Production management device, production management system, production management method, and program

Abstract

The production management device (11) includes a user request acquisition unit (21) that acquires user request information indicating a user request for a change to a product production plan, and a control unit (22) that outputs the user request information and information related to the change indicated in the user request information, which is information indicating the content of the production plan or the status of the product production site, to an artificial intelligence unit, and also receives manufacturing change information output by the artificial intelligence unit, which is information indicating the content of changes from the production plan, and outputs it to a device external to the production management device (11).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a production management device, a production management system, a production management method, and a program for managing the production of products. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, manufacturing execution systems (MES) that manage the manufacturing process based on production plans have been used in the production of products. However, production plans may need to be changed depending on the situation, such as when there is a delay in production relative to the set production plan or when there is an urgent request to produce a product that was not included in the set production plan.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a scheduler system including an MES that executes production based on production plan information indicating a production plan, a production scheduler that creates the production plan information, and a scheduler management device that instructs the creation or re-creation of the production plan information. According to Patent Document 1, when the scheduler management device detects the occurrence of an event that requires a change to the currently executed production plan information, it instructs the production scheduler to recreate the production plan information. The scheduler management device also has a learning engine that learns the implementation logic for recreating the production plan information. This learning engine learns the monitored data, re-planning conditions, and re-planning rules necessary to improve the accuracy of the re-creation of the production plan information, and reflects the learning results in the re-creation of the production plan information. The monitored data is data used to monitor the occurrence of the above-mentioned events and is also data required for the re-creation of the production plan information. The re-planning conditions are conditions that require the re-creation of the production plan information. The re-planning rules are information that specifies the content that must be observed when re-creating the production plan information. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2022 / 014048 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] According to the technology of Patent Document 1, when recreating production plan information, it is necessary to input information indicating the cause of the delay and information indicating the amount of delay into the learning engine. Because the technology of Patent Document 1 requires the input of this information, it is not possible to link flexible change instructions according to the situation to changes in the production plan. For this reason, the conventional technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 has the problem that it is not easy to change the production plan.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above, and aims to provide a production management device that makes it possible to easily change a production plan. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the production management device according to the present disclosure is a production management device that manages the production of products, and includes a user request acquisition unit that acquires user request information indicating a user request for a change to a production plan for a product and indicating changes from the production plan, and outputs the user request information and situation information related to the changes indicated in the user request information and indicating the content of the production plan or the situation at the production site of the product to an artificial intelligence unit; ,raw Manufacturing change information showing changes from the production plan Obtained from the Artificial Intelligence Department and a control unit. By executing a first output process that outputs user request information to the artificial intelligence unit, task request information indicating a request for obtaining status information related to the change indicated in the user request information is obtained from the artificial intelligence unit, the obtained task request information is output to a device external to the production management device, status information output by the external device that executed the request indicated in the task request information is obtained, and the obtained status information is output to the artificial intelligence unit. By executing a second output process that outputs the obtained status information to the artificial intelligence unit, manufacturing change information is obtained from the artificial intelligence unit, and the obtained manufacturing change information is output to the device external to the production management device. Output to. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The production management device according to the present disclosure has an effect of making it possible to easily change the production plan. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a production management system according to a first embodiment; [Figure 2] 1 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation procedure of a user request acquisition unit and a control unit included in a production management device of a production management system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] A flowchart showing an example of an operation procedure of a generation AI unit included in a server device of a production management system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a first modified example of the production management system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a second modified example of the production management system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a third modified example of the production management system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a fourth modified example of the production management system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a production management device according to a first embodiment; [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a server device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a production management system according to a second embodiment; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A production management device, a production management system, a production management method, and a program according to embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0011] Embodiment 1 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a production management system 10 according to embodiment 1. The production management system 10 includes a production management device 11 that manages the production of products, and a server device 12 that functions as an information processing device.

[0012] The server device 12 is configured, for example, by one or more cloud servers. A cloud server is a server built in a cloud environment that includes computer resources provided by a cloud service platform. The production management device 11 and the server device 12 are connected to each other via a network such as a VPN (Virtual Private Network). The production management device 11 and the server device 12 transmit and receive information to each other by communication via the network.

[0013] The server device 12 includes a generation AI unit 31, which is an artificial intelligence (AI) unit having an AI function. In the first embodiment, the AI ​​unit is an AI having an intelligent function such as inference or judgment, and its operating environment.

[0014] The production management device 11 sends user request information indicating a user's request for a change to the product production plan and status information related to the change indicated in the user request information, which indicates the content of the production plan or the status of the product production site, to the generation AI unit 31. The production management device 11 obtains manufacturing change information indicating the changes from the production plan from the generation AI unit 31. In this way, the production management device 11 exchanges information with the generation AI unit 31.

[0015] The production scheduler, MES, production equipment, simulator, material management system, and worker management system shown in FIG. 1 are each examples of external devices. Here, devices external to the production management system 10 are referred to as external devices. The production scheduler is a device that supports the creation of production plans. The production scheduler accepts input operations and creates production plan information according to the input operations. The MES is a device that manages production equipment. The MES executes product production by operating the production equipment based on the production plan information. Production equipment is equipment installed in a factory, which is the production site. Production equipment includes manufacturing equipment, FA (Factory Automation) equipment, automatic transport equipment, robots, and the like that manufacture products. One example of FA equipment is a programmable logic controller (PLC). The PLC is connected to equipment, robots, or sensors that make up the production line. The sensors detect the operating status of the equipment or robots. The simulator is a device that simulates product production. The material management system is a system that manages the inventory status of materials. The worker management system is a system that manages information related to workers.

[0016] The production scheduler, MES, production equipment, simulator, material management system, and worker management system are each connected to the production management device 11 via a network. This network is, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network), but may also be a WAN (Wide Area Network) such as the Internet.

[0017] In the above, a production scheduler, MES, production equipment, simulator, material management system, and worker management system are exemplified as external devices connected to production management device 11. Devices other than a production scheduler, MES, production equipment, simulator, material management system, and worker management system may also be connected to production management device 11 as external devices.

[0018] The production management device 11 includes a user request acquisition unit 21 and a control unit 22. The user request acquisition unit 21 acquires user request information indicating a user's request for a change to a product production plan. The user request information is input to the user request acquisition unit 21 by the user. The user request information can also be considered a change instruction for a change to the production plan. The user request information includes information indicating specific changes from the production plan at the time the user inputs the user request information. In the first embodiment, the user refers to a user of the production management system 10. An example of a user of the production management system 10 is a team leader who supervises the production site.

[0019] In the first embodiment, the user request information is information expressed in natural language. The user request acquisition unit 21 acquires the user request information expressed in natural language. For example, the user request acquisition unit 21 acquires the user request information as voice data by capturing the user's utterance regarding the content of the request. Note that the manner in which the user request acquisition unit 21 acquires the user request information is not limited to that described here and may be any manner. For example, the user request acquisition unit 21 may acquire the user request information as text data.

