Information processing systems and programs

Abstract

This reduces the effort required to identify parts in a machine that is composed of multiple units, where at least some of the same type of parts may be used across different units. [Solution] With respect to a machine composed of multiple units combined together, in which at least some of the same type of parts may be attached to different units, the system includes a machine information database that manages machine information including identification information for identifying at least one individual machine, and a parts information database that manages parts attached to the machine, associating at least the name of the part with a part code indicating the location of the machine to which the part is attached and the type of the part.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing system and a program.

Background Art

[0002] There is a system for managing parts information of a machine. In Patent Document 1, a control terminal device transmits a request signal for requesting parts information to a control server device, the control server device transmits the request signal received from the control terminal device to a management server device after associating server-specific information with it, the management server device transmits the parts information received from the management server device to the control terminal device, the management server device holds parts information (a data structure in which at least one of part characteristics, work content for handling the part, and part image data representing the part is associated with part-specific information), and management information (a single data structure in which machine-specific information and part-specific information are associated with the server-specific information), and based on the received request signal and server-specific information, searches for the requested parts information and discloses an information management system that transmits it to the control server device.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The management of machine parts is generally done using part names or part numbers that allow for the identification of the part type. On the other hand, machine users often recognize individual parts not by part numbers or other information, but by knowing what part it is and where it is used in the machine. In some machines, multiple units are combined, and at least some of the same type of part may be used across different units. For such machines, identifying the parts that need to be acquired as needed for replacement or other purposes has been time-consuming.

[0005] The present invention aims to reduce the effort required to identify parts in a machine that is composed of multiple units, where at least some of the same type of parts may be used across different units. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is an information processing system characterized by comprising: a machine information database for managing machine information including identification information for identifying at least one individual machine, with respect to a machine composed of a plurality of units, in which at least some of the same type of parts may be attached to different units; and a parts information database for managing parts related to the parts attached to the machine, associating at least the name of the part with a part code indicating the location of the machine to which the part is attached and the type of the part. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the effort required to identify parts in a machine that is composed of multiple units combined together, where at least some of the same type of parts may be used across different units. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example configuration of the information processing system according to this embodiment. [Figure 2]This diagram shows the configuration of an injection molding machine. [Figure 3] This diagram shows the hardware configuration of an information processing device. [Figure 4] This diagram shows the hardware configuration of the management server. [Figure 5] This diagram shows the databases stored in the management server's storage device. Figure 5(A) shows an example of a machine information database, and Figure 5(B) shows an example of a parts information database. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of a display screen that shows a list of target devices owned by the user. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of a display screen that shows information about the target device. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of an order screen for ordering parts. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. <System Configuration> Figure 1 shows an example of the configuration of the information processing system according to this embodiment. The information processing system comprises a management server 100 and an information processing device 400. The information processing system is a management system that manages the target device 10, which is the machine to be managed, and the parts attached to the target device 10.

[0010] The management server 100 comprises a database (DB) management unit 110 and a storage device 120. The storage device 120 stores the database 121. The DB management unit 110 accesses the storage device 120 and performs processes such as registering, searching, and editing data in the database 121. The management server 100 may be a standalone server machine or a virtual server built using network resources (for example, a cloud server).

[0011] The information processing device 400 is a device that allows users to view information stored in the database 121 of the management server 100. The information processing device 400 is implemented by a computer device such as a personal computer. The information processing device 400 is connected to the management server 100 via a network. Users operate the information processing device 400 to access the database 121 of the management server 100 and obtain information. The functions of the information processing device 400 and the interface used when obtaining information using the information processing device 400 will be described later.

[0012] The target device 10 is a machine composed of multiple units, in which at least some of the same type of parts may be attached to different units. Any type of device with such a configuration is acceptable. An example of such a device is an injection molding machine. The following description will explain the application of this embodiment to parts management for an injection molding machine as an example. In the following description, the injection molding machine will be referred to by the reference numeral 10 for the target device 10.

[0013] <Example configuration of target device 10> Figure 2 shows the configuration of the injection molding machine 10. The injection molding machine 10 is an example of the target device 10. The injection molding machine 10 comprises an injection device 20 and a mold clamping device 30. Although not shown in Figure 2, the injection molding machine 10 is also equipped with a control device for controlling the operation of the injection device 20 and the mold clamping device 30, and a data processing device for processing data obtained in the injection molding process. The injection device 20 is one of the units in the injection molding machine 10 as the target device. The mold clamping device 30 is also one of the units in the injection molding machine 10 as the target device.

