Information processing device, information processing system, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To reduce management man-hours in manufacturing.SOLUTION: An information processing device according to the present invention comprises: information acquisition means for acquiring raw material information indicative of a raw material read from a raw material tag stuck to a container and operator information indicative of an operator read from an operator tag carried by an operator from an information reading device for reading information recorded in the tags, and for further acquiring place information indicative of a place into which the raw material information and the operator information are read; information association means for associating the raw material information, operator information, and place information with each other; target reception means for receiving, from a user, the operator information serving as a retrieval target; retrieval means for retrieving the raw material information and place information associated with the retrieval target; and information output means for outputting the operator information of the retrieval target and the retrieved raw material information and place information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device for processing information in a factory. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a system that uses multiple tags to manage the production of actual products manufactured in a factory. The system described in Patent Document 1 uses an actual product tag that stores information about the actual product, a location tag that stores information about a location in the factory, a transportation means tag that stores information about a transportation means for transporting the actual product, and a worker tag that stores information about the worker. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2006-059244 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the management of product manufacturing in a factory, a manager records the raw materials used in the manufacturing and the workers who were in charge of the manufacturing process on a paper list or the like. When tracing the manufacturing process of the raw materials, the manager identifies the raw materials and the workers by referring to a list created in the past. In this way, in order to manage manufacturing, the manager needs to spend time on creating a list of raw materials and workers and identifying the raw materials and workers by referring to the list.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to reduce the number of management steps in manufacturing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An information processing device in one embodiment of the present disclosure includes an information acquisition means for acquiring ingredient information indicating ingredients read from an ingredient tag affixed to a container and worker information indicating the worker read from a worker tag carried by the worker from an information reading device that reads information recorded on the tag, and further acquiring location information indicating the location where the ingredient information and worker information were read, an information association means for associating the ingredient information, worker information, and location information, a target receiving means for receiving worker information to be searched for from a user, a search means for searching for ingredient information and location information associated with the worker information to be searched, and an information output means for outputting the worker information to be searched and the searched ingredient information and location information.

[0007] An information processing system in one embodiment of the present disclosure includes the above-mentioned information processing device, an information reading device that reads at least raw material information from raw material tags, reads worker information from worker tags, and outputs the raw material information and worker information to the information processing device, and a terminal device that outputs worker information to be searched for to the information processing device and obtains the searched worker information and the searched raw material information and location information from the information processing device.

[0008] An information processing method in one embodiment of the present disclosure obtains ingredient information indicating ingredients read from an ingredient tag affixed to a container and worker information indicating the worker read from a worker tag carried by the worker from an information reading device that reads information recorded on the tag, further obtains location information indicating the location where the ingredient information and worker information were read, performs information association to associate the ingredient information, worker information, and location information, accepts worker information to be searched for from a user, searches for ingredient information and location information associated with the worker information to be searched, and outputs the worker information to be searched and the searched ingredient information and location information. In one embodiment of the information processing method of the present disclosure, an information processing device executes the above-mentioned information processing method, an information reading device reads at least raw material information from raw material tags and worker information from worker tags, and outputs the raw material information and worker information to the information processing device, and a terminal device outputs worker information to be searched for to the information processing device, and obtains the searched worker information and the searched raw material information and location information from the information processing device.

[0009] A program in one embodiment of the present disclosure causes a computer to execute the following processes: acquire ingredient information indicating the ingredients read from an ingredient tag affixed to a container and worker information indicating the worker read from a worker tag carried by the worker from an information reading device that reads information recorded on the tag, and further acquire location information indicating the location where the ingredient information and worker information were read; an information associating process that associates the ingredient information, worker information, and location information; a process for accepting worker information to be searched for from a user; a process for searching for ingredient information and location information associated with the worker information to be searched for; and a process for outputting the worker information to be searched for and the searched ingredient information and location information. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to achieve the effect of reducing the number of management steps in manufacturing. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of an information processing device. [Diagram 2] FIG. 11 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of an operation of the information processing device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of an information processing device including a process determination unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a factory that uses an information processing system. [Figure 6]FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an information processing system that uses an information processing device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] The embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Each drawing is for explaining the embodiments. However, the embodiments are not limited to the description of the drawings.

[0013] In the following description, the information processing device operates using information read from a tag by a device that reads tag information, such as an information reading device (reader) or an information reading / writing device (reader / writer). In the following description, a reader is used as an example. The reader is, for example, an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) reader, but is not limited to this.

[0014] The tags from which the information processing device acquires information include, but are not limited to, an ingredient tag that stores information indicating an ingredient and an operator tag that stores information indicating an operator. For example, the information processing device may acquire information from a protective equipment tag that stores protective equipment information indicating protective equipment, as will be described later.

[0015] The tag is, for example, an IC (integrated circuit) tag or an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag, from which information can be read wirelessly, but is not limited to these.

[0016] In chemical plants and the like, the raw materials and intermediates used in each process are placed in containers and moved to storage locations and manufacturing sites where the processes are carried out. Intermediates are also raw materials for the next process to be carried out. Therefore, in the following explanation, raw materials include intermediates.

[0017] First Embodiment 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of an information processing device 10. The information processing device 10 includes an information acquisition unit 110, an information association unit 120, an object receiving unit 130, a search unit 140, and an information output unit 150.

[0018] The information acquiring unit 110 acquires ingredient information, worker information, and location information. For example, the information acquiring unit 110 acquires ingredient information and worker information from a reader that reads tag information. The ingredient information is information stored in an ingredient tag affixed to a container that holds the ingredient, and is information indicating the ingredient in the container. The ingredient information is, for example, the name, ingredients, and amount of the ingredient. The ingredient information is not limited to these, and may include other information such as a warning word or the grade of the ingredient. The worker information is information stored in a worker tag carried by the worker, and is information indicating the worker. The worker information is, for example, the name and employee number of the worker. The worker information is not limited to these, and may include other information such as affiliation or job title.

