Information processing system, information processing device, and information processing method

Abstract

To attain traceability even on a flexible production line.SOLUTION: An information processing system that manages information on a production line includes an information processor, a first wireless terminal that is associated with a workpiece and returns first position information, and a second wireless terminal that is associated with an apparatus and returns second position information. The information processor includes a data storage unit that stores first data, which includes the first position information and first time information representing a time when the first position information is acquired, and second data which includes the second position information and second time information representing a time when the second position information is acquired, and an interrelation determination unit that, as long as a distance between the position of a workpiece at a first time, which is determined or estimated based on the first data, and the position of an apparatus at the first time which is determined or estimated based on the second data falls within a predefined range, associates the workpiece with the apparatus in relation to the first time.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing system, an information processing apparatus, and an information processing method.

Background Art

[0002] The need for mass production of multiple types of products on the same production line is increasing. In order to achieve mass production of multiple types of products, it is necessary to make the production line itself flexible and to be able to reorganize the production line in a short period of time.

[0003] Even in such a flexible production line, a mechanism for managing how products are produced is necessary. By performing such management, when any quality problem occurs, it is possible to more easily identify the cause of the problem and implement countermeasures.

[0004] Although not related to the flexible production line as described above, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2020-129161 (Patent Document 1) discloses a work support system capable of quickly recovering each abnormality when a plurality of abnormalities occur.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2020-129161 (Patent Document 1) discloses a process for assisting the assignment of workers by using the position information of workers, but does not consider any specific problems in a flexible production line as described above.

[0007] One objective of this invention is to provide a solution that enables traceability even in flexible production lines. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] According to one example of the present invention, an information processing system for managing information on a production line is provided. The information processing system includes an information processing device, a first wireless terminal associated with a workpiece that responds with first location information, and a second wireless terminal associated with a device that responds with second location information. The information processing device includes a data storage unit that stores first data including first location information and first time information indicating the time when the first location information was acquired, and second data including second location information and second time information indicating the time when the second location information was acquired, and a relationship determination unit that associates a workpiece and a device for a first time if the distance between the position of the workpiece at a first time, determined or estimated based on the first data, and the position of the device at a first time, determined or estimated based on the second data, is within a predetermined range.

[0009] This configuration allows for the determination of the association between a workpiece and a device at each time interval, making it possible to trace which device processed a workpiece at which time. Furthermore, since the association is based on the location information of the workpiece and the device, traceability can be achieved even in flexible production lines where the location of the devices changes.

[0010] In the above configuration, the information processing system may further include a third wireless terminal associated with the worker that responds with third location information. The data storage unit may further store third data including third location information and third time information indicating the time when the third location information was acquired. The relationship determination unit may associate the worker and the equipment for a second time if the distance between the worker's position at a second time, determined or estimated based on the third data, and the equipment's position at a second time, determined or estimated based on the second data, is within a predetermined range. With this configuration, the association between the worker and the equipment can be determined for each time period, making it possible to trace which equipment the worker operated at which time. Furthermore, since the association is made based on the location information of the worker and the equipment, traceability can be achieved even in flexible production lines where the position of the equipment changes.

[0011] In any of the above configurations, the relationship determination unit may estimate the position of the device at the first time based on second position information contained in second data acquired before the first time. With this configuration, the relationship between the workpiece and the device can be determined even if the first and second data cannot be acquired at the same time.

[0012] In any of the above configurations, the information processing device may further include an output unit that visually represents the data stored in the data storage unit. This configuration makes it easier to understand the data stored in the data storage unit.

[0013] In any of the above configurations, the output unit may be associated with a display object representing the device to visually represent the movement path of the workpiece. This configuration allows for a quick overview of the workpiece's processing history.

[0014] In any of the above configurations, the output unit may be associated with a display object representing the device to visually represent the worker's movement path. This configuration allows for a quick understanding of what tasks the worker performed.

[0015] In any of the above configurations, the output unit may output a warning display indicating the unassociated device when no device is associated with the workpiece. This configuration makes it easy to identify workpieces that are not being processed in their intended process.

[0016] In any of the above configurations, the information processing device may further include a request generation unit that requests the first wireless terminal and the second wireless terminal to transmit location information. The request generation unit may make requests to the first wireless terminal at a higher transmission frequency compared to the frequency of requests to the second wireless terminal. This configuration allows for efficient use of the communication bandwidth by reducing the frequency of acquiring location information from devices that are considered to move infrequently.

[0017] According to another example of the present invention, an information processing device is provided which constitutes an information processing system for managing information on a production line. The information processing system includes a first wireless terminal associated with a workpiece that responds with first location information, and a second wireless terminal associated with a device that responds with second location information. The information processing device includes a data storage unit that stores first data including first location information and first time information indicating the time when the first location information was acquired, and second data including second location information and second time information indicating the time when the second location information was acquired, and a relationship determination unit that associates a workpiece and a device for a first time if the distance between the position of the workpiece at a first time, determined or estimated based on the first data, and the position of the device at a first time, determined or estimated based on the second data, is within a predetermined range.

[0018] According to another example of the present invention, an information processing method for managing information on a production line is provided. The information processing method includes a step in which a first wireless terminal associated with a workpiece responds with first position information, a step in which a second wireless terminal associated with a device responds with second position information, storing first data including the first position information and first time information indicating the time when the first position information was acquired, and second data including the second position information and second time information indicating the time when the second position information was acquired, and associating the workpiece and the device at the first time if the distance between the position of the workpiece at the first time determined or estimated based on the first data and the position of the device at the first time determined or estimated based on the second data is within a predetermined range.

