Server device, system, and system operation method

Abstract

To provide a server device, a system, and an operation method of the system that can reduce necessity of securing a site for a factory and improve logistics.SOLUTION: In an information processing system, a server device includes a communication unit, and a control unit which communicates, through the communication unit, with a mobile body having a facility for executing one or more of a plurality of steps that are sequentially executed for manufacturing a product. The control unit transmits, to a first mobile body, an instruction to move to a merging point with a second mobile body which executes a second step following a first step executed at the first mobile body in order to pass the product being manufactured to the second mobile body at the merging point.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a server device, a system, and a method of operating the system. [Background technology]

[0002] When various industrial products are manufactured, multiple manufacturing processes are carried out. Various technologies for supporting the management of manufacturing processes have been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an automatic guided vehicle that transports parts between manufacturing lines in a factory (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 6-214647 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Implementing a traditional manufacturing process poses challenges such as securing land for factories and improving logistics for parts and finished products.

[0005] In view of the above, the following describes a server device and the like that can reduce the need to secure land for factories and improve logistics. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The server device of the present disclosure has a communication unit, a mobile body having equipment for performing one or more of a plurality of processes that are performed sequentially to manufacture a product, and a control unit that communicates via the communication unit, and the control unit sends an instruction to a first mobile body to move to a meeting point with a second mobile body that will perform a second process that is the next of a first process performed by the first mobile body, so that the product in the middle of manufacture at the meeting point can be handed over to the second mobile body.

[0007] The system disclosed herein is a system having a mobile body having equipment for performing one or more of a plurality of processes that are executed sequentially to manufacture a product, and a server device that communicates with the mobile body, wherein the server device sends an instruction to a first mobile body to move to a meeting point with a second mobile body that will execute a second process that follows a first process executed by the first mobile body, so that the product in the middle of manufacture at the meeting point can be handed over to the second mobile body, and the first mobile body moves in accordance with the instruction.

[0008] The system operation method of the present disclosure is a system operation method having a mobile body having equipment for performing one or more of a plurality of processes that are performed sequentially to manufacture a product, and a server device that communicates with the mobile body, and includes a step in which the server device sends an instruction to a first mobile body to move to a meeting point with a second mobile body that will perform a second process that is the next of a first process performed by the first mobile body, to hand over the product that is in the middle of being manufactured at the meeting point to the second mobile body, and a step in which the first mobile body moves in accordance with the instruction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The server device and the like according to the present disclosure can reduce the need to secure land for factories and improve logistics. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of the configuration of an information processing system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of the configuration of a server device. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a moving body. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of the configuration of an information processing device. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of an operation of the information processing system. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the server device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The following describes the embodiments.

[0012] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment. The information processing system 1 includes one or more server devices 10, mobile objects 12, and information processing devices 13, which are connected to each other via a network 11 so as to be able to communicate information with each other. In the information processing system 1, a product manufacturing process is carried out in the mobile objects 12 under the control of the server device 10.

[0013] The server device 10 is, for example, a server computer that belongs to a cloud computing system or other computing system and functions as a server that implements various functions.

[0014] The mobile object 12 is equipped with manufacturing equipment for executing a manufacturing process of a product. The product is an industrial product, such as an electronic device, an electrical appliance, or a vehicle, manufactured by processing or assembling parts and members. The manufacturing process is a process for processing or assembling parts and members. Some or all of the manufacturing process may be performed manually by workers. The mobile object 12 is connected to the network 11 via a mobile communication network. The mobile object 12 is manually driven, but some of the driving may be automated. The mobile object 12 is, for example, a gasoline-powered vehicle, an electric vehicle (BEV; Battery Electric Vehicle), a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV; Hybrid Electric Vehicle), a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV; Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle), a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV; Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle), etc.

[0015] The information processing device 13 is used by an operator who manages the manufacturing process, and sends various instructions to the server device 10 and receives various output information from the server device 10. The information processing device 13 is, for example, a PC (Personal Computer), a tablet terminal device, or the like.

