Information search system and information search method

Abstract

To improve the searchability of information about work systems to reduce the design burden.SOLUTION: An information search system that searches for information about a work system, comprises: a storage unit that accumulates and stores data that associates specification information, including at least one of the sizes and work capabilities of modules that constitute the work system and perform predetermined work, with design information, including drawings of the modules; a receiving unit that receives requirements for a new work system when the new work system is designed; and a search unit that searches the data for a module whose specification information is closest to the requirements and outputs the design information associated with the searched module.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This specification discloses an information retrieval system and an information retrieval method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there have been proposals for systems that can search for and provide information on work systems that perform specified tasks. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a system that includes information on structures and processing models related to work robots included in the work system, and an operating program that realizes processing using the processing model in a virtual space. Then, information on objects related to new structures or processing models is acquired, and the operating program is executed based on the acquired information, thereby realizing processing using the objects in the virtual space and outputting the processing results. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-097575 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] As mentioned above, when designing a new object, it is possible to effectively utilize existing information. However, when designers search for existing information, the search takes time and it is difficult to determine whether the searched information is appropriate, so further improvement is required.

[0005] A primary object of the present disclosure is to improve the searchability of information relating to an operation system and reduce the design burden. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present disclosure has adopted the following means to achieve the above-mentioned main object.

[0007] The information retrieval system of the present disclosure comprises: An information retrieval system for retrieving information related to an operation system, a storage unit that accumulates and stores data that associates specification information, including at least one of the sizes and work capabilities of modules that constitute the work system and perform predetermined work, with design information, including drawings of the modules; a receiving unit that receives required specifications for a new operation system when the new operation system is designed; a search unit that searches the data for the module whose specification information is closest to the required specification, and outputs the design information associated with the searched module; The gist of the project is to provide the following:

[0008] The information search system disclosed herein searches for modules whose specification information most closely resembles the required specifications from data associating specification information with design information, and outputs design information associated with the searched modules. Therefore, for example, when designing a new work system, a designer can input the required specifications and easily obtain design information for modules that most closely resemble the required specifications. This improves the searchability of information related to work systems, thereby reducing the burden of design. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of the configuration of an information retrieval system 10. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of functions and processing of an information retrieval system 10. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an image of design information search support. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a registration process. [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of specification information and design information contained in a project DB 33d. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a search model related process. [Figure 7]10 is a flowchart showing an example of a search process. [Figure 8] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a setting input screen 70. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a setting operation screen 80. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a setting operation screen 80. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a setting operation screen 80. [Figure 12] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a setting operation screen 80. [Figure 13] FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a search result display screen 90. [Figure 14] FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a search result display screen 90. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of the configuration of an information retrieval system 10. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of the functions and processing of the information retrieval system 10. The information retrieval system 10 includes a management server 20 that manages the entire system, and a data server 30 that stores a database (DB) in which various information is collected (accumulated). The management server 20 and the data server 30 are connected via a network 12. The management server 20 is also connected to a vendor terminal 50 and a customer terminal 60 via the network 12. Although FIG. 1 shows one vendor terminal 50 and one customer terminal 60, in reality, multiple vendor terminals 50 and one customer terminal 60 are connected.

[0011] The information search system 10 is capable of searching for information related to work systems composed of various devices and equipment, and also provides support for the design of work systems and the purchase of various devices and equipment. Work systems are used for various tasks in various industries, such as manufacturing and transportation. The work system is configured to perform a predetermined task using, for example, a robot equipped with a vertically articulated robot arm. Examples of the predetermined task include grasping a workpiece, such as a mechanical part or electronic part, and moving it to a workpiece processing device or inspection device. Note that the predetermined task may be welding, deburring, painting, or the like, and may be performed in collaboration with a worker. The work system may also include an end effector or camera attached to the tip link of the robot arm, a movable rail (traveling rail) for moving the base on which the robot is mounted, and a conveyor for transporting trays carrying workpieces. The components that make up the work system, such as the robot, end effector, camera, movable rail, and conveyor, are also referred to as modules.

