Material management system and combined materials

Abstract

Building materials can be managed effectively. [Solution] The material management system includes a feature identification information acquisition unit that acquires feature identification information indicating the characteristics of building materials, and assigns the feature identification information of each building material to each of the building materials included in a combined material manufactured by combining multiple building materials, and assigns combined material identification information to the combined material manufactured by combining multiple building materials, which is linked to the feature identification information of each building material used in the manufacture of the combined material.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a material management system and a combined material.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a heat insulation panel structure that effectively utilizes the cut-off edge material during the molding of foamed plastic-based heat insulation materials has been devised (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Since the cut-off edge material becomes the main material in this heat insulation panel structure, it can be expected to contribute to the reduction of industrial waste and the realization of a circular economy.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When there is a problem with the edge material included in the heat insulation panel structure, there is a high possibility that there is also a problem with the original panel or other edge materials derived from the original panel. Therefore, it is necessary to identify the heat insulation panel structure in which the original panel or other edge materials derived from the original panel are used. However, since the above-described heat insulation panel structure does not disclose assigning a production number to the edge material, it is difficult to identify the heat insulation panel structure in which the original panel with a problem or other edge materials derived from the original panel are used. Therefore, there has been a desire to ensure the traceability of each building material included in the combined material, which is manufactured by combining a plurality of building materials.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to preferably manage building materials.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is a material management system comprising a feature identification information acquisition unit that acquires feature identification information indicating the characteristics of a building material, and a provisioning unit that provides the feature identification information of the building material to the building material.

[0007] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the present invention, the assigning unit assigns to a combined material manufactured by combining a plurality of building materials a combined material identification information linked to the characteristic identification information of each building material used in the manufacture of the combined material.

[0008] Furthermore, one aspect of the present invention is a material management system comprising: a reading and acquisition unit that acquires feature identification information indicating the characteristics of building materials, the feature identification information being read after being applied to the building materials; a determination unit that determines the suitability of the target building materials as materials based on the feature identification information of a target building material that is the building material subject to determination of suitability as a material when manufacturing a combined material in which a plurality of building materials are combined, and the feature identification information of building materials used in the manufacture of the combined material, from among a plurality of feature identification information acquired by the reading and acquisition unit; and a determination result output unit that outputs the determination result from the determination unit.

[0009] Furthermore, one aspect of the present invention is a material management system comprising: a material identification information acquisition unit that acquires material identification information assigned to a combined material, which is material identification information associated with each of the characteristic identification pieces of building materials used in the manufacture of a combined material; and a characteristic identification information output unit that outputs the characteristic identification information of the building materials used in the manufacture of the combined material, which is identified by the material identification information acquired by the material identification information acquisition unit.

[0010] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the present invention, the composite material identification information is associated with each characteristic identification information indicating the characteristics of the building materials used in the manufacture of the composite material, wherein the composite material identification information assigned to the composite material is assigned near the center of the composite material.

[0011] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the present invention, the combination material identification information provided to the combination material includes information that identifies the arrangement of each of the building materials combined with the combination material.

[0012] Furthermore, in one aspect of the present invention, a plurality of building materials, each being endowed with characteristic identification information indicating the characteristics of the building material, are manufactured by combining them.

[0013] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the present invention, the combined material is assigned combined material identification information linked to the characteristic identification information of each building material used in the manufacture of the combined material. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, building materials can be managed effectively. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example of how characteristic identification information is assigned to building materials in an embodiment. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of a method for manufacturing a composite material in the embodiment. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of how scrap materials are selected for use in manufacturing composite materials in the embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a block diagram illustrating the aspects of the material management system according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a block diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of a material management device according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of a display screen that shows the information output by the feature identification information output unit in the embodiment. [Figure 7] This is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the material management device according to this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0016] [Overview of Embodiment] Regarding the material management system and combined materials according to this embodiment, preferred embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals. Note that this embodiment is not limited to these embodiments, and also includes those with various modifications or improvements. That is, the components described below include those that can be easily assumed by those skilled in the art and substantially the same ones, and the components described below can be combined as appropriate. Also, in this embodiment, various omissions, substitutions, or changes of the components may be made without departing from the gist of the invention.

[0017] The material management system 1 according to the embodiment is used for the management of combined materials CM manufactured by combining a plurality of building materials and building materials that are the materials of the combined materials CM. A building material is a building member used for a part of a building such as a floor, a wall, and a roof. The building material may be, for example, a heat insulating material, an inorganic panel such as ALC (Autoclaved Light-weight Concrete) or a gypsum board, and a building panel such as a plywood. The heat insulating material may be, for example, a heat insulating material processed into a plate shape such as a phenolic foam (PF) heat insulating material, a bead method polystyrene foam (EPS) heat insulating material, and an extruded method polystyrene foam (XPS) heat insulating material, or a heat insulating material that can be cut out to a predetermined size. Note that the building material may be a waste material S cut off from the original plate OP for the molding of the processed product PG, or a building material (new building material as a product) that is not a waste material S such as the processed product PG or the original plate. That is, the building material that becomes the material of the combined material CM may be a waste material S or a building material other than the waste material S. Hereinafter, the case where the waste material S is used as the material of the combined material CM will be described as an example.

