Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for manufacturing products having custom graphic designed are disclosed. A method may comprise printing a first order identifier graphic on a substrate material, the first order identifier graphic associated with a first order for a first set of products, printing a first set of one or more graphic designs on the material, the first set of one or more graphic designs associated with the first order, and combining the material with one or more product components to form a first set of products, each of the first set of products being associated with the first customer order and at least one of the products of the first set of products comprising the first order identifier graphic. The method may further comprise packaging the first set of products in a first package wherein the first order identifier graphic is visible through the first package.

Abstract: An industrial internet of things system for intelligent production control is provided, comprising: a user platform, a service platform, a management platform, a sensor network platform, and an object platform. The user platform modifies production line parameters based on an instruction of the user, generates a first instruction, and sends it to the management platform through the transformation of the service platform. The object platform collects production link data of each production link of products and transmits it to the management platform. The management platform modifies work order parameters based on a second instruction transformed by the service platform, generates a third instruction, and determines whether devices corresponding to the plurality of production links are abnormal based on the production link data.

Abstract: A network-based communication fulfillment system includes a communication resource allocation server configured to receive a request for a communication service from a business user, wherein the communication service includes electronic communications and physical mailing pieces to be sent to recipients, an intelligent communication design server that can automatically create designs for the electronic communications and the physical mailing pieces, a communication server that can transmit the electronic communications to the recipients, and one or more product fulfillment centers that can print and finish the physical mailing pieces to be mailed to the recipients.

Abstract: A dispensing system includes a frame, a support coupled to the frame, a dispensing unit configured to dispense viscous material, and a gantry assembly coupled to the frame. The gantry assembly includes a gantry configured to support the dispensing unit and to move the dispensing unit in x-axis, y-axis and z-axis directions and a tilt and rotate subassembly configured to tilt and rotate the dispensing unit. The dispensing system further includes a controller configured to control dispensing unit and the gantry assembly to perform a dispense operation on the electronic substrate. The controller is configured to control the dispensing unit to dispense material from the nozzle of the dispensing unit at a flow rate configured to deposit a desired amount or density of material on the electronic substrate along a three-dimensional path.

Abstract: An inspection apparatus includes a portable housing and at least one handle structure integrally formed with the portable housing. The inspection apparatus further includes a vision data system, a lighting system, a user interface system, a wireless communication system, and a controller. The vision data system includes one or more cameras provided on the first face of the portable housing. The vision data system is operable to capture component data. The lighting system is arranged with the vision data system at the first face. The lighting system includes diffused light emitting diode (LED) ring arranged around at least one of the one or more cameras. The manufacturing inspection apparatus is a stand-alone and all-in-one computing device. The manufacturing inspection apparatus processes and stores inspection data locally.

Abstract: First information corresponding to a radio signal received at a first sensing device from a candidate location is obtained. Second information corresponding to a radio signal received at a second sensing device from the candidate location is obtained. A first relationship between the first sensing device and the candidate location and a second relationship between the second sensing device and the candidate location are determined. A first inverse and a second inverse of respectively the first and second relationships are obtained. A first estimate of the radio signal at the first sensing device is determined from the first information and the first inverse. A second estimate of the radio signal at the second sensing device is determined from the second information and the second inverse. Energy emitted from the candidate location is measured based on the first estimate and the second estimate.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses an Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) system for automatic control of production line manufacturing parameters, which comprises a user platform, a service platform, a management platform, a sensor network platform and an object platform that interact in turn. The service platform adopts centralized layout, and the management platform and the sensor network platform adopt independent layout. The present disclosure also discloses a control method of the IIoT for automatic control of production line manufacturing parameters.

Abstract: A circuit with a Safe-Torque-Off (STO) functionality and a frequency converter including the same are provided. According to embodiments, the circuit may include a first STO channel configured to control on/off of power supply to a high-side driver of a frequency converter based on a first STO signal, a second STO channel configured to control on/off of power supply to a low-side driver of the frequency converter based on a second STO signal, and a third STO channel configured to control supply of a drive control signal from a controller of the frequency converter to the high-side driver and the low-side driver based on a result of a logical operation of the first STO signal and the second STO signal, wherein the logical operation is configured to make the result active in response to at least one of the first and second STO signals being active.

