Abstract:
Priority can be calculated for works-in-process which are not in demand. A priority calculation device ( 110 ) comprises a priority calculation unit ( 124 ) which specifies a queue of lots in each production stage, a product category wherein the lot is to be used, and the number of components included in the lot, on the basis of information stored in a queue information storage area ( 115 ), and allocates priority for each lot so that when the specified lot is supplied to the production stage, a lot, by which a ratio of a component, in each product category, contained in a lot which is in a process subsequent to the process of the production stage is made closer to the ratio of demand in each product category specified by the information stored in a demand information storage area ( 113 ), is supplied into the production stage with higher priority.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a technology for calculating a priority of a lot to be introduced into a manufacturing stage. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0002]    As a technology for determining a sequence of introducing in-process items in a manufacturing stage into a manufacturing device, there is a technology for calculating a priority by a critical ratio (CR) method (see, for example, Patent Literature 1). 
         [0003]    In the CR method, a value (CR value) is obtained by dividing a time remaining to complete the in-process items by a time remaining to complete a shipping of the in-process items so as to prioritize the in-process items of a product for which the time remaining to complete a shipping is the shortest. 
       CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
       [0000]    
       
         Patent Literature 1: U.S. Pat. No. 5,818,716 A 
       
     
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
       [0005]    With a CR method, in which a priority of in-process items of a product for which the time remaining to complete a shipping is the shortest is raised, it is impossible to calculate the priority of the in-process items to which the shipping timing has not been assigned (in-process items that are not in demand). 
         [0006]    Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a technology capable of calculating a priority of in-process items that are not in demand as well. 
       Solution to Problem 
       [0007]    In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, according to the present invention, a priority of a lot to be introduced into each manufacturing stage is decided so as to correspond to a product-type-basis demand ratio. 
         [0008]    For example, according to the present invention, there is provided a priority calculation device, which calculates a priority of each of lots to be introduced into a manufacturing stage, including: a storage unit which stores: demand information which determines a product type and a demand ratio of the product type during a predetermined period; and process stand-by state information which determines, for each of manufacturing stages, a lot waiting for a processing in the manufacturing stage, a product for which the lot is used, and a quantity of parts included in the lot; and a control unit, in which the control unit is configured to perform, for each of the manufacturing stages, a processing for determining, from the process stand-by state information, the lot waiting for the processing in the manufacturing stage, the product type for which the lot is used, and the quantity of the parts included in the lot, and assigning the priority to each of the lots so that a lot having a product-type-basis ratio of the parts included in the lot pending in the processing of the manufacturing stage and processings subsequent thereto, the product-type-basis ratio being obtained when the determined lot is introduced into the manufacturing stage, that becomes closer to the product-type-basis demand ratio determined by the demand information is preferentially introduced into the manufacturing stage. 
       Advantageous Effects of Invention 
       [0009]    As described above, according to the present invention, a priority of in-process items that are not in demand can be calculated as well. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  A schematic diagram of a priority calculation system. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  A schematic diagram of a priority calculation device. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  A schematic diagram of a manufacturing line. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  A schematic diagram of a shipment information table. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  A schematic diagram of a process information table. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  A schematic diagram of a carry-in information table. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  A schematic diagram of an inventory information table. 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  A schematic diagram of a route information table. 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  A schematic diagram of a demand information table. 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  A schematic diagram of an in-process information table. 
           [0020]      FIG. 11  A schematic diagram of a process stand-by state information table. 
           [0021]      FIG. 12  A schematic diagram of an under-transfer information table. 
           [0022]      FIG. 13  A schematic diagram of an inventory item information table. 
           [0023]      FIG. 14  A schematic diagram of an improvement information table. 
           [0024]      FIG. 15  A schematic diagram of a priority information table. 
           [0025]      FIG. 16  A schematic diagram of a computer. 
           [0026]      FIG. 17  A flowchart illustrating a processing performed on the priority calculation device. 
           [0027]      FIG. 18  A schematic diagram of an output screen. 
           [0028]      FIG. 19  A schematic diagram of a priority calculation device. 
           [0029]      FIG. 20  A schematic diagram of a received order information table. 
           [0030]      FIG. 21  A schematic diagram of a process stand-by state information table. 
           [0031]      FIG. 22  A flowchart illustrating a processing performed on the priority calculation device. 
           [0032]      FIG. 23  A schematic diagram of an output screen. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0033]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of a priority calculation system  100 . As illustrated in the figure, the priority calculation system  100  includes a priority calculation device  110 , a manufacturing information providing device  130 , and a shipment management device  140 , which are configured to be able to transmit/receive information to/from one another via a network  150 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of the priority calculation device  110 . As illustrated in the figure, the priority calculation device  110  includes a storage unit  111 , a control unit  121 , an input unit  127 , an output unit  128 , and a communication unit  129 . 
         [0035]    Here, in this embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 3  (schematic diagram of a manufacturing line  160 ), a priority of in-process items in the manufacturing line  160  is calculated, the manufacturing line  160  including a manufacturing device Q 1 , a manufacturing device Q 2 , and a manufacturing device Q 3  and being configured to manufacture products having product types A, B, and C by a process  1  for performing a processing by using the manufacturing device Q 1 , a process  2  for performing a processing by using the manufacturing device Q 2 , a process  3  for performing a processing by using the manufacturing device Q 1 , and a process  4  for performing a processing by using the manufacturing device Q 3 . However, the present invention is not limited to such a mode. 
         [0036]    Further, parts (in-process items) to be introduced into the manufacturing device Q 1  are stocked in a buffer Q 1 , parts (in-process items) to be introduced into the manufacturing device Q 2  are stocked in a buffer Q 2 , and parts (in-process items) to be introduced into the manufacturing device Q 3  are stocked in a buffer Q 3 . 
         [0037]    Referring again to  FIG. 2 , the storage unit  111  includes an acquired information storage area  112 , a demand information storage area  113 , an in-process information storage area  114 , a process stand-by state information storage area  115 , an under-transfer information storage area  116 , an inventory item information storage area  117 , an improvement information storage area  118 , and a priority information storage area  119 . 
         [0038]    Stored in the acquired information storage area  112  is information acquired from the manufacturing information providing device  130  or the shipment management device  140 . For example, in this embodiment, a shipment information table  112   a  as illustrated in  FIG. 4  (schematic diagram of the shipment information table  112   a ), a process information table  112   h  as illustrated in  FIG. 5  (schematic diagram of the process information table  112   h ), a carry-in information table  112   n  as illustrated in  FIG. 6  (schematic diagram of the carry-in information table  112   n ), an inventory information table  112   u  as illustrated in  FIG. 7  (schematic diagram of the inventory information table  112   u ), and a route information table  112   x  as illustrated in  FIG. 8  (schematic diagram of the route information table  112   x ) are stored. 
         [0039]    The shipment information table  112   a  illustrated in  FIG. 4  has a product type field  112   b , a first week field  112   c , a second week field  112   d , a third week field  112   e , a fourth week field  112   f , and a total field  112   g , and stores shipment information that determines a product-basis shipping volume during a specific period. 