Advantages of the Invention

[0019] According to the present invention, traceability can be achieved even in a flexible production line.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020] [Figure 1] It is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of an information processing system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration example of a server device constituting the information processing system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 3] It is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration example of a radio base station constituting the information processing system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] It is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration example of a wireless terminal constituting the information processing system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 5] It is a schematic diagram showing a structure example of data transmitted by a wireless terminal of the information processing system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 6] It is a schematic diagram showing a functional configuration example of a server device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 7] It is a schematic diagram showing an example of a wireless terminal management table shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] It is a schematic diagram showing an example of a position information data group shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 9] It is a schematic diagram showing an example of the mutual relationship determined for the position information data group shown in FIG. 8. [Figure 10] It is a flowchart showing the procedure of the mutual relationship determination process by the server device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 11] It is a schematic diagram showing an example of the output of the mutual relationship in the information processing system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 12] It is a schematic diagram showing another example of the output of the mutual relationship in the information processing system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 13] It is a schematic diagram showing yet another example of the output of the mutual relationship in the information processing system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 14] It is a schematic diagram showing yet another example of the output of the mutual relationship in the information processing system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 15] It is a schematic diagram showing yet another example of the output of the mutual relationship in the information processing system according to the present embodiment.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0021] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the same or corresponding parts in the drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals and their description will not be repeated.

[0022] <A. Application Example> First, an example of a scenario to which the present invention is applied will be described.

[0023] The information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment manages the information of the production line. The information processing system 1 sequentially acquires the positions of the workpieces, workers, and devices, and associates them with each other, thereby realizing traceability even in a flexible production line.

[0024] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example configuration of an information processing system 1 according to this embodiment. Referring to Figure 1, the information processing system 1 includes a server device 100, which is an example of an information processing device, one or more wireless base stations 10-1, 10-2, 10-3, ... (hereinafter also collectively referred to as "wireless base stations 10"), and one or more wireless terminals 20. Note that there may be multiple server devices 100.

[0025] When the wireless base station 10 receives a request from the server device 100, or when predetermined conditions are met, it requests the wireless terminal 20 to provide the location information that the wireless terminal 20 is currently positioned in.

[0026] Each of the wireless terminals 20 is associated with either a workpiece 200, a worker 300, or a device 400, and responds with location information upon request.

[0027] The wireless terminal 20 associated with the workpiece 200 is, for example, mounted on the workpiece 200 itself or on the tray that houses the workpiece 200.

[0028] The wireless terminal 20 associated with worker 300 is embedded in a device carried by worker 300 (e.g., a tablet or smartphone) or a wearable device worn by worker 300 (e.g., smart glasses or a smartwatch).

[0029] The wireless terminal 20 associated with the device 400 is attached to any location on the device 400.

[0030] Thus, the information processing system 1 includes a wireless terminal 20 (first wireless terminal) associated with the workpiece 200 and responding with location information of the workpiece 200 (first location information), a wireless terminal 20 (second wireless terminal) associated with the device 400 and responding with location information of the device 400, and a wireless terminal 20 (third wireless terminal) associated with the worker 300 and responding with location information of the worker 300.

[0031] When the wireless base station 10 acquires the location information from the wireless terminal 20, it transmits the acquired location information to the server device 100. The server device 100 stores the location information of the wireless terminal 20 in association with time, and determines the interrelationships among the workpiece 200, the worker 300, and the device 400 based on the location information at each time. The determined interrelationship corresponds to traceability.

[0032] The method for determining the interrelationship and the expression of the determined interrelationship will be described later. <B. Hardware Configuration Example> Next, a hardware configuration example of the devices constituting the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0033] (b1: Server Device 100) FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration example of the server device 100 constituting the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment. The server device 100 is realized, for example, by executing a program using hardware (e.g., a general-purpose personal computer) according to a general-purpose architecture.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 2, the server device 100 includes a processor 102 such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro-Processing Unit), a main storage device 104, an optical drive 106, a secondary storage device 110, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) controller 112, a base station interface 114, an input unit 116, a display unit 118, and a network controller 120. These components are connected via a bus 122.

[0035] The processor 102 reads out various programs stored in the secondary storage device 110, expands them in the main storage device 104, and executes them to realize various processes as described later.

[0036] The secondary storage device 110 is composed of, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Flash Solid State Drive). Typically, the secondary storage device 110 stores a system program 1102, a data collection program 1104, a relationship determination program 1106, and an output program 1108. All or part of these programs correspond to information processing programs. The secondary storage device 110 may also store other necessary programs besides those shown in Figure 2.

[0037] Furthermore, the secondary storage device 110 stores location data sets 158 and interrelationships 160. Details of the location data sets 158 and interrelationships 160 will be described later.

[0038] The server device 100 has an optical drive 106, and a recording medium 108 (for example, an optical recording medium such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)) that stores computer-readable programs non-transiently reads the programs stored therein and installs them into a secondary storage device 110 or the like.

[0039] The various programs executed on the server device 100 may be installed via a computer-readable recording medium 108, or they may be installed by downloading them from a file server on a network. Furthermore, the functions provided by the server device 100 according to this embodiment may be implemented by utilizing some of the modules provided by the system program 1102.

[0040] The USB controller 112 is responsible for exchanging data with any information processing device via a USB connection.

[0041] The base station interface 114 is responsible for exchanging data with the wireless base station 10.

[0042] The input unit 116 consists of a keyboard, mouse, etc., and accepts user input. The display unit 118 consists of a display, various indicators, printer, etc., and outputs processing results from the processor 102.

[0043] The network controller 120 is responsible for exchanging data with any information processing device via any network.

[0044] Figure 2 shows an example configuration in which the processor 102 provides the necessary functions by executing a program. However, some or all of these provided functions may be implemented using dedicated hardware circuits (for example, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array)).

