Information collection system, information collection method and procedure

Abstract

The present invention relates to an information collection system, an information collection method, and a program. Based on information received from one or more industrial devices, traceability of an object is ensured. An industrial device communication unit (102) of an information collection system (1) communicates with one or more industrial devices (20) that perform predetermined processes on the object. A determination unit (103) determines one or more processes to be performed on the object based on predetermined information received from one or more industrial devices (20). An assignment unit (104) assigns process identification information related to one or more processes to collected information related to the object collected from one or more industrial devices (20).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information collection system, an information collection method, and a program. Background Art

[0002] Patent document 1 describes the following information collection system for industrial equipment: when controlling multiple industrial equipment that respectively perform predetermined processes on an object, information on one or more processes performed by the multiple industrial equipment before manufacturing a product is collected, and the collected multiple information is labeled with multiple processing IDs corresponding to the multiple processes involved in a product and associated with each other.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 6741923 Summary of the Invention

[0006] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0007] The problem to be solved by the present invention is, for example, to ensure traceability of an object based on information received from one or more industrial devices.

[0008] Means used to solve problems

[0009] An information collection system involved in one embodiment of the present invention includes: an industrial equipment communication unit that communicates with one or more industrial equipment, and the industrial equipment performs a predetermined process on an object; a determination unit that determines one or more processes to be performed on the object based on predetermined information received from the one or more industrial equipment; and an assignment unit that assigns process identification information related to the one or more processes to the collected information related to the object collected from the one or more industrial equipment.

[0010] Effects of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, for example, traceability of an object can be ensured based on information received from one or more industrial devices. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of an information collection system.

[0013] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing an example of the flow of objects and information in the first embodiment.

[0014] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing an example of collected information to which the system-side object ID and process ID are assigned.

[0015] Figure 4 This is a functional block diagram showing functions implemented by the information collection system according to the first embodiment.

[0016] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing a data storage example of process management data.

[0017] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing a data storage example of an object database.

[0018] Figure 7 This is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed in the information collection system according to the first embodiment.

[0019] Figure 8 This is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed in the information collection system according to the first embodiment.

[0020] Figure 9 This is a diagram showing an example of the flow of objects and information in the second embodiment.

[0021] Figure 10 This is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed in the information collection system according to the second embodiment.

[0022] Figure 11 This is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed in the information collection system according to the second embodiment.

[0023] Figure 12 This is a diagram showing an example of the flow of objects and information in the third embodiment.

[0024] Figure 13 This is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed in the information collection system according to the third embodiment.

[0025] Figure 14 This is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed in the information collection system according to the third embodiment.

[0026] Figure 15 This is a diagram showing an example of the flow of objects and information in the fourth embodiment.

[0027] Figure 16 This is a functional block diagram of the fourth embodiment.

[0028] Figure 17 This is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed in the information collection system according to the fourth embodiment.

[0029] Figure 18 This is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed in the information collection system according to the fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] (1. First embodiment)

[0031] An example of a first embodiment of the information collection system according to the present invention will be described.

[0032] (1-1. Overall structure of the information collection system)

[0033] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing an example of the overall structure of the information collection system. Figure 1 As shown, the information collection system 1 includes a control device 10, industrial equipment 20A to 20E, and a collection device 30. Each device is connected to each other through a general network such as Ethernet (registered trademark) or an industrial network (so-called field network) so that they can communicate with each other. In addition, when the industrial equipment 20A to 20E are not distinguished from each other, the last letters are omitted and only the industrial equipment 20 is recorded. Figure 1 , CPUs 21A to 21E, storage units 22A to 22E, and communication units 23A to 23E are described, but in the following description, since they are not distinguished, the last letters are omitted and only CPU 21, storage unit 22, and communication unit 23 are described.

[0034] The control device 10 is a device that controls one or more industrial equipment 20. Control here includes not only instructing the industrial equipment 20 to start a process, but also includes the meaning of not instructing the start of a process in principle but only giving other minimum instructions to the industrial equipment 20. As long as the industrial equipment 20 performs some action based on some instructions from the control device 10, it is equivalent to control. Figure 1 In the figure, the control device 10 is shown as controlling five industrial devices 20. However, the control device 10 can control any number of industrial devices 20. The control device 10 can also control one to four, or six or more, industrial devices 20. When the information collection system 1 as a whole is referred to as a unit, the control device 10 is sometimes referred to as a unit controller. The control device 10 may also be a device with another name, such as a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller).

[0035] The control device 10 includes a CPU 11, a storage unit 12, a communication unit 13, and an IoT unit 14. The CPU 11 includes at least one processor. The CPU 11 is a type of circuit. The storage unit 12 includes at least one of a volatile memory and a non-volatile memory. The communication unit 13 includes at least one of a communication interface for wired communication and a communication interface for wireless communication. The IoT unit 14 is hardware that sends data to other computers via a network. For example, the IoT unit 14 includes a CPU, a storage unit, and a communication unit. The physical structure of the CPU, storage unit, and communication unit included in the IoT unit 14 can be varied. For example, the matching of information such as variables can be obtained between the CPU 11 and the IoT unit 14 regularly or irregularly. In addition, when the CPU 11 has the function of collecting information, the IoT unit 14 can be omitted.

[0036] Industrial equipment 20 is a general term for equipment that assists or replaces human workers in performing tasks, as well as its peripheral equipment. Industrial equipment 20 is sometimes referred to as "equipment." A collection of multiple industrial equipment 20 is sometimes referred to as a production line or a cell. For example, industrial equipment 20 may be a PLC, robot controller, industrial robot, motor controller, servo amplifier, motion controller, numerical control device, winding machine, power conversion device, inspection device, or measuring device. Industrial equipment 20 includes a CPU 21, a storage unit 22, and a communication unit 23. The physical structures of CPU 21, storage unit 22, and communication unit 23 may be the same as those of CPU 11, storage unit 12, and communication unit 13, respectively.

[0037] The collection device 30 is a device that collects information. The word "collect" here has the same meaning as "receive" or "acquire." For example, the collection device 30 is a personal computer, a server computer, a tablet terminal, or a smartphone. The collection device 30 includes a CPU 31, a storage unit 32, a communication unit 33, an operating unit 34, and a display unit 35. The physical structures of the CPU 31, storage unit 32, and communication unit 33 can be the same as those of the CPU 11, storage unit 12, and communication unit 13, respectively. The operating unit 34 is an input device such as a mouse or keyboard. The display unit 35 is a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display.

[0038] The programs and data stored in each of the storage units 12, 22, and 32 can be provided via a network. In addition, the hardware structure of each device is not limited to the above-mentioned examples, and various hardware can be applied. For example, a reading unit (such as a memory card slot) for reading a computer-readable information storage medium and an input / output unit (such as a USB terminal) for connecting to an external device may also be included. In this case, the programs and data stored in the information storage medium can be provided via a reading unit or an input / output unit. In addition, for example, a circuit called an FPGA or an ASIC may also be included.

[0039] (1-2. Overview of Information Collection System)

[0040] In the information collection system 1, multiple processes are performed on each of multiple objects in a predetermined order. An object is an object that is the subject of an operation. An object is also called a workpiece. An object can be any of a final product, an intermediate product, a material, or a raw material. An object can be of any type, such as a semiconductor, an electrical appliance, an automobile, food, a beverage, a pharmaceutical, or a daily necessity. A process is an operation performed on an object, such as processing, assembling, transporting, handling, measuring, or inspecting. A process can also be referred to as an action of the industrial equipment 20.

[0041] In the first embodiment, the control device 10 periodically or irregularly obtains information from the industrial equipment 20 and issues minimal instructions to the industrial equipment 20. Even without receiving specific instructions from the control device 10, the industrial equipment 20 operates independently to execute the process. The industrial equipment 20 stores a process program that defines each action in the process. The industrial equipment 20 determines whether the execution conditions for the process are met. If the execution conditions are met, the industrial equipment 20 executes the process program to start the process.

