Apparatus for Generating at least one Identifier of at least one Article

Abstract

An apparatus for generating at least one identifier of at least one article, in particular a machine tool, includes at least one sensing unit that senses at least one usage parameter and/or at least one article parameter of the article. The apparatus includes at least one computing unit that takes the at least one sensed usage parameter and/or the at least one sensed article parameter as a basis for issuing a certificate for the article.

Claims

1. An apparatus for generating at least one identifier of at least one article comprising: at least one sensing unit configured to sense at least one usage parameter and/or at least one article parameter of the at least one article; and at least one computing unit configured to take the sensed at least one usage parameter and/or the sensed at least one article parameter as a basis for issuing a certificate for the at least one article.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the computing unit is configured to use at least the sensed at least one usage parameter to ascertain at least one time of first operation of the at least one article and to issue the certificate on the basis thereof.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the computing unit is configured to use at least one distribution parameter stored in a memory unit to verify the ascertained at least one time of first operation.

4. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the computing unit is configured to use the sensed at least one distribution parameter and the ascertained at least one time of first operation to compute an age of the at least one article and to issue the certificate on the basis thereof.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the computing unit is configured to use the sensed at least one usage parameter and/or the sensed at least one article parameter to ascertain at least one application of the at least one article and to issue the certificate on the basis thereof.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the at least one sensing unit is further configured to sense the at least one usage parameter and/or the at least one article parameter within at least one interval of time, and the computing unit is further configured to process the sensed at least one usage parameter and/or the sensed at least one article parameter in order to adapt the issued certificate.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, to issue the certificate, the at least one sensing unit is configured to sense at least one usage parameter configured at least as a usage time, a usage duration, a number of usages, a usage location, a usage intensity, and/or a usage state of the at least one article.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: at least one communication unit that, to issue the certificate, is configured to transmit the sensed at least one usage parameter and/or the sensed at least one article parameter to at least one external unit.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: at least one communication unit configured to transmit the issued certificate to at least one external unit.

10. A machine tool comprising: at least one apparatus configured to generate at least one identifier of at least one article, the at least apparatus including at least one sensing unit configured to sense at least one usage parameter and/or at least one article parameter of the at least one article, and at least one computing unit configured to take the sensed at least one usage parameter and/or the sensed at least one article parameter as a basis for issuing a certificate for the at least one article.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Further advantages are evident from the following description of the drawing. The drawing depicts an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. The drawing, the description and the claims contain numerous features in combination. A person skilled in the art will expediently also consider the features individually and combine them to produce useful further combinations.

[0021] In the drawing:

[0022] FIG. 1 shows an apparatus for generating an identifier in a schematic view,

[0023] FIG. 2 shows a schematic flow for generation of an identifier performed by a computing unit of the apparatus,

[0024] FIG. 3 shows a further schematic flow for generation of an identifier performed by the computing unit, and

[0025] FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of certificates issued over the course of a life.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] FIG. 1 depicts a schematic depiction of an apparatus for generating at least one identifier of at least one article 10. At least part of the apparatus is part of the article 10. In the present case, the article 10 is configured as a hand-held machine tool, in fact in particular as a hammer drill. Alternatively or additionally, the article 10 may also be configured as any article 10 that appears advantageous to a person skilled in the art, such as, for example, as an orbital sander, a garden machine tool or the like. Further, the system can have a different number of articles 10 than the number depicted here, which articles may in particular be configured to be different than one another. In particular, a number of articles 10 can form a stock of articles that the apparatus is intended to manage. The apparatus is then also intended to generate identifiers of the respective number of articles 10.

[0027] The apparatus comprises a memory unit 18. In the present case, the memory unit 18 is part of the article 10. The memory unit 18 is an internal memory unit 18 of the article 10. Alternatively, the memory unit 18 may also be part of an external unit 22.

[0028] The memory unit 18 stores at least one distribution parameter. In the present case, the distribution parameter is a purchase time, in particular a purchase date. Further, the memory unit 18 could store further distribution parameters, such as, for example, a sale location, a sale identification number or the like. Further, the memory unit 18 stores at least one production parameter of the article 10. The production parameter is a serial number. Further, the memory unit 18 stores at least one further production parameter. The further production parameter is a production date. Further, the memory unit 18 can be used to store an issued certificate. The certificate is stored by means of an authorization parameter assigned to the certificate. The authorization parameter allocates at least one access and/or machining right for the certificate and/or for at least one parameter from parameters that are combined in the certificate.

