Molding Management System

Abstract

To provide a molding management system that can easily identify the injection molding machine that sent previously acquired data. [Solution] 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, wherein the information processing device includes a storage unit that stores data relating to injection molding, and the data is associated with information specific to the injection molding machine as device identification information that identifies the injection molding machine.

Description

Technical Field

[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, in the case of managing a plurality of injection molding devices via a network, a technique for assigning communication identification information such as an IP (Internet Protocol) address to each injection molding device so as not to overlap 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 technology as described in Patent Document 1, due to the movement or the like of the injection molding device to be managed, the communication identification information assigned to a certain injection molding device may be assigned to another injection molding device. This leads to the situation that when managing the injection molding device by the communication identification information, it becomes impossible to know which injection molding device is the transmission source of the data acquired in the past, which is not desirable.

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 includes a storage unit that stores data relating to injection molding, and the data is associated with information specific to the injection molding apparatus as apparatus identification information that identifies the injection molding apparatus. [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 diagram illustrates a method for identifying injection molding condition data to be associated with cycle data. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device X. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of the functional configuration of the information processing device X. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of the processing flow in which the information processing device 20 stores the acquired injection molding-related data. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of the processing flow in which the information processing device X displays a list of injection molding-related data. [Figure 7] This is a diagram showing an example of search image P1. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of how the search results list is displayed in the search results display area R1. [Figure 9] This figure shows another example of how the search results list is displayed in the search results display area R1. [Figure 10] This diagram illustrates how one of two common IP injection molding machines is connected to the information processing device 20. [Figure 11] This figure shows an example of a communication destination specification image P2. [Figure 12] This figure shows an example of how the state of the switch shown in Figure 11 changes. [Figure 13]It is a diagram showing another example of the communication destination specified image P2. [Figure 14] It is a diagram showing an example of the state of the information processing device 20 connected to one of the two common IP injection molding devices via the switching unit 50. [Figure 15] It is a diagram showing an example of the first history information. [Figure 16] It is a diagram showing an example of the second history information. [Figure 17] It is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of the process in which the information processing device 20 updates the above-described first correspondence information and second correspondence information to the latest information. [Figure 18] It is a diagram showing an example of the second correspondence information. [Figure 19] It is a diagram showing an example of the first correspondence information. [Figure 20] It is a diagram showing an example of the first correspondence information reception image P3. [Figure 21] It is a diagram showing an example of the state of the first correspondence information reception image P3 in which the information MS2 is displayed. [Figure 22] It is a sequence diagram showing another example of the flow of the process in which the information processing device 20 updates the first correspondence information to the latest information. [Figure 23] It is a diagram for explaining a specific example of the situation where the injection molding device connected to the information processing device 20 is changed. [Figure 24] It is a diagram exemplifying the injection molding related data acquired by the information processing device 20 from the injection molding device in chronological order.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] [[ID=四十二]] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

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

[0010] ​The molding management system according to this embodiment manages the production of products in a production process that includes the injection molding process of products using an injection molding machine. The molding management system includes an information processing device. The information processing device is connected to a terminal device for communication. The information processing device also includes a storage unit that stores data related to injection molding. The data is associated with information specific to the injection molding machine as device identification information that identifies the injection molding machine. This allows the molding management system to easily identify the injection molding machine that sent previously acquired data.

[0011] The configuration of the molding management system according to this embodiment and the processing performed by the server included in the molding management system will be described in detail below.

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

[0013] Figure 1 shows 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 various types of data, such as cycle data, injection molding condition data, and operating status history data, from each of the one or more injection molding machines included in the multiple managed devices 10. Below, as an example, we will describe a case where three types of data—cycle data, injection molding condition data, and operating status history data—are acquired by the information processing device 20 from each of the one or more injection molding machines. The information processing device 20 acquires each of these three types of data independently. Therefore, in this example, the timing at which these three types of data are acquired by the information processing device 20 will differ, unless intentionally coordinated, except in cases of accidental coincidence. Furthermore, for the sake of explanation, unless it is necessary to distinguish between these three types of data, they will be collectively referred to as injection molding-related data. Injection molding-related data is, in other words, data relating to injection molding by an injection molding machine.

[0018] For example, the information processing device 20 acquires cycle data for each 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 certain cycle includes one or more cycle-related pieces of information obtained in accordance with the execution of the cycle by the injection molding machine, communication identification information assigned to the injection molding machine, and first date and time information indicating the date and time the data 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 communication identification information, and the first date and time information. Furthermore, the communication identification information is information that identifies the injection molding machine on the network to which the injection molding machine is connected, and is, for example, the IP (Internet Protocol) address assigned to the injection molding machine, but may be other information that can identify the injection molding machine on the network. Furthermore, the one or more cycle-related pieces of information may include some or all of the following, for example, detection information, operating status information, production quantity information, quality information, etc. However, the information included in the one or more cycle-related pieces of information is not limited to these. The detection information included in the cycle data as cycle-related information is information detected by one or more sensors attached to the injection molding apparatus, and may include some or all of the following: information indicating temperature, information indicating pressure, information indicating current value, information indicating voltage value, etc. The operating status information included in the cycle data as cycle-related information is information indicating the operating status of the injection molding apparatus. The number of products included in the cycle data as cycle-related information is information indicating the number of products injected during the cycle. The quality information included in the cycle data as cycle-related information is information indicating the quality of the products injected during the cycle. 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.When the information processing device 20 acquires certain cycle data, it stores the acquired cycle data and also 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.

[0019] Furthermore, for example, 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, communication identification information assigned to that injection molding device, and second date and time information indicating the date and time the information was acquired from that 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 communication identification information, and the second date and time information. Furthermore, the one or more injection molding condition pieces of information may include some or all of the following, for example, 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 pieces of 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 apparatus 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. In this way, the information processing device 20 can also store the acquired injection molding condition data in the server 30.

[0020] Furthermore, for example, the information processing device 20 acquires operational status history data from each of the injection molding machines included in the plurality of managed devices 10 each time the power to the injection molding machine is turned off. Here, the operational status history data acquired from a certain injection molding machine is information that associates the following: operation start date and time information indicating the date and time when the power to the injection molding machine was turned on, operation end date and time information indicating the date and time when the power to the injection molding machine was turned off, communication identification information assigned to the injection molding machine, and third date and time information indicating the date and time when the injection molding machine was acquired by the information processing device 20. Note that the operational status history data may also include other information in addition to the operation start date and time information, operation end date and time information, communication identification information, and third date and time information. Furthermore, the third date and time information indicating the date and time when the injection molding machine was acquired by the information processing device 20 may be a timestamp, or other information indicating the date and time. Furthermore, the operational status history data may be included in the cycle data as cycle-related information. In this case, the aforementioned operation information may be the operational status history data itself. When the information processing device 20 acquires certain operational status history data, it stores the acquired operational status history data and also outputs the acquired operational status history data to the server 30. In this way, the information processing device 20 can also store the acquired operational status history data in the server 30.

