Inventory management system, inventory management method and program

Abstract

To provide an inventory management system, an inventory management method and a program capable of improving the inventory management accuracy of management objects in a work site to improve the work efficiency of a worker.SOLUTION: There is an inventory management system that comprises: a weight information acquisition part which acquires in real time weight information indicating a weight of a consumption member stored as an inventory to be consumed in work in a work site; a position information acquisition part which acquires in real time consumption member position information indicating a position of a container where the inventory of the consumption member is stored; and a generation part which generates inventory information indicating an inventory state of the consumption member based upon at least one of the acquired weight information and the acquired consumption member position information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an inventory management system, an inventory management method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, various techniques have been proposed for identifying the location of a managed object.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a technology for identifying the position of an article equipped with a wireless tag. In this technology, a self-propelled device receives the wireless tag number of an article to be searched for, moves within a search area, and searches for an article equipped with a wireless tag having a tag number equal to the received wireless tag number, and the search result is output as position information. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2005-56177 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the technology of the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, it may take time for the self-propelled device to search for the managed object, and in this case, the inventory status of the managed object cannot be grasped in real time. In a work site, if the inventory status of the managed object cannot be grasped in real time, the work efficiency of the worker may decrease.

[0006] In view of the above-mentioned problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an inventory management system, an inventory management method, and a program that can improve the accuracy of inventory management of managed items at a work site and improve the work efficiency of workers. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an inventory management system according to one embodiment of the present invention is an inventory management system that includes a weight information acquisition unit that acquires in real time weight information indicating the weight of consumable components stored as inventory for consumable components consumed during work at a work site, a position information acquisition unit that acquires in real time consumable component position information indicating the position of the container in which the inventory of the consumable components is stored, and a generation unit that generates inventory information indicating the inventory status of the consumable components based on at least one of the acquired weight information and the consumable component position information.

[0008] An inventory management method according to one embodiment of the present invention is an inventory management method executed by a computer, including a weight information acquisition process that acquires in real time weight information indicating the weight of a consumable component consumed during work at a work site when the consumable component is stored as inventory, a position information acquisition process that acquires in real time consumable component position information indicating the position of a container in which the inventory of the consumable component is stored, and a generation process that generates inventory information indicating the inventory status of the consumable component based on at least one of the acquired weight information and the consumable component position information.

[0009] A program according to one embodiment of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to function as: a weight information acquisition means for acquiring, in real time, weight information indicating the weight of a consumable component consumed during work at a work site when the consumable component is stored as inventory; a position information acquisition means for acquiring, in real time, consumable component position information indicating the position of the container in which the inventory of the consumable component is stored; and a generation means for generating inventory information indicating the inventory status of the consumable component based on at least one of the acquired weight information and the consumable component position information. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the accuracy of inventory management of managed objects at a work site and to improve the work efficiency of workers. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an inventory management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an inventory management server according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 3] 11 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a processing flow in a case where a container is not moved in the inventory management system according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] 11 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a processing flow when a container is moved in the inventory management system according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 5] 11 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a processing flow when a container is moved in the inventory management system according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of an abnormality detection process according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiment, an inventory management system will be described that grasps the inventory status of managed objects at a work site and outputs information according to the grasped inventory status. Managed objects are materials consumed at the production site (hereinafter also referred to as "consumable materials"). Consumable materials are, for example, parts such as screws, bolts, and nuts, consumer goods such as filters, and liquids such as lubricating oil. However, consumable materials are materials that can be managed at least by weight.

[0013] <1. Configuration of inventory management system> The configuration of an inventory management system according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an inventory management system 1 according to this embodiment. The inventory management system 1 shown in Fig. 1 is a system that grasps the inventory status of consumable parts consumed at a work site WS and outputs information (hereinafter, also referred to as "inventory information") according to the grasped inventory status. A container OB is an example of a container in which consumable parts are stored. Note that, although the figure shows one worker WK and one container OB at the work site WS, there may be multiple workers WK and containers OB at the work site WS. As shown in FIG. 1, the inventory management system 1 includes a UWB (Ultra Wide Band) tag 10, an altitude sensor 20, an IoT (Internet of Things) weighing scale 30, a UWB receiver 40, a sensor receiver 50, a hub 60, an inventory management server 70, a gateway 80, a worker terminal 90, and an inventory management terminal 100.

