Operation state display system

Abstract

An operation state display system (1) comprises: a terminal (4); an operation data server (2); and a drawing data server (3). The operation data server (2) continuously acquires, as a log, operation data indicating the operation state of a conveyance device (5) and stores such data in a database (22). The drawing data server (3) provides to the terminal (4), in response to a request from the terminal (4), drawing data which is used for drawing the conveyance device (5). The terminal (4) requests the drawing data for the conveyance device (5) from the drawing data server (3). The terminal (4) reads the operation data of the conveyance device (5) from the database (22). The terminal (4) generates an operation video indicating the operation state of the conveyance device (5), by moving the drawing data on the basis of the operation data. A display unit (12) displays a video generated by a video generation unit (11c).

Description

Operational Status Display System

[0001] The present invention relates to an operation status display system for displaying the operation status of a device.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a production line management system. The production line management system is a system that remotely monitors multiple devices that are installed at each process on a production line and perform product processing or product inspection according to each process. The multiple devices installed on the production line are connected to a relay device via a network. The relay device collects information about the operating status from each device and performs preprocessing to display an image of the operating status of the production line based on the information about the operating status. The relay device is connected to a server via another network. The server obtains the preprocessed information from the relay device, generates image information for displaying an image of the operating status of the production line, and distributes it to a terminal.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-26844

[0004] In the system of Patent Document 1, the server generates image information and distributes it to the terminals, so the load on the server is concentrated. Therefore, for example, when a plurality of terminals make requests to the server, the load on the server becomes heavy.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and its main purpose is to provide a configuration in an operation status display system that displays the operation status of a device, which can prevent the load from concentrating on a server and increasing the load on the server. Means to solve the problem and effects

[0006] The problem to be solved by the present invention is as described above. Next, the means for solving this problem and the effects thereof will be explained.

[0007] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an operating status display system having the following configuration. Specifically, the operating status display system displays the operating status, including the location, of equipment installed in a facility and moving within the facility. The operating status display system includes a terminal, an operating data server, and a drawing data server. The operating data server continuously acquires operating data indicating the operating status of the equipment as a log and stores the data in a database. In response to a request from the terminal, the drawing data server provides the terminal with drawing data used to draw the equipment. The terminal includes a request unit, a reading unit, an image generation unit, and a display unit. The request unit requests the drawing data of the equipment from the drawing data server. The reading unit reads the operating data of the equipment from the database. The image generation unit generates an operating image indicating the operating status of the equipment by moving the drawing data provided in response to the request from the request unit based on the operating data read by the reading unit. The display unit displays the image generated by the image generation unit.

[0008] This allows the terminal to generate the operational video, and the server that provides the operational data and the server that provides the drawing data are different, so the server load can be distributed, and it can also handle requests from multiple terminals, for example.

[0009] In the above-mentioned operating status display system, it is preferable that the drawing data server provides the terminal with read information for reading the operating data of the device from the database in response to a request from the terminal.

[0010] This allows the read information to be managed centrally by the drawing data server.

[0011] The operating status display system preferably has the following configuration: In the database, identification information for identifying the device is associated with the operating data of the device, and the drawing data server provides the identification information of the device to the terminal as the read information in response to a request from the terminal.

[0012] This allows the reading unit to read the operating data of the target device using the device identification information.

[0013] The above-mentioned operating status display system is preferably configured as follows: That is, a plurality of the databases are provided, and the operating data of the same device is stored in a predetermined one of the plurality of databases, and the drawing data server provides the terminal with identification information of the one database in which the operating data of the device is stored as the read information in response to a request from the terminal.

[0014] This allows the reading unit to access the database specified using the identification information and read out the operating data of the device.

[0015] The operating status display system preferably has the following configuration: the drawing data server provides the terminal with a three-dimensional model used to draw the device as the drawing data in response to a request from the terminal, and the image generation unit generates the operating image, which is a three-dimensional image showing the operating status of the device.

