Patent Publication Number: US-2022230526-A1

Title: Information processing device and information processing method

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to an information processing device and a method for outputting an alarm in relation to a piece of equipment in a production facility. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     An information processing device is known which outputs an alarm for a piece of equipment in a production facility. 
     For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a feature of displaying windows containing detailed information in regard to respective pieces of alarm information in a plant. The window contains information, for a device associated with the corresponding piece of alarm information, regarding a state in which the device is in failure, the device needs to be subjected to maintenance, or the like. 
     CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
     [Patent Literature 1]
     Published Japanese Translation of PCT International Application Tokuhyo No. 2004-532449 (Publication Date: Oct. 21, 2004)   

     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
     Here, depending on a state of the piece of equipment in the production facility, work of a person in charge may widely vary. For example, in a case where an abnormality occurs in the piece of equipment, on-site work needs to be carried out. Alternatively, in a case where there is necessity for maintenance, preliminary work before going to the site (for example, ordering of consumables, or the like) may need to be carried out. Therefore, for the person in charge, there are needs to appropriately determine a state of the piece of equipment. Moreover, for the person in charge, there are needs to grasp a tendency in which an abnormality occurs in the piece of equipment, a tendency in which maintenance needs to be carried out, and the like for appropriately determining a state of the piece of equipment. For the feature disclosed in Patent Literature 1, there is room for improvement in information to be presented to determine a state of the piece of equipment. 
     The present invention is accomplished in order to solve the problem, and its object is to realize an information processing device which presents, for a piece of equipment in a production facility, information for more appropriately determining a state of the piece of equipment. 
     Solution to Problem 
     In order to attain the object, an information processing device in accordance with an aspect of the present invention includes a communication interface which receives information indicative of a state of a piece of equipment in a production facility and a controller which operates with reference to the information. In a case where the information which has been received and indicates the state of the piece of equipment satisfies a first condition, the controller carries out a process of outputting a first alarm for prompting maintenance of the piece of equipment; in a case where the information indicative of the state of the piece of equipment satisfies a second condition, the controller carries out a process of outputting a second alarm that indicates occurrence of abnormality or a sign of abnormality in the piece of equipment; and the controller carries out a process of outputting, in a distinguishably recognizable manner, a tendency in which the first alarm is outputted and a tendency in which the second alarm is outputted. 
     An information processing method in accordance with an aspect of the present invention includes the steps of: receiving information indicative of a state of a piece of equipment in a production facility; outputting, in a case where the information indicative of the state of the piece of equipment satisfies a first condition, a first alarm for prompting maintenance of the piece of equipment; outputting, in a case where the information indicative of the state of the piece of equipment satisfies a second condition, a second alarm that indicates occurrence of abnormality or a sign of abnormality in the piece of equipment; and outputting, in a distinguishably recognizable manner, a tendency in which the first alarm is outputted and a tendency in which the second alarm is outputted, the steps being carried out by an information processing device. 
     Advantageous Effects of Invention 
     According to an aspect of the present invention, it is possible to realize the information processing device which presents, for a piece of equipment in a production line, information for more appropriately determining whether a component should be replaced or other maintenance should be carried out. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an information processing system in accordance with Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a gateway in accordance with Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a server in accordance with Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating a specific example of configuration data of a production line in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a terminal in accordance with Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a flow chart illustrating an operation of the information processing system in accordance with Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 
       (a) of  FIG. 7  is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen displayed in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. (b) of  FIG. 7  is a diagram illustrating an example of setting data set by the setting screen. 
       (a) of  FIG. 8  is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen displayed in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. (b) of  FIG. 8  is a diagram illustrating an example of setting data set by the setting screen. 
         FIG. 9  is a diagram illustrating an example of collection setting data in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a flow chart illustrating details of an operation of the gateway in accordance with Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a flow chart illustrating details of an operation of the gateway in accordance with Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen which is displayed in Embodiment 1 of the present invention and which indicates states and alarms of a plurality of pieces of equipment. 
         FIG. 13  is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen which is displayed in Embodiment 1 of the present invention and which indicates a state of a piece of equipment. 
         FIG. 14  is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen which is displayed in Embodiment 1 of the present invention and which indicates a state of a piece of equipment. 
         FIG. 15  is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen which is displayed in Embodiment 1 of the present invention and which indicates a state of a piece of equipment. 
         FIG. 16  is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen which is displayed in Embodiment 1 of the present invention and which indicates a state of a piece of equipment. 
         FIG. 17  is a flow chart illustrating an operation of the server in accordance with Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 
         FIG. 18  is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen displayed in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 
         FIG. 19  is a diagram illustrating an example of setting data set by the setting screen illustrated in  FIG. 18 . 
         FIG. 20  is a diagram illustrating a specific example of the setting data illustrated in  FIG. 19 . 
         FIG. 21  is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen which is displayed in Embodiment 1 of the present invention and which indicates an equipment alarm. 
         FIG. 22  is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen which is displayed in Embodiment 1 of the present invention and which indicates a maintenance alarm. 
         FIG. 23  is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen which is displayed in Embodiment 1 of the present invention and which indicates details of an equipment alarm. 
         FIG. 24  is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen which is displayed in Embodiment 1 of the present invention and which indicates details of a maintenance alarm. 
         FIG. 25  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an information processing system in accordance with Embodiment 2 of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Embodiment 1 
     The following description will discuss Embodiment 1 of the present invention in detail. 
     &lt;Configuration of Information Processing System  1 &gt; 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an information processing system  1  in accordance with Embodiment 1. In  FIG. 1 , the information processing system  1  includes a gateway  10 , a server  20 , and a terminal  30 . The information processing system  1  is a system that manages n pieces of equipment Mi (i=1 to n, and n is an integer of not less than 1) in a production line  9 . The server  20  is an example of an information processing device in the present invention. 
     The gateway  10  is installed in a production facility  90  including the production line  9  and collects information pertaining to a state of each piece of equipment Mi. The server  20  is connected to the gateway  10  via a wide area network (WAN)  1001  and receives information pertaining to a state of each piece of equipment Mi via the gateway  10 . The terminal  30  is connected to the server  20  via the WAN  1001  and displays information that is provided by the server  20  and that pertains to each piece of equipment Mi. For example, the terminal  30  can be a laptop personal computer, a smartphone, a tablet computer, or the like carried by a person in charge of maintenance of each piece of equipment Mi. For example, the terminal  30  can be installed in a support sensor that handles maintenance of the production line  9 . For example, the terminal  30  can be installed in the production facility  90  for use by a person on site who is in charge of the production line  9 .  FIG. 1  shows an example in which a single terminal  30  is included in the information processing system  1 . However, the information processing system  1  can include a plurality of terminals  30 . For example, one of the plurality of terminals  30  can be carried by the above person in charge of the maintenance, another one of the plurality of terminals  30  can be set in the above support center, and yet another one of the plurality of terminals  30  can be installed in the production facility  90 . 
     (Configuration of Production Line  9 ) 
     The production line  9  includes the n pieces of equipment Mi, n controllers Pi, m externally attached sensors Cj (j=1 to m, and m is an integer of not less than 1), and a sensor base unit CP, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . Examples of the production line  9  include, but are not limited to, a line for manufacturing a mold or the like. 
     Each piece of equipment Mi includes a controller Pi built therein. Examples of the piece of equipment Mi include, but are not limited to, a molding machine, a blasting machine, and a dust collector. 
     Each controller Pi controls a piece of equipment Mi. Examples of the controller Pi include a programmable logic controller (PLC) controller that operates in accordance with programs for controlling sections of the piece of equipment Mi. The controller Pi obtains information indicative of an internal state of the piece of equipment Mi. Examples of the information indicative of the internal state include, but are not limited to, a power state of the piece of equipment Mi, a standby state of the piece of equipment Mi, the number of times inspection of a predetermined component of the piece of equipment Mi has been carried out, an operating time of a predetermined component of the piece of equipment Mi, a time and date of replacement of a predetermined component of the piece of equipment Mi, a process time that has been required for a predetermined operation by the piece of equipment Mi, and information measured by a sensor included in the piece of equipment Mi. However, the information indicative of the internal state is not limited to the above information. 
     The controller Pi is connected to the gateway  10  (described later) via a local area network (LAN)  9001  installed in the production facility  90 . The LAN  9001  is composed of a wired LAN, a wireless LAN, or a combination thereof. In response to a request from the gateway  10 , the controller Pi transmits requested information to the gateway  10 . 
     The sensors Cj accompany at least one of the pieces of equipment M 1  through Mn. Note that accompanying means that each sensor Cj is retrofitted to a piece of equipment Mi in order to measure an external state of the piece of equipment Mi. The location where the sensor Cj is installed can be inside or outside the piece of equipment M. The number of sensors Cj accompanying a single piece of equipment Mi is not limited to one, but can be more than one. Further, among the n pieces of equipment Mi, there can be a piece of equipment Mi not accompanied by any sensor Cj. In the example illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the piece of equipment M 1  is accompanied by the sensors C 1  and C 2 . The piece of equipment M 2  is accompanied by the sensor C 3 . The piece of equipment Mn is accompanied by the sensor Cm. 
     Each sensor Cj obtains information indicative of an external state of the piece of equipment Mi. An example of the information indicative of the external state can be information indicative of vibration of the piece of equipment Mi. Another example can be information indicative of a difference between respective pressures in two chambers (e.g., a clean room and a dirty room in a dust collector) in the piece of equipment Mi. Another example can be a value of a motor current for driving a component of the piece of equipment Mi to rotate. Another example can be information indicative of dirtiness of hydraulic oil in the piece of equipment Mi. Another example can be a temperature of hot water injected into the piece of equipment Mi. However, the information indicative of the external state is not limited to the above information. Further, examples of the sensor Cj include, but are not limited to, a vibration sensor, a current transformer (CT) sensor, a manometer, an in-oil degradation sensor, and a non-contact temperature sensor. 
     The sensor Cj is communicably connected to the sensor base unit CP. For example, the sensor Cj and the sensor base unit CP are connected to each other via a wireless sensor network. The wireless sensor network is constructed, for example, by near field wireless communication such as infrared and Bluetooth (registered trademark). The sensor base unit CP and the sensor Cj transmit and receive information to and from each other in accordance with a predetermined protocol. In other words, any sensor Cj that has a communication interface connectable to a wireless sensor network with which the sensor base unit CP is compatible and that transmits and receives information in accordance with a protocol with which the sensor base unit CP is compatible can be easily added by retrofitting as an accompaniment to any one of the pieces of equipment Mi. 
     The sensors Cj can be of a type that periodically measures information and transmits the information to the sensor base unit CP. The sensors Cj can be of a type that transmits information satisfying a predetermined condition to the sensor base unit CP in a case where the information is measured. The sensors Cj can be of a type that transmits, to the sensor base unit CP, information measured in response to a request from the sensor base unit CP. 
     The sensor base unit CP receives information that has been measured by each sensor Cj and that is indicative of an external state of a piece of equipment Mi. Note that the point in time at which the sensor base unit CP receives the information from the sensor Cj depends on the above-described types of the sensor Cj. The sensor base unit CP stores the information received from the sensor Cj in a memory (not illustrated) of the sensor base unit CP such that the information is associated with identification information of the sensor Cj. 
     The sensor base unit CP is connected to the gateway  10  via the LAN  9001 . In response to a request from the gateway  10 , the sensor base unit CP reads, from the memory, information measured by a sensor Cj directed to by the request and transmits the information which has been read to the gateway  10 . The information which is transmitted is information that is measured by the sensor Cj between a previous request from the gateway  10  and a current request from the gateway  10 . 
     In Embodiment 1, the production line  9  has a single sensor base unit CP. However, the production line  9  can include a plurality of sensor base units configured similarly to the sensor base unit CP. In such a case, each sensor Cj is connected to any one of the plurality of sensor base units. Further, at least one of the plurality of sensor base units can be connected to a wireless sensor network that is different from a wireless sensor network to which at least one of the other sensor base units is connected. Further, at least one of the plurality of sensor base units can communicate with a sensor Cj with use of a protocol different from a protocol used by at least one of the other sensor base units. 
     (Hardware Configuration of Gateway  10 ) 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the gateway  10 . The gateway  10  includes a computer having a processor  101 , a main memory  102 , an auxiliary memory  103 , a communication interface  104 , and a communication interface  105 . The main memory  102  and the auxiliary memory  103  are examples of a memory included in a gateway in the present invention. The communication interface  104  is an example of the following communication interfaces in the present invention: a communication interface that is included in the gateway and that communicates with a controller; and a communication interface that is included in the gateway and that communicates with a sensor without being intermediated by the controller. The communication interface  105  is an example of a communication interface that is included in the gateway and that communicates with the sensor in the present invention. 
