Molding Management System

Abstract

To provide a molding management system that can efficiently address abnormalities that occur during the cycle. [Solution] A molding management system including an information processing device, wherein the information processing device acquires cycle data including one or more cycle-related pieces of information and first date and time information for each cycle, and in response to an operation received, displays a data display image on a display unit that shows a list of the acquired one or more cycle data arranged in date and time order, the one or more cycle-related pieces of information include feature value information indicating the characteristic values ​​of quantities detected for each cycle by a detection unit attached to an injection molding apparatus, and the information processing device displays abnormality occurrence notification information on the data display image to notify that an abnormality has occurred in the cycle according to the feature value information of the cycle data included in the list, and also indicates the degree of the abnormality that occurred in the cycle on the data display image, a molding management system.

Description

Technical Field

[0006] , , , ,

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[0001] This disclosure relates to a molding management system.

Background Art

[0002] Research and development have been conducted on technologies for managing the production of products in a production process including an injection molding process of products by an injection molding device.

[0003] Here, a technique for allowing a user to confirm an abnormality occurring in an injection molding cycle by an injection molding device and the content of the occurred abnormality is known (see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the technique as described in Patent Document 1, although it is possible to allow a user to confirm an abnormality occurring in an injection molding cycle by an injection molding device and the content of the occurred abnormality, when a plurality of such abnormalities occur, it may be difficult to grasp the priority order of countermeasures for each of the plurality of abnormalities. This is not desirable because it causes inefficiency in taking countermeasures against the plurality of occurred abnormalities.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, one aspect of the present disclosure is a molding management system that includes an information processing device that is communicably connected to a terminal device, and manages the production of a product in a production process that includes an injection molding process of a product by an injection molding apparatus, wherein the information processing device acquires cycle data for each cycle, which includes one or more cycle-related pieces of information obtained in accordance with the execution of an injection molding cycle by the injection molding apparatus and first date and time information indicating the date and time acquired from the injection molding apparatus, and displays a data display image on a display unit that displays a list of the one or more acquired cycle data arranged in date and time order in accordance with the received operation, the one or more cycle-related pieces of information include feature value information indicating the characteristic value of a quantity detected for each cycle by a detection unit attached to the injection molding apparatus, and the information processing device displays abnormality occurrence notification information on the data display image that notifies that an abnormality has occurred in the cycle according to the feature value information of the cycle data included in the list, and also indicates the degree of the abnormality that occurred in the cycle on the data display image, the molding management system. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example of the configuration of the molding management system 1. [Figure 2] This is a diagram showing an example of search image P1. [Figure 3] This diagram illustrates a method for identifying injection molding condition data to be associated with cycle data. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of how the search results list appears in the search results display area R1 of the search image P1. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of what the search image P1 looks like when an anomaly notification is displayed. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of a specified image P2. [Figure 7] This figure shows the first example of the appearance of the search results display area R1, where abnormality level information is displayed along with the abnormality notification information. [Figure 8]This figure shows a second example of the appearance of the search results display area R1, where abnormality level information is displayed along with the abnormality notification information. [Figure 9] This figure shows a third example of the appearance of the search results display area R1, where abnormality level information is displayed along with the abnormality notification information. [Figure 10] This figure shows the fourth example of the appearance of the search result display area R1, where abnormality level information is displayed along with the abnormality notification information. [Figure 11] This figure shows the fifth example of the appearance of the search results display area R1, where abnormality level information is displayed along with the abnormality notification information. [Figure 12] This diagram is for comparing abnormal occurrence notification information of different colors. [Figure 13] This figure shows a modified example of the search result display area R1 shown in Figure 11. [Figure 14] This figure shows a modified example of the search result display area R1 shown in Figure 9. [Figure 15] This figure shows an example of a specified image P3. [Figure 16] This figure shows an example of a specified image P4. [Figure 17] This figure shows an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device X. [Figure 18] This figure shows an example of the functional configuration of the information processing device X. [Figure 19] This figure shows an example of the processing flow performed by the information processing device X in response to an operation received via the searched image P1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] <Embodiment> The embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings.

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

[0010] The molding management system according to the embodiment manages the production of a product in a production process including an injection molding process of the product by an injection molding apparatus. The molding management system includes an information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus is communicably connected to a terminal device. Further, the information processing apparatus acquires cycle data including one or more cycle-related information obtained according to the execution by the injection molding apparatus of a cycle of performing injection molding, and first date and time information indicating the date and time acquired from the injection molding apparatus, for each cycle. Further, the information processing apparatus causes a display unit to display a data display image that displays a list in which the acquired one or more cycle data are arranged in chronological order according to the received operation. Here, the one or more cycle-related information includes feature value information indicating a feature value of an amount detected for each cycle by a detection unit attached to the injection molding apparatus. Then, the information processing apparatus causes the data display image to display abnormal occurrence notification information for notifying that an abnormality has occurred in the cycle according to the feature value information of the cycle data included in the list, and indicates the degree of the abnormality that has occurred in the cycle in the data display image. Thereby, the molding management system can efficiently handle an abnormality that has occurred in a cycle.

[0011] Hereinafter, each of the configuration of the molding management system according to such an embodiment and the processing performed by the server included in the molding management system will be described in detail. [[ID=**6]]

[0012] <Configuration of the molding management system> Hereinafter, the configuration of the molding management system according to the embodiment will be described by taking the molding management system 1 as an example.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the molding management system 1.

[0014] The molding management system 1 is a type of Manufacturing Execution System (MES). For example, the molding management system 1 includes one or more managed devices 10, an information processing device 20, and a server 30. However, the molding management system 1 may be configured to omit some or all of the one or more managed devices 10. Also, the molding management system 1 may be configured to include the server 30 but not the information processing device 20. Furthermore, the molding management system 1 may be configured to include the information processing device 20 but not the server 30. In addition, in the molding management system 1, the information processing device 20 may be configured integrally with the server 30. Below, as an example, a case in which the molding management system 1 includes multiple managed devices 10 as one or more managed devices 10 will be described. Also, below, as an example, a case in which the molding management system 1 includes both the information processing device 20 and a server 30 separate from the information processing device 20 will be described. At least one of the information processing device 20 and the server 30 is an example of an information processing device.

[0015] Each of the multiple controlled devices 10 provided by the molding management system 1 is a device managed by the molding management system 1. In Figure 1, each of these multiple controlled devices 10 is shown with the same reference numeral for convenience of explanation. However, some or all of these multiple controlled devices 10 may be of different types. Among these multiple controlled devices 10, at least one injection molding machine is included that performs injection molding of products using resins such as plastics. The injection molding machine 11 shown in Figure 1 is an example of such an injection molding machine. Among these multiple controlled devices 10, an injection molding machine that performs metal injection molding (MIM) of products may be included. In the following, for convenience of explanation, injection molding of products using resins such as plastics will be simply referred to as injection molding. Also, in the following, an injection molding machine that performs injection molding of products using resins such as plastics will be simply referred to as an injection molding machine. Furthermore, the multiple controlled devices 10 include, for example, peripheral equipment for the injection molding device, in addition to the injection molding device. Peripheral equipment for the injection molding device includes, but is not limited to, a material supply device that supplies the material used by the injection molding device to the injection molding device for injection molding of products, a transport device that transports products that have been injection molded by the injection molding device, a cleaning device that cleans products that have been injection molded by the injection molding device, and a sintering device that sinters the products after they have been cleaned by the cleaning device. In addition, at least one of the multiple controlled devices 10 may be a device that performs injection molding using materials other than resin and metal.

[0016] The molding management system 1 manages the production of products in a production process that includes the injection molding process of products by injection molding machines included in a plurality of controlled devices 10. Here, the injection molding machines included in the plurality of controlled devices 10 can have any configuration as long as they are capable of producing products by injection molding. In the following explanation, for convenience, the process in which an injection molding machine performs injection molding of a product once will be referred to as a cycle.

[0017] The information processing device 20 acquires cycle data from each of the one or more injection molding machines included in the multiple managed devices 10, cycle by cycle. More specifically, the information processing device 20 acquires cycle data from each of the one or more injection molding machines each time a cycle is completed. Here, the cycle data acquired from a certain injection molding machine in a given cycle is information that includes one or more cycle-related pieces of information obtained in accordance with the execution of that cycle by the injection molding machine, machine identification information that identifies the injection molding machine, and first date and time information indicating the date and time the information was acquired from the injection molding machine to the information processing device 20. Note that the cycle data may also include other information in addition to the one or more cycle-related pieces of information, the machine identification information, and the first date and time information. Furthermore, the machine identification information is, for example, an ID (Identifier) ​​that identifies the injection molding machine, but it may also be other information that can identify the injection molding machine, such as an IP (Internet Protocol) address assigned to the injection molding machine. Furthermore, the machine identification information may also be included in the one or more cycle-related pieces of information. The following describes, as an example, the case in which the device identification information is included in one or more pieces of cycle-related information. In this case, the one or more pieces of cycle-related information include, in addition to the device identification information, at least one or more pieces of feature value information. The one or more pieces of cycle-related information may also include other information in addition to the device identification information and one or more pieces of feature value information. Such other information may be, but is not limited to, some or all of, operating status information, production quantity information, etc. The one or more pieces of feature value information included as cycle-related information in the cycle data are information indicating the characteristic value of a quantity detected by one or more various detection units attached to the injection molding apparatus. A detection unit that detects a certain quantity may be, for example, a sensor that detects that quantity, but is not limited to that. Furthermore, the one or more pieces of feature value information may be, but is not limited to, some or all of, information indicating the characteristic value of temperature, information indicating the characteristic value of pressure, information indicating the characteristic value of current value, information indicating the characteristic value of voltage value, etc.Furthermore, the configuration may include a detection unit for detecting the quality of the product among the one or more detection units. In this case, the detection unit may include, for example, an imaging unit capable of imaging the product and is a device for detecting the quality of the product, but is not limited to this. Also, in this case, the feature value information included in the cycle data as cycle-related information includes quality information indicating the quality of the product. For example, the quantity indicating the quality of the product detected by the detection unit may be, for example, one of a predetermined set of values ​​arranged in descending order of quality, but is not limited to this. Here, the feature value of a quantity is a value that indicates the characteristics of that quantity, and is, for example, a statistically processed value such as the maximum value or the average value, but is not limited to these. Also, the feature value information indicating the feature value of the quantity may be the feature value itself, or it may be information indicating the time series of that quantity. Furthermore, the operating status information included in the cycle data as cycle-related information is information indicating the operating status of the injection molding apparatus. Furthermore, the number of products included in the cycle data as cycle-related information is information indicating the number of products that were injection molded in that cycle. Furthermore, the first date and time information indicating the date and time acquired by the information processing device 20 from the injection molding apparatus may be a timestamp, or other information indicating the date and time. Each cycle data containing such information can be distinguished by a combination of apparatus identification information and the first date and time information. Note that if there is only one injection molding apparatus connected to the information processing device 20, the cycle data may be configured not to include apparatus identification information. This is because, in this case, each cycle data can be distinguished by the first date and time information alone. When the information processing device 20 acquires a certain cycle data, it stores the acquired cycle data and outputs the acquired cycle data to the server 30. In this way, the information processing device 20 can also store the acquired cycle data in the server 30.