[0016] This allows the system to display conditions close to the actual facility, making it easier for users of the system to understand the operating status of the equipment. Furthermore, when generating 3D images, the amount of rendering data and operational data increases, which can easily lead to a decrease in performance of the 3D images. In this regard, the present invention distributes the server load, thereby preventing a decrease in performance of the 3D images.

[0017] In the above-mentioned operating status display system, it is preferable that the drawing data server identifies the access status from the terminal to the database, and if it determines that the access status satisfies the restriction conditions, restricts new access to the database.

[0018] This makes it possible to prevent degradation of the performance of the live video.

[0019] In the above-described operation status display system, the device is preferably a conveying device that conveys an article.

[0020] This allows the operating status of the transport device to be confirmed.

[0021] A block diagram of an operating status display system according to an embodiment of the present invention. A diagram showing an example of information stored in a database. A diagram showing data included in drawing data and read information. A sequence diagram of an operating status display system. A diagram showing a state in which an operating video is displayed on a terminal. A flowchart showing a process of determining whether to restrict access to a database.

[0022] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, the configuration of an operating status display system 1 will be described with reference to Figs.

[0023] The operation status display system 1 is a system that displays, on a terminal, operation images showing the operation status of devices installed in a facility. The facility includes a building established for a specific purpose and the devices installed in the building. The facility is, for example, a factory or a warehouse.

[0024] The target device of the operation status display system 1 of this embodiment is a conveying device 5. The conveying device 5 picks up an item, moves within a facility while holding the item, and transfers the item to a destination position. The conveying device 5 is, for example, a stacker crane, an AGV, or an overhead guided vehicle. Note that the target of the operation status display system 1 is not limited to the conveying device 5, and the system can be applied to various devices that move within a facility. For example, the operation status display system 1 can also be applied to devices that move within a facility by themselves to perform work, cleaning, or monitoring.

[0025] The transport device 5 has a communication function. For example, the transport device 5 is provided with a wireless communication module and is capable of transmitting data via wireless communication. The transport device 5 is capable of transmitting at least operation data via wireless communication. The operation data is data indicating the operation status of the transport device 5, as shown in FIG. 2, and includes at least the position of the transport device 5. The position of the transport device 5 included in the operation data is, for example, information specifying one section when a facility is divided according to specific criteria. Alternatively, if the transport device 5 moves along a rail or the like, the position of the transport device 5 may be information specifying the position on the rail path. If the transport device 5 moves on a specific plane, the height position may be omitted.

[0026] The operation data may include data other than the position of the conveying device 5. For example, if the conveying device 5 is capable of changing its orientation (front direction), the operation data may include information on the orientation of the conveying device 5. The operation data may include information indicating whether the conveying device 5 is transporting an item. If the conveying device 5 has a tool (e.g., a transfer tool), the operation data may include information indicating the status of the tool. For example, if the conveying device 5 is a stacker crane, the operation data may include information indicating the height position of a lifting platform serving as a transfer tool provided on the stacker crane.

[0027] The transport device 5 transmits the recorded operation data at predetermined time intervals together with a device ID, which is identification information for identifying the device itself. In this embodiment, the purpose is to allow the user to grasp the operation status of the transport device 5 in real time. Therefore, the transport device 5 transmits the operation data in real time. In this specification, real time includes cases where there is a delay of several seconds after the transport device 5 generates the operation data. Furthermore, the operation data is time-series data recorded as a type of log, and is preferably associated with time. Strictly speaking, the time corresponds to information such as the position indicated by the operation data, but since the transport device 5 transmits the operation data in real time, it may also be the transmission time of the operation data. The operation data is compiled into a database as described below.

[0028] The operation status display system 1 can also be used for the purpose of analyzing the operation status of the facility after it has been put into operation. When used for this purpose, the transport device 5 may store operation data for a predetermined period of time (for example, several hours), and then transmit the operation data for the predetermined period of time all at once.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 1, the operation status display system 1 includes an operation data server 2, a drawing data server 3, and a terminal 4.