Abstract: A robot motion planning technique for component assembly operations. Inputs to the motion planning technique include geometric models of the components being assembled, and initial and target configurations. The method begins at a tightly-constrained target or final configuration and plans in the direction of a loosely-constrained initial configuration. A randomly-sampled waypoint configuration is proposed, followed by a local search for feasible configurations which generates nodes that extend a path toward the initial configuration while sliding through the tightly-constrained region. The local search can be repeated multiple times for a given randomly-sampled configuration. When a completed path is found, the action sequence is trimmed to eliminate unnecessary extraneous motions in the loosely-constrained region. The disclosed method dramatically reduces the number of unproductive configurations evaluated and finds assembly solutions much faster in comparison to known tree-based motion planning methods.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for maintaining and/or repairing a construction machine, with a mobile maintenance station that can be placed at the jobsite where the construction machine is being used, comprising a 3D printer for printing replacement parts for the construction machine on the basis of component data and/or a mobile display device for displaying repair information on the construction machine on the basis of component data, wherein a data supply station that is at a separate location from the maintenance station is provided, can be connected to the maintenance station by way of a communication link and is configured for providing the maintenance station with 3D printing data for printing the replacement part, and the maintenance station is configured for printing the replacement part layer by layer on the basis of the 3D printing data received from the data supply station.

Abstract: The embodiments of the present disclosure provide an Industrial Internet of Things based on an event sequence analysis and prediction, a method, and a storage medium thereof. The Industrial Internet of Things includes a management platform, and the management platform is configured to obtain an ordered set of instructions for a preset time period, the ordered set of instructions including a plurality of instructions, and instruction content of each instruction of the plurality of instructions including at least one of instruction type, instruction parameter, and instruction execution time; determine whether there is an abnormal instruction based on the ordered set of instructions; and analyze and modify the abnormal instruction in response to a determination that there is the abnormal instruction.

Abstract: The disclosure provides an industrial Internet of Things for identifying and processing manufacturing problems, a control method, and a storage medium. The method includes an industrial Internet of Things for identifying and processing manufacturing problems. The industrial Internet of Things includes an acquisition module, a problem type determination module and a problem solving module, the acquisition module is configured to obtain equipment information and data of product manufacturing problems; the problem type determination module is configured to determine a problem type at least based on the data of the product manufacturing problems; and the problem solving module is configured to determine problem processing data based on the problem type, and solve the problem based on the problem processing data.

Abstract: A system and method for providing proxy picking of non-fungible goods within an automated storage and retrieval system is provided, which repurposes one or more automated mobile robots operating within the automated inventory management system to perform a plurality of tasks across multiple different areas of an automated store. The proxy picking system and method are configured to pick individually identified non-fungible goods according to a customer selection on an ordering screen based on measured attributes and images of the goods, the attributes selected by the customer.

Abstract: A method for determining the length of a line involves determining a length of a first electrical line, determining an identifier of the first electrical line, determining a length of a second electrical line, which is intended for installation in an electrical installation assembly, based on the length of the first electrical line and a starting length determined by means of the identifier.

Abstract: In some examples, a system includes: an article of personal protective equipment (PPE) that includes a communication component; a computing device communicatively coupled to the article of PPE, wherein the computing device: receives context data that is based on one or more of the article of PPE, a work environment for the article of PPE, or a worker assigned to the article of PPE; selects, based at least in part on the context data, a set of programmable safety rules that are contextually associated with the at least one article of PPE; sends the programmable safety rules to one or more of the article of PPE or a data hub communicatively coupled to the article of PPE; and wherein the programmable safety rules are configured at the article of PPE or the data hub to perform one or more operations based at least in part on PPE data.

Abstract: Methods and systems for producing orthodontic appliances are provided herein utilizing iterative modeling techniques to increase the efficiency and efficacy of said appliances. Further disclosed herein are the orthodontic appliances fabricated from such methods.

Abstract: Virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and/or mixed reality (MR) systems may enable one or more users to connect two or more connectable objects together. These connectable objects may be real objects from the user's environment, virtual objects, or a combination thereof. A preview system may be included as a part of the VR, AR, and/or MR systems that provide a preview of the connection between the connectable objects prior to the user(s) connecting the connectable objects. The preview may include a representation of the connectable objects in a connected state along with an indication of whether the connected state is valid or invalid. The preview system may continuously physically model the connectable objects while simultaneously displaying a preview of the connection process to the user of the VR, AR, or MR system.