[0042] The execution condition can be any condition, such as receiving predetermined information from another industrial device 20, receiving a predetermined signal from a sensor connected to the industrial device 20, a variable stored in the industrial device 20 reaching a predetermined value, or a combination thereof. The sensor connected to the industrial device 20 can be of any type, such as a vision sensor, a torque sensor, a motor encoder, an object detection sensor, a temperature sensor, or a grip sensor.

[0043] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing an example of the flow of objects and information in the first embodiment. Figure 2 The diagonal arrows in the figure represent the flow of imaginary objects. These imaginary objects are managed as internal information by the control device 10. The white arrows represent the flow of real objects and the flow of information on the industrial equipment 20 side. In other words, the white arrows represent the physical movement of objects within a production line or cell and the flow of information on the network connecting the industrial equipment 20. The solid arrows represent the flow of information via the network connecting the control device 10 and the industrial equipment 20.

[0044] In the first embodiment, the process paths followed by the object include a path that executes steps p1, p2, p3, p5, and p6 in this order, and a path that executes steps p1, p2, p4, p5, and p6 in this order. In other words, the process branches after step p2. Step p1 is executed by industrial machine 20A. Step p2 is executed by industrial machine 20B. Steps p3 and p4 are executed by industrial machine 20C. Step p5 is executed by industrial machine 20D. Step p6 is executed by industrial machine 20E.

[0045] For example, when executing process p1 for a certain object, industrial device 20A generates a device-side object ID that uniquely identifies the object on the industrial device 20. Industrial device 20A transmits the device-side object ID and collected information to the control device 10, and then transmits the device-side object ID to industrial device 20B. Alternatively, the device-side object ID can be generated before executing process p1.

[0046] The collected information is information collected to ensure the traceability of the object. For example, it includes physical quantities detected by sensors, the start date and time of the process, the end date and time of the process, the date and time of the time point of mid-process execution, the presence or absence of an alarm, the type of alarm, the measurement result of the object, an image or dynamic image of the object, the measurement result of the object, the parameters when the process is executed, the firmware information when the process is executed, or a combination thereof. The items included in the collected information can be shared by all industrial equipment 20 or determined according to the industrial equipment 20. The device-side object ID and collected information can be sent in the middle of the process instead of when the process is completed. The device-side object ID and collected information of multiple processes can also be sent in a batch at one time.

[0047] After process p1 is completed, the object is moved to the operating range of industrial equipment 20B using conveying equipment such as a belt conveyor. Similarly, the object is moved to the operating ranges of industrial equipment 20C through 20E, where each process is performed. Similar to industrial equipment 20A, industrial equipment 20B through 20E transmits the device-side object ID and collected information to control device 10 when performing each of processes p2 through p6. Industrial equipment 20C, which is performing either process p3 or process p4 on a specific object, also transmits information identifying the process being performed on that object.

[0048] Each time a process is executed on an object, the control device 10 receives the object ID and collected information from the equipment side. In the first embodiment, the control device 10 pre-ascertains the general process flow within the cell. Therefore, simply by receiving the object ID and collected information from the industrial equipment 20, the control device 10 can determine which process is being executed on which object. However, a branch occurs after process p2, so the control device 10 determines the executed process for process p3 or p4 based on the information received from the industrial equipment 20C.

[0049] Upon receiving the device-side object ID and collected information for a particular object, the control device 10 generates a process ID that uniquely identifies the process performed on that object. When process p6 for a particular object is completed, the control device 10 generates a system-side object ID that uniquely identifies that object within the control device 10. The system-side object ID and process ID for each object are assigned to the collected information for that object. Alternatively, the system-side object ID can be generated before process p6 is completed.

[0050] Figure 3 This diagram shows an example of collected information assigned a system-side object ID and process ID. In the first embodiment, the system-side object ID, process ID, and collected information are recorded as object data D1. Object data D1 is generated for each object. Object data D1 can also be generated for objects that are removed from the production line midway before reaching process p6. In addition, multiple objects may be combined to form a single object. In this case, a single object data D1 is generated for each object that is finally combined.

[0051] exist Figure 3 In the example, the system object ID includes a 6-digit value representing the year, month, and day and a 4-digit value representing the manufacturing number. In addition, the year, month, and day and the manufacturing number can be any number of digits, not limited to Figure 3 For example, if the system object ID is "2101150001", the upper 6 digits "210115" means January 15, 2021, and the lower 4 digits "0001" represents the manufacturing number used to identify the object manufactured on that day. For example, the manufacturing number is initialized once a day and incremented one by one each time all the processes for the object are completed. When the initial value of the manufacturing number is set to 1, Figure 3 The objects shown are the first objects manufactured on January 15, 2021.

[0052] exist Figure 3 In the example, the process ID contains an 8-digit value after "0x" which is a fixed value. In addition, the process ID can be any number of digits, not limited to Figure 3For example, the upper 4 digits of the 8-digit numerical value in the process ID of a certain process correspond to the lower 4 digits of the 8-digit numerical value in the process ID of the process immediately preceding it. The lower 4 digits of the 8-digit numerical value in the process ID of a certain process correspond to the upper 4 digits of the 8-digit numerical value in the process ID of the process immediately following it. By including an 8-digit numerical value in the process ID of each process, it is possible to associate the process immediately preceding and following it.

[0053] Furthermore, since process p1 is the earliest process and has no preceding process, the upper four digits of the 8-bit value are fixed values ​​of "0000," indicating the earliest process. Process p6 is the last process and has no subsequent processes, so the lower four digits of the 8-bit value are fixed values ​​of "FFFF," indicating the last process. These fixed values ​​are examples and may be arbitrary values.

[0054] When all processes for a certain object are completed, the control device 10 generates object data D1 corresponding to the object and transmits it to the collection device 30. Until all processes for all objects are completed on a certain day, the control device 10 generates object data D1 for each object for which all processes have been completed and transmits it to the collection device 30. Alternatively, the object data D1 for a plurality of objects may be accumulated and transmitted collectively.

[0055] As described above, the information collection system 1 receives the device-side object ID and collected information from the industrial equipment 20 via the control device 10. Even when the control device 10 does not directly control the industrial equipment 20, it generates object data D1 that assigns the system-side object ID and process ID to the collected information, thereby ensuring object traceability. This structure is described in detail below.

[0056] (1-3. Functions implemented by the information collection system)

[0057] Figure 4 This is a functional block diagram showing the functions implemented by the information collection system 1 according to the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the functions implemented by the control device 10, the industrial equipment 20, and the collection device 30 are described.

[0058] (1-3-1. Functions implemented by the control device)

[0059] like Figure 4 As shown, the control device 10 includes a data storage unit 100, a generation unit 101, an industrial device communication unit 102, a determination unit 103, and an assignment unit 104. The data storage unit 100 primarily implements at least one of the storage unit 12 and the IoT unit 14, while the other functions are primarily implemented by at least one of the CPU 11 and the IoT unit 14.

[0060] (Data storage unit)

[0061] The data storage unit 100 stores data required for collecting information. For example, the data storage unit 100 stores object data D1 and process management data D2. Figure 3 The data storage unit 100 stores object data D1 for each of a plurality of objects.

[0062] Figure 5 : is a diagram showing an example of data storage of process management data D2. Figure 5 As shown, process management data D2 is data related to basic information about processes executed in information collection system 1. For example, process management data D2 includes the order in which processes are executed, the names of the processes, and the names of industrial equipment 20. When a user specifies the order in which processes are executed using an engineering tool, process management data D2 is generated and recorded in data storage unit 100. Process management data D2 may also be incorporated into a control program.

[0063] Each process may be identified by other information such as a number or ID rather than a process name. Similarly, each industrial device 20 may be identified by other information such as an ID or IP address rather than a name. The process management data D2 only needs to include information identifying the processes performed on each object, their sequence, and the industrial device 20 that performs each process.

[0064] In addition, the data stored in the data storage unit 100 is not limited to the above-mentioned examples. For example, the data storage unit 100 may also store a data set of device-side object IDs and collected information received from the industrial equipment 20 as intermediate data for generating the object data D1. In the first embodiment, since five processes are performed on each object, there are five pieces of collected information for one object. The device-side object ID is used to group the five pieces of collected information corresponding to a certain object. Figure 3 In the example of , it is assumed that the device-side object ID is not included in the object data D1, but the device-side object ID may be included in the object data D1.