[0021] Furthermore, the information processing device 20 displays various images based on injection molding-related 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, these images include GUIs (Graphical User Interfaces), icons, windows on the OS (Operating System), etc. 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, so we will omit the explanation. 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.

[0022] 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.

[0023] 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.

[0024] 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.

[0025] Server 30 stores operational status history data acquired by the information processing device 20. For example, if Server 30 acquires certain operational status history data from the information processing device 20, it stores the acquired operational status history data.

[0026] 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 injection molding-related 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.

[0027] 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 injection molding-related 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 for communication, 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."

[0028] The information processing device X extracts injection molding condition data corresponding to each of the one or more cycle data from the one or more molding condition data stored in advance, 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 correspondence between cycle data and injection molding condition data. Therefore, in the information processing device X, one injection molding condition data is associated with each cycle data.

[0029] 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 that includes the communication identification information contained in the cycle data from one or more injection molding condition data that have been stored in advance. In this case, the information processing device X may be configured to extract one or more injection molding condition data that includes the device identification information, which will be described later, from the information contained in the cycle data. Then, from the one or more injection molding condition data that have been 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 2 is a diagram illustrating the method for identifying the injection molding condition data to be associated with a cycle data. Figure 2 shows three cycle data outputs from a certain injection molding device and three injection molding condition data outputs from the same injection molding device. Specifically, Figure 2 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 2 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 2 are extracted by the information processing device X, and the three injection molding condition data shown in Figure 2 are already 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 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 be associated with cycle data that includes first date and time information indicating May 1, 2024, 10:00:00. This is because, of the three dates and times: May 1, 2024, 09:00:00, May 1, 2024, 10:02:00, and May 1, 2024, 10:03:00, the past date and time closest 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 containing second date and time information indicating May 1, 2024, 09:00:00 as injection molding condition data to be associated with cycle data containing first date and time information indicating May 1, 2024, 10:01:00. Then, the information processing device X 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 2. 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. Using this identification method, the information processing device X can associate one molding condition data with each of the three cycle data shown in Figure 2. As a result, one injection molding condition data is associated with each cycle data. In Figure 2, the injection molding condition data associated with each cycle data are connected by arrows. In other words, in the example shown in Figure 2, 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. Nevertheless, users often identify the cause of an anomaly by looking at the cycle data, for example, when an anomaly occurs in the quality of a product molded by injection molding. Therefore, even if there is a many-to-one correspondence between cycle data and injection molding condition data, if there is only one injection molding condition data associated with each cycle data, the information processing device X can suppress the complexity of the work required to identify the cause of the anomaly. 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. Also, for example, the injection molding conditions that are usually set on an injection molding machine are not changed during the execution of a cycle. Therefore, even if the injection molding conditions are set on the injection molding machine multiple times before the execution of a cycle, the injection molding conditions that are actually set on the injection molding machine at the time of execution of the cycle are the injection molding conditions that were last set on the injection molding machine before the start of the cycle. 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 outputting the 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 the 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. Furthermore, 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.Furthermore, the association between such cycle data and injection molding condition data may be performed by the information processing device X at other times, such as when a predetermined operation is received from the user.

[0030] For the sake of clarity, in the following explanation, unless it is necessary to distinguish between the cycle data, injection molding condition data, and operating status history data acquired by the information processing device X, they will be collectively referred to as injection molding-related data.

[0031] Here, when the information processing device 20 acquires injection molding-related data from an injection molding machine, it stores device identification information that identifies the injection molding machine in association with the injection molding-related data. Therefore, when the information processing device 20 outputs the injection molding-related data to the server 30, it outputs the injection molding-related data to the server 30 with the device identification information associated with it. For this reason, the device identification information is associated with the injection molding-related data stored in the server 30. In this embodiment, the device identification information is information that can identify the injection molding machine and is also information unique to the injection molding machine. Therefore, communication identification information that can be changed by the user among the communication identification information assigned to the injection molding machine, and device name information that indicates the name assigned to the injection molding machine, etc., cannot be used as device identification information because they may be changed for management purposes of the injection molding machine. However, among the communication identification information, communication identification information that is assigned to the injection molding machine in a way that cannot be changed, such as a MAC address, can be used as device identification information. The information that can be used as the device identification information includes, for example, the serial number, MAC (Media Access Control) address, model number, and ID assigned to the injection molding machine. Furthermore, the device identification information does not have to be a single piece of information; it may be multiple pieces of information. That is, the device identification information is at least one of the serial number, MAC (Media Access Control) address, model number, and ID assigned to the injection molding machine. In the following explanation, for the sake of simplicity, we will describe the case where the device identification information is the MAC address assigned to the injection molding machine as an example. In this way, since the molding management system 1 associates device identification information with injection molding-related data, the information processing device X can easily identify which injection molding machine each piece of injection molding-related data was acquired from, even if the communication identification information has been changed once or more in the past for administrative reasons. In other words, the information processing device X can easily identify the injection molding machine that sent the previously acquired injection molding-related data.This is an effect that cannot be obtained when using information that may be changed for administrative reasons, such as an IP address, as device identification information. Furthermore, even when the information processing device 20 stores data other than injection molding-related data acquired from a certain injection molding apparatus, it may be configured to store device identification information that identifies the injection molding apparatus in association with that data. In this case, the information processing device X can easily identify the injection molding apparatus that was the source of various data acquired in the past.

[0032] <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 where 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 3. Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device X.

[0033] 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.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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.

[0037] <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 4. Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the information processing device X.

[0038] The information processing device X comprises a storage unit 32, a communication unit 33, and a control unit 34.

[0039] The control unit 34 controls the entire information processing device X. The control unit 34 comprises at least a data acquisition unit 341, a display control unit 342, and an output control unit 343. 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).

[0040] The data acquisition unit 341 acquires various types of data from a device that is communicatively connected to the information processing device X. This device may be, for example, an injection molding machine or the information processing device 20.

[0041] The display control unit 342 generates various images in response to the received operation. The display control unit 342 transmits the generated images to the terminal device 40 and displays the images on the terminal device 40.

[0042] The output control unit 343 outputs various types of data to other devices in response to the received operation. For example, the output control unit 343 outputs injection molding-related data to other devices.

[0043] <Processing by which the information processing device 20 stores acquired injection molding-related data> Referring to Figure 5, the process by which the information processing device 20 stores acquired injection molding-related data will be described. Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of the process by which the information processing device 20 stores acquired injection molding-related data. In the following, as an example, a case will be described in which, prior to the processing of step S110 shown in Figure 5, first correspondence information is stored in the storage unit 32 for all injection molding devices connected to the information processing device 20, associating device identification information that identifies the injection molding device with communication identification information assigned to the injection molding device. Here, the first correspondence information is information in which the device identification information and communication identification information are associated for each piece of device identification information. Note that the method by which the information processing device 20 stores the first correspondence information in the storage unit 32 may be a known method or a method that will be developed in the future. For example, the information processing device 20 associates the device identification information specified by the user operation with the communication identification information specified by the user operation and stores it in the storage unit 32 as first correspondence information. Furthermore, for example, the information processing device 20 may be configured to store the first correspondence information in the storage unit 32 as information included in the master data, or it may be configured to store the first correspondence information in the storage unit 32 as other information. Details of the first correspondence information will be described later. The information processing device 20 repeatedly executes the process shown in the flowchart in Figure 5, for example, while the power of the information processing device 20 is turned on.

