JP2023168347A - Board information provision system and server device - Google Patents

Abstract

To prevent a circuit structure and the like on a print wiring board from being estimated, and also to easily provide required information as needed, such as when repairing.SOLUTION: A system includes a server device 2, a user terminal 5 to be connected with the server device 2 over a communication channel 6, and a database 3 in which an identification code for identifying a type of a print wiring board is associated and stored with board information relating to the print wiring board. The user terminal 5 comprises an input section 5a for inputting the identification code, and a display section 5b for displaying the board information to be inputted. The server device 2 inputs the identification code inputted at the input section 5a, retrieves the board information corresponding to the inputted identification code from the database 3, and outputs the retrieved board information to the user terminal 5.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a board information providing system and a server device.

The printed wiring board has conductive pads for mounting electronic components such as semiconductor chips, resistors, and capacitors, and wiring patterns for making electrical connections with the electronic components. In addition, printed wiring boards are formed with rectangular or round shapes and arrows that indicate the position, size, polarity direction, etc. of the electronic components to be mounted, as well as symbol marks that indicate the model number, manufacturer, and specifications of the electronic components. ing. This symbol mark is printed on the substrate by silk screen printing, inkjet printing, etc. By forming such a symbol mark, it is possible to easily perform component mounting and repair on a printed circuit board (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

International Publication No. 2016/185607

However, even if a defect occurs in a mounted printed wiring board that has been shipped to the market, it does not necessarily require repair, and in fact, symbol marks are rarely used during repairs. However, since a symbol mark may be required when performing repairs, it is necessary to print the symbol mark on the printed wiring board.
In addition, by referring to a printed wiring board, it is possible to easily infer the type of components and circuit structure mounted on the printed wiring board from the printed symbol mark, so illegal copying by a third party can be prevented. It's easy.
Therefore, the present invention has been made by focusing on the above-mentioned conventional unsolved problems, and suppresses the guessing of the circuit structure of a printed wiring board, and when necessary, such as during repair, etc. The present invention aims to provide a board information providing system and a server device that can easily provide such information.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a board information providing system that provides board information regarding a printed wiring board to a customer who sold the printed wiring board, the system comprising: a server device that manages the board information; The user terminal has a user terminal connected via a communication line, and a storage unit in which an identification code for identifying the type of the printed wiring board and the board information are stored in association with each other, and the user terminal is connected to the customer. The server device is a terminal for inputting the identification code inputted by the input unit, and includes an input unit for inputting the identification code, and a display unit for displaying the board information, and the server device inputs the identification code input by the input unit, and inputs the identification code input by the input unit. searching for the board information corresponding to the identified identification code from the storage unit, outputting the searched board information to the user terminal, and charging management processing for charging the customer. A board information providing system is provided.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a server device for a board information providing system that provides board information regarding a printed wiring board to a customer who sold the printed wiring board, the server device managing the board information and An identification code for identifying the type of the printed wiring board is input from a user terminal of A server device is provided that searches for the corresponding board information, outputs the searched board information to the user terminal, and executes charging management processing for charging the customer.

According to one aspect of the present invention, necessary information can be easily provided when needed while avoiding guessing the circuit structure of a printed wiring board.

1 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a board information providing system to which the present invention is applied. This is an example of an image of a printed wiring board on which a symbol mark is displayed superimposed. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure at a user terminal when registering to the system. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure in the server device when registering to the system. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure at an administrator terminal when registering to the system. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure at a user terminal when requesting to display symbol image data. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure in the server device when requesting to display symbol image data. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure in the server device during billing management. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an example of a printed wiring board.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
In the description of the drawings below, the same or similar parts are designated by the same or similar symbols. However, the drawings are schematic and illustrate the apparatus and method for embodying the technical idea of the present invention. , arrangement, etc. are not specified as shown below. The technical idea of the present invention can be modified in various ways within the technical scope defined by the claims.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of a board information providing system to which the present invention is applied. This board information providing system 1 includes rectangular or round shapes and arrows indicating the position, size, polarity direction, etc. of mounted electronic components, which are usually specified on printed wiring boards, as well as the model number and manufacturer of the electronic components. , symbol marks indicating specifications, etc. are not clearly written on the printed circuit board, but these symbol marks are virtually superimposed and displayed on the printed circuit board.
As shown in FIG. 1, the board information providing system 1 includes a server device 2, a database (storage unit) 3, an administrator terminal 4 for a system administrator, and a user terminal 5. And the user terminal 5 communicates with the server device 2 via a communication line 6 such as the Internet.

