Patent Application
20090192835
The present invention generally relates to, but is not limited to, a computer-based structure and steps for managing a license associated with a molding structure, and more specifically the present invention relates to, but is not limited to, a method executable in an asset management entity associated with a proprietor of the molding structure, a method executable in a supervisory entity associated with the molding structure, the asset management entity, and the supervisory entity, amongst other things.
An issue for a molding material converter is the very high upfront investment costs for molding structure such as, for example, the molding structure associated with an injection molding system (e.g. the injection molding machine, mold, or hot runner).
An issue for a proprietor of the molding structure, be he the molding material converter or another entity (e.g. the manufacturer of the molding structure), is the lack of a business model, and related system with which to implement the business model, to salvage used molding structure (e.g. the mold or hot runner). Molding structures and related components that are made from steel and other expensive alloy materials are built to last typically much longer than they are required to run.
Another issue facing the proprietor of the molding structure is the lack of an apparatus and method for managing a license associated with the molding structure. For example, the proprietor of the molding structure may wish to place the molding structure with another entity for the operation thereof under terms of a license and yet there is no adequate means to police the license.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method executable in an asset management entity that includes a license management module. The asset management entity being associated with a proprietor of a molding structure and the molding structure for use by a molding material converter. The method includes a receiving operation, including receiving, over a communication network, an indication of a parameter of a license associated with the molding structure from a supervisory entity associated with the molding structure. The method also includes a generating operation, including generating a command signal in accordance with the indication, the command signal for causing the supervisory entity to execute an operation in accordance with the license. The method further includes a transmitting operation, including transmitting, over the communication network, the command signal to the supervisory entity.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method executable in a supervisory entity associated with a molding structure for use by a molding material converter. The method includes a sending operation, including sending, over a communication network, an indication of a parameter of a license associated with the molding structure to an asset management entity that includes a license management module. The asset management entity being associated with a proprietor of the molding structure. The method also includes an accepting operation, including accepting, over the communication network, a command signal from the asset management entity. The command signal being generatable in the asset management entity in accordance with the indication. The method further includes a producing operation, including producing an operation signal in accordance with the command signal for causing the molding structure to execute an operation in accordance with the license.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an asset management entity being associated with a proprietor of a molding structure. The molding structure for use by a molding material converter. The asset management entity includes a computing apparatus. The asset management entity also includes a computing apparatus interface associated with the computing apparatus. The computing apparatus interface is configured to operatively couple, in use, the computing apparatus to a communication network for communications with a supervisory entity associated with the molding structure. The computing apparatus is configured to execute, in use, a receiving operation, over the communication network, to receive an indication of a parameter of a license associated with the molding structure from the supervisory entity. The asset management entity also includes a license management module associated with the computing apparatus. The license management module is configured to execute, in use, a generating operation, to generate a command signal in accordance with the indication. The command signal for causing the supervisory entity to execute an operation in accordance with the license. The computing apparatus is configured to execute, in use, a transmitting operation, to transmit, over the communication network, the command signal to the supervisory entity.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a supervisory entity being associated with a molding structure. In addition, the computing device is configured to execute, in use, a accepting operation to accept, over the communication network, a command signal from the asset management entity. The command signal being generatable in the asset management entity in accordance with the indication. The computing device is configured to execute, in use, a producing operation to produce an operation signal in accordance with the command signal for causing the molding structure to execute an operation in accordance with the license.
A technical effect, amongst others, of the aspects of the present invention may include structure and/or steps for a proprietor of a molding structure to manage a license associated with the molding structure, the molding structure for operation by a molding material converter.
A better understanding of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention including alternatives and/or variations thereof may be obtained with reference to the detailed description of the exemplary embodiments along with the following drawings, in which:
The drawings are not necessarily to scale and are may be illustrated by phantom lines, diagrammatic representations and fragmentary views. In certain instances, details that are not necessary for an understanding of the exemplary embodiments or that render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted.
In the non-limiting embodiments of the present invention that follow, a computer implemented method and apparatus are provided for a proprietor of a molding structure to manage a license associated with the molding structure that has been placed with a molding material converter.
The proprietor may be, but not limited to, a manufacturer of the molding structure or any other entity that has assumed ownership of the molding structure.
The molding material converter is any entity that has possession of the molding structure for sake of using is to convert a molding material (e.g. a polymeric material, such as Polyethylene Terephthalate, or a metal alloy, such as a magnesium alloy) into a molded article.
As shown with reference to
As will be explained in detail to follow, a method and apparatus in accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention may be employed to implement a ‘pay-per-shot’ business model. The pay-per-shot business model solves at least some of the issues discussed in the background.
The pay-per-shot business model allows a proprietor of a molding structure to place the molding structure with a molding material converter, virtually free of charge, or at a lower cost as compared to the price they would pay for a new system, in exchange for a commitment from the molding material converter to pay the proprietor of the molding structure an incremental cost for each shot of molding material taken therewith. Accordingly, the fee per shot would be a parameter of a license, likely amongst many, associated with the molding structure. Once the molding structure is no longer required by the molding material converter it is simply recovered by the proprietor.