[0044] The control unit 34 waits until it acquires injection molding-related data (step S110). In Figure 5, the process in step S110 is indicated by "Data acquisition?".

[0045] If the control unit 34 determines that injection molding-related data has been acquired (step S110-YES), it identifies the communication identification information contained in the acquired injection molding-related data (step S120). In Figure 5, the process in step S120 is shown as "identification of communication identification information".

[0046] Next, the control unit 34 identifies the device identification information associated with the communication identification information based on the communication identification information identified in step S120 and the first correspondence information pre-stored in the storage unit 32 (step S130). In Figure 5, the process in step S130 is shown as "device identification information identification".

[0047] Next, the control unit 34 associates the device identification information identified in step S130 with the injection molding-related data acquired in step S110 (step S140). In Figure 5, the process in step S140 is shown as "associating device identification information".

[0048] Next, the control unit 34 stores the injection molding-related data associated with the device identification information in step S140 in the storage unit 32 (step S150). In Figure 5, the process in step S150 is shown as "data storage". After the process in step S150 is completed, the control unit 34 transitions to step S110 and waits again until it can acquire injection molding-related data.

[0049] In this way, the storage unit 32 of the information processing device X stores injection molding-related data to which device identification information is associated. As a result, the information processing device X can easily identify the injection molding device that sent the previously acquired data. In addition, the injection molding-related data acquired by the information processing device 20 from a certain injection molding device may already contain the device identification information of that injection molding device before the information processing device 20 associates it with the device identification information of that injection molding device. In this case, the injection molding device outputs the injection molding-related data including the device identification information to the information processing device 20. And in this case, the information processing device 20 may not perform the processing shown in the flowchart in Figure 5.

[0050] <Processing by which the information processing device X displays a list of injection molding-related data> The following describes the process by which the information processing device X displays a list of injection molding-related data, referring to Figure 6. Specifically, the following describes the process by which the information processing device X searches for injection molding-related data in response to an received operation. Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of the process by which the information processing device X displays a list of injection molding-related data. The following describes, as an example, the case in which the information processing device X stores the type of injection molding-related data to be searched at a timing prior to the processing of step S210 shown in Figure 6. The following also describes, as an example, the case in which the information processing device X receives an operation to select the type of injection molding-related data to be searched at that timing. The operation to select the type of injection molding-related data is, in other words, the operation to select one of cycle data, injection molding condition data, or operating status history data. For the sake of explanation, the following will refer to the type of injection molding-related data selected by this operation as the search target injection molding-related data. The following also describes, as an example, the case in which the information processing device X receives an operation to display the search image P1 at that timing. Search image P1 is an image that accepts an operation to have the information processing device X search for the injection molding-related data desired by the user from among the injection molding-related data to be searched stored in the memory unit 32. Here, search image P1 will be explained.

[0051] Figure 7 shows an example of a search image P1. In the example shown in Figure 7, 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 that can accept operations to search for target injection molding-related 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.

[0052] Input field F1 is where the user enters the device name information assigned to the injection molding machine that output the desired search target injection molding-related data. Here, the device name information assigned to an injection molding machine is information indicating the name assigned to that injection molding machine. This name is assigned to injection molding machines in a way that avoids duplication, for example, for management purposes within the factory. Similarly, in the master data stored in the information processing device X, injection molding machines are assigned names that do not duplicate. In the example shown in Figure 7, "test1" is entered in input field F1 as an example of device name information. Note that the device name information in input field F1 may be entered by selecting the device name information from a pull-down menu, or by direct input using an input device such as a keyboard.

[0053] Input fields F2 and F3 are fields into which period information is entered, indicating the period including the date and time when the injection molding-related data to be searched for by the user was acquired by the information processing device 20. In the example shown in Figure 2, input field F2 is a 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 a field into which end date and time information indicating the end date and time of the period is entered.

[0054] 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 aforementioned start date and time information, is entered. In the example shown in Figure 2, "2024 / 05 / 01", indicating May 1, 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.

[0055] 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 31, 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.

[0056] Button B1 is a button that accepts an operation to perform a search for target type injection molding-related 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 target injection molding-related 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 target injection molding-related 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 7 is an image before the extraction of the one or more target injection molding-related data is performed. Therefore, nothing is displayed in the search results display area R1 shown in Figure 7. In the following explanation, for convenience, the list of the one or more target injection molding-related data extracted by the information processing device X will be simply referred to as the search results list. Furthermore, the method for extracting one or more searchable injection molding-related data items corresponding to the information entered in some or all of the input fields F1 to F3, that is, the method for searching for said one or more searchable injection molding-related data items, 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. Furthermore, if a selection operation is performed on button B1 when no information has been entered in all of the input fields F1 to F3, the information processing device X may be configured to display a list of all of the one or more searchable injection molding-related data items that have been stored in advance as a search result list in the search result display area R1, or it may be configured not to display anything in the search result display area R1.

[0057] Figure 8 shows an example of how the search results list is displayed in the search results display area R1. In the example shown in Figure 8, input field F1 displays "Device No. 1," which is the device name information selected by the pull-down menu. Input field F2 displays information indicating June 10, 2024, 12:00:00 as the start date and time information. Input field F3 displays information indicating June 10, 2024, 12:30:00 as the end date and time information. Therefore, in response to the selection operation on button B1, the information processing device X displays three target type injection molding-related data acquired from the injection molding device assigned the name "Device No. 1" from June 10, 2024, 12:00:00 to June 10, 2024, 12:30:00 in the search results display area R1. Furthermore, in this example, each of the three cycle data displayed in the search results display area R1 is data obtained from the same injection molding machine. This can be easily identified because the machine identification information contained in each of the three cycle data displayed in the search results display area R1 shown in Figure 8 is all the same.

[0058] On the other hand, Figure 9 shows another example of how the search results list is displayed in the search results display area R1. In the example shown in Figure 9, input field F1 displays "Device No. 2," which is the device name information selected by the pull-down menu. Input field F2 displays information indicating June 10, 2024, 12:00:00 as the start date and time information. Input field F3 displays information indicating June 11, 2024, 12:30:00 as the end date and time information. Therefore, in response to the selection operation on button B1, the information processing device X displays three target type injection molding related data acquired from the injection molding device assigned the name "Device No. 2" from June 10, 2024, 12:00:00 to June 11, 2024, 12:30:00 in the search results display area R1. Note that in the example shown in Figure 9, the target type injection molding related data is cycle data. Furthermore, in this example, each of the three cycle data displayed in the search result display area R1 is data acquired from one of the two injection molding machines. This can be easily identified from the fact that the machine identification information included in the two cycle data displayed in the search result display area R1 shown in Figure 9 is "MC2406A0002", while the machine identification information included in the remaining cycle data is "MC24060001". In this way, since the injection molding-related data stored in the storage unit 32 includes machine identification information, the information processing device X can easily identify the injection molding machine that transmitted the previously acquired data.