[0018] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a mode in which characteristic identification information FII is given to a building material in an embodiment. In FIG. 1, an example of performing a process of cutting out a first processed product PG-1, a second processed product PG-2, and a first end material S-1 from a raw plate OP according to a processing instruction PI is shown. The first processed product PG-1 and the second processed product PG-2 exemplify a plurality of processed products PG. The processed product PG may be manufactured one or three or more from the raw plate OP. The first end material S-1 is an example of the end material S. There may be a plurality of end materials S cut out from the raw plate OP.

[0019] The processing instruction PI shows raw plate information OPI, first processed product information PGI-1, second processed product information PGI-2, and first characteristic identification information FII-1. The processing instruction PI may be, for example, a medium such as a paper on which information is printed, or electronic data. The first processed product information PGI-1 and the second processed product information PGI-2 are examples of the processed product information PGI, and the first characteristic identification information FII-1 is an example of the characteristic identification information FII.

[0020] The raw plate information OPI is information that can identify the raw plate OP. The raw plate information OPI may be given to the raw plate OP by a predetermined method such as embossing. The raw plate information OPI may be, for example, the manufacturing number of the raw plate OP, the manufacturing date and time of the raw plate OP, the manufacturing location of the raw plate OP, the processing date and time of the raw plate OP, the processing location of the raw plate OP, the thickness, horizontal dimension, and vertical dimension of the raw plate OP (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as dimensions), or information indicating characteristics of the raw plate OP such as the weight and density of the raw plate OP. Note that the manufacturing date and time may be the manufacturing date, the manufacturing time, or both.

[0021] Processed product information PGI refers to information that can identify a processed product PG. Processed product information PGI may include, for example, the manufacturing number of the processed product PG, the date and time of manufacture of the processed product PG (the date and time of manufacture of the raw material OP), the place of manufacture of the processed product PG (the place of manufacture of the raw material OP), the dimensions of the processed product PG, the weight of the processed product PG, information indicating the characteristics of the raw material OP from which the processed product PG is cut, or information indicating the characteristics of the processed product PG, such as the site of the delivery destination of the processed product PG.

[0022] Feature identification information FII is information that can identify the scrap material S. Feature identification information FII may include, for example, the manufacturing number of the scrap material S, the manufacturing date and time of the scrap material S (processing date and time of the base plate OP), the manufacturing location of the scrap material S (processing location of the base plate OP), the dimensions of the scrap material S, the weight of the scrap material S, or information indicating the characteristics of the base plate OP from which the scrap material S is cut. Feature identification information FII may be symbols such as letters and numbers, figures, etc., or it may store data such as barcodes, 2D codes, RFID, etc.

[0023] Furthermore, the processing date and location of the original plate OP, which are common information in the first processed product information PGI-1, the second processed product information PGI-2, and the feature identification information FII, do not need to be shown separately and independently in each case; they only need to be shown in the original plate information OPI.

[0024] Feature identification information FII is assigned to the scrap material S. The feature identification information FII assigned to the scrap material S may be the same as the feature identification information FII shown in the processing instruction sheet PI, or it may be different to the extent that it can be linked to the feature identification information FII shown in the processing instruction sheet PI. Feature identification information FII that is different to the extent that it can be linked to the feature identification information FII shown in the processing instruction sheet PI may be, for example, a part of the feature identification information FII shown in the processing instruction sheet PI, or information processed into a different data format. Specifically, feature identification information FII, which is a sequence of symbols shown in the processing instruction sheet PI, may be stored in a barcode, a 2D code, RFID, etc., and assigned to the scrap material S. According to the above-described feature identification information FII, the worker U can identify the original plate OP from which the scrap material S was cut, thereby ensuring traceability.

[0025] Figure 2 shows an example of how a composite material CM is manufactured in an embodiment. Figure 2 shows an example of manufacturing a composite material CM by combining multiple scraps S according to the panelization instruction sheet PPI. The first scrap S-1, second scrap S-2, third scrap S-3, fourth scrap S-4, and fifth scrap S-5 are examples of multiple scraps S. Each scrap S is assigned feature identification information FII.

