WO2024028434A1

WO2024028434A1 - Method for providing product data, and computer system

Info

Publication number: WO2024028434A1
Application number: PCT/EP2023/071540
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bernd VOJANEC
Original assignee: Wittenstein Se
Priority date: 2022-08-04
Filing date: 2023-08-03
Publication date: 2024-02-08
Also published as: DE102022119591B4; DE102022119591A1

Abstract

Method for providing product data on a user device which are assigned to a specific machine element or a specific machine, comprising: determining specific product data sets for a plurality of machine elements or machines, assigning a unique product ID, indicating the relevant one of the machine elements or machines, to each individual one of the product data sets; storing the product data sets and the assigned product IDs on a server; linking at least one enabling email address to each of the product IDs and linking the at least one enabling email address to at least one access code; receiving the product ID transmitted by the user device by means of the server; receiving a user email address transmitted by the user device by means of the server; comparing the user email address with the at least one enabling email address that is assigned to the product ID; and, in the event of a matching comparison, transmitting the access code assigned to the enabling email address to the user email address by means of the server.

Description

Method for providing product data and computer system

Field of invention

The invention relates to a method for providing product data and a computer system.

State of the art

There is a need to provide or use individual data on machine elements or machines in the industrial environment, in particular drive elements in industrial drive technology.

Web portals or platforms known from the prior art that provide confidential information are protected via logins or access keys. To do this, users must know a combination of user name and password or a secret access key. To do this, users must register on the web portal and create a user account. The user can often also use an external, existing account for the web portal, provided the web portal supports the external account.

To simplify user management, self-service registrations are possible, in which an account is created using a valid email address. Predefined access rules, e.g. all users of company X are allowed to see information Y, allow role-based access.

Creating a user account requires time and, if necessary, additional user information. The user must have the username and password ready at the moment of accessing the data. The drive information provided confidentially on a server would be accessed by a large number of different and changing employees. User management can include outdated accounts that may no longer be in the company. The DE 10 2019 216 974 A1 shows a reduction gear, with a memory that has position errors specific to the transmission, such as angular transmission errors, torsion errors or friction errors. This data can be transmitted wired or wirelessly to various customers via a security gateway.

There is a need to provide individual product data for machine elements or machines, in particular individual drive data for a drive element, in a simpler manner.

Disclosure of the invention

The object of the invention is to provide a method and a computer system which are improved compared to methods and computer systems known from the prior art, with simplified access to individual product data, in particular drive data, which is stored protected.

The task is solved with a method according to claim 1 and a computer system according to the independent claim. Advantageous further developments and embodiments result from the subclaims and from this description.

One aspect of the invention relates to a method for providing product data on a user device which is assigned to a specific machine element or a specific machine, comprising: determining specific product data sets for a plurality of machine elements or machines, assigning a unique product identifying the respective machine element or machine -ID for each of the product records; storing the product records and associated product IDs on a server; Linking at least one activation email address with each of the product IDs and linking the at least one activation email address with at least one access code; receiving, by the server, the product ID sent from the user device; receiving by the server a user email address sent from the user device; Matching the user email address with the at least one activation email address that is assigned to the product ID; and sending, if there is a match, the access code assigned to the activation email address by the server to the user email address.

Another aspect relates to a computer system with a server or a user device, each of which is programmed or set up to carry out a method according to one of the exemplary embodiments described herein. In particular, a server is set up to carry out the typical server-side steps of the method described herein. The steps to be carried out by a user device can be carried out, for example, on a website provided by the server, which can be accessed on a user's terminal device. The user device can be, for example, an Internet-enabled device that enables access to websites on the www. In typical embodiments, the user device has a display element for displaying websites.

