Method and system for the electronic provision of services for machines via a data communication link

• US 7,127,322 B2
• Filed: 08/17/2005
• Issued: 10/24/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Mutscheller, Wolfgang, Lagies, Knut, Kreidler, Volker
• Primary Examiner(s): BARNES-BULLOCK, CRYSTAL JOY
• Application Number:
  US11/205,703
• Publication Number:
  US 20060041326A1
• Time in Patent Office: 433 Days
• Field of Search: 700/9, 700/19, 700/21, 700/86, 700/169, 700174-178, 702182-185, 702/188, 706/16, 706/20, 709/201, 709/218, 712/28, 707/10, 707/203
• US Class Current: 700/169
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/042 using digital processors G05B19/05 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4063 Monitoring general control system G05B19/4062 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4068 Verifying part programme on screen, by drawing or other means
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/41845 characterised by system universality, reconfigurability, modularity
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23304 Download program from host
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/24084 Remote and local monitoring, local result to remote, remote takes action
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31418 NC program management, support, storage, distribution, version, update
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31457 Factory remote control, monitoring through internet
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/32038 Client can develop programs, parts on remote server located by manufacturer
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/32235 Sharing of data between process control and maintenance management computers
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/33284 Remote diagnostic
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/34038 Web, http, ftp, internet, intranet server
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/34039 Access central database through internet
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/34376 Management nc programs, files
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 3/08 Registering or indicating the production of the machine either with or without registering working or idle time
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/80 Management or planning
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99953 Recoverability

Abstract

Expert knowledge from machine manufacturers is applied quickly at any time to a machine via the Internet, by providing a main computer (host) for the production and provision of machine-related data and/or services and a machine-side working computer (client). The machine-side working computer is connected to the main computer via a data communication link. Machine state data from the machine-side working computer can be acquired in real time and transmitted to the main Computer. Machine-related data and/or services generated by the main computer as a function of such machine state data can be received by an analysis and evaluation unit.

Claims

1. An apparatus for computer-aided provision of machine-related content, comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of data and services, to a client computer in communication with a processing machine operated by a customer, wherein the client computer at least monitors the processing machine and, with at least one sensor, acquires machine state data, the client computer in communication with the apparatus via a network, the apparatus comprising:

means for transmitting to the client computer;

information relating to the availability of the machine-related content;

information relating to machine state data to be acquired by the client computer for use in generating content; and

content generated as a function of machine state data acquired by the client computer; and

means for receiving;

a request for machine-related content from the client computer; and

data from the client computer comprising machine state data; and

means for generating the machine-related content.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, the means for generating the machine-related content comprising an Internet web server, wherein the apparatus is programmed to generate Internet web pages using the Internet web server.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a unique identification means is associated with the customer processing machine with which the client computer is in communication, the apparatus further comprising a storage means for storing information from the client computer in conjunction with the identification means.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the unique identification means comprises an identification code.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an automation system is associated with the processing machine and the client computer, the apparatus further comprising:

means for loading instructions into the automation system, the instructions controlling at least one function of the processing machine;

means for receiving customer-related system data from the automation system via the network, the system data being collected as a function of the loaded instructions;

means for generating services for the automation system as a function of the received customer-related system data; and

means for transmitting the generated services to the automation system via the network.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising means for providing a plurality of service options to the automation system via the network.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising means for selecting one of the plurality of service options upon receipt of a selection from the automation system.

8. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the automation system comprises a network interface for communication via the network and for receiving the service information from the apparatus, the means for generating content for exchanging data with the network interface of the automation system adapted to exchange the data in a predefined data format.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the network interface comprises an Internet browser and the predefined data format comprises a format compatible with the Internet browser.