Process management apparatus, method, and program

Abstract

To provide a process management device, a process management method, and a process management program capable of improving management of a process.SOLUTION: The process management device 100 of the present invention is a device for managing a process in a management target period including a plurality of sections divided in a time series manner, the process management device 100 being configured to obtain an occupancy time during which a used article is occupied from a start of execution of the process to a completion of the execution of the process, based on a start time that is one of a start time at which execution of the process is started and an end time at which execution of the process is ended, a load time from a start of execution of the process to completion of the product generated by execution of the process, and an operation rate of a used article used for execution of the process. An end point time that is the other of the start time and the end time shifted from the start time by the occupancy time is obtained, and the start time and the end time are output to the outside by an output unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a process control device, a process control method, and a process control program for controlling a process. [Background technology]

[0002] The manufacture of products or prototypes, or projects such as experiments, research, events, and surveys, are usually created through multiple processes. Each process is managed to ensure that the process is carried out efficiently. One example of a process management device that manages the processes on a production line is the process management device disclosed in Patent Document 1. The process management device disclosed in Patent Document 1 displays each work process in a Gantt chart. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-181058 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the components used in a process are not necessarily in operation all the time. For example, if a component requires inspection, the inspection may cause the component to stop operating during the process. Alternatively, if a component is operated by an operator, the component may stop operating due to the absence of the operator, such as during a break. Even in such cases, the component is occupied from the start of the process to the completion of the process, and cannot be used for the execution of other processes. It is desirable to take such points into consideration when managing a process.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a process management device, a process management method, and a process management program that can improve process management. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] After extensive investigation, the inventors have found that the above-mentioned object can be achieved by the present invention. That is, a process control device according to one aspect of the present invention is a device for controlling a process during a management period including a plurality of sections divided into chronologically consecutive sections, and includes an output unit; a memory unit that stores a starting time, which is one of a start time and an end time of the process, a load time from the start of the process to the completion of a product produced by the process, and an operating rate of materials used in the process; an occupation processing unit that calculates an occupation time during which the materials are occupied from the start of the process to the completion of the process based on the starting time, the load time, and the operating rate, and calculates an end time, which is the other of the start time and the end time, shifted by the occupation time from the starting time; and an output processing unit that outputs the starting time and the calculated end time to an external device via the output unit. Preferably, in the above-mentioned process control device, the plurality of sections include sections with different interval lengths.

[0007] Such a process control device does not determine the end time based on the load time, but rather determines the end time based on the occupancy time that takes into account the availability rate of the items used, thereby improving process control.

[0008] In another aspect, in the above-mentioned process control device, the operating rate for the execution of the process is the same for each of the multiple sections, and the occupation processing unit calculates the occupation time by dividing the load time by the operating rate.

[0009] In this type of process control device, the operating rate of the item to be used is the same, that is, one item, so the occupied time can be calculated by simple processing.

[0010] In another aspect, in the process control device described above, the storage unit further stores at least one of a period start time and a period end time of the period to be managed, and a period length for each of the plurality of periods, and there are a plurality of availability rates for the execution of the process associated with each of the plurality of periods, and the occupancy processing unit defines the load time as unallocated time, defines the period including the start time as the period, and repeatedly executes an update process for the period until the occupied time is determined, and in the update process, if the availability rate associated with the period is 0, updates the unallocated time with the unallocated time of the period, updates the period with the period next to the period in the time direction from the start time to the end time, and if the availability rate associated with the period is not 0, divides the unallocated time of the period by the availability rate associated with the period. a provisionally allocated time obtained by subtracting the interval time length of the interval from the unallocated time of the interval, and updating the unallocated time with the result of subtracting the interval time length of the interval in question, and updating the interval with the interval next to the interval in question in the time direction; and if the provisionally allocated time is equal to or less than the interval time length of the interval in question, calculating the occupied time by totaling up the time from the starting time in the interval that includes the starting time to an interval boundary time in the time direction, the interval time lengths of each interval in the time direction from the interval next to the interval that includes the starting time to the interval immediately preceding the interval in question, and the provisionally allocated time of the interval; here, if the interval in question is the interval that includes the starting time, the interval time length of the interval is the time from the starting time to an interval boundary time in the time direction.

[0011] Such a process control device can calculate the occupation time even when there are a plurality of operation rates associated with a plurality of sections, each of which includes a different operation rate.

[0012] In another aspect, in the above-mentioned process control devices, the output unit is a display unit, and the output processing unit displays a Gantt chart on the display unit, with one tile representing the period from the start time to the end time.

[0013] Such a process control device can display a Gantt chart that takes into account the utilization rate of the items used.

