Management method, server and management system of customized product

Abstract

To provide a management method of a customized product which facilitates management of customized programming information.SOLUTION: A method is a management method of a customized product of a vibration device 300, in a management system 1 which includes a server 10, and a first terminal device 100 of a customer connected with the server 10 through a network NW. The server 10 receives customized programming information to be written to the vibration device 300 from a first terminal device 100 (step S100). Moreover, the server 10 generates a customized model number for identifying the received customized programming information (step S110).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a management method, a server, and a management system for custom products. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a method of systematizing the process from order receipt to delivery of oscillators, etc. Patent Document 1 discloses a method of realizing early delivery of oscillators by preparing blank oscillators in advance for each manufacturing facility, and having the manufacturing facility's server select an appropriate facility for delivery of the oscillators based on order data received from a customer's terminal, and transmitting data to be written into the blank oscillators to the selected facility. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2002-117285 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the method disclosed in Patent Document 1, the customer is required to input the necessary specifications in detail every time they place an order. Therefore, it is desirable to build a system that provides improved convenience. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method for managing custom products of vibration devices in a management system including a server and a first terminal device of a customer connected to the server via a network, in which the server receives custom programming information to be written to the vibration device from the first terminal device and generates a custom model number to identify the received custom programming information.

[0006] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a server connected to a first terminal device of a customer via a network, the server including a receiving unit that receives custom programming information to be written to a vibration device from the first terminal device, and a processing unit that, upon receiving the custom programming information, generates a custom model number for identifying the custom programming information.

[0007] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a custom product management system including the above-mentioned server and the first terminal device, wherein the first terminal device transmits the custom programming information written to the vibration device by a writing device to the server.

[0008] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a custom product management system including the above-mentioned server, the first terminal device, and a second terminal device connected to the server and the first terminal device via the network, wherein the second terminal device transmits the custom model number that the first terminal device has placed an order with the second terminal device to the server, and the server transmits the custom programming information identified by the received custom model number to the second terminal device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of the configuration of a management system or the like. [Diagram 2] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of a processing flow according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining another example of the configuration of a management system, etc. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the transmission of custom programming information in more detail. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining another example of the processing flow of the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining another example of the configuration of a management system, etc. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining another example of the processing flow of the embodiment. [Figure 8]FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining another example of the processing flow of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] A preferred embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail below. Note that the embodiment described below does not unduly limit the contents described in the claims, and all of the configurations described in the embodiment are not necessarily essential configurations.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of a management system 1 for a customized product according to the present embodiment. In the following, the management system 1 for a customized product may be simply referred to as the management system 1. The customized product according to the present embodiment specifically refers to a customized product of a vibration device 300. A specific example of the vibration device 300 will be described later. The customized product of the vibration device 300 refers to a product in which at least a part of the specifications are configured from a vibration device 300 that can be customized according to customer requests, and the specifications have been finalized and customization work has been completed. The product configured from the vibration device 300 is a vibration device 300 that is officially sold by the manufacturer, but may further include a vibration device 300 that is scheduled to be sold in the near future. That is, in the present embodiment, the vibration device 300 includes both a customizable vibration device 300 and a vibration device 300 that cannot be customized. The customizable vibration device 300 is, for example, a vibration device 300 in which the oscillation frequency of an output clock signal output from the vibration device 300 is customized according to customer requests, and more specifically, a programmable oscillator or the like described later. In the following description, the oscillation frequency may be abbreviated to simply be the frequency. In addition, when the vibration device 300 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) as described later, a product in which firmware that stores instruction set data for the CPU is customized may be a custom product.

[0012] In FIG. 1, the management system 1 includes a server 10 and a first terminal device 100. The first terminal device 100 is connected to the server 10 via a network NW. The network NW is specifically a public communication network such as the Internet, but may be configured to include an intranet in part. In addition, the management system 1 in FIG. 1 is illustrated as including one server 10 and one first terminal device 100, but may include multiple servers 10 or multiple first terminal devices 100. The management system 1 of this embodiment may include first terminal devices 100 consisting of the number of customers described later.

[0013] The server 10 is a computer that provides a customer with a management service related to the order of a custom product of the vibration device 300 via a network NW, as described below. The server 10 may be a cloud server managed by the manufacturer, or may be a physical server owned by the manufacturer. As will be described in detail later, the server 10 functions as a Web server. This allows the customer to order a custom product of the vibration device 300 by browsing a dedicated Web page related to the management service on a display unit (not shown) using a Web browser included in the first terminal device 100 and inputting data on the dedicated Web page. At this time, a client-server type network is configured in which the server 10 is the server and each of the first terminal devices 100 is the client. Therefore, for example, data is not transmitted or received between one first terminal device 100 and another first terminal device 100 via the dedicated Web page. The dedicated Web page here may be, for example, a Web page that can be opened by a Web browser as dedicated software designated by the manufacturer, or a Web browser may be a general-purpose software, but may be a Web page that can be viewed only by those authorized by the manufacturer.

[0014] The server 10 includes a receiving unit 20 and a processing unit 30. The receiving unit 20 is a communication interface that is communicatively connected to an external device via a network NW. The receiving unit 20 can be realized by a single semiconductor device having a communication function conforming to a predetermined communication standard, but may be realized as a part of a semiconductor device having other functions. The predetermined communication standard is, for example, a wired communication standard such as Ethernet (registered trademark) or a wireless communication standard such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark), but may also be another communication standard. In this embodiment, the "communication connection according to the communication standard" is appropriately described as a "communication connection" or simply a "connection". Although not shown, the server 10 can also function as a transmitting unit by including the above-mentioned communication interface.