[0059] Furthermore, instead of the information processing device X searching for target type injection molding related data including the device name information entered in the input field F1 in response to an operation received via the search image P1, it may also be configured to identify device identification information associated with the device name information and then search for target type injection molding related data including the identified device identification information. In this case, for each piece of device identification information, the information processing device X stores in the storage unit 32 second correspondence information that associates the device identification information with the device name information. In this case, even if the user does not remember the device identification information, a list of target type injection molding related data acquired by the information processing device 20 from the injection molding machine desired by the user can be displayed on the terminal device 40, etc. The method by which the information processing device X stores the second correspondence information in the storage unit 32 may be a known method or a method to be developed in the future. The target type injection molding related data included in the list of target type injection molding related data displayed in this way includes common device identification information, for example, the list of target type injection molding related data displayed in the search result display area R1 shown in Figure 9. Therefore, in this embodiment, a graphical explanation of the list of target type injection molding-related data displayed in the search result display area R1 is omitted. Further details of the second correspondence information will be described later.

[0060] Return to Figure 6. When the control unit 34 receives an operation to display the search image P1, it generates the search image P1 (step S210). The method by which the control unit 34 generates the search image P1 may be a known method or a method to be developed in the future. In Figure 6, the process in step S210 is shown as "search image generation".

[0061] Next, the control unit 34 displays the search image P1 generated in step S210 (step S220). In Figure 6, the process in step S220 is shown as "displaying the search image".

[0062] Next, the control unit 34 waits until it receives an operation via the search image P1 displayed in step S220 (step S230). In Figure 6, the process in step S230 is indicated by "Operation received?".

[0063] If the control unit 34 determines that it has received an operation via the search image P1 displayed in step S220 (step S230-YES), it determines whether the received operation was an operation to terminate the search for target type injection molding related data (step S240). In Figure 6, the process in step S240 is indicated by "Search terminated?".

[0064] If the control unit 34 determines that the operation received in step S230 was an operation to end the search for target type injection molding related data (step S240-YES), it deletes the display of the search image P1 on the terminal device 40 (step S250) and terminates the process of the flowchart shown in Figure 6. In Figure 6, the process in step S250 is shown as "deletion of the display of the search image".

[0065] On the other hand, if the control unit 34 determines that the operation received in step S230 was not an operation to terminate the search for target type injection molding related data (step S240-NO), it performs processing corresponding to the operation received in step S230 (step S260). This processing is, for example, the processing performed by the information processing device X in response to selection operations on each GUI included in the search image P1 shown in Figure 7. In Figure 6, the processing in step S260 is shown as "processing according to operation". After the processing in step S260 is performed, the control unit 34 transitions to step S230 and waits again until it receives an operation via the search image P1 displayed in step S220.

[0066] As described above, the information processing device X can display a list of injection molding-related data desired by the user.

[0067] <Regarding the switching of the injection molding device connected to the information processing device 20> The information processing device 20 may be configured to switch which of the multiple injection molding devices to which it communicates, depending on various circumstances, is assigned a common communication identification information. For the sake of explanation, the multiple injection molding devices assigned a common communication identification information will be referred to as common IP injection molding devices below. In such a configuration, the information processing device 20 stores the device identification information in association with the injection molding-related data, eliminating the need for the user to associate each piece of injection molding-related data with information indicating which of the multiple common IP injection molding devices it was obtained from. This reduces the management effort for the multiple common IP injection molding devices and is therefore useful. Furthermore, this means that the management of the multiple common IP injection molding devices can be performed by a person with little network knowledge, which is also useful.

[0068] Figure 10 illustrates how one of two common IP injection molding machines is connected to the information processing device 20. The first and second injection molding machines shown in Figure 10 are assigned the IP address "xxx.16x.100.1" as a common communication identification. In the example shown in Figure 10, the information processing device 20 switches the connected injection molding machine from a state where it is communicatively connected to the first injection molding machine to a state where it is communicatively connected to the second injection molding machine. This switching process is shown in Figure 10 by an arrow accompanied by the words "reconnection". The information processing device 20 can perform this switching of connected injection molding machines to other injection molding machines via software, for example, by accepting an operation via a communication destination specification image P2 as shown in Figure 11.

[0069] Figure 11 shows an example of a communication destination selection image P2. The communication destination selection image P2 is an image that includes a GUI that accepts an operation to switch which of the two or more connectable common IP injection molding machines the information processing device 20 will communicate with. The communication destination selection image P2 includes, for example, an area R2 that displays a list of device-related information indicating each of the two or more connectable common IP injection molding machines, and a button B2. Note that the communication destination selection image P2 may also include other GUIs in addition to area R2 and button B2. In the example shown in Figure 11, the device-related information indicating each of the two or more common IP injection molding machines displayed in area R2 includes device name information, communication identification information, and serial number for the common IP injection molding machine. In addition, area R2 displays switches that accept an operation to switch the communication status with the information processing device 20, which are associated with each common IP injection molding machine. However, the user can only turn on one of the two or more switches displayed in area R2. In other words, the communication destination designation image P2 accepts an operation to switch which of the two or more common IP injection molding devices the information processing device 20 will communicate with, by designating one of the two or more common IP injection molding devices as the communication destination and excluding the remaining two or more common IP injection molding devices as the communication destination. This is because two or more common IP injection molding devices cannot be in a state where they can communicate with the information processing device 20 at the same time. Note that when a certain switch displayed in area R2 is ON, it indicates that the common IP injection molding device indicated by the device-related information displayed with that switch is connected to the information processing device 20 among the two or more common IP injection molding devices. In other words, when a certain switch displayed in area R2 is OFF, it indicates that the common IP injection molding device indicated by the device-related information displayed with that switch is not connected to the information processing device 20 among the two or more common IP injection molding devices. In the example shown in Figure 11, the switch displayed with the device-related information indicating the first injection molding device shown in Figure 10 is ON. On the other hand, in this example, the switch displayed in conjunction with the device-related information showing the second injection molding apparatus in Figure 10 is in the OFF state.

[0070] Here, Figure 12 shows an example of how the state of the switch shown in Figure 11 changes. In the example shown in Figure 12, unlike the example shown in Figure 11, the switch displayed in conjunction with the device-related information indicating the first injection molding apparatus shown in Figure 10 is in the OFF state. On the other hand, in this example, the switch displayed in conjunction with the device-related information indicating the second injection molding apparatus shown in Figure 10 is in the ON state. In the communication destination specification image P2, when the state of the switch is switched in this way and communication is established between the information processing device 20 and the common IP injection molding apparatus, information MS indicating that the communication has been established is displayed as shown in Figure 12. In the example shown in Figure 12, the information MS is a message containing the string "Connected to the device", but it is not limited to this.

