Data management system

Abstract

This data management system, which manages a plurality of types of manufacturing data related to production and acquired from a plurality of manufacturing processes, comprises: an acquisition unit that acquires user information related to a user; and a provision unit that provides, to the user, a type of manufacturing data corresponding to the acquired user information, from among the plurality of types of manufacturing data. When first user information is acquired, the provision unit provides a first type of manufacturing data from among the plurality of types of manufacturing data, whereas when second user information different from the first user information is acquired, the provision unit provides a second type of manufacturing data different from the first type of manufacturing data from among the plurality of manufacturing data.

Description

Data Management System

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a data management system that manages multiple types of manufacturing data acquired from multiple manufacturing processes.

[0002] Patent Literature 1 discloses a production management system that manages the production status of a manufacturing line equipped with multiple production facilities. The production management system includes multiple information providing devices that provide operation information to users. The production management system determines the range of operation information that each information providing device can acquire using input identification information and device-specific information that indicates which of the multiple information providing devices the information providing device is associated with.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-204273

[0004] In the above-described technology, the scope of the operation information is determined using the identification information and the device-specific information, but the situation where multiple types of manufacturing data related to manufacturing acquired from multiple manufacturing processes are managed is not taken into consideration.

[0005] This specification provides a technology that can provide an appropriate type of manufacturing data in a situation where multiple types of manufacturing data are managed.

[0006] A first aspect of the technology disclosed in this specification is a data management system that manages multiple types of manufacturing data related to manufacturing acquired from multiple manufacturing processes, and includes an acquisition unit that acquires user information related to a user, and a provision unit that provides, to the user, a type of manufacturing data from the multiple types of manufacturing data that corresponds to the acquired user information, wherein the provision unit provides, when first user information is acquired, first type of manufacturing data from the multiple types of manufacturing data, and, when second user information different from the first user information is acquired, provides, when second user information different from the first user information, second type of manufacturing data from the multiple types of manufacturing data that is different from the first type of manufacturing data.

[0007] According to this configuration, among the multiple types of manufacturing data, it is possible to provide the type of manufacturing data corresponding to the acquired user information, thereby making it possible to provide the type of manufacturing data appropriate for the user in a situation where multiple types of manufacturing data are managed.

[0008] A second form of the technology disclosed in this specification may be such that, in the first form, the user information includes attribute information representing attributes of the user, the first user information includes first attribute information, and the second user information includes second attribute information different from the first attribute information.

[0009] According to this configuration, it is possible to provide the type of manufacturing data according to the attributes of the user.

[0010] A third form of the technology disclosed in this specification is such that, in the first or second form, the acquisition unit acquires the user information from a user terminal used by the user, the user information includes terminal information related to the user terminal, the first user information includes first terminal information, and the second user information includes second terminal information different from the first terminal information.

[0011] According to this configuration, it is possible to provide the type of manufacturing data that corresponds to the user terminal used by the user.

[0012] A fourth form of the technology disclosed in this specification may be any one of the first to third forms, wherein the user information includes location information related to a location of the user, the first user information includes first location information, and the second user information includes second location information different from the first location information.

[0013] According to this configuration, it is possible to provide the type of manufacturing data according to the user's location.

[0014] A fifth form of the technology disclosed in this specification is such that, in the fourth form described above, if the location of the user associated with the acquired location information is not located at one or more manufacturing bases where the multiple manufacturing processes are located, neither the first type of manufacturing data nor the second type of manufacturing data needs to be provided.

[0015] According to this configuration, it is possible to provide the type of manufacturing data according to the user's location.

[0016] A sixth form of the technology disclosed in this specification is any one of the first to fifth forms above, wherein the user information includes an IP address of a user terminal used by the user, and when a specific IP address used in a VPN is obtained, the providing unit provides third type of manufacturing data different from the first type of manufacturing data and the second type of manufacturing data, and the third type of manufacturing data may have a smaller data size than the first type of manufacturing data and the second type of manufacturing data.

[0017] According to this configuration, it is possible to provide a user terminal that communicates via a VPN with manufacturing data of a type appropriate to the user terminal.

[0018] A seventh form of the technology disclosed in this specification is such that, in any one of the first to sixth forms above, the providing unit displays on the display unit a specific screen image including a plurality of manufacturing data images representing the plurality of types of manufacturing data, and displays on the display unit a first manufacturing data image selected from the specific screen image by a selection operation by the user, and does not display on the display unit a second manufacturing data image not selected by the selection operation.

[0019] In this configuration, while a specific screen image is being displayed, a second manufacturing data image that is not selected by the user among the plurality of manufacturing data images included in the specific screen image is not displayed. By not displaying the manufacturing data images that the user has not selected, even if a third party other than the user views the specific screen image, it is possible to prevent all of the plurality of manufacturing data images from being viewed by the third party.

[0020] An eighth form of the technology disclosed in this specification is, in any one of the first to seventh forms above, wherein the data management system further includes an allowing unit that allows the user to log in to the data management system using the acquired user information, the acquiring unit being capable of acquiring the user information from a plurality of communication devices including a first communication device and a second communication device, the allowing unit allowing the login to the data management system using the first user information when the first user information is acquired from the first communication device, the providing unit providing the first type of manufacturing data to the first communication device when the first user information is acquired from the first communication device, the allowing unit not allowing the login to the data management system using the first user information when the first user information is acquired from the second communication device while the user is logged in to the data management system using the first user information, and the providing unit not providing the first type of manufacturing data to the second communication device when the first user information is acquired from the second communication device while the user is logged in to the data management system using the first user information.

[0021] According to this configuration, when two communication devices attempt to log in using the same user information, it is possible to allow the login from one communication device and reject the login from the other communication device, thereby preventing a third party who has obtained the first user information from logging in to the data management system.

[0022] A ninth form of the technology disclosed in this specification is any one of the first to eighth forms above, wherein the data management system further includes a storage control unit that stores the multiple types of manufacturing data in a storage unit, and the providing unit provides the first type of manufacturing data when first user information is acquired and it is within a predetermined period of time since the first type of manufacturing data was stored in the storage unit, and the providing unit may not provide the first type of manufacturing data when first user information is acquired and it is after the predetermined period of time has elapsed since the first type of manufacturing data was stored in the storage unit.

[0023] This configuration makes it possible to prevent manufacturing data that has been stored for a long time from being provided, thereby preventing all stored manufacturing data from being leaked.

[0024] A tenth aspect of the technology disclosed in this specification is any one of the first to ninth aspects, wherein the first type of manufacturing data and the second type of manufacturing data are data acquired from a specific manufacturing process among the plurality of manufacturing processes.

[0025] According to this configuration, when multiple types of manufacturing data are acquired from the same manufacturing process, the type of manufacturing data to be provided can be identified according to the user information.

[0026] An eleventh form of the technology disclosed in this specification is any one of the first to tenth forms, wherein the providing unit displays a manufacturing data image representing the manufacturing data on the display unit, displays an initial screen on the display unit for displaying the manufacturing data image on the display unit, and when the first user information is acquired, displays a first initial screen on the display unit for displaying a first type of manufacturing data image representing the first type of manufacturing data on the display unit, and when the second user information is acquired, displays a second initial screen on the display unit for displaying a second type of manufacturing data image representing the second type of manufacturing data, the second initial screen being different from the first initial screen.

[0027] This configuration allows different users to use different initial screens.

[0028] A twelfth form of the technology disclosed in this specification, in any one of the first to eleventh forms above, further includes a receiving unit that receives input of a comment associated with the first type of manufacturing data, and the providing unit may provide the first type of manufacturing data and the comment associated with the first type of manufacturing data when the first user information is acquired.

[0029] According to this configuration, for example, when a worker at a manufacturing process site inputs a comment on the first type of manufacturing data, the user can obtain the comment input by the worker along with the first type of manufacturing data, which eliminates the need for the worker to individually convey the on-site comments on the first type of manufacturing data to the user.

[0030] A thirteenth form of the technology disclosed in this specification is the twelfth form, wherein when input of the comment associated with the first type of manufacturing data is accepted, the providing unit may further provide fourth type of manufacturing data obtained from a specific manufacturing process from among the plurality of manufacturing processes from which the first type of manufacturing data was acquired, and the comment.

[0031] According to this configuration, by having an operator of a specific manufacturing process input a comment to one type of manufacturing data among multiple types of manufacturing data obtained from the specific manufacturing process, the user can also provide a comment when obtaining a different type of manufacturing data.

[0032] A fourteenth form of the technology disclosed in this specification is such that, in the twelfth or thirteenth form, the receiving unit further receives comment information representing attributes of the comment, and the providing unit uses the comment information to determine whether or not to provide the comment, and if the first user information is acquired, the first type of manufacturing data and the comment are provided, and if third user information different from the first user information is acquired, the first type of manufacturing data is provided and the comment is not provided.

[0033] According to this configuration, it is possible to change whether or not to provide a comment depending on the user information.

