Warranty information notification system and computer-readable storage medium

Abstract

A warranty information notification system is provided with: a warranty information management unit that accepts registration of warranty information from a device purchaser; and a notification destination management unit that, upon receiving the registration of the warranty information, acquires configuration information of the components constituting the device, receives the registration of a supplier of the components constituting the device as a notification destination of the warranty information, and notifies the notification destination of the information necessary for the start of the warranty included in the warranty information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a warranty information notification system and a computer-readable storage medium. Background Art

[0002] In the manufacture of industrial products, it is rare to manufacture all parts, and usually parts purchased from multiple manufacturers are assembled to manufacture the product. Information related to multiple parts constituting the product is managed in an electronically related manner. For example, refer to Patent Document 1.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: International Publication No. 2022 / 054767 Summary of the invention

[0006] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0007] When manufacturing a product, first, the parts are purchased, assembled, and then delivered to the customer. The contract with the customer includes a warranty contract. The warranty contract stipulates the target product, warranty period, start date of the warranty period, warranty scope, application, etc.

[0008] In the field of maintenance and repair of devices, it is desirable to manage warranty information.

[0009] Means for solving problems

[0010] A warranty information notification system as one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a warranty information management unit, which accepts registration of warranty information from a purchaser of a device; a notification destination management unit, which, when accepting registration of warranty information, obtains structural information of components constituting the device, accepts registration of a supplier of components constituting the device as a notification destination of the warranty information, and notifies the notification destination of information required for starting warranty contained in the warranty information. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 It is a system structure diagram of the warranty information notification system.

[0012] Figure 2 It is a block diagram of a device information management system.

[0013] Figure 3 It is a block diagram of a warranty information notification system.

[0014] Figure 4 This is a block diagram for explaining the registration process of the configuration information, the component information, and the notification destination.

[0015] Figure 5is a block diagram illustrating a notification process for warranty information.

[0016] Figure 6 is a block diagram illustrating the update process of warranty information.

[0017] Figure 7 This is an exemplary screen structure diagram of the user authentication screen.

[0018] Figure 8 This is an exemplary screen structure diagram of the menu screen.

[0019] Fig. 9 This is an exemplary screen structure diagram of a new registration screen for warranty information.

[0020] Fig.10 This is an exemplary screen structure diagram of the unified input screen for warranty information.

[0021] Fig.11 This is an exemplary screen configuration diagram of a notification destination input screen.

[0022] Fig.12 This is an exemplary screen configuration diagram of a notification destination selection screen.

[0023] Fig.13 This is a hardware structure diagram of an information processing device included in the warranty information notification system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Hereinafter, the warranty information notification system 100 will be described.

[0025] The warranty information notification system 100 notifies the warranty information assigned to the device to the device manufacturer and the parts supplier. As a definition of the term, the device of this embodiment includes not only a single device but also a plurality of devices. In addition, a combination of different devices such as a factory system composed of a combination of a plurality of robots and a conveyor for transporting workpieces is also included in the device. That is, a system composed of a combination of components and devices as constituent elements is also included in the device.

[0026] like Figure 1 As shown, the warranty information notification system 100 can be connected to the device information management system 200, the terminal 300 of the device purchaser, the terminal 400 of the device manufacturer, and the terminal 500 of the component supplier. In addition, the component suppliers mentioned here include component manufacturers that manufacture components, suppliers that manufacture / sell components, and sellers that sell components. In addition, component suppliers also include system integrators. Component suppliers are responsible for the management of warranty information of devices and components.

[0027] The warranty information notification system 100 is installed in an information processing device such as a PC (personal computer) or a server. The components of the warranty information notification system 100 are components for classifying their functions, and may not be clearly distinguished in terms of physical structure and program structure.

[0028] Figure 2 2 is a block diagram of the device information management system 200 .

[0029] The device manufacturer registers the structural information related to the components constituting the device in the structural information storage unit 201. The structural information includes the device ID, the component ID, the hierarchical information of the component, etc. The serial number of the component is one of the component IDs. The hierarchical information of the component indicates the hierarchy of the components assembled in the device. The hierarchical structure has the device as the product as the top, and has a structure such as the primary components constituting the device and the secondary components constituting the primary components.