[0026] The panelization instruction sheet (PPI) shows the feature identification information FII for the scrap material S that will be used as material for the composite material CM, and the composite material identification information CMII. Like the processing instruction sheet (PI), the panelization instruction sheet (PPI) may be on printed paper or other media, or it may be in the form of electronic data. In Figure 2, since the first scrap material S-1 to the fourth scrap material S-4 are to be used as material for the composite material CM, the panelization instruction sheet (PPI) shows the first feature identification information FII-1 to the fourth feature identification information FII-4.

[0027] Worker U manufactures a combined material CM by combining the individual scrap pieces S indicated by the panelization instruction sheet PPI. Each scrap piece S may be rigidly joined to each other using adhesive, screws, frames, face materials, etc., or they may be bound together by wrapping them with binding bands BS such as paper tape or adhesive tape, as shown in Figure 2. When binding with binding bands BS, it is desirable to bind at four or more points to ensure that the scrap pieces S are not deformed and that each scrap piece S does not shift.

[0028] The combined material identification information CMII is information that can identify a combined material CM. For example, the combined material identification information CMII is information that indicates the characteristics of the combined material CM, such as the manufacturing number of the combined material CM, the date and time of manufacture of the combined material CM, the place of manufacture of the combined material CM, the dimensions of the combined material CM, the weight and density of the combined material CM, information that identifies the adhesives, screws, frames, face materials, binding bands BS and other connecting members used when combining the combined material CM, or information that identifies the arrangement of each end piece S combined with the combined material CM.

[0029] The composite material identification information CMII is linked to the characteristic identification information FII for each piece of scrap material S used in the manufacture of the composite material CM. For example, the composite material identification information CMII may be shown together with the respective characteristic identification information FII in the panelization instruction sheet PPI, or it may be information in which the respective characteristic identification information FII is a component.

[0030] Furthermore, the information comprising each characteristic identification information FII may be a sequence of serial numbers for each piece of scrap material S used in manufacturing. When the sequence of serial numbers for each piece of scrap material S used in manufacturing is used as the combined material identification information CMII, the order in which the serial numbers are sequential may be determined according to the arrangement of each piece of scrap material S within the combined material CM. For example, the combined material identification information CMII may be a sequence of serial numbers from the piece of scrap material S located on the left (first piece of scrap material S-1) to the piece of scrap material S located on the right (fourth piece of scrap material S-4) when viewed without inverting the combined material identification information CMII.

[0031] The combined material identification information CMII is assigned to the combined material CM. The combined material identification information CMII assigned to the combined material CM may be the same as the combined material identification information CMII shown in the panelization instruction sheet PPI, similar to the feature identification information FII, or it may be different to a degree that allows it to be linked to the feature identification information FII shown in the panelization instruction sheet PPI. For example, the combined material identification information CMII may be assigned to the combined material CM by being stored in a barcode, a 2D code, RFID, etc., or it may be a number that is a sequence of the manufacturing numbers of each piece of scrap material S.

[0032] The combined material identification information CMII may be assigned, for example, near the center of the combined material CM. The vicinity of the center is a position that is difficult to process during length adjustment. When combining end pieces S using binding bands BS, the vicinity of the center may be the binding bands BS that are not located at either end (second binding band BS-2 and third binding band BS-3) among the multiple binding bands BS. When the manufactured combined material CM is used on-site, the ends may be processed to adjust the dimensions. By assigning the combined material identification information CMII near the center of the combined material CM, the combined material identification information CMII can be properly read when the combined material CM is processed. Therefore, if there is a problem with the end piece S that was used as material for the combined material CM, the worker U can easily identify the original board OP from which the end piece S originated.

[0033] As described above, the combined material identification information CMII assigned to the combined material CM includes information that identifies the arrangement of each building material combined with the combined material CM. This allows worker U to easily identify which scrap piece S is problematic if it is found to be one of the scrap pieces S within the combined material CM. As a result, worker U can replace only the problematic scrap piece S in the combined material CM with a non-problematic scrap piece S or other building material, thereby reducing the cost required for replacement.

[0034] Furthermore, as described above, composite material CM is manufactured by combining multiple building materials to which characteristic identification information FII indicating the characteristics of the building materials is attached. This allows worker U to manage composite material CM in association with the building materials used in the manufacture of composite material CM. In addition, by referring to the processing instruction sheet PI of the building material from which the composite material CM was manufactured, the original board OP of that building material can be identified. Since the original board OP can be identified from a composite material CM or scrap material S found to have a problem, worker U, and the manufacturer of the composite material CM who is contacted by worker U, can easily identify other composite material CMs that used the problematic building materials.

[0035] Furthermore, as described above, each composite material CM is also assigned composite material identification information CMII, which is linked to the characteristic identification information FII of each building material used in the manufacture of the composite material CM. This allows worker U to identify the composite material CM in which these connecting members were used if there is a problem with the adhesive, screws, frame, face material, or binding band BS.