     The processor  101 , the main memory  102 , the auxiliary memory  103 , the communication interface  104 , and the communication interface  105  are connected to one another via a bus  109 . As the processor  101 , for example, a single or a plurality of microprocessors, a single or a plurality of digital signal processors, a single or a plurality of microcontrollers, or a combination thereof can be used. As the main memory  102 , for example, a single or a plurality of semiconductor random access memories (RAMs) can be used. As the auxiliary memory  103 , for example, a single or a plurality of hard disk drives (HDDs), a single or a plurality of solid state drives (SSDs), or a combination thereof can be used. Part or all of the auxiliary memory  103  can be a storage on a network which storage is connected via the communication interface  104  or  105 . The communication interface  104  is connected to the WAN  1001  such as the Internet. The communication interface  105  is connected to the LAN  9001  which is wireless or wired. 
     The auxiliary memory  103  stores a program P 10  for causing the processor  101  to carry out a process S 10  (described later) of the gateway  10 . The processor  101  carries out steps included in the process S 10  by causing the program P 10  stored in the auxiliary memory  103  to be loaded in the main memory  102  and executing instructions contained in the program P 10  loaded in the main memory  102 . Further, the auxiliary memory  103  stores various pieces of data to which the processor  101  refers so as to carry out the process S 10 . 
     Note that the above description has discussed a mode in which the processor  101  carries out the process S 10  in accordance with the program P 10  stored in the auxiliary memory  103  which is an internal storage medium, but the present invention is not limited to this mode. For example, a mode can be alternatively employed in which the processor  101  carries out the process S 10  in accordance with the program P 10  stored in an external storage medium. In this case, the external storage medium can be a computer-readable “non-transitory tangible medium” such as a tape, a disk, a card, a semiconductor memory, or a programmable logic circuit. Alternatively, a mode can be employed in which the processor  101  carries out the process S 10  in accordance with the program P 10  obtained from the network connected via the communication interface  104  or  105 . 
     The above description has discussed a mode in which the gateway  10  is realized using a single computer, but the present invention is not limited to this mode. That is, a mode can be alternatively employed in which the gateway  10  is realized using a plurality of computers configured to be communicable with each other. In this case, the steps of the process S 10  can be carried out in parallel by these computers. 
     (Overview of Functions of Gateway  10 ) 
     The gateway  10  has a function of obtaining, from each controller Pi, information indicative of an internal state of a piece of equipment Mi. To this end, the gateway  10  transmits and receives information to and from the controller Pi in accordance with a connection protocol with which the controller Pi is compatible. 
     Further, the gateway  10  has a function of obtaining, from each sensor Cj, information indicative of an external state of a piece of equipment Mi. To this end, the gateway  10  transmits and receives information to and from the sensor base unit CP in accordance with a connection protocol with which the sensor base unit CP is compatible. 
     The gateway  10  has a function of obtaining, from each controller Pi and each sensor Cj, pieces of information respectively indicative of an internal state and an external state of a piece of equipment Mi and transmitting the pieces of information thus obtained to the server  20 . Hereinafter, obtaining these pieces of information may be referred to as collecting. A collection process is carried out in accordance with collection setting data (described later). 
     (Information Stored in Gateway  10 ) 
     The gateway  10  stores the collection setting data in the auxiliary memory  103 . The collection setting data is received from the server  20 . Details of the collection setting data will be discussed later. 
     (Hardware Configuration of Server  20 ) 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the server  20 . The server  20  includes a computer including a controller  200  and a communication interface  204 . The controller  200  includes a processor  201 , a main memory  202 , and an auxiliary memory  203 . The main memory  202  and the auxiliary memory  203  are examples of a memory included in a server in the present invention. The communication interface  204  is an example of a communication interface included in the server in the present invention. 
     The processor  201 , the main memory  202 , the auxiliary memory  203 , and the communication interface  204  are connected to one another via a bus  209 . As the processor  201 , for example, a single or a plurality of microprocessors, a single or a plurality of digital signal processors, a single or a plurality of microcontrollers, or a combination thereof can be used. As the main memory  202 , for example, a single or a plurality of semiconductor RAMs can be used. As the auxiliary memory  203 , for example, a single or a plurality of HDDs, a single or a plurality of SSDs, or a combination thereof can be used. Part or all of the auxiliary memory  203  can be a storage on a network which storage is connected via the communication interface  204 . The communication interface  204  is connected to the WAN  1001 . 
     The auxiliary memory  203  stores programs P 20 _ 1  and P 20 _ 2  for causing the processor  201  to carry out processes S 20 _ 1  and S 20 _ 2  (described later) of the server  20 . The processor  201  causes the programs P 20 _ 1  and P 20 _ 2  stored in the auxiliary memory  203  to be loaded in the main memory  202  and executes instructions contained in the programs P 20 _ 1  and P 20 _ 2  loaded in the main memory  202 . The processor  201  thus carries out steps included in each of the processes S 20 _ 1  and S 20 _ 2 . Further, the auxiliary memory  203  stores various pieces of data to which the processor  201  refers so as to carry out the processes S 20 _ 1  and S 20 _ 2 . 
     The communication interface  204  is connected to the gateway  10  and the terminal  30  via the WAN  1001 . 
     Note that the above description has discussed a mode in which the processor  201  carries out the processes S 20 _ 1  and S 20 _ 2  in accordance with the programs P 20 _ 1  and P 20 _ 2  stored in the auxiliary memory  203  which is an internal storage medium, but the present invention is not limited to this mode. That is, a mode can be alternatively employed in which the processor  201  carries out the processes S 20 _ 1  and S 20 _ 2  in accordance with the programs P 20 _ 1  and P 20 _ 2  stored in an external storage medium. In this case, the external storage medium can be a computer-readable “non-transitory tangible medium” such as a tape, a disk, a card, a semiconductor memory, or a programmable logic circuit. Alternatively, a mode can be employed in which the processor  201  carries out the processes S 20 _ 1  and S 20 _ 2  in accordance with the programs P 20 _ 1  and P 20 _ 2  obtained from the network connected via the communication interface  204 . 
     The above description has discussed a mode in which the server  20  is realized using a single computer, but the present invention is not limited to this mode. That is, a mode can be alternatively employed in which the server  20  is realized using a plurality of computers configured to be communicable with each other. In this case, the steps of each of the processes S 20 _ 1  and S 20 _ 2  can be carried out in parallel by these computers. 
     (Overview of Functions of Server  20 ) 
     The server  20  has a function of accumulating information indicative of an internal state and information indicative of an external state collected for each piece of equipment M. 
     Further, the server  20  has a function of combining and outputting information indicative of an internal state of each piece of equipment M and information indicative of an external state of the piece of equipment M. Combining and outputting can mean outputting statistical information pertaining to the information indicative of the internal state and the information indicative of the external state of the piece of equipment Mi. Combining and outputting can mean that the information indicative of the internal state and the information indicative of the external state of the piece of equipment Mi are outputted so as to be included in the same screen. As an example of combining and outputting, the total number of (i) the number of outputs of an alarm based on the information indicative of the internal state of the piece of equipment Mi and (ii) the number of outputs of an alarm based on the information indicative of the external state of the piece of equipment Mi can be outputted. As another example of combining and outputting, a graph representing a change with time in the information indicative of the internal state of the piece of equipment Mi and a graph representing change with time in the information indicative of the external state of the piece of equipment Mi can be superimposed with respect to a common time axis. As another example of combining and outputting, the information indicative of the internal state of the piece of equipment Mi and the information indicative of the external state of the piece of equipment Mi can be superimposed on an appearance image of the piece of equipment Mi, at positions corresponding to the respective states. Specific examples of these examples will be discussed later. 
     Further, the server  20  has a function of outputting, for each piece of equipment Mi, a tendency in which a maintenance alarm (described later) is outputted and a tendency in which an equipment alarm (described later) is outputted. That the maintenance alarm or the equipment alarm is outputted can mean that the maintenance alarm or the equipment alarm is outputted to an output device, or can mean that the maintenance alarm or the equipment alarm is transmitted to a predetermined contact address (e.g., email address, telephone number, or the like) by a predetermined communication means (e.g., email, telephone, facsimile, or the like). Further, the tendency in which each of the maintenance alarm and the equipment alarm is outputted is represented by, for example, but not limited to, statistical information such as the total number of outputs; a change with time in physical quantity that causes the alarm to be outputted; and the like. Hereinafter, a tendency in which an alarm is outputted may be referred to as a tendency of generation of an alarm. 
     The server  20  also has a function of obtaining the collection setting data, which indicates what kind of information should be collected as information indicative of an internal state of each piece of equipment Mi and what kind of information should be collected as information indicative of an external state of each piece of equipment Mi. 
     The server  20  also has a function of obtaining alarm setting data in which, for each piece of equipment Mi, a determination condition for determining a state of each piece of equipment Mi and a type indicative of one of the maintenance alarm and the equipment alarm are associated with each other. Hereinafter, a determination condition associated with a type “maintenance alarm” may be referred to as a determination condition for the maintenance alarm. The determination condition for the maintenance alarm corresponds to a first condition in the present invention. Further, a determination condition associated with a type “equipment alarm” may be referred to as a determination condition for the equipment alarm. The determination condition for the equipment alarm corresponds to a second condition in the present invention. 
     (Maintenance Alarm) 
     Note here that the maintenance alarm is an alarm that prompts maintenance of a piece of equipment Mi. The maintenance alarm corresponds to a first alarm in the present invention. Specifically, the maintenance alarm indicates that it is recommended to carry out a maintenance not related to abnormality in the piece of equipment. Examples of the maintenance not related to abnormality in a piece of equipment include, but are not limited to, adjustment and replacement of a component, supply of consumables, and the like. The maintenance alarm serves as a signal to maintain a piece of equipment Mi. 
     For example, the following are specific examples of the maintenance alarm in a molding machine in a casting facility. A maintenance alarm that indicates that a time of use of a liner has exceeded a threshold is an alarm for prompting inspection or replacement of the liner. A maintenance alarm that indicates that a remaining amount of consumables has become lower than a threshold is an alarm for prompting supply of consumables. A maintenance alarm that indicates that an interval between supplies of oil to a bearing has exceeded a threshold is an alarm for prompting inspection or supply of oil. A maintenance alarm that indicates that a tendency of a load current value of a motor is abnormal is an alarm for prompting inspection or replacement of the motor. 
     As the determination condition for the maintenance alarm, a condition for determining whether or not a state of the piece of equipment Mi is a state in which maintenance is recommended is set. Examples of the determination condition for the maintenance alarm include, but are not limited to, a condition that an elapsed time of running become greater than a threshold and a condition that a sensor value indicative of a remaining amount of consumables become lower than a threshold. In a case where information indicative of a state of the piece of equipment Mi satisfies the determination condition for the maintenance alarm, the server  20  outputs a maintenance alarm and stores the information in the auxiliary memory  203 . 
     The maintenance alarm can be outputted stepwise according to necessity of maintenance. In other words, the determination condition for the maintenance alarm can be set stepwise according to necessity of maintenance. The number of steps of the maintenance alarm can be one (i.e., no step is set) or more than one. 
     Further, for example, the maintenance alarm can be outputted at a predetermined point in time regardless of whether or not the determination condition for the maintenance alarm has been satisfied. The predetermined point in time can be, for example, based on a predetermined schedule, periodic, or in accordance with an instruction given by an input action. For example, periodical output of the maintenance alarm can prompt a user to carry out periodic maintenance. Output of the maintenance alarm at a point in time in accordance with an instruction given by an input action can prompt a user to carry out special maintenance. 
     (Equipment Alarm) 
     The equipment alarm is an alarm that indicates occurrence of abnormality or a sign of abnormality in a piece of equipment Mi. The equipment alarm corresponds to a second alarm in the present invention. The piece of equipment Mi has a function of stopping itself so as to prevent failure of the piece of equipment Mi, in a case where an event that indicates abnormality occurs in the piece of equipment Mi. The equipment alarm indicates such a stoppage of the piece of equipment Mi (abnormal) or occurrence of an event that can lead to the stoppage (sign). The equipment alarm serves to notify occurrence of abnormality in the piece of equipment Mi or serves to notify a warning at a stage prior to the occurrence of abnormality. 
     For example, the following are specific examples of the equipment alarm in a molding machine in a casting facility. For example, an equipment alarm that indicates abnormal thermal trip of a motor or a sign of the abnormal thermal trip requires removal of a foreign matter or replacement of the motor. An equipment alarm that indicates an abnormality of an upward end of a cylinder or a sign of the abnormality requires removal of a foreign matter or supply of oil. An equipment alarm that indicates slippage of a belt or a sign of the slippage requires adjustment of a tension of the belt. An equipment alarm that indicates an abnormality in a filter or a sign of the abnormality requires replacement of the filter. 