[0018] Furthermore, the information processing device 20 acquires injection molding condition data from each of the one or more injection molding devices included in the multiple managed devices 10 each time injection molding conditions are set for an injection molding device. Here, the injection molding condition data acquired from a certain injection molding device is information that associates one or more injection molding condition pieces of information indicating the injection molding conditions set for that injection molding device, device identification information that identifies the injection molding device, and second date and time information indicating the date and time when the data was acquired from the injection molding device to the information processing device 20. Note that the injection molding condition data may also include other information in addition to the one or more injection molding condition pieces of information, the device identification information, and the second date and time information. The device identification information is, for example, an ID that identifies the injection molding device, but it may also be other information that can identify the injection molding device, such as an IP address assigned to the injection molding device. Furthermore, the device identification information may be included in the one or more injection molding condition pieces of information. Below, as an example, the case in which the device identification information is included in the one or more injection molding condition pieces of information will be described. In this case, the one or more injection molding condition information includes, in addition to the device identification information, some or all of the following: information indicating the injection speed, information indicating the screw rotation speed, information indicating the lower limit of the injection holding pressure, information indicating the upper limit of the injection holding pressure, etc. However, the information included in the one or more injection molding condition information is not limited to these. Furthermore, the second date and time information indicating the date and time acquired by the information processing device 20 from the injection molding device may be a timestamp, or other information indicating the date and time. When the information processing device 20 acquires certain injection molding condition data, it stores the acquired injection molding condition data and outputs the acquired injection molding condition data to the server 30. This allows the information processing device 20 to also store the acquired injection molding condition data in the server 30. Note that the information processing device 20 may be configured not to acquire injection molding condition data. In this case, the server 30 does not acquire injection molding condition data from the information processing device 20.

[0019] Furthermore, the information processing device 20 displays various images based on data stored in the information processing device 20 on the display unit of a terminal device that is communicatively connected to the information processing device 20, in response to a request from the terminal device. Here, such images include GUIs (Graphical User Interfaces), icons, and windows on the OS (Operating System). Below, as an example, we will describe the case in which the information processing device 20 is communicatively connected to the terminal device 40, as shown in Figure 1. In this embodiment, the process related to the login of the information processing device 20 by the terminal device 40 is a known process and will therefore not be explained. Also, for the sake of explanation, below, when we describe the information processing device 20 receiving an operation from the terminal device 40 via an image displayed on the terminal device 40, we will simply refer to the information processing device 20 receiving an operation. That is, below, when we say that the information processing device 20 performs a certain process in response to an received operation, we mean that the information processing device 20 performs that process in response to an operation received from the terminal device 40 via an image displayed on the terminal device 40.

[0020] The information processing device 20 is, for example, a workstation, a desktop PC (Personal Computer), a notebook PC, etc., but is not limited to these. The information processing device 20 is connected to each of the multiple managed devices 10 in a communicative manner via wired or wireless communication. The communication network connecting the information processing device 20 to each of the multiple managed devices 10 is, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) within the facility where the multiple managed devices 10 are installed, but is not limited to this. The communication network may also be other communication networks such as the Internet or a mobile communication network.

[0021] Server 30 stores cycle data acquired by information processing device 20. For example, if server 30 acquires certain cycle data from information processing device 20, it stores the acquired cycle data.

[0022] Furthermore, the server 30 stores injection molding condition data acquired by the information processing device 20. For example, if the server 30 acquires certain injection molding condition data from the information processing device 20, it stores the acquired injection molding condition data.

[0023] Furthermore, in response to a request from a terminal device that is communicatively connected to the server 30, the server 30 displays various images based on data stored in the server 30 on the display unit of the terminal device. Here, these images include GUIs, icons, OS windows, etc. Below, as an example, we will describe the case where the server 30 is communicatively connected to the terminal device 40, as shown in Figure 1. In this embodiment, the process related to the terminal device 40 logging into the server 30 is a known process, so we will omit its explanation. Also, for the sake of explanation, below, when we describe the server 30 receiving an operation from the terminal device 40 via an image displayed on the terminal device 40, we will simply refer to the server 30 receiving an operation. That is, below, when we say that the server 30 performs a certain process in response to an received operation, we mean that the server 30 performs that process in response to an operation received from the terminal device 40 via an image displayed on the terminal device 40.

[0024] As described above, in the molding management system 1, both the information processing device 20 and the server 30 display various images based on stored data on the display unit of the terminal device 40 in response to the received operation. For the sake of convenience in the following explanation, unless it is necessary to distinguish between the information processing device 20 and the server 30, they will be collectively referred to as the information processing device X. The display unit is, for example, the display of the terminal device 40, a display device connected to the terminal device 40 in a communicative manner, etc., but is not limited to these. In the following explanation, as an example, the case in which the display unit is the display of the terminal device 40 will be described. Also, for the sake of convenience in the following explanation, the act of displaying a certain image on the display unit will be referred to as "displaying the image."

[0025] The information processing device X displays a search image P1 that searches for one or more cycle data items desired by the user from among the one or more cycle data items stored in the information processing device X, in response to the received operation. The search image P1 is an image that accepts various types of information that can be used as search keys to search for one or more cycle data items desired by the user. In the following explanation, for the sake of simplicity, we will describe, as an example, the case in which the search image P1 can accept device identification information that identifies the injection molding machine that output the cycle data, and period information that indicates the period including the date and time when the cycle data was acquired by the information processing device 20, as the search keys.

[0026] Figure 2 shows an example of a search image P1. In the example shown in Figure 2, the search image P1 includes input fields F1, F2, F3, button B1, and a search result display area R1. Note that the search image P1 may also include other GUIs capable of accepting operations to search cycle data, either in place of some or all of these GUIs, or in addition to all of these GUIs. For the sake of explanation, the various operations accepted by the information processing device X via the search image P1 will be collectively referred to as search operations below.

[0027] Input field F1 is where the device identification information that identifies the injection molding machine that output the cycle data desired by the user is entered. In the example shown in Figure 2, "test1" is entered in input field F1 as an example of device identification information. Note that the device identification information in input field F1 may be entered by selecting the device identification information from a pull-down menu, or by direct input using an input device such as a keyboard.

[0028] Input fields F2 and F3 are fields into which period information is entered, indicating the period including the date and time when the cycle data desired by the user was acquired by the information processing device 20. In the example shown in Figure 2, input field F2 is the field into which start date and time information indicating the start date and time of the period is entered. Also in the same example, input field F3 is the field into which end date and time information indicating the end date and time of the period is entered.

[0029] More specifically, input field F2 consists of two input fields: input field F21 and input field F22. Input field F21 is the field where the start date and time information, which indicates the year, month, and day of the date and time indicated by the start date and time information mentioned above, is entered. In the example shown in Figure 2, "2024 / 05 / 01", indicating May 7, 2024, is entered in input field F21 as an example of start date and time information. Note that the start date and time information in input field F21 may be entered by selecting the information from a pull-down menu, by selecting the year, month, and day from an image showing a calendar, or by direct input using an input device such as a keyboard. On the other hand, input field F22 is the field where the start time information, which indicates the hour of the date and time indicated by the start date and time information, is entered. In input field F22, "00:00", indicating 0:00, is entered as an example of start time information. The start time information in input field F22 may be entered by selecting information from a pull-down menu, by specifying the time using an image showing a clock, or by direct input using an input device such as a keyboard.

[0030] Furthermore, input field F3 consists of two input fields: input field F31 and input field F32. Input field F31 is the field where the end date information, which indicates the year, month, and day of the date and time indicated by the aforementioned end date and time information, is entered. In the example shown in Figure 2, "2024 / 05 / 31", indicating May 8, 2024, is entered in input field F31 as an example of end date information. Note that the end date information in input field F31 may be entered by selecting the information from a pull-down menu, by selecting the year, month, and day from an image showing a calendar, or by direct input using an input device such as a keyboard. On the other hand, input field F32 is the field where the end time information, which indicates the hour of the date and time indicated by the end date and time information, is entered. In input field F32, "00:00", indicating 0:00, is entered as an example of end time information. The end time information in input field F32 may be entered by selecting information from a pull-down menu, by specifying the time using an image showing a clock, or by direct input using an input device such as a keyboard.

[0031] Button B1 is a button that accepts an operation to perform a search for cycle data based on the search keys, using the information entered in some or all of the input fields F1 to F3 as search keys. That is, when the information processing device X accepts a selection operation on button B1, it extracts one or more cycle data as search results corresponding to the information entered in some or all of the input fields F1 to F3. The information processing device X then displays a list of the extracted one or more cycle data in the search results display area R1. In this embodiment, the selection operation is a click, a tap, etc., but is not limited to these. The search image P1 shown in Figure 2 is an image before the extraction of the one or more cycle data is performed. Therefore, nothing is displayed in the search results display area R1 shown in Figure 2. In the following explanation, for convenience, the list of the one or more cycle data extracted by the information processing device X will be simply referred to as the search results list. The method for extracting one or more cycle data corresponding to some or all of the information entered in input fields F1 to F3, that is, the method for searching for said one or more cycle data, may be a known method or a method to be developed in the future. For this reason, a detailed explanation of the extraction method is omitted in this embodiment. The information processing device X may be configured to display a list of all of the one or more cycle data stored in advance as a search result list in the search result display area R1 when a selection operation is performed on button B1 when no information has been entered in all of input fields F1 to F3, or it may be configured not to display anything in the search result display area R1.

[0032] When displaying the search results list in the search results display area R1, the information processing device X extracts injection molding condition data corresponding to each of the one or more cycle data extracted as search results from one or more pre-stored molding condition data, and associates the extracted injection molding condition data with the cycle data. In this process, the information processing device X associates one injection molding condition data with one cycle data. That is, the information processing device X establishes a one-to-one or many-to-one association between cycle data and injection molding condition data. Therefore, when displaying the search results list in the search results display area R1, one injection molding condition data is associated with each cycle data.

[0033] Here, we will explain how to identify the injection molding condition data to be associated with each cycle data. When the information processing device X identifies the injection molding condition data to be associated with a certain cycle data, it extracts one or more injection molding condition data from one or more injection molding condition data stored in advance that include the device identification information contained in the cycle data. Then, from the one or more injection molding condition data extracted, the information processing device X identifies the injection molding condition data that includes the second date and time information indicating the past date and time closest to the date and time indicated by the first date and time information contained in the cycle data as the injection molding condition data to be associated with the cycle data. Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the method for identifying the injection molding condition data to be associated with a cycle data. Figure 3 shows three cycle data output from a certain injection molding device and three injection molding condition data output from the same injection molding device. Specifically, Figure 3 shows three cycle data sets: one containing the first date and time information for May 1, 2024, at 10:00:00; another containing the first date and time information for May 1, 2024, at 10:01:00; and a third containing the first date and time information for May 1, 2024, at 10:05:00. On the other hand, Figure 3 also shows three injection molding condition data sets: one containing the second date and time information for May 1, 2024, at 09:00:00; another containing the second date and time information for May 1, 2024, at 10:02:00; and a third containing the second date and time information for May 1, 2024, at 10:03:00. For example, if the three cycle data shown in Figure 3 are extracted by the information processing device X in the search image P1, and the three injection molding condition data shown in Figure 3 are pre-stored in the information processing device X, the information processing device X will identify the injection molding condition data to correspond to each of these three cycle data from among these three injection molding condition data. Specifically, the information processing device X will identify the injection molding condition data that includes the second date and time information indicating May 1, 2024, 09:00:00 as the injection molding condition data to correspond to the cycle data that includes the first date and time information indicating May 1, 2024, 10:00:00.This is because, of the three possible dates and times—May 1, 2024, 09:00:00, May 1, 2024, 10:02:00, and May 1, 2024, 10:03:00—the closest past date and time to May 1, 2024, 10:00:00 is May 1, 2024, 09:00:00. Similarly, the information processing device X identifies injection molding condition data that includes second date and time information indicating May 1, 2024, 09:00:00 as injection molding condition data to associate with cycle data that includes first date and time information indicating May 1, 2024, 10:01:00. The information processing device X then identifies injection molding condition data containing second date and time information indicating May 1, 2024, 10:03:00 as injection molding condition data to be associated with cycle data containing first date and time information indicating May 1, 2024, 10:05:00. Therefore, in this case, the information processing device X does not identify injection molding condition data containing second date and time information indicating May 1, 2024, 10:02:00 as injection molding condition data to be associated with any of the three cycle data shown in Figure 3. As a result, the information processing device X can omit unnecessary injection molding condition data and associate the injection molding condition data necessary for the user with the cycle data. This makes it easier for the user to understand the situation when an abnormality occurs in a product injected by an injection molding machine, and as a result, it becomes easier to identify the cause of the abnormality in the product. With the identification method described above, the information processing device X can associate one molding condition data with each of the three cycle data shown in Figure 3. As a result, when the information processing device X displays the search results list in the search results display area R1, one injection molding condition data is associated with each cycle data. In Figure 3, the injection molding condition data associated with each cycle data are connected by arrows. In other words, in the example shown in Figure 3, the information processing device X can associate one injection molding condition data with one cycle data. However, this also means that there may be multiple cycle data associated with a given injection molding condition data.However, users often identify the cause of an anomaly by examining cycle data, for example, when an anomaly occurs in the quality of a product molded by injection molding. Therefore, even if cycle data and injection molding condition data are associated in a many-to-one manner, if there is only one injection molding condition data associated with each cycle data, the information processing device X can prevent the work required to identify the cause of the anomaly from becoming complicated. Accordingly, the information processing device X does not associate multiple injection molding condition data with one cycle data, but rather associates one injection molding condition data with one cycle data. Furthermore, for example, the injection molding conditions set on an injection molding machine are usually not changed during cycle execution. Therefore, even if the injection molding conditions are set on the injection molding machine multiple times before the execution of the cycle, the injection molding conditions actually set on the injection molding machine at the time of cycle execution are the injection molding conditions that were last set on the injection molding machine before the start of cycle execution. For these reasons, when an injection molding machine outputs a certain cycle data, the injection molding conditions set on the injection molding machine at the time of output of that cycle data are none other than the injection molding conditions indicated by the injection molding condition data, which includes a second date and time information indicating the closest past date and time to the date and time indicated by the first date and time information included in that cycle data. Therefore, the information processing device X associates the cycle data with the injection molding condition data in the manner described above. Note that the injection molding conditions may be set on the injection molding machine multiple times before the execution of a cycle if incorrect injection molding conditions are set on the injection molding machine, if the injection molding conditions are changed for some reason, or if trial and error is performed to obtain better injection molding conditions. In addition, this association between cycle data and injection molding condition data may be performed by the information processing device X each time cycle data is stored in the information processing device X. In this case, when the search results list is displayed in the search results display area R1, one injection molding condition data is already associated with each cycle data extracted as a search result.Therefore, in this case, when the information processing device X displays the list of search results in the search result display area R1, it does not associate the cycle data with the injection molding condition data.