[0014] (1) UWB tag 10 The UWB tag 10 is a transmitter that emits radio waves for positioning according to the UWB (Ultra Wide Band) communication standard. The UWB tag 10 is a transmitter that transmits radio waves for positioning using the UWB (Ultra Wide Band) communication standard. In this embodiment, the UWB tag 10 is used to identify the current position of the worker WK and the current position of the container OB in the horizontal direction of the work site WS. For this reason, the UWB tag 10 is carried by each worker WK and attached to each container OB. The UWB tag 10 may be in the form of, for example, a card.

[0015] (2) Altitude Sensor 20 The altitude sensor 20 is a sensor device capable of detecting a change in altitude. In this embodiment, the altitude sensor 20 is used to identify the current positions of the workers WK and the current positions of the containers OB in the vertical direction of the work site WS. For this reason, the altitude sensor 20 is carried by each of the workers WK and attached to each of the containers OB. The altitude sensor 20 transmits altitude measurements to the sensor receiver 50 .

[0016] (3) IoT weight scale 30 The IoT weighing scale 30 is a device for measuring the weight of consumable materials. The IoT weighing scale 30 is provided inside the container OB (for example, on the bottom surface) so that the weight of the consumable materials contained in the container OB can be measured in real time. The consumable materials contained in the container OB are an inventory of consumable materials consumed in work at the work site WS. Thus, the weight of the consumable materials measured by the IoT weighing scale 30 is the weight of the consumable materials stored as inventory. The IoT weighing scale 30 transmits information indicating the measured weight of the consumable item (hereinafter also referred to as “weight information”) to the inventory management server 70. For example, the IoT weighing scale 30 transmits the weight information to the inventory management server 70 via the hub 60.

[0017] (4) UWB receiver 40 The UWB receiver 40 is a receiver that receives radio waves for positioning transmitted from the UWB tag 10. In the work site WS, one UWB receiver 40 is fixedly installed at each of a plurality of predetermined positions. The plurality of UWB receivers 40 are connected to an inventory management server 70 via a hub 60, for example.

[0018] The UWB tag 10 emits pulsed radio waves for positioning. The emitted radio waves are received by multiple UWB receivers 40 that are present within the range of the multiple radio waves. The UWB receiver 40 that receives the radio waves from the UWB tag 10 measures the time it takes for the received radio waves to arrive from the UWB tag 10 (signal arrival time) and the angle at which the received radio waves arrive (signal arrival angle), and calculates the position of the UWB tag 10 based on measurement information including the measured signal arrival time and signal arrival angle. In this embodiment, the position of the UWB tag 10 calculated in this manner is treated as the position measured for the worker WK who carries the UWB tag 10 or the position measured for the container OB to which the UWB tag 10 is attached.

[0019] The positions of the worker WK and the container OB calculated by the UWB receiver 40 are position information indicating the horizontal positions of the work site WS. The UWB receiver 40 transmits the position information indicating the calculated position of the worker WK present at the work site WS as horizontal worker position information, and transmits the position information indicating the calculated position of the container OB present at the work site WS as horizontal consumable component position information to the inventory management server 70.

[0020] Furthermore, in order for the inventory management server 70 to associate the measured horizontal position with the worker WK or container OB, the UWB tag 10 may transmit a UWB tag ID that is uniquely associated with the worker WK or container OB to the UWB receiver 40. The UWB receiver 40 transmits the worker position information or consumable component position information including the received UWB tag ID to the inventory management server 70. The inventory management server 70 can associate the measured position of the UWB tag 10 with the UWB tag ID. Since the UWB tag ID is uniquely associated with the worker WK or container OB, it becomes possible to associate the measured position of the UWB tag 10 with the worker WK or container OB.

