FACILITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

A facility management system capable of suppressing an increase in cost and man-hours, and capable of transmitting sensor information on a facility item sensing sensor to an outside from the facility is provided. A facility management system includes: a communication unit provided with a communication processing part capable of communicating sensing signals sensed by sensors over the wireless, and a facility status management apparatus provided with a management communication part capable of communicating with the communication processing part over the wireless. The communication unit includes a communication unit terminal attachable/detachable to/from a first light sensing sensor terminal of light sensing sensor units and attachable/detachable to/from a facility item sensing sensor terminal of a facility item sensing sensor unit.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-074106 filed on Apr. 9, 2019, and Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-074107 filed on Apr. 9, 2019, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a facility management system.

2. Description of the Related Art

In a facility management system, by configuring the system to be able to transmit a facility status to an outside from the facility, an operator and an administrator can easily perceive a facility status, and thus can achieve an improvement of production efficiency. However, in order to configure the system to be able to transmit the facility status to the outside from the facility, alteration of an existing control device such as alteration of software (ladder circuit) of a programmable logic controller (PLC) in the facility, and addition of a new control device into an existing control panel such as addition of relay components to fetch an input signal to the PLC may be required. Therefore, costs and man-hours are increased.

JP2004-6291A discloses an apparatus including an light sensing sensor provided on an indicator lamp capable of displaying the facility status and capable of transmitting the facility status from the facility to the outside. In other words, the apparatus senses light of the indicator lamp by the light sensing sensor and transmits a light sensing signal indicating the facility status to the outside from the facility via a wireless communication apparatus. With this apparatus, alteration of the existing control device and addition of a new control device to the existing control panel are no longer necessary. Therefore, an increase in costs and man-hours can be suppressed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In general, the facility includes facility item sensing sensors such as a proximity sensor, a distance sensor, and a pressure sensor disposed therein, so that sensor information can be transmitted to the outside from the facility to enable an operator and an administrator to easily perceive the sensor information, which leads to improvement in production efficiency. However, the apparatus described in JP2004-6291A has a configuration in which the light sensing sensor and the communication device are incorporated in advance in the indicator lamp. Therefore, in order to transmit the sensor information to the outside from the facility in the facility management system, alteration of the existing control device and addition of a new control device into the existing control panel is required. Consequently, costs and man-hours are increased.

In view of such circumstances, it is an object of the present invention is to provide a facility management system capable of suppressing an increase in costs and man-hours, and capable of transmitting sensor information from a facility item sensing sensor to the outside from the facility.

Solution to Problem

A facility management system according to the present invention includes: a communication unit including a main body part disposed on an indicator lamp capable of displaying a facility status, a communication unit terminal attachable/detachable to/from a terminal in a sensor unit, and a communication processing part capable of being communicably connected with a sensor in the sensor unit and capable of communicating a sensing signal from the sensor over the wireless; and a facility status management apparatus including a management communication part capable of communicating with the communication processing part over the wireless and a management information display displaying information on a sensing signal from the sensor communicating via the management communication part.

The sensor unit includes a light sensing sensor unit including a light sensing sensor configured to sense light from the indicator lamp and a first light sensing sensor terminal connected with the light sensing sensor, and the sensor unit also includes a facility item sensing sensor unit including a facility item sensing sensor configured to sense items relating to the facility and a facility item sensing sensor terminal connected with the facility item sensing sensor. The communication unit terminal is attachable/detachable to/from the first light sensing sensor terminal and is attachable/detachable to/from the facility item sensing sensor terminal. In this configuration, since the communication unit terminal of the communication unit is capable of being communicably connected with the light sensing sensor and is also capable of being communicably connected with the facility item sensing sensor, an increase in installation cost of the facility item sensing sensor can be suppressed.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

1. Configuration of Facility Management System

Referring now to the drawings, a facility management system of an embodiment of the present invention will be described. As illustrated inFIG. 1, a facility management system1is a system configured to manage a plurality of facilities M. The facility management system1includes light sensing sensor units25a,25band25cconfigured to detect light of an indicator lamp L on each facility M, a communication unit2capable of communicating light sensing signals from the light sensing sensor units25a,25band25cover the wireless, a facility status management apparatus3configured to communicate with each communication unit2over the wireless to manage a facility status of each facility M at the same time, and a portable mobile terminal unit4communicating with the facility status management apparatus3over the wireless so as to allow an operator to confirm the facility status.