[0034] A fifteenth form of the technology disclosed in this specification is any one of the first to fourteenth forms above, wherein the first user information includes identification information and a password of the first user, the acquisition unit further acquires authentication information read from the authentication target, and the provision unit provides the first type of manufacturing data when the first user information is acquired and the first authentication information is read, and does not need to provide the first type of manufacturing data when the first user information is acquired and second authentication information different from the first authentication information is read.

[0035] According to this configuration, whether or not to provide manufacturing data can be determined by double authentication, thereby improving the security of the data management system.

[0036] A sixteenth form of the technology disclosed in this specification is any one of the first to fourteenth forms, wherein the data management system further includes a process control terminal that manages the plurality of manufacturing processes and a user terminal, and the plurality of types of manufacturing data may include collected manufacturing data collected by the process control terminal from manufacturing equipment of the plurality of manufacturing processes and input manufacturing data input by the user to the user terminal.

[0037] According to this configuration, in addition to collected manufacturing data collected by the manufacturing equipment, input manufacturing data input by the user can be used as manufacturing data, thereby making it possible to use data that cannot be collected from the manufacturing equipment as input manufacturing data.

[0038] A seventeenth aspect of the technology disclosed in this specification is a data management system. The data management system manages multiple types of manufacturing data related to manufacturing acquired from multiple manufacturing processes. The data management system includes a server and a user terminal. The server includes an acquisition unit that acquires user information related to a user from the user terminal, and a provision unit that provides, to the user terminal, a type of manufacturing data from the multiple types of manufacturing data that corresponds to the acquired user information. When first user information is acquired, the provision unit provides first type of manufacturing data from the multiple types of manufacturing data. When second user information different from the first user information is acquired, the provision unit provides second type of manufacturing data from the multiple types of manufacturing data that is different from the first type of manufacturing data.

[0039] According to this configuration, among the multiple types of manufacturing data, it is possible to provide the type of manufacturing data corresponding to the acquired user information, thereby making it possible to provide the type of manufacturing data appropriate for the user in a situation where multiple types of manufacturing data are managed.

[0040] 1 shows a schematic diagram of a data management system according to a first embodiment; 2 shows a configuration block diagram of a main server and a base server according to a first embodiment; 3 shows a sequence diagram of data storage processing according to a first embodiment; 4 shows a flowchart of initial screen supply processing by a base server according to a first embodiment; 5 shows a flowchart of data provision processing by a base server according to a first embodiment; 6 shows a flowchart of main data management processing according to a first embodiment; 7 shows an initial screen image according to a first embodiment; 8 shows a state in which all manufacturing data images are displayed according to a first embodiment; 9 shows a state in which an enlarged screen of manufacturing data selected by a user is displayed according to a first embodiment; 10 shows a state in which comments are displayed on the enlarged screen according to a first embodiment; 11 shows a state in which all manufacturing data images are displayed according to another embodiment; 12 shows a state in which a manufacturing data image selected by a user from specific screen images according to another embodiment is displayed; 13 shows a schematic diagram of a data management system according to a second embodiment;

[0041] (First Example) (Configuration of Data Management System) As shown in FIG. 1 , the data management system 2 is used to manage, for example, multiple types of manufacturing data acquired from one or more manufacturing processes located at multiple manufacturing bases 4 and 6. The data management system 2 stores the multiple types of acquired manufacturing data therein and provides the user with the type of manufacturing data requested by the user. By limiting the types of manufacturing data that can be provided based on the user's attributes, the necessary type of manufacturing data is provided to the user while preventing the provision of more manufacturing data than necessary, thereby preventing the leakage of manufacturing data. The above configuration is an example of a configuration in which, when the data management system acquires first user information, it provides first type of manufacturing data from among the multiple types of manufacturing data, and, when it acquires second user information different from the first user information, it provides second type of manufacturing data from among the multiple types of manufacturing data that is different from the first type of manufacturing data.

[0042] The data management system 2 includes a main server 10, multiple base servers 12, 14, and a backup server 16. The main server 10 is installed by an administrator of the data management system 2. The main server 10 may be located, for example, at one of the multiple manufacturing bases 4, 6. The main server 10 is communicatively connected to each of the multiple base servers 12, 14 and the backup server 16 via a wired communication network.

[0043] Each of the multiple base servers 12, 14 is installed for each of the multiple manufacturing bases 4, 6. Each of the multiple base servers 12, 14 may be installed within the corresponding one of the multiple manufacturing bases 4, 6, or may be installed outside the manufacturing base. The base server 12 manages manufacturing data acquired from the manufacturing base 4. The multiple manufacturing bases 4, 6 are installed in locations geographically separated from each other. For example, the manufacturing base 4 is installed in Japan, and the manufacturing base 6 is installed in a foreign country such as the United States. The multiple manufacturing bases 4, 6 may also be installed adjacent to each other.

[0044] The manufacturing base 4 is equipped with multiple manufacturing processes 20, 22 and process management terminals 24, 26 for managing the multiple manufacturing processes 20, 22. The manufacturing processes 20, 22 execute at least some of the manufacturing procedures, from raw materials to the production of a product. For example, when manufacturing a glass product from glass raw materials, the manufacturing procedures include blending the raw materials, melting them in a melting furnace such as a kiln, shaping the molten glass, and processing the shaped glass, such as cutting and firing. For example, the manufacturing process 20 is a melting process for melting the raw materials, and the manufacturing process 22 is a shaping process for shaping the glass. In a modified example, the manufacturing processes 20, 22 may correspond to each product. That is, the manufacturing process 20 may include processes from melting the raw materials, shaping the molten glass, and processing the shaped glass. The scope of each manufacturing process 20, 22 may be appropriately set by the administrator of the data management system 2.

[0045] The process control terminal 24 acquires multiple types of manufacturing data obtained from the manufacturing process 20 and transmits it to the base server 12 and the main server 10. Similar to the process control terminal 24, the process control terminal 26 acquires multiple types of manufacturing data obtained from the manufacturing process 22 and transmits it to the base server 12 and the main server 10. The process control terminals 24, 26 each have at least a CPU and a memory. The CPU of the process control terminals 24, 26 executes processing in accordance with a computer program stored in the memory. The process control terminals 24, 26 may be computers built into the manufacturing equipment, or may be terminal devices such as computer terminals communicably connected to the manufacturing equipment.

[0046] At least one manufacturing process and at least one process management terminal are arranged at each of the manufacturing bases 4 and 6.

[0047] The data management system 2 provides manufacturing data to user terminals 30, 32. The user terminals 30, 32 are communication terminals used by users, such as desktop computers, notebook computers, smartphones, tablets, and other mobile terminals. The user terminals 30, 32 include at least a CPU, memory, a display unit, and an operation unit. The CPU executes processing in accordance with a computer program stored in the memory. The display unit includes a display such as a liquid crystal display. The operation unit includes a keyboard and a mouse. The user terminals 30, 32 may also include a touch panel that functions as a display unit and an operation unit.

[0048] The user terminals 30, 32 can communicate with the data management system 2 from either inside or outside the multiple manufacturing bases 4, 6. Regarding the distinction between whether the user terminals 30, 32 are located inside or outside the manufacturing bases 4, 6, if the user terminal 32 is located within a network constructed as a local area network, such as a wireless LAN (abbreviation for Local Area Network) or a wired LAN, the user terminal 32 is determined to be located inside the manufacturing bases 4, 6. On the other hand, if the user terminal 30 is not located within a network constructed as a local area network, the user terminal 30 is determined to be located outside the manufacturing bases 4, 6. When a user terminal 30 located outside the multiple manufacturing bases 4, 6 communicates with the data management system 2, it is communicatively connected to the main server 10. On the other hand, when a user terminal 32 located inside the manufacturing base 4 communicates with the data management system 2, it is communicatively connected to the base server 12 of the manufacturing base 4. In a modified example, regardless of the location of the user terminals 30 and 32, they may be communicatively connected to the main server 10 or to any one of the multiple base servers 12 and 14.

[0049] The backup server 16 is connected to the main server 10 so as to be able to communicate with it. The backup server 16 has the same configuration as the main server 10. The backup server 16 stores the same manufacturing data as that stored in the main server 10. If an abnormality occurs in the main server 10, the backup server 16 takes over from the main server 10 and executes the same processing as the main server 10.

[0050] (Configuration of Main Server and Base Server) As shown in FIG. 2, the main server 10 includes a control unit 40, a storage unit 42, and a communication unit 44. The control unit 40 includes a CPU and a memory. The memory, like the CPU, is mounted on a circuit board, along with ROM, RAM, and other memory components. The CPU executes processing in accordance with computer programs stored in the memory. The storage unit 42 is a large-capacity recording medium such as a hard disk drive. The communication unit 44 includes a communication interface that is connected to wired and wireless communication networks (e.g., Wi-Fi). The storage unit 42 and communication unit 44 are connected to the control unit 40 via wiring (not shown) and are controlled by the control unit 40.