[0021] In such UWB positioning, it is possible to measure a position with an accuracy of, for example, about several tens of centimeters. Therefore, in this embodiment, too, it is possible to grasp the position of a worker WK or a container OB present at a work site WS with a high accuracy of, for example, about several tens of centimeters.

[0022] (5) Sensor receiver 50 The sensor receiver 50 is a receiver that receives the altitude measurement results transmitted from the altitude sensor 20. At the work site WS, one sensor receiver 50 is fixedly installed at each of a plurality of predetermined positions. The plurality of sensor receivers 50 are connected to an inventory management server 70 via a hub 60, for example.

[0023] The sensor receiver 50 calculates the position of the altitude sensor 20 based on the measurement results received from the altitude sensor 20. In this embodiment, the position of the altitude sensor 20 calculated in this manner is treated as the position measured for the worker WK carrying the altitude sensor 20 or the position measured for the container OB to which the altitude sensor 20 is attached.

[0024] The positions of the worker WK and the container OB calculated by the sensor receiver 50 are position information indicating the positions in the height direction of the work site WS. The sensor receiver 50 transmits the position information indicating the calculated position of the worker WK present at the work site WS as worker position information in the height direction, and transmits the position information indicating the calculated position of the container OB present at the work site WS as consumable component position information in the height direction to the inventory management server 70.

[0025] Furthermore, in order for the inventory management server 70 to associate the measured position in the height direction with the worker WK or the container OB, the altitude sensor 20 may transmit an altitude sensor ID uniquely associated with the worker WK or the container OB to the sensor receiver 50. The sensor receiver 50 transmits the received worker position information or consumable component position information including the altitude sensor ID to the inventory management server 70. The inventory management server 70 can associate the measured position of the altitude sensor 20 with the altitude sensor ID. Since the altitude sensor ID is uniquely associated with the worker WK or the container OB, it becomes possible to associate the measured position of the altitude sensor 20 with the worker WK or the container OB.

[0026] (6) Hub 60 Hub 60 is a device that relays communications between IoT weigh scale 30, UWB receiver 40, and sensor receiver 50 on the one hand and inventory management server 70 on the other hand.

[0027] (7) Inventory management server 70 The inventory management server 70 is a server that executes processes for managing the inventory status of consumable members, and is an example of an inventory management device. The inventory management server 70 is configured with one or more servers (for example, cloud servers).

[0028] (8) Gateway 80 The gateway 80 is a device that relays communication between the inventory management server 70 and the worker terminal 90 and the inventory management terminal 100.

[0029] (9) Worker terminal 90 The worker terminal 90 is a terminal used by the worker WK. The worker terminal 90 is, for example, a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal, or a PC (Personal Computer). In addition, the worker terminal 90 may be connectable to the inventory management server 70 via a mobile phone communication network or the like, without going through the gateway 80, for example. The function of the worker terminal 90 may be realized by installing a worker assistance application, or by accessing a worker assistance website provided by the inventory management server 70 using a browser implemented in the worker terminal 90. The worker assistance application may be a thin client application.

[0030] (10) Inventory management terminal 100 The inventory management terminal 100 is a terminal used by a manager who manages the work site WS. The inventory management terminal 100 is, for example, a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal, or a PC. In addition, inventory management terminal 100 may be connectable to inventory management server 70 via a mobile phone communication network or the like, without going through gateway 80, for example. The function of inventory management terminal 100 of this embodiment may be realized by installing an inventory management assistance application, or by accessing a website for inventory management assistance provided by inventory management server 70 using a browser implemented in inventory management terminal 100. The inventory management assistance application may be a thin client application.

[0031] <2. Functional configuration of inventory management server> The configuration of the inventory management system 1 according to this embodiment has been described above. Next, the functional configuration of the inventory management server 70 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the inventory management server 70 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the inventory management server 70 includes a communication unit 710, a storage unit 720, and a control unit 730.