Typically, the product ID includes or is a serial number of the machine element or machine or another code that is uniquely assigned to the individual machine element or machine. The product ID can be provided as a scan code on the machine element or the machine or on packaging of the machine element or the machine. The product ID can be a web address. It may be possible to enter the product ID in a mask on a web page provided by the server. After receiving the product ID, the server can provide a specific mask to enter the user email address. Typically the user email address is entered into a mask. In embodiments, it is possible to enter the product ID and subsequently the email address in masks with a similar or identical structure. Typical servers of embodiments may be cloud-based. In embodiments, the product ID may be a drive ID.

The access code is typically emailed by the server to the user email address. The email sent can typically include: a serial number of the machine element or machine, a product link to a page which, for example, includes typical information about the machine element or the machine or the access code typically including a request to send the access code to the server.

Typically, each of the product data sets includes technical data, manufacturing information, sustainability data or other customer-specific data from order processing.

The product data sets can be designed as drive data sets.

Typically, each of the drive data sets includes measurement data relating to an idle torque, a concentricity, a axial rotation, a synchronous operation, a commutation offset, a hysteresis, a parameter set with a commutation offset, or an idle current. The measurement data is typically collected or measured before a sale to the user. Other typical contents of drive data sets can be: documents or links with other drive element-specific data such as test or measurement protocols or tracking links for product shipping or compositions of the drive elements or a CO2 footprint or other drive element-related documents, firmware or parameter files.

Here, the term “user” refers to any purchaser of the machine element or machine, including service providers who take over the machine element or machine for a customer. Typically the server is operated by a manufacturer or seller. “Sale” can be any form of transfer, for example leasing, donation or loan.

In typical methods of embodiments, if there is a mismatch, an email containing information regarding possible further action is sent to the user email address. Such an email can, for example, contain a serial number or a product link including a request to contact the product sales department.

Typical methods include: Associating a plurality of activation email addresses with the product data record, with different access codes associated with different email addresses. In typical embodiments the different access codes have different runtimes or different maximum access numbers. A term can, for example, be an expiry date until which an access code can be used.

Typically, an access table is stored on the server, which makes it possible to find the corresponding access code based on the activation email addresses. The table typically includes information as to whether it is a statically stored access code, which can have an expiration date, or whether the access code is generated at runtime and can only be entered once, i.e. “KeyType = onetime”. An “AccessRole” can be used to further restrict the released data of a data set. In typical embodiments, each of the product data sets can have a plurality of sub-data sets, with different activation e-mail addresses being linked to different sub-data sets and, if matched, the respective access code only allows access to the respective sub-data sets. Typical sub-data sets can overlap, for example a first sub-data set can include all data of a product data set and a second sub-data set can only include a subset of data of the product data set.

In embodiments, typical activation email addresses may only be specified by a specific domain. For example, the activation email address can only be specified by a second-level domain such as in wittenstein.de. This allows entire groups of a buyer's employees or all employees to request an access code with their email address, in the example all email addresses with the ending wittenstein.de. In other examples, the activation email address may be specified by a hostname or mail server - such as Wittenstein - without specifying the top level domain.

In typical procedures, when the machine element or machine is sold to a user, at least one activation email address is determined. Typically, a fixed set of activation email addresses can already be provided for known customers, possibly also with the key types of the access codes. Furthermore, activation email addresses can also be requested from a buyer during a sales process. Typically, the product ID is provided to a user along with the machine item or machine upon sale. For example, the product ID or drive ID can be provided as a digital nameplate on the machine element or the machine. Examples are a DataMatrixCode, a QR Code, an RFID or as specified in IEC/TS 61406 as an Identification Link. In typical embodiments, the product ID may be attached to the machine element or machine in machine-readable form or in plain text. Typically, the drive ID is provided to a user along with the drive element at the time of sale. For example, the drive ID can be provided as a digital nameplate on the drive element. Examples are a DataMatrixCode, a QR Code, an RFID or as specified in IEC/TS 61406 as an Identification Link. In typical embodiments, the drive ID can be attached to the drive element in machine-readable form or in plain text.