[0014] The injection device 20 is composed of a cylinder for heating the molding material, a screw that is rotatable within this cylinder and is provided so as to be able to move forward and backward in the axial direction, a rotary motor for driving the screw in the rotational direction, a motor for driving the screw in the axial direction, etc. The molding material is, for example, resin or the like. The injection device 20 injects the molding material that has been heated in the cylinder and turned into a liquid state by advancing in the direction (forward) from the injection device 20 toward the mold clamping device 30 while rotating the screw, and fills it into the mold within the mold clamping device 30 arranged in front of the injection device 20.

[0015] The mold clamping device 30 is composed of a mold, a clamping mechanism for clamping the mold, a motor for driving this clamping mechanism, etc. The mold clamping device 30 closes the mold and receives the molding material injected from the injection device 20 inside the mold. At this time, the mold clamping device 30 clamps the mold by the clamping mechanism so that the mold does not open when the molding material is filled (mold clamping). A molded product is generated when the molding material filled in the mold solidifies. After this, the mold clamping device 30 opens the mold so that the generated molded product can be taken out.

[0016] <Unit Configuration of Injection Molding Machine 10> The injection molding machine 10 as the target device is composed by combining the injection device 20 and the mold clamping device 30 as units. Also, although not particularly shown, the injection device 20 can be grasped as being composed by combining units such as a hopper, a cylinder, a nozzle, etc. These units can also be grasped by further dividing them into finer units. Also, the mold clamping device 30 can be grasped as being composed by combining units such as a mold clamping cylinder, a fixed-side die plate, a movable-side die plate, etc. These units can also be grasped by further dividing them into finer units.

[0017] These units are provided with various components. Examples of components provided in the units include members constituting the units, screws for fixing the units to each other, motors for operating movable components, and the like. Regarding the relationship between these units and components, the same type of component may be used for different units. For example, the injection device 20 has a screw for transporting the molding material in the cylinder to the tip of the cylinder, and a motor for rotating this screw is provided. On the other hand, the mold clamping device 30 has a toggle mechanism for moving the movable side die plate to generate a mold clamping force, and a motor for operating this toggle mechanism is provided. If conditions such as required output are similar, the same type of motor may be used for these motors. Also, for the screws for fixing members and units, depending on the parts where they are used, the same type of screws may be used.

[0018] Normally, in a database that manages a target device 10 such as an injection molding machine 10, as information (e.g., machine master information) of the target device 10, for example, the model information of the target device 10, component information for specifying the components used in the target device 10, and the like are managed. The model information of the target device 10 is used to specify the type of the target device 10. The component information includes information that can identify each component, such as a part number (component number) and a shape specification. Also, the name of the component and the like are included in the component information.

[0019] In these component information, components are specified according to the type of the component as a product. Therefore, for the same type of component, regardless of the part of the target device 10 where it is used, the same part number, shape specification, component name, and the like are obtained. On the other hand, between a 50t machine (an injection molding machine 10 capable of applying a mold clamping force up to 50 tons) and a 100t machine (an injection molding machine 10 capable of applying a mold clamping force up to 100 tons), since the device scale is different, even for the same type of component used in the same part, the products are different and the part numbers may be different.

[0020] Due to these circumstances, when a customer of the target device 10 orders parts for replacement of consumables, etc., it was time-consuming for the customer and customer service staff to identify the parts in question. This embodiment makes it easier to identify parts in the target device 10 by assigning specific codes (part codes) to the parts. Details of the part codes will be described later.

[0021] <Configuration of Information Processing Device 400> Figure 3 shows the hardware configuration of the information processing device 400. The information processing device 400 is implemented by a computer. The computer comprising the information processing device 400 includes a processor 401, which is an arithmetic means, and a main memory 402 and an auxiliary memory 403, which are storage means. As the processor 401, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), and various other arithmetic circuits can be used. The processor 401 reads the program stored in the auxiliary memory 403 into the main memory 402 and executes it. As the main memory 402, for example, RAM (Random Access Memory) is used. As the auxiliary memory 403, for example, a magnetic disk drive or an SSD (Solid State Drive) is used.

[0022] Furthermore, the computer constituting the information processing device 400 includes a display device 404 for displaying images and an input device 405 as an input means for input operations performed by the computer user. Examples of input devices 405 include a keyboard, mouse, touch panel, etc. When a touch panel integrated with the display device 404 is used as the input device 405, the user performs input operations by touching the operation screen displayed on the display device 404 with their finger or a pen-type device.

