Information processing device, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To improve a technique of creating a product process chart.SOLUTION: An information processor 10 includes: an input part 11 which receives input of a product name of a target product and process information including facility, staff, and an operation time to which a process name and a process can be assigned for each process of producing the target product; a control part 14 which creates a process table of the target product based on information inputted via the input part 11; and a storage part 13 which stores the created process table.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, a technology has been known in which a production scheduler is used to create a process chart used to plan a product production schedule. For example, Non-Patent Document 1 discloses a production scheduler that creates a product production schedule with the theoretically shortest manufacturing lead time. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0003] [Non-Patent Document 1] "What is a production scheduler?", [online], [searched September 22, 2022], Internet<URL:https: / / www.asprova.jp / products / overview.html>

[0004] However, in order for the production scheduler to automatically create a production schedule, not only the order data, but also the master data for equipment, staff, processes, products, etc., and the various related data that links them all had to be organized in the format specified by the production scheduler and input while ensuring consistency.In addition, when deleting or changing input data, it was necessary to set it individually while considering consistency with related data.

[0005] The input screen of the production scheduler disclosed in Non-Patent Document 1 has an Excel table format, and data can be input directly or by using the copy and paste function like Excel. However, multiple pieces of data must be set individually based on a dedicated format, which can make corrections difficult or make it difficult to grasp the entire process after setting.

[0006] Furthermore, in workplaces where DX (Digital Transformation) has not progressed, or where digitized data with different definitions already exists, the hurdle of introducing a production scheduler was high. DX refers to a situation where a company responds to rapid changes in the business environment by utilizing data and digital technology to transform products, services, or business models based on the needs of customers and society, while also transforming the work itself, organization, process, or corporate culture and climate to establish a competitive advantage.

[0007] However, even if DX has not yet progressed and production instructions are still written by hand, "the sequence of processes to produce a certain product" is the production instruction itself, and can be verbalized at any work site. With this in mind, there was a need for an information processing device that could set process information such as "what process should a certain product be manufactured through?", "how long each process takes", or "what production resources (equipment and staff) can be used" with a versatile user interface. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] Therefore, there was room for improvement in the technology for creating product schedules.

[0009] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present disclosure is to improve the technology for creating a product process schedule. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] An information processing device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is an information processing device that creates a process schedule for a product, and includes an input unit that accepts input of the product name of a target product and, for each process of producing the target product, process information including a process name, equipment and staff to which the process can be assigned, and working time, a control unit that creates a process schedule for the target product based on the information input via the input unit, and a memory unit that stores the created process schedule.

[0011] An information processing method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is an information processing method for creating a process schedule for a product, which performs the following steps: accepting input of a product name of a target product and, for each process for producing the target product, process information including a process name, equipment and staff to which the process can be assigned, and working time; creating a process schedule for the target product based on the input information; and storing the created process schedule.

[0012] A program according to one embodiment of the present disclosure causes an information processing device that creates a product process schedule to: accept input of the product name of a target product and, for each process that produces the target product, process information including the process name, equipment and staff to which the process can be assigned, and working time; create a process schedule for the target product based on the input information; and store the created process schedule. Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a technique for creating a product schedule is improved. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] 13 is a flow diagram illustrating an information processing method for creating a process chart for a product. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a process block having an input field for process information. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen including a process block. [Diagram 5] 1 is a flow diagram illustrating an information processing method for determining a production plan for a product. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described.

[0016] (Overview of the embodiment) An overview of an information processing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The information processing system 1 includes at least one information processing device 10 (10A, 10B, 10C, . . . 10N) communicatively connected to a network 2.

[0017] The information processing device 10 is, for example, a server device or a general-purpose personal computer (PC: Personal Computer), etc. The information processing device 10 is connected to a network 2 including, for example, the Internet and an intranet (internal network) so as to be able to communicate with each other. In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, when a plurality of information processing devices 10 (for example, three devices) are installed, the information processing devices 10A, 10B, and 10C are each connected to the network 2 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0018] First, an overview of this embodiment will be described, and details will be described later. The information processing device 10 accepts input of the product name of the target product and, for each process for producing the target product, process information including the process name, equipment and staff to which the process can be assigned, and working time via a versatile user interface. Then, the information processing device 10 creates a process schedule for the target product based on the input process information.