[0065] Furthermore, for example, the data storage unit 100 may store a control program for the control device 10 to issue predetermined instructions to the industrial equipment 20. In the first embodiment, since the industrial equipment 20 independently executes a process, the control program does not include a code for instructing the start of a process. However, when the control device 10 controls the process of the industrial equipment 20, the control program defines the execution conditions of each process. The control program can be created in any language, such as a ladder diagram language or a robot language.

[0066] (Generation Department)

[0067] The generator 101 generates a system-side object ID that is different from the device-side object ID generated for one or more industrial devices 20. The device-side object ID is information used to independently manage objects on the industrial device 20. The system-side object ID is information used to independently manage objects on the control device 10. The device-side object ID and the system-side object ID are each an example of object identification information. Therefore, the portion described as the device-side object ID and the system-side object ID can be referred to as object identification information. The generator 101 generates object identification information for an object.

[0068] Object identification information is information that can identify an object. Object identification information can be information that uniquely identifies each object throughout the entire period or during a portion of the period. Object identification information can also be other information such as a number or name rather than an ID. Object identification information can be in any format, for example, represented by numbers, letters, or a combination thereof. Object identification information can be generated according to any rules, and these rules are not limited to those in the first embodiment.

[0069] In the first embodiment, the object identification information on the control device 10 side and the object identification information on the industrial equipment 20 side are different. However, they may be the same. In other words, common object identification information may be used between the control device 10 and the industrial equipment 20. In this case, the common object identification information may be generated by either the control device 10 or the industrial equipment 20, or by another device. Furthermore, for example, the industrial equipment 20 side may not utilize object identification information.

[0070] For example, the generation unit 101 obtains the current date and time using a real-time clock or the like, and obtains the upper six digits of the system-side object ID (year, month, and day). The generation unit 101 combines the obtained upper six digits with the initial manufacturing number or the incremented four-digit manufacturing number to generate the system-side object ID. When all processes for a particular object are completed, the generation unit 101 generates the system-side object ID for that object. Each time the generation unit 101 generates a system-side object ID, it increments the manufacturing number. When all processes for all objects on a given day are completed, the generation unit 101 returns the manufacturing number to its initial value.

[0071] Furthermore, the system-side object ID can be generated at any time, not just after all processes have been completed. For example, the generation unit 101 may generate the system-side object ID for a particular object before the earliest process for that object begins. Furthermore, the generation unit 101 may generate the system-side object ID between the start of the earliest process for that object and the completion of the final process. Furthermore, the generation unit 101 may generate the system-side object ID for multiple objects at once.

[0072] (Industrial Equipment Communications Department)

[0073] The industrial device communication unit 102 communicates with one or more industrial devices 20 that perform a predetermined process on an object. Communication between the control device 10 and the industrial devices 20 can utilize any method. For example, synchronous communication or asynchronous communication can be used. Furthermore, for example, communication can be performed at a fixed or irregular cycle. The industrial device communication unit 102 may also communicate with only a portion of the industrial devices 20, rather than all of them.

[0074] The industrial device communication unit 102 can send arbitrary data to the industrial device 20. For example, the industrial device communication unit 102 can send instructions to the industrial device 20 to execute a predetermined action. In the first embodiment, the control device 10 does not actively control the process, so these instructions are not instructions to execute the process, but rather instructions for minimal control. These instructions can be arbitrary, such as turning the power on / off, recovering from a fault, changing parameters, updating firmware, or setting conditions for collecting information.

[0075] The industrial device communication unit 102 can receive arbitrary data from the industrial device 20. For example, the industrial device communication unit 102 receives responses to instructions sent to the industrial device 20. In the first embodiment, the industrial device 20 autonomously executes a process and transmits the device-side object ID and collected information to the control device 10. Therefore, the industrial device communication unit 102 receives the device-side object ID and collected information when the industrial device 20 completes the process, or at a time before or after the completion of the process. The industrial device communication unit 102 also receives the name of the industrial device 20 that transmitted these information.

[0076] For example, the industrial device communication unit 102 can also synchronize the variables stored in the control device 10 with those stored in the industrial device 20. In this case, the value of the variable stored in the control device 10 can be changed to the value of the variable stored in the industrial device 20, and vice versa. Alternatively, the value of the variable stored in the industrial device 20 can be changed to the value of the variable stored in the control device 10. Alternatively, the industrial device 20 can be the primary controller for synchronization of the variables.

[0077] (Confirmation Department)

[0078] The determination unit 103 determines one or more processes to be performed on an object based on the scheduled information received from one or more industrial devices 20. The scheduled information may be any information capable of identifying one or more processes to be performed on an object. In the first embodiment, the case where the pairing of the name of the industrial device 20 and the device-side object ID corresponds to the scheduled information is described. The scheduled information is not limited to the example in the first embodiment and may be any information. For example, only the name of the industrial device 20 may correspond to the scheduled information, or only the device-side object ID may correspond to the scheduled information.

[0079] In the first embodiment, the industrial equipment 20 generates the device-side object ID. Therefore, the predetermined information includes the device-side object IDs of objects generated by one or more industrial equipment 20. The determination unit 103 determines one or more processes executed on objects corresponding to the device-side object IDs received from one or more industrial equipment 20. The determination unit 103 refers to the device-side object IDs received from the industrial equipment 20 to determine which object the process was executed on. If the device-side object ID received from the industrial equipment 20 executing a certain process is the same as the device-side object ID received from the industrial equipment 20 executing another process, the determination unit 103 determines that the processes were executed on the same object.

[0080] In the first embodiment, a single industrial device 20C executes multiple processes p3 and p4. Therefore, the determination unit 103 determines which of the multiple processes that can be executed by the single industrial device 20C has already been executed. Since the industrial device 20C executes either process p3 or process p4 on an object, the scheduled information includes the name of the process executed on the object. The determination unit 103 refers to the process name received from the industrial device 20C and determines which of process p3 or process p4 the industrial device 20C has executed.

[0081] In the first embodiment, the process management data D2 defines the industrial equipment 20 that executes each process. Therefore, when the device-side object ID and collected information of a certain object are received from a certain industrial equipment 20, the identification unit 103 identifies the process executed on the object based on the name of the industrial equipment 20 and the process management data D2. The name of the industrial equipment 20, along with the device-side object ID and collected information, is transmitted to the control device 10.

[0082] The identification unit 103 identifies the process to be performed on the object by identifying the process name associated with the received name of the industrial device 20 in the process management data D2. In the first embodiment, processes p1, p2, p5, and p6 are identified based on the name of the industrial device 20, and processes p3 and p4 are identified based on the process name received from the industrial device 20C.

[0083] (Giving Department)

[0084] The assigning unit 104 assigns a process ID associated with one or more processes to the collected information associated with the object collected from one or more industrial devices 20. Assignment here means associating the process ID with the collected information or enabling the process ID and the collected information to be mutually searchable. Matching the process ID with the collected information is equivalent to assigning the process ID to the collected information. In the first embodiment, as Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 1 , aggregating the process ID and the collected information in one object data D is equivalent to assigning the process ID to the collected information.

[0085] A process ID is an example of process identification information. Therefore, the portion described as a process ID can be referred to as process identification information. Process identification information can be any information that can identify the process performed on an object. For example, if the same process is repeatedly performed during a certain period, the process identification information may or may not identify the number of times the process was performed during that period. Process identification information may not be an ID but other information such as a process number or name. Process identification information may be in any format, for example, represented by numbers, letters, or a combination thereof.

[0086] For example, if process p1 of an object is executed first on a particular day, the assigning unit 104 sets the upper four digits of the eight-digit number following "0x" in the process ID to a fixed value of "0000" and the lower four digits to the initial value "0001," generating a process ID of "0x00000001." The assigning unit 104 assigns this process ID to the collected information for process p1 of the object.

