EP1358590A1

EP1358590A1 - Method for managing certification data

Info

Publication number: EP1358590A1
Application number: EP01909739A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ulrich Feik
Original assignee: TUEV Rheinland Holding AG
Current assignee: TUEV Rheinland Holding AG
Priority date: 2001-02-11
Filing date: 2001-02-11
Publication date: 2003-11-05
Also published as: US20020112034A1; US6850913B2; WO2002065357A2

Description

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systems, for example management systems or product flow systems. In the area of quality management (TQM, Total Quality Management), the standards ISO 9000 and ISO 9001 are known in particular, which define certain quality-assuring operational processes. In the aerospace sector, the AS 9000 standard defines procedures to ensure flight safety. The HACCP standard, which contains regulations for the production, storage and transport of foodstuffs, concerns a completely different area.

In summary, it can be stated that test marks are not only awarded for products, but also for systems, services, manufacturing and organizational processes. Because of the large number of domestic and foreign certification marks, it is almost impossible for the end user to assign the relevant meaning to a certification mark attached to a product. Even for dealers, buyers and warehouse staff, the importance of the individual test marks used in the trade in goods and services can hardly be overlooked.

Some manufacturers and suppliers label their goods with decorative test seals, although no certification has been carried out. Test marks are often used, which are similar to common test marks and mislead traffic.

In this respect, it is an object of the invention to improve and simplify the accessibility of certification information.

This object of the invention is achieved by a method for querying certification information according to claim 1 and by a system for providing certification information according to claim 24.

The method according to the invention enables certification information to be queried on the basis of an organizational process for a product, a system, a service etc. awarded test mark over the Internet. For this purpose, the test mark is provided with a specific identification number.

In a first step, the user enters the identification number via his web browser into an input field on a website. The address of the website is given on the test mark. The identification number thus recorded is then transmitted from the user's web browser via the Internet to a web server structure of the provider. In the next step, a database search query based on the identification number is formulated by the web server structure and transmitted to a web database that is coupled to the web server structure. The certification information associated with the identification number is read from the web database and then transmitted from the provider's web server structure via the Internet to the user's web browser.

The test mark used for the method according to the invention is self-explanatory. The combination "web address + identification number" can be understood and used worldwide without additional explanations and instructions being required. The test mark can be used and understood worldwide without the need for translations ("world symbol").

The certifying institute's worldwide uniform appearance of the mark creates a high level of awareness and recognition value for the test mark. So far, the has prevented

Variety of certifications that certifications and test seals were taken into account by the end consumer when making a purchase decision. With the new standardized test seal, consumer acceptance could be increased

With the method according to the invention, a user can query from any Internet-compatible computer which one Properties of the certified product, system, service etc. were checked during certification and which methods were used. A user who has a specific product can obtain more detailed information on the most varied properties of his product by means of an Internet query. The specific product and certification information can be called up around the clock from anywhere in the world within a short time and is therefore superior to paper documentation. Another advantage of the method according to the invention for retrieving certification information is that the user (unlike in the case of paper documentation) always receives current information.

With the method according to the invention, the user can in particular check whether a certificate has actually been issued for a specific product, system, etc. (proof of legitimation) and whether the manufacturer's information on the properties of the product match the certified test results. As a result, fake test marks can be noticed more often than before.

The identification number attached to the test mark serves as the key to all the services provided by the certifying institution and gives them in a compressed form

Sum of the tests carried out again.

The central storage of product and certification data creates a powerful trading database that can be used as an orientation for professional buyers of all distribution levels. A "virtual market" of comparable products and services is created, which can be accessed using suitable search tools.

The product database gradually created in the manner described can also be obtained from official bodies (TGA, ZLG, ω co t. P ¹ P ¹ oo LΠ o LΠ

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Java code realized functionality of the pages on the other hand.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the database search query is transmitted and the certification information associated with the identification number is read out using Java beans. Java beans are self-contained micro programs in the Java programming language, each of which can perform a specific task. Java beans can be used across platforms. If an additional function is required, this function can be integrated into the existing software using an additional Java bean. In this respect, Java beans allow great flexibility.

The test mark is advantageously affixed to the product or its packaging. This can be done by printing, stamping, embossing, etc. In the case of garments, the test mark can be attached to patches and labels. If the test seal is applied directly to the goods, this has the advantage that every owner of the goods can use the test seal to query the product properties and the meaning of the test seal over the Internet. For this he only needs the goods themselves; there is no need for any additional documentation.

In addition, it is advantageous to affix the test mark in a catalog, in a document, in a user manual or in advertising materials. Placing the test mark in a catalog in which the goods are described enables potential customers to check the information given in the catalog. It would also be conceivable for a manufacturer to include a document with his product in which he explains the meaning of the test mark and on which the test mark is printed. For example, the test seal could be printed on a guarantee card included with the goods. The test mark according to the invention is also shown in a small representation easily understandable and therefore suitable to be used in business papers and advertisements to accompany the product. The test mark can, for example, be copied into an advertisement that appears in a print medium and contains an image of the product. This enables a prospective buyer to query the properties of the product over the Internet.

The test mark can be a PSQ (Product Safety Quality) test mark. Alternatively, the test mark can be a TQM (Total Quality Management) test mark. The use of a TQM test mark in brochures, advertising materials and on business papers enables a business partner to quickly check whether the claimed certification has actually been carried out.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention provides for the authenticity of the certification information transmitted to the user to be guaranteed by means of a digital watermark. Digital watermarks are difficult to fake. If the certification pages retrieved from the Internet have the digital watermark of the TÜV, the user can be sure that they have received the authentic test results.

It is advantageous if there is the possibility of registration for defined user groups, a registered user being assigned extended access rights and / or improved search functionalities depending on his user group after his legitimation. The users of the different user groups need completely different additional functions. These additional functions can be provided in the required form after registration.