[0030] The operation data server 2 is installed within the facility. The operation data server 2 can communicate with the drawing data server 3, the terminal 4, or the transport device 5 via a network within the facility. The operation data server 2 is a server device equipped with a CPU, memory, storage, a communication device, etc. The CPU executes programs, causing the operation data server 2 to realize various functions. The operation data server 2 has functions as, for example, a data collection unit 21 and a database 22.

[0031] The data collection unit 21 acquires the operation data transmitted by the transport device 5. The data collection unit 21 may receive the operation data transmitted by the transport device 5 directly or via a relay device. The data collection unit 21 creates a database of the acquired operation data. As a result, the database 22 is generated.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 2 , the database 22 registers operation data in association with an apparatus ID and a time. The database 22 is, for example, a relational database. The database 22 can extract data that matches specified conditions (for example, an apparatus ID of AAA). In conventional technology, operation data is accumulated as log data for maintaining and managing the transport apparatus 5. That is, it has been common practice to acquire operation data for each of multiple transport apparatuses 5 operating within a facility at predetermined time intervals and accumulate the log data in the database 22, and then refer to the log data when a problem occurs with the transport apparatus 5.

[0033] 1 , the operation status display system 1 includes a plurality of operation data servers 2. Each operation data server 2 has the same functions. However, each operation data server 2 acquires operation data for a different transport device 5. For example, each operation data server 2 stores a list of device IDs of the transport devices 5 from which it should acquire operation data, and stores only the operation data of the device IDs listed in the list in the database 22. If a relay device is provided, the relay device may select an operation data server 2 to which the operation data should be transmitted based on the list, and transmit the operation data to the selected operation data server 2.

[0034] In this embodiment, the operational data server 2, which is a single server device, has the functions of the data collection unit 21 and the database 22. Alternatively, the server device having the function of the data collection unit 21 and the server device having the function of the database 22 may be separate. In this case, the server device having the function of the data collection unit 21 may be provided within a facility, and the server device having the function of the database 22 may be provided on the cloud. Furthermore, multiple databases 22 may be provided for one data collection unit 21.

[0035] The drawing data server 3 is installed within the facility. The drawing data server 3 can communicate with the operation data server 2 or the terminal 4 via a network within the facility. The drawing data server 3 may also be installed on a cloud. In this case, the drawing data server 3 can communicate with the operation data server 2 or the terminal 4 via the Internet.

[0036] The drawing data server 3 is a server device equipped with a CPU, memory, storage, a communication device, etc. The CPU executes programs to enable the drawing data server 3 to realize various functions. The functions realized by the drawing data server 3 include a web server function, a drawing data generation function, and a management function.

[0037] The web server function is a function that transmits data such as HTML data, CSS, and images required to display a specific web page to terminal 4 when accessed by terminal 4 using a browser. The browser of terminal 4 displays the web page based on the received data. Furthermore, when a button or link displayed on the web page is selected, drawing data server 3 transmits new data such as HTML data, CSS, and images corresponding to the selected button or link to terminal 4.

[0038] Next, the drawing data generation function will be described. In this embodiment, as will be described later, an operation video is generated in which the operating state of the transport device 5 is depicted using a three-dimensional model (three-dimensional CAD data). The drawing data generation function is a function for generating drawing data used to depict the operation video. The drawing data in this embodiment is a three-dimensional model of the environment of a specific section within a facility, the transport device 5, etc. (see FIG. 3). The three-dimensional model of the environment is data in which three-dimensional models of structures such as floors, shelves, ceilings, and stationary machines within the section are arranged according to their actual positions. The drawing data generated by the drawing data generation function is transmitted to the terminal 4. Note that the three-dimensional model of the environment is not required, and an operation video showing only the position of the device, for example, may be generated.

[0039] The operation video may be a two-dimensional video. For example, if the transport device 5 does not move in the vertical direction, the operation video may be a view of the facility from above. In this case, the drawing data is a two-dimensional image of the environment within the facility and the transport device 5, etc., as viewed from above.