[0045] (b2: Wireless base station 10) Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a wireless base station 10 that constitutes the information processing system 1 according to this embodiment. Any wireless communication method can be used between the wireless base station 10 and the wireless terminal 20. For example, wireless LAN (Wi-Fi®), Bluetooth®, infrared communication, etc. may be used, or local 5G or private 5G may be used.

[0046] Referring to Figure 3, the wireless base station 10 includes a controller 12, a transmitting circuit 14, and a receiving circuit 16. The controller 12 selects a wireless terminal 20 in response to a request from the server device 100, transmits a request for location information, and transmits the location information received from the wireless terminal 20 to the server device 100.

[0047] The transmitting circuit 14 generates and transmits a wireless signal according to the data from the controller 12. The receiving circuit 16 decodes the wireless signal received from the wireless terminal 20 and outputs the data to the controller 12.

[0048] (b3: Wireless terminal 20) FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the wireless terminal 20 that constitutes the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment.

[0049] Referring to FIG. 4, the wireless terminal 20 includes a controller 22, a transmission circuit 24, and a reception circuit 26. The controller 22 has a positioning unit 28 and responds with position information acquired by positioning in response to a request from the wireless base station 10.

[0050] The transmission circuit 24 generates and transmits a wireless signal according to data from the controller 22. The reception circuit 26 decodes the wireless signal received from the wireless base station 10 and outputs the data to the controller 22.

[0051] The positioning unit 28 acquires the position information of the wireless terminal 20 by any method. For example, when it is possible to receive wireless signals from three or more wireless base stations 10, the positioning unit 28 calculates the position information of the wireless terminal 20 based on the reception intensity of each wireless signal, the delay time between the received wireless signals, and the like. Alternatively, when adopting local 5G, private 5G, etc., the position information may be acquired by the method provided by the 5G system. Further, the positioning unit 28 may acquire the position information using a positioning system such as GPS (Global Positioning System).

[0052] <C. Data including position information> Next, the data including the position information exchanged in the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0053] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the structure of data transmitted by the wireless terminal 20 of the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 5(A), the data may include ID information, three-dimensional position information, and time information. Referring to FIG. 5(B), the data may include ID information, two-dimensional position information, and time information. Referring to FIG. 5(C), in the data shown in FIG. 5(A), the time information may be omitted. Referring to FIG. 5(D), in the data shown in FIG. 5(B), the time information may be omitted.

[0054] As described above, as the position information, two-dimensional coordinates (latitude and longitude or XY coordinates) may be adopted, or three-dimensional coordinates including height may be adopted.

[0055] When adopting the data structure shown in FIG. 5(A) or FIG. 5(B), the wireless terminal 20 attaches the time information to the data. On the other hand, when adopting the data structures shown in FIGS. 5(C) and 5(D), the wireless base station 10 or the server device 100 may attach the time information to the received data.

[0056] Note that the data transmitted by the wireless terminal 20 is not limited to the structural example shown in FIG. 5 as long as it includes at least position information, and any structure may be adopted. For example, the data transmitted by the wireless terminal 20 may include arbitrary additional information.

[0057] <D. Example of Functional Configuration> Next, an example of the functional configuration of the server device 100 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0058] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the server device 一百 according to the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 6, the server device 100 includes, as functional components, a request generation unit 150, a position information acquisition unit 154, a data storage unit 156, an event information acquisition unit 162, a correlation determination unit 164, and an output unit 166.

[0059] The functional configuration shown in Figure 6 is typically realized by the processor 102 of the server device 100 executing the system program 1102, the data collection program 1104, the relationship determination program 1106, and the output program 1108. The data storage unit 156 may be realized using a part of the secondary storage device 110, or it may be realized using a storage area on the cloud (not shown).

[0060] The request generation unit 150 requests the wireless terminal 20 to transmit location information. More specifically, the request generation unit 150 refers to the wireless terminal management table 152 and generates a request to obtain location information from the wireless terminal 20. The wireless terminal management table 152 includes information for identifying wireless terminals 20 from which location information can be obtained, and conditions such as the period during which location information is obtained.

[0061] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the wireless terminal management table 152 shown in Figure 6. Referring to Figure 7, the wireless terminal management table 152 includes a management ID 1520, a device ID 1522, and an acquisition cycle 1524 for each wireless terminal 20.

[0062] Management ID 1520 is identification information assigned when location information is stored in the data storage unit 156. The relationship between the units is determined using Management ID 1520.

[0063] Device ID 1522 is identification information used to identify the corresponding wireless terminal 20. The wireless terminal 20 from which location information is to be acquired is determined using Device ID 1522. Each wireless terminal 20 has unique identification information, and Device ID 1522 identifies the unique identification information that each wireless terminal 20 possesses.

[0064] The acquisition period 1524 specifies the period for acquiring location information from the corresponding wireless terminal 20. In the example shown in Figure 7, there are three types of acquisition periods 1524: "short" (e.g., several tens to 1000 msec period), "standard" (e.g., 1 to several tens of seconds period), and "long" (e.g., several tens to 100 seconds period).

[0065] As shown in Figure 7, the request generation unit 150 makes requests to the wireless terminal 20 associated with the workpiece 200 or the worker 300 at a higher transmission frequency compared to the frequency of requests to the wireless terminal 20 associated with the device 400.

[0066] In other words, since the periods and frequencies of change in the positions of the workpiece 200, worker 300, and device 400 are different from each other, the period of location information collection may be optimized according to the period and frequency of change in each position. Such optimization can reduce the communication load.

[0067] Furthermore, when rearranging the production line, the period for collecting location information from the device 400 may be shortened (location information may be collected more frequently) based on information from an MES (Manufacturing Execution System) or other source not shown in the diagram. In this case, the value set in the acquisition period 1524 of the wireless terminal management table 152 may be changed as appropriate.