The facility M is, for example, a machining apparatus capable of cutting or grinding a workpiece. The communication unit2is detachably attached to the indicator lamp L provided on an upper part of each facility M and indicates the facility status by emitting light. The facility status management apparatus3is installed at a position separated from the plurality of facilities M. The mobile terminal unit4includes a smartphone and a tablet PC, which can be carried by the operator or the like.

As illustrated inFIG. 2AandFIG. 2B, the indicator lamp L is a general lamp with hollow cylindrical translucent plastic cases La, Lb and Lc stacked in 3 stages, and light sources LLa, LLb and LLc such as LEDs are disposed inside the plastic cases La and Lb and Lc, respectively.

The plastic cases La, Lb and Lc are colored in the order of green, yellow and red from an upmost layer, for example, and are lit or flicker in green, yellow and red by light emission from the light sources LLa, LLb and LLc. The indicator lamp L has a pattern in which three colors are independently lit, a pattern in which two colors are simultaneously lit, a pattern in which three colors are simultaneously lit, a pattern in which three colors are simultaneously lit out, and a pattern in which three colors independently flicker.

The facility statuses meant by the respective patterns can be freely set on an installation side. For example, when the three colors are independently lit, setting may be made as follows. Lit in green means that the facility status of the facility M is normal (during production), lit in yellow means that the facility status of the facility M is during setup, and lit in red means that the facility status of the facility M is abnormal (failure), and flickering in green means that the facility status of the facility M is completed in production (one product). Other patterns can also be set as desired.

As illustrated inFIG. 2AandFIG. 2B, the communication unit2includes a communication unit terminal21, a communication processing part22, and a detection power source unit23. The communication processing part22, the detection power source unit23and the like are disposed in a disk-shaped main body part24aand covered with a cylindrical cover24b. The communication unit terminal21is provided so as to protrude outward from a lower part of an outer periphery of the cover24b.

The communication unit2is placed on an upper portion of the indicator lamp L and is fixed as necessary. As will be described later in detail, the light sensing sensor units25a,25band25care detachably connected with the communication unit terminal21of the communication unit2by a serial bus and are suspended therefrom. The light sensing sensor units25a,25band25care disposed on peripheral surfaces of the plastic cases La, Lb and Lc capable of detecting light from the light sources LLa, LLb and LLc of the indicator lamp L, respectively.

The light sensing sensor units25a,25band25crespectively sense on and off and flickering of the light sources LLa, LLb and LLc of the indicator lamp L. Since the light sensing sensor units25a,25band25ccan also sense flickering, the communication unit2can detect various facility statuses.

As will be described in details later, in place of the light sensing sensor units25a,25band25c, a facility item sensing sensor51(seeFIG. 4) configured to sense the item relating to the facility M is detachably connectable with the communication unit terminal21via a facility item sensing sensor unit5(seeFIG. 4) by the serial bus. Accordingly, an increase in installation cost of the facility item sensing sensor51can be suppressed.

The communication processing part22includes a wireless module22aand an integrated antenna22b. The wireless module22acommunicates signals relating to the light sensing sensor units25a,25band25c, and a signal relating to the facility item sensing sensor51or the like with the facility status management apparatus3over the wireless.

Here, since the communication unit2is installed in the facility M, the facility M may be located remotely from the facility status management apparatus3in a factory in which a plurality of facilities M are installed. Further, the communication processing part22of the remote communication unit2may not be able to smoothly communicate with the facility status management apparatus3over the wireless.

Therefore, communication between the communication processing part22of one communication unit2and the facility status management apparatus3can be performed by relaying the communication processing part22of another communication unit2. This relay is performed by activating only the communication processing part22of the communication unit2required, and the communication processing part22is automatically made to sleep after the relay. Accordingly, power consumption can be reduced.

The detection power source unit23is a dry battery or a rechargeable battery and supplies a drive current used for operating the light sensing sensor units25a,25band25cand the wireless module22a. The communication unit2, being battery-driven, does not need a construction work in the facility M, and thus can easily be retro-fitted.