         [0040]    Stored in the product type field  112   b  is information that determines a type of product. Here, in this embodiment, a product type ID that is identification information for uniquely identifying the type of product is stored as the information that determines the type of product. 
         [0041]    Stored in the first week field  112   c  is information that determines the shipping volume of the product having a type determined by the product type field  112   b  for the first week of the specific period. 
         [0042]    Stored in the second week field  112   d  is information that determines the shipping volume of the product having the type determined by the product type field  112   b  for the second week of the specific period. 
         [0043]    Stored in the third week field  112   e  is information that determines the shipping volume of the product having the type determined by the product type field  112   b  for the third week of the specific period. 
         [0044]    Stored in the fourth week field  112   f  is information that determines the shipping volume of the product having the type determined by the product type field  112   b  for the fourth week of the specific period. 
         [0045]    Stored in the total field  112   g  is information that determines the total shipping volume of the product having the type determined by the product type field  112   b  within a period between the first week and the fourth week. 
         [0046]    Note that, in this embodiment, the shipping volume of the product is summed up monthly, but the present invention is not limited to such a mode, and an arbitrary period can be selected as a period for summing up the shipping volume of the product. 
         [0047]    Further, the information stored in the shipment information table  112   a  is acquired from the shipment management device  140 . 
         [0048]    The process information table  112   h  illustrated in  FIG. 5  has a lot ID field  112   i , a product type field  112   j , a process field  112   k , and a quantity field  112   l , and stores process information that determines a lot to be processed in each process (lot which has already been introduced into a manufacturing device located in a production line). 
         [0049]    Stored in the lot ID field  112   i  is information that determines a lot to be processed in the process. Here, in this embodiment, a lot ID that is identification information for uniquely identifying the lot is stored as the information that determines the lot. 
         [0050]    Stored in the product type field  112   j  is information that determines the type of product for which the lot determined by the lot ID field  112   i  is used. Here, in this embodiment, the product type ID that is the identification information for uniquely identifying the type of product is stored as the information that determines the type of product. 
         [0051]    Stored in the process field  112   k  is information that determines a process in which the lot determined by the lot ID field  112   i  is to be processed. Here, in this embodiment, a process ID that is identification information for uniquely identifying the process is stored as the information that determines the process. 
         [0052]    Stored in the quantity field  112   l  is information that determines the number of parts included in the lot determined by the lot ID field  112   i.    
         [0053]    Note that, information stored in the process information table  112   h  is acquired from the manufacturing information providing device  130 . 
         [0054]    The carry-in information table  112   n  illustrated in  FIG. 6  has a lot ID field  112   o , a carry-in type field  112   p , a previous process field  112   q , a subsequent process field  112   r , a product type field  112   s , and a quantity field  112   t , and stores carry-in information that determines a state of the in-process items that are not to be processed in the process. 
         [0055]    Stored in the lot ID field  112   o  is information that determines a lot that is not to be processed in the process (a lot that is stocked in a buffer or a lot that is being transported between processes). Here, in this embodiment, a lot ID that is identification information for uniquely identifying the lot is stored as the information that determines the lot. 
         [0056]    Stored in the carry-in type field  112   p  is information that determines a state of the lot determined by the lot ID field  112   o . Here, in this embodiment, the carry-in type field  112   p  indicates, if the character string “moved between processes” is stored therein, that the lot determined by the lot ID field  112   o  is being transported between processes determined by the previous process field  112   q  and the subsequent process field  112   r  that are described later, and indicates, if the character string “stocked” is stored therein, indicates that the lot determined by the lot ID field  112   o  is stocked in the buffer of the process determined by the subsequent process field  112   r.    
         [0057]    Stored in the previous process field  112   q  is information that determines the previous process in which the lot determined by the lot ID field  112   o  has been processed. Here, in this embodiment, the process ID that is the identification information for uniquely identifying the process is stored as the information that determines the process. 
         [0058]    Stored in the subsequent process field  112   r  is information that determines the process in which the lot determined by the lot ID field  112   o  is to be performed subsequently. Here, in this embodiment, the process ID that is the identification information for uniquely identifying the process is stored as the information that determines the process. 
         [0059]    Stored in the product type field  112   s  is information that determines the type of product for which the lot determined by the lot ID field  112   o  is used. Here, in this embodiment, the product type ID that is the identification information for uniquely identifying the type of product is stored as the information that determines the type of product. 
         [0060]    Stored in the quantity field  112   t  is information that determines the number of parts included in the lot determined by the lot ID field  112   o.    
         [0061]    Note that, the information stored in the carry-in information table  112   n  is acquired from the manufacturing information providing device  130 . 
         [0062]    The inventory information table  112   u  illustrated in  FIG. 7  has a product type field  112   v  and a quantity field  112   w , and stores inventory information that determines an inventory quantity of the completed product. 
         [0063]    Stored in the product type field  112   v  is information that determines the type of product. Here, in this embodiment, the product type ID that is the identification information for uniquely identifying the type of product is stored as the information that determines the type of product. 
         [0064]    Stored in the quantity field  112   w  is information that determines the inventory quantity of the product determined by the product type field  112   v.    
         [0065]    The route information table  112   x  illustrated in  FIG. 8  has a sequence field  112   y  and a process field  112   z , and stores route information that determines a sequence of processes for manufacturing the product. 
         [0066]    Stored in the sequence field  112   y  is information that determines a sequence of processes. Here, in this embodiment, natural numbers starting from “1” are stored as the information that determines sequences of processes. 
         [0067]    Stored in the process field  112   z  is information that determines the process corresponding to the sequence determined by the sequence field  112   y . Here, in this embodiment, the process ID that is the identification information for uniquely identifying the process is stored as the information that determines the process. 
         [0068]    Referring again to  FIG. 2 , stored in the demand information storage area  113  is demand information that determines a product-basis demand ratio. For example, in this embodiment, a demand information table  113   a  as illustrated in  FIG. 9  (schematic diagram of the demand information table  113   a ) is stored. 
         [0069]    The demand information table  113   a  has a product type field  113   b , a demanded quantity field  113   c , and a demand ratio field  113   d.    
         [0070]    Stored in the product type field  113   b  is information that determines the type of product. Here, in this embodiment, the product type ID that is the identification information for uniquely identifying the type of product is stored as the information that determines the type of product. 
         [0071]    Stored in the demanded quantity field  113   c  is information that determines a demanded quantity of a product having a type determined by the product type field  113   b  during the specific period. 
         [0072]    Stored in the demand ratio field  113   d  is information that determines a ratio of the demanded quantity of the product having the type determined by the product type field  113   b  during the specific period. 
         [0073]    Note that, the demand information table  113   a  stores a value acquired from the shipment information table  112   a  and a value calculated from the above-mentioned value. 
         [0074]    Referring again to  FIG. 2 , stored in the in-process information storage area  114  for each process is in-process information that determines a lot introduced into the process (to be processed in the process) and number of parts included in the lot. For example, in this embodiment, an in-process information table  114   a  as illustrated in  FIG. 10  (schematic diagram of the in-process information table  114   a ) is stored for each process. 