[0036] Figure 3 shows an example of how scrap material S is selected for use in the manufacture of composite material CM in an embodiment. Figure 3 shows multiple scrap materials S cut from a raw plate OP being stored. The worker U selects scrap material S suitable for use as material for composite material CM from the multiple scrap materials S stored. Specifically, the worker U reads multiple characteristic identification information FII of the stored scrap material S using the reading device 40, and has the material management device 20 (described later) determine the suitability of the multiple scrap materials S as material for composite material CM. This allows the worker U to easily select scrap material S suitable for use as material for composite material CM.

[0037] [Functional Configuration] Next, a material management system 1 according to an embodiment that realizes the technology described above will be described.

[0038] Figure 4 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of the material management system 1. The material management system 1 comprises a terminal device 10, a material management device 20, a material allocation device 30, and a reading device 40. Note that the terminal device 10, material allocation device 30, and reading device 40 are not limited to being provided one of each, but may be provided in multiples, or two or more devices selected from these devices may be integrated into a single device.

[0039] Terminal device 10 is operated by worker U. Worker U uses terminal device 10 to use material management system 1. Terminal device 10 is an information processing device such as a smartphone, tablet, or personal computer. Worker U is a person who uses material management system 1, and may be, for example, a person who manages building materials, a person who selects scrap materials S for the manufacture of composite material CM, a person who delivers composite material CM to a customer, a person who handles composite material CM in logistics, or a person who installs composite material CM on site.

[0040] The information application device 30 applies feature identification information FII to each piece of scrap material S that will be used as material for the composite material CM. The information application device 30 also applies composite material identification information CMII to the composite material CM. The information application device 30 may be a device that directly applies feature identification information FII and composite material identification information CMII to building materials or building material packaging materials, such as an engraving machine that prints by pressing a printing part against the building material, a laser printer that prints by irradiating with a laser, and an inkjet printer that prints by spraying ink. Alternatively, the information application device 30 may be a device that indirectly applies feature identification information FII and composite material identification information CMII to building materials or building material packaging materials, such as a printer that prints on stickers or labels attached to building materials or building material packaging materials. In addition to applying information to the surface of building materials or building material packaging materials, the application may also include applying information near or inside building materials or building material packaging materials using RFID or the like. The information application device 30 may also be referred to as the information application unit.

[0041] The reading device 40 reads the feature identification information FII assigned to the scrap material S. The reading device 40 may read the feature identification information FII by optical methods such as a barcode reader or imaging device, or by electromagnetic methods such as an RFID reader.

[0042] Figure 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of a material management device 20 according to an embodiment. The material management device 20 comprises an identification information assignment unit 21, a suitability determination unit 22, a feature identification information inquiry unit 23, and a processing unit 200. Part of the processing from the identification information assignment unit 21 to the feature identification information inquiry unit 23 may be performed by the processing unit 200. The processing unit 200 includes a determination unit 222. Each of these functional units is implemented, for example, using a computer and software equipped with a central processing unit (CPU) and memory. Furthermore, each functional unit may be implemented using electronic circuits as needed. Moreover, each functional unit does not have to be included in a single device, and the material management device 20 may be configured from multiple devices.

[0043] [Adding Feature Identification Information] The identification information assignment unit 21 comprises a feature identification information acquisition unit 211 and an assignment instruction unit 212. The identification information assignment unit 21 implements the technology shown in Figures 1 and 2. Specifically, the identification information assignment unit 21 assigns identification information such as feature identification information FII and combined material identification information CMII to building materials.

[0044] The feature identification information acquisition unit 211 acquires feature identification information FII, which indicates the characteristics of the scrap material S, and combined material identification information CMII, which indicates the characteristics of the combined material CM. The feature identification information acquisition unit 211 may acquire the feature identification information FII and combined material identification information CMII from the terminal device 10 based on the operation of the worker U, or it may be acquired by the reading device 40 reading the processing instruction sheet PI or the panelization instruction sheet PPI.

[0045] It is desirable that the feature identification information FII acquired by the feature identification information acquisition unit 211 is linked to information identifying the base plate OP from which the scrap material S is cut. For example, this could be the manufacturing number of the base plate OP, or the manufacturing date and location of the base plate OP. It is also desirable that the combined material identification information CMII acquired by the feature identification information acquisition unit 211 is linked to the feature identification information FII of the scrap material S used in the manufacture of the combined material CM, or information identifying the base plate OP from which the scrap material S is cut. This allows the worker U to identify the base plate OP from which the building material is derived if a problem is found with any of the building materials.

[0046] The processing unit 200 acquires feature identification information FII or combined material identification information CMII from the feature identification information acquisition unit 211. The processing unit 200 modifies the data format of the feature identification information FII or combined material identification information CMII acquired by the feature identification information acquisition unit 211 as needed.