[0030] For example, a machine tool is composed of primary components such as a numerical controller, a tool changer, and a ball screw. Some components can be added as options. For example, an additional axis rotary table is a component that can be added as an option.

[0031] The component supplier registers the component information in the component information storage unit 202 of the device information management system 200. Here, the device is also regarded as one of the components, and the device information is registered as the component information.

[0032] The component information storage unit 202 stores component information such as component ID (device ID), supplier information, technical information, and the scope of technical information reading permission. The scope of technical information reading permission is determined based on the hierarchical information and the inter-company contract. The component information includes the name of the component supplier, the name of the component manufacturer, the address of the component supplier, the department responsible for warranty-related matters, the position of the person in charge of warranty-related matters, and the name of the person in charge of warranty-related matters.

[0033] The access storage unit 203 stores access information, and refers to the reading permission range of the technical information to determine whether the component supplier can read the technical information.

[0034] Next, the warranty information notification system 100 will be described. Figure 3 is a block diagram of the warranty information notification system 100 .

[0035] The warranty information notification system 100 includes a user registration unit 101. The user registration unit 101 receives registration of user information. The user information includes a user management ID, a company ID, a name, a department, a position, a telephone number, an email address, and the like.

[0036] The user information management unit 102 manages user information.

[0037] The company information management unit 103 manages the information of the company to which the user belongs. The company information includes company ID, company name, address, telephone number, etc. The company ID and user management ID are in a one-to-many relationship. Multiple users can be registered under one company.

[0038] The warranty information notification system 100 includes a user authentication unit 110. The user authentication unit 110 authenticates the device purchaser by referring to the user information management unit 102 and the company information management unit 103. The device purchaser's information is registered in the device purchaser management unit 104. The device purchaser's information includes a device purchaser management ID, a company ID, a device management department, a person in charge, a telephone number, an email address, and the like.

[0039] The warranty information notification system 100 includes a warranty information management unit 105. The warranty information management unit 105 manages the warranty information registered by the purchaser of the device. The warranty information includes a warranty information management ID, a device purchaser management ID, a device ID, a device serial number, an installation location, a warranty start date, and the like. The warranty start date is calculated based on the warranty information. Information related to the calculation of the warranty start date includes the installation date and acceptance date of the device, and the like. The device is managed using information that can uniquely identify the device, such as a serial number (here, referred to as the device ID). The device ID is recorded on a label of the device, etc. The name, model, and the like of the device are recorded on the label. The user registers warranty-related information as needed. In addition, information can be read from a two-dimensional barcode affixed to the device instead of from the label.

[0040] The warranty information management unit 105 calculates the warranty start date and warranty period based on the device ID, the device installation date, the acceptance date, and the installation location. The warranty period, the warranty start date, the extended warranty, the warranty period for repair parts, the warranty period for initial failure, the warranty scope, etc., vary depending on the type of device and the device installation location. The warranty start date includes the device operation start date, the device factory installation date, the device acceptance date, etc. The warranty period and warranty content differ particularly when the device is used in Japan and when the device is used overseas. In addition, there are paid warranty and free warranty. The warranty conditions are stipulated in advance by the contract.

[0041] The warranty information notification system 100 includes a notification destination management unit 106. When a device purchaser registers warranty information, the notification destination management unit 106 obtains device configuration information and component information required for notification destination setting from the device information management system 200. The notification destination of warranty information is mainly a component supplier. The notification destination information includes company ID, warranty responsible department, person in charge name, email address, telephone number, responsible device / component name, responsible device / component model, etc.

[0042] The authority management unit 107 manages the user's access rights. The authority information includes the authority management ID, the user management ID, the authority classification, etc. The authority management unit 107 manages the authority by company (device manufacturer, component supplier) and user (company personnel). The authority granted to the user is different from the authority granted to the company.

[0043] The authority granted to the company is associated with the hierarchical information of the component structure. When registering warranty information, the authority management unit 107 reads the hierarchical information from the device information management system 200. The purchaser of the device, the device manufacturer, and the component supplier can access the data of the specified hierarchy. The association between the company and the hierarchy is predetermined between the purchaser of the device and the component supplier.

