Abstract:
A system and method for managing products, product services, and stakeholders, including communications between stakeholders, over an internet. The system and method includes an internet based portal and/or platform configured to support a number of stakeholders participating in the lifecycle of a product. The portal and/or platform provides solutions and services for all stages of a product life cycle. The portal and/or platform is configured to support internet connected devices and to support a plurality of services.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/914,645, which is entitled “System and Method for Managing Products, Product Services, and Stakeholders over an Internet,” and was filed on Dec. 11, 2013, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    This disclosure relates generally to product operation and product support, and more particularly to an internet portal and/or platform to manage access to product information by stakeholders and to manage interactions between interested parties including stakeholders. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Existing support for operating and maintaining products, including devices, includes product information that is available through the internet. In some instances, a search engine can be used with the entry of the proper search terms to locate product information which can include user manuals, product specifications including parts lists, and maintenance manuals. 
         [0004]    Many manufacturers provide links that are available through a manufacturer&#39;s website which direct a stakeholder to information generated and provided by the manufacturers. Stakeholders include businesses, organizations, and individuals having an interest in one or more devices information related to the operation and maintenance of a device. In fact, most products. goods, services, and products available today have associated web pages that are managed either by the manufacturer or by a third party. Most of these web pages, however, either have data or links to data that remains static and merely lists information about a model of a product. While the available data may accurately reflect features of the particular product model or class of products, the data does not represent the existence of and operating condition of a product in a user&#39;s home. In other words, this data mostly represents products in general but not instances of devices, wherein an instance is an occurrence a particularly distinct and identifiable product. 
         [0005]    With the advent of the “Internet of Things”, certain products, typically electrical devices if properly configured, can be connected to an internet such that the connected device can be monitored and/or controlled through access to the “Internet”. 
         [0006]    As used herein the term “internet” applies to all types of internets and networks, and combinations of internets and networks, including the “Internet” which uses a standard internet protocol suite (TCP/IP) which is accessed through a system of hyperlinks known as the “World Wide Web” or simply the “Web.” While the present disclosure describes applications directed to one embodiment using the “Internet” and “World Wide Web”, the present disclosure is not limited by these descriptions, and applies to other internets and to other means of accessing such internets. 
         [0007]    In the “Internet of Things” the devices are uniquely identifiable objects whose status can be observed over the internet. Known internet based services for connected devices are point solutions that address mainly the operation and monitoring phase of the product lifecycle. In some instances, the services offered can include product information available through supporting web-portals. These known web-portals, are however, directed to an individual product or products provided by a single manufacturer. 
         [0008]    What is needed is a single unifying portal to support devices that come from different domains. Also, a portal, that can support different stakeholders by providing only relevant information and services that are specific to their needs is also needed. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0009]    In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided an internet solution center which provides product information and product services available through the web. The internet solution center is an online service and community internet-based platform to manage interactions between the various stakeholders of a particular product. In one embodiment, the stakeholders include the manufacturer, the installer, the end-user, and a user community, made of actual users of the product or in some case interested users of the product. The product/device is configured to be connected to the internet and upon connection becomes an active entity to support stakeholder interactions. 
         [0010]    The internet solution center provides support to users of the center throughout the lifecycle of a product. The lifecycle includes buying, installation, operation, monitoring, diagnostics and maintenance, and improvements from user data and feedback. 
         [0011]    Manufacturers that are registered users of the internet solutions center provide information related to a new device type, a class, a model, and other relevant static information including product serial number, other identification numbers, price, and any other information which the manufacturer believes would be useful to the stakeholders. 
         [0012]    Registered installers and/or third party distributors associate themselves with product models or classes and with particular instances of the same product models. In this way, services directed to individual product instances, and not necessarily the product model or class, are offered by the installers and/or third parties. 
         [0013]    In another embodiment, end users associate themselves with product instances. In this embodiment, a semantic knowledge database is provided and is directed to products and the different stake holders associated with the products. In another embodiment, a graphical depiction is provided to illustrate relationships between users of the same products, common installers, and problems encountered whether similar or dissimilar. 