         [0075]    The in-process information table  114   a  has a product type field  114   b , a lot ID field  114   c , and a quantity field  114   d.    
         [0076]    Stored in the product type field  114   b  is information that determines the type of product. Here, in this embodiment, the product type ID that is the identification information for uniquely identifying the type of product is stored as the information that determines the type of product. 
         [0077]    Stored in the lot ID field  114   c  is information that determines a lot which is used for a product having a type determined by the product&#39;type field  114   b  and which has been introduced into the process targeted by the in-process information table  114   a  (which is to be processed in the process). Here, in this embodiment, the lot ID that is the identification information for uniquely identifying the lot is stored as the information that determines the lot. 
         [0078]    Stored in the quantity field  114   d  is information that determines the number of parts included in the lot determined by the lot ID field  114   c.    
         [0079]    Here, the in-process information table  114   a  stores information summed up from the process information table  112   h.    
         [0080]    Referring again to  FIG. 2 , stored in the process stand-by state information storage area  115  for each process is in-process information that determines a lot stocked in the buffer of the process and number of parts included in the lot. For example, in this embodiment, a process stand-by state information table  115   a  as illustrated in  FIG. 11  (schematic diagram of the process stand-by state information table  115   a ) is stored for each process. 
         [0081]    The process stand-by state information table  115   a  has a product type field  115   b , a lot ID field  115   c , and a quantity field  115   d.    
         [0082]    Stored in the product type field  115   b  is information that determines the type of product. Here, in this embodiment, the product type ID that is the identification information for uniquely identifying the type of product is stored as the information that determines the type of product. 
         [0083]    Stored in the lot ID field  115   c  is information that determines a lot which is used for a product having a type determined by the product type field  115   b  and which has been stocked in the buffer of the process targeted by the process stand-by state information table  115   a  (which is waiting to be introduced into the process). Here, in this embodiment, the lot ID that is the identification information for uniquely identifying the lot is stored as the information that determines the lot. 
         [0084]    Stored in the quantity field  115   d  is information that determines the number of parts included in the lot determined by the lot ID field  115   c.    
         [0085]    Here, the process stand-by state information table  115   a  stores information summed up from the carry-in information table  112   n.    
         [0086]    Referring again to  FIG. 2 , stored in the under-transfer information storage area  116  for each process is under-transfer information that determines a lot being transferred to a current process after the lot has been through a previous process which should be completed prior to starting the current process and the number of parts included in the lot. For example, in this embodiment, an under-transfer information table  116   a  as illustrated in  FIG. 12  (schematic diagram of the under-transfer information table  116   a ) is stored for each process. 
         [0087]    The under-transfer information table  116   a  has a product type field  116   b , a lot ID field  116   c , and a quantity field  116   d.    
         [0088]    Stored in the product type field  116   b  is information that determines the type of product. Here, in this embodiment, the product type ID that is the identification information for uniquely identifying the type of product is stored as the information that determines the type of product. 
         [0089]    Stored in the lot ID field  116   c  is information that determines a lot which is used for a product having a type determined by the product type field  116   b  and which is being transferred after the lot has been through a process preceding the process targeted by the under-transfer information table  116   a . Here, in this embodiment, the lot ID that is the identification information for uniquely identifying the lot is stored as the information that determines the lot. 
         [0090]    Stored in the quantity field  116   d  is information that determines the number of parts included in the lot determined by the lot ID field  116   c.    
         [0091]    Here, the under-transfer information table  116   a  stores information summed up from the carry-in information table  112   n.    
         [0092]    Referring again to  FIG. 2 , stored in the inventory item information storage area  117  is inventory item information that determines the inventory quantity of the completed product. For example, in this embodiment, an inventory item information table  117   a  as illustrated in  FIG. 13  (schematic diagram of the inventory item information table  117   a ) is stored. 
         [0093]    The inventory item information table  117   a  has a product type field  117   b  and a quantity field  117   c.    
         [0094]    Stored in the product type field  117   b  is information that determines the type of product. Here, in this embodiment, the product type ID that is the identification information for uniquely identifying the type of product is stored as the information that determines the type of product. 
         [0095]    Stored in the quantity field  117   c  is information that determines the inventory quantity of a product having a type determined by the product type field  117   b.    
         [0096]    Here, the inventory item information table  117   a  stores the same information as the information stored in the inventory information table  112   u.    
         [0097]    Referring again to  FIG. 2 , stored in the improvement information storage area  118  for each process is improvement information that determines an improvement amount between: a Euclidean distance between the demand ratio of a product and a ratio of the product among the in-process items in the process and the subsequent processes; and the Euclidean distance obtained when the lot waiting in the buffer of the process is introduced into the process. For example, in this embodiment, an improvement information table  118   a  as illustrated in  FIG. 14  (schematic diagram of the improvement information table  118   a ) is stored for each process. 
         [0098]    The improvement information table  118   a  has a pre-introduction Euclidean distance field  118   b , a product type field  118   c , a lot ID field  118   d , a post-introduction Euclidean distance field  118   e , and an improvement amount field  118   f.    
         [0099]    Stored in the pre-introduction Euclidean distance field  118   b  is information that determines the value of the Euclidean distance between the demand ratio of a product and the ratio of the product among the in-process items in the process targeted by the improvement information table  118   a  and the subsequent processes. 
         [0100]    The product type field  118   c  is information that determines the type of product. Here, in this embodiment, the product type ID that is the identification information for uniquely identifying the type of product is stored as the information that determines the type of product. 
         [0101]    Stored in the lot ID field  118   d  is information that determines a lot which is used for the product type field  118   c  and which is stocked in the buffer of the process targeted by the improvement information table  118   a . Here, in this embodiment, the lot ID that is the identification information for uniquely identifying the lot is stored as the information that determines the lot. 
         [0102]    Stored in the post-introduction Euclidean distance field  118   e  is information that determines the value of the Euclidean distance between the demand ratio of a product and the ratio of the product among the in-process items in the process targeted by the improvement information table  118   a  and the subsequent processes, the Euclidean distance being obtained when the lot determined by the lot ID field  118   d  is introduced into the process targeted by the improvement information table  118   a.    
         [0103]    Stored in the improvement amount field  118   f  is information that determines an amount by which the value of the Euclidean distance determined by the pre-introduction Euclidean distance field  118   b  is improved into the value of the Euclidean distance determined by the post-introduction Euclidean distance field  118   e.    
         [0104]    Here, it can be judged that, as the Euclidean distance is closer to zero, the demand ratio of a product and the ratio of the product among the in-process items in the process targeted by the improvement information table  118   a  and the subsequent processes are closer to each other. Therefore, in this embodiment, a value obtained by subtracting “the value of the Euclidean distance determined by the post-introduction Euclidean distance field  118   e ” from “the value of the Euclidean distance determined by the pre-introduction Euclidean distance field  118   b ” is stored in the improvement amount field  118   f  as the improvement amount, and it is judged that as the value of the improvement amount becomes larger, greater improvement is achieved. 