The administrator terminal 4 is composed of a personal computer or the like that can be connected to the Internet, and has an input section for inputting requests, etc., a display section for displaying the notified information, and a server for transmitting requests, etc. input at the input section. It includes a processing unit that notifies the device 2 and also displays a response to a request or the like notified from the server device 2 on a display unit.
The user terminal 5 is composed of a smartphone or a personal computer that can be connected to the Internet, and includes an input section 5a for inputting requests using a touch screen, operation buttons, etc., a display section 5b for displaying notified information, and an input section. The processing unit notifies the server device 2 of the requests and the like inputted in the above, and displays a response to the requests and the like notified from the server device 2 on the display unit 5b.

The server device 2 is composed of a computer or the like, inputs requests notified from the administrator terminal 4 or the user terminal 5, registers in the database 3 according to the content of the request, and also receives necessary information from the database 3. It includes a processing unit that reads the information and notifies the requesting terminal of a response to the request.
The database 3 stores customer information, board information regarding printed circuit boards provided to customers, billing information for performing billing management required for managing board information provided to customers, and the like.

The customer information includes, for example, a customer name, an ID number given to the customer, and a password set by the customer.
The board information includes, for example, a customer name, an identification code that specifies the type of printed wiring board sold to the customer, and data related to the printed wiring board specified by the identification code. Examples of data related to printed wiring boards include design data, CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data, manufacturing history data, inspection history data, MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet), SPEC (specification) data, and pattern data. , solder resist data, etc. Furthermore, symbol image data is included as data regarding the printed wiring board. This symbol image data (image information) usually includes rectangular or round shapes and arrows that indicate the position, size, polarity direction, etc. of the electronic components to be mounted, which are clearly specified on the printed wiring board, as well as the model numbers of the electronic components. This is data for displaying a printed wiring board with a symbol mark indicating the manufacturer, specifications, etc. The symbol image data is formed to be selectable from, for example, three types. The first type is image data (actual image information) for displaying an actual image of a printed wiring board on which a symbol mark is specified, as shown in FIG. 2(a). The second type is to display an image in which a virtual symbol mark generated from CAD data is superimposed on an actual image taken of a printed wiring board without a symbol mark, as shown in Figure 2(b). This is image data (partial virtual image information). In FIG. 2(b), a virtual symbol mark is represented, and a broken line represents a real image. The third type is image data (all virtual image information) for displaying a virtual image of a printed wiring board in which symbol data is specified, which is generated from CAD data, as shown in FIG. 2(c).
By specifying one of the three types, the user can display an image of a printed wiring board with a symbol mark specified in one of the display formats shown in FIGS. 2(a) to 2(c). It has become.

Next, an example of a processing procedure when a user registers an ID in the board information providing system 1 will be described.
When the user operates the user terminal 5 to request ID registration and enters screening information, the screening information is output to the administrator terminal 4 via the server device 2, and the system administrator registers the ID based on the screening information. It is determined whether the user who made the registration request is permitted as a service user for providing board information. When it is determined that the service user is permitted, the server device 2 notifies the user terminal 5 of the ID, and the server device 2 associates the customer name, the password input from the user terminal 5, and the ID. and stored in the database 3. If the service user does not give permission, the registration in the database 3 is not performed.

3 to 5 are flowcharts illustrating an example of a processing procedure when a user registers in the board information providing system 1, in which the user terminal 5 (FIG. 3), the server device 2 (FIG. 4), 5 shows a processing procedure at the user terminal 4 (FIG. 5).
In order to obtain information regarding a printed wiring board from the board information providing system 1, the user first registers an ID.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the user terminal 5 makes an ID registration request (step S1), and then the server device 2 requests the input of screening information (step S2). Enter the screening information.