[0012] The management server 20 includes a control unit 21, a memory unit 23, and a communication unit 25. The control unit 21 includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. The control unit 21 exchanges information with the data server 30, the vendor terminal 50, the customer terminal 60, etc. The control unit 21 also manages a marketplace, an e-commerce site where customers can select and purchase various modules online. Customers can select various modules from the marketplace and request quotes or purchases. The memory unit 23 is composed of a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), etc., and stores various application programs and various data. The communication unit 25 is connected to the network 12, etc., and communicates with the data server 30, the vendor terminal 50, the customer terminal 60, etc. An administrator inputs various instructions to the management server 20 via an input unit 27, such as a keyboard or a mouse. The management server 20 also displays various information on a display unit 29, such as a display.

[0013] The data server 30 includes a control unit 31 having a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc., a storage unit 33 configured with an HDD, SSD, etc., and a communication unit 35 connected to the network 12, etc., for communicating with the management server 20, vendor terminal 50, customer terminal 60, etc. The storage unit 33 stores a module DB 33a, a vendor DB 33b, a customer DB 33c, a project DB 33d, and a search model 34. Note that although the data server 30 is a device separate from the management server 20, it may also be part of the management server 20. Furthermore, the management server 20 (information retrieval system 10) does not have to have a marketplace function.

[0014] Module DB 33a stores module data including the module type and specification information for each module available for purchase on the marketplace. The module type is registered as a type such as a robot, end effector, camera, or moving rail. The specification information includes information about the vendor of each module (vendor ID, described below), the module name (model), size, weight, and drawing files such as 3D CAD data. The specification information also includes, depending on the module type, performance information such as the transportable size and weight, operating speed and range, and required space for installation.

[0015] The vendor DB 33b stores various information for each vendor, such as the name of the certified vendor, a vendor ID unique to each vendor, capital, number of employees, business field, types of modules provided by the vendor, etc. The customer DB 33c stores customer information for each customer, such as the name of the certified customer, a customer ID unique to each customer, contact information such as email address and address, and purchase history of the customer.

[0016] 2, specification information and design information are registered in the project DB 33d in association with each other for each operation system (equipment) that has been delivered to a customer. The search model 34 is used to search for design information from the project DB 33d based on the required specifications of the operation system. Details of the project DB 33 and the search model 34 will be described later.

[0017] The vendor terminal 50 comprises a control unit 51 having a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc.; a storage unit 53 such as an HDD or SSD that stores various application programs and various data; and a communication unit 55 that is connected to the network 12 or the like and communicates with the management server 20, data server 30, etc. Various instructions from the vendor and various information that needs to be registered are input into the vendor terminal 50 via an input unit 57 such as a keyboard or mouse. The vendor terminal 50 also displays various screens of the marketplace and a design screen for the work system on a display unit 59 such as a monitor. It is also possible to select a search for a work system (module) from the marketplace (see Figure 2).

[0018] Like the vendor terminal 50, the customer terminal 60 includes a control unit 61, a storage unit 63, and a communication unit 65. In the customer terminal 60, various instructions from the customer and various information that needs to be registered are input via an input unit 67 such as a keyboard or a mouse. In addition, the customer terminal 60 displays various screens of the marketplace, a design screen for the work system, and the like on a display unit 69 such as a monitor.

[0019] Next, the operation of the information retrieval system 10 configured in this manner will be described, particularly the operation of supporting the search for design information when a designer at a vendor, customer, or the like designs a new work system. Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an image of the search support for design information. Below, we will first explain the process of registering the specification information and design information of the work system in the project DB 33d (Figure 3(1)), and then explain the process of creating and updating the search model 34. We will then explain the process of accepting input of the required specifications for the new work system from the designer (Figure 3(2)), and searching for and outputting design information from the project DB 33 using the search model 34 (Figure 3(3)).

[0020] Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of registration processing. In the registration processing of Fig. 4, the control unit 31 of the data server 30 determines whether or not there is a target for registration processing based on communication with the control unit 21 of the management server 20 and the like (S100), and if it determines that there is no target, it terminates this processing. For example, when the control unit 31 learns through communication with the control unit 21 and the like that there is a work system that has been delivered to a customer, it determines in S100 that there is a target for registration processing for that work system. Alternatively, the control unit 31 may determine in S100 that there is a work system that has been designed, not just a work system that has been delivered, that there is a target for registration processing for that work system.