         [0105]    Referring again to  FIG. 2 , stored in the priority information storage area  119  for each process is priority information that determines the priority with which the lot stocked in the buffer of the process is introduced into the process. For example, in this embodiment, a priority information table  119   a  as illustrated in  FIG. 15  (schematic diagram of the priority information table  119   a ) is stored for each process. 
         [0106]    The priority information table  119   a  has a priority field  119   b  and a lot ID field  119   c.    
         [0107]    Stored in the priority field  119   b  is information that determines the priority of the lot determined by the lot ID field  119   c  described later. Here, in this embodiment, the priorities are represented by the natural numbers starting from “1”, and the priority is set higher with the smaller value. 
         [0108]    Stored in the lot ID field  119   c  is information that determines a lot which is stocked in the buffer of the process targeted by the priority information table  119   a  and which has the priority determined by the priority field  119   b . Here, in this embodiment, the lot ID that is the identification information for uniquely identifying the lot is stored as the information that determines the lot. 
         [0109]    Referring again to  FIG. 2 , the control unit  121  includes an information acquisition module  122 , an information management module  123 , a priority calculation module  124 , and an output information generation module  125 . 
         [0110]    The information acquisition module  122  acquires the information to be stored in the process information table  112   h , the carry-in information table  112   n , and the inventory information table  112   u  from the manufacturing information providing device  130  at a predetermined timing (for example, every 60 seconds), and performs a processing for updating those tables. 
         [0111]    Further, the information acquisition module  122  acquires the information to be stored in the route information table  112   x  from the manufacturing information providing device  130 , and performs a processing for storing the information in the acquired information storage area  112 . Note that, when a process for manufacturing the product is changed, the information acquisition module  122  acquires the information that determines at least a changed process from the manufacturing information providing device  130 , and performs a processing for updating the route information table  112   x.    
         [0112]    In addition, the information acquisition module  122  acquires the information to be stored in the shipment information table  112   a  from the shipment management device  140  every specific period (for example, every week), and performs a processing for updating the shipment information table  112   a.    
         [0113]    For example, when acquiring the information transmitted from the shipment management device  140  every week, the information acquisition module  122  updates the shipment information table  112   a  by discarding the information stored in the first week field  112   c , storing the information that has been stored in the second week field  112   d  into the first week field  112   c , storing the information that has been stored in the third week field  112   e  into the second week field  112   d , storing the information that has been stored in the fourth week field  112   f  into the third week field  112   e , storing the information acquired from the shipment management device  140  into the fourth week field  112   f , and adding the values of the respective records to update the value of the total field  112   g.    
         [0114]    The information management module  123  updates the demand information table  113   a  when the information acquisition module  122  updates the shipment information table  112   a.    
         [0115]    For example, the information management module  123  performs a processing for acquiring the information stored in the total field  112   g  of the shipment information table  112   a , storing the information in the corresponding record of the demanded quantity field  113   c  of the demand information table  113   a , calculating the demand ratio based on the updated demanded quantity (demanded quantity of each product type/demanded quantity of all the product types), and storing the demand ratio in the demand ratio field  113   d.    
         [0116]    Further, when the information acquisition module  122  updates the process information table  112   h , the carry-in information table  112   n , or the inventory information table  112   u , the information management module  123  updates the in-process information table  114   a , the process stand-by state information table  115   a , the under-transfer information table  116   a , and the inventory item information table  117   a.    
         [0117]    For example, when the process information table  112   h  is updated, the information management module  123  references the process field  112   k  of the process information table  112   h , determines a record of each specific process, extracts the lot ID and the quantity from the lot ID field  112   i  and the quantity field  112   l , respectively, for each product type of the determined record, and stores the acquired lot ID and the acquired quantity in the lot ID field  114   c  and the quantity field  114   d , respectively, so as to replace the existing values for each of the product types stored in the product type field  114   b  of the in-process table  114   a  corresponding to the specific process. 
         [0118]    Further, when the carry-in information table  112   n  is updated, the information management module  123  determines a record of the carry-in information table  112   n  which has “stocked” stored in the carry-in type field  112   p , and extracts the lot ID, the process ID, the product type, and the quantity of the determined record from the lot ID field  112   o , the subsequent process field  112   r , the product type field  112   s , and the quantity field  112   t , respectively. Then, the information management module  123  clears the lot ID field  115   c  and the quantity field  115   d  corresponding to the extracted product type within the process stand-by state information table  115   a  corresponding to the extracted process ID, and stores the extracted lot ID and the extracted quantity in those fields. 
         [0119]    In addition, when the carry-in information table  112   n  is updated, the information management module  123  determines a record of the carry-in information table  112   n  which has “moved between processes” stored in the carry-in type field  112   p , and extracts the lot ID, the process ID, the product type, and the quantity of the determined record from the lot ID field  112   o , the previous process field  112   q , the product type field  112   s , and the quantity field  112   t , respectively. Then, the information management module  123  clears the lot ID field  116   c  and the quantity field  116   d  corresponding to the extracted product type within the under-transfer information table  116   a  corresponding to the extracted process ID, and stores the extracted lot ID and the extracted quantity in those fields. 
         [0120]    Further, when the inventory information table  112   u  is updated, the information management module  123  performs a processing for storing the information stored in the inventory item information storage area  117  so as to replace the information within the inventory item information table  117   a  by the information within the updated inventory information table  112   u.    
         [0121]    The priority calculation module  124  calculates, for each process, a Euclidean distance dd i  between a product-basis ratio of the in-process items pending in the processing of the process and processings subsequent thereto and the product-basis demand ratio stored in the demand information table  113   a  by using the following Expression (1). 
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         [0122]    Here, “i” represents an index assigned to each process, and the natural numbers starting from “1” are assigned as the indices to the respective processes according to the sequence of processes. 
         [0123]    Further, “j” represents an index assigned to the product type, and the natural numbers starting from “1” are assigned as the indices to the respective product types. “n” represents a natural number indicating the number of product types (the number of types). 
         [0124]    In addition, “x ij ” represents the ratio of the in-process items for a product type j, which are pending in the processing of a process i and the subsequent processings, and the inventory therefor. 
         [0125]    For example, the priority calculation module  124  extracts the quantities of the product type j from the quantity fields  114   d  of the in-process information tables  114   a  corresponding to the process i and the subsequent processes (the process i, . . . ) in the sequence of processes, further extracts the quantities of the product type j from the quantity fields  115   d  of the process stand-by state information tables  115   a  corresponding to the processes after the process i (process subsequent to the process i, . . . ), further extracts the quantities of the product type j from the quantity fields  116   d  of the under-transfer information tables  116   a  corresponding to the process i and the subsequent processes (the process i, . . . ), further extracts the inventory quantity of the product type j from the quantity field  117   c  of the inventory item information table  117   a , and calculates an added value from the extracted quantities. 
         [0126]    Further, the priority calculation module  124  extracts the quantities of all the product types from the quantity fields  114   d  of the in-process information tables  114   a  corresponding to the process i and the subsequent processes (the process i, . . . ) in the sequence of processes, further extracts the quantities of all the product types from the quantity fields  115   d  of the process stand-by state information tables  115   a  corresponding to the processes after the process i (process subsequent to the process i, . . . ), further extracts the quantities of all the product types from the quantity fields  116   d  of the under-transfer information tables  116   a  corresponding to the process i and the subsequent processes (the process i, . . . ), further extracts the inventory quantities of all the product types from the quantity field  117   c  of the inventory item information table  117   a , and calculates an added value from the extracted quantities. 