Optionally, the license may include other parameters agreed to by the proprietor and the molding material converter. An example of an additional license parameter may include a service parameter for services to be rendered by the proprietor, or agents acting on behalf thereof, in relation to the molding structure. The service may include, for example, shipment, installation, removal, or maintenance thereof. In the scenario where the license includes a maintenance parameter, a service entity associated with the proprietor may assume responsibility for maintaining the molding structure and any required spare part. Alternatively, the spare parts may be charged separately to the molding material converter. In such a scenario, the molding structure may be equipped with a means for identifying a maintenance requirement or to act as a trouble shooting tool to keep maintenance and travel costs for the proprietor to a minimum.
In addition, an automated invoicing and payment architecture may be provided. Invoicing may be established, for example, on the basis of the molding cycle count cycles, as discussed previously, and then invoiced automatically according to a schedule (e.g. once a week or month).
Once recovered from the molding material converter, the proprietor may optionally inspect the molding structure for serviceability, refurbish all or part of it, as required, and then re-use the molding structure, in whole, or in part. For example, wherein the molding structure is a hot runner, components thereof, including the base, manifolds and nozzles, may be salvaged for building another hot runner.
Accordingly, an underlying premise of the non-limiting embodiment of the pay-per-shot business model is that the proprietor of the molding structure takes care of the molding structure whereas the molding material converter takes care of operating it to make molded articles.
The foregoing is in sharp contrast to a sales model which requires a commitment from the molding material converter to pay for the molding structure in its entirety, or a leasing model, which requires the molding material provider to pay a predefined number of payments regardless of whether the molding structure is operated or not. It should be noted however that the inventor has recognized that the present invention could alternatively be implemented in managing a license associated with a molding structure that has been purchased or leased by the molding material converter.
Advantageously, the pay-per-shot business model is implemented in association with a molding structure that has been configured in accordance with a ‘flexible design’. A molding structure configured in accordance with a flexible design incorporates features that renders it readily reconfigurable to accommodate a range of configurations. Examples of flexible design are well known to those skilled in the art of molding. A non-limiting example of such a flexible design may be found in a hot runner having a manifold design that accommodates a range of nozzle drop arrangements i.e. spacing between groups of nozzles of an array thereof. An example of a hot runner having a flexible design is described with reference to U.S. Pat. No. 5,536,164 Inventor: BRUN, Charles et al.; Published: Jul. 16, 1996. The '164 patent teaches, amongst other things, the notion of a flexible manifold conduit for connecting a flow divider with manifold outlets. Such a flexible manifold conduit of could be easily re-shaped to accommodate a revised drop location. The flexible manifold runners are ideal because they can readily be re-positioned to new drop locations, if enough slack is provided. Additionally, a low strength manifold, such as one made with low grade steel or through free form fabrication, can be used in the production of such molded pieces requiring high pressure injection.
Further advantages may also be derived from configuring the hot runner to include an injection apparatus capable of injecting melt into a mold cavity at high pressure while utilizing a low pressure injection unit and manifold. Such an injection apparatus is the subject of co-pending and commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/931,106. The injection apparatus, or modified hot runner nozzle assembly includes a cavity contained within and defined by a housing. In operation, the cavity receives melt at low pressure via the low pressure manifold. When the cavity is appropriately filled with melt, a selectively closable valve intermediate to the low pressure manifold and the cavity closes, thereby isolating melt in the cavity. A plunger within the cavity is then driven forward increasing the pressure of the melt within the cavity and injecting melt in the mold cavity at high pressure. The valve prevents any substantial backflow of melt, and any substantial increase in the pressure of melt within, the low pressure manifold. A technical effect of the foregoing is the ability to reuse the low pressure manifold for a greater variety of applications i.e. hot runners having a wide range of operating pressures.
Notwithstanding the applicability of the method and apparatus of the present invention in realizing the foregoing pay-per-shot business model, the present invention is not so limited, and hence may be useful in the enforcement of any license associated with all varieties of molding structure.
With reference to
The command signal in accordance with the indication may be for causing the supervisory entity 150 to execute the operation in accordance with the license that is a locking operation or an unlocking operation of the molding structure 200.
The indication of the parameter of the license may include an account indication of an account parameter of the license. When the account indication being indicative of the license being in good standing, the command signal in accordance with the indication is an unlock command signal in accordance with the account indication. The unlock command signal for causing the supervisory entity 150 to execute the operation that is an unlocking operation of the molding structure 200 in accordance with the license, thereby causing the molding structure 200 to be operable. The license may be considered to be in good standing, for example, in association with the molding material converter 4 having paid the proprietor 2 for a total number of cycles that the molding structure 200 was operated by the molding material converter 4 over a period of time.