[0087] If process p2 of an object is executed earliest on a particular day, the assigning unit 104 sets the lower 4 digits "0001" of the process ID of the previous process, process p1, in the 8-digit number following "0x" of the process ID to the upper 4 digits, and sets the incremented value "0002" to the lower 4 digits, thereby generating process ID "0x00010002." The assigning unit 104 assigns this process ID to the collected information of process p1 of the object.

[0088] Similarly, the assigning unit 104 subsequently generates a process ID for each of processes p3 through p6 (for either process p3 or p4) for the earliest object on a given day, and assigns it to the collected information for each of these processes p3 through p6 (for either process p3 or p4). As described above, the lower four digits of the process ID for process p6 are a fixed value of "FFFF," indicating that it is the last process. Similarly, when processes p1 through p6 for the second object on a given day are executed, the assigning unit 104 generates a process ID while incrementing the four-digit value, and assigns it to the collected information for each of processes p1 through p6.

[0089] In addition, the method for generating the process ID itself may be the same as the method described in Japanese Patent No. 6741923 described in the prior art document. For example, the process ID in the present invention may be generated in the same manner as the process ID described in the document. Similarly, the system-side object ID in the present invention may be generated in the same manner as the product ID described in the document. The method for generating each of the process ID and the system-side object ID may be based on any ID generation rule and is not limited to the method exemplified in this embodiment and the method of the document. For example, the process ID may be generated each time each process is executed to form a serial number, or the system-side object ID may be generated in such a manner that the serial number is formed regardless of the year, month, and day.

[0090] In the first embodiment, the assigning unit 104 also assigns the system side object ID generated by the generating unit 101 to the collected information. Therefore, the assigning unit 104 assigns the system side object ID and the process ID to the collected information. Figure 3 As shown, in the object data D1 , the process ID and the collected information correspond one-to-one. However, only one system-side object ID is required for a plurality of collected information. Therefore, the system-side object ID and the collected information correspond one-to-one.

[0091] In the first embodiment, since collected information is collected for each process, the assigning unit 104 assigns a process ID associated with the collected information collected from one or more industrial devices 20 for each process. The assigning unit 104 assigns the process ID to the collected information in a one-to-one correspondence. If there is multiple pieces of collected information for a single process, the process ID and the collected information may be associated in a one-to-many manner, rather than in the one-to-one correspondence as in the first embodiment.

[0092] In the first embodiment, there are multiple paths of processes that can be performed on an object, and one or more industrial devices 20 perform a process of any of the multiple paths on the object. The process ID associated with the one or more processes is information that can identify the path. Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, there are two paths: a path for executing step p3 after step p2 and a path for executing step p4 after step p2. However, which path is which can be identified by the step ID.

[0093] In the first embodiment, since the plurality of objects are sequentially executed Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 Each process shown in FIG. Therefore, the same process is performed on one object and on another object. Assigning unit 104 distinguishes the process ID assigned to the same process in the collected information for one object from the process ID assigned to the collected information for another object. For example, if the manufacturing number increments on a given day, the process ID of the earliest process p1 performed on a particular object will be different from the process ID of the earliest process p1 performed on the next object. The method for distinguishing process IDs is not limited to incrementing the manufacturing number; any method is acceptable. For example, the numerical value of a portion of the process ID may be decreased, or the numerical value may be increased or decreased by 2 or more.

[0094] (1-3-2. Functions implemented by industrial equipment)

[0095] The functions of the industrial devices 20A to 20E are the same, so they are collectively referred to as the industrial device 20 in the following description. Figure 4 As shown, in the industrial device 20 , a data storage unit 200 and a process execution unit 201 are realized. The data storage unit 200 is mainly realized by the storage unit 22 , and the process execution unit 201 is mainly realized by the CPU 21 .

[0096] (Data storage unit)

[0097] The data storage unit 200 stores data required for executing a process. For example, the data storage unit 200 stores a process program that defines the actions in each process, and at least one variable that is referenced and changed by the process program. The process program defines the execution conditions of each process and the detailed actions of each process. The process program can be created in any language such as ladder diagram language or robot language. In addition, for example, the data storage unit 200 stores the name of the industrial device 20. In addition, for example, the data storage unit 200 stores the device-side object ID and collected information. The device-side object ID and collected information can also be deleted after being sent to the control device 10.

[0098] (Process Execution Department)

[0099] The process execution unit 201 executes a process based on the process program. The process execution unit 201 executes the process program and determines whether the process execution conditions are met. These conditions can be arbitrary, such as a predetermined variable reaching a predetermined value, receiving a predetermined signal from a sensor, an object moving to a predetermined position, the arrival of a predetermined time, receiving predetermined information from other industrial equipment 20, or receiving a predetermined instruction from the control device 10. If the process execution conditions are met, the process execution unit 201 executes the process.

[0100] In the first embodiment, when the process execution unit 201 executes a process, it transmits the device-side object ID and collected information to the control device 10. Furthermore, when certain information is transmitted from the industrial device 20 to the control device 10, the name of the industrial device 20 is also transmitted. For example, the process execution unit 201 of the industrial device 20A generates an object ID based on a predetermined ID issuance rule. The ID issuance rule can be arbitrary, as long as it ensures that the device-side object ID does not overlap with that of other objects. The process execution unit 201 of each of the industrial devices 20B to 20E receives the generated object ID.

[0101] The process execution unit 201 generates collected information for a specific object based on the execution results of a process for that object. This collected information can include any content, such as the date and time the process started, the date and time the process ended, a code indicating whether the process completed successfully, the date and time the collected information was generated, parameters used during the process, physical quantities detected by sensors, or a combination thereof. The process execution unit 201 generates collected information based on the execution results of the process program, the date and time obtained using a real-time clock, or other means, signals from sensors, or a combination thereof.

[0102] (1-3-3. Functions implemented by the collection device)

[0103] like Figure 4 As shown, the collection device 30 includes a data storage unit 300 and a storage unit 301. The data storage unit 300 is mainly implemented by the storage unit 32, and the storage unit 301 is mainly implemented by the CPU 31. The data storage unit 300 stores an object database DB storing object data D1 of each of a plurality of objects.

[0104] Figure 6 : is a diagram showing an example of data storage in the object database DB. Figure 6As shown, the object database DB stores each of the multiple pieces of object data D1 received by the collection device 30 from the control device 10. The storage unit 301 stores the collected information, each of which is assigned a process ID related to one or more processes, in the object database DB. Each time object data D1 is received from the control device 10, the storage unit 301 stores it in the object database DB. The object data D1 stored in the object database DB is retrieved at any time, such as after the object is shipped. For example, the object data D1 is used to analyze the cause of a malfunction in the object.

[0105] (1-4. Processing performed by the information collection system)

[0106] Figure 7 as well as Figure 8 This is a flowchart showing an example of processing performed in the information collection system 1 according to the first embodiment. The CPUs 11, 21, 31 and the IoT unit 14 execute programs stored in the storage units 12, 22, 32 or the IoT unit 14, respectively, thereby performing Figure 7 as well as Figure 8 The processing shown. Figure 7 as well as Figure 8 The processing shown is done by Figure 4 An example of the processing executed by the functional blocks shown. Figure 7 as well as Figure 8 The processing shown is executed when the process p1 of the earliest object on a certain day starts.

[0107] like Figure 7 As shown, the control device 10 obtains the current year, month, and day (S100) and initializes the manufacturing number (S101). The year, month, and day obtained in S100 are used as the upper six digits of the system-side object ID. The manufacturing number initialized in S101 is used as the lower four digits of the system-side object ID while being incremented. The year, month, and day and the manufacturing number are stored in the storage unit 12.

[0108] Industrial device 20A generates a device-side object ID for the object to be executed in process p1 (S102), and executes process p1 on the object based on the process program for process p1 (S103). Industrial device 20A transmits the device-side object ID and collected information to control device 10 (S104), and transmits the device-side object ID to industrial device 20B (S105). In S104 and S105, information that identifies whether the information is transmitted from industrial device 20A, such as the name of industrial device 20A, is also transmitted.