         [0014]    The services offered to end users and also to other stake holders by the internet solution center are made particularly useful by utilizing the participation of all the stake-holders or community members combined with the functionality offered by the connected products. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is schematic block diagram of an architecture for a web solution center including an internet based product management system. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a schematic block diagram illustrating a procedure configured to provide the internet based product management system of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a flow diagram illustrating a process for internet based product management. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       [0018]    For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the embodiments disclosed herein, reference is now made to the drawings and descriptions in the following written specification. No limitation to the scope of the subject matter is intended by the references. The present disclosure also includes any alterations and modifications to the illustrated embodiments and includes further applications of the principles of the disclosed embodiments as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains. 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  illustrates a schematic block diagram of internet solutions center  100  including an internet based product management system  102 , here labeled as a core platform. Other embodiments of the product management system  102  are possible including those where the components described therein are separately located. The products management system  102  may be implemented on one or more servers. The product management system  102  is connected via an internet  105  to a plurality of connected devices  106 . Each of the plurality of connected devices  106  is located at user&#39;s or users&#39; point of placement and is specifically identifiable to distinguish one of the plurality of connected devices from any of the other plurality of connected devices. Each of the plurality of connected devices  106  provides one or more functions under control of the user(s). 
         [0020]    The plurality of connected devices  106 , in different embodiments, are connected through a network (not shown) which in different embodiments includes any number of different types of networks including one or more wide area network(s), intranets(s) or any other of distributed networks, such as a local area network, a satellite communication network, a public network, or a metropolitan area network. Transmission of information to and from connected devices  106  to the product management system  102 , in one or more embodiments, includes a wired or wireless link or any other known or later developed element that is capable of supplying electronic data to and from the connected elements. 
         [0021]    Each one of the plurality of connected devices  106  is operatively coupled to one of a plurality of wrappers  108 . A wrapper  108  includes a basic interface that enables a connected device  106  to communicate with the various functions provided by the product management system  102 . Each of the plurality of wrappers  108  includes software that functions to enable communication between the possible different types of connected devices  106  and the product management system  102 . While the wrappers are illustrated as being a component of the product management system  102 , in other embodiments, a wrapper  108  is implemented in a connected device itself. 
         [0022]    The product management system  102  also includes a Standardized Application Programming Interface (API) for Devices component  110  which includes software configured to provide access by a stakeholder to the connected devices  106 , which in one embodiment are heterogeneous devices accessible via the wrappers  108 . The API for devices component  110  is also configured to include a semantic representation of each of the possible connected devices  106 . The semantic representations are derived by identifying a device&#39;s inherent functions and parts content by its type or meaning. 
         [0023]    The product management system  102  includes a plurality of individual software building blocks that provide for the registration and management of users (including stakeholders), devices and services. These building blocks are considered core building blocks and include a stakeholder manager component  112 , a device manager component  114 , and a service manager component  116 . The stakeholder manager component  112  is configured to provide a register component  118  for registering at least the identity of a particular stakeholder, and a profile component  120  which is configured to include information relevant to the particular stakeholder including an identification of the connected device  106  associated with the identified stakeholder. The device manager component  114  is configured to provide for registration of a connected device through a registration component  122 , to provide a history of a registered device through a history component  124 , and to provide information of the connected device through an information component  126 . 
         [0024]    In one embodiment, the internet solutions center  100  is configured to provide remote monitoring and control of connected devices  106  and notification for updates of the status of connected devices including any abnormal behavior of the connected devices. These functions are provided by a device access and control component  130  and a notification component  132 . In another embodiment, additional advance services are implemented in a services component  141  together with device access and control component  130 , service manager component  116 , a notification component  132  and device information component in  126  which includes a diagnostics component, a maintenance component, and a scheduling of events component. 
         [0025]    The software architecture of the product management system  102  is configured to provide a common and unified service and community infrastructure for various stakeholders including home users, installers and other individuals or business entities having a legitimate interest in the connected devices  106 . An e-commerce component  134  provides device, spare parts, applications and services for sale, rent, or license. A social networks component  136  provides a community feature to enable peer to peer support for trouble shooting device malfunction. 
