Glass plate manufacturing method, original plate processing device, processing device, glass plate manufacturing system, and information processing program

Abstract

To simply relate glass raw plates to raw plate data.SOLUTION: A manufacturing method of glass plates includes a storage step (S102, S104, S107) in which for each of glass raw plates(G) loaded on a pallet (14), raw plate data related to the processing of the glass raw plates is associated with the stacking order, and representative raw plate identification information is associated with the raw plate data of the representative glass raw plates positioned in a predetermined stacking order and stored in a storage device (30, 51, 61), an information output step (S108) of outputting the representative raw plate identification information to an information recording medium (15), a reading step (S112) of reading the representative raw plate identification information from the information recording medium and an acquisition step (S113) in which, of the raw plate data stored in the storage device, starting from the raw plate data of the representative glass raw plate identified by the representative raw plate identification information that has been read, a predetermined number of raw plate data associated with successive stacking orders are acquired from the storage device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for producing a glass sheet. [Background technology]

[0002] In general, in the manufacture of glass sheets, it is required to manufacture products having a flat surface with few irregularities such as scratches, foreign matter, and waviness. The need for few irregularities is particularly strong in the manufacture of glass substrates for flat panel displays. The various glass sheets described above are often manufactured by forming molten glass melted in a melting furnace into a band-shaped glass ribbon, sufficiently cooling the glass ribbon, and then cutting it to a predetermined size. Here, in addition to the float method, downdraw methods such as the overflow downdraw method (fusion method) and the slot downdraw method are generally used to form the glass ribbon.

[0003] Then, the glass original plate (including large-sized glass substrates for large displays and mother glass substrates from which small glass substrates are cut into multiple pieces) formed from the glass ribbon through the process described above is sent to an inspection process in which the characteristics of the glass original plate, such as surface irregularities, are inspected using an inspection device such as that disclosed in Patent Document 1. The glass original plate that has passed the inspection process is sent to a packaging process. In the packaging process, as disclosed in Patent Document 2, for example, a package is constructed by stacking multiple glass original plates and protective sheets alternately and placing them on a pallet. The package constructed of the pallet and multiple glass original plates is transported to a processing factory where the glass original plates are processed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2009-236771 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2020-75752 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Generally, in a processing factory or the like where a processing step is carried out, original plate data relating to processing is referred to. For example, the original plate data includes information specifying how to cut out a glass plate from a glass original plate, and is referred to in order to properly and efficiently cut out products such as glass substrates from the glass original plate. For example, original plate data is created for each glass original plate based on the inspection results obtained in the above-mentioned inspection step. Then, in the processing step, the original plate data corresponding to the glass original plate to be processed is read out.

[0006] As a method for reading out original plate data corresponding to a glass original plate, for example, it is possible to attach individual identification information to each glass original plate to identify the glass original plate. However, it is considered that attaching individual identification information to each glass original plate requires a lot of effort and cost. Therefore, a method for easily realizing the correspondence between the glass original plate and the original plate data with less effort and cost is required.

[0007] An object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide a method, system, etc. for easily associating a glass original plate with original plate data. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a manufacturing method according to one aspect of the present invention is a method for manufacturing a glass plate, the method including: an original plate step of loading a plurality of glass original plates on a pallet; and a processing step of manufacturing a glass plate by taking out and processing each of the glass original plates loaded on the pallet, wherein the original plate step includes: for each of the glass original plates loaded on the pallet, associating original plate data related to the processing of the glass original plate with the loading order of the glass original plates on the pallet; and adding representative original plate identification information for identifying the representative glass original plate to original plate data of a representative glass original plate located in a predetermined loading order on the pallet. The processing step includes a storing step of performing a process of associating the representative original plate identification information with the representative original plate identification information and storing it in a storage device for each pallet, and an information output step of performing a process of outputting the representative original plate identification information to an information storage medium for each pallet, and the processing step includes a reading step of reading the representative original plate identification information from each of the information storage media, and an acquisition step of performing a process of acquiring from the storage device, for each pallet, a predetermined number of original plate data, each of which is associated with the consecutive loading orders, starting from the original plate data of the representative glass original plate identified by the read representative original plate identification information.

[0009] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an original plate processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention is an original plate processing device that controls an original plate process in which a plurality of glass original plates are loaded on a pallet, and includes a data management unit that performs, for each of the glass original plates loaded on the pallet, a process of matching original plate data related to the processing of the glass original plate with the loading order of the glass original plates on the pallet, and associating representative original plate identification information for identifying a representative glass original plate with the original plate data of the representative glass original plate located in a predetermined loading order on the pallet, and storing the associated representative original plate identification information in a storage device, and an output control unit that performs, for each of the pallets, a process of outputting the representative original plate identification information to an information recording medium.

[0010] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a processing process device according to one embodiment of the present invention is a processing process device that controls a processing process of removing and processing each of the glass original plates loaded on a pallet, and includes an identification information reading unit that performs a process of reading representative original plate identification information for identifying a representative glass original plate located in a predetermined loading order among the glass original plates loaded on the pallet from an information recording medium that stores the representative original plate identification information, for each of the glass original plates loaded on the pallet; and a data acquisition unit that performs a process of acquiring, for each of the glass original plates loaded on the pallet, a predetermined number of original plate data associated with consecutive loading orders, starting from the original plate data of the representative glass original plate identified by the read representative original plate identification information, from a storage device that stores original plate data related to the processing of the glass original plate in association with the loading order of the glass original plates on the pallet and associates the original plate data of the representative glass original plate with the representative original plate identification information, for each of the pallets.

[0011] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a glass sheet manufacturing system according to one aspect of the present invention includes an original sheet process device that controls an original sheet process in which a plurality of glass original sheets are loaded on a pallet, and a processing process device that controls a processing process in which each of the glass original sheets loaded on the pallet is taken out and processed. The original sheet process device associates original sheet data related to the processing of each of the glass original sheets loaded on the pallet with the loading order of the glass original sheets on the pallet, and stores representative original sheet identification information for identifying the representative glass original sheet in original sheet data of a representative glass original sheet located in a predetermined loading order on the pallet. the representative original plate identification information is identified by the read representative original plate identification information read from each of the information recording media, and a data acquisition unit is configured to acquire, for each of the pallets, a predetermined number of original plate data, each of which is associated with the successive loading orders, from the original plate data stored in the storage device, starting from original plate data of the representative glass original plate identified by the read representative original plate identification information.

[0012] The original plate processing apparatus according to each aspect of the present invention may be realized by a computer. In this case, the information processing program of the original plate processing apparatus that realizes the original plate processing apparatus by a computer by causing the computer to operate as each part (software element) of the original plate processing apparatus, and the computer-readable recording medium on which it is recorded, also fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0013] The processing process equipment according to each aspect of the present invention may be realized by a computer. In this case, the information processing program of the processing process equipment that realizes the processing process equipment by a computer by operating the computer as each part (software element) of the processing process equipment, and the computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded, also fall within the scope of the present invention. Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to one aspect of the present invention, a glass original plate and original plate data can be easily associated with each other. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an overview of a glass sheet manufacturing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of a master plate processing apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of a processing step device 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of information stored in an information recording medium 15 associated with a palette 14. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of an original management database stored in a storage device. [Figure 6] 2 is a sequence diagram showing a flow of processes in a glass sheet manufacturing method executed by the glass sheet manufacturing system 100. FIG. [Figure 7] 13 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of loading interruption information 512. FIG. [Figure 8] 13 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of processing interruption information 612. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] [Embodiment 1] <Glass sheet manufacturing system> An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a glass plate manufacturing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The glass plate manufacturing system 100 is a system for manufacturing a glass plate by processing an original glass plate. The manufacturing method of a glass plate implemented in the glass plate manufacturing system 100 is roughly divided into an original plate process and a processing process. In the original plate process, a plurality of original glass plates are manufactured, and the manufactured original glass plates are loaded on a pallet and shipped. The original plate process may be implemented, for example, in a glass original plate manufacturing factory. In the processing process, each of the original glass plates loaded on the pallet is taken out and processed to manufacture a glass plate. The processing process may be implemented, for example, in a glass plate manufacturing factory. There is no particular restriction on the location of the original glass plate manufacturing factory and the glass plate manufacturing factory. As an example, the original glass plate manufacturing factory may be located in a first country, and the glass plate manufacturing factory may be located in a second country that is different from the first country.