Here, the light sensing sensor units25a,25band25cconnectable with the communication unit terminal21of the communication unit2are digital sensors. Since a drive current is always required for an analog sensor and, in the first place, the current consumption is large (for example, 100 μA), maintenance of the detection power source unit23becomes complicated. However, since the digital sensor requires the drive current only at the time of sensing, and, in the first place, the consumption current is small (for example, 1.8 μA at the time of sensing and 0.3 μA at the time of non-sensing), maintenance of the detection power source unit23becomes easy.

The light sensing sensor units25a,25band25care photodiodes configured to sense light fluxes (light amount (lm (lumen)) passing though per unit time or illuminance (light flux (lx (lux)) incident per unit surface area (1 m2)) from the respective light sources LLa, LLb and LLc, and output on/off signals (light sensing signals).

As illustrated inFIG. 3A, in the light sensing sensor unit25a, a first light sensing sensor terminal252is connected with a communication cable251provided on one end of a light sensing sensor250by a serious bus, and a second light sensing sensor terminal253provided on the other end of the light sensing sensor250is connected with the communication cable251by a serious bus. Other light sensing sensor units25band25chave the same structure.

As illustrated inFIG. 3B, the first light sensing sensor terminal252of the light sensing sensor unit25ais detachably connected with the communication unit terminal21by a serious bus. Accordingly, even when the indicator lamp L is changed, only replacing with a new light sensing sensor unit corresponding to the changed indicator lamp is needed. Therefore, a simple installation is possible, and an increase in installation cost can be suppressed.

Then, the first light sensing sensor terminal252of the light sensing sensor unit25bis connected with the second light sensing sensor terminal253of the light sensing sensor unit25aby a serious bus, and the first light sensing sensor terminal252of the light sensing sensor unit25cis connected with the second light sensing sensor terminal253of the light sensing sensor unit25bby a serious bus.

That is, the three light sensing sensor units25a,25band25care connected in a daisy chain mode. Accordingly, the number of wirings from the light sensing sensor units25a,25band25ccan be reduced. Further, a first light sensing sensor terminal of still another light sensing sensor unit is connectable with the second light sensing sensor terminal253of the light sensing sensor unit25cby a serious bus, and in the same manner, a plurality of light sensing sensor units are connectable with the same by a serious bus. Accordingly, it can cope with the change in mode of the indicator lamp, for example, a multiple indicator lamp including four or more lamps while suppressing an increase in costs and man-hours.

The facility item sensing sensor51configured to sense the item relating to the facility M connectable with the communication unit terminal21of the communication unit2is a sensor configured to output on/off signals (facility item sensing signals) or output signals other than the on/off signals (facility item detecting signals). Specifically, the sensor may include, for example, a photoelectric sensor, a distance sensor, a pressure sensor, a proximity switch, a humidity sensor, a CO2sensor, and an image processing camera. By connecting the facility item sensing sensor51, the following processing can be performed by the facility status management apparatus3.

For example, the facility status management apparatus3can measure the number of workpieces to be produced by reading variation in amount of light shielded by the workpieces conveyed on a conveyor with the photoelectric sensor. Further, by reading variations in distance to the workpieces conveyed on the conveyor with the distance sensor, a plurality of types of the workpieces may be determined. Further, by installing the pressure sensor in an air piping, measurement of variations in pressure the air is achieved.

As illustrated inFIG. 4, the facility item sensing sensor unit5includes a facility item sensing sensor terminal52, a sensor connector53, a serial converter54, a power source connector55, and a power supply unit56. The facility item sensing sensor terminal52is detachably connected with the communication unit terminal21of the communication unit2by a serial bus. Accordingly, the facility item sensing sensor51can share the communication unit terminal21with the light sensing sensor units25a,25band25c.

The facility item sensing sensor51is connected with the sensor connector53. The serial converter54converts the facility item sensing signal from the facility item sensing sensor51to allow serial communication and communicates with the communication unit terminal21of the communication unit2via the facility item sensing sensor terminal52. The serial converter54is provided with a pull-up resistor because the transistor (photocoupler) is used and is configured to reduce power consumption by turning the pull-up resistor on only when necessary and turning off when unnecessary.