[0016] The network 11 is, for example, the Internet, but may also be an ad-hoc network, a LAN, a MAN (Metropolitan Area Network), or other network, or any combination thereof.

[0017] In this embodiment, the server device 10 includes a control unit that communicates with a mobile object 12 having manufacturing equipment for executing one or more of a plurality of manufacturing processes that are executed sequentially to manufacture a product. The control unit sends an instruction to the first mobile object 12 to move the first mobile object 12 to a meeting point with a second mobile object 12 for executing the manufacturing process next to the manufacturing process executed by the first mobile object 12, so that the product in the middle of manufacturing (hereinafter referred to as a semi-finished product) can be delivered to the second mobile object 12 at the meeting point. In this way, since the manufacturing processes can be distributed and executed among the moving mobile objects 12, the need to secure land for a factory to consolidate multiple manufacturing processes is reduced. Furthermore, since parts and materials can be supplied and semi-finished and finished products can be transported while products are being manufactured, logistics can be improved.

[0018] 2 is a diagram illustrating an example configuration of server device 10. Server device 10 includes a communication unit 21, a storage unit 22, a control unit 23, an input unit 25, and an output unit 26. Server device 10 is, for example, a single computer. Alternatively, server device 10 may be configured with two or more server computers that are communicably connected and operate in cooperation with each other. In this case, the configuration shown in FIG. 2 is appropriately arranged in the two or more server computers.

[0019] The communication unit 21 includes one or more communication interfaces. The communication interface is, for example, a LAN interface. The communication unit 21 receives information used in the operation of the server device 10 and transmits information obtained by the operation of the server device 10. The server device 10 is connected to the network 11 by the communication unit 21 and communicates information with the mobile object 12 or the information processing device 13 via the network 11.

[0020] The storage unit 22 includes, for example, one or more semiconductor memories, one or more magnetic memories, one or more optical memories, or a combination of at least two of these, which function as a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The semiconductor memory is, for example, a random access memory (RAM) or a read-only memory (ROM). The RAM is, for example, a static RAM (SRAM) or a dynamic RAM (DRAM). The ROM is, for example, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM). The storage unit 22 stores information used in the operation of the server device 10 and information obtained by the operation of the server device 10. The storage unit 22 stores manufacturing process information 27 and mobile object information 28. The manufacturing process information 27 includes information such as the manufacturing processes required for each type of product and their order, the types of parts and materials required in each manufacturing process, supply points where parts and materials are supplied, and the types of manufacturing equipment required to execute each process. The supply points are, for example, warehouses, logistics centers, etc. The mobile object information 28 includes information such as identification information for each mobile object 12, the type of manufacturing equipment installed, manufacturing processes that can be performed by the manufacturing equipment, and the time required to perform each manufacturing process (hereinafter referred to as process time).

[0021] The control unit 23 includes one or more processors, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination thereof. The processor is, for example, a general-purpose processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), or a dedicated processor such as a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) specialized for a specific process. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), etc. The control unit 23 executes information processing related to the operation of the server device 10 while controlling each unit of the server device 10.

[0022] The input unit 25 includes one or more input interfaces. The input interfaces are, for example, physical keys, capacitance keys, a pointing device, a touch screen integrated with a display, or a microphone that accepts voice input. The input unit 25 accepts an operation to input information used in the operation of the server device 10 and sends the input information to the control unit 23.

[0023] The output unit 26 includes one or more output interfaces. The output interface is, for example, a display or a speaker. The display is, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display. The output unit 26 outputs information obtained by the operation of the server device 10.

[0024] The functions of the server device 10 are realized by executing a control program on a processor included in the control unit 23. The control program is a program that causes a computer to execute processing of steps included in the operation of the server device 10, thereby causing the computer to realize functions corresponding to the processing of those steps. In other words, the control program is a program that causes a computer to function as the server device 10. Also, some or all of the functions of the server device 10 may be realized by a dedicated circuit included in the control unit 23. Also, the control program may be stored in a non-transitory recording / storage medium that is readable by the server device 10, and read by the server device 10 from the medium.