[0029] The apparatus comprises at least one sensing unit 12. In the present case, the sensing unit 12 is part of the article 10. The sensing unit 12 is an internal sensing unit 12 of the article 10. Alternatively, the sensing unit 12 may also be part of an external unit 22. The sensing unit 12 is intended to sense at least one usage parameter of the article 10. Further, the sensing unit 12 is intended to sense a further usage parameter. The usage parameter is stored in the memory unit 18. In the present case, the usage parameter is a usage time. The further usage parameter is stored in the memory unit 18.

[0030] The further usage parameter is a usage duration. Alternatively or additionally, the usage parameter sensed and/or stored in the memory unit 18 may also be a usage location, a usage intensity and/or a usage state of the article 10. Further, the memory unit 18 stores a usage limit value. The usage limit value is intended for comparison with the usage parameter.

[0031] The apparatus is part of an external unit 22. In the present case, the external unit 22 is configured as a server. Alternatively or additionally, the external unit 22 may be a computer network, a company headquarters and/or a cloud.

[0032] The system comprises at least one computing unit 14. In the present case, the computing unit 14 is part of the article 10. Alternatively, the computing unit 14 may also be part of the external unit 22. The computing unit 14 is intended to issue a certificate for the article 10. The computing unit 14 issues the certificate on the basis of the at least the usage parameter and in particular the further usage parameter. The computing unit 14 is in particular intended to use the usage parameter and in particular the further usage parameter to determine a time of first operation. The time of first operation is a usage time at which a usage duration exceeds a prescribed usage limit value. Alternatively or additionally, the computing unit 14 is intended to assign the article 10 to at least one person 16.

[0033] Further, the apparatus comprises at least one communication unit 20. The communication unit 20 is configured as a wireless communication unit 20. The communication unit 20 connects the sensing unit 12 and/or the memory unit 18 to the external unit 22. The communication unit 20 is intended to transmit at least the usage parameter, in particular between the article 10 and the external unit 22. Further, the communication unit 20 is intended to transmit the distribution parameters and/or the production parameters. The communication unit 20 is intended for encrypted transmission. The communication unit 20 encrypts the certificate and/or the parameters combined for issuing the certificate and/or in the certificate using at least one encryption parameter assigned to the certificate. Alternatively or additionally, the communication unit 20 may be intended to transmit the issued certificate. In the present case, the communication unit 20 is at least part of a mobile unit 24. The mobile unit 24 is assigned to a person 16 who uses the article 10. The mobile unit 24 is preferably formed by a smartphone 26. Further, the mobile unit 24 may be formed by a laptop 28, a network, in particular a W-LAN network, by an item of work clothing and/or a smartwatch 32. Alternatively, it is also conceivable for the communication unit 20 to be part of the article 10 and/or of the external unit 22.

[0034] FIG. 2 schematically depicts generation of an identifier performed by the computing unit 14 of the apparatus. Further, the generation comprises issuing at least one certificate. In the present case, the certificate is a certificate of first operation. To perform the generation, the computing unit executes a step sequence.

[0035] The step sequence comprises at least one step 40. In the step 40, the communication unit 20 connects the article 10 to the external unit 22. The computing unit 14 registers the article 10 in a stock of articles. The external unit 22 reads the parameters stored in the memory unit 18, in particular the usage parameter, the distribution parameter, the further distribution parameter, the production parameter and/or the further production parameter. The computing unit 14 compares whether at least one of the parameters, in particular the production parameter, in fact the serial number of the article 10, is already stored. Alternatively or additionally, the sensing unit 12 can comprise and/or allow a manual input means and/or image capture of the production parameters. If the article 10, in fact in particular with the associated production parameter, is present in the stock of articles, the computing unit 14 concludes the process. Alternatively, the sensing unit 12 can, in particular for an already registered article 10, sense usage parameters, in particular continuously, within at least one interval of time, said usage parameters being processed by the computing unit 14 to adapt an issued certificate.

[0036] The step sequence comprises a further step 42. The computing unit 14 executes step 42 if the production parameters, distribution parameters, usage parameters and/or the associated article 10 are not yet stored and/or registered in the external unit 22. In step 42, the computing unit 14 queries whether the article 10 is already assigned to the person 16. Alternatively, it is also possible to query whether the article 10 is assigned to a user, an owner, a main user and/or a company.

[0037] The step sequence comprises a further step 44. The computing unit 14 performs step 44 if the article 10 is not yet assigned to the person 16. The computing unit 14 makes an assignment in step 44. Further, the computing unit 14 queries whether the article 10 is already assigned by means of its production parameter to a further person 16, a further user, a further owner, a further main user and/or a further company.