It is advantageous to define a user group "end users" for whose users no registration tion takes place. These users generally do not require any additional functions and are interested in quick and easy access to the relevant certificate.

A user group "dealer" can advantageously be defined, the users of which are assigned product-related search functions in particular. In this way, users of the "Dealer" group have the opportunity to carry out a detailed comparison between different products in a product group and to compare all the certification data available for these products.

In addition, it is advantageous to define a "manufacturer" user group, the users of which are given the right to overwrite certain product information in the web database. This enables the users of this group to keep the information about the technical characteristics and advantages of their products up to date.

It is advantageous to display the certification information read out of the web database and further useful information for each registered user after their legitimation in accordance with a personalized data model. The user can determine which product and

Certification information he is interested in (user-related content management). For example, the user can have the new entries in certain product groups queried by default in order to be able to follow the market development in this way.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the web database receives the certification information intended for the public from a master database by means of data transfer, the certification database storing more extensive, partially not intended for the public certification information. On > L co ro P ¹ P "

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It is advantageous if the notification of the responsible certifier sets a time limit for updating the certification information in the web database in order to keep the web database up to date. Otherwise, the web database would contain more and more incorrect information and thus become worthless.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention provides for a session ID to be assigned for each connection of a user to the server structure, the response to queries being slowed down or stopped when predetermined access frequencies or predetermined access times are exceeded. The purpose of this measure is to prevent the web database from being read out completely.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the identification number is transmitted from the user to the web server structure and the certification information is transmitted from the web server structure to the user in a radio-assisted manner in accordance with the WAP standard. This allows a user to access the web databases using a WAP-enabled cell phone or a WAP-enabled Personal Digital Assistant (PDA). If a consumer sees a product with a TÜV test seal when shopping, he can, if he has a WAP-compatible cell phone, use the WAP interface offered by TUN to request information about this product and the test seal issued. To do this, he establishes the connection to the TÜV with his cell phone and types the identification number given on the test seal into his cell phone. Information on the meaning of the certificate and additional product information are then shown on the display of his cell phone or PDA. Since it is to be expected that the cell phones of future generations will have better readable displays and more convenient input functions, such services will become more important. u> to t P ¹

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3 LQ Φ co u rt 3 3 φ Φ 3 HS 3 3 Φ 3 Φ Φ Φ 3

CD CQ 3 P- Φ Φ 3 HS 0 CQ Hi Φ 3 HJ Hti Hl LQ P- 3 X

Hi Hj Hti Ω Φ Hti HS PJ <Hj <rt 3 3 PJ 3 0 Φ CQ 3 et

3 = P- J DJ rt tr Φ Φ 3 Φ φ D. 0 H {tr rt 3 s; 3 Hi tr rt rt 3 tr Φ rt <X HS CQ P- HS 3 HS 3 P- co Φ Φ α 3 Φ • N Hi

Hi Φ 3 = LQ et 3 Φ rt X 3 TJ Hj tr CQ 3 3 Φ

3 sts. CO N σ Φ CQ <D- Φ φ rt Φ rt Hi 3 D- 3 = O HS PJ

3 Hi 3 Φ CO O Φ 3 P- Φ P- 3 C Φ PJ öd σ P- P- CQ 3

LQ Hl D. LQ Hi Ω <HS 3 3 HS Φ Ω LSI rt Φ Φ Φ Gd Φ Φ Hl

CQ P- 3 HS 3 tr 0 rt Di CO - Hi tr Φ Φ CQ HS Hi PJ P- tr 3 Hi Φ φ PJ 3 Φ Φ 0 Φ 3 Di Φ HS 3 rt 3 rt CQ> rt

Φ Di Ω P- tr P- 3 3 D. Hi 3 Φ 3 rt tr PJ P- P- α P- DJ

P- 3 tr Hi 3 rt Φ rt φ <! Φ Di 3 Di P- PJ 3 rt φ H {LQ 3

CQ 3 rt Φ Φ P- Φ <HS Φ 3 Φ Hi 3 Di rt P- HJ Φ φ Hl

TJ LQ Φ • »3 rt 3 P- Hi 0 3 ≤ D. P- X rt Φ Φ φ CQ 3

P- P- Φ φ CQ 3 HS 3 Φ P- ü N Φ 3 CO D.

Φ PJ 3 tr X 3 3 et Φ rt φ DJ D. P- Φ PJ P- CQ P- rt s: Di Φ M Φ

3 Φ Φ o = - rt Φ tr 3 P- rt rt φ P- Φ Hi HS co tr 3 3 co D. P- Hi Hl Φ Φ LSI Φ Hj 3 tr PJ & Hl J LQ φ 3 φ Φ D. CD φ HS Φ 3 3 DD P- CQ 3 P- P ⁾ Φ

Z 3 φ HS Φ HS Hi PJ P- - HJ φ s; Hi tr 3 Φ Φ φ Hti Φ CQ P- φ D. ≤ X 3 <: co 3 φ P- Φ PJ rt DJ LQ N co co Hj CQ CQ 3

P- P- et • Φ TJ CQ 3 Di CQ tr 3 P- 3 CQ 3 φ <; D. Φ 3 Φ rt Φ co HJ PJ DJ TJ rt D Hi X P- Φ Φ Φ Hi 3

Φ P- CD α M HS P- rt CQ PJ • Φ Di P- 3 Di Hi PJ Hj Hi LQ s:

Hi 3 Φ Φ P- D. PJ 3 J CQ Hi HS Φ N CO Hi Φ Hi 3 CD s: Φ

Φ 3 3 Φ 3 PJ O <; 3 P- 3 0 3 P- rt Φ Φ α σ tr CO <CQ "'TJ φ Φ Φ Ω Hj 3 Φ H! P- tr Φ CQ φ Φ> öd φ PJ r P- 3 Hj cd HS tr 3 Di P- 3 3 0.HJ Φ co P- HS 3 φ π P- ¹ Φ 3 Φ CO co Φ 3 J DJ Φ 3 3 X LQ Φ P-