[0021] When the control unit 31 determines that there is an object for registration processing, it registers the specification information for each module that constitutes the work system in the project DB 33d (S110), and determines whether all the specification information for each module has been registered (S120). When the control unit 31 determines that all the specification information has not been registered, it returns to S110 and registers the specification information. When the control unit 31 determines that all the specification information has been registered, it registers the design information of the work system in the project DB 33d in association with the specification information (S130), and ends this processing.

[0022] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of specification information and design information contained in the project DB 33d. As shown in the figure, for each project of an existing work system, such as a work system that has been delivered to a customer, a management number (project number), specification information, and design information are registered in association with each other. The specification information includes the name, size, and weight of each module of the work system, as well as capacity information regarding the work capacity of each module. Note that the specification information may include at least one of the module size and work capacity (capacity information). For example, in the case of a robot, the following information is registered: the payload size and payload, the operating speed and operating range of the robot arm, and the required space based on the robot size and operating range of the robot arm. In addition, in the case of an end effector, the payload size, payload, and operating (grasping) speed of the workpiece to be grasped are registered. In addition, in the case of a moving rail, the payload size, payload, operating speed (moving speed), operating range (moving distance), and required space of the robot to be moved are registered. The design information includes the project name of the project, various drawing files, and other information files. The various drawing files include 3D CAD data for each module and the entire work system, as well as CAD data for wiring diagrams and piping diagrams. Other information includes completed drawing files containing the costs of the work system and each module, contracts, construction plans, etc. The design information only needs to include at least the drawing files for the modules. The project DB 33d accumulates and stores such specification information and design information for each project in the work system.

[0023] 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a search model-related process. In the search model-related process, the control unit 31 determines whether it is time to create a search model 34 (S200), and if it determines that it is not time to create the search model 34, the process proceeds to S230. The time to create the search model 34 is when the specification information and design information used to create the search model 34 have been sufficiently accumulated in the project DB 33d in a state where the search model 34 has not been created, such as when the number of projects registered in the project DB 33d reaches a predetermined number or more.

[0024] When the control unit 31 determines in S200 that it is time to create a search model 34, it acquires specification information and design information for each project from the project DB 33d and creates a search model 34 (S210). The search model 34 is created by machine learning (supervised learning) using each item included in the specification information, such as module size and weight, transportable size and transportable weight, operating speed and operating range, and required space, as input data, and each item included in the corresponding design information, such as drawing files for each module and the entire work system, as output data. The control unit 31 registers the created search model 34 in the storage unit 33 (S220) and proceeds to S230.

[0025] The control unit 31 also determines whether it is time to update the search model 34 (S230), and if it determines that it is not time to update, ends this process. The timing to update the search model 34 may be, for example, when specification information and design information used to create the search model 34 are newly registered in the project DB 33d. If the control unit 31 determines that it is time to update the search model 34, it updates the search model 34 by adding the newly registered specification information and design information (S240), and ends this process.

[0026] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the search process. In the search process, the control unit 31 accepts the designer's selection of specifications to be input on a required specification input screen displayed on a predetermined display unit (S300). Note that when the designer performs design on the vendor terminal 50, the predetermined display unit is the display unit 59, and when the designer performs design on the customer terminal 60, the predetermined display unit is the display unit 69. Although the required specification input screen is not shown, for example, it is possible to select work specification settings, which are required specifications such as the size and weight of the workpiece, and task specification settings, which are required specifications such as the work area and the workpiece movement position. Note that both the work specification and task specification can be set by sequentially selecting them. The control unit 31 determines whether the work specification setting has been selected on the required specification input screen (S310) and whether the task specification setting has been selected (S320). If the control unit 31 determines that input of work specifications has been selected, it displays the setting input screen 70 to accept the setting of the work specifications (S330), and if it determines that work specifications have been selected, it displays the setting operation screen 80 to accept the setting of the work specifications (S340). Then, the control unit 31 determines whether the acceptance has been completed (S350), and if it determines that it has not been completed, it returns to S310. The processing of S300 to S350 corresponds to "input of required specifications" shown in FIG. 3(2).