[0014] A process control method according to another aspect of the present invention is a method for managing a process within a management period having a plurality of sections divided into chronologically consecutive sections, and includes an occupation processing step for calculating an occupation time during which an item is occupied from the start of the process to the completion of the process based on a starting time, which is one of the start time when the process begins and the end time when the process ends, the load time required from the start of the process to the completion of a product produced by the process, and the operating rate of the items used in the process, and calculating an end time, which is the other of the start time and the end time, shifted from the starting time by the occupation time; and an output processing step for outputting the starting time, the calculated end time, and the calculated occupation time to the outside by an output unit.

[0015] This process control method can improve process control because it does not determine the end time based on the load time, but rather on the occupied time that takes into account the availability rate of the items used.

[0016] A process management program according to another aspect of the present invention is a program for managing a process during a management period having multiple sections that are divided into chronologically consecutive sections, and is a program for causing a computer to function as the above-mentioned process management device.

[0017] This makes it possible to provide a process management program, which has the same effects as the process management devices described above. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] The process control device, the process control method, and the process control program according to the present invention can improve process control. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a process control device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 3A and 3B are diagrams showing a period information table and a process information table in the process control device. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a first diagram for explaining a method for determining an occupied time in forward processing. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a second diagram for explaining how to obtain the occupied time in forward processing. [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is a third diagram for explaining how to obtain the occupied time in forward processing. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a fourth diagram for explaining how to obtain the occupied time in forward processing. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining how to obtain an occupation time in backward processing. [Figure 8] 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the process control device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Hereinafter, one or more embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the scope of the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. In addition, components with the same reference numerals in each drawing indicate the same components, and their description will be omitted as appropriate. In this specification, when referring to a general term, a reference numeral without a subscript is used, and when referring to an individual component, a reference numeral with a subscript is used.

[0021] In one embodiment, the process management device manages processes over a management period that includes multiple time-sequentially separated sections. The process management device includes an output unit, a memory unit, an occupation processing unit, and an output processing unit. The output unit outputs data (information). The memory unit stores a starting time, which is one of the start time and end time of the process, the load time required from the start of the process to the completion of a product produced by the process, and the utilization rate of materials used in the process. The occupation processing unit calculates the occupation time during which the materials are occupied from the start of the process to the completion of the process based on the starting time, the load time, and the utilization rate, and calculates the other of the start time and end time, which is the occupation time shifted from the starting time by the occupation time. The output processing unit outputs the starting time and the calculated end time to an external device. The process management device, as well as the process management method and process management program implemented therein, are described in more detail below.

[0022] Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a process control device according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a period information table and a process information table in the process control device. Fig. 2A shows the period information table, and Fig. 2B shows the process information table.

[0023] The process control device 1000 in the embodiment is a device that manages a process during a management period having multiple sections that are divided into chronologically consecutive sections, and, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, includes a control processing unit 1, a memory unit 2, an input unit 3, an output unit 4, and an interface unit (IF unit) 5.

[0024] The management period is a period for which a process is to be managed, and is set by the user as appropriate, for example, one month, a quarter, or half a year. For example, the management period is set by specifying the period start time, which is the start time, and the length of the period. Alternatively, for example, the management period is set by specifying the period start time and the period end time, which is the end time of the period. Alternatively, for example, the management period is set by specifying the period end time and the length of the period. Note that each time, including the cases described below, is expressed, for example, by year / month / day or year / month / date and time.

[0025] The plurality of sections are set appropriately by the user, for example, one day, one week, two weeks, etc. The section lengths (section time lengths) of the plurality of sections may all be the same time length, or may include different time lengths.

[0026] The process may involve one or more steps, and may be any process related to, for example, the manufacture of a product or prototype, or the implementation of a project such as an experiment, research, event, or survey. For example, in the case of the manufacture of a product, the process includes each manufacturing process. In one example, in the case of a processed metal product, the process includes each of a rolling process, a heat treatment process, a surface treatment process, and a cutting process. For example, in the case of the implementation of an experiment, the process includes each of an experiment planning process, an experiment preparation process, an experiment process, and an experiment report writing process. For example, in the case of the implementation of a survey, the process includes each of a survey planning process, a meeting process, a survey implementation process, and a survey report writing process.

[0027] The input unit 3 is connected to the control processing unit 1 and is a device that inputs various data necessary for operating the process control apparatus 1000, such as various commands such as a command to start calculations, names of objects to be managed, and various quantities, to the process control apparatus 1000, and is, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, or a plurality of input switches to which predetermined functions are assigned. The output unit 4 is connected to the control processing unit 1 and is a device that outputs commands, data, calculation results, etc. input from the input unit 3 under the control of the control processing unit 1, and is, for example, a display device such as a CRT display, an LCD (liquid crystal display), or an organic EL display, or a printing device such as a printer.