[0032] (1) Communications unit 710 The communication unit 710 has a function of transmitting and receiving various information. For example, the communication unit 710 communicates with the UWB receiver 40 via the hub 60 to receive worker position information in a horizontal direction or consumable component position information in a horizontal direction. The communication unit 710 also communicates with the sensor receiver 50 via the hub 60 to receive worker position information in a vertical direction or consumable component position information in a vertical direction. The communication unit 710 also communicates with the IoT weighing scale 30 via the hub 60 to receive consumable component weight information. The communication unit 710 also communicates with the worker terminal 90 via the gateway 80 to transmit inventory information. The communication unit 710 also communicates with the inventory management terminal 100 via the gateway 80 to transmit inventory information.

[0033] (2) Storage section 720 The storage unit 720 has a function of storing various information. The storage unit 720 is configured by a storage medium provided as hardware by the inventory management server 70, such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), a flash memory, an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), a random access read / write memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), or any combination of these storage media.

[0034] (3) Control unit 730 The control unit 730 has a function of controlling the overall operation of the inventory management server 70. The control unit 730 is realized, for example, by causing a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) provided as hardware in the inventory management server 70 to execute a program. As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 730 includes a position information acquisition unit 731, a weight information acquisition unit 732, a generation unit 733, a detection unit 734, and an output processing unit 735.

[0035] (3-1) Location information acquisition unit 731 The position information acquisition unit 731 has a function of acquiring position information. The position information acquisition unit 731 acquires, in real time, consumable component position information indicating the position of a container OB in which an inventory of consumable components is stored. The position information acquisition unit 731 also acquires, in real time, worker position information indicating the position of a worker WK present at a work site WS. When the container OB is moved by the worker WK, the position information acquisition unit 731 acquires consumable component position information at a predetermined time interval from when the container OB starts to move until when the container OB ends moving.

[0036] In addition, the position information acquisition unit 731 acquires position information indicating the position of the UWB tag 10 calculated based on positioning radio waves received from the UWB tag 10 by multiple UWB receivers 40 as position information indicating the position in a planar direction of a worker WK or container OB carrying the UWB tag 10. In addition, the position information acquisition unit 731 acquires position information indicating the position of the altitude sensor 20 calculated based on the altitude measurement results received from the altitude sensor 20 by multiple sensor receivers 50, as position information indicating the vertical position of the worker WK or container OB having the altitude sensor 20.

[0037] (3-2) Weight information acquisition section 732 The weight information acquisition unit 732 has a function of acquiring weight information. The weight information acquisition unit 732 acquires weight information indicating the weight of consumable materials stored as inventory for consumable materials consumed in work at the work site WS in real time. For example, when the IoT weighing scale 30 detects that the weight of the consumable materials stored in the container OB has decreased, the weight information acquisition unit 732 acquires weight information measured by the IoT weighing scale 30 in real time.

[0038] (3-3) Generation section 733 The generating unit 733 has a function of generating inventory information. The generating unit 733 generates inventory information indicating the inventory status of the consumable component based on at least one of the consumable component position information acquired by the position information acquiring unit 731 and the weight information acquired by the weight information acquiring unit 732.

[0039] For example, the generation unit 733 calculates the inventory quantity of the consumable components stored in the container OB as inventory based on the weight information acquired by the weight information acquisition unit 732, and generates inventory information indicating the calculated inventory quantity of the consumable components as an inventory status. As an example, the generation unit 733 calculates the reduced quantity of the consumable components based on the weight information acquired by the weight information acquisition unit 732, and generates inventory information indicating the calculated amount of reduction in the inventory quantity.

[0040] Furthermore, the generating unit 733 identifies the position of the container OB in which the consumable component is stored as inventory, based on the consumable component position information acquired by the position information acquiring unit 731, and generates inventory information indicating the identified position of the container OB as an inventory status. As an example, the generating unit 733 generates inventory information indicating the trajectory of the movement of the container OB as an inventory status, based on the multiple pieces of consumable component position information acquired by the position information acquiring unit 731.