Next, the process moves to step S3, and when the server device 2 notifies that registration is possible, the process moves to step S4, and the password input as a response to the request from the server device 2 is output to the server device 2. Then, when a registration completion notification is input from the server device 2, the process at the time of ID registration is ended (step S5).
On the other hand, when it is notified that registration is not possible in the process of step S3, the process moves from step S3 to step S6, displays that registration is not possible on the display unit 5b, and ends the process.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the server device 2 receives an ID registration request from the user terminal 5 (step S11), it requests input of screening information for determining whether to register the user who made the registration request. The examination information is transmitted to the user terminal 5, and the examination information input as a response is transmitted to the administrator terminal 4.
When the examination result for the user terminal 5 is received and registration permission is notified, the process moves from step S13 to step S14, where an ID is given to the user terminal 5 and a password input request is made. Next, when a password is input from the user terminal 5, the customer name of the user terminal 5, the ID assigned to the user terminal 5, and the input password are registered in the database 3 as customer information in association with each other, and a registration completion notification is sent to the user. The terminal 5 is notified (step S15). Then, the process ends.

On the other hand, if registration is not permitted in step S13, the process moves to step S16, and the display unit 5b is notified that registration is not permitted. Then, the process ends.
As a result, the customer name, ID, and password of the user terminal 5 that made the ID registration request are newly registered in the database 3.
As shown in FIG. 5, the administrator terminal 4 receives the ID registration request from the server device 2 (step S21), and then inputs the screening information to obtain the screening information for the customer who made the ID registration request. The examination is performed and the results are output to the user terminal 5 (step S23).

Next, an example of a processing procedure when a user receives board information from the board information providing system 1 will be described.
When the user requests the display of symbol image data as board information on the user terminal 5 and inputs the ID and password, the server device 2 checks the customer name, ID, and password, and only when they match, displays the symbol image data. The display information of the symbol mark corresponding to the identification code input from the user terminal 5 is read out and output to the user terminal 5. In the user terminal 5, display information of the symbol mark is displayed on the display.

6 and 7 are flowcharts showing an example of a processing procedure when a user receives symbol data as board information from the board information providing system 1, and includes a user terminal 5 (FIG. 6) and a server device 2 (FIG. An example of the processing procedure in 7) is shown below.
When the user makes a request to display symbol image data as board information on the user terminal 5, the server device 2 is notified that the symbol image data display request has been made (step S31), and then the user inputs the symbol image data. The ID and password obtained are notified to the server device 2 (step S32). Subsequently, when a request for inputting an identification code is notified from the server device 2 (step S33), the identification code input by the user is output to the server device 2 (step S34).

Here, the identification code input by the user may be manually input by the user on the user terminal 5, or may be read using OCR (Optical Character Recognition) technology such as reading with a digital camera or a dedicated reader. It may also be read using
Next, the user terminal 5 inputs display information of symbol image data from the server device 2 as board information corresponding to the identification code, and displays it on the display unit 5b of the user terminal 5 (step S35).

The user can easily recognize the circuit structure, etc. of the printed wiring board by referring to the image displayed on the display unit 5b of the user terminal 5 in which a symbol mark as shown in FIG. 2 is superimposed on the printed wiring board. be able to. Note that the images in which the symbol mark is displayed superimposed on the printed wiring board include an image consisting of real image information, an image consisting of partial virtual image information, and an image consisting of all virtual image information, as shown in FIGS. 2(a) to 2(c). To select which of the three types of images to display, for example, the type of image may be specified when making a display request for symbol image data; After displaying the image, the configuration may be such that three types of images are switched by an operation on the user terminal 5.

On the other hand, in step S33, if the server device 2 does not notify the user of the request to input the identification code, it is determined that the user is not registered as a service user, and the process ends immediately.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure of the server device 2 when a request to display symbol image data is made from the user terminal 5.
When the server device 2 receives a request to display symbol image data from the user terminal 5 (step S41), the server device 2 requests the user terminal 5 to input an ID and password (step S42), and receives the ID and password input from the user terminal 5. and the password against the registration information of the ID stored in the database 3 (step S43), and if the result of the comparison is a mismatch (step S44), the user terminal is notified of the mismatch. Notification is made (step S45), and the process ends.