[0068] Referring again to Figure 6, the location information acquisition unit 154 acquires the data 50 received by the wireless base station 10 from the wireless terminal 20 and stores it in the data storage unit 156.

[0069] The data storage unit 156 stores a group of location information data 158 consisting of data 50 containing location information acquired sequentially from the wireless terminal 20, and a relationship 160 determined by analyzing the group of location information data 158.

[0070] The data storage unit 156 stores, as a group of location information data 158, first data including location information of the workpiece 200 (first location information) and time information indicating the time when the location information was acquired (first time information); second data including location information of the device 400 (second location information) and time information indicating the time when the location information was acquired (second time information); and third data including location information of the worker 300 (third location information) and time information indicating the time when the location information was acquired (third time information).

[0071] The event information acquisition unit 162 acquires event information (such as abnormal events, caution events, alarms, etc.) from a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) not shown in the figures, and stores it in the data storage unit 156. The event information acquisition unit 162 is not an essential functional component.

[0072] The correlation determination unit 164 analyzes the position information data group 158 stored in the data storage unit 156, and determines the correlations among the workpiece 200, the operator 300, and the device 400, such as information indicating which device 400 processed a specific workpiece 200 at each time, information indicating which workpiece 200 an operator 300 processed at each time, and information indicating which device 400 an operator 300 operated at each time.

[0073] The output unit 166 outputs the position information data group 158 and the correlation 160 stored in the data storage unit 156 in an arbitrary manner in response to a request from a user or the like. For example, the output unit 166 visually represents the specified correlation 160. That is, the output unit 166 may visually represent the data stored in the data storage unit 156.

[0074] <E. Determination Process of Correlation> Next, the determination process of the correlation in the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0075] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the position information data group 158 shown in FIG. 6. Referring to FIG. 8, the server device 100 receives the data transmitted from the wireless terminals 20 associated with each of the workpiece 200, the operator 300, and the device 400, and sequentially stores them.

[0076] Each of the data items 50 included in the position information data group 158 includes ID information 52, position information 54, and time information 56. As described above, the time information 56 may be assigned when the server device 100 receives the data item 50. The position information 54 may be, for example, three-dimensional values of an X coordinate, a Y coordinate, and a Z coordinate with respect to an arbitrary position.

[0077] The server device 100 may refer to the ID information 52 of the received data 50 and filter the data 50 for each source wireless terminal 20. Figure 8 shows an example of data 50 filtered for each source wireless terminal 20.

[0078] The server device 100 determines the relationships between the data 50 included in the location information data group 158. The relationships can be determined in any way, but typically, the relationships with the device 400 can be determined based on the workpiece 200 and / or worker 300.

[0079] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the relationships determined for the location information data set 158 ​​shown in Figure 8. Referring to Figure 9, let's assume that the server device 100 sequentially receives data 50-1 to 50-5 from workpiece 200-1. For each of these data 50-1 to 50-5 from workpiece 200-1, the server device 100 determines which device 400 it is related to.

[0080] For example, for data 50-1, the location information 54 is "5,10,5" and the time information 56 is "14:45:31". First, the server device 100 estimates the position of device 400 at "14:45:31" indicated by the time information 56. At this time, the server device 100 estimates the position of device 400 at that time based on the location information 54 contained in the data 50 from device 400, which was acquired before the time indicated by the time information 56 contained in the data 50 from work 200.

[0081] More specifically, the server device 100 identifies data 50-6 to 50-11 from device 400 that were acquired before the time information 56 of the target data 50-1, and determines whether the distance between the location indicated by the location information 54 contained in the identified data 50-6 to 50-11 and the location indicated by the location information 54 of data 50-1 is within a predetermined range. Here, since the probability that the locations indicated by the location information 54 will exactly match is low, it is determined whether the locations indicated by the two pieces of location information 54 are in close proximity to each other.

[0082] In the example shown in Figure 9, estimated data 50A-6 corresponding to the time information 56 contained in data 50-1 is determined based on data 50-6 acquired from device 400-1 (device A). The location information 54 contained in data 50-1 is "5,10,5", and the location information 54 contained in estimated data 50A-6 is also "5,10,5", so it can be determined that workpiece 200-1 was being processed by device 400-1 at the time "14:45:31". In other words, workpiece 200-1 and device 400-1 can be associated at the time "14:45:31".

[0083] The server device 100 performs the same processing for each of the data 50-2 to 50-5.

[0084] More specifically, based on the data 50-7 acquired from device 400-2 (device B), estimated data 50A-7 corresponding to the time information 56 contained in data 50-2 is determined, and data 50-2 and estimated data 50A-7 are associated.

[0085] Furthermore, based on the data 50-8 acquired from device 400-3 (device C), estimated data 50A-8 corresponding to the time information 56 contained in data 50-3 is determined, and data 50-3 and estimated data 50A-8 are associated.

[0086] Furthermore, based on the data 50-9 acquired from device 400-4 (device D), estimated data 50A-9 corresponding to the time information 56 contained in data 50-4 is determined, and data 50-4 and estimated data 50A-9 are associated.

[0087] Furthermore, based on the data 50-10 acquired from device 400-5 (device E), estimated data 50A-10 corresponding to the time information 56 contained in data 50-5 is determined, and data 50-5 and estimated data 50A-10 are associated.

[0088] Thus, the server device 100 associates the workpiece 200 and the device 400 for a given first time if the distance between the position of the workpiece 200 at a given time, determined or estimated based on the data 50 (first data) from the workpiece 200, and the position of the device 400 at the same first time, determined or estimated based on the data from the device 400 (second data), is within a predetermined range.