[0017] (Each piece of equipment in the base plate process) The glass sheet manufacturing system 100 includes, for example, a raw sheet processing device 10, a raw sheet manufacturing facility 11, an inspection device 12, and a loading machine 13 as facilities for carrying out a raw sheet process. In the present embodiment, as an example, the raw sheet processing device 10 serving as a link server, the inspection device 12, and the loading machine 13 are connected by wire or wirelessly so as to be able to communicate via a communication network (not shown). The communication network (not shown) may be, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network).

[0018] The original plate manufacturing equipment 11 is an apparatus for manufacturing glass original plates from molten glass, and performs, for example, a forming process, an annealing process, and a plate-collecting process among the original plate processes. The original plate manufacturing equipment 11 includes, for example, a forming furnace 111, an annealing furnace 112, a cooling chamber 113, and a cutting chamber 114. The original plate manufacturing equipment 11 shown in FIG. 1 forms glass original plates by a down-draw method, but the method of forming the glass original plates is not particularly limited. For example, a float method of forming glass original plates in a float bath may be used. According to the original plate manufacturing equipment 11, it is also possible to manufacture glass products used in electronic devices such as glass substrates for flat panel displays, glass substrates for wafer supports, and glass substrates for cover glass of solid-state imaging devices, as well as video devices.

[0019] The forming furnace 111 forms the supplied molten glass into a ribbon shape. The glass formed into a ribbon shape in the forming furnace 111 is transported to an annealing furnace 112 located vertically below the forming furnace 111. Hereinafter, glass in the process of being formed into a ribbon shape in the forming furnace 111 until it is cut is referred to as ribbon glass G1. The annealing furnace 112 anneals the ribbon glass G1 in the forming furnace 111. The annealing furnace 112 is provided with a plurality of rollers 221.

[0020] The rollers 221 are arranged in pairs to sandwich the ribbon glass G1. In the example of FIG. 1, four pairs of rollers 221 are arranged along the conveying direction (+Y direction) of the ribbon glass G1. Note that FIG. 1 only shows the rollers 221 on the front side of the ribbon glass G1, and does not show those on the back side. The rollers 221 hold the ribbon glass G1 and convey the ribbon glass G1 vertically downward (+Y axis direction) while pulling the ribbon glass G1 so that it does not shrink in the width direction (±X axis direction) due to surface tension or the like. Also, although not shown in FIG. 1, the annealing furnace 112 is provided with a heater, and is configured to heat and anneal the ribbon glass G1 with the heater.

[0021] The ribbon glass G1 annealed in the annealing furnace 112 is transported to a cooling chamber 113, where it is cooled to a predetermined temperature range. The ribbon glass G1 cooled to the predetermined temperature range is then transported to a cutting chamber 114, where it is cut to a predetermined size and extracted as a sheet glass. Hereinafter, the glass cut to a predetermined size is referred to as a glass raw sheet G.

[0022] The inspection device 12 is a device for inspecting the quality of each of the extracted glass original sheets G, and performs an inspection process in the original sheet process. The inspection device 12 may be, for example, a protrusion inspection device that checks the presence or absence of unevenness on the surface of the glass original sheet G and identifies the position where the unevenness is detected. In this embodiment, the inspection device 12 performs the inspection process to generate original sheet data related to the processing of each glass original sheet G. The original sheet data may be, for example, inspection result data indicating the result of the protrusion inspection. The inspection result data includes, for example, determination information indicating the presence or absence of unevenness for the glass original sheet G to be inspected, and position information indicating the position of the unevenness on the glass original sheet G when unevenness is detected. In this embodiment, the inspection device 12 transmits the original sheet data generated for each glass original sheet G, i.e., the inspection result data, to the original sheet process device 10 in association with a glass number uniquely assigned to the glass original sheet G.

[0023] In another example, the inspection device 12 may generate, as the original sheet data, cutting position data indicating cutting positions determined based on the above-mentioned judgment information and position information obtained as a result of the inspection. The cutting position data includes, for example, a cutting position for cutting out the glass sheet so as to avoid unevenness on the original glass sheet G and reduce waste. The inspection device 12 may transmit the cutting position data as original sheet data to the original sheet process device 10 in association with the glass number. In addition, the inspection device 12 may perform an edge cutting process of cutting off the edge of the original glass sheet G, which corresponds to the left and right ends of the ribbon glass G1, as necessary.

[0024] The loader 13 is a device for loading a plurality of glass original sheets G onto a pallet 14, and performs the loading process of the original sheet process. The loader 13 may perform an edge cutting process of cutting off the edge of the glass original sheet G, which corresponds to the left and right ends of the ribbon glass G1, as necessary.

[0025] The loader 13 loads the original glass sheets G carried out from the inspection device 12 onto the pallet 14. In this embodiment, the individual original glass sheets G are loaded onto the pallet 14 by the loader 13 in the order in which they were inspected by the inspection device 12. For example, the original glass sheets G are inspected by the inspection device 12, carried out, and then loaded onto the pallet 14 by the loader 13 in the order in which they were sampled in the original glass manufacturing facility 11.

[0026] The loader 13 may be configured to always load a predetermined maximum number of original glass sheets G (hereinafter, "full number") onto one pallet 14. For example, the loader 13 may be configured to always load 100 original glass sheets G onto one pallet 14.

[0027] The pallet 14 and the full number of glass original plate groups Gs loaded on the pallet 14 are packed and shipped as one package in the packing and shipping process. In this embodiment, one package is packed with an information recording medium 15 that holds an information code for reading information about the glass original plate groups Gs loaded on the pallet 14. The package packed with the information recording medium 15 is transported to a glass plate manufacturing factory that performs the processing process. A plurality of pallets 14 may be transported from one glass original plate manufacturing factory to another glass plate manufacturing factory. The information code is output to the information recording medium 15 by the original plate processing device 10 for each pallet 14 to be shipped. Details of the information code output to the information recording medium 15 and the information about the glass original plate groups Gs that can be obtained by the information code will be described later. In addition, the pallet 14 and the glass original plate groups Gs (not shown) may be covered with a bag and transported to the glass plate manufacturing factory.

[0028] The original sheet processing apparatus 10 is an information processing device that controls an original sheet processing in which a plurality of glass original sheets are loaded on a pallet. Specifically, the original sheet processing apparatus 10 manages information related to a group of glass original sheets Gs loaded on a pallet 14. The original sheet processing apparatus 10 may be, for example, a data link server. However, the original sheet processing apparatus 10 is not limited to this example as long as it is an apparatus capable of executing various information processing performed by the original sheet processing apparatus 10, which will be described later. The original sheet processing apparatus 10 may be, for example, a PC (Personal Computer), a tablet terminal, etc.

[0029] Information on the glass original plate group Gs processed by the original plate processing apparatus 10 is accumulated for each pallet and referred to as an original plate management database (hereinafter, original plate management DB) in the glass plate manufacturing system 100. The original plate management DB may be stored in a memory unit (memory device, original plate processing memory device) locally held by the original plate processing apparatus 10, or may be stored in an external memory unit 30 (memory device) such as a cloud server shared by the original plate processing apparatus 10 and a processing process apparatus 20 described later. The original plate management DB may be transmitted from the original plate processing apparatus 10 to the processing process apparatus 20 via a wide area network NW such as the Internet, and stored in a memory unit (memory device, processing process memory device) locally held by the processing process apparatus 20. Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the memory unit of the original plate processing apparatus 10, the memory unit 30, and the memory unit of the processing process apparatus 20 as the memory device that stores the original plate management DB, they will be collectively referred to as the memory device.