Abstract: A grouping unit, with the use of facility order priority information and facility order rule information, determines a group to which facility orders belong, stores the group in grouping information, performs grouping of facility orders, which do not include a sequential relation in a reverse direction among facility orders, into the same group, performs grouping of facility orders, which include a sequential relation in a reverse direction among facility orders, into a different group, integrates the facility orders grouped in the same group, and sets the integrate facility order as a display facility order of the group.

Abstract: Systems and approaches for determining design of experiment parameters using largest empty area rectangle optimization for an injection molding system. The systems and methods include obtaining pressure versus time data sets indicative of fill step pressures and corresponding fill step times for a plurality of mold cycles and defining a low and high pressure versus time curves from the data sets, with the low and high pressure versus time curves being two surfaces of a geometric shape. The systems and methods further include identifying a top surface and a bottom surface of the geometric shape; identifying a rectangle having the largest area of all rectangles contained within the first geometric shape; and generating design of experiment parameters from the largest area rectangle.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for audio signal processing evaluation are provided. The audio signal processing is performed on a synthesized audio signal to generate a processed audio signal. The synthesized audio signal is generated by adding a secondary signal into a master signal. The master signal is merely a speech signal. The signal processing is related to removing the secondary signal from the synthesized audio signal. The sound characteristics of the processed audio signal and the master signal are obtained, respectively. The sound characteristics include text content, and the text content is generated by performing speech-to-text on the processed audio signal and the master signal. The audio signal processing is evaluated according to the compared result between the sound characteristics of the processed audio signal and the master signal. The compared result includes the correctness of the text content of the processed audio signal relative to the master signal.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses an Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) with a dual independent platform, which comprises a user platform, a service platform, a management platform, a sensor network platform and an object platform that interact in turn. The service platform adopts centralized layout, and the management platform and the sensor network platform adopt independent layout. The present disclosure also discloses a control method of the IIoT with the dual independent platform. The present disclosure builds the IIoT based on the five platform structure, in which the sensor network platform and the management platform are arranged independently, and each corresponding platform includes a plurality of independent sub-platforms, so that the independent sensor network platform and the management platform can be used for each production line device to form an independent data processing channel and transmission channel, and reduce the data processing capacity and transmission capacity of each platform.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for load balancing specimen containers between a plurality of automated detection apparatuses. The method may include receiving a specimen container at a container pick-up station in a first automated detection apparatus; determining loading ability, transfer status, and cell availability of the first automated detection apparatus and one or more downstream automated detection apparatuses; and transferring the specimen container from the first automated detection apparatus to a downstream automated detection apparatus when a first ratio of effective available cell count to effective capacity in the first automated detection apparatus is less than a second ratio of total effective available cell count to total effective capacity of a sum of the first automated detection apparatus and the one or more downstream automated detection apparatuses.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to performing work on a working surface based on a desired path using a working member. The disclosed system advances the working member with respect to the desired path using a first positioning system and a second positioning system. The first positioning system comprises a frame and actuators operable to advance the working member with respect to a portion of the desired path within an adjustment region. The second positioning system comprises actuators operable to move the frame. By moving the frame using the second positioning system, the first positioning system advances the working member with respect to a portion of the desired path that was outside the adjustment region before the frame was moved.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods directed to improving the functions of a vehicle. Systems and methods are provided that provide a custom tool that autogenerates a set of software agents that allows a system to separate processing, transmission and receiving of messages to achieve better synchronization. The disclosure herein also provides a simplified method of key provisioning by designating one client as a server and assigning a symmetric key to every other client permanently provisioned between that client and the server. Systems and method are further provided that predict faults in a vehicle. Systems and methods are also provided that preserve data in the event of a system crash. Systems and methods are also provided in which an operating system of a vehicle detects the presence of a new peripheral and pulls the related interface file for that new peripheral. Further, a data synchronization solution is provided herein which provides optimized levels of synchronization.

Abstract: Described are shoes, in particular a sports shoe, wherein at least a portion of an upper of the shoe includes a first layer and a functional second layer, wherein the functional second layer is directly printed onto the first layer.