[0041] In addition, the generation unit 733 generates behavior history information indicating the behavior history of the worker WK based on the weight information, consumable component position information, worker position information acquired by each acquisition unit, and time information indicating the time when each information was acquired.

[0042] (3-4) Detection unit 734 The detection unit 734 has a function of detecting an abnormality in the work site WS. For example, the detection unit 734 detects an abnormality in the work site WS based on the action history information generated by the generation unit 733. As an example, based on behavioral history information, the detection unit 734 detects abnormalities such as abnormal consumption of consumable parts by worker WK, work being biased towards worker WK, or consumption of consumable parts by an unauthorized worker.

[0043] (3-5) Output processing unit 735 The output processing unit 735 has a function of controlling the output of various information. For example, when inventory information is output from the generation unit 733, the output processing unit 735 causes the communication unit 710 to transmit the inventory information to the worker terminal 90 or the inventory management terminal 100.

[0044] <3. Processing flow> The functional configuration of the inventory management server 70 according to this embodiment has been described above. Next, the flow of processing according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 3 to 6. Note that in the example shown in Figures 3 to 6, the description will be given assuming that the consumable parts are parts.

[0045] (1) Processing flow when container OB is not moved A process flow in the case where the container OB is not moved will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a process flow in the case where the container OB is not moved in the inventory management system 1 according to this embodiment.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 3, first, the worker WK checks the inventory information displayed on the worker terminal 90, and checks the inventory position, which is the position of the container OB in which the target consumable member is stored (step S101). After confirmation, the worker WK moves to the location of the container OB (step S102). After arriving at the location of the container OB, the worker WK takes out the required number of parts from the container OB (step S103).

[0047] When the worker WK removes the parts from the container OB, the IoT weighing scale 30 provided in the container OB detects a reduction in the weight of the parts contained in the container OB (step S104). After detection, IoT weigh scale 30 transmits the latest weight information to inventory management server 70 via hub 60 (step S105).

[0048] Weight information acquisition unit 732 of inventory management server 70 acquires the weight information received by communication unit 710 from IoT weighing scale 30 via hub 60 (Step S106). Next, the generation unit 733 of the inventory management server 70 calculates the inventory quantity of the consumable items stored as inventory in the container OB based on the weight information acquired by the weight information acquisition unit 732 (step S107). After the calculation, the generating unit 733 generates inventory information indicating the calculated inventory quantity of the consumable member as an inventory status (Step S108).

[0049] (2) Processing flow when moving a container OB A process flow when a container OB is moved will be described with reference to Fig. 4 and Fig. 5. Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 are sequence diagrams showing an example of a process flow when a container OB is moved in the inventory management system 1 according to this embodiment.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 4, first, the worker WK checks the inventory information displayed on the worker terminal 90, and checks the inventory position, which is the position of the container OB in which the target consumable member is stored (step S201). After confirmation, the worker WK moves to the location of the container OB (step S202). After arriving at the location of the container OB, the worker WK starts moving with the container OB (step S203). This is the case when the worker WK does not clearly know the number of parts to be used in the work.

[0051] At the start of movement, the UWB tags 10 carried by the worker WK and the container OB each transmit radio waves for positioning (step S204). The UWB receiver 40 receives radio waves for positioning from each UWB tag 10 and calculates worker position information and consumable component position information in a horizontal direction (step S205). The UWB receiver 40 transmits the calculated worker position information and consumable component position information in the planar direction to the inventory management server 70 via the hub 60 (step S206). The position information acquisition unit 731 of the inventory management server 70 acquires the worker position information and consumable component position information in the planar direction that the communication unit 710 receives from the UWB receiver 40 via the hub 60 (step S207).