[0051] The base servers 12, 14 have the same configuration. The base servers 12, 14 each have the same configuration as the main server 10. The base server 12 includes a control unit 50, a storage unit 52, and a communication unit 54. The control unit 50 has the same configuration as the control unit 40. The storage unit 52 has the same configuration as the storage unit 42. The storage capacity of the storage unit 52 may be smaller than the storage capacity of the storage unit 42. The communication unit 54 includes the same communication interface as the communication unit 44. The storage unit 52 and the communication unit 54 are connected to the control unit 50 by wiring (not shown) and are controlled by the control unit 50.

[0052] 3, a data storage process will be described in which manufacturing data from a plurality of manufacturing bases 4 and 6 is stored in the base servers 12 and 14, the main server 10, and the backup server 16. In FIG. 3, a case will be described in which manufacturing data obtained from the manufacturing process 20 at the manufacturing base 4 is stored in each of the servers 12, 10, and 16.

[0053] The process control terminal 24 acquires manufacturing data from the manufacturing process 20 from various detection devices installed in the manufacturing equipment of the manufacturing process 20. In the manufacturing process 20, which is a melting process, the manufacturing data includes temperature data obtained from temperature detection devices installed at multiple locations within the melting furnace, temperature data obtained from temperature detection devices installed in pipes connected to the melting furnace, and image data (e.g., still image data and video data of the melting furnace interior) obtained from image capture devices installed at multiple locations within the melting furnace. For example, in the manufacturing process 20, if six temperature detection devices and four image capture devices are installed as detection devices in the manufacturing equipment, 10 types of manufacturing data are obtained from each detection device. The number of types of manufacturing data corresponds to the number of detection devices. The various types of manufacturing data are continuously acquired while the manufacturing process 20 is operating. Therefore, the various types of manufacturing data are an intermittent series of data that represent changes over time in the manufacturing process 20. Therefore, the number of types of manufacturing data can be said to be the number of types of intermittent series of data. In this embodiment, the number of detection devices is the same as the number of types of intermittent series of data. However, for example, when a series of data is continuously acquired while changing the detection device over time (for example, when a series of data is acquired while changing multiple imaging devices at different positions over time), the number of detection devices may be greater than the number of types of the intermittent series of data. In this case, the number of types of manufacturing data may be the same as the number of types of the intermittent series of data.

[0054] The process control terminal 24 acquires manufacturing data obtained from multiple detection devices. The process control terminal 24 acquires manufacturing data at the same time intervals regardless of the type of manufacturing data. In a modified example, the process control terminal 24 may acquire manufacturing data at different times depending on the type of manufacturing data. For example, the process control terminal 24 may acquire manufacturing data at the timing (e.g., unequal intervals) at which manufacturing data is obtained by each detection device in the manufacturing process.

[0055] An operator can manually set at least one of a plurality of manufacturing conditions (e.g., the temperature in the melting furnace, the liquid level, etc.) in the manufacturing process 20 using the process control terminal 24. In this case, the process control terminal 24 intermittently acquires the set manufacturing conditions as manufacturing data, regardless of the detection device.

[0056] The process control terminal 24 transmits the acquired manufacturing data to the base server 12 (S2). When the control unit 50 of the base server 12 receives the manufacturing data from the process control terminal 24, it stores the data in the storage unit 52 (S3). In S3, the control unit 50 stores the restriction conditions in combination with the manufacturing data. The restriction conditions are used to determine whether the combined and stored manufacturing data should be provided by the data management system 2. For example, the restriction conditions include process information that permits or prohibits the provision of the manufacturing data. The restriction conditions include time information indicating the time when the manufacturing data was stored. The restriction conditions are combined with type information indicating the type of manufacturing data and are pre-stored in the storage unit 52. The restriction conditions are determined according to the type of manufacturing data. Therefore, the restriction conditions may match or differ depending on the type of manufacturing data. When multiple types of manufacturing data are acquired from one manufacturing process, a restriction condition is assigned to each type. Therefore, even for manufacturing data acquired from one manufacturing process, the restriction conditions may differ depending on the type of manufacturing data.

[0057] The process information includes attribute information that represents the attributes of the user. The attribute information includes the user's rank, responsibilities, work location, manufacturing base, department, etc. within the organization. For example, relatively confidential manufacturing data may be permitted to be provided to users with higher ranks and prohibited from being provided to other users. In this case, the attribute information includes the ranks to which the data is permitted to be provided. The above configuration is an example of a configuration in which, when the data management system acquires first user information including first attribute information, it provides first type of manufacturing data from among multiple types of manufacturing data, and, when it acquires second user information including second attribute information different from the first attribute information, it provides second type of manufacturing data from among the multiple types of manufacturing data that is different from the first type of manufacturing data.

[0058] The process information further includes a MAC address that allows the provision of information. Alternatively, unique terminal information may be assigned in advance to each user terminal. In this case, the user information may include terminal information that allows or prohibits the provision of information. The above configuration is an example of a configuration in which, when the data management system acquires first user information including first terminal information, it provides first type of manufacturing data among the multiple types of manufacturing data, and, when it acquires second user information including second terminal information different from the first terminal information, it provides second type of manufacturing data among the multiple types of manufacturing data that is different from the first type of manufacturing data.

[0059] The process information further includes location information indicating the user's location. The location information includes at least one of an IP address and region information indicating a region where information provision is permitted or prohibited. The region information indicates country information, local area information, and at least one of the multiple manufacturing bases 4 and 6. For example, if the region information specifies a region representing the multiple manufacturing bases 4 and 6 as a region where information provision is permitted, users located within any of the multiple manufacturing bases 4 and 6 can obtain manufacturing data, while users located outside the multiple manufacturing bases 4 and 6 cannot obtain the manufacturing data. Alternatively, if the region information specifies one or more countries as regions where information provision is permitted, users located within the specified country can obtain manufacturing data, while users located in other countries cannot obtain the manufacturing data. The above configuration is an example of a configuration in which, when the data management system acquires first user information including first location information, it provides first type of manufacturing data among multiple types of manufacturing data, and, when it acquires second user information including second location information different from the first location information, it provides second type of manufacturing data among the multiple types of manufacturing data that is different from the first type of manufacturing data.

[0060] The type of manufacturing data that is prohibited from being accessed via a VPN (short for Virtual Private Network) further includes, as process information, IP characteristic information that indicates the characteristics of the IP address used in the VPN. The type of manufacturing data that is prohibited from being accessed via a VPN includes manufacturing data with a relatively large data size, such as video data and relatively confidential manufacturing data. This configuration is an example of a configuration in which, when the data management system acquires a specific IP address used in the VPN, third type manufacturing data, which has a data size smaller than the first type manufacturing data and the second type manufacturing data, is provided.

[0061] The restriction condition specifies whether the multiple pieces of information included in the user information are an AND condition or an OR condition. For example, if the user information includes attribute information and location information, it specifies whether the provision of manufacturing data is permitted when both the attribute information and the location information are satisfied (i.e., an AND condition), or whether the provision of manufacturing data is permitted when either the attribute information or the location information is satisfied (i.e., an OR condition).

[0062] The control unit 50 transmits the stored combination of manufacturing data and restriction information to the main server 10 (S4). When the control unit 40 of the main server 10 receives the combination of manufacturing data and restriction information, it stores it in the storage unit 42 (S5). In S5, the control unit 40 combines it with the manufacturing data and further stores base information representing the manufacturing base 4. The control unit 40 transmits the combination of manufacturing data, restriction information, and base information to the backup server 16 (S6). When the backup server 16 receives the combination of manufacturing data, restriction information, and base information, it stores it in its storage unit (S7).

[0063] An operator who manages the manufacturing process 20 can input a comment for one type of manufacturing data. By operating the process management terminal 24, the operator can input a comment by specifying a time for a series of manufacturing data. The inputtable comment is a character string that the operator inputs arbitrarily by operating the operation unit of the process management terminal 24. In a modified example, the operator may select from a plurality of comment candidates stored in advance in the process management terminal 24.

[0064] When a comment is input (S11), the process management terminal 24 transmits a combination of comment information and location information to the base server 12 (S12). The comment information includes comment data. The comment data represents the input character string. In a modified example, the comment information may be comment identification information that identifies a comment selected by the worker from multiple comment candidates. The worker can set restriction conditions for the comment. The worker can set restriction conditions for the comment to be input by operating the process management terminal 24. The comment information includes the restriction conditions. The location information represents the position of the comment relative to the manufacturing data. Specifically, the location information includes type information that represents the type of manufacturing data, time information that represents the time specified by the worker, and process identification information that identifies the manufacturing process 20.

[0065] When the control unit 50 of the base server 12 receives a combination of the comment information and the location information from the process control terminal 24, the control unit 50 stores the combination in the storage unit 52 (S13). In S13, the control unit 50 stores the combination with the manufacturing data of the type specified by the type information included in the location information.