Likewise, the indication of the parameter of the license may include an account indication of the account parameter of the license, the account indication being indicative of the license being in arrears. In such a scenario, the command signal in accordance with the indication may include a lock command signal in accordance with the account indication. The lock command signal for causing the supervisory entity 150 to execute the operation that is a locking operation of the molding structure 200 in accordance with the license, thereby causing the molding structure 200 to be inoperable. The license may be considered to be in arrears, for example, in association with the molding material converter 4 having not paid the proprietor 2 for a total number of cycles that the molding structure 200 was operated by the molding material converter 4 over a period of time.
The asset management entity 110 may further include a configurating module 130. The computing apparatus 112 is configured to execute, in use, a demand receiving operation 408 to receive, over the communication network 102, a demand indication from the molding material converter 4. The demand indication is indicative of a demand for the molding structure 200 in accordance with a molding structure specification. The configurating module 130 is configured to execute, in use, a build generating operation 410 to generate a build command signal in response to the demand indication. The build command signal for causing a manufacturing entity 8 associated with the proprietor 2 to configure the molding structure 200 in accordance with the molding structure specification. The computing apparatus 112 is configured to execute, in use, a build transmitting operation 412 to transmit over the communication network 102, the build command signal to the manufacturing entity 8. The computing apparatus 112 is configured to execute, in use, a completion receiving operation 414 to receive, over the communication network 102, a completion indication from the manufacturing entity 8 that the molding structure 200 is ready for deploying to the molding material converter 4. The computing apparatus 112 is configured to execute, in use, a deploy generating operation 416 to generate a deploy command signal in response to the completion indication for causing a service entity 10 associated with the proprietor 2 to deploy the molding structure 200 to the molding material converter 4. The computing apparatus 112 is configured to execute, in use, a deploy transmitting operation 418 to transmit, in use, over the communication network 102, the deploy command signal to the service entity 10 for causing the service entity 10 associated with the proprietor 2 to deploy the molding structure 200 to the molding material converter 4.
The indication of the parameter of the license may include an acceptance indication of an acceptance parameter of the license. The acceptance indication is indicative of the molding structure 200, and the license associated therewith, having been accepted by the molding material converter 4. In such a scenario, the command signal in accordance with the indication includes an unlock command signal in accordance with the acceptance indication. The unlock command signal for causing the supervisory entity 150 to execute the operation that is an unlocking operation of the molding structure 200 in accordance with the license, thereby causing the molding structure 200 to be operable.
The asset management entity 110 may further include a master register 122 (e.g. a table in a database) associated with the license management module 120. The master register is configured to store a count and a period of time receivable from the client register 156 (i.e. a table in a database) associated with the supervisory entity 150. The license management module 120 is configured to execute, in use, an initialize generating operation 424 in accordance with the acceptance indication to generate a register-initialize command signal for causing an initializing (i.e. zeroing) of the client register 156 of the supervisory entity 150. The client register 156 for storing the count of a number of cycles that the molding structure 200 has been operated by the molding material converter 4 over the period of time. The register-initialize command signal also for causing an initializing of the master register 122. The computing apparatus 112 is configured to execute, in use, an initialize transmitting operation 420 to transmit, over the communication network 102, the register-initialize command signal to the supervisory entity 150.
The computing apparatus 112 may be configured to execute, in use, a period-report receiving operation 422 to receive, over the communication network 102, a period-report indication of a report parameter of the license from the supervisory entity 150. The period-report indication may be indicative, for example, of the count from the client register 156 over the period of time. The license management module 120 is configured to execute, in use, a store generating operation 426 to generate a store command signal in response to the period-report indication. The store command signal for causing storing of the count and the period of time in the master register 122.
The asset management entity 110 may further include a proprietor billing module 140. The proprietor billing module 140 is configured to execute, in use, a period-bill generating operation 432 to generate a period-bill command signal in response to the store command signal. The period-bill command signal for causing a calculation of a period amount of a currency that the molding material converter 4 will need to transmit to the proprietor 2. The calculating may be based, for example, on at least one of the count and the period of time stored in the master register 122 and a compensation parameter of the license. The computing apparatus 112 is configured to execute, in use, a period-bill transmitting operation 428 to transmit, over the communication network 102, a period-bill request signal to a molding material converter financial entity 12. The period-bill request signal is indicative of the period amount of the currency due and terms of payment. The compensation parameter of the license may include, for example, a specified amount of the currency per molding cycle and/or per unit of time that the molding structure 200 is with the molding material converter 4.
The computing apparatus 112 may be further configured to execute, in use, a cycle-credit receiving operation 430 to receive, over the communication network 102, a cycle-credit indication of the report parameter of the license from the supervisory entity 150. The cycle-credit indication is indicative of a cycle-credit count for which the molding material converter 4 is not responsible. The proprietor billing module 140 is configured to execute, in use, adjusted-bill generating operation 436 to generate the period-bill command signal wherein the calculation further based on subtracting the cycle-credit count from the count. In this way, the molding material converter would not have to pay for cycles of the molding structure under certain conditions. Such conditions may include, for example, faulty operation of the molding structure when the fault does not lie with the molding material converter (e.g. faulty molding structure).