On the other hand, if there is a match as a result of the verification, a request is made to the user terminal 5 to input the identification code (step S46), and when the identification code is input from the user terminal 5 in response (step S47), the database 3, it is checked whether the identification code notified in association with the user who requested the display of the symbol image data is registered (step S48). Then, if the comparison results do not match, the CPU 11 notifies that the comparison results do not match (step S49), and ends the process.

On the other hand, if the identification code is registered in association with the user who made the symbol data display request, the process moves to step S50, and the board information regarding the board specified by the identification code stored in the database 3 is searched. , and sends the various retrieved information to the user terminal 5. Then, the process ends.
Note that although the case where a display request for symbol image data is made as board information is explained here, when displaying pattern data, design data, etc., for example, a display request for symbol image data is made as board information. Instead, a display request may be made for data to be displayed, such as pattern data, design data, SPEC data, etc., and the data may be displayed on the user terminal 5 using the same procedure as described above.

Next, an example of a processing procedure for billing management executed by the server device 2 will be described.
The server device 2 stores, for each user registered as a service user, the number of days that have passed since the date of registration as a service user and the sold printed wiring board in association with each other, and stores the number of days that have passed since the user was registered as a service user in association with the sold printed wiring board. Charges are made every time a predetermined number of days elapse, and the user is notified of the charge.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the billing management processing procedure executed by the server device 2. As shown in FIG.

For example, at the timing when an ID registration request is made from the user terminal 5, the server device 2 receives information identifying the requesting user, such as the ID and password, and the identification code of the printed wiring board sold to the requesting user. The information is stored in the database 3 in association with each other. Furthermore, the server device 2 starts counting the number of days that have passed since the day the ID was registered (step S51).
If the user does not notify the user that the registration for use of the service will be canceled, the process moves from step S52 to step S53, and if the number of days that have passed has not exceeded the threshold, the process returns to step S52. If the number of elapsed days exceeds the threshold, the process moves to step S54, where the user is notified that charging will be performed, and charging processing such as charging is performed. Then, the process returns to step S52.

When the user cancels the registration for use of the service, the process moves from step S52 to step S55, and, for example, processing at the time of registration cancellation is performed. The process for canceling registration includes, for example, deleting various information stored regarding this user, such as the ID and password, the identification code of the sold printed wiring board, and the number of days that have passed since the date of ID registration. Then, the process ends.
FIG. 9 shows an example of a printed wiring board PWB to be managed in such a board information providing system 1.

As shown in FIG. 9, a symbol mark indicating the model number, manufacturer, specifications, etc. of the electronic component to be mounted is not formed on the printed wiring board PWB. Further, the identification code 50 is formed in a form that can be read by an OCR such as a digital camera or a reader. For example, it is formed by a method of forming, for example, an 8-digit number by etching, a method of forming an 8-digit number by removing the solder resist with a laser, or a method of printing an 8-digit number by inkjet printing. The identification code 50 is preferably formed of etched characters or solder resist punched characters. By representing the identification code 50 with etched characters or solder resist cutout characters in this way, the identification code 50 can be specified without increasing cost. Furthermore, when specifying the identification code 50, it is preferable to arrange the characters so that they can be read by OCR. Such a character arrangement is preferable from the viewpoint of usability, since the identification code can be read using an existing OCR.

Further, the identification code 50 may be displayed as a two-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark). In this case, it may be displayed on the printed wiring board using a laser engraving machine, a symbol inkjet machine, or the like.
The printed wiring board PWB formed in this way is difficult to recognize which parts are mounted where by just referring to the printed wiring board PWB, and when an abnormality occurs, etc., analysis is required. It is difficult to carry out maintenance or repairs.