Ω 3 co 3 PJ φ rt rt 3 3 3 rt HS 3 Φ et φ P- PH rt tr J Hti 3 3 LQ 3 CO Φ 3 LQ Hl P- CQ LQ 3 3 LQ rt Di Φ

D. 3 PJ rt CO φ φ rt tr Φ Hi 3 rt CQ Hj 0 Ω CD Hi Φ Φ φ

P- Φ LQ N rt CQ P- £ 0 = Hi P- X N P- DJ 3 tr LQ ≤ tr 3 3

Φ Hj CO Φ Φ Ω 3 0 tr <! 3 et Φ 3 LQ Φ P- Φ Φ Φ Φ P- rt P- tr DJ Hj Hj tr Φ HS φ φ LQ 3 Hj Hi Φ 3 φ 3 tr P- 3 co P- rt

Φ N 3 Φ CQ PJ CD rt H {HS Hi 0 D. PJ = 3 Φ rt Hi

3 Φ 3 P- Φ φ tr 3 = Hi D. LQ Φ PJ Φ 3 P- M

• P- 3 3 D. rt et Φ Φ 3 tr 3 Φ Φ 3 φ t DJ X P-

Ω LQ Φ Φ φ Φ tr INI X φ Φ PJ HS CQ Φ 3 Φ σ 3 DJ 3 m tr CQ HJ CQ rt CQ £. J P- Φ tr Hi rt TJ 3 3 DJ D- Hi rt LQ co 3 α CQ Φ rt Φ tr CO 3 Hj 3 P- Φ O tr rt Φ P- PJ

3 Φ Di DJ Φ 3 3 HS rt rt Φ P- 0 P- ^ DJ Φ 3 D. 0 tr

3 HS Φ 3 3 HS D. P- Φ HS rt 3 3 3 rt Φ 3 φ

LQ HS Hi Φ Φ rt Φ Φ X P- 3 CQ

3 - 3

1A shows a test mark according to the invention, which contains the necessary information for access to a product, system or service certificate;

1B shows a test mark according to the invention which enables access to certification data for an ISO 9001 certification;

FIG. 2 is an overview picture which shows the different possibilities of access to the certification databases;

3 is a block diagram of the system architecture used to implement the invention; and

4 shows the data exchange between the publicly accessible part of the overall system and the central administration server decoupled from the Internet.

1A shows the test mark according to the invention, which is awarded by the respective test institute (here the TÜV Rheinland) after successful certification. The name of the test institute that carried out the certification is clearly visible in the middle. The Internet address 1 of the TÜV homepage "www.tuv.com" is given at the top of the test seal. According to the invention, this Internet address 1 can be used to access a website set up by the test institute, via which further information on the certification can be found have it determined.

In order to be able to call up the appropriate certification information belonging to the test seal, a 10-digit identification number 2 is attached to the lower edge of the test seal. A user can access the TÜV homepage via any PC that is equipped with a modem and an Internet browser, and this identification number ω J to t P "P ¹

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Φ Φ φ P- 3 P- 3 Φ P- 3 Di P- φ 3 D. Φ P- P- P- φ 3 Q ^• ; tr TJ rt Φ PJ = Φ Φ D. 3 P- 3 φ

3 tr 3 Φ 3 φ CD rt Φ Φ Ω HS 0 Φ D. Hl φ φ 3 rt rt CQ 3 φ 3 HS tr N tr Φ CD 3 Hl Hi

Φ 3 D- Hi 3 ω PJ Φ 3 tr rt Hi 3 Φ P- 3 rt Φ rt X 3 Hj Φ co Hj 3 rt

CQ rt φ φ 3 £ Φ P- rt rt P- rt 3 N rt DJ HS tr Φ P- et LQ ≤ Φ P- φ 3 P- Φ to

<rt Φ H {3 Φ P- 3 P- Hi 3 P- P- 3 3 Φ 3 Ω Φ Φ PJ 3 LQ P- i 3 TJ P-

0 Φ P- s- Hi φ HS 3 Φ Hi 3 P- 3 Hi 3 Φ D. Hti LSJ Φ P- Φ tr 3 3 HS Di rt rt 3 3 TJ 3 P-

HS 3 P- X 3 = 3 Di 3 P- Φ X 3 P- Φ Hi P> Φ tr co φ «• Φ Hi Φ Φ Φ 3 Q Φ Hi 0 3 Φ OX tr DJ LQ X 3 3 N D. HS 3 TJ o <! 3 3 CQ Ω Hi 3 Hj

Φ P- Hj & Hi D. 3 0 Φ J Hi rt PJ 3 3 Φ rt Φ P- D. Φ 3 3 CQ P- DJ 3 tr • Φ tr LQ § ^■ P- D. H {rt Hl Φ rt < ! LQ »3 P- 3 φ Φ HS Di HS Φ Ω 3 P- to 3 P-

Φ Φ G P- tsi Φ Φ CQ P- DJ CD P- P- φ CQ Hi HS tr tr Hi rt> CO DJ 3

3 3 ö 3 P- f rt o Ω P- 3 0 Hi P- Di TJ P- PJ CQ PJ = S φ tr 3 tr 0 Ω

CD H 0 P- P- Hi Φ (D: Hi Φ 3 tr Ω Φ 3 LQ 3 P- Hi N 3 *. TJ Φ P- CQ σ α 3 X Φ tr 3- tr

≤ D. Hj Φ Φ Hi H {3 3 = 3 CD tr Hi CQ Φ Hi Φ 3 = P- Hti Φ HS rt ^ 3 rt Φ P- DJ = CD J LQ P- φ Φ Hi Φ CO Di Hi 3 < Φ 3 tr 0 Hl Φ P- 0 tr Φ P- φ tr P- rt Φ φ