The computing apparatus 112 may be further configured to execute, in use, a period-payment receiving operation 434 to receive, over the communication network 102, a period-payment indication of the compensation parameter of the license from a proprietor financial entity 6. The period-payment indication is indicative that the period amount of the currency from the molding material converter financial entity 12 has been received in accordance with the terms of payment. The license management module 120 is configured to execute, in use, an renew generating operation 440 to generate a renew command signal in accordance with the period-payment indication for causing an indexing of the master register 122. Indexing of the master register 122 allows for an indexed storing of the count and the period of time subsequently receivable from the supervisory entity 150 (e.g. entering further values in the table).
Likewise, the computing apparatus 112 may be further configured to execute, in use, a non-payment receiving indication 454 to receive, over the communication network 102, a non-payment indication of the compensation parameter of the license from a proprietor financial entity 6. The non-payment indication is indicative that the period amount of the currency from the molding material converter financial entity 12 has not been received in accordance with the terms of payment. Under such a circumstance, the license management module 120 is configured to execute, in use, a lock generating operation 458 to generate a lock command signal in accordance with the non-payment indication. The lock command signal for causing the supervisory entity 150 to execute the operation that is a locking operation of the molding structure 200 in accordance with a penalty parameter of the license, thereby causing the molding structure 200 to be inoperable and thereby suspending the license. The proprietor billing module 140 is configured to execute, in use, penalty-bill generating operation 464 to generate a penalty-bill command signal in response to the non-payment indication. The penalty-bill command signal for causing the calculation of a penalty amount of the currency that the molding material converter 4 will need to transmit to the proprietor 2 in accordance with the terms of the license. The computing apparatus 112 is configured to execute, in use, a penalty-bill transmitting operation 460 to transmit, over the communication network 102, a penalty-bill request signal to the molding material converter financial entity 12, the penalty-bill request signal is indicative of the penalty amount of the currency due and the terms of payment. Accordingly, the proprietor billing module 140 is configured to execute, in use, a penalty-payment receiving operation 462 to receive, over the communication network 102, a penalty-payment indication from the proprietor financial entity 6. The penalty-payment indication is indicative that the penalty amount of the currency from the molding material converter financial entity 12 has been received in accordance with the terms of payment. The license management module 120 is configured to execute, in use, a renew generating operation 466 to generate a renew command signal in accordance with the penalty-payment indication for causing an indexing of the master register 122 for storing the count and the period of time subsequently receivable from the supervisory entity 150. The license management module 120 is configured to execute, in use, a unlock generating operation 468 generates the unlock command signal in accordance with the penalty-payment indication. The unlock command signal for causing the supervisory entity 150 to execute the operation that is the unlocking operation of the molding structure 200 in accordance with the license, thereby restoring the license and causing the molding structure 200 to be once again operable.
The computing apparatus 112 may be further configured to execute, in use, a decommission receiving operation 438 to receive, over the communication network 102, a decommission indication from the molding material converter 4. The decommission indication is indicative of the molding structure 200 being decommissioned by the molding material converter 4. The computing apparatus 112 is configured to execute, in use, a recovery generating operation 444 to generate a recovery command signal in response to the decommission indication for causing the service entity 10 associated with the proprietor 2 to recover the molding structure 200 from the molding material converter 4. Accordingly, the computing apparatus 112 may be further configured to execute, in use, a recovery receiving operation 442 to receive, over the communication network 102, a recovery indication from the service entity 10. The recovery indication is indicative of a recovery of the molding structure 200 by the proprietor 2.
The computing apparatus 112 may be further configured to execute, in use, an inspect generating operation 450 to generate an inspect command signal in response to the recovery indication. The inspect command signal for causing the manufacturing entity 8 to inspect the molding structure 200 for reusability. The computing apparatus 112 is configured to execute, in use, an inspect transmitting operation 446 to transmit, over the communication network 102, the inspect command signal to the manufacturing entity 8. The computing apparatus 112 is configured to execute, in use, a inspection receiving operation 448 to receive, over the communication network 102, an inspection indication from the manufacturing entity 8. The inspection indication is indicative of a refurbishment requirement of the molding structure 200.
The computing apparatus 112 may be further configured to execute, in use, a refurbishment generating operation 456 to generate a refurbishment command signal in response to the inspection indication. The refurbishment command signal for causing the manufacturing entity 8 to refurbish the molding structure 200, at least in part, in accordance with the refurbishment requirement. The computing apparatus 112 is configured to execute, in use, a refurbishment receiving operation 452 to receive, over the communication network 102, a refurbishment indication from the manufacturing entity 8. The refurbishment indication is indicative of the molding structure 200, at least in part, having been refurbished in accordance with the refurbishment requirement. The refurbished molding structure, in whole, or in part, in then ready for deployment as another molding structure.