[0089] Furthermore, suppose the server device 100 receives data 50-12 from worker 300-1. The server device 100 then determines which device 400 is related to data 50-12 from worker 300-1.

[0090] For data 50-12, the location information 54 is "5,2,5" and the time information 56 is "14:46:45". First, the server device 100 estimates the location of device 400 at "14:46:45" as indicated by the time information 56. In the example shown in Figure 9, estimated data 50A-11 corresponding to the time information 56 contained in data 50-12 is determined based on data 50-11 obtained from device 400-7 (repair). Since the location information 54 contained in data 50-12 is "5,2,5" and the location information 54 contained in estimated data 50A-11 is also "5,2,5", it can be determined that worker 300-1 was working near device 400-7 at the time "14:46:45". In other words, worker 300-1 and device 400-7 are associated at the time "14:46:45".

[0091] Thus, the server device 100 associates the worker 300 and the device 400 for a given second time period if the distance between the worker 300's position at the second time period, determined or estimated based on the data 50 (third data) from the worker 300, and the device 400's position at the second time period, determined or estimated based on the data from the device 400 (second data), is within a predetermined range.

[0092] Furthermore, the server device 100 may determine which worker 300 is associated with the data 50 from the workpiece 200. In this case, the server device 100 associates the workpiece 200 and the worker 300 for the third time if the distance between the position of the workpiece 200 at the third time, determined or estimated based on the data 50 from the workpiece 200 (first data), and the position of the worker 300 at the third time, determined or estimated based on the data from the worker 300 (third data), is within a predetermined range.

[0093] Although Figure 9 shows a diagrammatic representation of the determined interrelationships, the server device 100 may store the determined interrelationships in any data structure.

[0094] By employing the process described above, the interrelationships between the workpiece 200, the worker 300, and the device 400 can be determined.

[0095] Furthermore, the threshold for determining whether or not a relationship exists between the workpiece 200, the worker 300, and the device 400 may be determined based on the occupied volume (size of space occupied) and dimensions of the workpiece 200, the worker 300, and the device 400. In this case, the threshold for determining the relationship between the workpiece 200 and the device 400 may be different from the threshold for determining the relationship between the worker 300 and the device 400.

[0096] Furthermore, the dimensions of the device 400 may be determined using CAD data of the device 400 or similar.

[0097] Figure 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure for determining interrelationships by a server device 100 according to this embodiment. Each step shown in Figure 10 is typically achieved by the processor 102 of the server device 100 executing a system program 1102, a collection program 1104, an interrelationship determination program 1106, and an output program 1108.

[0098] When the server device 100 receives data from any of the wireless terminals 20, it sequentially stores it as a group of location information data 158. At this time, the wireless terminal 20 associated with the workpiece 200 responds with location information, the wireless terminal 20 associated with the worker 300 responds with location information, and the wireless terminal 20 associated with the device 400 responds with location information.

[0099] Referring to Figure 10, the server device 100 selects the target workpiece 200 (step S2) and extracts one or more data 50 received from the selected workpiece 200 from the location information data group 158 (step S4).

[0100] Next, the server device 100 selects one of the extracted data 50 (step S6) and generates estimated data 50A for each of the devices 400 corresponding to the time information 56 of the selected data 50 (step S8). The server device 100 determines whether the distance between the position indicated by the position information 54 of the selected data 50 and the position indicated by the position information 54 of any of the generated estimated data 50A is within a predetermined range (step S10).

[0101] If the distance between the location indicated by the location information 54 of the selected data 50 and the location indicated by the location information 54 of any of the estimated data 50A is within a predetermined range (YES in step S10), the server device 100 associates the workpiece 200 corresponding to the selected data 50 with the device 400 corresponding to the target estimated data 50A for the time indicated by the time information 56 of the selected data 50 (step S12).

[0102] If there is no estimated data 50A within a predetermined range for the position indicated by the location information 54 of the selected data 50 (NO in step S10), the process in step S12 is skipped.

[0103] The server device 100 then determines whether or not all of the extracted data 50 has been selected (step S14). If there is any unselected data remaining from the extracted data 50 (NO in step S14), the process from step S6 onward is repeated.

[0104] If all of the extracted data 50 have been selected (YES in step S14), the server device 100 determines whether or not all of the workpieces 200 have been selected (step S16). If there are any unselected workpieces 200 remaining (NO in step S16), the process from step S2 onward is repeated.

[0105] If all workpieces 200 are selected (YES in step S16), the server device 100 selects the target worker 300 (step S18) and extracts one or more data points 50 received from the selected worker 300 from the location information data group 158 (step S20).

[0106] Next, the server device 100 selects one of the extracted data 50 (step S22) and generates estimated data 50A for each of the devices 400 corresponding to the time information 56 of the selected data 50 (step S24). The server device 100 determines whether the distance between the position indicated by the position information 54 of the selected data 50 and the position indicated by the position information 54 of any of the generated estimated data 50A is within a predetermined range (step S26).

[0107] If the distance between the location indicated by the location information 54 of the selected data 50 and the location indicated by the location information 54 of any of the estimated data 50A is within a predetermined range (YES in step S26), the server device 100 associates the worker 300 corresponding to the selected data 50 with the device 400 corresponding to the target estimated data 50A for the time indicated by the time information 56 of the selected data 50 (step S28).

[0108] If there is no estimated data 50A within a predetermined range for the position indicated by the location information 54 of the selected data 50 (NO in step S26), the process in step S28 is skipped.

[0109] The server device 100 then determines whether or not all of the extracted data 50 has been selected (step S30). If there is any unselected data remaining from the extracted data 50 (NO in step S30), the process from step S22 onward is repeated.