[0019] Thus, according to this embodiment, the information processing device 10 creates a process schedule when it receives input of the product name of the target product and process information for each process for producing the target product from the user via a versatile user interface. Therefore, even a user who does not have the specialized knowledge to set multiple pieces of data individually based on a dedicated format that requires information processing description can use the function of creating a process schedule by inputting predetermined process information according to the request of the information processing device 10. Therefore, the technology for creating a product process schedule is improved in that the probability that the user will use the function is increased.

[0020] Next, each component of the information processing system 1 will be described in detail.

[0021] (Configuration of information processing device) As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing device 10 includes an input unit 11, a communication unit 12, a storage unit 13, and a control unit .

[0022] The input unit 11 displays a screen having an information input field. For example, the input unit 11 includes an input interface such as an LCD or an organic EL display, and accepts information input to the input field displayed on the screen. The input interface included in the input unit 11 may be a touch screen that detects user operations, or a display that accepts character input from a keyboard and clicks from a mouse. However, the method of information input accepted by the input unit 11 is not limited to this.

[0023] The communication unit 12 includes one or more communication interfaces that connect to the network 2. The communication interface corresponds to, for example, a mobile communication standard, a wired LAN (Local Area Network) standard, or a wireless LAN standard, but is not limited to these, and may correspond to any communication standard.

[0024] The storage unit 13 includes one or more memories. Each memory included in the storage unit 13 may function as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 13 stores any information used in the operation of the information processing device 10. For example, the storage unit 13 may store a system program, an application program, and a database (for example, a database in which a production resource master described later is stored), etc. The information stored in the storage unit 13 may be updatable, for example, with information acquired from the network 2 via the communication unit 12.

[0025] The control unit 14 includes one or more processors, one or more programmable circuits, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination thereof. The control unit 14 controls the operation of the information processing device 10 as a whole.

[0026] (Operation flow of information processing device) The operation of the information processing device 10 according to the present embodiment for creating a process chart for a product will be described with reference to FIG.

[0027] Step S101: The input unit 11 of the information processing device 10 accepts an input of the product name of the target product.

[0028] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a process block pb having an input field for process information. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen including the process block pb. The process block pb is a representation of the process for producing a target product, with one block for each process. In FIG. 3, the area from the input field for the process name to the input field for the follow-up work corresponds to the process block pb for each process. Hereinafter, the flow of the operation of the information processing device 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. The following steps S102 to S105 are steps for creating the process block pb for each process, and accept input of process information in a predetermined input field.

[0029] Step S102: The input unit 11 of the information processing device 10 accepts input of a process name for each process in which the target product is produced.

[0030] When the input unit 11 receives the input of the product name of the target product, it displays a screen including a process block pb having an input field for process information for each process for producing the target product. In the screen, the process block pb corresponding to each process for producing the target product is displayed as a node (vertex) of a directed graph. A directed graph is a figure consisting of nodes (vertices) and edges Ed having directions. For example, when the creation of a process block pb (corresponding to a node) of process α is completed, the process proceeds to the creation of a process block pb (corresponding to a node) of the next process β in the order of the production processes. The input unit 11 receives the input of a "process name" in the input field displayed in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. Process information refers to information including the process name for each process for producing the target product, the equipment and staff to which the process can be assigned, and the working time. For convenience of explanation, the process name will be described as process α below.

[0031] Step S103: The input unit 11 of the information processing device 10 receives, for each process for producing the target product, an input of a piece of equipment to which the process can be assigned.

[0032] The storage unit 13 of the information processing device 10 is assumed to have registered in advance in a database, for each product to be ordered, the product, and the equipment and staff (operators) to which the process for producing the product can be assigned, as a production resource master. The production resource master information stored in the database of the storage unit 13 may be updated, for example, with information acquired from the network 2 via the communication unit 12.