[0025] FIG. 3 shows an example configuration of a mobile object 12. The mobile object 12 includes a manufacturing facility 30 for executing a manufacturing process, as well as a communication unit 31, a memory unit 32, a control unit 33, a positioning unit 34, an input unit 35, and an output unit 36. These may be configured as a single control device, two or more control devices, or a control device and other devices such as a communication device. The control device may include, for example, an ECU (Electronic Control Unit). The communication device may include, for example, a DCM (Data Communication Module). The control device may also include a personal computer, a tablet terminal, a smartphone terminal, a navigation device, or the like. Each unit is connected to each other or to other devices and apparatuses of the mobile object 12 via an in-vehicle network conforming to standards such as CAN (Controller Area Network) so as to be able to communicate information.

[0026] The manufacturing facility 30 includes an interior space where parts and components are stored and the manufacturing process is carried out, machinery and equipment that performs some or all of the manufacturing process, etc. The machinery and equipment is, for example, machinery and equipment for processing or assembling parts and components.

[0027] The communication unit 31 includes one or more communication interfaces. The communication interfaces are interfaces compatible with mobile communication standards such as LTE (Long Term Evolution), 4G (4th Generation), or 5G (5th Generation). The communication unit 31 receives information used in the operation of the control unit 33 and transmits information obtained by the operation of the control unit 33. The control unit 33 is connected to the network 11 via a mobile communication base station by the communication unit 31, and communicates information with other devices via the network 11.

[0028] The storage unit 32 includes one or more semiconductor memories, one or more magnetic memories, one or more optical memories, or a combination of at least two of these. The semiconductor memories are, for example, RAM or ROM. The RAM is, for example, SRAM or DRAM. The ROM is, for example, EEPROM. The storage unit 32 functions as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 32 stores information used in the operation of the control unit 33 and information obtained by the operation of the control unit 33.

[0029] The control unit 33 includes one or more processors, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination thereof. The processor is a general-purpose processor such as a CPU, or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an FPGA or an ASIC. The control unit 33 executes information processing related to the operation of the mobile object 12.

[0030] The positioning unit 34 includes one or more GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receivers. GNSS includes at least one of the following: GPS (Global Positioning System), QZSS (Quasi-Zenith Satellite System), BeiDou, GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite System), and Galileo. The positioning unit 34 acquires position information of the mobile object 12 and sends it to the control unit 33.

[0031] The input unit 35 includes one or more input interfaces. The input interface may be, for example, a physical key, a capacitive key, a pointing device, a touch screen integrated with a display, or a microphone for accepting voice input. The input interface may further include a camera for capturing captured images or image codes, or an IC card reader. The input unit 35 accepts user operations for inputting information to be used in the operation of the control unit 33, and sends the input information to the control unit 33.

[0032] The output unit 36 includes one or more output interfaces. The output interface is, for example, a display or a speaker. The display is, for example, an LCD or an organic EL display. The output unit 36 outputs information obtained by the operation of the control unit 33 to, for example, the user.

[0033] The functions of the control unit 33 are realized by executing a control program on a processor included in the control unit 33. The control program is a program that causes a computer to execute processing of steps included in the operation of the control unit 33, thereby causing the computer to realize functions corresponding to the processing of those steps. In other words, the control program is a program that causes a computer to function as the control unit 33. Furthermore, some or all of the functions of the control unit 33 may be realized by a dedicated circuit included in the control unit 33. The control unit 33 generates information for controlling various mechanisms and devices of the mobile object 12, and sends the control information to control circuits of the various mechanisms and devices to control them.

[0034] 4 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the information processing device 13. The information processing device 13 is an information processing device such as a PC, etc. The information processing device 13 has a communication unit 41, a storage unit 42, a control unit 43, an input unit 45, and an output unit 46.

[0035] The communication unit 41 includes a communication module compatible with wired or wireless LAN standards, a module compatible with mobile communication standards such as LTE, 4G, 5G, etc. The information processing device 13 is connected to the network 11 by the communication unit 41 via a nearby router device or a mobile communication base station, and performs information communication with other devices via the network 11.