[0028] The input unit 3 and the output unit 4 may be configured as a touch panel. In this touch panel configuration, the input unit 3 is a position input device, such as a resistive or capacitive type, that detects and inputs an operation position, and the output unit 4 is a display device. In this touch panel, a position input device is provided on the display surface of the display device, and one or more input content candidates that can be input are displayed on the display device. When a user touches the display position showing the input content they want to input, the position is detected by the position input device, and the display content displayed at the detected position is input to the process control apparatus 1000 as the user's operation input content. Such a touch panel makes it easy for users to intuitively understand input operations, providing a process control apparatus 1000 that is easy for users to use.

[0029] The IF unit 5 is connected to the control processing unit 1 and is a circuit that inputs and outputs data to and from, for example, an external device under the control of the control processing unit 1, and is, for example, an interface circuit for RS-232C, which is a serial communication method, an interface circuit using the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard, an interface circuit using the USB standard, etc. The IF unit 5 may also be, for example, a communication interface circuit that transmits and receives communication signals to and from an external device, such as a data communication card or a communication interface circuit conforming to the IEEE802.11 standard, etc.

[0030] The storage unit 2 is connected to the control processing unit 1 and is a circuit that stores various predetermined programs and various predetermined data under the control of the control processing unit 1.

[0031] The various predetermined programs include, for example, a control processing program, and the control processing program includes, for example, a control program, an occupancy processing program, and an output processing program. The control program controls each of the units 2 to 5 of the process management apparatus 1000 according to the function of each unit. The occupancy processing program is a program that calculates an occupancy time for occupying an item (described below) from the start of a process to the completion of the process based on a start time, load time, and availability rate (described below), and calculates an end time (described below) that is shifted from the start time by the occupancy time. The output processing program is a program that outputs the start time and the calculated end time to the outside via an output unit 4.

[0032] The various types of predetermined data include data necessary for executing each of these programs, such as the name of the object to be managed, various quantities such as period information and process information, various calculation results during calculation, and final calculation results. Such storage unit 2 includes, for example, a nonvolatile storage element such as a read-only memory (ROM) or a rewritable nonvolatile storage element such as an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM). Storage unit 2 also includes a random access memory (RAM) that serves as a working memory for control processing unit 1 and stores data generated during execution of the predetermined programs. Storage unit 2 may also be configured with a hard disk drive or solid-state drive (SSD) with a relatively large storage capacity.

[0033] The storage unit 2 functionally comprises a period information storage unit 21 that stores the period information, and a process information storage unit 22 that stores the process information.

[0034] The period information is information about the management target period for identifying the management target period, and includes, for example, at least one of a period start time, which is the start time of the management target period, and a period end time, which is the end time of the management target period, and the interval duration of each of the multiple intervals. The interval duration is the temporal length of the interval. When one of the information is the period start time, the management target period duration, which is the temporal length of the management target period, is obtained by summing the durations of the intervals, and therefore the period end time is obtained as the time shifted (time transition) from the period start time by the management target interval duration. When one of the information is the period end time, the period start time is obtained as the time shifted (time transition) from the period end time by the management target interval duration in the past.

[0035] At least one of the period start time and the period end time is stored directly in the period information storage unit 21, and the period duration of each of the plurality of periods is stored in table format in the period information storage unit 21. The period duration information table PT, which registers the period duration of each of the plurality of periods, registers the period duration in association with the period name, which is the name of the period, as shown in FIG. 2A, for example. In the example shown in FIG. 2A, the period name "First Period" is associated with the period duration "K1," the period name "Second Period" is associated with the period duration "K2," the period name "Third Period" is associated with the period duration "K3," and the period name "Fourth Period" is associated with the period duration "K4." The period durations of the respective periods may be the same or may include different durations.

[0036] The process information is information about a process, and includes, for example, a starting time, which is one of the start time and the end time of the process, a load time from the start of the process to the completion of a product produced by the process, and an operating rate of materials used in the process. The product is determined according to the content of the process. For example, if the process is a rolling process, the product is a rolled semi-finished product. The load time is, in other words, the net time spent using materials to obtain the product. The materials are determined according to the content of the process. For example, if the process is a rolling process, the materials are a rolling mill. For example, if the process is an experiment planning process, the materials are a desk, and if the process is an experiment preparation process, the materials are a laboratory and laboratory equipment. For example, if the process is a meeting process, the materials are a conference room, and if the process is a research report preparation process, the materials are a desk.