[0044] The authority granted to a user is related to the user's scope of work. The authority granted to a user who is a device purchaser includes the authority to register warranty information, the authority to view warranty information, etc. The authority granted to a user who is a parts supplier includes the authority to register a notification destination, and the authority to edit / add / update information related to the warranty of the company's products. In addition, the device purchaser is not necessarily the company that purchased the device. The authority to register warranty information can also be granted to the device seller or the device installer.

[0045] The notification destination management unit 106 notifies the warranty information to the notification destination of the component supplier. The notification method is not particularly limited. The notification methods include email, telephone, written, and application. The person in charge of the component supplier can confirm the warranty start date and warranty content of the device in which the company's components are assembled.

[0046] The parts supplier can edit the notification destination managed by the notification destination management unit 106. The authority to edit the notification destination is managed by the authority management unit 107.

[0047] The operation of the warranty information notification system 100 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0048] The warranty information notification system 100 receives registration of a notification destination for component configuration information and warranty information at the time of manufacturing and shipment of a device. Figure 4 The following diagram shows the registration process of the configuration information storage unit 201 , the component information storage unit 202 , and the user registration unit 101 .

[0049] [Step A1] The device information management system 200 receives component information from a component supplier and registers the component information in the component information storage unit 202. [Step A1′] The device information management system 200 receives device information from a device manufacturer and registers the device information in the configuration information storage unit 201. In [Step A1′], the device is regarded as a component, and the device information is registered in the component information storage unit 202 as component information.

[0050] [Step A2] The warranty information notification system 100 receives input of a notification destination of warranty information from a component supplier, and registers the notification destination of warranty information in the notification destination management unit 106. The timing for urging the registration of the notification destination includes when the design of the component is completed, when the device is shipped, etc., but is not particularly limited. In addition, multiple notification destinations of warranty information may be registered. [Step A2′] The warranty information notification system 100 also receives input of a notification destination from a device manufacturer, and registers the notification destination of the device manufacturer as the notification destination of warranty information in the notification destination management unit 106.

[0051] [Step A3] In [Step A2'], the warranty information notification system 100 obtains the structural information of the component registered in the device information management system 200. The structural information of the component includes the hierarchy information. The hierarchy information is used as information for determining the component supplier as the notification destination of the warranty information. The relationship between the setting of the notification destination and the hierarchy information can be defined by the device manufacturer based on the inter-company contract.

[0052] [Step A4] The component supplier delivers the components and component information to the device manufacturer. [Step A4'] The component supplier registers the component information in the component information storage unit 202 of the device information management system 200. The device manufacturer assembles the components to manufacture the device.

[0053] [Step A5] The device manufacturer sells the device. The device manufacturer may sell the device directly or through a sales store or system integrator. Hereinafter, the party that sells / delivers / installs the device is referred to as the device supplier.

[0054] [Step A6] When shipping a device, the device manufacturer registers device information (a type of component information) in the component information storage unit 202 of the device information management system 200 .

[0055] [Step A7] The device is delivered to a device supplier such as a sales store or a system integrator.

[0056] [Step A8] Device suppliers such as device manufacturers, sales stores, and system integrators sell / deliver devices and install the devices.

[0057] [Step A9] The device purchaser (or device supplier) performs user registration of the warranty information notification system 100. The user registration information is managed by the user registration unit 101.

[0058] Through the processing from [Step A1] to [Step A9], the registration of the component data, the registration of the notification destination of the warranty information, and the registration of the device purchaser are completed.

[0059] Next, refer to Figure 5, the notification process of warranty information is explained. The notification process of warranty information is performed on the premise that the above registration process is completed.

[0060] [Step B1] When the device is delivered / installed, the device purchaser (or device supplier) accesses the warranty information notification system 100. The warranty information notification system 100 performs authentication of the device purchaser (or device supplier).

[0061] [Step B2] If the authentication result shows that the device purchaser (or device supplier) has the right to register warranty information, the warranty information notification system 100 accepts registration of warranty information. The warranty information includes information related to the start of warranty, such as the device installation location and device installation date.