[0034] After associating one or more extracted cycle data with one injection molding condition data, the information processing device X displays each of the cycle data included in the search results list, along with corresponding information indicating the injection molding condition data associated with each cycle data, in the search results display area R1. That is, in the search results display area R1, each cycle data is displayed together with corresponding information indicating the injection molding condition data associated with the cycle data. Below, as an example, we will describe the case where the corresponding information displayed in the search results display area R1 together with a certain cycle data is an image indicating the injection molding condition data associated with that cycle data. Note that the corresponding information may be information other than an image. Also, the corresponding information may include at least a part of the injection molding condition data.

[0035] Figure 4 shows an example of the search image P1, where the search results list is displayed in the search results display area R1. In the example shown in Figure 4, the search results display area R1 displays a search results list that includes four cycle data sets, cycle data SD1 to cycle data SD4. These four cycle data sets include first date and time information and equipment identification information, as well as cycle-related information such as information indicating the job number, information indicating the actual number of production cycles, information indicating the cycle time, information indicating the number of products produced, information indicating the injection time, and information indicating the weighing time. The search results display area R1 also displays correspondence information indicating the injection molding conditions associated with each of these four cycle data sets. Specifically, the search results display area R1 displays correspondence information CD1 associated with cycle data SD1. Corresponding information CD1 is correspondence information indicating the injection molding condition data associated with cycle data SD1. The search results display area R1 also displays correspondence information CD2 associated with cycle data SD2. Corresponding information CD2 is correspondence information indicating the injection molding condition data associated with cycle data SD2. Furthermore, in the search results display area R1, correspondence information CD3 is displayed along with the cycle data SD3. Correspondence information CD3 is correspondence information indicating the injection molding condition data associated with the cycle data SD3. Also, in the search results display area R1, correspondence information CD4 is displayed along with the cycle data SD4. Correspondence information CD4 is correspondence information indicating the injection molding condition data associated with the cycle data SD4. In this way, when the information processing device X displays a list of search results in the search results display area R1, it displays the correspondence information indicating the injection molding condition data associated with each cycle data included in the search results list, along with the respective cycle data, in the search results display area R1. This allows the information processing device X to easily grasp the relationship between the injection molding cycle by the injection molding machine and the injection molding conditions set in the injection molding machine. Note that in the example shown in Figure 4, the correspondence information indicating the injection molding condition data associated with each cycle data is an image that does not include the injection molding condition data itself.Therefore, in this example, the user cannot visually grasp the injection molding condition data associated with each cycle data using only the information displayed in the search results display area R1 shown in Figure 4. As mentioned above, each corresponding piece of information may be configured to include at least a portion of the injection molding condition data indicated by the corresponding information. In this case, the user can visually grasp the injection molding condition data associated with each cycle data using only the information displayed in the search results display area R1. As a result, the information processing device X can more reliably and easily grasp the relationship between the injection molding cycle by the injection molding device and the injection molding conditions set in the injection molding device.

[0036] In the example shown in Figure 4, each of the correspondence information CD1 to CD4 is an image that accepts an operation to output the injection molding condition data it represents to another device. This other device may be, for example, a terminal device 40, or another information processing device that is communicatively connected to the information processing device X. For example, when the information processing device X receives a selection operation for correspondence information CD1, it outputs the injection molding condition data associated with cycle data SD1 to the terminal device 40 as the injection molding condition data represented by correspondence information CD1. This allows the user to easily download the injection molding condition data to the terminal device 40. The same applies to each of the correspondence information CD2 to CD4. By outputting the injection molding condition data to the terminal device 40 through operations on the correspondence information in this way, the user does not have to search for the desired injection molding condition data from among a large number of injection molding condition data when they want to obtain the desired injection molding condition data, and can easily obtain the desired injection molding condition data. This also helps to prevent the user from obtaining incorrect injection molding condition data, which is useful. For example, the information processing device X outputs injection molding condition data to the terminal device 40 as a CSV (Comma Separated Values) file, but this is not the only way it can do so.

[0037] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, when the information processing device X displays a list of search results in the search result display area R1, it displays the list of search results in the order of the date and time indicated by the first date and time information contained in each cycle data. Specifically, in the search result display area R1 shown in Figure 4, the four cycle data are displayed in ascending order of date and time. This allows the information processing device X to check multiple cycle data displayed in the search result display area R1 in chronological order. In the search result display area R1, multiple cycle data may also be displayed in descending order of date and time.

[0038] Furthermore, the information processing device X displays an anomaly occurrence notification information on the search image P1, indicating that an anomaly has occurred in the cycle, according to the feature value information of the cycle data included in the search results list. Note that the search image P1 is an example of a data display image. Here, anomalies that occur in the cycle include, for example, at least one of the following: an anomaly occurring in the injection molding machine, an anomaly occurring in the mold attached to the injection molding machine, and an anomaly occurring in the quality of the product injected by the injection molding machine. An anomaly occurring in the injection molding machine is an anomaly that can affect the quality of the product and can lead to damage to the injection molding machine. An anomaly occurring in the mold attached to the injection molding machine is an anomaly that can affect the quality of the product and can lead to damage to the mold. An anomaly occurring in the quality of the product injected by the injection molding machine may occur in response to an anomaly occurring in at least one of the injection molding machine and the mold, but it may also occur independently of an anomaly occurring in both the injection molding machine and the mold. Therefore, the method of dealing with abnormalities that occur in the cycle varies depending on one or more abnormalities that occur among abnormalities that occur in the injection molding machine, abnormalities that occur in the mold attached to the injection molding machine, and abnormalities that occur in the quality of the products injected by the injection molding machine. This can also be rephrased as the degree of abnormalities that occur in the cycle varying depending on one or more abnormalities that occur among abnormalities that occur in the injection molding machine, abnormalities that occur in the mold attached to the injection molding machine, and abnormalities that occur in the quality of the products injected by the injection molding machine.

[0039] Figure 5 shows an example of the appearance of a search image P1 with anomaly notification information displayed. In the example shown in Figure 5, the search result display area R1 displays anomaly notification information A1 in association with cycle data SD1. Anomaly notification information A1 indicates that an anomaly occurred in the cycle corresponding to cycle data SD1. In this example, the search result display area R1 also displays anomaly notification information A2 in association with cycle data SD3. Anomaly notification information A2 indicates that an anomaly occurred in the cycle corresponding to cycle data SD3. On the other hand, in this example, anomaly notification information associated with cycle data SD2 is not displayed. This indicates that no anomaly occurred in the cycle corresponding to cycle data SD2. As a result, the information processing device X can easily identify the cycle in which some kind of anomaly occurred.

[0040] Here, the information processing device X determines that an anomaly occurred in a given cycle if at least one of the feature values ​​indicated by each of the one or more feature value pieces of information included in the cycle data corresponding to that cycle does not meet a predetermined monitoring condition. For this reason, the aforementioned anomaly notification information is a mark displayed alongside cycle data that includes feature value information indicating feature values ​​that do not meet the predetermined monitoring condition among the cycle data included in the search results list. The monitoring condition is represented by a predetermined limit range for each feature value indicated by each of the one or more feature value pieces of information included in the cycle data. Specifically, the monitoring condition for a feature value indicated by a certain feature value piece of information included in the cycle data is that the feature value does not fall outside the predetermined limit range for that feature value. In the following explanation, for convenience, we will refer to the case where a feature value does not fall outside the predetermined limit range for a given feature value as satisfying the monitoring condition, and the case where the feature value falls outside the limit range as not satisfying the monitoring condition. The information processing device X does not display the anomaly notification information associated with a given cycle data in the search result display area R1 if all of the feature values ​​indicated by each of the one or more feature value pieces contained in that cycle data satisfy the monitoring conditions. On the other hand, if at least one of the one or more feature value pieces does not satisfy the monitoring conditions, the information processing device X displays the anomaly notification information associated with that cycle data in the search result display area R1. That is, in the example shown in Figure 5, in cycle data SD1, at least one of the feature values ​​indicated by each of the one or more feature value pieces contained in cycle data SD1 does not satisfy the monitoring conditions. Therefore, in this example, the information processing device X displays the anomaly notification information A1 associated with cycle data SD1. On the other hand, in this example, in cycle data SD2, all of the feature values ​​indicated by each of the one or more feature value pieces contained in cycle data SD2 satisfy the monitoring conditions. Therefore, in this example, the information processing device X does not display the anomaly notification information associated with cycle data SD2 in the search result display area R1.

[0041] The information processing device X receives a limit range representing each monitoring condition via a condition specification image P2, such as the one shown in Figure 6. Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of a condition specification image P2. In Figure 6, for the sake of simplicity, the case where there is only one feature value in each cycle data is described. Therefore, in the example shown in Figure 6, the condition specification image P2 is an image that receives a limit range for one feature value. Also in Figure 6, as an example, the case where this one feature value is the injection peak pressure is described. In this case, the injection molding apparatus is equipped with a detection unit that detects the injection pressure. The injection peak pressure is an example of a feature value of this injection pressure and is the maximum value of this injection pressure. The detection unit is a sensor that detects the injection pressure, for example, a pressure sensor, but is not limited to this. When the information processing device X receives a predetermined operation, it displays the condition specification image P2.

[0042] If the limit range for injection peak pressure is determined by a one-sided tolerance, the condition specification image P2 accepts either the upper or lower limit of that limit range. On the other hand, if the limit range for injection peak pressure is determined by a two-sided tolerance, the condition specification image P2 accepts both the upper and lower limits of that limit range. Figure 6 illustrates an example where the limit range is determined by a two-sided tolerance. In this case, as shown in Figure 6, the condition specification image P2 includes two input fields, for example, input field F4 and input field F5. Note that the condition specification image P2 may also include other GUIs in addition to these two input fields.

[0043] Input field F4 is for accepting the lower limit value of the limit range for injection peak pressure. In the example shown in Figure 6, no value representing the lower limit is entered in input field F4. The lower limit value can be entered in input field F4 by selecting it from a pull-down menu, or by direct input using an input device such as a keyboard.