[0037] The process information is stored in table format in the process information storage unit 22. As shown in FIG. 2B , the process information table ST for registering process information includes a process name field 221 for registering the process name, which is the name of the process, a start time field 222 for registering the start time for the process for the process name registered in the process name field 211, a load time field 223 for registering the load time for the process for the process name registered in the process name field 211, and an availability field 224 for registering the availability rate for the process for the process name registered in the process name field 211, and has a record for each process. If the availability rate for the execution of the process is the same for each of the multiple intervals, the availability field 224 does not necessarily need to include a subfield. However, in the example shown in FIG. 2B , since the availability rate for the execution of the process is multiple and associated with each of the multiple intervals, the table includes multiple subfields 2241 to 2244 corresponding to the number of intervals. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the utilization rate field 224 has a first utilization rate subfield 2241 for registering the utilization rate for the interval name "first period", a second utilization rate subfield 2242 for registering the utilization rate for the interval name "second period", a third utilization rate subfield 2243 for registering the utilization rate for the interval name "third period", and a fourth utilization rate subfield 2244 for registering the utilization rate for the interval name "fourth period", in accordance with the fact that the management target period has four intervals. In the example shown in FIG. 2B, for example, in the process information for Process A, the process name field 221 has the process name “Process A” registered, the starting time field 222 has its starting time “S” registered, the load time field 223 has its load time “W” registered, the first availability subfield 2241 has the section name “First period” availability rate “R1” (R1≠0) registered, the second availability subfield 2242 has the section name “Second period” availability rate “R2” (R2≠0) registered, the third availability subfield 2243 has the section name “Third period” availability rate “R3” (R3≠0) registered, and the fourth availability subfield 2244 has the section name “Fourth period” availability rate “R4” (R4≠0) ​​registered.Even when the operation rate for the execution of the process is the same for each of the plurality of sections, the operation rate field 224 may include a plurality of sub-fields 2241 to 2244 associated with each of the plurality of sections.

[0038] The utilization rate varies depending on factors such as the number of people on weekdays and weekends, and differences in personnel skills. The utilization rate is 0 on non-business days (holidays) and on maintenance days. The utilization rate is, for example, a planned utilization rate (expected utilization rate, forecast utilization rate) determined based on experience, budget, etc.

[0039] The control processing unit 1 is a circuit for controlling each of the units 2 to 5 of the process control device 1000 in accordance with the function of each unit and managing the process. The control processing unit 1 is configured to include, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and its peripheral circuits. In the control processing unit 1, a control unit 11, an occupation processing unit 12, and an output processing unit 13 are functionally configured by executing the control processing program.

[0040] The control unit 11 controls each of the units 2 to 5 of the process control device 1000 in accordance with the function of each unit, and controls the process control device 1000 as a whole.

[0041] The occupancy processing unit 12 calculates the occupancy time during which the item is occupied from the start of the process to the completion of the process based on the start time, the load time, and the operating rate, and calculates the end time, which is the other of the start time and the end time, which is shifted from the start time by the occupancy time.

[0042] More specifically, when the operation rate for the execution of the process is the same for each of the multiple sections, the occupancy processing unit 12 obtains the occupancy time "Ta" by dividing the load time "W" by the operation rate "Ra" (Ta=W / Ra). Therefore, in this case, the occupancy processing unit 12 obtains the end time "F" as the point in time that has elapsed from the start time "S" by the occupancy time "Ta" (F=S+Ta).

[0043] On the other hand, if there are multiple availability rates for the execution of the process associated with each of the multiple intervals, the occupation processing unit 12 sets the load time as unallocated time, sets the interval including the start time as the relevant interval, and repeatedly executes update processing for the relevant interval until the occupied time is determined. This update processing includes division by the availability rate, so the processing is divided depending on whether the availability rate is 0 or not. That is, if the availability rate associated with the relevant interval is 0, in the update processing, the occupation processing unit 12 updates the unallocated time with the unallocated time of the relevant interval, and updates the relevant interval with the interval next to the relevant interval in the time direction from the start time to the end time. If the availability rate associated with the relevant section is not 0, in the update process, the occupancy processing unit 12 obtains a provisionally allocated time by dividing the unallocated time of the relevant section by the availability rate associated with the relevant section, and if the provisionally allocated time exceeds the section time length of the relevant section, updates the unallocated time with the result of subtracting the section time length of the relevant section from the unallocated time of the relevant section, and updates the relevant section with the section next to the relevant section in the time direction, and if the provisionally allocated time is equal to or less than the section time length of the relevant section, obtains the occupied time by totaling up the time from the starting time in the section including the relevant starting time to a section boundary time in the time direction, the section time lengths of each section from the section next to the section including the relevant starting time to the section immediately preceding the relevant section in the time direction, and the provisionally allocated time of the relevant section; here, if the relevant section is the section that includes the starting time, the section time length of the relevant section is the time from the starting time to a section boundary time in the time direction.