[0023] Furthermore, the computer constituting the information processing device 400 is equipped with a communication interface 406 for connecting to a network and communicating with the management server 100. Regarding communication, there are no particular limitations on the specific method or specifications, as long as communication with the management server 100 is possible. The network is also not particularly limited, as long as it is a communication network used for data communication between the devices; for example, it may be a LAN (Local Area Network), WAN (Wide Area Network), or the Internet. The communication lines used for data communication may be wired or wireless, or both may be used in combination. Additionally, relay devices such as gateway devices and routers may be used to connect the devices via multiple networks and communication lines.

[0024] When the information processing device 400 is implemented using the computer shown in Figure 3, receiving user operations, communicating with the management server 100, displaying images on the display device 404, and other various information processing are performed, for example, by the processor 401 executing a program. Note that the computer configuration shown in Figure 3 is merely an example, and the computer that constitutes the information processing device 400 is not limited to the configuration example shown in Figure 3.

[0025] <Configuration of Management Server 100> Figure 4 shows the hardware configuration of the management server 100. The management server 100 is implemented by a computer. The computer comprising the management server 100 includes a processor 101, which is an arithmetic means, and a main memory 102 and an auxiliary memory 103, which are storage means. As the processor 101, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), and various other arithmetic circuits can be used. The processor 101 reads programs stored in the auxiliary memory 103 into the main memory 102 and executes them. As the main memory 102, for example, RAM (Random Access Memory) is used. As the auxiliary memory 103, for example, a magnetic disk drive or an SSD (Solid State Drive) is used.

[0026] Furthermore, the computer comprising the management server 100 is equipped with a communication interface 104 for connecting to the network and communicating with the information processing device 400. Regarding communication, there are no particular limitations on the specific method or specifications, as long as communication with the information processing device 400 is possible.

[0027] If the management server 100 is implemented using the computer shown in Figure 4, the DB management unit 110 (see Figure 1) is implemented, for example, by the processor 101 executing a program. Various information processing, such as communication with the information processing device 400, is performed, for example, by the processor 101 executing a program. The storage device 120 (see Figure 1) is implemented, for example, by the auxiliary storage device 103. Note that the computer configuration shown in Figure 4 is merely an example, and the computer that constitutes the management server 100 is not limited to the configuration example in Figure 4.

[0028] <Configuration of Database 121> Figure 5 shows a database 121 stored in the storage device 120 of the management server 100. Figure 5(A) shows an example of a machine information database, and Figure 5(B) shows an example of a parts information database.

[0029] As explained with reference to Figure 1, the management server 100 stores the database 121 in the storage device 120. The management server 100 has, as the database 121, at least a machine information database 121a for managing the target device 10 and a parts information database 121b for managing the parts provided in the target device 10.

[0030] The machine information database 121a stores identification information that identifies each individual target device 10, and information about that individual device. In the example shown in Figure 5(A), the machine information database 121a registers information (machine information) for each individual target device 10, including the following items: "customer machine number," "machine number," "model name," "delivery date," and "total number of shots." Here, the example assumes that the target device 10 is an injection molding machine 10. "Customer machine number" is the identification number of the individual target device 10 at the customer. "Machine number" is the identification number of the individual target device 10. "Model name" is the name corresponding to the model of the target device 10. "Delivery date" is the date the target device 10 was delivered to the customer. "Total number of shots" is the total number of shots performed in the injection molding machine 10, which is the target device 10. Here, "customer machine number" and "machine number" can be used as identification information that can identify an individual target device 10. The "model name," "delivery date," and "total number of shots" can be obtained as information associated with the identification information.

[0031] The parts information database 121b associates the name and part code of a part, and also stores information related to that part. In the example shown in Figure 5(B), the parts information database 121b registers information (part information) for each part, including the following items: "part name," "part code," "last replacement date," and "recommended replacement date." "Part name" is the name of the part in question. "Part code" is the code assigned to the part in question. "Last replacement date" is the date on which the part in question was installed in the target device 10 by the last part replacement. "Recommended replacement date" is the date on which it is recommended to replace the part in question, based on the last replacement date of the part and its lifespan.