The power source connector55is connected with an AC adapter connected with a power source ME of a control panel of the facility M, a clamp type AC current sensor (2 wire type), an NPN (3 wire type) sensor, a PNP (3 wire type) sensor, and so forth. By connecting the clamp-type AC current sensor, whether or not the facility M is operating can be determined. The power supply unit56supplies a drive current from the power source connector55to the serial converter54and the facility item sensing sensor51.

The communication unit2described thus far has one communication unit terminal21, and the light sensing sensor units25a,25band25cand the facility item sensing sensor51(the facility item sensing sensor unit5) are connected with the communication unit terminal21in an alternative way. However, a configuration is also applicable in which a plurality of communication unit terminals21are provided, and the light sensing sensor units25a,25band25cand the facility item sensing sensor51(the facility item sensing sensor unit5) are connected at the same time. Accordingly, the facility M can be managed finely in the facility status management apparatus3.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, the facility status management apparatus3includes a management communication part31, a management control unit32, a management information display33, a management power source unit34, and the like. The management communication part31includes a wireless module31a, and an integrated antenna31b. The wireless module31acommunicates signals relating to the light sensing sensor units25a,25band25c, signals relating to the facility item sensing sensor and the like between the communication unit2and the mobile terminal unit4over the wireless.

The management control unit32processes the signals relating to the light sensing sensor units25a,25band25c, the signals relating to the facility item sensing sensor and the like and displays the processed information on the management information display33. In addition, in order to allocate communication timing to the communication unit2, the management control unit32transmits time information to all the communication units2provided with the same timer. The display example of the management information display33will be described later. The management power source unit34supplies a drive current used for operating the wireless module31a, the management control unit32, and the management information display33.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, the mobile terminal unit4includes a mobile communication part41, a mobile control unit42, a mobile information display43, and a mobile power source unit44. The mobile communication part41includes a wireless module41aand an integrated antenna42b. The wireless module41acommunicates signals relating to the light sensing sensor units25a,25band25c, signals relating to the facility item sensing sensor, and the like with the facility status management apparatus3over the wireless.

The mobile control unit42displays information obtained by processing the signals relating to the light sensing sensor units25a,25band25creceived from the facility status management apparatus3, the signal relating to the facility item sensing sensor, and the like on the mobile information display43. The display example of the mobile information display43will be described later. The mobile power source unit44includes a rechargeable battery and supplies a drive current to operate the wireless module41a, the mobile control unit42, and the mobile information display43.

Here, the operator may not know the abnormality content and the maintenance procedure although the fact that the facility status is abnormal is recognized by the indicator lamp. In such a case, the operator needs to move from the facility to the management apparatus to confirm the facility. JP2018-92499A describes a system including a mobile terminal capable of communicating with a management apparatus. Since abnormality contents and maintenance procedure are displayed on the mobile terminal, the operator does not have to go to the management apparatus from the facility to confirm the facility and can cope with abnormality in the facility. However, in this management apparatus, it is not possible to confirm whether the operator's correspondence is appropriate or not. According to the facility management system1of the present embodiment, the administrator can collate the sensed information on the communication unit2with the visual information on the mobile terminal unit4, can reliably perceive the facility status of the facility M, and can manage the correspondence to the operator.

2. Operation of Facility Management System

Next, the operation of the facility management system1will be described with reference to the drawings. Here, the communication unit2may start detection upon reception of an inquiry about the facility status from the facility status management apparatus3and may start detection when the detection power source unit23of the communication unit2is turned on.

The communication processing part22of the communication unit2starts detection of the facility status in response to an inquiry about the facility status received from the facility status management apparatus3, or when the detection power source unit23is turned on (Step S1inFIG. 5A). The communication processing part22transmits a sensor connection status confirmation signal via the communication unit terminal21(Step S2inFIG. 5A). Accordingly, an operation for detecting the facility status can be reliably performed.

The communication processing part22determines whether or not a light sensing sensor connection signal is returned for the sensor connection status confirmation signal (Step S3inFIG. 5A) and, if the light sensing sensor connection signal is not returned, determines whether or not a facility item sensing sensor connection signal has been returned (Step S4inFIG. 5A). If the facility item sensing sensor connection signal is returned, it is determined that the facility item sensing sensor51is connected (Step S5inFIG. 5A).