Abstract: A system of flexural, actuating, and semiconducting elements of part-types necessary to assemble actuated robotic systems. These parts are joined with a common interface, interlocking with neighboring parts to form a regular lattice structure. Primary considerations for the design of the part interfaces include ease of assembly and the ability to transfer mechanical loads and electronic signals to neighboring parts. The parts are designed to be assembled vertically so structures can he built incrementally one part at a time. They can be easily fabricated at a range of length-scales using a variety of two-dimensional manufacturing processes. These processes include, for example, stamping and laminating, which enable high-throughput production. The simple mechanical interfaces between parts also enable disassembly allowing for reconfigurability and reuse. The interlocking nature of these assemblies allows loads to be distributed through many parallel load-paths.

Abstract: A system includes an electrical apparatus configured to monitor or control one or more aspects of an electrical power distribution network; and a control system including more than one electronic processor, where the electronic processors are configured to cause the control system to interact with the electrical apparatus, an interaction between the control system and the electrical apparatus including one or more of the control system providing information to the electrical apparatus and the control system receiving information from the electrical apparatus, and if some of the electronic processors are unable to cause the control system to interact with the electrical apparatus, at least one of the other electronic processors is able to cause the control system to interact with the apparatus.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an Industrial Internet of Things (IoT) and a method for controlling a balance rate of a production line. The Industrial IoT includes an user platform, a service platform, a management platform, a sensor network platform, and an object platform interacting in sequence, the service platform adopts a centralized arrangement, the management platform adopts an independent arrangement, and the sensor network platform adopts a rear sub-platform arrangement.

Abstract: A control device includes a processor. The processor displays a first image of a robot, first input/output images representing a robot input/output, a second image of a peripheral device, second input/output images representing a device input/output, and an input/output edit screen accepting an input/output relationship between the robot output and a peripheral device input on a display. Each of the robot output and the peripheral device input causes the robot and the peripheral device to perform a synchronous operation or an asynchronous operation that is synchronously or asynchronously performed between the robot and the peripheral device, respectively. When one of the first input/output images corresponds to the synchronous operation, one of the second input/output images corresponds to only the synchronous operation. When another of the first input/output images corresponds to the asynchronous operation, another of the second input/output images corresponds to only the asynchronous operation.

Abstract: A tape erroneous mounting detection system includes sensors provided to the plurality of tape feeders, a reader configured to read identification information from a recording part which is provided to a reel, and a memory part configured to store part verification information. The tape erroneous mounting detection system also includes a part verification part configured to determine whether or not the tape is mounted on the tape feeder at the set position, and to perform verification updating processing, and a tape erroneous mounting detection part configured to perform erroneous mounting detection processing where the tape erroneous mounting detection part identifies the tape feeder on which the tape is mounted based on the tape presence or absence information and the output from the sensor, and the tape erroneous mounting detection part detects that the tape mounted on the tape feeder is erroneously mounted.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed which significantly improves the control of conductivity, concentration of free residual chlorine, basin level, and pH in forced-draft open recirculating cooling towers, with a basin capacity of 750,000 gallons of water or more. Conductivity, free residual chlorine, basin level, and pH are each controlled by a programmable PID controller operating in a sampled-data environment where the set point is a continuously updated rate-of-change set value for conductivity, free residual chlorine, basin level, and pH based on a near-time prior manipulated value. Programmable PID controller outputs to each control element a manipulated value to bring the rate-of-change of the process value equal to the rate-of-change of the set value.

Abstract: System and method for detecting a fraudulent activity at a barcode scanner is disclosed. The method issues an alert when the fraudulent activity is confirmed by comparing the visual signature of the item being transacted over the checkout terminal to the model visual signature. The model visual signature is obtained by averaging the collection of visual signature of the item gathered over a period of time. A human validation via a remote processor is employed to confirm the fraudulent activity verified by a computer.

Abstract: A system for outputting a work instruction, in which an image processing device that takes a picture of a photographic subject is connected to an output device is disclosed. The system includes an imaging unit that generates image data showing the picture of the photographic subject; an obtaining unit that obtains determination data used for determining whether a work process performed on the photographic subject is completed; an input unit that inputs reference material data indicating reference materials used for reference in the work process; a determination unit that determines whether the work process performed on the photographic subject is completed, the determination being made depending on whether the photographic subject in the image data is in a state indicated by the determination data; and an output unit that outputs, to the output device, reference material data for a work process specified in accordance with the determination.