[0020] The control unit 22 functions as an interface unit that exchanges information with the generation AI unit 31 and with external devices. The control unit 22 includes an artificial intelligence (AI) input / output unit 23, a production scheduler interface (IF) 24, a database control IF 25, a PLC control IF 26, a simulator IF 27, and an information input / output unit 28. Each of the production scheduler IF 24, the database control IF 25, the PLC control IF 26, the simulator IF 27, and the information input / output unit 28 functions as an external device input / output unit that exchanges information with external devices.

[0021] The AI ​​input / output unit 23 is an interface unit that exchanges information with the generation AI unit 31. The production scheduler IF 24 is an interface unit that exchanges information with the production scheduler. The database control IF 25 is an interface unit that exchanges information with the MES. The PLC control IF 26 is an interface unit that exchanges information with the production equipment. The simulator IF 27 is an interface unit that exchanges information with the simulator.

[0022] The information input / output unit 28 is an interface unit that exchanges information with external devices other than the production scheduler, MES, production equipment, and simulator. In the example shown in Fig. 1, the information input / output unit 28 exchanges information with each of the material management system and the worker management system. Note that if external devices other than the production scheduler, MES, production equipment, simulator, material management system, and worker management system are connected to the production management device 11, the information input / output unit 28 also exchanges information with these external devices.

[0023] The external device input / output unit of the control unit 22 outputs manufacturing change information, which is information indicating changes from the production plan, to an external device. The external device to which the manufacturing change information is output includes, for example, an MES or production equipment. The database control IF 25 outputs the manufacturing change information to the MES. The PLC control IF 26 outputs the manufacturing change information to the production equipment.

[0024] When the user request acquisition unit 21 acquires user request information indicating a user request, the AI ​​input / output unit 23 executes a first output process to output the user request information to the generation AI unit 31. When the user request information is input to the generation AI unit 31, the generation AI unit 31 outputs task request information indicating a request for status information related to the change indicated in the user request information, which indicates the content of the production plan or the status of the product production site, to the production management device 11. In this way, the control unit 22 acquires task request information from the generation AI unit 31 by executing the first output process.

[0025] When the AI ​​input / output unit 23 acquires the task request information, the external device input / output unit of the control unit 22 outputs the task request information to the external device. The external device executes the request indicated in the task request information, thereby outputting the requested status information to the external device input / output unit. In this way, the control unit 22 outputs task request information indicating a request for acquisition of status information to the external device, and also accepts status information output by the external device that executed the request indicated in the task request information.

[0026] For example, the production scheduler IF24 outputs task request information to a production scheduler and receives status information output by the production scheduler that executed the request indicated in the task request information. The database control IF25 outputs task request information to an MES and receives status information output by the MES that executed the request indicated in the task request information. The PLC control IF26 outputs task request information to production equipment and receives status information output by the production equipment that executed the request indicated in the task request information. The simulator IF27 outputs task request information to a simulator and receives status information output by the simulator that executed the request indicated in the task request information.

[0027] The information input / output unit 28 outputs task request information to the material management system. The material management system outputs status information, which is information requested by the task request information, to the information input / output unit 28. Alternatively, the information input / output unit 28 outputs the task request information to the worker management system. The worker management system outputs status information, which is information requested by the task request information, to the information input / output unit 28. In this way, the information input / output unit 28 receives status information from the material management system or the worker management system.

[0028] When the external device input / output unit acquires the status information, the AI ​​input / output unit 23 executes a second output process to output the status information acquired by the external device input / output unit to the generation AI unit 31. When the status information is input to the generation AI unit 31, the generation AI unit 31 outputs production change information indicating changes from the production plan to the production management device 11. In this way, the control unit 22 acquires the production change information from the generation AI unit 31 by executing the second output process.

[0029] When the external device to which the manufacturing change information is output is an MES, the AI ​​input / output unit 23 sends the acquired manufacturing change information to the database control IF 25. The database control IF 25 outputs the manufacturing change information to the MES.

[0030] When the external device to which the manufacturing change information is output is a production facility, the AI ​​input / output unit 23 sends the acquired manufacturing change information to the PLC control IF 26. The PLC control IF 26 outputs the manufacturing change information to the production facility.

[0031] The generation AI unit 31 includes a model control unit 32 and a model storage unit 33. The generation AI unit 31 is a model and its operating environment configured to output task request information corresponding to user request information when user request information is input. When user request information is input from the AI ​​input / output unit 23, the generation AI unit 31 outputs the task request information based on the user request information and the trained model.

[0032] The generation AI unit 31 is a model and its operating environment configured to output manufacturing change information corresponding to the status information when the status information is input. When the status information is input from the AI ​​input / output unit 23, the generation AI unit 31 outputs the manufacturing change information based on the status information and the trained model.

[0033] The model storage unit 33 stores a trained model. The trained model includes model information, which will be described later. The trained model may include model parameters, which are information that defines the behavior of the model, such as constraints, weighting variables, and evaluation functions.

[0034] The model may be, for example, a model called NN (Neural Network), CNN (Convolutional Neural Network), RNN (Recurrent Neural Network), VAE (Variational Autoencoder), GAN (Generative Adversarial Networks), Diffusion Model, Transformer, LLM (Large Language Model), VLM (Visual Language Model), BERT (Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers), GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer), or CLIP (Contrastive Language Image Pre-training).

[0035] In the generation AI unit 31, as a model for obtaining task request information from user request information, a language learning model such as LLM, which inputs natural language and obtains an output result, can be applied.

[0036] When the model control unit 32 acquires user request information, it outputs task request information corresponding to the user request information based on the user request information and the trained model. That is, when the model control unit 32 acquires user request information, it generates and outputs task request information corresponding to the user request information using the model indicated by the trained model.

[0037] Furthermore, when the model control unit 32 acquires status information, it outputs manufacturing change information corresponding to the status information based on the status information and the trained model. That is, when the model control unit 32 acquires status information, it generates and outputs manufacturing change information corresponding to the status information using the model indicated by the trained model.

[0038] The trained model and other information used by the generation AI unit 31 may be prepared in advance, or may be acquired via a network as needed.

[0039] Next, a description will be given of the operations of the user request acquisition unit 21 and the control unit 22. Fig. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation procedure of the user request acquisition unit 21 and the control unit 22 included in the production management device 11 of the production management system 10 according to the first embodiment.

[0040] In step S1, the user request acquisition unit 21 acquires user request information. The user request information acquired by the user request acquisition unit 21 is information expressed in natural language. The user request acquisition unit 21 sends the acquired user request information to the AI ​​input / output unit 23 of the control unit 22.

[0041] In step S2, AI input / output unit 23 outputs the user request information to server device 12. That is, AI input / output unit 23 executes a first output process of outputting the user request information to generation AI unit 31.

[0042] In step S3, the AI ​​input / output unit 23 acquires task request information corresponding to the user request information output in step S2 from the AI ​​generation unit 31. The AI ​​input / output unit 23 sends the acquired task request information to the external device input / output unit in the control unit 22.

[0043] In step S4, the external device input / output unit of the control unit 22 outputs task request information to the external device. In step S5, the external device input / output unit acquires status information corresponding to the task request information output in step S4 from the external device. The external device input / output unit sends the acquired status information to the AI ​​input / output unit 23.