[0027] FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a setting input screen 70. The setting input screen 70 is provided with a setting input field 70a and a command field 70b, and displays an instruction pointer 72 that can be operated with a mouse or the like. The upper section of the setting input field 70a displays an instruction to input the required specifications of the workpiece (workpiece specifications), and the lower section displays setting items such as the workpiece size (width W, depth D, height H, etc.) and the workpiece weight. Note that the setting items may also include the material and shape of the workpiece. The command field 70b displays a "Back" button for returning to the required specifications input screen and a "Complete" button indicating completion of setting the workpiece specifications. The instruction pointer 72 is used to select setting items in the setting input field 70a and to operate buttons in the command field 70b.

[0028] 9 to 12 are explanatory diagrams showing an example of a setting operation screen 80. As shown in the figures, the setting operation screen 80 has a setting operation field 80a and a setting display field 80b, and an instruction pointer 82 is displayed. The upper section of the setting operation field 80a displays instructions for inputting work specifications, and the lower section displays a three-dimensional virtual space VS that simulates the real space in which the work system is to be installed. The virtual space VS is a space virtually generated based on, for example, an image of the real space or three-dimensional CAD data of the real space, and may display structures existing in the real space. In the virtual space VS, an XYZ coordinate system is defined, and grid lines G are displayed at predetermined intervals in the X and Y directions on the bottom of the space. Note that the grid lines G are not limited to being displayed in a mesh pattern in the X and Y directions, but may also be displayed in the Z direction. In the virtual space VS, the designer can perform various setting operations using the instruction pointer 82.

[0029] 9 and 10 , the upper section of the setting operation field 80a displays instructions for setting the reference position P0 of the work area WA and its dimensions in the X, Y, and Z directions (Lx, Ly, Lz). The work area WA may be the area of ​​the entire work system, including modules such as workpiece processing and inspection devices, end effectors for gripping the workpiece, robots to which the end effectors are attached, and rails for moving the robots. The work area WA is set in a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The work area WA is not limited to the area of ​​the entire work system, but may be set as an area for each module along with the type of module. The designer can set the reference position P0 by moving the instruction pointer 82 to the desired position in the setting operation field 80a and performing the setting operation. The setting display field 80b displays the position coordinates of the reference position P0, the position of the reference position P0, the length Lx in the X direction, the length Ly in the Y direction, and the length Lz in the Z direction. The reference position P0 is specified, for example, at the lower left front corner of the work area WA, but other positions can also be specified. Each item in the setting display field 80b displays a value set by the designer in the setting operation field 80a. The designer can also set the lengths Lx, Ly, and Lz by inputting numerical values ​​into the setting display field 80b. The designer may also set the lengths Lx, Ly, and Lz by using the instruction pointer 82 to set the other end position in the X, Y, and Z directions, with the reference position P0 in the setting operation field 80a as one end. By setting the reference position P0 and the lengths Lx, Ly, and Lz, the working area WA is displayed in the virtual space VS, as shown in FIG. 10. The setting display field 80b also displays a "Back" button for returning to the required specifications input screen and a "Next" button for proceeding to the next screen.

[0030] When the "Next" button in FIG. 10 is pressed, the setting operation screen 80 in FIG. 11 is displayed. In FIG. 11, the upper section of the setting operation field 80a displays instructions to input the workpiece movement position Pw (X, Y, Z) and the robot work position Pr (X, Y) corresponding to the movement position Pw. The designer can set the movement position Pw and the work position Pr by operating the instruction pointer 82 in the virtual space VS. Note that the movement position Pw and the work position Pr do not need to be set precisely, but may be set roughly. The work position Pr is set by the position coordinates in the X and Y directions of the center position of the robot (robot base) when gripping the workpiece, but may also be set by including the position coordinate in the Z direction. The workpiece movement position Pw is the position where the robot sets the workpiece in, for example, a processing device or an inspection device. For this reason, the control unit 31 may read data from the processing device or the inspection device and input the workpiece set position in the processing device or the inspection device as the movement position Pw.

