Machining proposal table creation device, machining proposal table creation program, and communication terminal application program

Abstract

Provided are a machining proposal table creation device, a machining proposal table creation program, and a communication terminal application program that enable effective utilization of a created machining proposal table at a remote location.　The machining proposal table creation device comprises: a communication unit that creates a new machining proposal table by using a machining proposal table stored in a storage device and can communicate with a portable communication terminal; and a processing unit that processes information received from the portable communication terminal via the communication unit. The machining proposal table has a workpiece image indicating the shape of a workpiece. The processing unit executes: image reception processing for receiving, from the portable communication terminal via the communication unit, a search workpiece image used for searching; acquisition processing for acquiring, from the storage device, a machining proposal table having a workpiece image similar to the search workpiece image received in the image reception processing; and creation processing for creating a new machining proposal table on the basis of the machining proposal table acquired in the acquisition processing and information received from the portable communication terminal via the communication unit.

Description

Processing proposal table creation device, processing proposal table creation program, and communication terminal application program

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a machining proposal table creating device, a machining proposal table creating program, and an application program for a communication terminal that create a machining proposal table used in the field of machine tools.

[0002] The following Patent Document 1 describes a machining information creation system that supports CAM, which creates NC data used for machining workpieces from part drawing data designed by CAD. The machining information creation system of Patent Document 1 inputs part drawing data and workpiece material drawing data, and performs division of machining processes, setup settings, setting of machining areas for each tool used in machining, and determination of machining order and conditions, etc., based on the input data.

[0003] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 61-103212

[0004] Incidentally, there are cases where a machining proposal table is created to indicate the machining details of a new workpiece, such as when proposing the machining of a new workpiece or when purchasing a machine tool for machining a new workpiece. This machining proposal table records the order in which the workpiece will be machined, the types of tools to be used, the machining conditions, the cycle time, etc. Conventionally, such machining proposal tables have generally been managed on paper, which has led to the problem that created machining proposal tables cannot be effectively utilized later.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a processing proposal table creation device, a processing proposal table creation program, and an application program for a communication terminal that can effectively utilize created processing proposal tables in remote locations.

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, this specification discloses a processing proposal table creation device that creates a new processing proposal table using a processing proposal table stored in a storage device, the processing proposal table creation device comprising: a communication unit capable of communicating with a portable communication terminal; and a processing unit that processes information received from the portable communication terminal via the communication unit, wherein the processing proposal table has a work image indicating the shape of the work, and the processing unit performs an image reception process that receives a search work image to be used for search from the portable communication terminal via the communication unit; an acquisition process that acquires from the storage device the processing proposal table having a work image similar to the search work image received by the image reception process; and a creation process that creates the new processing proposal table based on the processing proposal table acquired by the acquisition process and information received from the portable communication terminal via the communication unit.

[0007] Furthermore, the contents of the present disclosure are not limited to implementation as a processing proposal table creation device, but are also extremely effective when implemented as a processing proposal table creation program that creates a new processing proposal table, an application program for a communication terminal that can be executed on a portable communication terminal that can communicate with a server that creates a new processing proposal table, or a storage medium that stores a processing proposal table creation program or an application program for a communication terminal.

[0008] The processing proposal table creation device, processing proposal table creation program, and communication terminal application program disclosed herein can acquire from a storage device a processing proposal table for a workpiece image similar to a search workpiece image received from a portable communication terminal, and create a new processing proposal table based on the acquired processing proposal table and information received from the portable communication terminal. This allows the creation of a new processing proposal table at a remote location, such as a sales destination. This eliminates the need to carry back workpiece drawings, images, and actual workpieces from a remote location and then search for similar workpiece images after returning, allowing the creation of a new processing proposal table without location constraints. Furthermore, by using a search function that determines the similarity of workpieces, the work time required to search the storage device for a processing proposal table to be used to create a new processing proposal table can be reduced.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a machining proposal table creation system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a search screen with a search work image input. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a search result display unit displaying search results. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a creation start screen and a basic information table screen. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a tooling list screen. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a tooling list screen. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a content confirmation screen. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a processing flow for using a creation device from a communication terminal. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a search work image obtained by capturing an image of a drawing and the search work image after image processing. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a correction acceptance screen for accepting manual corrections.

[0010] (Regarding the Processing Proposal Table Creation System 10) An embodiment of the processing proposal table creation device of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of the processing proposal table creation system (hereinafter referred to as the creation system) 10 of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the creation system 10 includes a processing proposal table creation device (hereinafter referred to as the creation device) 11, a client terminal 13 installed in each production factory 12 (only one is shown in FIG. 1), and a portable communication terminal (hereinafter referred to as the communication terminal) 14. The creation system 10 is a system that provides a service for creating a processing proposal table from the creation device 11 to the client terminal 13 and the communication terminal 14.

[0011] The creation device 11 is, for example, a server device and includes a CPU 21, a storage device 22, a user IF (abbreviation of interface) 23, and a network IF 24. The CPU 21 and other components are connected to each other via a communication bus 25 for communication. The storage device 22 and the storage device 2 of the communication terminal 14 (described later) are configured, for example, by combining RAM, ROM, a hard disk, etc. The storage device 22 stores an operating system (OS) 26, a processing proposal table creation program (hereinafter referred to as the creation program) 27, and management data 28. The OS 26 is, for example, Windows (registered trademark) Server OS, and controls the creation device 11 overall and provides basic services and functions to various application programs. The creation program 27 is an application program that creates the above-mentioned processing proposal table using the services and functions of the OS 26. The creation device 11 executes the OS 26 and creation program 27 on the CPU 21 to perform processes such as sending and receiving data to and from the client terminal 13 and the communication terminal 14, and creating, changing, storing, and outputting processing proposal tables. The management data 28 stores a plurality of processing proposal tables DT1 and login information DT2. The processing proposal tables DT1 and login information DT2 will be described later. The OS 26 is not limited to a Windows (registered trademark) Server OS, but may also be a UNIX (registered trademark)-based Server OS such as Linux (registered trademark) using server software such as Apache (registered trademark). The OS 26 is not limited to a Server OS, but may also be a Windows (registered trademark) OS, Macintosh (registered trademark) OS, a UNIX (registered trademark)-based OS, or other types of client OS.

[0012] Furthermore, the storage device 22 that stores the creation program 27 is not limited to the configuration described above. The storage device 22 may be a flash memory or an SSD, or may be a portable storage medium such as a USB memory or an external hard disk that is detachably attached to the creation device 11. The medium that stores the creation program 27 may also be a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM.

[0013] The user IF 23 includes, for example, a display device such as an LCD, and input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse. The network IF 24 is, for example, a LAN interface and is connected to the network 15 via a router (not shown) or the like. The network 15 is, for example, a WAN (wide area network) such as the Internet. Note that the network 15 is not limited to the Internet, and may be mobile communications such as 4G or 5G standards, satellite communications, or a combination of these. Therefore, the communication form of the wide area communications of the present disclosure can be changed as appropriate.

