Data display device

Abstract

This data display device comprises: a data acquisition unit for acquiring manufacturing data obtained from a manufacturing process for manufacturing a glass article; and a display control unit for displaying, on a display unit, a data image obtained using the manufacturing data. The manufacturing data includes first manufacturing data acquired from a first manufacturing process and second manufacturing data acquired from a second manufacturing process different from the first manufacturing process. The first manufacturing data and the second manufacturing data include time-series data, and the display control unit causes the display unit, which displays a first data image obtained by using the first manufacturing data, to display a second data image obtained by using the second manufacturing data.

Description

Data display device

[0001] The technology disclosed in the present specification relates to a data display device that displays data images obtained using manufacturing data from a manufacturing process for producing glass articles.

[0002] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2019-204273 discloses a production management system that manages the production status of a production line including a plurality of production facilities. The production management system includes a production management device and an information providing device. The production management device includes a display unit that is a monitor for displaying operation information of the production line. The information providing device acquires the operation information. The information providing device provides the acquired operation information to a user as voice.

[0003] In the above technology, the display mode of the display unit has not been studied. In a situation where a manufacturing process for producing glass articles is managed, a user may manage the process by comparing manufacturing data obtained from the manufacturing process.

[0004] The present specification provides a technology that allows a plurality of pieces of manufacturing data to be simultaneously checked using a display unit.

[0005] A first aspect of the technology disclosed in the present specification is a data display device. The data display device includes: a data acquisition unit that acquires manufacturing data obtained from a manufacturing process for producing glass articles; and a display control unit that causes a display unit to display a data image obtained using the manufacturing data. The manufacturing data includes first manufacturing data acquired from a first manufacturing process and second manufacturing data acquired from a second manufacturing process different from the first manufacturing process. The first manufacturing data and the second manufacturing data include time-series data. The display control unit causes the display unit, on which a first data image obtained using the first manufacturing data is displayed, to display a second data image obtained using the second manufacturing data.

[0006] According to this configuration, the first data image and the second data image obtained from the manufacturing data can be displayed on a single display unit. This allows the user to check the first data image and the second data image at the same time, and the user can easily compare a plurality of data images.

[0007] A second embodiment of the technology disclosed herein is the first embodiment, wherein the data acquisition unit acquires the manufacturing data obtained from the manufacturing process performed at each of the plurality of manufacturing sites, the first manufacturing process may be performed at a first manufacturing site among the plurality of manufacturing sites, and the second manufacturing process may be performed at a second manufacturing site different from the first manufacturing site among the plurality of manufacturing sites.

[0008] This configuration allows multiple data images obtained from multiple manufacturing sites to be displayed on a single display unit. This makes it easy for users to compare multiple data images obtained from different manufacturing sites.

[0009] A third embodiment of the technology disclosed herein is the first or second embodiment, wherein the data acquisition unit acquires the manufacturing data obtained from the manufacturing processes performed in a manufacturing line that manufactures the glass article by performing one or more of the manufacturing processes, the first manufacturing process being performed in a first manufacturing line, and the second manufacturing process being performed in a second manufacturing line different from the first manufacturing line.

[0010] This configuration allows multiple data images obtained from multiple manufacturing lines to be displayed on a single display unit. This makes it easy for users to compare multiple data images obtained from multiple manufacturing lines.

[0011] A fourth embodiment of the technology disclosed herein is the data acquisition unit in any one of the first to third embodiments described above, wherein the data acquisition unit acquires the manufacturing data obtained from the manufacturing processes performed in a specific manufacturing line that manufactures the glass article by performing a plurality of the manufacturing processes, and the first and second manufacturing processes may be included in the plurality of manufacturing processes performed in the specific manufacturing line.

[0012] This configuration allows multiple data images obtained from a single manufacturing line to be displayed on a single display unit. This makes it easy for the user to compare multiple data images obtained from a single manufacturing line.

[0013] A fifth embodiment of the technology disclosed herein is the data display device in any one of the first to fourth embodiments, wherein the data display device further comprises a period acquisition unit that acquires a set display period set by the user, the first data image includes a first graph obtained using the first manufacturing data, and the display control unit may cause the display unit to display the first graph obtained using the first manufacturing data during the acquired set display period.

[0014] This configuration allows users to display graphs for a period of their choice. This enables users to focus on specific periods and review manufacturing data.

[0015] A sixth embodiment of the technology disclosed herein is that, in any one of the first to fifth embodiments, the first manufacturing data includes first time-series data of a first time interval obtained from the first manufacturing process, and the display control unit may display the first data image representing the second time-series data, which is obtained using the first time-series data and has a second time interval longer than the first time interval.

[0016] This configuration allows users to easily view the trends in manufacturing data over long periods by increasing the time interval. This makes it easier to identify changes such as equipment deterioration over time, which are revealed by the trends in measurement data over long periods.

[0017] A seventh embodiment of the technology disclosed herein is the data display device in any one of the first to sixth embodiments, wherein the data display device further comprises a comment acquisition unit that acquires comments entered by a user for the first manufacturing data, and the display control unit causes the first data image and the acquired comments to be displayed on the display unit.

[0018] With this configuration, for example, in a manufacturing process, when a worker enters comments about the first manufacturing data, the user can obtain the comments entered by the worker along with the image of the first data. This eliminates the need for workers to individually communicate on-site comments about the first manufacturing data to the user.

[0019] An eighth embodiment of the technology disclosed herein is the data display device in any one of the first to seventh embodiments described above, wherein the data display device further comprises a location information acquisition unit that acquires specific location information representing a specific location on the display unit specified by a user, and the display control unit may cause the display unit to display the first data image at the specific location represented by the acquired specific location information.

[0020] This configuration allows data images to be placed at locations specified by the user. This enables users to position data images in locations that are easily visible to them.

[0021] A ninth embodiment of the technology disclosed herein is the first to eighth embodiment, wherein the data acquisition unit acquires the first manufacturing data, which includes a third time series of measured values ​​measured in the first manufacturing process, and the first data image may include a second graph representing the third time series data.

[0022] With this configuration, the user can view a second graph in which the measured values ​​taken during the manufacturing process are arranged in chronological order.

[0023] A tenth embodiment of the technology disclosed herein is the ninth embodiment, wherein the data acquisition unit further acquires third manufacturing data obtained from the third manufacturing process, the third manufacturing data including fourth time-series data of measured values ​​measured in the third manufacturing process, the display control unit causes the second graph to display a third data image representing the fourth time-series data, and the axes in a specific direction of the second graph may include a first axis corresponding to the third time-series data and a second axis corresponding to the fourth time-series data.

[0024] This configuration allows multiple time series data to be superimposed on a single graph. By placing axes corresponding to each of the multiple time series data on a single graph, the graph can be displayed using appropriate axes for each of the multiple time series data. This makes it easy to compare multiple time series data on a single graph.

[0025] An eleventh embodiment of the technology disclosed herein is that, in the ninth or tenth embodiment, the display control unit may specify the scale of an axis in a specific direction of the second graph according to the measured value included in the third time series data, and cause the display unit to display the second graph including the specified scale.

[0026] This configuration eliminates the need for users to set axis scales.

[0027] A twelfth embodiment of the technology disclosed herein is that, in any one of the ninth to eleventh embodiments, the display control unit may cause the display unit to display the second graph, which includes a scale for an axis in a specific direction specified by the user.

[0028] This configuration allows the second graph to be displayed using scales that make it easy for users to check the manufacturing data. This makes it easier for users to understand the third time-series data included in the second graph.

[0029] A thirteenth embodiment of the technology disclosed herein is that, in any one of the ninth to twelfth embodiments described above, the display control unit may cause the display unit to display the second graph, which includes a moving average line obtained using the third time series data.

[0030] This configuration makes it easier for users to understand the temporal trends of the third time series data using moving averages.

[0031] A fourteenth embodiment of the technology disclosed herein is that, in any one of the ninth to thirteenth embodiments, the display control unit may cause the display unit to display the second graph, which includes a threshold image representing a threshold corresponding to the measured value.

[0032] This configuration allows users to easily compare third-generation time-series data with thresholds.

[0033] A fifteenth embodiment of the technology disclosed herein is, in any one of the ninth to fourteenth embodiments, wherein the data acquisition unit further acquires fourth manufacturing data acquired from the fourth manufacturing process, the fourth manufacturing data including fourth time-series data of measured values ​​measured in the fourth manufacturing process, and the display control unit causes the display unit to display the second graph on the first graph, the second graph including fifth time-series data representing the relationship between the third time-series data and the fourth time-series data.

[0034] This configuration allows for easy comparison of the third and fourth time series data using the fifth time series data. Users do not need to determine the relationship between the third and fourth time series data themselves.

[0035] A sixteenth embodiment of the technology disclosed herein is, in any one of the ninth to fifteenth embodiments, wherein the data acquisition unit further acquires the second manufacturing data, which includes a fifth time series of measured values ​​measured in the second manufacturing process, the second data image includes a third graph representing the fifth time series data, and the display control unit may cause the second graph and the third graph to be displayed side by side on the display unit.

[0036] This configuration allows multiple graphs to be displayed on a single display unit. This makes it easy for users to compare multiple manufacturing data represented by multiple graphs.

[0037] A seventeenth embodiment of the technology disclosed herein is that, in the sixteenth embodiment, the display control unit may cause the display unit to display a specific display area including the second graph and the third graph.

[0038] This configuration allows multiple graphs to be displayed within a single display area by displaying a specific area on the display unit. This also allows another image to be displayed in an area outside the specific display area on the display unit. Both the multiple graphs displayed in the specific display area and the image displayed in the area outside the specific display area can be viewed on a single display unit.

[0039] An eighteenth embodiment of the technology disclosed herein is that, in the seventeenth embodiment, the display control unit may adjust the dimensions of the second and third graphs included in the specific display area to match the dimensions of the specific display area.

[0040] With this configuration, when a user changes the dimensions of a specific display area on the display unit, the dimensions of the second and third graphs are adjusted to match the changed dimensions of that specific display area. This eliminates the need for the user to manually adjust the dimensions of the second and third graphs each time they change the dimensions of a specific display area.

[0041] A ninth embodiment of the technology disclosed herein is that, in any one of the sixteenth to eighteenth embodiments, the display control unit may display one of the second graph and the third graph, as specified by the user, larger than the other of the second graph and the third graph.

[0042] With this configuration, for example, if a user wants to focus on one of the two graphs, the second or the third, that graph can be displayed larger. This makes it easier to view the other graph.

[0043] A 20th embodiment of the technology disclosed herein is a 20th embodiment of the technology disclosed herein, wherein in any one of the first to 19 embodiments described above, the 20th embodiment further comprises an embodiment acquisition unit that acquires a display mode of the data image displayed on the display unit, which is a set display mode set by the user, and the display control unit may cause the display unit to display the data image according to any of a plurality of display modes, including the set display mode.

[0044] According to this configuration, a display mode can be selected from among a plurality of display modes. Accordingly, for example, in accordance with the type of data image to be checked, the user can select a display mode that makes it easy for the user to check the data image. This makes it easy for the user to check the data image. Additionally, since the user can set the display mode, the data image can be displayed in accordance with the display mode set with priority given to the user's purpose, visibility, and the like.

[0045] According to a twenty-first aspect of the technology disclosed in the present specification, in any one of the first to twentieth aspects described above, the display control unit further includes a button image for accepting a specific operation by a user, and when the specific operation is accepted, the first data image may be caused to be displayed on the display unit.

[0046] According to this configuration, the user can cause the first data image to be displayed on the display unit by executing the specific operation.

[0047] According to a twenty-second aspect of the technology disclosed in the present specification, in any one of the first to twenty-first aspects described above, the information processing apparatus further includes a condition acquisition unit that acquires a related condition related to the manufacturing data specified by a user, and when the related condition is related to the first manufacturing data, the first data image may be caused to be displayed on the display unit.

[0048] According to this configuration, the user can cause the data image specified by the user to be displayed on the display unit by specifying the related condition.

