of dosing lines. Based upon the selected program, the flow meter (206) measures the flow of each of the plurality of dosing lines and sends signal to the dosing pump (205) to increase/decrease the speed of the motor (not shown in the figure). This maintains the outflow of the dosing pump (205).
[029] In an embodiment, the dosing pump (205) comprises of the inlet (not shown in the figure) connected to a Tote (213) or the mobile tank (216) (or with both of them) via the hose (212). The raw material from the plurality of dosing lines mixes with the purified water, which runs into the main header (219), thereby resulting in the production of a semi-finished product. The semi-finished (or a semi-mixed finished) product further passes through the static mixer (208), and then through the dynamic mixer (209) to make a final mix of the product, that is, a liquid product. The homogenized mix product is stored in the temporary product storage tank (214) for further use.
[030] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, some of the advantages of the proposed disclosure may now be considered in detail. The traditional systems and methods of process plant industries to make the liquid mixing product is, to have fixed plant at large space. This needs more space and time to construct, test and run the plant. The method disclosed provides for a movable plant for the liquid mixing product as the plant is integrated inside a container, requiring only one time installation, testing, and validation. The integrated plant is easy to move and install to another place, thereby reducing launch time to market. The optimized container unit (201) serves all liquid productions, wherein water comprises one of the major raw material to process a product.
[031] Also, the optimized container unit (201) is fully equipped with liquid making equipment (such as the storage tank (204), the dosing pump (205), the flow meter (206), and the control valve(s) (207) etc.) to produce liquid mixed products. Extracting the set of functional relationship between the components for the addition and mixing of raw materials in the optimized quantity based upon the logical integration of the components optimized production (as discussed above). Finally, the optimized integrated container unit (201) has the set of operating procedures which control the production functions associated with the liquid manufacturing in the container.
[032] The written description describes the subject matter herein to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the embodiments. The scope of the subject matter embodiments is defined by the claims and may include other modifications that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other modifications are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have similar elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims or if they include equivalent elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.
[033] The embodiments of present disclosure herein addresses unresolved problem of integration of manufacturing plant(s), especially liquid manufacturing plant(s) inside a container for optimizing production activities. The embodiment, thus provides for logically integrating the plurality of components in the container, defining the set of control parameters with the PLC (210) for controlling the plurality of components, programming, using the HMI (211), a set of operating procedures defining a controlled production environment for the liquid manufacturing or liquid mixing plant to be integrated as the optimized integrated unit, collecting and monitoring a set of control data for producing a final product via the integrated container unit to be designed, extracting the set of functional relationship between one or more components amongst the logically integrated plurality of components, and designing, based upon the logical integration and the extracted set of functional relationship, the optimized integrated container unit (201). Moreover, the embodiments herein further facilitates integration of new techniques and components into a manufacturing system by providing for the integration of the manufacturing plant inside the container.
[034] It is to be understood that the scope of the protection is extended to such a program and in addition to a computer-readable means having a message therein; such computer-readable storage means contain program-code means for implementation of one or more steps of the method, when the program runs on a server or mobile device or any suitable programmable device. The hardware device can be any kind of device which can be programmed including e.g. any kind of computer like a server or a personal computer, or the like, or any combination thereof. The device may also include means which could be e.g. hardware means like e.g. an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or a combination of hardware and software means, e.g. an ASIC and an FPGA, or at least one microprocessor and at least one memory with software modules located therein. Thus, the means can include both hardware means and software means. The method embodiments described herein could be implemented in hardware and software. The device may also include software means. Alternatively, the embodiments may be implemented on different hardware devices, e.g. using a plurality of CPUs.
[035] The embodiments herein can comprise hardware and software elements. The embodiments that are implemented in software include but are not limited to, firmware, resident software, microcode, etc. The functions performed by various modules described herein may be implemented in other modules or combinations of other modules. For the purposes of this description, a computer-usable or computer readable medium can be any apparatus that can comprise, store, communicate, propagate, or transport the program for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.
[036] The illustrated steps are set out to explain the exemplary embodiments shown, and it should be anticipated that ongoing technological development will change the manner in which particular functions are performed. These examples are presented herein for purposes of illustration, and not limitation. Further, the boundaries of the functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined herein for the convenience of the description. Alternative boundaries can be defined so long as the specified functions and relationships thereof are appropriately performed. Alternatives (including equivalents, extensions, variations, deviations, etc., of those described herein) will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the teachings contained herein. Such alternatives fall within the scope and spirit of the disclosed embodiments. Also, the words “comprising,” “having,” “containing,” and “including,” and other similar forms are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items. It must also be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[037] Furthermore, one or more computer-readable storage media may be utilized in implementing embodiments consistent with the present disclosure. A computer-readable storage medium refers to any type of physical memory on which information or data readable by a processor may be stored. Thus, a computer-readable storage medium may store instructions for execution by one or more processors, including instructions for causing the processor(s) to perform steps or stages consistent with the embodiments described herein. The term “computer-readable medium” should be understood to include tangible items and exclude carrier waves and transient signals, i.e., be non-transitory. Examples include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), volatile memory, nonvolatile memory, hard drives, CD ROMs, DVDs, flash drives, disks, and any other known physical storage media.
[038] It is intended that the disclosure and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of disclosed embodiments being indicated by the following claims.