Database system and method for industrial automation services

• US 20030014387A1
• Filed: 09/12/2001
• Published: 01/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Mutscheller, Wolfgang, Lagies, Knut, Kreidler, Volker
• Granted Patent: US 6,975,913 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 707/1
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4183 characterised by data acquisition, e.g. workpiece identification
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31156 Network structure, internet
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31282 Data acquisition, BDE MDE
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31418 NC program management, support, storage, distribution, version, update
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/34039 Access central database through internet
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0637 Strategic management or analysis, e.g. setting a goal or target of an organisation; Planning actions based on goals; Analysis or evaluation of effectiveness of goals
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0283 Price estimation or determination
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]

Abstract

A host system generates and manages databases incorporating data gathered from a plurality of client automation systems, such as CNC machine tools. The data may include real-time data, and is captured from the client systems under supervision of software downloaded over a network from the host system to the client systems. The captured data is transmitted over the network to the host, which creates the databases. The databases preferably include a commercial database comprising data associated with customer owners or operators of the client automation system, as well as a technical database, comprising captured data, administrative and other data, organized by customer and client system. Captured data is preferably associated with the date of capture, providing for the creation of a historical database for given client equipment. With customer authorization, others, such as original equipment manufacturers, may access the captured data, for which they may be charged a fee.

Claims

1. A method for creating a database for use in connection with a system for providing content based on data collected from a client associated with an industrial controller for controlling manufacturing equipment, wherein the system comprises a processor and at least one data storage device, the processor being in communication over a network with the industrial controller having a unique identifying code retrievable over the network, the method comprising the steps of:

a. creating in one of the data storage devices a data structure for storing data collected from one of the plurality of machine tools;

b. receiving from the client the unique identifying code associated with the manufacturing equipment;

c. including in the data structure information relating to the unique identifying code;

d. receiving, from the client, data associated with the control of the manufacturing equipment; and

e. including in the data structure the data extracted from the machine tool.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the information relating to the unique identifying code comprises the identifying code.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the information relating to the unique identifying code comprises data derived using the unique identifying code.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of recording in the data structure the date of the receipt of the data from the client.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the content comprises a service associated with a transaction code, the method comprising the further step of including the transaction code in the data structure.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein steps b-e are repeated, thereby creating a history of services for the manufacturing equipment identified by the unique identifying code.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the data structure comprises a database record.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the data comprises real-time data from the manufacturing equipment.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the industrial controller is operated by a customer identified by a unique code, further comprising the step of including data relating to the unique customer identifying code in the data structure customer information.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the computer controlled equipment comprises a CNC machine tool.

11. In a system associated with the management of computer-controlled machine tools based on data collected from a plurality of machine tools, wherein the system comprises a computer and at least one data storage device, the computer in communication over a network with the plurality of computer controlled machine tools each having a unique identifying code, a method for building a data base in support of the management of the computer controlled machine tools, the method comprising the steps of:

creating in one of the data storage devices a record relating to data collected from one of the plurality of machine tools;

extracting from the machine tool the unique identifying code associated with the machine tool;

inserting in the record information relating to the unique identifying code;

extracting from the machine tool data associated with the control of the machine tool; and

inserting in the record the data extracted from the machine tool.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein the the commercial database is organized by customer.

15. The system according to claim 13, wherein the technical database is organized at a first level by customer, and, at a lowever leve, by automation equipment.

17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising the step of computing a measure associated with the service provided to the manufacturer.

18. The method according to claim 17, further comprising the step of storing in a third portion of the data structure data relating to the measure of service.

19. The method according to claim 18, further comprising the step of computing a price for the service as a function of the measure service.

20. The method according to claim 19, further comprising the step of receiving value based on the computed price.

12. A method for managing data relating to the provision of an automation-related service to a customer having a facility comprising manufacturing equipment and associated computing equipment, the method comprising the steps of:

creating a data structure corresponding to the provision of services over a network to the manufacturer;

storing in a first portion of the data structure data relating to the identity of the manufacturer;

storing in a second portion of the data structure data relating to the identity of the service;

computing a measure of the service provided to the manufacturer; and

storing in a third portion of the data structure data relating to the measure of service.

13. A database system for network-delivered automation system services, wherein the services are provided to customers that client operate automation systems, comprising:

a host system in communication over a network with a client automation system, the host system configured to cause the client system to generate, capture and transmit to the host system real-time control data;

a commercial database coupled to the host system and comprising customer information; and

a technical database coupled to the host system comprising automation system data.

16. A method for managing data relating to the provision of an automation-related service over a network to a customer having a facility comprising manufacturing equipment and associated computing equipment, the method comprising the steps of:

creating a data structure corresponding to the provision of services over the network to the customer;

storing in a first portion of the data structure data relating to the identity of the customer; and

storing in a second portion of the data structure data relating to the identity of the service.