[0049] A 23rd embodiment of the technology disclosed herein is, in any one of the first to 22 embodiments, wherein the data acquisition unit acquires manufacturing data including at least one of first time-series data of measured values ​​measured in the first manufacturing process and first captured images taken in the first manufacturing process; the data acquisition unit further acquires drawing data representing a drawing relating to the first manufacturing process; the display control unit can display a drawing image represented by the acquired drawing data on the display unit; and the display control unit may display two or more of the following on the display unit: a group of numerical values ​​representing the first time-series data, a graph representing the first time-series data, the first captured image, and the drawing image.

[0050] With this configuration, the user can view the drawing image. Furthermore, the user can simultaneously view at least two of the following on a single display unit: the numerical data obtained from the first manufacturing process, the graph, the captured image, and the drawing image.

[0051] A 24th embodiment of the technology disclosed herein is, in any one of the first to 23 embodiments, wherein the data acquisition unit acquires manufacturing data including at least one of first time-series data of measured values ​​measured in the first manufacturing process and first captured images taken in the first manufacturing process; the data acquisition unit further acquires drawing data representing a drawing relating to the first manufacturing process; the display control unit can display a drawing image represented by the acquired drawing data on the display unit; and the display control unit may overlay at least one of a group of numerical values ​​representing the first time-series data, a graph representing the first time-series data, and the first captured image on the display unit.

[0052] By overlaying graphs and other data onto drawings related to the first manufacturing process, users can easily recognize that the graphs and other data were acquired during the first manufacturing process.

[0053] A 25th embodiment of the technology disclosed herein is that, in any one of the first to 24 embodiments described above, the data acquisition unit acquires the first manufacturing data including a plurality of first captured images captured over time in the first manufacturing process, and the display control unit causes the display unit to continuously display the plurality of first captured images.

[0054] With this configuration, users can visually observe changes in the manufacturing process over time by checking the display.

[0055] A 26th embodiment of the technology disclosed herein further comprises a storage control unit in any one of the first to 25 embodiments described above, wherein the data acquisition unit acquires the first manufacturing data including a second image captured in the first manufacturing process, and the storage control unit may cause the storage control unit to store image data representing the acquired second image in the storage unit.

[0056] This configuration allows the second captured image, already stored in the storage unit, to be displayed on a display unit other than the data display unit.

[0057] A 27th embodiment of the technology disclosed herein is a data display device. The data display device comprises a data acquisition unit that acquires manufacturing data obtained from a manufacturing process for manufacturing glass articles, and a display control unit that causes a data image obtained using the manufacturing data to be displayed on a display unit, wherein the manufacturing data includes at least one of time-series data of measured values ​​measured in the manufacturing process and captured images taken in the manufacturing process, and the display control unit may cause two or more of the following to be displayed side by side on the display unit: a group of numerical values ​​representing the time-series data, a graph representing the time-series data, and the captured images.

[0058] This configuration allows users to simultaneously view at least two of the following on a single display unit: numerical data obtained from manufacturing data, graphs, and captured images.

[0059] Schematic diagram of the data management system of the embodiment. Block diagram of the manufacturing line configuration of the embodiment. Block diagram of the main server and branch server configurations of the embodiment. Block diagram of the user terminal configuration of the embodiment. Sequence diagram of the data storage process of the embodiment. Diagram showing the flowchart of the initial screen supply process of the embodiment. Diagram showing the initial screen of the embodiment. Diagram showing the flowchart of the data display process of the embodiment. Diagram showing the menu image of the embodiment. Diagram showing the flowchart of the main data management process of the embodiment. Diagram showing an example of a screen containing multiple graphs of the embodiment. Diagram showing an example of a setting image of the embodiment. Sequence diagram of the display process of the embodiment. Diagram showing an example of a screen containing graphs and captured images of the embodiment. Diagram showing an example of a screen containing captured images and drawings of the embodiment. Diagram showing an example of a screen containing graphs and measured values ​​of the embodiment. Diagram showing an example of a screen containing graphs with changed display periods of the embodiment. Diagram showing an example of a screen containing graphs of the embodiment. Diagram showing an example of a screen containing enlarged graphs of the embodiment. Diagram showing an example of a screen containing graphs with comments displayed of the embodiment. Diagram showing an example of a screen with adjusted dimensions of the embodiment. Diagram showing an example of a screen containing graphs with differences of the embodiment. Diagram showing an example of a screen containing graphs of the embodiment. A diagram showing an example of a screen including a graph with a moving average line in the embodiment. A diagram showing an example of a screen with a different display mode in the embodiment. A diagram showing an example of a screen including an captured image in the embodiment. A diagram showing an example of a screen with a different display mode in the embodiment.

[0060] As shown in Figure 1, the data display device is located in the data management system 2. The display units on which the data images are displayed by the data display device are included in the user terminals 30 and 32. The user terminals 30 and 32, acting as display units, display various images to the user.

[0061] (Configuration of the data management system) The data management system 2 is used, for example, to manage multiple types of manufacturing data acquired from one or more manufacturing lines 20, 22, 120, 122 located at multiple manufacturing sites 4, 6. The number of manufacturing lines located at each of the multiple manufacturing sites 4, 6 is not particularly limited. A single manufacturing site may have one manufacturing line, or it may have three or more manufacturing lines. The data management system 2 may manage one manufacturing site, or it may manage three or more manufacturing sites.

[0062] The data management system 2 stores acquired manufacturing data of multiple types within the data management system 2 and provides the user with the type of manufacturing data according to the user's request. The data management system 2 provides the manufacturing data as measured values, graphs representing the measured values, and data images representing captured images, based on measurements of temperature, etc. Captured images include images captured by an imaging device. Captured images include still images and videos captured by a camera, and images representing temperature distribution captured by thermography.

[0063] The data management system 2 comprises a main server 10, multiple branch servers 12, 14, a backup server 16, and user terminals 30, 32. The main server 10 is installed by the administrator of the data management system 2. The main server 10 may be located, for example, within one of the multiple manufacturing sites 4, 6. The main server 10 is communicated to each of the multiple branch servers 12, 14, the backup server 16, and the user terminals 30, 32 via a wired or wireless network.

[0064] Each of the multiple base servers 12 and 14 is installed for each of the multiple manufacturing sites 4 and 6. Each of the multiple base servers 12 and 14 may be installed within the corresponding manufacturing site among the multiple manufacturing sites 4 and 6, or it may be installed outside of the manufacturing site. Base server 12 manages the manufacturing data acquired from manufacturing site 4. The multiple manufacturing sites 4 and 6 are located geographically far apart from each other. For example, manufacturing site 4 is located in Japan, and manufacturing site 6 is located in a foreign country such as the United States. The multiple manufacturing sites 4 and 6 may be located in close proximity to each other.

[0065] Manufacturing site 4 is equipped with multiple manufacturing lines 20 and 22, and process control terminals 24 and 26 for managing the multiple manufacturing lines 20 and 22. As shown in Figure 2, manufacturing line 20 includes one or more manufacturing processes 60 and 62 from the manufacturing process from raw materials to finished products. A manufacturing line that produces glass articles from glass raw materials includes a mixing process for mixing raw materials, a melting process for melting glass raw materials in a furnace such as a kiln to obtain molten glass, a molding process for shaping the molten glass, and a processing process for cutting, firing, and other processing of the molded glass. Manufacturing line 22 is similar. Note that manufacturing line 22 may produce glass articles different from those produced by manufacturing line 20.

[0066] Furthermore, production lines 20 and 22 do not necessarily have to include all of the manufacturing processes from raw materials to finished products, but may include only some of the manufacturing processes from raw materials to finished products. Also, as a manufacturing process in production line 20, for example, it may include an input process for putting materials into a melting furnace between the mixing process and the melting process, and it may include at least one of a packaging process and a transport process after the processing process. Each manufacturing process in each production line 20 and 22 may be set as appropriate by the administrator of the data management system 2.

[0067] The process control terminal 24 acquires multiple types of manufacturing data 60a, 60b, and 60c obtained from each manufacturing process 60 and 62 of the manufacturing line 20 and transmits them to the base server 12 and the main server 10. The process control terminal 26, similar to the process control terminal 24, acquires multiple types of manufacturing data obtained from each manufacturing process of the manufacturing line 22 and transmits them to the base server 12 and the main server 10. The process control terminals 24 and 26 each have at least a CPU and memory. The CPUs of the process control terminals 24 and 26 execute processing according to computer programs stored in memory. The process control terminals 24 and 26 may be computers built into the manufacturing equipment, or they may be terminal devices such as computer terminals that are connected to the manufacturing equipment in a communicative manner.

[0068] Each of the multiple manufacturing sites 4 and 6 is equipped with at least one process control terminal. One process control terminal may manage manufacturing processes included in multiple production lines.

[0069] The data management system 2 provides manufacturing data to user terminals 30 and 32. User terminals 30 and 32 are communication terminals such as desktop computers, notebook (i.e., laptop) computers, smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices used by users. As shown in Figure 4, user terminal 32 includes a control unit 134, a storage unit 136, a display unit 138, an operation unit 140, and a communication unit 142. The control unit 134 includes at least a CPU and memory. The memory includes volatile and non-volatile memory such as ROM and RAM. The memory is mounted on a circuit board, similar to the CPU. The CPU executes processing according to the computer program stored in the memory.

[0070] The storage unit 136 is a large-capacity recording medium such as a hard disk drive. The display unit 138 is equipped with a display such as a liquid crystal display. The display unit 138 provides the user with various images. The operation unit 140 is equipped with a keyboard and a mouse. The display unit 138 and the operation unit 140 may also include a touch panel having the functions of both. The user makes the user terminal 32 execute a process by operating the operation unit 140. The communication unit 142 is equipped with a communication interface that connects to wired and wireless communication networks (e.g., Wi-Fi). The storage unit 136, the display unit 138, the operation unit 140, and the communication unit 142 are connected to the control unit 134 by wiring (not shown) and are controlled by the control unit 134. The user terminal 30 has the same configuration as the user terminal 32.

[0071] User terminals 30 and 32 can communicate with the data management system 2 from either inside or outside of the multiple manufacturing sites 4 and 6. Regarding the distinction between whether user terminals 30 and 32 are located inside or outside of the manufacturing sites 4 and 6, if user terminal 32 is located within a network constructed using a local area network, such as a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) or wired LAN, it is determined that user terminal 32 is located inside the manufacturing sites 4 and 6. Conversely, if user terminal 30 is not located within a network constructed using a local area network, it is determined that user terminal 30 is located outside the manufacturing sites 4 and 6. When user terminal 30 located outside the multiple manufacturing sites 4 and 6 communicates with the data management system 2, it is connected to the main server 10 for communication. On the other hand, when user terminal 32 located inside manufacturing site 4 communicates with the data management system 2, it is connected to the site server 12 at manufacturing site 4 for communication. In the modified example, user terminals 30 and 32 may be connected to the main server 10 regardless of their location, or they may be connected to any of the multiple branch servers 12 and 14 in a communicative manner.

[0072] The backup server 16 is connected to the main server 10 in a way that allows communication. The backup server 16 has the same configuration as the main server 10. The backup server 16 stores the same manufacturing data as the main server 10. If an abnormality occurs in the main server 10, the backup server 16 will take over from the main server 10 and perform the same processing as the main server 10.

[0073] (Configuration of Main Server and Branch Servers) As shown in Figure 3, the main server 10 comprises a control unit 40, a storage unit 42, and a communication unit 44. The control unit 40 comprises a CPU and memory. The memory includes volatile and non-volatile memory such as ROM and RAM. The memory is mounted on a circuit board, similar to the CPU. The CPU executes processing according to the computer program stored in the memory. The storage unit 42 is a large-capacity recording medium such as a hard disk drive. The storage unit 42 pre-stores drawings representing the manufacturing equipment to be placed in each manufacturing process included in the manufacturing lines 20, 22, 120, and 122 of the multiple manufacturing bases 4 and 6. As shown in Figure 15, drawing FG includes schematic diagrams of the multiple manufacturing processes. The drawings may also be detailed design drawings of the manufacturing equipment. The drawings may represent each of the multiple manufacturing processes individually, or they may represent the multiple manufacturing processes as a single drawing. The communication unit 44 comprises a communication interface connected to wired and wireless communication networks (e.g., Wi-Fi). The storage unit 42 and the communication unit 44 are connected to the control unit 40 by wiring (not shown) and are controlled by the control unit 40.