[0062] [Step B3] The warranty information notification system 100 manages the warranty information in association with the device information.

[0063] [Step B4] When receiving registration of warranty information from a device purchaser, the warranty information notification system 100 obtains the configuration information of the registered device from the device information management system 200. The notification destination management unit 106 receives selection of a notification destination of warranty information from a component supplier that supplies components constituting the device based on the configuration information. The warranty information notification system 100 notifies the notification destination set by the notification destination management unit 106 of warranty information.

[0064] The warranty information notification system 100 manages user information of a device purchaser, configuration information of the device, and information of a component supplier that supplies components constituting the device, and thus functions as an intermediary of information between the device purchaser and the component supplier.

[0065] The warranty information notification system 100 mediates between component suppliers (including device manufacturers) and device purchasers, accepts updates of warranty-related information on their own products from component suppliers, and provides the updated information to device purchasers. Figure 6 This indicates the update process of the warranty-related information of our products performed by the parts supplier (including the device manufacturer).

[0066] [Step C1] The device information management system 200 receives registration of device component configuration, component information, component and device hierarchical information, access rights to component information, etc. from device manufacturers and component suppliers.

[0067] (Step C1 is equivalent to the registration operation of steps A1 to A9, so the description is omitted.)

[0068] [Step C2] The device purchaser purchases the device.

[0069] [Step C3] The device purchaser (or device supplier) accesses the warranty information notification system 100. The warranty information notification system 100 performs authentication of the device purchaser (or device supplier).

[0070] [Step C4] The warranty information notification system 100 manages information related to warranty of the parts supplier and the device manufacturer's own product in association with information for identifying the device, such as the device ID.

[0071] [Step C5] The parts supplier and the device manufacturer associated with the device share the information related to the warranty of their own products with the device purchaser. The parts supplier and the device manufacturer have the authority to edit / add / update the information related to the warranty of their own products.

[0072] [Step C6] The device manufacturer reads the notification destination of the component supplier and notifies the component supplier of the edited / added / updated information in step C5. The device purchaser has the right to view the information related to the warranty of the company's products provided by the component supplier.

[0073] [Step C7] The component supplier notifies the device manufacturer of the information related to the component. The device manufacturer notifies the device purchaser of the information related to the component as necessary.

[0074] Next, an example of user authentication and notification destination registration in the warranty information notification system 100 will be described.

[0075] When accessing the warranty information notification system 100, the display Figure 7 The user authentication screen displays the company's identification information (company ID), the user's identification information (user ID), a password input area, etc. In addition, a button for selecting and executing login is displayed below the input area.

[0076] When entering the company ID and user ID, the Figure 8 The menu screen shown. The menu screen displays the operations that the user can perform. The purchaser of the device can perform menus such as "New registration of warranty information", "List of registered warranties", and "View user information". The menu screen varies depending on the device manufacturer and component supplier. The user's operation range varies depending on the authority granted to the user.

[0077] When the device purchaser (or device supplier) selects the "New Registration of Warranty Information" menu, the Fig. 9In the "new registration screen for warranty information", the device manufacturer name, device name, device model, device serial number, installation location, person in charge, department, etc. are registered. In addition, the device manufacturer name, device name, device model, etc. can also be read from the device information management system 200.

[0078] It is also possible to enter warranty information for multiple devices at once. Fig.10 This is the "unified input screen for device warranty information". When setting up multiple devices, unified input is convenient. In the "unified input screen for warranty information", the device manufacturer name, device name, device model, device serial number, installation location, person in charge name, department, etc. can be registered at once. Warranty information can also be read from a .csv (Comma separated value) file, etc.

[0079] Fig.11 This is the "notification destination input screen". Some of the users of the parts supplier or device manufacturer have the authority to access this screen. The parts supplier or device manufacturer registers the contact information of the company. The access authority is set as needed.

[0080] In the "Notification Destination Input Screen", you can register information such as company ID, company name, device / component classification, device model, notification destination email address, notification destination manager, and notification destination manager department. Even for the same company, the notification destination for warranty registration may be different depending on the type of device / component. The notification destination can be set by device / component type. In addition, a component refers to a part that constitutes a device.