[0014] The production factory 12 has, for example, a production line with a plurality of machine tools. The client terminal 13 is, for example, a personal computer on which a CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing) application program (hereinafter referred to as a CAM program) 17 is installed, enabling the creation of NC programs. The client terminal 13 can access the creation device 11 via a network 15. Note that the client terminal 13 is not limited to a personal computer and may be another information processing device.

[0015] Next, the communication terminal 14 will be described. In the following description of the communication terminal 14, the same details as those of the creation device 11 will be omitted as appropriate. The communication terminal 14 is, for example, a tablet-type communication terminal and includes a CPU 1, a storage device 2, a user IF 3, a network IF 4, and an imaging device 5. The CPU 1 and other components are connected to each other via a communication bus 6 for communication. The storage device 2 stores an OS 7, web browser software (hereinafter referred to as browser software) 8, and a communication terminal application program (hereinafter referred to as terminal app) 9. The OS 7 may be, for example, Windows (registered trademark). The browser software 8 is software for connecting to a web server, and uses the services and functions of the OS 7 to access the web server of the creation device 11 and perform processes such as creating a processing proposal table. The terminal app 9 is a program that uses the services and functions of the OS 7 to perform image processing (preprocessing) of the search work image 37 (described later). The OS 7 is not limited to the Windows (registered trademark) OS, but may be another OS such as the Linux (registered trademark) OS. The communication terminal 14 is an example of a portable communication terminal according to the present disclosure. The portable communication terminal according to the present disclosure is not limited to a tablet-type communication terminal, but may be other portable communication terminals such as a smartphone or a laptop computer. The storage device 2 that stores the terminal application 9 is not limited to the above-described configuration, but may be an SSD or USB memory. The terminal application 9 may also be stored on a CD-ROM or the like for use.

[0016] The user IF 3 is, for example, a touch panel. The network IF 4 is, for example, a wireless LAN interface, and is connected to a network (such as a wireless router) at the location where the communication terminal 14 is taken, thereby connecting to the network 15. The communication terminal 14 is connected to the network of, for example, a customer considering purchasing a machine tool or a customer considering machining a new workpiece, and is then connected to the creation device 11. Therefore, the communication terminal 14 may be used in a production factory 12 where a client terminal 13 is installed, or in a factory where a machine tool has not yet been installed. The imaging device 5 is, for example, a camera, and includes an imaging element such as a CCD element or a CMOS element, a lens for adjusting the focus, and a light for irradiating the object to be imaged. Note that the configuration of the imaging device 5 described above is merely an example, and the imaging device 5 may be configured without a lens or light. Furthermore, the imaging device 5 is not limited to a 2D camera, but may also be a 3D camera. Alternatively, the imaging device 5 may be a 3D laser scanner.

[0017] The above-described configuration of the creating system 10 is merely an example. For example, the creating system 10 may not include the client terminal 13. For example, the management data 28 may be stored in a device (such as a database server) separate from the creating device 11 (server). The creating device 11 may be a server using a cloud storage service such as AWS (Amazon Web Services, a registered trademark). Both the creating program 27 and the CAM program 17 may be installed in the creating device 11, and the creating device 11 may execute both the creation of the machining proposal table DT1 and the creation of the NC program using the CAM program 17. When the creating device 11, which serves as a server, accepts instructions from the client terminal 13 or the communication terminal 14, as in this embodiment, the network IF 24 that accepts the instructions is an example of a communication unit, and the CPU 21 is an example of a processing unit.

[0018] (Regarding Creation of Processing Proposal Table DT1) Next, we will explain how the creation of the processing proposal table DT1 is performed by the creation device 11. In this embodiment, a new processing proposal table DT1 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a new processing proposal table) can be created by accessing the web server of the creation device 11 from the client terminal 13 or the communication terminal 14. The following explanation will mainly focus on the case where a new processing proposal table is created by the communication terminal 14, and will omit an explanation of the case where a new processing proposal table is created by the client terminal 13.

[0019] For example, when the power is turned on, the creation device 11 executes the OS 26 on the CPU 21 to start the system, and then executes the creation program 27 on the CPU 21. When a user of the communication terminal 14 wants to create a new machining proposal table, the user operates the communication terminal 14 to access the creation device 11. The user of the communication terminal 14 is, for example, a sales representative of a machine tool manufacturer. The user visits a customer who is considering purchasing a machine tool to machine a new workpiece, and connects the communication terminal 14 to the network 15 to access the creation device 11. By executing the creation program 27, the creation device 11 uses the services and functions of the OS 26 to support the creation of a new machining proposal table on a web server. The user starts the browser software 8 on the communication terminal 14 and accesses the web page of the creation device 11 using the web browser to create a new machining proposal table. In the following description, the device that executes the program may be referred to simply by the program name. For example, the statement "the creation program 27 receives information from the communication terminal 14" means that "the creation device 11 executes the creation program 27 in the CPU 21, and receives information from the communication terminal 14 via the creation program 27."

[0020] 2 is an example of a web page of the creation device 11 accessed by the communication terminal 14, showing a search screen 31 in a state where a search workpiece image 37 used for searching has been input. As shown in Fig. 2, the creation program 27 causes the communication terminal 14 to display a search screen 31 for searching for a processing proposal table DT1 in response to access from the communication terminal 14. The search screen 31 is a screen for searching for a processing proposal table DT1 that meets the search criteria from among the processing proposal tables DT1 stored in the management data 28.

[0021] The creation program 27 displays work information 30, an image input section 32, an image display section 33, a search condition input section 34, a search button 35, a condition clear button 36, a search result display section 39, a pre-processing button 48, and a manual correction button 49 on a search screen 31. The work information 30 displayed at the top of the search screen 31 is information indicating which process in the work process for creating the processing proposal table DT1 the displayed screen (search screen 31 in FIG. 2 ) corresponds to. For example, as shown in the work information 30, the work of creating a new processing proposal table is performed in the order of "management data," "basic information," "tooling list," "cycle time," "transport," "layout," and "content confirmation."

[0022] The image input unit 32 is a section for inputting a search workpiece image 37, which is an image to be searched. A workpiece image 41 (see FIG. 3 ), which indicates the shape of the workpiece after processing, is stored in association with the processing proposal table DT1. When the search workpiece image 37 is input into the image input unit 32, for example, by drag and drop, the creation program 27 displays the input search workpiece image 37 on the image display unit 33. In the example shown in FIG. 2 , a search workpiece image 37 of a differential case is displayed as the search workpiece image 37. In response to an operation of selecting the search button 35 (hereinafter, sometimes simply referred to as an operation), the creation program 27 searches the management data 28 for a processing proposal table DT1 associated with a workpiece image 41 similar to the input search workpiece image 37, and displays the search result display unit 39 (see FIG. 3 ). The selection operation here refers to a touch operation or a button operation on the communication terminal 14.