[0047] The assignment instruction unit 212 obtains feature identification information FII to be assigned to the scrap material S, or combined material identification information CMII to be assigned to the combined material CM, from the processing unit 200. The assignment instruction unit 212 outputs the acquired feature identification information FII or combined material identification information CMII to the assignment device 30, thereby assigning it to the building material.

[0048] The following describes an example of the processing flow performed by the material management system 1 that implements the technology shown in Figures 1 and 2. The material management system 1 acquires feature identification information FII that indicates the characteristics of the scrap material S (step S101). The material management system 1 assigns the feature identification information FII of the scrap material S to the scrap material S to be assigned (step S102). The material management system 1 also acquires combined material identification information CMII that indicates the characteristics of the combined material CM and is linked to the feature identification information FII of each scrap material S used in the manufacture of the combined material CM (step S103). The material management system 1 assigns the combined material identification information CMII of the combined material CM to the combined material CM to be assigned (step S104).

[0049] As described above, the material management system 1 includes a feature identification information acquisition unit 211 that acquires feature identification information FII indicating the characteristics of building materials (for example, scrap material S), and an application device 30 that applies the feature identification information of the building materials. Based on the feature identification information FII, the worker U can identify the scrap material S used in the manufacture of the combined material CM from the combined material CM. Furthermore, by referring to the processing instruction sheet PI, etc., the worker U can identify the original board OP from which the scrap material S originated. Therefore, if a problem is found with the combined material CM or the scrap material S used as material for the combined material CM, the worker U can identify the original board OP from which the scrap material S used in the combined material CM originated, and further, can quickly identify the processed product PG or scrap material S cut from the original board OP. Accordingly, the material management system 1 according to this embodiment ensures the traceability of building materials and allows for appropriate management of building materials.

[0050] Furthermore, as described above, the application device 30 applies combined material identification information CMII, which is linked to the characteristic identification information FII of each building material used in the manufacture of the combined material CM, to the combined material CM manufactured by combining multiple building materials. This allows the worker U to quickly identify the combined material CM in which these connecting members were used and take appropriate action if there is a problem with the adhesive, screws, frame, facing material, or binding band BS.

[0051] In the above description, the feature identification information FII and the combined material identification information CMII are shown as examples of information that indicates the characteristics of the building material. However, this embodiment is not limited to this example, and may, for example, be pointer information for obtaining information indicating the characteristics of the building material from the storage unit 232 described later.

[0052] In the above description, the base plate OP is shown as an example of a newly manufactured building material. However, this embodiment is not limited to this example, and the base plate OP may also be a composite material CM. Specifically, a composite material CM (child) may be manufactured by combining multiple scraps S (children) cut from multiple new base plates OP (parents), and then processed products PG (grandchildren) and scraps S (grandchildren) may be cut from the composite material CM as the base plate OP.

[0053] [Selection of materials for composite components] The conformity determination unit 22 comprises a reading and acquisition unit 221, a determination unit 222, and a determination result output unit 223. The conformity determination unit 22 implements the technology shown in Figure 3. Specifically, the conformity determination unit 22 determines the conformity of multiple scrap materials S as materials for the combined material CM.

[0054] The reading and acquisition unit 221 acquires the feature identification information FII assigned to the scrap material S, which is read from the scrap material S. The reading and acquisition unit 221 may acquire the feature identification information FII from the terminal device 10 based on the operation of the worker U who read the feature identification information FII, or it may acquire the feature identification information FII read by the reading device 40. Note that the reading and acquisition unit 221 may have the same function as the feature identification information acquisition unit 211, and does not need to be provided separately and independently from the feature identification information acquisition unit 211.

[0055] The determination unit 222 obtains feature identification information FII of multiple scraps S from the reading and acquisition unit 221. The determination unit 222 determines the suitability of the multiple scraps S to be used as material for a single combined material CM. Specifically, the determination unit 222 determines the suitability of the scraps S subject to suitability determination (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the target building material) and building material that has been determined to be used in the manufacture of the combined material CM by having its suitability determined before the target building material (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the comparative building material). The determined suitability may be expressed as a binary representation of suitability or unsuitability, or the range of the determination result may be divided into arbitrary stages, such as a percentage. The suitability is determined based on the similarity between the target building material and the comparative building material.

[0056] The criteria for determining high suitability may, for example, be whether the target building material and the comparison building material are cut from the same base plate OP or cut at the same manufacturing plant. If a problem is found with any of the scraps S, it is highly likely that the base plate OP from which the scraps S were cut, or base plate OP manufactured under similar conditions, also have problems. By manufacturing combined materials CM using multiple scraps S cut from the same base plate OP or multiple scraps S cut at the same manufacturing plant, the number of combined materials CM that require attention can be reduced if a problem is found with a scrap S.