[0071] Furthermore, the information processing device 20 may be configured to accept an operation to select, for example, a pull-down menu as shown in Figure 13, from among two or more common IP injection molding devices, in the communication destination specification image P2, instead of the switch described above, in order to establish communication with the information processing device 20. Figure 13 shows another example of the communication destination specification image P2. In the communication destination specification image P2 shown in Figure 13, each device-related information does not have a switch attached to it that accepts an operation to switch the communication status with the information processing device 20. Instead, the communication destination specification image P2 shown in Figure 13 includes an input field F4.

[0072] Input field F4 is a field where information is entered indicating the common IP injection molding apparatus that the user wishes to establish communication with the information processing device 20, from among the two or more common IP injection molding apparatuses indicated by each of the device-related information displayed in area R2. In the example shown in Figure 13, input field F4 displays "First Injection Molding Apparatus," which is one of the device name information included in the device-related information displayed in area R2. Information can be entered into input field F4 by selecting information from a pull-down menu, or by direct input using an input device such as a keyboard. In this example, the device name information is entered into input field F4 by selecting device name information from a pull-down menu. Input field F4 may also be a field where device identification information is entered instead of device name information.

[0073] Furthermore, the information processing device 20 may be configured to accept switching between connected common IP injection molding devices via a hardware-based switching unit 50, such as the one shown in Figure 14. Figure 14 shows an example of how the information processing device 20 is connected to one of the two common IP injection molding devices via the switching unit 50.

[0074] The switching unit 50 is a switcher that switches which of the two or more common IP injection molding machines the information processing device 20 communicates with. In the example shown in Figure 14, the switching unit 50 is connected between each of the two common IP injection molding machines and the information processing device 20. Therefore, in this example, the switching unit 50 switches which of the two common IP injection molding machines the information processing device 20 communicates with. In this case, the user can intuitively establish communication between the desired common IP injection molding machine and the information processing device 20 without operating the information processing device 20. Also, in this case, the molding management system 1 includes the switching unit 50. Note that in the example shown in Figure 13, the switching unit 50 is separate from the information processing device 20, but it may be configured integrally with the information processing device 20.

[0075] <Regarding the storage of historical information by the information processing device X> The information processing device X may be configured to store at least one of the first history information and the second history information in the storage unit 32.

[0076] Here, the first history information refers to information that shows the history of changes to at least one of the communication identification information and device name information associated with each device identification information stored in the storage unit 32. Below, as an example, we will explain the case in which the first history information shows the history of changes to both the communication identification information and device name information associated with each device identification information stored in the storage unit 32, as shown in Figure 15. Figure 15 is a diagram showing an example of the first history information. Figure 15 shows the first history information that shows the history of changes to both the device name information and communication identification information associated with the device identification information "MC2406A0001". For example, in the first history information, as shown in Figure 15, the first change date and time information, which indicates the date and time when at least one of the device name information and communication identification information associated with the device identification information was changed, and the device name information and communication identification information from the date and time indicated by the first change date and time information onwards are associated with the device identification information. For example, the first history information shown in Figure 15 indicates that the device name information associated with the device identification information "MC2406A0001" was changed from "First Injection Molding Machine" to "Second Injection Molding Machine" at 14:00:00 on July 14, 2024. Also, for example, the first history information shown in Figure 15 indicates that the communication identification information associated with the device identification information "MC2406A0001" was changed from "xxx.16x.100.1" to "xxx.16x.200.1" at 10:00:00 on July 7, 2024.

[0077] The information processing device X generates first history information in response to a change in at least one of the device name information associated with the device identification information or the communication identification information, and stores the generated first history information in the storage unit 32. The method for generating the first history information by the information processing device X may be a known method or a method to be developed in the future.

[0078] Furthermore, the information processing device X may be configured to display such first history information in response to the received operation, or it may be configured to output it to another device. This other device may be a terminal device 40, but is not limited to this.

[0079] Furthermore, the second history information refers to information that shows the history of changes to at least one of the device identification information and device name information associated with each communication identification information stored in the storage unit 32. Below, as an example, we will explain the case in which the second history information shows the history of changes to both the device identification information and device name information associated with each communication identification information stored in the storage unit 32, as shown in Figure 16. Figure 16 is a diagram showing an example of the second history information. Figure 16 shows the second history information that shows the history of changes to both the device identification information and device name information associated with the communication identification information "xxx.16x.200.1". For example, in the second history information, as shown in Figure 16, the second change date and time information, which indicates the date and time when at least one of the device identification information and device name information associated with the communication identification information was changed, and the device identification information and device name information from the date and time indicated by the second change date and time information onwards are associated with the communication identification information. For example, the second history information shown in Figure 16 indicates that the device identification information associated with the communication identification information "xxx.16x.200.1" was changed from "MC2406A0001" to "MC2406A0003" at 9:00:00 on August 17, 2024. Also, for example, the second history information shown in Figure 16 indicates that the device name information associated with the communication identification information "xxx.16x.200.1" was changed from "First Injection Molding Machine" to "Second Injection Molding Machine" at 9:00:00 on August 17, 2024.

[0080] For example, the information processing device X generates second history information in response to a change in at least one of the device identification information and device name information associated with the communication identification information, and stores the generated second history information in the storage unit 32. The method by which the information processing device X generates the second history information may be a known method or a method to be developed in the future.

[0081] Furthermore, the information processing device X may be configured to display such second history information in response to the received operation, or it may be configured to output it to another device. This other device may be a terminal device 40, but is not limited to this.

[0082] As described above, the information processing device X can facilitate the management of device identification information, communication identification information, etc., by storing at least one of the first history information and the second history information in the storage unit 32.

