US 6,647,304 B2 · Product management method and system

Abstract

A product configuration is managed on a product basis for each of component parts included in products from manufacturing to disposal of the products. A product manufacturer device, part manufacturer devices, and a device of a customer who possesses a product are interconnected through a communication line. The product manufacturer device includes configuration information on each of component parts in the product on a product number basis, and provides information and services on the product. The part manufacturer device includes configuration information on each of lower parts which include the component parts on a manufacturing lot or product number basis, and provides information and services on each of the parts. When the product configuration is changed, such change is reflected to the configuration information of the product and the component parts.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A product information management method for a management service device,

said management service device for link management of URLs of said products and parts manufacturers,
said management service device connected through a network to the following:
a products manufacturer device for a products manufacturer of products,
a parts manufacturer device for parts manufacturers of parts of a product,
an assembler device of an assembler of said parts or products, and
said products,
said method comprising the steps of:
storing a URL of a parts manufacturer and a URL of a products manufacturer in said products manufacturer device;
and
obtaining, when said management service device receives parts information and operation information from said assembler, an URL of a parts manufacturer for said received parts information through said network from said products manufacturer and accessing said parts manufacturer by use of said obtained URL to link or unlink said URL of said parts manufacturer based on contents of said operation information.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Product management method and system

Life of this patent

Product management method and system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18