Of course, the molding structure may be operated by the molding material converter to the point that the molding structure is considered to be fully depreciated. Under such a scenario, the license management module 120 may be further configured to execute, in use, a summary generating operation 470 to generate a summary command signal in response to the store command signal. The summary command signal for causing a calculating of a total cycle count based on a sum of the count indexed in the master register 122 since the master register 122 was initialized. Likewise, the summary command signal for causing a total service time based on a further sum of the period of time entries indexed in the master register 122 since the master register 122 was initialized. The license management module 120 is configured to execute, in use, a lock generating operation 472 to generate a lock command signal in accordance with at least one of the total cycle count reaching a maximum service count parameter associated with the license and/or the total service time reaching a maximum service time parameter associated with the license. The lock command signal for causing the supervisory entity 150 to execute the operation that is a locking operation of the molding structure 200 in accordance with the license, thereby causing the molding structure 200 to be inoperable thereby canceling the license. At this point the molding material converter could choose to either return the depreciated molding structure or to purchase it. Accordingly, the proprietor billing module 140 is configured to execute, in use, a sale generating operation 476 to generate a sale command signal, the sale command signal for causing a calculating of a residual amount of a currency that the molding material converter 4 will need to transmit to the proprietor 2 in order to purchase the molding structure 200 in accordance with a residual-value parameter of the license. The computing apparatus 112 is configured execute, in use, a residual-bill transmitting operation 474 to transmit, over the communication network 102, a residual-bill request signal to a molding material converter financial entity 12, the residual-bill request signal is indicative of the residual amount of the currency.
Optionally, the proprietor may agree to conduct maintenance, routine or otherwise, on the molding structure while it is in use by the molding material converter. Under such a scenario, the computing apparatus 112 may be further configured to execute, in use, a maintenance receiving operation 480 to receive, over the communication network 102, a maintenance indication from the supervisory entity 150. The maintenance indication is indicative of a maintenance requirement of the molding structure 200. The computing apparatus 112 is configured to execute, in use, maintenance generating operation 486 to generate a maintenance command signal in response to the maintenance indication. The maintenance command signal for causing a service entity 10 associated with the proprietor 2 to service the molding structure 200 in accordance with the maintenance requirement. The computing apparatus 112 is configured to execute, in use, a maintenance transmitting operation 484 to transmit, over the communication network 102, the maintenance command signal to the service entity 10.
As a component of the maintenance agreement, or simply as a means to protect the molding structure in the face of the maintenance indication, the license management module 120 may be configured to execute, in use, a lock generating operation 490 to generate a lock command signal in accordance with the maintenance indication. The lock command signal for causing the supervisory entity 150 to execute the operation that is the locking operation of the molding structure 200 in accordance with the license, thereby causing the molding structure 200 to be inoperable and thereby preventing damage to the molding structure 200. The computing apparatus 112 is configured to execute, in use, a serviced receiving operation 488 to receive, over the communication network 102, a serviced indication from the service entity 10, the serviced indication is indicative of the maintenance requirement of the molding structure 200 having been addressed. The license management module 120 is configured to execute, in use, a unlock generating operation 492 to generate an unlock command signal in accordance with the serviced indication. The unlock command signal for causing the supervisory entity 150 to execute the operation that is the unlocking operation of the molding structure 200 in accordance with the license, thereby causing the molding structure 200 to be operable.
Any monetary cost incurred by the proprietor in providing the maintenance to the molding structure may be handled in any manner. For instance, the cost may be waived, included as a component of the compensation parameter (i.e. as a portion of the specified amount of the currency per molding cycle and/or per unit of time), or separately invoiced. With the latter, the proprietor billing module 140 is configured to execute, in use, a maintenance-bill generating operation 498 to generate a maintenance-bill command signal in response to the serviced indication. The maintenance-bill command signal for causing a calculating of a maintenance amount of a currency that the molding material converter 4 will need to transmit to the proprietor 2 for addressing the maintenance requirement of the molding structure 200 in accordance with a maintenance parameter of the license. The computing apparatus 112 is configured to execute, in use, a maintenance-bill transmitting operation 494 to transmit, over the communication network 102, a maintenance-bill request signal to a molding material converter financial entity 12. The maintenance-bill request signal is indicative of the maintenance amount of the currency due and terms of payment.
The computing apparatus 112 may be further configured to execute, in use, a maintenance-payment receiving operation 496 to receive, over the communication network 102, a maintenance-payment indication of the parameter of the license from a proprietor financial entity 6. The maintenance-payment indication is indicative that the maintenance amount of the currency from the molding material converter financial entity 12 has not been received in accordance with the terms of payment. The license management module 120 is configured to execute, in use, a further lock generating operation 499 to generate the lock command signal in accordance with the maintenance-payment indication. The lock command signal for causing the supervisory entity 150 to execute the operation that is the locking operation of the molding structure 200 in accordance with a penalty parameter of the license, thereby causing the molding structure 200 to be inoperable.
The supervisory entity 150 includes a computing device 152. A computing device interface 154 is associated with the computing device 152. The computing device interface 154 is configured to operatively couple, in use, the computing device 152 to a communication network 102 for communications with an asset management entity 110 associated with a proprietor 2 of the molding structure 200. The computing device 152 is configured to execute, in use, a sending operation 502 (reference
The operation signal in accordance with the command signal may be for causing a locking structure 160 associated with the molding structure 200 to execute the operation in accordance with the license that is one of a locking operation or an unlocking operation of the molding structure 200.