[0074] The branch servers 12 and 14 have the same configuration as the main server 10. Each branch server 12 and 14 has the same configuration as the main server 10. Branch server 12 includes a control unit 50, a storage unit 52, and a communication unit 54. The control unit 50 has the same configuration as the control unit 40. The storage unit 52 has the same configuration as the storage unit 42. The storage capacity of the storage unit 52 may be smaller than the storage capacity of the storage unit 42. The communication unit 54 has the same communication interface as the communication unit 44. The storage unit 52 and the communication unit 54 are connected to the control unit 50 by wiring (not shown) and are controlled by the control unit 50.

[0075] (Data Storage Process) Referring to Figure 5, the data storage process for storing manufacturing data from multiple manufacturing sites 4 and 6 in site servers 12 and 14, the main server 10, and the backup server 16 will be explained. Figure 5 describes the case where manufacturing data 60a, 60b, 60c, 62a, 62b, and 62c obtained from each manufacturing process 60 and 62 of the manufacturing line 20 of manufacturing site 4 are stored in servers 12, 10, and 16. Hereinafter, the manufacturing data 60a, 60b, 60c, 62a, 62b, and 62c will be collectively referred to as manufacturing data 61.

[0076] The process control terminal 24 of the manufacturing line 20 acquires manufacturing data 61 from various detection devices installed in the manufacturing equipment of manufacturing processes 60 and 62. For example, in manufacturing process 60, which is a melting process, the manufacturing data 60a, 60b, and 60c include temperature data obtained from temperature detection devices installed at multiple locations in the melting furnace, temperature data obtained from temperature detection devices installed in pipes communicating with the melting furnace, pressure data obtained from pressure sensors in the melting furnace, and image data obtained from imaging devices installed at multiple locations in the melting furnace (e.g., still image data, video data of the melting furnace, and temperature distribution maps captured by thermography inside the melting furnace). For example, in manufacturing process 60, if six temperature detection devices and four imaging devices are arranged as detection devices in the manufacturing equipment, 10 types of manufacturing data can be obtained from each detection device. The various types of manufacturing data are continuously acquired while the manufacturing line 20 is in operation. The various types of manufacturing data are time-series data representing the changes in manufacturing processes 60 and 62 in the manufacturing line 20 over time.

[0077] The process control terminal 24 acquires manufacturing data 61 at the same time interval regardless of the type of manufacturing data 61. In a modified example, the process control terminal 24 may acquire manufacturing data 61 at different timings depending on the type of manufacturing data 61. For example, the process control terminal 24 may acquire manufacturing data at timings (e.g., unequal intervals) in the manufacturing line 20 at which manufacturing data is obtained by each detection device.

[0078] The operator can manually set at least one of several manufacturing conditions (e.g., temperature in the melting furnace, liquid level height, etc.) in the manufacturing line 20 using the process control terminal 24. Alternatively, the setting of manufacturing conditions in the manufacturing line 20 can also be performed using the user terminal 32.

[0079] The process control terminal 24 transmits the acquired manufacturing data 61 to the base server 12 (S2). When the control unit 50 of the base server 12 receives the manufacturing data 61 from the process control terminal 24, it stores it in the storage unit 52 (S3). The control unit 50 stores in the storage unit 52 line information representing the manufacturing line 20 that supplied the manufacturing data 61 and process information representing the manufacturing process, in combination with the manufacturing data 61.

[0080] The control unit 50 transmits the combination of the stored manufacturing data 61, line information, and process information to the main server 10 (S4). When the control unit 40 of the main server 10 receives the combination of the manufacturing data, line information, and process information, it stores it in the storage unit 42 (S5). In S5, the control unit 40 further stores location information representing the manufacturing site 4 in combination with the manufacturing data.

[0081] In S5, if the type of manufacturing data is still image data and video data, the control unit 40 causes the still image data and video data to be stored in the storage unit 42 in a format that can be displayed on a device that is not connected to the data management system 2 for communication. For example, the control unit 40 stores the still image data in a general-purpose data format such as JPEG. For example, the control unit 40 stores the video data in a general-purpose data format such as MP4.

[0082] The control unit 40 transmits the combination of manufacturing data, line information, process information, and location information to the backup server 16 (S6). The backup server 16 stores the data in its storage section, similar to the main server 10 (S7). The line information, process information, and location information may each be unique arbitrary strings.

[0083] In the manufacturing line 20, the operator managing manufacturing processes 60 and 62 can input comments for the manufacturing data 61. By operating the process control terminal 24, the operator can input comments for the time-series manufacturing data 61, specifying the time. The comments that can be entered are strings of characters arbitrarily entered by the operator by operating the control panel of the process control terminal 24. In a modified example, the operator may select from multiple comment candidates that are pre-stored in the process control terminal 24.

[0084] When a comment is entered (S11), the process management terminal 24 transmits a combination of comment information and location information to the base server 12 (S12). The comment information includes comment data representing the entered comment. The comment data represents the entered string. In a modified example, it may be comment identification information that identifies the comment selected by the worker from multiple comment candidates. The location information represents the location where the comment on the manufacturing data should be displayed. Specifically, the location information includes data identification information that identifies the manufacturing data 61 and time information that represents the time specified by the worker.

[0085] When the control unit 50 of the base server 12 receives a combination of comment information and location information from the process management terminal 24, it stores it in the storage unit 52 (S13). In S13, the control unit 50 stores it in combination with manufacturing data identified by the data identification information included in the location information.

[0086] The control unit 50 transmits the stored combination of comment information and location information to the main server 10 (S14). When the control unit 40 of the main server 10 receives the combination of comment information and location information, it stores it in the storage unit 42 (S15). In S15, the control unit 40 further stores location information representing the manufacturing site 4 in combination with the comment information. The control unit 40 transmits the combination of comment information, location information and location information to the backup server 16 (S16). The backup server 16 stores it in its storage unit, similar to the main server 10 (S17).

[0087] Through data storage processing, the branch server 12 stores multiple manufacturing data 61 obtained from the manufacturing site 4. Similarly, the branch server 14 stores multiple manufacturing data obtained from the manufacturing site 6. Both branch servers 12 and 14 collect all manufacturing data obtained from the manufacturing sites 4 and 6, respectively. The main server 10 stores multiple manufacturing data obtained from the multiple manufacturing sites 4 and 6. The backup server 16 stores the same manufacturing data as the main server 10. Both the main server 10 and the backup server 16 collect all manufacturing data obtained from the multiple manufacturing sites 4 and 6.

[0088] During the data storage process, the base server 12 stores comment information, including comment data representing comments entered by workers, and location information. Similarly, the base server 14 stores comment data and location information. The main server 10 and backup server 16 store comment information and location information obtained from multiple manufacturing bases 4 and 6. The main server 10 and backup server 16 collect all comment information and location information obtained from multiple manufacturing bases 4 and 6.

[0089] In Figure 5, manufacturing data, comment information, and location information are stored separately. However, for example, the process control terminal 24 may incorporate the comment information and location information into the manufacturing data and send it as new manufacturing data to the base servers 12 and 14 and subsequent servers such as the main server 10 and backup server 16.

[0090] (User Registration Process) Users who will use the data management system 2 can be registered in the data management system 2 at any time. When the administrator registers a new user, they register a combination of the user ID (e.g., the user's employee number), password, user attribute information, and initial screen data in the main server 10. Default initial screen data is registered. The administrator may also register biometric information for biometric authentication (e.g., fingerprint, face, vein, etc.).

[0091] The control unit 40 of the main server 10 registers user information for users identified by a user ID, in association with the user ID. Specifically, the user information includes attribute information representing the user's attributes. Attribute information includes the user's rank within the organization, responsibilities, work location, affiliated manufacturing site, department, etc. User information may be registered by an administrator by inputting it into the main server 10, or the control unit 40 may obtain it from the main server 10 or other servers installed for user management.

[0092] (Processing performed by the branch servers) The processes performed by branch servers 12 and 14 are described below. Each manufacturing site 4 and 6 is equipped with an internal LAN. A user terminal 32 located at manufacturing site 4 accesses the data management system 2 by being connected to the branch server 12 via the internal LAN.

[0093] When a user connects the user terminal 32 to the local LAN, they can operate the user terminal 32 to send a login screen data request to the data management system 2 to request login screen data for entering login information. The data management system 2 performs communication of screen data and other information to be displayed on the display unit (for example, the display unit 138 of the user terminal 32) according to a known communication protocol such as HTTP (abbreviation for Hypertext Transfer Protocol).

[0094] (Initial Screen Supply Process) Referring to Figure 6, the process of logging in from the user terminal 32 to the branch server 12 will be described. Note that the branch server 14 performs the same process as the branch server 12. The control unit 50 of the branch server 12 repeatedly performs the initial screen supply process while the power is on. In S22, the control unit 50 monitors whether a login screen data request is received from the user terminal 32 in the manufacturing site 4. If a login screen data request is received (YES in S22), in S24, the control unit 50 obtains the login screen data from the main server 10. Specifically, the control unit 50 sends the login screen data request to the main server 10 and receives the login screen data as a response to the login screen data request. In a modified example, the branch server 12 may have login screen data already stored in the storage unit 52. In this case, the process in S24 may be omitted, and the process may proceed to S26.

[0095] Next, in S26, the control unit 50 supplies login screen data to the user terminal 32, the source of the login screen data request in S22, in order to display the login screen on the display unit 138 of the user terminal 32. When the user terminal 32 receives the login screen data from the main server 10 or the branch server 12, it causes the display unit 138 to display the login screen represented by the login screen data. The login screen includes an image prompting the user to enter user identification information. With the login screen displayed, the user enters user identification information, including a user ID (for example, the user's employee number) and password, by operating the operation unit 140. The control unit 134 transmits the login information, including the acquired user identification information and biometric information, to the branch server 12.

[0096] The login screen may also include an image prompting biometric authentication. Biometric authentication may be performed using a part of the body, such as a fingerprint, face, or veins. The user terminal 32 may be equipped with a reading unit for reading biological information, such as a camera or an ultrasonic reader. The user may have the reading unit read a part of the body to be used for authentication. The control unit 134 may acquire biometric information representing the read biological information.

[0097] In S28, the control unit 50 monitors whether login information is acquired. If login information is received (YES in S28), in S30, the control unit 50 determines whether to allow login using the login information acquired in S28. Specifically, the control unit 50 sends the login information acquired in S28 to the main server 10. The control unit 40 of the main server 10 determines whether the login information acquired from the branch server 12 is registered in the storage unit 42.

[0098] If login information obtained from the branch server 12 is registered in the storage unit 42, the control unit 40 determines whether the user has already logged into the data management system 2 using the same login information. If the user has not yet logged in, the control unit 40 determines to allow the login. On the other hand, if the user has already logged in, the control unit 40 determines not to allow the login. Also, if the login information obtained from the branch server 12 is not registered in the storage unit 42, the control unit 40 determines not to allow the login. The control unit 40 transmits its determination result to the branch server 12. If the control unit 40 determines to allow the login, it further transmits the user information and initial screen data registered in the storage unit 42 in combination with the login information to the branch server 12. In a modified example, all or part of the login information stored in the main server 10 may be stored in the branch server 12. In this case, the control unit 50 may determine whether or not to allow the login.

[0099] When the control unit 50 receives the judgment result from the main server 10, it determines whether the judgment result allows login or not. If it determines that login is not allowed (NO in S30), in S32, the control unit 50 supplies login error screen data, which represents a login error screen indicating that login was not allowed, to the user terminal 32, and returns to S22.

[0100] If it is determined that login should be allowed (YES in S30), in S34, the control unit 50 obtains initial screen data from the main server 10. The control unit 50 obtains user information corresponding to the user ID from the main server 10 along with the initial screen data. The control unit 50 stores the user information in combination with the user ID in the storage unit 52. Next, in S36, the control unit 50 supplies the initial screen data received in S34 to the user terminal 32 and returns to S22. The control unit 50 causes the user terminal 32 to display the initial screen 70. As shown in Figure 7, when the control unit 134 of the user terminal 32 receives the initial screen data, it causes the display unit 138 to display the initial screen 70 represented by the initial screen data.

[0101] (Initial screen configuration) As shown in Figure 7, the initial screen 70 is displayed as a single window on the display unit 138. In this embodiment, the "screen" is displayed on the display unit as a window. The "screen" may be displayed across the entire display area of ​​the display unit 138 (i.e., the entire monitor), or it may be placed in a part of the display area of ​​the display unit 138.

