Intelligence notification device

Abstract

According to the present invention, an asset provider, such as a machine tool manufacturer that provides assets and the like, provides appropriate information at appropriate times to users who own and manage each asset, on the basis of an asset information management device that centrally manages asset information relating to assets provided in each user's production facilities.　This information notification device is provided with: an acquisition unit that acquires asset information, including asset identifiers of manufacturing facility-related equipment and software assets and owner identification information of owners of the assets, from an asset information management device, and acquires user data information including notification destination information of the owners of the assets from a user data management device; a notification information management unit that stores notification information to be notified to prescribed notification destinations according to prescribed asset identifiers; a notification information creation unit that creates notification information on the basis of an acquired asset information asset identifier and an acquired notification information asset identifier; and a notification unit that notifies an asset owner to be notified of the created notification information.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information notification device. [Background technology]

[0002] A technology for managing the failure rate of end-of-life replacement parts based on asset information is known (see Patent Document 1). Specifically, information on equipment installed in a user's production facility is managed based on a data model having a data structure in which data (asset information) related to the components of the production facility, including assets, which are equipment installed in the production facility, is systematically described in association with the connection relationships of the components. Patent Document 1 particularly exemplifies a technology for managing the failure rate of end-of-life replacement parts by acquiring, from asset information, operation data on end-of-life replacement parts selected as targets for life diagnosis and calculating the failure rate of the end-of-life replacement parts, as information management for production facilities. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6908201 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 allows each user, who owns an asset, to manage asset information about the assets, such as the failure rate of parts with a lifespan, that are equipment installed in the user's own production facilities. Therefore, each user must operate their own asset information management system and monitor the status of each asset. In particular, when new equipment or new functions are provided for the equipment, consumables, and software installed in the equipment installed in the user's production facilities, the user must thoroughly understand the information and consider whether or not to introduce the new equipment or new functions. However, it is difficult for users to thoroughly understand the information, which can result in missed opportunities for introduction. On the other hand, machine tool manufacturers, system integrators, etc., who provide users with equipment installed in production facilities, consumables used, software installed in the equipment, production systems, etc., still need to investigate one by one what kind of manufacturing equipment, such as machine tools and robots, software related to the equipment, and consumables used in the equipment, the user (customer) owns when conducting various sales activities with each user (customer). Any omissions or oversights in the investigation process can result in significant loss of sales opportunities for machine tool manufacturers, system integrators, etc. Similarly, if the ownership of an asset changes, a significant loss of business opportunities will occur.

[0005] Therefore, it is desirable for asset providers such as machine tool manufacturers and system integrators, who provide industrial machinery manufacturing equipment related equipment such as machine tools and robots installed in each user's production facilities, software related to such equipment, and consumables used in such equipment (hereinafter referred to as "assets"), to be able to provide appropriate information at the appropriate time to users who own and operate each asset. This allows users to obtain useful information related to their own equipment at the appropriate time, while machine tool manufacturers, system integrators, etc. can appropriately seize sales opportunities. In the following, unless otherwise specified, "asset" refers to equipment related to manufacturing facilities of industrial machinery such as machine tools and robots, software related to such equipment, and consumables used in such equipment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the information notification device disclosed herein includes an acquisition unit that acquires at least one or more pieces of asset information from an asset information management device that manages asset information related to assets, including an asset identifier that is identification information of the asset, which is equipment and software related to manufacturing equipment, and owner identification information that is the owner of the asset, and user data information that includes notification destination information of the asset owner from a user data management device that manages user data information related to the asset owner; a notification information management unit that stores notification information to be notified to a specified notification destination according to a specified asset identifier; a notification information creation unit that creates notification information based on the asset identifier included in the asset information acquired from the asset information management device and the asset identifier of the notification information acquired from the notification information management unit; and a notification unit that notifies the asset owner, who is the notification destination of the notification information, of the notification information created by the notification information creation unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one aspect, based on an asset information management device that centrally manages asset information related to assets installed in each user's production equipment, an information notification device can be provided that allows asset providers such as machine tool manufacturers and system integrators that provide assets to provide appropriate information at the appropriate time to users who own and operate each asset. This allows users to obtain useful information related to the assets installed in their own facilities at the appropriate time, while machine tool manufacturers, system integrators, etc. that provide the assets can grasp the information appropriately without losing sales opportunities. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an information notification system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of asset information. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an information notification device. [Figure 4] 10 is a diagram showing an example of a notification information record included in a notification information management table. FIG. [Figure 5] 10 is a diagram showing an example of a notification information record included in a notification information management table. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing only the main parts of the information notification system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 that are necessary for explaining the notification process of the information notification system. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an information notification system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an information notification device. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing only the main parts of the information notification system shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 that are necessary for explaining the notification process of the information notification system. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a notification process of the information notification system. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an information notification system according to a third embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an information notification device. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing only the main parts of the information notification system shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 that are necessary for explaining the notification process of the information notification system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The first to third embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Here, each embodiment has in common the configuration of automatically notifying the owner (user) of information to be notified based on the asset information of the asset managed by the asset information management device and the user data information of the customer (user) who is the owner of the asset managed by the user data management device. However, in the first embodiment, when asset information is added or changed to the asset information management device by the asset owner (user) or an e-commerce site with an online store that sells assets based on the user's purchase history information, notification information corresponding to the added or changed asset information is automatically notified to the user. In contrast, the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that when notification information stored in the notification information management table stored in the notification information management unit 421 described later is added or changed, the added or changed notification information is automatically notified to the appropriate user. Furthermore, the third embodiment differs from the first and second embodiments in that, when the owner (user) of an asset is changed, notification information is automatically notified to the owner (user) of the changed asset. In the following, the first embodiment will be described in detail first, and then the second and third embodiments will be described, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0010] First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an information notification system according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the information notification system 100 includes a user data management device 10, an EC (Electronic Commerce) site 20, an asset information management device 30, an information notification device 40, and a user terminal 50. The user data management device 10, the EC site 20, the asset information management device 30, the information notification device 40, and the user terminal 50 are connected to one another via a network (not shown) such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet. In this case, the user data management device 10, the EC site 20, the asset information management device 30, the information notification device 40, and the user terminal 50 are provided with communication units (not shown) for communicating with one another via such connections. Although not shown, the information notification system 100 is assumed to have one or more user terminals 50 for each user.

