Smart products lifecycle management platform
Inventors
Assignees
Publication Number
US-11537390-B2
Publication Date
2022-12-27
Expiration Date
2038-12-20
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Abstract
A Smart Products Lifecycle Management (sPLM) system that is built upon the smart component data model and the NPD3 process model, is enabling engineers, data scientists, and other stakeholders to collaborate on a common platform to develop smart products. The sPLM system is validated by applying it to unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) development and operations, referred to as UsPLM. The UsPLM has shared lifecycle management functions that are provided as web services and can be applied to all digital models of UAS devices, software, autonomy functions, and missions. The individual models can be versioned, tracked, and be composed with other compatible models, if needed. The rule and scoring engines embedded in the UsPLM allow building and executing configuration rules, regulation rules, and various machine-learning models. This facilitates modular UAS architecture design so that the UAS has the flexibility to be reconfigured for various mission applications.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a smart products lifecycle management (sPLM) system built upon a smart component data model and an integrated process model (NPD3), enabling cross-disciplinary stakeholders to collaborate on a common platform for developing smart products. This system manages both physical components and analytics models as modular units, allowing them to be composed, reused, traced, maintained, and replaced as needed. The architecture incorporates a product application running on the smart product, a remote product lifecycle management system with embedded rule and scoring engines, and a repository that stores both component data and analytic models, including their revisions and behavioral modifications over time.
The invention addresses the limitations of conventional product lifecycle management platforms that focus primarily on physical products and do not support the intensive data analytics needs of smart products. By integrating analytics models into product master records and enabling lifecycle management for both physical and analytic components, the sPLM system supports version control, composition, and dynamic modification in response to product use. This coordinated lifecycle management enables smart products to evolve by updating analytic models and configurations dynamically throughout their operational life.
The sPLM system is validated through its application to unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), creating the UsPLM platform. UsPLM provides web service-based lifecycle functions applicable to digital models of UAS devices, software, autonomy functions, and missions. Individual models can be versioned, tracked, and composed with compatible models. Rule and scoring engines enable the building and execution of configuration rules, regulation rules, and various machine-learning models, supporting modular design and flexible reconfiguration of UAS architectures for diverse mission applications.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes two independent claims: one for a system for managing a smart product and one for a corresponding method. Each claim covers inventive features in the structure and operation of the smart product lifecycle management platform.
System for managing a smart product
A system comprising: - A product application installed on a processor of the smart product, containing data describing physical components and analytic models, where at least one analytic model is modified over time by the application in response to use, altering smart product operation. - A remotely located product lifecycle management system (PLM) in communication with the product application, programmed with a rule engine for modeling smart product operation and a scoring engine for assessing it based on the rule engine's modeling. - A repository communicating with both the product application and PLM, storing data and analytic models, such that the repository includes updates to analytic models made by the product application in response to smart product use.
Method for managing a smart product
A method including: 1. Installing a product application on the smart product, with a set of data describing physical components and analytic models, wherein at least one analytic model is modified over time by the application in response to use to change product operation; a product lifecycle management system positioned remotely and in communication with the product application, with a rule engine and scoring engine as previously described; and a repository in communication with both, storing both physical data and analytic models—including modifications made in response to use. 2. Updating the product lifecycle management system and the repository with any changes to the analytic models governing operation of the smart product.
The inventive features center on integrating physical and analytic model data, supporting dynamic, use-based modification of analytic models, remote management via a rule and scoring engine, and synchronized storage, both in system architecture and management method.
Stated Advantages
The platform enables multidisciplinary stakeholders, such as engineers and data scientists, to collaborate effectively on a common lifecycle management system for smart products.
Physical components and analytics models can be modularized, composed, reused, traced, maintained, and replaced on demand, enhancing flexibility and adaptability.
Rule and scoring engines within the system facilitate building and executing configuration rules, regulation rules, and various machine-learning models.
Modular architecture design allows smart products, such as unmanned aircraft systems, to be easily reconfigured for various mission applications, supporting mission flexibility.
Versioning, tracking, and composition of individual models are supported, allowing change management and traceability across the product lifecycle.
Integration of analytics model lifecycle management with product lifecycle management addresses the limitations of conventional PLM systems for smart, data-driven products.
Documented Applications
Development and lifecycle management of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), including devices, software, autonomy functions (such as navigation, guidance, and control), and mission planning.
Implementation in a CNC machine equipped with power prediction analytics models for monitoring and proactive energy management in machining operations.
Water quality sampling applications using UAS platforms to conduct measurements in hazardous or inaccessible environments.
Aerial survey applications such as local lake surveys and university campus exploration, leveraging modular analytics for path planning and obstacle avoidance.
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