[0036] The memory unit 42 includes one or more semiconductor memories, one or more magnetic memories, one or more optical memories, or a combination of at least two of these. The semiconductor memories are, for example, RAM or ROM. The RAM is, for example, SRAM or DRAM. The ROM is, for example, EEPROM. The memory unit 42 functions as, for example, a main memory device, an auxiliary memory device, or a cache memory. The memory unit 42 stores information used in the operation of the control unit 43 and information obtained by the operation of the control unit 43.

[0037] The control unit 43 has, for example, one or more general-purpose processors such as a CPU, an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), or one or more dedicated processors specialized for specific processing. Alternatively, the control unit 43 may have one or more dedicated circuits such as an FPGA, an ASIC, or the like. The control unit 43 operates according to a control / processing program or according to an operating procedure implemented as a circuit, thereby comprehensively controlling the operation of the information processing device 13. The control unit 43 then transmits and receives various information to and from the server device 10, etc. via the communication unit 41, and performs the operation according to this embodiment.

[0038] The input unit 45 includes one or more input interfaces. The input interface may be, for example, a physical key, a capacitive key, a pointing device, a touch screen integrated with a display, or a microphone that accepts voice input. The input interface may further include a camera that captures captured images or image codes, or an IC card reader. The input unit 45 accepts an operation to input information used in the operation of the control unit 43 and sends the input information to the control unit 43.

[0039] The output unit 46 includes one or more output interfaces. The output interface is, for example, a display or a speaker. The display is, for example, an LCD or an organic EL display. The output unit 46 outputs information obtained by the operation of the control unit 43.

[0040] The functions of the control unit 43 are realized by a processor included in the control unit 43 executing a control program. The control program is a program for causing the processor to function as the control unit 43. In addition, some or all of the functions of the control unit 43 may be realized by a dedicated circuit included in the control unit 43.

[0041] FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram illustrating the operation procedure of the information processing system 1 according to this embodiment. FIG. 5 shows the procedure for the cooperative operation of the server device 10, the mobile object 12, and the information processing device 13. The steps relating to various information processes of the server device 10, the mobile object 12, and the information processing device 13 in FIG. 5 are executed by the respective control units 23, 33, and 43. Furthermore, the steps relating to the transmission and reception of various information of the server device 10, the mobile object 12, and the information processing device 13 are executed by the respective control units 23, 33, and 43 transmitting and receiving information to each other via the communication units 21, 31, and 41, respectively. In the server device 10, the mobile object 12, and the information processing device 13, the control units 23, 33, and 43 appropriately store the information to be transmitted and received in the storage units 22, 32, and 42, respectively. Furthermore, the control units 23, 33, and 43 accept input of various information via the input units 35 and 45, respectively, and output various information via the output units 36 and 46, respectively. In addition, when there are multiple mobile bodies 12, the exchange of information between the server device 10 and the mobile body 12 and the operation of the mobile body 12 in FIG. 5 are performed for each mobile body 12.

[0042] In step S502, the server device 10 requests location information from the mobile objects 12. The location information is information indicating the current location of the mobile objects 12. The server device 10 stores information identifying the mobile objects 12 in advance in the storage unit 22, and uses the identification information to send information requesting location information to each mobile object 12.

[0043] In step S504, the mobile object 12 transmits its own location information to the server device 10. The location information is generated by the control unit 33 using information acquired by the positioning unit .

[0044] In step S506, the information processing device 13 sends a manufacturing instruction to the server device 10. The manufacturing instruction is information for instructing the execution of a manufacturing process for a product. The manufacturing instruction includes information such as the type of product to be manufactured and the destination of the product. The operator sends information identifying the type of product, the destination, etc. to the server device 10 using the information processing device 13. For example, the operator accesses a site provided by the server device 10 using the information processing device 13, and the server device 10 presents information on the type of product read from the manufacturing process information 27 and map information. Then, the operator selects the type of product using the information processing device 13 and specifies the destination in the map information, and the server device 10 receives information identifying the type of product, the destination, etc.