[0044] In step S6, AI input / output unit 23 outputs the situation information to server device 12. That is, AI input / output unit 23 executes a second output process of outputting the situation information to generation AI unit 31.

[0045] In step S7, the AI ​​input / output unit 23 acquires manufacturing change information corresponding to the status information output in step S6. The AI ​​input / output unit 23 sends the acquired manufacturing change information to the external device input / output unit. If the output destination of the manufacturing change information is an MES, the AI ​​input / output unit 23 sends the acquired manufacturing change information to the database control IF 25. If the output destination of the manufacturing change information is production equipment, the AI ​​input / output unit 23 sends the acquired manufacturing change information to the PLC control IF 26.

[0046] In step S8, the external device input / output unit outputs the manufacturing change information to the external device. The database control IF 25 outputs the manufacturing change information to the MES. Alternatively, the PLC control IF 26 outputs the manufacturing change information to the production equipment. With the above, the production management device 11 ends the operation according to the procedure shown in FIG. 2.

[0047] Next, a description will be given of the operation of generation AI unit 31. Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation procedure of generation AI unit 31 included in server device 12 of production management system 10 according to the first embodiment.

[0048] In step S11, the generation AI unit 31 acquires user request information from the AI ​​input / output unit 23 of the production management device 11.

[0049] In step S12, the generation AI unit 31 generates task request information based on the user request information acquired in step S11. The generation AI unit 31 generates task request information corresponding to the user request information based on the user request information and the trained model. In step S13, the generation AI unit 31 outputs the task request information generated in step S12 to the production management device 11.

[0050] In step S14, the generation AI unit 31 acquires status information from the AI ​​input / output unit 23. In step S15, the generation AI unit 31 generates manufacturing change information based on the status information acquired in step S14. The generation AI unit 31 generates the manufacturing change information based on the status information and the trained model.

[0051] In step S16, the generation AI unit 31 outputs the manufacturing change information generated in step S15 to the production management device 11. With the above, the server device 12 ends the operation according to the procedure shown in FIG.

[0052] Next, we will explain user request information. Here, we will take the example of a user requesting a change in the production sequence of products. In a factory, which is the production site of products, multiple model numbers are manufactured in an order determined by a production plan. Furthermore, for each of the multiple model numbers, products of the same model number are manufactured consecutively. The number of products manufactured consecutively for each model number is determined by the production plan. Here, the consecutive production of products of the same model number is referred to as a production task. Furthermore, each of the multiple production tasks is identified by representing it as production task A, production task B, etc.

[0053] For example, suppose that the production plan defines the order of production work A, production work B, production work C, production work D, and production work E. Also, suppose that a production work N not included in the production plan is requested. For example, when a user requests that production work N be added between production work B and production work C, the user inputs user request information such as "Add production work N between production work B and production work C" to the user request acquisition unit 21. When the request indicated in the user request information is realized, the production order is changed to the order of production work A, production work B, production work N, production work C, production work D, and production work E.

[0054] The user request information regarding a change in the production sequence may be, for example, a request to produce production task N as soon as possible. The user request information may also include, for example, a request to know the end time of production task N. Alternatively, the user request information may include a request to change the priority order of production tasks A to E indicated in the production plan.

[0055] The request indicated in the user request information may be a request other than the request for a change in the production sequence as described above. For example, in a situation where a machine scheduled for use in the production plan stops due to a malfunction, a worker scheduled to work is absent, or a material runs out due to a delay in the arrival of materials, the user request information may request a change in the production plan in accordance with the situation.

[0056] Next, we will explain the status information. The status information is information used in the manufacturing operations indicated in the production plan, and is information prepared in advance to instruct the manufacturing of products. The status information can also be said to be information necessary for manufacturing instructions.

[0057] Examples of status information include production plan information, material information, equipment operation information, and worker information. Production plan information is information that indicates the contents of a production plan. Material information is information about materials used in manufacturing products. Material information includes information about material inventory levels, etc. Equipment operation information is information about the operation of production equipment. For example, if production equipment is stopped due to a malfunction, the equipment operation information includes information indicating that operation has been stopped. Worker information is information about the personnel involved in the work. Worker information includes information indicating the number of workers assigned to the production line, or a skill map that shows the skills and levels of workers working in the factory.

[0058] Here, it is assumed that four pieces of information can be acquired as status information: production plan information, material information, equipment operation information, and worker information. Each of the production plan information, material information, equipment operation information, and worker information is stored in the storage means of an external device. The production plan information is stored in a database maintained by the MES. The material information is stored in a material management system. The equipment operation information is stored in the manufacturing equipment that makes up the production equipment, or in a line control PLC that makes up the production equipment. A line control PLC is a PLC that collectively manages the data of multiple PLCs in a production line. In the following explanation, it is assumed that the equipment operation information is stored in the line control PLC. The worker information is stored in a database maintained by the worker management system. Alternatively, a CSV (Comma-Separated Values) file indicating the worker information is saved in the worker management system.

[0059] Next, the method for acquiring status information will be described in detail. When the generation AI unit 31 acquires user request information from the AI ​​input / output unit 23, it interprets the content of the request indicated in the user request information. Furthermore, the generation AI unit 31 divides the content of the request into multiple subtasks that can be executed by software related to production management or manufacturing execution, which is software executed in an external device.

[0060] The multiple subtasks include a subtask for acquiring information necessary to determine whether the production plan can be changed in accordance with the request. The generation AI unit 31 outputs task request information indicating the subtask for each of the multiple subtasks based on the user request information and the trained model.

[0061] For example, as described above, in the case of a change to add production task N between production task B and production task C, the generation AI unit 31 acquires production plan information to understand the order of the production tasks shown in the production plan. The generation AI unit 31 confirms that it is possible to change the production plan shown in the production plan information to add production task N, based on the content of the production plan or the situation at the product production site.

[0062] For a change such as adding production work N, it is necessary that the production line assigned to production work N is in a state where production work N can be performed at the time production work N is scheduled to be performed. To confirm that production work N is in a state where it can be performed, one of the subtasks is to acquire equipment operation information. In this case, the generation AI unit 31 confirms that no defects have been found on the production line assigned to production work N and that normal operation is possible, and that the production line is not scheduled to be used for other production work at the time production work N is performed.

[0063] Furthermore, for the change to add production task N, it is necessary to ensure that the change does not result in a shortage of materials or workers. To confirm that there will be no shortage of materials based on the material inventory status, one of the subtasks is to obtain material information. To confirm that there will be no shortage of workers, one of the subtasks is to obtain worker information.

[0064] The generation AI unit 31 determines which information needs to be acquired as status information from the four types of information that can be acquired as status information: production plan information, material information, equipment operation information, and worker information. The generation AI unit 31 outputs task request information for acquiring the information determined to be necessary.

[0065] When the AI ​​input / output unit 23 acquires task request information from the generation AI unit 31, it outputs the task request information to each of the multiple external device input / output units. Based on the task request information for each subtask, the AI ​​input / output unit 23 recognizes the external device that is requested to execute the subtask, and outputs the task request information to the external device input / output unit that corresponds to the recognized external device.

