Molding management system

Abstract

To provide a molding management system capable of suppressing occurrence of a difference between an actual lot to which a product is moved and a lot on the molding management system.SOLUTION: Provided is a molding management system that includes a server communicably connected to a terminal device and manages production of a product in a production process including an injection molding process of the product by an injection molding device, wherein the server includes: a storage unit that stores a plurality of pieces of lot information in which lot identification information for identifying a lot of the product and lot-related information including one or more pieces of information related to the lot of the product are associated with each other; and a control unit that displays, on the terminal device, a lot movement image that accepts a lot movement operation for moving the product between two selected lots among the lots indicated by the plurality of pieces of lot information stored in the storage unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 20

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] TECHNICAL FIELD This disclosure relates to a molding management system. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Research and development is being conducted on techniques for managing the production of products in a production process that includes an injection molding process of products using resin materials such as plastics using an injection molding machine.

[0003] In this regard, a system is known that can update control information for controlling the molding of products for each lot for each molding of a product (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 07-029352 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In a system such as that described in Patent Document 1, when a product is transferred between two lots at the molding site of the product, a discrepancy may arise between the actual lot and the lot in the system. This is because the lot is managed by master data in the system, but this is not desirable from the perspective of lot management. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, one aspect of the present disclosure is a molding management system that includes a server that is communicatively connected to a terminal device and that manages the production of the product in a production process that includes an injection molding process of the product using an injection molding device, wherein the server is a molding management system that includes a memory unit that stores a plurality of lot information in which lot identification information that identifies the lot of the product is associated with lot-related information that includes one or more pieces of information related to the lot of the product, and a control unit that causes the terminal device to display a lot movement image that accepts a lot movement operation to move the product between two selected lots indicated by each of the plurality of lot information stored in the memory unit. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a molding management system 1. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a main menu image P1. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a terminal image P2. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a lot search image P3. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a lot movement image P4 displayed when a selection operation is performed on the button B41 shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of how lot identification information is entered into an input field F61 using an input device such as a keyboard. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a popup image including a list of lot information indicating each lot that can be selected as a destination lot, displayed by a selection operation in an input field F61. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which the grayed-out state of the button B51 is cancelled as a result of product transfer quantity information being entered in the input field F91. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of the lot movement image P4. [Figure 10]This is a diagram showing an example of the state of the product transfer quantity reception area RG6 when the toggle switch TG1 is selected to allow information input into the input field F92. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating another example of a method for inputting shot identification information into the input field F92 shown in FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating yet another example of a method for inputting shot identification information into the input field F92 shown in FIG. [Figure 13] This is a diagram showing an example of the state of the product transfer quantity reception area RG6 when the toggle switch TG2 is selected to allow information input into the input field F94. [Figure 14] This figure shows an example of the appearance of the product transfer quantity reception area RG6 when toggle switch TG1 is selected to allow information to be input into input field F92 and toggle switch TG2 is selected to allow information to be input into input field F94. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a product search image P6 displayed by the server 30 when an attempt is made to enter data into the input field F92 and the input field F94. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a search result obtained by a user's selection operation on a pull-down menu in FIG. 15. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of the product search image P6. [Figure 18] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a server 30. [Figure 19] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a server 30. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of processing in which the server 30 transfers products between two lots. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] <Embodiment> Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0009] <Outline of molding management system> First, an overview of the molding management system according to the embodiment will be described.

[0010] A molding management system according to an embodiment manages the production of a product in a production process that includes an injection molding process of the product using an injection molding device. The molding management system includes a server. The server is communicably connected to a terminal device. The server also includes a memory unit and a control unit. The memory unit stores a plurality of pieces of lot information in which lot identification information that identifies a lot of the product is associated with lot-related information that includes one or more pieces of information related to the lot of the product. The control unit causes the terminal device to display a lot movement image that accepts a lot movement operation for moving a product between two selected lots indicated by each of the plurality of lot information stored in the memory unit.

[0011] As a result, the molding management system according to the embodiment can prevent a discrepancy from occurring between the actual lot to which the product has been transferred and the lot on the molding management system.

[0012] The configuration of the injection molding system according to the embodiment and the processing performed by the server included in the injection molding system will be described in detail below.

[0013] <Configuration of molding management system> The configuration of the molding management system according to the embodiment will be described below by taking the molding management system 1 as an example.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a molding management system 1. As shown in FIG.

[0015] The molding management system 1 is a type of manufacturing execution system (MES). For example, the molding management system 1 includes one or more managed devices 10, an information processing device 20, and a server 30. The molding management system 1 may be configured not to include some or all of the one or more managed devices 10. The molding management system 1 may also be configured not to include the information processing device 20. In the following, as an example, a case will be described in which the molding management system 1 includes a plurality of managed devices 10 as the one or more managed devices 10.

[0016] Each of the multiple managed devices 10 included in the molding management system 1 is a device managed by the molding management system 1. In FIG. 1, for convenience of explanation, the multiple managed devices 10 are each denoted by the same reference numeral. However, some or all of the multiple managed devices 10 may be different types of devices. The multiple managed devices 10 include at least one injection molding device that performs injection molding of a product using a resin such as plastic. The injection molding device 11 shown in FIG. 1 is an example of such an injection molding device. Note that the multiple managed devices 10 may also include an injection molding device that performs metal injection molding (MIM) of a product. In the following, for convenience of explanation, injection molding of a product using a resin such as plastic will be simply referred to as injection molding. In the following, an injection molding device that performs injection molding of a product using a resin such as plastic will be simply referred to as an injection molding device. Furthermore, the multiple managed devices 10 include, in addition to the injection molding device, for example, peripheral equipment of the injection molding device. Examples of peripheral equipment of the injection molding device include, but are not limited to, a material supply device that supplies the injection molding device with material used by the injection molding device to inject mold the product, a transport device that transports the product injection molded by the injection molding device, a cleaning device that cleans the product injection molded by the injection molding device, and a sintering device that sinters the product after being cleaned by the cleaning device. Furthermore, at least one injection molding device included in the multiple managed devices 10 may be a device that performs injection molding using a material other than resin and metal.

[0017] The molding management system 1 manages the production of products in a production process that includes an injection molding process of the products using injection molding devices included in the multiple managed devices 10. Here, the injection molding devices included in the multiple managed devices 10 may have any configuration as long as they are capable of producing products by injection molding. For convenience of explanation, one injection molding of a product using the injection molding device will be referred to as one shot in the following description. In this case, for example, two shots refer to two injection moldings of a product using the injection molding device. Also, for convenience of explanation, each of one or more cavities in a mold that are filled with resin during one shot of molding a product will be referred to as a cavity in the following description. For example, an injection molding device equipped with a mold having two such cavities will mold two products in one shot.

[0018] The information processing device 20 acquires status information indicating the status of each of the multiple managed devices 10 from the managed device 10. For example, the information processing device 20 acquires status information about the injection molding device 11 from the injection molding device 11. Such status information includes a timestamp indicating the date and time when the status information was acquired by the information processing device 20. Some status information also includes device identification information that identifies the managed device 10 in the state indicated by the status information. The status information also includes detection information detected by one or more sensors attached to the managed device 10. The detection information includes, for example, information indicating temperature, information indicating pressure, information indicating current value, information indicating voltage value, etc. That is, the one or more sensors include, but are not limited to, a thermometer, a pressure gauge, an ammeter, a voltmeter, etc. Note that the detection information may include other information detected by the sensors instead of some or all of the above information, or in addition to all of the above information. The status information also includes operating status information indicating the operating status of the managed device 10. The operating status information indicating the operating status of the managed device 10 may be any information as long as it includes information indicating whether the managed device is operating. Furthermore, the information processing device 20 may acquire such status information periodically or non-periodically. As an example, the following describes a case where the information processing device 20 acquires status information each time the above-mentioned one shot is taken. When the information processing device 20 acquires certain status information, it outputs the acquired status information to the server 30. This allows the information processing device 20 to store the acquired status information in the server 30.

[0019] The information processing device 20 is, for example, a workstation, a desktop PC (Personal Computer), a notebook PC, etc., but is not limited to these. The information processing device 20 is communicably connected to each of the multiple managed devices 10 via wired or wireless communication. The communication network connecting the information processing device 20 and each of the multiple managed devices 10 is, for example, a local area network (LAN) within a facility where the multiple managed devices 10 are installed, but is not limited to this. The communication network may also be another communication network such as the Internet or a mobile communication network.

[0020] The server 30 stores the status information acquired by the information processing device 20. For example, when the server 30 acquires certain status information from the information processing device 20, it stores the acquired status information. Here, if the server 30 has already stored status information including device identification information included in the status information, it replaces the already stored status information with the newly acquired status information. This allows the server 30 to always keep the status information indicating the status of the managed device 10 indicated by the device identification information up to date. Note that the server 30 may be configured to store all acquired status information without performing such replacement. Furthermore, even if the server 30 performs such replacement, it may be configured to newly store the status information before the replacement as history information indicating the status history of the managed device 10.

[0021] In addition, in response to a request from a terminal device communicatively connected to the server 30, the server 30 displays various images based on status information stored in the server 30 on the display unit of the terminal device. Here, the images refer to GUIs (Graphical User Interfaces), icons, windows on an OS (Operating System), and the like. Hereinafter, as an example, a case will be described in which the server 30 is communicatively connected to the terminal device 40 as shown in FIG. 1 . Note that in this embodiment, the process of logging in to the server 30 by the terminal device 40 is known, and therefore will not be described here. For ease of explanation, the server 30 receiving an operation from the terminal device 40 via an image displayed on the terminal device 40 will be simply referred to as the server 30 receiving an operation. In other words, in the following, the server 30 performing a certain process in response to a received operation means that the server 30 performs the process in response to the operation received from the terminal device 40 via an image displayed on the terminal device 40.

[0022] The server 30 also receives various types of information in response to the received operation. For example, the server 30 stores master data including various types of information about products produced by the injection molding device 11 in response to the received operation. The master data includes, for example, product identification information that identifies the various products produced by the injection molding device 11, production quantity plan value information that indicates the planned production quantity of the products identified by each product identification information, and mold identification information that identifies the mold used to produce the products identified by each product identification information. The master data may have any data structure. For example, the various types of information included in the master data are included in the master data as information associated with the product identification information.