[0044] Input field F5 is for accepting the upper limit value of the limit range for injection peak pressure. In the example shown in Figure 6, no value representing this upper limit is entered in input field F5. This upper limit value may be entered in input field F5 by selecting it from a pull-down menu, or by direct input using an input device such as a keyboard.

[0045] When the information processing device X receives the lower and upper limits of the injection peak pressure via the condition specification image P2, it stores the combination of the received lower and upper limits as a limit range for the injection peak pressure, i.e., as the injection peak pressure monitoring condition. In this way, the information processing device X receives the monitoring conditions for the feature values ​​indicated by one or more feature value pieces of information contained in each cycle data via the condition specification image P2. Note that the monitoring conditions for the feature values ​​indicated by the feature value information contained in a certain cycle data may be configured to be included in the injection molding condition data associated with that cycle data. In this case, the monitoring conditions for the feature values ​​indicated by the feature value information contained in each cycle data are set in the injection molding apparatus. Note that in this case, the information processing device X may be configured not to display the condition specification image P2, or it may be configured to display the condition specification image P2.

[0046] Here, as shown in Figure 5, when multiple anomaly notification pieces are displayed simultaneously, the user can easily identify which cycle the anomaly occurred in, corresponding to the cycle data displayed in the search results display area R1. However, with the anomaly notification information displayed in the manner shown in Figure 5, it is difficult for the user to grasp the priority of which of the multiple anomalies should be addressed first. This is because, in the example shown in Figure 5, there is no difference between the two anomaly notification pieces, A1 and A2, other than the accompanying cycle data, making it difficult for the user to glean any information other than that anomalies occurred in two different cycles from these two pieces of information.

[0047] Therefore, the information processing device X displays abnormality notification information and indicates the degree of the abnormality that occurred in the cycle in the search image P1. For the sake of explanation, in the following, the indication of this degree will be referred to as displaying abnormality degree information. Figure 7 is a diagram showing the first example of the appearance of the search result display area R1 where abnormality degree information is displayed along with the abnormality notification information. That is, Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating how the degree of the abnormality that occurred in the cycle is shown in the search result display area R1 along with the appearance of the search result display area R1 where abnormality notification information is displayed. In the example shown in Figure 7, abnormality notification information A1 is displayed in conjunction with cycle-related information indicating the cycle time, which is one or more pieces of cycle-related information included in the cycle data SD1. This means that the cycle time monitoring condition is not met in the cycle corresponding to the cycle data SD1. Also in this example, abnormality notification information A2 is displayed in conjunction with cycle-related information indicating the cycle time, which is one or more pieces of cycle-related information included in the cycle data SD3. This means that the cycle time monitoring condition is not met in the cycle corresponding to the cycle data SD3.

[0048] Thus, when an anomaly notification is displayed in conjunction with at least one of the cycle-related information items included in the cycle data, the user can determine whether or not to prioritize addressing the issue, depending on the item of the cycle-related information to which the anomaly notification is displayed. For example, in this case, the user can determine whether the anomaly that occurred in the cycle was an anomaly in the injection molding machine, an anomaly in the mold attached to the injection molding machine, or an anomaly in the quality of the product injected by the injection molding machine. In other words, in the example shown in Figure 7, the position of the anomaly notification indicates the degree of the anomaly that occurred in the cycle. To put it another way, in this example, the position of the anomaly notification indicates the degree of anomaly information. Therefore, the degree of anomaly information is information that the user visually perceives based on the position of the anomaly notification displayed in the search results display area R1. For this reason, in this example, the user can determine the degree of the anomaly that occurred in the cycle based on the position of the anomaly notification displayed in the search results display area R1. For example, if an anomaly occurring in a cycle is suspected to be a malfunction of the injection molding equipment, such as a problem with the clamping force, it may take time to address the anomaly, such as requiring repairs by the manufacturer. In this way, users can determine whether or not it will take time to address the anomaly by looking at the cycle-related information items displayed along with the anomaly notification information. The more time required to address an anomaly, the greater the severity of the anomaly that occurred in the cycle. Therefore, the position of the anomaly notification information displayed in the search results display area R1 indicates the severity of the anomaly that occurred in the cycle, and is the anomaly severity information itself. In this example, it can also be said that the search results display area R1 itself is the anomaly severity information.

[0049] Furthermore, in the example shown in Figure 7, anomaly notification information A1 and anomaly notification information A2 indicate that the cycle time monitoring conditions were not met in two cycles: the cycle corresponding to cycle data SD1 and the cycle corresponding to cycle data SD3. Thus, the fact that anomaly notification information is displayed alongside specific cycle-related information in multiple cycle data sets suggests a high probability that the anomaly in the cycle was not a random occurrence. Additionally, the more anomaly notification information displayed alongside specific cycle-related information, the higher the priority for eliminating the cause of the cycle-related information's failure to meet monitoring conditions. This is because, unless the cause is eliminated, there is a high probability that the monitoring conditions for that cycle-related information will repeatedly fail to be met. In other words, the number of anomaly notification pieces also indicates the degree of the anomaly in the cycle. To put it another way, anomaly severity information is also information that users visually perceive through the number of anomaly notification pieces displayed in the search results display area R1. In this example, it can also be said that the search results display area R1 itself represents anomaly severity information.

[0050] Furthermore, unlike the example shown in Figure 7, if the anomaly notification information A1 and the anomaly notification information A2 are displayed in conjunction with different cycle-related information, the user can compare the items of the cycle-related information to which anomaly occurred in the cycle is of higher priority for action by comparing the items of the cycle-related information to which the anomaly notification information A1 is displayed with and the items of the cycle-related information to which the anomaly notification information A2 is displayed with. In other words, in this case as well, the anomaly severity information is information that the user perceives visually based on the position of the anomaly notification information displayed in the search results display area R1. This can also be rephrased as the search results display area R1 itself being the anomaly severity information.

[0051] Furthermore, the information processing device X may be configured to display abnormality severity information along with abnormality occurrence notification information on the search image P1, as shown in Figure 8. Figure 8 is a diagram showing a second example of the appearance of the search result display area R1 where abnormality severity information is displayed along with abnormality occurrence notification information. In the example shown in Figure 8, the search result list includes an area corresponding to the source of the abnormality that occurs in the cycle for each cycle data. For example, sources of abnormalities that occur in the cycle include the injection molding machine, the mold attached to the injection molding machine, and the quality of the manufactured product. Therefore, in this example, each of the cycle data SD1 to cycle data SD3 includes three areas: an area corresponding to the injection molding machine, an area corresponding to the mold attached to the injection molding machine, and an area corresponding to the quality of the manufactured product. In Figure 8, the area corresponding to the injection molding machine is labeled "Machine". Also in Figure 8, the area corresponding to the mold attached to the injection molding machine is labeled "Mold". Also in Figure 8, the area corresponding to the quality of the manufactured product is labeled "Inspection". For the sake of explanation, in the following, these three areas will be collectively referred to as the source area. Note that the sources of anomalies occurring in a cycle are not limited to these. In this example, the search results list displays three anomaly notification pieces: Anomaly Notification A1, Anomaly Notification A21, and Anomaly Notification A22. Anomaly Notification A1 is displayed in the source area associated with the injection molding machine in cycle data SD1. This indicates that the anomaly that occurred in the cycle corresponding to cycle data SD1 is an anomaly that occurred in the injection molding machine. On the other hand, Anomaly Notification A21 and Anomaly Notification A22 are displayed in the two source areas included in cycle data SD3. Specifically, Anomaly Notification A21 is displayed in the source area associated with the injection molding machine in cycle data SD3. Anomaly Notification A22 is displayed in the source area associated with the quality of the product in cycle data SD3.This indicates that the anomaly that occurred in the cycle corresponding to cycle data SD3 was an anomaly that occurred in both the injection molding machine and the quality of the product. Thus, in this example, the location of the anomaly notification information is distinguished by the area in which the anomaly notification information is displayed among the three source areas. In this case, the user can easily identify the source of the anomaly in each cycle in which an anomaly occurred. As a result, the user can determine which anomaly should be prioritized for treatment, depending on the source of the anomaly. That is, in this example, similar to the anomaly notification information shown in Figure 7, the degree of the anomaly that occurred in the cycle is indicated by the location of the anomaly notification information. For example, by looking at the search results list shown in Figure 8, the user can easily identify that there is no anomaly in the mold and determine that there is no need to urgently repair the mold. Note that the method for determining whether the anomaly that occurred in the cycle is an anomaly that occurred in the injection molding machine, an anomaly that occurred in the mold attached to the injection molding machine, or an anomaly that occurred in the quality of the product may be a known method or a method that will be developed in the future. For example, the information processing device X determines whether an anomaly that occurred in a cycle occurred in the injection molding machine, in the mold attached to the injection molding machine, or in the quality of the produced product, depending on which of the feature values ​​indicated by each of the one or more feature value pieces of information included in the cycle data has a monitoring condition that is not met. In other words, if the feature value indicated by each of the one or more feature value pieces of information included in a given cycle data has a monitoring condition that is not met, the information processing device X determines that the anomaly that occurred in the cycle occurred in the injection molding machine. Also, if the feature value indicated by each of the one or more feature value pieces of information included in a given cycle data has a monitoring condition that is not met, the information processing device X determines that the anomaly that occurred in the cycle occurred in the mold attached to the injection molding machine.Furthermore, if one or more feature values ​​contained in a given cycle data set indicate a feature value for which the monitoring condition is not met, and that feature value is related to the quality of the product, the information processing device X determines that the anomaly that occurred in the cycle is an anomaly that occurred in the quality of the product.

[0052] Furthermore, the information processing device X may be configured to display abnormality severity information along with abnormality occurrence notification information on the search image P1, as shown in Figure 9. Figure 9 is a diagram showing a third example of the appearance of the search result display area R1 in which abnormality severity information is displayed along with abnormality occurrence notification information. In the example shown in Figure 9, the search result display area R1 displays a search result list that includes five cycle data, cycle data SD5 to cycle data SD9. Corresponding information is displayed along with each of these five cycle data. Specifically, corresponding information CD5 is displayed along with cycle data SD5. Corresponding information CD6 is displayed along with cycle data SD6. Corresponding information CD7 is displayed along with cycle data SD7. Corresponding information CD8 is displayed along with cycle data SD8. Corresponding information CD9 is displayed along with cycle data SD9.

[0053] In the search results display area R1 shown in Figure 9, the anomaly notification information is displayed attached to three cycle data, cycle data SD6 to cycle data SD8. Specifically, cycle data SD6 is accompanied by anomaly notification information A3. This indicates that an anomaly occurred in the cycle corresponding to cycle data SD6. Also, cycle data SD7 is accompanied by anomaly notification information A4. This indicates that an anomaly occurred in the cycle corresponding to cycle data SD7. Furthermore, cycle data SD8 is accompanied by anomaly notification information A5. This indicates that an anomaly occurred in the cycle corresponding to cycle data SD7. Note that in the example shown in Figure 9, each of the anomaly notification information A3 to A5 is smaller and has a different shape than the anomaly notification information shown in Figures 5, 7, and 8, respectively. Specifically, each of the anomaly notification information A3 to A5 is indicated by "●". Furthermore, in this example, each of the anomaly occurrence notification information A3 to A5 is displayed at the left end of the associated cycle data. As a result, the information processing device X can, for example, reduce the size of the search result display area R1.