[0102] The initial screen 70 includes multiple display areas 72, 74, 76, 78, and 80. Display area 72 displays a list of messages received from other users of the data management system 2. In other words, in the data management system 2, users can communicate messages using the data management system 2. Display area 72 displays a list of messages to which the user has been designated as the recipient. Display area 72 may also display maintenance information, such as the timing and content of maintenance for the data management system 2, which is registered by the administrator on the main server 10 or branch servers 12 and 14.

[0103] The display area 74 is an area that can be uniquely configured for each user. By operating the user terminal 32, the user can place one or more icon images 82a, 82b, 82c, and 82d related to the types of manufacturing data that the user frequently acquires in the display area 74. That is, in the above configuration, when first user information is acquired, a first initial screen is displayed on the display unit 138 to display a first type of manufacturing data image representing the first type of manufacturing data on the display unit 138, and when second user information is acquired, a second initial screen, which is different from the first initial screen, is displayed on the display unit 138 to display a second type of manufacturing data image representing the second type of manufacturing data on the display unit 138. With this configuration, a unique initial screen can be displayed on the display unit 138 for each of multiple users.

[0104] The display area 76 is an area for searching for manufacturing sites, manufacturing lines, and manufacturing processes for the manufacturing data to be acquired. The initial screen data includes process lists for multiple manufacturing processes included in multiple manufacturing lines 20, 22, 120, and 122 installed at multiple manufacturing sites 4 and 6 to be displayed in the display area 76. The process lists are pre-stored by the administrator in the storage unit 42 of the main server 10.

[0105] The display area 78 includes multiple icon images 84, 86, 88, and 89 for selecting the image type of data image representing manufacturing data. The display area 80 has multiple buttons for causing the data management system 2 to execute one or more other processes other than the process of displaying data images.

[0106] (Data Display Processing) As shown in Figure 8, each of the branch servers 12 and 14 repeatedly executes data display processing in parallel with the initial screen supply processing while the power is on. This allows the branch servers 12 and 14 to execute data display processing while simultaneously executing the initial screen supply processing for multiple user terminals 30 and 32. In this embodiment, the data display processing that the branch server 12 executes for user terminal 32 will be described. The data display processing that the branch servers 12 and 14 execute for either user terminal 30 or 32 is similar.

[0107] In the data display process, in S42, the control unit 50 monitors whether a data image request is received from the user terminal 32. The user can operate the initial screen 70 by operating the operation unit 140.

[0108] The user can perform an operation to select the display area 76 (for example, by selecting with the pointer and clicking). When the operation to select the display area 76 is performed, the control unit 134 displays the process list included in the initial screen data on the display unit 138, overlaid on the initial screen 70 via a pull-down menu. The process list includes multiple combinations of strings representing manufacturing sites, manufacturing lines, and manufacturing processes. The user selects one manufacturing process from the process list for which they wish to display a data image by operating the operation unit 140 (for example, by selecting with the pointer and clicking). The control unit 134 displays identification information representing the selected manufacturing process in the display area 76. The user can further select one of the icon images 84, 86, 88, or 89 in the display area 78 by operating the operation unit 140.

[0109] When the control unit 134 selects one of the icon images 84, 86, 88, or 89, i.e., when an operation to select an image type is performed, it sends a data image request to the base server 12. The data image request includes identification information representing the manufacturing process displayed in the display area 76, type information representing the image type represented by the selected icon image, and the user's user ID. When the user terminal 32 sends the data image request, it may also send the MAC address of the user terminal 32 and the IP address assigned to the user terminal 32.

[0110] When the control unit 50 receives a data image request from the user terminal 32 (YES in S42), it determines in S44 whether or not the manufacturing data representing the requested data image is stored in the storage unit 52. Specifically, the control unit 50 determines that the manufacturing data is stored in the storage unit 52 if the identification information representing the manufacturing process included in the data image request represents one of the manufacturing processes of the multiple manufacturing lines 20 and 22 within the manufacturing site 4 where the base server 12 is installed (YES in S44). On the other hand, the control unit 50 determines that the manufacturing data is not stored in the storage unit 52 if it does not represent any of the manufacturing processes of the multiple manufacturing lines 20 and 22 (NO in S44). If the type information representing the image type included in the data image request indicates a drawing, the control unit 50 determines that the drawing data is not stored in the storage unit 52 (NO in S44).

[0111] If the answer in S44 is YES, in S46 the control unit 50 displays a menu image 200 on the display unit 138 for the user to select a data image to display. For example, if the user performs an operation to select an icon image 86, the data image request includes type information representing a graph. The manufacturing data representing a graph obtained from a single manufacturing process includes, for example, time-series data relating to multiple measured values ​​such as temperature, flow rate, pressure, and current.

[0112] As shown in Figure 9, the menu image 200 displays a series of strings for identifying multiple manufacturing data. Specifically, for each of the multiple manufacturing data, a title 202, particle size 204, period 206, and graph number 208 are displayed. The title 202 represents the content of the manufacturing data. The content of the manufacturing data includes, for example, the manufacturing line, the manufacturing process, and items represented by the manufacturing data (e.g., temperature, pressure, etc.). The particle size 204 represents the time interval of the measured values. For example, it indicates whether it includes measured values ​​at 1-minute intervals or 1-hour intervals. The period 206 represents the period represented by the manufacturing data, i.e., the length of time (e.g., 2 hours, 48 ​​hours, etc.). The graph number 208 represents the number of graphs displayed in the data image. For example, in the melting process, the temperature of multiple locations inside the melting furnace is measured. If the manufacturing data is the temperature inside the melting furnace, then time-series data of the temperature is included for each of the multiple locations. The user performs a data selection operation (for example, clicking on a string) by operating the control unit 140 to select a string representing one manufacturing data from the menu image 200.

[0113] When a user performs a data selection operation, in S48, the control unit 50 retrieves the manufacturing data represented by the string selected by the user from the storage unit 52. The control unit 50 sends screen data representing the screen 100, which includes a data image representing the retrieved manufacturing data, to the user terminal 32 and returns to S42. In a modified example, the control unit 50 may determine whether or not it is possible to provide the manufacturing data to the user identified by the user ID. For example, the control unit 50 may determine whether the user information stored in the storage unit 52 in combination with the user ID included in the data image request, and the MAC address and IP address received with the data image request, match the constraint conditions stored in combination with the requested type of manufacturing data. If the constraint conditions are met, the control unit 50 may determine that it is possible to provide the manufacturing data. On the other hand, if the constraint conditions are not met, the control unit 50 may determine that it is not possible to provide the manufacturing data and send the provision error screen data, which is pre-stored in the storage unit 52, to the user terminal 32.

[0114] On the other hand, if the answer in S44 is NO, in S50 the control unit 50 sends a data image request to the main server 10. In S52 the control unit 50 receives image data representing the menu image 200 from the main server 10. In S53, similar to S46, the control unit 50 displays the menu image 200 on the display unit 138 to allow the user to select the data image to be displayed. If the user performs a data selection operation, in S54 the control unit 50 sends data selection operation information representing the data selection operation to the main server 10. In S55 the control unit 50 receives screen data representing the data image from the main server 10. In S56, similar to S48, the control unit 50 sends the manufacturing data received in S55 to the user terminal 32 and returns to S42.

[0115] When screen data is received, the control unit 134 of the user terminal 32 displays the screen represented by the screen data on the display unit 138. This allows the user to have data images representing the manufacturing data they have searched by operating the initial screen 70 displayed on the display unit 138.

[0116] If no data image request is received from the user terminal 32 (NO in S42), in S62, the control unit 50 determines whether or not an initial screen change request has been received. Specifically, the user can press the setting button 90 on the initial screen 70 while the initial screen 70 is displayed on the user terminal 32. When the setting button 90 is pressed, the control unit 134 sends an initial screen change request to the branch server 12. If the control unit 50 receives an initial screen change request (YES in S62), in S64, it sends the initial screen change request to the main server 10. In the initial screen change process, the initial screen data representing the initial screen 70 is updated by communication between the user terminal 32 and the main server 10 via the branch server 12. In S66, the control unit 50 relays the communication between the user terminal 32 and the main server 10 during the initial screen change process.

[0117] In the initial screen change process, when an initial screen change request is received, the control unit 40 of the main server 10 sends setting screen data to the user terminal 32. The setting screen data is data representing a setting screen for setting which manufacturing process icon image of which manufacturing site is to be displayed in the display area 74. The setting screen includes buttons representing each of the manufacturing processes installed at multiple manufacturing sites 4 and 6. The user operates the user terminal 32 and presses the button representing the desired manufacturing process. The control unit 134 sends identification information of the manufacturing process represented by the button operated by the user to the main server 10. The control unit 40 generates updated initial screen data in which the icon image representing the manufacturing process represented by the received identification information is placed in the display area 74. The control unit 40 overwrites the initial screen data registered in combination with the user's user information with the updated initial screen data.

[0118] The control unit 40 transmits the updated initial screen data to the base server 12. In S68, when the control unit 50 receives the updated initial screen data, in S70 it transmits the initial screen data to the user terminal 32 and returns to S42. As a result, the control unit 50 can display the initial screen 70 represented by the updated initial screen data on the display unit 138.

[0119] If no initial screen change request is received in S62 (NO in S62), the control unit 50 performs other processing and returns to S42 (S72). Other processing includes, for example, the user selecting a message creation button located in the display area 72 by operating the operation unit 140. The user terminal 32 obtains message creation screen data from the main server 10 via the branch server 12. The user can send a message to another user by operating the operation unit of the user terminal 32, entering an arbitrary string and the recipient user (e.g., user ID), and operating the send button. On the initial screen 70 of the recipient user to whom the message has been sent, the newly received message is displayed in the list of messages in the display area 72.

[0120] (Processing performed by the main server) When the branch servers 12 and 14 perform the initial screen supply process and data display process, the main server 10 performs processing in response to requests from the branch servers 12 and 14. Furthermore, it performs processing to provide data to user terminals 30 connected to the data management system 2 from locations other than the internal LANs of the multiple manufacturing sites 4 and 6.

[0121] The control unit 40 of the main server 10 repeatedly executes the main data management process while the power is on. As shown in Figure 10, in S82, the control unit 40 monitors for the reception of login screen data requests. The main server 10 receives login screen data requests through the initial screen supply process executed by the branch servers 12 and 14. The main server 10 also receives login screen data requests directly from user terminals 30 that communicate with the main server 10 without going through the branch servers 12 and 14.

[0122] If a login screen data request is received (YES in S82), in S84, the control unit 40 sends the login screen data to the device that sent the login screen data (i.e., the user terminal 30 or the branch servers 12, 14). In S86, the control unit 40 monitors whether login information has been received. If login information is received from the branch servers 12, 14 or the user terminal 30 (YES in S86), in S88, the control unit 40 determines whether to allow the login using the login information obtained in S86. Specifically, as explained in S30, the control unit 40 determines whether the obtained login information is registered in the storage unit 42. If the login information is registered in the storage unit 42 and no one has yet logged in using the same login information, the control unit 40 determines to allow the login (YES in S88). If the login information is not registered in the storage unit 42, or if someone has already logged in using the same login information, the control unit 40 determines not to allow the login (NO in S88).

[0123] If it is determined that login should not be allowed (NO in S88), in S90, the control unit 40 sends login error screen data to the device that sent the login information, indicating a login error screen that the login was not allowed, and returns to S82. If it is determined that login should be allowed (YES in S88), in S92, the control unit 50 sends initial screen data to the device that sent the login information and proceeds to S94. If the device that sent the login information is a branch server 12 or 14, the control unit 50 sends the initial screen data along with the user information registered in the main server 10 in combination with the user ID included in the login information to the branch servers 12 or 14 that sent the login information.