That is, the operation signal in accordance with the command signal may include an unlocking operation signal in accordance with the unlock command signal, the unlocking operation signal for causing a locking structure 160 associated with the molding structure 200 to execute the operation that is an unlocking operation of the molding structure 200 in accordance with the license, thereby causing the molding structure 200 to be operable.
Likewise, the operation signal in accordance with the command signal may include a locking operation signal in accordance with the lock command signal, the locking operation signal for causing a locking structure 160 associated with the molding structure 200 to execute the operation that is a locking operation of the molding structure 200 in accordance with the license, thereby causing the molding structure 200 to be inoperable.
The computing device 152 may further include a user interface (not shown). The user interface is configured to accept the acceptance indication of the acceptance parameter of the license, recalling that the acceptance indication is indicative of the molding structure 200, and the license associated therewith, having been accepted by the molding material converter 4.
As introduced previously, the supervisory entity 150 may further include the client register 156 for storing the count of the number of cycles that the molding structure 200 has been operated by the molding material converter 4 over the period of time. The computing device 152 is configured to execute, in use, an initialize accepting operation 508 to accept, over the communication network 102, the register-initialize command signal from the asset management entity 110. The computing device 152 is further configured to execute, in use, an initialize producing operation 510 to produce a client register-initialize operation signal for causing an initializing of the client register 156 of the supervisory entity 150.
As introduced previously, the computing device 152 may be configured to execute, in use, a period-report producing operation 512 to produce the period-report indication of the report parameter of the license, the period-report indication is indicative of the count from the client register 156 over the period of time. The computing device 152 is configured to execute, in use, a period-report sending operation 514 to send, over the communication network 102, the period-report indication to the asset management entity 110.
Likewise, the computing device 152 is configured to execute, in use, the period-report producing operation 512, in response to at least one of the count and the period of time reaching predefined values of a reporting count threshold and a reporting time threshold, respectively.
The computing device 152 may be further configured to execute, in use, a decommission producing operation 516 to produce a decommission indication. The decommission indication is indicative of the molding structure 200 being decommissioned by the molding material converter 4. The user interface may be configured to accept the decommission indication from the molding material converter 4. Alternatively, the computing device 152 may be configured to generate the decommission indication automatically on the basis of a trigger associated with a license parameter. Accordingly, the computing device 152 is configured to execute, in use, a decommission sending operation 518 to send, over the communication network 102, the decommission indication to the asset management entity 110.
The computing device 152 may be further configured to execute, in use, a monitor accepting operation 520 to accept, over the communication network 102, a monitor signal from a sensor 158 associated with the molding structure 200. The monitor signal is indicative of a maintenance requirement of the molding structure 200. The computing device 152 is configured to execute, in use, a maintenance producing operation 522 to produce a maintenance indication in response to the monitor signal. The maintenance indication is indicative of the maintenance requirement of the molding structure 200. The computing device 152 is configured to execute, in use, a maintenance sending operation 524 to send, over the communication network 102, the maintenance indication to the asset management entity 110.
In the foregoing non-limiting embodiment, the computing apparatus interface 114, the license management module 120, the configurating module 130, and the proprietor billing module 140 may be integral to the computing apparatus 112. Alternatively, for example, any one, or all, of the computing apparatus interface 114, the license management module 120, the configurating module 130, and the proprietor billing module 140 may be realized in a separate computing structure that is linked (e.g. cable, wireless, etc.) to the computing apparatus 112.
Shown with reference to
The operation in accordance with the license may include, for example, the locking operation or the unlocking operation of the molding structure 200.
The receiving of the indication of the parameter of the license may be the receiving the account indication of the account parameter of the license, the account indication being indicative of the license being in good standing. In such a scenario, the generating the command signal in accordance with the indication includes generating the unlock command signal in accordance with the account indication. The unlock command signal for causing the supervisory entity 150 to execute the operation that is the unlocking operation of the molding structure 200 in accordance with the license, thereby causing the molding structure 200 to be operable.
Likewise, the account indication may alternatively be indicative of the license being in arrears. In such a scenario, the generating the command signal in accordance with the indication includes generating the lock command signal in accordance with the account indication. The lock command signal for causing the supervisory entity 150 to execute the operation that is the locking operation of the molding structure 200 in accordance with the license, thereby causing the molding structure 200 to be inoperable.
With reference to
The deployment sub-routine 401 may further include the install-bill generating operation 482, including generating the install-bill command signal in response to the acceptance indication. The install-bill command signal for causing the calculating of the installation amount of the currency that the molding material converter 4 will need to transmit to the proprietor 2 for the installation of the molding structure 200 at the molding material converter 4 by the proprietor 2. The install-bill transmitting operation 478, including transmitting, over the communication network 102, the install-bill request signal to the molding material converter financial entity 12, the install-bill request signal is indicative of the installation amount of the currency due and terms of payment.