[0045] In step S508, the server device 10 creates a manufacturing plan. The manufacturing plan includes information such as the order of manufacturing processes to be performed, the route of the mobile objects 12 that will perform each manufacturing process, and the time schedule for each mobile object 12 to move.

[0046] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the detailed procedure of step S508.

[0047] In step S600, the control unit 23 of the server device 10 determines the manufacturing process. The control unit 23 references the manufacturing process information 27, reads out the type of manufacturing process required to manufacture the product identified by the operator, identifies the manufacturing process, and obtains the order of the manufacturing processes. The order includes cases where one or more manufacturing processes are executed in parallel. For example, this includes cases where one or more manufacturing processes are executed in parallel and one manufacturing process is executed after all of the processes are completed, or where one or more manufacturing processes are executed in parallel after one manufacturing process is completed.

[0048] In step S602, the control unit 23 determines the mobile bodies 12 that will carry out the manufacturing process. The control unit 23 refers to the mobile body information 28 to identify the mobile bodies 12 that have the manufacturing equipment 30 for carrying out the manufacturing process determined in step S600, and assigns the identified mobile bodies 12 to each manufacturing process. When multiple mobile bodies 12 correspond to one manufacturing process, the control unit 23 selects, for example, the mobile body 12 that is located closest to the current position of the mobile body 12 that carries out the manufacturing process preceding that manufacturing process.

[0049] In step S604, the control unit 23 derives a movement route for each mobile object 12. Based on the position information of each mobile object 12, the control unit 23 derives a movement route with the current location as the departure point and a junction point where the mobile object 12 performing the next manufacturing process will be the destination point. However, in the case of a mobile object 12 performing the last manufacturing process, the route is set with the destination of the completed product as the destination point. The junction point is a point where a mobile object 12 performing the previous manufacturing process (hereinafter simply referred to as the mobile object 12 for the previous process) hands over a semi-finished product obtained by performing its own manufacturing process to a mobile object 12 performing the next manufacturing process (hereinafter simply referred to as the mobile object 12 for the next process). The junction point is, for example, the current location of the mobile object 12 for the next process, or any point between the current location of the mobile object 12 for the previous process and the current location of the mobile object 12 for the next process. Furthermore, the control unit 23 refers to the manufacturing process information 27 to identify parts and materials required in the manufacturing process carried out by each mobile object 12, and derives each route so that the route passes through a supply point where the identified parts and materials are supplied. If a supply point is located between the current location of the mobile object 12 in the previous process and the current location of the mobile object 12 in the next process, the supply point may be set as a meeting point. The route is derived using an arbitrary route search algorithm. The control unit 23 may acquire information from the mobile object 12, such as the charge amount, remaining fuel amount, and status of the manufacturing equipment 30, and based on this information, add a power supply station, a fuel refill station, a maintenance factory for the manufacturing equipment 30, etc., to the route as a stopover point.

[0050] Next, the control unit 23 executes steps S608 to S614 sequentially for the identified N moving objects 12 (N is a natural number equal to or greater than 1) (step S606).

[0051] In step S608, the control unit 23 derives the travel time required for the moving object 12. The travel time is the time required for the moving object 12 to travel the derived route. The control unit 23 acquires, for example, information on the travel route length of the moving object 12 and the legal speed limit on the travel route from map information, traffic information, etc. stored in advance in the storage unit 22, and derives the travel time required using the travel route length and the legal speed limit.

[0052] In step S610, the control unit 23 determines whether the process time required for executing the manufacturing process is longer than the time required for moving the mobile object 12. The control unit 23 reads out the process time required for the manufacturing process in the mobile object 12 from the manufacturing process information 27. Then, if the process time is longer than the time required for moving (Yes), the control unit 23 proceeds to step S612.

[0053] In step S612, the control unit 23 changes the movement route. If the required process time is longer than the required travel time, there is a high probability that the manufacturing process will not be completed even when the mobile unit 12 arrives at the junction, and the mobile unit 12 will have to park at the junction until the manufacturing process is completed. Therefore, the control unit 23 derives a detour route that will result in a required travel time that is equal to or greater than the required process time, and changes the movement route to the derived detour route. This reduces the time that the mobile unit 12 of the previous process and the mobile unit of the next process are simultaneously parked at the junction, thereby reducing the risk of congestion on traffic.