[0040] The management function is a function for providing the data necessary for generating operational images to the terminal 4 and for restricting access to the terminal 4 when access is concentrated. The drawing data server 3 stores device information and database information as information for realizing the management function.

[0041] The device information is information that associates the device ID of the transport device 5 placed within the facility with the section that the transport device 5 is responsible for. Therefore, when a specific section within the facility is specified, the drawing data server 3 can extract the device ID of the transport device 5 located in that section.

[0042] The database information is information that associates the device ID of the transport device 5 arranged in the facility with the identification information of the database 22 in which the operation data of the transport device 5 is stored. The identification information of the database 22 is unique information (such as a numeric string or a character string) set for each database 22, and is information for identifying and accessing one database 22 from among multiple databases 22. Therefore, the drawing data server 3 can extract the identification information of the database 22 in which the operation data of the transport device 5 is stored, based on the device ID of the transport device 5.

[0043] As a result, when a specific section is designated, the drawing data server 3 can extract the device IDs of the transport devices 5 located in that section and the identification information of the database 22 in which the operation data of these transport devices 5 is stored. This information is necessary to read the operation data of the transport devices 5, and will be referred to as read information hereinafter (see FIG. 3). The specific flow of communication between the drawing data server 3 and the terminal 4 will be described later.

[0044] Of the above functions, the drawing data generation function is an essential function for the drawing data server 3, but the web server function and management function are not essential functions for the drawing data server 3. For example, the drawing data server 3 may provide drawing data, etc. to the terminal 4 in response to a request generated using application software other than the browser of the terminal 4. Furthermore, the management function may be realized by using a server device different from the drawing data server 3. Alternatively, the terminal 4 may store device information or database information.

[0045] The terminal 4 is a device that displays operation images in response to instructions from a user. The terminal 4 is, for example, a tablet device, a smartphone, a PC, or a dedicated terminal. The terminal 4 includes a processing unit 11, a display unit 12, and an operation unit 13. The processing unit 11 includes a CPU, memory, storage, and a communication device. When the CPU executes a program, the processing unit 11 functions as a request unit 11a, a reading unit 11b, and an image generating unit 11c. The functions of each unit will be described later. The communication device is a wireless communication module or a wired communication module, and is capable of communicating with the operation data server 2 and the drawing data server 3. The display unit 12 is a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or the like, and is capable of displaying images. The operation unit 13 is a touch panel, hardware keys, or the like, and can be operated by a user.

[0046] Next, the process of displaying an operating video on the terminal 4 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0047] The user uses the terminal 4 to access the web page provided by the drawing data server 3. The web page displays buttons for selecting a section within the facility and a button for instructing the display of an operating video. The user operates these buttons using the operation unit 13 to instruct the display of an operating video of a specific section.

[0048] When terminal 4 receives an instruction to display the operating video of a specified section (sequence number S1 in Figure 4), the request unit 11a of terminal 4 requests the drawing data server 3 for the drawing data and read information of the specified section (sequence number S2).

[0049] In response to this, the drawing data server 3 generates the drawing data and read information shown in FIG. 3 (sequence number S3). As described above, the drawing data server 3 references the device information and extracts the device ID of the transport device 5 located in the specified section. Next, the drawing data server 3 generates a 3D model of the transport device 5 identified by the device ID and a 3D model of the environment of the specified section to prepare drawing data. Next, based on the database information described above, the drawing data server 3 extracts identification information for one database 22 in which operation data for the transport device 5 located in the specified section is stored. Thereafter, the drawing data server 3 provides the generated drawing data and read information (specifically, the extracted device ID of the transport device 5 and the identification information of the database 22) to the terminal 4 (sequence number S4).