[0023] For example, the creation program 27 includes an AI (artificial intelligence) program that searches for similar images. The creation program 27 uses the machine learning function of the AI ​​program to determine workpiece images 41 that are similar to the search workpiece image 37. For example, this AI program is a program that, when an arbitrary image is given, calculates the similarity between each of multiple images set as a search range and the given arbitrary image. Note that the AI ​​program may perform machine learning in response to operator or user operations to optimize the accuracy of similarity determination. For example, the creation program 27 may be one that has undergone machine learning by an operator of the creation system 10 conducting a test to determine the similarity between the search workpiece image 37 and the workpiece image 41. Furthermore, the creation program 27 may perform machine learning using the AI ​​program to determine the shape similarity between the search workpiece image 37 input by the user and the workpiece image 41 selected in the search result display unit 39 described later and used to create the new processing proposal table. This allows machine learning to identify the shape of the search workpiece image 37 that the user is searching for and the shape of the target workpiece image 41, i.e., the shape of the workpiece image 41 that the user considers similar. The workpiece shape for which the AI ​​program determines the similarity is, for example, the workpiece's machining surface or the outer shape (such as the outer surface or holes) that indicates the part to be machined, and may hereinafter be referred to as the machining shape. Based on the results of machine learning, the AI ​​program can determine the similarity between the search workpiece image 37 and the workpiece image 41 when creating a new machining proposal table from the next time onwards. Furthermore, the method of searching for similar images is not limited to using an AI program. For example, the creation program 27 may extract feature points between the search workpiece image 37 and the workpiece image 41, calculate the similarity of the extracted feature points, and search for similar images based on the calculated similarity. Furthermore, the search workpiece image 37 and the workpiece image 41 are not limited to 2D (two-dimensional) images, but may also be 3D images.

[0024] The creation program 27 can also search the processing proposal table DT1 based on information entered in the search condition input unit 34 of FIG. 2 . The creation program 27 displays, for example, input fields for the workpiece name, part number, material, processing overview, machine ID, customer name, and keyword in the search condition input unit 34. These workpiece name, part number, material, processing overview, machine ID, and customer name are associated with each of the processing proposal tables DT1, as described below. Detailed descriptions of each item will be omitted, but for example, the workpiece name is the name of the workpiece to be manufactured in the processing proposal table DT1, and the part number is the workpiece's identification number. The material is the name of the workpiece's material, and the processing overview is information such as terms and descriptions indicating the processing overview (e.g., sample number, product use, etc.). The machine ID is identification information for the machine tool used in the processing proposal table DT1. The customer name is the name of the customer who requested the production of the workpiece, and the keyword is a search word for searching for terms in the processing proposal table DT1.

[0025] 3 shows the search result display unit 39 in a state where the search results are displayed, and for example, shows the search results obtained by inputting only the search workpiece image 37 and operating the search button 35. As shown in FIG. 3, the creation program 27 displays, for each of the multiple processing proposal tables DT1 searched from the management data 28, information such as check boxes, similarity (image similarity), workpiece name, material, shape, processing overview, machine ID, and customer name, arranged in a single line. For example, when the creation program 27 lists the search results of the processing proposal tables DT1 in the search result display unit 39, the creation program 27 arranges the processing proposal tables DT1 vertically in order of highest image similarity (descending order of similarity).

[0026] The creation program 27 also displays a workpiece image 41 associated with the processing proposal table DT1 in the "shape" column. The creation program 27 also displays an arrow icon 43 below the search results of the processing proposal table DT1 to display any part of the processing proposal table DT1 that could not be displayed. When a check box is operated, the creation program 27 displays an image 45 indicating that the check box has been selected in the operated check box. The creation program 27 also displays an edit button 47A, a reuse new button 47B, and a new button 47C below the search results of the processing proposal table DT1.

[0027] Based on the operation of the Edit button 47A, the creation program 27 displays the setting data of the past processing proposal table DT1 selected by the checkbox on the editing screen of each table shown in Figure 4 and subsequent figures, accepts changes, creates the updated (upgraded) processing proposal table DT1 as a new processing proposal table, registers it, and outputs it. Based on the operation of the Reuse New button 47B, the creation program 27 displays the setting data of the selected processing proposal table DT1 on the editing screen of each table, accepts changes, and creates a new processing proposal table to be used for processing a new (different) workpiece, registers it, and outputs it. Therefore, when the Edit button 47A is operated, the creation program 27 performs an update process (upgrade or overwrite) of the past processing proposal table DT1. When the Reuse New button 47B is operated, the creation program 27 displays the past processing proposal table DT1 but saves the edited processing proposal table DT1 as a separate processing proposal table DT1. The New button 47C is a button that creates a processing proposal table DT1 from an unset state.

[0028] Furthermore, when the search button 35 is operated with search conditions entered in each field of the search condition input section 34 of FIG. 2 , the creation program 27 executes a search based on the entered search conditions. In this case, a search workpiece image 37 may or may not be used in conjunction with the search. For example, when a workpiece name is entered, the creation program 27 searches the management data 28 for a processing proposal table DT1 with the entered workpiece name and displays it in the search result display section 39. Furthermore, when the condition clear button 36 is operated, the creation program 27 deletes all conditions entered in the image display section 33 and the search condition input section 34. The creation program 27 may display an icon 38 for displaying a pull-down menu in any input field of the search condition input section 34 (see FIG. 2 ), and display input information selectable in response to the operation of the icon 38. Furthermore, the creation program 27 may execute an AND search to search only for processing proposal tables DT1 that satisfy all of the search conditions entered in the search condition input section 34, or may execute an OR search to search for processing proposal tables DT1 that satisfy at least one of the conditions. The pre-processing button 48 and the manual correction button 49 will be described later.

[0029] Next, the tables and setting data included in the processing proposal table DT1 will be described. Figures 4 to 6 show an example of a screen for creating a new processing proposal table. In the following explanation, as an example, a case will be described in which the reuse new button 47B is operated to create a new processing proposal table by reusing setting data from a previous processing proposal table DT1. Note that even when the edit button 47A is operated, the creation program 27 displays the same screen (Figures 4 to 6) as when the reuse new button 47B is operated, and accepts editing work.