         [0127]    Then, the priority calculation module  124  calculates x ij  by dividing the added value for the product type j calculated as described above by the added value for all the product types and multiplying the obtained value by “100”. 
         [0128]    “y j ” represents the demand ratio of the product type j having a value extracted from the demand ratio field  113   d  of the demand information table  113   a.    
         [0129]    Then, the priority calculation module  124  stores the Euclidean distance dd i  calculated as described above in the pre-introduction Euclidean distance field  118   b  of the improvement information table  118   a  for the process corresponding to i. 
         [0130]    Subsequently, for each process, the priority calculation module  124  determines lots waiting in the process, the product type for which the lot is used, and the quantity of the parts included in the lot from the process stand-by state information table  115   a , and when one arbitrary lot among the determined lots is introduced into the process, calculates a Euclidean distance sd ik  between the product-basis ratio of the in-process items pending in the processing of the process and the subsequent processings and the product-basis demand ratio stored in the demand information table  113   a  by using the following Expression (2). 
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         [0131]    Here, “k” represents an index assigned to each lot that is waiting for the process i, and the natural numbers starting from “1” are assigned as the indices to the respective lots. 
         [0132]    Further, “x ijk ” represents the ratio of the in-process items for the product type j, which are pending in the processing of the process i and the subsequent processings, and the inventory therefor which are obtained in a case where the quantity of the parts included in the lot determined by k is added to the quantity of the above-mentioned in-process items and inventory. Note that, the quantity of the in-process items for the product type j, which are pending in the processing of the process i and the subsequent processings, and the inventory therefor may be calculated in the same manner as in the case of the Euclidean distance dd i . 
         [0133]    Then, in a record of the improvement information table  118   a  for the process corresponding to i in which the product type for which the lot corresponding to k is used is stored in the product type field  118   c , the priority calculation module  124  stores the lot ID of the lot corresponding to k in the lot ID field  118   d , and stores the Euclidean distance sd ik  calculated as described above in the post-introduction Euclidean distance field  118   e  within the record storing the lot ID. 
         [0134]    Subsequently, the priority calculation module  124  stores a value obtained by subtracting the Euclidean distance sd ik  stored in the post-introduction Euclidean distance field  118   e  from the Euclidean distance dd i  stored in the pre-introduction Euclidean distance field  118   b  into the improvement amount field  118   f  within the record in which the lot ID of the lot corresponding to k is stored in the lot ID field  118   d.    
         [0135]    Subsequently, for each process, the priority calculation module  124  generates the priority information table  119   a  so that the higher priority is given to the lot having the larger value stored in the improvement amount field  118   f , and stores the priority information table  119   a  in the priority information storage area  119 . 
         [0136]    Note that, the lots having the same value stored in the improvement amount field  118   f  may be given an arbitrary priority so that the higher priority is given to, for example, the lot having the smaller lot number or the lot for which the lot ID was stored in the process stand-by state information table  115  at the earlier timing. 
         [0137]    The output information generation module  125  performs a processing for generating output information obtained by converting the information stored in the in-process information table  114   a , the process stand-by state information table  115   a , the under-transfer information table  116   a , and the priority information table  119   a  into a predetermined display format and outputting the output information to the output unit  128 . 
         [0138]    The input unit  127  receives an input of information. 
         [0139]    The output unit  128  outputs information. 
         [0140]    The communication unit  129  performs transmission/reception of information via the network  150 . 
         [0141]    The priority calculation device  110  described above can be obtained by, for example, a general computer  900  as illustrated in  FIG. 16  (schematic diagram of the computer  900 ) which includes a central processing unit (CPU)  901 , a memory  902 , an external storage device  903  such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a reading/writing device  905  for reading/writing information from/to a storage medium  904  having portability such as a compact disk (CD) or a digital versatile disk (DVD), an input device  906  including a keyboard and a mouse, an output device  907  such as a display, and a communication device  908  such as a network interface card (NIC) that allows connection to a communication network. 
         [0142]    For example, the storage unit  111  can be obtained when the CPU  901  uses the memory  902  or the external storage device  903 , the control unit  121  can be obtained when a predetermined program stored in the external storage device  903  is loaded into the memory  902  and executed by the CPU  901 , the input unit  127  can be obtained when the CPU  901  uses the input device  906 , the output unit  128  can be obtained when the CPU  901  uses the output device  907 , and the communication unit  129  can be obtained when the CPU  901  uses the communication device  908 . 
         [0143]    The predetermined program may be downloaded onto the external storage device  903  from the storage medium  904  via the reading/writing device  905  or from a network via the communication device  908 , then loaded into the memory  902 , and executed by the CPU  901 . Further, the predetermined program may be downloaded directly into the memory  902  from the storage medium  904  via the reading/writing device  905  or from a network via the communication device  908 , and executed by the CPU  901 . 
         [0144]    The manufacturing information providing device  130  is a device that extracts data to be stored in the process information table  112   h , the carry-in information table  112   n , the inventory information table  112   u , and the route information table  112   x  from MES data obtained from a manufacturing executing system (MES) managing the manufacturing devices Q 1  to Q 3  and the like in the manufacturing line  160 , and transmits the extracted data to the priority calculation device  110  via the network  150 . 
         [0145]    Note that, the manufacturing information providing device  130  can also be obtained by the general computer  900  as illustrated in  FIG. 16 . 
         [0146]    The shipment management device  140  is a device that performs management of the product manufactured in the manufacturing line  160 , and may be any device that can transmit the information to be stored in the shipment information table  112   a  to the priority calculation device  110  via the network  150 . 
         [0147]    Note that, the shipment management device  140  can also be obtained by the general computer  900  as illustrated in  FIG. 16 . 
         [0148]      FIG. 17  is a flowchart illustrating a processing performed on the priority calculation device  110 . 
         [0149]    First, when the information acquisition module  122  acquires the shipment information from the shipment management device  140  and updates the shipment information table  112   a , the information management module  123  performs a processing for updating the demand information table  113   a  by updating the demanded quantity corresponding to the updated shipment information and further updating the demand ratio based on the updated demanded quantity (S 10 ). 
         [0150]    Subsequently, when the information acquisition module  122  acquires the process information from the manufacturing information providing device  130  and updates the process information table  112   h , the information management module  123  performs a processing for updating the in-process information table  114   a  by determining the process ID, the product type, the lot ID, and the quantity of the parts included in the lot determined by the lot ID in the updated process information and storing those information items in the corresponding record of the in-process information table  114   a  (S 11 ). 
         [0151]    Subsequently, when the information acquisition module  122  acquires the carry-in information from the manufacturing information providing device  130  and updates the carry-in information table  112   n , the information management module  123  performs a processing for updating the process stand-by state information table  115   a  by determining the lot ID, the process ID of the subsequent process, the product type, and the quantity of the parts included in the lot determined by the lot ID within the record having “stocked” stored as a carry-in type in the updated carry-in information and storing those information items in the corresponding record of the process stand-by state information table  115   a  (S 12 ). 