[0033] When a check is detected in the "Allocate to equipment" input field displayed under "Process name" in Figure 3 and one or more equipment names (e.g., A, B, C, D, E) are entered, the input unit 11 accepts one or more of equipment A, B, C, D, or E as equipment to which process α can be allocated.

[0034] Step S104: The input unit 11 of the information processing device 10 receives, for each process for producing the target product, an input of a staff member to whom the process can be assigned.

[0035] The table displayed under "Equipment Name" in Figure 3 shows the correspondence between the equipment to which process α can be assigned and the staff (e.g., workers on the manufacturing floor) who can operate each piece of equipment. For example, Suzuki-san can operate equipment B, Sato-san can operate equipment C, D, and E, Ishii-san can operate equipment B, and Ueda-san can operate equipment A.

[0036] When a check is detected in the "Assign to staff" input field displayed under "Equipment name" in Figure 3 and one or more of the staff members who can operate each of the above equipment names (e.g., Suzuki-san, Sato-san, Ishii-san, Ueda-san, Abe-san) are entered, the input unit 11 accepts one or more of Suzuki-san, Sato-san, Ishii-san, Ueda-san, or Abe-san in combination with the above equipment name as staff members to whom process α can be assigned.

[0037] Step S105: The input unit 11 of the information processing device 10 receives an input of a work time for each process for producing the target product.

[0038] As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, pre-operation, main operation, and post-operation can be set for the operations in the same process that produces the target product. The main operation is an essential operation for producing the target product. The pre-operation is an optional operation performed before starting the production of the target product, and includes cleaning of the equipment, and taking out (discharging) materials or molds used in each process. The post-operation is an optional operation performed after the production of the target product is completed, and includes cleaning of the equipment or storing the molds in a warehouse. In this step, the operation time is set in the input field of "Operation time calculation method" displayed in Figs. 3 and 4 for each pre-operation, main operation, and post-operation. Note that pre-operation and post-operation can be additionally set as necessary. Note that in the "fixed" input field, for example, when the operation time is constant regardless of the quantity of the target product, such as cleaning of the equipment, "fixed" is selected from the pull-down menu.

[0039] The process information also includes the option of whether or not to continue work across non-operating hours. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the detailed settings for pre-work, main work, and post-work have an input field for checking whether or not to "cross non-operating hours." Non-operating hours are the hours when the factory is not operating. Checking "cross non-operating hours" allows the work time to be secured over the total of multiple time periods. In this case, it may result in work being temporarily suspended during non-operating hours and then resumed the next day. On the other hand, if "cross non-operating hours" is not checked, the work time is secured over one consolidated time period.

[0040] Step S106: The input unit 11 of the information processing device 10 accepts the addition of a process for producing the target product. If a process is to be added, the process returns to step S102, and if not, the process proceeds to step S107.

[0041] When the input unit 11 detects a user operation to add a process for the target product, it adds a new process block pb on the screen. When "+Add Process" shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 is selected, the process block pb required to produce the target product is additionally displayed in the order of the processes. When a process is added, the input unit 11 further accepts input to steps S102 to S105.

[0042] Step S107: The input unit 11 of the information processing device 10 accepts the deletion of a process for producing the target product. If the process is to be deleted, the process proceeds to S108, and if the process is not to be deleted, the process proceeds to step S109.

[0043] When the input unit 11 detects a user operation to delete a process of the target product, it deletes the process block pb corresponding to the process to be deleted from the screen.

[0044] Step S108: The input unit 11 of the information processing device 10 deletes the process block pb.

[0045] When "Delete this process" shown in Figs. 3 and 4 is selected, the input unit 11 deletes the process block pb of the process to be deleted.

[0046] The input unit 11 may be configured to change the order and arrangement of each process block. When a change in the process is required, the order of each process block can be changed, allowing a flexible production schedule to be created.

[0047] Step S109: The control unit 14 of the information processing device 10 creates a process chart for the target product based on the information input via the input unit 11.