[0038] The step sequence comprises a further step 48. The computing unit 14 assigns the article 10 if the article 10 is not yet assigned to a further person 16 by means of its production parameter.

[0039] The step sequence comprises a further step 46. In step 46, the computing unit 14 queries whether a certificate is supposed to be issued for the article 10.

[0040] The step sequence comprises a further step 50. The computing unit 14 performs step 50 if a certificate is supposed to be issued. The computing unit 14 issues the certificate for the article 10, at least on the basis of the at least one sensed usage parameter. Further, the computing unit 14 uses the at least one usage parameter to ascertain at least one application, in particular a main application, of the article 10 and issues the certificate on the basis thereof. Further, the computing unit 14 at least uses the at least one usage parameter, in fact in particular the usage time, and the further usage parameter, in fact in particular the usage duration, to ascertain a time of first operation of the article 10. If the further usage parameter exceeds a limit value during a usage of the article 10, for example, then the computing unit 14 assumes the usage parameter at the time of the exceedance as the time of first operation. The computing unit 14 further takes the time of first operation as a basis for issuing the certificate or matches the latter to the time of first operation. Further, the computing unit 14 determines an age of the article 10. To this end, the computing unit 14 uses at least the distribution parameter and/or production parameter stored in the memory unit 18 to verify the ascertained time of first operation. The computing unit 14 determines the age from the difference between the time of first operation and the further production parameter. By way of example, the computing unit 14 can output an error if a time of first operation is before a purchase time of the distribution parameter.

[0041] The step sequence comprises a further step 52. The computing unit 14 performs the further method step 52 if the time of first operation differs from the purchase time by more than five hours. Further, the computing unit 14 queries a further distribution parameter, in fact in particular a purchase time, in step 52. The computing unit 14 queries whether a proof of purchase is available.

[0042] The step sequence comprises a further step 54. The computing unit 14 performs step 54 if the proof of purchase is available. Alternatively, it is conceivable for there to be no proof of purchase available or for said proof of purchase to have been lost, so that the certificate issued by the computing unit 14 replaces the proof of purchase in this case. In step 54, the sensing unit 12 reads in the proof of purchase. To this end, the sensing unit 12 reads the further distribution parameter from the proof of purchase.

[0043] The step sequence comprises a further step 56. In step 56, the communication unit 20 transmits the sensed parameters to the external unit 22. The computing unit 14 concludes a registration of the article 10 in the stock of articles by issuing a replacement certificate for the article 10 and/or in particular assigning the article 10 to the person 16. In the present case, the computing unit 14 uses the issued replacement certificate to occur replace a proof of purchase for the article 10.

[0044] The step sequence comprises a further step 58. In step 58, the computing unit 14 sets the time of first operation equal to the purchase time if the time of first operation differs from the purchase time by less than five hours. After step 58, the computing unit 12 executes step 56.

[0045] The step sequence comprises a further step 59. The computing unit 14 performs method step 59 if there is no proof of purchase available. The computing unit 14 initiates the purchase time being able to be input by the person 16.

[0046] The step sequence comprises a further step 60. The computing unit 14 verifies the input purchase time by means of the state of first operation. If the input purchase time is substantially concordant with the time of first operation, the computing unit 14 executes step 56.

[0047] The step sequence comprises a further step 62. The computing unit 14 performs step 62 if the indicated purchase time is substantially different than the time of first operation, in fact in particular by more than five hours. The computing unit 14 proposes the time of first operation as a purchase time. The person 16 can accept the time of first operation as the purchase time. If the time of first operation is accepted as the purchase time, the computing unit 14 continues with step 56.

[0048] The step sequence comprises a further step 64. The computing unit 14 performs step 64 if the proposal to adopt the time of first operation as the purchase time is not accepted. In step 64, the computing unit 14 outputs that the article 10 is not registrable. Further, the computing unit 14 can alternatively or additionally set up a connection to a service center.

[0049] The step sequence comprises a further step 66. The computing unit 14 performs step 66 after method step 58, in particular as an alternative to step 60. In step 66, the computing unit 14 verifies the purchase time using the production parameter, in particular the serial number. By way of example, the computing unit 14 detects an error if the serial number had not yet been allocated at the indicated purchase time, for example. The computing unit 14 continues with step 64.

[0050] FIG. 3 shows further steps in the step sequence.