     As the determination condition for the equipment alarm, a condition for determining whether or not a state of the piece of equipment Mi indicates an abnormality or a sign of the abnormality is set. Examples of the determination condition for the equipment alarm include, but are not limited to, a condition that a temperature of a predetermined portion of the piece of equipment Mi become greater than (or lower than) a threshold and a condition that a flow rate of a fluid flowing inside the piece of equipment Mi become greater than (or lower than) a threshold. In a case where information indicative of a state of the piece of equipment Mi satisfies the determination condition for the equipment alarm, the server  20  outputs an equipment alarm and stores the information in the auxiliary memory  203 . 
     The equipment alarm can be outputted stepwise according to a possibility of occurrence of abnormality in the piece of equipment. For example, it is assumed that the piece of equipment Mi stops when a physical quantity indicating an abnormality in the piece of equipment Mi exceeds a threshold α 1 . In this case, it is also assumed that a condition that the physical quantity become greater than α 1  and a condition that the physical quantity become greater than α 2 , which is less than α 1 , are set as the determination condition for the equipment alarm. At this time, an equipment alarm that is outputted when the physical quantity becomes greater than the threshold α 2  indicates a sign of abnormality in the piece of equipment Mi. An equipment alarm that is outputted when the physical quantity becomes greater than the threshold α 1  indicates abnormality in the piece of equipment Mi. The number of steps of the equipment alarm can be one (i.e., no step is set) or more than one. 
     (Information Stored in Server  20 ) 
     The server  20  stores, in the auxiliary memory  203 , configuration data pertaining to a configuration of the production line  9 , the collection setting data, and the alarm setting data. Details of the collection setting data and the alarm setting data will be discussed later. The following will describe specific examples of the configuration data. 
       FIG. 4  is a diagram showing an example of the configuration data of the production line  9 . The configuration data includes information pertaining to each piece of equipment Mi and information pertaining to each sensor Cj. 
     Each row shown in (a) of  FIG. 4  represents information pertaining to a piece of equipment Mi. The information pertaining to each piece of equipment Mi includes: identification information “equipment name” of the piece of equipment Mi; a network address of a controller Pi included in the piece of equipment Mi; a connection protocol with which the controller Pi is compatible; identification information “component name” of a component of the piece of equipment Mi; and identification information of a relevant file  1  and of a relevant file  2 . In the above example, for example, the network address of the controller Pi included in the piece of equipment M 1  is “address  1 ”, and the connection protocol with which the controller Pi is compatible is “protocol A”. Further, the piece of equipment M 1  includes a component A and a component B. A manual A is registered as the relevant file  1  and an appearance image A is registered as the relevant file  2  for the piece of equipment M 1 . 
     Each row shown in (b) of  FIG. 4  represents information pertaining to a sensor Cj. The information pertaining to each sensor Cj includes: identification information “sensor name” of the sensor Cj; a network address of a sensor base unit CP to which the sensor Cj is connected; and a connection protocol with which the sensor base unit CP is compatible. In the above example, for example, the sensor C 1  is connected to a sensor base unit CP having a network address “address  10 ”. A connection protocol with which the sensor base unit CP is compatible is “protocol C”. 
     The configuration data of the production line  9  is not limited to the information shown in (a) and (b) of  FIG. 4 , and can include other information. 
     (Hardware Configuration of Terminal  30 ) 
       FIG. 5  is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the terminal  30 . The terminal  30  includes a computer having a processor  301 , a main memory  302 , an auxiliary memory  303 , a communication interface  304 , and an input-output interface  305 . 
     The processor  301 , the main memory  302 , the auxiliary memory  303 , the communication interface  304 , and the input-output interface  305  are connected to one another via a bus  309 . As the processor  301 , for example, a single or a plurality of microprocessors, a single or a plurality of digital signal processors, a single or a plurality of microcontrollers, or a combination thereof can be used. As the main memory  302 , for example, a single or a plurality of semiconductor RAMs can be used. As the auxiliary memory  303 , for example, a single or a plurality of HDDs, a single or a plurality of SSDs, or a combination thereof can be used. Part or all of the auxiliary memory  303  can be a storage on a network which storage is connected via the communication interface  304  or  305 . The communication interface  304  is connected to the WAN  1001 . As the input-output interface  305 , for example, a universal serial bus (USB) interface, an interface for near field wireless communication such as infrared and Bluetooth (registered trademark), or a combination thereof can be used. 
     An input device  310  and an output device  320  are connected to the input-output interface  305 . As the input device  310 , for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch pad, a microphone, or a combination thereof can be used. As the output device  320 , for example, a display, a printer, a speaker, or a combination thereof can be used. For example, like a laptop personal computer, the terminal  30  can include a keyboard and a touch pad functioning as the input device  310  and a display functioning as the output device  320 . The terminal  30  can include a touch panel functioning as the input device  310  and the output device  320 , like a smartphone, a tablet computer, or the like. 
     The auxiliary memory  303  stores a program P 30  for causing the processor  301  to carry out a process of the terminal  30 . The processor  301  causes the program P 30  stored in the auxiliary memory  303  to be loaded in the main memory  302  and executes instructions contained in the program P 30  loaded in the main memory  302 . Further, the auxiliary memory  303  stores various pieces of data to which the processor  301  refers so as to carry out the process of the terminal  30 . 
     Note that the above description has discussed a mode in which the processor  301  operates in accordance with the program P 30  stored in the auxiliary memory  303  which is an internal storage medium, but the present invention is not limited to this mode. For example, a mode can be alternatively employed in which the processor  301  operates in accordance with the program P 30  stored in an external storage medium. In this case, the external storage medium can be a computer-readable “non-transitory tangible medium” such as a tape, a disk, a card, a semiconductor memory, or a programmable logic circuit. Alternatively, a mode can be employed in which the processor  301  operates in accordance with the program P 30  obtained from the network connected via the communication interface  304  or  305 . 
     The above description has discussed a mode in which the terminal  30  is realized using a single computer, but the present invention is not limited to this mode. That is, a mode can be alternatively employed in which the terminal  30  is realized using a plurality of computers configured to be communicable with each other. 
     (Overview of Functions of Terminal  30 ) 
     The terminal  30  has a function of receiving, from the server  20 , information in which information indicative of an internal state and information indicative of an external state of a piece of equipment Mi are combined and outputting the information thus received to the output device  320 . The terminal  30  also has a function of obtaining, from the input device  310 , information for setting the collection setting data and the alarm setting data and transmitting the information to the server  20 . 
     &lt;Flow of Process Carried Out by Information Processing System&gt; 
     The following description will discuss a flow of a process carried out by the information processing system  1  configured as described above. 
     (Process of Collecting and Displaying Information Indicative of State of Each Piece of Equipment Mi) 
       FIG. 6  is a flowchart for explaining a flow of a process in which the information processing system  1  collects information indicative of a state of each piece of equipment Mi and combines and displays the information. In  FIG. 6 , the left part shows the process S 10  of the server, the right part shows the process S 20 _ 1  of the gateway, and the dashed arrow connecting the right and left parts indicate flows of data. 
     In Step S 101 , the server  20  carries out a process of obtaining the collection setting data. As an example, the collection setting data includes: identification information of information indicative of an internal state and to be received from the controller Pi; and a point in time at which the information is to be received. As another example, the collection setting data includes: identification information of information indicative of an external state and to be received from the sensor Cj; and a point in time at which the information is to be obtained. The point in time at which the information is to be obtained is represented by information indicative of predetermined intervals such as one second intervals or ten second intervals. 
     The collection setting data is set on the basis of information inputted by a user. For example, the server  20  transmits, to the terminal  30 , a setting screen for setting the collection setting data, and the terminal  30  displays the setting screen on a display serving as the output device  320 . The terminal  30  transmits, to the server  20 , information inputted to the setting screen via the input device  310 , and the server  20  obtains the collection setting data on the basis of the information which has been received. Details of specific examples of the collection setting screen and the alarm setting data will be discussed later. 
     In Step S 102 , the server  20  transmits the collection setting data to the gateway  10 . 
     In Step S 103 , the gateway  10  stores, in the auxiliary memory  103 , the collection setting data which has been received. 
     In Step S 104 , the server  20  transmits, to the gateway  10 , information instructing to start collection. The gateway  10  starts collecting information from the controllers Pi and the sensors Cj in accordance with the collection setting data. 
     In Step S 105 , the gateway  10  receives, from each controller Pi in accordance with the collection setting data, information obtained by the controller Pi and indicative of an internal state of a piece of equipment Mi. The received information is stored in the auxiliary memory  103  while being associated with time and date of reception. Details of the process of this step will be discussed later. 
     In Step S 106 , the gateway  10  receives, via the sensor base unit CP in accordance with the collection setting data, information measured by each controller Pi and indicative of an external state of a piece of equipment Mi. The received information is stored in the auxiliary memory  103  while being associated with time and date of reception. Details of the process of this step will be discussed later. 
     In Step S 107 , the gateway  10  determines whether now is a point in time at which the information indicative of the internal state and the information indicative of the external state of each piece of equipment Mi are to be transmitted to the server  20 . For example, when a predetermined period (for example, one minute, five minutes, or the like) has passed, the gateway  10  can determine that now is the point in time. For example, when a volume of information stored in the auxiliary memory  103  in Steps S 105  and S 106  after a previous point in time for transmission has become greater than a predetermined amount, the gateway  10  can determine that now is the timing. Note that when other conditions are satisfied, the gateway  10  can determine that now is the timing. If No in Step S 107 , the processes from Step S 105  are repeated. If Yes in Step S 107 , a process of the next Step S 108  is carried out. 
     In Step S 108 , the gateway  10  carries out a process of transmitting, to the server  20 , the information indicative of the internal state and the information indicative of the external state of each piece of equipment Mi. The information which is transmitted is information stored in the auxiliary memory  103  in Steps S 105  and S 106  after the process of this step was carried out last. 
     In Step S 109 , the server  20  causes the information indicative of the internal state and the information indicative of the external state of each piece of equipment Mi, each of which has been received from the gateway  10 , to be stored in the auxiliary memory  203  while being associated with time and date of reception. 
     In Step S 110 , the server  20  carries out a process of combining and outputting, for each piece of equipment Mi, the information indicative of the internal state and the information indicative of the external state stored in the auxiliary memory  203 . In so doing, the server  20  can combine, on the basis of time and date of reception, the information indicative of the internal state and the information indicative of the external state stored in the auxiliary memory  203 . For example, an example of combining on the basis of time and date of reception can be a process of outputting statistical information of information indicative of an internal state and information indicative of an external state which were received during a predetermined period (e.g., the past one day, the past one week, or the like). Another example can be a process of making a graph in which changes with time are superimposed with respect to a common time axis. Another example can be a process of showing a time-series list. However, examples of combining on the basis of time and date of reception are not limited to the above processes. 
     Note that the process of Step S 110  need not be carried out subsequent to Step S 109  each time Step S 109  is carried out. Specifically, the process of Step S 109  is carried out each time the information indicative of the internal state and the information indicative of the external state of each piece of equipment Mi are received from the gateway  10 . This causes the information indicative of the internal state and the information indicative of the external state of each piece of equipment Mi to be accumulated in the auxiliary memory  203 . The process of Step S 110  is carried out on the basis of the information accumulated in the auxiliary memory  203  at a predetermined point in time. The predetermined point in time can be, for example, predetermined intervals (e.g., every 5 minutes) or the like, a point in time when a request is made by the terminal  30 , or a point in time that satisfies other conditions. 
     In Step S 111 , the server  20  determines whether or not to stop the collection on the basis of whether or not a condition for stopping the collection has been satisfied. For example, when the server  20  receives, from the terminal  30 , information that requests to reset the collection setting data, the server  20  determines that the collection be stopped. For example, when the server  20  receives information that indicates that the production line  9  is not operating, the server  20  determines that the collection be stopped. If No in Step S 111 , the processes from Step S 109  are repeated. If Yes in Step S 111 , a process of the next Step S 112  is carried out. 
     In Step S 112 , the server  20  transmits, to the gateway  10 , information instructing to stop the collection. 
     In Step S 113 , the gateway  10  determines whether or not the information instructing to stop the collection has been received. If No in Step S 113 , the gateway  10  repeats the processes from Step S 105 . If Yes in Step S 113 , the gateway  10  repeats the processes from Step S 103 . 