P- 3 3 CQ rt Hi rt Φ O 3 Φ Hi 3 Φ Hi co N HS Φ CD Di φ Φ Φ Φ Ω PJ = α 0 Hi

CQ rt 3 P- ~ 3 Φ HS Di Ω 3 Hi N 3 3 3 TJ Φ 3 P- Φ 3 CQ 3 tr TJ co Hi X rt HS Hi

Φ P- 3 Ω 3 Ω Φ tr 3 LQ 3 Φ 3 Φ DJ φ P- 3 3 X PJ Φ TJ Hi P- φ φ P- D. D- 3 =

Hl LQ tr α ≤ 0 3 HS φ Φ CD 3 Φ 3 rt N Ω LQ Φ Φ et CQ rt Q Hi 0 Ω 3 3 LQ Φ 3 HJ tr P- P- Φ Hi D. P- Hi tr rt rt Hi P - P- tr P- PJ P- Φ P- D. tr rt HS Φ

PJ X 3 co φ Hi 3 = Φ <rt 3 Φ Φ P- J 0 Φ φ 3 Φ 3 tr Ω HS Φ Φ 3 Φ rt Φ rt DJ 3 0 O- 3 _^ Φ rt 3 Hti Φ Hj 3 3 PJ HS tr P- P- tr X 3 P- tr cö Φ 3 rt rt φ Φ Hi H (X P- Hi 3 = \ -> Ω Hi TJ PJ PJ rt et DJ Hti 3 J Φ 3 rt

D. P- Φ Φ <3 to PJ Φ PJ ≤ Φ XN Hi DJ DJ tr 0 HS 3 3 Φ rt Φ CD o Φ rt 3 5 ^> φ o H {Hi φ tsi Φ 3 P- 3 Φ 3 PJ Φ N 3 N 3 3 = Hi P- P- 3 ~ 3 HS CD 3 S Φ

3 3 € LQ 3 3 P- LQ et 3 3 Hi - rt 3 Φ CQ 3 LQ α LQ Hti CQ rt φ J 3 -— - rt Φ Di

CQ 0 Φ rt P- Hl P- Ξ D. P- LQ Hi Φ M HS N ^ 3 Φ P- Hj PJ φ Di N tr Φ

<3 H! tr 3 rt Hl 0 0 F Φ Φ D. O rt rt Di tr ≥! Φ Φ CQ tsi co P- 3 = rt 3 3 Φ ω Hj o 3 Hl Φ Φ Φ 3 H {PJ = P- 3 3 = 3 P- Φ P- Hi P- P- rt φ CQ <rt Φ hti P - rt Hi Hi φ ⁾

HS 3 Φ 3 Φ HS PJ rt 3 3. Hi CD s; Hi Hi Φ PJ H Ω Ω Φ HS 0 Φ N 0 CQ Ω P- DJ rt 3 3 P- 3 O- Φ Hl 3 Φ P- CQ Ω o tr tr 3 rt s HS tr <Φ 3 TJ tr Di rt 3

Φ φ φ 3 Ω P- Φ 3 tsi Φ 3 Hi X -3 Φ tr O Φ Φ Φ P- P- ≤ φ Φ P- Φ Hj P- Φ Hi

P- HS s- Di Φ Di 0 Ω HS 3 3 3 Di DJ Φ 3 et 3 Hl φ φ P- Hi Ω 3 φ

Φ N 3 HJ Ω IS! Hj σ φ

Φ D. tr 3 φ rt σ Φ VD H <; P- 3 C tr Ω Hi <Di

N Hi P- Hi HS Φ Φ o Φ Φ 3 α TJ O O Φ X PJ D. N Φ Φ N tr 3 = M 0 Φ

3 D- Hi Ω Hi 3 Di Hi M α Hi 3 DJ Hi H O 2 PJ HS PJ 3 3 Φ 3 3 3 φ Ω P- HS HS

D. Φ Hi tr 3 = 3 Φ rt Hj Φ 3 et 3 = D. P ¹ HS LQ rt Hi 3 HS 3 X 3 LQ

PJ φ 3 Φ 3 D. 3 N _^ P- N 3 NG CQ Φ Hi Φ _^ - -. LQ Φ Φ LQ rt 3 r Di Di Φ LQ Φ X

CD HS Hi ω Hi φ Di Φ Hi Φ rt 3 3 CQ 3 N 3 tr ^p ] Φ tr 3 öd P- 3 Φ Φ Φ 3 DJ CQ 0

CQ tr 3 P- CO 3 Hi Φ P- 3 P- tr Φ rt P- 0 CO Φ - HS P- Hi LQ N HS 3 tr Φ 3

DJ 3 Hi rt rt rt> rt P- X LQ Hl φ Φ D- DJ P- P- 3 rt rt 3 P- 3 P- P- D. Φ tr Φ

Hi 3 0 HJ Φ P- 3 P- 3 PJ 3 P- P- P- DJ 3 Ω Hl ≤ PJ Φ Di φ N Di Φ tsi Öd Φ Φ TJ

3 = rt P "0 Hi rt Hi rt 3 X 3 3 tr X tr P- Φ ≤ P- Hi P- Φ tr φ 3 Hj Di 3 PJ

HS φ CQ LQ rt P- 0 P- to LQ PJ Φ Φ Φ Φ X P- Φ Φ tr DJ Φ CQ rt HS rt Φ φ LQ

3 0 φ PJ P- X Hj N Φ tr rt 3 Hi DJ 3 PJ CQ rt HS 0 = rt HS • rt rt = H {CQ Φ

M rt LQ DJ Φ P- LQ Φ LQ P- Φ 3 rt rt 3 • »D. Hl LQ DJ rt TJ P- 0 to

P- D- X P- Φ rt 3 φ P- P- Φ 0 tr P- φ CQ LQ P- • PJ Φ 3 = φ Φ Hi Hi 3 Φ M M CQ

3 ö P- PJ 0 3 P- Ω HS 0 CQ Φ 3 Φ 3 P- N φ 0 3 3 HS 3 0 3 3 = P- CD rt Di P- φ Q P- φ 3 3 O 0 Φ 3 TJ P - co CD Φ 3 3 3 "3 P- P- • LQ Hi N - 3 Φ 3 H- ¹