[0023] Furthermore, in response to the received operation, the server 30 displays a lot search image on the display unit of the terminal device 40, which accepts a lot search operation for searching for a product lot. The display unit may be, for example, a display of the terminal device 40 or a display device communicably connected to the terminal device 40, but is not limited to these. In the following, as an example, a case will be described in which the display unit is the display of the terminal device 40. Also, in the following, for convenience of explanation, displaying an image on the display unit will be referred to as "displaying the image." The lot search image is an image that accepts various pieces of information that can be used as a search key through the aforementioned lot search operation. In the following, for convenience of explanation, a product lot will be simply referred to as a lot. A lot is a group of one or more products to which lot identification information is assigned for management purposes. Therefore, in the following, for convenience of explanation, products to which lot identification information identifying a certain lot is assigned will be referred to as products of that lot. The lot identification information may be any information that can identify the lot, for example, an ID (Identifier) ​​that identifies the lot, a character string that identifies the lot, or other information that can identify the lot.

[0024] Here, the server 30 stores lot identification information and lot-related information including one or more pieces of information related to the lot, in association with each other. As a result, when searching for information on a certain lot of products, the server 30 can use not only the lot identification information that identifies the lot, but also each of the one or more pieces of information included in the lot-related information associated with the lot identification information as search keys for the lot. In other words, in the lot search image, in addition to the lot identification information, each of the one or more pieces of information included in the lot-related information can be used as search keys for searching for the lot. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, information in which lot identification information that identifies a certain lot and lot-related information including one or more pieces of information related to the lot are associated with each other will be referred to as lot information indicating the lot. In other words, when the server 30 receives at least one piece of information from the one or more pieces of information included in the lot-related information through a lot search operation via the lot search image, it displays lot information indicating the lot identified by each of the one or more pieces of lot identification information associated with the received at least one piece of information. This allows the server 30 to easily search for information on products in a desired lot. For this reason, the server 30 stores a plurality of pieces of lot information for each piece of lot identification information.

[0025] For example, the server 30 displays a lot search image by accepting an operation via a main menu image P1 as shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the main menu image P1.

[0026] When a predetermined main menu image display operation is received, the server 30 displays the main menu image P1. In the example shown in Fig. 2, the main menu image P1 includes six buttons, namely, button B11 to button B16.

[0027] The button B11 is a button that displays a dashboard image. When the server 30 receives a selection operation on the button B11, the server 30 generates a dashboard image and displays the generated dashboard image. Here, the dashboard image is an image that displays information necessary for a user of the terminal device 40 to manage the production of products by the injection molding device designated by the user while the injection molding device is in operation. In this embodiment, the selection operation is a click, a tap, or the like, but is not limited to these.

[0028] Button B12 is a button that displays a master data management image. When the server 30 receives a selection operation on button B12, it generates a master data management image and displays the generated master data management image. Here, the master data management image is an image that receives operations to input, change, delete, etc. the master data described above. The server 30 can generate, change, delete, etc. master data in response to operations on the master data management image. When the server 30 generates master data, it stores the generated master data. Furthermore, when the server 30 changes the master data, it updates the stored master data to the changed master data.

[0029] The button B13 is a button for displaying a manual image. When the server 30 receives a selection operation for the button B13, the server 30 generates a manual image and displays the generated manual image. Here, the manual image is an image that receives an operation for displaying a manual on how to operate the molding management system 1.

[0030] Button B14 is a button that displays terminal image P2. When server 30 receives a selection operation on button B14, it generates terminal image P2 and displays the generated terminal image P2. Here, terminal image P2 is an image that receives operations for executing each of the various update functions possessed by server 30. A certain type of update function is a function for inputting, changing, deleting, etc., information according to that type.

[0031] Button B15 is a button that displays a user management image. When server 30 receives a selection operation on button B15, it generates a user management image and displays the generated user management image. Here, the user management image is an image that receives operations to input, change, delete, display, etc., information about a user among the information stored in server 30.

[0032] The button B16 is a button that accepts an operation to log out the terminal device 40 from the server 30. When the server 30 accepts a selection operation on the button B16, the server 30 logs out the terminal device 40.

[0033] In this embodiment, the dashboard image, the master data management image, the manual image, and the user management image will not be described.

[0034] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the terminal image P2. As shown in Fig. 3, the terminal image P2 includes buttons for accepting operations to execute each of a plurality of update-related functions. One of these buttons is the button B21.

[0035] The button B21 is a button that accepts an operation to display a lot search image P3, which is an example of the lot search image described above. When the server 30 accepts a selection operation on the button B21, the server 30 generates the lot search image P3 and displays the generated lot search image P3.

[0036] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the lot search image P3. In the example shown in Fig. 4, the lot search image P3 includes a lot search area RG1, a search result display area RG2, and a processing button group area RG3.

[0037] The lot search area RG1 includes, for example, input fields F11 to F18, a button B31, and a button B32. Note that the lot search area RG1 may be configured to include other GUIs that can accept a lot search operation instead of some or all of these GUIs, or in addition to all of these GUIs. Here, the aforementioned lot search operation refers to an individual operation accepted by the lot search area RG1. Note that in the molding management system 1, searching for a lot means searching for lot information.

[0038] The input field F11 is a field where lot identification information that identifies a desired lot is entered by the user. In FIG. 4, the character string "Lot No." superimposed on the input field F11 is a character string that indicates to the user that the information entered in the input field F11 is lot identification information. In the example shown in FIG. 4, nothing is entered in the input field F11. Note that the lot identification information may be entered in the input field F11 by selecting the lot identification information from a pull-down menu, or by direct entry using an input device such as a keyboard.

[0039] The input field F12 is a field where process information indicating the work process currently being performed on the product of the desired lot by the user, among the various processes included in the production process. Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 4, the process information is included in the lot-related information described above, and the lot can be searched for using the process information as a search key. The character string "Process" superimposed on the input field F12 in FIG. 4 indicates to the user that the information entered in the input field F12 is process information. In this example, nothing is entered in the input field F12. Note that the process information can be entered into the input field F12 by selecting the process information from a pull-down menu, or by direct input using an input device such as a keyboard.

[0040] The input field F13 is a field for inputting injection molding machine identification information that identifies the injection molding machine that molded the product lot desired by the user or the injection molding machine that will mold the product lot desired by the user. Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 4, the lot-related information includes the injection molding machine identification information, and the lot can be searched for using the injection molding machine identification information as a search key. The character string "machine" superimposed on the input field F13 in FIG. 4 indicates to the user that the information entered in the input field F13 is injection molding machine identification information. In this example, nothing is entered in the input field F13. The injection molding machine identification information can be entered into the input field F13 by selecting the injection molding machine identification information from a pull-down menu or by directly entering it using an input device such as a keyboard.

[0041] The input field F14 is a field where the user inputs product type information indicating the type of product of the desired lot. Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 4, the lot-related information includes product type information, and the lot can be searched for using the product type information as a search key. The character string "Item" superimposed on the input field F14 in FIG. 4 indicates to the user that the information input into the input field F14 is product type information. In this example, nothing is input into the input field F14. Note that the product type information can be input into the input field F14 by selecting the product type information from a pull-down menu, or by direct input using an input device such as a keyboard.

[0042] The input field F15 is a field where information identifying the higher-level group to which the desired lot belongs is entered. The following description will be given, as an example, of a case where the group is a production lot. For ease of explanation, the information will be referred to as production lot identification information. Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 4, the lot-related information includes production lot identification information, and a lot can be searched for using the production lot identification information as a search key. The group may also be another group, such as the work shift of a manager who manages the production of the products of the lot. The character string "Job No." superimposed on the input field F15 in FIG. 4 indicates to the user that the information entered in the input field F15 is production lot identification information. In this example, nothing is entered in the input field F15. The production lot identification information may be entered in the input field F15 by selecting the production lot identification information from a pull-down menu or by directly entering it using an input device such as a keyboard.

[0043] The input field F16 is a field where lot status information indicating the desired lot status is entered by the user. Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 4 , the lot-related information includes the lot status information, and a lot can be searched for using the lot status information as a search key. The character string "Lot Status" superimposed on the input field F16 in FIG. 4 indicates to the user that the information entered in the input field F16 is lot status information. In this example, nothing is entered in the input field F16. The lot status information indicates one of the following states: a lot is stopped, a lot is being prepared, a lot is waiting, or a lot is completed. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, a state in which a lot is stopped will be simply referred to as "lot stopped." Also, for convenience of explanation, a state in which a lot is being prepared will be simply referred to as "lot being prepared." Also, for convenience of explanation, a state in which a lot is waiting will be simply referred to as "lot waiting." For ease of explanation, the state in which a lot has been completed will be referred to simply as “lot completion.” Note that the input of lot status information into the input field F16 may be performed by selecting lot status information from a pull-down menu, or by direct input using an input device such as a keyboard.

[0044] Input fields F17 and F18 are fields where the user inputs period information indicating the period including the date when production of the desired lot of products began. Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 4, the lot-related information includes information indicating the date, and the lot can be searched for using this information as a search key. The character string "Start Date of First Process from" superimposed on input field F17 in FIG. 4 indicates to the user that the information entered in input field F17 is start date and time information indicating the start date and time of the period. The character string "Start Date of First Process to" superimposed on input field F18 in FIG. 4 indicates to the user that the information entered in input field F18 is end date and time information indicating the end date and time of the period. In this example, nothing is entered in input fields F17 and F18. The start date and time information can be entered in input field F17 by selecting a date using a calendar or the like and a time using a clock or the like, or by direct input using an input device such as a keyboard. The end date and time information may be entered into the input field F18 by selecting the date using a calendar or the like, selecting the time using a clock or the like, or by direct input using an input device such as a keyboard. The start date and time information may be information indicating only the date and time. The end date and time information may be information indicating only the date and time.

[0045] The button B31 is a button that accepts an operation to delete the information entered in some or all of the input fields F11 to F18. In other words, the button B31 is a button that accepts an operation to clear the information entered in some or all of the input fields F11 to F18. When the button B31 is selected, the server 30 deletes the information entered in some or all of the input fields F11 to F18.

[0046] Button B32 is a button that accepts an operation to execute a search for a lot based on the information entered in some or all of input fields F11 to F18. When button B32 is selected, server 30 extracts one or more pieces of lot information that include the information entered in some or all of input fields F11 to F18 from the plurality of pieces of lot information stored in advance. After extracting one or more pieces of lot information, server 30 displays a list of the one or more pieces of extracted lot information in search result display area RG2. For ease of explanation, this list will be referred to below simply as a lot information list.