[0052] Furthermore, at the start of movement, the altitude sensors 20 of the worker WK and the container OB measure their respective altitudes and transmit the measurement results to the sensor receiver 50 (step S208). The sensor receiver 50, which has received the measurement results from each altitude sensor 20, calculates the worker position information and consumable component position information in the height direction (step S209). The sensor receiver 50 transmits the calculated worker position information in the height direction and consumable component position information to the inventory management server 70 via the hub 60 (step S210). The position information acquisition unit 731 of the inventory management server 70 acquires the worker position information and consumable component position information in the height direction that the communication unit 710 receives from the sensor receiver 50 via the hub 60 (step S211). In addition, even while the worker WK is moving, the position information acquisition unit 731 acquires the worker position information and consumable component position information in the planar direction that the communication unit 710 periodically receives from the UWB receiver 40 via the hub 60, and the worker position information and consumable component position information in the vertical direction that the communication unit 710 periodically receives from the sensor receiver 50 via the hub 60. The generation unit 733 of the inventory management server 70 generates inventory information indicating the trajectory of the container OB as an inventory status based on the multiple pieces of consumable component position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit 731 (step S212). Note that the inventory information may be generated in real time while the worker WK is moving, or may be generated all at once when the worker WK arrives at the destination position.

[0053] Next, as shown in FIG. 5, it is assumed that the worker WK arrives at the destination position (step S213). Upon arrival, the UWB tags 10 carried by the worker WK and the container OB each transmit radio waves for positioning (step S214). The UWB receiver 40, which has received radio waves for positioning from each UWB tag 10, determines whether the worker WK and the container OB have finished moving (step S215). If it is determined that the movement has finished (step S215 / YES), the process proceeds to step S216. On the other hand, if it is determined that the movement has not finished (step S215 / NO), the determination process is repeated until it is determined that the movement has finished. If the process proceeds to step S216, the UWB receiver 40 calculates worker position information and consumable component position information indicating the end position of movement in the horizontal direction based on the positioning radio waves received from each UWB tag 10 (step S216). After the calculation, the UWB receiver 40 transmits the worker position information indicating the calculated movement end position in the planar direction and the consumable component position information to the inventory management server 70 via the hub 60 (step S217). The location information acquisition unit 731 of the inventory management server 70 acquires the worker location information and consumable component location information indicating the end position of movement in the horizontal direction received by the communication unit 710 from the UWB receiver 40 via the hub 60, and registers them in the memory unit 720 (step S218).

[0054] Furthermore, upon arrival, the altitude sensors 20 possessed by the worker WK and the container OB measure their respective altitudes and transmit the measurement results to the sensor receiver 50 (step S219). The sensor receiver 50, which has received the altitude measurement results from each altitude sensor 20, determines whether the worker WK and the container OB have finished moving (step S220). If it is determined that the movement has finished (step S220 / YES), the process proceeds to step S221. On the other hand, if it is determined that the movement has not finished (step S220 / NO), the determination process is repeated until it is determined that the movement has finished. When the process proceeds to step S221, the sensor receiver 50 calculates worker position information and consumable component position information indicating the movement end position in the height direction based on the measurement results received from each altitude sensor 20 (step S221). After the calculation, the sensor receiver 50 transmits the worker position information indicating the calculated movement end position in the height direction and the consumable component position information to the inventory management server 70 via the hub 60 (step S222). The location information acquisition unit 731 of the inventory management server 70 acquires the worker location information and consumable component location information indicating the end position of movement in the vertical direction received by the communication unit 710 from the sensor receiver 50 via the hub 60, and registers them in the memory unit 720 (step S223). After the registration, the generating unit 733 of the inventory management server 70 identifies the position of the container OB in which the consumable member is stored as inventory, based on the consumable member position information acquired by the position information acquiring unit 731 (step S224). After the identification, the generation unit 733 generates inventory information indicating the location of the identified container OB as an inventory status (step S225).

[0055] (3) Anomaly detection process flow Next, the flow of the abnormality detection process will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the abnormality detection process according to this embodiment.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 6, weight information acquisition unit 732 of inventory management server 70 acquires weight information received by communication unit 710 from IoT weighing scale 30 via hub 60 (step S301).

[0057] Next, the position information acquisition unit 731 acquires the consumable component position information in the planar direction received by the communication unit 710 from the UWB receiver 40 via the hub 60 and the consumable component position information in the height direction received from the sensor receiver 50 (step S302).