[0015] The processing unit 30 performs processing of each unit of the server 10. The processing unit 30 is configured by the following hardware. The hardware includes a circuit for processing digital signals, but may further include a circuit for processing analog signals. For example, the hardware can be configured by one or more circuit devices mounted on a circuit board and one or more circuit elements. The one or more circuit devices are, for example, an integrated circuit (IC) or a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). The one or more circuit elements are, for example, a resistor, a capacitor, etc. The processing unit 30 is realized by including at least one of the following processors. The processing unit 30 includes a memory that stores information (not shown) and a processor that operates based on the information stored in the memory. The information is, for example, a program and various data. The processor includes hardware. The processor can be various processors such as a CPU, a graphics processing unit (GPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), etc. The memory may be a semiconductor memory such as a static random access memory (SRAM) or a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), a register, a magnetic storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD), or an optical storage device such as an optical disk device. For example, computer-readable instructions are stored in the memory, and the instructions are executed by the processor to realize some or all of the functions of each part of the server 10 as processing. The instructions here may be instructions from an instruction set constituting a program, or instructions that instruct the hardware circuitry of the processor to operate.

[0016] The first terminal device 100 is a terminal device used by a customer, such as a personal computer. Although not shown in the figure, the first terminal device 100 includes a processor equivalent to the above-mentioned processing unit 30 and has a function as a processing unit. The above-mentioned web browser is included in the processing unit. Similarly, the first terminal device 100 includes a communication interface related to the above-mentioned receiving unit 20 and has a function as a communication unit.

[0017] A customer refers to, for example, a person who has a track record of selling the vibration device 300 from the manufacturer or a company to which the person belongs, but also includes a so-called potential customer or a company to which the potential customer belongs. In the following description, "a customer or a company to which the customer belongs" is abbreviated to "customer". In addition, the customer is mainly assumed to be a corporation, but may be an individual as long as there is a possibility of purchasing a predetermined number of the vibration device 300. The purchase track record of the vibration device 300 includes a track record of receiving the sale of the vibration device 300, as well as a track record of receiving services related to technical support for the vibration device 300. A potential customer refers to, for example, a person who is interested in the vibration device 300 sold by the manufacturer and may purchase the vibration device 300 in the near future. For example, the potential customer may inquire of the manufacturer by a predetermined means and have the manufacturer provide an evaluation sample of the customizable vibration device 300 in order to incorporate the customizable vibration device 300 into a device that the potential customer is developing and evaluate it. In the following description, the evaluation sample of the customizable vibration device 300 may be simply referred to as an "evaluation sample." The predetermined means may be a telephone call, a facsimile, an email, or an inquiry via a web page. The potential customer then officially places an order for a mass-produced customized product of the vibration device 300 to the manufacturer based on the evaluation result, and the ordered customized product of the vibration device 300 is delivered to the potential customer via a sales agent described below. This creates a purchase record, and it becomes possible to order a customized product of the vibration device 300 via the sales agent thereafter.

[0018] When a customer is assigned a sales representative from the manufacturer, the customer can contact the representative with requests and inquiries and receive prompt responses and support. However, the representative is assigned only to designated customers. Designated customers are so-called large customers or customers who are treated as important customers by the distributor. A large customer is, for example, a customer whose sales to the manufacturer based on purchase records account for a certain percentage or more of the total sales. In addition, designated customers may be able to receive designated support from a sales agent. Designated support may be, for example, technical support from a FAE (Field Application Engineer) belonging to the sales agent for a product under development. This allows the manufacturer to build a closer relationship with the designated customers. In the following, customers other than the designated customers mentioned above will be called "general customers".

[0019] For example, when the product handled by the manufacturer is a vibrator, which will be described later, the customers are a small number of large customers, so the manufacturer can assign a person in charge to each customer. However, when the product handled by the manufacturer is the vibration device 300, the vibration device 300 has a wide range of uses and is used by a large number of customers, so it is difficult for the manufacturer to assign a person in charge to every general customer. Therefore, when a general customer orders a customized product of the vibration device 300, the more complex the customized specifications become, the greater the management burden on the general customer becomes. As will be described later, the management system 1 of this embodiment can reduce the management burden on such general customers, and thus serves as a foundation for building a closer relationship between the manufacturer and the general customer.

[0020] An example of the vibration device 300 is an oscillator that outputs a clock signal, but other examples may be used, and details will be described later. The basic configuration of the oscillator is known and is not shown, but the vibrator is housed in a package in a highly airtight state. Specifically, the vibrator can be realized by, for example, a SAW (Surface Acoustic Wave) resonator, an AT-cut quartz crystal vibrator, an SC-cut quartz crystal vibrator, a tuning fork-type quartz crystal vibrator, other piezoelectric vibrator elements, MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) vibrator elements, etc. One end of the vibrator is connected to a first electrode (not shown), and the other end is connected to a second electrode (not shown).

[0021] The oscillator as the vibration device 300 includes a first vibrator connection terminal and a second vibrator connection terminal (not shown) in addition to the oscillation circuit, and the first vibrator connection terminal is connected to the first electrode described above, and the second vibrator connection terminal is connected to the second electrode described above. As a result, the oscillation circuit vibrates the vibrator and functions as a generating circuit for a reference clock signal, which is an oscillation signal. An oscillator that functions in this way is, for example, a simple package crystal oscillator (SPXO), but may also be a voltage controlled crystal oscillator (VCXO), a temperature compensated crystal oscillator (TCXO), an oven-controlled crystal oscillator (OCXO), a SAW (Surface Acoustic Wave) oscillator, a voltage controlled SAW oscillator, a MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) oscillator, or the like.