[0031] FIG. 11 shows a state in which a designer specifies a movement position Pw1 within the work area WA and then specifies a corresponding work position Pr1. As shown in the figure, a rectangular box Bo, which represents a processing device or the like, is also displayed with the specified movement position Pw1 at the center of its top surface. Furthermore, new grid lines G (thick dotted lines in FIG. 11) are displayed in the X and Y directions with the specified movement position Pw1 as the center. This allows the designer to easily set the work position Pr directly opposite the movement position Pw1 in the X and Y directions. In FIG. 11, the work position Pr1 is set directly opposite the movement position Pw1 in the Y direction. Note that when the work position Pr1 is specified, grid lines G are displayed in the X and Y directions with the work position Pr1 as the center (see FIG. 12). The setting display field 80b displays the coordinate values ​​of the movement position Pw1 and the work position Pr1, as well as an "Add" button. The setting display field 80b also displays a "Back" button for returning to the previous screen (display state) and a "Done" button for indicating completion of the work specification setting. When the "add" button is operated, it becomes possible to set a movement position Pw2 and a corresponding work position Pr2, as shown in FIG.

[0032] In FIG. 12, a movement position Pw2 and a corresponding work position Pr2 are set by the same setting operation as in FIG. 11. The designer can easily set the movement position Pw2 and the work position Pr2 based on the grid lines G centered on the movement position Pw1 and the work position Pr1. For example, in FIG. 12, the movement position Pw2 is set at a position directly opposite the movement position Pw1 in the X direction, and the work position Pr2 is set at a position directly opposite the movement position Pw2 in the Y direction and directly opposite the work position Pr1 in the X direction. Furthermore, the setting display field 80b displays the coordinate values ​​of the movement position Pw2 and the work position Pr2, as well as an "Add" button.

[0033] In addition, the setting display field 80b allows the user to set whether or not the robot moves from work position Pr1 to work position Pr2, the movement time, and other parameters. For example, in a configuration in which one robot moves between work positions Pr1 and Pr2 to transport a workpiece, the setting display field 80b allows the user to select "movement enabled" and a module, such as a moving rail, that moves the robot. Furthermore, when "movement enabled" is selected, the user can set the robot's movement time between work positions Pr1 and Pr2. For example, the designer may set the movement time taking into account the takt time of the work system. The movement time is not limited to a specific numerical value, and may be set from multiple levels selected by the designer, such as "standard," which requires the movement time required for normal operation of a typical moving rail, "shorter," which requires a shorter time, or "longer," which requires a longer time. Furthermore, the robot's movement speed may be set in addition to the movement time. In a configuration in which two robots are placed at work positions Pr1 and Pr2, respectively, "No Movement" is set in the setting display field 80b, and a module such as a conveyor for transferring the workpiece between the two robots is selected. Furthermore, the position where the workpiece is placed on the conveyor and the position where the workpiece is removed from the conveyor are set as the workpiece movement position Pw. Once the workpiece specifications and work specifications have been set in this way, and the "Complete" button in Figure 8 or Figure 12 is operated, acceptance of the required specifications is completed.

[0034] When the control unit 31 determines that the reception is complete in S350 of the search process in FIG. 7 , it searches for modules using the search model 34 based on the required specifications (S360). In S360, the control unit 31 sets input data for the search model 34 based on the received required specifications. For example, the control unit 31 sets input data for the size and weight of the workpiece and input data for the transportable size and transportable weight of the module based on the workpiece specifications received on the setting input screen 70. The control unit 31 sets input data for the size and required space of the module based on the size of the work area WA received on the setting operation screen 80. The control unit 31 also sets input data for the operating range and operating speed of modules such as robots and moving rails based on the movement positions Pw1 and Pw2, work positions Pr1 and Pr2, movement time, etc. received on the setting operation screen 80. The control unit 31 searches for modules using the input data for each of these items and the search model 34.