[0011] <Asset information management device 30> The asset information management device 30 is a server or the like, and manages asset information related to assets owned by each owner (user), such as a manufacturer or production factory that owns production equipment including assets and produces processed products, etc. The asset information managed by the asset information management device 30 is newly registered or changed by the owner (user) via a user terminal 50 when the owner (user) purchases an asset via an e-commerce site 20 or the like, or when the asset is updated, changed, or maintained, as will be described later. Note that the asset information may be input on behalf of the user by a manufacturer, system integrator, or the like that installed the equipment, or by a maintenance worker or the like who maintained the asset. Operation information, etc. may also be input from, for example, an edge server installed in the production equipment. 2 is a diagram showing an example of asset information. The asset information is managed in association with each user who owns the asset. As shown in Fig. 2, the asset information management device 30 stores, as asset information, equipment information including, for example, the user ID of the owner (user) of the equipment, the number of years the equipment owned by the user has been in operation, the availability of replacement equipment, the availability of parts, the type, model, serial number, NC (numerical control device), and the version number of software running on the NC. The asset information management device 30 also stores, as asset information, an image of the asset (equipment photo). Note that Fig. 2 shows an example in which the equipment information includes the user ID of the owner of the equipment (asset), but this is not limited to this. In addition, the asset information management device 30 stores, as asset information, the status of each component unit of the asset, such as the ATC (automatic tool changer), spindle, chip converter, drive shaft, magazine, NC (numerical control device), etc., including the recommended lifespan (number of days), the number of days used to date, and the ratio of the number of days used to the recommended lifespan. In addition, the asset information management device 30 has asset information that indicates the status of each consumable item, such as the filter element, X-axis wiper (upper), start button, battery, capacitor, mold, etc., of the asset, including the recommended lifespan (number of days), the number of days used to date, and the ratio of the number of days used to the recommended lifespan. In addition, the asset information management device 30 has maintenance information as asset information, including the disclosure date and time, completion date and time, faulty parts, and the person who performed the repair for each repair, which is classified as ``sudden,'' ``inspection,'' ``planned,'' etc. The asset information management device 30 outputs asset information to the information notification device 40 in response to a request from the information notification device 40, which will be described later. <User data management device 10> The user data management device 10 is a server or the like, and manages user data information related to the owner (user). The user data information includes, for example, the owner's name, address, telephone number, email address, user ID and password in the information notification system 100, etc. The user data managing device 10 outputs user data information to the information notifying device 40 in response to a request from the information notifying device 40, which will be described later.

[0012] <ECサイト20> The EC site 20 is a server or the like, and is an online site that sells assets. The EC site 20 is operated by a machine manufacturer, a parts manufacturer, a trading company, or the like. Owners (users) can purchase various assets from the store of the EC site 20 via a user terminal 50, which will be described later. The EC site 20 may store purchase history data for each owner (user) and output the purchase history data to the information notification device 40 in response to a request from the information notification device 40, which will be described later.

[0013] <User terminal 50> The user terminal 50 is a computer, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, or the like, and a user can register, add, or change asset information managed by the asset information management device 30 via the user terminal 50. In addition, a user can register or change the owner's user data information in the user data management device 10 via the user terminal 50, or can purchase assets on the EC site 20. As described below, the user terminal 50 may receive notification information related to assets owned by the owner (user) sent by email or the like from the information notification device 40, and display the received notification information on a display device (not shown) such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) included in the user terminal 50.

[0014] <Information notification device 40> The information notification device 40 is a server or the like, and acquires at least asset information for each user that has been added or changed to the asset information management device 30 from the asset information management device 30, and identifies notification information related to the asset information for each owner (user) according to the acquired asset information for that owner (user) as information to be notified to the owner (user). The information notification device 40 creates notification information including the identified information, and notifies the created notification information to the user via the user terminal 50. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the information notification device 40. As shown in FIG. 3, the information notification device 40 includes a control unit 410 and a storage unit 420. The control unit 410 includes an acquisition unit 411, a notification information creation unit 412, a notification unit 413, and an asset expected lifespan management unit 414.

[0015] <Storage section 420> The storage unit 420 is a storage unit such as an SSD (Solid State Drive) or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive). An operating system and application programs executed by the control unit 410 (described later) are stored in the storage unit 420. The storage unit 420 also includes a notification information management unit 421.

[0016] The notification information management unit 421 stores a notification information management table including notification information records, which will be described below. 4 and 5 are diagrams showing examples of notification information records included in the notification information management table. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the notification information record includes attribute data such as "notification information identifier," "notification information classification," "notification information title," "notification information details," "notification target," "related asset identifier," "related asset manufacturer," "notification period," "notification timing," and "individual notification."

[0017] The "notification information identifier" stores a number starting from "1" that is assigned to notification information in the order in which it is registered in the notification information management table, and is associated with the "notification information classification," "notification information title," "notification information details," "notification target," "related asset identifier," "related asset manufacturer," "notification period," "notification timing," and "individual notification," which will be described later.

