Patent Publication Number: US-2021166174-A1

Title: Information processing device, information processing system, method of processing information, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This patent application is based on and claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) to Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-217347, filed on Nov. 29, 2019, in the Japan Patent Office, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Technical Field 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an information processing device, an information processing system, a method of processing information, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium. 
     Related Art 
     There is a known information processing system that uses Internet of Things (IoT). Such an information processing system using IoT is capable of visualizing and managing a work status of workers or a production status of products by converting information related to work of the workers or production of the products into data by using a sensor. 
     Further, there is a technique of data management in which a key character string is included in a file name of data to be transferred, in order to classify the data, for example, into works or products and thereby the data is manageable. 
     SUMMARY 
     An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes an information processing device. The information processing device includes circuitry. The circuitry extracts input items from operation plan information and receive sensor data indicating operation progress. The sensor data is added with data used for determining an operation type. The circuitry further detects an input item from the extracted input items based on the data added to the sensor data, and inputs the sensor data to the detected input item. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A more complete appreciation of the disclosure and many of the attendant advantages and features thereof can be readily obtained and understood from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an information processing system according to at least one embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an input device included in an information processing system according to at least one embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an information processing device included in an information processing system according to at least one embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of a system operation performed by an information processing system according to at least one embodiment of the disclosure; and 
         FIG. 5  is a diagram illustrating an example of a data input form in an information processing system according to at least one embodiment of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     The accompanying drawings are intended to depict example embodiments of the present disclosure and should not be interpreted to limit the scope thereof. The accompanying drawings are not to be considered as drawn to scale unless explicitly noted. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The terminology used herein is for describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “includes” and/or “including”, when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. In describing preferred embodiments illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. However, the disclosure of this patent specification is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that have the same function, operation in a similar manner, and achieve a similar result. 
     Hereinafter, a detailed description is given of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the disclosure with reference to drawings. 
     System Configuration 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an information processing system, according to an embodiment. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the information processing system according to the present embodiment includes an input device  1 , information processing device  2 , and a sensor device  3 . 
     As an example of the input device  1 , a personal computer device may be used. As another example of the input device  1 , a server device on a network, so-called “cloud”, may be used. The input device  1  may be connected to the information processing device  2  via a data cable or may be connected to the information processing device  2  through a private network such as a Local Area Network (LAN) or a wide area network such as the Internet. 
     As an example of the information processing device  2 , a personal computer device may be used. The information processing device  2  extracts a predetermined input item based on, for example, production operation information (production schedule information) input from the input device  1 , and automatically inputs data with respect to the extracted input items based on output data (sensor output, sensor data) from the sensor device  3 . A detailed description is given later. This reduces a load of a worker to input data and this visualizes a production status, a work status, or the like. In addition, useful data may be collected and used for later analysis. 
     As an example of the sensor device  3 , an optical sensor, a contact sensor, a load sensor, or the like may be used. For example, the sensor device  3  detects, as a sensor output, a product transferred by a belt conveyor by a detection method, such as a non-contact method or a contact method, and transmits the sensor output (sensor value) together with production date and time information to the information processing device  2 . The information processing device  2  performs automatic data input based on the sensor output, which is obtained from the sensor device  3 . The detailed description of the automatic data input is given later. 
     Hardware Configuration of Input Device 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the input device  1 , according to the present embodiment of the disclosure. As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the input device  1  includes a central processing unit (CPU)  21 , a read only memory (ROM)  22 , a random access memory (RAM)  23 , a hard disk drive (HDD)  24 , an input/output (I/O) interface  25 , and a communication device  26 . The above-mentioned hardware components, which includes the CPU  21  to the communication device  26 , are connected to each other through a bus line  27 . To the I/O interface  25 , an operation device  28  such as a keyboard device or a mouse device is connected, for example. In addition, a display  29  is connected to the I/O interface  25 . 