[0058] Next, the position information acquisition unit 731 acquires the worker position information in the planar direction received by the communication unit 710 from the UWB receiver 40 via the hub 60 and the worker position information in the height direction received from the sensor receiver 50 (step S303).

[0059] Next, the generation unit 733 generates behavioral history information of the worker WK based on the weight information, consumable component position information, worker position information acquired by each acquisition unit, and time information indicating the time when each information was acquired (step S304).

[0060] Next, the detection unit 734 performs a process of detecting an abnormality in the work site WS based on the action history information generated by the generation unit 733 (step S305). If an abnormality is detected (step S305 / YES), the process proceeds to step S306. On the other hand, if an abnormality is not detected (step S305 / NO), the process ends.

[0061] When the process proceeds to step S306, the detection unit 734 transmits an abnormality notification to the operator terminal 90 or the inventory management terminal 100 via the communication unit 710 (step S306).

[0062] As described above, the inventory management system 1 of this embodiment includes a weight information acquisition unit 732 that acquires, in real time, weight information indicating the weight of consumable components stored as inventory for consumable components consumed in work at a work site, a position information acquisition unit 731 that acquires, in real time, consumable component position information indicating the position of the container in which the inventory of consumable components is stored, and a generation unit 733 that generates inventory information indicating the inventory status of consumable components based on at least one of the acquired weight information and consumable component position information.

[0063] With this configuration, in the inventory management system 1, weight information of consumable parts stored as inventory at the work site WS and consumable part position information indicating the position of the container OB in which the consumable parts are stored are acquired in real time, and inventory information reflecting the acquired weight information or consumable part position information is generated. As a result, the work site WS can manage the inventory status of consumable parts based on inventory information reflecting at least the real-time nature of information related to the inventory of consumable parts. Therefore, the inventory management system 1 according to the present embodiment can improve the accuracy of inventory management of managed objects at the work site and can improve the work efficiency of workers.

[0064] <4. Modifications> The above describes the embodiment. Next, modified examples of the above embodiment will be described. Each modified example described below may be applied to the embodiment alone or in combination. Each modified example may be applied in place of the configuration described in the embodiment, or may be applied in addition to the configuration described in the embodiment.

[0065] In each of the above-described embodiments, the UWB receiver 40 calculates the worker position information and the consumable component position information in the planar direction, and the sensor receiver 50 calculates the worker position information and the consumable component position information in the height direction. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, the position information acquisition unit 731 of the inventory management server 70 may have a function of calculating the worker position information and the consumable component position information in the same manner as the UWB receiver 40 and the sensor receiver 50.

[0066] The above describes the modified embodiment of the present invention. In addition, the inventory management system 1, the UWB receiver 40, the sensor receiver 50, and the inventory management server 70 in the above-mentioned embodiment may be partly or entirely realized by a computer. In that case, a program for realizing this function may be recorded in a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded in the recording medium may be read into a computer system and executed to realize the function. In addition, the term "computer system" as used herein includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. In addition, the term "computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as flexible disks, optical magnetic disks, ROMs, and CD-ROMs, and storage devices such as hard disks built into a computer system. Furthermore, the term "computer-readable recording medium" may include a medium that dynamically holds a program for a short period of time, such as a communication line when a program is transmitted via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line, and a medium that holds a program for a certain period of time, such as a volatile memory inside a computer system that is a server or client in that case. In addition, the above-mentioned program may be a program for realizing part of the above-mentioned function, or may be a program that can realize the above-mentioned function in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system, or may be a program that is realized using a programmable logic device such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0067] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to the above, and various design changes, etc. are possible within the scope that does not deviate from the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 1... inventory management system, 10... UWB tag, 10... UWB tag, 20... advanced sensor, 30... IoT weighing scale, 40... UWB receiver, 50... sensor receiver, 60... hub, 70... inventory management server, 80... gateway, 90... worker terminal, 100... inventory management terminal, 710... communication unit, 720... memory unit, 730... control unit, 731... position information acquisition unit, 732... weight information acquisition unit, 733... generation unit, 734... detection unit, 735... output processing unit