[0110] If all of the extracted data 50 have been selected (YES in step S30), the server device 100 determines whether all workers 300 have been selected (step S32). If there are still workers 300 that have not been selected (NO in step S32), the process from step S18 onwards is repeated.

[0111] If all 300 workers are selected (YES in step S32), the process ends.

[0112] Note that the determination process of the interrelationship shown in FIG. 10 may be executed when a predetermined condition is satisfied, or may be executed periodically.

[0113] Also, instead of using the workpiece 200 and / or the worker 300 as a reference, at each time, the positional relationship among the workpiece 200, the worker 300, and the apparatus 400 is determined or estimated, and based on the determined or estimated positional relationship, the interrelationship among the workpiece 200, the worker 300, and the apparatus 400 is sequentially determined. In this case, the process of determining the interrelationship may be repeated according to the time granularity (time interval) at which the interrelationship is to be determined.

[0114] <F. Output Example> Next, the determination process of the interrelationship in the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0115] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an output example of the interrelationship in the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment. The output screen 500A shown in FIG. 11 may be output from the display unit 118 of the server device 100 or the like. Referring to FIG. 11, the output screen 500A includes display objects showing the workpiece 200, the worker 300, and the apparatus 400 included in the target production line.

[0116] The output screen 500A overlays and displays the movement paths (trajectories) of a plurality of workpieces 200 within a specified time range. The output screen 500A includes a slider 530 for specifying the time range to be displayed. The user sets a start time 531 and an end time 532 for the slider 530. In the output screen 500A, the interrelationship within the set time range is visually represented.

[0117] More specifically, the movement paths 510 of each workpiece 200 are displayed based on the location information 54 contained in the data 50 from one or more workpieces 200. In addition, the movement paths 520, 521 of each worker 300 are displayed based on the location information 54 contained in the data 50 from the worker 300.

[0118] Furthermore, if the position of the device 400 has changed based on the position information 54 included in the data 50 from the device 400, a movement path indicating the change in position may be displayed.

[0119] In this way, the server device 100 visually represents the movement path of the workpiece 200 by associating it with a display object representing the device 400. Furthermore, the server device 100 visually represents the movement path of the worker 300 by associating it with a display object representing the device 400.

[0120] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the interrelationship output in the information processing system 1 according to this embodiment. In the output screen 500B shown in Figure 12, the movement path 511 of a specified workpiece 200 is displayed. Output screen 500B shows an example of a workpiece 200 that was produced successfully.

[0121] The output screen 500B includes a selection window 540 for selecting a workpiece 200 from a list of workpieces 200 whose location information has been acquired. The user selects the workpiece 200 to be displayed from the list of workpieces 200 displayed in the selection window 540. Then, the movement path 511 of the selected workpiece 200 is displayed.

[0122] In this way, based on the time information 56 contained in the data 50 from the workpiece 200, the positional relationship between the workpiece 200, the worker 300, and the equipment 400 can be visually represented to show the process by which the workpiece 200 was produced. Traceability can be achieved by showing the movement path of the workpiece 200 on a time axis based on the workpiece 200. In other words, the information necessary for traceability of the workpiece 200 can be generated. Furthermore, by visually representing the generated traceability information, the status of the production line can be easily grasped.

[0123] In this case, if the device 400 is located within a predetermined range from the workpiece 200 at the same time, it can be determined that the workpiece 200 was processed by the device 400. In other words, once the relationship between the workpiece 200 and the device 400 is determined, it is possible to extract, based on that relationship, which device 400 processed the workpiece 200 at which time.

[0124] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram showing yet another example of the interrelationship output in the information processing system 1 according to this embodiment. Figure 13 shows an example screen when focusing on the workpiece 200 that has been processed in the repair process for some reason.

[0125] More specifically, the output screen 500C shown in Figure 13(A) displays the movement path 511 of a specific workpiece 200 that was processed in the repair process. In other words, the output screen 500C displays the movement path (trajectory) only of workpieces that were processed in the selected repair process.

[0126] Furthermore, in the output screen 500D shown in Figure 13(B), in addition to the movement path 511 of the specific workpiece 200 processed in the repair process, the movement path 522 of the worker 300 is also displayed. In other words, the output screen 500D displays the worker 300 that intersects with the workpiece 200 processed in the selected repair process.

[0127] In this example, during the repair process, worker 300 is present near workpiece 200, and it can be determined that worker 300 performed the repair workpiece 200.

[0128] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram showing yet another example of the interrelationship output in the information processing system 1 according to this embodiment. Figure 14 shows an example of a workpiece 200 that, for some reason, was not processed in its original process.

[0129] More specifically, in the output screen 500E shown in Figure 14(A), the movement path 514 of the workpiece 200 processed in the original process is displayed. On the other hand, in the output screen 500F shown in Figure 14(B), the movement path 515 of the workpiece 200 processed in the repair process is displayed. By evaluating the determined interrelationships for the displayed workpiece 200, it can be seen that the interrelationship with device C has not been determined. In this case, it can be determined that the workpiece 200 has not been processed by device C, so the output screen 500F may also display a warning message 550 indicating that the displayed workpiece 200 has not passed through device C. Thus, the server device 100 may output a warning message 550 indicating the unassociated device when device 400 is not associated with the workpiece 200.

[0130] Furthermore, the output screen 500F displays the movement route 523 of worker 300.

[0131] In this way, it is possible to identify workpieces 200 that have not been processed properly in relation to the movement path (trajectory) of normally produced workpieces 200. Although the output screen 500F may be displayed retrospectively, processing the data 50 each time it is collected allows for the generation of information necessary for traceability in virtually real time. By employing such real-time processing, for example, it is possible to continuously monitor for human errors (failure to process workpieces properly) in the repair process and to immediately notify the system if a human error occurs.