[0066] The control unit 50 transmits the stored combination of comment information and location information to the main server 10 (S14). When the control unit 40 of the main server 10 receives the combination of comment information and location information, it stores it in the storage unit 42 (S15). In S15, the control unit 40 combines it with the comment information and further stores base information representing the manufacturing base 4. The control unit 40 transmits the combination of comment information, location information, and base information to the backup server 16 (S16). When the backup server 16 receives the combination of comment information, location information, and base information, it stores it in its storage unit (S17).

[0067] Through the data storage process, the base server 12 stores multiple types of manufacturing data obtained from the manufacturing base 4. Similarly, the base server 14 stores multiple types of manufacturing data obtained from the manufacturing base 6. The main server 10 stores multiple types of manufacturing data obtained from the multiple manufacturing bases 4 and 6. The backup server 16 stores the same manufacturing data as the main server 10. The main server 10 and the backup server 16 collect all manufacturing data obtained from the multiple manufacturing bases 4 and 6.

[0068] Through the data storage process, the base server 12 stores comment information including comment data representing comments entered by workers and location information. Similarly, the base server 14 stores comment data and location information. The main server 10 stores comment information and location information obtained from the multiple manufacturing bases 4 and 6. The backup server 16 stores the same comment information and location information as the main server 10. The main server 10 and backup server 16 collect all comment information and location information obtained from the multiple manufacturing bases 4 and 6.

[0069] In FIG. 3, the manufacturing data, comment information, and location information are stored separately, but for example, the process control terminal 24 may incorporate the comment information and location information into the manufacturing data and transmit the new manufacturing data to the base servers 12, 14 and subsequent servers such as the main server 10 and backup server 16.

[0070] (User Registration Process) Users who use the data management system 2 can be registered in the data management system 2 at any time. When registering a new user, the administrator registers a combination of a user ID (e.g., the user's employee number), a password, biometric information for biometric authentication (e.g., fingerprint, face, veins, etc.), user attribute information, and initial screen data in the main server 10. Default initial screen data is registered as the initial screen data.

[0071] The control unit 40 of the main server 10 registers user information of a user identified by a user ID in association with the user ID. Specifically, the user information includes attribute information that indicates the user's attributes. Similar to the attribute information included in the process information, the attribute information includes the user's rank within the organization, responsibilities, work location, manufacturing base to which the user belongs, department, etc. The user information may be registered by an administrator entering it into the main server 10, or the control unit 40 may obtain it from the main server 10 or another server installed to manage users.

[0072] (Processing Executed by Base Server) The following describes the processing executed by each of the base servers 12 and 14. An intra-base LAN is installed at each of the manufacturing bases 4 and 6. The user terminal 32 located at the manufacturing base 4 is communicably connected to the base server 12 via the intra-base LAN, thereby accessing the data management system 2.

[0073] When a user (hereinafter referred to as a "specific user") connects the user terminal 32 to the LAN within the base station, the user can operate the user terminal 32 to send a login screen data request requesting login screen data for entering login information into the data management system 2.

[0074] (Initial Screen Supply Process) A process for logging in to the base server 12 from the user terminal 32 will be described with reference to FIG. 4 . The control unit 50 of the base server 12 repeatedly executes the initial screen supply process while the power is on. In S22, the control unit 50 monitors whether a login screen data request has been acquired from the user terminal 32 in the manufacturing base 4. If a login screen data request has been acquired (YES in S22), in S24, the control unit 50 acquires login screen data from the main server 10. Specifically, the control unit 50 transmits a login screen data request to the main server 10 and receives the login screen data as a response to the login screen data request. In a modified example, the login screen data may be stored in advance in the storage unit 52 of the base server 12. In this case, the process may proceed to S26 without executing the process of S24.

[0075] Next, in S26, the control unit 50 supplies the login screen data to the user terminal 32 that sent the login screen data request in S22. When the user terminal 32 receives the login screen data from the process control terminal 24, it displays a login screen represented by the login screen data on the display unit of the user terminal 32. The login screen includes an image prompting the user to enter user identification information. While the login screen is displayed, the specific user operates the operation unit of the user terminal 32 to enter user identification information including a user ID (e.g., the specific user's employee number) and a password. The login screen also includes an image prompting the user to perform biometric authentication. Biometric authentication is performed using a part of a body part, such as a fingerprint, face, or vein. The user terminal 32 is equipped with a reading unit, such as a camera or ultrasound reader, for reading biometric information. The specific user causes the reading unit to read a part of the body part to be used for authentication. The user terminal 32 acquires biometric information representing the read biometric information. The user terminal 32 transmits login information, including the acquired user identification information and biometric information, to the base server 12.

[0076] In S28, the control unit 50 monitors whether login information is acquired. If login information is received (YES in S28), in S30, the control unit 50 determines whether to permit login using the login information acquired in S28. Specifically, the control unit 50 transmits the login information acquired in S28 to the main server 10. The control unit 40 of the main server 10 determines whether the login information acquired from the base server 12 is registered in the storage unit 42. If the login information acquired from the base server 12 is registered in the storage unit 42, the control unit 40 determines whether the same login information has already been used to log in to the data management system 2. If the user has not yet logged in, the control unit 40 determines that the login is permitted. On the other hand, if the user has already logged in, the control unit 40 determines that the login is not permitted. The above configuration is an example of a configuration in which, while the data management system acquires first user information from a first communication device (e.g., the user terminal 32) and allows login using the first user information, login to the data management system using the first user information when the first user information is acquired from a second communication device (e.g., another user terminal 32) is not allowed. Furthermore, if the login information acquired from the base server 12 is not registered in the storage unit 42, the control unit 40 determines that login is not allowed. The control unit 40 transmits the result of the control unit 40 to the base server 12. If the control unit 40 determines that login is allowed, it further transmits the user information and initial screen data registered in the storage unit 42 in combination with the login information to the base server 12. In a modified example, all or part of the login information stored in the main server 10 may be stored in the base server 12. In this case, the control unit 50 may determine whether login is allowed.

[0077] When the control unit 50 receives the determination result from the main server 10, it determines whether or not the determination result indicates that the login is permitted. If it is determined that the login is not permitted (NO in S30), in S32, the control unit 50 supplies the user terminal 32 with login error screen data representing a login error screen indicating that the login is not permitted, and then returns to S22.

[0078] If it is determined that the login is permitted (YES in S30), in S34 the control unit 50 acquires initial screen data from the main server 10. The control unit 50 acquires user information corresponding to the user ID together with the initial screen data from the main server 10. The control unit 50 stores the user information in combination with the user ID in the storage unit 52. Next, in S36, the control unit 50 supplies the initial screen data received in S34 to the user terminal 32, and the process returns to S22. As shown in FIG. 7 , upon receiving the initial screen data, the user terminal 32 displays an initial screen 70 represented by the initial screen data on the display unit.

[0079] (Configuration of Initial Screen) As shown in Fig. 7, the initial screen 70 includes multiple display areas 72, 74, 76, 78, and 80. The display area 72 displays a list of messages received from other users of the data management system 2. That is, in the data management system 2, users can use the data management system 2 to communicate messages. The display area 72 displays a list of messages that specify a specific user as the destination. Note that the display area 72 may also display maintenance information, etc., that notifies users of the timing and content of maintenance of the data management system 2 that is registered by the administrator in the main server 10 or the base server 12, 14.

[0080] The display area 74 can be individually configured for each user. By operating the user terminal 32, the user can place one or more icon images 82 associated with the types of manufacturing data the user frequently acquires in the display area 74. The above configuration is an example of a configuration in which, when first user information is acquired, a first initial screen is displayed on the display unit for displaying a first type of manufacturing data image representing the first type of manufacturing data, and, when second user information is acquired, a second initial screen is displayed on the display unit for displaying a second type of manufacturing data image representing the second type of manufacturing data, the second initial screen being different from the first initial screen. The display area 76 is an area for selecting the manufacturing base and process for the manufacturing data to be acquired. The initial screen data includes a list of multiple manufacturing processes 20, 22 installed at the multiple manufacturing bases 4, 6 to be displayed in the display area 76. The display area 78 includes multiple icon images 84, 86, 88 for selecting the display format of the manufacturing data to be displayed. The display area 80 includes multiple buttons for causing the data management system 2 to execute one or more processes other than the process of displaying manufacturing data.

[0081] 5, while the base servers 12 and 14 are powered on, the base servers 12 and 14 repeatedly execute the data providing process in parallel with the initial screen providing process. This allows the base servers 12 and 14 to execute the data providing process while executing the initial screen providing process for multiple user terminals. In the data providing process, in S42, the control unit 50 monitors whether a manufacturing data request has been received from the user terminal 32. A specific user can operate the initial screen 70 by operating the operation unit of the user terminal 32.