[0030] (About each piece of equipment in the processing process) The glass sheet manufacturing system 100 includes, for example, a processing process device 20, a reader 21, and a processing machine 22 as facilities for carrying out a processing process. In the present embodiment, as an example, the processing process device 20 as a server, the reader 21, and the processing machine 22 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via wire or wirelessly. The communication may be performed, for example, via a communication network (not shown) such as a LAN (Local Area Network), or via a short-distance wireless communication means.

[0031] The reader 21 is a device that reads the information code from the information recording medium 15 included in the package. The reader 21 can be configured appropriately according to the form in which the information recording medium 15 holds the information code. As an example, when the information recording medium 15 is a printed paper and the information code is a barcode or a two-dimensional code printed on the printed paper, the reader 21 is configured as a barcode reader or a two-dimensional code reader. When the information recording medium 15 is an electronic tag called an RF tag or an IC tag, the reader 21 is configured as an electronic tag reader that reads the information code embedded in the electronic tag. The reader 21 transmits the information code read from the information recording medium 15 to the processing device 20. The reader 21 may be a device dedicated to reading information codes, or may be a mobile communication terminal having multiple functions such as a smartphone.

[0032] The processing device 20 is an information processing device that controls a processing process for taking out and processing each of the glass original sheets G loaded on the pallet 14. Specifically, the processing device 20 acquires information on the glass original sheets Gs loaded on the pallet 14 that is necessary for processing the glass original sheets G, and supplies the information to the processing machine 22. The processing device 20 may be, for example, a server. However, the processing device 20 is not limited to this example as long as it is a device capable of executing various information processing tasks performed by the processing device 20, which will be described later. The processing device 20 may be, for example, a PC (Personal Computer), a tablet terminal, etc.

[0033] The processing device 20 acquires information on the glass original sheet group Gs loaded on the pallet 14 from the original sheet management DB based on the information code acquired via the reader 21. The information code includes information for identifying the information on the glass original sheet group Gs loaded on the pallet 14 from among the information on the glass original sheet group Gs included in the original sheet management DB. The information on the glass original sheet group Gs may include, for example, the original sheet data of each of the glass original sheets G described above.

[0034] The processing machine 22 is a device that takes out the original glass sheets G one by one from the pallet 14 and processes the original glass sheets G. The processing machine 22 includes, for example, a cutting machine that cuts out glass of a predetermined size from a predetermined position of the original glass sheet G to manufacture a glass sheet as a product. The processing machine 22 receives information about the group of original glass sheets Gs loaded on the pallet 14 from the processing process device 20, and processes each original glass sheet G according to the information. For example, the processing machine 22 cuts the original glass sheet G according to original sheet data of the original glass sheet G to manufacture a glass sheet.

[0035] <Configuration of blackboard processing equipment> 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main parts of the original sheet processing apparatus 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The original sheet processing apparatus 10 includes, for example, a control unit 50, a storage unit 51, a communication unit 52, and an output unit 53.

[0036] The control unit 50 comprehensively controls each unit of the original processing apparatus 10. The control unit 50 may be configured by a control device such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a dedicated processor.

[0037] As an example, the control unit 50 includes a data management unit 71 and an output control unit 72. Each of these units of the control unit 50 can be realized by a control device such as a CPU reading out a program stored in a storage device (for example, the storage unit 51) realized by a read only memory (ROM) or the like into a random access memory (RAM) or the like and executing the program.

[0038] The storage unit 51 (memory device, original board process memory device) is a memory device for storing data used by the control unit 50 to process information and data processed by the control unit 50. As an example, the storage unit 51 may store the above-mentioned original board management DB. Hereinafter, the original board management DB is referred to as original board management DB 511. The data structure of the original board management DB 511 will be described in detail later. In this embodiment, the loading interruption information 512 may be omitted from the storage unit 51.

[0039] The communication unit 52 communicates with other devices via a communication network. For example, the communication unit 52 may communicate with the inspection device 12 and the loader 13 via a communication network in a factory such as a LAN. For example, the communication unit 52 may access the storage device 30 or communicate with the processing device 20 via a wide area communication network NW such as the Internet.

[0040] The output unit 53 outputs data processed by the control unit 50 to the outside. In this embodiment, in particular, the output unit 53 outputs the information code generated by the control unit 50 to the information recording medium 15. The output unit 53 can be configured appropriately according to the form in which the information recording medium 15 holds the information code. As an example, when the information recording medium 15 is a printing paper, the output unit 53 is configured as a printing device for printing an information code such as a barcode or a two-dimensional code on the printing paper. When the information recording medium 15 is an electronic tag, the output unit 53 is configured as an electronic tag writer for writing the information code into the electronic tag.

[0041] The data management unit 71 manages the original plate management DB 511, and in particular executes a process of registering original plate data of the glass original plate G in the original plate management DB 511. Specifically, the data management unit 71 associates the original plate data of each of the glass original plates G loaded on the pallet 14 with the loading order of the glass original plates G on the pallet 14. The data management unit 71 also executes a process of storing the original plate data of the representative glass original plate positioned in the predetermined loading order on the pallet 14 in association with a representative glass number (representative original plate identification information) for identifying the representative glass original plate in a storage device. Specifically, the data management unit 71 registers the original plate data of the representative glass original plate together with the representative glass number in the original plate management DB 511 stored in at least one of the storage devices of the storage unit 51, the storage device 30, and the storage unit 61 of the processing device 20 described later. The data management unit 71 may execute the above-mentioned process of storing the original plate data of the representative glass original plate together with the representative glass number in a storage device for each pallet 14 to be shipped.

[0042] The output control unit 72 executes a process of outputting the representative glass number to the information recording medium 15. For example, the output control unit 72 outputs an information code including the representative glass number located in the predetermined loading order on the pallet 14 to the information recording medium 15. The output control unit 72 may execute the above-mentioned process of outputting the representative glass number to the information recording medium 15 for each pallet 14 to be shipped.

[0043] The data management unit 71 may specify the last original glass sheet loaded on the pallet 14 as the representative original glass sheet. In other words, the representative original glass sheet may be the last original glass sheet (e.g., the 100th) loaded on the pallet 14.

[0044] In another example, the data management unit 71 may specify the original glass sheet G that is loaded first on the pallet 14, i.e., the first in the loading order, as the representative original glass sheet. In yet another example, the data management unit 71 may specify an original glass sheet G at any position between the first and last in the loading order (e.g., the 50th) as the representative original glass sheet.

[0045] As an example, the inspection device 12 inspects 100 glass original sheets G loaded on one pallet 14 to generate 100 pieces of original sheet data. The inspection device 12 inspects the glass original sheets G in the order in which they were manufactured in the original sheet manufacturing facility 11, for example, and transmits the 100 pieces of original sheet data for the 100 sheets to the original sheet processing device 10. The inspection device 12 may sequentially transmit one piece of original sheet data to the original sheet processing device 10 each time the inspection of one glass original sheet G is completed. Alternatively, the inspection device 12 may link each of the 100 pieces of original sheet data with a glass number including information indicating the manufacturing date and time or manufacturing order of each glass original sheet G, and transmit the 100 pieces of original sheet data collectively to the original sheet processing device 10.

[0046] In the present embodiment, as an example, the glass number is composed of a character string including a number representing the manufacturing date and a number representing the manufacturing time down to the second. For example, the glass number "20210115_135001" may be assigned to an original glass plate G manufactured at 1:50:01 PM on January 15, 2021. The glass number may include a separator between the number representing the manufacturing date and the number representing the manufacturing time.

[0047] For example, when the communication unit 52 receives a notification from the loader 13 that loading of 100 glass original sheets G onto the pallet 14 has been completed, the data management unit 71 associates the original sheet data of each glass original sheet G received from the inspection device 12 with the loading order and registers the order in the original sheet management DB 511. As an example, the data management unit 71 associates the loading order of the original sheet data for 100 sheets so as to match the manufacturing order or inspection order of the original sheet data. Specifically, the data management unit 71 associates the first loading order, i.e., "first", with the original sheet data linked to the glass number indicating the oldest manufacturing date and time among the 100 pieces of original sheet data.