[0047] Here, the lot information is generated or updated based on information received from a user via, for example, one of the update functions executable on the terminal image P2, and is stored on the server 30. Some lot information includes, for example, lot identification information identifying the lot indicated by the lot information and lot-related information about the lot. The lot-related information specifically includes: production quantity information indicating the number of products in the lot; product type information indicating the type of products in the lot; process information indicating the process currently being performed on the products in the lot; lot status information indicating the status of the lot; start date and time information indicating the date and time when production of the products in the lot began; quality information indicating the results of quality inspections performed on the products in the lot; injection molding device-related information regarding the injection molding device used to mold the products in the lot; mold identification information identifying the mold attached to the injection molding device; and cavity number information indicating the number of cavities in the mold. If a quality inspection has not been performed on the products in the lot, the quality information indicates that the quality inspection has not been performed on the products. The injection molding apparatus-related information is information that includes, for example, injection molding apparatus identification information that identifies the injection molding apparatus, operating status information that indicates the operating status of the injection molding apparatus, detection information about the injection molding apparatus, etc. Note that the lot-related information may be configured to include other information about the lot instead of some or all of the above information, or in addition to all of the above information.

[0048] The search result display area RG2 is an area where a list of lot information is displayed as a result of a selection operation on the button B32. If no selection operation is performed on the button B32, the search result display area RG2 may display a list of all lot information stored in the server 30, or may display nothing. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the list is displayed in the search result display area RG2. The number of lot information items to be displayed in the search result display area RG2 may be determined in advance. In this case, the search result display area RG2 includes a button for displaying lot information that could not be displayed in the search result display area RG2.

[0049] In the example shown in FIG. 4, the lot information displayed in the search result display area RG2 includes lot identification information as well as some of the lot-related information. Specifically, the lot information includes lot identification information, production quantity information, production type information, process information, lot status information, and start date and time information. Note that the lot information may include all of the lot-related information along with the lot identification information. For example, the lot information displayed at the top of the search result display area RG2 shown in FIG. 4 includes lot identification information "1234567890," production quantity information "10," production type information "Part 1," process information "Shipping Inspection SB1," lot status information indicating lot completion, and start date and time information "2022-06-08 08:00." Here, "10" represents the production quantity information indicating 10 pieces. "2022-06-08 08:00" represents the start date and time information indicating 8:00 AM on June 8, 2022.

[0050] A detailed display button (not shown) is displayed in association with each piece of lot information displayed in the search result display area RG2. The detailed display button displayed in association with certain lot information is a button that accepts an operation to display a detailed information display image in which detailed information about the lot indicated by the lot information is displayed. The detailed information displayed in the detailed information display image includes at least a portion of the information contained in the lot information that is displayed in the search result display area RG2, and at least a portion of the information contained in the lot information that is not displayed in the search result display area RG2.

[0051] As described above, one or more pieces of information included in the lot-related information of a certain lot information are associated with the lot identification information included in the lot information. Therefore, the server 30 can extract the lot information from the storage area of ​​the server 30 using the lot identification information. This is useful because it not only simplifies the data structure of the lot information but also reduces the load on the server 30 in searching for lots.

[0052] Furthermore, when one or more pieces of lot information are displayed in the search result display area RG2, check boxes are displayed for accepting an operation to select each of the one or more pieces of lot information. For example, the check box C1 shown in FIG. 4 is a check box for accepting an operation to select the lot information displayed in the top row of the search result display area RG2. Note that the search result display area RG2 may also be configured to display check boxes for accepting an operation to select all of the lot information displayed in the search result display area RG2. This allows the server 30 to reduce the effort required for the user to select lot information. For convenience of explanation, the operation of selecting lot information via such check boxes will be referred to as a lot information selection operation below. Note that the selection of certain lot information may also be referred to as the selection of the lot indicated by that lot information.

[0053] The processing button group area RG3 is an area where a GUI is displayed that accepts a processing execution operation that causes the server 30 to start executing a predetermined process on each of the lots indicated by one or more pieces of lot information selected in response to a received lot information selection operation from among the one or more pieces of lot information displayed in the search result display area RG2. In the example shown in FIG. 4, 11 buttons are displayed as such a GUI in the processing button group area RG3. In this example, these 11 buttons include a button B41. In this embodiment, a description of the 11 buttons other than the button B41 will be omitted.

[0054] The button B41 is a button that selects a lot selected by the user in the search result display area RG2 as a source lot and accepts a lot transfer process execution operation that causes the server 30 to start executing a process to transfer a product between the source lot and the destination lot. The destination lot is a lot selected by the user as a destination lot to which a product is to be transferred from the source lot in the lot transfer image P4 described below. If a predetermined gray-out condition is met, the server 30 grays out the button B41 and does not accept a selection operation on the button B41. On the other hand, if the gray-out condition is not met, the server 30 cancels the gray-out of the button B41 and accepts a selection operation on the button B41. By graying out the button in this way, the server 30 can prevent erroneous operations by the user. The gray-out condition is, for example, a condition that includes the following two conditions, Condition 1A and Condition 1B.

[0055] Condition 1A: Multiple lots are selected by the user in the search result display area RG2 Condition 1B: No lot has been selected by the user in the search result display area RG2

[0056] The server 30 determines that the gray-out condition is met when either condition 1A or condition 1B is met. On the other hand, the server 30 determines that the gray-out condition is not met when both condition 1A and condition 1B are not met.

[0057] 4, the user has selected the topmost lot among the multiple lots displayed in the search result display area RG2, and no other lots have been selected, so in this example, button B41 is not grayed out.

[0058] The button B41 may also be a button that designates the lot selected by the user in the search result display area RG2 as the destination lot, and accepts a lot transfer process execution operation that causes the server 30 to start executing a process to transfer the product between the source lot and the destination lot. In this case, the source lot is the lot selected by the user as the source lot from which the product is to be transferred to the destination lot in the lot transfer image P4 described below. In the following, for convenience of explanation, the two lots, the source lot and the destination lot, will be simply referred to as two lots.

[0059] When a selection operation is performed on button B41, the server 30 identifies the lot selected by the user in the search result display area RG2 as the source lot, and displays a lot movement image P4 that accepts a lot movement operation to move products between two lots.

[0060] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the lot movement image P4 that is displayed when a selection operation is performed on the button B41 shown in Fig. 4. The server 30 may be configured to display the lot movement image P4 in a pop-up, may be configured to display the lot movement image P4 as one of the images included in the lot search image P3, may be configured to display the lot movement image P4 in a separate window, or may be configured to display the lot movement image P4 by some other method.

[0061] 5, the lot movement image P4 includes, for example, three areas: a source lot information display area RG4, a destination lot information display area RG5, and a product movement quantity reception area RG6. Note that the lot movement image P4 may be configured to include another GUI that receives lot movement operations instead of some or all of these.

[0062] The source lot information display area RG4 includes a GUI that displays lot information indicating the source lot. More specifically, the source lot information display area RG4 includes, for example, a GUI for inputting information about the user who will transfer products between two lots, a GUI for inputting lot identification information that identifies the source lot, a GUI for displaying information indicating the change in the number of products in the source lot before and after the transfer, and a GUI for displaying lot information indicating the source lot. Note that the source lot information display area RG4 may be configured to include another GUI that displays lot information indicating the source lot instead of some or all of these, or in addition to all of these.

[0063] 5, the source lot information display region RG4 includes an input field F21 and an input field F22 as GUIs for inputting information about a user who will transfer a product between two lots. Note that the GUI may be configured to include another GUI for inputting information about a user who will transfer a product between two lots, instead of either or both of the input field F21 and the input field F22, or in addition to both the input field F21 and the input field F22.

[0064] The input field F21 is a field where user identification information identifying the user who transfers products between two lots is entered. The character string "Worker ID" superimposed on the input field F21 in FIG. 5 indicates to the user that the information entered in the input field F21 is user identification information. By default, the input field F21 is entered with, for example, the user identification information of the user currently logged in to the server 30. The method by which the server 30 identifies the user identification information may be a known method or a method to be developed in the future. In the example shown in FIG. 5, "1234567" is entered in the input field F21 as the user identification information to be entered by default. Note that user identification information other than the default user identification information may be entered in the input field F21 by selecting the user identification information from a pull-down menu or by directly entering the information using an input device such as a keyboard.

[0065] The input field F22 is a field for inputting user name information indicating the name of the user who will transfer the product between two lots. The character string "Worker Name" superimposed on the input field F22 in FIG. 5 indicates to the user that the information entered in the input field F22 is user name information. By default, the input field F22 is input with the user name information of, for example, the user currently logged in to the server 30. The method by which the server 30 identifies the user name information may be a known method or a method to be developed in the future. In the example shown in FIG. 5, "First User" is input as the user name information to be entered by default in the input field F22. Note that input of user name information other than the default user name information into the input field F22 may be performed by selecting the user name information from a pull-down menu or by direct input using an input device such as a keyboard.

[0066] 5, the source lot information display region RG4 includes an input field F31 as a GUI for inputting lot identification information for identifying the source lot. Note that this GUI may be configured to include another GUI for inputting lot identification information for identifying the source lot instead of or in addition to the input field F31. The input field F31 is an example of a source selection image.

[0067] The input field F31 is a field where lot identification information identifying a lot selected by the user as the source lot is entered. The character string "Lot No." superimposed on the input field F31 in FIG. 5 indicates to the user that the information entered in the input field F31 is lot identification information. By default, the input field F31 is filled with lot identification information identifying a lot identified by the server 30 as the source lot by, for example, selecting button B41 in the lot search image P3. In the example shown in FIG. 5, "1234567890" is entered as the lot identification information in the input field F31. Note that the lot identification information entered in the input field F31 may be changeable. In this case, the user can change the lot selected as the source lot to another lot by changing the lot identification information entered in the input field F31. In such a case, the lot identification information may be entered in the input field F31 by selecting the lot identification information from a pull-down menu or by directly entering the information using an input device such as a keyboard.

[0068] 5, the source lot information display area RG4 includes a display field F41 and a display field F42 as GUIs that display information indicating the change in the number of products in the source lot before and after the transfer of the products between two lots. Note that the GUI may be configured to include another GUI that displays information indicating the change in the number of products in the source lot before and after the transfer of the products between two lots, instead of either or both of the display field F41 and the display field F42, or in addition to both the display field F41 and the display field F42.