[0054] Furthermore, the search result display area R1 shown in Figure 9 displays injection molding condition change information associated with each of the cycle data SD6, cycle data SD8, and cycle data SD9. The injection molding condition change information displayed associated with a particular cycle data indicates that the injection molding conditions set in the injection molding device in the cycle corresponding to that cycle data have been changed from the injection molding conditions set in the injection molding device in the cycle executed before that cycle. In the example shown in Figure 9, injection molding condition change information C1 is displayed associated with cycle data SD6. This indicates that the injection molding conditions set in the injection molding device in the cycle corresponding to cycle data SD6 have been changed from the injection molding conditions set in the cycle corresponding to cycle data SD5. Also in the same example, injection molding condition change information C2 is displayed associated with cycle data SD8. This indicates that the injection molding conditions set in the injection molding device in the cycle corresponding to cycle data SD8 have been changed from the injection molding conditions set in the cycle corresponding to cycle data SD7. Furthermore, in this example, cycle data SD9 is accompanied by injection molding condition change information C3. This indicates that the injection molding conditions set in the injection molding device in the cycle corresponding to cycle data SD9 were changed from the injection molding conditions set in the injection molding device in the cycle corresponding to cycle data SD8.

[0055] Here, if the injection molding condition data associated with each of two cycle data sets that are arranged consecutively in chronological order in the search result display area R1 are different, the information processing device X displays injection molding condition change information in the search result display area R1, attached to the cycle data set with the newer date and time indicated by the first date and time information contained in it. Here, the information processing device X identifies that the two injection molding condition data sets are different if there is a difference between one or more injection molding condition information contained in one of two sets of injection molding condition data sets that contain common device identification information and one or more injection molding condition information contained in the other set of the two sets of injection molding condition data sets. In other words, the information processing device X does not use information other than injection molding condition information, such as second date and time information, to identify whether the two injection molding condition data sets are different or not. Therefore, even if the injection molding condition data associated with each of the two cycle data sets are stored in different memory areas of the information processing device X, if there is no difference in one or more injection molding condition information items contained in each of the two injection molding condition data sets, the information processing device X will identify the two injection molding condition data sets as being the same.

[0056] Through this identification method, the information processing device X can display injection molding condition change information in the search result display area R1. As shown in Figure 9, when injection molding condition change information is displayed together with abnormality occurrence notification information, the user can, for example, confirm whether an abnormality that occurred in a cycle was resolved by changing the injection molding conditions. In the example shown in Figure 9, among the cycles corresponding to each of the cycle data included in the search result list, the cycle in which the abnormality began to occur is the cycle corresponding to cycle data SD6. Injection molding condition change information is displayed along with cycle data SD6. In this case, the user can determine, for example, that an abnormality occurred in the cycle corresponding to cycle data SD6 because the injection molding conditions set in the injection molding device were changed in the cycle corresponding to cycle data SD5. Furthermore, it is thought that the abnormality determined to have occurred in this way continued until the cycle corresponding to cycle data SD9 was executed. This is because abnormality occurrence notification information is displayed along with each of the cycle data SD6 to SD8 in the search result display area R1 shown in Figure 9. Furthermore, cycle data SD9 does not display abnormality notification information, but it does display injection molding condition change information. This strongly suggests that the abnormality that had been occurring in the cycle was resolved by changing the injection molding conditions set in the injection molding machine in the cycle corresponding to cycle data SD8. In this case, the user can determine that the abnormality that had been occurring in the cycle has already been resolved and there is no need to take any action to address it. Therefore, by displaying the injection molding condition change information along with the abnormality notification information in the search result display area R1, the information processing device X can determine whether or not there is an urgent need to address the abnormality occurring in the cycle. In other words, in the example shown in Figure 9, the degree of abnormality information is shown by a combination of abnormality notification information and injection molding condition change information. Note that in Figure 9, the injection molding condition change information is shown by the same "●" as the abnormality notification information.However, the "●" indicating an anomaly notification and the "●" indicating a change in injection molding conditions are different colors. In Figure 9, this difference in color is represented by a difference in hatching. The information processing device X may also be configured to represent the difference between anomaly notification and injection molding condition change information by other display methods such as shape instead of color. Furthermore, the information processing device X may be configured to display "addressed" information, indicating that an anomaly that occurred in a cycle has been addressed, in the search result display area R1, along with the cycle data corresponding to the cycle executed after the address was made. In this case, the information processing device X or the injection molding apparatus receives information indicating that an anomaly that occurred in a cycle has been addressed as addressed information. The method by which the information processing device X receives addressed information may be a known method or a method to be developed in the future. Note that each injection molding condition change information shown in Figure 9 can also be treated as an example of addressed information. For this reason, in this embodiment, a graphical explanation of addressed information is omitted.

[0057] In the example shown in Figure 9, the anomaly notification information is displayed at the left end of the accompanying cycle data, as described above. However, the anomaly notification information may also be displayed in a different position depending on the accompanying cycle data. For example, the information processing device X may be configured to display the anomaly notification information accompanying the cycle-related information indicating the cycle time, which is one or more pieces of cycle-related information included in the cycle data, as shown in Figure 7. Figure 10 is a diagram showing a fourth example of the appearance of the search result display area R1 where the anomaly notification information and the anomaly severity information are displayed together. In other words, Figure 10 is a diagram showing a modified example of the display manner of the anomaly notification information and anomaly severity information displayed in the search result display area R1 shown in Figure 9.

[0058] In the example shown in Figure 10, similar to the example shown in Figure 9, each of the abnormal occurrence notification information A3 to A5 and each of the injection molding condition change information C1 to C3 are displayed. However, unlike the example shown in Figure 9, each of the injection molding condition change information C1 to C3 is displayed in conjunction with one of the cycle-related pieces of information. Specifically, injection molding condition change information C1 is displayed in conjunction with the information indicating pressure among the cycle-related information included in cycle data SD6. This means that the monitoring condition for that pressure is not met. Similarly, injection molding condition change information C2 is displayed in conjunction with the information indicating pressure among the cycle-related information included in cycle data SD7. This means that the monitoring condition for that pressure is not met. Furthermore, injection molding condition change information C3 is displayed in conjunction with the information indicating pressure among the cycle-related information included in cycle data SD8. This means that the monitoring condition for that pressure is not met.

[0059] Thus, when an anomaly notification is displayed in conjunction with at least one of the cycle-related information items included in the cycle data, the user can determine whether or not to prioritize addressing the issue, based on the item of the cycle-related information displayed in conjunction with the anomaly notification and the timing of the change in injection molding conditions. For example, in this case, the user can identify that the anomaly that occurred in the cycle was an anomaly in the pressure inside the mold attached to the injection molding apparatus, and that it was resolved by changing the injection molding conditions. As a result, the user can determine that the anomaly that occurred in the cycle is not an anomaly that requires immediate attention. Therefore, even in the example shown in Figure 10, the anomaly severity information is indicated by a combination of anomaly notification information and injection molding condition change information.

[0060] Furthermore, the information processing device X may be configured to indicate the source of the anomaly based on the shape of the anomaly notification information, as shown in Figure 11. Figure 11 is a fifth example of the appearance of the search result display area R1, where anomaly severity information is displayed along with the anomaly notification information. In the example shown in Figure 11, the search result display area R1 displays three cycle data, cycle data SD1 to cycle data SD3, similar to the example shown in Figure 8. However, in this example, the source area is not displayed in the search result display area R1. Instead, in this example, the anomaly notification information A1 is a mark with a shape indicating an injection molding device. This indicates that the anomaly that occurred in the cycle corresponding to cycle data SD1 is an anomaly that occurred in the injection molding device. In other words, in this example, by looking at the shape of the anomaly notification information A1, the user can easily identify that the anomaly that occurred in the cycle corresponding to cycle data SD1 is an anomaly that occurred in the injection molding device. Also in this example, the anomaly notification information A21 is a mark with a shape indicating an injection molding device. And in this example, the anomaly notification information A22 is a mark indicating a microscope. These indicate that the anomalies that occurred in the cycle corresponding to cycle data SD3 were anomalies that occurred in both the injection molding machine and the quality of the manufactured product. Thus, in this example, the source of the anomaly that occurred in the cycle is indicated by the shape of the anomaly notification information. In this case as well, the user can easily identify the source of the anomaly in each cycle in which an anomaly occurred. As a result, the user can determine which anomaly should be prioritized for treatment, depending on the source of the anomaly. In other words, in this example, the degree of the anomaly that occurred in the cycle is indicated by the shape of the anomaly notification information. For example, by looking at the search results list shown in Figure 11, the user can easily identify that there is no anomaly in the mold and can determine that there is no need to urgently repair the mold.

[0061] Furthermore, the information processing device X may be configured to indicate the degree of abnormality that occurred in the cycle by the color or shape of the abnormality notification information. Below, as an example, we will describe a case in which the information processing device X indicates the degree of abnormality that occurred in the cycle by the color of the abnormality notification information. In this case, the information processing device X determines the degree to which the monitoring conditions for each feature value are not met, and determines the color of the abnormality notification information according to the result of the determination. Below, for the sake of explanation, we will refer to the degree to which the monitoring conditions for a certain feature value are not met as the abnormality level of that feature value. Also, below, for the sake of simplification of the explanation, we will describe a case in which the abnormality level is represented by two levels, level 1 and level 2, as an example. Note that an abnormality level of level 2 for a certain feature value indicates a greater degree to which the monitoring conditions for that feature value are not met than when the abnormality level of that feature value is level 1. In this case, the abnormality information is the color of the abnormality notification information. For example, an abnormality level of level 1 means that there is a high possibility that an abnormality will occur in the quality of the product injected by the injection molding machine, but it is not limited to this. Furthermore, for example, an abnormality level of level 2 suggests that an abnormality has occurred in the quality of the products injected by the injection molding machine, but this is not the only possible interpretation. The method by which the information processing device X identifies the abnormality level will be described later.

[0062] Figure 12 is a diagram for comparing abnormal occurrence notification information of different colors. Figure 12 shows a search result display area R1 in which a list of cycle data including device identification information that identifies "Device A," an example of an injection molding machine, is displayed as a search result list, and a search result display area R1 in which a list of cycle data including device identification information that identifies "Device B," another example of an injection molding machine, is displayed as a search result list. For the sake of explanation, the list of cycle data including device identification information that identifies "Device A," an example of an injection molding machine, will be referred to as the search result list for Device A. On the other hand, for the sake of explanation, the list of cycle data including device identification information that identifies "Device B," an example of an injection molding machine, will be referred to as the search result list for Device B.

[0063] The search results list for device A displays three cycle data entries. Each of these three cycle data entries is accompanied by an anomaly notification. However, all the anomaly notification information displayed in the search results list for device A is colored to indicate an anomaly level of 1. On the other hand, the search results list for device B also displays three cycle data entries. However, in the search results list for device B, only one of these three cycle data entries displays an anomaly notification information colored to indicate an anomaly level of 2. In Figure 12, the difference in the color of the anomaly notification information is represented by the difference in the hatching of the anomaly notification information. By comparing the search results list for device A and the search results list for device B, the user can easily identify that the anomalies that occurred in the cycle executed by device B are more severe than those that occurred in the cycle executed by device A. Furthermore, the user can determine, for example, that even though anomalies repeatedly occur in the cycle executed by device A, the anomaly notification information color indicates an anomaly level of 1, thus indicating that the urgency of addressing the anomalies in that cycle is not high. This is because the color of the abnormality notification information indicates an abnormality level of 1, meaning that although there is a high probability of an abnormality occurring in the quality of the products injected by the injection molding machine, an abnormality has not actually occurred in the quality of those products. On the other hand, a user can determine that, for example, even if only one abnormality occurred in a cycle executed by machine B, the abnormality notification information indicates an abnormality level of 2, indicating that there is a high urgency to address the abnormality occurring in that cycle. This is because the abnormality level indicated by the color of the abnormality notification information is level 2, meaning that if the injection molding machine continues to run the cycle without addressing the abnormality occurring in that cycle, an abnormality will occur in the quality of the products injected by the injection molding machine.

[0064] Indicating the abnormality level by the color of the abnormality notification information, as shown here, may be combined with indicating the source of the abnormality by the shape of the abnormality notification information, as shown in Figure 11. Figure 13 shows a modified example of the search result display area R1 shown in Figure 11. In Figure 13, similar to Figure 11, a list of three cycle data, cycle data SD1 to cycle data SD3, is displayed as a search result list, along with three abnormality notification information items: abnormality notification information A1, abnormality notification information A21, and abnormality notification information A22. However, in Figure 13, unlike the example shown in Figure 11, the colors of abnormality notification information A1 and abnormality notification information A22 each indicate an abnormality level of level 1. On the other hand, in Figure 13, the color of abnormality notification information A21 indicates an abnormality level of level 2. In Figure 13, the difference in the colors of the abnormality notification information is represented by hatching of the abnormality notification information.

