This invention describes a computer system for a factory that automatically estimates the time and resources needed for equipment maintenance. It works by analyzing records of past repairs, including labor and materials used, to predict things like the estimated start and completion times for new maintenance jobs. The claims specifically narrow the focus to generating these estimated start and completion times for scheduling purposes.
Why it matters: In 2007, the computational power and advanced machine learning algorithms needed for accurate historical data analysis and predictive scheduling were not as mature. Today, AI and cloud computing can significantly enhance the accuracy and efficiency of such a system.
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