[0019] The information acquisition unit 110 may acquire location information from the reader, or may acquire location information stored in advance in a storage unit or the like. The location information is information indicating the location where the raw material information and the worker information are read out. The location information is, for example, a storage location or a work location of raw materials in a factory, and is information indicating the location where the tag information is read out. In detail, the location information is, for example, information indicating the location of an antenna used by the reader to read out information. The information indicating the location of the antenna is not limited to information directly indicating the location, and may be information for acquiring information indicating the location. For example, an antenna identifier and information on the installation location of the antenna indicated by the identifier may be stored in advance in a storage unit (not shown), etc. In this case, the information acquisition unit 110 acquires the antenna identifier. Then, the information acquisition unit 110 acquires the stored location information using the antenna identifier. When the distance between the antenna and the reader is short, such as when the antenna is installed in the reader, the location information may be information indicating the location of the reader that reads out the information recorded in the tag. In the following description, as an example, information indicating the location of the antenna is used as the location information. For example, the reader may store in advance location information of the antenna used to read information, and when it reads out the ingredient information and worker information, it may output the ingredient information, the worker information, and the stored location information.

[0020] In this way, the information acquiring unit 110 acquires ingredient information indicating the ingredients read from the ingredient tag affixed to the container, worker information indicating the worker read from the worker tag carried by the worker, and location information indicating the location where the ingredient information and worker information were read. The information acquiring unit 110 acquires, for example, this information from an information reading device (reader) that reads information recorded on the tag. In addition to the ingredient information, worker information, and location information, the information acquiring unit 110 may acquire other information from the reader, such as time information indicating the time when the reader read the worker information.

[0021] The information associating unit 120 associates the ingredient information, worker information, and location information acquired from the reader. The information associating unit 120 may store the associated ingredient information, worker information, and location information in, for example, a storage unit (not shown). In this case, each component of the information processing device 10 may use the ingredient information, worker information, and location information stored in the storage unit. However, each component may acquire the ingredient information, worker information, and location information from the information associating unit 120. When the information acquiring unit 110 acquires other information such as time information, the information associating unit 120 may associate the other information such as time information with the ingredient information, worker information, and location information.

[0022] The target receiving unit 130 receives the worker information to be searched from the user. The target receiving unit 130 acquires the worker information to be searched from, for example, a terminal device operated by the user. Details of this case are, for example, as follows. When tracking the raw materials and location where a certain worker worked, the user operates a terminal device or the like to transmit the worker information indicating the worker, that is, the worker information to be searched, to the target receiving unit 130 of the information processing device 10. In this way, the target receiving unit 130 receives the worker information to be searched. When the information association unit 120 associates other information such as time information with the raw material information, the worker information, and the location information, the target receiving unit 130 may receive information specifying other information such as a time range to be searched, in addition to the worker information, from the user.

[0023] The search unit 140 searches for raw material information and location information associated with the worker information to be searched. In detail, the search unit 140 searches for raw material information and location information associated with the worker information to be searched, using the raw material information, worker information, and location information associated by the information association unit 120. When the raw material information, worker information, and location information are stored in the storage unit, the search unit 140 may use the stored information. When other information such as time information is associated with the raw material information, worker information, and location information, the search unit 140 may search for raw material information and location information associated with both the worker information and the other information. For example, when time information is associated and information specifying the time information is received from the user in addition to the worker information, the search unit 140 may search for raw material information and location information associated with both the worker information and the time information. For example, when a time range is specified, the search unit 140 searches for raw material information and location information whose time information is included in the time range specified in the raw material information and location information associated with the worker information. The search unit 140 may search for ingredient information and location information associated with three or more pieces of information including worker information.

[0024] In a factory, the process to be performed at each location may be determined based on the relationship between piping and equipment arrangement. In this case, the search unit 140 may use the correspondence between the location and the process to search for process information indicating the process corresponding to the location information corresponding to the worker information to be searched. In other words, the search unit 140 may search for process information corresponding to the worker information to be searched. The information indicating the correspondence between the location and the process is, for example, a correspondence table of the location information and the process information, but is not limited to this. In the following description, the information indicating the correspondence between the location and the process is referred to as location-process correspondence information.

[0025] The information output unit 150 outputs the search target worker information received by the object receiving unit 130, and the raw material information and location information searched by the search unit 140. For example, the information output unit 150 may output the search target worker information and the searched raw material information and location information to a terminal device to which a user inputs the worker information. When the search unit 140 searches for raw material information and location information associated with both the worker information and other information such as time information, the information output unit 150 may output the search target worker information, the searched raw material information and location information, and other information such as time information. When the search unit 140 is searching for process information, the information output unit 150 may output the process information in addition to or instead of the location information.

[0026] The information output unit 150 may output location information in association with information such as time information. For example, when there are multiple pieces of location information associated with the worker information to be searched, the information output unit 150 may output a worker flow line in which the location information is connected in the order of the time information. The information output unit 150 may output a process order in which process information corresponding to the location information included in the worker flow line is connected. The operation of the information processing device 10 will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a flow diagram showing an example of the operation of the information processing device 10. The information acquisition unit 110 acquires ingredient information indicating ingredients read from an ingredient tag attached to a container, worker information indicating the worker read from a worker tag carried by the worker, and location information indicating the location where the ingredient information was read (step S201). For example, the information acquisition unit 110 acquires these pieces of information from an information reading device such as a reader. The information association unit 120 associates the acquired ingredient information, worker information, and location information (step S202). The target reception unit 130 accepts the worker information to be searched from the user (step S203). The search unit 140 searches for ingredient information and location information associated with the worker information to be searched (step S204). The information output unit 150 outputs the worker information to be searched and the searched ingredient information and location information (step S205).