[0035] The control unit 31 also derives a score indicating the degree to which the retrieved specification information for each module satisfies the required specifications (S370). For example, a high score is derived when the item value of the module specification information is within a predetermined error range relative to the input data value of the required specifications. The score is derived so that the score tends to decrease as the deviation from the predetermined error range increases. For example, if the item values ​​of the specification information, such as the portable size or portable weight, are smaller than the input data value, the score may be derived lower than when the deviation is greater. For example, if the item value of the required space is larger than the input data value, the score may be derived lower than when the deviation is greater. Scores may then be derived for each item of the module specification information, and the module score may be calculated by accumulating these scores. Alternatively, the module score may be calculated so that the more items in the module specification information are within the above-mentioned error range, the higher the score. Customers may be able to set weighting for each module or item. In this way, customers can obtain search results that better reflect the elements they consider important. The control unit 31 displays the modules thus found in the virtual space VS together with the derived scores (S380), and ends the search process. These processes from S360 to S380 correspond to the "output of design information" shown in Figure 3 (3).

[0036] 13 and 14 are explanatory diagrams showing an example of a search result display screen 90. The search result display screen 90 has a module display field 90a and an information display field 90b, and displays an instruction pointer 92. In the module display field 90a of FIG. 13, workpieces W having a size based on the workpiece specifications are displayed at the movement positions Pw1 and Pw2. Furthermore, among the modules searched for based on the required specifications, the module with the highest derived score is displayed. For example, the module display field 90a displays a robot A and a moving rail A capable of moving the robot A from the work position Pr1 to the work position Pr2. These are displayed based on the drawing files of the robot A and the moving rail A registered as design information in the project DB 33d. In other words, the design information as a search result is visualized and displayed in the virtual space VS in the module display field 90a. Note that the robot A and the moving rail A do not necessarily have to be included in the same project (work system) in the project DB 33d. In other words, in this embodiment, modules with high derived scores can be displayed regardless of whether they are included in the same project (work system).

[0037] In the virtual space VS in the module display field 90a, robot A may be displayed at the work position Pr that has been selected with the instruction pointer 92. For example, in FIG. 13, robot A is displayed at work position Pr2 because work position Pr2 has been selected. In addition, the information display field 90b displays the searched modules and the score for each module. When the designer selects a module in the information display field 90b with the instruction pointer 92, that module can be displayed in the module display field 90a. For example, when robot B is selected, robot B is displayed in place of robot A in the module display field 90a.

[0038] Each module in the module display field 90a displays the module name and a "Specifications" button for displaying its specification information. The designer can display the specification information in the information display field 90b by operating the "Specifications" button with the instruction pointer 92. For example, FIG. 14 shows the state in which the "Specifications" button for Robot A is clicked, displaying Robot A's specification information. In this way, the designer can not only check the searched modules in the virtual space VS, but also easily check the scores indicating the degree to which the modules satisfy the required specifications and the module's specification information. The designer can also select the optimal module from among the modules with relatively high scores. This allows the designer to easily search for modules that meet the required specifications when designing a work system, thereby reducing the design burden and shortening the design time. The information display field 90b in FIGS. 13 and 14 displays a "Back" button for returning to the required specification input and a "Done" button for completing the module search. Operating the "Done" button saves the information of the module (work system) displayed in the module display field 90a. Designers can read out the saved information and use the search results at any time to design a work system.

[0039] Here, the correspondence between the components of this embodiment and the components of the present disclosure will be clarified. In this embodiment, the memory unit 33 of the data server 30 corresponds to the memory unit, the control unit 31 of the data server 30 that executes S300 to S350 of the search process corresponds to the reception unit, and the control unit 31 that executes S360 to S380 of the search process corresponds to the search unit. In addition, in the case of a vendor's designer, the display unit 59 of the vendor terminal 50 corresponds to the display unit, and in the case of a customer's designer, the display unit 69 of the customer terminal 60 corresponds to the display unit. In this embodiment, an example of an information search method of the present disclosure is also clarified by explaining the operation of the information search system 10.

[0040] The information retrieval system 10 of the present embodiment described above searches for a module whose specification information most closely resembles the required specifications from the project DB 33, which associates specification information with design information, and outputs the design information associated with the retrieved module. Therefore, for example, when a designer designs a new work system, if the designer inputs the required specifications, the designer can easily obtain design information for a module that most closely resembles the required specifications. Therefore, the ease of searching for information related to the work system is improved, reducing the burden of design.