[0066] For example, the AI ​​input / output unit 23 outputs task request information indicating a subtask to be executed in the MES to the database control IF 25. An example of a subtask to be executed in the MES is a process for acquiring production plan information. More specifically, the process for acquiring production plan information is a process for acquiring information indicating the order of production work in the production plan. The information indicating the order of production work in the production plan is, for example, information indicating the order of production work A, production work B, production work C, production work D, and production work E. The database control IF 25 outputs the task request information to the MES. The MES software executes the subtask indicated in the task request information, thereby outputting information indicating the order of production work to the database control IF 25. The AI ​​input / output unit 23 acquires information indicating the order of production work, which is status information, from the database control IF 25.

[0067] For example, the AI ​​input / output unit 23 outputs task request information indicating a subtask to be executed by a manufacturing device that constitutes the production facility or a line control PLC that constitutes the production facility to the PLC control IF 26. An example of a subtask to be executed by the manufacturing device or line control PLC is a process to acquire equipment operation information. The PLC control IF 26 outputs the task request information to the manufacturing device or line control PLC. The software of the manufacturing device or the software of the line control PLC executes the subtask indicated in the task request information, thereby outputting the equipment operation information to the PLC control IF 26. The AI ​​input / output unit 23 acquires the equipment operation information, which is status information, from the PLC control IF 26.

[0068] For example, the AI ​​input / output unit 23 outputs task request information indicating that reading of material information is to be performed as a subtask to the information input / output unit 28. The information input / output unit 28 outputs the task request information to the material management system. The material management system outputs the material information indicated in the task request information to the information input / output unit 28. The AI ​​input / output unit 23 acquires the material information, which is status information, from the information input / output unit 28.

[0069] For example, the AI ​​input / output unit 23 outputs task request information indicating that reading of worker information is to be performed as a subtask to the information input / output unit 28. The information input / output unit 28 outputs the task request information to the worker management system. The worker management system outputs the worker information indicated in the task request information to the information input / output unit 28. The AI ​​input / output unit 23 acquires the worker information, which is status information, from the information input / output unit 28.

[0070] One of the subtasks may be creating an optimized production plan using the status information acquired by outputting task request information as a condition. In this case, the AI ​​input / output unit 23 outputs task request information to the production scheduler IF 24 indicating that the creation of an optimized production plan is to be performed as a subtask. Here, the creation of an optimized production plan refers to the creation of an optimized production plan using the status information acquired by outputting task request information, namely, production plan information, equipment operation information, material information, and worker information. The production scheduler IF 24 outputs the task request information to the production scheduler. The production scheduler software executes the subtask indicated in the task request information, and outputs production plan information indicating the optimized production plan to the production scheduler IF 24. The AI ​​input / output unit 23 acquires the production plan information, which is status information, from the production scheduler IF 24.

[0071] Furthermore, one of the subtasks may be to execute a simulation of a production plan based on status information acquired by outputting task request information. In this case, the AI ​​input / output unit 23 outputs task information indicating that a simulation of a production plan is to be executed as a subtask to the simulator IF 27. The simulator IF 27 outputs the task request information to the simulator. Here, the simulator evaluates the production plan by simulating the production plan. The simulator software executes the subtask indicated in the task request information, and outputs information indicating the evaluation result to the simulator IF 27. The AI ​​input / output unit 23 acquires the information indicating the evaluation result, which is status information, from the simulator IF 27.

[0072] Next, the manufacturing change information will be described. The AI ​​input / output unit 23 outputs status information from the external device input / output unit to the generation AI unit 31. Upon acquiring the status information from the AI ​​input / output unit 23, the generation AI unit 31 generates manufacturing change information corresponding to the status information based on the status information and the trained model. The generation AI unit 31 outputs manufacturing change information for each of any number of external devices in accordance with the changes from the production plan.

[0073] The manufacturing change information output by the generation AI unit 31 includes manufacturing change information that is a command for reflecting the requested change in the production plan. This command is manufacturing change information for the MES, and can also be said to be a command for rewriting the production plan set in the MES. Hereinafter, this command will be referred to as a rewrite command. A rewrite command is manufacturing change information that indicates changes from the production plan set in the MES. For example, if the change is to add a production operation N between production operation B and production operation C as described above, the manufacturing change information for the MES is a rewrite command whose content is to add a production operation N between production operation B and production operation C.

[0074] When the AI ​​input / output unit 23 acquires manufacturing change information, which is a rewrite command, from the generation AI unit 31, the control unit 22 outputs the manufacturing change information to the MES from the database control IF 25. In this way, the control unit 22 acquires, as manufacturing change information, a command corresponding to the change from the production plan from the generation AI unit 31, and outputs the command to the MES, which is a device that manages production equipment.

[0075] The MES executes a process to rewrite the database in which production plan information is stored by operating a database operation program in accordance with a rewrite command, which is manufacturing change information. Based on the rewrite command, the MES executes a process to add, for example, a production task N between production tasks B and C. One example of manufacturing change information that is a rewrite command is SQL (Structured Query Language).

[0076] Furthermore, the manufacturing change information output by the generation AI unit 31 may include manufacturing change information that is a control command for controlling the production equipment in accordance with the changed production plan. When the AI ​​input / output unit 23 acquires manufacturing change information that is a control command from the generation AI unit 31, the control unit 22 outputs the manufacturing change information from the PLC control IF 26 to the production equipment. In this way, the control unit 22 acquires, as manufacturing change information, a control command corresponding to the change from the production plan from the generation AI unit 31, and outputs the control command to the production equipment. The production equipment is controlled in accordance with the control command that is the manufacturing change information.

[0077] Furthermore, the production change information output by the generation AI unit 31 may include production change information, which is changed material information. The changed material information includes, for example, information indicating future inventory amounts of materials in the event of a change in the production plan. When the AI ​​input / output unit 23 acquires production change information, which is changed material information, from the generation AI unit 31, the control unit 22 outputs the production change information from the information input / output unit 28 to the material management system. The material management system updates the material information held in the material management system to the changed material information, which is the production change information acquired from the information input / output unit 28.

[0078] Furthermore, the manufacturing change information output by the generation AI unit 31 may include changed equipment operation information. The changed equipment operation information includes, for example, information indicating the future operation status of the production equipment when a production plan is changed. When the AI ​​input / output unit 23 acquires manufacturing change information, which is changed equipment operation information, from the generation AI unit 31, the control unit 22 outputs the manufacturing change information from the PLC control IF 26 to the line supervising PLC that holds the equipment operation information. The line supervising PLC updates the equipment operation information held in the line supervising PLC to the changed equipment operation information, which is the manufacturing change information acquired from the PLC control IF 26.

[0079] Furthermore, the production change information output by the generation AI unit 31 may include production change information that is an instruction regarding the allocation of workers on the production line when a production plan is changed. When the AI ​​input / output unit 23 acquires the production change information that is an instruction from the generation AI unit 31, the control unit 22 outputs the production change information from the information input / output unit 28 to an external device that is responsible for outputting the instruction. For example, if the external device that is responsible for outputting the instruction is a worker management system, the information input / output unit 28 outputs the production change information to the worker management system.