[0083] <Process in which the information processing device 20 updates the first and second correspondence information to the latest information> The following describes the process by which the information processing device 20 updates the first and second correspondence information to the latest information, with reference to Figure 17. This process is performed by the information processing device 20, for example, when it establishes communication with the injection molding machine. Figure 17 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the process flow in which the information processing device 20 updates the first and second correspondence information to the latest information. In the following, as an example, we will describe the case in which the second correspondence information is stored in the storage unit 32 at a time before the process of step S310 shown in Figure 17 is performed. Here, Figure 18 is a diagram showing an example of the second correspondence information. In the example shown in Figure 18, the device identification information "MC2406A0001" is associated with the device name information "First device". Also in this example, the device identification information "MC2406A0002" is associated with the device name information "Second device". Such correspondence between device name information and device identification information may be changed for management purposes. For example, due to management reasons such as changes in the factory layout, the device identification information "MC2406A0001" may be associated with "Device 1," and the device identification information "MC2406A0002" may be associated with "Device 2." For this reason, it is desirable that the second correspondence information is always updated with the latest information. Furthermore, as an example, the case in which the first correspondence information is stored in the storage unit 32 at that time will be described below. Here, Figure 19 is a diagram showing an example of the first correspondence information. In the example shown in Figure 19, the device name information "Device 1" is associated with the communication identification information "xxx.2x.20.20." Also, in this example, the device name information "Device 2" is associated with the communication identification information "xxx.2x.20.21." The first correspondence information that is pre-stored in the storage unit 32 is the first correspondence information that the information processing device 20 has received in the past. When reconnecting the information processing device 20 to each injection molding machine, it may be unclear whether this first correspondence information is the latest information.This is because the correspondence between device name information and communication identification information, like the correspondence between device name information and device identification information, can be changed due to management reasons such as changes in the factory layout. For this reason, it is desirable that the first correspondence information is always updated to the latest information. Below, as an example, we will describe the case in which the information processing device 20 receives new first correspondence information when it establishes communication with an injection molding machine. Specifically, below, as an example, we will describe the case in which the information processing device 20 receives new first correspondence information when it receives an operation from a user to connect the information processing device 20 to a certain injection molding machine. This newly received first correspondence information is the first correspondence information that associates the device name information and communication identification information that the user recognizes as being associated at the time the user attempts to connect the information processing device 20 to a certain injection molding machine. Furthermore, below, as an example, we will describe the case in which the information processing device 20 displays a first correspondence information reception image P3 that receives the first correspondence information at that timing.

[0084] After the first corresponding information reception image P3 is displayed, the control unit 34 displays the first corresponding information reception image P3 (step S310). In Figure 18, the process in step S310 is shown as "receiving the first corresponding information". Here, Figure 20 is a diagram showing an example of the first corresponding information reception image P3. The first corresponding information reception image P3 includes, for example, input field F5, input field F6, button B3, and button B4. Note that the first corresponding information reception image P3 may also include other GUI elements in addition to input field F5, input field F6, button B3, and button B4.

[0085] Input field F5 is a field where the user enters device name information indicating the name of the injection molding machine they wish to connect to the information processing device 20. In the example shown in Figure 20, nothing is entered in input field F5. Information can be entered into input field F5 by selecting the device name information from a pull-down menu, or by direct input using an input device such as a keyboard.

[0086] Input field F6 is where the user enters the communication identification information that they recognize as being assigned to the injection molding machine whose name is indicated by the device name information entered in input field F5. In the example shown in Figure 20, nothing is entered in input field F6. Information can be entered into input field F6 by selecting the communication identification information from a pull-down menu, or by direct input using an input device such as a keyboard.

[0087] Button B3 is a button that accepts an operation to initiate a connection of the information processing device 20 to the injection molding machine to which the communication identification information entered in input field F6 is assigned. When button B3 is selected, the information processing device 20 sends a connection request to the injection molding machine based on the communication identification information.

[0088] Button B4 is a button that accepts an operation to cancel the connection of the information processing device 20 to the injection molding machine to which the communication identification information entered in input field F6 is assigned. When button B4 is selected, the information processing device 20 cancels the connection, for example, by deleting the display of the first corresponding information reception image P3 on the terminal device 40.

[0089] The control unit 34 receives the first corresponding information from the user in step S310 via the first corresponding information reception image P3. Therefore, the following describes the cases in step S310 when the device name information is entered into input field F5, the communication identification information is entered into input field F6, and the selection operation is performed on button B3.

[0090] After the selection operation to button B3 is performed, the control unit 34 sends a request to the injection molding machine to which the communication identification information entered in input field F6 is assigned, requesting the information processing device 20 to connect (step S320). In Figure 18, the process in step S320 is shown as "Sending connection request". For the sake of explanation, the injection molding machine will be referred to as the target injection molding machine below. In the following description, as an example, the case in which the target injection molding machine is the injection molding machine 11, as shown in Figure 18, will be explained. In the following description, as an example, the case in which the request includes a request to obtain the device identification information assigned to the target injection molding machine will be explained. Note that the request to obtain the device identification information may be sent separately from the connection request from the information processing device 20 to the target injection molding machine.

[0091] Next, the injection molding machine to be connected receives a connection request from the information processing device 20 (step S410). In Figure 18, the process in step S410 is shown as "receiving a connection request".

[0092] Next, the injection molding apparatus to be connected establishes communication with the information processing device 20 (step S420). In Figure 18, the process in step S420 is indicated by "connection". The method by which the injection molding apparatus to be connected establishes communication with the information processing device 20 in step S420 may be a known method or a method to be developed in the future.

[0093] Next, the injection molding machine to be connected transmits the device identification information assigned to the injection molding machine to the information processing device 20 (step S430). In other words, in the example shown in Figure 18, the injection molding machine to be connected passively transmits the device identification information to the information processing device 20 in response to a request from the information processing device 20. In Figure 18, the process in step S430 is shown as "transmission of device identification information".

[0094] Next, the control unit 34 receives device identification information from the injection molding machine to be connected. Then, the information processing device 20 determines, based on the received device identification information and the second correspondence information pre-stored in the storage unit 32, whether the device name information associated with the device identification information matches the device name information associated with the device identification information in the first correspondence information received in step S310 (step S330). In Figure 18, the process in step S330 is indicated by "Registered?".

[0095] If the control unit 34 determines that the device name information associated with the received device identification information matches the device name information associated with the device identification information in the first correspondence information received in step S310 (step S330-YES), it displays information MS2 on the first correspondence information reception image P3 indicating that the first correspondence information received in step S310 is already stored in the storage unit 32 (step S360). In Figure 18, the process in step S360 is shown by "error display".

[0096] Here, Figure 21 shows an example of the first corresponding information reception image P3 where information MS2 is displayed. In the example shown in Figure 21, the first corresponding information reception image P3 displays the string "※Device name is duplicated" as information MS2. This allows the user to easily understand that the injection molding machine they were trying to connect to the information processing device 20 was the desired injection molding machine.

[0097] On the other hand, if the control unit 34 determines that the device name information associated with the received device identification information does not match the device name information associated with the device identification information in the first correspondence information received in step S310 (step S330-NO), it updates the first correspondence information and the second correspondence information stored in the storage unit 32 (step S340). Specifically, in step S340, the control unit 34 replaces the first correspondence information stored in the storage unit 32, which includes the communication identification information contained in the first correspondence information received in step S310, with the first correspondence information received in step S310. Also, in step S340, the control unit 34 replaces the second correspondence information stored in the storage unit 32, which includes the device identification information contained in the first correspondence information received in step S310, with the second correspondence information that associates the device identification information received in step S330 with the device name information contained in the first correspondence information. Figure 18 shows the process in step S340 as "update".

[0098] Next, the control unit 34, for example, when displaying the communication destination designation image P2, generates the communication destination designation image P2 based on the updated first correspondence information and second correspondence information, and displays the generated communication destination designation image P2 (step S350). In Figure 18, the process in step S350 is shown as "Display on communication destination designation image". Note that the processing performed after the processing in step S340 is not limited to the processing in step S350.