[0032] Let's explain "part code" further. A part code is a code that includes information indicating the location where the relevant part is installed in the target device 10, and information indicating the type of the relevant part. The information indicating the location in the target device 10 can be any information that can identify the location where the part is installed. For example, information that identifies the unit to which the part is installed may be used as the information indicating the location.

[0033] As an example, consider the part code for an injection ball screw installed in an injection molding machine 10, which is the target device 10. The injection ball screw is a ball screw installed in an injection device 20, which is a unit that makes up the injection molding machine 10. Therefore, the part code will include information indicating the location of the injection device 20 where the injection ball screw is installed, and information indicating that it is a ball screw. For example, the code "11" may be used to indicate the injection device 20 as a unit, and the code "AB" may be used to indicate the ball screw, so the part code for the injection ball screw may be "11AB", etc.

[0034] A part code includes information indicating the location where the part is installed and information indicating the type of part. Therefore, the part codes of the same part installed in the same location will be the same, but the part codes of the same part installed in different locations will be different. For example, consider a case where there is a ball screw identical to the injection ball screw (code "11AB") mentioned above, but installed in a clamping device 30. In this case, if the code for the clamping device 30 is "21", then the part code for the ball screw installed in the clamping device 30 will be "21AB", which is a different code from the injection ball screw "11AB" mentioned above.

[0035] On the other hand, even if the model of the target device 10 is different, the part code for the same part installed in the same location will be the same. For example, as mentioned earlier, the part numbers may differ between a 50t machine and a 100t machine, even for the same type of part used in the same location. In contrast, with part codes, the ball screw (part number "AB") installed in the injection device 20 (part number "11") will have the same part code "11AB" regardless of which target device 10 it is. Therefore, if the model can be identified, the location and type of part in that target device 10 can be identified by the part code. This makes it easier for customers of the target device 10 to identify the part in the target device 10 when ordering parts for replacement of consumables, etc.

[0036] Furthermore, the units of the target device 10 may be configured hierarchically. For example, in the injection molding machine 10, the injection device 20 as a unit can be understood as being composed of a combination of units such as a hopper, cylinder, and nozzle. In this case, the injection device 20 can be understood hierarchically as a higher-level unit, and the hopper, cylinder, nozzle, etc. as lower-level units. In this case, the part code indicating location may be configured to correspond to the hierarchical structure of the units. For example, in the above example, the part code "11AB" for the injection ball screw is represented by "11" as the code indicating the location, the injection device 20. Here, for example, the code indicating the hopper is "1", the code indicating the cylinder is "2", the code indicating the nozzle is "3", and the code for the screw commonly used in these units is "CD". When specifying the location of a lower-level unit, the code indicating the location of the lower-level unit is added to the code indicating the location of the higher-level unit. In this case, the part code for the screw attached to the hopper of the injection device 20 is "111CD", the part code for the screw attached to the cylinder is "112CD", and the part code for the screw attached to the nozzle is "113CD".

[0037] <Examples of database usage> This section describes an example of using the machine information database 121a and the parts information database 121b, which are maintained on the management server 100. The parts information database 121b contains the above-mentioned part codes for each part. Below, we will describe an example of using the machine information database 121a and the parts information database 121b, using the case where the information processing device 400 accesses the management server 100 to obtain part information and executes an ordering process for parts that need to be replaced as an example. In the following example, the user of the information processing device 400 is assumed to be a customer of the target device 10.

[0038] Figures 6 to 8 show examples of screens displayed on the display device 404 of the information processing device 400. The user operates based on the screens displayed on the display device 404 of the information processing device 400, and places an order by specifying the desired parts for a particular target device 10 owned by the customer user.

[0039] Figure 6 shows an example of a display screen that shows a list of target devices 10 owned by the user. The information processing device 400 holds a machine information database related to the target devices 10 owned by the user. The machine information database held by the information processing device 400 is an example of a user machine information database. This machine information database records information on the following items regarding the target devices 10 owned by the user: "customer machine number," "machine number," "model name," "delivery date," "total number of shots," and "presence or absence of parts requiring inspection." This information is an example of user machine information. The items "customer machine number," "machine number," "model name," "delivery date," and "total number of shots" are the same as the corresponding items in the machine information database 121a explained with reference to Figure 5. "Presence or absence of parts requiring inspection" is information indicating the presence or absence of parts among the parts installed in the target device 10 that meet predetermined conditions and are judged to require inspection. For example, this could include consumables with a set lifespan, where the number of days elapsed since installation in the target device 10 is close to the lifespan.