[0022] Oscillators can be broadly divided into dedicated oscillator-type oscillators, in which the frequency of the output clock signal output from an output circuit (not shown) depends on the shape of the oscillator and the frequency is fixed, and programmable oscillators, in which the frequency can be set variably. That is, in a dedicated oscillator-type oscillator, the reference clock signal and the output clock signal are the same and cannot be made different, whereas in a programmable oscillator, the reference clock signal and the output clock signal can be made different. In general, dedicated oscillator-type oscillators are less expensive and have better performance than programmable oscillators. Therefore, for example, when a customer considers using an oscillator as a vibration device 300, the customer checks whether a dedicated oscillator-type oscillator that oscillates a desired frequency is sold as an existing product. On the other hand, the manufacturer investigates the needs of the market and prepares a product lineup of dedicated oscillator-type oscillators that output clock signals with frequencies that are in high demand as a sales strategy. In this embodiment, the frequency of the dedicated oscillator-type oscillator included in the product lineup is called the "standard frequency". However, the frequency desired by the customer does not necessarily match the standard frequency.

[0023] In such a case, for example, a customer may request the manufacturer to add a dedicated resonator type oscillator that outputs an output clock signal of a new frequency to the existing product lineup, but unless there are certain circumstances, the manufacturer is likely not to accept the request. The certain circumstances are, for example, a request from the aforementioned specific customer or the expectation of a large volume of shipments. Since it takes a considerable amount of development time to newly design a dedicated resonator and commercialize it as a vibration device 300, the manufacturer must consider the balance with the viability of the business. Therefore, general customers may consider using a programmable oscillator that can set the desired frequency as the vibration device 300 that outputs a clock signal of the desired frequency. In addition, if a short delivery time is required, the specific customer may consider a programmable oscillator as a customizable vibration device 300.

[0024] In the vibration device 300 as a programmable oscillator, for example, a reference clock signal output from the above-mentioned oscillation circuit is input to a PLL circuit (not shown), and an output clock signal having a frequency different from that of the reference clock signal is output. Although not shown, the PLL circuit includes, for example, a phase comparison circuit, a control voltage generation circuit, a voltage controlled oscillation circuit, and a frequency division circuit, and thereby functions as a PLL circuit. That is, the phase comparison circuit performs phase comparison between the reference clock signal and a feedback clock signal (described later), and outputs a pulse signal having a pulse width proportional to the phase difference to the control voltage generation circuit. Then, the control voltage generation circuit performs a charge pump operation and a filter process based on the input pulse signal, generates a control voltage for controlling the oscillation of the voltage controlled oscillation circuit, and outputs it to the voltage controlled oscillation circuit. The voltage controlled oscillation circuit is a VCO (Voltage controlled oscillator), and includes, for example, a variable capacitance element such as a varactor. The voltage controlled oscillator generates a predetermined clock signal having a frequency corresponding to the control voltage by oscillating the variable capacitance element according to the magnitude of the input control voltage, and transmits the generated clock signal to the frequency divider circuit. The frequency divider circuit divides the received predetermined clock signal based on the set frequency division ratio, and outputs the signal to the phase comparator circuit as a feedback clock signal. In this manner, the basic operation of the PLL circuit can be realized. The frequency division ratio is determined by a frequency division ratio data signal from a processing circuit (not shown), for example. The processing circuit is configured by including a logic circuit, for example, but may also be configured by including a CPU (described later). The frequency division ratio data signal is determined based on a set value of a register included in a processing circuit (not shown), for example, and configured by flip-flops or the like. In other words, setting the frequency of the output clock signal of the programmable oscillator to a desired frequency means setting the value of the register to a desired value. Note that, as described later, instead of directly setting the value of the register, the set value may be stored in the non-volatile memory 310. Although detailed description is omitted, the PLL circuit is not limited to the above-mentioned configuration, and may be, for example, a fractional-N type PLL circuit.In this case as well, the register setting is similarly required.

[0025] Other examples of the vibration device 300 include a real-time clock device that generates time information using a vibrator, and an angular velocity sensor that detects angular velocity using a vibrator. The real-time clock device as a custom product is a product in which, for example, the presence or absence of a time stamp function by event detection, the voltage setting that serves as a reference for power supply voltage detection, and the allocation of terminals are programmable. In addition, the angular velocity sensor as a custom product is a product in which, for example, the detection band of the angular velocity or the temperature compensation characteristic is programmable. For example, the vibration device 300 as an angular velocity sensor including a CPU, although not shown in the figure, vibrates a vibrating arm by a rectangular wave signal from a driving circuit, and the detection signal generated from the vibrating arm is detected by a detection circuit as angular velocity data. In addition, the CPU performs a temperature correction calculation on the angular velocity data detected by the detection circuit based on a temperature correction calculation program. In this case, the firmware related to the temperature correction calculation is stored, for example, in the non-volatile memory 310 described later. In other words, when the vibration device 300 includes a CPU, the vibration device 300 as a custom product is a vibration device 300 in which the firmware can be customized. The same applies to vibration devices 300 other than angular velocity sensors.

[0026] For example, in the development of a customer's equipment, when evaluating the optimal value of the frequency of the output clock signal of the vibration device 300 to be incorporated in the equipment, the customer is provided with an evaluation sample and a writing device 110 described below, and the customer sets a desired value in the register of the evaluation sample using the writing device 110. Similarly, when customizing firmware for the vibration device 300 to be incorporated in the equipment, the writing device 110 is used to write the firmware into the non-volatile memory 310 of the evaluation sample described below.

[0027] The process flow according to the method of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 2. The first terminal device 100 transmits custom programming information to the server 10 (step S100). In other words, step S100 can be said to be a process in which the server 10 receives the custom programming information from the first terminal device 100. The custom programming information is programming information related to customized specifications in a customized product of the vibration device 300, and will be described in detail later. The server 10 then generates a custom model number based on the received custom programming information (step S110).