         [0026]    A service APIs for an individual businesses component  138  is a software abstraction that allows 3 rd  party partners and/or developers or business developers to provide additional value added services not included initially in the internet solutions center  100 . For example, each business unit, organization, or entity develops a product specific diagnostic service with domain knowledge. As a consequence, business units developing new or improved products, in one embodiment, provide diagnostic services as such products become available. As a result, the internet solutions center  100  includes the capability of providing information and support not only over the lifetime of a product, but also for providing new products. 
         [0027]    Also, the service APIs  138  is accessible by one or more user interface devices  140  such as a smart phone, a smart television, a web browser in PC, or a dedicated electronic device. A services component  141  enables remote access through the World Wide Web to the product management system  102 . In one embodiment, the user interface  140  includes a web browser. A security and privacy component  142  includes software building blocks to provide necessary authentication, authorization and privacy settings for the user, devices, and services. 
         [0028]      FIG. 2  illustrates one embodiment of a procedure  200  to associate stakeholders with products. As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the manufacturer provides a manufacturer product page  202  which when incorporated into the system  102  exists as a virtual entity on the internet solutions center  100 . The manufacturer product page includes any information the manufacturer finds relevant to the product, which in one embodiment, includes information related to device operation, device upkeep, and device troubleshooting in the event of a malfunction. The information is updated by the manufacturer. 
         [0029]    The manufacturer generates the product page  202  to which installers or other service providers (companies or individuals) associate themselves. In one embodiment, the product page  202  is located in the stakeholder manager component  112  of  FIG. 1 . Other locations of the product page  202  are possible within the system  102 . As seen in  FIG. 2 , one or more installers each provide a product page  204  directed to the specific product page provided by the manufacturer. The installers are not limited those companies that manufacture and install products, but also include entities that sell products or that maintain products but without being a manufacturer. In this configuration, the installers provide a product page including additional services, or even additional products which are included in the installation of the manufacturer&#39;s product. The installer product page includes installer specific information such as warranty information, special offer information, recommended maintenance schedules, appointment scheduling, and location information related to the product offered or installed. 
         [0030]    Individual device instances are provided upon installation of the product in the end user&#39;s facility or home. Each of the device instances are provided on an internet solution center selected according to the products sold to the end user. Once the device instances are provided, each of the device instances is summarized into a device page  206  which is associated with a specific device instance  208 . The device page is established in one embodiment, by scanning a product identification cade, such as a quick response code (QR) or near field communication code (NFC), or through manual registration available through the device page. Once a device is registered, an end user can make service requests to an associated installer or other service provider. 
         [0031]    The device page  206  is accessible by the user through the user interface  140  of  FIG. 1  and provides access to information provided by the manufacturer and/or installer. The device page  206  also provides to the installer and/or manufacturer access to a live operating status of the device, remote access to a device for updating features or accessing information stored on the device, or for providing remote services such as turning devices on or off, scheduling device operations, or updating device configurations. In one embodiment, internet based products management system  102  receives monitoring data from the device on a continuous or periodic basis. The monitoring data at least includes a status of the device. The notification component  132  may send a notification to an end-user, a manufacturer, or a service provider if the monitoring data suggests that there has been an error or malfunction of the device. In one embodiment, the products management system  102  may be configured to aggregate monitoring data from many device instances and to transmit the aggregated monitoring data to the manufacturer of the devices for analysis. 
         [0032]    In another embodiment, since individual device instances are associated with an end user or end users, installers and/or manufacturers only provide services or functions upon receipt of a request submitted by a user. Once the end user indicates that the particular service or function is requested, the installer and/or manufacturer provides the service/function and bills the end user. In this embodiment, a particular device instance is dynamically connected to services and/or functions provided by the manufacturer/installer upon selection by the user. A service history or a maintenance history may be kept and displayed on the device page  206 . In another embodiment, end users, manufacturers or service providers may use the device page  206  to control an operation of the device. 