[0040] The information processing device 400 reads information about each target device 10 owned by the user from a machine information database and displays it on the display device 404 as a list screen as shown in Figure 6. This list screen also functions as an operation screen that accepts operations to obtain information about the target devices 10 from the management server 100. The user selects one of the target devices 10 shown on the displayed list screen and instructs the display of information. Specifically, for example, the user instructs the display of information about the selected target device 10 by clicking the customer machine number of the desired target device 10 on the list screen shown in Figure 6. When an instruction to display information is given, the information processing device 400 sends a request (inquiry) for information about the selected target device 10, along with its identification information, to the management server 100.

[0041] When the management server 100 receives this request, it reads information about the corresponding target device 10 from the database 121. Specifically, based on the identification information of the target device 10 included in the received request, the management server 100 reads the machine information of the corresponding target device 10 from the machine information database 121a. Then, the management server 100 reads the component information of the target device 10 identified based on the read machine information from the component information database 121b. The management server 100 also obtains any other information related to the identified target device 10. Then, the management server 100 transmits the obtained information about the target device 10 to the information processing device 400. The information processing device 400 displays the information about the target device 10 received from the management server 100 on the display device 404.

[0042] Figure 7 shows an example of a display screen that shows information about the target device 10. The display screen shown in Figure 7 shows five tables: "Machine Data," "Recommended Replacement Parts," "Anomaly Data," "Maintenance History," and "Replacement Parts History." Note that the tables shown in Figure 7 are merely examples of information about the target device 10 that is obtained and displayed from the management server 100. The information displayed may be only a part of the information shown in Figure 7, or information about the target device 10 not shown in Figure 7 may be displayed.

[0043] In the example shown in Figure 7, the "Machine Data" table displays the machine information for the target device 10 specified on the screen in Figure 6. The "Machine Data" table in Figure 7 displays information for the following items: "Customer Machine Number," "Machine Number," "Model Name," "Delivery Date," and "Total Shot Count." These items are the same as the corresponding items in the machine information database 121a explained with reference to Figure 5(A). In the example shown in Figure 7, the machine information for the target device 10 with customer machine number "G-05" and machine number "M001" is displayed in the "Machine Data" table.

[0044] In the example shown in Figure 7, the "Recommended Replacement Parts" table displays part information for parts that are recommended to be replaced in the target device 10 shown in the "Machine Data" table. The "Recommended Replacement Parts" table in Figure 7 displays information for the following items: "Part Name," "Part Code," "Last Replacement Date," and "Recommended Replacement Date." These items are the same as the corresponding items in the parts information database 121b explained with reference to Figure 5(B). In the example shown in Figure 7, part information is displayed for three types of parts as recommended replacement parts: part name "Clamping Ball Screw" (part code 1H), part name "Clamping Motor" (part code 9L), and part name "Plasticized Ball Screw" (part code J7).

[0045] In the example shown in Figure 7, the "Abnormal Data" table displays information about parts that are suspected to be abnormal in the target device 10 shown in the "Machine Data" table. Abnormalities are suspected based on events such as the detection of an abnormality by a sensor that acquires information indicating the state of the parts. The "Abnormal Data" table in Figure 7 shows the parts shown in the "Recommended Replacement Parts" table. It is shown that there is one part, the "Clamping Ball Screw," that is suspected to be abnormal.

[0046] In the example shown in Figure 7, the "Maintenance History" table displays the history of maintenance work performed on the target device 10 shown in the "Machine Data" table. The "Maintenance History" table in Figure 7 displays information for each item: "Date" and "Inspection Details". "Date" is the date the maintenance work was performed. "Inspection Details" is the content of the maintenance work performed.

[0047] In the example shown in Figure 7, the "Replacement Parts History" table displays replacement history information for parts (e.g., consumables) that are replaced for the target device 10 shown in the "Machine Data" table. The "Replacement Parts History" table in Figure 7 displays information for each of the following items: "Date," "Part Name," "Item Code," and "Part Number." "Date" is the date the part was replaced. "Part Name" is the name of the part. "Item Code" is the code information used by the part manufacturer to identify the part. "Part Number" is the part number assigned to the part. In addition, the "Replacement Parts History" table in Figure 7 has a column labeled "Purchase Again" for each part record. This column is an operation item for selecting whether or not to order the part. Parts selected in the "Purchase Again" column become eligible for ordering and are displayed on the ordering screen.