[0082] The specific user can select the display area 76 (for example, by selecting with a pointer and clicking). When the operation to select the display area 76 is performed, the user terminal 32 displays a list of the multiple manufacturing processes 20, 22 installed at the multiple manufacturing bases 4, 6, which is included in the initial screen data, superimposed on the initial screen 70 using a pull-down menu. The specific user operates the user terminal 32 to select one desired manufacturing process from the list. The user terminal 32 displays identification information representing the selected manufacturing process in the display area 76. The specific user can further operate the user terminal 32 to select one of the icon images 84, 86, 88 in the display area 78.

[0083] When a specific user selects one of the icon images 84, 86, or 88, the user terminal 32 transmits a manufacturing data request to the base server 12. The manufacturing data request includes identification information representing the manufacturing process displayed in the display area 76, information representing the display mode represented by the selected icon image, and the user ID of the specific user. When transmitting the manufacturing data request, the user terminal 32 also transmits the MAC address of the user terminal 32 and the IP address assigned to the user terminal 32.

[0084] When the control unit 50 receives a manufacturing data request from the user terminal 32 (YES in S42), in S44, the control unit 50 determines whether the requested manufacturing data is stored in the storage unit 52. Specifically, if the identification information representing the manufacturing process included in the manufacturing data request represents one of the multiple manufacturing processes 20, 22 within the manufacturing base 4 where the base server 12 is installed, the control unit 50 determines that the manufacturing data is stored in the storage unit 52 (YES in S44). On the other hand, if the identification information does not represent any of the multiple manufacturing processes 20, 22, the control unit 50 determines that the manufacturing data is not stored in the storage unit 52 (NO in S44).

[0085] If S44 is YES, in S46, the control unit 50 determines whether manufacturing data can be provided to the user identified by the user ID. Specifically, the control unit 50 determines whether the user information stored in the storage unit 52 in combination with the user ID included in the manufacturing data request and the MAC address and IP address received with the manufacturing data request match the restriction conditions stored in combination with the requested type of manufacturing data. The manufacturing data request specifies the manufacturing process and data display (numerical values, graphs, images, etc.). Multiple types of manufacturing data may be acquired from a single manufacturing process. If multiple types of manufacturing data are stored for the manufacturing process specified in the manufacturing data request, the control unit 50 determines whether manufacturing data can be provided for each type. The control unit 50 also determines whether the storage time of the manufacturing data represented by the time information of the restriction conditions is within a predetermined period (e.g., one hour or half a day). The predetermined period is preset. If the storage time is within the predetermined period and matches other restriction conditions, the control unit 50 determines that the manufacturing data can be provided (YES in S46) and proceeds to S48. On the other hand, if the restriction conditions are not met, it is determined that the manufacturing data cannot be provided (NO in S46), and the process proceeds to S50. If the storage time is outside the predetermined period, even if other restriction conditions are met, it is determined that the manufacturing data cannot be provided (NO in S46), and the process proceeds to S50.

[0086] In S48, the control unit 50 obtains the manufacturing data requested in the manufacturing data request from the storage unit 52, transmits the data to the user terminal 32, and returns to S42. In S50, the control unit 50 transmits the provided error screen data stored in advance in the storage unit 52 to the user terminal 32. This makes it possible to change the types of manufacturing data that can be provided depending on the user.

[0087] On the other hand, if the result of S44 is NO, in S52, the control unit 50 sends a manufacturing data request to the main server 10. In S54, the control unit 50 receives data from the main server 10. The main server 10, like the base server 12, determines whether the manufacturing data can be provided (see FIG. 6). In S54, the manufacturing data or the provided error screen data is received depending on the determination result of the main server 10. In S56, the control unit 50 sends the manufacturing data or the provided error screen data received in S54 to the user terminal 32, and the process returns to S42.

[0088] When the user terminal 32 receives the provision error screen data, the user terminal 32 displays an error screen, represented by the provision error screen data, indicating that the manufacturing data cannot be provided, on the display unit of the user terminal 32. This allows the specific user to recognize that the manufacturing data will not be provided.

[0089] If a manufacturing data request is not received from the user terminal 32 (NO in S42), the control unit 50 determines in S62 whether an initial screen change request has been received. Specifically, a specific user can execute an operation of pressing the setting button 90 on the initial screen 70 while the initial screen 70 is displayed on the user terminal 32. When the setting button 90 is operated, the user terminal 32 transmits an initial screen change request to the base server 12. When the control unit 50 receives an initial screen change request (YES in S62), it transmits the initial screen change request to the main server 10 in S64. In the initial screen change process, the user terminal 32 and the main server 10 communicate with each other via the base server 12, thereby updating the initial screen data representing the initial screen 70. In S66, the control unit 50 relays communication between the user terminal 32 and the main server 10 in the initial screen change process.

[0090] In the initial screen change process, when an initial screen change request is received, the control unit 40 of the main server 10 transmits setting screen data to the user terminal 32. The setting screen data represents a setting screen for setting which icon images representing which manufacturing processes at which manufacturing bases are to be displayed in the display area 74. The setting screen includes buttons representing all manufacturing processes installed at the multiple manufacturing bases 4 and 6. The specific user operates the user terminal 32 to perform an operation of pressing a button representing the desired manufacturing process. The user terminal 32 transmits identification information of the manufacturing process represented by the button operated by the specific user to the main server 10. The control unit 40 generates updated initial screen data in which the icon images representing the manufacturing processes represented by the received identification information are arranged in the display area 74. The control unit 40 rewrites the initial screen data registered in combination with the user information of the specific user with the updated initial screen data.

[0091] The control unit 40 transmits the updated initial screen data to the base server 12. In S68, when the control unit 50 receives the updated initial screen data, in S70, the control unit 50 transmits the initial screen data to the user terminal 32, and the process returns to S42.

[0092] If a request to change the initial screen is not received in S62 (NO in S62), the control unit 50 executes other processing and returns to S42 (S72). For example, in this other processing, a specific user operates the operation unit of the user terminal 32 to select a message creation button located in the display area 72. The user terminal 32 acquires message creation screen data from the main server 10 via the base server 12. The user operates the operation unit of the user terminal 32 to input an arbitrary character string and a destination user (e.g., a user ID), and then operates the send button to send a message to the specific user. On the initial screen 70 of the destination user to whom the message was sent, the newly received message is displayed in the list of messages in the display area 72.

[0093] (Processing Executed by the Main Server) When the base servers 12, 14 execute the initial screen supply processing and data provision processing, the main server 10 executes processing in response to a request from the base servers 12, 14. Furthermore, the main server 10 executes processing to provide data to user terminals 30 connected to the data management system 2 from locations other than the intra-base LANs of the multiple manufacturing bases 4, 6.

[0094] The control unit 40 of the main server 10 repeatedly executes the main data management process while the power is on. As shown in FIG. 6 , in S82, the control unit 40 monitors whether a login screen data request has been received. The main server 10 receives the login screen data request through the initial screen supply process executed by the base servers 12 and 14. The main server 10 also receives the login screen data request directly from the user terminal 30 that communicates with the main server 10, without going through the base servers 12 and 14.

[0095] If a login screen data request is received (YES in S82), in S84, the control unit 40 transmits the login screen data to the device that transmitted the login screen data. In S86, the control unit 40 monitors whether login information is received. If login information is received from the base server 12, 14 or the user terminal 30 (YES in S86), in S88, the control unit 40 determines whether to permit login using the login information acquired in S86. Specifically, as described in S30, the control unit 40 determines whether the acquired login information is registered in the storage unit 42. If the login information is registered in the storage unit 42 and no login has been performed using the same login information, the control unit 40 determines to permit login (YES in S88). If the login information is not registered in the storage unit 42, or if a login has already been performed using the same login information, the control unit 40 determines not to permit login (NO in S88).

[0096] If it is determined that the login is not permitted (NO in S88), the control unit 40 transmits, in S90, login error screen data representing a login error screen indicating that the login is not permitted to the device that transmitted the login information, and then returns to S82. If it is determined that the login is permitted (YES in S88), the control unit 50 transmits, in S92, initial screen data to the device that transmitted the login information, and then proceeds to S94. If the device that transmitted the login information is the base server 12, 14, the control unit 50 transmits, together with the initial screen data, user information that is registered in the main server 10 in combination with the user ID included in the login information to the base server 12, 14 that transmitted the login information.

[0097] If a login screen data request is not received (NO in S82), the process proceeds to S94. In S94, the control unit 40 monitors whether a manufacturing data request is acquired from the base server 12, 14 or the user terminal 30. When the control unit 40 receives a manufacturing data request (YES in S94), the control unit 40 executes the same process as S46 in S96 to determine whether the manufacturing data can be provided. Specifically, similar to the process in S46, the control unit 40 determines whether the user information identified by the user ID included in the manufacturing data request and the MAC address and IP address received together with the manufacturing data request match the restriction conditions stored in combination with the requested manufacturing data. The time information is also determined in the same manner as in S46. If the restriction conditions are met, the control unit 40 determines that the manufacturing data can be provided (YES in S96) and proceeds to S98. On the other hand, if the restriction conditions are not met, the control unit 40 determines that the manufacturing data cannot be provided (NO in S96) and proceeds to S100.