         [0152]    Subsequently, when the information acquisition module  122  acquires the carry-in information from the manufacturing information providing device  130  and updates the carry-in information table  112   n , the information management module  123  performs a processing for updating the under-transfer information table  116   a  by determining the lot ID, the process ID of the previous process, the product type, and the quantity of the parts included in the lot determined by the lot ID within the record having “moved between processes” stored as the carry-in type in the updated carry-in information and storing those information items in the corresponding record of the under-transfer information table  116   a  (S 13 ). 
         [0153]    Subsequently, for each process, the priority calculation module  124  calculates the Euclidean distance dd i  between the product-basis ratio of the in-process items pending in the processing of the process and the subsequent processings and the product-basis demand ratio stored in the demand information table  113   a  by using the above-mentioned Expression (1), the calculation being performed for all the processes (S 14 ). 
         [0154]    Note that, the Euclidean distance dd i  thus calculated is stored in the pre-introduction Euclidean distance field  118   b  of the improvement information table  118   a  corresponding to the process i. 
         [0155]    Subsequently, for each process, the priority calculation module  124  determines a lot waiting for the processing in the process, the product type for which the lot is used, and the quantity of the parts included in the lot from the process stand-by state information table  115   a , and when one arbitrary lot among the determined lots is introduced into the process, calculates the Euclidean distance sd ik  between the product-basis ratio of the in-process items pending in the processing of the process and the subsequent processings and the product-basis demand ratio stored in the demand information table  113   a  by using the above-mentioned Expression (2), the calculation being performed for all the lots of all the processes (S 15 ). 
         [0156]    Subsequently, the priority calculation module  124  subtracts the Euclidean distance sd ik  calculated in Step S 15  from the Euclidean distance dd i  calculated in Step  14  one by one to thereby calculate the improvement amount of the Euclidean distance obtained when the lot determined by k is introduced into the process determined by i, the calculation being performed for all the processes and for all the lots (S 16 ). 
         [0157]    Note that, the improvement amount thus calculated is stored in the improvement amount field  118   f  corresponding to the lot determined by k within the improvement amount table  118   a  corresponding to the process determined by i. 
         [0158]    Subsequently, for each process, the priority calculation module  124 , the priority calculation module  124  generates the priority information table  119   a  so that the higher priority is given to the lot having the larger value stored in the improvement amount field  118   f , and stores the priority information table  119   a  in the priority information storage area  119  (S 17 ). 
         [0159]    Then, the output information generation module  125  generates the output information obtained by converting the information stored in the in-process information table  114   a , the process stand-by state information table  115   a , the under-transfer information table  116   a , and the priority information table  119   a  into the predetermined display format, and outputs the output information to the output unit  128  (S 18 ). 
         [0160]    Here,  FIG. 18  is a schematic diagram of an output screen  170  that is an example of the output information generated by the output information generation module  125 . 
         [0161]    The output screen  170  has a process selection area  170   a , a lot precedence order display area  170   b , a process stand-by state lot display area  170   c , an in-process lot display area  170   d , and a processed lot display area  170   e.    
         [0162]    Then, when an input of an execution instruction that selects a specific range including the process ID displayed in the process selection area  170   a  is performed on the output screen  170  displayed in the output unit  128  through the input unit  127 , the output information generation module  125  displays the lot ID stored in the lot ID field  119   c  of the priority information table  119   a  corresponding to the process determined by the selected process ID so that the lot associated with the higher priority determined by the priority field  119   b  is located in the higher position in the lot precedence order display area  170   b , further displays in the process stand-by state lot display area  170   c  the lot ID stored in the lot ID field  115   c  of the process stand-by state information table  115   a  corresponding to the selected process, further displays in the in-process lot display area  170   d  the lot ID stored in the lot ID field  114   c  of the in-process information table  114   a  corresponding to the selected process, and further displays in the processed lot display area  170   e  the lot ID stored in the lot ID field  116   c  of the under-transfer information table  116   a  corresponding to the selected process. 
         [0163]    Note that, the information corresponding to the first process in a manufacturing stage for the product is displayed before the input of the execution instruction that selects the specific range including the process ID displayed in the process selection area  170   a  is performed on the output screen  170  through the input unit  127 . 
         [0164]    The output screen  170  as described above is displayed on the output unit  128 , and hence a manufacturer performing a processing in each process is able to preferentially manufacture the product that meets the demand by introducing the lot associated with the highest priority displayed in the lot precedence order display area  170   b  into the manufacturing device for the process. 
         [0165]    Next, a second embodiment of the present invention is described. In the second embodiment of the present invention, a technology for deciding a sequence of introducing parts into a process is described by combining the priority calculated in the first embodiment with a priority calculated by another method. 
         [0166]      FIG. 19  is a schematic diagram of a priority calculation device  210  according to the second embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in the figure, the priority calculation device  210  includes a storage unit  211 , a control unit  221 , the input unit  127 , the output unit  128 , and the communication unit  129 , and is different from the first embodiment in the storage unit  211  and the control unit  221 , and hence matters related thereto are described hereinafter. 
         [0167]    The storage unit  211  includes an acquired information storage area  212 , the demand information storage area  113 , the in-process information storage area  114 , a process stand-by state information storage area  215 , the under-transfer information storage area  116 , the inventory item information storage area  117 , the improvement information storage area  118 , a first priority information storage area  231 , and a second priority information storage area  232 , and is different from the first embodiment in the information stored in the acquired information storage area  212  and the process stand-by state information storage area  215  and in that the first priority information storage area  231  and the second priority information storage area  232  are provided, and hence matters related thereto are described hereinafter. 
         [0168]    Stored in the acquired information storage area  212  is the information acquired from the manufacturing information providing device  130  or the shipment management device  140 . Here, in this embodiment, the shipment information table  112   a  as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the process information table  112   h  as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the carry-in information table  112   n  as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the inventory information table  112   u  as illustrated in  FIG. 7 , and the route information table  112   x  as illustrated in  FIG. 8  are stored in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and a received order information table  212   a  as illustrated in  FIG. 20  (schematic diagram of the received order information table  212   a ) is stored for each product type. 
         [0169]    The received order information table  212   a  has a date field  212   b  and a quantity field  212   c , and stores, for each product type, received order information that determines a shipping date, for the product type, when a shipment has been ordered and the quantity thereof. 
         [0170]    Stored in the date field  212   b  is information that determines a year/month/day on which the shipment of a product having a type targeted by the received order information table  212   a  is scheduled. 
         [0171]    Stored in the quantity field  212   c  is information that determines a shipment scheduled quantity of the product having the type targeted by the received order information table  212   a.    
         [0172]    Referring again to  FIG. 19 , stored in the process stand-by state information storage area  215  for each process is the in-process information that determines a lot stocked in the buffer of the process, the number of parts included in the lot, and a date on which the shipment of the product for which the lot is used is scheduled. For example, in this embodiment, a process stand-by state information table  215   a  as illustrated in  FIG. 21  (schematic diagram of the process stand-by state information table  215   a ) is stored for each process. 