The receiving of the indication of the parameter of the license may be the receiving the acceptance indication of the acceptance parameter of the license. The acceptance indication is indicative of the molding structure 200, and the license associated therewith, having been accepted by the molding material converter 4. The generating the command signal in accordance with the indication includes generating the unlock command signal in accordance with the acceptance indication. The unlock command signal for causing the supervisory entity 150 to execute the operation that is the unlocking operation of the molding structure 200 in accordance with the license, thereby causing the molding structure 200 to be operable.
With reference to
The period sub-routine 403 may further include the period-report receiving operation 422, including receiving, over the communication network 102, the period-report indication of the report parameter of the license from the supervisory entity 150. The period-report indication is indicative of the count from the client register 156 over the period of time. The store generating operation 426, including generating the store command signal in response to the period-report indication, the store command signal for causing storing of the count and the period of time in the master register 122. The period-report indication may be generatable in the supervisory entity 150 in response to at least one of the count and the period of time reaching predefined values of the reporting count threshold and the reporting time threshold, respectively.
The period sub-routine 403 may further include the period-bill generating operation 432, including generating the period-bill command signal in response to the store command signal. The period-bill command signal for causing the calculating of the period amount of the currency that the molding material converter 4 will need to transmit to the proprietor 2 for use of the molding structure over the period. The calculating may be based, for example, on one, or both of, the count and the period of time stored in the master register 122 and the compensation parameter of the license. The period-bill transmitting operation 428, including transmitting, over the communication network 102, the period-bill request signal to the molding material converter financial entity 12, the period-bill request signal is indicative of the period amount of the currency due and terms of payment. The compensation parameter of the license may include, for example, the specified amount of the currency for one of, or both of, each cycle of the molding structure 200 taken by the molding material converter 4, the unit of time that the molding structure 200 is with the molding material converter 4.
The period sub-routine 403 may further include the period-payment receiving operation 434, including receiving, over the communication network 102, the period-payment indication of the compensation parameter of the license from the proprietor financial entity 6. The period-payment indication is indicative that the period amount of the currency from the molding material converter financial entity 12 has been received in accordance with the terms of payment. The renew generating operation 440, including generating the renew command signal in accordance with the period-payment indication for causing the indexing of the master register 122 for the indexed storing of the count and the period of time subsequently receivable from the supervisory entity 150.
With reference to
With reference to
The suspend sub-routine 405 may further include the penalty-payment receiving operation 462, including receiving, over the communication network 102, the penalty-payment indication from the proprietor financial entity 6. The penalty-payment indication is indicative that the penalty amount of the currency from the molding material converter financial entity 12 has been received in accordance with the terms of payment. The renew generating operation 466, including generating the renew command signal in accordance with the penalty-payment indication for causing the indexing of the master register 122 for storing the count and the period of time subsequently receivable from the supervisory entity 150. The unlock generating operation 468, including generating the unlock command signal in accordance with the penalty-payment indication. The unlock command signal for causing the supervisory entity 150 to execute the operation that is the unlocking operation of the molding structure 200 in accordance with the license, thereby causing the molding structure 200 to be operable.
With reference to
The retire sub-routine 407 may further include the summary generating operation 470, including generating the summary command signal in response to the store command signal, the summary command signal for causing the calculating of the total cycle count based on the sum of the count indexed in the master register 122 since the master register 122 was initialized. The total service time based on the further sum of the period of time entries indexed in the master register 122 since the master register 122 was initialized. The lock generating operation 472, including generating the lock command signal in accordance with at least one of: the total cycle count reaching the maximum service count parameter associated with the license; and the total service time reaching the maximum service time parameter associated with the license. The lock command signal for causing the supervisory entity 150 to execute the operation that is the locking operation of the molding structure 200 in accordance with the license, thereby causing the molding structure 200 to be inoperable thereby canceling the license.
The retire sub-routine 407 may further include the sale generating operation 476, including generating the sale command signal, the sale command signal for causing the calculating of the residual amount of the currency that the molding material converter 4 will need to transmit to the proprietor 2 in order to purchase the molding structure 200 in accordance with the residual-value parameter of the license. The residual-bill transmitting operation 474, including transmitting, over the communication network 102, the residual-bill request signal to the molding material converter financial entity 12. The residual-bill request signal is indicative of the residual amount of the currency.
With reference to
The decommission sub-routine 409 may further include the recovery receiving operation 442, including receiving, over the communication network 102, the recovery indication from the service entity 10, the recovery indication is indicative of the recovery of the molding structure 200 by the proprietor 2. The inspect generating operation 450, including generating the inspect command signal in response to the recovery indication, the inspect command signal for causing the manufacturing entity 8 to inspect the molding structure 200 for reusability. The inspect transmitting operation 446, including transmitting, over the communication network 102, the inspect command signal to the manufacturing entity 8. The inspect receiving operation 448, including receiving, over the communication network 102, the inspection indication from the manufacturing entity 8. The inspection indication is indicative of the refurbishment requirement of the molding structure 200.
