Warranty Notification Workflow for Multi-Supplier Component Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems fail to efficiently manage warranty information across multiple component suppliers involved in manufacturing complex devices, leading to inefficiencies in warranty management and communication between device purchasers and component suppliers.

Innovation Solution

A warranty information notification system that includes a warranty information management unit for registration and a notification recipient management unit to acquire and notify component suppliers of warranty information based on device configuration, enabling efficient management and communication of warranty details.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If warranty information is managed manually without an automated notification system, then system complexity is reduced, but information management efficiency and communication between device purchasers and component suppliers deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewarranty information management efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a notification system that acts as an intermediary between device purchasers and component suppliers. This system automatically transmits warranty information from the purchaser to the appropriate supplier, eliminating manual communication processes and improving efficiency without requiring direct complex interactions between all parties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The notification system enables self-service operation where warranty information is automatically processed and transmitted without requiring manual intervention from either the device purchaser or component supplier. The system autonomously identifies recipients, formats notifications, and delivers information, thereby improving productivity while keeping the interface simple for users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If component suppliers are not notified of warranty information, then communication simplicity is maintained, but warranty management reliability and repair responsiveness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewarranty management reliabilityVSAvoidcommunication efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The notification system establishes a feedback loop where warranty information is automatically transmitted from device purchasers to component suppliers. This ensures that suppliers receive timely updates on warranty status, enabling reliable warranty management and rapid response to repair needs while maintaining efficient communication flows.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring notification recipients and templates before warranty issues arise. When warranty information needs to be communicated, the system automatically retrieves pre-prepared information and transmits it to the appropriate suppliers, ensuring reliable information delivery without requiring ad-hoc communication efforts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of time

If manual tracking of warranty information is used, then system complexity is minimized, but time consumption for warranty management and repair processes increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetime consumption for warranty managementVSAvoidnotification system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical processes of tracking and communicating warranty information with an automated electronic notification system. This substitution eliminates time-consuming manual tasks such as sending emails, making phone calls, or updating spreadsheets, thereby reducing time consumption while the system complexity is contained through modular design and pre-configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20260017665A1Warranty information notification system and computer-readable storage medium

Publication Date: 2026.01.15 FANUC LTD

AI summary

Provided is a warranty information notification system comprising a warranty information management unit whichaccepts registration of warranty information from a device purchaser, and a notification destination management unit which, uponacceptance of the registration of the warranty information, acquires configuration information relating to a component forminga device, accepts registration of a supplier of the component forming the device as a notification destination of the warrantyinformation, and notifies the notification destination of information which is included in the warranty information and is requiredfor starting the warranty.