[0018] The "notification information classification" indicates the field that represents the content of the notification information. Specifically, classifications such as "learning" that provides information about seminars on how to use assets, "new products" that provide information about new products, "substitute product notices" that notify users of discontinued parts and replacement products, "related products" that provide information about related products, "part replacement suggestions" that notify users when to replace parts, "case studies" that provide information about how to use assets owned, "software updates" that provide information about software updates, "matching" that provides information about services offered by other companies, and "exhibitions" that provide information about exhibiting at exhibitions are stored.

[0019] The "notification information title" stores data on the title of the mail containing the notification information to be notified to the owner (user).

[0020] In the "notification information details", a fixed phrase for the body of the email to be sent to the owner (user) is stored as notification information data.

[0021] "Notification target" stores the notification destination of the notification information stored in "Notification information details", for example, one or more owners (users) such as "end user", "machine manufacturer", "integrator", or "all".

[0022] The "related asset identifier" stores drawing numbers assigned to each asset, such as "A30" for a numerical control device, "B0001" for a battery, and "C0001" for a capacitor. In addition, instead of asset drawing numbers, the "related asset identifier" may store "all machining centers," "all products of Company A," "all robots," etc., when there are a wide variety of assets to be notified.

[0023] The "related asset manufacturer" field stores the name of the manufacturer or trading company, such as "Company A" or "Company B," that manufactures the asset indicated by the "related asset identifier." By doing so, the information notification device 40 can uniquely identify the asset by checking the manufacturer name, trading company name, etc. of the "related asset manufacturer," even if the drawing number stored in the "related asset identifier" is the same between different manufacturers.

[0024] The "notification period" stores the period for notifying the owner (user) of the notification information. If the "notification period" is set to a blank "-", the notification unit 413 (described later) notifies the owner (user) of the notification information created by the notification information creation unit 412 (described later) at the timing stored in the "notification timing" (described later).

[0025] "Notification timing" stores at least one of the following, indicating the timing for notifying notification information within the period stored in "notification period", such as "asset addition", "owner change", "owner addition", "one shot", "when notification information is changed", "when API is executed from external system", or "any timing". Here, "asset addition" refers to the timing of notification of the notification information when, for example, an owner (user) purchases a new asset on an EC site 20 or the like, and the asset information of the purchased asset is newly registered (added) to the asset information management device 30 by the owner's (user's) user terminal 50.

[0026] In addition, "owner change" and "owner addition" are notifications of the notification information when the user ID (owner) of the equipment information included in the asset information managed by the asset information management device 30 is changed or added.

[0027] "One shot" means that notification information is sent only once during the period indicated by the "notification period."

[0028] In addition, "when notification information is changed" is set as the notification timing for the changed notification information in "notification information details" when the data stored in "notification information details" is changed.

[0029] In addition, "when an API is implemented from an external system" refers to, for example, when the status of a component unit or consumable item contained in the asset information managed by the asset information management device 30 is updated based on instructions from the user terminal 50, and a component unit or consumable item whose ratio of the number of days of use to the recommended lifespan exceeds a predetermined threshold (e.g., 80%) is identified, and the notification information is sent to the user.

[0030] Additionally, "any timing" refers to any timing other than the above-mentioned "asset addition," "owner change," "owner addition," "one-shot," "when notification information is changed," and "when API is executed from an external system."

[0031] "Individual notification" stores "ON" indicating individual notification or "OFF" indicating collective notification. Specifically, if "ON" is stored in "Individual notification", even if there is other notification information for the user to be notified, only that notification information will be notified individually (alone) to the owner (user). On the other hand, if "OFF" is stored in "Individual notification", that notification information will be notified to the owner (user) together with other "OFF" notification information.

[0032] Based on the notification information management table configured as described above, the notification information creation unit 412 described later compares, for example, the drawing number and type (manufacturer name) of the NC in the equipment information shown in Figure 2, which is included in the asset information for each user that has been added or changed to the asset information management device 30, with the drawing number and type (manufacturer name) stored in the ``related asset identifier'' and ``related asset manufacturer,'' and identifies the matching notification information record. Next, the notification information creation unit 412 determines whether the user ID linked to the asset information added or changed to the asset information management device 30 corresponds to the notification destination stored in the “notification target” of the identified notification information record. If the notification information creation unit 412 determines that the user ID is the notification recipient, it can create a notification information email in which the title stored in the "Notification Information Title" field of the identified notification information record is used as the email title, and the standard phrase stored in the "Notification Information Details" field is used as the email body.

[0033] <Control unit 410> The control unit 410 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a CMOS memory, and the like, which are configured to be able to communicate with each other via a bus, and are well known to those skilled in the art. The CPU is a processor that controls the entire information notification device 40. The CPU reads out system programs and application programs stored in ROM via the bus, and controls the entire information notification device 40 in accordance with the system programs and application programs. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 410 is configured to realize the functions of an acquisition unit 411, a notification information creation unit 412, a notification unit 413, and an asset expected lifespan management unit 414. The RAM stores various data such as temporary calculation data and display data. The CMOS memory is backed up by a battery (not shown), and is configured as a non-volatile memory that retains its memory state even when the power to the information notification device 40 is turned off.