[0080] Furthermore, the manufacturing change information output by the generation AI unit 31 may include work instructions for workers involved in non-automated processes when the production plan is changed. When the AI ​​input / output unit 23 acquires the manufacturing change information, which is the work instruction, from the generation AI unit 31, the control unit 22 outputs the manufacturing change information from the information input / output unit 28 to an external device responsible for outputting the work instruction. For example, if the external device responsible for outputting the work instruction is a worker management system, the information input / output unit 28 outputs the manufacturing change information to the worker management system.

[0081] Next, a description will be given of modified examples of the production management system 10 according to embodiment 1. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a first modified example of the production management system 10 according to embodiment 1. The production management device 11 of the production management system 10 according to the first modified example has the same configuration as the production management device 11 shown in Fig. 1 and a permission acquisition unit 29.

[0082] The permission acquisition unit 29 acquires information indicating that the output of manufacturing change information is permitted. Hereinafter, information indicating that the output of manufacturing change information is permitted will be referred to as permission information. The permission information is input to the permission acquisition unit 29 by the user.

[0083] As one example, the information input / output unit 28 outputs data indicating the content of the manufacturing change information acquired by the AI ​​input / output unit 23 from the generation AI unit 31 to the display device. The display device notifies the user of the content of the manufacturing change information by displaying the content of the manufacturing change information. The display device is not shown. In this case, the user checks the data displayed on the display device, and if they determine that there is no problem with the content of the data, they input permission information to the permission acquisition unit 29. The display device may be provided in the production management device 11. In this case, the AI ​​input / output unit 23 outputs data indicating the content of the manufacturing change information acquired from the generation AI unit 31 to the display device.

[0084] When permission information is input to permission acquisition unit 29, permission acquisition unit 29 outputs the permission information to control unit 22. When permission information is input to control unit 22, control unit 22 outputs manufacturing change information to the external device via the external device input / output unit.

[0085] In the first modification, the production management device 11 outputs the production change information to an external device when the user permits the content of the production change information output by the generation AI unit 31. Therefore, if there is an error in the production change information output by the generation AI unit 31, it is possible to prevent erroneous production from being carried out due to the production change information.

[0086] Figure 5 is a diagram showing a second modified example of the production management system 10 according to embodiment 1. In the production management system 10 according to the second modified example, the control unit 22 of the production management device 11 has a configuration similar to that of the control unit 22 shown in Figure 1, and also has a sensor IF 30. Information from the sensors shown in Figure 5 is input to the sensor IF 30.

[0087] The sensor shown in FIG. 5 is arranged outside the production management device 11. The sensor detects the state of the product production site or the state of the worker at the production site, and outputs sensor data indicating the detection result. The sensor IF 30 acquires the sensor data output by the sensor. The AI ​​input / output unit 23 outputs the sensor data acquired by the sensor IF 30 to the generation AI unit 31. In this way, the control unit 22 acquires the sensor data output by the sensor and outputs the sensor data to the generation AI unit 31.

[0088] An example of a sensor applied in the second modified example is a camera that takes pictures inside a factory. The sensor is connected to the production management device 11 via a digital interface. The camera may take a picture of a worker, for example, and output sensor data indicating the worker's physical condition. Alternatively, the camera may take a picture of the accumulation status of work-in-progress products, and output sensor data indicating the accumulation status. Alternatively, the camera may take a picture of a temporary storage area or a passageway for temporarily storing items, and output sensor data indicating the presence or absence of items in the temporary storage area or the passageway. Note that the sensor may be any device other than a camera as long as it detects the production status of products.

[0089] The AI ​​input / output unit 23 outputs the sensor data, as well as the situation information acquired from the external device, to the generation AI unit 31. The generation AI unit 31 generates manufacturing change information based on the situation information, the sensor data, and the trained model.

[0090] In the second modification, the production management device 11 can acquire information that is not acquired by an external device, such as an MES or production equipment, in order to generate manufacturing change information. This allows the production management device 11 to provide the information that is not acquired by an external device to the generation AI unit 31 in order to generate manufacturing change information. The production management system 10 can output manufacturing change information that is generated by taking into account information that is not acquired by an external device.

[0091] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a third modified example of the production management system 10 according to embodiment 1. The production management device 11 of the production management system 10 according to the third modified example has the same configuration as the production management device 11 shown in Fig. 1. Furthermore, the production management device 11 of the production management system 10 according to the third modified example acquires in-factory information held in a factory database.

[0092] The factory database shown in FIG. 6 is stored in a computer system that accumulates information within a factory. The factory database holds in-factory information, which is information indicating the production performance of a product in a factory that produces a product or information about production equipment. The AI ​​input / output unit 23 searches the factory database for in-factory information related to the information included in the user request information. The AI ​​input / output unit 23 extracts in-factory information related to the information by searching and outputs the extracted in-factory information to the generation AI unit 31. In this way, the control unit 22 searches the factory database and outputs the extracted in-factory information to the generation AI unit 31.

[0093] In the third modification, the production management device 11 can acquire information that is accumulated in the factory and that is not acquired by external devices such as the MES or production equipment, in order to generate manufacturing change information. This allows the production management device 11 to provide the information that is not acquired by external devices to the generation AI unit 31 in order to generate manufacturing change information. The production management system 10 can output manufacturing change information that is generated by taking into account information that is not acquired by external devices.

[0094] FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a fourth modified example of the production management system 10 according to the first embodiment. The generation AI unit 41 provided in the production management device 11 of the production management system 10 according to the fourth modified example has a different function from the generation AI unit 31 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 7 shows an example of the configuration of the generation AI unit 41. The configuration of the production management system 10 other than the generation AI unit 41 will be described with reference to FIG. 1.

[0095] Here, it is assumed that the product produced according to the production plan is manufactured by combining three parts together in a total assembly, which are referred to as parts A, B, and C.

[0096] The generation AI unit 41 includes a general AI 42 and a group of assigned processing units 43. The group of assigned processing units 43 includes an AI 44 responsible for overall assembly, an AI 45 responsible for assembling parts A, an AI 46 responsible for assembling parts B, and an AI 47 responsible for assembling parts C. Each of the general AI 42, the AI ​​44 responsible for overall assembly, the AI ​​45 responsible for assembling parts A, the AI ​​46 responsible for assembling parts B, and the AI ​​47 responsible for assembling parts C has the same configuration as the generation AI unit 31 shown in FIG.

[0097] The general AI 42 functions as a general unit that generalizes the output of information to the production management device 11 in response to input from the production management device 11 to the generation AI unit 41. The general assembly AI 44, the A part assembly AI 45, the B part assembly AI 46, and the C part assembly AI 47 each function as a sharing processing unit. In the fourth modification, the sharing processing units share and execute the process of determining manufacturing change information based on the information input to the generation AI unit 41 for each production facility used in the production of the product, for each process performed in the production of the product, or for each production line used in the production of the product. Here, the multiple sharing processing units are referred to as a sharing processing unit group 43.