         [0173]    The process stand-by state information table  215   a  has a product type field  215   b , a lot ID field  215   c , a quantity field  215   d , and a shipping date field  215   e.    
         [0174]    Stored in the product type field  215   b  is information that determines the type of product. Here, in this embodiment, the product type ID that is the identification information for uniquely identifying the type of product is stored as the information that determines the type of product. 
         [0175]    Stored in the lot ID field  215   c  is information that determines a lot which is used for a product having a type determined by the product type field  215   b  and has been stocked in the buffer of the process targeted by the process stand-by state information table  215   a  (which is waiting to be introduced into the process). Here, in this embodiment, the lot ID that is the identification information for uniquely identifying the lot is stored as the information that determines the lot. 
         [0176]    Stored in the quantity field  215   d  is information that determines the number of parts included in the lot determined by the lot ID field  215   c.    
         [0177]    Stored in the shipping date field  215   e  is information that determines the year/month/day on which the shipment of the product is scheduled if the shipment of the product for which the parts included in the lot determined by the lot ID field  215   c  are used has already been decided (if the product has already been decided to be in demand). Note that, in a case where the shipping date field  215   e  does not contain the information that determines the year/month/day, it means that the shipment is not scheduled (that the product is not yet in demand). 
         [0178]    Referring again to  FIG. 19 , stored in the first priority information storage area  231  is first priority information that determines the priority of each lot in each process calculated by a first priority calculation module  234  of the control unit  221  described later. 
         [0179]    Note that, a first priority information table having the same table format as the priority information table  119   a  illustrated in  FIG. 15  (not shown because the table format is the same as the priority information table  119   a ) is stored in the first priority information storage area  231 . 
         [0180]    Stored in the second priority information storage area  232  is a second priority information that determines the priority of each lot in each process calculated by a second priority calculation module  235  of the control unit  221  described later. 
         [0181]    Note that, a second priority information table having the same table format as the priority information table  119   a  illustrated in  FIG. 15  (not shown because the table format is the same as the priority information table  119   a ) is stored in the second priority information storage area  232 . 
         [0182]    The control unit  221  includes an information acquisition module  222 , an information management module  223 , the first priority calculation module  234 , the second priority calculation module  235 , and an output information generation module  225 . 
         [0183]    In the same manner as in the first embodiment, the information acquisition module  222  performs the processing for acquiring the information to be stored in the process information table  112   h , the carry-in information table  112   n , and the inventory information table  112   u  from the manufacturing information providing device  130  at the predetermined timing (for example, every 60 seconds) and updating those tables, further performs the processing for acquiring the information to be stored in the route information table  112   x  from the manufacturing information providing device  130  and storing the information in the acquired information storage area  112 , and further performs the processing for acquiring the information to be stored in the shipment information table  112   a  from the shipment management device  140  for every specific period (for example, every week) and updating the shipment information table  112   a.    
         [0184]    In addition, the information acquisition module  222  performs a processing for acquiring the information to be stored in the received order information table  212   a  from the shipment information management device  140  at the predetermined timing (for example, every 60 seconds) and updating the received order information table  212   a.    
         [0185]    In the same manner as in the first embodiment, the information management module  223  performs the processing for updating the demand information table  113   a , the in-process information table  114   a , the process stand-by state information table  215   a , the under-transfer information table  116   a , and the inventory item information table  117   a.    
         [0186]    Further, the information management module  223  performs a processing for updating the process stand-by state information table  215   a  when the information acquisition module  222  updates the received order information table  212   a.    
         [0187]    For example, the information management module  223  determines a record of the process stand-by state information table  215   a  which corresponds to the lot used for the product having the type targeted by the received order information table  212   a , does not contain the information determining the year/month/day in the shipping date field  215   e , and determines one or a plurality of records so that the quantity stored in the quantity field  215   d  within the above-mentioned record is equal to the quantity stored in the quantity field  212   c  of the received order information table  212   a . Then, the information management module  223  determines the lot whose order has been received by storing the date stored in the date field  212   b  of the received order information table  212   a  into the shipping date field  215   e  within the record thus determined. 
         [0188]    The first priority calculation module  234  calculates a first priority of introducing the lot having the shipping date defined into each process. 
         [0189]    For example, for each process, the first priority calculation module  234  determines a record of the process stand-by state information table  215   a  in which the shipping date is stored in the shipping date field  215   e , obtains for the lot within each of the determined records a value (CR value) by dividing a remaining time until completion of the product (which is stored in advance in the storage unit  211  for each product and for each process) by a remaining time until the shipping date for the product, and decides the priority of each lot so that the higher priority is given to the lot of the product for which a time elapsing before the shipping date is the shortest. 
         [0190]    Specifically, the first priority calculation module  234  assigns the priority to the lot in each process so that the higher priority is given to the lot having the calculated CR value closer to “1”. 
         [0191]    Then, the first priority calculation module  234  stores the priority of each lot thus decided in the first priority information table, and stores the first priority information table in the first priority information storage area  231 . 
         [0192]    The second priority calculation module  235  calculates a second priority of introducing the lot having the shipping date undefined into each process. 
         [0193]    For example, for each process, the second priority calculation module  235  determines a record of the process stand-by state information table  215   a  in which the shipping date is stored in the shipping date field  215   e , and performs the same processing as performed by the priority calculation module  124  in the first embodiment for each lot within the determined record to thereby calculate the second priority. 
         [0194]    The output information generation module  225  performs a processing for generating output information obtained by converting the information stored in the in-process information table  114   a , the process stand-by state information table  215   a , the under-transfer information table  116   a , the first priority information table, and the second priority information table into a predetermined display format and outputting the output information to the output unit  128 . 
         [0195]    The shipment management device  140  according to this embodiment is a device that performs management of the product manufactured in the manufacturing line  160 , and may be any device that can transmit the information to be stored in the shipment information table  112   a  and the received order information table  212   a  to the priority calculation device  210  via the network  150 . 
         [0196]      FIG. 22  is a flowchart illustrating a processing performed on the priority calculation device  210 . 
         [0197]    First, when the information acquisition module  222  acquires the shipment information from the shipment management device  140  and updates the shipment information table  112   a , the information management module  223  performs a processing for updating the demand information table  113   a  by updating the demanded quantity corresponding to the updated shipment information and further updating the demand ratio based on the updated demanded quantity (S 20 ). 
         [0198]    Subsequently, when the information acquisition module  222  acquires the process information from the manufacturing information providing device  130  and updates the process information table  112   h , the information management module  223  performs a processing for updating the in-process information table  114   a  by determining the process ID, the product type, the lot ID, and the quantity of the parts included in the lot determined by the lot ID in the updated process information and storing those information items in the corresponding record of the in-process information table  114   a  (S 21 ). 
         [0199]    Subsequently, when the information acquisition module  222  acquires the carry-in information from the manufacturing information providing device  130  and updates the carry-in information table  112   n , the information management module  223  performs a processing for updating the process stand-by state information table  215   a  by determining the lot ID, the process ID of the subsequent process, the product type, and the quantity of the parts included in the lot determined by the lot ID within the record having “stocked” stored as a carry-in type in the updated carry-in information and storing those information items in the corresponding record of the process stand-by state information table  215   a  (S 22 ). 