[0124] If no login screen data request is received (NO in S82), the process proceeds to S94. In S94, the control unit 40 monitors whether a data screen request is received from the branch servers 12, 14 or the user terminal 30. If a data screen request is received (YES in S94), in S95, the control unit 40, similar to S46, sends image data representing the menu image 200 to the device that sent the data screen request, in order to display the menu image 200 on the display unit 138. In S96, the control unit 40 receives data selection operation information from the branch servers 12, 14 or the user terminal 30 in S54. In S98, if the type information representing the image type indicates something other than a drawing, the control unit 40 obtains the manufacturing data represented in the data selection operation information from the storage unit 42. If the type information representing the image type indicates a drawing, the control unit 40 obtains drawing data representing the drawing including the manufacturing process represented in the data selection operation information from the storage unit 42. The control unit 40 sends screen data, which includes a data image representing the acquired manufacturing data or drawing data, to the device that sent the operation information, and returns to S82.

[0125] The control unit 40 may, in the same manner as the base server 12, determine whether or not it is possible to provide manufacturing data. For example, the control unit 40 may determine whether the user information identified by the user ID included in the data image request, along with the MAC address and IP address received together with the data image request, match the stored constraints when combined with the requested manufacturing data. If the constraints are met, the control unit 40 may determine that it is possible to provide the manufacturing data and proceed to S98. On the other hand, if the constraints are not met, the control unit 40 may determine that it is not possible to provide the manufacturing data and send the provision error screen data, which is pre-stored in the storage unit 52, to the device that sent the data image request.

[0126] When the user terminal 30 receives the provided error screen data, it displays an error screen on its display unit that indicates that it is not possible to provide the manufacturing data, as represented by the provided error screen data. This allows the user of the user terminal 30 to recognize that the manufacturing data cannot be provided.

[0127] If no data image request is received (NO in S94), in S102, the control unit 40 determines whether an initial screen change request has been received from the branch servers 12, 14 or the user terminal 30. If the control unit 40 receives an initial screen change request (YES in S102), in S104, it executes the initial screen change process. In the initial screen change process, the control unit 40 communicates with the user terminals 30, 32 that sent the initial screen change request. When executing the initial screen change process with a user terminal (for example, user terminal 32) that communicates with the main server 10 via the branch servers 12, 14, the branch servers 12, 14 relay the communication. When the initial screen change process is completed, in S106, the control unit 40 registers the updated initial screen data in the storage unit 42 in combination with user information. In S108, the control unit 40 sends the updated initial screen data to the branch servers 12, 14 or the user terminal 30 and returns to S82.

[0128] If no initial screen change request is received in S102 (NO in S102), in S110, the control unit 40 performs other processing and returns to S82. The other processing is, for example, the same as the processing in S72.

[0129] (Display of Data Images) The display of a screen including data images will be explained with reference to Figures 11 to 26. When screen data is transmitted to the user terminal 32 in S48 or S56, the control unit 50 causes the display unit 138 of the user terminal 32 to display the screen 100 including the data images, as shown in Figure 11. The following describes the case when the user terminal 32 obtains screen data from the branch server 12. The same applies when each of the user terminals 30 and 32 obtains screen data from any of the branch servers 12, 14 and the main server 10. Note that when each of the user terminals 30 and 32 communicates with the main server 10 without going through the branch servers 12 and 14, the control unit 40 of the main server 10 does not execute the processes in S44 and S50 to S56. That is, the control unit 40 transmits the data images obtained using the manufacturing data to the user terminals 30 and 32 and displays them on the display unit, without requesting manufacturing data from other servers.

[0130] When screen data is acquired from the base server 12, the control unit 134 causes the screen 100 represented by the acquired screen data to be displayed on the display unit 138. The control unit 50 transmits screen data to the user terminal 32 so that the control unit 134, according to the computer program stored in the control unit 134, displays the screen 100 represented by the screen data on the display unit 138.

[0131] The control unit 50 instructs the control unit 134 to display screen 100 in a window different from the initial screen 70. That is, the display unit 138 has a window containing the initial screen 70 and a window containing screen 100. Depending on the user's operation of the operation unit 140, the control unit 134 can make the display unit 138 display the window containing the initial screen 70 and the window containing screen 100 side by side, or overlay one window on top of the other. Hereinafter, the windows containing the initial screen 70 and screen 100 will simply be referred to as the initial screen 70 and screen 100.

[0132] Furthermore, the state in which multiple screens, i.e., multiple windows, are arranged on the display unit 138 includes both the state in which a screen is displayed on the display unit 138 and the state in which a screen is not displayed on the display unit 138. The state in which a screen is displayed on the display unit 138 includes the state in which multiple screens are displayed side by side on the display unit 138 without overlapping each other, and the state in which one screen is displayed overlapping another screen, but at least a portion of both screens is displayed. The state in which a screen is not displayed on the display unit 138 includes the state in which one screen is displayed overlapping the entire area of ​​another screen, and the other screen is not displayed at all, and the state in which one or more screens are minimized.

[0133] Screen 100 includes a setting image 102 and a data image 104. As shown in Figure 12, the setting image 102 is located on the right side of screen 100. The setting image 102 includes page settings 102a, granularity settings 102b, period settings 102c, period movement 102d, comment settings 102e, and background color settings 102f. When screen 100 is displayed on the display unit 138, the user can perform operations on the setting image 102 by operating the operation unit 140. The setting image 102 further includes a plurality of buttons 103j, 103k, 103m, and 103n.

[0134] Page setting 102a represents the content of data image 104. Specifically, page setting 102a includes a string representing the manufacturing line and manufacturing process from which the manufacturing data represented by data image 104 was acquired, and a string representing the items represented by the manufacturing data (e.g., furnace temperature, molding booth pressure, etc.). Furthermore, page setting 102a includes an add button 103a for adding data images to be displayed on data image 104, and a save button 103b for saving the current display configuration. The user can operate the add button 103a and the save button 103b by operating the operation unit 140.

[0135] The granularity setting 102b includes a plurality of granularity buttons 103c for setting the time granularity of the manufacturing data represented by the data image. The plurality of granularity buttons 103c correspond to each of a plurality of time periods. The plurality of granularity buttons 103c include buttons corresponding to "1M" for 1 minute, "5M" for 5 minutes, "Hour" for 1 hour, "Shift" for a work shift, and "Day" for 1 day. The user can perform an operation to select one of the granularity buttons 103c by operating the operation unit 140. The manufacturing data includes measured values ​​measured over time. Measurements over time are performed, for example, every minute. That is, the manufacturing data includes measured values ​​every minute. When the granularity button 103c corresponding to "1M" is selected, time-series data (e.g., a graph) representing the measured values ​​every minute is displayed as a data image. When the granularity button 103c corresponding to "Hour" is selected, the time-series data (e.g., a graph) representing the measured values ​​every minute is averaged every hour, and the calculated average value is displayed as a data image. In this way, it is possible to display data images representing manufacturing data with varying time granularity, i.e., different time intervals.

[0136] The method for changing the time granularity is not particularly limited. For example, the median of time-series data (e.g., a graph) representing measurements taken every minute may be identified every hour. Alternatively, time-series data (e.g., a graph) representing measurements taken every minute may be extracted at predetermined time intervals of two minutes or more, and the average value of the extracted measurements may be calculated.

[0137] The control unit 50 may calculate and additionally store manufacturing data with different time granularity in the storage unit 52 each time manufacturing data is stored in the storage unit 52. This shortens the time required to change the time granularity of the data image.

[0138] The period setting 102c includes a start / end button 103d and a period button 103e for setting the period of manufacturing data included in the data image. By operating the start / end button 103d, the user can set either the start date and time or the end date and time of the period of manufacturing data to be included in the data image. By operating the period button 103e, the user can set the period of manufacturing data to be included in the data image.

[0139] The time period shift 102d includes a shift button 103f for shifting the time period of the manufacturing data included in the data image. By operating the shift button 103f, the user can move the time period of the manufacturing data included in the data image to the previous or next time period.

[0140] The comment setting 102e includes a comment button 103g for displaying comments on the data image. The user can choose whether or not to display comments on the data image by operating the comment button 103g.

[0141] The background color setting 102f includes a color button 103h for changing the background color of the screen 100. The user can change the background color of the screen 100 by operating the color button 103h.

[0142] (Display Processing) When manufacturing data is transmitted from the base server 12 to the user terminal 32, the display processing performed by the control unit 50 of the base server 12 and the control unit 134 of the user terminal 32 will be described. As shown in Figure 13, in S202, the control unit 134 monitors the operation of the operation unit 140 by the user with at least one of the initial screen 70 and screen 100 displayed on the display unit 138.

[0143] When a user performs an operation on the operation unit 140 (YES in S202), the control unit 134 determines in S204 whether the control unit 50 should perform the processing corresponding to the operation performed in S202. The processing corresponding to the user's operation on the operation unit 140 includes processing that should be performed by the control unit 134 (i.e., the user terminal 32) and processing that should be performed by the control unit 50 (i.e., the base server 12). For example, processing to change the arrangement of screens already displayed on the display unit 138 or to erase screens is included in the processing that the control unit 134 should perform. On the other hand, processing to display a new data image on the display unit 138 or to change a data image already placed on the display unit 138 is included in the processing that the control unit 50 should perform.

[0144] If the control unit 134 is to perform the processing (NO in S204), in S206, the control unit 134 performs the processing corresponding to the operation performed in S202. For example, if the user operates the operation unit 140 to move the cursor over the screen 100 and to a different position on the display unit 138, the control unit 134 moves the screen 100 in accordance with the cursor movement. This allows the data images contained in the screen 100 to be placed in the desired position on the display unit 138 according to the user's operation. Also, for example, if the user operates the operation unit 140 to close the screen 100, the control unit 134 erases the screen 100 from the display unit 138.

[0145] If the control unit 50 is to perform the processing (YES in S204), in S208, the control unit 134 sends server operation information representing the operation performed in S202 to the base server 12. In S210, when the control unit 50 receives the server operation information, it performs the processing corresponding to the server operation information.

[0146] (Processing according to server operation information) The processing performed by the control unit 50 and the screen 100 displayed on the display unit 138 in processing according to server operation information will be explained below.

[0147] (Display of multiple data images) In order to display multiple data images on a single display unit 138, the control unit 50 causes the display unit 138 to either arrange multiple data images on a single screen 100, or arrange multiple screens 100, each containing one or more data images.

[0148] In the menu image 200 shown in Figure 9, when manufacturing data containing multiple graphs is selected, multiple graphs (i.e., data images) are arranged on a single screen 100. To add further data images to the single screen 100, while the single screen 100 is displayed on the display unit 138, the operation of the add button 103a included in the page setting 102a (for example, clicking with the mouse) is performed on the operation unit 140 (YES in S202).

[0149] The control unit 134 determines that the operation of the additional button 103a should be performed by the control unit 50, and transmits additional operation information to the control unit 50 indicating that the additional button 103a has been operated. When the control unit 50 receives the additional operation information, it relays communication between the user terminal 32 and the main server 10. Specifically, the control unit 50 transmits the additional operation information to the main server 10. The control unit 40 of the main server 10 transmits the image selection screen to the user terminal 32 via the branch server 12 according to the additional operation information.

[0150] The image selection screen, like the display areas 76 and 78 of the initial screen 70, includes areas for selecting the manufacturing site, manufacturing line, and manufacturing process of the manufacturing data to be acquired, and an icon image for selecting the image type. The user operates the operation unit 140 to perform a process selection operation on the display areas 76 and 78 of the image selection screen, similar to the initial screen 70, to select the manufacturing process and image type. When the process selection operation is performed, the control unit 50 performs the same processing as in S44 to S56 on the manufacturing process and image type selected by the process selection operation.

[0151] As a result, the screen 100 displays a data image identified by the manufacturing process and image type selected by the process selection operation. If a different manufacturing process is selected by the process selection operation from a data image already included in the screen 100, the control unit 50 displays a data image representing the manufacturing data obtained from the different manufacturing process on the display unit 138. The different manufacturing processes may be different manufacturing sites 4 and 6, different manufacturing lines 20 and 22, or different manufacturing processes 60 and 62. At least one of the main server 10 and the site server 12 stores manufacturing data 61 from multiple manufacturing processes 60 and 62 of multiple manufacturing lines 20 and 22 located at multiple manufacturing sites 4 and 6. Therefore, the control units 40 and 50 can cause the user terminal 32 to acquire data images representing multiple manufacturing data from different manufacturing processes and display them on the display unit 138.