[0034] The acquisition unit 411 acquires, for example, at least one piece of asset information from the asset information management device 30 and user data information of the owner (user) of the asset from the user data management device 10. Specifically, for example, when the owner (user) purchases an asset via the EC site 20 or the like, updates, changes, or maintains the asset, and adds or changes asset information in the asset information management device 30 based on an input operation by the owner (user) from the user terminal 50, the acquisition unit 411 acquires the added or changed asset information from the asset information management device 30. The acquisition unit 411 acquires the user ID and the drawing number (related asset identifier) ​​and format (related asset manufacturer) of the equipment information included in the acquired asset information. The acquisition unit 411 acquires user data information (e.g., email address) of the asset owner (user) from the user data management device 10 based on the acquired user ID. The acquisition unit 411 may acquire asset information of the owner (user) by acquiring purchase history data of the owner (user) from the EC site 20.

[0035] The notification information creation unit 412 creates notification information from the asset identifier (drawing number and model (manufacturer)) included in the asset information added or changed by the owner (user), the asset owner (user ID), asset identification information (related asset identifier and related asset manufacturer) obtained from the notification information management unit 421, and the obtained user data information. Specifically, the notification information creation unit 412 compares, for example, the drawing number and format (manufacturer) of the equipment information included in the asset information added or changed by the owner (user) with the drawing number and format (manufacturer name) stored in the "related asset identifier" and "related asset manufacturer" of the notification information management table stored in the notification information management unit 421, and identifies a matching notification information record. The notification information creation unit 412 determines whether the user ID of the equipment information included in the asset information corresponds to the notification destination stored in the "notification target" of the identified notification information record. If the user ID corresponds to the notification destination of the notification target, the notification information creation unit 412 creates a notification information email in which the title stored in the "notification information title" of the identified notification information record is used as the email title, the fixed phrase stored in the "notification information details" is used as the email body, and the notification destination is the email address of the acquired user data information.

[0036] For example, if the added asset information is for a numerical control device "A30" manufactured by "Company A," the notification information creation unit 412 compares the drawing number "A30" and the model number "Company A" of the equipment information included in the added asset information with the drawing number and model number (manufacturer name) stored in the "related asset identifier" and "related asset manufacturer" fields of the notification information management table stored in the notification information management unit 421, and identifies a matching notification information record. If the user ID of the equipment information included in the asset information is an "end user" corresponding to the notification recipient of the "notification target" of the identified notification information record ("notification information identifier" number "1"), the notification information creation unit 412 creates a notification information email with the title "We have a recommended learning course for the numerical control device A30." stored in the "notification information title" field of the identified notification information record and the body of the email containing "We have a recommended learning course for using the numerical control device A30. For details, please see the following page. https: / / ****" stored in the "notification information details" field.

[0037] Alternatively, the notification information creation unit 412 compares the drawing number "A30" and model "Company A" of the equipment information included in the added asset information with the drawing number and model (manufacturer name) stored in the "related asset identifier" and "related asset manufacturer" fields of the notification information management table stored in the notification information management unit 421, and identifies a matching notification information record. If the user ID of the equipment information included in the asset information is the "machine manufacturer" corresponding to the notification recipient of the "notification target" of the identified notification information record ("notification information identifier" number "7"), the notification information creation unit 412 creates a notification information email with the title "Update of basic software for numerical control device A30" stored in the "notification information title" field of the identified notification information record and the body of the email containing "The basic software (A30S-J480) for the numerical control device A30 has been updated. For the update contents, please see below. https: / / ****" stored in the "notification information details" field.

[0038] If the user data information includes an address or account for a social networking service (SNS), the notification information creation unit 412 may create a message for the SNS as notification information instead of an email.

[0039] In addition, if the owner (user) owns multiple assets such as the same industrial machinery, and the notification information of the identified notification information identifier targets the asset, the notification information creation unit 412 may create notification information for one of the multiple identical assets and not create notification information for the remaining identical assets. By doing so, the information notification device 40 can avoid notifying the user terminal 50 of the same owner (user) of the notification information for each of the same assets.

[0040] The notification unit 413 notifies the owner (user) of the asset of the notification information created by the notification information creation unit 412. Specifically, the notification unit 413 notifies the owner (user) of the notification information based on the period and timing stored in the "notification period" and "notification timing" of the notification information management table stored in the notification information management unit 421. Furthermore, when there is one or more pieces of notification information for which individual notification is "ON" in the notification information management table, the notification unit 413 notifies the user terminal 50 of each piece of notification information individually. On the other hand, when there is notification information for which individual notification is "OFF" in the notification information management table, the notification unit 413 combines the pieces of notification information into one piece of notification information and notifies the user terminal 50 of it.

[0041] The asset expected lifespan management unit 414 determines whether there is any constituent unit or consumable for which the ratio of the number of days of use to the recommended lifespan exceeds a preset threshold (e.g., 80%), for example, based on the constituent unit status and consumable status included in the acquired asset information. If there is any constituent unit or consumable for which the ratio exceeds the threshold, the asset expected lifespan management unit 414 may cause the notification information creation unit 412 to create notification information indicating that the constituent unit or consumable is nearing the end of its lifespan, based on the purchase history data and the determination result, and based on the notification information management table of the notification information management unit 421.

[0042] <Notification process of the information notification system 100> Next, the flow of notification processing in the information notification system 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing only the main parts of the information notification system 100 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 that are necessary for explaining the notification process of the information notification system 100. In FIG.

[0043] In step S1, the user terminal 50 adds or changes the asset information of the asset owned by the asset information management device 30 based on an input operation from the owner (user).

[0044] In step S2, the information notification device 40 (acquisition unit 411) acquires the added or changed asset information from the asset information management device 30, triggered by the addition or change of the asset information in step S1.

[0045] In step S3, the information notification device 40 (acquisition unit 411) acquires, from the user data management device 10, user data information corresponding to the user ID included in the asset information acquired in step S2.