[0050] The terminal 4 identifies one database 22 from which operating data should be acquired based on the read information (specifically, the identification information of the database 22) (sequence number S5). The reading unit 11b of the terminal 4 then accesses the identified database 22 and reads the operating data. Specifically, the reading unit 11b requests the operating data associated with the device ID included in the read information (sequence number S6), and the operating data server 2 provides the specified operating data to the terminal 4 (sequence number S7). In this embodiment, the read information provided by the drawing data server 3 includes both the device ID of the transport device 5 and the identification information of the database 22. Alternatively, the read information provided by the drawing data server 3 may include only one of the above two pieces of information. In this case, the missing information may be stored in advance by the terminal 4 or acquired by the terminal 4 from another server, for example.

[0051] As a result, the terminal 4 acquires a 3D model of the environment of the specified section, a 3D model of the transport device 5 located in the specified section, and operation data of the transport device 5 located in the specified section. The video generator 11c of the terminal 4 generates an operation video based on the acquired information and displays it on the display 12 (sequence number S8, FIG. 5).

[0052] Specifically, the image generator 11c generates an operation image by placing a 3D model of the transport device 5 relative to a 3D model of the environment, taking into account the operation data. More specifically, the operation data includes at least the position of the transport device 5. Therefore, the image generator 11c displays the 3D model of the transport device 5 at a corresponding position based on the correspondence between the position included in the operation data and the position indicated by the 3D model of the environment. Furthermore, when the transport device 5 performs an operation other than a change in position (e.g., a change in orientation, transporting an item, or a change in tool status), the corresponding operation data includes information identifying the operation (orientation, whether or not an item is being transported, and tool status), as shown in FIG. 2 . Therefore, by adjusting the 3D model of the transport device 5 based on the operation data, the transport device 5 can be placed in the 3D model of the environment, taking into account information other than its position.

[0053] Furthermore, since the operation data is time-series data, it includes the position and other information according to time. Therefore, the video generator 11c can generate an operation video as a moving image showing the operation status of the transport device 5 according to time by changing the position, posture, etc. of the three-dimensional model of the transport device 5 based on the operation data.

[0054] By viewing the operation video, the user can grasp at a glance the operating status of the conveyance devices 5 in a specific section. For example, the user can confirm that the conveyance devices 5 are operating properly or find a conveyance device 5 that has stopped for some reason.

[0055] When drawing data and operational data are stored in a single server device as in the prior art, the amount of data that a terminal receives from the server device becomes enormous. In particular, when multiple terminals access the server device simultaneously, the performance of operational video may be degraded. The performance of operational video refers to the time it takes to generate operational video, which can cause the operational video to stop or be delayed. In contrast, in this embodiment, terminal 4 obtains drawing data from drawing data server 3 and operational data from operational data server 2. This allows the load on the server side to be distributed. As a result, operational video performance is less likely to be degraded even when multiple terminals 4 access the server side simultaneously.

[0056] Next, the access restriction performed by the drawing data server 3 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0057] In the operation status display system 1 of this embodiment, the load on the server side is distributed, but since there is a limit to the processing capacity of the server side, access restrictions are implemented when excessive access is concentrated on the server side. Specifically, the drawing data server 3 performs each process shown in the flowchart of Figure 6. Note that steps S101 and S102 are the same as those described above.

[0058] When the drawing data server 3 receives a request from the terminal 4 (S101), it performs the process of sequence number S3 described above and identifies the database 22 in which the operating data of the corresponding conveying device 5 is stored (S102).

[0059] Next, the drawing data server 3 identifies the access status of the identified database 22 (S103). The access status may be, for example, the number of terminals 4 currently accessing the database 22 to obtain operational data. Alternatively, the access status may be the number of processes currently running that access the database 22 to obtain operational data. By using the latter access status, it is possible to take into account the case where one terminal 4 is accessing the database 22 through multiple processes. Here, the terminal 4 receives read information from the drawing data server 3 before accessing the database 22. Therefore, the drawing data server 3 can identify the number of terminals 4 currently accessing the database 22 to obtain operational data or the number of processes currently running. Another method of identification is to use a web page provided by the drawing data server 3. That is, the operational video is displayed on a web page accessed by a terminal 4 via a browser on the drawing data server 3. Therefore, the drawing data server 3 can identify the access status of the database 22 based on the status of the web page it provides (more specifically, the number of processes currently being performed to display the operational video).