[0054] In step S614, the control unit 23 determines the travel route and itinerary of the moving objects 12. The control unit 23 determines the itinerary using the current time, the travel time required for each moving object 12, the handover time at the meeting point, etc. The handover time at the meeting point is set arbitrarily in advance.

[0055] In step S610, if the required travel time is less than or equal to the required process time (No), it is highly likely that the manufacturing process will be completed by the time the mobile unit 12 arrives at the junction, and the time required for the mobile unit 12 to park and stop at the junction and hand over the semi-finished product to the mobile unit 12 for the next process can be minimized. Therefore, in this case, the control unit 23 proceeds to step S614 to confirm the original travel route without changing the travel route.

[0056] After executing steps S608 to S614 for N moving objects 12 (step S606), the control unit 23 proceeds to step S616.

[0057] In step S616, the control unit 23 determines a manufacturing plan including the movement routes and schedules of the N moving objects 12.

[0058] 5, in step S510, the server device 10 sends the manufacturing plan information to the information processing device 13. The information processing device 13 displays and presents the manufacturing plan to the operator, allowing the operator to confirm the manufacturing plan. After confirming the manufacturing plan, the operator may send an instruction to start the manufacturing plan from the information processing device 13 to the server device 10.

[0059] In step S512, the server device 10 sends an instruction to execute the manufacturing plan to each of the target moving objects 12. The instruction to execute the manufacturing plan includes information on the movement route and schedule of each moving object 12.

[0060] In step S514, the moving body 12 starts moving along the movement path and schedule and executes the manufacturing plan. When the moving body 12 arrives at the supply point, parts and materials are supplied. Furthermore, when the moving body 12 arrives at the meeting point, semi-finished products are delivered from the moving body 12 of the previous process. The loading of the supplied parts and materials or the delivery of semi-finished products may be performed by an automatic machine or by human labor. As the moving body 12 moves, a manufacturing process is performed on the semi-finished products by manufacturing equipment or workers in the manufacturing facility 30 of the moving body 12. The manufacturing process in the manufacturing facility 30 may be performed entirely automatically by manufacturing equipment, or some or all of the manufacturing process may be performed by workers. At that time, the manufacturing process is performed using the necessary parts and materials. Then, when the moving body 12 arrives at the meeting point with the moving body 12 of the next process, it delivers the semi-finished products to the moving body 12 of the next process. Furthermore, when the moving body 12 arrives at the destination of the finished products, it unloads the finished products. The unloading of the finished products may be carried out by automated machines or by human power.

[0061] Parts and materials supplied at the supply point have identification information printed thereon or attached with a wireless tag for identification, and the identification information may be acquired by image recognition or wirelessly at the input unit 35 of the mobile object 12. The mobile object 12 sends this acquired information to the server device 10, which collates it with the information on parts and materials contained in the manufacturing process information 27, and if there are any incorrect parts or materials, warning information is sent to the mobile object 12. At the mobile object 12, the warning information output by the output unit 36 can be checked by, for example, a worker, and genuine parts and materials can be resupplied at the supply point.

[0062] According to the above-described procedure, the mobile unit 12 performs manufacturing operations while moving, and semi-finished products are sequentially handed over from the mobile unit 12 of the previous process to the mobile unit 12 of the next process. The product is then completed by the mobile unit 12 that performs the final manufacturing process and transported to its destination. Therefore, since the manufacturing processes can be distributed and performed on the moving mobile units 12, the need to secure land for a factory to consolidate multiple manufacturing processes is reduced. Furthermore, since parts and materials can be supplied and semi-finished and finished products can be transported while the product is being manufactured, logistics can be improved.

[0063] In the above-described embodiment, the processing and control programs that define the operation of the mobile object 12 and the information processing device 13 are stored in the memory unit 22 of the server device 10 or in the memory unit of another server device, and may be downloaded to each device via the network 11, or may be stored in a non-transitory recording and storage medium that can be read by each device, and read from the medium by each device.