     Specific Example of Screen Displayed in Step S 101   
     The following description will discuss, with reference to a specific example, the setting screen of the collection setting data displayed in Step S 101 . Here, in Step S 101 , an example will be described in which a setting screen G 1  and a setting screen G 2  are displayed. The setting screen G 1  is a screen that accepts settings related to information indicative of the internal state. The setting screen G 2  is a screen that accepts settings related to information indicative of the external state. 
     In this specific example, each of the information indicative of the internal state and the information indicative of the external state to be collected for the n pieces of equipment Mi is identified by identification information called “tag”. Hereinafter, data collected for information identified by a tag is also referred to as collected data of the tag. 
     (a) of  FIG. 7  is a diagram illustrating an example of the setting screen G 1 . The setting screen G 1  includes: fields G 101  through G 106  in which an equipment name, a tag name, a device name, unit conversion, a unit, and a collection cycle can be entered, respectively; a registration button G 111 ; and a return button G 112 . Note that the fields G 101  through G 106  can be provided with input support functions such as a function of displaying a selection list and a function of restricting an input character type. 
     The field G 101  for the equipment name is a UI object in which identification information of any piece of equipment Mi contained in the configuration data of the production line  9  is entered. In Embodiment 1, one controller Pi is included in the piece of equipment Mi. Therefore, when identification information of the piece of equipment Mi is entered, a controller Pi which is to collect information indicative of the internal state is specified. 
     The field G 102  for the tag name is a UI object in which identification information of the information collected from the corresponding piece of equipment Mi is entered. 
     The field G 103  for the device name is a UI object in which identification information of a device for which the corresponding information indicative of the internal state is stored in the controller Pi is entered. 
     The field G 104  for the unit conversion is a UI object in which a conversion rule for converting a unit of information collected from the corresponding device into another unit is entered. The conversion rule is represented by, for example, a formula. 
     The field G 105  for the unit is a UI object in which information indicative of a unit which has been subjected to the unit conversion based on the conversion rule is entered. 
     The field G 106  for the collection cycle is a UI object in which a cycle of collecting the corresponding information indicative of the internal state is entered. For example, the collection cycle can be entered in any of units such as seconds, minutes, and hours. 
     The setting screen G 1  is transmitted to the terminal  30  from the server  20  in response to a request from the terminal  30  and is displayed on the display serving as the output device  320 . Information entered in the setting screen G 1  with the input device  310  is transmitted from the terminal  30  to the server  20  in response to an action on the registration button G 111 . The information is then stored in the auxiliary memory  203  as setting data of the information indicative of the internal state. Based on the setting data, collection setting data which is to be transmitted from the server  20  to the gateway  10  is generated. When an action on the return button G 112  has been accepted, display of the setting screen G 1  terminates without transmission of information entered in the setting screen G 1  to the server  20 . 
     (b) of  FIG. 7  is a diagram illustrating an example of setting data of information indicative of the internal state stored in the auxiliary memory  203 . In this case, for example, information set in association with identification information “tag T 11 ” is as follows. That is, the set information represents that a value stored in a device “data register D 01 ” is collected from a controller P 1  included in the piece of equipment M 1  in a collection cycle of 30 seconds, and the collected value is subjected to unit conversion based on a formula 1 so as to be expressed in a unit  1 . Similar descriptions apply to the tags T 12 , T 13 , and T 14 . Hereinafter, tags of information indicative of the internal state collected from the controller Pi will be described with reference signs T 1   k  (k=1, 2, 3 . . . ). 
     (a) of  FIG. 8  is a diagram illustrating an example of the setting screen G 2 . The setting screen G 2  includes: fields G 201  through G 206  in which an equipment name, a tag name, a sensor name, unit conversion, a unit, and a collection cycle can be entered, respectively; a registration button G 211 ; and a return button G 212 . The fields G 201  through G 206  can be provided with the above described input support functions, as with the setting screen G 1 . 
     The fields G 201 , G 202 , and G 204  through G 206  for the equipment name, the tag name, the unit conversion, the unit, and the collection cycle are similar to those of the fields having the same names included in the setting screen G 1 , and therefore descriptions thereof are omitted. 
     The field G 203  for the sensor name is a UI object in which identification information of any sensor Cj contained in the configuration data of the production line  9  is entered. In Embodiment 1, when the identification information of the piece of equipment Mi and the identification information of the sensor Cj are entered in the setting screen G 2 , the sensor Cj is registered as accompanying the piece of equipment Mi. 
     The setting screen G 2  is transmitted to the terminal  30  from the server  20  in response to a request from the terminal  30  and is displayed on the display serving as the output device  320 . Information entered in the setting screen G 2  with the input device  310  is transmitted from the terminal  30  to the server  20  in response to an action on the registration button G 211 . The information is then stored in the auxiliary memory  203  as setting data of the information indicative of the external state. Based on the setting data, collection setting data which is to be transmitted from the server  20  to the gateway  10  is generated. When an action on the return button G 212  has been accepted, display of the setting screen G 1  terminates without transmission of information entered in the setting screen G 1  to the server  20 . 
     (b) of  FIG. 8  is a diagram illustrating an example of setting data of information indicative of the external state stored in the auxiliary memory  203 . In this case, for example, it is set that a value measured by a “sensor C 1 ” accompanying the piece of equipment M 1  is collected in a collection cycle of 1 second in association with identification information “tag T 21 ”, and the collected value is subjected to unit conversion based on a formula 4 so as to be expressed in a unit  4 . Similar descriptions apply to the tags T 22  and T 23 . Hereinafter, tags of information indicative of the external state collected from the sensor Cj will be described with reference signs T 2   k  (k=1, 2, 3 . . . ). 
     Specific Example of Information Transmitted in Step S 102   
       FIG. 9  is a diagram illustrating a specific example of collection setting data transmitted from the server  20  to the gateway  10  in Step S 102 . In  FIG. 9 , the collection setting data contains pieces of information which are a tag name, a network address, a device name or a sensor name, a connection protocol, unit conversion, and a collection cycle. The collection setting data is generated based on the setting data illustrated in each of (b) of  FIG. 7  and (b) of  FIG. 8 . Here, the setting data illustrated in each of (b) of  FIG. 7  and (b) of  FIG. 8  contains information necessary for the collection process (e.g., “network address”) and information necessary for the display process (e.g., “unit”). With the configuration, the server  20  extracts information necessary for the collection process from the setting data illustrated in each of (b) of  FIG. 7  and (b) of  FIG. 8  to generate the collection setting data illustrated in  FIG. 9 , and then transmits the collection setting data to the gateway  10 . 
     For example, the gateway  10  communicates with a controller Pi at an address  1  using a protocol A in accordance with the first line of the collection setting data, and collects the information of the data register D 01  every seconds. Then, the gateway  10  causes the collected information, which has been subjected to the unit conversion based on the formula 1, to be stored in the auxiliary memory  103  while being associated with time and date of collection as collected data of the tag T 11 . Similarly, the gateway  10  causes collected data and time and date of collection of tags T 12  through T 14  and T 21  through T 23  to be stored in the auxiliary memory  103 . Then, at a predetermined point in time for transmission, the gateway  10  transmits, to the server  20 , the collected data and the time and date of collection of the tags T 11  through T 14  and T 21  through T 23  stored in the auxiliary memory  103 . 
     (Details of Process in Step S 105 ) 
     The following description will discuss details of a process in Step S 105 .  FIG. 10  is a flowchart showing a specific example of a detailed flow of a process of collecting information indicative of the internal state in Step S 105 . In  FIG. 10 , the left part shows operation of the gateway  10 , and the right part shows operation of the controller Pi. The dashed arrows connecting the right and left parts indicate flows of data. 
     The gateway  10  carries out actions of Steps S 131  through S 134  for each of tags associated with the network address of the controller Pi in the collection setting data received from the server  20 . 
     In Step S 131 , the gateway  10  refers to the collection setting data to determine whether it is a collection cycle associated with the corresponding tag. If No in Step S 131 , the process related to the tag ends. If Yes in Step S 131 , a process of the next Step S 132  is carried out. 
     In Step S 132 , the gateway  10  refers to the collection setting data and transmits, to the controller Pi at the corresponding network address, information specifying a device in which information indicative of the internal state of the piece of equipment Mi is stored. 
     In Step S 133 , data stored in the specified device is read and transmitted to the gateway  10 . 
     In Step S 134 , the gateway  10  causes the received information to be stored in the auxiliary memory  103  while being associated with identification information and time and date of collection of the corresponding tag. 
     After completing the processes of Steps S 131  through S 134  for each of the corresponding tags, the gateway  10  repeats the processes of Steps S 131  through S 134  for each of the corresponding tags. 
     (Details of Process in Step S 106 ) 
     The following description will discuss details of a process in Step S 106 .  FIG. 11  is a flowchart showing a specific example of a detailed flow of a process of collecting information indicative of the external state in Step S 106 . In  FIG. 11 , the left part shows operation of the gateway  10 , the middle part shows operation of the sensor base unit CP, and the right part shows operation of the sensor. The dashed arrows connecting the right and left parts indicate flows of data. 
     The gateway  10  carries out actions of Steps S 141  through S 146  for each of tags associated with the network address of the sensor base unit CP in the collection setting data received from the server  20 . 
     In Step S 141 , the gateway  10  refers to the collection setting data to determine whether it is a collection cycle associated with the corresponding tag. If No in Step S 141 , the process related to the tag ends. If Yes in Step S 141 , a process of the next Step S 142  is carried out. 
     In Step S 142 , the gateway  10  requests, from the sensor base unit CP, information measured by a sensor Cj indicated by the corresponding tag as information indicative of the external state of the piece of equipment Mi. 
     In Step S 143 , the sensor base unit CP requests the measured information from the sensor Cj which relates to said request. The process of this step is carried out in a case where the corresponding sensor Cj is of a type which transmits measured information in response to a request from the sensor base unit CP. In a case where the corresponding sensor Cj is of a type which measures information and transmits the information to the sensor base unit CP in a predetermined cycle or of a type which transmits measured information to the sensor base unit CP if the information satisfies a predetermined condition, the process of this step is omitted. 
     In Step S 144 , the corresponding sensor Cj transmits the measured information to the sensor base unit CP. The process of this step is carried out in response to the request in Step S 143  in a case where the corresponding sensor Cj is of a type which transmits measured information in response to a request from the sensor base unit CP. In a case where the corresponding sensor Cj is of a type which measures information and transmits the information to the sensor base unit CP in a predetermined cycle or of a type which transmits measured information to the sensor base unit CP if the information satisfies a predetermined condition, the process of this step is carried out when necessary at a corresponding point in time. In this case, the measured information is accumulated in a memory of the sensor base unit CP. 
     In Step S 145 , the sensor base unit CP transmits the information measured by the sensor Cj to the gateway  10 . 
     In Step S 146 , the gateway  10  causes the received information to be stored in the auxiliary memory  103  while being associated with identification information and time and date of collection of the corresponding tag. 
     After completing the processes of Steps S 141  through S 146  for each of the corresponding tags, the gateway  10  repeats the processes of Steps S 141  through S 146  for each of the corresponding tags. 
     Specific Example of Screen Displayed in Step S 110   
     The following description will discuss a specific example of a screen displayed on the display serving as the output device  320  in Step S 110 . Each of  FIGS. 12 through 16  shows a specific example of a screen in which information indicative of the internal state and information indicative of the external state are combined together for each piece of equipment Mi. Hereinafter, information obtained by combining the information indicative of the internal state and the information indicative of the external state is simply referred to as “combined information”. 
     (Main Screen) 
       FIG. 12  is a diagram illustrating a main screen G 3  which includes combined information for each of a plurality of pieces of equipment Mi. Through the main screen G 3 , the user can look through pieces of combined information for the respective plurality of pieces of equipment Mi. 
     In  FIG. 12 , the main screen G 3  includes an area G 301   a , an area G 301   b , an area G 301   c , and an area G 301   d . The area G 301   a  contains combined information pertaining to the piece of equipment M 1 . The area G 301   b  contains combined information pertaining to the piece of equipment M 2 . The area G 301   c  contains combined information pertaining to the piece of equipment M 3 . The area G 301   d  contains combined information pertaining to the piece of equipment M 4 . 
     The area G 301   a  include a tag area G 302   a , an operating state area G 303   a , an equipment alarm area G 304   a , a maintenance alarm area G 305   a , and a button G 306   a . The areas G 301   b  through G 301   d  include tag areas G 302   b  through G 302   d , operating state areas G 303   b  through G 303   d , equipment alarm areas G 304   b  through G 304   d , maintenance alarm areas G 305   b  through G 305   d , and buttons G 306   b  through G 306   d , respectively, as with the area G 301   a . Hereinafter, in cases where it is not particularly necessary to distinguish the reference signs G 301  through G 306  to which any of a to d is attached as a suffix letter, the reference signs will be simply referred to as G 301  through G 306 . 