[0030] As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 , the creation program 27 displays screens for editing five tables based on the machining proposal table DT1: a creation start screen 50 (basic information table 51), a tooling list 52 ( FIGS. 5 and 6 ), a cycle time table (not shown), a transport table (not shown), and a layout table (not shown). In other words, the machining proposal table DT1 stores setting data for these five tables. Note that the types of tables, types of setting data, setting data constituting each table, and the positions at which the setting data is displayed shown in FIGS. 4 to 7 are merely examples and may be changed as appropriate depending on the type of workpiece, the configuration of the machine tool, the user's needs, and other factors. Therefore, the following description will provide an overview of the purpose of use of each table, and will omit detailed descriptions of each table. Of the five tables, the following description will use drawings to explain the basic information table 51 and the tooling list 52, and will omit illustrations of the other tables.

[0031] The creation program 27 displays, for example, the information of the processing proposal table DT1 selected in the search result display section 39 as the setting data of each table in Figures 4 to 6, and accepts changes to the displayed setting data. That is, the creation program 27 displays the setting data of the processing proposal table DT1 selected by the user as the initial value, accepts editing of the displayed setting data, and creates a new processing proposal table.

[0032] (Regarding the Basic Information Table 51) First, the basic information table 51 will be described. In the following description, descriptions of display contents and setting data similar to those described above will be omitted. When the reuse new button 47B is operated, the creation program 27 displays the creation start screen 50 shown in FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 4, the creation program 27 displays, for example, work information 30, summary information 62, and the basic information table 51 on the creation start screen 50. The summary information 62 is information indicating an overview of the processing proposal table DT1, such as the workpiece image 41 associated with the processing proposal table DT1, as well as the workpiece name. The creation program 27 accepts changes to the workpiece image 41, the workpiece name, etc. in the summary information 62. Furthermore, the creation program 27 displays a "basic information number" for each process in the basic information table 51. The "basic information number" is, for example, an identification number for identifying each process for processing a workpiece, and is assigned a positive integer starting from "1" in order of execution of the processes. Furthermore, the basic information table 51 contains, as setting data, for each process, the number of machining units (number of machine tools used), the process identification number, the model of the machine tool used (e.g., model number), the machine tool revision (e.g., version), the chuck used, and the machine tool model ID (identification information). The creation program 27 accepts changes to each setting data in the basic information table 51 and accepts the creation of a modified machining proposal table DT1, i.e., a new machining proposal table. Changes to the setting data can be accepted by directly entering a setting value into each item, or by displaying a pull-down menu in response to an operation on an icon 65 displayed in each item and accepting a selection.

[0033] The creation program 27 also displays operation icons 67 above the basic information table 51 and check boxes 69 to the left of the basic information table 51. The operation icons 67 include multiple icons for executing various processes on processes selected by the check boxes 69. Specifically, the operation icons 67 include, from left to right in FIG. 4 , an icon for moving the selected process to the next higher process, an icon for moving the selected process to the next lower process, an icon for adding a new process below the selected process, an icon for deleting the selected process, and an icon for copying the selected process. The operation icons 67 also include icons for accepting instructions for temporarily saving and outputting the processing proposal table DT1. For example, when an upward arrow icon in the operation icon 67 is operated while a check box 69 is checked, the creation program 27 swaps the process in the checked row with the process one row above. When the temporary save icon in the operation icon 67 is operated, the creation program 27 temporarily stores the changes accepted up to that point in the storage device 22. For example, if communication with the communication terminal 14 is interrupted while editing the basic information table 51 or the like, and the creation program 27 is accessed again from the same terminal, the creation program 27 resumes editing from the temporarily saved changes. This allows the user to resume editing from the changes made partway through if the user accidentally closes the web browser. Furthermore, when the output icon of the operation icon 67 is operated, the creation program 27 outputs the modified processing proposal table DT1 in a predetermined format.

[0034] (Regarding the Touring List 52) ​​Next, the touring list 52 will be described. Note that in the following description of the touring list 52, descriptions of content similar to that of the basic information table 51 will be omitted. FIGS. 5 and 6 show examples of an editing screen for the touring list 52. FIG. 5 shows the left side of the editing screen for the touring list 52, and FIG. 6 shows the right side. The method for switching the screen from the basic information table 51 to the touring list 52 is not particularly limited. For example, the creation program 27 accepts an operation for each item displayed in the work information 30 and displays a screen for editing the table of the item for which the operation was accepted. For example, when the "Basic Information" item in the work information 30 is touched, the creation program 27 displays the editing screen for the basic information table 51 shown in FIG. 4, and when the "Touring List" item is touched, the creation program 27 displays the editing screen for the touring list 52 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. Furthermore, when the “management data” item in the work information 30 is touched, the creation program 27 may suspend the creation of the new processing proposal table and display the search screen 31 .

[0035] The tooling list 52 is a table in which, for each machining process, setting data such as the type of tool (cutting tool number), machining purpose, machining content, machining conditions, and time information are set as setting data. While detailed descriptions of each item are omitted, the creation program 27 accepts changes to the setting data for each of these items, just as with the basic information table 51. Furthermore, when setting data in any of the five tables, such as the basic information table 51 and the tooling list 52, is changed, the creation program 27 also changes the related setting data in the other tables accordingly. For example, when the model information for a given process in the basic information table 51 is changed, the creation program 27 changes the model information for the same process in the tooling list 52 to the same model. The same applies to adding or deleting processes. Note that, in FIGS. 5 and 6 , check boxes 69 are not shown to avoid cluttering the drawings. However, the method of selecting a process to be operated using the operation icon 67 is not limited to using the check boxes 69. For example, a method of selecting a portion displaying a given process by touch operation or the like may also be used.

[0036] The "Tool No." column in FIG. 5 is, for example, a holder number indicating which of the multiple tool holders on the turret of a turret of a turret-type lathe has a cutting tool (such as a cutting tool or a rotary tool) attached to it. The tooling list 52 can set information such as a target surface roughness, a target tolerance, and roundness as setting data for the machining objective of each process. In addition to the example shown in FIG. 5 , other information capable of expressing the objective of a process, such as fit tolerance and geometric tolerance, can also be used as the setting data for the machining objective. The tooling list 52 can also set an image of the tool shape, text information indicating the machining details (such as outer diameter, end face, and inner diameter), and a diagram showing the machining details as setting data for the machining details of each process. To avoid cluttering the drawing, FIG. 5 shows only one image of the tool shape.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 6 , the tooling list 52 allows the user to set the following information as the setting data for the machining conditions for each process: selection, reason, cutting diameter 1, cutting diameter 2, rotation speed, cutting speed, cutting depth, path, cutting length, and feed. The "selection" setting data indicates which value was selected for that process: a theoretically calculated value, such as a value recommended by the tool manufacturer, or an actual value adjusted through actual machining. The "reason" setting data indicates the reason for the selection in the "selection" column. "Cutting diameter 1" and other settings indicate the machining conditions (setting values) for each process. This allows the user to refer to the past machining proposal table DT1 and confirm whether the selected values ​​are calculated values ​​of ideal machining conditions or actual values ​​based on past machining conditions, and to determine the reasons for the selection. The tooling list 52 also allows the user to set the following information as the time information for each process: cutting time, positioning time, and tool indexing time. The "cutting time" is the total time spent machining the workpiece with the cutting tool in that process. The "positioning time" is the time required to position the cutting tool. "Cutting tool index time" is the time required to index the cutting tool.