[0132] <G. Variation Example> Next, some variation examples of the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0133] (g1: Event Information) Event information (abnormal event, caution event, alarm, etc.) may be acquired from the PLC that controls the device 400 and associated with the position information data group 158 (data 50). The associated event information may be visually represented together with the movement route.

[0134] FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing yet another output example of the interrelationship in the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment. In the output screen 500G shown in FIG. 15, information on events occurring in the device 400 may be displayed.

[0135] For example, when the workpieces 200 are being processed by the respective devices 400, an event display object 552 indicating the occurrence of event information generated in the processing device 400 may be displayed near the display object indicating the corresponding device 400. By selecting the event display object 552, details of the corresponding event information may be displayed.

[0136] By displaying such an event display object 552, the event information generated in the device 400 can be associated and analyzed.

[0137] (g2: Management Shell) The position information data group collected by the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment and the interrelationship determined by analyzing the position information data group may be managed by a management shell defined in Industry 4.0.

[0138] In this case, additional information may be associated with each of the workpiece 200, the worker 300, and the device 400 with respect to the position information data group and the interrelationship.

[0139] For example, additional information of the workpiece 200 includes information such as the components it contains. Additional information of the operator 300 includes qualifications, department, experience, etc. that the operator has. Additional information of the device 400 includes dimensions (length, width, height), functions (what kind of processing each device executes), profiles (installation date and maintenance execution date), etc.

[0140] (g3: Management of the arrangement direction and inclination of the device) In the above description, an example in which the wireless terminal 20 is attached to each of the workpiece 200, the operator 300, and the device 400 has been shown. However, in order to manage the arrangement direction, inclination, etc. of the device 400, a plurality of wireless terminals 20 may be attached to one device 400. In this case, based on the position information from the plurality of wireless terminals 20 attached to the same device 400, it is possible to measure in which direction the device 400 is arranged and how much it is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction.

[0141] <H. Supplementary Note> The present embodiment as described above includes the following technical ideas.

[0142] [Configuration 1] An information processing system (1) for managing information on a production line, an information processing device (100), a first wireless terminal (20) associated with a workpiece (200) and responding with first position information (54), and a second wireless terminal (20) associated with a device (400) and responding with second position information (54). The information processing device a data storage unit (156) that stores a first data (50) including the first position information and first time information (56) indicating the time when the first position information was acquired, and a second data (50) including the second position information and second time information (56) indicating the time when the second position information was acquired, An information processing system comprising a relationship determination unit (164) that associates the workpiece and the device for the first time if the distance between the position of the workpiece at a first time, determined or estimated based on the first data, and the position of the device at the first time, determined or estimated based on the second data, is within a predetermined range.

[0143] [Configuration 2] The system further includes a third wireless terminal (20) associated with a worker (300) that responds with third location information (54), The data storage unit further stores third data (50) which includes the third location information and third time information (56) indicating the time when the third location information was acquired. The information processing system according to Configuration 1, wherein the relationship determination unit associates the worker and the device for the second time if the distance between the worker's position at the second time, determined or estimated based on the third data, and the device's position at the second time, determined or estimated based on the second data, is within a predetermined range.

[0144] [Configuration 3] The information processing system according to configuration 1 or 2, wherein the relationship determination unit estimates the position of the device at the first time based on second position information contained in second data acquired before the first time.

[0145] [Structure 4] The information processing system according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, further comprising an output unit (166) that visually represents the data stored in the data storage unit.

[0146] [Composition 5] The information processing system according to configuration 4, wherein the output unit visually represents the movement path of the workpiece in association with a display object representing the device.

[0147] [Composition 6] The information processing system according to configuration 4 or 5, wherein the output unit visually represents the worker's movement path in association with a display object indicating the device.

[0148] [Composition 7] The information processing system according to any one of configurations 4 to 6, wherein the output unit outputs a warning display indicating the unassociated device when the device is not associated with the workpiece.

[0149] [Structure 8] The information processing device further includes a request generation unit (150) that requests the first wireless terminal and the second wireless terminal to transmit location information. The information processing system according to any one of configurations 1 to 7, wherein the request generation unit makes requests to the first wireless terminal at a higher transmission frequency compared to the frequency of requests to the second wireless terminal.

[0150] [Composition 9] An information processing device (100) that constitutes an information processing system (1) for managing information on a production line, the information processing system comprises a first wireless terminal (20) associated with a workpiece (200) and responding with first location information (54), and a second wireless terminal (20) associated with a device (400) and responding with second location information (54), The aforementioned information processing device is A data storage unit that stores first data (50) including the first location information and first time information (56) indicating the time when the first location information was acquired, and second data (50) including the second location information and second time information (56) indicating the time when the second location information was acquired, An information processing device comprising: a relationship determination unit (164) that associates the workpiece and the device for the first time if the distance between the position of the workpiece at the first time, determined or estimated based on the first data, and the position of the device at the first time, determined or estimated based on the second data, is within a predetermined range.

[0151] [Configuration 10] An information processing method for managing information on a production line, comprising: a step in which a first wireless terminal (20) associated with a workpiece (200) responds with first position information (54); a step in which a second wireless terminal (20) associated with a device (400) responds with second position information (54); a step of storing first data (50) including the first position information and first time information indicating the time when the first position information was acquired, and second data (50) including the second position information and second time information indicating the time when the second position information was acquired; if the distance between the position of the workpiece at the first time determined or estimated based on the first data and the position of the device at the first time determined or estimated based on the second data is within a predetermined range, associating the workpiece and the device with respect to the first time (steps S10, S12). An information processing method.