[0109] The industrial device 20A determines whether the predetermined end condition is met (S106). The end condition is an arbitrary condition for terminating the present process and can be any condition. For example, the completion of all processes of all objects on a certain day is equivalent to the end condition. In addition, for example, the arrival of a predetermined time on a certain day is equivalent to the end condition. If it is determined that the end condition is not met (S106: No), the process returns to S102, generates the device-side object ID of the next object, and executes the process p1 for the object. Thereafter, the processes of S102 to S105 are executed on the next object. In addition, the process p1 of the next object can also be started after all processes of the object in the execution process are completed.

[0110] Upon receiving the device-side object ID and collected information from industrial equipment 20A, control device 10 determines, based on process management data D2, that the process being performed on the object is process p1 (S107), generates a process ID for process p1, and assigns it to the collected information for process p1 (S108). The process ID for process p1 and the collected information are stored in association with each other in storage unit 12.

[0111] The subsequent processing of S109 to S128 is performed between the control device 10 and the industrial equipment 20B to 20E, which is roughly the same as the processing of S103 to S108. However, since the industrial equipment 20C executes either process p3 or process p4, in S114, when the device-side object ID of the object that is the execution target of process p3 or process p4 is received from the industrial equipment 20B, it is determined which of process p3 or process p4 is to be executed (S114). In S114, the industrial equipment 20C determines whether the execution conditions of process p3 or process p4 are met. The industrial equipment 20C decides to execute the process that meets the execution conditions between process p3 and process p4. For example, process p3 and process p4 can be executed alternately, or the best one can be selected for execution based on the configuration of the objects in the production line or unit.

[0112] After executing the process up to S128, the control device 10 combines the year, month, and day acquired in S100 with the manufacturing number initialized in S101 or the manufacturing number incremented at an arbitrary timing to generate a system-side object ID. This ID is then assigned to all collected information on objects that have completed the process (S129). In S129, the control device 10 assigns the system-side object ID to the five pieces of collected information assigned the five process IDs and generates object data D1. The control device 10 then increments the manufacturing number included in the system-side object ID at an arbitrary timing.

[0113] The control device 10 transmits the object data D1 to the collection device 30 (S130). Upon receiving the object data D1, the collection device 30 stores it in the object database DB (S131). Furthermore, if, in S106, it is determined that the termination condition has been met (S106: Yes), the process ends after S107 to S131 are executed for the last object. The process of S102 to S131 is repeated until all processes for all objects on a given day are completed.

[0114] According to the information collection system 1 of the first embodiment, by identifying one or more processes executed on an object based on predetermined information received from one or more industrial devices 20 and assigning process IDs associated with the identified one or more processes to the collected information about the object collected from the one or more industrial devices 20, traceability of the object can be ensured based on the information received from the one or more industrial devices 20. For example, when a control device 10 is communicatively connected to one or more industrial devices 20, the control device 10 may not provide specific control instructions to the one or more industrial devices 20, and the one or more industrial devices 20 may independently execute a process. Even in such cases, the control device 10 (information collection system 1) can identify the one or more processes actually executed on the object based on the predetermined information received from the one or more industrial devices 20, thereby ensuring traceability of the collected information. In other words, even when the control device 10 is the primary controller and does not control the processes of the one or more industrial devices 20, it is still possible to determine which process is being collected for which object.

[0115] Furthermore, even if the information collection system 1 generates certain object IDs and does not transmit them to one or more industrial devices 20, it is still possible to determine which object has been executed on which process based on the device-side object IDs issued by the industrial devices 20. Since the information collection system 1 only needs to receive the device-side object IDs from one or more industrial devices 20, the number of exchanges between the information collection system 1 and the one or more industrial devices 20 can be reduced. As a result, the processing load on the information collection system 1 can be reduced, and the amount of communication between the information collection system 1 and the one or more industrial devices 20 can be reduced. Furthermore, even if the information collection system 1 is the main body and does not control one or more industrial devices 20, it is still possible to reliably determine the object on which the process was executed.

[0116] In addition, the information collection system 1 can improve traceability by further assigning the system-side object ID generated on the information collection system 1 side to the collected information. For example, if one wants to directly use the device-side object ID generated on the side of one or more industrial devices 20, then when the object is assembled, etc., it is possible that a large number of device-side object IDs will be included in one product. In this regard, by assigning the system-side object ID generated on the information collection system 1 side to the collected information, the management of the collected information can be facilitated. For example, when the object becomes a final product, by assigning a system-side object ID, the collected information can be managed using a single system-side object ID.

[0117] Furthermore, the information collection system 1 stores collected information assigned process IDs related to one or more processes in the object database DB, and can refer to the collected information at any time, such as after an object that has undergone all processes has been shipped, thereby improving the traceability of the collected information.

[0118] Furthermore, the information collection system 1 assigns a process ID related to the collected information collected for each process, thereby making one-to-one correspondence between the collected information of each process and the process ID, thereby improving the traceability of the collected information.

[0119] Furthermore, when there are multiple routes of processes that can be executed on an object, the information collection system 1 can identify the route that the object actually followed, thereby improving traceability.

[0120] Furthermore, when a certain industrial equipment 20 can execute a plurality of processes, the information collection system 1 can identify which process was executed on the object, thereby improving traceability.

[0121] Furthermore, even if the same process is performed on one object and another object, the information collection system 1 assigns different process IDs to the collected information, making it possible to distinguish when the process was performed. For example, by assigning different process IDs to process p1 performed for the third time on a given day and the same process p1 performed for the tenth time on the same day, it is possible to distinguish whether it was the third or tenth execution of process p1 on that day, thereby improving traceability.

[0122] Furthermore, the information collection system 1 can improve the reliability of traceability by further assigning a system-side object ID generated on the information collection system 1 side.

[0123] (2. Second embodiment)

[0124] Next, the second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, the industrial device 20 is the primary entity executing the process, similar to the first embodiment. However, the method for determining the process executed on the object differs from the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, even if the industrial device 20 does not send the device-side object ID to the control device 10, the control device 10 can still determine the process executed on the object. Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the device-side object ID does not need to be generated, so the system-side object ID is simply recorded as the object ID. The description of other structures that are the same as the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0125] Figure 9 This is a diagram showing an example of the flow of objects and information in the second embodiment. Figure 9 In the example, information may not be sent / received between the industrial devices 20, so the white arrows only represent the flow of real objects. Figure 9 As shown, in the second embodiment, the industrial device 20 generates a subsequent process ID for identifying a process executed after the process executed by the industrial device 20 itself, that is, a subsequent process.

[0126] Furthermore, the control device 10 can predetermine the process represented by the value of the next process ID. For example, if the next process IDs are 1 to 6, they represent processes p1 to p6, respectively. The relationship between the next process ID and the process to which it refers is pre-stored in the control device 10. Alternatively, for example, the next process ID can be the lower four digits of the process ID. In this case, industrial device 20A generates the next process ID so that the next process ID is "n+1" (n is an integer greater than or equal to 0, e.g., a value that increases for each object). Similarly, industrial devices 20B to 20D generate the next process IDs so that the next process IDs are "n+1" to "n+3" (n is an integer greater than or equal to 0, e.g., a value indicating the number of objects on a given day). Since industrial device 20E does not have a next process, the next process ID can also be generated so that the next process ID is a fixed value of "FFFF" (or a value such as "9000" converted to "FFFF").

[0127] For example, when process p1 is executed on a certain object, the industrial equipment 20A generates the subsequent process ID of process p2 as the subsequent process ID of the object, and sends it to the control device 10 together with the collected information. The subsequent process, process p2, can be defined in the process program of process p1 or in another program. When there are multiple candidates that can become the subsequent process, the conditions for becoming the subsequent process are predetermined for each candidate. The condition is a condition that can be determined based on information such as physical quantities detected by sensors, and the subsequent process corresponding to the condition determined to be satisfied based on this information is executed. The method for determining the subsequent process is not limited to these examples, and the industrial equipment 20A only needs to store information that can identify the subsequent process. This is also the same for industrial equipment 20B to 20E. In addition, the collected information can be obtained in the same way as in the first embodiment.