[0038] Furthermore, when any of the multiple related setting data in the tooling list 52 is changed, the creation program 27 changes the other related setting data accordingly. For example, when the "cutting tool number" is changed, the creation program 27 changes the image of the "cutting tool shape" to an image that matches the changed "cutting tool number." Also, for example, "cutting length" and "pass" are correlated (cutting length = cutting length per pass * passes). Therefore, when one of the values ​​of "cutting length" and "pass" is changed, the creation program 27 calculates and changes the other value. Note that the creation program 27 does not have to perform the automatic change of the related setting data described above.

[0039] (Regarding Other Tables) The creation program 27 also performs the same processing on the other tables as it does on the basic information table 51 and tooling list 52. Detailed descriptions of the other tables will be omitted, but the cycle time table is a table that sets, for example, the process number, the model of each process, the number of processing units, the cycle time for each process, the time included in the cycle time, and bottleneck processes. The time included in the cycle time here can be, for example, the cutting time, positioning time, and tool indexing time described above, as well as the time required to chuck the workpiece and the time required to unclamp the workpiece. For example, the creation program 27 compares the cycle times of each process in the cycle time table and displays the process with the longest cycle time as the bottleneck process.

[0040] The transport table is a table that displays and changes, for example, the cycle times of peripheral devices connected to a machine tool and loaders that transport workpieces between the machine tool and peripheral devices. The creation program 27 also accepts changes to the setting data (such as loader setting values) for such transport tables. The layout table is a table that shows, for example, the positional relationships and positional information of machine tools and peripheral devices lined up along a production line. The positional information here refers to information in which, for example, the position of the machine tool is set to "zero," and values ​​of "-1, -2, -3, ..." are assigned as the distance from the machine tool increases upstream, and values ​​of "+1, +2, +3, ..." are assigned as the distance from the machine tool decreases downstream. The creation program 27 also accepts changes to the setting data (such as positional information) for such layout tables.

[0041] (Regarding the Content Confirmation Screen 85) Next, the content confirmation screen 85 will be described. After changing or confirming the setting data 81 for all of the tables described above, the user touches the "Content Confirmation" item in the work information 30. The creation program 27 displays the content confirmation screen 85 shown in FIG. 7 in response to the user's operation. The creation program 27 displays a content display section 87, a final save button 88, and a print button 89 on the content confirmation screen 85. The creation program 27 displays the content display section 87 based on the setting data 81 after it has been changed on the editing screens shown in FIGS. 4 to 6. For example, the creation program 27 displays, in the content display section 87, data in a report format that combines the basic information table 51, the tooling list 52, and the like.

[0042] Furthermore, when the final save button 88 is operated, the creation program 27 stores the processing proposal table DT1, which reflects the changes accepted on the editing screens of the above-mentioned tables, as a new processing proposal table in the storage device 22. Furthermore, when the final save button 88 is operated, the creation program 27 assigns a new management number to the created new processing proposal table, associates it with information such as the creation date and time, and stores it in the management data 28. Furthermore, when the print button 89 is operated, the creation program 27 prints the data displayed in the content display section 87. When printing is complete, the creation program 27 ends the display of the content confirmation screen 85, etc., and displays the search screen 31.

[0043] (Regarding Search and Creation Work Using the Communication Terminal 14) Next, a description will be given of the process of accessing the creation device 11 from the communication terminal 14 and starting to create a new machining proposal table. Fig. 8 shows an example of the flow of a process of using the creation device 11 from the communication terminal 14. In the following description, with reference to Fig. 8, a case will be described in which a sales representative user takes the communication terminal 14 to the production factory 12 of a customer who is considering purchasing a machine tool to machine a new workpiece, and uses the communication terminal 14 to create a new machining proposal table.

[0044] 8 (hereinafter simply referred to as S) 1, the user operates the communication terminal 14 to capture an image of the shape of the workpiece that the customer wants to machine using the imaging device 5. The object to be captured may be, for example, a drawing depicting the side or end face of the machined workpiece, a hand-drawn illustration (drawing) of the machined shape of the workpiece, or the machined workpiece itself (actual object).

[0045] The user, for example, operates the browser software 8 of the communication terminal 14 to access the web server of the creation device 11 and performs login authentication using a user ID and password (S2). The creation program 27 of the creation device 11 evaluates the login information, and if it determines that the login authentication is successful, displays the search screen 31 shown in FIG. 2 on the communication terminal 14 and permits the acceptance (upload) of a search work image 37. The user uploads an image captured by the communication terminal 14, i.e., an image showing the shape of a work captured from the above-mentioned drawing, illustration, actual object, etc., as a search work image 37 to the creation device 11 (S2). The communication terminal 14 uploads the input search work image 37 to the creation device 11 in response to input of the search work image 37 to the image input unit 32 (see FIG. 2).

[0046] When the search button 35 on the search screen 31 displayed on the communication terminal 14 is operated, the creation program 27 acquires from the management data 28 a processing proposal table DT1 in which a workpiece image 41 similar to the searched workpiece image 37 is associated (S3). The creation program 27 displays a list of the acquired processing proposal tables DT1 on the communication terminal 14 (S5). The communication terminal 14 displays a search result display section 39 shown in FIG. 3. The creation program 27 accepts the selection of an arbitrary processing proposal table DT1 from the processing proposal tables DT1 displayed on the search result display section 39, displays the screens shown in FIGS. 4 to 7 on the communication terminal 14, and accepts the creation of a new processing proposal table (S6).

[0047] As shown in FIG. 2 , the creation program 27 also displays a preprocessing button 48 and a manual correction button 49 on the search screen 31. When the preprocessing button 48 is operated, the creation program 27 performs image processing on the search work image 37 received from the communication terminal 14 as preprocessing to determine the similarity between the search work image 37 and the work image 41 (S4). When determining the similarity of workpiece images using an AI program or the like, the presence of unnecessary lines or the like in the search work image 37 reduces the accuracy of the similarity determination. The desired processing proposal table DT1 may not be displayed at the top of the search result display section 39 or may not appear in the list of search results, increasing the search workload. Therefore, the creation program 27 can perform image processing on the search work image 37 uploaded from the communication terminal 14 to improve the accuracy of the similarity determination (S4). For example, the user may check the list in the search result display section 39, display and confirm the contents of the processing proposal table DT1 as necessary, and if the desired processing proposal table DT1 is not found, return to the search screen 31 and operate the preprocessing button 48.