[0048] The output control unit 72 may control the output unit 53, which is a printing device, to print, for example, an information code in which the representative glass number is embedded, on the information recording medium 15, which is a paper medium. The information recording medium 15, which is a paper medium on which the information code is printed, is output by the output unit 53. This information recording medium 15 may be packed with the pallet 14 on which the representative glass original plates are loaded, and assembled into one package.

[0049] For example, it is assumed that the data management unit 71 associates the stacking order with all the 100 pieces of original glass plate data and registers them in the original glass plate management DB 511. The output control unit 72 reads out the representative glass number of the representative glass plate associated with the predetermined stacking order, for example, "100th," from the original glass plate management DB 511. The output control unit 72 prints and outputs a two-dimensional code in which the read representative glass number is embedded on an information recording medium 15 such as paper. The output information recording medium 15 is attached to the pallet 14 on which the above-mentioned 100 glass plate pieces G are stacked, and is then packed into one package.

[0050] According to the above-mentioned configuration, by reading the information code from the information recording medium packed with the pallet, the original plate data of all the loaded glass plates can be acquired collectively before opening the pallet and taking out the glass plates one by one. Therefore, it is possible to omit the troublesome process of reading the glass number of each glass plate and then acquiring the original plate data of the glass plate each time the glass plate is put into the processing machine 22 after opening.

[0051] <Configuration of processing equipment> 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of a processing process device 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The processing process device 20 includes, for example, a control unit 60, a storage unit 61, a wireless communication unit 62, and a communication unit 63.

[0052] The control unit 60 comprehensively controls each unit of the processing device 20. The control unit 60 may be configured by a control device such as a CPU or a dedicated processor.

[0053] As an example, the control unit 60 includes a reading control unit 81 (identification information reading unit) and a data acquisition unit 82. In this embodiment, the control unit 60 may further include a data output unit 83. In this embodiment, the process management unit 84 may be omitted from the control unit 60. Each of these units of the control unit 60 can be realized by a control device such as a CPU reading out a program stored in a storage device (for example, the storage unit 61) realized by a ROM or the like, into a RAM or the like, and executing the program.

[0054] The storage unit 61 (memory device, processing step memory device) is a memory device for storing data used by the control unit 60 to process information and data processed by the control unit 60. As an example, the storage unit 61 may store the above-mentioned original plate management DB. Hereinafter, the original plate management DB stored in the storage unit 61 will be referred to as original plate management DB 611. Hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish between the original plate management DB stored in the storage unit 51, the original plate management DB stored in the storage unit 61, and the original plate management DB stored in the storage device 30, they will be simply referred to as original plate management DB without being assigned a reference symbol.

[0055] The original plate management DB 611 may include all the original plate data included in the original plate management DB 511. That is, the original plate management DB 611 and the original plate management DB 511 may indicate the same original plate management DB. Alternatively, the original plate management DB 611 may include original plate data for one or more pallets 14 that have arrived in one transportation among the original plate data included in the original plate management DB 511. That is, the original plate management DB 611 may be a subset of the original plate management DB 511. The original plate management DB 611 basically has the same data structure as the original plate management DB 511. The data structure will be described in detail later. In this embodiment, the processing interruption information 612 may be omitted in the storage unit 61.

[0056] The wireless communication unit 62 wirelessly communicates with other devices located in a short distance from the processing device 20, or with other devices via a communication network within the factory. For example, the wireless communication unit 62 may wirelessly communicate with the reader 21.

[0057] The communication unit 63 communicates with other devices via a communication network. For example, the communication unit 63 may communicate with the processing machine 22 via a communication network within a factory such as a LAN. Instead of the wireless communication unit 62, the communication unit 63 may communicate with the reader 21 via a communication network within a factory. Also, for example, the communication unit 63 may access the storage device 30 or communicate with the original plate processing device 10 via a wide area communication network NW such as the Internet.

[0058] The reading control unit 81 executes a process of reading the representative glass number embedded in the information code from the information recording medium 15. For example, the reading control unit 81 reads the representative glass number of the representative original glass sheet G located in a predetermined loading order (e.g., 100th) among the original glass sheets G loaded on the pallet 14 from the information recording medium 15. Specifically, the reading control unit 81 may acquire the representative glass number read by the reader 21 via the wireless communication unit 62. The reading control unit 81 may execute the above-mentioned process of acquiring the representative glass number from the information recording medium 15 for each information recording medium 15 associated with the pallet 14.

[0059] The data acquisition unit 82 acquires original plate data of each of the glass original plates G loaded on the pallet 14 from a storage device that stores an original plate management DB. The data acquisition unit 82 can acquire original plate data for 100 sheets loaded on the pallet 14 from which the representative glass number has been read, from the original plate management DB stored in the storage device. The original plate management DB stores the loading order of the glass original plates G on the pallet 14 in association with the original plate data of the glass original plates G. Here, the representative glass number of the representative glass original plate loaded in the predetermined loading order (100th) is identified by the reading control unit 81. The data acquisition unit 82 executes a process of acquiring a predetermined number of original plate data associated with successive loading orders from the original plate data registered in the original plate management DB, starting from the original plate data of the representative glass original plate identified by the read representative glass number. For example, the data acquiring unit 82 acquires original plate data associated with successive loading orders from the original plate management DB, starting from the original plate data of the representative glass plate associated with the 100th identified by the representative glass number. That is, the data acquiring unit 82 acquires 100 pieces of original plate data associated with successive loading orders from the 100th from the original plate management DB. The data acquiring unit 82 executes the above-mentioned process of acquiring original plate data on a pallet-by-pallet basis from the original plate management DB for each transported pallet 14.

[0060] When the representative glass original plate is the last glass original plate loaded on the pallet 14, the data acquisition unit 82 acquires from the storage device a predetermined number of pieces of original plate data associated with successive descending loading orders, starting from the original plate data of the last glass original plate associated with the representative glass number read from the information recording medium 15. As a specific example, if the loading order of the last glass original plate is the 100th, the data acquisition unit 82 acquires from the storage device 100 pieces of original plate data associated with the loading orders of the 100th, 99th, 98th, ..., 1st.

[0061] According to the above-mentioned configuration, the original plate data of each glass plate loaded on the same pallet is acquired in a state where the loading order is known. In the processing step, when the glass plates are taken out in the reverse order of the loading order when they were loaded on the pallet and processed in the order in which they were taken out, the processing machine 22 can acquire each original plate data in the reverse order of the corresponding loading order, starting with the original plate data of the last glass plate. In this way, the original plate data is referenced in the processing order, so that the glass plates and the original plate data can be easily associated with each other.

[0062] The control unit 60 may further include a data output unit 83. The data output unit 83 outputs the above-mentioned predetermined number of pieces of original plate data acquired by the data acquisition unit 82 to a device for processing the original glass plates, such as the processing machine 22, in the reverse order of the loading order associated with each piece of data.

[0063] The above-mentioned configuration is preferably used in the case where, in the processing step, the glass original sheets loaded on the pallet are taken out in the reverse order of the loading order when they were loaded on the pallet, and processed in the order in which they were taken out. According to the above-mentioned configuration, the original sheet data is output to the processing machine 22 in the reverse order of the loading order on the pallet, that is, in the order in which the glass original sheets are input to the processing machine 22. This allows the processing machine 22 to process each glass original sheet based on the correct original sheet data.

[0064] <Data Structure> (Information recording medium) 4 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of information stored in the information recording medium 15 associated with the pallet 14. The information recording medium 15 stores at least the representative glass numbers of the representative glass original plates loaded on the pallet 14 in a predetermined loading order.

[0065] If necessary, the information recording medium 15 may further hold, for example, a factory name as information for uniquely identifying a factory where the glass original plate group Gs loaded on the pallet 14 was manufactured. Furthermore, the information recording medium 15 may hold, for example, a line name as information for uniquely identifying a line in the above-mentioned factory where the above-mentioned glass original plate group Gs was manufactured.

[0066] For example, the output unit 53 of the original glass processing device 10 prints an information code in which the above-mentioned factory name, line name, and representative glass number of the representative original glass plate are embedded on the information recording medium 15 to be associated with the pallet 14. The information recording medium 15 on which the above-mentioned information code is printed is packed together with the pallet 14 in one package and shipped.