[0044] Such an update process will be explained using the examples shown in Figs. 3 to 7. Figs. 3 to 6 are first to fourth diagrams for explaining how to calculate the occupied time in forward processing. Fig. 7 is a diagram for explaining how to calculate the occupied time in backward processing. Here, in the explanation using Figs. 3 to 5, it is assumed that the allocation of load time ends with the section name "third period", in the explanation using Fig. 6, it is assumed that the allocation of load time ends with the section name "fourth period", and in the explanation using Fig. 7, it is assumed that the allocation of load time ends with the section name "second period".

[0045] First, the case of forward processing where the starting point time is the start time and the end point time is the finish time will be explained using Figures 3 to 5. The period information and process information are as shown in Figure 2. The period start time is "PS", the period end time is "PE", the jth relevant section is "RP(j)", the jth unallocated time is "NAT(j)", the jth provisional allocated time is "PAT(j)", and the jth allocated time is "AT(j)".

[0046] The occupancy processing unit 12 sets the load time "W" as the unallocated time "NAT(1)" (NAT(1)←W), sets the section including the starting time "S", i.e., the section 61 with the section name "first period", as the relevant section "RP(1)" (RP(1)←section 61), and executes the update process (first update process) for the relevant section 61. Since the availability rate for the relevant section 61 is "R1" and is not 0, the occupancy processing unit 12 divides the unallocated time "NAT(1)" for the relevant section 61 by the availability rate "R1" associated with the relevant section 61 to obtain the provisional allocated time "PAT(1)" (=NAT(1) / R1=W / R1), and determines whether the provisional allocated time "PAT(1)" exceeds the section time length "K1" for the relevant section 61. Here, since the section 61 in the first update process is a section that includes the starting time "S", the section time length "K1" of the section is the time from the starting time "S" to the section boundary time "E1", which is the boundary time of the section 61 in the time direction from the starting time to the end time (K1←E1-S). As a result of this determination, as shown in Figure 3, the tentative allocation time "NAT(1)" exceeds the section time length "E1-S" of the section in question, so the occupancy processing unit 12 updates the unallocated time "NAT(2)" with the result of subtracting the section time length "E1-S" of the section in question from the unallocated time "NAT(1)" of the section 61 in question (NAT(2) ← NAT(1) - (E1-S) = W - (E1-S)), and updates the section "RP(2)" to the section 62 next to the section 61 in the time direction (RP(2) ← section 62).

[0047] Next, the occupancy processing unit 12 executes update processing (second update processing) for the section 62. Since the availability rate for the section 62 is "R2," which is not 0, the occupancy processing unit 12 obtains a tentative allocation time "PAT(2)" (=NAT(2) / R2=(W-(E1-S)) / R2) by dividing the unallocated time "NAT(2)" for the section 62 by the availability rate "R2" associated with the section 62, and determines whether the tentative allocation time "PAT(2)" exceeds the section time length "K2" for the section 62. As a result of this determination, as shown in Figure 4, the tentative allocation time "NAT(2)" exceeds the section time length "K2" of the section in question, so the occupancy processing unit 12 updates the unallocated time "NAT(3)" with the result of subtracting the section time length "K2" of the section in question from the unallocated time "NAT(2)" of the section 62 in question (NAT(3) ← NAT(2) - K2 = (W - (E1 - S)) - K2), and updates the section "RP(3)" to the section 63 next to the section 62 in the time direction (RP(3) ← section 63).

[0048] Next, the occupancy processing unit 12 executes update processing (third update processing) for the section 63. Since the availability rate for the section 63 is "R3," which is not 0, the occupancy processing unit 12 obtains a tentative allocation time "PAT(3)" (=NAT(3) / R3=(W-(E1-S)-K2) / R3) by dividing the unallocated time "NAT(3)" for the section 63 by the availability rate "R3" associated with the section 63, and determines whether the tentative allocation time "PAT(3)" exceeds the section time length "K3" for the section 63. As a result of this determination, as shown in Figure 5, the provisional allocation time "NAT(3)" does not exceed the interval time length "K3" of the interval, so the occupancy processing unit 12 calculates the occupancy time "MT" (=(E1-S)+K2+((W-(E1-S)-K2) / R3)) by summing up the time "E1-S" from the start time "S" in the interval 61 including the start time "S" to the interval boundary time "E1" in the time direction, the interval time length "K2" of each interval 62 in the time direction from the next interval 62 after the interval 61 including the start time "S" to the interval 62 immediately before the interval 63, and the provisional allocation time "PAT(3)" of the interval 63 (=(W-(E1-S)-K2) / R3).

[0049] In the example shown in FIG. 2, the availability rates of each section do not include 0. However, the update process will be explained using FIG. 6 in the case where the availability rate of section 62 with the section name "Second Period" is 0.