     In the HDD  24 , production operation software (a production operation software application) is stored. An administrator activates the production operation software and inputs, via the operation device  28 , production plan information, such as for example items of, “start time”, “setup time”, “completion time”, “lot number”, “planned quantity”, “model name” and “total actual quantity”. Hereinafter, the production plan information may be referred to as operation plan information in the disclosure. “Start time” is a time to start producing products (production) or to start working (operations). “Setup time” is a period of time that is used to prepare for starting production of products or starting working (operations). A time at which an amount of time of the setup time has just passed from the start time is an actual time to start producing products or start working (operations). “Planned quantity” is a quantity (the number) of products that is planned to be produced. “Total actual quantity” is a total number of products that actually have been produced (completed to be produced). Such production plan information, or operation plan information is transmitted to the information processing device  2  via the communication device  26 . 
     When the input device  1  is a server device that is provided on a predetermined network, an administrator or a worker accesses the server device on the network and inputs the production plan information using the production operation software. The predetermined network is an example of a network set for a specific group such as a company, an organization, or the like so that the network is accessible by group members who are authorized to access. The production plan information is temporarily stored in the server device and then transmitted to the information processing device  2  at a predetermined time, for example, such as a time before the start time of the production. 
     Hardware Configuration of Information Processing Device 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the information processing device  2 , according to an embodiment of the disclosure. As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the information processing device  2  includes a CPU  31 , a ROM  32 , a RAM  33 , an HDD  34 , an I/O interface  35 , and a communication device  36 . The above-mentioned hardware components, which includes the CPU  31  to the communication device  36 , are connected to each other through a bus line  37 . To the I/O interface  35 , an operation device  38  such as a keyboard device or a mouse device is connected, for example. In addition, a display  39  is connected to the I/O interface  35 . 
     The HDD  34  stores an information processing program that enables automatic data input with respect to predetermined items (predetermined input items) extracted from the production plan information. The CPU  31  executes the information processing program to implement functions of a filtering unit  40 , an external sensor data receiving unit  41 , an analysis unit  42 , and an external communication unit  43 , which are illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
     The filtering unit  40  extracts (filters) the predetermined input items from the production plan information, which is input from the input device  1 . The external sensor data receiving unit  41  is an example of a receiving unit (receiver) and receives a sensor output (sensor value, sensor data) transmitted from the sensor device  3  together with production date and time information. The analysis unit  42  is an example of an input unit and automatically performs data input processing (automatic data input) with respect to each extracted item to generate an “operation management table” indicating an actual production result (record) or a work (operation) performance (record). Further, the analysis unit  42  detects an “operation delay” as described later. 
     The external communication unit  43  displays the “operation management table” generated by the analysis unit  42  on the display  39 . Alternatively, the external communication unit  43  transmits the “operation management table” generated by the analysis unit  42  to a server device on a predetermined network. In this case, the administrator or the like downloads the “operation management table” from the server device and manages the operation (work) status or production status. Furthermore, when detecting an “operation delay”, the external communication unit  43  causes the display  39  to display a notification of the delay in the operation progress. The detailed description is given later. Alternatively, when detecting an “operation delay”, the external communication unit  43  reports the delay in the operation progress to one or more devices specified by the administrator in advance. Examples of the devices to be reported include a server device, a personal computer, or a smartphone, which is specified in advance by the administrator. 
     In the present embodiment, the above-mentioned units of the information processing device  2 , which includes the filtering unit  40  to the external communication unit  43 , are implemented by executing software, however, a part of (one or more) or all of the above-described units of the information processing device  2  may be implemented by hardware such as an integrated circuit (IC). 
     In some embodiments, the information processing program may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium such as a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM) and a flexible disk (FD), in an installable or executable file format, for distribution. In some embodiments, the information processing program may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium such as a compact disc-recordable (CD-R), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a Blu-ray Disc (registered trademark), and a semiconductor memory, for distribution. In some embodiments, the information processing program may be installed through a network such as the Internet or may be provided as being preloaded in a ROM, etc., of the apparatus. 