     The tag area G 302  is an area in which collected data of any of tags collected for the corresponding piece of equipment Mi is displayed. In this example, for example, the tag area G 302   a  displays collected data which is 67.8 (° C.) for the tag T 11 . That is, the tag displayed in the tag area G 302  is a tag representing information indicative of the internal state or a tag representing information indicative of the external state of the piece of equipment Mi. 
     Moreover, the tag area G 302  includes the button G 306  for selecting other tags. In response to an action on the button G 306 , collected data of another tag collected for the corresponding piece of equipment Mi is displayed. In this example, for example, an action on the button G 306   d  for the piece of equipment M 4  is accepted, and accordingly a selection list of tags collected for the piece of equipment M 4  is displayed. In response to an action on the selection list, display content in the tag area G 302   d  is changed to collected data of a selected tag. 
     The operating state area G 303  is an area in which an operating state of the corresponding piece of equipment Mi is displayed. The operating state is displayed based on a history of tags which have been collected for the piece of equipment Mi and indicate the operating state of the piece of equipment Mi. In this example, the collected data of the tag indicating the operating state of the piece of equipment Mi indicates any of “operation”, “standby”, “abnormal”, and “stop”. The tags indicating the operating state are information indicative of the internal state collected from the controller Pi. The operating state area G 303  includes an indication of proportions of the respective operating states. The proportion of each of the operating states can be a ratio with respect to a total operating time in a predetermined period. The predetermined period can be, but not limited to, one day, one week, one month, or the like. 
     The equipment alarm area G 304  is an area in which a tendency of generation of the equipment alarm is displayed. The tendency of generation is represented by the number of times that collected data of one or more tags indicating the state of the corresponding piece of equipment Mi has satisfied the determination condition of the equipment alarm. That is, the tendency of generation is represented by information which is the numbers of generations of the equipment alarm summed for each degree of urgency. The numbers of times that are summed can be reset to initial values at a predetermined point in time. The predetermined point in time can be, but not limited to, the beginning of a day, a week, a month, or the like. The tendency of generation is not limited to the number of generations, and can be represented by other information such as an occurrence ratio of each degree of urgency. The tendency of generation can be graphically represented by a graph or the like. 
     In a case where most recently collected data of any of the tags satisfies the determination condition of equipment alarm for the corresponding piece of equipment Mi, the equipment alarm area G 304  includes information indicating that the equipment alarm is being generated. In this example, for the tag T 24  indicating the external state of the piece of equipment M 2 , the equipment alarm area G 304   b  for the piece of equipment M 2  indicates that the equipment alarm is being generated at a degree of urgency “warning”. This indicates that most recently collected data of the tag T 24  satisfies the determination condition of the degree of urgency “warning” in the equipment alarm set for the tag T 24 . 
     Details of the maintenance alarm area G 305  can be similarly described by reading the equipment alarm as the maintenance alarm in the descriptions of the equipment alarm area G 304 . In this example, each of the maintenance alarm areas G 305   a ,  305   b , and  305   d  of the respective pieces of equipment M 1 , M 2 , and M 4  displays a summed number of generations of the maintenance alarm for each degree of urgency. For the tag T 19  indicating the internal state of the piece of equipment M 3 , the maintenance alarm area G 305   c  for the piece of equipment M 3  indicates that the maintenance alarm is being generated at a degree of urgency “danger”. 
     Thus, the tag area G 302  in the main screen G 3  displays collected data of the tag representing the information indicative of the internal state or the tag representing the information indicative of the external state of the piece of equipment Mi. In the equipment alarm area G 304 , the tendency of generation is displayed in which the numbers of times that the determination condition of the equipment alarm has been satisfied for the tag indicative of the internal state and the tag indicative of the external state of the piece of equipment Mi are integrated for each degree of urgency. The same applies to the maintenance alarm area G 305 . 
     As such, each of the equipment alarm area G 304  and the maintenance alarm area G 305  includes the following information as an example of information obtained by “combining the information indicative of the internal state and the information indicative of the external state” in the present invention. This information indicates the sum of (i) the number of times that the internal state has become an “abnormal” (or “warning” or “caution”) state and (ii) the number of times that the external state has become an “abnormal” (or “warning” or “caution”) state. 
     In addition, each of the equipment alarm area G 304  and the maintenance alarm area G 305  includes information indicating the above described sum as an example of “information in which alarms are combined for a piece of equipment” in the present invention. 
     The maintenance alarm area G 305  includes the sum of the numbers of times that the maintenance alarm has been outputted, as an example of the “tendency in which the first alarm is outputted” in the present invention. The equipment alarm area G 304  includes the sum of the numbers of times that the equipment alarm has been outputted, as an example of the “tendency in which the second alarm is outputted” in the present invention. 
     (Graphic Monitor Screen) 
       FIG. 13  is a diagram illustrating a graphic monitor screen G 4  which contains combined information pertaining to the piece of equipment M 1 . Through the graphic monitor screen G 4 , the user can collectively grasp positions where the information indicative of the internal state and the information indicative of the external state, which have been collected for any piece of equipment Mi, have been obtained in a physical structure of the piece of equipment Mi. 
     In  FIG. 13 , the graphic monitor screen G 4  includes a selection button G 401 , an image G 402 , and tag labels G 405   a  through G 405   d . Hereinafter, in cases where it is not necessary to distinguish the tag labels G 405   a  through G 405   d , the tag label is simply referred to as “tag label G 405 ”. 
     The image G 402  is an appearance image of the piece of equipment M 1 . The appearance image is registered in the configuration data shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     The tag label G 405  is a label representing collected data of a tag for the piece of equipment M 1 . The tag label G 405  is displayed while being superimposed on the image G 402 . A display position of the tag label G 405  on the image G 402  is stored in the auxiliary memory  203  in advance while being associated with the tag represented by the tag label G 405 . 
     The selection button G 401  is used to select a piece of equipment Mi to be displayed on the graphic monitor screen G 4 . In response to an action on the selection button G 401 , a list of the pieces of equipment M 1  through Mn is displayed as a selection list. In response to an action on the selection list, display content on the graphic monitor screen G 4  is changed to display content corresponding to the selected piece of equipment Mi. 
     Thus, the graphic monitor screen G 4  includes the tag labels G 405   a  through G 405   d  which represent the tags T 11  and T 12  corresponding to the information indicative of the internal state of the piece of equipment M 1  and the tags T 21  and T 22  corresponding to the information indicative of the external state of the piece of equipment M 1 , respectively. That is, the graphic monitor screen G 4  contains information obtained by combining the information indicative of the internal state and the information indicative of the external state of the piece of equipment Mi. 
     (Measured Value Monitor Screen) 
       FIG. 14  is a diagram illustrating a measured value monitor screen G 5  which contains combined information pertaining to the piece of equipment M 1 . Through the measured value monitor screen G 5 , the user can grasp a history of the information indicative of the internal state and the information indicative of the external state which have been collected for any piece of equipment Mi. 
     In  FIG. 14 , the measured value monitor screen G 5  includes a selection button G 501  and a table G 502 . 
     The table G 502  indicates a history of collected data of the tags T 11 , T 12 , T 21 , and T 22  for the piece of equipment M 1 . The selection button G 501  is used to select a piece of equipment Mi to be displayed on the measured value monitor screen G 5 . Details of the selection button G 501  are similar to those of the selection button G 401  described above, and therefore detailed descriptions thereof will not be repeated. 
     Thus, the measured value monitor screen G 5  includes the history of the tags T 11  and T 12  representing the information indicative of the internal state of the piece of equipment M 1  and the tags T 21  and T 22  representing the information indicative of the external state of the piece of equipment M 1 . That is, the measured value monitor screen G 5  contains information obtained by combining the information indicative of the internal state and the information indicative of the external state of the piece of equipment M 1 . 
     (Graph Monitor Screen) 
       FIG. 15  is a diagram illustrating a graph monitor screen G 6  which contains combined information pertaining to the piece of equipment M 1 . Through the graph monitor screen G 6 , the user can graphically grasp change of the information indicative of the internal state and the information indicative of the external state which have been collected for any piece of equipment Mi. 
     In  FIG. 15 , the graph monitor screen G 6  includes a selection button G 601 , a graph area G 602 , and a data selection button G 606 . 
     The graph area G 602  includes a graph showing change in values of the tags T 11 , T 21 , and T 22  for the piece of equipment M 1 . The horizontal axis of the graph represents passage of time. 
     The data selection button G 606  is used to select a tag to be displayed in the graph area G 602 . When the data selection button G 606  is operated, a list of tags for the piece of equipment M 1  is displayed as a selection list. In the selection list, one or more tags can be selected. In response to an action on the selection list, the graph of the tags T 11 , T 21 , and T 22  displayed in the graph area G 602  is changed to a graph of a selected tag(s). 
     The selection button G 601  is used to select a piece of equipment Mi to be displayed on the graph monitor screen G 6 . Details of the selection button G 601  are similar to those of the selection button G 401  described above, and therefore detailed descriptions thereof will not be repeated. 
     Thus, the graph monitor screen G 6  includes the graph indicating change of the tag T 11  representing the information indicative of the internal state of the piece of equipment M 1  and the tags T 21  and T 22  representing the information indicative of the external state of the piece of equipment M 1 . That is, the graph monitor screen G 6  contains information obtained by combining the information indicative of the internal state and the information indicative of the external state of the piece of equipment M 1 . 
     (Operation Monitor Screen) 
       FIG. 16  is a diagram illustrating an operation monitor screen G 7  which includes information indicating the operating status of the piece of equipment M 1 . Through the operation monitor screen G 7 , the user can graphically grasp a history of operating statuses of any piece of equipment Mi. 
     In  FIG. 16 , the operation monitor screen G 7  includes a selection button G 701  and an operating status area G 702 . 
     The operating status area G 702  includes a bar graph representing daily operating statuses of the piece of equipment M 1 . The bar graph shows proportions of the operating statuses “operation”, “abnormal”, “standby” and “stop” for the corresponding date. The selection button G 701  is used to select a piece of equipment Mi to be displayed on the operation monitor screen G 7 . Details of the selection button G 701  are similar to those of the selection button G 401  described above, and therefore detailed descriptions thereof will not be repeated. 
     (Process of Outputting Tendency of Generation of Alarm) 
       FIG. 17  is a flowchart for explaining a flow of the process S 20 _ 2  in which the server  20  causes the tendencies of generation of the maintenance alarm and the equipment alarm to be displayed. 
     In Step S 201 , the server  20  obtains alarm setting data based on information inputted by the user with the input device  310 . The alarm setting data includes an alarm rule in which a determination condition for determining a state of a piece of equipment is associated with a type that indicates either the maintenance alarm or the equipment alarm. The alarm setting data is stored in the auxiliary memory  203 . 
     As an example, the determination condition can be, but not limited to, a condition in which collected data is not lower than a threshold, collected data is not greater than the threshold, collected data has been changed from ON to OFF, collected data has been changed from OFF to ON, or the like. The determination condition can further include a condition in which the number of consecutive determinations that the condition has been satisfied exceeds a threshold. 
     In Step S 202 , the server  20  receives, from the gateway  10 , collected data of one or both of the information indicative of the internal state and the information indicative of the external state of each piece of equipment Mi. The process of this step is carried out in response to the transmitting process from the gateway  10  in Step S 108  shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     In Step S 203 , the server  20  refers to the alarm setting data and determines whether or not any collected data which has been received satisfies the determination condition of the maintenance alarm. If No in Step S 203 , the process of Step S 205  described later is carried out. If Yes in Step S 203 , the process of the next Step S 204  is carried out. 
     In Step S 204 , the server  20  outputs the maintenance alarm. The maintenance alarm includes, for example, a tag name, collected data that satisfies the determination condition, and content of the determination condition. The server  20  causes the auxiliary memory  203  to store the maintenance alarm in association with the time and date of collection. 
     In Step S 205 , the server  20  refers to the alarm setting data and determines whether or not any collected data which has been received satisfies the determination condition of the equipment alarm. If No in Step S 205 , the process of Step S 207  described later is carried out. If Yes in Step S 205 , the process of the next Step S 206  is carried out. 
     In Step S 206 , the server  20  outputs the equipment alarm. The equipment alarm includes, for example, a tag name, collected data that satisfies the determination condition, and content of the determination condition. The server  20  causes the auxiliary memory  203  to store the equipment alarm in association with the time and date of collection. 
     In Step S 207 , the server  20  outputs, based on the maintenance alarm and the equipment alarm stored in the auxiliary memory  203 , a tendency of generation of the maintenance alarm and a tendency of generation of the equipment alarm in a distinguishably recognizable manner for each piece of equipment Mi. 