Abstract: A data recorder contains a HART multiplexer with channels that are provided with coupling members for capacitive coupling to multiple HART field devices supplied via current loops, wherein a HART modem is arranged downstream of the HART multiplexer, and downstream of the HART modem is a processor with an interface that controls HART communication of the data recorder, where to automatically and quickly identify changes in the connection configuration of field devices capacitively connected to the HART multiplexer, a pulse discriminator is connected at each channel that detects signal pulses induced by the loop current on the channel being interrupted and/or switched on and which differ from HART signals and upon detection generates an interrupt signal for the processor, and in response to the interrupt signal, the processor terminates HART communications on the channel and generates a HART command for requesting identification of a HART field device on the channel.

Abstract: A perception-based alignment system can assist in aligning a loading machine with a material receptacle. The perception-based alignment system can be associated with a visual sensor network that can capture an image of the material receptacle. A fiducial marker is associated with the material receptacle. In an aspect, the perception-based alignment system can record an alignment data record of a loading operation and associate the alignment data record with the fiducial marker and, in another aspect, the perception-based alignment system can retrieve and execute the alignment data record to assist with a subsequent loading operation.

Abstract: A method of optimizing golf club head and golf ball design is disclosed herein. The method includes inputting a RBF for stress, a RBF for CT and a RBF for ball speed into an Adaptive Simulated Annealing algorithm to generate an optimized structure for the club head for ball speed.

Abstract: A method of predicting a shape of a semiconductor device includes implementing a modeled semiconductor shape with respect to a designed semiconductor layout, extracting a plurality of samples by independently linearly combining process variables with respect to the modeled semiconductor shape; generating virtual spectrums with respect to ones of the extracted plurality of samples through optical analysis, indexing the virtual spectrums to produce indexed virtual spectrums, generating a shape prediction model by using the indexed virtual spectrums as an input and the modeled semiconductor shape as an output, and indexing a spectrum measured from a manufactured semiconductor device and inputting the spectrum to the shape prediction model to predict a shape of the manufactured semiconductor device.

Abstract: A customized industrial graph knowledge base for an industrial operation includes a graph database storing nodes of multiple dimensions predefined according to the nature and characteristics of the industrial operation. The nodes are extracted from baseline, domain-specific, and implementation specific industrial knowledge data sources using various analytics for structured and unstructured data. The customized industrial graph knowledge base further includes edges representing relationships between nodes that are either inter-dimensional or intra-dimensional. The importance of each node to the industrial operation is further quantified using a graph model and is included in the graph database as a composite filtering parameter.

Abstract: Methods and systems identify frequently-used CAD components and apply machine learning techniques to predict mateable entities and corresponding mate types for those components to automatically add components to a CAD model. An example method includes accessing information regarding CAD model parts and related mate information stored in a computer database, and dividing parts into a plurality of clusters having parts with similar global shape signatures. In response to a new part being added, contextual signatures of entities of the new part are input into a mateability predictor neural network to determine a mateable entity of the new part. Input into a mate-type predictor neural network is (i) a contextual signature of the mateable entity and (ii) a contextual signature of an entity of another part of the CAD model to determine a mate type between the entities. A mate between the new part and the other part is automatically added based on the determined mate type.

Abstract: A component production method includes: a step of binding a long frame by a plurality of support devices arranged along the frame; a step of measuring, with a distance sensor, a distance to the frame supported by the plurality of support devices; a step in which, based on frame shape data prerecorded in a memory, the support devices move support positions where the frame is supported so that a calculated radial position of the frame being supported by the support devices matches the data about the frame shape; a step of fixing the frame in a state in which the data about the frame shape matches the radial position of the frame; and a step of performing a hole-making operation on the fixed frame.