[0081] In addition, there is a desire to set multiple notification destination email addresses for one device / component. In such a case, multiple notification destinations can be registered using a unified registration screen.

[0082] Fig.12 This is the "Notification Destination Selection Screen". This screen contains input areas for the device manufacturer name, device name, and device model. The device can be identified based on this information. Below the device identification information, a list of components assembled in the device is displayed. The list displays the name of the component, the component manufacturer (or component supplier), the notification destination email address, the notification destination manager, the manager's department, etc. A check box is set in each row of the list. The check box can be used to select the component supplier to whom the warranty information is to be notified.

[0083] The warranty information notification system 100 of this embodiment acquires the configuration information of the components produced when designing the device. When acquiring warranty information from the device purchaser (or device supplier), the warranty information notification system 100 notifies the component supplier that supplies the components constituting the device.

[0084] The warranty information notification system 100 also accepts selection of a notification destination of warranty information. In selecting a notification destination, candidates for the notification destination are presented based on the structural information of the component.

[0085] After the parts supplier of the company delivers the parts, it is impossible to track the distribution of the parts. In the warranty information notification system 100 of this embodiment, the information related to the parts generated in the design stage is associated with the contact destination of the parts supplier, and the information related to the start of the warranty is notified to the parts supplier. The parts supplier can use the information related to the start of the warranty for parts inventory management, etc.

[0086] In addition, the warranty information notification system 100 can also notify the parts supplier of the identification information of the device in which the parts are assembled, the installation location of the device, the warranty period of the parts, and other warranty-related information. The notified information can be used for parts inventory management. In addition, through the warranty information notification system 100, information can also be provided to the purchaser of the device after the parts are sold.

[0087] In addition, based on information related to parts, the warranty period of the device, the location of the device, etc., parts suppliers can estimate the number of parts inventories stored in warehouses in various countries and regions. If the inventory is rationalized, the number of days required for device repairs will be shortened and the inventory storage costs will be reduced.

[0088] Parts have schedules such as replacement of consumables, stockpiling of spare parts, regular inspections, and expiration of warranty periods. Part suppliers can provide this information to buyers as needed.

[0089] In addition, the warranty information notification system 100 can also be applied to the production line of the robot, in the case of the robot, as a component combination hand, gas, flow, control device, etc. The robot is configured in the production line. The system integrator understands the structure of the production line and the robot. The manager of the factory (who can also be the seller of the robot device or the installer of the robot device) registers the information related to the warranty to the warranty information notification system 100. The information related to the warranty also includes the information required for the calculation of the warranty period. The information required for the calculation of the warranty period includes the operation start date of the robot, the delivery date of the robot, the acceptance date of the robot, etc. The information related to the warranty is predetermined by the contract.

[0090] Hereinafter, the hardware configuration of the information processing device included in the warranty information notification system 100 to which this embodiment is applied will be described. Fig.13 It is a hardware structure diagram of the information processing device. Fig.13 As shown, the information processing device includes a CPU 11 for overall control of the information processing device, a ROM 12 for recording programs and data, and a RAM 13 for temporarily expanding data. The CPU 11 reads a system program recorded in the ROM 12 via a bus and controls the overall information processing device according to the system program.

[0091] The nonvolatile memory 14 is backed up by a battery (not shown), for example, and maintains the storage state even when the power of the information processing device is turned off. The nonvolatile memory 14 stores various data such as programs read from the external device 16 via the interfaces 15, 17, and 18 and user operations input via the input unit 30. In addition, the display unit 70 displays various data.

[0092] The interface 15 is an interface for connecting the information processing apparatus to an external device 16 such as an adapter. A program, various parameters, and the like are read from the external device 16 side.

[0093] The present disclosure is described in detail, but the present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments. These embodiments can be variously added, replaced, changed, partially deleted, etc. within the scope of the main purpose of the present disclosure, or within the scope of the main purpose of the present disclosure derived from the content recorded in the scope of the patent protection requested and its equivalent. In addition, these embodiments can also be implemented in combination. For example, in the above-mentioned embodiments, the order of each action and the order of each processing are shown as an example, and are not limited to this.