[0098] In S98, the control unit 40 obtains the manufacturing data requested in the manufacturing data request from the storage unit 42, transmits the data to the device that sent the manufacturing data request, and then returns to S82. In S100, the control unit 50 transmits the provided error screen data that has been stored in advance in the storage unit 52 to the device that sent the manufacturing data request, and then returns to S82. This allows the types of manufacturing data that can be provided to be changed depending on the user.

[0099] When the user terminal 30 receives the provision error screen data, the user terminal 30 displays an error screen represented by the provision error screen data, indicating that the manufacturing data cannot be provided, on the display unit of the user terminal 30. This allows the user of the user terminal 30 to recognize that the manufacturing data will not be provided.

[0100] If a manufacturing data request is not received (NO in S94), the control unit 40 determines in S102 whether an initial screen change request has been received from the base server 12, 14 or the user terminal 30. If the control unit 40 receives an initial screen change request (YES in S102), the control unit 40 executes initial screen change processing in S104. In the initial screen change processing, the control unit 40 communicates with the user terminal 30, 32 that sent the initial screen change request. When the initial screen change processing is executed with a user terminal (e.g., the user terminal 32) that communicates with the main server 10 via the base server 12, 14, the base server 12, 14 relays the communication. When the initial screen change processing is completed, in S106, the control unit 40 combines the updated initial screen data with the user information and registers it in the storage unit 42. In S108, the control unit 40 transmits the updated initial screen data to the base server 12, 14 or the user terminal 30, and returns to S82.

[0101] If the initial screen change request is not received in S102 (NO in S102), the control unit 40 executes other processes in S110 and returns to S82. The other processes are the same as the process in S72, for example.

[0102] (Manufacturing Data Display Mode) The manufacturing data display mode will be described with reference to Figures 8 to 10. When one or more types of manufacturing data are provided in S48, S56, or S98, the multiple types of manufacturing data are arranged side by side on a single screen 100 on the user terminal 30, 32, as shown in Figure 8. A setting image 102 is displayed on the right side of the screen 100. The setting image 102 makes it possible to set the display range (temporal range) and display unit (for example, hourly or daily) of the manufacturing data.

[0103] The manufacturing data stored in the storage units 42 and 52 are expressed as numerical values ​​except for image and video data. If the display specified in the manufacturing data request is a graph, the control units 40 and 50 provide the manufacturing data expressed as numerical values ​​in a graph format in accordance with the display format.

[0104] The type of manufacturing data provided varies depending on the user. Therefore, the type of manufacturing data included in the screen 100 varies depending on the user. When a comment is inserted into the manufacturing data, an indication 104 indicating that a comment has been inserted is displayed in accordance with the position information of the comment. The indication 104 is added to all of the multiple types of manufacturing data.

[0105] A user can select one piece of manufacturing data from multiple types of manufacturing data by operating the user terminal 30, 32. As shown in FIG. 9 , when a piece of manufacturing data is selected by the user, an enlarged screen 110 is displayed, in which the selected manufacturing data is enlarged from among the manufacturing data displayed on the screen 100. Specifically, when a piece of manufacturing data is selected by the user, information representing the selected manufacturing data is provided to the server (i.e., the base server 12, 14 or the main server 10) that provides the manufacturing data. Upon receiving the information representing the selected manufacturing data, the server generates enlarged screen data representing the enlarged screen 110 and transmits it to the user terminal 30, 32. Upon acquiring the enlarged screen data, the user terminal 30, 32 displays the enlarged screen 110 represented by the enlarged screen data on its display unit. The above configuration is an example of a configuration in which a first manufacturing data image selected by a user's selection operation is displayed on the user terminal, and a second manufacturing data image not selected by the user's selection operation is not displayed on the user terminal.

[0106] The enlarged screen data includes data representing a display 112 indicating that a comment is included, as indicated by "Action 1" and "Action 2" at the location where the comment is included. The displays 112 are displayed on the enlarged screen 110. As shown in FIG. 10 , when a user selects one of the displays 112, the user terminal 30, 32 displays a comment 114 corresponding to the selected display 112. In detail, when a user selects one display 112, information representing the selected display 112 is provided to the server (i.e., the base server 12, 14 or the main server 10) that provides the manufacturing data. When the control unit of the base server 12, 14 or the main server 10 receives the information representing the selected display 112, it identifies comment data representing a comment corresponding to the position of the selected display 112. Next, the control unit determines whether a restriction condition is set for the comment data. If no restriction condition is set, the control unit transmits the comment data to the user terminal 30, 32. If the restriction condition is met, the control unit transmits the comment data to the user terminal 30, 32. If the restriction conditions are not satisfied, the control unit does not transmit the comment data to the user terminal 30, 32. When the comment data is acquired, the user terminal 30, 32 displays the comment 114 on the enlarged screen 110. This eliminates the need for the worker to individually communicate comments about the manufacturing process to users.

[0107] The comment 114 is input for one type of manufacturing data. In contrast, the comment can be displayed together with multiple types of manufacturing data. This allows comments to be provided for multiple types of manufacturing data. The above configuration is an example of a configuration in which, when input of a comment associated with first type of manufacturing data (one type of manufacturing data) is accepted, the providing unit (e.g., the control unit 40 or the control unit 50) further provides fourth type of manufacturing data (multiple types of manufacturing data) obtained from a specific manufacturing process from which the first type of manufacturing data was acquired among multiple manufacturing processes, and the comment.

[0108] By restricting the provision of comments using the restriction conditions, it is possible to change whether or not a comment can be provided depending on the user information. The above configuration is an example of a configuration in which the receiving unit (e.g., the control unit 50) further receives comment information representing attributes of the comment, the providing unit (e.g., the control unit 40 or the control unit 50) uses the comment information to determine whether or not to provide a comment, and when first user information is acquired, the first type of manufacturing data and a comment are provided, and when third user information different from the first user information is acquired, the first type of manufacturing data is provided but a comment is not provided. This makes it possible to restrict viewing of comments.

[0109] A user can input a comment using the user terminal 30, 32. For example, the user selects the comment 114 at the desired position and inputs a character string. The user terminal 30, 32 transmits the input character string and the location information of the comment 114 to the base server 12, 14 or the main server 10. The control unit of the base server 12, 14 or the main server 10 adds the received character string to the comment 114.

[0110] In a modified example, a user may be able to request a comment using the user terminal 30, 32. For example, if a user finds unusual data in the manufacturing data and wishes to have the worker confirm the data, the user may select data from the manufacturing data image. The user terminal 30, 32 may transmit location information (e.g., time information) of the selected manufacturing data and a comment request to the base server 12, 14 or the main server 10. The control unit of the base server 12, 14 or the main server 10 may display a display indicating that a comment is requested at the location indicated by the location information of the manufacturing data image.

[0111] In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11 , in S98, the control unit 40 of the main server 10 provides manufacturing data representing a screen 100 in which the entire screen 100 is blurred. The user places a pointer 120 at any location on the screen 100 by operating the operation unit of the user terminal 30, 32. The control unit of the user terminal 30, 32 transmits pointer position information to the main server 10. Upon receiving the position information of the pointer 120, the control unit 40 transmits screen data representing a screen 100 (see FIG. 12 ) in which only the portion of the screen 100 representing the manufacturing data overlapping the position of the pointer 120 is not blurred to the user terminal 30, 32. The screen 100 shown in FIG. 11 is displayed in such a way that the display representing the manufacturing data cannot be clearly recognized by a third party. Therefore, for example, in addition to being blurred, the screen 100 may be displayed in a lighter color or with coarse pixels.

[0112] In this configuration, manufacturing data images that the user does not select are displayed in a blurred manner among the multiple manufacturing data images included in the screen 100. This prevents all of the multiple manufacturing data images from being visible to a third party, even if the screen 100 is viewed by a third party other than the user.

[0113] (Effect) In the data management system 2, the type of manufacturing data provided corresponds to the user information acquired from the storage units 42 and 52 based on the user ID at the time of login, etc. This makes it possible to provide the appropriate type of manufacturing data in a situation where multiple types of manufacturing data are managed.

[0114] The user information included in the restriction conditions includes user attribute information, location information, terminal information, and IP address. With this configuration, it is possible to provide types of manufacturing data according to the user's attributes, location, the terminal used by the user, and the IP address. For example, the user of the user terminal 32 is provided with all types of manufacturing data acquired from the manufacturing process 20, while the user of the user terminal 30 is provided with only one type of manufacturing data (e.g., one type of image data) from the manufacturing data acquired from the manufacturing process 20.