Abstract: An object is to realize a technology in which a more appropriate power failure operation can be performed when the configuration of a servo system is selected. A selection device 20 includes: a servo system selection unit 21b which selects a servo amplifier corresponding to the specification of a motor and a drive condition of the motor in a servo system; a UI display control unit 21a which receives the setting of a condition on a power failure operation in the servo amplifier selected by the servo amplifier selection unit; and a power failure operation determination unit 21d which determines, based on the condition on the power failure operation received in the power failure operation condition setting unit, a method for the power failure operation in the selected servo amplifier, and the UI display control unit 21a outputs the method for the power failure operation which is determined by the power failure operation determination unit.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for optimizing control of a process includes a computer receiving a process definition and a collection of elements to be arranged in a way that optimizes the utility of the process; initializing the process using a collection of discrete elements (stops, events, work orders, tasks, locations, etc.), and producing a solution for the collection by inserting the elements into the solution using the Minimum Insertion Heuristic; modifying the order of the elements to be inserted and continuing the process to produce solutions with better scores; and continuing to produce solutions based on improving the order of insertion until the process is determined to be sufficiently optimized.

Abstract: A system and a method for monitoring a device including the steps of obtaining operation information from a device, wherein the operation information is associated with the condition of the device in operation; and processing the operation information with a device modelling engine to determine one or more operation conditions of the device.

Abstract: To provide easy determination of a causative factor of a machining problem in a machining target or easy checking of the effectiveness of an adjustment of, e.g., a machining program, a control command such as a position command, a servo control, or machine operation. This invention includes: storage units storing pieces of machining position data obtained from machining performed based on at least two of a machining program, a control command for performing servo control on a servo motor for driving a machine tool, and pieces of feedback information related to the servo control and machine operation, the machining being performed on a machining target by the machine tool; a machined surface simulation unit performing machined surface simulations based on the stored machining position data; and a display unit displaying images of machined surfaces resulting from the machined surface simulations in a juxtaposed manner.

Abstract: Systems and methods for industrial process control coordination and implementation are disclosed. In some embodiments, a facility coordinator may be configured to: receive a facility prescription from a remote server; translate the facility prescription into one or more commands understood by one or more of a plurality of controllable devices; communicate the one or more commands to the one or more controllable devices; receive sensor data from one or more of a plurality of environmental sensors; determine based on the sensor data whether an aspect of an environment or one or more of the controllable devices violates one or more constraints; and in the event operational, safety, or physical constraints are or will soon be violated, determine a corrective action and send corrective action commands to one or more of the plurality controllable devices.

Abstract: It is proposed a computer-implemented method for designing an assembly of parts in a three-dimensional scene. The method comprises: providing at least a first part and a second part, the parts being stored in a database; for each part: (i) querying in the database for one or more constraints applied to the part; (ii) retrieving in the database geometries on which constraints are applied; computing at least one relative position of the first part and the second part by using the retrieved geometries.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for secret sharing for secure collaborative graphical design. Graphical secret shares are generated from a three-dimensional graphical design and distributed to one or more contributor devices. Contributor graphical designs modifying graphical secret shares may be received from contributor devices. Various corresponding and related systems, methods, and software are described.

Abstract: Methods and systems correlating hypotheses outcomes using relevance scoring for intuition based forewarning are disclosed. For one example, an intuition based forewarning method includes collecting and storing core data and surroundings data, wherein the core data includes parameters describing a system and ring data includes parameters describing surroundings of the system. The collected core data and ring data are analyzed to determine one or more changing situations of the system. A relevance score is provided for each determined changing situation of the system based on the analyzed core data and ring data. Each determined situation is correlated with one or more hypotheses outcomes representing a future system state based on the relevance score. A system forewarning is generated based on the correlated hypotheses outcomes which can be observed by one or more users.

Abstract: A method and system for sorting pistons with flaws is disclosed. In an embodiment, a piston with flaws is three dimensionally scanned and compared to a reference image to detect the location and geometry of the flaws. The location and geometry of the flaws are recorded and used to generate a surface condition score. The pistons are sorted based on the surface condition score being higher or lower than a set threshold value.

Abstract: A method for managing data in a decentralized blockchain consensus network of nodes interrelated with each other according to a tree-like structure includes publishing, by a root node, a product contract description for a new product, the product contract description including at least product information and product state information. The method further includes generating, by the root node, at least one product item for the new product by publishing a product item contract including at least item identification information, the product contract for the item, item state information, and valid modifier information for information of at least one node to be able to modify the item state. The method also includes updating, by the root node upon generating a new item for a product, the product contract description by including item information into the product contract description.