[0065] In the example shown in Figure 13, the user can determine, for example, that an anomaly that occurred in the injection molding machine in the cycle corresponding to cycle data SD1 is not urgent to address because the anomaly level is level 1. However, in this example, anomaly notification information A21 indicates that an anomaly also occurred in the injection molding machine in the cycle corresponding to cycle data SD3, and the color indicates that the anomaly level is level 2. Furthermore, in this example, anomaly notification information A22 indicates that in that cycle, an anomaly of level 1 occurred in the quality of the product injected by the injection molding machine. In this example, by looking at anomaly notification information A21 and anomaly notification information A22, the user can determine that there is a high possibility that the anomaly in the injection molding machine will cause an anomaly in the quality of the product. As a result, in this example, the user can determine that the injection molding machine needs to be repaired quickly. Thus, indicating the anomaly level by color in the anomaly notification information can be combined with indicating the source of the anomaly by shape, as shown in Figure 11, to provide the user with more detailed information. In other words, the information processing device X can efficiently handle abnormalities that occur during the cycle.

[0066] Furthermore, indicating the abnormality level by the color of the abnormality notification information may be combined with displaying the abnormality notification information and injection molding condition change information together, for example, as shown in Figure 9. Figure 14 shows a modified example of the search result display area R1 shown in Figure 9. In Figure 14, similar to Figure 9, a list of five cycle data (cycle data SD5 to cycle data SD9) is displayed as a search result list, along with three abnormality notification information items (abnormality notification information A3 to abnormality notification information A5). However, in Figure 14, unlike the example shown in Figure 9, the color of abnormality notification information A5 indicates an abnormality level of 1. On the other hand, in Figure 14, the colors of abnormality notification information A3 and abnormality notification information A4 each indicate an abnormality level of 2. Note that in Figure 14, the difference in the colors of the abnormality notification information is represented by hatching of the abnormality notification information.

[0067] In the example shown in Figure 14, the user can determine that, for example, by changing the injection molding conditions set in the injection molding machine in the cycle corresponding to cycle data SD5, an anomaly of level 2 occurred in the cycle corresponding to cycle data SD6. Furthermore, it is thought that the anomaly determined to have occurred in this way continued until the cycle corresponding to cycle data SD9 was executed. This is because, in the search result display area R1 shown in Figure 14, anomaly occurrence notification information is displayed along with each of the cycle data SD6 to SD8. However, the color of the anomaly occurrence notification information displayed along with cycle data SD7 indicates that the anomaly level is level 2, while the color of the anomaly occurrence notification information displayed along with cycle data SD8 indicates that the anomaly level is level 1. This can be thought to mean that, for example, by changing the injection molding conditions set in the injection molding machine in the cycle corresponding to cycle data SD7, the degree of the anomaly occurring in the cycle decreased. And, no anomaly occurrence notification information is displayed along with cycle data SD9. This suggests that the abnormality that occurred in the cycle was resolved by changing the injection molding conditions set in the injection molding machine during the cycle corresponding to cycle data SD8. In other words, by looking at the search result display area R1 shown in Figure 14, the user can determine that although an abnormality of level 2 occurred in a past cycle, the abnormality has already been resolved by changing the injection molding conditions set in the injection molding machine. Therefore, by combining the display of abnormality level by the color of the abnormality occurrence notification information and the display of the abnormality occurrence notification information and the injection molding condition change information, the information processing device X can more reliably and efficiently deal with abnormalities that occurred in the cycle.

[0068] As shown in Figure 14, the combination of indicating the abnormality level by color in the abnormality notification information and displaying the abnormality notification information in combination with injection molding condition change information can provide users with a variety of information. For example, if a user sees an abnormality notification information indicating a level 2 abnormality level displayed in the next cycle data after a cycle data that previously displayed an abnormality notification information in a color indicating a level 1 abnormality level, along with injection molding condition change information, the user can determine that the degree of abnormality that occurred in the cycle has increased due to a change in the injection molding conditions set in the injection molding machine. Also, for example, if an abnormality notification information indicating a level 1 or level 2 abnormality level is displayed consecutively across multiple cycle data sets along with injection molding condition change information, the user can determine that the abnormality has not been successfully resolved by changing the injection molding conditions set in the injection molding machine.

[0069] Here, the information processing device X identifies the aforementioned abnormality level by accepting multiple ranges as monitoring conditions for each feature value as a limit range for the feature value. Specifically, first, the information processing device X accepts multiple ranges as a limit range for each feature value in accordance with the received operation. Below, as an example, we will explain the case in which the information processing device X accepts two ranges, a first range and a second range, as limit ranges for each feature value. Note that the second range is, for example, a range that includes the first range, but is not limited to this. When these two ranges are accepted, if the feature value is outside the first range and is not outside the second range, the information processing device X identifies the abnormality level as level 1, for example, as a level indicating the degree to which the feature value does not meet the monitoring conditions. In this case, if the feature value is outside both the first and second ranges, the information processing device X identifies the abnormality level as level 2, for example, as a level indicating the degree to which the feature value does not meet the monitoring conditions. On the other hand, in this case, the information processing device X identifies that the feature value satisfies the monitoring condition if it does not fall outside both the first and second ranges. In this way, when the information processing device X accepts multiple ranges as monitoring conditions for the limit range of feature values, the anomaly level is a level that indicates the degree of anomaly that occurred in the cycle, as described above, and is also a level that indicates the degree to which at least one of the feature values ​​does not satisfy the monitoring condition.

[0070] The information processing device X accepts two ranges, a first range and a second range, via a condition specification image P3, for example, as shown in Figure 15. Figure 15 is a diagram showing an example of a condition specification image P3. In Figure 15, for the sake of simplicity, the case where there is only one feature value in each cycle data is described. Therefore, in the example shown in Figure 15, the condition specification image P3 is an image that accepts a limit range for one feature value. In Figure 15, as an example, the case where this one feature value is the injection peak pressure is described. Furthermore, in Figure 15, the case where the limit range for the injection peak pressure is determined by a two-sided tolerance is described. In this case, the condition specification image P3 includes four input fields, for example, input field F6, input field F7, input field F8, and input field F9, as shown in Figure 15. In addition to these four input fields, the condition specification image P3 may also include other GUIs.

[0071] Input field F6 is a field for receiving the lower limit value of the first range for the injection peak pressure. In the example shown in Figure 12, 50.0 MPa is entered in input field F6 as the lower limit value. Note that this lower limit value may be entered in input field F6 by selecting it from a pull-down menu, or by direct input using an input device such as a keyboard.

[0072] Input field F7 is a field that accepts the upper limit value for the first range of injection peak pressure. In the example shown in Figure 12, 150.0 MPa is entered in input field F7 as the upper limit value. Note that this upper limit value may be entered in input field F7 by selecting the upper limit value from a pull-down menu, or by direct input using an input device such as a keyboard.

[0073] Input field F8 is a field for receiving the lower limit value of the second range for the injection peak pressure. In the example shown in Figure 12, 0.00 MPa is entered in input field F8 as the lower limit value. Note that this lower limit value can be entered in input field F8 by selecting it from a pull-down menu, or by direct input using an input device such as a keyboard.

[0074] Input field F9 is a field for accepting the upper limit value of the second range for the injection peak pressure. In the example shown in Figure 12, 200.00 MPa is entered as the upper limit value in input field F9. Note that this upper limit value can be entered in input field F9 by selecting it from a pull-down menu, or by direct input using an input device such as a keyboard.

[0075] When the information processing device X receives the lower and upper limits of a first range for the injection peak pressure via the condition specification image P3, it stores the combination of the received lower and upper limits as the first range for the injection peak pressure. Similarly, when the information processing device X receives the lower and upper limits of a second range for the injection peak pressure via the condition specification image P3, it stores the combination of the received lower and upper limits as the second range for the injection peak pressure. In this way, the information processing device X stores the monitoring conditions for the injection peak pressure. Thus, the information processing device X can receive the monitoring conditions for the feature values ​​indicated by one or more feature value pieces of information contained in each cycle data via the condition specification image P3. As a result, the information processing device X can sequentially indicate when the monitoring conditions for each feature value are not met.

[0076] The second range for a given feature value is, for example, the range defined by the standard for that feature value. In this case, if the feature value falls outside the second range, it is presumed that an abnormality has occurred in the quality of the product. On the other hand, the first range for that feature value is, for example, the range defined in the factory for managing injection molding by an injection molding machine. In this case, if the feature value falls outside the first range, it does not necessarily mean that an abnormality has occurred in the quality of the product. If the feature value falls outside the first range, it means, for example, that the possibility of an abnormality occurring in the quality of the product is increasing. For these reasons, as mentioned above, the abnormality level can be said to indicate the degree of abnormality that occurred in the cycle. In other words, the color of the abnormality notification information corresponds to the abnormality level, and can therefore be said to be the abnormality level information itself.

[0077] Furthermore, the information processing device X may be configured to use other methods for identifying the abnormality level. For example, the information processing device X may be configured to identify the abnormality level according to the number of times the feature value monitoring condition is not met. In this case, for example, the information processing device X accepts the aforementioned first range or second range as the limit range for each feature value, and accepts a threshold for the number of times the feature value exceeds the monitoring condition as the over-count threshold. Here, abnormalities occurring in a cycle may occur suddenly in only one cycle, or they may occur continuously over multiple cycles. The degree of abnormality occurring in a cycle increases as the number of times abnormalities occur continuously over multiple cycles increases. Therefore, for example, the information processing device X identifies the abnormality level as level 1 if the number of times abnormalities occurred in a cycle does not exceed the over-count threshold, and identifies the abnormality level as level 2 if the number of times exceeds the over-count threshold.

[0078] The information processing device X receives the limit range and the over-count threshold via a condition specification image P4, for example, as shown in Figure 16. Figure 16 is a diagram showing an example of a condition specification image P4. In Figure 16, for the sake of simplicity, the case where there is only one feature value in each cycle data is described. Therefore, in the example shown in Figure 16, the condition specification image P4 is an image that receives the limit range and the over-count threshold for one feature value. In Figure 16, as an example, the case where this one feature value is the injection peak pressure is described. In Figure 16, the case where the limit range for the injection peak pressure is determined by a two-sided tolerance is also described. In this case, the condition specification image P4 includes four input fields, for example, input field F10, input field F11, input field F12, and input field F13, as shown in Figure 16. In addition to these four input fields, the condition specification image P4 may also include other GUIs.

[0079] Input field F10 is a field for accepting the lower limit value of the limit range for the injection peak pressure. In the example shown in Figure 16, the value 0.00 MPa is entered in input field F10 as the lower limit value. Note that this lower limit value may be entered in input field F10 by selecting the value from a pull-down menu, or by direct input using an input device such as a keyboard.

[0080] Input field F11 is an input field that accepts the threshold for the number of times the value has fallen below the lower limit entered in input field F10 as the lower threshold for exceeding the limit. In the example shown in Figure 16, 2 is entered as the lower threshold for exceeding the limit in input field F11. The lower threshold for exceeding the limit in input field F11 may be entered by selecting the threshold from a pull-down menu, or by direct input using an input device such as a keyboard.

[0081] Input field F12 is a field for accepting the upper limit value of the limit range for injection peak pressure. In the example shown in Figure 16, the upper limit value is entered as 200.00 MPa in input field F12. This upper limit value can be entered in input field F12 by selecting it from a pull-down menu, or by direct input using an input device such as a keyboard.

[0082] Input field F13 is an input field that accepts the upper limit threshold for the number of times the upper limit entered in input field F12 has been exceeded, as the upper limit threshold. In the example shown in Figure 16, 5 is entered as the upper limit threshold in input field F13. The upper limit threshold in input field F13 may be entered by selecting the upper limit threshold from a pull-down menu, or by direct input using an input device such as a keyboard.