[0057] Furthermore, the criteria for determining high suitability may, for example, be whether the target building material and the comparison building material were cut on the same or close dates (for example, within a few years). Since building materials deteriorate over time, if a composite material CM is manufactured by combining scraps S with different manufacturing dates, the manufactured composite material CM will contain a mixture of scraps S with good performance and quality, and scraps S with poor performance and quality. In this case, there is a risk that the overall performance and quality of the composite material CM may be affected by the scraps S with poor performance and quality, and that it may become difficult to predict the overall performance and quality of the composite material CM, making it an inappropriate combination of scraps S. By manufacturing a composite material CM by combining multiple scraps S with the same or close manufacturing dates, the quality of the composite material CM can be appropriately guaranteed.

[0058] Furthermore, the criteria for determining high compatibility may include, for example, whether the horizontal or vertical dimensions of the target building material and the comparison building material are the same, or whether their thicknesses are the same. Alternatively, the criteria for determining high compatibility may also include whether the combined dimensions of the comparison building material and the target building material do not exceed the desired dimensions of the combined material CM. Two pieces of scrap material S with different horizontal and vertical dimensions, or different thicknesses, require dimensional adjustment during the manufacturing of the combined material CM, making the manufacturing of the combined material CM time-consuming. By manufacturing the combined material CM using scrap material S with the same horizontal or vertical dimension and the same thickness, the effort required to adjust the dimensions of the scrap material S to be combined can be reduced or eliminated, thus making the manufacturing of the combined material CM easier.

[0059] Furthermore, the criteria for determining high suitability may include, for example, whether the density of the target building material and the comparison building material are the same. When a composite material CM is manufactured by combining scraps S with different densities, the dimensional changes of the scraps S over time will differ depending on the density, which may cause gaps to form between the scraps S, potentially worsening the thermal insulation and airtightness performance of the composite material CM. In addition, the center of gravity of the composite material CM may shift from the center, potentially worsening the handling of the composite material CM during installation. By manufacturing a composite material CM using scraps S with the same density, the thermal insulation and airtightness performance of the composite material CM can be maintained over the long term, and the handling of the composite material CM during installation can be ensured.

[0060] The judgment result output unit 223 acquires the result determined by the judgment unit 222. The judgment result output unit 223 outputs the judgment result to the terminal device 10 held by the worker U. The terminal device 10 may display the judgment result, play an audio or sound effect indicating the judgment result, or vibrate at a predetermined rhythm.

[0061] The following describes an example of the processing flow performed by the material management system 1 that implements the technology shown in Figure 3. The material management system 1 acquires the feature identification information FII assigned to the scrap material S (step S201). Based on the feature identification information FII of the target building material and the feature identification information FII of the comparative building material, the material management system 1 determines the degree of suitability, indicating whether the target building material is suitable as a material for a combined material CM that uses the comparative building material (step S202). The material management system 1 outputs the determination result to the terminal device 10 operated by the worker U (step S203).

[0062] As described above, the material management system 1 comprises a reading and acquisition unit 221 that acquires feature identification information FII indicating the characteristics of building materials (e.g., scrap material S) after it has been assigned to the building material; a determination unit 222 that determines the suitability of a target building material as a material for manufacturing a combined material CM based on the feature identification information FII of a target building material that is the building material to be judged as suitable as a material for manufacturing a combined material CM, which is manufactured by combining multiple building materials, and the feature identification information FII of a building material (comparative building material) used in the manufacture of the combined material CM, among the multiple feature identification information FII acquired by the reading and acquisition unit 221; and a determination result output unit 223 that outputs the determination result from the determination unit 222. With this, the worker U can easily select an appropriate scrap material S for use as a material for a combined material CM from among scrap materials S with various dimensions, manufacturing dates, etc.

[0063] In the above description, an example is shown in which worker U selects scrap material S to be used as material for composite material CM. However, this embodiment is not limited to this example, and the selection may be made by a mobile body such as a robot. In this case, the suitability determination unit 22 and the reading device 40 may be provided within the mobile body. Furthermore, the suitability determination unit 22 may output the determination result to the mobile body via a network NW.

[0064] In addition to the determination by the suitability determination unit 22, a method for managing scrap material S may be used to easily select scrap material S suitable for use as material for the combined material CM. Specifically, each piece of scrap material S may be stored in a location designated according to the determination criteria described above.

[0065] [Feature Identification Information Inquiry] The feature identification information inquiry unit 23 comprises a combined material identification information acquisition unit 231, a storage unit 232, and a feature identification information output unit 233. The feature identification information output unit 233 queries information on the scrap material S used in the combined material CM.

[0066] The combined material identification information acquisition unit 231 acquires feature identification information FII read from the combined material CM. The combined material identification information acquisition unit 231 may acquire combined material identification information CMII from the terminal device 10 based on the operator U's operation, or it may acquire it from the reading device 40.