Φ φ 3 Φ 3 D. Hj PJ P- LQ 3 rt P- φ o = CQ rt rt 2 3 Φ O CO P- - Hi 3 LQ tr s: φ 3 P> CO Φ φ 3 3 P- 3 φ HS 3 ^ J o = 3 P- P- Φ 3 rt PJ CD

Φ tr 3 DJ 3 3 N Ω P "Φ 3 3 D. 3 CQ P- 3 D- 3 3 LQ» φ φ HS ≤ =; P- tr rt

P- Φ 3 3 Hi 3 Φ 3 0 CO rt 3 3 Φ Φ Φ LQ 3 2 Φ DJ 3 LQ 3 P- Hi Φ tr ω LQ CD 0 Φ 3 Hi LQ Di ≤ Φ Φ rt 3 3 3 φ 3 DJ 3 ^ LQ P- J CQ Φ 3 Hj H P- Hti 0 et Ω 3 = Ω D. 3 3 LQ Φ Φ φ Hj Hi Φ rt Φ Φ 3 P- Φ Ω HS rt LQ DJ X Φ Di

Φ tr tr P- O- φ Φ 0 P- 3 3 P- tsi HS DJ Φ LQ 3 tr 0 CQ CD DJ Φ

HS rt Hi Φ HS tr Hi CO CQ LQ tsi Φ LQ P- • φ • Φ P ⁾ Φ rt rt D. HS

DJ P- P- P- P- 3. Φ & O Φ φ 3 Hi Φ 3 3 P- PJ 3 P- Φ P-

3 φ LQ Φ 3 P ¹ rt 3 φ öd Hi ¹ 3 Φ

The identification number shows in which country and by whom the certificate was issued. At first glance, however, this identification number cannot be found, and this contributes to the counterfeit security of the test marks.

It should now be assumed that an end user can access the TÜV Rheinland homepage via the web address "www.tuv.com". On this homepage, the user can enter the identification number for a in the input field provided

Enter the TÜN certificate. He has the following navigation options on the homepage:

=> TUVdotCOM = Other certificates => Our services

As soon as the user has confirmed the entry of the identification number, he has the following options:

=> TUVdotCOM

=> All certificates for this product

^> Link to product image

=> Open certificate => Link to all certificates of this company

= Link to the company = Other certificates => Our services

By entering the identification number attached to the test seal, an end user can view all certificates issued for this product as well as all certificates of the manufacturer. It is not necessary for the end user to legitimize himself to the system (for example by entering a user ID and / or a password). For the users of the "end user" user group, the present system implementation basically no registration was carried out. This simplifies and speeds up system access for this user group.

In addition to the "end user" user group, the "manufacturer" and "dealer" user groups are also defined in the present implementation. Users of these two user groups must authenticate themselves to the system at the beginning of the query by entering a user ID and a password. A new user of the "Manufacturer" or "Dealer" user groups receives his user ID and password during the registration process when he logs in for the first time.

The following extended selection menu is displayed to a user of the "Manufacturer" group after authentication:

= TUVdotCOM

= Add / change the URL = Add / change the product image

= Adding / changing the product information => Adding / changing the technical specifications => Adding / changing additional information = ^> Other certificates => Our services

Users of the "Manufacturers" group therefore have the right to write access to the web database in order to be able to change and add information about their products. This makes it possible for users in this group to keep the information about the technical properties and advantages of their products up to date at all times. However, the right to carry out write access does not include the right to change test results and certification information created by the TÜV. The performance characteristics determined for a specific product within the scope of the certification may not be overwritten by the manufacturer the. The manufacturer is only entitled to enter additional information about his products in the database and to keep this product information up to date.

The combination of certification information and product-related additional information creates a powerful product database. In order to be able to use the potential of this database, registered searchers from the "Manufacturer" and "Dealer" groups are provided with convenient search tools. These search tools make it possible to formulate search queries regarding product groups, product types, manufacturers, etc. In addition, a full-text search is possible in the entire database.

In addition, the users of the "Manufacturer" and "Dealer" groups have access to all the functionalities that are available to non-registered users of the "End user" group.

Registered users are also offered the opportunity to participate in user-related content management. The user determines which product and certification information he is particularly interested in. A personalized data model is then stored together with the user ID of the registered user. Each time you log in, the information relevant to this user is individually queried and compiled according to the data model.

The product database gradually created in the manner described can also be used by official bodies (TGA, ZLG, OSHA, ZVI etc.). In this way, these offices gain quick and uncomplicated access to information that is relevant to the pursuit of counterfeiting, product piracy and unauthorized use of the mark. ) to t P ¹

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tr H Di X P3 3 = 3 D. M CQ LSI DJ Φ 2, 0 3 = Di Φ co rt rt P ¹ M 3 = P- DJ X ε: 1 3 P- co J? Φ 0 rt tr φ P- 3 Ω 3 3 H (3 tr Φ P- φ Φ P- Φ P "P- 3 σ 3 3 DJ Φ 3 3 3 Φ

Hi HS 3 <φ 3 Φ tr LQ LQ J CD Φ 3 3 Hi 3 0 3 3 rt Φ Hi 3 ti TJ Hl D. co HS

Φ TJ Hi CQ TJ 3 = H {Di Φ CQ Hj Φ <. 3 N LQ Φ Hi 'τ) D. 0 <;