Then, the communication processing part22transmits a signal relating to the sensed facility item to the facility status management apparatus3over the wireless (Step S6inFIG. 5A). The management control unit32of the facility status management apparatus3displays information on the facility items on the management information display33based on the signal relating to the facility items and received by the management communication part31(Step S7inFIG. 5A) and terminates the processing.

On the other hand, in Step S4, if the facility item sensing sensor connection signal is not returned, the communication processing part22determines that the light sensing sensor units25a,25band25cand the facility item sensing sensor51are not connected (Step S8inFIG. 5A). Then, the communication processing part22transmits a signal indicating that the sensor is not connected to the facility status management apparatus3over the wireless (Step S9inFIG. 5A). The management control unit32of the facility status management apparatus3displays the fact received by the management communication part31that the sensor is not connected on the management information display33(Step S10inFIG. 5A) and terminates the processing.

On the other hand, in Step S3, if the light sensing sensor connection signal is returned, the communication processing part22identifies the connected light sensing sensor unit25a,25bor25cbased on the returned light sensing sensor connection signal (Step S11inFIG. 5B). In other words, since the light sensing sensor connection signals from the light sensing sensor units25a,25band25care returned with a time lag therebetween (a signal “1” if connected and a signal “0” if not connected), a connected one among the light sensing sensor units25a,25band25ccan be identified.

In this example, since the light sensing sensor units25a,25band25care connected, the wireless module22atransmits commands for operating the light sensing sensor units25a,25band25cto addresses for identifying the light sensing sensor units25a,25band25cto the light sensing sensor units25a,25band25cvia the communication unit terminal21(Step S12inFIG. 5B). Accordingly, the light sensing signal of the predetermined light sensing sensor unit can be reliably acquired. In the following description, for the sake of convenience, a case where the light sensing sensor unit25asenses a change in the green light source LLa will be described.

The communication processing part22acquires a light sensing signal (a signal “1” if light is lit, and a signal “0” if light is lit out) from the light sensing sensor unit25avia the communication unit terminal21(Step S13inFIG. 5B). Then, the communication processing part22determines whether or not a predetermined sample time has elapsed (Step S14inFIG. 5B), and if a predetermined sample time has elapsed, reacquires a light sensing signal from the light sensing sensor unit25avia the communication unit terminal21(Step S15inFIG. 5B).

The sample time is set to 250 ρsec, for example, in a mode of sensing flickering and lit/lit out as in the present example. In a mode of sensing only lit and lit off without sensing flickering, the sample time is set, for example, to 1 sec. This mode switching is enabled by a mode switching signal from the facility status management apparatus3.

Then, the communication processing part22compares a light sensing signal acquired last time with a light sensing signal acquired this time and determines whether or not the change of the value of the light sensing signal crosses a preset threshold value, that is, whether or not these signals are a light sensing signal having a value exceeding a threshold value and a light sensing signal having a value equal to or less than the threshold value (Step S16inFIG. 5B). This threshold value is set to prevent erroneous sensing due to manufacturing variations among the light sources LLa, and to prevent an erroneous sensing due to sunlight or the like, and the set value can be changed by a threshold value setting change signal from the facility status management apparatus3.

When the communication processing part22determines that the value of the light sensing signal acquired this time is changed from the value of the light sensing signal acquired last time crossing the threshold value, the communication processing part22then determines whether or not an acquisition time of the light sensing signal for determining the presence or absence of flickering reaches a certain period of time (Step S17inFIG. 5B). When the acquisition time of the light sensing signal does not reach the certain period of time, the communication processing part22returns to Step S14and repeats the above-described processing.

In contrast, when the acquisition time of the light sensing signal has reached or exceeded a certain period of time, the light sensing signal having a value exceeding the threshold value and the light sensing signal having a value equal to or less than the threshold value are present within the certain period of time, so that it is determined that the light source LLa of the indicator lamp L is flickering (Step S18inFIG. 5B). According to this determination method, since only the transmission of the on/off light sensing signal is required, the power consumption of the sensor can be suppressed. Then, the communication processing part22transmits a signal notifying the fact that the green light source LLa of the indicator lamp L on the facility M is flickering to the facility status management apparatus3over the wireless (Step S19inFIG. 5B).