[0048] Specifically, when determining the similarity between two images using an AI program, it is preferable to delete lines and characters from the search work image 37 other than the lines representing the processed shape. For example, if the search work image 37 is an image of a photographed drawing, it is preferable to delete unnecessary lines such as dimension lines. FIG. 9 shows a search work image 37 obtained by photographing a paper drawing (printed material) of the work W and a search work image 37 after image processing (hereinafter referred to as search work image 37A). As shown in the upper diagram of FIG. 9 , the drawing illustrates, for example, a side view of the work W and outline lines 91 indicating the processed shape of the work W. In addition to the outline lines 91, the drawing also illustrates other lines (hereinafter referred to as auxiliary lines) 92 such as dimension lines, center lines, and leader lines, text 93 indicating size, and supplementary information 95 such as the name of the drawing creator and dimension values. Here, the outline lines 91 indicating the processed shape are generally depicted as thicker lines than the other lines. Preferably, the outline lines 91 are depicted as the thickest of the multiple lines included in the drawing. Therefore, the creation program 27 deletes character information such as the characters 93 and the supplemental information 95, and then performs image processing to detect the thickest line among the lines included in the search work image 37 as the outline 91, thereby generating the search work image 37A shown in the lower diagram of Fig. 9. Note that the drawing shown in Fig. 9 is an example, and an image other than a side view of the workpiece W may be captured as the search work image 37, and image processing may be performed. For example, if the machine tool is not a lathe but a machining center or a hobbing machine, the similarity may be determined not only from the side view but also from a plan view of the workpiece W.

[0049] The creation program 27 displays the corrected searched workpiece image 37A on the image display unit 33. After checking the searched workpiece image 37A, the user operates the search button 35 to search the processing proposal table DT1 again (S3). The creation program 27 determines the similarity between the searched workpiece image 37A after image processing and the workpiece image 41, and displays the search results on the communication terminal 14 (S5). In this way, by deleting unnecessary auxiliary lines 92 and the like and determining the similarity, it is possible to accurately detect the processing proposal table DT1 for the workpiece image 41 that is similar to the shape of the workpiece captured by the user.

[0050] The above-described image processing is merely an example. For example, if the search work image 37 is a photographed image of a hand-drawn illustration, the outline 91 may be distorted or warped due to the handwriting, resulting in curved lines that should be straight. Therefore, the creation program 27 may execute image processing to correct the curves included in the hand-drawn drawing of the search work image 37 into straight lines. Alternatively, if a portion of a line constituting the outline 91 is interrupted, the creation program 27 may detect the interrupted portion and perform correction to connect the separated lines. For example, the creation program 27 may perform correction to connect the ends of two lines separated by a gap narrower than a predetermined reference distance. Furthermore, the creation program 27 may determine the type of line, such as a solid line or a dotted line, and detect and delete the auxiliary lines 92. Performing such image processing also enables accurate detection of the processing proposal table DT1.

[0051] Furthermore, if the search workpiece image 37 is a photograph of the actual workpiece W, the creation program 27 may perform image processing to detect the machined shape of the search target workpiece W shown in the search workpiece image 37. The process of detecting the machined shape can employ various image processing techniques to detect the edges (ends) of the workpiece in the image. For example, the creation program 27 may perform binarization processing on the search workpiece image 37 to clarify the boundary (outline) between the workpiece W and the photographed background, the lines representing the machined surface of the workpiece, the outlines of the formed holes, etc., and then detect the edges, thereby detecting the machined shape (outline 91) from the photograph of the actual workpiece. For example, if the imaging device 5 is a 3D camera (stereo camera) or a 3D laser scanner, the creation program 27 may generate point cloud data from the captured search workpiece image 37 and perform image processing to detect the outer shape of the workpiece by polygonization, etc. Therefore, the creation program 27 may perform image processing to detect the machined shape of the search target workpiece W shown in the search workpiece image 37, which is a photograph of the actual workpiece, and determine similarity based on the detected machined shape of the workpiece. In this way, if the actual processed workpiece W is available at the business trip destination, the actual workpiece can be photographed and searched for in the processing proposal table DT1. Even if there is no drawing, the processing proposal table DT1 can be searched.

[0052] 2, the creation program 27 may display, for example, radio buttons for selecting "Drawing," "Hand-drawn illustration," or "Photograph" below the preprocessing button 48, and may execute image processing according to the type of search work image 37 selected by the radio button. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, when the drawing radio button is selected, the creation program 27 may execute image processing to detect the thickest line as the outline 91.

[0053] Furthermore, the above-described image processing content is merely an example, and the creation program 27 may execute a combination of the various image processing described above. The creation program 27 may execute processing to correct curves into straight lines for the retrieval work image 37 of a drawing or photograph. Alternatively, the creation program 27 may execute binarization processing for the retrieval work image 37 of a drawing or hand-drawn illustration. The creation program 27 may also execute image processing to correct the shooting direction as a common process for the retrieval work image 37 of a drawing, hand-drawn illustration, and the actual object. Specifically, the shooting direction of the retrieval work image 37 captured by the user may be corrected so that the image of the object (drawing, etc.) captured is a planar view or an image captured from directly in front.

[0054] The creation program 27 may also execute a search for a 3D image. For example, if the workpiece image 41 is saved as a 3D image, the creation program 27 may determine the similarity between the workpiece image 41 and a search workpiece image 37 captured by the imaging device 5 of a 3D camera, or a search workpiece image 37 captured by the 2D imaging device 5 from multiple directions of the actual workpiece W.

[0055] 2, the creation program 27 receives an instruction from the user to manually correct the image (search work image 37 or search work image 37A) displayed on the image display unit 33. For example, when the search button 35 is operated with the corrected search work image 37A displayed on the image display unit 33, the creation program 27 acquires from the management data 28 a plurality of processing proposal tables DT1 having work images 41 similar to the search work image 37A (S3). The creation program 27 displays the acquired plurality of processing proposal tables DT1 as a list on the search result display unit 39, i.e., on the screen of the communication terminal 14 (S5).

[0056] If the search results are insufficient, such as if the desired machining proposal table DT1 is not present in the list, the user operates the manual correction button 49 to correct the searched workpiece image 37A. When the manual correction button 49 is operated, the creation program 27 displays a correction acceptance screen 97 shown in FIG. 10 superimposed on the search screen 31. The creation program 27 accepts a correction instruction from the user on the correction acceptance screen 97 and corrects the searched workpiece image 37A. For example, as shown in FIG. 10 , the user selects a line to be corrected from among the outlines 91 of the searched workpiece image 37A using a touch pen 98. In the example shown in FIG. 10 , a portion of the surface (line) for machining the outer diameter of the workpiece W is curved. Therefore, the user touches the curved portion with the touch pen 98. When a portion of a line of the searched workpiece image 37A displayed on the correction acceptance screen 97 is selected with the touch pen 98, the creation program 27 displays a pop-up 99 superimposed on the correction acceptance screen 97, allowing the selection of correction content. The creation program 27 displays a menu in a pop-up 99 indicating correction options, such as "correct to straight line" or "delete." When a desired correction option is selected from the menu displayed in the pop-up 99, the creation program 27 executes the selected correction on the selected line. This allows the user to execute corrections such as straightening a distorted curve or deleting any remaining unnecessary lines, such as the auxiliary line 92. Alternatively, the creation program 27 may accept instructions for other correction options on the correction acceptance screen 97, such as an instruction to connect broken lines or an instruction to add missing lines.