3 2! 0 <P- Φ P- rt p- DJ tr co Φ 3 ü Φ 2! 3 PJ HJ P- D. ^ Φ -— -. D- D. Hi φ

PJ Φ 3 Φ φ Hi 3 LQ N Hti CD 3 φ HS P- P ⁾ - Φ φ HS

CO tr Φ Hi P- X • rt HI α Hi O 3> tr 3 LQ P- 3 21 P

P- Hi <i rt rt PJ 3 P- TJ Φ φ Φ P ⁾ Φ 0 P- φ 3 Hj φ CQ CQ 3 tr 3 Φ CO co öd CQ <; Φ rt Φ rt Ω rt 1 P- LQ rt CO D- Hi 3 ^ J

P- 0 Φ rt 3 Φ 3 φ LO 3 CO Φ HS Φ 3 Φ LO tr CO 3 Φ N to N Φ α Φ co 21 rt P- Φ 3 Hj P ¹ O. Φ Hi tr 3 DJ D. φ Φ Hi 3 2; Φ Hj P- φ Φ DJ ≤

Φ Di rt 3 D- D. <CO P ¹ LQ P ¹ rt DJ tr ≤ 3 Φ Hi 3 D ⁾ = LQ Di HS φ Φ Hi tr φ

3 P- Φ Φ 3 PJ Φ P- Φ 3 M LO 3 PJ Φ Hti 3 <; rt Hi TJ J rt Φ CQ CQ <! D. co P-

^ φ 3 3 rt H {HS 3 CD Hj 3 to • D. X 3 P- HJ Φ <! P- Hi P- P- CQ φ PJ rt

Φ LQ 3 D. P- DJ = D. P- to X rt PJ öd Hj 0 3 = Hi J LQ Hi 3 Φ Hj rt öd Φ

CD tü Di Φ Hj Φ 3 rt LQ D. Φ Φ PJ Φ LQ φ 3 σ Hi H! φ P- Φ Hi> CO Φ P- HS

P- 0 Φ ü 3 CQ P- D. 3 = Φ Φ Hj tr Hi Φ 3 P ¹ φ 0 CQ N 3 3 Ω rt 3 3 LQ

3 3 co Ω Φ Φ rt 3 P- α tr 3 HS LQ <! Hi LQ 3 3 to P] Hj rt rr P- 0 = Ω Hi tr D- φ

Ω- Φ tr Hi rt Φ co φ Di Φ φ φ Φ φ HJ φ rt rt α O Φ Φ 1 LQ Φ 3 PJ φ

TJ H Φ <rt P- CQ Hi HS CQ Hi Hi DJ D- N C <D. Φ X Hj CQ X 3 LQ φ

P- PJ tr 21 Φ DJ <Φ 3 P- P- 3 LQ φ Φ Φ Φ P- Hi O 3 TJ P- CQ et X P-

3 LQ <N Φ Hi rt φ -3 P- Φ φ 3 P ¹ φ P- CD HS HS tr Φ rt 3 1 Ω 3 Φ P- rt

Φ 3 tr tr Hj co 3 rt HS D. LΠ rt D. Φ öd LQ Hl tr J Hj 3 φ Φ

Φ Φ HS 1 P- P- CQ φ rt rt rt PJ Φ 3 Φ öd tr Φ HS 'l φ P- CQ P ⁾ = et Hi D. rt

P- 3 HS Ω 3 α Φ Ω HS N Φ 3 3 DJ 3 rt φ Φ 3 Φ 3 3 <co D. tr 0 D. DJ •

3 3 Hti O PJ D. Φ HS tr <φ 21 Φ tr CQ ~ 3 3 P- 3 3 0 = rt DJ P- φ rt Φ 3 N

Φ D- 0 DJ rt 3 Hj rt P- Φ Hi rt> Di 3 Φ 3 0 = Di rt X rt rt LQ P- 0 CD D. s: α

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P- φ rt J Φ Φ P- O 3 X rt Hi Φ LQ CD tr LQ Φ tr 3 G ^: Φ Ω

Φ Φ HS Φ ^ P> tr O 3 φ> Φ φ 21 Ω φ H {rt <rt 3 H! DJ J - - <HJ tr 2:

HS -J tr O 00

Φ o 3 CQ P-> tr 3 Di CD Φ Φ Φ P- co PJ 3 Φ öd CQ φ φ

<P- P ¹ HS Hi 3 Ω Φ rt J Φ rt 3 P- 3 HS rt rt 3 DJ = X Hj Φ DJ X Φ 3 σ

Cd 0 Ω 3 00 3 0 rt tr Φ 1 Hj. Di φ CD rt Φ PJ 3 Φ CQ 3 3 DJ P- 1

Φ ti tr 3 P- 2; rt 3 = 3 CO LQ φ Cd Ω rt CQ Hti 3 O 3 Ω 3 rt Di>

CD LQ 3 rt CD DJ Φ <Hl tr φ φ U D. L_l. Hi P- tr Φ et 0 rt 3 rt tr 3 CQ φ TJ

Ω D. CQ 3 φ HJ tr 3 = Φ N HS tr Φ P- φ D- 3 P- 3 Φ rt LQ PJ t i. 3 TJ tr Φ P- 3 Hl D- Hj φ CQ Di Hj Hj 3 <; 3 Hj Φ s: Φ LQ φ Φ Φ Φ 3 = 3

HS H! 3 3 PJ Φ 3 Φ 3 HS Φ P- Φ 3 DJ Di 21 3 = N P- co Hi tr P- 2; P-

Φ D. D- CQ 3 H 0 Hj ti Di Di HS co ü P- tr Φ> φ tr 3 3 σ - Φ rt φ X

P- tü • CQ CT Di <Ω φ P- ö CQ DJ 0 PJ Φ 3 J Φ Φ P] P- Hi rt tr J tr 0 Hi rt 2; 3 Φ tr 3 φ PJ H Φ rt 3 P- 3 CD H 1 φ Hj Φ rt LQ 3 = Φ 1 rt

3 3 α 3 = φ D- Hi HS to Φ 3 LQ Φ 3 co P- P- ö <] P- tr T. Ω P-

3 Φ P- H! co tr φ Φ 3 Di 'rl 2; CD PJ 3 3 Φ Φ P- Φ 3 co 3 PJ rt Φ 3 D DJ 0

LQ TJ φ DJ = Q P- PJ rt SS 3 tr 3 P- rt Hl HS Φ Φ Φ rt N PJ Hi 3 rt 3

CO J Di 3 Ω P- CQ Φ J φ Φ DJ P- O 3 Φ 3 = <P- 3 Φ 3 X D. Φ CD

CQ LQ 2! DJ rt DJ öd 3 0 P- Di 3 X 3 Φ 3 HS Φ 2! 3 3 N Φ Φ CD

TJ Φ φ Q rt φ s ^> ^ <\ -> rt φ X DJ Ω 3 HS> φ tr 3> P- N CQ DJ Φ

Hi tr P- Φ 3 P- P- P- Φ Φ 3 Φ 3 ω rt tr σ Di J 2! 3 DJ LQ CQ 3 3 ^ HS

DJ DJ ω ^ Ω ≤ 3 tr φ H {P- Hj 3 HS φ P- J Φ P- P> 1> rt 3 Hi CQ LQ TJ <!

Ω 3 Φ 3 tr PJ rt Hj Φ 3 tr LQ Hj> Hi 0 3 TJ Hi φ to <TJ D X Φ P- 2! φ Hj Φ Φ tr CQ P- 3 Φ N Φ D. ≤ φ P- Φ TJ <3 Hi TJ φ Φ TJ DJ P- CQ LQ 0 P- Hj φ rt X Φ 3 P- PJ CD 3 D. P- TJ φ Hi P- ^ tr Hi h Hi tr Hi rt TJ Hi rt 3

3 Φ Φ et co HS φ & Φ Ω Hi PJ P- rt 0 φ tr PJ = Φ H Φ PJ P- 0 Φ 00

HS 3 P- 0 00 0. tsi 2: 3 HS tr P- 0-. LQ X LQ 3 Hj P- tr Ω Hi 3 3 Hti Hi X HS tü HS o Hl 3 DJ> 3 rt XP ¹ Φ DJ Φ 3 • 3 P- tr PJ • rt DJ = Hi 0 CO D- 3 Φ D. 3 rt D. P- CQ 3 Φ> TJ LQ O • PJ LΠ 3 rt tr 3 Di LQ Φ LQ tr Φ Φ P-

2 P- Φ P- ≤ Φ CQ DJ Hi 1 3 rt P- P- P- PJ 3> 3 Φ 3 Φ 2! -—, P- 3 P- Φ

F Ω CQ Φ DJ CQ rt 3 LQ H Ω α P- rt 3 0 P- 3 3 CD D. P- J LQ CQ rt 3 tr Hi Hi Φ P ¹ tr Φ 1 3 1 X l- LQ Φ φ co Φ Φ φ 1 1 Hi 3 3

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Another Java bean contained in the bean container 25 is used to carry out a so-called "session tracking". This Java bean counts how many accesses to the web databases 35, 36 are made by a specific user in the course of a session. If the number If the access exceeds a certain limit, the answering of queries from this user can be slowed down, the user can also be sent a corresponding warning. In the event that further query attempts are made, the relevant access session can be ended after a predetermined period of time (time Out Feature) These measures prevent third parties from pulling a copy of the certification database from repeated search queries, thus preventing the database from being completely read out.

A number of basic services 28 are implemented on the web application server 22 and are required for the data exchange between the web application server 22 and database servers.

The "Naming and Directory" service 29 manages user profiles for the various registered users. For each user, a personalized data model can be used to determine which data should be queried and displayed by default for the user concerned. In the event of an interrupted or disturbed data connection, the “Persistence” service 30 enables the data transmission to be continued exactly at the point at which the disturbance, the crash, etc. occurred. The "Security" service 31 monitors the identifiers of the various servers involved in the data exchange and interrupts the data traffic in the event of unauthorized access. All transactions taking place between the different servers are recorded by the "Transaction" service 32. Based on this data, the current degree of utilization of the individual machines can be determined. The various user inquiries should, if possible, be distributed to the various servers in a cluster in such a way that the machines are utilized to the greatest possible extent. This task is performed by the "workload" service 33.

CORBA (Common Object Request Broker Architecture) is used as the backbone for the data exchange between the middleware 23 and the relational web databases 35, 36. The CORBA backbone 27 enables a cross-platform exchange of data and especially objects between the connected systems.

To carry out a database query for a specific identification number, the Java bean provided for this purpose must be called up, which transmits a corresponding SQL query to the web database 35 via the CORBA backbone 27 and the JDBC interface 34. JDBC stands for Java DataBase Connectivity, the common standard for connecting a database server to a Java environment. The certification information associated with the identification number is then transmitted in the opposite direction, that is to say via the JDBC interface 34 and the CORBA backbone 27 to the middleware 23 and from there via the TCP / IP connection 21 to the web gateway 18. In the web gateway 18, the certification information is built into suitable websites; these websites are then transmitted to the user's web browser 16 via the internet connection 17.

In addition to the certification information, the CORBA backbone 27 can also be used to transmit other product and manufacturer information from other sources to the middleware 23 and from there to the user's web browser 16. It is particularly advantageous that CORBA is a cross-platform system. FIG. 3 shows how a COM / environment 38 implemented in the Microsoft COM + standard can be connected to the CORBA backbone 27 via a COM / CORBA bridge 37. An XML loader 39 can also be coupled to the CORBA backbone 27, for example. Such an XML loader enables the integration of documents which are written in the page description language XML (Extensible Markup Language). These documents can be integrated into the TÜV web server structure via the CORBA backbone 27 and can be fully or partially integrated into the TÜV website. This allows additional information on products, product groups, manufacturers etc., which are available elsewhere on the web, to be included in your own database.

Other third party applications 40 can also be accessed via the

CORBA backbone 27 are connected to the web application server 22.