In embodiments, the specific machine element or the specific machine can be designed as a specific drive element of industrial drive technology. Typical drive elements of embodiments include a gearbox, a geared motor, an electric motor or a frequency converter. Gears can be, for example, coaxial gears, planetary gears, angular gears, hypoid gears, bevel gears, worm gears, hollow shaft gears and gears with radially or axially movable individual teeth.

In typical methods, upon receipt of the access code by the server, the specific product record for the product ID is provided by the server to the user device. The access code can, for example, be entered into a mask by a user to enable receiving the access code for the server. In exemplary embodiments, the same website or webpage and possibly also mask can be used for the access code as for the user email address. In exemplary embodiments, it is not necessary to enter the product ID again.

Typically, the server does not request any further personal information from the user in relation to sharing the specific product records. In this way, data-saving operation can be enabled if desired. Typically, the server only provides non-specific data about the machine element or machine to the user device without receiving the access code. Such data may include operating instructions or technical data sheets, in particular on the type of machine element or machine. “Without receiving the access code” typically also includes receiving an incorrect access code.

Typical embodiments enable the user to access individual data sets of purchased machine elements or machines quickly and easily. It should be taken into account that the advance storage of email addresses, the unique product IDs and the sending of access codes only to these previously stored email addresses also creates an access barrier that is comparatively difficult to break. In addition, sub-data sets can also make it possible for certain users of a company purchasing the machine element or machine to have more or less rights to view the product data. For example, a system administrator can be granted more extensive rights than a technician operating the machine element or the machine.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, the figures showing:

1 shows an embodiment of a typical method in a schematic view; and

Fig. 2 shows a typical computer system in a typical view.

Description of preferred embodiments

A typical exemplary embodiment of a method is shown in FIG. The method starts in a step 100. In a step 200 specific ones are made Product data sets are determined for a plurality of machine elements or machines, which are specifically determined here as specific drive data sets for a plurality of drive elements. This is done by a manufacturer of the drive elements. For example, concentricity is determined for each drive element. In step 300, a unique product ID identifying each of the drive elements, specifically a drive ID, is assigned to each of the drive data sets and the drive data sets and the associated drive IDs are stored on a server. Typically, the specific drive data record is assigned to the drive ID of an individual drive element in a server database. The drive ID was typically already assigned to the respective drive element when the drive element was manufactured.

For example, in the course of a sale of the drive elements, in step 400 at least one activation email address is linked to each of the drive IDs and the at least one activation email address is also linked to at least one access code. Each activation email address for each drive ID can be linked to its own access code. This makes it possible to define access to sub-data sets, for example subsets, of the drive data set and to enable access to these sub-data sets only with certain access codes and therefore only with certain activation email addresses.

In a step 500, the server receives a drive ID sent from the user device. This can also be, for example, a drive element-specific or drive ID-specific web address. In some embodiments, the user calls up a mask of the server on the user device and the server provides the drive ID-specific web address or web page after entering the drive ID into the mask.

The user can then enter a user email address on the specific web page that can be reached at the web address in a step 600 so that this user email address is received by the server. If the user already has an access code from a previous run of the method, embodiments can provide for this For example, the access code is entered directly into the mask using the user email address on the specific web page. The method then continues in step 840.

In a step 700, the server compares the user email address with the at least one activation email address that is assigned to the specific drive ID. If a plurality of activation email addresses are assigned to the specific drive ID, the server compares the user email address with each of these plurality of activation email addresses.

If there is a matching match, in a step 800 the server sends the access code assigned to the activation email address to the user email address.

If it is determined in step 700 that the comparison is not successful, i.e. an activation email address with the characteristics of the user email address is not stored for the drive ID, the method does not proceed with this Step 800 but continue with step 900. In step 900, the server sends an email to the user email address, with which the user receives instructions on how to proceed, for example a link to a help web page.

Following step 800, in step 820 a user typically enters the received access code on the web page that has already been opened or is opened again with the drive ID, so that in step 820 the server receives the access code. Following step 820, the server checks in step 830 whether the entered access code is valid, for example whether the access code can be assigned to a database entry assigned to the specific drive ID.