[0046] In step S4, the information notification device 40 (notification information creation unit 412) compares the drawing number and format (manufacturer) of the equipment information included in the asset information added or changed by the owner (user) in step S1 with the drawing number and format (manufacturer name) stored in the "related asset identifier" and "related asset manufacturer" fields of the notification information management table stored in the notification information management unit 421, and identifies a matching notification information record. The information notification device 40 (notification information creation unit 412) determines whether the user ID of the equipment information included in the asset information corresponds to the notification destination of the "notification target" of the identified notification information record. If the user ID corresponds to the notification destination of the notification target, the information notification device 40 (notification information creation unit 412) creates a notification information email in which the title stored in the "notification information title" field of the identified notification information record is used as the email title, the fixed phrase stored in the "notification information details" field is used as the email body, and the email address of the user data information acquired in step S3 is used as the notification destination.

[0047] In step S5, the information notification device 40 (notification unit 413) notifies the user terminal 50 of the owner (user) of the notification information created in step S4.

[0048] As described above, the information notification device 40 according to the first embodiment is triggered when asset information is added or changed by the asset owner (user), and notifies notification information corresponding to the added or changed asset information. As a result, the information notification device 40, based on the asset information management device 30 that centrally manages asset information related to assets installed in each user's production equipment, enables asset providers such as machine tool manufacturers and system integrators that provide assets to provide appropriate information at the appropriate time to users who own and operate each asset, thereby enabling notification information to be used to the fullest extent in sales opportunities. Furthermore, the information notification device 40 can minimize the loss of business opportunities and approach owners (customers) from various perspectives, leading to profits. The first embodiment has been described above.

[0049] Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment, when asset information is added or changed to the asset information management device 30 by the asset owner (user) or the EC site 20 that sells the asset based on the user's purchase history information, etc., notification information corresponding to the added or changed asset information is automatically notified to the user. In contrast, the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that when notification information stored in the notification information management table stored in the notification information management unit 421 is added or changed, the added or changed notification information is automatically notified to the appropriate user. As a result, the information notification device 40A allows asset providers such as machine tool manufacturers and system integrators that provide assets to provide appropriate information at the appropriate time to users who own and operate each asset, based on the asset information management device 30, which centrally manages asset information related to the assets installed in each user's production equipment. The second embodiment will be described below.

[0050] Second Embodiment Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information notification system according to the second embodiment. Elements having the same functions as those of the information notification system 100 in Fig. 1 are given the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. The user data management device 10, the EC site 20, the asset information management device 30, the information notification device 40A, and the user terminal 50 are connected to one another via a network (not shown) such as a LAN or the Internet. In this case, the user data management device 10, the EC site 20, the asset information management device 30, the information notification device 40A, and the user terminal 50 each include a communication unit (not shown) for communicating with one another via such connections. The user data management device 10, the EC site 20, the asset information management device 30, and the user terminal 50 have the same functions as the user data management device 10, the EC site 20, the asset information management device 30, and the user terminal 50 in the first embodiment.

[0051] <Information notification device 40A> The information notification device 40A is a server or the like, and acquires user data information from the user data management device 10, purchase history data from the EC site 20, and asset information from the asset information management device 30. The information notification device 40A creates notification information based on the acquired user data information, purchase history data, and asset information, and notifies the created notification information to the user terminal 50 of the owner (user). FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the information notification device 40A. 8, the information notification device 40A has a control unit 410a and a storage unit 420. The control unit 410a has an acquisition unit 411a, a notification information creation unit 412a, a notification unit 413, and an asset expected lifespan management unit 414. The storage unit 420 also includes a notification information management unit 421. The storage unit 420 has the same functions as the storage unit 420 in the first embodiment. The notification information management unit 421 has the same data as the notification information management unit 421 in the first embodiment.

[0052] <Control unit 410a> The control unit 410a includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a CMOS memory, and the like, which are configured to be able to communicate with each other via a bus, and are well known to those skilled in the art. The CPU is a processor that controls the entire information notification device 40A. The CPU reads out the system program and application program stored in the ROM via the bus, and controls the entire information notification device 40A in accordance with the system program and application program. As a result, as shown in FIG. 8, the CPU is configured to realize the functions of an acquisition unit 411a, a notification information creation unit 412a, a notification unit 413, and an asset expected lifespan management unit 414.

[0053] The notification unit 413 and the asset expected lifespan management unit 414 have the same functions as the notification unit 413 and the asset expected lifespan management unit 414 in the first embodiment.

[0054] For example, when the acquiring unit 411a detects that notification information has been added or changed in the notification information management table stored in the notification information management unit 421 based on an input operation by an administrator of the information notification device 40A via an input device (not shown), such as a keyboard or touch panel, included in the information notification device 40A, the acquiring unit 411a acquires all asset information from the asset information management device 30. For each piece of acquired asset information, the acquiring unit 411a acquires the user ID, drawing number (associated asset identifier), and type (associated asset manufacturer) of the equipment information included in the asset information. Furthermore, the acquiring unit 411a acquires user data information (e.g., email address) of the asset owner (user) for each piece of asset information from the user data management device 10 based on the acquired user ID.

[0055] The notification information creation unit 412a determines, for example, whether the drawing number and format (manufacturer) of the equipment information included in each acquired asset information match the drawing number and format (manufacturer name) stored in the "related asset identifier" and "related asset manufacturer" of the added or changed notification information record in the notification information management table stored in the notification information management unit 421. The notification information creation unit 412a determines whether the user ID of the equipment information included in the matching asset information corresponds to the notification destination of the "notification target" of the added or changed notification information record. If the user ID corresponds to the notification destination of the notification target, the notification information creation unit 412a creates an email of notification information in which the title stored in the "notification information title" of the added or changed notification information record is used as the email title, the fixed phrase stored in the "notification information details" is used as the email body, and the notification destination is the email address of the acquired user data information.