     Specific Example of Screen Displayed in Step S 201   
       FIG. 18  is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a setting screen G 8  displayed on the display serving as the output device  320  in Step S 201 . The setting screen G 8  accepts an input action for setting an alarm rule for a piece of equipment Mi. The setting screen G 8  includes: fields G 801  and G 802  in which an equipment name and a tag name can be entered, respectively; a region G 803  for setting a rule type; regions G 804   a  through G 804   c  for setting a determination condition; a registration button G 811 ; and a return button G 812 . In this example, up to three determination conditions can be set for one tag, i.e., one type of information indicative of the internal state or the external state of each piece of equipment Mi. However, the number of determination conditions that can be set for each tag can be 1 or 2, or can be 4 or more. 
     The field G 801  for the equipment name is a UI object in which identification information of any piece of equipment Mi contained in the configuration data of the production line  9  is entered. 
     The field G 802  for the tag name is a UI object in which any tag name contained in the collection setting data is entered. 
     The region G 803  for setting the rule type includes: a set of radio buttons G 803   a  for selecting a rule type; and a field G 803   b  in which a component name can be entered. 
     The set of radio buttons G 803   a  is a UI object for selecting one of the equipment alarm and the maintenance alarm. 
     The field G 803   b  for the component name is a UI object in which, when the maintenance alarm is selected as the rule type, a component name relating to the maintenance alarm is entered. The component name to be entered is a component name which has been registered as a component of the corresponding piece of equipment Mi in the configuration data of the production line  9 . 
     In the region G 804   a  for setting the determination condition, a first determination condition No. 1 for the corresponding tag is set. The region G 804   a  for setting the determination condition includes: fields G 805   a  and G 806   a  in which a condition and the number of consecutive occurrences can be entered, respectively; and drop-down lists G 807   a  and G 808   a  with which a degree of urgency and an operation can be selected, respectively. 
     The field G 805   a  for the condition is a UI object in which a condition for collected data of the corresponding tag is entered. For example, in a case where the collected data of the tag can take consecutive values, a condition (such as being not lower than a threshold or being not greater than the threshold) can be entered in the field G 805   a . In a case where the collected data of the tag is in binary form such as ON or OFF, a condition such as change from ON to OFF or change from OFF to ON can be entered in the field G 805   a . However, the information to be entered in the field G 805   a  is not limited to the above information. 
     The field G 806   a  for the number of consecutive occurrences is a UI object in which a threshold of the number of times that the condition entered in the field G 805   a  is consecutively satisfied (hereinafter also referred to as “the number of consecutive occurrences”) is entered. Note that the determination condition of each alarm rule is determined by the server  20  at a predetermined point in time. The predetermined point in time can be, for example, a point in time at which collected data of each tag is received by the server  20 , or can be predetermined intervals. 
     The drop-down list G 807   a  for the degree of urgency is a UI object for selecting a degree of urgency of the corresponding determination condition. In Embodiment 1, as shown in  FIG. 18 , there are three options, i.e., “danger”, “warning”, and “caution” when the maintenance alarm is selected as the rule type. Moreover, there are three options, i.e., “abnormal”, “warning”, and “caution” when the equipment alarm is selected as the rule type. 
     The drop-down list G 808   a  for the operation is a UI object for selecting a notification operation when the number of times that the condition has been satisfied is equal to or greater than the number of consecutive occurrences. In Embodiment 1, as shown in  FIG. 18 , there are two operation options, i.e., “email notification” and “display on main screen”. Note that it is possible to employ a configuration in which, in a case where the email notification has been selected, a list of notification destinations registered in advance (not illustrated) is displayed so that a notification destination is selected. 
     In the region G 804   b  for setting the determination condition, a second determination condition No. 2 for the corresponding tag is set. In the region G 804   c  for setting the determination condition, a third determination condition No. 3 for the corresponding tag name is set. Details of the regions G 804   b  and G 804   c  for setting the determination conditions are similar to those of the region G 804   a , and therefore descriptions thereof will not be repeated. 
     The registration button G 811  and the return button G 812  are similar to the registration button G 111  and the return button G 112  described with (a) of  FIG. 7 , and therefore descriptions thereof will not be repeated. 
     Note that the fields included in the setting screen G 8  can be provided with input support functions such as of displaying a selection list and of restricting an input character type. 
       FIG. 19  is a diagram illustrating an example of alarm setting data stored in the auxiliary memory  203  based on input actions on the setting screen G 8 . In this example, for example, determination conditions No. 1 through No. 3 of a rule type “equipment alarm” are set for the “tag T 11 ” that identifies information indicative of the internal state of the piece of equipment M 1 . Further, it is assumed that collected data received as the “tag T 11 ” is numerical values that can take consecutive values. The determination condition No. 3 of the tag T 11  represents that, in a case where collected data of the tag T 11  has been determined to be 100 or more twice consecutively, the equipment alarm at the degree of urgency “caution”, which indicates a sign of abnormality in the piece of equipment M 1 , is displayed on the main screen. The determination condition No. 2 of the tag T 11  represents that, in a case where collected data of the tag T 11  has been determined to be 130 or more three times consecutively, the equipment alarm at the degree of urgency “warning”, which indicates a sign of a higher possibility of abnormality that would occur in the piece of equipment M 1 , is notified to a person a in charge by email. The determination condition No. 1 of the tag T 11  represents that, in a case where collected data of the tag T 11  has been determined to be 150 or more five times consecutively, the equipment alarm at the degree of urgency “abnormal”, which indicates that an abnormality has occurred in the piece of equipment M 1 , is notified to the person a in charge and a client b by email. 
     Moreover, for example, determination conditions No. 1 through No. 3 of a rule type “maintenance alarm” are set for the “tag T 21 ” which is information indicative of the external state of the piece of equipment M 1 . Further, it is assumed that collected data received as the “tag T 21 ” is numerical values that can take consecutive values. The determination condition No. 3 of the tag T 21  represents that, in a case where collected data of the tag T 21  has been determined to be 35 or less, the maintenance alarm at the degree of urgency “caution” at which maintenance is recommended is displayed on the main screen. The determination condition No. 2 of the tag T 21  represents that, in a case where collected data of the tag T 21  has been determined to be 30 or less, the maintenance alarm at the degree of urgency “warning”, at which necessity of maintenance is higher than “caution”, is notified to a person c in charge by email. The determination condition No. 1 of the tag T 21  represents that, in a case where collected data of the tag T 21  has been determined to be 25 or less, the maintenance alarm at the degree of urgency “danger”, at which necessity of maintenance is higher than “warning”, is notified to the person c in charge and a client d by email. 
     Moreover, for example, determination conditions No. 1 through No. 3 of the rule type “equipment alarm” are set for the “tag T 12 ” which is information indicative of the internal state of the piece of equipment M 1 . Further, it is assumed that collected data received as the “tag T 12 ” is in binary form, i.e., ON or OFF. The determination condition No. 3 of the tag T 12  represents that, in a case where collected data of the tag T 12  has been determined to be changed from ON to OFF twice consecutively, the equipment alarm at the degree of urgency “caution”, which indicates a sign of abnormality in the piece of equipment M 1 , is displayed on the main screen. The determination condition No. 2 of the tag T 12  represents that, in a case where collected data of the tag T 12  has been determined to be changed from ON to OFF three times consecutively, the equipment alarm at the degree of urgency “warning”, which indicates a sign of a higher possibility (than “caution”) of an abnormality that would occur in the piece of equipment M 1 , is notified to the person a in charge by email. The determination condition No. 1 of the tag T 12  represents that, in a case where collected data of the tag T 12  has been determined to be changed from ON to OFF five times consecutively, the equipment alarm at the degree of urgency “abnormal”, which indicates that an abnormality has occurred in the piece of equipment M 1 , is notified to the person a in charge and the client b by email. 
     Note that, in a case where a plurality of determination conditions are set for each tag, it is possible that determinations based on determination conditions No. 1 through No. 3 are carried out in this order and, when any of the determination conditions has been satisfied, determination(s) based on the subsequent determination condition(s) is not carried out. The number of consecutive determinations is reset to an initial value (e.g., 0) when it is determined that the determination condition is not satisfied. Moreover, the number of consecutive determinations is also reset to the initial value when a determination condition, which is earlier in order of determination than the corresponding determination condition, is satisfied for the same tag. 
       FIG. 20  is a diagram illustrating a further specific example of the alarm setting data shown in  FIG. 19 . Here, pieces of alarm setting data rule 1 through rule 10 will be described in which determination conditions of the maintenance alarm and the equipment alarm are set for molding machines which form molds in a casting facility which is the production facility and for shotblasting machines which process surfaces of the molds. 
     The alarm setting data rule 1 contains stepwise determination conditions No. 1 through No. 3 of the rule type “equipment alarm” for a tag “abnormality in frame setting” which identifies information indicative of an internal state of a “molding machine A” which is one of the pieces of equipment Mi. Collected data received for the tag is an amount of misalignment that occurs between a cope and a drag. The amount of misalignment can be obtained by a controller Pi of the “molding machine A”. In a case where a misalignment between the cope and the drag is large, defects would occur in a casting which is a product. Therefore, in a case where the amount of misalignment is equal to or greater than a threshold, the “molding machine A” stops. 
     The determination condition No. 3 of the tag “abnormality in frame setting” represents that, in a case where the amount of misalignment has been determined to be 2 millimeters or more, the equipment alarm at the degree of urgency “caution”, which indicates a sign of abnormality in relation to the amount of misalignment, is displayed on the main screen. The determination condition No. 2 represents that, in a case where the amount of misalignment has been determined to be 3 millimeters or more, the equipment alarm at the degree of urgency “warning”, which indicates that the “molding machine A” is more likely to stop due to an abnormal amount of misalignment, is notified to a person a in charge by email. The determination condition No. 1 represents that, in a case where the amount of misalignment has been determined to be 5 millimeters or more, the equipment alarm at the degree of urgency “abnormal”, which indicates that the “molding machine A” has stopped due to an abnormal amount of misalignment, is displayed on the main screen and is notified to the person a in charge and the client b by email. 
     The alarm setting data rule 2 contains stepwise determination conditions No. 1 through No. 3 of the rule type “equipment alarm” for a tag “hydraulic operating pressure decrease” which identifies information indicative of the internal state of the “molding machine A”. Collected data received for the tag is a hydraulic pressure of a hydraulic pump. The hydraulic pressure can be obtained by the controller Pi of the “molding machine A”. In a case where the hydraulic pressure is low, an operating pressure of the hydraulic pump decreases and strength of a mold becomes insufficient, and this leads to molding failure. For this reason, the “molding machine A” stops when the hydraulic pressure becomes equal to or lower than a threshold. 
     In determination conditions No. 1 through No. 3 of the tag “hydraulic operating pressure decrease”, determination conditions of the hydraulic pressure are set to 5 megapascals or less, 6 megapascals or less, and 7 megapascals or less, respectively. The equipment alarm outputted stepwise when the determination conditions No. 1 through No. 3 are satisfied can be described in a manner similar to that for the alarm setting data rule1, and therefore detailed descriptions thereof will not be repeated. 
     The alarm setting data rule3 contains stepwise determination conditions No. 1 through No. 3 of the rule type “equipment alarm” for a tag “oil level abnormal decrease” which identifies information indicative of the internal state of the “molding machine A”. Collected data received for the tag “hydraulic pressure abnormal decrease” is an amount of oil of an oil seal valve. The amount of oil can be obtained by the controller Pi of the “molding machine A”. In a case where the amount of oil decreases, a decrease in operating pressure of the hydraulic pump is caused, and consequently strength of a mold becomes insufficient, and this leads to molding failure. For this reason, the “molding machine A” stops when the amount of oil becomes equal to or lower than a threshold. 
     In determination conditions No. 1 through No. 3 of the tag “oil level abnormal decrease”, determination conditions of the amount of oil are set to 80 liters or less, 85 liters or less, and 90 liters or less, respectively. The equipment alarm outputted stepwise when the determination conditions No. 1 through No. 3 are satisfied can be described in a manner similar to that for the alarm setting data rule1, and therefore detailed descriptions thereof will not be repeated. 
     The alarm setting data rule4 contains a determination condition No. 1 of the rule type “equipment alarm” for a tag “abnormal thermal trip in motor” which identifies information indicative of the internal state of the “shotblasting machine B” which is one of the pieces of equipment Mi. Collected data received for the tag is a load current value of a motor for rotating an impeller of a projecting device. The current value can be obtained by a controller Pi of the “shotblasting machine B”. A higher current value leads to burnout failure of the motor. For this reason, the “shotblasting machine B” stops when the current value becomes equal to or greater than a threshold. 
