Battery Pack Warranty Validation via Coded UID

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing digital systems face high costs and time inefficiencies in handling warranty cases for replaceable subunits, as users must send defective parts to warranty service providers for replacement, leading to increased administrative burdens.

Innovation Solution

A computerized method and system that allows a user's device to objectively determine warranty cases, generating a coded warranty certificate without requiring the physical subunit to be sent, enabling remote diagnosis and replacement without resending the part.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the subunit is sent to the warranty service provider for proof of valid warranty claim, then the warranty service provider can determine whether replacement is proper, but this adds to the overall costs and time for determination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewarranty claim validationVSAvoidtime for determination

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a digital copy (electronic record) of the subunit's warranty information that can be transmitted and verified remotely. The system stores subunit data including serial numbers, purchase dates, and warranty status in a database, allowing the warranty service provider to verify claims by accessing this digital copy rather than requiring the physical subunit to be present.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical process of physically transporting the subunit to the warranty service provider with an electronic information transmission system. The subunit data is electronically communicated to the provider, who can then validate the warranty claim remotely by querying the database, eliminating the need for physical presence or shipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If the subunit is sent to the warranty service provider for proof purposes, then the warranty service provider can determine whether replacement is proper, but the sending of the subunit adds to the overall costs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewarranty claim validationVSAvoidcosts for sending

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a digital copy (electronic record) of the subunit's warranty information that can be transmitted and verified remotely. The system stores subunit data including serial numbers, purchase dates, and warranty status in a database, allowing the warranty service provider to verify claims by accessing this digital copy rather than requiring the physical subunit to be present.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical process of physically transporting the subunit to the warranty service provider with an electronic information transmission system. The subunit data is electronically communicated to the provider, who can then validate the warranty claim remotely by querying the database, eliminating the need for physical presence or shipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If the subunit is sent to the warranty service provider, then the provider can determine whether replacement is proper, but this further adds to the administration efforts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewarranty claim validationVSAvoidadministration efforts

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a system where the subunit itself carries its own identification data (such as a memory chip or RFID tag) that automatically provides warranty information when scanned or read by the service provider's system. This self-identifying capability eliminates the need for manual data entry and administrative processing, as the subunit effectively serves itself by providing its own verification data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a digital copy (electronic record) of the subunit's warranty information that can be transmitted and verified remotely. The system stores subunit data including serial numbers, purchase dates, and warranty status in a database, allowing the warranty service provider to verify claims by accessing this digital copy rather than requiring the physical subunit to be present.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS8996424B2Computerized method and system for managing warranty services in a digital system or device

Publication Date: 2015.03.31 KYNDRYL INC

AI summary

A digital system or device includes a battery pack as an exemplary functional subunit. In a warranty case determined by an electrical load test for determining its actual charge capacity, a battery check program initializes, via the operating system and an underlying printer, a printout of a warranty certificate. This certificate form, in particular, contains a UID of the underlying battery pack gathered from a ROM implemented in the battery pack. Before generating the printout of the certificate, the UID gathered from the ROM is coded e.g. by the battery check program and only the coded UID is printed. The printout of the warranty certificate thereafter will be delivered to the warranty service provider by the user. After having received the delivered warranty certificate and having checked validity of the user's warranty claim by means of the coded UID the warranty service provider sends a replacement battery pack back to the user. As a consequence, the user can replace the battery pack on its own and therefore does not have to deliver the replaced battery pack to the warranty service provider.