[0027] In this manner, the information processing device 10 includes an information acquisition unit 110, an information association unit 120, an object reception unit 130, a search unit 140, and an information output unit 150. The information acquisition unit 110 acquires ingredient information indicating ingredients read from an ingredient tag attached to a container, worker information indicating a worker read from a worker tag carried by the worker, and location information indicating a location where the ingredient information and the worker information were read. For example, the information acquisition unit 110 acquires information from an information reading device that reads information recorded in a tag. The information association unit 120 associates the ingredient information, the worker information, and the location information. The object reception unit 130 accepts the worker information to be searched from a user. The search unit 140 searches for ingredient information and location information associated with the worker information to be searched. The information output unit 150 outputs the worker information to be searched, and the ingredient information and location information searched.

[0028] When identifying the raw materials and work location where a worker worked, a user can operate a terminal device or the like to output worker information indicating the search target worker to the target receiving unit 130 of the information processing device 10, and obtain raw material information and location information associated with the worker information. Operating a terminal device is a task that requires fewer man-hours than searching for raw materials in a factory. In this way, the information processing device 10 can reduce the man-hours of users who manage workers in manufacturing.

[0029] The target receiving unit 130 may acquire location information instead of worker information as a search target. When acquiring location information, the search unit 140 searches for worker information and raw material information associated with the location information. Then, the information output unit 150 outputs the location information of the search target and the searched raw material information and worker information.

[0030] The target receiving unit 130 may acquire process information instead of worker information as a search target. When the process information is acquired, the search unit 140 searches for location information corresponding to the process information using the location-process correspondence information. Then, the search unit 140 searches for worker information and raw material information associated with the searched location information. Then, the information output unit 150 outputs the search target process information and the searched worker information and raw material information.

[0031] In this way, the information processing device 10 can output information that associates a process with a worker, thereby enabling the user to realize more appropriate process management.

[0032] When a paper list or the like is used, there is a possibility that errors such as omissions and clerical errors may occur. On the other hand, when the information processing device 10 is used, such errors can be prevented. In this way, the information processing device 10 provides accurate evidence of raw materials, work locations, and workers in the process. Alternatively, when tracing raw materials using a paper list, the user needs to trace using multiple paper lists. In this case, since multiple lists are used, more labor is required from the user, and the possibility of errors occurring is also higher. On the other hand, the information processing device 10 can output information such as worker movement lines and process orders. Therefore, by using information such as worker movement lines and process orders generated by the information processing device 10, the user can reduce the labor required for traceability of raw materials, intermediates, and products, and further improve the reliability of traceability. Then, by improving the reliability of traceability, the user can improve the quality assurance level of products, etc. In this way, the information processing device 10 provides effects such as providing accurate evidence of raw materials, work locations, and workers in the process, improving the reliability of traceability of raw materials and products, and improving the quality assurance level of products, etc.

[0033] [Example of variation] A modified example of the information processing device 10 will be described.

[0034] (1) Time information The information processing device 10 may use time information. For example, the information acquisition unit 110 may acquire time information indicating the time when the ingredient information and the worker information were read from the reader. Then, the information association unit 120 may associate the ingredient information, the worker information, the location information, and the time information. Then, the target receiving unit 130 may receive the ingredient information to be searched and the time range to be searched from the user. Then, the search unit 140 may search for the location information whose associated time information is included in the time range to be searched, in the searched location information. Then, the information output unit 150 may output the ingredient information, the location information, and the time information.

[0035] The information processing device 10 may use the time information to search for worker information of a worker who may be involved in an accident or disaster when an accident or disaster occurs. In this case, each component of the information processing device 10 operates, for example, as follows.

[0036] The object receiving unit 130 acquires the location information of the search target and time information indicating the time of the start point. Hereinafter, the time information indicating the time of the start point is referred to as start point time information. In this case, the location indicated by the location information of the search target is the location of the accident or the like. The time indicated by the start point time information is, for example, the time when the accident or the like occurred. The search unit 140 searches for worker information associated with the location information of the search target, in which the time indicated by the associated time information is after the time indicated by the start point time information. That is, the search unit 140 searches for worker information indicating a worker who was at the location indicated by the location information of the search target after the time indicated by the start point time information. The information output unit 150 outputs the searched worker information, that is, the worker information indicating a worker who was at the location indicated by the location information of the search target after the time indicated by the start point time information. For example, the user can output the location information indicating the location of the accident and the time information indicating the time when the accident or the like occurred to the object receiving unit 130, and acquire the worker information indicating the worker who was at the location of the accident after the accident occurrence time from the information output unit 150. That is, the user can obtain worker information of a worker who may have been involved in an accident from the information processing device 10. The target receiving unit 130 may obtain process information instead of location information. In this case, the search unit 140 may operate in the same manner as described above after obtaining the location information from the process information.

[0037] The search unit 140 may search for worker information that is not associated with the location information to be searched. Alternatively, the search unit 140 may search for worker information associated with the location information to be searched, in which the time indicated by the associated time information is a time earlier than the time indicated by the starting point time information. In these cases, the worker information searched for by the search unit 140 is worker information indicating a worker who is not involved in an accident or the like. The information output unit 150 may output the worker information who is not involved in an accident or the like.