[0057] When the save button 101 displayed on the correction acceptance screen 97 is operated, the creation program 27 updates the search work image 37A with the corrected image. When the close button 102 displayed on the correction acceptance screen 97 is operated, the creation program 27 hides the correction acceptance screen 97 and displays the search screen 31 on the communication terminal 14. The creation program 27 also displays the search work image 37 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the search work image 37B) after correction on the correction acceptance screen 97 on the image display unit 33. When the search button 35 is operated, the creation program 27 retrieves from the management data 28 a processing proposal table DT1 having a work image 41 similar to the corrected search work image 37B and displays it on the search result display unit 39 (S3, S5, an example of the re-acquisition process disclosed herein). As a result, if the search result based on the search work image 37A after correction by operating the pre-processing button 48 is not satisfactory, the search work image 37A can be manually corrected by operating the manual correction button 49. If image processing is insufficient, such as when distortion is not sufficiently corrected, when unnecessary lines are not removed, or when necessary lines are missing, the search work image 37A can be manually corrected.

[0058] In the above description, manual correction is performed on the search work image 37A that has been corrected by operating the pre-processing button 48. However, the creation program 27 may also accept manual correction on the pre-image-processed search work image 37 uploaded from the communication terminal 14 and perform a search after the correction. For example, if the manual correction button 49 is operated after the search work image 37 is input to the image input unit 32 and before the pre-processing button 48 is operated, the creation program 27 may display the search work image 37 on the correction acceptance screen 97 and accept the manual correction. This allows unnecessary lines and the like in the captured image to be manually corrected and a search to be performed.

[0059] The creation program 27 may also perform machine learning on the content of manual corrections made to the search work image 37 or the search work image 37A to the search work image 37B, and optimize the content of image processing when the preprocessing button 48 is operated. For example, the creation program 27 may perform machine learning on the characteristics of lines and points deleted from the search work image 37A by manual correction, and delete the lines and the like learned by machine learning in subsequent image processing. This improves the accuracy of image processing.

[0060] Furthermore, some or all of the processing performed by the creation program 27 described above may be executed by the terminal application 9 of the communication terminal 14. For example, the terminal application 9 may display the editing screens and content confirmation screens shown in FIGS. 2 to 7, accept changes to setting data, and so on. The terminal application 9 may also execute a process for determining the similarity between the search work image 37 and the work image 41, a process for retrieving the processing proposal table DT1 from the management data 28 based on the similarity (S3), and a process for displaying the search results (S5). The terminal application 9 may also execute image processing (S4, preprocessing, the process shown in FIG. 9) when the preprocessing button 48 is operated. The terminal application 9 may then transmit the processed search work image 37B to the creation device 11 and execute a search for the processing proposal table DT1 (an example of an image transmission process disclosed herein). That is, the communication terminal 14 may perform image processing on the search work image 37, and then upload the processed search work image 37B. Furthermore, the terminal application 9 may execute a process (such as the process shown in FIG. 10 ) for accepting manual correction when the manual correction button 49 is operated. In this way, by having the terminal application 9 execute some or all of the processes executed by the creation program 27, the processing load on the creation device 11 can be reduced. Note that the communication terminal 14 does not need to be equipped with the terminal application 9.

[0061] As described above, the creation program 27 performs authentication based on the login information, and if the authentication is successful, receives the search workpiece image 37 from the communication terminal 14. The creation program 27 determines the similarity of the search workpiece image 37, 37A, 37B only for the workpiece images 41 contained in the processing proposal table DT1 for which search is permitted according to the login information. For example, the creation program 27 manages the processing proposal table DT1 available for each customer (user) using the creation system 10 separately. This allows, for example, a processing proposal table DT1 created by customer A to be available only to customer A and not to be searched by customer B. In addition to being divided into groups for dividing the scope of use of the processing proposal table DT1, groups available to manufacturers can also be set.

[0062] The login information DT2 of the management data 28 shown in FIG. 1 stores, in association with each other, for example, the user ID of the login user of the creation system 10, the password used for login, and information (such as a management number) about the processing proposal table DT1 that the user is authorized to use. The creation program 27 determines the processing proposal table DT1 that the login user who has successfully completed login authentication is authorized to use, and changes the processing proposal table DT1 to be searched when the search button 35 is operated. This allows the processing proposal table DT1 that can be searched to be changed depending on the login user. It is possible to quickly find processing proposal tables DT1 for similar workpieces from the past. It also makes it possible to prevent the processing proposal table DT1 from being shared between customers, etc.

[0063] The creation device 11 does not need to perform the process of switching the processing proposal table DT1 to be searched. For example, the creation program 27 may use the same processing proposal table DT1 to be searched regardless of the logged-in user. Alternatively, the available processing proposal table DT1 may be changed by storing the processing proposal table DT1 on a separate server for each customer, etc., and changing the server used depending on the logged-in user. The creation program 27 does not need to perform login authentication for users using the creation system 10.

[0064] Furthermore, the processing procedures, order, contents, etc. shown in FIG. 8 are merely examples. For example, the search work image 37 is not limited to an image captured by the communication terminal 14. An image of a drawing scanned by a scanner may be uploaded from the communication terminal 14 to the creation device 11 as the search work image 37. Furthermore, the creation program 27 may automatically perform image processing (such as edge detection) when receiving the search work image 37 from the communication terminal 14. Therefore, the creation program 27 may uniformly perform image processing on all uploaded search work images 37. In this case, the creation program 27 may not need to display the preprocessing button 48 on the search screen 31.

[0065] Incidentally, the processing proposal table creation device 11 is an example of a computer or server of the present disclosure. The communication terminal 14 is an example of a portable communication terminal. The CPU 21 is an example of a processing unit. The network IF 24 is an example of a communication unit of the present disclosure. The processing of S2 is an example of image reception processing. The processing of S3 and S5 are examples of acquisition processing and re-acquisition processing. The processing of S4 is an example of image processing. The processing of S6 is an example of creation processing.