[0067] (Original board management DB) 5 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the original plate management DB stored in the storage device. In the original plate management DB, one record is created and registered for one glass original plate G. Record set P1 indicates information about a group of 100 glass original plates Gs loaded on one pallet, for example, the first pallet, and record set P2 indicates information about a group of 100 glass original plates Gs loaded on another pallet, for example, the second pallet.

[0068] As an example, each record is composed of data items of factory name, line name, glass number, original plate data, and loading order. The factory name is information that uniquely identifies the factory where the original glass plate G was manufactured. The line name is information that uniquely identifies the line where the original glass plate G was manufactured in the above-mentioned factory. The glass number is original plate identification information that uniquely identifies the original glass plate G. As described above, as an example, the glass number may be composed of a number string that represents the date when the original glass plate G was manufactured, a number string that represents the date and time of manufacture down to the second, and a delimiter that separates these number strings.

[0069] The original sheet data is information related to the processing of the original glass sheet G, generated by the inspection device 12. The original sheet data is, for example, inspection result data, and may include determination information indicating the presence or absence of unevenness and position information indicating the position of the unevenness. In another example, the original sheet data may be cutting position data for processing the original glass sheet G without waste by avoiding the unevenness.

[0070] The loading order is information indicating the order in which the glass original sheets G were loaded on the pallet 14. For example, according to the top record of the original sheet management DB shown in FIG. 5, it can be seen that the glass original sheet G with the glass number "20210115_135001" is the first on the pallet 14, that is, it was loaded first. Also, according to the record R1, it can be seen that the glass original sheet G with the glass number "20210115_135036" is the 100th on the same pallet 14 described above, that is, it was loaded last. And, since the default loading order, the 100th, is associated, it can be seen that the glass original sheet G with "20210115_135036" is the representative glass original sheet of the same pallet 14 described above. Also, it can be seen that "20210115_135036" is the representative glass number on the above-mentioned pallet 14.

[0071] The data management unit 71 of the original processing device 10 receives data on 100 originals to be loaded onto the same pallet 14 from the inspection device 12 together with the glass plate numbers.

[0072] The data management unit 71 associates the loading order with the oldest manufacturing date and date / time indicated in the glass number, and registers 100 records, for example, record group P1, in the original sheet management DB as shown in Fig. 5. When the data management unit 71 receives original sheet data for 100 sheets for another pallet 14 from the inspection device 12, it registers 100 records, for example, record group P2, in the original sheet management DB in a similar manner.

[0073] The data management unit 71 may receive a notification from the loader 13 that loading of the group of 100 glass original sheets Gs onto the pallet 14 has been completed. Based on receiving the original sheet data for 100 sheets from the inspection device 12 and the above-mentioned notification from the loader 13, the data management unit 71 may start a process of registering the 100 record groups in the original sheet management DB.

[0074] <Processing flow> Fig. 6 is a sequence diagram showing a process flow of the glass plate manufacturing method executed by the glass plate manufacturing system 100. The manufacturing method shown in Fig. 6 may be started, for example, when the inspection device 12 generates original plate data of a full number of glass original plates G to be loaded on one pallet, for example, data of 100 original plates, and the original plate processing device 10 receives the generated data. Furthermore, the above-mentioned manufacturing method may be started, for example, when the loading machine 13 receives a notification that loading of the full number of glass original plates G has been completed.

[0075] The glass sheet manufacturing method executed by the glass sheet manufacturing system 100 generally includes an original sheet process and a processing process.

[0076] In the original plate process, the original plate process device 10 executes a storage step for each pallet 14, in which original plate data related to the processing of the glass original plate G corresponds to the loading order of the glass original plates G on the pallet 14, and a process of associating the original plate data of a representative glass original plate positioned in a predetermined loading order on the pallet 14 with a representative glass number (representative original plate identification information) for identifying the representative glass original plate and storing the associated data in a memory unit 51 (memory device); and an information output step for each pallet 14, in which a process of outputting the representative glass number to an information recording medium 15 is performed.

[0077] In the processing process, the processing process device 20 executes a reading step of reading a representative glass number from each of the information recording media 15, and an acquisition step of acquiring, for each pallet 14, from the original plate data stored in the storage device, a predetermined number of original plate data associated with consecutive loading orders, starting from the original plate data of the representative glass original plate identified by the read representative glass number.

[0078] In the processing step, the processing step device 20 may further execute a data output step of outputting a predetermined number of pieces of original plate data acquired in the acquisition step to a device that processes the glass original plates in a reverse order to the corresponding loading order.

[0079] The original sheet process includes, for example, steps S101, S102, S104, S107, and S108 shown in Fig. 6. Alternatively, the original sheet process may include steps S101 to S111 as necessary. The processing process includes, for example, steps S112 to S114 shown in Fig. 6.

[0080] In step S101, the data management unit 71 of the original sheet processing apparatus 10 refers to the original sheet data group for one pallet transmitted from the inspection apparatus 12. For example, the data management unit 71 may refer to 100 pieces of original sheet data for 100 glass original sheets G loaded on a first pallet. The original sheet data group transmitted from the inspection apparatus 12 is assumed to be stored in advance in, for example, the storage unit 51 or a primary storage device (not shown) included in the original sheet processing apparatus 10.

[0081] In step S102 (storing step), the data management unit 71 associates one stacking order with one original plate data. For example, the data management unit 71 may associate the stacking orders in ascending order in the order in which the 100 pieces of original plate data were received. Alternatively, the data management unit 71 may associate the stacking orders in ascending order in the order of the oldest manufacturing date and time indicated by the glass numbers associated with each of the 100 pieces of original plate data.

[0082] In step S103, the data management unit 71 determines whether the loading order associated in S102 is a specified loading order. For example, in S102, the data management unit 71 associates the "100th" order with the original plate data having the latest manufacturing date and time among the 100 original plate data. If the specified loading order is "100th", the data management unit 71 determines YES in S103 and proceeds to step S104. If the loading order associated in S102 is other than the specified loading order "100th", the data management unit 71 determines NO in S103 and proceeds to step S105.

[0083] In step S104 (storing step), the data management unit 71 specifies the glass original sheet G "100th" in the specified loading order as a representative glass original sheet, and associates a representative glass number with the original sheet data of the representative glass original sheet to which the specified loading order "100th" is associated. Here, if a glass number has already been associated with the original sheet data of the representative glass original sheet referred to in S101, the data management unit 71 may treat the original glass number obtained in S101 as the representative glass number as it is. Alternatively, the data management unit 71 may generate a representative glass number composed of a character string that can uniquely identify the original sheet data of the representative glass original sheet, and associate the representative glass original sheet with the original sheet data of the representative glass original sheet.

[0084] In step S105, the data management unit 71 determines whether or not the association of the loading order has been completed for all the original plate data referred to in S101. For example, if there is any original plate data to which the description order has not been associated among the 100 pieces of original plate data referred to in S101, the data management unit 71 proceeds from NO in S105 to step S106. If the data management unit 71 has associated the 100 pieces of original plate data with the description orders from 1st to 100th, the data management unit 71 proceeds from YES in S105 to step S107.

[0085] In step S106, the data management unit 71 refers to the next unprocessed original plate data, increments the description order to be associated by one, and returns to step S102 to repeat the subsequent processes.

[0086] In step S107 (storing step), the data management unit 71 stores in a storage device a group of original plate data for one pallet, in which the order of description is associated with each piece of original plate data and the representative glass number is associated with the original plate data of at least the representative glass original plate. For example, the data management unit 71 may register the above-mentioned original plate data group in the original plate management DB 511.

[0087] In step S108 (information output step), the output control unit 72 outputs the representative glass number associated with the original plate data of the representative glass plate in S104 to the information recording medium 15. As an example, the output control unit 72 controls the output unit 53 to print an information code in which the above-mentioned representative glass number is embedded on the information recording medium 15, which is a paper medium. The printed information recording medium 15 is packaged together with the pallet 14 (the first pallet in the above example) as one package.