If the access code is valid, the server unlocks the data record or the sub-data record associated with the access code in a step 840.

If the access code is a OneTime code, it is deactivated in a step 850 and is then not valid for a new check when the query is made again. If an invalid access code is determined in step 830, the method does not continue with step 840 but with step 1000. In step 1000, the server sends an error message to the user device.

An example of a database entry for a specific drive ID, as it may be stored in the server, is shown below. Typically, corresponding tables are stored on the server for each drive ID or for groups of drive IDs.

Activation email addresses are entered under “Mail” which, as shown in the example, are only specified by the domain of the respective email address.

The associated access codes are stored under “Key”. If an activation email address is only assigned a one-time code for one-time access, which must always be requested again, the access code is typically only issued upon request, i.e. when the activation email address has been successfully compared with the user's email address. Email address generated. Therefore, the corresponding field in the table shown above is empty, see also the “KeyType” column, in which the onetime type is specified versus static for ordinary access codes.

Under “Expiration Date” activation email addresses and associated access codes, in particular ordinary access codes, can be assigned an expiration date.

2 shows a typical computer system with a server 10 and a user device 20, each of which is set up to carry out a method as described herein, for example the method of FIG. 1. In particular, the server 10 is set up to make the services corresponding to the method available in a network 15, in particular the World Wide Web.

In typical embodiments, the server 10 is set up to provide a web page for each drive ID, which provides at least one input mask Entering a user email address and providing an access code received after entering the user email address. The user email address and the resulting access code can be entered into the same mask, or the server 10 can be programmed to provide different masks for entering the user email address and the access code.

Typically, the user device 20 is set up to display web pages on the World Wide Web and allows characters to be entered. Typical user devices include a scanner for scanning a QR code or other digital code. In this way, a web address that is provided by the server 10 for a specific drive ID can be accessed easily and quickly via scan.

Claims

Expectations

1 . Method for providing product data on a user device that is associated with a specific machine element or a specific machine, comprising:

• Determining specific product data sets for a number of machine elements or machines,

• Assigning a unique product ID identifying each of the machine elements or machines to each of the product data sets;

• Storing product records and associated product IDs on a server;

• Linking at least one activation email address with each of the product IDs and linking the at least one activation email address with at least one access code;

• Receive, by the server, the product ID sent from the user device;

• receiving by the server a user email address sent from the user device;

• Matching the user email address with the at least one activation email address that is assigned to the product ID; and

• If the comparison matches, the access code assigned to the activation email address is sent by the server to the user email address.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein in the event of a non-matching comparison, an email with information regarding possible further action is sent to the user email address.

3. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising: linking a plurality of activation email addresses to the product data record, with different access codes being linked to different email addresses.

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the access code is sent by the server to the user email address via email.

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one activation email address is only specified by a specific domain.

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein when the machine element or the machine is sold to a user, the at least one activation email address is determined.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the product ID is provided to a user along with the machine element or machine upon sale.

8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the product ID is attached as a digital nameplate to the machine element or the machine.

9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the product ID is attached in machine-readable form and in plain text on the machine element or the machine.

10. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein after receiving the access code by the server, the specific product data record for the product ID is made available by the server to the user device.

11. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the server does not request any further personal data from the user in relation to the release of the specific product records.

12. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the server, after receiving the product ID sent by the user device and without receiving the access code, only provides the user device with non-specific product data sets of the type of machine element or machine.

13. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the product data sets is designed as a drive data set and each measurement data relating to an idle torque, a concentricity, a axial run, a synchronous operation, a commutation offset, a hysteresis, a parameter set with commutation offset, and / or an idle current includes.

14. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the specific machine element or the specific machine is designed as a specific drive element of industrial drive technology, in particular wherein the drive element is selected from the following group: gearbox, geared motor, electric motor or frequency converter.

15. Computer system with a server and/or a user device, each of which is programmed and/or set up to carry out a method according to one of the preceding claims.