[0098] In the example shown in FIG. 7, the processes performed in product production are divided into four: part A assembly, part B assembly, part C assembly, and general assembly. The process for obtaining manufacturing change information is shared and executed for each of the four processes. Four shared processing units, namely, AI 44 in charge of general assembly, AI 45 in charge of part A assembly, AI 46 in charge of part B assembly, and AI 47 in charge of part C assembly, share and execute the process for obtaining manufacturing change information. In this way, the generation AI unit 41 is provided with a shared processing unit for each process in product production. Note that a shared processing unit in the generation AI unit 41 may be provided for each production facility used in product production, or for each production line used in product production.

[0099] The generation AI unit 41 generates manufacturing change information to be output to the production management device 11 by having each component of the generation AI unit 41 interact with each other. The components interact with each other when one component sends a question to another component and receives a response from the other component. The generation AI unit 41 generates manufacturing change information by exchanging information between each of the multiple assigned processing units. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the assembly master AI 44 exchanges information with each of the part A assembly master AI 45, part B assembly master AI 46, and part C assembly master AI 47. The general AI 42 exchanges information with each of the assembly master AI 44, part A assembly master AI 45, part B assembly master AI 46, and part C assembly master AI 47. Furthermore, the general AI 42 exchanges information with the AI ​​input / output unit 23 shown in FIG. 1.

[0100] The generation AI unit 41 uses a messaging protocol to exchange information between the general AI 42 and each of the multiple assigned processing units. For example, MQTT (Message Queuing Telemetry Transport) is used as the messaging protocol. By using the messaging protocol, the generation AI unit 41 can smoothly perform global distribution, which transmits information from one component to multiple other components, and individual distribution, which transmits information from one component to another. Each component can switch between global distribution and individual distribution depending on the information it wishes to transmit. Therefore, the source component can transmit necessary information only to the necessary destinations in accordance with the characteristics of the information, allowing the generation AI unit 41 to reduce unnecessary communication.

[0101] The components of the generation AI unit 41 may be physically distributed in any unit, or may be integrated.

[0102] Here, an example of the processing procedure in the generation AI unit 41 shown in Fig. 7 will be described. User request information input to the user request acquisition unit 21 of the production management device 11 is input to the general AI 42 of the generation AI unit 41 from the AI ​​input / output unit 23.

[0103] 1 is as follows: "I would like to expedite production task R, so I would like to change the production plan so that production task R follows production task S. Also, please let me know when production task R will be completed." The user request information is assumed to be input to user request acquisition unit 21 while production task S is being performed. In each of production tasks S and R, a product is manufactured through four processes: assembly of part A, assembly of part B, assembly of part C, and general assembly.

[0104] For a change to perform production task R after production task S, the generation AI unit 41 generates manufacturing change information by having each element of the generation AI unit 41 share and execute the same processing as that of the generation AI unit 31 shown in Fig. 1. Here, we will mainly explain the procedure for determining the scheduled completion time of production task R through the processing of each element of the generation AI unit 41.

[0105] The general assembly AI 42 communicates the change that production task R will be performed after production task S to the assembly general AI 44. The assembly general AI 44 communicates the change to each of the part A assembly AI 45, part B assembly AI 46, and part C assembly AI 47. The general assembly AI 42 also inquires of the assembly general AI 44 about the scheduled completion time of production task S. The assembly general AI 44 inquires of each of the part A assembly AI 45, part B assembly AI 46, and part C assembly AI 47 about the scheduled completion time of production task S.

[0106] In response to an inquiry from the general assembly AI44, the A part assembly AI45 replies to the general assembly AI44 with the scheduled completion time of assembly of the A part in production work S. In response to an inquiry from the general assembly AI44, the B part assembly AI46 replies to the general assembly AI44 with the scheduled completion time of assembly of the B part in production work S. In response to an inquiry from the general assembly AI44, the C part assembly AI47 replies to the general assembly AI44 with the scheduled completion time of assembly of the C part in production work S.

[0107] The assembly master AI 44 calculates the estimated completion time of the total assembly based on the estimated completion times for each of the assembly of parts A, B, and C and the time required for the total assembly. In this way, the assembly master AI 44 calculates the estimated completion time of production work S. The assembly master AI 44 returns the estimated completion time of production work S to the overall AI 42. The overall AI 42 outputs manufacturing change information indicating that production work R will be performed after production work S to the AI ​​input / output unit 23, thereby instructing the rewriting of the production plan information held in the MES.

[0108] By rewriting the production plan information according to instructions from the generation AI unit 41, production work R is started after production work S. The overall AI 42 inquires of the assembly master AI 44 about the scheduled completion time of production work R. The assembly master AI 44 inquires of the part A assembly master AI 45, the part B assembly master AI 46, and the part C assembly master AI 47 about the scheduled completion time of production work R.

[0109] In response to an inquiry from the general assembly AI44, the A part assembly AI45 replies to the general assembly AI44 with the scheduled completion time of assembly of the A part in production work R. In response to an inquiry from the general assembly AI44, the B part assembly AI46 replies to the general assembly AI44 with the scheduled completion time of assembly of the B part in production work R. In response to an inquiry from the general assembly AI44, the C part assembly AI47 replies to the general assembly AI44 with the scheduled completion time of assembly of the C part in production work R.

[0110] The assembly master AI 44 calculates the estimated completion time of the total assembly based on the estimated completion times for each of the assembly of parts A, B, and C and the time required for the total assembly. In this way, the assembly master AI 44 calculates the estimated completion time of production work R. The assembly master AI 44 returns the estimated completion time of production work R to the overall AI 42. The overall AI 42 outputs the estimated completion time of production work R to the AI ​​input / output unit 23.

[0111] As one example, the information input / output unit 28 outputs the scheduled completion time of the production work R, which is acquired from the generation AI unit 41 by the AI ​​input / output unit 23, to the display device. The display device notifies the user of the scheduled completion time of the production work R by displaying the scheduled completion time of the production work R.

[0112] Here, an example has been described in which the allocating processing unit divides the processing for obtaining manufacturing change information for each process carried out in the production of a product based on the information input to the generation AI unit 41. When dividing the processing for obtaining manufacturing change information for each piece of production equipment used in the production of a product or for each production line used in the production of a product, the processing procedure of the allocating processing unit is the same as when dividing the processing for each process.

[0113] In the fourth modification, the generation AI unit 41 divides the processing for obtaining manufacturing change information among its components, executing it on a process-by-process, production equipment-by-production line-by-production basis. The generation AI unit 41 can execute processing optimized for each process, production equipment, or production line individually, using each component. The generation AI unit 41 can easily obtain manufacturing change information that enables higher productivity than when a single component processes information for the entire factory at once. This makes it possible to improve the productivity of the entire factory.

[0114] The production management system 10 according to the first embodiment is suitable for example for instructing production equipment on the production sequence of products in a high-mix, low-volume production format. In conventional high-mix, low-volume production, when instructing production equipment on the production sequence based on the production plan output by the production scheduler, the instructions are given to the production equipment manually by an operator or the like, making automation difficult. The production management system 10 according to the first embodiment makes it possible to automate the instruction of the production sequence to production equipment in high-mix, low-volume production.