     The determination condition No. 1 of the tag “abnormal thermal trip in motor” represents that, in a case where the current value has been determined to be 15 amperes or more, the equipment alarm at the degree of urgency “abnormal”, which indicates that the “shotblasting machine B” has stopped due to abnormal thermal trip in the motor, is notified to the person a in charge and the client b by email. In this example, the equipment alarm for the tag “abnormal thermal trip in motor” is not outputted at a stage prior to occurrence of the abnormality but is outputted at a stage at which the abnormality has occurred. Note that the equipment alarm for the tag can be outputted stepwise. 
     The alarm setting data rule5 contains a determination condition No. 1 of the rule type “maintenance alarm” for a tag “excessive time of use of liner” which identifies information indicative of the internal state of the “shotblasting machine B”. Collected data received for the tag is a time of use of the liner. The time of use can be obtained by the controller Pi of the “shotblasting machine B”. In a case where the time of use of the liner is long, the liner is perforated and a hole is formed in a main body. In addition, other parts are also damaged due to abnormal vibration, insufficient strength, and the like. Therefore, it is recommended that the liner be replaced in a case where the time of use of the liner becomes equal to or greater than a threshold. 
     The determination condition No. 1 of the tag “excessive time of use of liner” represents that, in a case where the time of use has been determined to be 500 hours or more, the maintenance alarm at the degree of urgency “warning”, which indicates that necessity of replacing the liner is high, is notified to the person a in charge and the client b by email. In this example, the maintenance alarm for the tag “excessive time of use of liner” is not outputted stepwise but can be set to be outputted stepwise. 
     The alarm setting data rule6 contains a determination condition No. 1 of the rule type “maintenance alarm” for a tag “detection of lower limit of consumables” which identifies information indicative of the internal state of the “shotblasting machine B”. Collected data received for the tag “detection of lower limit of consumables” is a load current value of a motor for rotating an impeller of a projecting device. The current value can be obtained by the controller Pi of the “shotblasting machine B”. The current value becomes higher as an amount of shot material increases, and becomes lower as the amount of shot material decreases. If the shot material is deficient, effectiveness of treatment is lowered. Therefore, it is recommended to supply the shot material when the current value becomes equal to or lower than a threshold. 
     The determination condition No. 1 of the tag “detection of lower limit of consumables” represents that, in a case where the current value has been determined to be 25.8 amperes or less, the maintenance alarm at the degree of urgency “warning”, which indicates that necessity of supplying the shot material is high, is notified to the person a in charge and the client b by email. In this example, the maintenance alarm for the tag “detection of lower limit of consumables” is not outputted stepwise but can be set to be outputted stepwise. 
     The alarm setting data rule7 contains a determination condition No. 1 of the rule type “maintenance alarm” for a tag “excessive interval between supplies of oil to bearing” which identifies information indicative of the internal state of the “shotblasting machine B”. Collected data received for the tag “excessive interval between supplies of oil to bearing” is an elapsed time from when the bearing was greased. The elapsed time can be obtained by the controller Pi of the “shotblasting machine B”. If the elapsed time becomes equal to or greater than a threshold, friction of the bearing increases, and a component life is reduced due to wear or heat generation. Therefore, it is recommended that the bearing be replaced in a case where the elapsed time becomes equal to or greater than the threshold. 
     The determination condition No. 1 of the tag “excessive interval between supplies of oil to bearing” represents that, in a case where the interval has been determined to be 350 hours or more, the maintenance alarm at the degree of urgency “warning”, which indicates that necessity of replacing the bearing is high, is notified to the person a in charge and the client b by email. In this example, the maintenance alarm for the tag “excessive interval between supplies of oil to bearing” is not outputted stepwise but can be set to be outputted stepwise. 
     The alarm setting data rule8 contains a determination condition No. 1 of the rule type “equipment alarm” for a tag “abnormal upward end of cylinder” which identifies information indicative of the internal state of a “molding machine C” which is one of the pieces of equipment Mi. Collected data received for the tag “abnormal upward end of cylinder” is an ON/OFF value of an automatic switch that is turned off when abnormal elevation of the cylinder has been detected. The ON/OFF value can be obtained by a controller Pi of the “molding machine C”. If the abnormal elevation of the cylinder is detected, the machine malfunctions, and this leads to molding failure. Therefore, when the automatic switch has been turned off, the “molding machine C” stops. 
     The determination condition No. 1 of the tag “abnormal upward end of cylinder” represents that, in a case where it has been determined that the ON/OFF value had changed from ON to OFF, the equipment alarm at the degree of urgency “abnormal”, which indicates that the “molding machine C” has stopped due to an abnormality of an upward end of the cylinder, is notified to the person a in charge and the client b by email. In this example, the equipment alarm for the tag “abnormal upward end of cylinder” is not outputted stepwise but can be set to be outputted stepwise. 
     The alarm setting data rule9 contains a determination condition No. 1 of the rule type “equipment alarm” for a tag “abnormality in aeration pressure sensor” which identifies information indicative of the internal state of the “molding machine C”. Collected data received for the tag “abnormality in aeration pressure sensor” is a pressure sensor value of aeration. The pressure sensor value can be obtained by the controller Pi of the “molding machine C”. If a state in which the pressure sensor value is obtained (ON) is changed to a state in which the pressure sensor value cannot be obtained (OFF), strength of a mold becomes insufficient and this leads to molding failure, and in order to avoid such a case, the “molding machine C” stops. 
     The determination condition No. 1 of the tag “abnormal upward end of cylinder” represents that, in a case where it has been determined that the pressure sensor value had changed from ON to OFF, the equipment alarm at the degree of urgency “abnormal”, which indicates that the “molding machine C” has stopped, is notified to the person a in charge and the client b by email. In this example, the equipment alarm for the tag “abnormal upward end of cylinder” is not outputted stepwise but can be set to be outputted stepwise. 
     The alarm setting data rule 10 contains a determination condition No. 1 of the rule type “equipment alarm” for a tag “abnormality in squeeze board CY encoder” which identifies information indicative of the internal state of the “molding machine C”. Collected data received for the tag is an output value from an encoder. The output value from the encoder can be obtained by the controller Pi of the “molding machine C”. If a state in which the output value from the encoder is obtained (ON) is changed to a state in which the output value from the encoder cannot be obtained (OFF), sand in a tank cannot be weighed and this leads to molding failure, and therefore the “molding machine C” stops. 
     The determination condition No. 1 of the tag “abnormality in squeeze board CY encoder” represents that, in a case where it has been determined that the output value from the encoder had changed from ON to OFF, the equipment alarm at the degree of urgency “abnormal”, which indicates that the “molding machine C” has stopped due to an abnormality in a squeeze board CY encoder, is notified to the person a in charge and the client b by email. In this example, the equipment alarm for the tag “abnormality in squeeze board CY encoder” is not outputted stepwise but can be set to be outputted stepwise. 
     Specific Example of Screen Displayed in Steps S 204  and S 206   
     Here, the following description will discuss a specific example of screens displayed on the display serving as the output device  320  in Steps S 204  and S 206 . In the main screen G 3  shown in  FIG. 12 , as described above, in a case where the equipment alarm is being generated, the equipment alarm area G 304  indicates that the equipment alarm is being generated. That is, the process of outputting the equipment alarm in Step S 206  is carried out. In a case where the maintenance alarm is being generated, the maintenance alarm area G 305  indicates that the maintenance alarm is being generated. That is, the process of outputting the maintenance alarm in Step S 204  is carried out. 
     Specific Example of Screen Displayed in Step S 207   
     Here, the following description will discuss a specific example of a screen displayed on the display serving as the output device  320  in Step S 207 . 
     (Main Screen) 
     The main screen G 3  shown in  FIG. 12  includes the equipment alarm area G 304  and the maintenance alarm area G 305  for each of the pieces of equipment M 1  through M 4 . The equipment alarm area G 304  contains, as a tendency of generation of the equipment alarm, the number of times that the equipment alarm has been generated for each degree of urgency, or information pertaining to the equipment alarm which is currently generated. The maintenance alarm area G 305  contains, as a tendency of generation of the maintenance alarm, the number of times that the maintenance alarm has been generated for each degree of urgency, or a state pertaining to the maintenance alarm which is currently generated. 
     Thus, through the main screen G 3 , the user can distinguishably recognize a tendency of generation of the equipment alarm and a tendency of generation of the maintenance alarm. 
     (Equipment Alarm Screen) 
       FIG. 21  is a diagram illustrating an equipment alarm screen G 9  which, in this example, includes equipment alarms outputted throughout the production line  9 . 
     In  FIG. 21 , the equipment alarm screen G 9  includes a list G 902 . Each row of the list G 902  includes a details button G 903  and a related button G 904 . 
     Each row included in the list G 902  represents an equipment alarm, and includes time and date of generation, an equipment name, a degree of urgency, and a tag name for which the equipment alarm was outputted. When the details button G 903  has been operated, an equipment alarm details screen G 11  (described later) is displayed for the corresponding equipment alarm. When the related button G 904  has been operated, a manual file of the piece of equipment Mi is displayed as information related to an abnormality indicated by the corresponding equipment alarm. The manual file includes a remedy for cancelling occurrence of abnormality or a sign of abnormality indicated by the equipment alarm. As shown in (a) of  FIG. 5 , the manual file is a file registered in the configuration data of the production line  9  while being associated with the corresponding piece of equipment Mi. 
     Through the equipment alarm screen G 9 , the user can grasp a history of equipment alarms outputted throughout the production line  9 . Moreover, the user can refer to the related manual file to deal with the equipment alarm that has been generated for the corresponding piece of equipment Mi. 
     (Maintenance Alarm Screen) 
       FIG. 22  is a diagram illustrating a maintenance alarm screen G 10  which, in this example, includes maintenance alarms outputted throughout the production line  9 . 
     In  FIG. 22 , the maintenance alarm screen G 10  includes a list G 1002 . Each row of the list G 1002  includes a details button G 1003  and a component button G 1004 . 
     Each row included in the list G 1002  represents a maintenance alarm, and includes time and date of generation, an equipment name, a component name, a degree of urgency, and a tag name for which the maintenance alarm was outputted. When the details button G 1003  has been operated, a maintenance alarm details screen G 12  (described later) is displayed for the corresponding maintenance alarm. When the component button G 1004  has been operated, information is displayed which relates to a component that needs to be replaced or adjusted in maintenance prompted by the maintenance alarm. The information related to the component can include, for example, but not limited to, a manufacturer of the component, an item number, an item name, specifications, reference delivery days, an inventory quantity, and the like. 
     Through the maintenance alarm screen G 10 , the user can grasp a history of maintenance alarms generated throughout the production line  9 . In addition, in order to carry out maintenance prompted by the maintenance alarm generated for the corresponding piece of equipment Mi, the user can refer to details of the component that needs to be replaced or adjusted. 
     Thus, by viewing the equipment alarm screen G 9  and the maintenance alarm screen G 10 , the user can distinguishably recognize a tendency of generation of the equipment alarm and a tendency of generation of the maintenance alarm. This allows the user to determine, on the basis of the internal state and the external state of each piece of equipment Mi, whether it is necessary to carry out maintenance of the piece of equipment or it is necessary to deal with an abnormality or a sign of abnormality. In this example, the equipment alarm screen G 9  can include a component button G 1004  similar to that in the maintenance alarm screen G 10 . For example, there is a case where the motor needs to be replaced due to abnormal thermal trip of the motor. Thus, the component button G 1004  can be displayed for an equipment alarm that may necessitate replacement or adjustment of a component to solve an abnormality. 
     (Equipment Alarm Details Screen) 
       FIG. 23  is a diagram illustrating an equipment alarm details screen G 11  which, in this example, includes details of an equipment alarm outputted for the tag T 11  for the piece of equipment M 1 . 
     In  FIG. 23 , the equipment alarm details screen G 11  includes a graph of collected data for the tag  11  and lines indicating thresholds for respective degrees of urgency. Through the screen, the user can visually grasp a point in time at which a state of the piece of equipment M 1  indicated by the collected data for the tag  11  exceeded the threshold, the number of times of such a case, and the like, for each degree of urgency of the equipment alarm. 
     (Maintenance Alarm Details Screen) 
       FIG. 24  is a diagram illustrating a maintenance alarm details screen G 12  which, in this example, includes details of a maintenance alarm outputted for the tag T 21  for the piece of equipment M 1 . 
     In  FIG. 24 , the maintenance alarm details screen G 12  includes a graph of collected data for the tag  21  and lines indicating thresholds for respective degrees of urgency. Through the screen, the user can visually grasp a point in time at which a state of the piece of equipment M 1  indicated by the collected data for the tag  21  exceeded the threshold, the number of times of such a case, and the like, for each degree of urgency of the maintenance alarm. 