[0152] <I. Advantages> The information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment can collect the movement paths of each of the workpiece 200, the worker 300, and the device 400, and the mutual relationship between the workpiece 200, the worker 300, and the device 400. As a result, the production status on the production line can be reproduced. Since the production status can be reproduced from both the time and space aspects, traceability can be realized even in a flexible production line.

[0153] By using such traceability, when a problem such as quality occurs in the produced product, it is possible to facilitate investigating the cause of the problem or identifying products in which the same problem has occurred. It is also possible to identify the worker 300 who processed the corresponding workpiece 200.

[0154] For example, if workpiece 200 undergoes an unusual process, such as a repair process, the worker 300 who performed the process can be identified, and the subsequent processing (for example, whether it was inspected by an inspection machine) can also be confirmed.

[0155] Furthermore, visually representing the movement paths of the workpiece 200, the worker 300, and the device 400, as well as the interrelationships between the workpiece 200, the worker 300, and the device 400, makes identification during analysis easier.

[0156] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are intended to be included. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0157] 1 Information processing system, 10 Wireless base station, 12,22 Controller, 14,24 Transmitting circuit, 16,26 Receiving circuit, 20 Wireless terminal, 28 Positioning unit, 50 Data, 50A Estimated data, 52 ID information, 54 Location information, 56 Time information, 100 Server device, 102 Processor, 104 Main memory, 106 Optical drive, 108 Recording medium, 110 Secondary memory, 112 USB controller, 114 Base station interface, 116 Input unit, 118 Display unit, 120 Network controller, 122 Bus, 150 Request generation unit, 152 Wireless terminal management table, 154 Location information acquisition unit, 156 Data storage unit, 158 Location information data group, 160 Interrelationship, 162 Event information acquisition unit, 164 Interrelationship determination unit, 166 Output unit, 200 Work, 300 Worker, 400 Device, 500A, 500B, 500C, 500D, 500E, 500F, 500G Output screen, 510, 511, 514, 515, 520, 521, 522, 523 Movement path, 530 Slider, 531 Start time, 532 End time, 540 Selection window, 550 Warning display, 552 Event display object, 1102 System program, 1104 Collection program, 1106 Interrelationship determination program, 1108 Output program, 1520 Management ID, 1522 Device ID, 1524 Acquisition cycle.

Claims

1. An information processing system for managing information on a production line, Information processing equipment and A first wireless terminal associated with a workpiece that responds with first location information, The device comprises a second wireless terminal associated with the device that responds with second location information, The aforementioned information processing device is A data storage unit that stores first data including the first location information and first time information indicating the time when the first location information was acquired, and second data including the second location information and second time information indicating the time when the second location information was acquired, If the distance between the position of the workpiece at a first time, determined or estimated based on the first data, and the position of the device at a first time, determined or estimated based on the second data, is within a predetermined range, then, for the first time, a relationship determination unit that associates the workpiece and the device, The system comprises a request generation unit that requests the first wireless terminal and the second wireless terminal to transmit location information, The request generation unit makes requests to the first wireless terminal at a higher transmission frequency compared to the frequency of requests to the second wireless terminal. The relationship determination unit is an information processing system that estimates the position of the device at the first time based on second position information contained in second data acquired before the first time.

2. The system further includes a third wireless terminal associated with the worker that responds with a third location information, The data storage unit further stores third data, which includes the third location information and third time information indicating the time when the third location information was acquired. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the relationship determination unit associates the worker and the device for the second time if the distance between the worker's position at the second time, determined or estimated based on the third data, and the device's position at the second time, determined or estimated based on the second data, is within a predetermined range.

3. The information processing system according to claim 2, further comprising an output unit that visually represents the data stored in the data storage unit.

4. The information processing system according to claim 3, wherein the output unit visually represents the movement path of the workpiece in association with a display object representing the device.

5. The information processing system according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the output unit visually represents the worker's movement path in association with a display object indicating the device.

6. The information processing system according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the output unit outputs a warning display indicating the unassociated device when the device is not associated with the workpiece.

7. An information processing device comprising an information processing system for managing information on a production line, the information processing system comprising a first wireless terminal associated with a workpiece and responding with first location information, and a second wireless terminal associated with a device and responding with second location information, The aforementioned information processing device is A data storage unit that stores first data including the first location information and first time information indicating the time when the first location information was acquired, and second data including the second location information and second time information indicating the time when the second location information was acquired, If the distance between the position of the workpiece at a first time, determined or estimated based on the first data, and the position of the device at a first time, determined or estimated based on the second data, is within a predetermined range, then, for the first time, a relationship determination unit that associates the workpiece and the device, The system comprises a request generation unit that requests the first wireless terminal and the second wireless terminal to transmit location information, The request generation unit makes requests to the first wireless terminal at a higher transmission frequency compared to the frequency of requests to the second wireless terminal. The relationship determination unit is an information processing device that estimates the position of the device at the first time based on second position information contained in second data acquired before the first time.

8. An information processing method for managing information on a production line, A first wireless terminal associated with the workpiece responds with first location information, The steps include: a second wireless terminal associated with the device responds with second location information; A step of storing first data including the first location information and first time information indicating the time when the first location information was acquired, and second data including the second location information and second time information indicating the time when the second location information was acquired, If the distance between the position of the workpiece at a first time, determined or estimated based on the first data, and the position of the device at a first time, determined or estimated based on the second data, is within a predetermined range, then the steps of associating the workpiece and the device for the first time are performed. The process includes the step of requesting the first wireless terminal and the second wireless terminal to transmit location information, In the step of making the request, a request is made to the first wireless terminal at a higher transmission frequency compared to the frequency of requests to the second wireless terminal. An information processing method that, in the association step, estimates the position of the device at the first time based on second position information contained in second data acquired before the first time.

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