[0028] The custom model number is identification information for identifying the custom programming information related to step S100. In other words, the custom model number only needs to have a function for identifying the custom programming information, and is, for example, composed of a combination of Arabic numerals consisting of a predetermined number of digits. Alternatively, the custom model number may be composed of a combination of Arabic numerals and a predetermined character or the like consisting of a predetermined number of digits. The predetermined character may be, for example, an alphabet, but may also be a Roman numeral or the like, and may be a symbol that can be commonly recognized by the server 10 and the first terminal device 100. The predetermined number of digits may be more than the number of times that step S100 is expected to be performed, and is appropriately determined according to the expected number of times. More specifically, for example, by configuring the custom model number with a five-digit number, a maximum of 100,000 pieces of custom programming information can be identified. Alternatively, by configuring the custom model number with a three-digit number or a combination of alphabets, 46656 pieces of custom programming information can be identified. Note that the above number does not distinguish between uppercase and lowercase alphabets, but the custom model number may be configured to include uppercase and lowercase alphabets.

[0029] In addition, although not shown, the server 10 performs a process of associating the received custom programming information with the created custom model number and storing the information as a database in a storage unit (not shown).

[0030] As described above, this embodiment is a method for managing a customized product of a vibration device 300 in a management system 1 including a server 10 and a first terminal device 100 of a customer connected to the server 10 via a network NW. The server 10 receives custom programming information to be written to the vibration device 300 from the first terminal device 100 (step S100), and generates a custom model number for identifying the received custom programming information (step S110).

[0031] In this manner, in the management system 1 of the present embodiment, the server 10 generates a custom model number so as to identify the custom programming information of the customized product in the vibration device 300. In this manner, the server 10 can associate the custom programming information with the custom model number, which makes it easier to manage the custom programming information.

[0032] For example, when the number of combinations of information required to distinguish the specifications of a customized product of the vibration device 300 is small, a method of generating a model number by combining characters that identify each piece of information is conceivable. In the case of a conventional customized product of the vibration device 300, even if all combinations of characters that identify the model number, package form, frequency, operating temperature range, etc. are listed, it has been thought that the customized product of the vibration device 300 can be identified by a model number consisting of about 10 digits. However, the program functions of the customized product of the vibration device 300 in recent years have increased. In particular, the customized product of the vibration device 300 including a CPU has a huge number of combinations of instruction branches, and it is considered that it would take more than 100 digits to identify the specifications of the customized product of the vibration device 300 using the conventional method, so it becomes difficult to identify the specifications of the customized product of the vibration device 300 only by the model number. In this regard, by applying the method of this embodiment, custom programming information can be associated with a custom model number of several digits, so that the manufacturer can easily manage the custom programming information without complicating the model number notation of the customized product of the vibration device 300. This can improve the convenience of the management system 1.

[0033] In addition, for example, for the above-mentioned specific customer, even if the specifications of the customized product of the vibration device 300 become complicated, the burden of managing the custom programming information can be reduced by receiving support from the person in charge of the manufacturer, but general customers do not necessarily have such convenience. In this respect, by applying the method of this embodiment, the convenience of the management system 1 is improved, and the burden of managing the custom programming information of general customers can be reduced. This allows a closer relationship to be built between general customers and manufacturers. This makes it easier for general customers to adopt the vibration device 300 of the manufacturer, for example, and increases the possibility that the manufacturer can acquire new business opportunities. Note that the method related to the management system 1 of this embodiment is particularly effective for general customers, but the management system 1 of this embodiment may be used by specific customers.

[0034] The method of the present embodiment may be realized by the server 10. That is, the server 10 of the present embodiment includes a receiving unit 20 that is connected to a first terminal device 100 of a customer via a network NW and receives from the first terminal device 100 custom programming information to be written to the vibration device 300, and a processing unit 30 that generates a custom model number for identifying the custom programming information when the custom programming information is received. In this manner, the same effect as described above can be obtained.

[0035] The method of the present embodiment is not limited to the above, and various modifications are possible, such as adding other features. For example, the management system 1 of the present embodiment can be configured in more detail as shown in the configuration example in Fig. 3. In the management system 1 of Fig. 3, the first terminal device 100 is communicatively connected to the writing device 110 by a predetermined communication method. The predetermined communication method is, for example, a wired connection method such as USB.

[0036] The writing device 110 is a device that writes custom programming information into the vibration device 300. For example, the writing device 110 includes, on a circuit board, an interface for connecting to the first terminal device 100, a socket into which the package of the customizable vibration device 300 fits, and the like. That is, the writing device 110 includes an interface circuit that can be connected to the vibration device 300. The interface circuit is a circuit that realizes an interface such as I2C (Inter Integrated Circuit) or SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface), and performs interface processing with the writing device 110 and the like.

[0037] For example, when a customer is considering an evaluation of a device under development that incorporates a customizable vibration device 300, the customer inquires of the manufacturer and is provided with an evaluation sample and a writing device 110 by the manufacturer. The customer then starts a writing program, for example, on the first terminal device 100, and writes custom programming information into the evaluation sample using the writing program. The customer may install the writing program into the first terminal device 100 using, for example, a CD-ROM or the like that comes with the writing device 110. Alternatively, the customer may download a program related to the writing program from a Web page designated by the manufacturer. Alternatively, the writing program may be automatically installed in the first terminal device 100 when the first terminal device 100 and the writing device 110 are connected via a USB cable or the like that comes with the writing device 110.

[0038] For example, although not shown, when the customer starts the writing program, a dedicated setting screen is displayed on the display unit of the first terminal device 100. Then, when the customer inputs a predetermined setting item on the dedicated setting screen, custom programming information is generated so that the contents of the predetermined setting item are reflected in the evaluation sample. For example, when the customizable vibration device 300 is a programmable oscillator, the predetermined setting items are items related to the characteristics of the clock signal, such as an item for inputting the frequency value of the output clock signal, an item for setting the voltage of the clock signal, an item for setting the allowable range of frequency deviation, or an item for selecting whether to use the output enable function or the standby function. The output enable function refers to a function for setting the output terminal to high impedance while keeping the oscillation circuit and the PLL circuit in operation, and the standby function refers to a function for stopping the oscillation circuit and the PLL circuit and setting the output terminal to a low level. In other words, in the management method of this embodiment, the custom programming information is information for setting the characteristics of the signal output by the vibration device 300 by being written into the vibration device 300. In this way, the customer can obtain a vibration device 300 with customized signal characteristics. The predetermined setting items are not limited to those mentioned above, and may further include an item for selecting a product name, an item for selecting a package type, and the like.