[0056] For example, when the "notification information details" of a notification information record having the "notification information identifier" number "4" in the notification information management table shown in Fig. 4 is changed, the notification information creation unit 412a determines whether the drawing number and format (manufacturer) of the equipment information included in each acquired asset information match the drawing number and format (manufacturer name) stored in the "related asset identifier" and "related asset manufacturer" of the added or changed notification information record ("notification information identifier" number "4") in the notification information management table stored in the notification information management unit 421. The notification information creation unit 412a determines whether the user ID of the equipment information included in the matched asset information corresponds to the "end user" or "machine manufacturer," which is the notification destination of the "notification target" of the added or changed notification information record. If the user ID of the equipment information included in the asset information is the "end user" or "machine manufacturer" who is the notification recipient of the "notification target" of the changed notification information record, the notification information creation unit 412a creates a notification information email with the title "Introducing robot X01" stored in the "notification information title" of the changed notification information record, and the body of the email containing the message "We would like to introduce our collaborative robot to all of you who use our products. This time we will introduce robot X01. This product is a robot that is not fixed in place and can coexist in the same places as people. For more information about this product, please see the following page. https: / / ****" stored in the "notification information details" of the changed notification information record.

[0057] In addition, if the owner (user) owns multiple identical assets and the added or changed notification information targets those assets, the notification information creation unit 412a may create notification information for one of the multiple identical assets and not create notification information for the remaining identical assets. By doing so, the information notification device 40A can avoid notifying the user terminal 50 of the same owner (user) of the notification information for each of the same assets.

[0058] <Notification process of the information notification system 100> Next, the flow of notification processing in the information notification system 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing only the main parts of the information notification system 100 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 that are necessary for explaining the notification process of the information notification system 100. In FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the notification process of the information notification system 100.

[0059] In step S11, when the information notification device 40A (acquisition unit 411a) detects that notification information has been added or changed in the notification information management table stored in the notification information management unit 421 by an administrator of the information notification device 40A or the like, it acquires all asset information from the asset information management device 30.

[0060] In step S12, the information notification device 40A (acquisition unit 411a) acquires from the user data management device 10 user data information of the asset owner (user) corresponding to the user ID included in one of the asset information acquired in step S11.

[0061] In step S13, the information notification device 40A (notification information creation unit 412a) determines whether notification information for the same asset owned by the owner (user) of the user ID included in the asset information acquired in step S12 has already been created. If notification information for the same asset has already been created, the process proceeds to step S15. On the other hand, if notification information for the same asset has not already been created, the process proceeds to step S14.

[0062] In step S14, the information notification device 40A (notification information creation unit 412a) determines whether the drawing number and format (manufacturer) of the equipment information included in the asset information match the drawing number and format (manufacturer name) stored in the "related asset identifier" and "related asset manufacturer" of the added or changed notification information record in the notification information management table stored in the notification information management unit 421. The information notification device 40A (notification information creation unit 412a) determines whether the user ID of the equipment information included in the matching asset information corresponds to the notification destination of the "notification target" of the added or changed notification information record. If the user ID corresponds to the notification destination of the notification target, the information notification device 40A (notification information creation unit 412a) creates an email of notification information in which the title stored in the "notification information title" of the added or changed notification information record is used as the email title, the fixed phrase stored in the "notification information details" is used as the email body, and the notification destination is the email address of the acquired user data information.

[0063] In step S15, the information notification device 40A (notification information creation unit 412a) determines whether or not all asset information has been confirmed. If all asset information has been confirmed, the process proceeds to step S16. On the other hand, if not all asset information has been confirmed, the process returns to step S13.

[0064] In step S16, the information notification device 40 (notification unit 413) notifies the user terminal 50 of the owner (user) of the notification information created in step S14, similar to the process in step S5 shown in FIG.

[0065] In step S17, the information notification device 40A (notification information creation unit 412a) determines whether or not the notification information has been notified to all owners (users). If the notification information has been notified to all owners (users), the information notification system 100 ends the notification process. On the other hand, if the notification information has not been notified to all owners (users), the process returns to step S12.

[0066] As described above, the information notification device 40A according to the second embodiment is triggered when notification information is added or changed in the notification information management table stored in the notification information management unit 421 by an administrator or the like of the information notification device 40A, and notifies the owner (user) of the asset to be notified of the added or changed notification information. As a result, the information notification device 40A, based on the asset information management device 30 that centrally manages asset information related to assets installed in each user's production equipment, allows asset providers such as machine tool manufacturers and system integrators that provide assets to provide appropriate information at the appropriate time to users who own and operate each asset, and enables notification information to be used to the fullest extent in sales opportunities. Furthermore, the information notification device 40A can minimize loss of business opportunities and approach owners (customers) from various perspectives, leading to profits. The second embodiment has been described above.

[0067] Next, a third embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment, when asset information is added or changed to the asset information management device based on the asset owner (user) or the user's purchase history information from an e-commerce site selling assets, notification information corresponding to the added or changed asset information is automatically notified to the user. Furthermore, in the second embodiment, when notification information stored in the notification information management table stored in the notification information management unit 421 is added or changed, the added or changed notification information is automatically notified to an appropriate user, which is different from the first embodiment. In contrast, in the third embodiment, when the asset owner (user) is changed, notification information is automatically notified to the owner (user) of the changed asset, which is different from the first and second embodiments. As a result, the information notification device 40B allows asset providers such as machine tool manufacturers and system integrators that provide assets to provide appropriate information at the appropriate time to users who own and operate each asset, based on the asset information management device 30, which centrally manages asset information related to the assets installed in each user's production equipment. The third embodiment will be described below.