[0115] The restriction conditions include a type of manufacturing data that is prohibited from being provided if it contains IP characteristic information that indicates the characteristics of the IP address used in the VPN. For example, by setting manufacturing data with a relatively large data size, such as video data, as a type of manufacturing data that is prohibited from being provided to access from the VPN, the size of data communicated when accessed from the VPN can be reduced. This reduces the network load on the VPN. Furthermore, if relatively confidential manufacturing data is viewed in a public place, there is a risk that the manufacturing data may be viewed by others. By restricting the viewing of confidential manufacturing data when accessed from the VPN, information leakage can be reduced.

[0116] The data management system 2 prevents multiple user terminals from logging in simultaneously using the same login information (see S33 and S88). With this configuration, if the login information is leaked, a third party who has obtained the login information can be prevented from logging in to the data management system 2.

[0117] In the data management system 2, the restriction conditions include time information indicating the storage time. If a predetermined period of time has passed since the manufacturing data request was stored, the manufacturing data will not be provided even if other restriction conditions are met. This configuration makes it possible to prevent the provision of manufacturing data that has been stored for some time. This makes it possible to prevent all stored manufacturing data from being leaked.

[0118] In the data management system 2, multiple types of manufacturing data are acquired from one manufacturing process. Restriction conditions can be set for each of these multiple types of manufacturing data. This makes it possible to identify the type of manufacturing data to be provided according to the restriction conditions when multiple types of manufacturing data are acquired from the same manufacturing process.

[0119] In the data management system 2, a user ID and initial screen data are registered in combination. With this configuration, initial screen data can be set for each user. With this configuration, different initial screens can be used by different users.

[0120] In the data management system 2, login information includes biometric authentication information in addition to a user ID and a password. This configuration allows a decision to be made based on double authentication, thereby improving the security of the data management system 2. In a modified example, authentication using an authentication card or the like may be performed in addition to or instead of biometric authentication. In this case, the data management system 2 may acquire the authentication information from a reader that reads authentication information included in an authentication card or the like. The reader may be located in the user terminal 30, 32. The above configuration is an example of a configuration in which the first user information includes identification information (e.g., a user ID) and password of the first user, the acquisition unit further acquires authentication information (e.g., biometric authentication information or authentication information included in an authentication card) read from an authentication target (e.g., a user or an authentication card), and the provision unit provides the first type of manufacturing data when the first user information is acquired and the first authentication information is read, and does not provide the first type of manufacturing data when the first user information is acquired and second authentication information different from the first authentication information is read.

[0121] (Correspondence) The process in S34 in which the control unit 50 acquires user information corresponding to the user ID from the main server 10; the process in S46 in which the control unit 50 acquires user information stored in the storage unit 52 in combination with the user ID from the storage unit 52 in order to determine whether the restriction conditions are met, and acquires the MAC address and IP address along with the manufacturing data request; and the process in S96 in which the control unit 40 acquires user information stored in the storage unit 52 in combination with the user ID from the storage unit 42 in order to determine whether the restriction conditions are met, and acquires the MAC address and IP address along with the manufacturing data request, are each an example of the process executed by the "acquisition unit."

[0122] The process performed by the control unit 50 in S48 and the process performed by the control unit 40 in S98 are each an example of a process performed by a "providing unit". The process performed by the control unit 50 in S30 and the process performed by the control unit 40 in S86 are each an example of a process performed by an "allowing unit". The process performed by the control unit 50 in S3 and the process performed by the control unit 40 in S5 are each an example of a process performed by a "storage control unit". The process performed by the control unit 50 in S13 and the process performed by the control unit 40 in S15 are each an example of a process performed by an "receiving unit". Biometric information is an example of "authentication information". Screen 100 is an example of a "screen image".

[0123] Second Embodiment The following describes the differences between this embodiment and the first embodiment. In this embodiment, components that are common to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment. The data management system 202 includes a main server 10, multiple base servers 12, 14, and a backup server 16, as well as multiple user terminals 30, 32 and multiple process control terminals 24, 26. In a modified example, the data management system 202 may include one or more user terminals 30, 32 and one or more process control terminals 24, 26.

[0124] As shown in FIG. 13 , the user terminal 32 includes a control unit 232, a display unit 234, a storage unit 236, a communication unit 238, and an operation unit 240. The user terminals 30 and 32 have the same configuration as the user terminals 30 and 32 of the first embodiment. The control unit 232 includes a CPU and memory. The memory, like the CPU, is mounted on a circuit board, along with ROM, RAM, and other memory. The CPU executes processing in accordance with a computer program stored in the memory. The display unit 234 includes a display such as an LCD display. The storage unit 236 is a large-capacity recording medium such as a hard disk drive. The communication unit 238 includes a communication interface connected to wired and wireless communication networks (e.g., Wi-Fi). The operation unit 240 includes a keyboard and a mouse. The user terminal 30 may also include a touch panel that has the functions of the display unit 234 and the operation unit 240. The display unit 234, the storage unit 236, the communication unit 238, and the operation unit 240 are connected to the control unit 232 by wiring (not shown), and are controlled by the control unit 232. The user terminal 30 has the same configuration as the user terminal 32.

[0125] The process control terminal 24 includes a control unit 242 and a communication unit 244. The process control terminals 24, 26 have the same configuration as the process control terminals 24, 26 of the first embodiment. The control unit 242 includes a CPU and memory, similar to the control unit 232. The communication unit 244 includes a communication interface, similar to the communication unit 238. The communication unit 244 is connected to the control unit 242 by wiring (not shown), and is controlled by the control unit 242. The process control terminal 26 has the same configuration as the process control terminal 26.

[0126] A user inputs manufacturing data into the user terminal 32 by operating the operation unit 240. Hereinafter, manufacturing data input into the user terminals 30 and 32 will be referred to as "input manufacturing data," and manufacturing data collected from the process control terminals 24 and 26 will be referred to as "collected manufacturing data." For example, a user may select intermediate products produced in the manufacturing process 22 and input the inspection results of a random sampling inspection of the selected intermediate products into the user terminal 32. As a specific example, the user may visually inspect the appearance of glass products such as glass plates and input the inspection results (e.g., the number of abnormalities, the normal rate, etc.) into the user terminal 32. Furthermore, for example, a user may use a portable temperature measuring device to measure the temperature of glass through an inspection window in the melting furnace during the manufacturing process 20, which is the melting process, and input the measurement results into the user terminal 32. The control unit 232 transmits the input manufacturing data entered by the user to the base server 12. The user may input the input manufacturing data from the user terminal 30.

[0127] The user may be able to add a type of input manufacturing data or edit the input manufacturing data by operating the user terminals 30 and 32 .

[0128] In the data storage process, in S3, when the control unit 50 of the base server 12 receives input manufacturing data from the user terminal 32, it stores the data in the storage unit 52. The control unit 50 stores the limiting conditions in combination with the input manufacturing data, similar to the collected manufacturing data from the process control terminals 24 and 26.

[0129] In steps S4 to S7, the input manufacturing data is processed in the same manner as the collected manufacturing data, and is thereby stored in the main server 10 and the backup server 16 in the same manner as the collected manufacturing data.

[0130] In the data provision process and main data management process, input manufacturing data is processed in the same way as collected manufacturing data.

[0131] In this embodiment, a user can input input manufacturing data using the user terminals 30 and 32. With this configuration, manufacturing data that cannot be collected at the manufacturing facility, such as data representing the accuracy and quality of intermediate products, can be used as manufacturing data.

[0132] Although specific examples of the present invention have been described above in detail, these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and alterations of the specific examples exemplified above.

[0133] (1) The user information included in the restriction conditions may include information about countries or regions related to the user, such as the country or region where the user works, the country or region where the user is employed by an organization, or the country or region where the user is visiting on a business trip. In this case, the user registration process may further register the country or region where the user works and the country or region where the user is employed by an organization. Furthermore, the user's business trip schedule may be registered in association with the user ID.

[0134] (2) The user information may not include at least one of the user attribute information, location information, terminal information, and IP address. For example, the user information may include the user attribute information but may not include other information.

[0135] (3) The login information may include GPS information of the user terminals 30 and 32. The user information may include location information. In this case, regarding whether or not the manufacturing data can be provided, it may be determined that the manufacturing data can be provided if the acquired GPS information is included in the location information of the user information, and that the manufacturing data cannot be provided if the acquired GPS information is not included in the location information of the user information.

[0136] (4) In the data management system 2, the main server 10 may store all manufacturing data, and the base servers 12, 14 may not store manufacturing data. In this case, the base servers 12, 14 may relay communication between the user terminal 32 and the main server 10. Alternatively, the user terminal 32 may communicate with the main server 10 without going through the base servers 12, 14.