[0039] The writing program includes a program that automatically determines the setting value of the above-mentioned register based on the reference clock frequency of the evaluation sample and the desired frequency to be set. Therefore, the customer only needs to input the desired frequency as a specific number on a specific setting screen. This automatically determines the setting value of the register to be set. It is also possible to allow the customer to directly specify the setting value by specifying the address of the register on the screen for writing the above-mentioned specific source code, for example.

[0040] Furthermore, for example, when the vibration device 300 includes a CPU, the screen of the writing program may further include a screen for writing a predetermined source code. The predetermined source code is created, for example, in a predetermined programming language. The predetermined programming language may be, for example, an assembly language or a high-level language such as C language. In this case, a program for converting the created source code into binary data that can be decoded by the CPU may be included in the writing program. In this case, the binary data corresponds to custom programming information.

[0041] Step S100 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 4. When a customer writes custom programming information from the first terminal device 100 to an evaluation sample via the writing device 110, the first terminal device 100 transmits the custom programming information related to the work to the server 10. There are many methods for achieving this process, one of which is a method in which a writing program and a web browser that displays the above-mentioned dedicated web page work in conjunction with each other. In other words, when the writing program is started, a dedicated web page automatically opens, and step S100 is performed via the dedicated web page.

[0042] For example, when a customer creates custom programming information on the screen of the writing program, the created custom programming information is also displayed on a dedicated Web page. Then, when the customer writes the custom programming information to the evaluation sample, a screen is displayed requesting consent to the created custom programming information being transmitted to the server 10 via the dedicated Web page. If the customer agrees, the custom programming information is written to the evaluation sample and transmitted to the server 10.

[0043] That is, in this embodiment, it is assumed that the writing program installed in the first terminal device 100 operates when connected to the server 10 via the network NW. Therefore, when the customer uses the writing device 110, it is assumed that an agreement is made between the manufacturer and the customer that step S100 is executed by connecting the first terminal device 100 to the server 10. It is also assumed that an agreement is made between the manufacturer and the customer that custom programming information will be managed as confidential information.

[0044] These custom programming information may be generated as a dedicated file with a dedicated extension, for example. Then, in step S100, the dedicated file is transmitted to the server 10 via a dedicated Web page. The dedicated file may also be stored in a storage unit (not shown) of the first terminal device 100. For example, when a customer or the like starts a writing program at a later timing and performs a process of opening the dedicated file on the writing program, a dedicated setting screen in which a predetermined setting item is set and a screen in which a predetermined source code is described are reproduced. The dedicated file is automatically generated, for example, based on a date or the like, but may be set by the customer. It is also possible for the customer to identify the customized specifications by, for example, the file name of the dedicated file, but as the customized specifications become more complicated, it becomes difficult to identify them by file name, just as it becomes difficult to identify them by model number as described above.

[0045] In the above example, when the writing program is started, a dedicated web page is automatically opened, but the dedicated web page does not have to be automatically opened. For example, the custom programming information may be sent to the server 10 by attaching a dedicated file generated by writing to an email. The same applies to step S112-1 described later in FIG. 5. For example, the first terminal device 100 may perform a process to confirm that the first terminal device 100 and the server 10 are connected, and if it is not confirmed that the first terminal device 100 and the server 10 are connected, a predetermined error message may be displayed. Alternatively, when a customer writes custom programming information to an evaluation sample using the writing device 110, if the first terminal device 100 is unable to transmit the custom programming information to the server 10, a process of temporarily storing the custom programming information that could not be transmitted and a process of retransmitting the stored custom programming information to the server 10 after a certain period of time have elapsed may be performed.

[0046] As described above, in the management method of the present embodiment, the management system 1 includes a writing device 110 that is connected to the first terminal device 100 and writes custom programming information to the vibration device 300. The server 10 receives the custom programming information to be written to the vibration device 300 by the writing device 110 from the first terminal device 100. In this manner, writing by the writing device 110 and receiving the custom programming information from the first terminal device 100 can be associated with each other.

[0047] The method of the present embodiment may be realized as a custom product management system 1. That is, the custom product management system 1 of the present embodiment includes a server 10 and a first terminal device 100. The first terminal device 100 transmits the custom programming information written in the vibration device 300 by the writing device 110 to the server 10. In this manner, the same effect as above can be obtained.

[0048] 4, the vibration device 300 may include a non-volatile memory 310. The non-volatile memory 310 may be, for example, a one-time programmable read-only memory (PROM), but may also be an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) or a flash memory. That is, the writing device 110 includes an interface circuit for writing custom programming information to the non-volatile memory 310.

[0049] Then, in step S100, custom programming information may be written to the non-volatile memory 310. After that, the evaluation sample is removed from the socket of the writing device 110 and incorporated into the customer's device. The evaluation sample incorporated into the customer's device and powered again develops a setting value for each bit of each register based on the custom programming information written in the non-volatile memory 310. As a result, a clock signal having a desired frequency is output after power is supplied again. Note that the customizable vibration device 300 and the writing device 110 may include an interface circuit for writing data to the non-volatile memory 310 and may further include an interface circuit for directly writing a setting value to each bit of each register. For example, during inspection in the manufacturing process of the customizable vibration device 300, it is convenient to be able to directly write a setting value to each bit of each register in order to shorten the inspection time.

[0050] Thus, in the management method of the present embodiment, the vibration device 300 includes a non-volatile memory 310. Furthermore, the custom programming information is information written in the non-volatile memory 310. In this way, the custom specifications based on the written custom programming information can be reflected in the vibration device 300 every time power is supplied.