[0069] Display field F41 is a field that displays production quantity information, which indicates the number of products in the source lot identified by the lot identification information entered in input field F31, before the transfer of the products. In Fig. 5, the character string "Current Quantity" superimposed on display field F41 is a character string that indicates to the user that the information displayed in display field F41 is the production quantity information. In the example shown in Fig. 5, "10," indicating 10, is entered in display field F41 as the production quantity information.

[0070] The display field F42 is a field that displays production quantity information, which indicates the number of products of the source lot identified by the lot identification information entered in the input field F31, after the products have been transferred. The character string "Number after Transfer" superimposed on the display field F42 in FIG. 5 indicates to the user that the information displayed in the display field F42 is the production quantity information. In the example shown in FIG. 5, no production quantity information has been entered in the display field F42. This is because the lot transfer image P4 shown in FIG. 5 is in a state before the number of products to be transferred between two lots has been accepted.

[0071] 5, the source lot information display region RG4 includes display fields F51 to F57 as GUIs that display lot information indicating the source lot. Note that the GUI may include another GUI that displays lot information indicating the source lot instead of some or all of the display fields F51 to F57, or in addition to all of the display fields F51 to F57.

[0072] Display field F51 is a field that displays product type information that indicates the type of product of the source lot identified by the lot identification information entered in input field F31. In Fig. 5, the character string "Item" superimposed on display field F51 is a character string that indicates to the user that the information displayed in display field F51 is the product type information. In the example shown in Fig. 5, "Part 1" is displayed in display field F51 as the product type information.

[0073] Display field F52 is a field that displays process information indicating the work process currently being performed on the product of the source lot identified by the lot identification information entered in input field F31. In Figure 5, the character string "Process" superimposed on display field F52 is a character string that indicates to the user that the information displayed in display field F52 is the process information. In the example shown in Figure 5, "Shipping Inspection SB1" is displayed in display field F52 as the process information.

[0074] Display field F53 is a field that displays lot status information that indicates the status of the source lot identified by the lot identification information entered in input field F31. In Fig. 5, the character string "Lot Status" superimposed on display field F53 is a character string that indicates to the user that the information displayed in display field F53 is the lot status information. In this example, display field F53 displays "Completed" as the lot status information, indicating that the lot is complete.

[0075] Display field F54 is a field that displays production quantity information, which indicates the number of products in the source lot identified by the lot identification information entered in input field F31, before the products are transferred. In Fig. 5, the character string "Current Quantity" superimposed on display field F54 is a character string that indicates to the user that the information displayed in display field F54 is the production quantity information. In the example shown in Fig. 5, "10," indicating 10, is displayed in display field F54 as the production quantity information.

[0076] Display field F55 is a field that displays injection molding machine identification information that identifies the injection molding machine that molded the product of the source lot identified by the lot identification information entered in input field F31, or the injection molding machine that will mold the product of that lot. In Figure 5, the character string "Molding Machine" superimposed on display field F55 is a character string that indicates to the user that the information displayed in display field F55 is the injection molding machine identification information. In this example, display field F55 displays "A-1" as the injection molding machine identification information.

[0077] Display field F56 is a field that displays mold identification information that identifies the mold attached to the injection molding machine that molded the product of the source lot identified by the lot identification information entered in input field F31, or the mold that will be attached to the injection molding machine that will mold the product of that lot. In Figure 5, the character string "Mold" superimposed on display field F56 is a character string that indicates to the user that the information displayed in display field F56 is the mold identification information. In this example, display field F56 displays "Mold 1" as the mold identification information.

[0078] Display field F57 is a field that displays cavity number information indicating the number of cavities possessed by the mold indicated by the mold identification information entered in display field F56. In Figure 5, the character string "Cav No." superimposed on display field F57 is a character string that indicates to the user that the information displayed in display field F57 is cavity number information. In this example, display field F57 displays "2," indicating two, as the cavity number information.

[0079] The destination lot information display area RG5 includes a GUI that displays lot information indicating the destination lot. More specifically, the destination lot information display area RG5 includes, for example, a GUI for inputting lot identification information that identifies the destination lot, a GUI for displaying information indicating the change in the number of products in the destination lot before and after the transfer of the products between two lots, and a GUI for displaying lot information indicating the destination lot. Note that the destination lot information display area RG5 may be configured to include another GUI that displays lot information indicating the destination lot instead of some or all of these, or in addition to all of these.

[0080] 5, the destination lot information display region RG5 includes an input field F61 as a GUI into which lot identification information for identifying the destination lot is input. Note that this GUI may be configured to include another GUI into which lot identification information for identifying the destination lot is input, instead of or in addition to the input field F61. The input field F61 is an example of a destination selection image.

[0081] The input field F61 is a field where lot identification information that identifies a lot selected by the user as a destination lot is entered. The character string "Lot No." superimposed on the input field F61 in FIG. 5 indicates to the user that the information entered in the input field F61 is lot identification information. In the example shown in FIG. 5, nothing is entered in the input field F61. This is because the state of the lot transfer image P4 shown in FIG. 5 is the state before lot identification information is entered in the input field F61. The lot identification information may be entered in the input field F61 by selecting the lot identification information using a pull-down menu, by direct input using an input device such as a keyboard, by scanning a barcode or the like indicating the lot information, or by selecting a lot from a pop-up image containing a list of lot information indicating each lot that can be selected as a destination lot.

[0082] 6 is a diagram showing an example of how lot identification information is entered into an input field F61 using an input device such as a keyboard. In the example shown in Fig. 6, "2345678901" is entered into the input field F61 as the lot identification information that identifies the lot selected by the user as the destination lot.

[0083] FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a pop-up image displayed in response to a selection operation in the input field F61. The pop-up image includes a list of lot information indicating each lot selectable as a destination lot. For example, when a selection operation is performed on a “▼” mark included in the input field F61, the server 30 displays the pop-up image superimposed on the lot movement image P4. Image P5 shown in FIG. 7 is an example of the pop-up image. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the display format of the list displayed in image P5 is the same as the display format of the lot information list displayed in the search result display area RG2 of the lot search image P3. Note that these display formats may be different. For example, when the server 30 receives an operation to select one of the lot information included in the list displayed in image P5, the server 30 deletes the display of image P5 and enters the lot identification information included in the lot information selected by the received operation into the input field F61. In this example, the user's selection of lot information is received using a checkbox displayed next to each piece of lot information displayed in image P5. Note that the user's selection of lot information on image P5 may be received using other methods.

[0084] When lot identification information is entered into input field F61, the server 30 generates new lot identification information to be assigned to the destination lot after the transfer of products between two lots, based on the lot identification information entered into input field F61. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, this lot identification information will be referred to as post-transfer lot identification information. For example, if the lot identification information entered into input field F61 is an ID consisting of a combination of 10 integers from 0 to 9, the server 30 generates an ID consisting of 11 numbers, with a predetermined number added to the end of the 10-number combination, as the post-transfer lot identification information. For example, if the lot identification information entered into input field F61 is "2345678901" and the predetermined number is 1, the server 30 generates "23456789011" as the post-transfer lot identification information. This allows the user to identify which lot was the destination lot before the transfer of products between two lots, simply by looking at the post-transfer lot identification information. Note that this method of generating post-transfer lot identification information is merely an example, and other methods may be used to generate post-transfer lot identification information based on the lot identification information entered in the input field F61. The server 30 may be configured to use the lot identification information "2345678901" entered in the input field F61 as the post-transfer lot identification information without any changes. Even if the server 30 generates post-transfer lot identification information, it does not assign post-transfer lot identification information to the destination lot until the transfer of the products between the two lots is confirmed. The server 30 may also be configured to assign new lot identification information to the source lot after the transfer of the products between the two lots. The server 30 may also be configured not to assign new lot identification information to the source lot or the destination lot after the transfer of the products between the two lots. The assignment of new lot identification information to the lot may also be referred to as updating the lot identification information.

[0085] 5, the destination lot information display area RG5 includes a display field F71 and a display field F72 as GUIs that display information indicating the change in the number of products in the destination lot before and after the transfer of the products between two lots. Note that the GUI may be configured to include another GUI that displays information indicating the change in the number of products in the destination lot before and after the transfer of the products between two lots, instead of either or both of the display field F71 and the display field F72, or in addition to both the display field F71 and the display field F72.

[0086] The display field F71 is a field that displays production quantity information, which indicates the number of products in the destination lot identified by the lot identification information entered in the input field F61, before the product is transferred. The character string "Current Quantity" superimposed on the display field F71 in FIG. 5 indicates to the user that the information displayed in the display field F71 is the production quantity information. In the example shown in FIG. 5, nothing is entered in the display field F71 as the production quantity information. This is because no lot identification information is entered in the input field F61 in the lot transfer image P4 shown in FIG. 5.

[0087] The display field F72 is a field that displays production quantity information, which indicates the number of products in the destination lot identified by the lot identification information entered in the input field F61, after the products have been transferred. The character string "Number after Transfer" superimposed on the display field F72 in FIG. 5 indicates to the user that the information displayed in the display field F72 is the production quantity information. In the example shown in FIG. 5, no production quantity information has been entered in the display field F72. This is because the lot transfer image P4 shown in FIG. 5 is in a state before the number of products to be transferred between two lots has been accepted.

[0088] 5, destination lot information display region RG5 includes display fields F81 to F88 as GUIs that display lot information indicating the destination lot. Note that this GUI may be configured to include another GUI that displays lot information indicating the destination lot instead of some or all of the display fields F81 to F88, or in addition to all of the display fields F81 to F88.

[0089] The display field F81 is a field that displays product type information that indicates the type of product of the destination lot identified by the lot identification information entered in the input field F61. In FIG. 5, the character string "Item" superimposed on the display field F81 is a character string that indicates to the user that the information displayed in the display field F81 is the product type information. In the example shown in FIG. 5, nothing is displayed in the display field F81. This is because no lot identification information has been entered in the input field F61 in the lot movement image P4 shown in FIG. 5.

[0090] The display field F82 is a field that displays process information indicating the work process currently being performed on the product of the destination lot identified by the lot identification information entered in the input field F61. In FIG. 5, the character string "Process" superimposed on the display field F82 is a character string that indicates to the user that the information displayed in the display field F82 is the process information. In the example shown in FIG. 5, nothing is displayed in the display field F82. This is because no lot identification information has been entered in the input field F61 in the lot movement image P4 shown in FIG. 5.