[0083] When the information processing device X receives the lower and upper limits of the limit range for injection peak pressure via the condition specification image P4, it stores the combination of the received lower and upper limits as the monitoring conditions for injection peak pressure. Furthermore, when the information processing device X receives the lower and upper over-count thresholds via the condition specification image P4, it stores the received lower and upper over-count thresholds. Thus, the information processing device X can store the monitoring conditions for injection peak pressure, as well as the lower and upper over-count thresholds for injection peak pressure. In this example, the limit range for injection peak pressure is determined by a two-sided tolerance, as described above. Therefore, in the example shown in Figure 16, the information processing device X receives two over-count thresholds: the lower over-count threshold and the upper over-count threshold. However, the information processing device X may be configured to receive only one of the lower or upper over-count thresholds. Furthermore, the method by which the information processing device X identifies the number of times the injection peak pressure monitoring conditions were not met may be a known method or a method to be developed in the future. For example, if the information processing device X only accepts the upper threshold for exceeding the limit, the information processing device X identifies, for each cycle data included in the search result list, the number of cycle data that contain feature value information indicating a feature value that does not meet the monitoring conditions, among the cycle data prior to the date and time indicated by the first date and time information included in the cycle data, and determines whether the identified number exceeds the upper threshold for exceeding the limit. In this way, the information processing device X can identify the number of times the injection peak pressure monitoring conditions were not met.

[0084] Furthermore, the location where the abnormality notification information is displayed in the search results display area R1 may be any other location, not all of the examples described above. Furthermore, the anomaly notification information may also be, for example, highlighted rows, columns, cells, etc., of a table displayed in the search results display area R1.

[0085] As described above, the information processing device X displays an anomaly occurrence notification information on the search image P1, along with anomaly degree information indicating the degree of the anomaly, in accordance with the feature value information of the cycle data included in the search results list. This allows the information processing device X to efficiently deal with anomalies that occur in the cycle.

[0086] Furthermore, the information processing device X may be configured to change the device that displays the abnormality notification information according to the degree of the abnormality that occurred in the cycle, or it may be configured to notify the abnormality notification information by means other than display, such as sound, light, email, or SNS (Social Networking Service) notification. Also, when the information processing device X notifies the abnormality notification information by email, SNS notification, etc., it may be configured to change the recipient according to the degree of the abnormality that occurred in the cycle. The recipient may be, for example, a worker, a work process leader, a foreman, etc., but is not limited to these. For example, if the abnormality level is level 1, the information processing device X will select the worker as the recipient. On the other hand, if the abnormality level is level 2, the information processing device X will select the work process leader, foreman, etc. as the recipient.

[0087] Returning to Figure 4, the search results display area R1 further includes button B2 and a checkbox CH associated with button B2. Here, if a selection operation is received when checkbox CB1 is not displayed, a check mark will be displayed. On the other hand, if a selection operation is received when checkbox CB1 is displayed, the displayed check mark will be removed.

[0088] Button B2 is a button that accepts an operation to output one or more cycle data displayed in the search results display area R1 to another device. However, if the information processing device X accepts a selection operation to button B2 when the check box CB1 is not checked, it will output one or more cycle data displayed in the search results display area R1 to the other device. The other device may be, for example, a terminal device 40, or another information processing device that is communicatively connected to the information processing device X. In the following example, the case where the other device is a terminal device 40 will be described. In the example shown in Figure 4, if the information processing device X accepts a selection operation to button B2 when the check box CB1 is not checked, it will output cycle data SD1 to cycle data SD4 to the terminal device 40. This allows the user to easily obtain, for example, the cycle data displayed in the search results display area R1. In other words, the user can easily download, for example, the cycle data displayed in the search results display area R1 to the terminal device 40. When an anomaly notification information is displayed in conjunction with certain cycle data, and this cycle data is output to another device in this manner, the cycle data may be configured to include the anomaly notification information. However, in this case, the cycle data output to the other device may be, for example, output as a CSV file, but is not limited to this. Furthermore, in this case, the anomaly notification information may be included not as an image, but as a flag, text information, a value, etc., indicating whether or not an anomaly has occurred in the cycle, but is not limited to this. Even in this case, it may be possible for the user to choose whether or not to include the anomaly notification information in the cycle data.

[0089] When the information processing device X receives a selection operation for button B2 shown in Figure 4 while checkbox CB1 is not checked, it outputs these four cycle data to the terminal device 40. On the other hand, when the information processing device X receives a selection operation for button B2 while checkbox CB1 is checked, it outputs injection molding condition data associated with each of the one or more cycle data displayed in the search results display area R1 to the terminal device 40. In the example shown in Figure 4, in this case, the information processing device X outputs to the terminal device 40 combinations of cycle data SD1 and the injection molding condition data associated with cycle data SD1, combinations of cycle data SD2 and the injection molding condition data associated with cycle data SD2, combinations of cycle data SD3 and the injection molding condition data associated with cycle data SD3, and combinations of cycle data SD4 and the injection molding condition data associated with cycle data SD4. As a result, the user can easily obtain, for example, the injection molding condition data associated with the cycle data along with the cycle data displayed in the search results display area R1. In other words, the user can easily download, for example, the cycle data displayed in the search results display area R1, along with the injection molding condition data associated with the cycle data, to the terminal device 40. As a result, the information processing device X can easily grasp the relationship between the injection molding cycle performed by the injection molding apparatus and the injection molding conditions set in the injection molding apparatus.

[0090] <Hardware configuration of information processing device X> Here, the information processing device 20 and the server 30 may have the same hardware configuration or they may have different hardware configurations. Below, as an example, we will describe the case in which the information processing device 20 and the server 30 have the same hardware configuration. In other words, in this example, the information processing device X has the hardware configuration shown in Figure 17. Figure 17 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device X.

[0091] The information processing device X comprises, for example, a processor 31, a storage unit 32, and a communication unit 33. These components are connected to each other via a bus so as to be able to communicate with one another. The information processing device X also communicates with other devices via the communication unit 33. These other devices are, for example, an injection molding machine, a server 30, a terminal device 40, etc., if the information processing device X is an information processing device 20. These other devices are, for example, an information processing device 20, a terminal device 40, etc., if the information processing device X is a server 30.

[0092] The processor 31 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). However, the processor 31 may be another processor, such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), instead of a CPU. The processor 31 executes various programs stored in the memory unit 32.

[0093] The storage unit 32 is a storage device that includes, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), or a RAM (Random Access Memory). The storage unit 32 may be an external storage device connected via a digital input / output port such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus), instead of being built into the information processing device X. The storage unit 32 stores various types of information, images, and programs processed by the information processing device X. In other words, all types of information stored by the information processing device X are stored in the storage unit 32.

[0094] The communication unit 33 is a communication device that includes, for example, digital input / output ports such as USB, an Ethernet® port, an antenna for wireless communication, and the like.

[0095] <Functional Configuration of Information Processing Device X> Here, the information processing device 20 and the server 30 may have the same functional configuration or they may have different functional configurations. Below, as an example, we will describe the case in which the information processing device 20 and the server 30 have the same functional configuration. In other words, in this example, the information processing device X has the functional configuration shown in Figure 18. Figure 18 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the information processing device X.

[0096] The information processing device X comprises a storage unit 32, a communication unit 33, and a control unit 34.

[0097] The control unit 34 controls the entire information processing device X. The control unit 34 comprises at least a cycle data acquisition unit 341, an injection molding condition data acquisition unit 342, a display control unit 343, and an output control unit 344. These functional units of the control unit 34 are realized, for example, by the processor 31 executing various programs stored in the storage unit 32. Some or all of these functional units may be hardware functional units such as LSIs (Large Scale Integration) or ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits).

[0098] The cycle data acquisition unit 341 acquires cycle data for each cycle of the injection molding machine from a device that is communicatively connected to the information processing device X. This device may be, for example, an injection molding machine or an information processing device 20.

[0099] The injection molding condition data acquisition unit 342 acquires injection molding condition data from a device that is communicatively connected to the information processing device X each time injection molding conditions are set in each injection molding apparatus. This device may be, for example, an injection molding apparatus or an information processing device 20.

[0100] The display control unit 343 generates various images in response to the received operation. For example, the display control unit 343 generates the aforementioned search image P1. The display control unit 343 transmits the generated image to the terminal device 40 and displays the image on the terminal device 40.

[0101] The output control unit 344 outputs various types of data to other devices in response to the received operation. For example, the output control unit 344 outputs the aforementioned download data to other devices in response to the operation received via the search image P1.

[0102] <Processing performed by the information processing device X in response to an operation received via the searched image P1> Referring to Figure 19, the processing performed by the information processing device X in response to an operation received via the search image P1 will be explained. Figure 19 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the information processing device X in response to an operation received via the search image P1. Below, as an example, the case in which the search image P1 is displayed on the terminal device 40 at a time before the processing of step S110 shown in Figure 19 is performed will be explained. Furthermore, below, as an example, the case in which multiple cycle data and multiple injection molding condition data are already stored in the information processing device X at that time will be explained.

[0103] After the search image P1 is displayed, the control unit 34 waits until it receives an operation via the search image P1 displayed on the terminal device 40 (step S110). In Figure 19, the process in step S110 is indicated by "Operation received?".

[0104] If the control unit 34 determines that it has received an operation via the search image P1 displayed on the terminal device 40 (step S110-YES), it determines whether the received operation is an operation that terminates the process shown in the flowchart in Figure 19 (step S120). The determination process in step S120 by the control unit 34 may be performed by a known method or by a method to be developed in the future. Also, in Figure 19, the process in step S120 is indicated by "Termination?".

[0105] If the control unit 34 determines that the operation received in step S110 is an operation that terminates the process shown in the flowchart in Figure 19 (step S120-YES), it will, for example, delete the display of the search image P1 from the terminal device 40 and terminate the process shown in the flowchart in Figure 19.

[0106] On the other hand, if the control unit 34 determines that the operation received in step S110 is not an operation that terminates the process shown in the flowchart in Figure 19 (step S120-NO), it performs processing corresponding to the received operation (step S130). This processing includes various processes that have been described as processes performed by the information processing device X in this embodiment. Here, the processing performed by the control unit 34 in step S130 has already been explained in the explanation of Figures 2 to 16, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0107] After the processing in step S130 is completed, the control unit 34 transitions to step S110 and waits again until it receives an operation via the search image P1 displayed on the terminal device 40.

[0108] Through the above processing, the information processing device X acquires cycle data, including one or more cycle-related pieces of information and first date and time information, for each cycle. In addition, the information processing device X acquires injection molding condition data, including one or more pieces of injection molding condition information and second date and time information, each time injection molding conditions are set on the injection molding apparatus. Then, in response to the received operation, the information processing device X displays a combination of one or more acquired cycle data and corresponding information indicating the injection molding condition data associated with that cycle data from one or more acquired injection molding condition data. This makes it easy for the information processing device X to grasp the relationship between the injection molding cycle by the injection molding apparatus and the injection molding conditions set on the injection molding apparatus. Furthermore, the information processing device X acquires cycle data for each cycle, which includes one or more cycle-related pieces of information and a first date and time piece of information. In addition, the information processing device X acquires injection molding condition data, which includes one or more pieces of injection molding condition information and a second date and time piece of information, each time injection molding conditions are set on the injection molding apparatus. Then, in response to the received operation, the information processing device X outputs to another device a combination of one or more acquired cycle data pieces and one or more acquired injection molding condition data pieces associated with that cycle data. In this way, the information processing device X can easily grasp the relationship between the injection molding cycle by the injection molding apparatus and the injection molding conditions set on the injection molding apparatus.

[0109] Furthermore, the molding management system 1 described above may include a terminal device 40. Also, the molding management system 1 described above may include an injection molding apparatus such as an injection molding apparatus 11.

[0110] Furthermore, in the molding management system 1 described above, cycle data and injection molding condition data may be associated by other methods. Also, in the molding management system 1 described above, cycle data and injection molding condition data may be associated in a one-to-many or many-to-many manner.