[0048] The control unit creates a process chart for the target product by connecting one or more process blocks pb for which input has been accepted in series. Through the input unit 11 equipped with a user interface that employs such a configuration, the user can input the process chart that he or she normally creates onto the screen.

[0049] Step S110: The storage unit 13 of the information processing device 10 stores the created process chart.

[0050] The schedule is stored as a CSV file that can be edited directly. A CSV (comma-separated values) file is a data format file in which text data is divided into several fields and separated by a comma (,) which is a delimiter. The file extension is ".csv" and its main feature is that it can be opened with various software.

[0051] The CSV file for a process in a process schedule holds data such as the process name, process ID, product (ID on the product master), process order, pre-operation processing time calculation method, pre-operation time (seconds), selection of whether the pre-operation spans non-operating time or not, main operation processing time calculation method, main operation time (seconds), selection of whether the main operation spans non-operating time or not, post-operation processing time calculation method, post-operation time (seconds), selection of whether the post-operation spans non-operating time or not, and assignment target (equipment, staff), etc. Also, the CSV file for the staff and equipment combination in the process schedule holds data such as staff (staff master ID), equipment (equipment master ID), and process (process ID), etc.

[0052] Next, with reference to FIG. 5, an operation of the information processing device 10 according to the present embodiment for determining a production plan for a product will be described.

[0053] Step S201: The input unit 11 of the information processing device 10 further acquires order information including production conditions for one or more target products.

[0054] The input unit 11 receives order information input from a user. The production conditions refer to the quantity and delivery date for each product indicated in the order information.

[0055] Step S202: The control unit 14 of the information processing device 10 extracts, from the storage unit 13, a process chart for each target product indicated in the order information.

[0056] As described above, the process schedule for the target product is stored (registered) as a CSV file in memory unit 13 for each target product, and one or more process schedules for producing one or more target products are extracted from the registered process schedules.

[0057] Step S203: The control unit 14 of the information processing device 10 checks whether the target products indicated in the order information are all the products.

[0058] Since the order information includes one or more target products, it is confirmed whether there is a target product for which a process chart has not been extracted.

[0059] Step S204: The control unit 14 of the information processing device 10 creates a production plan for one or more target products based on the one or more extracted process charts.

[0060] The control unit 14 may set constraints when formulating a production plan for one or more target products, including (i) production conditions (quantity and delivery date) for each target product, (ii) an allocation condition that one piece of equipment or one worker is not assigned to two or more processes in the same time period, and (iii) a continuation condition that, for processes that do not have "straddling non-operating time" checked, working time is secured in one consolidated time period.

[0061] Step S205: The control unit 14 of the information processing device 10 checks whether the production conditions for all of the one or more target products are satisfied.

[0062] Specifically, the control unit 14 checks whether the production conditions (quantity and delivery date) of all the target products indicated in the order information are satisfied. If the production conditions of all the target products are satisfied, the process proceeds to step S206, and if the production conditions of at least one product are not satisfied, the process returns to step S204 and the created production plan is revised. Specifically, the input unit 11 accepts input of changes to delivery dates, changes to processes, and resetting, and the control unit 14 again creates production plans for all the target products.

[0063] Step S206: The control unit 14 of the information processing device 10 determines a production plan for one or more target products.

[0064] When the control unit 14 confirms that the production conditions for all the target products are satisfied, it ends the flow of determining the production plan for the target products.

[0065] As described above, the information processing device 10 according to the present embodiment accepts input of the product name of the target product and, for each process for producing the target product, process information including the process name, equipment and staff to which the process can be assigned, and working time via a versatile user interface. Then, the information processing device 10 creates a process schedule for the target product based on the input process information.

[0066] According to this configuration, the information processing device 10 creates a process schedule when it receives input of the product name of the target product and process information for each process for producing the target product from the user via a versatile user interface. Therefore, even a user who does not have the specialized knowledge to set multiple pieces of data individually based on a dedicated format that requires information processing description can use the function of creating a process schedule by inputting predetermined process information according to the request of the information processing device 10. Therefore, the technology for creating a product process schedule is improved in that the probability that a user will use the function is increased.