[0094] The following additional notes are disclosed in relation to the above-mentioned embodiment and modified examples.

[0095] (Note 1)

[0096] The warranty information notification system 100 comprises: a warranty information management unit 105, which accepts registration of warranty information from a purchaser of the device; a notification destination management unit 106, which, when accepting registration of the warranty information, obtains structural information of components constituting the device, accepts registration of a supplier of components constituting the device as a notification destination of the warranty information, and notifies the notification destination of the information required for the start of warranty contained in the warranty information.

[0097] (Note 2)

[0098] When accepting registration of warranty information of the device, the warranty information management unit 105 calculates a warranty start date based on the warranty information.

[0099] (Note 3)

[0100] The notification destination management unit 106 receives selection of a supplier of components to be the notification destination from among suppliers of components constituting the device.

[0101] (Note 4)

[0102] In the warranty information notification system 100 , the structure information includes the component hierarchy information, and the notification destination management unit 106 presents the component hierarchy information as a reference for selecting the notification destination.

[0103] (Note 5)

[0104] The warranty information notification system 100 receives update of warranty-related information of the company's product from a supplier set as a notification destination of the warranty information.

[0105] (Note 6)

[0106] The warranty information notification system 100 comprises: an authority management unit 107, which manages the authority of the supplier of the parts and the purchaser of the device; and a user authentication unit 110, which authenticates the supplier of the parts and the purchaser of the device. The notification destination management unit 106 accepts the registration of the notification destination by the supplier of the parts and the registration of the warranty information by the purchaser of the device based on the result of the authentication.

[0107] (Note 7)

[0108] A storage medium 12, 13, 14 stores commands readable by a processor 11, and the following processing is performed by executing the commands by one or more processors: accepting registration of warranty information from a purchaser of a device, when accepting registration of the warranty information, obtaining structural information of components constituting the device, managing the supplier of the components constituting the device as a notification destination of the warranty information, and notifying the notification destination of information required for the start of warranty contained in the warranty information.

[0109] Explanation of symbols

[0110] 100 warranty information notification system,

[0111] 104 Equipment Purchaser Management Department,

[0112] 105 Warranty Information Management Department,

[0113] 106 Notify the destination management department,

[0114] 107 Rights Management Department,

[0115] 110 User Authentication Department,

[0116] 11CPU,

[0117] 12ROM,

[0118] 13 RAM,

[0119] 14 Non-volatile memory.

Claims

1. A warranty information notification system, It is characterized in that have: a warranty information management section that accepts registration of warranty information from purchasers of the device; as well as The notification destination management unit obtains the structural information of the components constituting the device when accepting the registration of the warranty information, accepts the registration of the supplier of the components constituting the device as the notification destination of the warranty information, and notifies the notification destination of the information required for the start of warranty contained in the warranty information.

2. The warranty information notification system according to claim 1, It is characterized in that When accepting registration of warranty information of the device, the warranty information management unit calculates a warranty start date based on the warranty information.

3. The warranty information notification system according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The notification destination management unit receives selection of a supplier of components to be the notification destination from among suppliers of components constituting the device.

4. The warranty information notification system according to claim 3, It is characterized in that The structural information includes the hierarchical information of the components. The notification destination management unit presents the hierarchical information of the component as a reference for selection of the notification destination.

5. The warranty information notification system according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The update of the information related to the warranty of the company's product is received from the supplier set as the notification destination of the warranty information.

6. The warranty information notification system according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The warranty information notification system comprises: a rights management unit that manages rights of the supplier of the parts and the purchaser of the device; and a user authentication unit that authenticates the supplier of the component and the purchaser of the device, The notification destination management unit accepts registration of a notification destination by the supplier of the parts and registration of warranty information by the purchaser of the device, based on the result of the authentication.

7. A storage medium storing instructions readable by a processor, It is characterized in that The following processing is performed by executing the command by one or more processors: Accept registration of warranty information from a purchaser of the device. When the registration of the warranty information is accepted, obtain structural information of components constituting the device, manage the supplier of the components constituting the device as a notification destination of the warranty information, and notify the notification destination of information required for the start of warranty contained in the warranty information.

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