[0038] (2)Process management The information processing device 10 may include a process determination unit 160 that determines the process or the like performed by the worker. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the information processing device 11 that includes the process determination unit 160. The information processing device 11 includes the process determination unit 160 in addition to the configuration of the information processing device 10. In the operation described below, the process determination unit 160 obtains process information associated with the worker information from the place information associated with the worker information as a process related to the worker, based on the place-process correspondence information. Hereinafter, the process information obtained as a result of this operation will be simply referred to as "worker process information".

[0039] The process determination unit 160 may determine whether a worker is capable or incapable of performing a task in a process. For example, the process determination unit 160 determines whether the worker information is included in worker information indicating a worker capable of performing a task that is preset for the process information. If it is determined that the worker information is not included in the information on workers capable of performing a task, that is, if the worker is incapable of performing a task, the information output unit 150 may generate an alert. Hereinafter, the alert in this case is referred to as a process alert. For example, the information output unit 150 outputs a process alert to a predetermined device or system, such as a user's terminal device or a management system.

[0040] The process determination unit 160 may use the qualifications required for the process to determine whether the work is possible or not. For example, the worker information includes information on the qualifications that the worker has already acquired. The process information includes information on the qualifications that the worker is able to perform the work in the process. In this case, the process determination unit 160 determines whether the qualifications included in the worker information are included in the qualifications included in the process information. The process information may include one or more qualifications. When the process information includes multiple qualifications, the qualifications required for the work may be all of the multiple qualifications included in the process information, or any one or part of the multiple qualifications. In this way, the process determination unit 160 may determine the qualifications included in the process information, that is, the qualifications required for the work in the process indicated by the process information. In this case, the information output unit 150 may output the determined qualifications. The user can understand the qualifications required for the work by referring to the output qualifications.

[0041] When the worker is unable to perform the work, the information output unit 150 may output information for stopping the equipment installed at the location indicated by the location information or the equipment of the process indicated by the process information. For example, the information output unit 150 may output information for stopping the equipment to a controller of the equipment.

[0042] The process determination unit 160 may determine information related to the work in the process, such as a work procedure manual provided to the worker. For example, the process determination unit 160 may determine a work procedure manual corresponding to the process indicated by the process information in the work procedure manual stored in the storage unit. In this case, the information output unit 150 may output the determined work procedure manual to a device that displays the work procedure manual. The device that displays the work procedure manual may be, for example, a display device of the equipment that executes the process, a display device near the process, or a terminal device carried by the worker, but is not limited to these.

[0043] The process determination unit 160 may determine information indicating a work procedure manual corresponding to a process indicated by the process information, for example, a number of the work procedure manual, based on the process information. In this case, the information output unit 150 may output information indicating the determined work procedure manual to a device that displays the work procedure manual. In this case, the device that displays the work procedure manual may display the work procedure manual using the information indicating the work procedure manual.

[0044] A beginner in a task requires more information to proceed with the task than an expert. For this reason, a work procedure manual may be prepared according to the skill level of the worker. In this case, the process determination unit 160 may determine the work procedure manual by referring to the rank of the worker's skill level, etc. For example, when the worker information includes a rank of skill level, etc., the process determination unit 160 may determine the work procedure manual corresponding to the worker by referring to the rank included in the worker information. When there are multiple processes, the worker information may include a rank for each process. In this case, the process determination unit 160 may determine the work procedure manual by referring to the rank for each process included in the worker information.

[0045] Some processes require protective equipment such as goggles and dust masks. The process determination unit 160 may determine the protective equipment required for the process. For example, the process information may include protective equipment information indicating the protective equipment required for the work in the process. In this case, the process determination unit 160 may determine the protective equipment information included in the process information indicating the process as the information on the protective equipment required for the process. Then, the information output unit 150 may output the protective equipment information to a device that displays the work procedure manual. The protective equipment may have a protective equipment tag that stores the protective equipment information attached thereto. In this case, the information acquisition unit 110 may acquire the protective equipment information from the reader. The process determination unit 160 may determine whether the protective equipment information included in the process information matches the protective equipment information acquired by the information acquisition unit 110. Then, if there is no match, the information output unit 150 may generate an alert. Hereinafter, the alert in this case is referred to as a protective equipment alert. For example, the information output unit 150 outputs a protective equipment alert to a predetermined device or system. If there is no protective equipment, the information acquisition unit 110 cannot acquire the protective equipment information. However, in this case, the worker cannot use appropriate protective equipment. Therefore, the process determination unit 160 may determine that the case where the information acquisition unit 110 has not acquired protective equipment information is included in the above-mentioned case where the protective equipment does not match.

[0046] The process determination unit 160 may determine whether the process order to which the worker has been moved matches a process order appropriate for the worker that has been set in advance. If the process order to which the worker has been moved does not match the set process order, the information output unit 150 may output an alert. Hereinafter, the alert in this case is referred to as a process order alert. For example, the information output unit 150 outputs a process order alert to a predetermined device or system.

[0047] The process determination unit 160 may determine whether or not a worker flow line corresponding to the process order is appropriate. For example, the process determination unit 160 may determine whether or not the worker flow line matches a preset appropriate route for the worker. Then, when the worker flow line does not match the set route, the information output unit 150 may output an alert. Hereinafter, the alert in this case is referred to as a route alert. For example, the information output unit 150 outputs a route alert to a predetermined device or system.

[0048] [Hardware configuration] Next, the hardware configuration of the information processing devices 10 and 11 will be described. Each component of the information processing devices 10 and 11 may be configured by a hardware circuit. Alternatively, each component of the information processing devices 10 and 11 may be configured using a plurality of devices connected via a network. For example, the information processing devices 10 and 11 may be configured by using cloud computing. Alternatively, a plurality of components of the information processing devices 10 and 11 may be configured by a single piece of hardware. Alternatively, the information processing devices 10 and 11 may be realized as a computer including a central processing unit (CPU), a memory, and a network interface (NI). The memory is, for example, a read only memory (ROM) and a random access memory (RAM), but is not limited thereto.