[0137] (5) In the data management system 2, if the user terminal is located outside the multiple manufacturing bases 4, 6, the manufacturing data may not be provided. Alternatively, the data management system 2 may acquire continuous location information of the user terminal. If the user terminal is located outside the multiple manufacturing bases 4, 6, and the user terminal has not been located at any of the multiple manufacturing bases 4, 6 within the immediately preceding predetermined period (e.g., one hour or one day), the manufacturing data may not be provided. If the user terminal is located at any of the multiple manufacturing bases 4, 6, and other restrictive conditions are met, the manufacturing data may be provided.

[0138] (6) In the data management system 2, when manufacturing data is to be provided to a user terminal, if a predetermined number (e.g., two) of other user terminals are not present around the user terminal to which the manufacturing data is to be provided (e.g., within a 10-meter radius), the data management system 2 may not provide the manufacturing data. If a predetermined number of other user terminals are present, the manufacturing data may be provided if other restrictive conditions are met.

[0139] (7) The data management system 2 may limit the time when login is permitted. In this case, if a login screen data request is received when it is not a login permitted time, a login error screen may be sent without determining whether login is permitted.

[0140] (8) In the user registration process, period information may be further registered in combination with the user ID. In this case, it may be determined that login is permitted only during the period indicated by the period information.

[0141] (9) In the data management system 2, if communication between the user terminal and the main server 10 and the base servers 12 and 14 is cut off, the manufacturing data provided to the user terminal may not be able to be output using the user terminal.

[0142] (10) In the data management system 2, the main server 10 and the base servers 12, 14 may automatically log off after a predetermined period of time (for example, half a day) has elapsed since the time the user was logged in.

[0143] (11) In the data registration process, language information indicating the language used by the user may be registered in combination with the user ID. In this case, the main server 10 may register, as the initial screen data, the initial screen data in the language registered as the language information.

[0144] (12) The data management system 2 may further include a backup server communicably connected to the base servers 12, 14 to back up the manufacturing data stored in the base servers 12, 14. In this case, the backup server may store the same data as that stored in the base servers 12, 14.

[0145] (13) A specific user may be able to perform a change operation to change the display mode when displaying manufacturing data by operating the user terminal 30, 32. The specific user may be all users or one or more limited users. The display mode may include, for example, the name of the manufacturing data, the unit, and the number of decimal points when displaying decimals. When a user performs a change operation, the user terminal 30, 32 may transmit the changes to the display mode indicated by the change operation to the main server 10. When the main server 10 receives the changes, it may transmit the received changes to the base server 12. The changes are stored in combination with the user ID of the specific user and may be reflected only when the specific user displays manufacturing data, or may be reflected when multiple users, including the specific user, display manufacturing data. Alternatively, the changes may be reflected when all users belonging to the manufacturing base to which the specific user belongs display manufacturing data.

[0146] The technical elements described in this specification or drawings may exhibit technical utility alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. Furthermore, the technologies illustrated in this specification or drawings may achieve multiple objectives simultaneously, and achieving one of those objectives alone is technically useful.

[0147] 2: Data management system, 4, 6: Manufacturing base, 10: Main server, 12, 14: Base server, 16: Backup server, 20, 22: Manufacturing process, 24, 26: Process management terminal, 30, 32: User terminal, 40: Control unit, 42: Storage unit, 44: Communication unit, 50: Control unit, 52: Storage unit, 54: Communication unit, 70: Initial screen, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80: Display area, 82, 84, 86, 88: Icon images

Claims

1. A data management system that manages multiple types of manufacturing data related to manufacturing acquired from multiple manufacturing processes, comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires user information related to a user; and a provision unit that provides to the user a type of manufacturing data from the multiple types of manufacturing data that corresponds to the acquired user information, wherein the provision unit provides a first type of manufacturing data from the multiple types of manufacturing data when first user information is acquired, and provides a second type of manufacturing data from the multiple types of manufacturing data that is different from the first type of manufacturing data when second user information different from the first user information is acquired.

2. A data management system as described in claim 1, wherein the user information includes attribute information representing attributes of the user, the first user information includes first attribute information, and the second user information includes second attribute information different from the first attribute information.

3. A data management system as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the acquisition unit acquires the user information from a user terminal used by the user, the user information includes terminal information related to the user terminal, the first user information includes first terminal information, and the second user information includes second terminal information different from the first terminal information.

4. A data management system as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the user information includes location information related to the user's location, the first user information includes first location information, and the second user information includes second location information different from the first location information.

5. A data management system as described in claim 4, wherein the providing unit does not provide either the first type of manufacturing data or the second type of manufacturing data if the location of the user associated with the acquired location information is not located at one or more manufacturing bases where the multiple manufacturing processes are located.

6. A data management system as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the user information includes an IP address of a user terminal used by the user, and when a specific IP address used in a VPN is obtained, the providing unit provides a third type of manufacturing data different from the first type of manufacturing data and the second type of manufacturing data, and the third type of manufacturing data has a smaller data size than the first type of manufacturing data and the second type of manufacturing data.

7. A data management system as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the providing unit causes a specific screen image including a plurality of manufacturing data images representing the plurality of types of manufacturing data to be displayed on the display unit, causes a first manufacturing data image selected from the specific screen images by a selection operation by the user to be displayed on the display unit, and causes a second manufacturing data image not selected by the selection operation not to be displayed on the display unit.

8. A data management system as described in claim 1 or 2, further comprising an allowing unit that allows the user to log in to the data management system using the acquired user information, wherein the acquiring unit is capable of acquiring the user information from a plurality of communication devices including a first communication device and a second communication device, wherein the allowing unit allows the login to the data management system using the first user information when the first user information is acquired from the first communication device, wherein the providing unit provides the first type of manufacturing data to the first communication device when the first user information is acquired from the first communication device, wherein the allowing unit does not allow the login to the data management system using the first user information when the first user information is acquired from the second communication device while the user is logged in to the data management system using the first user information, and wherein the providing unit does not provide the first type of manufacturing data to the second communication device when the first user information is acquired from the second communication device while the user is logged in to the data management system using the first user information.

9. A data management system as described in claim 1 or 2, further comprising a storage control unit that stores the multiple types of manufacturing data in a storage unit, wherein the providing unit provides the first type of manufacturing data when the first user information is acquired and it is within a predetermined period of time since the first type of manufacturing data was stored in the storage unit, and the providing unit does not provide the first type of manufacturing data when the first user information is acquired and it is after the predetermined period of time has elapsed since the first type of manufacturing data was stored in the storage unit.

10. A data management system as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the first type of manufacturing data and the second type of manufacturing data are data acquired from a specific manufacturing process among the multiple manufacturing processes.

11. A data management system as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the providing unit: causes a manufacturing data image representing the manufacturing data to be displayed on the display unit; causes an initial screen for displaying the manufacturing data image on the display unit to be displayed on the display unit; when the first user information is acquired, causes a first initial screen for displaying a first type of manufacturing data image representing the first type of manufacturing data on the display unit; and when the second user information is acquired, causes a second initial screen for displaying a second type of manufacturing data image representing the second type of manufacturing data on the display unit, the second initial screen being different from the first initial screen.

12. A data management system as described in claim 1 or 2, further comprising a receiving unit that receives input of a comment associated with the first type of manufacturing data, wherein the providing unit provides the first type of manufacturing data and the comment associated with the first type of manufacturing data when the first user information is acquired.

13. A data management system as described in claim 12, wherein when input of the comment associated with the first type of manufacturing data is accepted, the providing unit further provides a fourth type of manufacturing data obtained from a specific manufacturing process among the multiple manufacturing processes from which the first type of manufacturing data was acquired, and the comment.

14. The data management system of claim 12, wherein the receiving unit further receives comment information representing attributes of the comment, and the providing unit uses the comment information to determine whether or not to provide the comment, and when the first user information is acquired, provides the first type of manufacturing data and the comment, and when third user information different from the first user information is acquired, provides the first type of manufacturing data and does not provide the comment.

15. A data management system as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the first user information includes identification information and a password of the first user, the acquisition unit further acquires authentication information read from an authentication target, and the provision unit provides the first type of manufacturing data when the first user information is acquired and first authentication information is read, and does not provide the first type of manufacturing data when the first user information is acquired and second authentication information different from the first authentication information is read.

16. A data management system as described in claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising: a process control terminal for managing the multiple manufacturing processes; and a user terminal, wherein the multiple types of manufacturing data include collected manufacturing data collected by the process control terminal from manufacturing equipment of the multiple manufacturing processes, and input manufacturing data input by the user to the user terminal.

17. A data management system that manages multiple types of manufacturing data related to manufacturing acquired from multiple manufacturing processes, comprising: a server; and a user terminal, wherein the server comprises: an acquisition unit that acquires user information related to a user from the user terminal; and a provision unit that provides to the user terminal a type of manufacturing data from the multiple types of manufacturing data that corresponds to the acquired user information, wherein the provision unit provides a first type of manufacturing data from the multiple types of manufacturing data when first user information is acquired, and provides a second type of manufacturing data from the multiple types of manufacturing data that is different from the first type of manufacturing data when second user information different from the first user information is acquired.

Images