     Automatic Generation of Operation Management Table 
     A description is given below of a process of automatically generating an operation management table with reference to  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 4  is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process of automatically generating an operation management table, according to the present embodiment. First, the filtering unit  40  of the information processing device  2  acquires production plan information that is input based on the production operation software of the input device  1  (step S 1 ). Then, the filtering unit  40  extracts (filters) predetermined input items and input data from the acquired production plan information. Then, the filtering unit  40  supplies the extracted information to the analysis unit  42  (step S 2 ). 
       FIG. 5  is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation management table. The filtering unit  40  extracts, from the production plan information, the input items (predetermined input items) required to generate the operation management table as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . The input items are, for example, items of start time, setup time, completion time, lot number, planned quantity, model, and total actual quantity for the operation. Then the filtering unit  40  supplies the extracted input items to the analysis unit  42 . Further, the filtering unit  40  extracts from the production plan information the input data, which is determined at a step of production planning, such as input data of start time, setup time, completion time, lot number, planned quantity, and model, and then supplies the input data to the analysis unit  42 . 
     That is, the example of the operation management table illustrated in  FIG. 5  is an example in which a type of parts or boards to be produced and a corresponding planned quantity to be produced are determined for each time zone. Specifically, in the example illustrated in  FIG. 5 , 30 parts A are planned to be produced in the time zone from 8:00 to 9:00, 5 boards A are planned to be produced in the time zone from 9:00 to 10:00, and 100 boards A are planned to be produced in the time zone from 10:00 to 11:00. In addition, in the example illustrated in  FIG. 5 , 100 parts C are planned to be produced in the time zone from 11:00 to 12:00, and 130 parts D are planned to be produced in the time zone from 12:00 to 14:00. 
     The “setup time” is a period of time required to set a production line, to switch materials or equipment, or the like, before starting producing a type of products. In the example of  FIG. 5 , the setup time required for producing the part A is 10 minutes. Accordingly, in the time of producing the part A (starting time to completion time), which is from 9:00 and 10:00, the time from 9:00 to 9:10 is used for setting the production line, switching of materials or equipment, or the like, and thereby the part A is actually produced between 9:10 and 10:00. 
     Similarly, in a period of time to produce a part D (starting time to completion time), which is from 12:00 and 14:00, a period of time from 12:00 to 12:03 is used for setting the production line, switching of materials or equipment, or the like, and the part D is actually produced between 12:03 and 14:00. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , in step S 3 , the external sensor data receiving unit  41  determines whether sensor data that indicates production of a product, is supplied, or received, from the sensor device  3 . For example, when a produced product passes through in front of the sensor device  3 , the sensor data, which indicates the production of the product, is supplied from the sensor device  3  to the external sensor data receiving unit  41  of the information processing device  2  (step S 3 : Yes). 
     The sensor device  3  supplies status data of the production line indicating one of the various statuses including being pending, being in preparation (during setup time), and being in operation (operating normally), to the external sensor data receiving unit  41  together with the sensor data. The production line may be referred to as an operation line in the disclosure. In step S 4 , the external sensor data receiving unit  41  determines whether to count the sensor data based on the status data. 
     That is, the sensor data that is generated when the production line is stopped (pending) or in preparation (during setup time) is not generated based on the fact that the product is actually produced. Accordingly, counting such sensor data as one of the products being produced is meaningless (step S 4 : No). Accordingly, the external sensor data receiving unit  41  counts the sensor data obtained from the sensor device  3  when the sensor data is added with the status data that indicates that the production line is in operation (operating normally) (step S 4 : Yes). 
     In the embodiment described above, the sensor device  3  supplies the status data. In another embodiment, in alternative to the sensor device  3 , other device that manages the production line or a personal computer that belongs to the administrator may supply the status data, for example. 