[0051] The process flow of the management method of this embodiment may be as shown in FIG. 5. The process flow of FIG. 5 is different from the process flow of FIG. 2 in that the server 10 further performs step S112-1 after step S110. That is, in the management method of this embodiment, the server 10 transmits the generated custom model number to the first terminal device 100 (step S112-1). In this manner, the customer can obtain the custom model number corresponding to the created custom programming information. For example, the customer can confirm that step S112-1 has been performed on a dedicated Web page. That is, the customer may be able to confirm that step S112-1 has been performed on a dedicated Web page related to the above-mentioned step S100. Alternatively, the customer may recognize that the custom model number has been obtained because step S112-1 has been performed when opening the dedicated Web page after performing step S100.

[0052] For example, in development on the customer side, there are cases where multiple pieces of custom programming information must be created. As described above, creating multiple types of complicated custom programming information and identifying them places a heavy burden on the customer. In this regard, by applying the method of the present embodiment, the customer can manage the custom programming information by the custom model number, thereby reducing the management burden on the customer. For example, the timing for creating the above-mentioned dedicated file may be the timing after step S112-1 is performed, and the first terminal device 100 may create a dedicated file with the received custom model number as the file name.

[0053] For example, if the customer is a prospective customer, the server 10 may transmit the custom model number information including information on the sales agent related to the second terminal device 200 described later in Fig. 6 in step S112-1. For example, when a prospective customer requests the provision of an evaluation sample and a writing device 110, the administrator of the server 10 or the like may simply associate information indicating that the user of the first terminal device 100 is a prospective customer with information on the first terminal device 100 related to the prospective customer.

[0054] The management system 1 of this embodiment may have a configuration example as shown in Fig. 6. The management system 1 of Fig. 6 differs from the management system 1 of Fig. 3 in that it further includes a second terminal device 200. The second terminal device 200 is owned by a sales agent and managed by the sales agent. The second terminal device 200 is a personal computer or the like similar to the first terminal device 100. In other words, the second terminal device 200 includes a processor that functions as a processing unit and a communication interface that functions as a communication unit, similar to the above-mentioned first terminal device 100.

[0055] A sales agent is an organization that is entrusted with the sale of products and sells the products, such as a semiconductor trading company. Note that a sales agent may be a subsidiary of a manufacturer, and may not have a capital relationship with the manufacturer. A sales agent may also be an authorized dealer that has a special agreement with a manufacturer.

[0056] 6 is illustrated as including one second terminal device 200, the management system 1 may include multiple second terminal devices 200, as described above in FIG 1. In other words, the management system 1 of this embodiment may include as many second terminal devices 200 as the number of sales agents.

[0057] The second terminal device 200 may be capable of starting the above-mentioned writing program and a dedicated Web browser, similar to the first terminal device 100. The second terminal device 200 may be capable of connecting to the above-mentioned writing device 110. The writing device 110 connected to the second terminal device 200 may be capable of mounting a plurality of the above-mentioned sockets on, for example, the above-mentioned circuit board. In this way, the sales agent can mass-produce customized products of the vibration device 300.

[0058] In addition, in the management system 1 of Fig. 6, the process flow related to the management method of this embodiment may be as shown in Fig. 7. In the following description of Fig. 7, the description of the processes already mentioned will be omitted as appropriate.

[0059] In FIG. 7, similarly to FIG. 5, the first terminal device 100 transmits custom programming information to the server 10 (step S100), the server 10 generates a custom model number (step S110), and the server 10 transmits the custom model number to the first terminal device 100 (step S112-1). After that, the first terminal device 100 places an order with the second terminal device 200 (step S120). Specifically, for example, when developing a device on the customer's side, the customer creates multiple pieces of custom programming information. Then, the development of the device is completed, the specifications of the custom product of the vibration device 300 are finalized, and mass production of the device is started. Then, the customer extracts custom programming information based on the finalized specifications from the custom programming information created in the past. Then, the customer transmits data of the custom model number corresponding to the extracted custom programming information to the second terminal device 200 via the first terminal device 100 using a predetermined means. The predetermined means may be, for example, email, telephone, facsimile, or the like.

[0060] Also, in FIG. 7, the transmission and reception of data related to ordering (step S120) is illustrated as not going through the server 10, but the transmission and reception of the data may go through the server 10. Also, for example, the customer may be able to place the order (step S120) using a dedicated Web page. That is, the data for ordering (step S120) may be sent from the first terminal device 100 to the second terminal device 200 through a dedicated Web page. In this case, in FIG. 7, the transmission and reception of data related to ordering (step S120) goes through the server 10. The same applies to FIG. 8.

[0061] In step S120, the first terminal device 100 may transmit information such as the quantity, delivery date, and delivery location to the second terminal device 200 in addition to the custom model number. Alternatively, although not shown in the figure, in step S120, only the custom model number may be transmitted from the first terminal device 100 to the second terminal device 200, and at the timing of the delivery process (step S300) described later, the second terminal device 200 may perform a process of requesting information such as the quantity, delivery date, and delivery location from the first terminal device 100. Alternatively, a person in charge of the sales agency may directly inquire about information such as the quantity, delivery date, and delivery location from the customer. From the above, in the management method of this embodiment, the management system 1 includes the server 10 and the second terminal device 200 connected to the first terminal device 100 via the network NW. In addition, the first terminal device 100 transmits the custom model number notified in advance from the server to the second terminal device 200 to perform an order process for the vibration device 300 of the custom model number (step S120). In this way, the customer can easily distinguish the specifications of the custom product to be ordered and place an order for the custom product.

[0062] Thereafter, the second terminal device 200 transmits the custom model number to the server 10 (step S200). For example, a sales agent recognizes the reception of the custom model number in step S120 on a display unit or the like of the second terminal device 200, and operates the second terminal device 200 to transmit the information of the custom model number received in step S120 to the server 10. Alternatively, the information of the custom model number related to the order in step S120 may be automatically transferred to the server 10. Alternatively, both the first terminal device 100 and the second terminal device 200 may include a writing program, and step S200 may be automatically performed after step S120 by the writing program.