[0152] As shown in Figure 11, when both image types are graphs, time-series data of temperatures inside the melting furnace for different manufacturing processes, such as manufacturing processes 60 and 62, are arranged side by side on a single screen 100. When the image types of multiple data images to be placed on screen 100 are the same (for example, captured images and captured images, drawings and drawings, measured values ​​and measured values), multiple data images corresponding to different manufacturing processes are arranged on a single screen 100.

[0153] As shown in Figure 14, when the image type includes graphs and captured images, either a graph representing time-series data of the temperature inside the melting furnace for the same manufacturing process, for example, manufacturing process 60, and an image of the inside of the melting furnace are arranged side by side on one screen 100, or graphs and captured images corresponding to different manufacturing processes are arranged side by side on one screen 100.

[0154] As shown in Figure 15, when the image type includes both captured images and drawings, the captured image of the melting furnace and the drawing representing the manufacturing process for the same manufacturing process, for example, manufacturing process 60, are superimposed on a single screen 100. If a graph is added to screen 100, the graph is further superimposed on the drawing. Note that graphs and drawings corresponding to different manufacturing processes may be placed side by side on a single screen 100. Data images representing manufacturing data and drawings may simply be placed side by side. In this case, the data images and drawings may be placed without overlapping. The drawing may represent multiple processes and glass flow paths between processes. The control unit 40 may superimpose the measured current temperature of each process onto the drawing data.

[0155] As shown in Figure 16, when the image type includes graphs and measured values, a graph representing time-series data of the temperature inside the melting furnace in the same manufacturing process, for example, manufacturing process 60, and a table representing the numerical values ​​of said time-series data are arranged side by side on one screen 100, or graphs and measured values ​​corresponding to different manufacturing processes are arranged side by side on one screen 100.

[0156] If the image types of multiple data images to be placed on screen 100 are different, that is, if one image type is a first type from among graphs, captured images, and numerical values, and another image type is a second type from among graphs, captured images, and numerical values ​​that is different from the first type, then multiple data images corresponding to the same or different manufacturing processes will be placed on a single screen 100. In addition to the multiple types of data images, or in place of some of the multiple data images, drawings may also be placed on screen 100.

[0157] In the display process, by performing a selection operation on a screen 100 containing N data images (where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1), a screen 100 containing N+1 data images can be displayed on the display unit 138. The N+1 data images may be different types of data images representing manufacturing data obtained from the same manufacturing process. The N+1 data images may be different types of data images representing manufacturing data obtained from different manufacturing processes. The N+1 data images may be the same type of data image representing manufacturing data obtained from different manufacturing processes.

[0158] With this configuration, by executing a display process, multiple data images can be displayed on the same screen 100, allowing the user to view multiple data images simultaneously. The user can easily compare multiple data images. For example, by placing the temperatures inside the melting furnaces of multiple production lines 20, 22 or production lines at different production sites 4, 6 on a single screen 100, the measurement results of the same manufacturing process at different production lines 20, 22 can be easily compared. Also, for example, by placing manufacturing data obtained from preceding and succeeding manufacturing processes on the same production line 20 on a single screen 100, it can be easily compared.

[0159] Furthermore, by displaying the screen 100 on the display unit 138, multiple data images can be contained within a single screen 100. This allows the display unit 138 to display other images in areas other than the screen 100. Both the multiple graphs displayed on the screen 100 and the images displayed in areas other than the screen 100 can be viewed on a single display unit 138.

[0160] With screen 100 positioned on the display unit 138, the user operates the initial screen 70, causing the control unit 50 to execute processes S42 to S56. As a result, the control unit 50 displays multiple screens 100 on the display unit 138. The user can move the multiple screens 100 within the display unit 138 by operating the operation unit 140. The control unit 134 positions the multiple screens 100 at the location specified by the user.

[0161] The user can perform an image movement operation (for example, clicking on a data image to move the cursor) to move the position of a data image contained in the screen 100 by operating the operation unit 140 (YES to S202).

[0162] The control unit 134 determines that the image movement operation should be performed by the control unit 50 (YES in S204) and transmits image movement operation information indicating that the image movement operation has been performed to the control unit 50. The image movement operation information includes specific location information indicating a specific location to which the image has been moved. When the control unit 50 receives the image movement operation information, it executes the processes from S44 to S56, excluding S46 and S53. That is, the control unit 50 transmits the screen 100 in which the data image has been moved to the specific location indicated by the specific location information included in the image movement operation information to the user terminal 32 and displays it on the display unit 138.

[0163] (Setting the display period) The user can set the period for which the data image contained in the screen 100 is displayed by operating the operation unit 140. With the screen 100 displayed on the display unit 138, the user performs a period setting operation (for example, by clicking with the mouse) on the operation unit 140 using the start / end button 103d and the period button 103e included in the period setting 102c (YES in S202). This specifies the period for which the data image will be displayed.

[0164] The control unit 134 determines that the period setting operation should be performed by the control unit 50 (YES in S204) and transmits period setting operation information to the control unit 50, indicating that the period setting operation has been performed. When the control unit 50 receives the period setting operation information, it executes the processes from S44 to S56, excluding S46 and S53. That is, the control unit 50 transmits a data image representing the manufacturing data for the period included in the period setting operation information to the user terminal 32 and displays it on the display unit 138. As shown in Figure 17, the period represented by the graph shown in Figure 11 is changed to the period set by the user.

[0165] With this configuration, the user can display a graph for a period of their choice on the display unit 138. This allows the user to focus on a specific period and review the manufacturing data.

[0166] (Setting the time granularity) The user can set the time granularity displayed in the data image contained in the screen 100 by operating the operation unit 140. With the screen 100 displayed on the display unit 138, the user performs a granularity setting operation (for example, clicking with the mouse) on the operation unit 140 by operating the granularity button 103c included in the granularity setting 102b (YES in S202). The user can specify the time granularity by operating the granularity button 103c.

[0167] The control unit 134 determines that the particle size setting operation should be performed by the control unit 50 and transmits particle size setting operation information to the control unit 50, indicating that the particle size setting operation has been performed. Upon receiving the particle size setting operation information, the control unit 50 executes the processes from S44 to S56, excluding S46 and S53. That is, the control unit 50 transmits a data image representing the manufacturing data for the period included in the particle size setting operation information to the user terminal 32 and displays it on the display unit 138. As a result, the time granularity represented by the graph shown in Figure 11 is changed to the time granularity set by the user. Specifically, for example, in Figure 11, the measured values ​​are shown every 5 minutes, but by changing the time granularity, the measured values ​​are shown every hour.

[0168] This configuration allows users to easily view the trends in manufacturing data over long periods by increasing the time granularity. This makes it easier to identify changes such as equipment deterioration over time that appear through the trends in measurement data over long periods. By pre-calculating manufacturing data with different time granularities, data images can be displayed early when the time granularity is set.

[0169] The manufacturing data stored in storage units 42 and 52 is represented numerically, except for still image data and video data that have already been captured. When the display specified in the data image request is a graph, the control units 40 and 50 provide a graph of the numerically represented manufacturing data according to the image type. Graphs with changed time granularity are created using manufacturing data obtained from the manufacturing process. These graphs can be called data images obtained using manufacturing data. Furthermore, when displaying data images representing manufacturing data over a long period, the number of data points can be reduced by making the time granularity coarser, thereby preventing a decrease in the operating speed of the user terminal.

[0170] (Enlargement of data images) As shown in Figure 18, the user can perform an image selection operation (for example, clicking with a mouse) to select one data image data from among multiple data images contained on the screen 100 by operating the operation unit 140. As shown in Figure 19, when one data image is selected by the user (i.e., a pointer on the screen 100), the control unit 134 enlarges the selected data image from among the multiple data images displayed on the screen 100. In detail, when one data image is selected by the user, enlargement selection information representing the selected data image is sent to the data image base server 12.

[0171] When the control unit 50 receives enlarged selection information representing the selected data image, it generates screen data representing the enlarged screen 100 of the data image, or it sends the enlarged selection information to the main server 10 to obtain the screen data representing the screen 100 generated by the control unit 40 and sends it to the user terminal 32. When the control unit 134 obtains the screen data, it causes the enlarged screen 110 represented by the enlarged screen data to be displayed on the display unit.

[0172] With this configuration, for example, if a user wants to focus on one of several data images, that data image can be displayed larger. This makes the data image of interest easier to see.

[0173] (Display of Comments) The enlarged screen data includes data representing displays 112 that indicate the presence of comments, such as "Action 1" and "Action 2" at locations where comments are present. Displays 112 are displayed on the enlarged screen 110. As shown in Figure 20, when a user selects one of the displays 112, the control unit 134 displays the comment 114 corresponding to the selected display 112. In detail, when a user selects one of the displays 112, information representing the selected display 112 is supplied to the base server 12. When the control unit 50 receives the information representing the selected display 112, it identifies the comment data representing the comment corresponding to the location of the selected display 112. Alternatively, the control unit 50 obtains comment data from the main server 10. The control unit 50 transmits the comment data to the user terminal 32. When the control unit 134 obtains the comment data, it displays the comment 114 on the enlarged screen 110. This eliminates the need for workers to individually communicate comments in the manufacturing process to users.

[0174] The user can enter comments using the user terminal 32. For example, they can select the desired input location (for example, by clicking the mouse at the desired location) and enter a string. The control unit 134 sends the entered string and the location information of the comment 114 to the base server 12. When the control unit 50 receives the entered string and the location information of the comment 114, it stores them in the storage unit 52. The control unit 50 then sends the entered string and the location information of the comment 114 to the main server 10. Similarly, the user can enter comments using the user terminal 30.

[0175] In a modified version, the user may request comments using user terminals 30 and 32. For example, if a user discovers unusual data in the manufacturing data and wishes to confirm it with the worker, the user may select the data in the manufacturing data image. The user terminals 30 and 32 may send the location information (e.g., time information) of the selected manufacturing data and a comment request to the branch servers 12 and 14 or the main server 10. The control unit of the branch servers 12 and 14 or the main server 10 may place a display indicating that a comment has been requested at the location information of the manufacturing data image.

[0176] (Changing the display position of data images) The user can change the position of data images placed on screen 100 within screen 100. Specifically, the user selects a data image on screen 100 (for example, by clicking the mouse) by operating the operation unit 140, and performs an image movement operation to move the selected data image to any position on screen 100. The control unit 134 moves the selected data image to the position specified by the user according to the image movement operation. In detail, when the user performs a movement operation, operation information representing the image movement operation (i.e., information representing the selected data image and position information representing the position specified by the user) is supplied to the base server 12. When the control unit 50 receives the image movement operation information, it generates screen data representing screen 100 where the data image is placed at the specified position, or it obtains the generated screen data from the main server 10 and transmits it to the user terminal 32. When the control unit 134 obtains the screen data, it displays the screen 100 represented by the screen data on the display unit 138.

[0177] The control units 40 and 50 may create screen data by placing the selected data image at the specified location and moving the other data image to the location where the selected data image was placed, if another data image is already placed at the specified location. The control units 40 and 50 may also create screen data by placing the selected data image at the specified location, overlaid on another image data, if another data image is already placed at the specified location.

[0178] This configuration allows data images to be placed at locations specified by the user. This enables users to position data images in locations that are easily visible to them.

[0179] (Screen Dimension Change) The user can perform screen change operations (for example, moving the window frame) that change the dimensions of the screen 100 displayed on the display unit 138 by operating the operation unit 140. As shown in Figure 21, when the dimensions of the screen 100 are changed by the user, the control unit 134 changes the dimensions of the screen 100 itself. Furthermore, the control unit 134 transmits screen change operation information representing the screen change operation to the data image base server 12. When the control unit 50 receives the screen change operation information, it generates screen data representing the screen 100 with the dimensions of the multiple data images contained in the screen 100 changed to match the dimensions of the changed screen 100. For example, the control unit 50 transmits screen data to the user terminal 32 with the vertical and horizontal lengths of each of the multiple data images changed in accordance with the vertical change rate, horizontal change rate and dimensional change of the screen 100. Alternatively, the control unit 50 acquires screen data generated by the main server 10 in the same way as the control unit 50 and transmits it to the user terminal 32. When screen data is acquired, the control unit 134 displays the data image to match the dimensions of the screen 100.