[0099] Through the sequence described above, the information processing device 20 can update the first and second corresponding information to the latest information. This prevents unintended injection molding devices from being connected to the information processing device 20, and as a result, makes it easier to manage injection molding devices connected to the information processing device 20.

[0100] The information processing device 20 may be configured to update the first corresponding information to the latest information by executing the processing shown in the sequence diagram in Figure 22 instead of the sequence diagram in Figure 18. Figure 22 is a sequence diagram showing another example of the processing flow in which the information processing device 20 updates the first corresponding information to the latest information. As an example, the following describes a case in which the information processing device 20 receives an operation to broadcast a connection request to each of the one or more injection molding machines that are in a state where communication can be established with the information processing device 20, at a timing prior to the processing of step S510 shown in Figure 22. Furthermore, as an example, the following describes a case in which the injection molding machine 11 is the only injection molding machine that is in a state where communication can be established with the information processing device 20. Furthermore, as an example, the following describes a case in which the first corresponding information is stored in the storage unit 32 at that timing.

[0101] After receiving the operation to broadcast a connection request, the control unit 34 sends a connection request to the injection molding apparatus 11 (step S510). In Figure 22, the process in step S510 is shown as "sending a connection request".

[0102] Next, the injection molding apparatus 11 receives a connection request from the information processing device 20 (step S610). In Figure 22, the process in step S610 is shown as "receiving a connection request".

[0103] Next, the injection molding apparatus 11 establishes communication with the information processing apparatus 20 (step S620). In Figure 22, the process in step S620 is indicated by "connection". The method by which the injection molding apparatus to be connected establishes communication with the information processing apparatus 20 in step S620 may be a known method or a method to be developed in the future.

[0104] Next, the injection molding apparatus 11 transmits the apparatus identification information assigned to the injection molding apparatus 11 to the information processing device 20 (step S630). In other words, in the example shown in Figure 22, the injection molding apparatus 11 actively transmits the apparatus identification information to the information processing device 20. In Figure 22, the process in step S630 is shown as "transmission of apparatus identification information".

[0105] Next, the control unit 34 receives device identification information from the injection molding apparatus 11. Then, the information processing device 20 determines, based on the received device identification information and the second correspondence information pre-stored in the storage unit 32, whether the device name information associated with the device identification information matches the device name information associated with the device identification information in the first correspondence information pre-stored in the storage unit 32 (step S520). In Figure 22, the process in step S520 is indicated by "Registered?".

[0106] If the control unit 34 determines that the device name information associated with the received device identification information matches the device name information associated with the device identification information in the first correspondence information pre-stored in the storage unit 32 (step S520-YES), it does nothing and waits until it receives a new operation from the user.

[0107] On the other hand, if the control unit 34 determines that the device name information associated with the received device identification information does not match the device name information associated with the device identification information in the first correspondence information pre-stored in the storage unit 32 (step S520-NO), it updates the first correspondence information stored in the storage unit 32 (step S530). Specifically, in step S530, the control unit 34 identifies communication identification information indicating the source of the device identification information. The method for identifying the communication identification information may be a known method such as analyzing the header, or it may be a method to be developed in the future. After identifying the communication identification information, the control unit 34 replaces the first correspondence information stored in the storage unit 32 that includes the received device identification information with the first correspondence information that associates the received device identification information with the communication identification information. In Figure 22, the process in step S530 is shown as "update".

[0108] Through the sequence described above, the information processing device 20 can update the first corresponding information to the latest information. This also prevents unintended injection molding devices from being connected to the information processing device 20, and as a result, makes it easier to manage the injection molding devices connected to the information processing device 20.

[0109] <Specific examples of situations in which the injection molding machine connected to the information processing device 20 is changed>

[0110] The following describes a specific example of a situation in which an injection molding machine connected to the information processing device 20 is changed, with reference to Figure 23. Figure 23 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a situation in which an injection molding machine connected to the information processing device 20 is changed. In the first factory building, indicated by the symbol S1, injection molding machines 11 and 12 are physically connected to the information processing device 20 by a communication cable, and are in a state where they can establish communication with the information processing device 20. In the first factory building, injection molding machine 11 is assigned the name "Machine No. 1". In the first factory building, injection molding machine 12 is assigned the name "Machine No. 2". In the first factory building, the information processing device 20 has established communication with injection molding machine 11 by software or hardware, but has not established communication with injection molding machine 12. In such a first factory building, injection molding machine 11 may be swapped with injection molding machine 12 due to a layout change. In Figure 23, the first factory building after this swap of positions is the first factory building indicated by symbol S2. In this case, as shown in Figure 23, the communication identification information assigned to injection molding machine 11 and the communication identification information assigned to injection molding machine 12 may be swapped. Furthermore, in this case, within the first factory building, the name assigned to injection molding machine 11 has been changed from "machine 1" to "machine 2". Therefore, within the first factory building, the name assigned to injection molding machine 12 has been changed from "machine 2" to "machine 1". Within the first factory building, the information processing device 20 has established communication with injection molding machine 12 by software or hardware, but has not established communication with injection molding machine 11. In this state, injection molding machine 11 is not in use and may begin to be used for other purposes. As a result, injection molding machine 11 may be moved from the first factory building to the second factory building indicated by situation S3.In this case, the communication identification information assigned to the injection molding machine 11 within the second factory building may be different from the communication identification information that can be assigned to the injection molding machine 11 within the first factory building, as shown in Figure 23. Furthermore, within the second factory building, the name of the injection molding machine 11 has been changed to "Unit 1".

[0111] As described above, the names and communication identification information assigned to injection molding machines within a factory may be changed due to management reasons such as changes in the factory layout. In such cases, if it becomes impossible to identify which injection molding machine each piece of injection molding-related data stored in the memory unit 32 of the information processing device X originated from, it becomes difficult to precisely manage the products molded by injection molding. To solve this problem, the memory unit 32 of the information processing device X stores injection molding-related data associated with the machine identification information. This allows the information processing device X to easily identify the injection molding machine that sent the previously acquired data.

[0112] For example, Figure 24 is a diagram illustrating injection molding-related data acquired by the information processing device 20 from the injection molding machine in chronological order. However, in Figure 24, the timing of a change in the factory layout is indicated by a row labeled "Layout Change". Also, in Figure 24, the timing of a change in the injection molding machine connected to the information processing device 20 within the factory is indicated by "Connection Change". Furthermore, in Figure 24, the timing of a change in the name of the injection molding machine within the factory is indicated by "Name Change". The type of injection molding-related data shown in Figure 24 is cycle data.

[0113] The cycle data shown in Figure 24 includes cycle data where device name information, communication identification information, etc., are duplicated. However, each of the cycle data shown in Figure 24 can be identified by its device identification information to determine which injection molding machine it was acquired from and which machine it was acquired by the information processing device 20. In this way, when the storage unit 32 stores injection molding-related data associated with device identification information, the information processing device X can easily identify the injection molding machine that sent the previously acquired data.