         [0033]    By associating stake holders with products, one or more communities of installers and end users interact, not only individually, but also collectively, to solve problems or propose improvements. Consequently, the disclosed embodiments provide a social network of people and things. 
         [0034]    In one embodiment, the manufacturer and the end-user are the only stakeholders. In other embodiments, additional stakeholders become part of the internet solutions center depending on the configuration of the internet solutions center established by the manufacturers or maker of the internet solutions center. Additional stakeholders are included depending on the value chains provided by the businesses or individuals interested in becoming part of the internet solutions center. 
         [0035]      FIG. 3 . depicts a process  300  for product management. This process may be performed by a server that embodies the internet based products management system  102 . The process begins by receiving a registration for a device (block  304 ). The server receives the device registration over a network from, for example an end-user or installer. Next, the process  300  stores device data (block  308 ). The device data includes a product model identifier and a product instance identifier for the device and is stored in a memory of the server. This device data generally corresponds to a device page, such as the device page  206 . Next, the process  300  receives monitoring data from the device (block  312 ). The server receives monitoring data from the device over the network on a continuous or periodic basis during the lifespan of the device. The monitoring data at least includes a status of the device. Next, the process  300  stores the monitoring data in association with the device data (block  316 ). In this way, the monitoring data may recalled by the device page corresponding to the device data. Next, the process  300  optionally processes the monitoring data in order to generate new information (block  320 ). For example, in one embodiment the management system  102  processes the monitoring data to generate an energy cost prediction based on the monitoring data for the past week. Next, the process  300  transmits the monitoring data to a computing device configured to display the monitoring data and the new information on a user interface (block  324 ). The monitoring data and the new information are sent by the server over the network to the computing device so that an end-user or stakeholder can review the monitoring data from the device page. 
         [0036]    It will be appreciated that variants of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems, applications or methods directed to and used by a wide variety of stakeholders. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art that are also intended to be encompassed by the following embodiments. The following embodiments are provided as examples and are not intended to be limiting. 
       Embodiment 1 
       [0037]    An internet portal/platform configured to support the requirements of different stakeholders during the entire lifecycle of a product. Each stakeholder identified as a separate entity within the platform. 
       Embodiment 2 
       [0038]    An internet portal configured to provide support to different stakeholders for different product classes or models and to support specific product instances (e.g.: a dishwasher owned by User A is a separate instance from the same model of the dishwasher owned by User B) as a separate and active entity within the platform. 
       Embodiment 3 
       [0039]    A portal/platform configured to provide transferability of ownership, access rights, device access, services and/or solutions across stakeholders using identification technologies such as QR/barcode and NFC. 
       Embodiment 4 
       [0040]    A portal configured to provide registration and configuration solutions for the devices and services supported using identification technologies such as QR/barcode, NFC. 
       Embodiment 5 
       [0041]    A portal configured to support services and/or solutions and to maintain different stakeholder relationships in regard to these services and/or solutions. 
       Embodiment 6 
       [0042]    A portal configured to recommend services and/or solutions based on the different stakeholder profiles and relationships and/or device dependencies. 
       Embodiment 7 
       [0043]    A portal configured to provide social interaction (people and things) between stakeholders and also between products and stakeholders using social interaction technologies such as Facebook, Twitter, chat technologies, text messaging, E-mail technologies, voice mail, and direct voice communication. 
       Embodiment 8 
       [0044]    A platform configured to provide a mechanism for third parties to develop solutions and/or services within the portal. 
       Embodiment 9 
       [0045]    A platform configured to provide a mechanism for stakeholders to develop solutions and/or services within the portal. 
       Embodiment 10 
       [0046]    A portal configured to provide multiple modes of interaction such as speech, text, touch and through multiple types of devices such as a phone, a personal computer, a tablet device, and a television. 
       Embodiment 11 
       [0047]    A portal configured to support participation by a plurality of stakeholders and to utilize a collective intelligence that is provided by the stakeholder including for example discussions, ratings, and solutions. 
       Embodiment 12 
       [0048]    A portal configured to support electronic commerce as a part of a service, product, or parts component.