[0091] The display field F83 is a field that displays lot status information indicating the status of the destination lot identified by the lot identification information entered in the input field F61. In FIG. 5, the character string "Lot Status" superimposed on the display field F83 is a character string that indicates to the user that the information displayed in the display field F83 is the lot status information. In this example, nothing is displayed in the display field F53. This is because no lot identification information has been entered in the input field F61 in the lot movement image P4 shown in FIG. 5.

[0092] The display field F84 is a field that displays production quantity information, which indicates the number of products in the destination lot identified by the lot identification information entered in the input field F61, before the product is transferred. In FIG. 5, the character string "Current Quantity" superimposed on the display field F84 indicates to the user that the information displayed in the display field F84 is the production quantity information. In the example shown in FIG. 5, nothing is displayed in the display field F84. This is because no lot identification information has been entered in the input field F61 in the lot transfer image P4 shown in FIG. 5.

[0093] Display field F85 is a field that displays injection molding machine identification information that identifies the injection molding machine that molded the product of the destination lot identified by the lot identification information entered in input field F61, or the injection molding machine that will mold the product of that lot. The character string "Molding Machine" superimposed on display field F85 in FIG. 5 indicates to the user that the information displayed in display field F85 is the injection molding machine identification information. In this example, nothing is displayed in display field F85. This is because no lot identification information has been entered in input field F61 in lot movement image P4 shown in FIG. 5.

[0094] The display field F86 is a field that displays mold identification information that identifies the mold attached to the injection molding machine that molded the product of the destination lot identified by the lot identification information entered in the input field F61, or the mold that will be attached to the injection molding machine that will mold the product of that lot. The character string "Mold" superimposed on the display field F86 in FIG. 5 indicates to the user that the information displayed in the display field F86 is the mold identification information. In this example, nothing is displayed in the display field F86. This is because no lot identification information has been entered in the input field F61 in the lot movement image P4 shown in FIG. 5.

[0095] Display field F87 is a field that displays cavity number information indicating the number of cavities possessed by the mold indicated by the mold identification information entered in display field F86. In FIG. 5, the character string "Cav No." superimposed on display field F87 indicates to the user that the information displayed in display field F87 is the cavity number information. In the example shown in FIG. 5, nothing is displayed in display field F87. This is because no lot identification information has been entered in input field F61 in lot movement image P4 shown in FIG. 5.

[0096] The display field F88 is a field in which the post-transfer lot identification information described above is displayed when it is generated. In FIG. 5, the character string "Post-Transfer Lot No." is superimposed on the display field F88 and indicates to the user that the information displayed in the display field F88 is post-transfer lot identification information. In the example shown in FIG. 5, nothing is displayed in the display field F88. This is because no lot identification information has been entered in the input field F61 in the lot transfer image P4 shown in FIG. 5.

[0097] Here, as shown in FIG. 6, when lot identification information identifying the destination lot is entered in input field F61, post-transfer lot identification information newly generated by server 30 is displayed in display field F88. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the lot identification information entered in input field F61 is "2345678901," so "23456789011" is displayed in display field F88 as the post-transfer lot identification information. In this case, each of display fields F81 to F87 displays information corresponding to the lot information indicating the destination lot. In this example, display field F81 displays "Part 1" as product type information indicating the type of product of the destination lot. In this example, display field F82 displays "Shipping Inspection SB1" as process information indicating the work process currently being performed on the product of the destination lot. In this example, display field F83 displays "Completed," indicating lot completion, as lot status information indicating the status of the destination lot. Also, in this example, display field F84 displays "10," indicating 10, as production item quantity information indicating the number of products in the destination lot before the transfer of the products. Also, in this example, display field F85 displays "A-1" as injection molding apparatus identification information identifying the injection molding apparatus that molded the products in the destination lot or the injection molding apparatus that will mold the products in that lot. Also, in this example, display field F86 displays "Mold 1" as mold identification information identifying the mold attached to the injection molding apparatus that molded the products in the destination lot or the mold that will be attached to the injection molding apparatus that will mold the products in that lot. Also, in this example, display field F87 displays "2," indicating two, as cavity number information indicating the number of cavities in the mold.

[0098] The product transfer quantity reception area RG6 includes a GUI for inputting product transfer quantity information indicating the number of products to be transferred between two lots. Note that instead of or in addition to this, the product transfer quantity reception area RG6 may be configured to include another GUI for inputting product transfer quantity information indicating the number of products to be transferred between two lots.

[0099] 5, the product transfer quantity reception area RG6 includes an input field F91 as a GUI for inputting product transfer quantity information indicating the number of products to be transferred between two lots. Note that, instead of or in addition to the input field F91, this GUI may include another GUI for inputting product transfer quantity information indicating the number of products to be transferred between two lots. The input field F91 is an example of a product transfer quantity designation image.

[0100] The input field F91 is a field where product transfer quantity information, which indicates the number of products to be transferred between two lots, is entered. In FIG. 5, the character string "Transfer Number" superimposed on the input field F91 is a character string for indicating to the user that the information entered in the input field F91 is product transfer quantity information. In the example shown in FIG. 5, nothing is entered in the input field F91. Note that the product transfer quantity information can be entered into the input field F91 by selecting product transfer quantity information from a pull-down menu, or by direct input using an input device such as a keyboard.

[0101] In the example shown in FIG. 5, the product transfer quantity reception area RG6 includes a button B51.

[0102] Button B51 is a button that accepts an operation to confirm the transfer of products between two lots. When button B51 is selected, the server 30 confirms the lot identified by the lot identification information entered in input field F61 as the transfer destination lot and changes the lot identification information of the transfer destination lot to the post-transfer lot identification information displayed in display field F88. That is, in this case, the server 30 changes the lot identification information included in the lot information indicating the transfer destination lot to the post-transfer lot identification information. Then, the server 30 generates production quantity information indicating the number obtained by adding the number indicated by the production quantity information included in the lot information to the number indicated by the product transfer quantity information entered in input field F91, and changes the production quantity information included in the lot information to the generated production quantity information. The server 30 then determines the lot identified by the lot identification information entered in the input field F31 as the source lot, generates production quantity information indicating the number obtained by subtracting the number indicated by the product transfer quantity information entered in the input field F91 from the number indicated by the production quantity information included in the lot information indicating the source lot, and updates the generated production quantity information to the generated production quantity information. The server 30 then adds history information indicating the transfer history of the products between the two lots to the lot information indicating the source lot and the lot information indicating the destination lot. That is, the server 30 stores the history information in association with the lot identification information indicated by each of the two pieces of lot information. This completes the transfer of the products between the two lots. By transferring the products between the two lots in this manner, the server 30 can prevent discrepancies between the actual lot from which the products were transferred and the lot in the molding management system 1. For ease of explanation, the process executed by the server 30 when the button B51 is selected will be referred to as the transfer confirmation process below. Also, for ease of explanation, the execution of the transfer confirmation process will be referred to as the transfer of the product between two lots being confirmed below.

[0103] Here, if product transfer quantity information has not been entered in the input field F91, the server 30 grays out the button B51 as shown in Fig. 5 and does not accept any selection operation for the button B51. On the other hand, if product transfer quantity information has been entered in the input field F91, the server 30 cancels the graying out of the button B51 and accepts any selection operation for the button B51. By graying out the button in this way, the server 30 can prevent users from making erroneous operations.

[0104] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of how the grayed-out state of the button B51 is released when product transfer quantity information is entered in the input field F91. In the example shown in FIG. 8, "4" is entered in the input field F91 as product transfer quantity information, indicating that the number of products to be transferred between two lots is four. Therefore, in FIG. 8, the grayed-out state of the button B51 is released. Note that the state of the lot transfer image P4 shown in FIG. 8 is the state before the selection operation on the button B51 is performed. Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 8, the transfer of products between the two lots has not been confirmed. In other words, in this example, the above-mentioned transfer confirmation process has not been performed.

[0105] Furthermore, when product transfer quantity information is entered into the input field F91 as shown in FIG. 8, the server 30 not only processes the graying out of the button B51 but also displays in the display field F42 the production quantity information indicating the number of products in the source lot when the transfer of products between the two lots is confirmed. The number of products in the source lot before the transfer is confirmed is 10, as indicated by the production quantity information displayed in the display field F41. On the other hand, the number of products in the source lot when the transfer is confirmed is the number indicated by the production quantity information displayed in the display field F41 minus the number indicated by the product transfer quantity information entered in the input field F91, i.e., 6, obtained by subtracting 4 from 10. Therefore, when product transfer quantity information is entered into the input field F91 as shown in FIG. 8, the server 30 displays "6," indicating 6, in the display field F42. In addition to the process, the server 30 also displays in the display field F72 the number of products in the destination lot that will be transferred once the transfer is confirmed. The number of products in the destination lot before the transfer is confirmed is 10, as indicated by the number of products in the display field F71. On the other hand, the number of products in the destination lot after the transfer is confirmed is the sum of the number indicated by the number of products in the display field F71 and the number indicated by the number of transferred products entered in the input field F91, i.e., 14, or 10 plus 4. Therefore, when the number of transferred products information is entered in the input field F91 as shown in FIG. 8, the server 30 displays "14," indicating 14, in the display field F72. By displaying the number of products in the display fields F42 and F72 in this manner, the server 30 can easily confirm whether the desired number of products is present in each of the source and destination lots before confirming the transfer of products between the two lots.

[0106] Furthermore, when the number indicated by the product transfer quantity information entered in the input field F91 matches the number indicated by the product quantity information displayed in the display field F54, the button B51 is selected, and the lot status information matches between the source lot and the destination lot, the server 30 executes the transfer confirmation process. In addition to executing the transfer confirmation process, the server 30 also changes the lot status information indicating the status of the source lot to lot status information indicating lot completion. In other words, when the number indicated by the product transfer quantity information entered in the input field F91 is the total number of products in the source lot, the server 30 also executes the transfer confirmation process and changes the lot status information indicating the status of the source lot to lot status information indicating lot completion. This change in lot status information is performed regardless of the status of the source lot. As a result, the server 30 merges the source lot with the destination lot. In other words, the server 30 treats the products of the source lot and the destination lot as products of the destination lot, regardless of the status of the source lot. This allows the server 30 to prevent discrepancies between the actual merged lot and the lot on the molding control system 1. On the other hand, even if the number indicated by the product transfer number information entered in the input field F91 matches the number indicated by the production number information displayed in the display field F54, the server 30 will reject the transfer confirmation process with an error or the like if the lot status information between the transfer source lot and the transfer destination lot does not match, even if the button B51 is selected. This is because the status of the transfer destination lot must match the status of the transfer source lot. The server 30 may be configured to execute the transfer confirmation process when the button B51 is selected, regardless of whether the lot status information between the transfer source lot and the transfer destination lot matches, if the number indicated by the product transfer number information entered in the input field F91 matches the number indicated by the production number information displayed in the display field F54.