[0067] Although the present disclosure has been described based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art may make various modifications and alterations based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and alterations are included in the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the functions included in each component or step can be rearranged so as not to be logically inconsistent, and multiple components or steps can be combined or divided into one.

[0068] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration and operation of the information processing device 10 may be distributed among a plurality of computers capable of communicating with each other.

[0069] In the above embodiment, the information processing device 10 that creates a process schedule in which one or more process blocks pb are connected in series has been described, but the information processing device 10 may create a process schedule by accepting input of information in a format that allows one or more process blocks pb to be added and arranged so that they can be executed in parallel. By making one or more process blocks pb executable in parallel, it becomes possible to flexibly create a process schedule when there are processes common to different target products.

[0070] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the same production resources (staff) may be set for all of the pre-operation, main operation, and post-operation in the same process, or different staff may be selected for each operation in the same process. This is because, in the operations in the same process, the main operation requires staff expertise, but the pre-operation and post-operation may not necessarily require staff expertise, such as cleaning work.

[0071] In the above embodiment, the production resources to be allocated to the process have been described as equipment and staff, but production resources other than equipment and staff, such as molds, may be set as the targets to be allocated according to conditions specific to each customer. By making it possible to allocate production resources other than equipment and staff, it becomes possible to flexibly respond to cases specific to many customers.

[0072] In the above embodiment, the detailed settings of the pre-task, main task, and post-task are provided with an input field for setting whether or not the task "straddles non-working time," but the present invention is not limited to this. The detailed settings of each task may be provided with an input field for setting multiple conditions specific to various customers. By allowing detailed settings other than "straddles non-working time," it becomes possible to flexibly respond to cases specific to many customers. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 1. Information Processing Systems 2 Network 10, 10A, 10B, 10C Information processing device 11 Input section 12 Communications Department 13 Storage section 14 Control section

Claims

1. An information processing device for creating a process chart for a product, an input unit that receives an input of a product name of a target product, displays a screen including a process block having input fields for process information including a process name, equipment and staff to which the process can be assigned, and working time for each process for producing the target product, and receives an input of the process information; A control unit that creates a process schedule for the target product based on the information input via the input unit; A storage unit that stores the created process chart; Equipped with An information processing device, wherein on the screen, process blocks corresponding to each process for producing the target product are displayed as nodes of a directed graph.

2. 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, The information processing device, when the input unit detects a user operation to add a process for producing the target product, adds a new process block on the screen, and when the input unit detects a user operation to delete a process for producing the target product, deletes the process block corresponding to the process to be deleted from the screen.

3. 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, The process chart is stored as a directly editable CSV file in the information processing device.

4. 3. The information processing device according to claim 1, The input unit further acquires order information including production conditions for one or more target products; The control unit extracts a process schedule for each target product indicated in the order information from the memory unit, and determines a production plan for the one or more target products based on the extracted one or more process schedules so as to satisfy production conditions for all of the one or more target products.

5. 3. The information processing device according to claim 1, The information processing device, wherein the process information includes a selection of whether or not to continue work across non-operating time.

6. An information processing method for creating a product schedule, comprising: accepting an input of a product name of a target product, and displaying a screen including a process block having an input field for process information including a process name, equipment and staff to which the process can be assigned, and working time for each process for producing the target product, and accepting an input of the process information; Creating a schedule for the target product based on the input information; storing the created schedule; Run An information processing method, wherein on the screen, process blocks corresponding to each process for producing the target product are displayed as nodes of a directed graph.

7. An information processing device that creates a product schedule accepting an input of a product name of a target product, and displaying a screen including a process block having an input field for process information including a process name, equipment and staff to which the process can be assigned, and working time for each process for producing the target product, and accepting an input of the process information; Creating a schedule for the target product based on the input information; storing the created schedule; Run the command, A program in which process blocks corresponding to each process for producing the target product are displayed as nodes of a directed graph on the screen.

Images