The decommission sub-routine 409 may further include the refurbishment generating operation 456, including generating the refurbishment command signal in response to the inspection indication. The refurbishment command signal for causing the manufacturing entity 8 to refurbish the molding structure 200, at least in part, in accordance with the refurbishment requirement. The refurbishment receiving operation 452, including receiving, over the communication network 102, the refurbishment indication from the manufacturing entity 8. The refurbishment indication is indicative of the molding structure 200, at least in part, having been refurbished in accordance with the refurbishment requirement.
With reference to
The maintenance sub-routine 411 may further include the lock generating operation 490, including generating the lock command signal in accordance with the maintenance indication. The lock command signal for causing the supervisory entity 150 to execute the operation that is the locking operation of the molding structure 200 in accordance with the license, thereby causing the molding structure 200 to be inoperable and thereby preventing damage to the molding structure 200. The serviced receiving operation 488, including receiving, over the communication network 102, the serviced indication from the service entity 10. The serviced indication is indicative of the maintenance requirement of the molding structure 200 having been addressed. The unlock generating operation 492, including generating the unlock command signal in accordance with the serviced indication. The unlock command signal for causing the supervisory entity 150 to execute the operation that is the unlocking operation of the molding structure 200 in accordance with the license, thereby causing the molding structure 200 to be operable.
The maintenance sub-routine 411 may further includes the maintenance-bill generating operation 498, including generating the maintenance-bill command signal in response to the serviced indication. The maintenance-bill command signal for causing the calculating of the maintenance amount of the currency that the molding material converter 4 will need to transmit to the proprietor 2 for addressing the maintenance requirement of the molding structure 200 in accordance with the maintenance parameter of the license. The maintenance-bill transmitting operation 494, including transmitting, over the communication network 102, the maintenance-bill request signal to the molding material converter financial entity 12. The maintenance-bill request signal is indicative of the maintenance amount of the currency due and terms of payment.
The maintenance sub-routine 411 may further include the maintenance-payment receiving operation 496, including receiving, over the communication network 102. The maintenance-payment indication of the parameter of the license from the proprietor financial entity 6. The maintenance-payment indication is indicative that the maintenance amount of the currency from the molding material converter financial entity 12 has not been received in accordance with the terms of payment. The lock generating operation 499, including generating the lock command signal in accordance with the maintenance-payment indication. The lock command signal for causing the supervisory entity 150 to execute the operation that is the locking operation of the molding structure 200 in accordance with the penalty parameter of the license, thereby causing the molding structure 200 to be inoperable.
Shown with reference to
The operation in accordance with the license may include one of the locking operation or the unlocking operation of the molding structure 200.
The sending of the indication of the parameter of the license may include sending the account indication of the account parameter of the license. In the scenario that the account indication being indicative of the license being in good standing, the accepting the command signal from the asset management entity 110 includes accepting the unlock command signal in accordance with the account indication. The producing the operation signal in accordance with the command signal includes producing the unlocking operation signal in accordance with the unlock command signal, the unlocking operation signal for causing the operation that is the unlocking operation of the molding structure 200 in accordance with the license, thereby causing the molding structure 200 to be operable.
Likewise, the account indication may be indicative of the license being in arrears. In such a scenario, the accepting the command signal from the asset management entity 110 includes accepting the lock command signal in accordance with the account indication. The producing the operation signal in accordance with the command signal includes producing the locking operation signal in accordance with the lock command signal. The locking operation signal for causing the operation that is the locking operation of the molding structure 200 in accordance with the license, thereby causing the molding structure 200 to be inoperable.
Alternatively, the sending of the indication of the parameter of the license includes sending the acceptance indication of the acceptance parameter of the license. The acceptance indication is indicative of the molding structure 200, and the license associated therewith, having been accepted by the molding material converter 4. The accepting the command signal from the asset management entity 110 includes accepting the unlock command signal in accordance with the acceptance indication. The producing the operation signal in accordance with the command signal includes producing the unlocking operation signal in accordance with the unlock command signal. The unlocking operation signal for causing the operation that is the unlocking operation of the molding structure 200 in accordance with the license, thereby causing the molding structure 200 to be operable.
With reference to
The period-report sub-routine 501 may further include the period-report producing operation 512, including producing the period-report indication of the report parameter of the license. The period-report indication is indicative of the count from the client register 156 over the period of time. The period-report sending operation 514, including sending, over the communication network 102, the period-report indication to the asset management entity 110 for causing the store command signal to be generated in the asset management entity 110 in response to the period-report indication. The store command signal for causing storing of the count and the period of time in the master register 122 of the license management module 120.
The period-report indication may be generated in response to at least one of the count and the period of time reaching predefined values of the reporting count threshold and the reporting time threshold, respectively.
With reference to
With reference to
The description of the exemplary embodiments provides examples of the present invention, and these examples do not limit the scope of the present invention. It is understood that the scope of the present invention is limited by the claims. The concepts described above may be adapted for specific conditions and/or functions, and may be further extended to a variety of other applications that are within the scope of the present invention. Having thus described the exemplary embodiments, it will be apparent that modifications and enhancements are possible without departing from the concepts as described. Therefore, what is to be protected by way of letters patent are limited only by the scope of the following claims:
