JP2005276179A - Programmable electronic component sales method and programmable electronic component sales system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a programmable electronic component sales method and a programmable electronic component sales system which can obtainin electronic components, in which the desired operating characteristics are written, in a short time. <P>SOLUTION: The programmable electronic component sales method includes: presenting, to a client, a sample of a programmable electronic component and a write means 14 for writing a file into the sample; generating and presenting, to the client, a test file to be written in the sample, based on the operating characteristics of the programmable electronic component required by the client; confirming characteristics of the sample in which the test file is written, via the write means 14; and presenting the programmable electronic component, including the requested operational characteristics to the client, if the characteristics of the sample match the operating characteristics requested by the client. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

The present invention relates to a programmable electronic component sales method and a programmable electronic component sales system, and more particularly to a programmable electronic component sales method and a programmable electronic component sales that generate and sell a file for operating the programmable electronic component via a communication network. About the system.

Electronic devices are manufactured by assembling many electronic components such as piezoelectric oscillators, integrated circuit elements, resistors, and capacitors. The operating characteristics of these electronic components are appropriately selected according to the specifications of the electronic device. By the way, since the programmable oscillator can change various characteristics such as the oscillation frequency and accuracy depending on the file for operating the oscillator, it is necessary to generate the file in accordance with the specifications of the electronic device on which the oscillator is mounted.

FIG. 6 shows a flow for explaining the flow of sales of the programmable oscillator according to the prior art. When manufacturing electronic equipment, using multiple programmable oscillators with different operating characteristics,
It may be evaluated whether or not the electronic device operates normally. In this case, the customer who manufactures the electronic device designates the operating characteristics and quantity such as the oscillation frequency and accuracy to the seller of the programmable oscillator, and orders a sample product using a telephone or a facsimile ( S1).
Then, the seller generates a file satisfying the ordered operation characteristics (S2), writes this file in the programmable oscillator (S3), performs an operation check, and then ships a sample product to the customer (S4). The customer who delivered the sample product evaluates the sample, such as whether or not it operates normally with the sample product installed in an electronic device (S5), and requests the seller to mass-produce only the operating characteristics of the programmable oscillator that operates normally. (S6). The seller mass-produces the programmable oscillator having the operation characteristics requested for mass production, and ships the mass-produced oscillator to the customer (S7).

Conventionally, a system has been proposed in which a production order for a programmable oscillator is received, manufactured at a programming center suitable for manufacturing the oscillator, and shipped to a delivery destination specified by a customer (see Patent Document 1). reference).
JP-T-2001-509928

However, in the above-described sales system according to the prior art, the operating characteristics of the programmable oscillator are manufactured in accordance with each electronic device, so that it can be said that the operating characteristics are infinite.
For this reason, every time an order is received, a new file has to be generated, and there is a problem that it takes a lot of labor and time to generate the file. And when receiving orders for multiple operating characteristics, for example, when receiving orders for 10 programmable oscillators with different operating characteristics, a lot of work is required to generate each file. There was a problem that it took time to ship sample products to customers.

In the related art, since the number of samples sold is charged, for example, when 10 programmable oscillators having the same operating characteristics are ordered and when 10 programmable oscillators having different operating characteristics are ordered. The price was the same. For this reason, if the amount of files to be generated is large, a lot of work is required to generate and write files. However, because the amount of the programmable oscillator is charged, the amount of work is justified. There was a problem that was not.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and reduces the amount of work for generating and writing a file, and provides a programmable electronic component in which desired operation characteristics are written in a short period of time. It is an object of the present invention to provide a programmable electronic component sales method and a programmable electronic component sales system.
Another object of the present invention is to request a fee commensurate with the cost.

In order to solve the above-described object, a programmable electronic component sales method according to the present invention provides a customer with a test product of a programmable electronic component and a writing means for writing a file into the test product. Based on the operation characteristics of the programmable electronic component, a test file to be written to the sample is generated and provided to the customer, and the characteristics of the sample to which the test file has been written are confirmed via the writing means. Then, when the characteristics of the test sample match the required operation characteristics of the customer, a programmable electronic component having the required operation characteristics is provided to the customer. In this case, it is possible to charge for the provision of the test file. The programmable electronic component can be a programmable oscillator.

As a result, a file can be generated on the customer side. Therefore, when a file having a new operation characteristic is required, a new file can be generated immediately as compared with the prior art. In addition, it is possible to omit the work of generating a file on the seller side. In addition, customers can be charged a fee commensurate with the cost of the seller. When the electronic component is a programmable oscillator, a file for operating the oscillator according to the operating characteristics can be immediately generated on the customer side.