[0128] The control device 10 refers to the subsequent process ID received from the industrial device 20A and determines that process p2 is to be executed as the subsequent process on the object that has completed process p1. Since the control device 10 can determine that process p2 is to be executed by the industrial device 20B using the process management data D2, it waits for receipt of the subsequent process ID and collected information from the industrial device 20B. Since the control device 10 can determine that process p1 is to be executed by the industrial device 20A as the earliest process using the process management data D2, it generates a process ID similar to the first embodiment and assigns it to the collected information received from the industrial device 20A.

[0129] Thereafter, similarly to the industrial equipment 20A, when each of the industrial equipment 20B to 20D executes processes p2 to p5 on a certain object, it generates any subsequent process ID of processes p3 to p6 as the subsequent process ID of the object, and sends it to the control device 10 together with the collected information. Similar to the case where the subsequent process ID and collected information are received from the industrial equipment 20A, the control device 10 determines the subsequent process based on the subsequent process IDs received from the industrial equipment 20B to 20D. The control device 10 waits to receive the subsequent process IDs and collected information from the industrial equipment 20C to 20D that execute the determined subsequent process. The control device 10 can determine the subsequent process, and therefore can generate Figure 3 Such a process ID is generated and assigned to the collected information.

[0130] In the second embodiment, the industrial device 20B determines whether to execute process p3 or process p4 on the object. If the industrial device 20B determines to execute process p3 on the object, it generates a subsequent process ID representing process p3 and transmits it to the control device 10 along with the collected information. If the industrial device 20B determines to execute process p4 on the object, it generates a subsequent process ID representing process p4 and transmits it to the control device 10 along with the collected information. Alternatively, the industrial device 20B may notify the industrial device 20C of which process p3 or process p4 should be executed, or the industrial device 20C may determine which process p3 or process p4 to execute based on a sensor detection signal.

[0131] If the industrial equipment 20E executes process p6 on the object that has completed process p5, there is no subsequent process, so a fixed value indicating that there is no subsequent process is generated as the subsequent process ID and sent to the control device 10 together with the collected information. When the control device 10 receives the subsequent process ID indicating that there is no subsequent process, it can be determined that it is the last process, so it generates Figure 3 The process ID of process p6 is assigned to the collected information. As in the first embodiment, the control device 10 generates an object ID and assigns it to the collected information, thereby generating object data D1 for objects that have completed all processes. The structure of object data D1 itself is the same as in the first embodiment. Object data D1 is also transmitted to the collection device 30 at any time, similar to the first embodiment.

[0132] In the second embodiment, the "predetermined information" used in the processing of the determination unit is the subsequent process ID generated for each process by one or more industrial devices 20. The subsequent process ID is an example of other process information. Therefore, the portion described as the subsequent process ID can be referred to as other process information.

[0133] Other process information is information related to at least one of the following process and the preceding process. Other process information may indicate only the following process, only the preceding process, or both. A following process is the process that follows the next process in sequence. A preceding process is the process that follows the previous process in sequence. Other process information may not be an ID, but rather any other information such as a number or name. Other process information may be in any format, for example, using numbers, letters, or a combination thereof.

[0134] The identification unit 103 identifies one or more processes to be executed on the object based on the subsequent process ID received for each process from one or more industrial devices 20. For example, based on the subsequent process ID received from the industrial device 20 executing a certain process, the identification unit 103 identifies the next process to be executed, or identifies that process as the last process. Furthermore, based on the previous process ID received from the industrial device 20 executing a certain process, the identification unit 103 identifies the previous process executed before the previous process, or identifies that process as the earliest process.

[0135] As in the first embodiment, the assigning unit 104 can generate a process ID based on the process identified by the identifying unit 103. For example, the assigning unit 104 can combine the previous process ID and the next process ID to create a process ID. Furthermore, the next process IDs can be numbered consecutively starting from 1, so that 9000 can be used for completed production, and 9001 and above can be used for NG objects.

[0136] If the other process information is a previous process ID that can identify the previous process, similarly to the subsequent process ID, the identification unit 103 identifies the previous process, and the assignment unit 104 generates a process ID and assigns it to the collected information. For example, since process p1 has no previous process, the previous process ID is a fixed value. Upon receiving a fixed previous process ID from industrial device 20A, the identification unit 103 determines that there is no previous process and that process p1 is the oldest process. If the assignment unit 104 determines that process p1 is the oldest process, it generates a process ID such that "0000" represents the upper four digits of the eight-digit value and assigns it to the collected information.

[0137] Since the previous process of process p2 is process p1, upon receiving a previous process ID indicating that the previous process is process p1 from industrial device 20B, identification unit 103 identifies process p1 as the previous process of process p2. If process p1 is identified as the previous process, assignment unit 104 replaces the lower four digits of the process ID corresponding to process p1 with the upper four digits of the 8-digit value of the process ID corresponding to process p2. Assignment unit 104 increments this 4-digit value as the lower four digits, generates a process ID corresponding to process p2, and assigns it to the collected information.

[0138] Similarly, when the previous process ID indicating that the previous process is process p2 to p5 is received from each industrial device 20C to 20E, the determination unit 103 determines the previous process. The assignment unit 104 uses the lower 4 digits of the process ID corresponding to the previous process as the upper 4 digits of the 8-digit value of the process ID corresponding to the process to be generated. The assignment unit 104 uses the value obtained by incrementing the 4-digit value as the lower 4 digits to generate the process ID corresponding to the process to be generated, and assigns it to the collected information. In addition, the determination unit 103 can determine that process p6 is the last process through the process management data D2, so the assignment unit 104 sets the lower 4 digits of the process ID corresponding to process p6 to a fixed value of "FFFF". Other process information can also include both the previous process ID and the next process ID.

[0139] Figure 10 as well as Figure 11 This is a flowchart showing an example of processing performed by the information collection system 1 of the second embodiment. The processing from S200 to S202 is identical to the processing from S100 to S101 and S103. The industrial device 20A generates a subsequent process ID indicating that the subsequent process is process p2 and transmits the subsequent process ID and collected information to the control device 10 (S203). The subsequent processing from S204 is identical to the processing from S106.

[0140] Upon receiving the subsequent process ID and collected information, the control device 10 determines that the executed process is process p1 and that the subsequent process is process p2 (S205). The subsequent processing in S206 is identical to that in S108, but differs from the first embodiment in that the control device 10 waits to receive the subsequent process ID and collected information from the industrial device 20B executing process p2 indicated by the subsequent process ID. Upon receiving the subsequent process ID and collected information from the industrial device 20B, the control device 10 determines that process p2 identified in S205 has been executed. In other words, the control device 10 determines that process p2, the subsequent process, has been executed on the same object as the object on which process p1 was executed by the industrial device 20A.

[0141] The following processes, S207 to S223, are performed between the control device 10 and the industrial devices 20B to 20E, roughly equivalent to those in S202, S203, S205, and S206. When each industrial device 20B to 20E executes the process it is supposed to execute, it generates a subsequent process ID and transmits the subsequent process ID and collected information to the control device 10. Once the control device 10 determines the executed process and the subsequent process, it generates a process ID and assigns it to the collected information. However, in the second embodiment, since the industrial device 20B needs to determine which of processes p3 or p4 to execute in order to generate the subsequent process ID, the industrial device 20B determines which process to execute in S208. The content of S208 is identical to that of S114, differing only in the execution entity. The processes of S224 to S226 are identical to those of S129 to S131, respectively.

[0142] According to the information collection system 1 of the second embodiment, by receiving other process information related to at least one of the subsequent process and the previous process, generated for each process on one or more industrial devices 20, it is possible to determine which process was performed on which object. The information collection system 1 only needs to receive other process information from one or more industrial devices 20, thereby reducing the number of exchanges between the information collection system 1 and the one or more industrial devices 20. As a result, the processing load on the information collection system 1 can be reduced, and the amount of communication between the information collection system 1 and the one or more industrial devices 20 can be reduced. In addition, even if the information collection system 1 is the main body and does not control the one or more industrial devices 20, it is possible to reliably determine the object on which the process was performed.

