Database system and method for industrial automation services

US6975913B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Siemens Aktiengesellschaft · DE

Inventors

• Volker Kreidler · Hechingen, DE
• Knut Lagies · Bremen, DE
• Wolfgang Mutscheller · Stuttgart, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 12, 2001
• Grant date: Dec 13, 2005
• Expiry date: Jun 3, 2022

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02P90/02
• WIPO field: IT methods for management
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

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.