[0067] The memory unit 232 stores characteristic identification information FII and combined material identification information CMII for each building material. The memory unit 232 also stores correspondence information CI, which associates the combined material identification information CMII with the characteristic identification information FII of the scrap material S used in the manufacture of the combined material CM indicated by the combined material identification information CMII. The information stored in the memory unit 232 may be updated by the operator U operating the terminal device 10, or the information shown in the processing instruction sheet PI or the panelization instruction sheet PPI may be updated. Note that the memory unit 232 does not necessarily have to be provided in the material management device 20. The memory unit 232 may be, for example, a separate and independent storage device from the material management device 20.

[0068] The processing unit 200 obtains the combined material identification information CMII from the combined material identification information acquisition unit 231. The processing unit 200 refers to the storage unit 232 and identifies the feature identification information FII associated with the combined material CM.

[0069] The feature identification information output unit 233 acquires the feature identification information FII identified by the processing unit 200. The feature identification information output unit 233 outputs the acquired feature identification information FII to the terminal device 10 that is operated by the terminal device 10.

[0070] Figure 6 shows an example of a display screen D that displays information output by the feature identification information output unit 233 in an embodiment. Display screen D is the display screen of a terminal device 10 used to inquire about scrap materials S that will be used as materials for the composite material CM. Display screen D may have an input unit D11, a feature identification information display unit D21, a component name display unit D22, a raw material used display unit D23, a raw material manufacturing date display unit D24, a layout display unit D25, a thickness display unit D26, a horizontal dimension display unit D27, a vertical dimension display unit D28, and a layout diagram display button D31 as its screen configuration.

[0071] Input unit D11 receives the material identification information CMII of the combined material CM, which is the material scrap S for which information needs to be queried. The feature identification information display unit D21 and the vertical dimension display unit D28 change according to the information entered into input unit D11.

[0072] The vertical dimension display unit D28 displays both the combined material identification information CMII and the associated feature identification information FII, which are input into the input unit D11. In Figure 6, the combined material identification information CMII input into the input unit D11 is associated with the feature identification information FII for the four end pieces S.

[0073] The feature identification information display unit D21 displays the identification number of the scrap piece S. The component name display unit D22 displays the component name of the scrap piece S, for example, the material and intended use of the scrap piece S. The base plate used display unit D23 displays information identifying the base plate OP from which the scrap piece S is cut. The base plate manufacturing date display unit D24 displays information regarding the placement of the scrap piece S within the assembled material CM. The base plate manufacturing date display unit D24 may display a number indicating the placement position if the placement order of the scrap piece S (e.g., from left) is already determined, or it may display content indicating the relative positional relationship of each scrap piece S (e.g., right end) if it is not determined. When the placement diagram display button D31 is operated, it displays a diagram showing the placement of each scrap piece S within the assembled material CM. The thickness display unit D26 displays the thickness of the scrap piece S. The horizontal dimension display unit D27 displays the horizontal dimension of the scrap piece S. The vertical dimension display unit D28 displays the vertical dimension of the scrap piece S.

[0074] The following describes an example of the processing flow performed by the material management system 1 that implements the technology shown in Figure 6. The material management system 1 acquires combined material identification information CMII from the terminal device 10 or the reader device 40 (step S301). Based on the acquired combined material identification information CMII, the material management system 1 identifies each of the feature identification information FII associated with the combined material identification information CMII (step S302). The material management system 1 outputs each of the identified feature identification information FII to the terminal device 10 operated by the worker U (step S303).

[0075] As described above, the material management system 1 comprises a combined material identification information acquisition unit 231 that acquires combined material identification information CMII, which is associated with each of the characteristic identification information FII indicating the characteristics of the building materials used in the manufacture of the combined material CM, and a characteristic identification information output unit 233 that outputs the characteristic identification information FII of the building materials used in the manufacture of the combined material CM, which is identified by the combined material identification information CMII acquired by the combined material identification information acquisition unit 231. With this, the worker U can easily inquire about information about the scrap material S, which is the material of the combined material CM, from the combined material CM. Therefore, if the worker U finds that there is a problem with the combined material CM, they can easily identify the original board OP from which the scrap material S that becomes the material of the combined material CM was cut, and identify other combined material CMs that may have problems.

[0076] Furthermore, the reading and acquisition unit 221 and the combined material identification information acquisition unit 231 may be the same functional unit, and it is not necessary for each to be provided separately and independently.