[0143] (3. Third embodiment)

[0144] Next, the third embodiment will be described. While the third embodiment is similar to the first and second embodiments in that the industrial equipment 20 is the primary processor for executing the process, the method for identifying the process to be executed on the object differs from the first and second embodiments. In the second embodiment, the industrial equipment 20 generates the next process ID, but in the third embodiment, the control device 10 generates the next process ID. Other configurations common to the first and second embodiments will be omitted.

[0145] Figure 12 : is a diagram showing an example of the flow of objects and information in the third embodiment. Figure 12As shown, in the third embodiment, when the industrial machine 20A executes process p1 on a certain object, it generates state information of the object and transmits the state information and collected information to the control device 10. The collected information may be acquired in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

[0146] The status information can be any information that can be used to infer the next process on the control device 10 side, for example, information required to determine the conditions when generating the next process ID in the second embodiment. In this case, the control device 10 can determine the process corresponding to the conditions satisfied by the status information as the next process, similar to the method used by the industrial equipment 20 to determine the next process in the second embodiment. The status information can be any information, such as the date and time when the process was performed on the object, or the value of a physical quantity or variable detected by a sensor. For example, when the control device 10 knows in advance the time interval for performing each process, the status information includes the date and time when the process was performed on the object. The control device 10 can determine the process performed on the object from the interval between the date and time included in the status information. The collected information can also be equivalent to the status information. In this case, the industrial equipment 20A only needs to send the collected information to the control device 10.

[0147] When the control device 10 receives status information and collected information from the industrial device 20A, it can use the process management data D2 to determine the earliest process p1 executed by the industrial device 20A. Therefore, by receiving the collected information from the industrial device 20A, it can be determined that process p1 has been executed on the new object. As in the first embodiment, the control device 10 generates a process ID and assigns it to the received collected information.

[0148] Based on the status information received from industrial equipment 20A, the control device 10 determines the process to be executed after process p1 and generates a subsequent process ID to identify that process. For example, the control device 10 refers to process management data D2 and determines that process p2 should be executed after process p1. By receiving collected information from industrial equipment 20A, the control device 10 determines that process p2 should be executed next. The control device 10 waits to receive collected information from industrial equipment 20B, which is executing process p2.

[0149] Subsequently, similar to industrial equipment 20A, when each of industrial equipment 20B-20E executes processes p2-p6 on a particular object, it transmits the object's status information and collected information to the control device 10. Similar to the case where the status information and collected information were received from industrial equipment 20A, the control device 10 identifies the next process based on the status information received from each of industrial equipment 20B-20E. The control device 10 then waits to receive the collected information and collected information from each of the industrial equipment 20C-20E executing the identified next process.

[0150] Alternatively, the state information may be used to determine whether to execute step p3 or step p4 after step p2. The control device 10 determines whether to execute step p3 or step p4 by referring to previously received collected information and other information. The control device 10 simply waits for receipt of collected information from the industrial device 20C that is executing either step p3 or step p4.

[0151] Upon receiving status information and collected information from the industrial equipment 20E, the control device 10 determines that process p6 is the final process. Upon determining that process p6 is the final process, the control device 10 generates an object ID and assigns it to the collected information, thereby generating object data D1 for the object that has completed all processes. The structure of object data D1 itself is the same as in the first embodiment. Object data D1 is also transmitted to the collection device 30 at any time, similar to the first embodiment.

[0152] In the third embodiment, the "predetermined information" used in the processing of the determination unit is status information related to the status of the object, transmitted by one or more industrial devices 20 for each process. The determination unit 103 determines one or more processes to be performed on the object based on the status information received from one or more industrial devices 20 for each process. For example, the determination unit 103 determines whether a predetermined condition is satisfied based on the status information, and determines the process corresponding to the condition determined to be satisfied as the next process. This condition is prepared for each process executable by the industrial device 20. The determination unit 103 only needs to determine the process corresponding to the condition satisfied by the status information as the next process. Alternatively, the determination unit 103 may not determine the next process, but determine the previous process. In this case, the status information only needs to be information used to determine the condition related to the previous process. The determination unit 103 may also determine both the next process and the previous process.

[0153] Figure 13 as well as Figure 14 This is a flowchart showing an example of the processing performed in the information collection system 1 of the third embodiment. The processing of S300 to S302 is the same as the processing of S100 to S101 and S103. The industrial equipment 20A generates status information and sends the status information and collected information to the control device 10 (S303). The subsequent processing of S304 is the same as the processing of S106. If the control device 10 receives the status information and collected information, it determines that the executed process is process p1 and the subsequent process is process p2 (S305). The processing of S305 is similar to the processing of S205, but differs in that the determination of the subsequent process in S203 is performed on the control device 10 side based on the status information. The subsequent processing of S306 is the same as the processing of S108.

[0154] The following processes, S307 to S323, are executed between the control device 10 and the industrial devices 20B to 20E, similar to those in S302, S303, S305, and S306. When each industrial device 20B to 20E executes its own process, it generates status information and transmits the status information and collected information to the control device 10. Furthermore, the process in S311 can be similar to that in S114. The processes in S324 to S326 are similar to those in S129 to S131.

[0155] According to the information collection system 1 of the third embodiment, by determining one or more processes being executed on an object based on status information received for each process from one or more industrial devices 20, it is possible to determine which process was executed on which object. Since the information collection system 1 only needs to receive status information from one or more industrial devices 20, the number of exchanges between the information collection system 1 and the one or more industrial devices 20 can be reduced. As a result, the processing load on the information collection system 1 can be reduced, and the amount of communication between the information collection system and the one or more industrial devices 20 can be reduced. Furthermore, even when the information collection system 1 is the main body and does not control the one or more industrial devices 20, it is still possible to reliably determine the object on which the process was executed.

[0156] (4. Fourth embodiment)

[0157] Next, the fourth embodiment will be described. The fourth embodiment differs from the first through third embodiments in that the control device 10 controls the processes of a portion of the industrial equipment 20. In the fourth embodiment, the control device 10 controls the processes of the industrial equipment 20A and 20B. Similarly to the first through third embodiments, the industrial equipment 20C through 20E each executes processes primarily based on the industrial equipment 20. Alternatively, the control device 10 may control the processes of all the industrial equipment 20. The description of other configurations common to the first through third embodiments will be omitted.

[0158] Figure 15 : is a diagram showing an example of the flow of objects and information in the fourth embodiment. Figure 15 As shown, in the fourth embodiment, the control device 10 determines whether the conditions for starting process p1 for a certain object are met. If the conditions are met, the control device 10 instructs the industrial device 20A to start process p1. Upon receiving the instruction, the industrial device 20A starts process p1. Upon completing process p1, the industrial device 20A transmits collected information to the control device 10. Upon receiving the collected information from the industrial device 20A, the control device 10 generates a process ID and assigns it to the received collected information, similar to the first embodiment.

[0159] In the subsequent step p2, similar to step p1, the control device 10 instructs the industrial device 20B to execute step p2 and assigns a process ID to the collected information received from the industrial device 20B. Since the control device 10 is primarily responsible for steps p1 and p2, the control device 10 can determine which step was executed on which object simply by receiving collected information from the industrial devices 20A and 20B.

[0160] Since the process after step p2 is mainly performed by the industrial equipment 20 side, any method in the first to third embodiments can be used. Figure 15 The method described in the third embodiment is used as an example. Upon receiving status information and collected information from industrial equipment 20E, the control device 10 generates an object ID and creates object data D1 for all completed objects. Subsequently, similar to the first through third embodiments, object data D1 is transmitted to the collection device 30.

[0161] Figure 16 : is a functional block diagram in the fourth embodiment. Figure 16 As shown, in the fourth embodiment, the device control unit 105 is implemented in the control apparatus 10. The device control unit 105 is mainly implemented by the CPU 11. In addition, the industrial device communication unit 102 of the fourth embodiment communicates with each of the plurality of industrial devices 20.