[0066] As described above, the present embodiment provides the following advantages. The creation program 27 (creation device 11), which is one aspect of the present embodiment, receives a search workpiece image 37 used for search from the communication terminal 14 via the network IF 24 (S2). The creation program 27 acquires a processing proposal table DT1 containing a workpiece image 41 similar to the received search workpiece image 37 from the storage device 22 (S3, S5). The creation program 27 then creates a new processing proposal table based on the acquired processing proposal table DT1 and information received from the communication terminal 14 (S6). This allows the creation of a new processing proposal table at a remote location, such as a sales destination. This eliminates the need to carry back drawings, images, and actual workpieces W from a remote location and then search for similar workpiece images 41, eliminating location constraints. Specific production line configurations and cycle times can also be proposed. Furthermore, by using the search function for determining the similarity of the workpiece W, the time required to search the storage device 22 for the machining proposal table DT1 used to create a new machining proposal table can be reduced.

[0067] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various improvements and modifications are possible within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. For example, in the above-described embodiments, the creation program 27 was capable of performing preprocessing on the search work image 37 to determine its similarity to the work image 41, but it may be configured not to perform this preprocessing. Furthermore, the creation program 27 may be configured not to perform manual correction of the search work images 37 and 37A. Furthermore, the creation program 27 may perform at least one of the following image processing operations: detecting the thickest line among multiple lines included in the drawing of the search work image 37 as the machining shape of the workpiece W; deleting auxiliary lines included in the drawing; and correcting curves included in the drawing to straight lines.

[0068] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the machining proposal table DT1 using multiple types of machine tools has been described, but the creation program 27 may also create a machining proposal table DT1 using one type of machine tool. The information stored as the machining proposal table DT1 in the above embodiment is an example, and the type of table to be stored, the item names, number, and type of information may be changed as appropriate. The processing content of the creation program 27 described above is an example. For example, the creation program 27 may be configured to display and create at least one table from among the basic information table 51, tooling list 52, cycle time table, transport table, and layout table.

[0069] The scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the dependent relationships set forth in the claims. For example, this specification also discloses a technical idea in claim 4 where "the processing proposal table creation device according to claim 2" is changed to "the processing proposal table creation device according to claim 2 or claim 3." It also discloses a technical idea in claim 5 where "the processing proposal table creation device according to claim 2" is changed to "the processing proposal table creation device according to any one of claims 2 to 4." It also discloses a technical idea in claim 6 where "the processing proposal table creation device according to claim 1 or claim 2" is changed to "the processing proposal table creation device according to any one of claims 1 to 5."

[0070] 5 Imaging device, 9 Terminal application (application program for communication terminal), 11 Processing proposal table creation device (computer, server), 14 Communication terminal (portable communication terminal), 21 CPU (processing unit), 22 Storage device, 24 Network IF (communication unit), 27 Processing proposal table creation program, 37, 37A, 37B Search work image, 41 Work image, 92 Auxiliary line, DT1 Processing proposal table, DT2 Login information, W Work.

Claims

1. A processing proposal table creation device that creates a new processing proposal table using a processing proposal table stored in a storage device, comprising: a communication unit capable of communicating with a portable communications terminal; and a processing unit that processes information received from the portable communications terminal via the communication unit, wherein the processing proposal table has a work image indicating a shape of a work, and the processing unit executes the following steps: an image receiving process that receives a search work image used for search from the portable communications terminal via the communication unit; an acquisition process that acquires from the storage device the processing proposal table having the work image similar to the search work image received by the image receiving process; and a creation process that creates the new processing proposal table based on the processing proposal table acquired by the acquisition process and information received from the portable communications terminal via the communication unit.

2. The processing proposal table creation device of claim 1, wherein the portable communication terminal is equipped with an imaging device, and the processing unit, in the image reception process, receives an image captured by the imaging device from the portable communication terminal as the search work image, performs image processing on the search work image received by the image reception process as preprocessing for determining similarity with the work image, and performs the acquisition process using the search work image after performing the image processing to determine similarity with the work image.

3. The processing proposal table creation device of claim 2, wherein the search work image is an image of a drawing of the work to be searched for captured by the imaging device, and the processing unit executes as the image processing at least one of the following processes: a process of detecting the thickest line among multiple lines included in the drawing of the search work image as the processing shape of the work; a process of deleting auxiliary lines included in the drawing of the search work image; and a process of correcting curves included in the drawing of the search work image into straight lines.

4. The processing proposal table creation device of claim 2, wherein the search work image is an image of the actual work to be searched for captured by the imaging device, and the processing unit executes the image processing to detect the processing shape of the work to be searched for that is shown in the search work image, and determines similarity based on the processing shape of the detected work.

5. The processing unit of claim 2, wherein the processing unit, in the acquisition process, determines the similarity between the searched work image after the image processing is performed and the work image, acquires from the memory device a plurality of the processing proposal tables having the work image similar to the searched work image, displays on the portable communications terminal a plurality of the processing proposal tables acquired by the acquisition process, receives an instruction as to whether or not to manually correct the searched work image, and if an instruction to manually correct is received, corrects the searched work image based on the instruction received from the portable communications terminal via the communication unit, and executes a re-acquisition process to acquire from the memory device a processing proposal table having the work image similar to the searched work image after correction.

6. A processing proposal table creation device as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the communication unit is capable of communicating with the portable communication terminal via wide area communication, and the processing unit performs authentication based on login information, and if the authentication is successful, executes the image receiving process, and in the acquisition process, determines the similarity with the searched work image only for the work images held by the processing proposal table that are permitted to be searched according to the login information.

7. A processing proposal table creation program that causes a computer to execute a process of creating a new processing proposal table using a processing proposal table stored in a storage device, the computer having a communication unit capable of communicating with a portable communications terminal, the processing proposal table having a workpiece image indicating the shape of a workpiece, and causes the computer to execute an image receiving process of receiving a search workpiece image used for a search from the portable communications terminal via the communication unit, an acquisition process of acquiring from the storage device the processing proposal table having the workpiece image similar to the search workpiece image received by the image receiving process, and a creation process of creating the new processing proposal table based on the processing proposal table acquired by the acquisition process and information received from the portable communications terminal via the communication unit.

8. An application program for a communication terminal executable by a portable communication terminal capable of communicating with a server, the portable communication terminal having an imaging device, the server executing a process of creating a new processing proposal table using a processing proposal table stored in a storage device, the processing proposal table having a workpiece image indicating a shape of a workpiece, the application program causing the portable communication terminal to execute an image transmission process of performing image processing on an image captured by the imaging device as a preprocessing for determining similarity with the workpiece image, and transmitting the image after the image processing is performed to the server as a search workpiece image to be used for search, an acquisition process of acquiring from the server the processing proposal table having the workpiece image similar to the search workpiece image transmitted by the image transmission process, and a creation process of transmitting an instruction to the server to create the new processing proposal table based on the processing proposal table acquired by the acquisition process and information input via the portable communication terminal.

Images