The management control unit32of the facility status management apparatus3displays the fact that the facility status is “production completed” (one product) in the facility M based on the signal received by the management communication part31notifying the fact that the green light source LLa of the indicator lamp L on the facility M is flickering on the management information display33(Step S20inFIG. 5B), and terminates the processing. Accordingly, the administrator can recognize that the facility status is the “production completed” (one product) in the facility M.

On the other hand, in Step S16, when the communication processing part22determines that the change between the light sensing signal acquired last time and the light sensing signal acquired this time does not cross the threshold value, the communication processing part22determines whether or not the light sensing signal acquired this time has a value equal to or less than the threshold value (Step S21inFIG. 5B).

When the communication processing part22determines that the light sensing signal acquired this time exceeds the threshold value, it is determined that the light source LLa of the indicator lamp L is lit (Step S22inFIG. 5B). Then, the communication processing part22transmits a signal notifying the fact that the light source LLa of the indicator lamp L on the facility M is lit in green to the facility status management apparatus3over the wireless (Step S23inFIG. 5B).

The management control unit32of the facility status management apparatus3displays the fact that the facility status is normal (during production) in the facility M based on the signal received by the management communication part31notifying the fact that the light source LLa of the indicator lamp L on the facility M is lit in green on the management information display33(Step S24inFIG. 5B), and terminates the processing. Accordingly, the administrator can recognize that the facility M is normal (during production).

On the other hand, in Step S21, when the communication processing part22determines that the light sensing signal acquired this time is equal to or less than the threshold value, it is determined that the light source LLa of the indicator lamp L is lit out (Step S25inFIG. 5B), and terminates the processing.

3. Display Example of Display Device

Next, a display example of the management information display33and the mobile information display43will be described with reference to the drawings. A first display example is a display that can be confirmed by the facility status management apparatus3and the mobile information display43as to whether or not the facility status of the facility M sensed by the light sensing sensor units25a,25band25cin the communication unit2is correct. The first display example will be described below.

It is assumed that the facilities M from No. 1 to No. 50 are installed in a factory. For example, when the light sensing sensor unit25bsenses that the indicator lamp L is lit in red, the communication unit2of the facility M No. 1 transmits a signal notifying that the indicator lamp L on the facility M No. 1 is lit in red to the facility status management apparatus3over the wireless.

In contrast, when the operator visually recognizes that the indicator lamp Lon the facility M No. 1 is lit in red, the operator displays a facility selection screen VS on the mobile information display part43of the mobile terminal unit4as illustrated inFIG. 6. Icons of all the facilities M No. 1 to No. 50 are displayed on the facility selection screen VS. Then, the icon of the facility M No. 1 in the facility selection screen VS is touched to display a facility status selection screen VSS for the facility M No. 1 as illustrated inFIG. 7.

The facility status selection screen VSS displays “1” SETUP, “2” PRODUCTION, “3” FAILURE, “4” PRODUCTION STARTED (one product), and “5” PRODUCTION COMPLETED (one product). Then, the display of “3” FAILURE in the facility status selection screen VSS is touched. Accordingly, the mobile terminal unit4transmits a signal notifying that the facility M No. 1 has a failure to the facility status management apparatus3over the wireless.

The facility status management apparatus3integrates information on the signal received from the communication unit2notifying that the indicator lamp L on the facility M No. 1 is lit in red and information on the signal received from the mobile terminal unit4notifying that the facility M No. 1 has a failure. Then, as illustrated inFIG. 8, integrated information TI is displayed on the management information display33, and the integrated information TI is transmitted to the mobile communication part41to display the integrated information TI on the mobile information display43.

InFIG. 8, “A to H” indicate patterns of green, yellow and red of the indicator lamp L on the facility M No. 1. Black circles indicate being lit and white circles indicate being lit out. The flickering pattern is omitted. Since the facility status management apparatus3receives the signal notifying that the indicator lamp L on the facility M No. 1 is lit in red (abnormal (failure)) from the communication unit2, the corresponding “C” pattern is surrounded by a frame.