[0107] Furthermore, the server 30 can also transfer products between two lots as described above, even if the two lots belong to different manufacturing lots. This is clear from the fact that, as explained above, the selection of the source lot and the destination lot is not performed based on the manufacturing lot. Note that the server 30 may also be configured to transfer products between two lots that belong to the same manufacturing lot.

[0108] Note that the molding management system 1 may be configured so that each product in one or more lots managed by the molding management system 1 is associated with product-related information related to the product. In this case, a certain product is associated with product-related information related to the product. Specifically, in this case, the product-related information is associated with the product by being associated with lot identification information included in lot information indicating the lot of the product. Therefore, lot information indicating a certain lot includes product-related information related to each product in the lot. In other words, the product-related information is associated with the lot identification information included in the lot information.

[0109] Here, the product-related information associated with a certain product is information that includes product identification information that identifies the product, as well as at least one of shot identification information that identifies the shot in which the product was molded and cavity identification information that identifies the cavity in which the product was molded. Therefore, the product-related information may be configured to include other information related to the product.

[0110] For example, if lot information indicating a certain lot includes product-related information, and the product-related information includes both shot identification information and cavity identification information, the product transfer number reception area RG6 displays, in addition to the input field F91 and button B51, an input field F92 for receiving shot identification information identifying the shot in which the product of the source lot was molded, a display field F93 displayed in conjunction with the input field F92, and an input field F94 for receiving cavity identification information identifying the cavity in which the product was molded, as shown in FIG. 9 . FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another example of the lot transfer image P4. In the example shown in FIG. 9 , the product transfer number reception area RG6 also displays a toggle switch TG1 for selecting whether to allow information entry into the input field F92 and a toggle switch TG2 for selecting whether to allow information entry into the input field F94. When the server 30 receives an operation via the toggle switch TG1 to select not to allow input of information into the input field F92, the server 30 changes the display mode of the toggle switch TG1 to a display mode indicating that not allowing input of information into the input field F92 has been selected. The server 30 then grays out the input field F92 and does not accept any operations on the input field F92. On the other hand, when the server 30 receives an operation via the toggle switch TG1 to select to allow input of information into the input field F92, the server 30 changes the display mode of the toggle switch TG1 to a display mode indicating that allowing input of information into the input field F92 has been selected. The server 30 then ungrays out the input field F92 and accepts operations on the input field F92. The toggle switch TG1 shown in FIG. 9 indicates that not allowing input of information into the input field F92 has been selected by the toggle switch TG1. Furthermore, when the server 30 receives an operation via the toggle switch TG2 to select not to allow input of information into the input field F94, the server 30 changes the display mode of the toggle switch TG2 to a display mode indicating that it has been selected not to allow input of information into the input field F94. The server 30 then grays out the input field F94 and does not accept any operation into the input field F94.On the other hand, when the server 30 receives an operation via the toggle switch TG2 to select allowing input of information into the input field F94, the server 30 changes the display mode of the toggle switch TG2 to a display mode indicating that allowing input of information into the input field F94 has been selected. The server 30 then ungrays out the input field F94 and accepts operations on the input field F94. Note that the toggle switch TG2 shown in FIG. 9 indicates that not allowing input of information into the input field F94 has been selected by the toggle switch TG2.

[0111] Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the state of the product transfer quantity reception area RG6 when the toggle switch TG1 is selected to allow information entry into the input field F92. In this case, as shown in Fig. 10, the display mode of the toggle switch TG1 changes from the display mode of the toggle switch TG1 shown in Fig. 9. The input field F92 is no longer grayed out.

[0112] The input field F92 is a field for inputting shot identification information identifying the shots that formed each of the products from the source lot to be transferred to the destination lot. The character string "Shot No." superimposed on the input field F92 in FIGS. 9 and 10 indicates to the user that the information entered in the input field F92 is shot identification information. In the example shown in FIG. 10, "1" and "2" are entered as shot identification information in the input field F92. The "1" indicates the first shot. The "2" indicates the second shot. That is, in this example, the shot identification information entered in the input field F92 indicates that each of the products from the source lot to be transferred to the destination lot was formed by the first shot and the second shot, respectively. Thus, in this example, shot identification information identifying one or more shots is entered in the input field F92, separated by commas. Note that in this case, the shot identification information is entered into the input field F92 by direct input using an input device such as a keyboard. The input field F92 is an example of an image that accepts an operation to input shot identification information.

[0113] The display field F93 displays difference information indicating the difference between the number obtained by multiplying the number of shot identification information entered in the input field F92 by the number indicated by the cavity number information entered in the display field F57 and the number indicated by the product transfer number information entered in the input field F91. When product transfer number information is entered in the input field F91 and shot identification information is entered in the input field F92, the server 30 calculates the difference and displays difference information indicating the calculated difference in the display field F93. This allows the user to easily confirm whether the number of products molded by the shots specified by the user matches the number of products the user is attempting to transfer from the source lot to the destination lot. As a result, the server 30 can prevent discrepancies between the actual lot to which products were transferred and the lot in the molding management system 1, which may occur due to operational errors.

[0114] Furthermore, when the difference information displayed in the display field F93 indicates 0 and the transfer of products between two lots is confirmed by selecting the button B51, the server 30 further identifies the shot identification information entered in the input field F92. After identifying the shot identification information, the server 30 changes the lot identification information associated with the product-related information including the identified shot identification information to the post-transfer lot identification information displayed in the display field F88. The server 30 may perform this process of changing the lot identification information in parallel with the transfer confirmation process or in a predetermined order. Furthermore, when the server 30 generates the history information described above during the transfer confirmation process, the server 30 generates the history information so that it also indicates the history of the process. This allows the user to check the history information and the server 30 to identify which shot formed each product transferred from the source lot to the destination lot. In other words, the server 30 can improve the traceability of such lot transfers.

[0115] Here, the method of inputting shot identification information into the input field F92 may be other methods. For example, the method of inputting shot identification information into the input field F92 may be the method shown in Fig. 11. Fig. 11 is a diagram for explaining another example of the method of inputting shot identification information into the input field F92 shown in Fig. 10. Fig. 11 is also an enlarged view of the periphery of the input field F92.

[0116] In the example shown in FIG. 11, "[1] to [5]" is entered in the input field F92 as shot identification information. "[1] to [5]" means the first shot to the fifth shot. That is, in this example, the range of shots identified by the shot identification information is entered in the input field F92. However, in this case, it is desirable that the shot identification information be a number indicating the order of the shots, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. This enables the server 30 to reduce the effort required for the user to enter shot identification information.

[0117] Furthermore, the method of inputting shot identification information into the input field F92 may be another method. For example, the method of inputting shot identification information into the input field F92 may be the method shown in Fig. 12. Fig. 12 is a diagram for explaining yet another example of the method of inputting shot identification information into the input field F92 shown in Fig. 10. Fig. 12 is also an enlarged view of the periphery of the input field F92.

[0118] In the example shown in FIG. 12, above the input field F92, multiple images that indicate shot identification information indicating the shots in which each product in the source lot was molded and that can be dragged and dropped are displayed. Images BK1 to BK4 and images BK6 to BK8 shown in FIG. 12 are examples of the multiple images. Specifically, if n is an integer between 1 and 10, image BKn indicates shot identification information identifying the nth shot. In the example shown in FIG. 12, images BK1 to BK4 are entered into the input field F92 by drag and drop. This means that shot identification information identifying the first to fourth shots, respectively, has been entered into the input field F92. This example also shows image BK6 being dragged into the input field F92. Here, when image BKn is dragged in the product transfer quantity reception area RG6, the server 30 displays an image indicating that image BKn was located in the location where image BKn was located before being dragged. Image VBKn is an example of an image indicating where image BKn was located. Specifically, image VBK1 is an image indicating where image BK1 was located. This allows the user to drag and drop image BKn, which was mistakenly entered into input field F92, back to its original position and easily cancel the input into input field F92. Note that image BKn may be moved to input field F92 by other methods, such as a method via a GUI that accepts an operation to have server 30 perform the move, instead of drag and drop.

[0119] On the other hand, Figure 13 is a diagram showing an example of the state of the product transfer quantity reception area RG6 when the toggle switch TG2 is selected to allow input of information into the input field F94. In this case, as shown in Figure 13, the display mode of the toggle switch TG2 changes from the display mode of the toggle switch TG2 shown in Figure 9. The input field F94 is no longer grayed out.

[0120] The input field F94 is a field for inputting cavity identification information that identifies the cavity that molded each of the products from the source lot to be transferred to the destination lot. The character string "CAV No." superimposed on the input field F94 in FIGS. 9 and 13 indicates to the user that the information entered in the input field F94 is cavity identification information. In the example shown in FIG. 13, "2" is entered as the cavity identification information in the input field F94. This "2" refers to the second cavity. That is, in this example, the cavity identification information entered in the input field F94 indicates that each of the products from the source lot to be transferred to the destination lot was molded using the second cavity. Thus, in this example, cavity identification information identifying one or more cavities is entered in the input field F94, separated by commas. Note that in this case, the cavity identification information is entered into the input field F94 directly using an input device such as a keyboard. 13, when the transfer of products between two lots is confirmed, four products molded by the second cavity are transferred from the source lot to the destination lot. Therefore, the input field F94 does not display an additional display field for displaying difference information, such as the display field F93. The cavity identification information may be entered into the input field F94 by other methods, such as by dragging and dropping an image representing the cavity identification information or the range of the cavity identification information, as in the case of the input method for shot identification information in the input field F92. The input field F94 is an example of an image that accepts an operation to enter cavity identification information.