[0088] In the present embodiment, as an example, the data management unit 71 may repeat the above-described steps for each of a plurality of pallets shipped to the same glass sheet manufacturing plant.

[0089] In step S109, the data management unit 71 determines whether steps S102, S104, S107, and S108 have been executed for all pallets to be shipped. If there is unprocessed original data for another pallet, the data management unit 71 proceeds from NO in S109 to step S110. If registration in the original management DB 511 and output of the information recording medium 15 have been completed for all pallets, the data management unit 71 proceeds from YES in S109 to step S111.

[0090] In step S110, the data management unit 71 refers to the original data group of the next pallet, and returns to step S102 to repeat the subsequent processes.

[0091] In step S111, the data management unit 71 may notify the processing process device 20 that the original sheet management DB including information on the processing of the glass original sheet G has been stored in a storage device readable by the processing process device 20. For example, the data management unit 71 may directly transmit the original sheet management DB 511 stored locally in the storage unit 51 to the processing process device 20 via the communication unit 52. Alternatively, the data management unit 71 may upload the original sheet management DB 511 to the storage device 30 and notify the processing process device 20 of the upload. Alternatively, the data management unit 71 may transmit an access permission notification to the original sheet management DB 511 stored in the storage unit 51 to the processing process device 20.

[0092] In step S112 (reading step), the reading control unit 81 of the processing process device 20 reads the representative glass number from the information recording medium 15 corresponding to the pallet on which processing of the glass blank G is to be started (hereinafter, the processing target pallet). Specifically, the reader 21 reads the representative glass number of the representative glass blank in the processing target pallet from the information code printed on the information recording medium 15 packed together with the processing target pallet. The reading control unit 81 acquires the representative glass number read by the reader 21.

[0093] In step S113 (acquisition step), the data acquisition unit 82 acquires a group of original sheet data of each of the glass original sheets G loaded on the processing target pallet from the storage device. As an example, the data acquisition unit 82 may extract 100 pieces of original sheet data corresponding to the 100 glass original sheets G loaded on the processing target pallet from the original sheet management DB generated by the original sheet process device 10.

[0094] Specifically, the data acquisition unit 82 acquires from the storage device a predetermined number of pieces of original plate data, which are associated with consecutive stacking orders, starting from the original plate data of the representative glass original plate identified by the representative glass number read in S112.

[0095] A specific example will be described. It is assumed that the representative glass plate number read by the reading control unit 81 in S112 is "20210115_135036." The data acquisition unit 82 identifies the record R1 of the representative glass plate associated with the representative glass plate number "20210115_135036" from the plate management DB shown in FIG.

[0096] The data acquiring unit 82 extracts 100 records associated with successive orders of description starting from the order "100th" of record R1, which is the starting point, from the original sheet management DB. Here, the representative original sheet is the last glass sheet loaded on the pallet 14, that is, the 100th. Then, starting from record R1, which is the original sheet data of the last glass sheet, the data acquiring unit 82 extracts 100 original sheet data groups associated with successive orders of loading in descending order from the original sheet management DB. In the example shown in FIG. 5, a record group P1 consisting of 100 records associated with successive orders of description (99th, 98th, . . . , 1st) in descending order starting from "100th" is extracted from the original sheet management DB.

[0097] In step S114 (data output step), the data output unit 83 outputs the predetermined number of original plate data acquired in S113 to a device for processing the original glass plate in the reverse order of the associated loading order. As a specific example, the data output unit 83 outputs 100 records of the record group P1 extracted in S113 to the processing machine 22 in descending order starting from the "100th" record R1, which is the last loading order. When unpacking the processing machine 22, the processing machine 22 takes out the original glass plates G, which were last loaded on the processing machine pallet, one by one in order and puts them into the cutting machine. Since the original glass plate data of the original glass plate G is input to the cutting machine in the order in which the original glass plate G is input, the cutting machine can cut the original glass plate G based on the correct original glass plate data corresponding to the original glass plate G.

[0098] <Action and effect> According to the above-mentioned configuration and method, in the original plate process, for each pallet, the original plate data of each glass original plate loaded on the pallet is stored in the storage device in association with the loading order on the pallet. Here, the original plate data of the representative glass original plate loaded on the pallet in a predetermined loading order (e.g., the last 100th) is stored in the storage device in association with a representative glass number for identifying the representative glass original plate.

[0099] In the processing step, the representative glass plate number is read from the information recording medium. Then, starting from the original plate data of the representative glass plate identified in the storage device from the representative glass plate number, a predetermined number of original plate data (for example, 100 consecutive pieces in descending order from the default loading order "100th") associated with consecutive stacking orders are read from the storage device.

[0100] In this way, the original plate data of each glass plate loaded on the same pallet including the representative glass plate is read out together with the loading order when the glass plates were loaded on the pallet. Since the loading order is associated with the original plate data, the factory performing the processing process can correctly associate each glass plate on the pallet with the original plate data based on the loading order. By correctly associating the glass plates, the glass plates can be processed appropriately.

[0101] According to the above-mentioned configuration and method, it is not necessary to directly affix a glass number to each of the glass blanks loaded on the pallet, and it is sufficient to only store the representative glass numbers of the representative glass blanks loaded in the predetermined loading order in an information recording medium.

[0102] As described above, according to the above-mentioned method for manufacturing a glass plate, it is possible to easily associate the original glass plate with the original plate data.

[0103] In addition, in the process of directly printing individual identification information such as a two-dimensional code on each glass blank, it is considered that large-scale equipment for printing two-dimensional codes on the glass blank (such as a dedicated inkjet printer for printing on large-format glass) is required. According to the above-mentioned method for manufacturing glass blanks, it is possible to omit such large-scale equipment, which is particularly advantageous in terms of reducing labor and costs.

[0104] [Embodiment 2] Other embodiments of the present invention will be described below. For ease of explanation, the same reference numerals will be used to designate components having the same functions as those described in the above embodiment, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0105] In this embodiment, the loader 13 may be allowed to complete loading of one pallet 14 with a number less than the full number (hereinafter, a fraction) depending on the situation. In this embodiment, the loader 13 transmits to the original sheet processing device 10 a notification that loading onto the pallet 14 has been completed, including the number of original glass sheets G loaded onto the pallet 14.

[0106] In this embodiment, for example, the data management unit 71 of the original glass processing apparatus 10 may store the number of original glass sheets G loaded on the pallet 14 in the storage device in association with the representative glass number in step S104 shown in Fig. 6. In another example, the output control unit 72 may output the number of original glass sheets G loaded on the pallet 14 together with the representative glass number to the information recording medium 15 in step S108 shown in Fig. 6.

[0107] In this embodiment, the data acquisition unit 82 of the processing device 20 acquires, from the storage device, the original sheet data of the same number as the number of sheets associated with the representative glass number in S113 shown in FIG.

[0108] A specific example is as follows. Suppose the number of sheets associated with the representative glass number of the 80th loaded representative original glass sheet is "80 sheets." In this case, the data acquisition unit 82 acquires from the storage device the above-mentioned number of pieces of original sheet data associated with successive stacking orders in descending order, starting from the original sheet data of the representative original glass sheet. In other words, the data acquisition unit 82 acquires from the storage device 80 pieces of original sheet data with stacking orders from "80th" to "1st."

[0109] <Action and effect> According to the above-mentioned configuration and method, even if the number of glass sheets loaded on each pallet is different, the data of the glass sheets loaded on one pallet can be acquired from the storage device without excess or deficiency. Therefore, the glass sheet manufacturing method of the present invention can be applied to, for example, a case where pallets with different loading upper limit numbers are mixed, and a case where a pallet with a full number of sheets loaded and a pallet with a fractional number of sheets loaded are mixed. In other words, the glass sheet manufacturing system 100 of the present invention can be applied to all shipping cases.

[0110] [Embodiment 3] Other embodiments of the present invention will be described below. For ease of explanation, the same reference numerals will be used to designate components having the same functions as those described in the above embodiment, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0111] In this embodiment, a pallet ID, which is identification information for uniquely identifying each individual pallet, is assigned to each pallet 14. In this embodiment, an information recording medium 16 (see FIG. 1) that holds the pallet ID is provided to the pallet 14.