[0063] Thereafter, the server 10 transmits the custom programming information associated with the custom model number received in step S200 to the second terminal device 200 (step S210). For example, the processing unit 30 performs a process of extracting the custom programming information associated with the custom model number received in step S200 from a database, and a process of transmitting the extracted custom programming information to the second terminal device 200.

[0064] Thus, in the management method of this embodiment, the management system 1 includes the server 10 and the second terminal device 200 connected to the first terminal device 100 via the network NW. When the server 10 receives the custom model number that the first terminal device 100 has ordered from the second terminal device 200 (step S200), the server 10 transmits custom programming information identified by the custom model number to the second terminal device 200 (step S210). In this way, a management system 1 can be constructed in which a customer can order a custom product of the vibration device 300 by performing an operation to transmit the custom model number. In other words, in the management method of this embodiment, the management system 1 includes the second terminal device 200 connected to the server 10 and the first terminal device 100 via the network NW. Furthermore, when the second terminal device 200 receives a custom model number from the first terminal device 100 (step S120), it transmits the received custom model number to the server 10 (step S200) and receives custom programming information specified by the custom model number from the server 10 (step S210). In this manner, the same effect as above can be obtained. The above-mentioned method may also be realized as a management system 1 for custom products. That is, the management system 1 for custom products of this embodiment includes the server 10, the first terminal device 100, and the second terminal device 200 connected to the server 10 and the first terminal device 100 via a network NW. Furthermore, the second terminal device 200 transmits the custom model number that the first terminal device 100 has ordered from the second terminal device 200 to the server 10 (step S200). Furthermore, the server 10 transmits the custom programming information specified by the received custom model number to the second terminal device 200 (step S210). In this manner, the same effect as above can be obtained.

[0065] Thereafter, the second terminal device 200 performs a delivery process (step S300). For example, the sales agency writes the custom programming information received in step S210 into the customizable vibration device 300 for the quantity desired by the customer, and delivers the vibration device 300 to the delivery location desired by the customer. For example, if the second terminal device 200 is connected to a mass-production compatible writing device 110, the writing may be performed on the second terminal device 200 received in step S210. The delivery process (step S300) ends when the sales agency's staff receives a receipt for the delivery from the customer. For example, although not shown, the sales agency's staff may use a specific mobile terminal to store information indicating that the receipt has been received in a storage unit (not shown) of the second terminal device 200, or it may be sufficient if a record of receipt remains within the sales agency.

[0066] After the delivery process (step S300) is completed, the second terminal device 200 transmits the purchase information to the server 10 (step S400). The purchase information is all information related to the purchased vibration device 300. Specifically, the purchase information includes, for example, information on the model number of the vibration device 300, information on the purchase quantity, information on the customer who purchased the device, information on the date and time of receipt, and information on the location of receipt, but may also include, for example, communication history information with the customer who purchased the device. The manufacturer may appropriately select the information received by the server 10 in step S400 and store the selected information in the database. In this way, in the management method of this embodiment, the second terminal device 200 transmits the purchase information of the vibration device 300 in which the custom programming information specified by the custom model number is written to the server (step S400). In this way, the manufacturer can automatically obtain the purchase information of the vibration device 300 for which an order has been placed.

[0067] The process flow of the management method of this embodiment may be as shown in Fig. 8. Note that in Fig. 8, explanations of processes that overlap with the contents already described will be omitted as appropriate. In Fig. 8, similar to Figs. 5 and 7, first, the first terminal device 100 transmits custom programming information to the server 10 (step S100), and the server 10 generates a custom model number (step S110).

[0068] Thereafter, the server 10 transmits the custom model number to the first terminal device 100 (step S112-1) as described above, and also transmits the custom programming information received in step S100 and the custom model number generated in step S100 to the second terminal device 200 (steps S112-2, S114). Step S114 in Figure 8 is the same process as step S200 in Figure 7. That is, Figure 8 differs from Figure 7 in that the manufacturer's custom model number and the custom programming information are transmitted together to the sales agent, so that the sales agent has already acquired the custom programming information.

[0069] Thereafter, an order is placed from the first terminal device 100 to the second terminal device 200 (step S120) as in FIG. 7. Then, the second terminal device 200 performs the delivery process (step S300) and step S400 as in FIG. 7. Thus, in the management method of this embodiment, the management system 1 includes the second terminal device 200 connected to the server 10 via the network NW. In addition, when the server 10 generates a custom model number (step S110), it transmits the custom model number and custom programming information specified by the custom model number to the second terminal device 200 (steps S112-1 and S112-2). In this way, the sales agent can manufacture a customized product of the vibration device 300 in advance. For example, it may be convenient to prototype a customized product of the vibration device 300 related to the order in advance and place the prototype customized product of the vibration device 300 in the store before a formal order is placed.

[0070] As described above, the present embodiment is a method for managing customized products of vibration devices in a management system including a server and a first terminal device of a customer connected to the server via a network. The server receives custom programming information to be written to the vibration device from the first terminal device, and generates a custom model number for identifying the received custom programming information.

[0071] In this manner, the server can associate the custom programming information with the custom model number, which facilitates management of the custom programming information.

[0072] The management system may also include a writing device connected to the first terminal device and writing custom programming information to the vibration device, and the server may receive from the first terminal device the custom programming information to be written to the vibration device by the writing device.

[0073] In this way, writing by the writing device can be correlated with receiving the custom programming information from the first terminal device.

[0074] The server may also transmit the generated custom model number to the first terminal device.

[0075] In this way, the customer can obtain a custom model number that corresponds to the custom programming information that he or she has created.

[0076] The management system may also include a second terminal device connected to the server and the first terminal device via a network. When the server receives from the second terminal device a custom model number that the first terminal device has placed an order with the second terminal device, the server may transmit custom programming information identified by the custom model number to the second terminal device.