[0180] In this configuration, the dimensions of data images, such as graphs, are adjusted in accordance with changes in the dimensions of the screen 100. This eliminates the need for the user to adjust the dimensions of multiple data images contained within the screen 100 in accordance with changes in the screen 100's dimensions. For example, by reducing the dimensions of the screen 100, a window (such as the initial screen 70) that is placed together with the screen 100 on the display unit 138 can be displayed across the entire area.

[0181] (Graph Display) When the type of data image selected by the user is a graph, the form of the graph displayed on screen 100 will be described. Multiple manufacturing data includes specific manufacturing data in which multiple indicators are stored corresponding to the same time axis. Specifically, in specific manufacturing data, temperature and pressure are stored corresponding to the same time axis. When specific manufacturing data is selected by the user, as shown in Figure 11, the control units 40 and 50 create screen data representing screen 100 which includes a data image, in which a graph is created in which one Y axis represents temperature and the other Y axis represents pressure for one X-direction time axis.

[0182] This configuration allows multiple time-series data, such as temperature and pressure changes, to be superimposed on a single graph. By placing a Y-axis corresponding to each of the multiple time-series data on a single graph, the graph can be displayed using the appropriate axis for each of the multiple time-series data. This makes it easy to compare multiple time-series data on a single graph.

[0183] Furthermore, specific manufacturing data may store multiple temperatures measured at different locations, different manufacturing processes, different production lines, etc., corresponding to the same time axis. In this case, the control units 40 and 50 may create screen data representing the screen 100, which includes a data image, in which one Y-axis is arranged for a portion of the multiple temperatures and the other Y-axis is arranged for the remaining portion of the multiple temperatures, with respect to a single X-direction time axis.

[0184] (Display of Differences) If the graph contains line segments representing multiple pressures, the user can display line segments representing the difference between the multiple pressure lines by operating the difference line button 103j on the graph. Specifically, the user performs a difference display operation by operating the difference line button 103j on the operation unit 140. The control unit 134 displays line segments representing differences on the graph according to the difference display operation. More specifically, when the user performs a difference display operation, the control unit 134 transmits difference display information indicating the difference display operation to the base server 12. When the control unit 50 receives the difference display information, it calculates the difference between the multiple pressures included in the graph and generates screen data representing screen 100 which further includes line segments representing differences. Alternatively, the control unit 50 causes the control unit 40 to generate screen data representing screen 100 which further includes line segments 100x representing differences, and acquires the screen data. The control unit 50 transmits the screen data to the user terminal 32. As shown in Figure 22, when the control unit 134 acquires the screen data, it displays the screen 100 represented by the screen data on the display unit.

[0185] This configuration allows users to view the differences between multiple pressures without having to calculate the differences themselves. By displaying the line segment representing the difference on the same graph as the line segment representing the pressure, pressure and difference can be easily compared. Note that the relationship between multiple measured values ​​can be expressed using means other than difference, such as average or deviation.

[0186] If the data image type selected by the user is a graph, the control units 40 and 50 that provide the screen data determine the Y-axis scale and range according to the numerical range of the indicators included in the manufacturing data. For example, as shown in Figure 23, if the numerical range of the measured value is a maximum of 528.0 and a minimum of 480.8, the control units 40 and 50 select 480 to 530 as the Y-axis range and set the scale to every 10.

[0187] This configuration eliminates the need for the user to set the Y-axis scale.

[0188] The user can set the scale and range of the Y-axis by operating the scale setting button 103k located on the screen 100. Specifically, the user performs a scale setting operation by operating the scale setting button 103k by operating the operation unit 140. The control unit 134 changes the Y-axis scale and range to the set values ​​according to the scale setting operation. More specifically, when the user performs a scale setting operation, the control unit 134 supplies Y-axis setting information (i.e., information representing the Y-axis range and scale) representing the scale setting operation to the base server 12. When the control unit 50 receives the scale setting information, it generates screen data representing the screen 100, which includes the graph in which the Y-axis of the graph has been changed to the range and scale included in the scale setting information. Alternatively, the control unit 50 causes the control unit 40 to generate screen data representing the screen 100 and obtains the screen data. The control unit 50 transmits the screen data to the user terminal 32. When screen data is acquired, the control unit 134 causes the screen 100 represented by the screen data to be displayed on the display unit 138.

[0189] This configuration allows graphs to be displayed using scales that make it easy for users to view manufacturing data. This makes it easier for users to understand the time-series data included in the graphs.

[0190] (Display of Moving Averages) By operating the moving average button 103m located on screen 100, the user can display a line segment representing the moving average of the time-series data included in the manufacturing data on the graph. Specifically, the user performs a moving average display operation by operating the operating unit 140, which involves operating the moving average button 103m. The control unit 134 displays screen 100, including the graph to which the moving average has been added according to the moving average display operation. More specifically, when the user performs the moving average display operation, average display information representing the moving average display operation is supplied to the base server 12.

[0191] When the control unit 50 receives moving average line display information, it calculates the moving average using the manufacturing data. For example, if the period displayed on the graph is X hours, the control unit 50 calculates the average of the measured values ​​for the past X / 10 hours from the time the measured value was measured for each of the multiple measured values. The control unit 50 generates screen data representing screen 100, which includes a graph with a moving average line 100y representing the calculated moving average added to the graph. Alternatively, the control unit 50 has the control unit 40 generate screen data representing screen 100 and acquires the screen data. The control unit 50 transmits the screen data to the user terminal 32. As shown in Figure 24, when the control unit 134 acquires the screen data, it displays the screen 100 represented by the screen data on the display unit 138.

[0192] This configuration makes it easier for users to understand the trend of changes in time-series data using moving average lines within the data image.

[0193] (Display of Thresholds) The user can display the thresholds set by the user on the graph by operating the threshold button 103n located on the screen 100. Specifically, the user performs a threshold display operation by operating the threshold button 103n by operating the operation unit 140. The control unit 134 displays the screen 100 including the graph to which the thresholds have been added in accordance with the threshold display operation. In detail, when the user performs a threshold display operation, the control unit 134 transmits threshold display information representing the threshold display operation to the base server 12. When the control unit 50 receives the threshold display information, it transmits the threshold display information to the main server 10. When the control unit 40 receives the threshold display information, it determines whether or not the storage unit 42 has stored thresholds corresponding to the manufacturing data used in the graph displayed on the screen 100.

[0194] If a threshold is stored, the control unit 40 identifies the threshold, generates screen data representing a screen 100 including a graph with the identified threshold 100z added, and transmits it to the user terminal 32 via the base server 12. As shown in Figure 25, when the control unit 134 receives the screen data, it displays the screen 100 represented by the screen data on the display unit 138. If it is determined that no threshold is stored, the control unit 50 transmits screen data representing an error screen indicating that no threshold is stored to the user terminal 32. The user terminal 32 can recognize that no threshold has been set by displaying the error screen on the display unit 138.

[0195] Users of the data management system 2, such as administrators and operators, can pre-set thresholds on the main server 10. The user operates the "Threshold Setting" button included in the display area 80 of the initial screen 70 using the operation unit 140 of the user terminal 32. The control unit 134 transmits information to the main server 10 indicating that the "Threshold Setting" button has been operated. The control unit 40 transmits threshold setting screen data, which represents the threshold setting screen stored in the storage unit 42, to the user terminal 32. When the threshold setting screen data is acquired, the control unit 134 displays the threshold setting screen on the display unit 138. The user specifies the manufacturing site, manufacturing line, manufacturing process, and measurement target (e.g., temperature, pressure, etc.) on the threshold setting screen by operating the operation unit 140, and inputs the threshold. The control unit 134 transmits the manufacturing site, manufacturing line, manufacturing process, measurement target (e.g., temperature, pressure, etc.) and threshold specified by the user to the main server 10. The control unit 40 stores the thresholds received from the user terminal 30 in the storage unit 42.

[0196] This configuration allows users to easily compare time-series data with thresholds.

[0197] (Display modes for each user) In the main server 10, multiple display modes are pre-stored in the storage unit 42. For each of the multiple display modes, the position and dimensions for placing one or more data images on the screen 100 are pre-set. For example, as shown in Figure 11, in one of the multiple display modes, a predetermined number of data images are arranged in a vertical direction. The dimensions of each data image are specified so that a predetermined number of data images are arranged relative to the dimensions of the screen 100. Also, for example, as shown in Figure 27, in one of the multiple display modes, a predetermined number of data images are arranged in a horizontal direction. The dimensions of each data image are specified so that a predetermined number of data images are arranged relative to the dimensions of the screen 100. Furthermore, for example, in one of the multiple display modes, a predetermined number of data images may be arranged in both the horizontal and vertical directions.

[0198] One or more of the multiple display modes are set in the data management system 2. Users can set a user-specific display mode by operating user terminals 30 and 32. Specifically, the user operates the operation unit 140 to operate the "Display Mode Setting" button displayed in the display area 80 on the initial screen 70. The control unit 134 displays the display mode setting screen on the display unit 138 according to the operation of the "Display Mode Setting" button. Specifically, the control unit 134 sends information to the main server 10 indicating that the "Display Mode Setting" button has been operated. The control unit 40 sends the display mode setting screen data, which represents the display mode setting screen stored in the storage unit 42, to the user terminal 32. When the display mode setting screen data is acquired, the control unit 134 displays the display mode setting screen on the display unit 138.

[0199] The user inputs display mode information, including the number, arrangement, and dimensions of data images to be placed on the screen 100, to the display mode setting screen by operating the operation unit 140. The control unit 134 transmits the display mode information specified by the user to the main server 10. The control unit 40 stores the display mode information received from the user terminal 30 as a single display mode in the storage unit 42. The control unit 40 stores the display mode information in combination with the user ID obtained from the user terminal 32. When the control unit 40 supplies screen data representing the screen 100 to the user terminal 32, it creates image data according to the display mode stored in the storage unit 42 in combination with the user ID.

[0200] This configuration allows users to select a display mode from multiple options. This enables users to choose a display mode that makes it easier to view data images, for example, depending on the type of data image they need to examine. Furthermore, since users can configure the display mode, data images can be displayed according to the user's preferred display mode, prioritizing their purpose and ease of viewing.

[0201] (Shortcuts) Users can display shortcuts on the initial screen 70 to display one or more frequently viewed data images. Specifically, users can perform a shortcut creation operation by operating the operation unit 140. The shortcut creation operation may be, for example, the operation of the "Create Shortcut" button in the display area 78. The control unit 134 displays a list on the display unit 138 similar to the manufacturing data list shown in Figure 9, in accordance with the operation of the "Create Shortcut" button. Specifically, the control unit 134 sends information to the main server 10 indicating that the "Create Shortcut" button has been operated. The control unit 40 sends list screen data representing the list stored in the storage unit 42 to the user terminal 32. When the control unit 134 receives the list screen data, it displays the display mode setting screen on the display unit 138.

[0202] The user selects manufacturing data from a list by operating the operation unit 140. The user can also select display conditions such as the type of data image, display period, and granularity. The control unit 134 transmits the manufacturing data and display conditions selected by the user to the main server 10. The control unit 40 stores the selected manufacturing data and display conditions received from the user terminal 32 in the storage unit 42. The control unit 40 creates new icon images corresponding to the location information of the stored manufacturing data and display conditions in the storage unit 42 and places them in the display area 74.

[0203] The user can perform shortcut operations (for example, clicking an icon image) on any of the icon images 82a, 82b, 82c, or 82d placed in the display area 74 by operating the operation unit 140. When a shortcut operation is performed, the control unit 134 sends shortcut information to the base server 12 representing the icon image that has been operated by the shortcut operation. When the control unit 50 receives the shortcut information, it sends the received shortcut information to the main server 10. When the control unit 40 receives the shortcut information, it sends screen data to the base server 12 for displaying the manufacturing data corresponding to the operated icon image according to the display conditions. The control unit 50 sends the received screen data to the user terminal 32. The control unit 134 displays the screen 100 represented by the received screen data on the display unit 138.

[0204] With this configuration, the user can display data images on the display unit 138 by manipulating icon images in the display area 74. This simplifies the operation required to display data images.