[0112] In the original plate process, the loader 13 may be communicably connected to a reader (not shown) for reading the pallet ID from the information recording medium 16 provided on the pallet 14. For example, the loader 13 can obtain the pallet ID of the pallet 14 on which the original glass plate G is loaded from the information recording medium 16 via the above-mentioned reader.

[0113] <About interruption of loading operations> In the present embodiment, as an example, the original glass processing apparatus 10 may manage the progress of the loading operation of the original glass sheets G onto the pallets 14 by using the pallet ID.

[0114] In the present embodiment, loading interruption information 512 may be stored in the storage unit 51 of the original glass processing apparatus 10. The loading interruption information 512 is information that indicates the progress of the loading operation of the original glass sheets G onto the pallets 14 for each pallet 14.

[0115] 7 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the loading interruption information 512. As an example, the loading interruption information 512 is composed of two data items, a pallet ID and the number of loaded sheets. In another example, the loading interruption information 512 may have a status data item as necessary.

[0116] The pallet ID is identification information that uniquely identifies the pallet 14. The number of loaded sheets is information indicating the number of original glass sheets G already loaded on the pallet 14. The number of loaded sheets may be expressed, for example, as a fraction with the full number of pallets 14 as the denominator and the number of sheets currently loaded on the pallet 14 as the numerator. The status is information indicating the progress of the loading operation on the pallet 14.

[0117] In this embodiment, the loader 13 acquires the pallet ID of the pallet 14 via the above-mentioned reader before starting to load the original glass sheets G onto the pallet 14. The loader 13 transmits the acquired pallet ID to the original glass processing device 10 to notify the original glass processing device 10 of starting to load the original glass sheets G onto the pallet 14 corresponding to the pallet ID.

[0118] The data management unit 71 of the original sheet processing equipment 10 registers the notified pallet ID in the loading interruption information 512. The data management unit 71 may register the pallet ID in association with a status of “loading” indicating that loading work is currently in progress.

[0119] When the loading machine 13 interrupts the loading operation before the number of loaded glass original sheets G reaches a full number, the loading machine 13 transmits the pallet ID of the pallet 14 on which loading is to be interrupted and the number of sheets already loaded on the pallet 14 to the original sheet processing device 10, and notifies the original sheet processing device 10 of the interruption of the loading operation.

[0120] The data management unit 71 may further execute a master glass process recording step of storing, in the memory unit 51, a pallet ID (pallet identification information) for identifying a pallet 14 on which the number of original glass sheets G loaded is less than the full number (upper limit value) and the number of sheets already loaded on the pallet 14 (information indicating the number loaded), in association with each other. The information associating the pallet ID with the number of sheets loaded may be stored not only in the memory unit 51 but also in any memory device that can be referenced by the master glass process device 10, such as the memory device 30.

[0121] According to the above-mentioned configuration, when loading is resumed, it is possible to specify how many glass original sheets are loaded on the pallet and what number on the pallet the next glass original sheet will be. Therefore, even if loading is interrupted midway, it is possible to resume, store the original sheet data in the correct loading order, and load the glass original sheets up to the full number.

[0122] As a specific example, the data management unit 71 registers the notified number of loaded sheets in association with the notified pallet ID in the loading interruption information 512. The data management unit 71 may further associate the pallet ID with a status of "interrupted", which indicates that the loading operation is currently interrupted, and registers the pallet ID.

[0123] When the loading machine 13 resumes the interrupted loading operation onto the above-mentioned pallet 14, it reads the pallet ID of the pallet 14 and transmits it to the original board processing equipment 10, notifying the original board processing equipment 10 that loading onto the pallet 14 corresponding to the pallet ID will be resumed.

[0124] If the loading number associated with the notified pallet ID is registered in the loading interruption information 512, the data management unit 71 returns the loading number to the loader 13.

[0125] Based on the received number of loaded sheets, the loader 13 can resume loading of the original glass sheets G from the continuation of the number of loaded sheets. When the loader 13 has completed loading of a predetermined number of original glass sheets G, the loader 13 may transmit the pallet ID and the number of loaded sheets to the original glass sheet processing device 10 to notify the original glass sheet processing device 10 that loading is completed.

[0126] When the data management unit 71 receives a notification from the loader 13 that loading is completed, the data management unit 71 may delete various information associated with the pallet ID included in the notification from the loading interruption information 512. Alternatively, the data management unit 71 may register in the loading interruption information 512 the pallet ID, the number of sheets that have been loaded, and a status of “completed” indicating that loading has been completed.

[0127] <About interruption of processing work> In the present embodiment, as an example, the processing step device 20 may use the pallet ID to manage the progress of the processing work of the original glass sheet G in the processing start target pallet.

[0128] In the present embodiment, processing interruption information 612 may be stored in the memory unit 61 of the processing process device 20. The processing interruption information 612 is information indicating the progress of processing of the glass original sheet G in the processing start target pallet for each pallet 14.

[0129] In this embodiment, the control unit 60 further includes a process management unit 84. The process management unit 84 uses the processing interruption information 612 to manage the progress of the processing work of the original glass sheet G in the processing start target pallet.

[0130] 8 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the machining interruption information 612. As an example, the machining interruption information 612 is composed of two data items, a pallet ID and the number of pieces taken out. In another example, the machining interruption information 612 may have a status data item as necessary.

[0131] The pallet ID is identification information that uniquely identifies the pallet 14. The number of removed sheets is information indicating the number of original glass sheets G removed from the pallet 14. The number of removed sheets may be expressed, for example, as a fraction with the full number of pallets 14 as the denominator and the number of sheets removed from the pallet 14 as the numerator. The status is information indicating the progress of processing work related to the pallet 14.

[0132] In this embodiment, the reader 21 or another reader (not shown) reads the pallet ID of the pallet 14 from the information recording medium 16. Before starting processing of the glass blank G loaded on the pallet 14, the processing machine 22 acquires the pallet ID of the pallet 14 via the reader 21 or another reader (not shown). The processing machine 22 transmits the acquired pallet ID to the processing process device 20, and notifies the processing process device 20 that it will start processing the pallet 14 corresponding to the pallet ID.

[0133] The process control unit 84 of the machining process device 20 registers the notified pallet ID in the machining interruption information 612. The process control unit 84 may register the pallet ID in association with a status of "in machining", which indicates that machining work is currently being performed.

[0134] When the processing machine 22 interrupts processing work while leaving glass original sheets G on the pallet 14, it transmits the pallet ID of the pallet 14 for which processing is interrupted and the number of sheets already removed from the pallet 14 to the processing process device 20, and notifies the processing process device 20 of the interruption of the processing work.

[0135] The process management unit 84 may execute a processing process recording step of storing in the memory unit 61 a pallet ID (pallet identification information) for identifying the pallet 14 and a removal number indicating the number of glass original sheets G removed from the pallet 14 in association with each other. The information associating the pallet ID with the removal number may be stored not only in the memory unit 61 but also in any memory device that can be referenced by the processing process device 20, such as the memory device 30.

[0136] According to the above-mentioned configuration, when the removal is resumed, it is possible to identify which pallet the glass original sheet to be removed is and which glass original sheet is loaded on. Therefore, even if the processing is interrupted midway, it is possible to read out the correct original sheet data corresponding to the glass original sheet to be removed when the processing is resumed.

[0137] As a specific example, the process management unit 84 associates the notified number of sheets to be taken with the notified pallet ID and registers it in the processing interruption information 612. The process management unit 84 may further associate the pallet ID with a status of "interrupted," which indicates that processing work is currently interrupted, and registers it.

[0138] When the processing machine 22 resumes the processing work on the above-mentioned pallet 14 that was interrupted, it reads the pallet ID of the pallet 14 and transmits it to the processing process device 20, and notifies the processing process device 20 that it will resume the processing work on the pallet 14 corresponding to the pallet ID.

[0139] If the number of sheets to be taken out that corresponds to the notified pallet ID is registered in the processing interruption information 612, the process control unit 84 returns the number of sheets to be taken out to the processing machine 22.