[0068] Third Embodiment Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information notification system according to the third embodiment. Elements having the same functions as those of the information notification system 100 in Fig. 1 are given the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. The user data management device 10, the EC site 20, the asset information management device 30, the information notification device 40B, and the user terminal 50 are connected to one another via a network (not shown) such as a LAN or the Internet. In this case, the user data management device 10, the EC site 20, the asset information management device 30, the information notification device 40B, and the user terminal 50 are provided with communication units (not shown) for communicating with one another via such connections. The user data management device 10, the EC site 20, the asset information management device 30, and the user terminal 50 have the same functions as the user data management device 10, the EC site 20, the asset information management device 30, and the user terminal 50 in the first embodiment.

[0069] <Information notification device 40B> The information notification device 40B is a server or the like, and acquires user data information from the user data management device 10, purchase history data from the EC site 20, and asset information from the asset information management device 30. The information notification device 40B creates notification information based on the acquired user data information, purchase history data, and asset information, and notifies the created notification information to the user terminal 50 of the owner (user). FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the information notification device 40B. 12, the information notification device 40B has a control unit 410b and a storage unit 420. The control unit 410b has an acquisition unit 411b, a notification information creation unit 412, a notification unit 413, and an asset expected lifespan management unit 414. The storage unit 420 also includes a notification information management unit 421. The storage unit 420 has the same functions as the storage unit 420 in the first embodiment. The notification information management unit 421 has the same data as the notification information management unit 421 in the first embodiment.

[0070] <Control unit 410b> The control unit 410b includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a CMOS memory, and the like, which are configured to be able to communicate with each other via a bus, and are well known to those skilled in the art. The CPU is a processor that controls the entire information notification device 40B. The CPU reads out the system program and application program stored in the ROM via the bus, and controls the entire information notification device 40B in accordance with the system program and application program. As a result, as shown in FIG. 12, the CPU is configured to realize the functions of an acquisition unit 411b, a notification information creation unit 412, a notification unit 413, and an asset expected lifespan management unit 414.

[0071] The notification information creation unit 412, notification unit 413, and asset expected lifespan management unit 414 have the same functions as the notification information creation unit 412, notification unit 413, and asset expected lifespan management unit 414 in the first embodiment.

[0072] For example, when the user ID of the equipment information included in the asset information of the asset managed by the asset information management device 30 is changed to that of the new owner (user) of the asset based on an input operation by the user terminal 50 of the new owner (user), the acquisition unit 411b acquires the changed asset information from the asset information management device 30. The acquisition unit 411b acquires the user ID, drawing number (related asset identifier), and model (related asset manufacturer) of the equipment information included in the acquired asset information. Furthermore, the acquisition unit 411b acquires user data information (e.g., email address) of the new owner (user) of the asset from the user data management device 10 based on the acquired user ID.

[0073] <Notification process of information notification system 100> Next, the flow of notification processing in the information notification system 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing only the main parts of the information notification system 100 shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 that are necessary for explaining the notification process of the information notification system 100. In FIG. The processing in steps S22 to S25 is the same as the processing in steps S2 to S5 in FIG. 4, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0074] In step S21, based on input operation from the new owner (user), the user terminal 50 changes the user ID of the equipment information included in the asset information of the asset managed by the asset information management device 30 to that of the new owner (user).

[0075] As described above, the information notification device 40B according to the third embodiment is triggered when the user ID of the equipment information included in the asset information is changed by the new owner (user) of the asset, and notifies notification information corresponding to the changed asset information. As a result, the information notification device 40B can provide appropriate information at the appropriate time to users who own and operate each asset, based on the asset information management device 30 that centrally manages asset information related to assets installed in each user's production equipment, and asset providers such as machine tool manufacturers and system integrators that provide assets, etc. can make the most of the notification information to take advantage of sales opportunities. Furthermore, the information notification device 40B can minimize loss of business opportunities and approach owners (customers) from various perspectives, leading to profits. The third embodiment has been described above.

[0076] The first, second, and third embodiments have been described above, but the information notification devices 40, 40A, and 40B are not limited to the above-described embodiments and include modifications, improvements, etc. within the scope that can achieve the objectives.

[0077] <Variation 1> In the first, second, and third embodiments, the information notification devices 40, 40A, and 40B are devices different from the user data management device 10 or the asset information management device 30, but are not limited to this. For example, the information notification devices 40, 40A, and 40B may be included in the user data management device 10 or the asset information management device 30.

[0078] <Variation 2> For example, although the first, second, and third embodiments do not specifically mention the information notification devices 40, 40A, and 40B, the information notification devices 40, 40A, and 40B may exist, for example, on a cloud server together with the user data management device 10, the EC site 20, and the asset information management device 30.

[0079] <Variation 3> Also, for example, in the second embodiment, when an owner (user) owns multiple assets such as the same industrial machinery, and added or changed notification information targets that asset, the notification information creation unit 412a creates notification information for one of the multiple identical assets and does not create notification information for the remaining identical assets, but this is not limited to this. For example, the notification information creation unit 412 in the first and third embodiments may also create notification information for one of the multiple identical assets and not create notification information for the remaining identical assets when an owner (user) owns multiple assets such as the same industrial machinery, and added or changed notification information targets that asset.

[0080] Each function included in the information notification devices 40, 40A, and 40B according to the first, second, and third embodiments can be realized by hardware, software, or a combination of these. Here, being realized by software means being realized by a computer reading and executing a program.