[0041] The information retrieval system 10 also includes display units 59, 69 that display the space in which the new work system is to be installed in a three-dimensional virtual space VS, and accepts required specifications through setting operations by the designer in the virtual space VS (setting operation screen 80). This allows the designer to easily set the required specifications while checking the display in the virtual space VS. The designer can also visually confirm the setting contents of the required specifications, improving information searchability. Furthermore, the information retrieval system 10 accepts the work area WA of the work system and the workpiece movement position Pw as required specifications through setting operations in the virtual space VS, thereby reducing the burden of setting the work area WA and the movement position Pw.

[0042] The information retrieval system 10 also includes display units 59, 69 that display a setting input screen 70 that allows the designer to input settings related to required specifications, and accepts the required specifications through setting input on the setting input screen 70 by the designer. This allows the designer to reliably input the required specifications that can be input, thereby preventing the search target from becoming ambiguous and improving information searchability. Furthermore, the information retrieval system 10 accepts the dimensions and weight of the workpiece through setting input on the setting input screen 70, allowing the workpiece specifications to be reliably input.

[0043] Furthermore, the information retrieval system 10 generates a retrieval model 34 that retrieves design information from specification information by learning based on the project DB 33, and uses the retrieval model 34 to search for modules whose specification information is closest to the required specifications, thereby further improving information retrieval performance.

[0044] Furthermore, the information retrieval system 10 is provided with display units 59, 69 that display the space in which the new work system is to be installed in the virtual space VS, and displays the retrieved modules in the virtual space VS based on the design information associated with the retrieved modules. This allows the designer to easily check the search results, further reducing the burden on the designer.

[0045] Furthermore, when searching for a module, the information retrieval system 10 derives a score indicating the degree to which the specification information satisfies the required specifications, and outputs the retrieved module together with the score, allowing the designer to easily confirm the degree to which the searched module satisfies the required specifications.

[0046] It goes without saying that the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be embodied in various forms as long as they fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0047] For example, in the embodiment, the searched modules are output together with their scores, but this is not limited to this and the scores may not be output. Also, multiple modules are displayed in descending order of their scores, but this is not limited to this and only one module may be displayed for each module type. Also, the scores are not limited to being derived and displayed on a module-by-module basis, but scores may be derived and displayed on an operation system-by-operation system basis. In other words, instead of combining and displaying modules with high derived scores, operation systems with high derived scores may be displayed. Furthermore, the designer may be able to select whether to display on a module-by-module basis or an operation system-by-operation system basis. Furthermore, while displaying on an operation system-by-operation system basis, it may be possible to replace only some of the modules with modules from another operation system and display them.

[0048] In the embodiment, the searched modules are displayed in the virtual space VS, but it is not limited to displaying them in the virtual space VS as long as the design information of the searched modules is output. For example, the searched modules may be displayed as a list, and when a module is selected from the list, the module may be visualized and displayed based on the design information (drawing file) of that module.

[0049] In the embodiment, a search model 34 generated by learning based on the project DB 33 is used to search for modules whose specification information is closest to the required specifications, but this is not limited to this. Any method may be used as long as it searches for modules whose specification information is closest to the required specifications based on the data stored in the project DB 33 and the required specifications. Furthermore, while the search targets are modules in the project DB 33, i.e., modules of work systems that have been delivered to customers or modules of work systems whose design has been completed, modules that have just started to be sold may also be included in the search targets. For example, since the module DB 33a registers modules that can be purchased on the marketplace, modules in the module DB 33a may also be included in the search targets.

[0050] In the embodiment, workpiece specifications such as workpiece dimensions and weight are received by input operations on the setting input screen 70, but information other than workpiece specifications may also be received by setting input related to required specifications. Also, in the embodiment, the work area WA, the workpiece movement position Pw, and the robot work position Pr are received by setting operations in the virtual space VS, but this is not limited thereto, and it is sufficient if at least the work area WA and the workpiece movement position Pw are received. Also, only one of the work area WA and the workpiece movement position Pw may be received. Alternatively, the virtual space VS may not be displayed, and the work area WA and the movement position Pw may be received by setting input. Also, while the search result display screen 90 allows module specification information to be confirmed, this is not limited thereto, and the specification information may not be confirmed.