[0115] Next, the hardware configuration of the production management device 11 according to the first embodiment will be described. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the production management device 11 according to the first embodiment. The production management device 11 is realized by a computer system including a processing circuit 51, a communication device 52, and an input device 55. The processing circuit 51 includes a processor 53 and a memory 54. The processing circuit 51 is a circuit on which the processor 53 executes software.

[0116] The processing functions of the production management device 11 are realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. The software or firmware is written as a program and stored in memory 54. In the processing circuit 51, the processor 53 reads and executes the program stored in memory 54, thereby realizing the processing functions of the production management device 11. The processing circuit 51 includes memory 54 that stores a program that results in the processing of the production management device 11 being executed. It can also be said that the program stored in memory 54 causes a computer to execute the processing procedures and methods of the production management device 11.

[0117] The processor 53 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit, also referred to as a central processing unit, processing unit, arithmetic unit, microprocessor, microcomputer, processor, or DSP (Digital Signal Processor)). The memory 54 may be, for example, a non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a flash memory, an EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), or an EEPROM (registered trademark) (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), a magnetic disk, a flexible disk, an optical disk, a compact disk, a minidisk, or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc).

[0118] The communication device 52 communicates with the server device 12 or an external device. The communication function of the control unit 22 shown in FIG. 1 is realized by the communication device 52. The input device 55 is a device that is operated by a user to input information. The input device 55 includes, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a keypad, or a touch panel. The production management device 11 may also include a display device that displays information. The display device is, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display.

[0119] The production management device 11 may include an integrated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). The program according to the first embodiment may be provided by being stored on a recording medium such as a CD (Compact Disc)-ROM or a DVD-ROM. The program may be provided by being stored in a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and downloaded via the network such as the Internet. The program may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0120] The components of the production management device 11 do not necessarily have to be physically configured as shown in the figure. The specific form of distribution and integration of the components is not limited to that shown in the figure. The components may be configured to be functionally or physically distributed in any unit, or may be configured to be integrated. The functions of the production management device 11 may be distributed across two or more devices.

[0121] Next, a hardware configuration of the server device 12 according to the first embodiment will be described. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the server device 12 according to the first embodiment. The server device 12 is realized by a computer system including a processing circuit 61 and a communication device 62. The processing circuit 61 includes a processor 63 and a memory 64. The processing circuit 61 is a circuit on which the processor 63 executes software.

[0122] The processor 63 and memory 64 of the processing circuit 61 are the same as those described for the processor 53 and memory 54 of the processing circuit 51 shown in Fig. 8. The function of the model control unit 32, which is a processing unit of the server device 12, is realized by the processor 63 reading and executing a program stored in the memory 64. The function of the model storage unit 33 is realized by using the memory 64. The communication device 62 communicates with the production management device 11. The server device 12 may include an integrated circuit such as an ASIC or an FPGA.

[0123] According to the first embodiment, the production management device 11 includes a user request acquisition unit 21 that acquires user request information indicating a user's request for a change to a product production plan, and a control unit 22 that outputs the user request information and status information related to the changes indicated in the user request information, which indicates the content of the production plan or the status of the product's production site, to an artificial intelligence unit, and that accepts production change information output by the artificial intelligence unit, which indicates changes from the production plan, and outputs the information to an external device. By outputting the user request information and status information related to the changes indicated in the user request information to the artificial intelligence unit and accepting the production change information output by the artificial intelligence unit, the production management device 11 can change the production plan in response to the status of the production site in response to flexible user requests. Furthermore, the production management device 11 can easily reflect changes to the production plan in the external device. This allows the production management device 11 to easily change the production plan.

[0124] The control unit 22 also executes a first output process to output task request information indicating a request for acquisition of status information, receives status information output by the external device that executed the request indicated in the task request information, and outputs user request information to the artificial intelligence unit, thereby acquiring task request information indicating a request for status information related to the change indicated in the user request information from the artificial intelligence unit, and executes a second output process to output the status information acquired by the control unit 22 to the artificial intelligence unit, thereby acquiring manufacturing change information from the artificial intelligence unit. The production management device 11 can output status information to the artificial intelligence unit by outputting task request information to the external device and receiving status information. The production management device 11 can also acquire status information by using functions of the external device to realize processing that the artificial intelligence unit cannot perform alone, by receiving status information output by the external device that executed the request indicated in the task request information.

[0125] The user request acquisition unit 21 also acquires user request information written in natural language. This allows the user to easily issue change instructions by inputting the user request information. Furthermore, the user can input the user request information with high flexibility.

[0126] Furthermore, the control unit 22 acquires control commands corresponding to changes in the production plan as manufacturing change information from the artificial intelligence unit, and outputs the control commands to the production equipment that produces the product. The production management device 11 can easily realize accurate manufacturing changes by outputting the control commands, which are manufacturing change information, to the production equipment.

[0127] Furthermore, the control unit 22 acquires commands corresponding to changes in the production plan from the artificial intelligence unit as production change information, and outputs the commands to a device that manages the production equipment that produces the product. The production management device 11 can easily realize accurate production changes by outputting commands corresponding to changes in the production plan to the production equipment.

[0128] Furthermore, the control unit 22 outputs the manufacturing change information to an external device when information indicating that the output of the manufacturing change information is permitted is input to the control unit 22. When the manufacturing change information output by the generation AI unit 31 contains an error, the production management device 11 can prevent erroneous production from being carried out due to the manufacturing change information.

[0129] The control unit 22 also acquires sensor data output by sensors that detect the state of the product production site or the state of workers at the production site, and outputs the sensor data to the artificial intelligence unit. The production management device 11 can output information that is not acquired by external devices to the artificial intelligence unit in order to generate production change information.

[0130] The control unit 22 also searches a factory database that stores in-factory information, which is information indicating the production performance of the product at the factory that produces the product or information about the production equipment, and outputs the extracted in-factory information to the artificial intelligence unit. The production management device 11 can output information that cannot be obtained by an external device to the artificial intelligence unit in order to generate production change information.

[0131] Furthermore, the generation AI unit 41, which is an artificial intelligence unit, includes a generalization unit that generalizes the output of information to the production management device 11 in response to input from the production management device 11 to the generation AI unit 41, and multiple assigned processing units that share the task of executing the process of obtaining manufacturing change information based on the information input to the generation AI unit 41 for each production facility used in the manufacture of the product, each process performed in the manufacture of the product, or each production line used in the manufacture of the product, and generates manufacturing change information by exchanging information between each of the multiple assigned processing units. The generation AI unit 41 can easily obtain manufacturing change information that enables high productivity by performing processing that is individually optimized for each process, production facility, or production line.

[0132] Furthermore, the generation AI unit 41 uses a messaging protocol to exchange information between the general unit and each of the multiple assigned processing units, thereby reducing unnecessary communication.

[0133] Embodiment 2 10 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a production management system 70 according to embodiment 2. In embodiment 2, the same components as those in embodiment 1 above are given the same reference numerals, and the configuration different from embodiment 1 will be mainly described.