[0064] Although the embodiments have been described above based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art can easily 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 means, step, etc. can be rearranged so as not to be logically inconsistent, and multiple means, steps, etc. can be combined or divided into one.

[0065] Some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below as examples, however, it should be noted that the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to these examples. [Appendix 1] The Communications Department and a mobile body having equipment for performing one or more of a plurality of steps that are sequentially performed to manufacture a product, and a control unit that communicates with the mobile body through the communication unit; the control unit sends to the first moving body an instruction to move the first moving body to a meeting point with a second moving body for executing a second process subsequent to a first process executed by the first moving body, in order to hand over the product in the middle of production to the second moving body at the meeting point; Server device. [Appendix 2] In Appendix 1, the control unit sets a point where the second moving body is located as the meeting point. Server device. [Appendix 3] In Appendix 1 or 2: the control unit sets the meeting point between points where the first and second moving bodies are located, Server device. [Appendix 4] In any of Supplementary Notes 1 to 3, the control unit instructs the first moving body on a route to move to the junction point so that the first moving body arrives at the junction point when the first step is completed. Server device. [Appendix 5] In Appendix 3, The control unit instructs the second moving body on a route to the junction point. Server device. [Appendix 6] In any of Supplementary Notes 1 to 5, the control unit sets a route for the first moving body so that the first moving body passes through a supply point for receiving a supply of parts or materials required for a process of the first moving body. Server device. [Appendix 7] In any of Supplementary Notes 1 to 6, the control unit sets a supply point for receiving parts or materials required for a process of the second moving body as the meeting point; Server device. [Appendix 8] A system including a mobile body having equipment for performing one or more of a plurality of processes that are sequentially performed to manufacture a product, and a server device that communicates with the mobile body, the server device sends to the first moving body an instruction to move the first moving body to a meeting point with a second moving body for executing a second process subsequent to a first process executed by the first moving body, in order to hand over the product in the middle of production to the second moving body at the meeting point; The first moving body moves in accordance with the instruction. system. [Appendix 9] In Appendix 8: the server device sets a point where the second moving body is located as the meeting point; system. [Appendix 10] In Appendix 8 or 9: the server device sets the meeting point between points where the first and second moving bodies are located; system. [Appendix 11] In any of Supplementary Notes 8 to 10, the server device instructs the first moving body on a route to move to the meeting point so that the first moving body arrives at the meeting point when the first step is completed; system. [Appendix 12] In Appendix 10: the server device instructs the second moving body on a route to the meeting point; the second moving body moves in response to an instruction to move to the junction point; system. [Appendix 13] In any of Appendices 8 to 12, the server device sets a route for the first moving object so that the route passes through a supply point for receiving a supply of parts or materials required for a process of the first moving object; system. [Appendix 14] In any of Appendices 8 to 13, the server device sets a supply point for receiving parts or materials required for a process of the second moving body as the meeting point; system. [Appendix 15] 1. A method of operating a system including a mobile object having equipment for performing one or more of a plurality of steps that are performed sequentially to manufacture a product, and a server device that communicates with the mobile object, comprising: a step in which the server device sends an instruction to a first moving body to move to a meeting point with a second moving body for executing a second process subsequent to a first process executed by the first moving body, in order to hand over the product in the middle of production to the second moving body at the meeting point; a step of moving the first moving body in accordance with the instruction; A method of operation including: [Appendix 16] In Appendix 15: the server device sets a point where the second moving body is located as the meeting point; How it works. [Appendix 17] In Annex 15 or 16: the server device sets the meeting point between points where the first and second moving bodies are located; How it works. [Appendix 18] In any of Supplementary Notes 15 to 17, the server device instructs the first moving body on a route to move to the meeting point so that the first moving body arrives at the meeting point when the first step is completed; How it works. [Appendix 19] In Appendix 17: the server device instructs the second moving body on a route to the meeting point; the second moving body moves in response to an instruction to move to the junction point; How it works. [Appendix 20] In any of Supplementary Notes 15 to 19, the server device sets a route for the first moving object so that the route passes through a supply point for receiving a supply of parts or materials required for a process of the first moving object; How it works. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 1. Information Processing Systems 10 Server device 11 Network 12 Mobile 13 Information processing equipment 20, 31, 41 Communications Department 21, 32, 42 storage section 22, 33, 43 Control section 34 Positioning unit 25, 35, 45 Input section 26, 36, 46 Output section 27 Manufacturing process information 28 Mobile Information