[0060] Next, the drawing data server 3 determines whether the access status of the identified database 22 satisfies a restriction condition (S104). The restriction condition is a condition for starting access restriction. In this embodiment, the restriction condition is that the number of terminals 4 currently acquiring operational data or the number of running processes exceeds a threshold.

[0061] If it is determined that the restriction conditions are met, the drawing data server 3 notifies the terminal 4 that access is restricted (S105). Specifically, the drawing data server 3 writes a notice to the effect that access is restricted on a web page provided by the drawing data server 3. In this case, the drawing data and read information are not provided to the terminal 4. This makes it possible to prevent excessive access to the database 22 from concentrating.

[0062] If the drawing data server 3 determines that the restriction conditions are not satisfied, it provides the drawing data and read information as shown by sequence number S4 (S106). In other words, access to the specified database 22 is permitted, and the terminal 4 accesses the database 22 to generate and display the operating image.

[0063] (Feature 1) As described above, the operating status display system 1 of this embodiment displays the operating status, including the position, of a transport device 5 that is placed within a facility and moves within the facility. The operating status display system 1 includes a terminal 4, an operating data server 2, and a drawing data server 3. The operating data server 2 continuously acquires operating data indicating the operating status of the transport device 5 as a log and stores the log in a database 22. The drawing data server 3 provides the terminal 4 with drawing data used to draw the transport device 5 in response to a request from the terminal 4. The terminal 4 includes a request unit 11a, a reading unit 11b, an image generation unit 11c, and a display unit 12. The request unit 11a requests drawing data of the transport device 5 from the drawing data server 3. The reading unit 11b reads the operating data of the transport device 5 from the database 22. The image generating unit 11c generates an operation image showing the operation state of the conveying device 5 by moving the drawing data provided in response to the request from the requesting unit 11a based on the operation data read by the reading unit 11b. The display unit 12 displays the image generated by the image generating unit 11c.

[0064] This allows the terminal to generate the operational video, and the server that provides the operational data and the server that provides the drawing data are different, so the server load can be distributed, and it can also handle requests from multiple terminals, for example.

[0065] (Feature 2) In the operation status display system 1 of this embodiment, the drawing data server 3 provides the terminal 4 with read information for reading the operation data of the transport device 5 from the database 22 in response to a request from the terminal 4.

[0066] This allows the read information to be managed in a unified manner by the drawing data server 3.

[0067] (Feature 3) In the operation status display system 1 of this embodiment, the database 22 associates identification information for identifying the transport device 5 with operation data of the transport device 5. In response to a request from the terminal 4, the drawing data server 3 provides the identification information of the transport device 5 to the terminal 4 as read information.

[0068] This allows the reading unit 11b to read out the operation data of the target conveyance device 5 using the identification information of the conveyance device 5.

[0069] (Feature 4) In the operation status display system 1 of this embodiment, a plurality of databases 22 are provided. Operation data of the same transport device 5 is stored in one predetermined database 22 among the plurality of databases 22. In response to a request from the terminal 4, the drawing data server 3 provides the terminal 4 with identification information of the one database 22 in which the operation data of the transport device 5 is stored as read information.

[0070] This allows the reading unit 11 b to access the database 22 specified using the identification information and read out the operation data of the conveying device 5 .

[0071] (Feature 5) In the operation status display system 1 of this embodiment, the drawing data server 3 provides the terminal 4 with a three-dimensional model used to draw the transport device 5 as drawing data in response to a request from the terminal 4. The image generator 11c generates an operation image, which is a three-dimensional image showing the operation status of the transport device 5.

[0072] This allows the display to closely resemble the actual facility, making it easier to grasp the operating status of the transport device 5. Furthermore, when generating a 3D image, the amount of rendering data and operational data increases, which can easily lead to a decrease in the performance of the 3D image. In this regard, in this embodiment, the server load is distributed, which can prevent a decrease in the performance of the 3D image.