[0049] 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a computer 600 which is an example of a hardware configuration of the information processing devices 10 and 11. The computer 600 includes a CPU 610, a ROM 620, a RAM 630, a storage device 640, and an NI 650.

[0050] The CPU 610 reads a program from at least one of the ROM 620 and the storage device 640. The CPU 610 then controls the RAM 630, the storage device 640, and the NI 650 based on the read program. The computer 600 including the CPU 610 then controls these components to realize the functions of each component shown in Figures 1 and 3. Each component is an information acquisition unit 110, an information association unit 120, an object reception unit 130, a search unit 140, an information output unit 150, and a process judgment unit 160. In this way, the computer 600 may realize the functions as a combination of hardware and software.

[0051] The CPU 610 may read a program contained in a recording medium 690 that stores the program in a computer-readable manner, using a recording medium reading device (not shown). Alternatively, the CPU 610 may receive a program from an external device (not shown) via the NI 650, store the program in the RAM 630 or the storage device 640, and operate based on the stored program.

[0052] The ROM 620 stores programs and fixed data executed by the CPU 610. The ROM 620 is, for example, a programmable ROM (P-ROM) or a flash ROM. The RAM 630 temporarily stores programs and data executed by the CPU 610. The RAM 630 is, for example, a dynamic RAM (D-RAM). The storage device 640 stores data and programs that the computer 600 stores for a long period of time. The storage device 640 may also operate as a temporary storage device for the CPU 610. The storage device 640 is, for example, a hard disk device, a magneto-optical disk device, a solid state drive (SSD), or a disk array device.

[0053] ROM 620 and storage device 640 are non-volatile (non-transitory) recording media. On the other hand, RAM 630 is a volatile (transitory) recording media. CPU 610 can operate based on programs stored in ROM 620, storage device 640, and RAM 630. In other words, CPU 610 can operate using either a non-volatile recording medium or a volatile recording medium. When realizing each function, CPU 610 may use at least one of RAM 630 and storage device 640 as a temporary storage medium for programs and data.

[0054] The NI 650 relays data exchange with external devices (not shown) via a network. The NI 650 is, for example, a local area network (LAN) card. The NI 650 is not limited to being wired, and may be wireless.

[0055] The computer 600 configured in this manner executes the operations of the components in the information processing devices 10 and 11 to realize the functions of the information processing devices 10 and 11.

[0056] [Information Processing System] An example of an information processing system using information processing devices 10 and 11 will be described. In the following description, the information processing device 10 will be used to avoid complexity of the description. In the following description, the information processing system may include the information processing device 11 instead of the information processing device 10.

[0057] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a factory using an information processing system. The factory shown in FIG. 5 is, for example, a chemical factory. In FIG. 5, a container containing raw materials is first placed in a raw material storage area. When a process of generating intermediate A from raw materials is executed in the manufacturing site A, a worker moves the container containing the raw materials from the raw material storage area to the manufacturing site A. Then, the worker executes the process of generating intermediate A from raw materials in the manufacturing site A. When the process in the manufacturing site A is completed, the worker moves the container containing intermediate A from the manufacturing site A to the intermediate A storage area. When a process of generating intermediate B from intermediate A is executed in the manufacturing site B, the worker moves the container containing intermediate A from the intermediate storage area A to the manufacturing site B. Then, the worker executes the process of generating intermediate B from intermediate A in the manufacturing site B. That is, the process in the manufacturing site B is a process of generating intermediate B using intermediate A as a raw material. When the process in the manufacturing site B is completed, the worker moves the container containing intermediate B from the manufacturing site B to the intermediate B storage area. When performing a process of producing a product from intermediate B at manufacturing site C, a worker moves a container containing intermediate B from intermediate storage area B to manufacturing site C. Then, the worker performs the process of producing a product from intermediate B at manufacturing site C. In other words, the process at manufacturing site C is a process of producing a product using intermediate B as a raw material. When the process at manufacturing site C is completed, the worker moves the container containing the product from manufacturing site C to the product storage area.

[0058] In such a chemical plant, for example, a manager creates a list of raw materials and workers and manages production by referring to the list. On the other hand, by using the information processing device 10, a user can reduce the number of management steps in production as follows.

[0059] 6 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information processing system 30 that uses the information processing device 10 in the above-mentioned factory. The information processing system 30 in FIG. 6 includes the information processing device 10, a container 310, a tag 321, a tag 322, an antenna 330, a reader / writer 340, a terminal device 350, and a network 360.

[0060] Tag 321 is affixed to container 310 that holds ingredients, and stores ingredient information that indicates the ingredients contained in container 310. Tag 321 is an example of an ingredient tag, and is, for example, an IC tag. Tag 322 is carried by a worker, and stores worker information that indicates the worker. Tag 322 is an example of a worker tag, and is, for example, an IC tag.

[0061] The reader / writer 340 stores location information of the antenna 330 that receives information from the tags 321 and 322 using radio waves. The reader / writer 340 reads out the ingredient information stored in the tag 321 and the worker information stored in the tag 322 using the antenna 330. The reader / writer 340 then outputs the ingredient information, worker information, and location information to the information processing device 10 via the network 360. The reader / writer 340 is an example of an information reading device. The information processing system 30 may use a reader without a writing function instead of the reader / writer 340.