[0081] The program can be stored and supplied to a computer using various types of non-transitory computer-readable media. Non-transitory computer-readable media include various types of tangible storage media. Examples of non-transitory computer-readable media include magnetic storage media (e.g., flexible disks, magnetic tapes, hard disk drives), magneto-optical storage media (e.g., magneto-optical disks), CD-ROMs (Read Only Memory), CD-Rs, CD-R / Ws, and semiconductor memories (e.g., mask ROMs, PROMs (Programmable ROMs), EPROMs (Erasable PROMs), flash ROMs, and RAMs). The program may also be supplied to a computer by various types of transitory computer-readable media. Examples of transitory computer-readable media include electrical signals, optical signals, and electromagnetic waves. The transitory computer-readable media can be supplied to a computer via wired communication paths such as electric wires and optical fibers, or via wireless communication paths.

[0082] In addition, the steps of writing a program to be recorded on a recording medium include not only processes that are performed chronologically in accordance with the order, but also processes that are not necessarily performed chronologically but are performed in parallel or individually.

[0083] In other words, the information notification device of the present disclosure can take various forms having the following configurations.

[0084] (1) The information notification device 40 of the present disclosure includes an acquisition unit 411 that acquires at least one or more pieces of asset information from an asset information management device 30 that manages asset information related to assets, including asset identifiers that are identification information for assets that are devices and software related to manufacturing equipment and owner identification information that is the owner of the assets, and user data information that includes notification destination information for asset owners from a user data management device 10 that manages user data information related to asset owners; a notification information management unit 421 that stores notification information to be notified to a specified notification destination according to a specified asset identifier; a notification information creation unit 412 that creates notification information based on the asset identifier included in the asset information acquired from the asset information management device 30 and the asset identifier of the notification information acquired from the notification information management unit 421; and a notification unit 413 that notifies the asset owner, who is the notification destination of the notification information, of the notification information created by the notification information creation unit 412. According to this information notification device 40, based on the asset information management device 30 which centrally manages asset information related to assets installed in each user's production equipment, asset providers such as machine tool manufacturers and system integrators that provide assets can provide appropriate information at the appropriate time to users who own and operate each asset.

[0085] (2) In the information notification device 40 described in (1), when asset information is added or changed by the asset owner, the acquisition unit 411 acquires the added or changed asset information from the asset information management device 30, and the notification information creation unit 412 may create notification information according to the asset identifier included in the added or changed asset information. By doing so, the information notification device 40 can minimize the loss of business opportunities.

[0086] (3) In the information notification device 40A described in (1), when notification information in the notification information management unit 421 is added or changed, the acquisition unit 411a may acquire asset information from the asset information management device 30 based on the asset identifier of the added or changed notification information. By doing so, the information notification device 40A can achieve the same effect as (2).

[0087] (4) In the information notification device 40B described in (1), when the owner of the asset information is changed, the acquisition unit 411b may acquire the changed asset information from the asset information management device 30 and acquire the user information of the changed owner from the user data management device 10. By doing so, the information notification device 40B can achieve the same effect as (2).

[0088] (5) In the information notification device 40, 40A, 40B described in any of (1) to (4), the notification information creation unit 412, 412a may create one notification information for each identical asset based on the asset identification information when the owner of the asset information owns multiple assets. By doing so, the information notification devices 40, 40A, 40B can avoid notifying the user terminal 50 of the same owner (user) of the notification information for each of the same assets.

[0089] (6) In the information notification device 40, 40A, 40B described in any one of (1) to (5), the notification information may be a fixed phrase corresponding to the identification information of the asset. This allows the information notification devices 40, 40A, and 40B to easily add or change notification information. [Explanation of symbols]

[0090] 10 User data management device 20 E-commerce sites 30 Asset information management device 40, 40A, 40B Information notification device 410, 410a, 410b control unit 411, 411a, 411b acquisition section 412, 412a Notification information creation unit 413 Notification Department 414 Asset Life Expectancy Management Department 420 Storage section 421 Notification Information Management Department 50 User Terminals 100 Notification Information System

Claims

1. an acquisition unit that acquires at least one or more pieces of asset information from an asset information management device that manages asset information related to the assets, including asset identifiers that are identification information of assets that are devices and software related to manufacturing facilities and owner identification information that is the owner of the assets, and user data information that includes notification destination information of the owner of the assets from a user data management device that manages user data information related to the owner of the assets; a notification information management unit that stores notification information to be notified to a predetermined notification destination in accordance with a predetermined asset identifier; a notification information creation unit that creates notification information based on an asset identifier included in the asset information acquired from the asset information management device and the asset identifier of the notification information acquired from the notification information management unit; a notification unit that notifies the owner of the asset who is the notification destination of the notification information, the notification information created by the notification information creation unit; Equipped with The notification information creation unit creates the notification information when it determines that the owner identification information is a notification target of the notification information acquired from the notification information management unit.

2. when the asset information is added or changed by the owner of the asset, the acquisition unit acquires the added or changed asset information from the asset information management device; The information notification device according to claim 1 , wherein the notification information creation unit creates the notification information in accordance with an asset identifier included in the added or changed asset information.

3. The information notification device of claim 1, wherein when the notification information of the notification information management unit is added or changed, the acquisition unit acquires the asset information from the asset information management device based on the asset identifier of the added or changed notification information.

4. The information notification device of claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit acquires the changed asset information from the asset information management device when the owner of the asset information is changed, and acquires the user information of the changed owner from the user data management device.

5. The information notification device described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the notification information creation unit creates one notification information for each identical asset based on the identification information of the asset when the owner of the asset information owns multiple assets.

6. The information notification device according to claim 1 , wherein the notification information is a fixed phrase corresponding to identification information of the asset.

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