[0051] The step sequence comprises a further step 80. The computing unit 14 registers the article 10 in a stock of articles in step 80. The communication unit 20 connects the article 10 to the external unit 22. The parameters stored in the memory unit 18, in particular the usage parameter, the distribution parameter, the further distribution parameter, the production parameter and/or the further production parameter, are read by the computing unit 14. Further, the computing unit 14 assigns the article 10 to the person 16 on the basis of at least one identification parameter of the person 16. The computing unit 14 compares whether a main user is already stored for the article 10.

[0052] The step sequence comprises a further step 82. If a main user is already stored, the computing unit executes step 82. In step 82, the computing unit 14 queries whether a central contact partner for management, maintenance, servicing and/or repair is already stored. If a contact partner is not yet stored, the computing unit 14 stores the assigned person 16 as a contact partner.

[0053] The step sequence comprises a further step 86. If there is a main user, the computing unit 14 stores the main user as a contact partner in step 86. By way of example, the computing unit 14 can detect a repeated assignment of a person 16 and can thus store the person 16 as main user. To this end, the computing unit 14, in the event of a repeated assignment by means of the same identification parameter, initiates at least one allocation of usage rights for the person 16.

[0054] As depicted by way of example in FIGS. 2 and 3, the computing unit 14 combines different parameters to produce a certificate. FIG. 4 depicts a timeline for issuance of various certificates over a life 98 of the article. The issuance of the certificate from FIG. 2 over the course of a life of the article 10 is explained by way of example below. Further, the issuance of further certificates is explained using further examples below.

[0055] In the present case, the certificate 100 is configured as a certificate of first operation. The computing unit 14 issues the certificate 100 at least using the usage parameter. The usage parameter is a usage time. Further, the computing unit 14 issues the certificate 100 at least using the further usage parameter. The further usage parameter is a usage duration. The usage parameter and the further usage parameter are used by the computing unit 14 to determine the time of first operation. The time of first operation is a usage time at which a usage duration exceeds a prescribed usage duration limit value. Alternatively, the computing unit 14 can ascertain the time of first operation using a usage routine, such as a key combination, for example.

[0056] Alternatively or additionally, the computing unit 14 can issue at least one first further certificate 102. In the present case, the computing unit 14 issues at least one first further certificate 102. The first further certificate 102 is configured as a production certificate. The computing unit 14 issues the first further certificate 102 at least using an appliance parameter. The appliance parameter is a production parameter, in fact in particular a production time, such as, for example, a date and/or a time of day on/at which the article is produced and in particular finished. Further, the computing unit 14 issues the first further certificate 102 comprising at least one further article parameter. The further article parameter is a production parameter in the present case, in fact in particular a serial number and/or a bare tool number of the article.

[0057] Alternatively or additionally, the computing unit 14 can issue at least one second further certificate 104. In the present case, the computing unit 14 issues a second further certificate 104. The second further certificate 104 is configured as a test certificate. The computing unit issues the second further certificate 104 at least using a first further usage parameter. The first further usage parameter is a usage intensity, such as a maximum rotation speed, for example. Further, the computing unit 14 issues the second further certificate 104 at least using a second further usage parameter. The second further usage parameter is a test time, such as a date and/or a time of day on/at which a test is performed and in particular on/at which the sensing unit 14 senses the second further usage parameter, for example.

[0058] Alternatively or additionally, the computing unit 14 can issue at least one third further certificate 106. In the present case, the computing unit 14 issues a third further certificate 106. The third further certificate 106 is configured as a maintenance certificate. The computing unit 14 issues the third further certificate 106 at least using a first further article parameter, in particular a maintenance parameter. The first further article parameter is a maintenance time. Further, the computing unit issues the third further certificate 106 using a second further article parameter, in particular a maintenance parameter, in fact in particular using an indication of a component to be maintained in the article 10. It is conceivable for the computing unit to combine the third further certificate 106 and the second further certificate 104 to produce a main certificate, such as an operation certificate, for example.

[0059] Alternatively or additionally, the computing unit 14 can issue at least one fourth further certificate 108. In the present case, the computing unit 14 issues a fourth further certificate 108. The fourth further certificate 108 is configured as a distribution certificate. The computing unit 14 issues the fourth further certificate 108 at least using a third further article parameter. The third further article parameter is a distribution parameter, such as in particular a piece of purchaser information. Further, the computing unit 14 issues the fourth further certificate 108 using a fourth further article parameter, in particular a maintenance parameter, in fact in particular using a purchase time for the article 10.

[0060] It is conceivable for the computing unit 14 to combine multiple, in particular all, certificates to produce a main certificate 110, such as in particular a timeline and/or life certificate, for example. The main certificate 110 can comprise all certificates issued in a timeline for the article, preferably over the course of a life of the article.