[0111] Furthermore, the elements described above can be combined in any way.

[0112] <Note> [1] A molding management system comprising an information processing device that is communicably connected to a terminal device, for managing the production of a product in a production process including an injection molding process of a product by an injection molding apparatus, wherein the information processing device acquires cycle data for each cycle, which includes one or more cycle-related pieces of information obtained in accordance with the execution of an injection molding cycle by the injection molding apparatus and first date and time information indicating the date and time acquired from the injection molding apparatus, and in response to an operation received, displays a data display image on a display unit that displays a list of the one or more acquired cycle data arranged in date and time order, the one or more cycle-related pieces of information include feature value information indicating the characteristic value of a quantity detected for each cycle by a detection unit attached to the injection molding apparatus, and the information processing device displays abnormality occurrence notification information on the data display image that notifies that an abnormality has occurred in the cycle, according to the feature value information of the cycle data included in the list, and also indicates the degree of the abnormality that occurred in the cycle on the data display image. [2] The molding management system according to [1], wherein the information processing device acquires injection molding condition data, which includes one or more injection molding condition pieces of information indicating injection molding conditions set in the injection molding apparatus and a second date and time information indicating the date and time acquired from the injection molding apparatus, each time the injection molding conditions are set in the injection molding apparatus, and the cycle data included in the list is accompanied by correspondence information indicating the injection molding condition data associated with the cycle data. [3] The molding management system according to [2], wherein the injection molding condition data associated with the cycle data is the injection molding condition data acquired at the closest past date and time to the date and time when the cycle data was acquired. [4] The molding management system according to [2], wherein each of the cycle data and the injection molding condition data further includes device identification information for identifying the injection molding apparatus. [5] The molding management system according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the abnormalities occurring in the cycle include at least one of an abnormality occurring in the injection molding apparatus, an abnormality occurring in a mold attached to the injection molding apparatus, and an abnormality occurring in the quality of the product injection-molded by the injection molding apparatus. [6] The molding management system described in any one of [1] to [5], wherein the aforementioned feature value information is information showing the time series of the aforementioned quantity. [7] The aforementioned feature value information is the feature value itself, a molding management system as described in any one of items [1] to [5]. [8] The information processing device displays the abnormality notification information on the data display image, depending on whether the feature value indicated by the feature value information of the cycle data included in the list falls outside the first range, and also indicates the degree on the data display image. The molding management system described in [7]. [9] The abnormality notification information is a mark to be displayed in conjunction with the cycle data which includes the feature value information indicating the feature value that falls outside the first range among the cycle data included in the list, and the information processing device indicates the degree by at least one of the position of the abnormality notification information and the number of abnormality notification information, as described in [8].

[10] The molding management system according to [8] or [9], wherein the information processing device displays a condition-specifying image on the display unit that accepts an operation to specify the first range in response to an operation received.

[11] The molding management system according to [9], wherein the information processing device indicates the degree by at least the location of the abnormal occurrence notification information and the number of abnormal occurrence notification information, and the location of the abnormal occurrence notification information is distinguished by the cycle data included in the list that displays the abnormal occurrence notification information.

[12] The molding management system according to

[11] , wherein the location of the abnormal occurrence notification information is further distinguished by the cycle-related information, of which one or more cycle-related information included in the cycle data of the list, the cycle-related information that displays the abnormal occurrence notification information together with it.

[13] The molding management system described in [9], wherein the list includes, for each cycle data, a source region associated with the source of an anomaly occurring in the cycle, there are multiple sources, the source region is associated with each of the multiple sources, and the location of the anomaly notification information is distinguished by the source region on which the anomaly notification information is displayed among the multiple source regions.

[14] The information processing device displays the abnormality notification information on the data display image and indicates the degree of the abnormality notification information, depending on whether the feature value indicated by the feature value information of the cycle data included in the list falls outside a first range, and whether the feature value indicated by the feature value information of the cycle data included in the list falls outside a second range different from the first range, the abnormality notification information is a mark to be displayed in conjunction with the cycle data included in the list that contains the feature value information indicating the feature value that falls outside the first range or the second range, and the information processing device indicates the degree of the abnormality notification information by at least one of the color of the abnormality notification information and the shape of the abnormality notification information, as described in [8].

[15] The molding management system according to

[14] , wherein the information processing device displays on the display unit a condition specification image that accepts an operation to specify the first range and the second range, respectively, in response to an operation received.

[16] The information processing device displays the abnormality notification information on the data display image according to the number of times the feature value indicated by the feature value information of the cycle data included in the list has fallen outside the first range, and also indicates the degree on the data display image, a molding management system according to any one of [1] to

[15] .

[17] The abnormality notification information is a mark to be displayed in conjunction with the cycle data that includes the feature value information indicating the feature value that falls outside the first range among the cycle data included in the list, and the information processing device indicates the degree by the color of the abnormality notification information, and the color of the abnormality notification information indicates that the degree is greater the more times it occurs, as described in

[16] .

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

[17] , wherein the information processing device receives information indicating that an abnormality that occurred in the cycle corresponding to a specified first cycle data among the cycle data included in the list has been addressed, and displays the information indicating that an abnormality has been addressed in the data display image along with the first cycle data.

[19] A molding management system according to any one of [1] to

[18] , including the aforementioned terminal device.

[20] A molding management system according to any one of [1] to

[19] , including the injection molding apparatus.

[0113] Although embodiments of this disclosure have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments and may be modified, replaced, deleted, etc., as long as it does not deviate from the gist of this disclosure.

[0114] Furthermore, a program to realize the function of any component in the apparatus described above may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program may be loaded into a computer system and executed. Here, the apparatus is, for example, an injection molding machine 11, an information processing device 20, a server 30, a terminal device 40, etc. The term "computer system" here includes hardware such as an OS (Operating System) and peripheral devices. The term "computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, CD (Compact Disk)-ROMs, and storage devices such as hard disks built into a computer system. In addition, the term "computer-readable recording medium" also includes volatile memory inside a computer system that acts as a server or client when a program is transmitted via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line, which retains the program for a certain period of time.

[0115] Furthermore, the above program may be transmitted from a computer system that stores the program in a memory device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium or by transmission waves within the transmission medium. Here, the "transmission medium" used to transmit the program refers to a medium that has the function of transmitting information, such as a network like the Internet or a communication line like a telephone line. Furthermore, the above program may be intended to implement some of the functions described above. In addition, the above program may be one that can implement the functions described above in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system, a so-called differential file or differential program. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0116] 1...Molding management system, 10...Managed device, 11...Injection molding machine, 20...Information processing device, 30...Server, 31...Processor, 32...Storage unit, 33...Communication unit, 34...Control unit, 40...Terminal device, 341...Cycle data acquisition unit, 342...Injection molding condition data acquisition unit, 343...Display control unit, 344...Output control unit, X...Information processing device

Claims

1. A molding management system that includes an information processing device that is communicably connected to a terminal device, and manages the production of a product in a production process that includes an injection molding process of a product by an injection molding machine, The aforementioned information processing device is Cycle data is acquired for each cycle, including one or more cycle-related pieces of information obtained in accordance with the execution of the injection molding cycle by the injection molding apparatus, and first date and time information indicating the date and time obtained from the injection molding apparatus. In response to the received operation, a data display image is displayed on the display unit, showing a list of one or more of the acquired cycle data arranged in chronological order. The aforementioned one or more cycle-related pieces of information include feature value information indicating the characteristic values ​​of the quantities detected for each cycle by a detection unit attached to the injection molding apparatus. The information processing device displays an anomaly occurrence notification information on the data display image, indicating that an anomaly occurred in the cycle, in accordance with the feature value information of the cycle data included in the list, and also indicates the degree of the anomaly that occurred in the cycle on the data display image. Molding management system.

2. The information processing device acquires injection molding condition data, which includes one or more injection molding condition pieces of information indicating injection molding conditions set in the injection molding apparatus, and a second date and time information indicating the date and time obtained from the injection molding apparatus, each time the injection molding conditions are set in the injection molding apparatus. The cycle data included in the above list is accompanied by corresponding information indicating the injection molding condition data associated with the cycle data. The molding management system according to claim 1.

3. The injection molding condition data associated with the cycle data is the injection molding condition data acquired at the closest past date and time to the date and time when the cycle data was acquired. The molding management system according to claim 2.

4. Each of the cycle data and the injection molding condition data further includes device identification information that identifies the injection molding apparatus. The molding management system according to claim 2.

5. The abnormalities that occur in the cycle include at least one of the following: an abnormality occurring in the injection molding apparatus; an abnormality occurring in the mold attached to the injection molding apparatus; and an abnormality occurring in the quality of the product injection-molded by the injection molding apparatus. The molding management system according to claim 1.

6. The aforementioned feature value information is information that shows the time series of the aforementioned quantity. The molding management system according to claim 1.

7. The aforementioned feature value information is the feature value itself. The molding management system according to claim 1.

8. The information processing device displays the abnormality notification information on the data display image, depending on whether the feature value indicated by the feature value information of the cycle data included in the list falls outside the first range, and also indicates the degree on the data display image. The molding management system according to claim 1.

9. The anomaly notification information is a mark to be displayed in conjunction with the cycle data that includes the feature value information indicating the feature value that falls outside the first range among the cycle data included in the list. The information processing device indicates the degree by at least one of the location of the abnormal occurrence notification information and the number of the abnormal occurrence notification information. The molding management system according to claim 8.

10. The information processing device displays a condition-specifying image on the display unit that accepts an operation to specify the first range, in response to the received operation. The molding management system according to claim 8.

11. The information processing device indicates the degree based on at least the location of the abnormal occurrence notification information and the number of abnormal occurrence notification information, The location of the abnormal occurrence notification information is determined by the cycle data included in the list that displays the abnormal occurrence notification information. The molding management system according to claim 9.

12. The location of the abnormal occurrence notification information is further distinguished by the cycle-related information, which is displayed in conjunction with the abnormal occurrence notification information, among the one or more cycle-related information items included in the cycle data of the list. The molding management system according to claim 11.

13. The above list includes, for each cycle data, a source region associated with the source of the anomaly that occurs in the cycle. The aforementioned sources are multiple, The aforementioned source region is associated with each of the plurality of aforementioned sources, The location of the abnormal occurrence notification information is determined by the source area on which the abnormal occurrence notification information is displayed among the plurality of source areas. The molding management system according to claim 9.

14. The information processing device displays the abnormality notification information on the data display image and indicates the degree of the abnormality, depending on whether the feature value indicated by the feature value information of the cycle data included in the list falls outside a first range, and whether the feature value indicated by the feature value information of the cycle data included in the list falls outside a second range that is different from the first range. The anomaly notification information is a mark to be displayed in conjunction with the cycle data that includes the feature value information indicating the feature value that falls outside the first range or the second range among the cycle data included in the list. The information processing device indicates the degree by at least one of the color of the abnormal occurrence notification information and the shape of the abnormal occurrence notification information. The molding management system according to claim 8.

15. The information processing device displays on the display unit a condition specification image that accepts an operation to specify the first range and the second range, respectively, in response to the received operation. The molding management system according to claim 14.

16. The information processing device displays the abnormality notification information on the data display image according to the number of times the feature value indicated by the feature value information of the cycle data included in the list falls outside the first range, and also indicates the degree on the data display image. The molding management system according to claim 1.

17. The anomaly notification information is a mark to be displayed in conjunction with the cycle data that includes the feature value information indicating the feature value that falls outside the first range among the cycle data included in the list. The information processing device indicates the degree of the abnormality by the color of the abnormality notification information. The color of the aforementioned anomaly notification information indicates that the more times it occurs, the greater the degree of the anomaly. The molding management system according to claim 16.

18. The aforementioned information processing device is The system receives information indicating that an issue has been addressed in the cycle corresponding to the specified first cycle data among the cycle data included in the list above. The processed information is displayed on the data display image in conjunction with the first cycle data. The molding management system according to claim 1.

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

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

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