In addition, the generated test file can be confirmed by a seller. As a result, customer information can be centrally managed, and the seller can grasp customer needs based on this customer information.

In addition, the programmable electronic component sales system according to the present invention is installed on the customer side, writing means for writing a test file to a test piece of the provided programmable electronic component, and operating characteristics of the programmable electronic component requested by the customer A customer terminal that receives a test file to be written to the EUT via a communication network and gives it to the writing means; receives the customer's required operation characteristics via the communication network; and the test A seller terminal that outputs a file; and a generating unit that generates and outputs the test file according to a predetermined algorithm based on the requested operation characteristic received by the seller terminal. . In this case, when the seller receives ordering information based on the fact that the EUT written with the test file has the required operation characteristics, the programmable electronic component provided to the customer is based on the test file. Product file writing means for writing the file. Further, it is possible to charge for generating the file by the generation unit.

This allows customers to generate files and write them to electronic components,
An electronic component having desired operating characteristics can be obtained in a short period of time. Further, the seller can create a file according to the customer's order and eliminate the task of writing this file on the electronic component.
Further, the seller can write a file for mass production based on the file generated by the customer via the product file writing means.

A database for storing the file generated by the generating unit is provided, and the database is connected to the generating unit and connected to the customer terminal via the communication network. As a result, the generated file can be saved, and the saved file can be read out by the customer terminal. The saved file can be output to the customer terminal and written to the electronic component, and the saved file can be changed to generate a new file.

The programmable electronic component is a programmable oscillator. As a result, a file for operating the programmable oscillator can be generated and written, and this oscillator can be operated according to the operating characteristics.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of a programmable electronic component sales method and a programmable electronic component sales system according to the present invention will be described below. Note that although a mode using a programmable oscillator as a programmable electronic component is described in this embodiment mode, the present invention is not limited to this.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a programmable oscillator sales system. The programmable oscillator sales system 10 has a customer terminal 12, and a writing means 14 is connected to the customer terminal 12. The customer terminal 12 and the writing means 14 are provided on the customer side. The customer terminal 12 includes an input device such as a keyboard and a display device, and inputs and displays the operating characteristics of the programmable oscillator. The customer terminal 12 has communication means (not shown), and can be connected to a communication network 16 such as the Internet via this communication means.

The writing means 14 has a socket having a write terminal corresponding to a terminal provided in the programmable oscillator, and the programmable oscillator can be attached to and detached from the socket. A file for operating the oscillator is written in the programmable oscillator inserted into the socket. The writing means 14 stores a cipher. When the writing means 14 is connected to the customer terminal 12, the cipher is output to the customer terminal 12.

In FIG. 1, one customer terminal 12 is described as being connected to the communication network 16.
A plurality of customer terminals 12 may be connected to the communication network 16. In this case, the writing means 14 is connected to each of the plurality of customer terminals 12.

The programmable oscillator sales system 10 includes a seller terminal 18, a generation unit 20, and a database 26. The seller terminal 18 includes a communication unit (not shown). The seller terminal 18 is connected to the generation means 20 and the database 26, respectively. The generation unit 20 includes an authentication unit 22 and a generation unit 24, and the seller terminal 18 is connected to the authentication unit 22. Further, the authentication unit 22 and the generation unit 24 are connected to the database 26, respectively. The generation unit 20 is connected to the seller terminal 18 and the database 26 is stored in the generation unit 20.
And the merchant terminal 18 can be connected to the communication network 16. These generating means 20
The database 26 and the seller terminal 18 are provided on the seller side.

The authentication unit 22 is connected to the customer terminal 12 via the communication network 16 by the generation unit 24 or the database 26.
When connecting to, it is determined whether or not connection is possible. The generation unit 24 generates a file (test file) for operating the programmable oscillator, and a program for generating the file is stored in the generation unit 24 in advance. Then, according to the algorithm of the program, a file corresponding to the operating characteristics of the programmable oscillator, for example, the oscillation frequency, accuracy, operating voltage, etc. is generated.

The database 26 includes an authentication storage unit 28 and a plurality of file storage units 30 (30a, 30b,...
30n). The authentication storage unit 28 is connected to the authentication unit 22, and stores data for determining whether or not the customer terminal 12 is connected in the authentication unit 22, for example, user information, encryption of the writing unit 14, and the like. The file storage unit 30 is connected to the authentication unit 22 and the generation unit 24, and stores the file generated by the generation unit 24, the customer connection status, and the like separately for each customer.