Since the facility status management apparatus3receives the signal notifying that the facility M No. 1 has a failure from the mobile terminal unit4, the corresponding “3” FAILURE is boxed. Accordingly, the administrator can collate the sensed information on the communication unit2with the visual information (on the mobile terminal unit4) from the operator, can reliably perceive the facility status of the facility M No. 1 and can instruct the correspondence to the operator.

A second display example is a display by which progress of production of the facility M can be confirmed by the facility status management apparatus3and the mobile information display43based on the facility status of the facility M sensed by the light sensing sensor units25a,25band25cin the communication unit2. The second display example will be described below.

For example, when the production of one product having a product No. 1 is completed in the facility M No. 1 and the light sensing sensor unit25csenses that the indicator lamp L flickers in green, the communication unit2of the facility M No. 1 transmits a signal notifying that the indicator lamp L on the facility M No. 1 flickers in green to the facility status management apparatus3over the wireless.

The facility status management apparatus3recognizes that production of one product of the product No. 1 is completed by the signal received from the communication unit2notifying that the indicator lamp L on the facility M No. 1 flickers in green. From then onward, the above processing is repeated to count the production quantity of the product No. 1. When planned production time stored in advance for the product No. 1 in the facility M No. 1 is reached, the production quantity of the product No. 1 at that time is obtained as an actual production quantity.

As illustrated inFIG. 9, the facility status management apparatus3displays the planned production quantity and the actual production quantity during the planned production time of the product No. 1 described above on the management information display33. The facility status management apparatus3may transmit the planned production quantity and the actual production quantity of the product No. 1 to the mobile communication part41to display the same on the mobile information display43. Accordingly, the administrator and the operator can perceive a production delay.

Further, the facility status management apparatus3obtains a value calculated by dividing an integrated value of the planned production quantity of the product No. 1 and the machine cycle time of the product No. 1 by the planned production time of the product No. 1, that is, the planned operating rate of the product No. 1. Further, a value calculated by dividing an integrated value of the actual production quantity of the product No. 1 and the machine cycle time of the product No. 1 by the actual operating time of the product No. 1, that is, the actual operating rate of the product1is obtained.

Subsequently, as illustrated inFIG. 10, the facility status management apparatus3displays the planned operating rate of the product No. 1 and the actual operating rate of the product No. 1 on the management information display33. It should be noted that the planned operating rate of the product No. 1 and the actual operating rate of the product No. 1 may be transmitted to the mobile communication part41to be displayed on the mobile information display43. Accordingly, the administrator and the operator can improve the production.

When the production time of the product No. 1 in the facility M No. 1 reaches a predetermined period of time (actual operating time), the facility status management apparatus3obtains the production quantity of the product No. 1 at that time. Then, the planned operating time is obtained based on the obtained production quantity of the product No. 1 and the machine cycle time of the product No. 1.

Subsequently, as illustrated inFIG. 11, the facility status management apparatus3displays the planned operating time of the product No. 1 and the actual operating time of the product No. 1 on the management information display33. It should be noted that the planned operating time of the product No. 1 and the actual operating time of the product No. 1 may be transmitted to the mobile communication part41to be displayed on the mobile information display43. Accordingly, the administrator and the operator can directly perceive the production delay of the product No. 1 from a difference d between the actual operating time and the planned operating time.

The management information display33and the mobile information display43also display the light sensing signals of the light sensing sensor units25a,25band25c, a lighting duration time of the indicator lamp L, the time of the day when the indicator lamp L is changed from a state of being lit-out to the state of being lit, an internal temperature of the communication unit2, an ID of the facility M, a battery residual amount of the detection power source unit23, and a radio wave intensity of the wireless module22a. When the battery residual amount of the detection power source unit23and the radio wave intensity of the wireless module22aare lowered, a warning or the like is displayed together.

In the above-described embodiment, the light sensing sensor units25a,25band25care digital sensors configured to sense light fluxes or illuminance of light from the light sources23a,23band23c, but may also be digital sensors configured to sense colors of red, yellow and green light transmitted through the plastic cases La, Lb and Lc. The indicator lamp L of the communication unit2is not limited to the light sources of three colors, and light sources of a given number of colors or a single light source capable of changing the color of light to be emitted are also applicable.