[0050] The occupancy processing unit 12 sets the load time "W" to the unallocated time "NAT(1)" (NAT(1)←W), sets the section including the starting time "S", i.e., the section 61 with the section name "first period", to the section "RP(1)" (RP(1)←section 61), and executes update processing (first update processing) for the section 61. This first update processing is the same as described above, and therefore its description will be omitted.

[0051] Next, the occupancy processing unit 12 executes update processing (second update processing) for the section 62. Since the availability rate for the section 62 is 0, the occupancy processing unit 12 updates the unallocated time "NAT(3)" with the unallocated time "NAT(2)" for the section 62 (NAT(3)←NAT(2)=W-(E1-S)), and updates the section "RP(3)" with the section 63 that follows the section 62 in the time direction (RP(3)←section 63). When the availability rate is 0, the update processing is executed in this manner.

[0052] Next, the occupancy processing unit 12 executes update processing (third update processing) for the section 63. Since the availability rate for the section 63 is "R3," which is not 0, the occupancy processing unit 12 obtains a tentative allocation time "PAT(3)" (=NAT(3) / R3=(W-(E1-S)) / R3) by dividing the unallocated time "NAT(3)" for the section 63 by the availability rate "R3" associated with the section 63, and determines whether the tentative allocation time "PAT(3)" exceeds the section time length "K3" for the section 63. As a result of this determination, as shown in Figure 6, the tentative allocation time "NAT(3)" exceeds the section time length "K3" of the section in question, so the occupancy processing unit 12 updates the unallocated time "NAT(4)" with the result of subtracting the section time length "K3" of the section in question from the unallocated time "NAT(3)" of the section 63 in question (NAT(4) ← NAT(3) - K3 = (W - (E1 - S)) - K3), and updates the section "RP(4)" to the section 64 next to the section 63 in the time direction (RP(4) ← section 64).

[0053] Next, the occupancy processing unit 12 executes update processing (fourth update processing) for the section 64. Since the availability rate for the section 64 is "R4," which is not 0, the occupancy processing unit 12 obtains a tentative allocation time "PAT(4)" (=NAT(4) / R4=(W-(E1-S)-K3) / R4) by dividing the unallocated time "NAT(4)" for the section 64 by the availability rate "R4" associated with the section 64, and determines whether the tentative allocation time "PAT(4)" exceeds the section time length "K4" for the section 63. As a result of this determination, the provisional allocation time "NAT(4)" does not exceed the interval time length "K4" of the interval, so the occupancy processing unit 12 calculates the occupancy time "MT" (=(E1-S)+K2+K3+((W-(E1-S)-K3) / R4)) by adding up the time "E1-S" from the start time "S" in the interval 61 including the start time "S" to the interval boundary time "E1" in the time direction, the interval time lengths "K2" and "K3" of each interval 62, 63 in the time direction from the next interval 62 after the interval 61 including the start time "S" to the interval 63 immediately before the interval 64, and the provisional allocation time "PAT(4)" of the interval 64 (=(W-(E1-S)-K3) / R4).

[0054] Next, a case of backward processing in which the starting point time is the end time and the end point time is the start time will be described with reference to FIG.

[0055] The occupancy processing unit 12 sets the load time "W" as the unallocated time "NAT(1)" (NAT(1)←W), sets the interval including the starting time "F", i.e., the interval 64 with the interval name "Fourth Period", as the relevant interval "RP(1)" (RP(1)←interval 64), and executes the update process (first update process) for the relevant interval 64. Since the availability rate for the relevant interval 64 is "R4" and is not 0, the occupancy processing unit 12 obtains the provisional allocation time "PAT(1)" (=NAT(1) / R4=W / R4) by dividing the unallocated time "NAT(1)" for the relevant interval 64 by the availability rate "R4" associated with the relevant interval 64, and determines whether the provisional allocation time "PAT(1)" exceeds the interval time length "K4" for the relevant interval 64. Here, since the section 64 in the first update process is a section that includes the starting time "F", the section duration "K4" of the section is the time from the starting time "F" to the section boundary time "E3", which is the boundary time of the section 64 in the time direction from the starting time to the end time (K1←F-E3). As a result of this determination, the provisional allocation time "NAT(1)" exceeds the section time length "F-E3" of the section in question, so the occupancy processing unit 12 updates the unallocated time "NAT(2)" with the result of subtracting the section time length "F-E3" of the section in question from the unallocated time "NAT(1)" of the section 64 in question (NAT(2)←NAT(1)-(F-E3)=W-(F-E3)), and updates the section "RP(2)" to the section 63 next to the section 64 in the time direction (RP(2)←section 63).