[0051] This specification also discloses the technical idea behind changing the "information retrieval system according to claim 1" in claim 4, which was originally filed, to "an information retrieval system according to any one of claims 1 to 3," the technical idea behind changing the "information retrieval system according to claim 1 or 2" in claim 6, which was originally filed, to "an information retrieval system according to any one of claims 1 to 5," the technical idea behind changing the "information retrieval system according to claim 1 or 2" in claim 7, which was originally filed, to "an information retrieval system according to any one of claims 1 to 6," and the technical idea behind changing the "information retrieval system according to claim 1 or 2" in claim 8, which was originally filed, to "an information retrieval system according to any one of claims 1 to 7." [Industrial Applicability]

[0052] The present disclosure is applicable to technical fields such as searching for information about a work system when designing the work system. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 10 Information retrieval system, 12 Network, 20 Management server, 21, 31, 51, 61 Control unit, 23, 33, 53, 63 Memory unit, 25, 35, 55, 65 Communication unit, 27, 57, 67 Input unit, 29, 59, 69 Display unit, 30 Data server, 33a Module DB, 33b Vendor DB, 33c Customer DB, 33d Case DB, 34 Search model, 50 Vendor terminal, 60 Customer terminal, 70 Setting input screen, 70a Setting input field, 70b Command field, 72, 82, 92 Pointer, 80 Setting operation screen, 80a Setting operation field, 80b Setting display field, 90 Search result display screen, 90a Module display field, 90b Information display field, G Grid line, Pr1, Pr2 Work position, Pw1, Pw2 Movement position, VS Virtual space, WA Work area.

Claims

1. An information retrieval system for retrieving information related to an operation system, a storage unit that accumulates and stores data that associates specification information, including at least one of the sizes and work capabilities of modules that constitute the work system and perform predetermined work, with design information, including drawings of the modules; a receiving unit that receives required specifications for a new operation system when the new operation system is designed; a search unit that searches the data for the module whose specification information is closest to the required specification, and outputs the design information associated with the searched module; An information retrieval system comprising:

2. a display unit that displays in a virtual space a space in which the new work system is to be installed; the receiving unit receives the required specifications through a setting operation in the virtual space by a designer.

2. The information retrieval system according to claim 1.

3. the receiving unit receives, as the required specifications, at least one of a work area of ​​the work system or the module and a movement position of a workpiece that is a target of the predetermined work, through a setting operation in the virtual space; 3. The information retrieval system according to claim 2.

4. a display unit that displays a setting input screen on which settings related to the required specifications can be input; the receiving unit receives the required specifications through setting input by a designer on the setting input screen; 2. The information retrieval system according to claim 1.

5. the receiving unit receives, as the required specifications, at least one of dimensions and weight of a workpiece to be subjected to the predetermined work by setting input on the setting input screen; 5. The information retrieval system according to claim 4.

6. the search unit generates a search model for searching the design information from the specification information by learning based on the data, and searches for the module whose specification information is closest to the required specification using the search model.

3. An information retrieval system according to claim 1 or 2.

7. a display unit that displays in a virtual space a space in which the new work system is to be installed; the display unit displays the searched module in the virtual space based on the design information associated with the module searched by the search unit.

3. An information retrieval system according to claim 1 or 2.

8. the search unit derives a score indicating the degree to which the specification information satisfies the required specification when searching for the module, and outputs the searched module together with the score.

3. An information retrieval system according to claim 1 or 2.

9. An information retrieval method for retrieving information relating to an operation system, comprising: (a) accumulating and storing data correlating specification information including at least one of the sizes and work capacities of modules that constitute the work system and perform predetermined work with design information including drawings of the modules; (b) receiving requirements for a new operation system when the system is designed; (c) searching the data for the module whose specification information is closest to the required specification, and outputting the design information associated with the searched module; Information retrieval methods, including:

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