Claims

1. a weight information acquiring unit that acquires weight information indicating a weight of a consumable component that is consumed in a work at a work site and stored as inventory in real time; a location information acquiring unit that acquires, in real time, consumable member location information indicating a location of a container in which the consumable member is stored; a generating unit that generates inventory information indicating an inventory status of the consumable member based on at least one of the acquired weight information and the acquired consumable member position information; An inventory management system comprising:

2. the generation unit calculates an inventory quantity of the consumable member stored in the container as inventory based on the acquired weight information, and generates the inventory information indicating the calculated inventory quantity of the consumable member as the inventory status. The inventory management system according to claim 1 .

3. the weight information acquisition unit acquires the weight information when a weight of the consumable member contained in the container decreases; the generating unit calculates a reduced quantity of the consumable member based on the acquired weight information, and generates the inventory information indicating a reduced amount of an inventory quantity of the consumable member.

3. The inventory management system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The generation unit identifies a location of the container in which the consumable member is stored as inventory based on the acquired consumable member location information, and generates the inventory information indicating the identified location of the container as the inventory status.

3. The inventory management system according to claim 1 or 2.

5. the position information acquisition unit acquires the consumable component position information at a predetermined time interval from when the container is moved by a worker present at the work site until when the container is moved; the generating unit generates the inventory information indicating a trajectory of the movement of the container as the inventory status based on the acquired plurality of pieces of consumable component position information. The inventory management system according to claim 1 .

6. The position information acquisition unit acquires worker position information indicating a position of a worker present at the work site in real time, the generation unit further generates behavior history information indicating a behavior history of the worker based on the acquired weight information, the consumable component position information, the worker position information, and time information indicating a time when each piece of information was acquired. The inventory management system according to claim 1 .

7. a detection unit that detects an abnormality in the work site based on the generated action history information; The inventory management system of claim 6 further comprising:

8. The detection unit detects, as the abnormality, that the consumable member is being abnormally consumed by the worker based on the action history information. The inventory management system according to claim 7.

9. The detection unit detects, as the abnormality, that the work is biased toward the worker based on the action history information. The inventory management system according to claim 7.

10. The detection unit detects, as the abnormality, that the consumable member is being consumed by an unauthorized worker based on the action history information. The inventory management system according to claim 7.

11. A transmitter that emits radio waves for positioning using UWB (Ultra Wide Band); an UWB receiver provided at each of a plurality of predetermined positions in the work site for receiving the positioning radio waves; Equipped with The position information acquisition unit acquires the position of the transmitter calculated based on the positioning radio waves received by the multiple UWB receivers as a position in a planar direction of a worker having the transmitter or the container. The inventory management system according to claim 1 .

12. an altitude sensor for measuring altitude and transmitting the measurement results; a sensor receiver provided at each of a plurality of predetermined positions in the work site for receiving the altitude measurement results; Equipped with The position information acquisition unit acquires a position of the altitude sensor calculated based on the altitude measurement results received by the plurality of sensor receivers as a position in a height direction of a worker having the altitude sensor or the container. The inventory management system according to claim 1 .

13. a weight information acquisition process for acquiring weight information indicating a weight of a consumable component stored as inventory in real time with respect to the consumable component consumed in work at a work site; a position information acquisition step of acquiring, in real time, consumable member position information indicating a position of a container in which the consumable member is stored; a generating step of generating inventory information indicating an inventory status of the consumable member based on at least one of the acquired weight information and the acquired consumable member position information; 23. A computer implemented inventory control method comprising:

14. Computer, weight information acquiring means for acquiring weight information indicating a weight of a consumable component stored as inventory in real time with respect to the consumable component consumed in work at a work site; a position information acquiring means for acquiring, in real time, consumable member position information indicating the position of a container in which the consumable member is stored; a generating unit that generates inventory information indicating an inventory status of the consumable member based on at least one of the acquired weight information and the acquired consumable member position information; A program to function as a

Images