[0056] Next, the occupancy processing unit 12 executes update processing (second update processing) for the section 63. Since the availability rate for the section 63 is "R3," which is not 0, the occupancy processing unit 12 obtains a tentative allocation time "PAT(2)" (=NAT(2) / R3=(W-(F-E3)) / R3) by dividing the unallocated time "NAT(2)" for the section 63 by the availability rate "R3" associated with the section 63, and determines whether the tentative allocation time "PAT(2)" exceeds the section time length "K3" for the section 63. As a result of this determination, the provisional allocation time "NAT(2)" exceeds the section time length "K3" of the section in question, so the occupancy processing unit 12 updates the unallocated time "NAT(3)" with the result of subtracting the section time length "K3" of the section in question from the unallocated time "NAT(2)" of the section 63 in question (NAT(3)←NAT(2)-K3=(W-(F-E3))-K3), and updates the section "RP(3)" to the section 62 next to the section 63 in the time direction (RP(3)←section 62).

[0057] Next, the occupancy processing unit 12 executes update processing (third update processing) for the section 62. Since the availability rate for the section 62 is "R2," which is not 0, the occupancy processing unit 12 obtains a tentative allocation time "PAT(3)" (=NAT(3) / R2=(W-(F-E3)-K3) / R2) by dividing the unallocated time "NAT(3)" for the section 62 by the availability rate "R2" associated with the section 62, and determines whether the tentative allocation time "PAT(3)" exceeds the section time length "K2" for the section 62. As a result of this determination, as shown in Figure 7, the provisional allocation time "NAT(3)" does not exceed the interval time length "K2" of the interval, so the occupancy processing unit 12 calculates the occupancy time "MT" (=(F-E3)+K3+((WF-E3)-K3) / R2)) by summing up the time "F-E3" from the start time "F" in the interval 64 including the start time "F" to the interval boundary time "E3" in the time direction, the interval time length "K3" of each interval 63 in the time direction from the next interval 63 after the interval 64 including the start time "F" to the interval 63 immediately before the interval 62, and the provisional allocation time "PAT(3)" of the interval 62 (=(W-(F-E3)-K3) / R2).

[0058] The backward update process when the utilization rate is 0 is executed in the same manner as the forward update process when the utilization rate is 0, except that the time direction is different.

[0059] Returning to Fig. 1, the output processing unit 13 outputs the start time and the calculated end time to the outside via the output unit 4. For example, the output unit 4 is a display device, and the output processing unit 13 displays a Gantt chart, with the start time to the end time as one tile, on the output unit 4 of the display device.

[0060] The control processing unit 1, storage unit 2, input unit 3, output unit 4 and IF unit 5 can be configured by, for example, a desktop or notebook computer.

[0061] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0062] When the process control device 1000 having such a configuration is powered on, it initializes the necessary parts and starts its operation. The control processing unit 1 is functionally configured with a control unit 11, an occupation processing unit 12, and an output processing unit 13 by executing the control processing program.

[0063] For example, when an operator (user) issues an instruction to start calculation via the input unit 3, the process control device 1000 determines whether the operation rates of the sections are the same or not (S1) using the occupation processing unit 12 of the control processing unit 1. If the operation rates are the same (Yes) as a result of this determination, the process control device 1000 executes process S2, whereas if the operation rates are not the same (No) as a result of the determination, the process control device 1000 executes process S3.

[0064] In this process S2, the process control apparatus 1000 uses the occupancy processing unit 12 to determine the occupancy time when each operation rate is the same, and then executes process S9.

[0065] In the process S3, the process control apparatus 1000 uses the occupation processing unit 12 to set the load time as unallocated time, and sets the section including the starting time as the relevant section.

[0066] Next, the process control apparatus 1000 determines, via the occupancy processing unit 12, whether the availability rate of the section is 0 (S4). If the result of this determination is that the availability rate of the section is 0 (Yes), the occupancy processing unit 12 updates the unallocated time and the section when the availability rate of the section is 0 (S5), and returns the process to step S4. If the result of the determination is that the availability rate of the section is not 0 (No), the occupancy processing unit 12 calculates a tentatively allocated time and determines whether the calculated tentatively allocated time exceeds the section time length of the section (S6). If the result of this determination is that the tentatively allocated time exceeds the section time length of the section (Yes), the occupancy processing unit 12 updates the unallocated time and the section when the availability rate of the section is not 0 (S7), and returns the process to step S4. If the result of the determination is that the tentatively allocated time does not exceed the section time length of the section (No), the occupancy processing unit 12 calculates the occupied time when the availability rates are not the same (S8), and then executes step S9.

[0067] In this process S9, the process control apparatus 1000 uses the occupancy processing unit 12 to determine the end time from the start time and the occupancy time.