[0162] The device control unit 105 controls a portion of the industrial equipment 20. The device control unit 105 only needs to control one or more industrial equipment 20, and the number of industrial equipment 20 controlled by the device control unit 105 is not limited to the example of the fourth embodiment. In addition, the device control unit 105 can also control all industrial equipment 20. For example, the device control unit 105 executes a control program and sends a start instruction of a process to the industrial equipment 20 that is the control object. If the industrial equipment 20 receives the start instruction, it starts the process. If the industrial equipment 20 completes the process, it sends a response indicating this to the control device 10. The response includes collected information. If the control device 10 receives the response, the device control unit 105 determines the next process to be performed. In the same manner thereafter, the device control unit 105 controls the industrial equipment 20 that is the control object.

[0163] The determination unit 103 determines a portion of the industrial equipment 20 (in Figure 3 In the example of the industrial equipment 20A and the industrial equipment 20B), based on the control content of the equipment control unit, one or more processes to be performed on the object are determined. The determination unit 103 determines the other industrial equipment 20 (in Figure 3In the example of industrial equipment 20C to 20E, one or more processes performed on the object are identified based on the predetermined information described in any of the first to third embodiments. The assigning unit 104 assigns the collected information with process IDs associated with the processes performed by some of the industrial equipment 20 and other industrial equipment 20.

[0164] Figure 17 as well as Figure 18 This is a flowchart showing an example of the processing performed by the information collection system 1 according to the fourth embodiment. The processing of S400-S401 is the same as the processing of S100-S101. Based on the control program, the control device 10 determines whether the execution conditions of process p1 are met. If the execution conditions are met, it sends a start instruction for process p1 to the industrial equipment 20A (S402). Upon receiving the start instruction, the industrial equipment 20A executes process p1 (S403) and sends the collected information to the control device 10 (S404). The subsequent processing of S405 is the same as the processing of S108.

[0165] The subsequent processes of S406 to S409 are identical to those of S402 to S405, and the control device 10 causes the industrial device 20B to execute process p2. The subsequent processes of S410 to S425 are identical to those of S311 to S326. The control device 10 determines whether the termination condition is satisfied (S426). If the termination condition is not satisfied (S426: No), the process returns to S402 and begins the process for the next object. If the termination condition is satisfied (S426: Yes), the process ends.

[0166] According to the information collection system 1 of the fourth embodiment, traceability can be ensured even when industrial equipment 20 controlled by the information collection system 1 and industrial equipment 20 not controlled by the information collection system 1 coexist.

[0167] (5. Modification)

[0168] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be modified appropriately without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0169] For example, if an object can be identified solely by a combination of process IDs, object IDs may not be generated. Alternatively, for example, the information collection system 1 may not perform processing, but may simply inspect or measure finished products as a process. Alternatively, for example, a process may not branch. Alternatively, if a process branches, further branching may be generated at the beginning. Alternatively, for example, object data D1 may not include object IDs, but may instead identify objects using process IDs.

[0170] Furthermore, for example, each of the functions described above may be implemented by any device in the information collection system 1. For example, a function described as being implemented by the collection device 30 may also be implemented by the control device 10 or the industrial device 20. Furthermore, for example, a function described as being implemented by the control device 10 may also be implemented by the collection device 30 or the industrial device 20. Furthermore, for example, each function may be implemented by a single device rather than being shared among multiple devices.

[0171] Explanation of symbols:

[0172] 1 Information Collection System

[0173] 10 Control device

[0174] 11, 21, 31 CPU

[0175] 12, 22, 32 storage units

[0176] 13, 23, 33 Ministry of Communications

[0177] 14 IoT Department

[0178] 20, 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D, 20E Industrial equipment

[0179] 30 Collection device

[0180] 34 Operation Department

[0181] 35 Display

[0182] D1 object data

[0183] D2 process management data

[0184] DB object database

[0185] p1, p2, p3, p4, p5, p6 processes

[0186] 100 Data Storage Department

[0187] 101 Generation Department

[0188] 102 Industrial Equipment Communications Department

[0189] 103 Determination Department

[0190] 104 Endowment Department

[0191] 105 Equipment Control Department

[0192] 200 Data Storage Department

[0193] 201 Process Execution Department

[0194] 300 Data Storage Department

[0195] 301 Preservation Department

Claims

1. An information collection system comprising: an industrial equipment communication unit for communicating with one or more industrial equipment that performs a predetermined process on an object; a determination unit that determines one or more of the processes to be performed on the object based on predetermined information received from the one or more industrial devices; and an assigning unit that assigns process identification information related to the one or more processes to collected information related to the object collected from the one or more industrial devices, performing the same process on one of the objects and the other objects, respectively; The adding unit makes the process identification information of the same process added to the collected information of the one object different from the process identification information of the same process added to the collected information of the other object.

2. An information collection system comprising: an industrial equipment communication unit for communicating with one or more industrial equipment that performs a predetermined process on an object; a determination unit that determines one or more of the processes to be performed on the object based on predetermined information received from the one or more industrial devices; a generating unit configured to generate object identification information different from the object identification information generated on the one or more industrial devices; as well as an assigning unit that assigns process identification information related to the one or more processes to collected information related to the object collected from the one or more industrial devices, The predetermined information includes object identification information of the object generated on the one or more industrial equipment sides, The specifying unit specifies the one or more processes to be performed on the object corresponding to the object identification information received from the one or more industrial devices. The adding unit further adds the different object identification information to the collected information.

3. The information collection system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The predetermined information is other process information, and the other process information is information related to at least one of a subsequent process and a previous process, generated for each of the processes on the one or more industrial equipment sides. The specifying unit specifies the one or more processes to be performed on the object based on the other process information received from the one or more industrial devices for each of the processes.

4. The information collection system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The predetermined information is status information, and the status information is information related to the status of the object transmitted by the one or more industrial devices for each of the processes. The specifying unit specifies the one or more processes to be performed on the object based on the status information received from the one or more industrial devices for each of the processes.

5. The information collection system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The industrial device communication unit communicates with each of the plurality of industrial devices. The information collection system further includes a device control unit, which controls a portion of the industrial equipment. The determination unit determines the one or more processes to be performed on the object for the part of the industrial equipment based on the control content of the equipment control unit, and determines the one or more processes to be performed on the object for the other industrial equipment based on the predetermined information. The adding unit adds the process identification information to the collected information, the process identification information being related to the processes respectively executed by the part of the industrial equipment and the other industrial equipment.

6. The information collection system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The information collection system further includes a storage unit that stores the collected information to which the process identification information related to the one or more processes is assigned in a database.

7. The information collection system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The adding unit adds the process identification information related to the process to the collected information collected from the one or more industrial facilities for each of the processes.

8. The information collection system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: There are multiple paths for the process to be performed on the object. The one or more industrial devices execute the process of any one of the plurality of paths on the object, The process identification information related to the one or more processes is information capable of identifying the route.

9. The information collection system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: performing a plurality of said processes in a single said industrial plant, The determination unit determines which of the plurality of processes that the single industrial device can execute has been executed.

10. The information collection system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The information collection system further includes a generating unit configured to generate object identification information of the object. The adding unit further adds the generated object identification information to the collected information.

11. A method for collecting information, wherein: communicating with one or more industrial devices that perform a predetermined process on an object, determining one or more of the processes to be performed on the object based on predetermined information received from the one or more industrial devices; adding process identification information related to the one or more processes to collected information related to the object collected from the one or more industrial devices; performing the same process on one of the objects and the other objects, respectively; The adding unit makes the process identification information of the same process added to the collected information of the one object different from the process identification information of the same process added to the collected information of the other object.

12. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to function as: an industrial equipment communication unit for communicating with one or more industrial equipment that performs a predetermined process on an object; a determination unit that determines one or more of the processes to be performed on the object based on predetermined information received from the one or more industrial devices; and an assigning unit that assigns process identification information related to the one or more processes to collected information related to the object collected from the one or more industrial devices, performing the same process on one of the objects and the other objects, respectively; The adding unit makes the process identification information of the same process added to the collected information of the one object different from the process identification information of the same process added to the collected information of the other object.

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