[0062] The terminal device 350 is a device operated by a user, and transmits the worker information to be searched for to the information processing device 10 via the network 360. The terminal device 350 may obtain, via the network 360, from the information processing device 10, raw material information and location information corresponding to the transmitted worker information.

[0063] The information processing device 10 operates as already described. That is, the information acquisition unit 110 acquires raw material information, worker information, and location information from the reader / writer 340 or the like. The information association unit 120 associates the raw material information, worker information, and location information. The target receiving unit 130 receives worker information to be searched for a location from the terminal device 350. The search unit 140 searches for raw material information and location information associated with the searched worker information. Then, the information output unit 150 outputs the searched worker information and the searched raw material information and location information to the terminal device 350.

[0064] The network 360 is a communication path that realizes the exchange of information among the above-mentioned devices or equipment, and the configuration is not limited as long as the exchange of information can be realized. For example, the network 360 may be the Internet, an intranet, or a dedicated line.

[0065] In such an information processing system 30, a user can obtain raw material information and location information for the searched worker information from the information processing device 10 by a simple operation of inputting the searched worker information into the terminal device 350. In this way, by using the information processing system 30 including the information processing device 10, a user can reduce the number of management steps in manufacturing.

[0066] A part or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as, but is not limited to, the following supplementary notes.

[0067] (Appendix 1) an information acquisition means for acquiring ingredient information indicating the ingredient read from an ingredient tag affixed to the container and worker information indicating the worker read from a worker tag carried by the worker from an information reading device that reads out information recorded on the tags, and further acquiring location information indicating the location where the ingredient information and the worker information were read; an information associating means for associating raw material information, worker information, and location information; a target receiving means for receiving, from a user, worker information to be searched; A search means for searching for raw material information and location information associated with the worker information to be searched; an information output means for outputting the searched worker information, the searched raw material information and the location information; An information processing device comprising:

[0068] (Appendix 2) The search means searches for process information indicating a process performed in the searched location information based on the process information indicating a process performed in the location indicated by the location information; The information output means outputs the searched process information. 2. An information processing device according to claim 1.

[0069] (Appendix 3) a process determination means for determining whether a worker indicated by the worker information is capable of performing a process indicated by the process information, The information output means outputs an alert when the worker is unable to perform the work. 3. An information processing device according to claim 2.

[0070] (Appendix 4) The process determination means determines whether the worker can perform the work in the process indicated by the process information, and determines the qualifications required for the worker to perform the work in the process indicated by the process information; The information output means outputs the determined qualification. 4. The information processing device according to claim 3.

[0071] (Appendix 5) The information output means outputs information for stopping the equipment when the worker is unable to perform the work. 5. The information processing device according to claim 3 or 4.

[0072] (Appendix 6) The process determination means determines a work procedure manual corresponding to the process indicated by the process information, The information output means outputs the determined work procedure manual. 6. An information processing device according to any one of claims 3 to 5.

[0073] (Appendix 7) The process determination means determines a work procedure manual corresponding to the rank of the worker indicating the worker information. 7. The information processing device according to claim 6.

[0074] (Appendix 8) The process determination means determines protective equipment information indicating protective equipment required for the process indicated by the process information, The information output means outputs the determined protective equipment information. 8. An information processing device according to any one of claims 3 to 7.

[0075] (Appendix 9) The information acquiring means acquires protective equipment information read from a protective equipment tag attached to the protective equipment, The process determination means determines whether or not the protective equipment information included in the process information matches the protective equipment information read from the protective equipment tag, The information output means outputs an alert when the protective equipment information does not match. 9. The information processing device according to claim 8.

[0076] (Appendix 10) The information acquiring means acquires time information indicating a time when the raw material information and the worker information were read out, The information associating means associates the raw material information, the worker information, the location information, and the time information, The target receiving means acquires the worker information to be searched and the time range to be searched, The search means searches for ingredient information and location information whose associated time information is included in the time range of the search target in the searched ingredient information and location information; The information output means outputs raw material information, worker information, location information, and time information. 10. The information processing device according to any one of claims 3 to 9.

[0077] (Appendix 11) The process determination means determines whether or not a worker flow line obtained by connecting the location information associated with the worker information in the order of the time information matches a route set in the worker information; The information output means outputs an alert when the worker flow line and the route do not match. 11. The information processing device according to claim 10.

[0078] (Appendix 12) The process determination means determines whether or not a process sequence in the worker information corresponding to the worker flow line matches a set process sequence; The information output means outputs an alert when the process order does not match. 12. The information processing device according to claim 11.

[0079] (Appendix 13) The object receiving means acquires location information of the search object and time information which is a starting point of the search object; The search means searches for worker information associated with the location information to be searched for, the worker information having a time indicated by the associated time information that is later than or equal to the time indicated by the starting time information; The information output means outputs the searched worker information. 13. An information processing device according to any one of appendixes 10 to 12.

[0080] (Appendix 14) The search means searches for worker information that is not associated with the process information to be searched for, and for worker information that is associated with the process information to be searched for but is associated with a time that is earlier than the time indicated by the time information, which is a starting time; The information output means outputs the searched worker information. 14. The information processing device according to claim 13.

[0081] (Appendix 15) An information processing device according to any one of appendix 1 to 14, an information reading device that reads at least ingredient information from the ingredient tag and worker information from the worker tag, and outputs the ingredient information and the worker information to an information processing device; a terminal device that outputs the worker information to be searched to an information processing device and acquires the worker information to be searched and the searched raw material information and location information from the information processing device; An information processing system comprising:

[0082] (Appendix 16) obtaining ingredient information indicating the ingredient read from an ingredient tag affixed to the container and worker information indicating the worker read from a worker tag carried by the worker from an information reading device that reads out information recorded on the tag, and further obtaining location information indicating the location where the ingredient information and the worker information were read; information association that associates raw material information, worker information, and location information; Accepts the worker information to be searched from the user, Search for raw material information and location information associated with the search target worker information; Output the searched worker information, the searched raw material information, and the location information. Information processing methods.