Therefore, the user photographs the identification code 50 printed on the printed wiring board PWB with a camera installed in the user terminal 5 such as a smart phone. Specifically, first, a display request for symbol image data is made, and an ID and password are input. When the server device 2 verifies the ID and password and requests the input of the identification code, the user takes a picture with the user terminal 5. An identification code is analyzed from the photographed image information and transmitted from the user terminal 5 to the server device 2. In addition, the user can choose among the image data consisting of real image information, the image data consisting of partial virtual image information, and the image data consisting of all virtual image information shown in (a) to (c) of FIG. 2 as symbol image data. Specify which display format to display.

The server device 2 refers to the board information in the database 3 and determines whether the received identification code and the user specified by the ID and password are registered in association with each other. If so, the identification code is The image data of the specified display format corresponding to the printed wiring board specified by is read from the database 3 and output to the user terminal 5.
As a result, an image in which a symbol mark is superimposed on a printed wiring board is displayed on the display screen of the user terminal 5 in one of the forms shown in FIGS. 2(a) to 2(c). By referring to the display screen, the user can easily recognize which parts are mounted at which positions on the printed wiring board. The user can easily recognize the symbol mark at a desired location on the printed wiring board by, for example, enlarging, reducing, rotating, moving up/down, left/right, switching between A side/B side, etc. on the user terminal 5. can.

In this way, since no symbol mark is actually written on the printed wiring board, even if a third party refers to the printed wiring board, it is not easy to tell which component is mounted at which position. Therefore, it is possible to make it difficult for a third party to analyze the circuit structure of the printed wiring board.
Further, since it is not necessary to write the symbol mark directly on the printed wiring board, there is no need for a step of forming the symbol mark. As a result, the use of ink, tools, energy, etc. necessary for forming the symbol mark can be reduced. In other words, it is possible to shorten the time required to produce a printed wiring board, and also to reduce costs and save resources.

Further, since it is not necessary to form a symbol mark on the printed wiring board, the step of forming the symbol mark is not necessary, and it is possible to reduce the number of printed wiring boards that become defective in the step of forming the symbol mark and are discarded. As a result, costs can be reduced and resources can be saved accordingly. For printed wiring boards that are planned to be mass-produced, a practical example may be in which a symbol mark is formed on the printed wiring board only during the trial production stage, and the symbol mark formation step is omitted during the mass production stage.

In addition, in recent years, as the density of printed wiring boards has increased, there has been less space for forming symbol marks, and the symbol marks may overlap with component mounting locations, making design difficult. According to the present invention, it is possible to refer to the printed wiring board image on which the symbol mark is superimposed on the display screen of the user terminal 5, even if the symbol mark is not formed on the actual printed wiring board. In addition, when reading symbol marks from CAD data etc. and superimposing them on the actual image (photographed image) or CAD image of the printed wiring board, it is possible to display all the symbol marks at the same time. It is also possible to display only the symbol mark at the same time. Therefore, for example, by specifying on the user terminal 5, it is possible to display only a part of the symbol mark in an overlapping manner.As a result, when actually forming the symbol mark on a printed wiring board, Symbol marks having a comparatively larger amount of information can be displayed in a superimposed manner on a printed wiring board without overlapping each other. Further, since there is no restriction on the formation position of the symbol mark due to overlapping of the symbol marks, the degree of freedom in designing the arrangement position of the symbol mark can be improved.

Furthermore, when displaying a symbol mark in a superimposed manner, there is no need for the user to manually input the identification code, and the user only needs to take a picture of the identification code with the user terminal 5 such as a smartphone, which makes it easy to display the symbol mark in a superimposed manner. .
In addition, by manually inputting the identification code, the symbol mark can be displayed superimposed, so even if you do not actually have the target printed wiring board at hand, you can display an image with the symbol mark superimposed on the printed wiring board. It can be displayed on the user terminal 5. Therefore, for example, even if the printed wiring board in which the failure has occurred is not at hand, analysis can proceed by referring to the user terminal 5, and usability can be improved.

Furthermore, when symbol marks are actually formed on a printed wiring board, even if the symbol marks overlap each other and are difficult to read, by enlarging the display on the user terminal 5, the symbols can be read without overlapping. becomes possible. Therefore, the symbol mark can be read even when the wiring etc. are densely arranged on the printed wiring board, and the symbol mark formed at a position that is hidden below the component and becomes invisible after the component is mounted. However, it can be read reliably and usability can be improved.