     Effect of Embodiment 1 
     As described above, in Embodiment 1, the gateway  10  obtains (i) information indicative of the internal states from the controllers Pi and (ii) information indicative of the external states from the sensors Cj without using any of the n controllers Pi. As a result, Embodiment 1 brings about effects of freely increasing or decreasing the number of sensors Cj without rewriting the program of the controllers Pi and thus enhancing the degree of freedom to increase or decrease the number of sensors Cj. 
     In Embodiment 1, the gateway  10  combines the information indicative of the internal state with the information indicative of the external state and the combined information thus obtained is displayed for each piece of equipment Mi. Therefore, the user can integrally grasp the state of the piece of equipment Mi. 
     In Embodiment 1, the server  20  presents the tendency of generation of the equipment alarm and the tendency of generation of the maintenance alarm for each piece of equipment Mi such that the tendencies can be distinguishably recognized. This allows the user of the terminal  30  (such as a person in charge of maintenance or an on-site person in charge) to more appropriately determine, for each piece of equipment Mi, whether it is necessary to carry out maintenance or it is necessary to deal with an abnormality or a sign of abnormality. 
     In Embodiment 1, the rule types of the maintenance alarm and the equipment alarm can be selectively associated by the user with determination conditions for determining collected data of tags (i.e., states of the piece of equipment Mi). For example, in a case where the piece of equipment Mi is in a certain state, it may be desirable to carry out maintenance or it may be desirable to deal with an abnormality, depending on a status of the production line  9  or needs on site. Therefore, the user of the terminal  30  in accordance with Embodiment 1 can more appropriately determine, depending on a status of the production line  9  or needs on site, whether to carry out maintenance or to deal with an abnormality. 
     Modification Example 
     In Embodiment 1, the information processing system  1  can include a plurality of gateways  10 _ x  (x=1, 2, . . . ) each of which is configured in a manner similar to the gateway  10 . In this case, information indicative of the internal state and information indicative of the external state of each piece of equipment Mi are collected by any of the plurality of gateways  10 _ x . For example, like a case where the production line  9  is constituted by a plurality sub-lines, n pieces of equipment Mi can be distributed and installed in physically different areas (e.g., different floors) within the production facility  90 . In this case, the gateways  10 _ x  can be installed in the respective areas so that the gateway  10 _ x  in each of the areas collects information indicative of the internal state and information indicative of the external state of the piece of equipment Mi in the corresponding area. 
     In Embodiment 1, the example has been described in which the gateway  10  and the server  20  are connected to each other by the WAN  1001 . Embodiment 1 is not limited to this, and the gateway  10  and the server  20  can be connected to each other by one-to-one connection using a mobile phone network. This configuration can advantageously eliminate an installation cost for connecting the gateway  10  to the server  20  with the WAN  1001  or the like. Furthermore, the communication means between the gateway  10  and the server  20  is not limited to the above-described examples. 
     Moreover, in Embodiment 1, the information processing system  1  can further include an intermediary device. The intermediary device mediates communication between the gateway  10  and one of or some of or all of the n controllers Pi. For example, it is assumed that one or some of the n controllers Pi are compatible with any of protocols A and B serving as connection protocols and one or some of the other n controllers Pi are compatible with any of protocols C and D. Moreover, it is assumed that the gateway  10  are compatible with communication using the protocols A and B but are not compatible with communication using the protocols C and D. In such a case, by providing the intermediary device compatible with the communication using the protocols C and D, the degree of freedom in type of controllers Pi of manageable pieces of equipment Mi increases in the information processing system  1 . 
     Further, in Embodiment 1, the server  20  can output information obtained by combining information indicative of the internal state and information indicative of the external state not only to the display but also to other types of the output device  320 . In addition, the server  20  can output, in a distinguishably recognizable manner, tendencies of generation of the equipment alarm and the maintenance alarm not only to the display but also to other types of the output device  320 . Other types of the output device  320  include a speaker, a printer, and the like. For example, the combined information can be printed on a paper medium by a printer. Moreover, the tendencies of generation can be distinguishably outputted by a speaker in different types of sounds. 
     Embodiment 2 
     The following description will discuss Embodiment 2 of the present invention in detail. 
     &lt;Configuration of Information Processing System  2 &gt; 
       FIG. 25  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an information processing system  2  in accordance with Embodiment 2. In  FIG. 25 , the information processing system  2  includes N gateways  10 _ x  (x=1 to N, N is an integer of 2 or more), and a server  20 _ 1 . The information processing system  2  is a system that manages pieces of equipment in each of M production lines  9 _ y  (y=1 to M, M is an integer of 2 or more). 
     Each of the production lines  9 _ y  is installed in any of N production facilities  90 _ x . It is possible to install a plurality of production lines  9 - y  in one production facility  90 - x . In the example illustrated in  FIG. 25 , a production facility  90 _ 1  includes production lines  9 _ 1  and  9 _ 2 . A production facility  90 _ 2  includes a production line  9 _ 3 . A production facility  90 _N includes a production line  9 _M. Each gateway  10 _ x  is installed in a corresponding production facility  90 _ x . Each of the gateways  10 _ x  is communicably connected to the server  201  via the WAN  1001 . 
     Each of the gateways  10 _ x  is configured in a manner similar to the gateway  10  in accordance with Embodiment 1. 
     The server  201  has the following configuration, in addition to a configuration similar to that of the server  20  in accordance with Embodiment 1. The server  201  combines and outputs, for each of the production facilities  90 _ x , information indicative of the internal state and information indicative of the external state. For a production facility  90 _ x  containing a plurality of production lines  9 _ y , the server  201  can also combine and output, for each of the plurality of production lines  9 _ y , information indicative of the internal state and information indicative of the external state. 
     Therefore, the server  201  stores the configuration data shown in  FIG. 5  for the production facilities  90 _ x  and the production lines  9 _ y . Moreover, each of tag names used in the setting data described in  FIGS. 7 and 8  is preferably uniquely determined in all the production facilities  90 _ 1  through  90 _N. 
     With such a configuration, the information processing system  2  operates in a manner similar to that of the information processing system  1  in accordance with Embodiment 1 described with reference to  FIG. 6 . Note, however, that there is a difference as follows: in Step S 110  or Step S 207  in the information processing system  2 , screens as shown in  FIGS. 11 through 16  are displayed for each of the production facilities  90 _ x  and for each of the production lines  90 _ y.    
     As such, according to Embodiment 2, it is possible to collectively manage the plurality of production lines  90 _ y  installed in the plurality of production facilities  90 _ x . Consequently, in a case where the same person in charge or the same organization manages the plurality of production lines  9 _ y  in the plurality of production facilities  90 _ x , it is easy to grasp information necessary for maintenance. 
     Note that each of the modification examples described in Embodiment 1 can also be applied to Embodiment 2. Further, in Embodiment 2, the example has been described in which one gateway is installed in each of the plurality of production facilities. Embodiment 2 is not limited to this, and a plurality of gateways can be installed in at least one of the plurality of production facilities. 
     Aspects of the present invention can also be expressed as follows: 
     The information processing device in accordance with embodiments described above includes a communication interface which receives information indicative of a state of a piece of equipment in a production facility and a controller which operates with reference to the information. In a case where the information which has been received and indicates the state of the piece of equipment satisfies a first condition, the controller carries out a process of outputting a first alarm for prompting maintenance of the piece of equipment; in a case where the information indicative of the state of the piece of equipment satisfies a second condition, the controller carries out a process of outputting a second alarm that indicates occurrence of abnormality or a sign of abnormality in the piece of equipment; and the controller carries out a process of outputting, in a distinguishably recognizable manner, a tendency in which the first alarm is outputted and a tendency in which the second alarm is outputted. 
     The information processing device is realized as, for example, a server. In this case, the controller is realized as a controller included in the server. The tendency of output is indicated by, for example, statistical information such as a total number of outputs of the first alarm and a total number of outputs of the second alarm, change with time of the state of the piece of equipment which causes the output of the first alarm, change with time of the state of the piece of equipment which causes output of the second alarm, and the like. According to the configuration, the user can distinguishably grasp, for the piece of equipment in the production line, a tendency in which the first alarm is outputted and a tendency in which the second alarm is outputted. This allows the user to more appropriately determine whether to carry out maintenance or to carry out work for dealing with occurrence of abnormality or a sign of abnormality. 
     In the information processing device in accordance with the embodiments described above, it is preferable that the controller includes a processor which carries out the processes in accordance with a program, and a memory which stores the program. 
     According to the configuration, it is possible to realize the information processing device described above with use of a program. 
     In the information processing device in accordance with the embodiments described above, it is preferable that the controller outputs the first alarm stepwise according to necessity of the maintenance. 
     According to the configuration, it is possible to stepwise prompt the user to carry out maintenance of the piece of equipment according to the necessity. 
     In the information processing device in accordance with the embodiments described above, it is preferable that the controller further outputs the first alarm at a predetermined point in time regardless of whether or not the first condition has been satisfied. 
     According to the configuration, it is possible to prompt the user to carry out maintenance of the piece of equipment regardless of the state of the piece of equipment. 
     In the information processing device in accordance with the embodiments described above, it is preferable that the controller outputs the second alarm stepwise according to a possibility of the occurrence of abnormality. 
     According to the configuration, it is possible to notify the user of a warning stepwise at a stage prior to occurrence of the abnormality in the piece of equipment. 
     In the information processing device in accordance with the embodiments described above, it is preferable that the controller further carries out a process of outputting information pertaining to a component which needs to be replaced or adjusted in order to cancel the first alarm or the second alarm. 
     According to the configuration, the user can know details of a component which needs to be replaced or adjusted. 
     In the information processing device in accordance with the embodiments described above, it is preferable that the controller further carries out a process of outputting information indicative of a remedy for cancelling the occurrence of abnormality or the sign of abnormality indicated by the second alarm. 
     According to the configuration, the user can easily know the remedy for cancelling the occurrence of abnormality or the sign of abnormality. 
     The information processing device in accordance with the embodiments described above is preferably configured as follows: that is, the controller further carries out a process of obtaining, based on information inputted by a user, a rule in which a determination condition for determining information indicative of a state of the piece of equipment is associated with a type which indicates the first alarm or the second alarm. In a case where the information indicative of the state of the piece of equipment satisfies the determination condition and a type associated with the determination condition is the first alarm, the controller carries out a process of outputting the first alarm based on an assumption that the first condition has been satisfied. In a case where the information indicative of the state of the piece of equipment satisfies the determination condition and a type associated with the determination condition is the second alarm, the controller carries out a process of outputting the second alarm based on an assumption that the second condition has been satisfied. 
     According to the configuration, in a case where the state of the piece of equipment has satisfied the condition, the user can set, in advance, whether the equipment alarm should be outputted or the maintenance alarm should be outputted, while taking into consideration the status and the needs on site. 
     The information processing method in accordance with the embodiments described above includes the steps of: receiving information indicative of a state of a piece of equipment in a production facility; outputting, in a case where the information indicative of the state of the piece of equipment satisfies a first condition, a first alarm for prompting maintenance of the piece of equipment; outputting, in a case where the information indicative of the state of the piece of equipment satisfies a second condition, a second alarm that indicates occurrence of abnormality or a sign of abnormality in the piece of equipment; and outputting, in a distinguishably recognizable manner, a tendency in which the first alarm is outputted and a tendency in which the second alarm is outputted, the steps being carried out by an information processing device. 
     According to the configuration, it is possible to bring about effects similar to those of the information processing device. 
     [Additional Remarks] 
     The present invention is not limited to the foregoing embodiments, but can be altered variously by a skilled person in the art within the scope of the claims. The present invention also encompasses, in its technical scope, any embodiment derived by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in the foregoing embodiments. Further, by combining technical means disclosed in different embodiments, it is possible to obtain a new technical feature. 
     REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
     
         
           1 ,  2 : Information processing system 
           10 : Gateway 
           20 : Server (information processing device) 
           30 : Terminal 
           101 ,  201 ,  301 : Processor 
           102 ,  202 ,  302 : Main memory 
           103 ,  203 ,  303 : Auxiliary memory 
           104 ,  105 ,  204 ,  304 ,  305 : Communication interface 
           109 ,  209 ,  309 : Bus 
           305 : Input/output interface 
           310 : Input device 
           320 : Output device 
           1001 : WAN 
           90 : Production facility 
           9 : Production line 
           9001 : LAN 
         Mi: Piece of equipment 
         Pi: Controller 
         CP: Sensor base unit 
         Cj: Sensor