[0140] Based on the received number of removed glass sheets, the processing machine 22 can resume removing the original glass sheets G from the next removed number. Furthermore, the data output unit 83 can output the original glass sheets data to the processing machine 22 in order, starting from the original glass sheets G for which removal has been resumed. When the processing machine 22 has completed the processing of all the original glass sheets G on the pallet 14, it may transmit the pallet ID to the processing process device 20 to notify the processing process device 20 that removal and processing have been completed.

[0141] When the process management unit 84 receives a notification from the processing machine 22 that processing of the pallet 14 has been completed, the process management unit 84 may delete the various information associated with the pallet ID included in the notification from the processing interruption information 612. Alternatively, the process management unit 84 may register in the processing interruption information 612 the pallet ID and a status of "completed" indicating that processing has been completed.

[0142] [Software implementation example] The functions of the original plate processing apparatus 10 (hereinafter referred to as the "apparatus") can be realized by a program for causing a computer to function as the apparatus, and by a program for causing a computer to function as each control block of the apparatus (particularly each part included in the control unit 50).

[0143] The functions of the processing device 20 (hereinafter referred to as the "device") can be realized by a program for causing a computer to function as the device, and by a program for causing a computer to function as each control block of the device (particularly each part included in the control unit 60).

[0144] In this case, the above-mentioned device includes a computer having at least one control device (e.g., a processor) and at least one storage device (e.g., a memory) as hardware for executing the above-mentioned program. The above-mentioned program is executed by the control device and the storage device, thereby realizing each function described in each of the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0145] The above-mentioned program may be recorded in one or more computer-readable recording media, not in a temporary manner. The recording media may or may not be included in the above-mentioned device. In the latter case, the above-mentioned program may be provided to the above-mentioned device via any wired or wireless transmission medium.

[0146] In addition, some or all of the functions of each of the above-mentioned control blocks can be realized by a logic circuit. For example, an integrated circuit in which a logic circuit that functions as each of the above-mentioned control blocks is formed is also included in the scope of the present invention. In addition, the functions of each of the above-mentioned control blocks can be realized by, for example, a quantum computer.

[0147] Furthermore, each process described in each of the above embodiments may be executed by AI (Artificial Intelligence). In this case, the AI ​​may be operated by the above-mentioned control device, or may be operated by another device (for example, an edge computer or a cloud server).

[0148] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0149] 10 Original plate processing equipment 11 Original plate manufacturing equipment 12 Inspection equipment 13 Loader 14 Palette 15 Information recording media 20 Processing equipment 21 Reader 22 Processing machine 30 Storage device 50 Control section 51 Storage unit (storage device, original plate process storage device) 52 Communications Department 53 Output section 60 Control section 61 Memory unit (memory device, processing process memory device) 62 Wireless Communication Section 63 Communications Department 71 Data Management Department 72 Output control section 81 Reading control unit (identification information reading unit) 82 Data Acquisition Section 83 Data output section 84 Process Management Department 100 Glass plate manufacturing system G Glass plate

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a glass plate, comprising: an original plate step of loading a plurality of glass original plates on a pallet; and a processing step of manufacturing a glass plate by taking out and processing each of the glass original plates loaded on the pallet, The original plate process includes: a storage step for storing, for each of the glass original plates loaded on the pallet, original plate data relating to the processing of the glass original plate in association with the loading order of the glass original plates on the pallet, and representative original plate identification information for identifying the representative glass original plate in association with original plate data of the representative glass original plate located in a predetermined loading order on the pallet, in a storage device; an information output step of outputting the representative original identification information onto an information recording medium for each of the pallets, The processing step includes: a reading step of reading the representative original identification information from each of the information recording media; and an acquisition step of acquiring from the storage device, for each pallet, a predetermined number of pieces of original plate data associated with the consecutive loading orders, starting from the original plate data of the representative glass original plate identified by the read representative original plate identification information, among the original plate data stored in the storage device.

2. the representative glass blank is a final glass blank that is last loaded on the pallet, The method for manufacturing a glass sheet according to claim 1 , wherein in the acquiring step, a predetermined number of pieces of original sheet data associated with the successive loading orders in descending order are acquired from the storage device, starting from original sheet data of the last glass sheet.

3. The processing step includes:

3. The method for manufacturing a glass plate according to claim 2, further comprising: a data output step of outputting the predetermined number of pieces of original plate data acquired in the acquisition step to a device that processes the glass original plates in a reverse order to the associated loading order.

4. the information recording medium is packed together with the pallet on which the representative glass original plate is loaded, The method for manufacturing a glass plate according to claim 1 , wherein in the information outputting step, the information recording medium on which an information code in which the representative original plate identification information is embedded is printed is output.

5. In the storing step, the number of glass original plates loaded on the pallet is stored in the storage device in association with the representative original plate identification information, The method for manufacturing a glass plate according to claim 1 , wherein in the acquiring step, the original plate data is acquired with the number of sheets associated with the representative original plate identification information set to the predetermined number.

6. The original plate process includes:

6. The method for manufacturing a glass sheet according to claim 1, further comprising: a raw sheet process recording step of: for the pallet in which the number of loaded glass sheets is less than an upper limit value, storing pallet identification information for identifying the pallet and information indicating the loaded number in an raw sheet process storage device in association with each other.

7. The processing step includes:

7. The method for manufacturing a glass plate according to claim 1, further comprising: a processing step recording step of storing pallet identification information for identifying the pallet and information indicating the number of the glass original plates taken out from the pallet in a processing step storage device in association with each other.

8. A glass plate processing device that controls a glass plate processing process in which a plurality of glass plate pieces are loaded onto a pallet, a data management unit that performs, for each of the glass original plates loaded on the pallet, a process of associating original plate data related to the processing of the glass original plate with a loading order of the glass original plates on the pallet, and storing, in a storage device, representative original plate identification information for identifying a representative glass original plate in a predetermined loading order on the pallet in association with the original plate data of the representative glass original plate; an output control unit that performs a process of outputting the representative original identification information to an information recording medium for each pallet.

9. A processing process device that controls a processing process in which each glass blank loaded on a pallet is taken out and processed, an identification information reading unit that performs a process of reading representative original plate identification information for identifying a representative glass original plate located in a predetermined loading order among the glass original plates loaded on the pallet from an information recording medium that stores the representative original plate identification information, for each of the information recording media associated with the pallet; and a data acquisition unit that stores, for each of the glass original plates loaded on the pallet, original plate data related to the processing of the glass original plates in association with the loading order of the glass original plates on the pallet, and performs a process of acquiring, for each of the pallets, a predetermined number of original plate data associated with the consecutive loading orders, starting from the original plate data of the representative glass original plate identified by the read representative original plate identification information, from a storage device that stores the original plate data of the representative glass original plate in association with the representative original plate identification information.

10. a master glass processing device for controlling a master glass processing step of loading a plurality of master glass sheets onto a pallet; a processing step device for controlling a processing step of taking out and processing each of the glass blanks loaded on the pallet, The original plate processing device is a data management unit that performs, for each of the glass original plates loaded on the pallet, a process of associating original plate data related to the processing of the glass original plate with a loading order of the glass original plates on the pallet, and storing, in a storage device, representative original plate identification information for identifying a representative glass original plate in a predetermined loading order on the pallet in association with the original plate data of the representative glass original plate; an output control unit that performs a process of outputting the representative original identification information to an information recording medium for each of the pallets, The processing device includes: an identification information reading unit that reads the representative original identification information from each of the information recording media; a data acquisition unit that performs a process of acquiring from the storage device a predetermined number of pieces of original plate data, each of which is associated with a successive loading order, from the original plate data stored in the storage device, starting from the original plate data of the representative glass original plate identified by the read representative original plate identification information.

11. 9. An information processing program for causing a computer to function as the original plate processing apparatus according to claim 8, the information processing program causing a computer to function as the data management section and the output control section.

12. 10. An information processing program for causing a computer to function as the machining process device according to claim 9, wherein the information processing program causes a computer to function as the identification information reading section and the data acquiring section.

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