Also, based on billing information, customers and printed wiring boards purchased by the customers are associated and managed. Therefore, by deleting information about users who have canceled their use of the service at the time of cancellation or after a certain period of time has passed, unnecessary information will continue to be stored in the database 3 and physical memory will be saved. Occupation can be avoided.
Further, the symbol mark is mainly information needed when a failure occurs, and depending on the printed wiring board, there is a possibility that the symbol mark is discarded without ever being referred to. In this way, without forming a symbol mark on the printed wiring board that may never be referenced, it can be displayed superimposed on the printed wiring board only when and for the users who need it. By providing the symbol mark as image information, it is possible to efficiently generate a printed wiring board.

In addition, the server device 2 manages the user's ID and password as board information by associating them with the identification code of the printed wiring board sold to this user, and when board information is requested, the ID and password of the user who made the request is Only when the password and the notified identification code are stored in the database 3 in association with each other, the board information corresponding to the notified identification code is output to the requesting user. Therefore, it is possible to avoid providing board information regarding the printed wiring board to a user who has not purchased the printed wiring board identified by the identification code. That is, it is possible to avoid providing unnecessary information to a third party who has not purchased the printed wiring board.

Furthermore, in the server device 2, not only the symbol mark corresponding to the printed wiring board specified by the identification code, but also information regarding the printed wiring board such as inspection history and SPEC data are associated as board information. Therefore, it is possible to provide not only symbol marks but also information that cannot be expressed by normal symbol printing. In particular, when performing analysis when a failure occurs, it is necessary to refer to information other than symbol marks, such as inspection history, etc., for analysis. Therefore, not only the symbol mark but also information regarding the printed wiring board can be easily referenced, so that analysis can be performed efficiently.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, when referring to board information in the event of a failure, for example, in order to facilitate failure analysis, the user can be made aware of the order required for analysis or repair order, etc. The board information may be provided in a different format.
Further, in the above embodiment, a case has been described in which the user is billed every certain number of days that have passed, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a fee may be charged each time information is provided, and the fee may be changed depending on the content of information provided or the number of pieces of information provided. In addition, only part of the symbol mark or information that does not allow a third party to analyze the printed wiring board is formed on the printed wiring board, and other symbol marks are only formed upon request from the user. , may be displayed, and in this case as well, the billing details may be changed depending on the content of the information provided or the number of pieces of information provided.

It should be noted that the scope of the present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments shown and described, but also includes all embodiments that provide equivalent effects to the object of the present invention. Moreover, the scope of the invention may be defined by any desired combinations of the specific features of each and every disclosed feature.

1 Board information providing system 2 Server device 3 Database 4 Administrator terminal 5 User terminal 6 Communication line

Claims (4)

A board information providing system that provides board information regarding a printed wiring board to a customer who sold the printed wiring board, the system comprising:
A server device that manages the board information, a user terminal connected to the server device via a communication line, an identification code for identifying the type of the printed wiring board, and the board information are stored in association with each other. It has a storage unit;
The user terminal is a terminal for the customer,
an input section for inputting the identification code;
a display section that displays the board information;
Equipped with
The server device includes:
inputting the identification code input in the input unit, searching the storage unit for the board information corresponding to the input identification code, and outputting the searched board information to the user terminal;
Billing management processing for billing the customer;
A board information providing system characterized by executing the following. 2. The server device, in the billing management process, determines the billing amount for the customer based on the number of days that have passed since the day when the customer was registered as a service user of the board information providing system. The board information providing system described in . In the billing management process, the server device charges the customer each time the board information is provided, and further changes the billing content according to the content of the board information provided or the number of the board information provided. The board information providing system according to claim 1. A server device for a board information providing system that provides board information regarding a printed wiring board to a customer who sold the printed wiring board, the server device comprising:
The board information is managed, an identification code for identifying the type of the printed wiring board is input from the user terminal for the customer, and the identification code and board information regarding the printed wiring board are stored in association with each other. searching for the board information corresponding to the identification code from the stored storage unit, outputting the searched board information to the user terminal, and executing charging management processing for charging the customer. Characteristic server device.

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