[0073] (Feature 6) In the operating status display system 1 of this embodiment, the drawing data server 3 identifies the access status from the terminal 4 to the database 22, and if it determines that the access status meets the restriction conditions, it restricts new access to the database 22.

[0074] This makes it possible to prevent degradation of the performance of the live video.

[0075] (Feature 7) In the operation status display system 1 of this embodiment, the device is a conveying device 5 that conveys an article.

[0076] This allows the operating status of the conveying device 5 to be confirmed.

[0077] The operating status display system 1 can be realized by combining the above-described features 1 to 7, for example, as follows: [Configuration 1] Operating status display system 1 having feature 1 [Configuration 2] Operating status display system 1 having feature 2 in addition to configuration 1 [Configuration 3] Operating status display system 1 having feature 3 in addition to configuration 2 [Configuration 4] Operating status display system 1 having feature 4 in addition to configuration 2 or 3 [Configuration 5] Operating status display system 1 having feature 5 in addition to any one of configurations 1 to 4 [Configuration 6] Operating status display system 1 having feature 6 in addition to any one of configurations 1 to 5 [Configuration 7] Operating status display system 1 having feature 7 in addition to any one of configurations 1 to 6

[0078] The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but the above configuration can be modified, for example, as follows.

[0079] In the above embodiment, the drawing data and operation data are acquired for a specific section within the facility to generate an operation video. Alternatively, depending on the size of the facility, drawing data and operation data for the transport devices 5 throughout the facility may be acquired to generate an operation video for the entire facility.

[0080] The sequence diagram flowcharts shown in the above embodiment are merely examples, and some processes may be omitted, some processes may be changed, or new processes may be added. For example, if the terminal 4 stores read information, the process of requesting the read information from the drawing data server 3 can be omitted in the sequence diagram of Fig. 4. Also, in the flowchart of Fig. 6, if access is restricted, it may be determined at predetermined time intervals whether the restriction conditions are met, and the drawing data and read information may be provided to the terminal 4 after it is determined that the restriction conditions are no longer met.

[0081] The operation video may be a VR video. In this case, by wearing a VR device, the user can view a virtual environment showing the operation status of each device in the facility.

Claims

1. An operation status display system which displays the operation status including the position of equipment placed within a facility and moving within the facility, comprising: a terminal; an operation data server which continuously acquires operation data indicating the operation status of the equipment as a log and accumulates it in a database; and a drawing data server which provides the terminal with drawing data used for drawing the equipment in response to a request from the terminal, wherein the terminal comprises: a request unit which requests the drawing data of the equipment from the drawing data server; a reading unit which reads out the operation data of the equipment from the database; an image generation unit which generates an operation image indicating the operation status of the equipment by moving the drawing data provided in response to a request from the request unit based on the operation data read out by the reading unit; and a display unit which displays the image generated by the image generation unit.

2. An operating status display system as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the drawing data server provides the terminal with read information for reading the operating data of the device from the database in response to a request from the terminal.

3. An operating status display system as described in claim 2, characterized in that in the database, identification information for identifying the device corresponds to the operating data of the device, and the drawing data server provides the identification information of the device to the terminal as the read information in response to a request from the terminal.

4. An operating status display system as described in claim 2, characterized in that a plurality of databases are provided, the operating data of the same device is stored in a predetermined one of the plurality of databases, and the drawing data server provides the terminal with identification information of the one database in which the operating data of the device is stored as the read information in response to a request from the terminal.

5. An operating status display system as described in claim 1, wherein the drawing data server provides a three-dimensional model used to draw the device to the terminal as the drawing data in response to a request from the terminal, and the image generation unit generates the operating image, which is a three-dimensional image showing the operating status of the device.

6. An operation status display system as described in claim 1, characterized in that the drawing data server identifies the access status from the terminal to the database, and if it determines that the access status satisfies a restriction condition, restricts new access to the database.

7. An operation status display system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the device is a transport device for transporting an article.

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