Claims

1. The Communications Department and a mobile body having equipment for performing one or more of a plurality of steps that are sequentially performed to manufacture a product, and a control unit that communicates with the mobile body through the communication unit; When the control unit sends an instruction to a first moving body to move to a meeting point with a second moving body for executing a second process subsequent to a first process executed by the first moving body in order to hand over the product in the middle of production at the meeting point to the second moving body, if it is predicted that the first moving body will arrive at the meeting point on a first route before the first process is completed, the control unit instructs the first moving body to move via a second route that requires more travel time than the first route so that the first moving body will arrive at the meeting point when the first process is completed. Server device.

2. In claim 1, the control unit sets a point where the second moving body is located as the meeting point; Server device.

3. In claim 1, the control unit sets the meeting point between points where the first and second moving bodies are located, Server device.

4. In claim 3, the control unit instructs the second moving body on a route to the junction point; Server device.

5. In claim 1, the control unit sets the first route of the first moving body so as to pass through a supply point for receiving a supply of parts or materials required for the first process of the first moving body; Server device.

6. In claim 1, the control unit sets a supply point for receiving a supply of parts or materials required for the second process of the second moving body as the meeting point; Server device.

7. A system including a mobile body having equipment for performing one or more of a plurality of processes that are sequentially performed to manufacture a product, and a server device that communicates with the mobile body, When the server device sends an instruction to a first moving body to move to a meeting point with a second moving body for executing a second process subsequent to a first process executed by the first moving body in order to hand over the product in the middle of production at the meeting point to the second moving body, if it is predicted that the first moving body will arrive at the meeting point on a first route before the first process is completed, the server device instructs the first moving body to move via a second route that requires more travel time than the first route so that the first moving body will arrive at the meeting point when the first process is completed. the first moving body moves in response to the instruction; system.

8. In claim 7, the server device sets a point where the second moving body is located as the meeting point; system.

9. In claim 7, the server device sets the meeting point between points where the first and second moving bodies are located; system.

10. In claim 9, the server device instructs the second moving body on a route to the meeting point; the second moving body moves in response to an instruction to move to the junction point; system.

11. In claim 7, the server device sets the first route of the first moving object so as to pass through a supply point for receiving a supply of parts or materials required for the first process of the first moving object; system.

12. In claim 7, the server device sets a supply point for receiving a supply of parts or materials required for the second process of the second mobile object as the meeting point; system.

13. 1. A method of operating a system including a mobile object having equipment for performing one or more of a plurality of steps that are performed sequentially to manufacture a product, and a server device that communicates with the mobile object, comprising: a step in which, when the server device sends an instruction to a first moving body to move to a meeting point with a second moving body for executing a second process subsequent to a first process executed by the first moving body in order to hand over the product being manufactured at the meeting point to the second moving body, if it is predicted that the first moving body will arrive at the meeting point on a first route before the first process is completed, the server device instructs the first moving body to move via a second route that requires more travel time than the first route so that the first moving body will arrive at the meeting point when the first process is completed; a step of moving the first moving body in accordance with the instruction; A method of operation including:

14. In claim 13, the server device sets a point where the second moving body is located as the meeting point; How it works.

15. In claim 13, the server device sets the meeting point between points where the first and second moving bodies are located; How it works.

16. In claim 15, the server device instructs the second moving body on a route to the meeting point; the second moving body moves in response to an instruction to move to the junction point; How it works.

17. In claim 13, the server device sets the first route of the first moving object so as to pass through a supply point for receiving a supply of parts or materials required for the first process of the first moving object; How it works.

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