[0205] (Display of Captured Images) The user can display still images on the display unit 138 by operating the operation unit 140. Specifically, when the user displays data images on the initial screen 70, they select an icon image 89 representing a captured image as the image type. In this case, the same processing as in S44 to S56 is performed. The menu image 200 includes a title 202, an item indicating whether it is a still image or a video, and a period 206. When the user selects a title 202 corresponding to a still image, the screen 100 containing the captured image is displayed on the display unit 138. When the user sets a period, that is, when the period setting operation is performed, the control unit 50 creates screen data representing a screen 100 in which multiple still images captured during the set period are displayed consecutively, and transmits it to the user terminal 32. As shown in Figure 26, the control unit 134 displays the screen 100 represented by the received screen data on the display unit 138. As a result, multiple still images are displayed consecutively.

[0206] With this configuration, the user can visually observe the changes in the manufacturing process over time by checking screen 100. The images of the manufacturing process can be viewed using images with a higher resolution than video.

[0207] (Provision of captured images) The control unit 40 can transmit still image data and video data stored in the storage unit 42 to, for example, user terminals 30 and 32. The control unit 40 transmits still image data and video data expressed in a general-purpose data format in response to a request from the user terminal 32. The control unit 134 stores the still image data and video data received from the main server 10 in the storage unit 136. The control unit 134 can display the images represented by the still image data and video data on the display unit 138 without performing communication with the main server 10, etc.

[0208] (Correspondence) Base servers 12, 14 and main server 10 are examples of "data display devices". Control units 40 and 50 are examples of "data acquisition units", "display control units", "period acquisition units", "comment acquisition units", "location information acquisition units", and "condition acquisition units". Control unit 40 is an example of a "storage control unit". Display unit 138 is an example of a "display unit". Manufacturing bases 4 and 6 are examples of "first manufacturing base" and "second manufacturing base", respectively. Manufacturing lines 20 and 22 are examples of "first manufacturing line" and "second manufacturing line", respectively. Manufacturing processes 60 and 62 are examples of "first manufacturing process" and "second manufacturing process", respectively. Manufacturing data 60a, 60b, 60c, 62a, 62b, and 62c are examples of "first manufacturing data" and "second manufacturing data", respectively. Each data image included in screen 100 is an example of "first data image" and "second data image".

[0209] The graph shown in Figure 17 is an example of the "first graph". The graph shown in Figure 11 is an example of the "first time series data", and every 5 minutes in the graph shown in Figure 11 is an example of the "first time interval". The graph shown in Figure 11 with a changed time granularity is an example of the "second time series data", and every 1 hour is an example of the "second time interval". The two graphs shown in Figure 11 are examples of the "second graph" and the "third graph". The graphs shown in Figures 22, 24, and 25 are examples of the "second graph", and the line segments represented in the graphs shown in Figures 11 and 22 are examples of the "third time series data" and the "fourth time series data". Icon images 82a, 82b, 82c, and 82d are examples of "button images". The operation of icon images 82a, 82b, 82c, and 82d is an example of a "specific operation".

[0210] In the display area 76, the manufacturing process selected by the user and the manufacturing data selected by the user from the menu image 200 are examples of "related conditions". The multiple still images shown in Figure 26 are examples of "multiple first captured images". The still image data and video data stored in a general-purpose data format are examples of "image data representing the second captured image".

[0211] Although specific examples of the present invention have been described in detail above, these are merely illustrative and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and changes to the specific examples illustrated above.

[0212] (1) In the data management system 2, the main server 10 stores all manufacturing data, and the branch servers 12 and 14 do not need to store manufacturing data. In this case, the branch servers 12 and 14 may relay communication between the user terminal 32 and the main server 10. Alternatively, the user terminal 32 may communicate with the main server 10 without going through the branch servers 12 and 14.

[0213] (2) The control units 40 and 50 may be capable of performing at least a part of the above-described processing in the display processing.

[0214] (3) The data management system 2 may manage manufacturing data obtained from one manufacturing site 4. The data management system 2 may manage manufacturing data obtained from one manufacturing line 20. The data management system 2 may manage manufacturing data obtained from one manufacturing process 60. In this case, the control units 40 and 50 may include data images of different image types from the same manufacturing process on the screen 100.

[0215] (4) At least some of the buttons 103a etc. operated by the user do not have to be included in the setting image 102. For example, when a user operates the operation unit 140 to perform a selection operation to select one of the one or more data images included in the screen 100, information representing the selection operation may be transmitted to any of the branch servers 12, 14 and the main server 10. The control units 40 and 50 of the branch servers 12, 14 and the main server 10 may display on the display unit 138 screen data representing the screen 100, which includes buttons representing at least one of "difference", "scale setting", "moving average", and "threshold" on the data image selected by the selection operation. The user may perform an operation to select a button on the data image by operating the operation unit 140. As a result, the control units 40 and 50 of the branch servers 12, 14 and the main server 10 may display on the display unit 138 screen data representing the screen 100, which includes any of "difference", "scale setting", "moving average", and "threshold" represented by the selected button.

[0216] The technical elements described herein or in the drawings demonstrate technical usefulness individually or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. Furthermore, the technologies illustrated herein or in the drawings can achieve multiple objectives simultaneously, and achieving even one of these objectives constitutes technical usefulness in itself.

[0217] 2: Data management system, 4, 6: Manufacturing site, 10: Main server, 12, 14: Site server, 16: Backup server, 22: Manufacturing line, 24, 26: Process control terminal, 30, 32: User terminal, 40, 50: Control unit, 70: Initial screen, 100: Screen

Claims

1. A data display device comprising: a data acquisition unit that acquires manufacturing data obtained from a manufacturing process for manufacturing glass articles; and a display control unit that displays a data image obtained using the manufacturing data on a display unit, wherein the manufacturing data includes first manufacturing data acquired from a first manufacturing process and second manufacturing data acquired from a second manufacturing process different from the first manufacturing process, the first manufacturing data and the second manufacturing data include time-series data, and the display control unit displays a second data image obtained using the second manufacturing data on the display unit that is currently displaying a first data image obtained using the first manufacturing data.

2. The data acquisition unit acquires the manufacturing data obtained from the manufacturing process performed at each of the plurality of manufacturing sites, the first manufacturing process is performed at the first manufacturing site among the plurality of manufacturing sites, and the second manufacturing process is performed at the second manufacturing site, which is different from the first manufacturing site among the plurality of manufacturing sites, as described in claim 1.

3. The data acquisition unit acquires the manufacturing data obtained from the manufacturing process performed in a manufacturing line for manufacturing the glass article by performing one or more of the manufacturing processes, wherein the first manufacturing process is performed in a first manufacturing line, and the second manufacturing process is performed in a second manufacturing line different from the first manufacturing line, as described in claim 1 or 2.

4. The data acquisition unit acquires the manufacturing data obtained from the manufacturing process performed in a specific manufacturing line that manufactures the glass article by executing a plurality of the manufacturing processes, and the first manufacturing process and the second manufacturing process are included in the plurality of manufacturing processes performed in the specific manufacturing line, the data display device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The data display device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a period acquisition unit for acquiring a set display period set by the user, wherein the first data image includes a first graph obtained using the first manufacturing data, and the display control unit causes the display unit to display the first graph obtained using the first manufacturing data for the acquired set display period.

6. The data display device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first manufacturing data includes first time series data of a first time interval obtained from the first manufacturing process, and the display control unit causes the first data image to display a second time series data obtained using the first time series data, the second time series data having a second time interval longer than the first time interval.

7. The data display device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a comment acquisition unit for acquiring comments entered by a user for the first manufacturing data, wherein the display control unit causes the first data image and the acquired comments to be displayed on the display unit.

8. The data display device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a location information acquisition unit that acquires specific location information representing a specific location on the display unit specified by a user, wherein the display control unit causes the display unit to display the first data image at the specific location represented by the acquired specific location information.

9. The data acquisition unit acquires the first manufacturing data, which includes a third time series of measured values ​​measured in the first manufacturing process, and the first data image includes a second graph representing the third time series data, according to claim 1 or 2.

10. The data acquisition unit further acquires third manufacturing data acquired from the third manufacturing process, which includes fourth time-series data of measured values ​​measured in the third manufacturing process; the display control unit causes the second graph to display a third data image representing the fourth time-series data; and the axis in a specific direction of the second graph includes a first axis corresponding to the third time-series data and a second axis corresponding to the fourth time-series data, as described in claim 9.

11. The data display device according to claim 9, wherein the display control unit identifies the scale of the axis in a specific direction of the second graph according to the measured value included in the third time series data, and causes the second graph including the identified scale to be displayed on the display unit.

12. The data display device according to claim 9, wherein the display control unit causes the display unit to display the second graph, which includes a scale for an axis in a specific direction specified by the user.

13. The data display device according to claim 9, wherein the display control unit causes the display unit to display the second graph, which includes a moving average line obtained using the third time series data.

14. The data display device according to claim 9, wherein the display control unit causes the display unit to display the second graph, which includes a threshold image representing a threshold corresponding to the measured value.

15. The data display device according to claim 9, wherein the first data image includes a first graph obtained using the first manufacturing data, the data acquisition unit further acquires fourth manufacturing data obtained from a fourth manufacturing process, the fourth manufacturing data including a fourth time series data of measured values ​​measured in the fourth manufacturing process, and the display control unit causes the display unit to display the second graph, which includes a fifth time series data representing the relationship between the third time series data and the fourth time series data, on the first graph.

16. The data display device according to claim 9, wherein the data acquisition unit further acquires the second manufacturing data, which includes a fifth time series of measured values ​​measured in the second manufacturing process, the second data image includes a third graph representing the fifth time series data, and the display control unit causes the second graph and the third graph to be displayed side by side on the display unit.

17. The data display device according to claim 16, wherein the display control unit causes the display unit to display a specific display area including the second graph and the third graph.

18. The data display device according to claim 17, wherein the display control unit adjusts the dimensions of the second graph and the third graph included in the specific display area to match the dimensions of the specific display area.

19. The data display device according to claim 16, wherein the display control unit displays one of the second graph and the third graph, as specified by the user, larger than the other of the second graph and the third graph.

20. The data display device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a mode acquisition unit for acquiring a display mode set by a user for a display mode of the data image displayed on the display unit, wherein the display control unit causes the data image to be displayed on the display unit according to any of a plurality of display modes, including the set display mode.

21. The data display device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the display control unit further comprises a button image for receiving a specific operation by a user, and when the specific operation is received, the first data image is displayed on the display unit.

22. The data display device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a condition acquisition unit that acquires relevant conditions related to the manufacturing data specified by the user, wherein the first data image is displayed on the display unit when the relevant conditions are related to the first manufacturing data.

23. The data acquisition unit acquires manufacturing data including at least one of first time-series data of measured values ​​measured in the first manufacturing process and first captured images taken in the first manufacturing process; the data acquisition unit further acquires drawing data representing a drawing relating to the first manufacturing process; the display control unit is capable of displaying a drawing image represented by the acquired drawing data on the display unit; and the display control unit causes two or more of the following to be displayed side by side on the display unit: a group of numerical values ​​representing the first time-series data, a graph representing the first time-series data, the first captured image, and the drawing image.

24. The data acquisition unit acquires manufacturing data including at least one of first time-series data of measured values ​​measured in the first manufacturing process and first captured images taken in the first manufacturing process; the data acquisition unit further acquires drawing data representing a drawing relating to the first manufacturing process; the display control unit is capable of displaying a drawing image represented by the acquired drawing data on the display unit; and the display control unit causes the display unit to overlay at least one of a group of numerical values ​​representing the first time-series data, a graph representing the first time-series data, and the first captured image on the display unit, the data display device according to claim 1 or 2.

25. The data display device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the data acquisition unit acquires first manufacturing data including a plurality of first captured images taken over time in the first manufacturing process, and the display control unit causes the display unit to continuously display the plurality of first captured images.

26. The data display device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a storage control unit for storing the first data image in a storage unit, wherein the data acquisition unit acquires the first manufacturing data including the first image captured in the first manufacturing process, and the storage control unit causes the acquired first image to be stored in the storage unit.

27. A data display device comprising: a data acquisition unit that acquires manufacturing data obtained from a manufacturing process for manufacturing glass articles; and a display control unit that displays a data image obtained using the manufacturing data on a display unit, wherein the manufacturing data includes at least one of time-series data of measured values ​​measured in the manufacturing process and captured images taken in the manufacturing process, and the display control unit displays two or more of the following on the display unit: a group of numerical values ​​representing the time-series data, a graph representing the time-series data, and the captured images.

Images