[0077] Figure 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of a material management device 20 according to an embodiment. At least some of the functions of the material management device 20 can be realized using a computer. As shown in the figure, the computer is composed of a central processing unit 901, RAM 902, input / output ports 903, input / output devices 904 and 905, etc., and a bus 906. The computer itself can be realized using existing technology. The central processing unit 901 executes instructions contained in programs read from RAM 902, etc. The central processing unit 901 writes data to RAM 902, reads data from RAM 902, and performs arithmetic and logical operations according to each instruction. RAM 902 stores data and programs. Each element contained in RAM 902 has an address and can be accessed using that address. RAM stands for "Random Access Memory". Input / output ports 903 are ports for the central processing unit 901 to exchange data with external input / output devices, etc. Input / output devices 904 and 905 are input / output devices. Input / output devices 904 and 905 exchange data with the central processing unit 901 via input / output ports 903. Bus 906 is a common communication channel used within the computer. For example, the central processing unit 901 reads and writes data to RAM 902 via bus 906. Also, for example, the central processing unit 901 accesses input / output ports via bus 906. Furthermore, all or part of the functional units of the material management device 20 may be implemented using hardware such as ASICs, PLDs, or FPGAs. Furthermore, all or part of the functional units may be implemented by a combination of software and hardware.

[0078] Furthermore, the functions of all or part of the components of the material management device 20 in the above-described embodiment may also be realized by recording a program for realizing these functions on a computer-readable recording medium, loading the program recorded on this recording medium into a computer system, and executing it. The term "computer system" here includes hardware such as an operating system and peripheral devices.

[0079] Furthermore, "computer-readable recording media" refers to portable media such as flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, and CD-ROMs, as well as recording units such as hard disks built into computer systems. In addition, "computer-readable recording media" may also include those that dynamically hold programs for a short period of time, such as communication lines used when transmitting programs over networks such as the Internet or communication lines such as telephone lines, and those that hold programs for a certain period of time, such as volatile memory inside computer systems that act as servers or clients in such cases. Moreover, the above-mentioned program may be for the purpose of realizing some of the functions described above, and may also be able to realize the above-mentioned functions in combination with programs already recorded in the computer system.

[0080] Although one embodiment of this invention has been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to that described above, and various design changes can be made without departing from the spirit of this invention. Furthermore, the configurations described in each embodiment and example above may be combined. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0081] 1...Material management system, 10...Terminal device, 20...Material management device, 30...Identification device, 40...Reading device, 200...Processing unit, 21...Identification information assignment unit, 211...Feature identification information acquisition unit, 212...Identification instruction unit, 22...Conformity determination unit, 221...Reading and acquisition unit, 222...Determination unit, 223...Determination result output unit, 23...Feature identification information inquiry unit, 231...Combined material identification information acquisition unit, 232...Storage unit, 233...Feature identification information output unit, U...Worker, OP...Original board, PG...Processed product, S...Scrap material, CM...Combined material, BS...Binding band, PI...Processing instruction sheet, PPI...Panelization instruction sheet, OPI...Original board information, PGI...Processed product information, FII...Feature identification information, CMII...Combined material identification information, CI...Correspondence information

Claims

1. A feature identification information acquisition unit that acquires feature identification information indicating the characteristics of building materials, A unit that assigns the characteristic identification information of the building material to the building material, A material management system equipped with the following features.

2. The assigning unit assigns to a combined material manufactured by combining multiple building materials a combined material identification information linked to the characteristic identification information of each building material used in the manufacture of the combined material. The material management system according to claim 1.

3. A feature identification information indicating the characteristics of a building material, comprising a reading and acquisition unit that acquires the feature identification information after it has been applied to the building material, A determination unit determines the suitability of a target building material as a material based on the feature identification information of a target building material that is the building material subject to the determination of suitability as a material during the manufacture of a combined material in which multiple building materials are combined, and the feature identification information of a building material used in the manufacture of the combined material, among the multiple feature identification information obtained by the reading and acquisition unit, A determination result output unit that outputs the determination result from the determination unit, A material management system equipped with the following features.

4. A combination material identification information acquisition unit that acquires combination material identification information assigned to a combination material, which is associated with each characteristic identification information indicating the characteristics of building materials used in the manufacture of a combination material, A feature identification information output unit outputs the feature identification information of the building material used in the manufacture of the combined material, which is identified by the combined material identification information acquired by the combined material identification information acquisition unit, A material management system equipped with the following features.

5. A combination material identification information associated with each characteristic identification information indicating the characteristics of building materials used in the manufacture of a combination material, wherein the combination material identification information assigned to the combination material is assigned near the center of the combination material. A material management system according to any one of claims 2 to 4.

6. The combination material identification information assigned to the combination material includes information that identifies the arrangement of each of the building materials combined with the combination material. A material management system according to any one of claims 2 to 4.

7. Multiple building materials, each assigned characteristic identification information indicating the characteristics of the building material, are combined and manufactured. Combination material.

8. A combination material identification information linked to the characteristic identification information of each building material used in the manufacture of the aforementioned combination material is assigned. The combination material according to claim 7.

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