[0114] 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. Furthermore, the information processing device 20 described above may be configured to associate multiple injection molding condition data with a single cycle data.

[0115] Furthermore, the elements described above can be combined in any way.

[0116] <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 that includes an injection molding process of a product by an injection molding apparatus, wherein the information processing device comprises a storage unit for storing data relating to injection molding, and the data is associated with information specific to the injection molding apparatus as apparatus identification information for identifying the injection molding apparatus. [2] The molding management system according to [1], wherein the device identification information is at least one of the serial number, MAC (Media Access Control) address, model number, ID, etc., assigned to the injection molding apparatus. [3] The molding management system according to [1] or [2], wherein the data is associated with communication identification information assigned to the sending injection molding apparatus, separately from the apparatus identification information. [4] The molding management system according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the storage unit stores first correspondence information for each device identification information, which associates the device identification information with the communication identification information assigned to the injection molding apparatus. [5] The molding management system according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the information processing device is connected to communicate with any one of the two or more injection molding devices to which a common communication identification information has been assigned, and the information processing device is connected to communicate with any one of the two or more injection molding devices, and the control unit displays a communication destination designation image on a display unit which accepts an operation to switch which of the two or more injection molding devices the information processing device should communicate with. [6] The molding management system according to [5], wherein the communication destination designation image accepts an operation to switch which of the two or more injection molding devices the information processing device will communicate with, by designating one of the two or more injection molding devices as the communication destination and excluding the remaining two or more injection molding devices as the communication destination. [7] The molding management system according to [5] or [6], wherein the communication destination designation image includes a GUI that accepts an operation to switch which of the two or more injection molding apparatuses the information processing device should communicate with. [8] The molding management system according to any one of [1] to [7], wherein the information processing device is connected to communicate with any one of the two or more injection molding devices to which a common communication identification information has been assigned, and the molding management system comprises a switching unit that switches which of the two or more injection molding devices the information processing device communicates with. [9] The molding management system according to any one of [1] to [8], wherein the data comprises at least one of cycle data, injection molding condition data, and operating status history data.

[10] The storage unit stores second correspondence information for each device identification information, wherein the device identification information and device name information indicating the name of the injection molding apparatus are associated; the information processing device receives device name information indicating the name of the injection molding apparatus, identifies the device identification information associated with the received device name information based on the second correspondence information, and displays a list of the data including the identified device identification information on the display unit; the molding management system according to any one of [1] to [9].

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

[10] , wherein the storage unit stores first history information indicating a history of changes to at least one of the communication identification information and the device name information associated with the device identification information, and the device name information is information indicating the name of the injection molding apparatus.

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

[11] , wherein the storage unit stores second history information indicating a history of changes to at least one of the device identification information and device name information associated with the communication identification information, and the device name information is information indicating the name of the injection molding apparatus.

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

[12] , wherein the injection molding apparatus stores the apparatus identification information of the injection molding apparatus, and the information processing apparatus comprises a control unit that acquires the apparatus identification information stored by the injection molding apparatus from the injection molding apparatus in response to an received operation.

[14] The molding management system according to

[13] , wherein the storage unit stores first correspondence information for each device identification information, which associates the device identification information with communication identification information assigned to the injection molding apparatus, and the control unit determines whether the combination of the device identification information obtained from the injection molding apparatus and the communication identification information assigned to the injection molding apparatus is associated in the first correspondence information, and displays information indicating the result of the determination on the display unit.

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

[14] , including the aforementioned terminal device.

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

[15] , including the injection molding apparatus.

[0117] 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.

[0118] 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.

[0119] 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]

[0120] 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...Data acquisition unit, 342...Display control unit, 343...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 includes a storage unit for storing data related to injection molding, The aforementioned data is associated with information specific to the injection molding apparatus as apparatus identification information that identifies the injection molding apparatus. Molding management system.

2. The aforementioned device identification information is at least one of the following: the serial number, MAC (Media Access Control) address, model number, ID, etc., assigned to the injection molding apparatus. The molding management system according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned data is associated with communication identification information assigned to the source injection molding apparatus, separately from the apparatus identification information. The molding management system according to claim 1.

4. The storage unit stores, for each device identification piece, a first correspondence information which associates the device identification information with the communication identification information assigned to the injection molding apparatus. The molding management system according to claim 1.

5. The aforementioned information processing device is It is connected in a communication manner to any one of the two or more injection molding machines to which a common communication identification information has been assigned, The information processing device is equipped with a control unit that displays a communication destination designation image on a display unit, which accepts an operation to switch which of the two or more injection molding machines to communicate with. The molding management system according to claim 1.

6. The aforementioned communication destination designation image accepts an operation to switch which of the two or more injection molding machines the information processing device will communicate with, by designating one of the two or more injection molding machines as the communication destination and excluding the remaining two or more injection molding machines as the communication destination. The molding management system according to claim 5.

7. The aforementioned communication destination designation image includes a GUI that accepts an operation to switch which of the two or more injection molding apparatuses the information processing device should communicate with. The molding management system according to claim 5.

8. The information processing device is connected to communicate with any one of the two or more injection molding machines to which a common communication identification information has been assigned. The molding management system includes a switching unit that switches which of the two or more injection molding machines the information processing device communicates with. The molding management system according to claim 1.

9. The aforementioned data is at least one of the following: cycle data, injection molding condition data, and operating status history data. The molding management system according to claim 1.

10. The storage unit stores, for each piece of device identification information, second correspondence information, in which the device identification information and device name information indicating the name of the injection molding apparatus are associated. The information processing device includes a control unit that receives device name information indicating the name of the injection molding apparatus, identifies the device identification information associated with the received device name information based on the second correspondence information, and displays a list of the data including the identified device identification information on the display unit. The molding management system according to claim 1.

11. The storage unit stores first history information that shows the history of changes to at least one of the communication identification information and device name information associated with the device identification information. The aforementioned device name information is information indicating the name of the injection molding apparatus. The molding management system according to claim 1.

12. The storage unit stores second history information that shows the history of changes to at least one of the device identification information and device name information associated with the communication identification information. The aforementioned device name information is information indicating the name of the injection molding apparatus. The molding management system according to claim 1.

13. The injection molding apparatus stores the apparatus identification information of the injection molding apparatus, The information processing device includes a control unit that, in response to an received operation, acquires the device identification information stored in the injection molding device from the injection molding device. The molding management system according to claim 1.

14. The storage unit stores first correspondence information for each device identification information, in which the device identification information and the communication identification information assigned to the injection molding apparatus are associated. The control unit determines whether the combination of the device identification information obtained from the injection molding apparatus and the communication identification information assigned to the injection molding apparatus is associated in the first correspondence information, and displays information indicating the result of the determination on the display unit. The molding management system according to claim 13.

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

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

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