The seller terminal 18 includes an input device such as a keyboard and a display device (not shown).
The file generated in 4, the file stored in the file storage unit 30, and the like are displayed. Further, based on an instruction input using the input device, registration, change, deletion, etc., for example, new registration, change, deletion of a program for generating a file, authentication storage unit 28, etc. User information can be newly registered. In FIG. 1, the seller terminal 18, the generation means 20 and the database 2
The dotted arrow connecting 6 indicates a path that only the seller can connect to.

Next, the operation of the programmable oscillator sales system 10 will be described. First, customer registration for using the programmable oscillator sales system 10 will be described. FIG. 2 shows a flow for explaining customer registration. First, negotiations are performed between the customer and the seller regarding the price of the file for operating the programmable oscillator, the price of the programmable oscillator to which the file has not been written, the period of use of the system, and the payment method (S100). After this negotiation, the writing means is rented or sold from the seller to the customer, and a programmable oscillator is provided (S102). The seller connects to the database 26 via the seller terminal 18 and registers the company name, address, system usage period, password, and the like of the customer who uses the system. Also, the encryption stored in the writing means 14 provided to the customer is registered in the database 26. Further, information on the provided programmable oscillator, for example, characteristics such as the number of provided oscillators and the type of the oscillator is registered (S104). This completes customer registration. The period of use can be renewed. By repeating the renewal, the customer can continue to use the programmable oscillator sales system 10, and otherwise the customer cannot use the programmable oscillator sales system 10.

When the customer registration is completed, the customer can generate a programmable oscillator file. Next, file generation will be described. FIG. 3 shows a flow for explaining file generation. After connecting the customer terminal 12 to the communication network 16 (S200), the customer connects the customer terminal 12 and the writing means 14 (S202). After this, the customer terminal 12 is generated by the generating means 2
When connected to 0 (S204) and the password input at the customer terminal 12 is output to the generation means 20, the authentication unit 22 compares the password stored in the authentication storage unit 28. Further, the encryption stored in the writing means 14 is generated by the generation means 20 via the customer terminal 12 and the communication network 16.
And is compared with the encryption stored in the authentication storage unit 28 by the authentication unit 22. And
When the connection is authenticated as a result of the password comparison and the encryption comparison (S206),
The customer terminal 12 is connected to the generation unit 24 (S208). If the connection is not authenticated, the customer terminal 12 is refused to connect to the generation means 20.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the input screen. When the customer terminal 12 connects to the generation unit 24, the customer terminal 12
An input screen is displayed on the display device. The customer inputs operation characteristics according to the description on the input screen (S210). This operating characteristic includes, for example, oscillation frequency, frequency accuracy, power supply voltage,
These are the spreading factor (the range in which the oscillation frequency varies), the validity / invalidity of the diffusion, the modulation width (the period in which the oscillation frequency varies), and the like. When this input is completed, the input operation characteristic information is transmitted to the generation unit 24 (S212). Then, the operating characteristic information is input to the generating unit 24 via the communication network 16, and a file for operating the programmable oscillator is generated according to the algorithm of the program stored in the generating unit 24 (S214). When the file is generated, customer information such as operation characteristics of the file is stored as a history in the file storage unit 30 for each customer (S216).
The seller can check the history via the seller terminal 18. Further, the user is charged for generating the file (S218). You may charge according to the contract made at the time of negotiation of customer registration at this time. This billing information is output to the seller terminal 18.

The generated file is stored in the file storage unit 30 for each customer provided in the database 26 (S220), and is output to the customer terminal 12 via the communication network 16 (S222). In order to write the file to the programmable oscillator, first, the programmable oscillator in which the file has not been written is inserted into the socket of the writing means 14. Thereafter, the file is output from the customer terminal 12 to the writing means 14 and the file is written in the programmable oscillator (S224). Thereby, the programmable oscillator operates based on desired operation characteristics. Depending on the form of the programmable oscillator, a new file can be overwritten on the programmable oscillator in which the file has already been written.