[0083] (Appendix 17) retrieving process information indicating a process performed in the retrieved location information based on process information indicating a process performed in the location indicated by the location information; Output the searched process information. 17. The information processing method according to claim 16.

[0084] (Appendix 18) determining whether the worker indicated by the worker information is capable of working in the process indicated by the process information; Output an alert when a worker is unavailable. 18. An information processing method according to claim 17.

[0085] (Appendix 19) determining whether the worker can perform the work in the process indicated by the process information or not, and determining the qualifications required for the worker to perform the work in the process indicated by the process information; Output the judged qualifications, 19. The information processing method according to claim 18.

[0086] (Appendix 20) Output information to stop equipment when a worker is unable to work. 20. The information processing method according to claim 18 or 19.

[0087] (Appendix 21) Determine the work procedure manual corresponding to the process indicated by the process information; Output the work procedure manual that has been judged to be appropriate. 21. An information processing method according to any one of appendix 18 to 20.

[0088] (Appendix 22) determining a work procedure manual corresponding to the rank of the worker indicating the worker information; 22. An information processing method according to claim 21.

[0089] (Appendix 23) Determining protective equipment information indicating protective equipment required in the process indicated by the process information; Output the determined protective equipment information. 23. An information processing method according to any one of appendix 18 to 22.

[0090] (Appendix 24) Acquire protective equipment information read from a protective equipment tag attached to the protective equipment, Determine whether the protective equipment information included in the process information matches the protective equipment information read from the protective equipment tag; If the protective equipment information does not match, an alert is output. 24. An information processing method according to claim 23.

[0091] (Appendix 25) Acquire time information indicating the time when the raw material information and the worker information were read out; The raw material information, the worker information, the location information, and the time information are associated with each other, Acquire the worker information to be searched and the time range to be searched, Searching for raw material information and location information whose associated time information is included in the time range of the search target in the searched raw material information and location information; Output raw material information, worker information, location information, and time information. 25. An information processing method according to any one of appendix 18 to 24.

[0092] (Appendix 26) determining whether or not a worker flow line obtained by connecting the location information associated with the worker information in the order of the time information matches a route set in the worker information; If the worker's movement line and route do not match, an alert is issued. 26. An information processing method as described in Appendix 25.

[0093] (Appendix 27) determining whether or not a process sequence in the worker information corresponding to the worker flow line matches a set process sequence; Output an alert if the process order does not match. 27. An information processing method according to claim 26.

[0094] (Appendix 28) Acquire location information of the search target and time information of the starting point of the search target; Searching for worker information associated with the location information to be searched for, the worker information whose associated time information indicates a time that is later than the time indicated by the starting time information; Output the searched worker information. 28. An information processing method according to any one of appendix 25 to 27.

[0095] (Appendix 29) Searching for worker information that is not associated with the process information to be searched for, and for worker information that is associated with the process information to be searched for but is associated with a time that is earlier than the time indicated by the time information, Output the searched worker information. 29. An information processing method according to claim 28.

[0096] (Appendix 30) An information processing device executes the information processing method according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 14, The information output device reads at least the ingredient information from the ingredient tag and the worker information from the worker tag, and outputs the ingredient information and the worker information to the information processing device; The terminal device outputs the worker information to be searched for to the information processing device, and acquires the worker information to be searched for, the raw material information and the location information from the information processing device. Information processing methods.

[0097] (Appendix 31) a process of acquiring ingredient information indicating the ingredients read from an ingredient tag affixed to the container and worker information indicating the worker read from a worker tag carried by the worker from an information reading device that reads out information recorded on the tag, and further acquiring location information indicating the location where the ingredient information and the worker information were read; An information associating process for associating raw material information, worker information, and location information; A process of receiving worker information to be searched from a user; A process of searching for raw material information and location information associated with the worker information to be searched; A process of outputting the searched worker information, the searched raw material information, and the location information; A program that causes a computer to execute the following.

[0098] (Appendix 32) A process of searching for process information indicating a process performed in the searched location information based on process information indicating a process performed in the location indicated by the location information; A process of outputting the searched process information; 17. The program according to claim 16, which causes a computer to execute the above steps.

[0099] (Appendix 33) A process of determining whether a worker indicated by the worker information is capable of performing work in the process indicated by the process information; A process to output an alert when a worker is unable to work; 33. The program according to claim 32, which causes a computer to execute the above steps.

[0100] (Appendix 34) A process of determining whether a worker can perform work in the process indicated by the process information and, as a result, determining the qualifications required for the worker to perform work in the process indicated by the process information; A process of outputting the determined qualification; 34. The program according to claim 33, which causes a computer to execute the above steps.

[0101] (Appendix 35) A process to output information to stop equipment when a worker is unable to work; 35. The program according to claim 33 or 34, which causes a computer to execute the above.

[0102] (Appendix 36) A process of determining a work procedure manual corresponding to the process indicated by the process information; A process of outputting the determined work procedure manual; 36. The program according to any one of appendices 33 to 35, which causes a computer to execute the program.

[0103] (Appendix 37) A process of determining a work procedure manual corresponding to a rank of a worker indicating worker information; 37. The program according to claim 36, which causes a computer to execute the above steps.

[0104] (Appendix 38) A process of determining protective equipment information indicating protective equipment required in a process indicated by the process information; A process of outputting the determined protective equipment information; 38. The program according to any one of appendices 33 to 37, which causes a computer to execute the program.