[0121] Furthermore, when cavity identification information is entered in the input field F94 and the transfer of products between two lots is confirmed by selecting button B51, the server 30 further identifies the cavity identification information entered in the input field F94. After identifying the cavity identification information, the server 30 selects, from the product-related information including the identified cavity identification information, the number of product-related information indicated by the product transfer number information entered in the input field F91 based on predetermined selection rules. After selecting that number of product-related information, the server 30 changes the lot identification information associated with that number of selected product-related information to the post-transfer lot identification information displayed in the display field F88. The server 30 may be configured to perform this process of changing the lot identification information in parallel with the transfer confirmation process, or may be configured to perform the process in a predetermined order. The selection rule may be a rule for randomly selecting the number of pieces of product-related information, a rule for selecting the number of pieces of product-related information in order from top to bottom, a rule for selecting the number of pieces of product-related information in order from bottom to top, or any other rule that allows selection of the number of pieces of product-related information. When generating the history information during the transfer confirmation process, the server 30 generates the history information so as to indicate the history of the process. This allows the user to check the history information, allowing the server 30 to identify which cavity molded each product transferred from the source lot to the destination lot. In other words, the server 30 can more reliably improve the traceability of such lot transfers.

[0122] Furthermore, Figure 14 is a diagram showing an example of the state of the product transfer quantity reception area RG6 when toggle switch TG1 is selected to allow input of information into input field F92 and toggle switch TG2 is selected to allow input of information into input field F94. In this case, as shown in Figure 14, the display mode of toggle switches TG1 and TG2 changes from the display mode of toggle switches TG1 and TG2 shown in Figure 9. Also, the gray-out of input fields F92 and F94 is canceled.

[0123] Furthermore, when shot identification information is entered in the input field F92 and cavity identification information is entered in the input field F94, and the transfer of a product between two lots is confirmed by selecting button B51, the server 30 identifies the shot identification information entered in the input field F92 and the cavity identification information entered in the input field F94. After identifying the shot identification information and the cavity identification information, the server 30 identifies all combinations of the identified shot identification information and the identified cavity identification information, without any overlaps. After identifying all the combinations, the server 30 changes the lot identification information associated with product-related information including each of the combinations to the post-transfer lot identification information displayed in the display field F88. The server 30 may be configured to perform this process of changing the lot identification information in parallel with the transfer confirmation process or in a predetermined order. Furthermore, when generating the history information described above during the transfer confirmation process, the server 30 generates the history information so that it also indicates the history of the process. This allows the user to check the history information, and the server 30 can identify which combination of shots and cavities was used to form each product transferred from the source lot to the destination lot. In other words, the server 30 can more reliably improve the traceability of such lot transfers.

[0124] 14, the product transfer quantity reception area RG6 may be configured to allow a search to narrow down the combination of shot identification information entered in the input field F92 and cavity identification information entered in the input field F94. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a product search image P6 displayed by the server 30 when an attempt is made to enter information into the input fields F92 and F94. In the example shown in FIG. 15, the product search image P6 displays a list of multiple product-related information included in the lot information indicating the source lot. The product-related information displayed in the product search image P6 shown in FIG. 15 includes product identification information identifying the products of the source lot in the order in which they were molded, shot identification information identifying the shots in which each of the products of the source lot was molded, cavity identification information indicating the cavities in which each of the products of the source lot was molded, and molding date and time information indicating the date and time when each of the products of the source lot was molded.

[0125] A pull-down menu showing each piece of information included in the product-related information is displayed above the list of product-related information displayed in the product search image P6. In the example shown in FIG. 15, four pull-down menus are displayed at the top: "Product No. ▼," "Shot No. ▼," "Cav No. ▼," and "Acquisition Date and Time ▼." Here, "Product No. ▼" is a pull-down menu for selecting product identification information that identifies each product in the source lot in the order in which it was molded. When a selection operation is performed on "Product No. ▼," the server 30 displays a pull-down menu containing a list of the product identification information. Furthermore, "Shot No. ▼" is a pull-down menu for selecting shot identification information that identifies the shot in which each product in the source lot was molded. When a selection operation is performed on "Shot No. ▼," the server 30 displays a pull-down menu containing a list of the shot identification information. Furthermore, "Cav No. ▼" is a pull-down menu for selecting cavity identification information that identifies the cavity in which each product in the source lot was molded. When "Cav No.▼" is selected, the server 30 displays a pull-down menu containing a list of the cavity identification information. Also, "Acquisition Date▼" is a pull-down menu for selecting molding date and time information indicating the date and time when each of the products in the source lot was molded. When "Acquisition Date▼" is selected, the server 30 displays a pull-down menu containing a list of the molding date and time information.

[0126] The user can select information from a desired pull-down menu among the four pull-down menus located above the list of product-related information displayed in the product search image P6, thereby displaying a list of product-related information obtained as a result of searching for product-related information related to the desired product on the product search image P6. In the example shown in FIG. 15, the user selects the cavity identification information identifying the third cavity by selecting "Cav No. ▼." This allows the user to obtain the search results shown in FIG. 16. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the search results obtained by the user selecting the pull-down menu in FIG. 15. In the example shown in FIG. 16, a list of product-related information related to the products molded by the third cavity in each of the first to fourth shots is displayed.

[0127] As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the product search image P6 includes a button B61.

[0128] The button B61 has the same function as the button B51 in the product transfer number reception area RG6. Therefore, detailed description of the button B61 will be omitted. When the button B61 is selected, the server 30 identifies the combinations of shot identification information and cavity identification information included in each of the product-related information listed in the product search image P6, i.e., the search results. The server 30 then changes the lot identification information associated with each of the product-related information including the combinations to the post-transfer lot identification information displayed in the display field F88. The server 30 may be configured to perform this process of changing the lot identification information in parallel with the transfer confirmation process or in a predetermined order. Furthermore, when the server 30 generates the history information described above during the transfer confirmation process, it generates the history information so that it also indicates the history of the process. In this way, when the button B61 on the product search image P6 is selected, the server 30 performs the same process as when the button B51 in the product transfer number reception area RG6 is selected. As a result, even in such a case, the server 30 can more reliably improve the traceability of the movement of products between the two lots.

[0129] In the product search image P6, a search may be performed using search conditions for a desired product that the user wants to transfer from the source lot to the destination lot among the products of the source lot.

[0130] Furthermore, in the product search image P6, the user may select desired product-related information from a list of product-related information for each product in the source lot. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing another example of the product search image P6. In the example shown in FIG. 17, the product search image P6 displays a list of product-related information for each product in the source lot. In this example, each piece of product-related information included in the list is accompanied by a button that accepts an operation to select whether or not to transfer the information from the source lot to the destination lot. For example, button B71 shown in FIG. 17 is an example of such a button for the product-related information displayed in the top row. In the example shown in FIG. 17, the display mode of button B71 indicates that the information will be transferred from the source lot to the destination lot. Therefore, the text string "Valid" is displayed on button B71. Note that in this example, the text string "Invalid" is displayed on button B71 to indicate that the information will not be transferred from the source lot to the destination lot. Whether or not the button B71 indicates that a transfer from a source lot to a destination lot is to be performed is switched each time a selection operation is performed on the button B71. This allows the user to easily select, from the list, the product-related information for the desired product that is to be transferred from the source lot to the destination lot.

[0131] The server 30 that can display the above-described lot movement image P4 on the terminal device 40 is, for example, a workstation, a desktop PC (Personal Computer), a notebook PC, etc., but is not limited to these. The server 30 may be configured integrally with the information processing device 20.

[0132] The server 30 is communicably connected to the information processing device 20 via wired or wireless communication. The communication network connecting the server 30 and the information processing device 20 may be, for example, a LAN within a facility where multiple managed devices 10 are installed, the Internet, a mobile communication network, or another communication network. In the following, as an example, a case will be described in which the communication network connecting the server 30 and the information processing device 20 is the Internet. In this case, the server 30 is a cloud server.

[0133] Furthermore, the server 30 is communicably connected to the terminal device 40 via wired or wireless communication. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the server 30 is communicably connected to the terminal device 40 via wireless communication. The communication network connecting the server 30 and the terminal device 40 may be, for example, a LAN within the facility where the server 30 is installed, the Internet, a mobile communication network, or another communication network. In the following, as an example, a case will be described in which the communication network connecting the server 30 and the terminal device 40 is the Internet.

[0134] <Server hardware configuration> The hardware configuration of the server 30 will be described below with reference to Fig. 18. Fig. 18 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the server 30.

[0135] The server 30 includes, for example, a processor 31, a storage unit 32, and a communication unit 33. These components are connected to each other via a bus so that they can communicate with each other. The server 30 also communicates with the information processing device 20 and the terminal device 40 via the communication unit 33.

[0136] The processor 31 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). Note that instead of a CPU, the processor 31 may be another processor such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). The processor 31 executes various programs stored in the storage unit 32.

[0137] The storage unit 32 is a storage device including, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a read-only memory (ROM), and a random access memory (RAM). Note that instead of being built into the server 30, the storage unit 32 may be an external storage device connected via a digital input / output port such as a universal serial bus (USB). The storage unit 32 stores various types of information, images, and programs processed by the server 30. In other words, the various types of information stored by the server 30 are stored in the storage unit 32.

[0138] The communication unit 33 is a communication device that includes, for example, a digital input / output port such as a USB, an Ethernet (registered trademark) port, an antenna for wireless communication, and the like.

[0139] <Server functional configuration> The functional configuration of the server 30 will be described below with reference to Fig. 19. Fig. 19 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the server 30.

[0140] The server 30 includes a storage unit 32, a communication unit 33, and a control unit .

[0141] The control unit 34 controls the entire server 30. The control unit 34 includes a reception unit 341, an acquisition unit 342, and a display control unit 343. These functional units included in the control unit 34 are realized, for example, by the processor 31 executing various programs stored in the storage unit 32. Some or all of these functional units may be hardware functional units such as LSI (Large Scale Integration) or ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

[0142] The reception unit 341 receives various information and various operations from devices connected to the server 30 so as to be able to communicate with the server 30 .

[0143] The acquiring unit 342 acquires, for each of the multiple managed devices 10, status information about the managed device 10 from the managed device 10 via the information processing device 20. The acquiring unit 342 may be configured to acquire the status information directly from the managed device 10 without going through the information processing device 20.

[0144] The display control unit 343 generates various images in response to operations received via the receiving unit 341. The display control unit 343 transmits the generated images to the terminal device 40 and causes the terminal device 40 to display the images.