[0048] Figure 8 shows an example of an order screen for ordering parts. The order screen displays a table called "Products" and a total amount display field labeled "Total". The "Products" table displays information for each item: "Part Code", "Item Code", "Part Name", "Unit Price", "Quantity", and "Payment Amount". "Part Code" is the part code of the part being ordered. "Item Code" is the item code of the part being ordered. "Part Name" is the name of the part being ordered. "Unit Price" is the unit price of the part being ordered. "Quantity" is the number of parts being ordered. "Payment Amount" is the amount for each part being ordered (unit price × quantity). In the example shown in Figure 8, one clamping ball screw (part code 1H) and one clamping motor (part code 9L) are displayed as items to be ordered. The total amount display field shows the total payment amount for all the parts being ordered.

[0049] The user selects a target device 10 from the list screen of target devices 10 shown in Figure 6. Then, the user refers to the screen shown in Figure 7, which is displayed based on information obtained from the management server 100, to identify the part to be ordered. At this time, the "Recommended Replacement Parts" table and the "Replacement Parts History" table contain part codes for each part. Therefore, the user can identify the part to be ordered by intuitively recognizing which part is located where in the target device 10.

[0050] In the above application example, we explained an example of ordering parts assuming that the user of the information processing device 400 is a customer who owns the target device 10. In contrast, even when ordering parts through a customer support representative, the parts to be ordered can be identified by intuitively knowing which part is located where on the target device 10, thereby reducing the complexity of the customer support representative's work.

[0051] Furthermore, in the above application example, the information processing device 400 is assumed to hold a machine information database relating to the target device 10 owned by the customer. Alternatively, the management server 100 may hold a customer information database and add customer information for the target device 10 to the machine information database 121a, thereby associating the customer with the machine information of the target device 10. In this way, by sending customer authentication information from the information processing device 400 to the management server 100, the management server 100 can identify the target device 10 owned by the customer and return the machine information. Based on the information obtained from the management server 100, the information processing device 400 can generate and display a list of the target devices 10 owned by the customer, as shown in Figure 6.

[0052] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. In the above embodiments, an application example was shown assuming a scenario in which a customer user identifies and orders parts of the target device 10, but the application of this embodiment is not limited to ordering parts. This embodiment can be applied to various situations in which identification of parts in the target device 10, which is composed of a combination of units, is required. Furthermore, various modifications and substitutions of configurations that do not depart from the technical concept of the present invention are included in the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 10…Injection molding machine (target device), 20…Injection device, 30…Clamping device, 100…Management server, 110…Database (DB) management unit, 120…Storage device, 121…Database, 121a…Machine information database, 121b…Parts information database

Claims

1. Regarding a machine composed of multiple units combined together, in which at least some of the same type of parts may be attached to different units, a machine information database manages machine information including identification information for identifying at least one individual machine, Regarding the parts attached to the machine, a parts information database manages parts information that associates at least the name of the part with a part code indicating the location of the machine to which the part is attached and the type of the part, An information processing system characterized by comprising the following features.

2. The information processing system according to claim 1, characterized in that the part code managed in the part information database is a code composed of a combination of a first code indicating the location of the machine to which the part is attached and a second code indicating the type of the part.

3. The information processing system according to claim 2, characterized in that the first code in the part code is a code that identifies a unit constituting the machine.

4. The aforementioned machine is composed of units arranged in a hierarchical manner. The information processing system according to claim 3, characterized in that the first code in the part code is a code capable of identifying the hierarchy of the unit.

5. For each user, the system further includes a user machine information database that manages user machine information, including the identification information, for the machine associated with each user. The machine information database, in response to a query made by identifying the identification information contained in the user machine information managed in the user machine information database, identifies and outputs the machine information of the machine identified by the identification information. The parts information database identifies and outputs the parts information of the parts attached to the machine, which are identified by the identification information included in the machine information output in the machine information database. The information processing system according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

6. An operation receiving means that presents the part information output from the part information database to the user and accepts the user's operation to specify a part, An ordering means for ordering the aforementioned parts specified by the user's specified operation, The information processing system according to claim 1, further comprising the above.

7. Computers, Regarding a machine composed of multiple units combined together, in which at least some of the same type of parts may be attached to different units, a first management means for managing machine information, which includes at least identification information for identifying an individual machine, With respect to the parts attached to the machine, a second management means for managing part information that associates at least the name of the part with a part code indicating the location of the machine to which the part is attached and the type of the part, A program characterized by its ability to function.

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