The part of the overall system which is publicly accessible via the Internet, the so-called public interface, was described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 4 shows how the data exchange takes place between the publicly accessible part of the system and the servers of the TÜV-internal intranet. The TÜV must make a selection of which of the internally available certification data should be made available to the public. This process is known as content administration.

Certification data is recorded at 13 different locations worldwide and each is managed in a database on a local server 41, 42, 43. In order to bring together the worldwide database in a central administration server 44, files are created by each of the local servers 41, 42, 43 which contain all changes to the database which have taken place from a certain point in time. Such files with the updates of the database are available to everyone LO ω to to P ¹ P ¹

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only the subset of all certification information intended for the public. For example, the exact addresses of its manufacturing facilities are stored in the master database for each manufacturer. This information is only intended for internal use and is not transferred to the web database 56.

If there are changes in the data stock in the master database 46, it is determined with respect to each change whether a new data record must be created in the web database 56 or an existing data record must be changed. The system automatically determines whether a change in the master database affects the database in the web database. If a data record in the web database needs to be changed or added, the certifier responsible for the certificate will be notified by email. With the notification, the certifier is given a deadline for processing the data record. If the set deadline passes without result, the next person in a notification chain is informed that the web database must be updated.

In the meantime, the corresponding data records are marked with the note "in progress" for a user who wants to access one of the certification information concerned via the Internet.

Those data records from the master database 46 that are to be transferred to the web database 56 can be transferred from the master database 46 via the JDBC interface 45 and the administration server 44 to the web application server 54 and from there via the JDBC interface 55 to the web database 56 become (57). In order to ensure the confidentiality of the data contained in the master database 46, the administration server 44 and the master database 46 must always be decoupled from the Internet. Even during data transfer 57, access to must be prevented via the Internet the administration server 44 and the master database 46 take place. Therefore, the web application server 54 is disconnected from the internet 50 during the data transfer 57.

If the web application server is implemented as a cluster of servers, it is sufficient to decouple those web servers and database servers from the Internet via which the data transfer 57 is carried out. The remaining web servers can also remain connected to the Internet 50 during data transfer 57 and can answer user queries.

Claims

claims

1. Method for querying certification information using a test mark issued for a product, a system, a service, an organizational process, etc. via the Internet, the test mark being provided with a specific identification number (2), characterized by the following steps: a) Entering the Identification number (2) in an input field of a website provided for this purpose by the user via his web browser (16), the address (1) of the website being indicated on the test mark; b) Transmission of the identification number (2) from the web browser

(16) the user via the Internet to a web server structure of the provider; c) formulating a database search query based on the identification number (2) by the web server structure and transmitting the database search query to a web database (35, 36) coupled to the web server structure; d) reading the certification information belonging to the identification number (2) from the web database (35, 36); e) Submitting the certification information from the

Web server structure of the provider via the Internet to the user's web browser (16).

2. The method of claim 1, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t that

- The identification number (2) is transmitted from the user to the web server structure and the certification information is transmitted from the web server structure to the user via the Internet in accordance with the HTTP standard.

3. The method of claim 1 or claim 2, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t that

- The web server structure includes HTTP server (7) and web application server (8).

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t that

- The websites are created in accordance with one or more of the standards HTML, DHTML, XML and JSP.

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t that

- The database search query is transmitted and the certification information associated with the identification number (2) is read out using Java beans.

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t that - the test mark is attached to the product or on its packaging.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, so that the test mark is affixed in a catalog, a document, an instruction manual or in advertising materials.

8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t that - the test mark is a PSQ (Product Safety Quality) test mark.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, so that the test mark is a TQM (Total Quality Management) test mark.

10. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the authenticity of the certification information transmitted to the user is ensured by means of a digital watermark.

11. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t that

- There is the possibility of registration for defined user groups, with a registered user being assigned extended access rights and / or improved search functionalities depending on his user group after his legitimation.

12. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t that

- A user group "end user" is defined, with no registration for users of this user group.

13. The method according to claim 11 or claim 12, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t that

- A user group "dealer" is defined, with users being assigned product-related search functions in particular to this user group.

14. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t that

- A user group "Manufacturer" is defined, with users of this user group in particular the right to

Get certain product information overwritten in the web database (35, 36).

15. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 14, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t that

- The certification information read from the web database (35, 36) and further useful information for each registered user are displayed according to a personalized data model after their legitimation.

16. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that

- The web database (56) receives the certification information intended for the public by data transfer (57) from a master database (46), the master database (46) storing more comprehensive, partially not intended for the public certification information.

17. The method of claim 16, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t that

- The master database (46) is coupled to an administration server (44) that is not accessible via the Internet (50).

18. The method according to any one of claims 16 or 17, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t that

- The web application server (54) is decoupled from the Internet (50) during the data transfer (57) from the master database (46) to the web database (56).

19. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 18, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t that

- The administration server (44) is connected to an intranet (47), the modification and addition of certification information stored in the master database (46) and the addition of new certification information via the intranet (47).

20. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 19, characterized in that - in the event that the certification information contained in the master database (46) is more up-to-date than the certification information contained in the web database (56), the responsible certifier is notified becomes.

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to the web server structure and further to the user.

25. The system of claim 24, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t that

26. System according to one of claims 24 or 25, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t that

- The web server structure has several servers arranged in clusters (5, 6).

27. System according to one of claims 24 to 26, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t that

28. System according to one of claims 24 to 27, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t that

29. System according to any one of claims 24 to 28, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t that

30. System according to one of claims 24 to 29, characterized in that - for updating the web database (56), the web application server (54) can be connected to an administration server (44), with the administration server (44) a master database (46) is coupled, which contains more extensive, partially not intended for the public certification information.

31. The system of claim 30, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t that

- The administration server (44) is not accessible via the Internet (50).

32. System according to one of claims 30 or 31, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t that

33. System according to any one of claims 30 to 32, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t that