[0105] (Appendix 39) Acquire protective equipment information read from a protective equipment tag attached to the protective equipment, A process of determining whether protective equipment information included in the process information matches protective equipment information read from the protective equipment tag; A process of outputting an alert when the protective equipment information does not match; 39. The program according to claim 38, which causes a computer to execute the above steps.

[0106] (Appendix 40) A process of acquiring time information indicating a time when the raw material information and the worker information were read out; A process of associating raw material information, worker information, location information, and time information; A process of acquiring information on a worker to be searched and a time range to be searched; A process of searching for ingredient information and location information whose associated time information is included in the time range of the search target in the searched ingredient information and location information; A process of outputting raw material information, worker information, location information, and time information; 40. The program according to any one of appendices 33 to 39, which causes a computer to execute the program.

[0107] (Appendix 41) determining whether or not a worker flow line obtained by connecting the location information associated with the worker information in the order of the time information matches a route set in the worker information; If the worker's movement line and route do not match, an alert is issued. 26. The information processing device according to claim 25.

[0108] (Appendix 42) A process of determining whether or not a process sequence in the worker information corresponding to the worker flow line matches a set process sequence; A process to output an alert if the process order does not match; 32. The program according to claim 31, which causes a computer to execute the above steps.

[0109] (Appendix 43) A process of acquiring location information of a search target and time information of a starting point of the search target; A process of searching for worker information associated with the location information to be searched for, the worker information having a time indicated by associated time information that is later than the time indicated by the starting time information; A process of outputting the searched worker information; 43. The program according to any one of appendices 40 to 42, which causes a computer to execute the program.

[0110] (Appendix 44) A process of searching for worker information that is not associated with the process information to be searched for, and worker information that is associated with the process information to be searched for but is associated with a time that is earlier than the time indicated by the time information, which is a starting point; A process of outputting the searched worker information; 44. The program according to claim 43, which causes a computer to execute the above steps.

[0111] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. Various modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present invention within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0112] 10. Information processing device 11 Information processing equipment 110 Information Acquisition Department 120 Information Association Department 130 Target Reception Department 140 Search Department 150 Information output section 160 Process judgment department 30 Information Processing Systems 310 Container 321 Tags 322 Tags 330 Antenna 340 Reader / Writer 350 Terminal Equipment 360 Network 600 Computers 610 CPU 620 ROM 630 RAM 640 Storage device 650 NI 690 Recording media

Claims

1. an information acquisition means for acquiring ingredient information indicating an ingredient read from an ingredient tag attached to a container and worker information indicating a worker read from a worker tag carried by the worker from an information reading device that reads out information recorded on the tags, and further acquiring location information indicating a location where the ingredient information and the worker information were read; an information associating means for associating the raw material information, the worker information, and the location information; a target receiving means for receiving the worker information to be searched from a user; A search means for searching the raw material information and the location information associated with the worker information to be searched; an information output means for outputting the worker information to be searched and the raw material information and the location information that have been searched; An information processing device comprising:

2. The search means searches for process information indicating a process performed at the location indicated by the location information based on process information indicating a process performed at the location indicated by the location information, The information output means outputs the searched process information. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

3. a process determination means for determining whether the worker indicated by the worker information is capable of performing the process indicated by the process information, The information output means outputs an alert when the worker is unable to perform the work. The information processing device according to claim 2 .

4. the process determination means determines whether the worker can perform work in the process indicated by the process information, and determines the qualifications required for the worker to perform work in the process indicated by the process information; The information output means outputs the determined qualification. The information processing device according to claim 3 .

5. The information output means outputs information for stopping the equipment when the worker is unable to perform the work. The information processing device according to claim 3 .

6. The process determination means determines a work procedure manual corresponding to the process indicated by the process information, The information output means outputs the determined work procedure manual. The information processing device according to claim 3 .

7. An information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, an information reading device that reads at least the ingredient information from the ingredient tag, reads the worker information from the worker tag, and outputs the ingredient information and the worker information to the information processing device; a terminal device that outputs the worker information to be searched to the information processing device and acquires the worker information to be searched, the raw material information and the location information that have been searched from the information processing device; An information processing system comprising:

8. obtaining ingredient information indicating the ingredient read from an ingredient tag affixed to a container and worker information indicating the worker read from a worker tag carried by the worker from an information reading device that reads out information recorded on tags, and further obtaining location information indicating the location where the ingredient information and the worker information were read; information association that associates the raw material information, the worker information, and the location information; receiving the worker information to be searched from a user; Searching for the raw material information and the location information associated with the worker information to be searched; outputting the worker information to be searched and the searched raw material information and location information; Information processing methods.

9. An information processing device executes the information processing method according to claim 8, an information reading device at least reads the ingredient information from the ingredient tag and the worker information from the worker tag, and outputs the ingredient information and the worker information to an information processing device; a terminal device outputs the worker information to be searched for to an information processing device, and acquires the worker information to be searched for, the raw material information and the location information that have been searched for from the information processing device; Information processing methods.

10. a process of acquiring ingredient information indicating ingredients read from an ingredient tag affixed to a container and worker information indicating the worker read from a worker tag carried by the worker from an information reading device that reads out information recorded on the tag, and further acquiring location information indicating the location where the ingredient information and the worker information were read; An information associating process for associating the raw material information, the worker information, and the location information; A process of receiving the worker information to be searched from a user; A process of searching for the raw material information and the location information associated with the worker information to be searched; A process of outputting the worker information to be searched, the raw material information and the location information that have been searched; A program that causes a computer to execute the following.

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