Next, connection to the database 26 will be described. FIG. 5 shows a flow for explaining connection to the database 26. The process from S300 to S304 when the customer terminal 12 is connected to the generating means 20 is the same as the process from S200 to S204 when generating the above-described file, and the description thereof will be omitted. When the authentication unit 22 authenticates the connection of the customer terminal 12 (S
306), the customer terminal 12 is connected to the file storage unit 30 provided exclusively for the customer in the database 26 (S308). Thereafter, the file to be used is designated and read from the files stored in the file storage unit 30 (S310). In order to write the read file to the programmable oscillator, first, the file is output to the customer terminal 12 via the communication network 16 (S312). And a file is output to the writing means 14 from the customer terminal 12, and a file is written in a programmable oscillator (S314). It is also possible to generate a new file by changing the operation characteristics of the file read by the file storage unit 30. When the customer terminal 12 is connected to the file storage unit 30, a history of customer information such as a customer outputting a file or generating a new file is stored in the file storage unit 30, and the seller uses the seller terminal 18. It is possible to check the history via

The customer writes a file in the programmable oscillator using the programmable oscillator sales system 10 and then incorporates the programmable oscillator into the electronic device to evaluate whether or not the electronic device operates as specified. As a result of this evaluation, if mass production of a programmable oscillator having a certain operating characteristic is made, a mass production request is made to the seller. When the seller performs mass production, the mass production file is obtained from the file storage unit 30, and the product file writing means (not shown) is used as it is or modified (to the test file). The file based on this may be written into a programmable oscillator for mass production.

As described above, since the operation characteristics of the electronic component are input to the customer terminal 12, the operation characteristics are transmitted to the generation unit 24 via the communication network 16, and the generation unit 24 generates the file. In this case, the seller does not receive the order and generates the file, and the work of generating the seller's file can be omitted. Further, the file generated via the communication network 16 is stored in the customer terminal 1.
2 and can write the file to the programmable oscillator via the writing means 14 provided in advance to the customer, so that the work of writing the seller's file can be omitted, and it can be programmed in a short period of time compared to the prior art. An oscillator can be provided. In the present embodiment, since the charge is made for the amount of generated files, a charge corresponding to the cost can be charged.

Since the file is generated by connecting to the generation unit 20 via the communication network 16, all customers connect to the generation unit 20. Therefore, customer information can be managed centrally. Further, the seller can grasp the needs of the customer because the history of the customer information indicates what kind of operation characteristic file is generated.

Since the program for generating the file is stored in the generation unit 24, the program can be updated by connecting the seller terminal 18 to the generation unit 24 and outputting the update program to the generation unit 24. Therefore, the program can be updated at one time. In addition, there is an advantage that the program is less likely to be duplicated than when the program is provided to each customer.

Although the case where the programmable electronic component is a programmable oscillator has been described in the present embodiment, the electronic component having another programmable function such as an integrated circuit element may be used.

It is a block diagram of the sales system of the programmable electronic component which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a flow explaining customer registration. It is a flow explaining generation of a file. It is a figure which shows an example of an input screen. It is a flow explaining connection to a database. It is a flow explaining the flow of sale of the programmable oscillator concerning a prior art.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ......... Programmable electronic component sales system, 12 ......... Customer terminal, 14 ......... Write means, 16 ......... Communication network, 20 ......... Generation means, 22 ......... Authentication unit, 24 ......... Generation unit, 26... Database, 28... Authentication storage unit, 30 (30a, 30b, 30n
) ... File storage unit, 32 ... Seller terminal.

Claims (7)

Provide customers with programmable electronic component specimens and writing means to write files to these specimens,
Based on the operation characteristics of the programmable electronic component requested by the customer, generate a test file to be written on the sample and provide the customer with the test file,
Confirm the characteristics of the test sample that has written the test file through the writing means,
Providing the customer with programmable electronic components having the required operation characteristics when the characteristics of the specimen match the required operation characteristics of the customer;
A method for selling a programmable electronic component. The method for selling a programmable electronic component according to claim 1, wherein a fee is charged for providing the test file. The method for selling a programmable electronic component according to claim 1, wherein a seller can confirm the test file. Write means for writing a test file to a test piece of programmable electronic components installed and provided on the customer side,
A customer terminal that outputs the operating characteristics of the programmable electronic component requested by the customer, receives a test file to be written to the EUT via a communication network, and gives the writing means,
A seller terminal that receives the requested operation characteristics of the customer via the communication network and outputs the test file;
Generating means for generating and outputting the test file according to a predetermined algorithm based on the required operation characteristics received by the seller terminal;
A system for selling programmable electronic components, comprising: A file based on the test file is provided to the programmable electronic component to be provided to the customer when the seller receives ordering information based on the EUT having the required operation characteristics written in the test file. 5. The programmable electronic component sales system according to claim 4, further comprising product file writing means for writing. The database according to claim 4 or 5, wherein a database for storing the file generated by the generating unit is provided, and the database is connected to the generating unit and connected to the customer terminal via the communication network. Programmable electronic component sales system. The programmable electronic component is a programmable oscillator.
The sales system of the programmable electronic component in any one of thru | or 6.

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