[0068] Then, the process control apparatus 1000 causes the output processing unit 13 of the control processing unit 1 to output the start time and the end time to the outside via the output unit 4 (S10), and ends this process. For example, a Gantt chart is displayed in which one tile spans from the start time to the end time. Note that the output processing unit 13 may output the start time, the end time, etc. to an external device via the IF unit 5 as necessary.

[0069] As described above, the process control device 1000 and the process control method and process control program implemented therein in the embodiment do not calculate the end time based on the load time, but rather calculate the end time based on the occupied time that takes into account the availability rate of the items used, thereby improving process control.

[0070] The process control apparatus 1000, the process control method, and the process control program can calculate the occupation time by simple processing when the operation rates of the sections are the same.

[0071] The process control apparatus 1000, the process control method, and the process control program can calculate the occupied time even when there are multiple operating rates associated with multiple sections, and the multiple operating rates include different operating rates.

[0072] The process control apparatus 1000, the process control method, and the process control program can obtain the occupation time in both the future direction and the past direction.

[0073] The process control device 1000, the process control method, and the process control program can display a Gantt chart that takes into account the availability rate of the items used.

[0074] In order to express the present invention, the present invention has been properly and sufficiently described above through the embodiments with reference to the drawings, but it should be recognized that those skilled in the art can easily change and / or improve the above-mentioned embodiments. Therefore, unless the changes or improvements made by those skilled in the art are at a level that causes departure from the scope of the claims described in the claims, such changes or improvements are interpreted as being included in the scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 1000 Process control equipment 1 Control processing section 2 Storage section 3 Input section 4 Output section 5 Storage section 11 Control section 12 Dedicated Processing Unit 13 Output Processing Section 21 Period information storage unit 22 Process information storage section

Claims

1. A process management device for managing a process in a management period having a plurality of sections divided so as to be continuous in time series, an output unit; a memory unit that stores a starting time, which is one of a start time at which the process begins and a finish time at which the process ends, a load time required from the start of the process to the completion of a product produced by the process, and an operating rate of an item used in the process; an occupation processing unit that calculates an occupation time during which the object is occupied from the start of execution of the process to the completion of execution of the process based on the start time, the load time, and the availability rate, and calculates an end time that is the other of the start time and the end time, which is shifted from the start time by the occupation time; an output processing unit that outputs the start time and the determined end time to an external device via the output unit; Process control equipment.

2. The operation rate for the execution of the process is the same for each of the plurality of sections, the occupancy processing unit calculates the occupancy time by dividing the load time by the operation rate. The process control device according to claim 1 .

3. the storage unit further stores at least one of a period start time and a period end time of the management target period, and a period duration of each of the plurality of periods; the operation rates for the execution of the process are a plurality of rates corresponding to the plurality of sections, respectively; the occupancy processing unit defines the load time as unallocated time, defines a section including the start time as the section, and repeatedly executes update processing in the section until the occupancy time is calculated; The update process includes: If the availability rate associated with the section is 0, update the unallocated time with the unallocated time of the section, and update the section with the next section in the time direction from the start time toward the end time; if the utilization rate associated with the section is not zero, a provisionally allocated time is obtained by dividing the unallocated time of the section by the utilization rate associated with the section; if the provisionally allocated time exceeds the section length of the section, the unallocated time is updated with the result of subtracting the section length of the section from the unallocated time of the section; the section is updated with the section next to the section in the time direction; if the provisionally allocated time is equal to or less than the section length of the section, the occupied time is obtained by totaling the time from the start time in the section that includes the start time to a section boundary time in the time direction, the section length of each section in the time direction from the section next to the section that includes the start time to the section immediately preceding the section in the time direction, and the provisionally allocated time of the section; here, if the section is the section that includes the start time, the section length of the section is the time from the start time to a section boundary time in the time direction. The process control device according to claim 1 .

4. the output unit is a display unit, the output processing unit displays on the display unit a Gantt chart in which one tile extends from the start time to the end time. The process control device according to claim 1 .

5. A process management method for managing a process in a management period having a plurality of sections divided so as to be consecutive in time series, comprising: an occupancy processing step of calculating an occupation time during which the materials are occupied from the start of the process to the completion of the process, based on a starting time, which is one of the start time when the process begins and the end time when the process ends, a load time required from the start of the process to the completion of a product produced by the process, and an operating rate of the materials used in the process, and calculating an end time, which is the other of the start time and the end time, shifted from the starting time by the occupation time; an output processing step of outputting the start time and the determined end time to an external device by an output unit; Process control method.

6. A process management program for managing processes during a management period having multiple sections divided into chronologically consecutive sections, the process management program causing a computer to function as a process management device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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