[0134] The production management system 70 includes a production management device 11 that manages the production of products, and an information processing device 71. The information processing device 71 is located in a factory where the products are produced. The information processing device 71 includes a generation AI unit 31, similar to the server device 12 shown in FIG.

[0135] The information processing device 71 is connected to the production management device 11 via a network. Such a network may be, for example, a LAN, but may also be a WAN such as the Internet. The information processing device 71 is realized using a computer system having a hardware configuration similar to that shown in FIG.

[0136] According to the second embodiment, the production management system 70 has an information processing device 71 having a generation AI unit 31 located at the product production site, which eliminates the need to transmit information within the factory outside the factory. This makes it possible for the production management system 70 to reduce information leakage outside the factory, thereby improving security. Furthermore, by eliminating the need for communication between inside and outside the factory, the operating costs of the production management system 70 can be reduced.

[0137] The configurations shown in the above embodiments are examples of the contents of the present disclosure. The configurations of each embodiment can be combined with other known technologies. The configurations of each embodiment can also be combined as appropriate. Part of the configuration of each embodiment can be omitted or modified without departing from the gist of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0138] 10,70 Production management system, 11 Production management device, 12 Server device, 21 User request acquisition unit, 22 Control unit, 23 AI input / output unit, 24 Production scheduler IF, 25 Database control IF, 26 PLC control IF, 27 Simulator IF, 28 Information input / output unit, 29 Permission acquisition unit, 30 Sensor IF, 31,41 Generation AI unit, 32 Model control unit, 33 Model memory unit, 42 General AI, 43 Allocation processing unit group, 44 AI in charge of overall assembly, 45 AI in charge of A part assembly, 46 AI in charge of B part assembly, 47 AI in charge of C part assembly, 51,61 Processing circuit, 52,62 Communication device, 53,63 Processor, 54,64 Memory, 55 Input device, 71 Information processing device.

Claims

1. A production management device for managing the production of products, a user request acquisition unit that acquires user request information indicating a user request for a change to the production plan for the product, the user request information indicating a change from the production plan; a control unit that outputs the user request information and information relating to the change indicated in the user request information, which is status information indicating the content of the production plan or the status of the production site of the product, to an artificial intelligence unit, and acquires manufacturing change information indicating the content of the change from the production plan from the artificial intelligence unit, The control unit acquiring, from the artificial intelligence unit, task request information indicating a request for acquiring the status information related to the change indicated in the user request information by executing a first output process that outputs the user request information to the artificial intelligence unit; outputting the acquired task request information to a device external to the production management device, and acquiring the status information output by the external device that executed the request indicated in the task request information; acquiring the manufacturing change information from the artificial intelligence unit by executing a second output process that outputs the acquired status information to the artificial intelligence unit; The acquired manufacturing change information is output to a device external to the production management device. A production management device characterized by:

2. The user request acquisition unit acquires the user request information expressed in natural language.

2. The production management device according to claim 1.

3. The control unit acquires, as the manufacturing change information, a control command corresponding to the change from the production plan from the artificial intelligence unit, and outputs the control command to a production facility that produces the product.

3. The production management device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The control unit acquires, as the manufacturing change information, a command corresponding to the change from the production plan from the artificial intelligence unit, and outputs the command to a device that manages production equipment that produces the product.

3. The production management device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. When information indicating that output of the manufacturing change information is permitted is input to the control unit, the control unit outputs the manufacturing change information to a device external to the production management device.

3. The production management device according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The control unit acquires sensor data output by a sensor that detects the state of the production site of the product or the state of a worker at the production site, and outputs the sensor data to the artificial intelligence unit.

3. The production management device according to claim 1 or 2.

7. The control unit searches a factory database that stores in-factory information, which is information indicating the production performance of the product at the factory that produces the product or information about production equipment, and outputs the extracted in-factory information to the artificial intelligence unit.

3. The production management device according to claim 1 or 2.

8. a production management device for managing the production of products; an information processing device having an artificial intelligence unit, The production management device a user request acquisition unit that acquires user request information indicating a user request for a change to the production plan for the product, the user request information indicating a change from the production plan; a control unit that outputs the user request information and information relating to the change indicated in the user request information, which is status information indicating the content of the production plan or the status of the production site of the product, to the artificial intelligence unit, and acquires manufacturing change information indicating the content of the change from the production plan from the artificial intelligence unit, The control unit acquiring, from the artificial intelligence unit, task request information indicating a request for acquiring the status information related to the change indicated in the user request information by executing a first output process that outputs the user request information to the artificial intelligence unit; outputting the acquired task request information to a device external to the production management device, and acquiring the status information output by the external device that executed the request indicated in the task request information; acquiring the manufacturing change information from the artificial intelligence unit by executing a second output process that outputs the acquired status information to the artificial intelligence unit; The acquired manufacturing change information is output to a device external to the production management device. A production management system characterized by:

9. The information processing device is installed at a production site of the product.

9. The production management system according to claim 8.

10. The artificial intelligence unit a control unit that controls the output of information to the production management device in response to input from the production management device to the artificial intelligence unit; a plurality of shared processing units that share and execute the process of determining the manufacturing change information based on the information input to the artificial intelligence unit for each production facility used in the manufacture of the product, for each process performed in the manufacture of the product, or for each production line used in the manufacture of the product; The manufacturing change information is generated by exchanging information among the plurality of shared processing units.

10. The production management system according to claim 8 or 9.

11. The artificial intelligence unit uses a messaging protocol to exchange information between the general unit and each of the multiple shared processing units. The production management system according to claim 10 .

12. A production management method for managing product production using a computer system, comprising: acquiring user request information indicating a user's request for a change to the production plan for the product, the user request information indicating a change from the production plan; a step of acquiring, from the artificial intelligence unit, task request information indicating a request for acquiring information related to the change indicated in the user request information, the content of the production plan or status information indicating the status of the production site of the product, by executing a first output process of outputting the acquired user request information to an artificial intelligence unit; outputting the acquired task request information to a device external to the computer system, and acquiring the status information output by the external device that executed the request indicated in the task request information; a step of acquiring, from the artificial intelligence unit, manufacturing change information indicating changes from the production plan by executing a second output process of outputting the acquired status information to the artificial intelligence unit; and outputting the acquired manufacturing change information to a device external to the computer system. A production management method characterized by:

13. In the computer system, acquiring user request information indicating a user's request for a change to a product production plan, the user request information indicating a change from the production plan; a step of acquiring, from the artificial intelligence unit, task request information indicating a request for acquiring information related to the change indicated in the user request information, the content of the production plan or status information indicating the status of the production site of the product, by executing a first output process of outputting the acquired user request information to an artificial intelligence unit; outputting the acquired task request information to a device external to the computer system, and acquiring the status information output by the external device that executed the request indicated in the task request information; a step of acquiring, from the artificial intelligence unit, manufacturing change information indicating changes from the production plan by executing a second output process of outputting the acquired status information to the artificial intelligence unit; and outputting the acquired manufacturing change information to a device external to the computer system. A program characterized by:

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