[0145] <Processing by the server to transfer products between two lots> The process by which the server 30 transfers products between two lots will be described with reference to Fig. 20. Fig. 20 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of the process by which the server 30 transfers products between two lots. As an example, the following describes a case where the lot search image P3 is displayed on the terminal device 40 at a timing before the process of step S110 shown in Fig. 20 is performed. Also, as an example, the following describes a case where the master data and lot information have already been stored in the server 30 at that timing.

[0146] The control unit 34 waits until it receives an operation to display the lot movement image P4 via the terminal device 40, that is, a selection operation on the button B41 (step S110). In Fig. 20, the processing of step S110 is indicated by "Display lot movement image?"

[0147] When the control unit 34 determines that an operation to display the lot movement image P4 has been received via the terminal device 40 (step S110-YES), the control unit 34 generates the lot movement image P4 (step S120). The method for generating the lot movement image P4 in step S120 may be a known method or a method to be developed in the future.

[0148] Next, the control unit 34 transmits the lot movement image P4 generated in step S120 to the terminal device 40, and causes the terminal device 40 to display the lot movement image P4 (step S130).

[0149] Next, the control unit 34 waits until an operation is received via the lot movement image P4 displayed on the terminal device 40 (step S140). In Fig. 20, the processing of step S140 is indicated by "operation received?".

[0150] When the control unit 34 determines that an operation has been received via the lot movement image P4 displayed on the terminal device 40 (step S140-YES), it determines whether the received operation is an operation to end the processing of the flowchart shown in Fig. 20 (step S150). The determination processing of step S150 by the control unit 34 may be performed by a known method or a method to be developed in the future. In Fig. 20, the processing of step S150 is indicated by "End?"

[0151] If the control unit 34 determines that the operation received in step S140 is an operation that terminates the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 20 (step S150-YES), it, for example, deletes the display of the lot movement image P4 from the terminal device 40 and terminates the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 20.

[0152] On the other hand, if the control unit 34 determines that the operation received in step S140 is not an operation that ends the processing of the flowchart shown in Fig. 20 (step S150-NO), the control unit 34 performs processing according to the received operation (step S160). Here, the processing performed by the control unit 34 in step S160 has already been described in the description of Figs. 5 to 17, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0153] After the process of step S160 is performed, the control unit 34 transitions to step S140 and waits again until an operation is received via the lot movement image P4 displayed on the terminal device 40.

[0154] Through the above-described processing, the server 30 displays a lot movement image P4 that accepts a lot movement operation for moving a product between two designated lots among the lots indicated by the plurality of lot information stored in the storage unit 32. This allows the server 30 to prevent a discrepancy from occurring between the actual lot to which the product has been moved and the lot on the molding management system 1.

[0155] The molding management system 1 described above may be configured to include a terminal device 40.

[0156] Furthermore, the search for a lot described above may be performed using a time period during which the lot was not operating normally as a search key. In this case, the lot-related information includes information indicating that time period.

[0157] Furthermore, the search for a lot described above may be performed using one or more pieces of information included in the injection molding apparatus-related information as a search key. In this case, the lot-related information includes injection molding apparatus-related information. The injection molding apparatus-related information included in the lot-related information for a certain lot is information about the injection molding apparatus that molds the products of that lot, and as described above, this information includes, for example, operating status information indicating the operating status of the injection molding apparatus, detection information about the injection molding apparatus, etc. This allows server 30 to more reliably improve the traceability of the products.

[0158] Furthermore, the lot search described above may be performed using an arbitrary character string as a search key. In this case, the lot search image P3 includes an input field for the user to input a character string. When the server 30 receives a character string via the input field, it identifies information containing the received character string from one or more pieces of information included in the lot-related information, and displays lot information indicating lots identified by each piece of lot identification information associated with the identified information in the search result display area RG2. This allows the server 30 to more easily search for lots.

[0159] Furthermore, the above-described contents may be combined in any manner.

[0160] <Additional Notes> [1] A molding management system that includes a server that is communicatively connected to a terminal device and that manages the production of the product in a production process that includes an injection molding process of the product using an injection molding device, wherein the server is equipped with a memory unit that stores a plurality of lot information in which lot identification information that identifies the lot of the product is associated with lot-related information that includes one or more pieces of information related to the lot of the product, and a control unit that displays on the terminal device a lot movement image that accepts a lot movement operation that moves the product between two selected lots indicated by each of the plurality of lot information stored in the memory unit. [2] The molding management system described in [1], wherein the lot transfer image includes a source selection image that accepts an operation to select the lot from which the product is to be transferred as a source lot, and a destination selection image that accepts an operation to select the lot to which the product is to be transferred as a destination lot, and the control unit accepts the lot transfer operation in the lot transfer image to move the product from the source lot selected by the source selection image to the destination lot selected by the destination selection image. [3] The molding management system described in [2], wherein when the control unit receives the lot transfer operation, it changes the lot identification information for at least one of the destination lot and the source lot to new lot identification information. [4] The molding management system described in [2] or [3], wherein the lot transfer image includes a product transfer number designation image that accepts an operation to designate the number of products to be transferred from the source lot to the destination lot. [5] The molding management system described in [4], wherein the control unit merges the source lot with the destination lot when the number of products to be moved from the source lot to the destination lot is the total number of products in the source lot. [6] A molding management system described in any one of [2] to [5], wherein the lot transfer image includes an image that accepts an operation to input at least one of shot identification information that identifies the shot in which the product of the source lot was molded and cavity identification information that identifies the cavity in which the product of the source lot was molded. [7] The molding management system according to any one of [1] to [6], wherein the lot-related information includes, as the one or more pieces of information, injection molding apparatus-related information relating to an injection molding apparatus that molds the product of the lot identified by the lot identification information associated with the lot-related information, and the injection molding apparatus-related information includes at least one of operating status information indicating the operating status of the injection molding apparatus and detection information detected by each of one or more sensors attached to the injection molding apparatus. The injection molding apparatus according to [7] may be the same injection molding apparatus as the injection molding apparatus according to [1], or may be a different injection molding apparatus from the injection molding apparatus according to [1]. For this reason, the injection molding apparatus in [7] is not labeled "injection molding apparatus." [8] A molding management system described in any one of [1] to [7], wherein the lot-related information includes quality information about the product of the lot identified by the lot identification information associated with the lot-related information. [9] A molding management system described in any one of [1] to [8], wherein the lot-related information includes process information indicating the work process currently being performed on the product of the lot identified by the lot identification information associated with the lot-related information.

[10] A molding management system according to any one of [1] to [9], including the terminal device.

[11] The molding management system according to any one of [1] to

[10] , including the injection molding device.

[0161] The embodiments of this disclosure have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, but the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and may be changed, substituted, deleted, etc. as long as it does not deviate from the gist of this disclosure.

[0162] A program for implementing the functions of any of the components of the above-described apparatus may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium and loaded into a computer system for execution. Here, the apparatus may be, for example, the injection molding apparatus 11, the information processing apparatus 20, the server 30, or the terminal device 40. The term "computer system" herein includes hardware such as an operating system (OS) and peripheral devices. The term "computer-readable recording medium" also refers to portable media such as flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, and compact disks (CDs)-ROMs, as well as storage devices such as hard disks built into computer systems. The term "computer-readable recording medium" also includes devices that retain a program for a certain period of time, such as volatile memory within a computer system that acts as a server or client when the program is transmitted via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line.

[0163] The above program may be transmitted from a computer system storing the program in a storage device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium or by transmission waves in the transmission medium. Here, the "transmission medium" that transmits the program refers to a medium that has the function of transmitting information, such as a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line. The program may also be a program for realizing some of the functions described above, or may be a so-called differential file or differential program that can realize the functions described above in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system. [Explanation of symbols]

[0164] 1... molding management system, 10... managed device, 11... injection molding device, 20... information processing device, 30... server, 31... processor, 32... memory unit, 33... communication unit, 34... control unit, 40... terminal device, 341... reception unit, 342... acquisition unit, 343... display control unit

Claims

1. A molding management system that includes a server communicably connected to a terminal device and manages production of a product in a production process that includes an injection molding process of the product by an injection molding device, The server a storage unit that stores a plurality of pieces of lot information in which lot identification information that identifies the lot of the product is associated with lot-related information that includes one or more pieces of information related to the lot of the product; a control unit that displays, on the terminal device, a lot movement image that accepts a lot movement operation for moving the product between two selected lots among the lots indicated by each of the plurality of pieces of lot information stored in the storage unit; A molding management system comprising:

2. the lot transfer image includes a transfer source selection image that accepts an operation to select the lot from which the product is to be transferred as a transfer source lot, and a transfer destination selection image that accepts an operation to select the lot to which the product is to be transferred as a transfer destination lot, the control unit accepts the lot transfer operation for transferring the product from the source lot selected by the source selection image to the destination lot selected by the destination selection image in the lot transfer image; The molding management system according to claim 1 .

3. when the control unit receives the lot transfer operation, it changes lot identification information for at least one of the transfer destination lot and the transfer source lot to new lot identification information. The molding management system according to claim 2 .

4. the lot transfer image includes a product transfer number designation image for accepting an operation to designate the number of products to be transferred from the transfer source lot to the transfer destination lot; The molding management system according to claim 2 .

5. the control unit combines the source lot with the destination lot when the number of products to be transferred from the source lot to the destination lot is the total number of products of the source lot. The molding management system according to claim 4.

6. The lot transfer image includes an image for accepting an operation to input at least one of shot identification information for identifying a shot in which the product of the transfer source lot was molded and cavity identification information for identifying a cavity in which the product of the transfer source lot was molded. The molding management system according to claim 2 .

7. the lot-related information includes, as the one or more pieces of information, injection molding device-related information relating to an injection molding device that molds the product of the lot identified by the lot identification information associated with the lot-related information; The injection molding device-related information includes at least one of operating status information indicating an operating status of the injection molding device and detection information detected by each of one or more sensors attached to the injection molding device. The molding management system according to claim 1 .

8. the lot-related information includes quality information about the product of the lot identified by the lot identification information associated with the lot-related information; The molding management system according to claim 1 .

9. the lot-related information includes process information indicating a work process currently being performed on the product of the lot identified by the lot identification information associated with the lot-related information; The molding management system according to claim 1 .

10. Including the terminal device, The molding management system according to claim 1 .

11. the injection molding apparatus, The molding management system according to claim 1 .

Images