         [0200]    Subsequently, when the information acquisition module  222  acquires the carry-in information from the manufacturing information providing device  130  and updates the carry-in information table  112   n , the information management module  223  performs a processing for updating the under-transfer information table  116   a  by determining the lot ID, the process ID of the previous process, the product type, and the quantity of the parts included in the lot determined by the lot ID within the record having “moved between processes” stored as the carry-in type in the updated carry-in information and storing those information items in the corresponding record of the under-transfer information table  116   a  (S 23 ). 
         [0201]    Subsequently, when the information acquisition module  222  acquires the received order information from the shipment information management device  140  and updates the received order information table  212   a , the information management module  223  performs a processing for updating the process stand-by state information table  215   a  by determining the lot of the product whose order has been received for each process and assigning the shipping date to the lot (S 24 ). 
         [0202]    Subsequently, for each process, the first priority calculation module  234  determines a record of the process stand-by state information table  215   a  in which the shipping date is stored in the shipping date field  215   e , and decides the first priority of each lot within the determined record by a CR method (S 25 ). Note that, the first priority calculation module  234  stores the priority of each lot thus decided in the first priority information table, and stores the first priority information table in the first priority information storage area  231 . 
         [0203]    Subsequently, the second priority calculation module  235  calculates the second priority of introducing the lot having the shipping date undefined into each process (S 26 ). Note that, the processing of Step S 25  suffices when the same processings as those of Steps S 14  to S 17  of  FIG. 17  are performed for each lot of the record of the process stand-by state information table  215   a  in which the shipping date is not stored in the shipping date field  215   e , and hence detailed description thereof is omitted. 
         [0204]    Further, the second priority calculation module  235  stores the priority of each lot thus decided in the second priority information table, and stores the priority in the second priority information storage area  232 . 
         [0205]    Then, the output information generation module  225  generates the output information obtained by converting the information stored in the in-process information table  114   a , the process stand-by state information table  215   a , the under-transfer information table  116   a , the first priority information table, and the second priority information table into the predetermined display format, and outputs the output information to the output unit  128  (S 27 ). 
         [0206]    Here,  FIG. 23  is a schematic diagram of an output screen  270  that is an example of the output information generated by the output information generation module  125 . 
         [0207]    The output screen  270  has a process selection area  270   a , a first lot precedence order display area  270   b , a second lot precedence order display area  270   c , a process stand-by state lot display area  270   d , an in-process lot display area  270   e , and a processed lot display area  270   f.    
         [0208]    Then, when an input of an execution instruction that selects a specific range including the process ID displayed in the process selection area  270   a  is performed on the output screen  270  displayed in the output unit  128  through the input unit  127 , the output information generation module  225  displays the lot ID stored in the lot ID field of the first priority information table corresponding to the process determined by the selected process ID so that the lot associated with the higher priority determined by the priority field of the first priority information table is located in the higher position in the first lot precedence order display area  270   b , further displays the lot ID stored in the lot ID field of the second priority information table corresponding to the process determined by the selected process ID so that the lot associated with the higher priority determined by the priority field of the second priority information table is located in the higher position in the first lot precedence order display area  270   c , further displays in the process stand-by state lot display area  270   d  the lot ID stored in the lot ID field  215   c  of the process stand-by state information table  215   a  corresponding to the selected process, further displays in the in-process lot display area  270   e  the lot ID stored in the lot ID field  114   c  of the in-process information table  114   a  corresponding to the selected process, and further displays in the processed lot display area  270   f  the lot ID stored in the lot ID field  116   c  of the under-transfer information table  116   a  corresponding to the selected process. 
         [0209]    Note that, the information corresponding to the first process in a manufacturing stage for the product is displayed before the input of the execution instruction that selects the specific range including the process ID displayed in the process selection area  270   a  is performed on the output screen  270  through the input unit  127 . 
         [0210]    The output screen  270  as described above is displayed on the output unit  128 , and hence a manufacturer performing a processing in each process is able to preferentially manufacture the product whose order has already been received by introducing the lot associated with the highest priority displayed in the first lot precedence order display area  270   b  into the manufacturing device for the process. 
         [0211]    Further, the priority calculated as described above can also be corrected due to various reasons and causes in the manufacturing line. 
         [0212]    For example, in the case where the manufacturing device Q 1  of the manufacturing line  160  illustrated in  FIG. 3  is used by a plurality of processes such as a process P 1  and a process P 3 , the process stand-by state information tables  115   a  and  215   a  of subsequent processes (process P 2  and process P 4 ) following after the processes (process P 1  and process P 3 ) are referenced, and if the numbers of parts included in the lots waiting to be introduced into the subsequent processes are equal to or smaller than a predetermined number, the priority of the lot including the numbers of parts equal to or smaller than the predetermined number can be defined in a manner that the higher priority is given to the lot. 
         [0213]    Note that, as to the method of raising the priority in the above case, (an arbitrary number of) lots including the numbers of parts equal to or smaller than the predetermined number used for the product can be given the priority higher than the lot used for another product, or the priority defined by the above-mentioned method can be raised by a predetermined number. 
         [0214]    Further, the priorities (the priority information table  119   a , the first priority information table, and the second priority information table) calculated by the priority calculation devices  110  and  210  can be output to the manufacturing device used in each process so that the manufacturing device performs the processing for the lots in descending order of the priority. Further, an output device including a display or the like may be provided in a position close to the manufacturing device, and the output information generated by the output information generation module  125  may be output to the output device. 
         [0215]    Further, the embodiments described above are described by using a certain product like a substrate (wafer) as an example. In the manufacturing process of the substrate, it is known that one substrate becomes one product. However, the present invention is not limited to such a mode. For example, with regard to the product manufactured by assembling a plurality of parts, product configuration information that constitute a parent-child relationship of the parts that constitute the product may be stored in advance, and the above-mentioned Euclidean distance dd i  and Euclidean distance sd ik  may be calculated in each process by assuming the number of parts to be assembled into one product as one unit and assuming the one unit as the quantity of the parts. 
         [0216]    Further, in the second embodiment, the first priority calculation module  234  is caused to calculate the priority by the CR method, but the present invention is not limited to such a mode, and another method can be used to calculate the priority. In this case, if the method allows the priority to be calculated based on a supply date assigned to the lot, the present invention can be effectively combined therewith. 
       REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
       [0000]    
       
         
           
               100  priority calculation system 
               110  priority calculation device 
               111  storage unit 
               112  acquired information storage area 
               113  demand information storage area 
               114  in-process information storage area 
               115  process stand-by state information storage area 
               116  under-transfer information storage area 
               117  inventory item information storage area 
               118  improvement information storage area 
               119  priority information storage area 
               121  control unit 
               122  information acquisition module 
               123  information management module 
               124  priority calculation module 
               125  output information generation module 
               127  input unit 
               128  output unit 
               129  communication unit 
               130  manufacturing information providing device 
               140  shipment management device