[0077] In this way, a management system can be constructed that allows a customer to order a customized vibration device by sending a custom model number.

[0078] The management system may also include a second terminal device connected to the server and the first terminal device via a network, and when the second terminal device receives a custom model number from the first terminal device, the second terminal device may transmit the received custom model number to the server and receive custom programming information identified by the custom model number from the server.

[0079] In this way, a management system can be constructed that allows a customer to order a customized vibration device by sending a custom model number.

[0080] The management system may also include a second terminal device connected to the server via a network, and when the server generates the custom model number, the server may transmit the custom model number and custom programming information identified by the custom model number to the second terminal device.

[0081] This allows distributors to pre-produce custom vibration devices.

[0082] The second terminal device may also transmit to the server purchasing information of the vibration device in which the custom programming information specified by the custom model number is written.

[0083] In this way, the manufacturer can automatically obtain purchasing information for the vibration device for which an order has been placed.

[0084] The management system may also include a second terminal device connected to the server and the first terminal device via a network. The first terminal device may perform an order process for a vibration device having a custom model number by transmitting a custom model number notified in advance by the server to the second terminal device.

[0085] In this way, the customer can easily distinguish the specifications of the custom product to be ordered and place an order for the custom product.

[0086] The custom programming information may also be information that is written to the vibration device to set characteristics of the signal output by the vibration device.

[0087] In this way, customers can obtain vibrating devices with customized signal characteristics.

[0088] The vibration device may also include a non-volatile memory, and the custom programming information may be information that is written to the non-volatile memory.

[0089] In this way, the custom specifications based on the written custom programming information can be reflected in the vibration device every time power is supplied.

[0090] In addition, the server of this embodiment includes a receiving unit that is connected to a customer's first terminal device via a network and receives from the first terminal device custom programming information to be written to the vibration device, and a processing unit that generates a custom model number for identifying the custom programming information when the custom programming information is received.

[0091] The management system for customized products of the present embodiment includes the above-mentioned server and a first terminal device, and the first terminal device transmits the custom programming information written in the vibration device by the writing device to the server.

[0092] The custom product management system of this embodiment may include the above-mentioned server, a first terminal device, and a second terminal device connected to the server and the first terminal device via a network. The second terminal device may transmit to the server a custom model number that the first terminal device has placed an order with the second terminal device. The server may transmit to the second terminal device custom programming information identified by the received custom model number.

[0093] Although the present embodiment has been described in detail as above, it will be easily understood by those skilled in the art that many modifications are possible without substantially departing from the novel matters and effects of the present disclosure. Therefore, all such modifications are intended to be included in the scope of the present disclosure. For example, a term described at least once in the specification or drawings together with a different term having a broader meaning or synonymy may be replaced with that different term anywhere in the specification or drawings. In addition, all combinations of the present embodiment and modifications are also included in the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, the configurations and operations of the management method, server and custom product management system, etc. are not limited to those described in the present embodiment, and various modifications are possible. [Explanation of symbols]

[0094] 1... management system, 10... server, 20... receiving unit, 30... processing unit, 100... first terminal device, 110... writing device, 200... second terminal device, 300... vibration device, 310... non-volatile memory, NW... network

Claims

1. A server, a first terminal device of a customer connected to the server via a network; A method for managing custom products of a vibration device in a management system comprising: The server, receiving custom programming information to be written to the vibration device from the first terminal device; generating a custom model number for identifying the received custom programming information;

2. The management method according to claim 1, The management system includes: a writing device connected to the first terminal device and configured to write the custom programming information into the vibration device; The server, A management method, comprising receiving the custom programming information to be written to the vibration device by the writing device from the first terminal device.

3. The management method according to claim 1, The server, A management method comprising: transmitting the generated custom model number to the first terminal device.

4. The management method according to claim 3, The management system includes: a second terminal device connected to the server and the first terminal device via the network; The server, A management method characterized by the fact that, when the first terminal device receives the custom model number ordered from the second terminal device from the second terminal device, the custom programming information identified by the custom model number is transmitted to the second terminal device.

5. The management method according to claim 3, The management system includes: a second terminal device connected to the server and the first terminal device via the network; The second terminal device is When the custom model number is received from the first terminal device, the received custom model number is transmitted to the server; receiving the custom programming information identified by the custom model number from the server.

6. The management method according to claim 1, The management system includes: a second terminal device connected to the server via the network; The server, a management method comprising: when the custom model number is generated, transmitting the custom model number and the custom programming information identified by the custom model number to the second terminal device.

7. The management method according to claim 5 or 6, The second terminal device is A management method characterized by transmitting purchasing information of the vibration device, into which the custom programming information identified by the custom model number is written, to the server.

8. The management method according to claim 1, The management system includes: a second terminal device connected to the server and the first terminal device via the network; The first terminal device is A management method characterized by performing an ordering process for the vibration device of the custom model number by sending the custom model number notified in advance from the server to the second terminal device.

9. The management method according to claim 1, The custom programming information comprises: A management method characterized in that the information is written to the vibration device to set characteristics of a signal output by the vibration device.

10. The management method according to claim 1, The vibration device includes: Contains non-volatile memory, The custom programming information comprises: The management method is characterized in that the information is written to the non-volatile memory.

11. A server connected to a first terminal device of a customer via a network, a receiving unit for receiving custom programming information to be written to a vibration device from the first terminal device; a processor that, upon receiving the custom programming information, generates a custom model number for identifying the custom programming information; A server comprising:

12. A server according to claim 11; The first terminal device; Including, The first terminal device is A management system for customized products, comprising: a writing device that transmits the custom programming information written in the vibration device to the server.

13. A server according to claim 11; The first terminal device; a second terminal device connected to the server and the first terminal device via the network; Including, The second terminal device is The first terminal device transmits the custom model number ordered from the second terminal device to the server; The server, and transmitting the custom programming information identified by the received custom model number to the second terminal device.

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