     Further, the sensor data output from the sensor device  3  is added with the date and time information (production data and time information) indicating a date and time when the product is produced (namely, date and time information indicates the date and time when the sensor data is generated). The external sensor data receiving unit  41  extracts the date and time information, which is added to the received sensor data (step S 5 ). In addition, the external sensor data receiving unit  41  detects a counted number of produced products that is indicated by the received sensor data (step S 6 ). Hereinafter, information on the counted number of produced products may be referred to as product count information. Then, the external sensor data receiving unit  41  supplies the extracted date and time information and the product count information indicating the counted number of produced products to the analysis unit  42 . 
     The analysis unit  42  refers to the operation management table illustrated in  FIG. 5  and determines a model that is currently produced, based on the date and time information supplied from the external sensor data receiving unit  41 . That is, the date and time information added to the sensor data is data used for determining an operation type (a type of operation). For example, when the date and time information supplied from the external sensor data receiving unit  41  is “8:30”, the part A is currently produced. In addition, the product count information supplied from the external sensor data receiving unit  41  indicates the number of parts A actually produced. Accordingly, the analysis unit  42  increments, by “one”, a numerical value of an input item of the total actual quantity of the part A in the operation management table. 
     Similarly, when the date and time information supplied from the external sensor data receiving unit  41  is “10:50”, the board B is currently produced. In addition, the product count information supplied from the external sensor data receiving unit  41  indicates the number of boards B produced. Accordingly, the analysis unit  42  increments a numerical value of the input item (an example of a corresponding input item) of the total actual quantity of the board B in the operation management table by “one”. 
     Such input operation related to the total actual quantity is continuously performed until the total actual quantity reaches the planned quantity. That is, the analysis unit  42  increments (inputs) the total actual quantity one by one and counts the number of products until the planned quantity of products is produced (step S 7  and step S 8 ). 
     The example of  FIG. 5  indicates that the board B is currently produced in the time zone between 10:05 to 11:00, and production of 50 boards has been completed out of the 100 boards that are planned to be produced. Each time the production of one board B is completed, the analysis unit  42  increments the numerical value of the input item of total actual quantity by one, such as 51 boards, 52 boards, 53 boards . . . and 100 boards. 
     Accordingly, the operation management table in which each of the input items and the quantity of products (total actual quantity) are automatically input is generated. 
     Process of Generating Dynamic Content 
     Further, the analysis unit  42  may generate dynamic content such as a bar graph extending by a predetermined amount each time when the total actual quantity is incremented by one, for example. As a result, the content that facilitate a user to visually recognize the progress of production is provided. 
     Delay Notification 
     By dividing, by the total actual quantity, a time that is obtained subtracting the setup time from an amount of time from the start time to a current time, an actual production time that is required to actually produce one product is calculated. In addition, by multiplying the actual production time and the planned quantity (the number of planned products to be produced), a time that is required to complete the production of the planned quantity of the product is obtainable. The time obtained based on the calculation is referred to as a production completion time. Then, by comparing the production completion time with a period of time from the actual time to start producing products or start working (operations) to the completion time, progress of the production of the products is recognizable. 
     For example, it is assumed that 25 minutes have passed since the production of the parts A started. In addition, the total actual quantity of the parts A at this time is 15. The original plan is to produce 30 parts A in 50 minutes. Accordingly, when 25 minutes have passed since the production started, the total actual quantity is 15. This means that the part A is produced as originally planned. 
     On the other hand, for example it is assumed that 25 minutes have passed since the production of the parts A started. In addition, the total actual quantity of the parts A at this time is 10. The original plan is to produce 30 parts A in 50 minutes, but when 25 minutes have passed since the production started, the total actual quantity is 10. This indicates that the production is later than planned. 
     When detecting such a production delay (operation delay) by performing the calculation described above, the analysis unit  42  generates a “delay notification” to be supplied to the external communication unit  43 . 
     The external communication unit  43  displays the operation management table and the dynamic content generated by the analysis unit  42  on the display  39 . The operation management table and the dynamic content are updated in real time. This allows the administrator or the like to check that the value of the total actual quantity is incremented one by one and the total actual quantity gradually approaches the planned quantity, via the display  39 . 
     When the external communication unit  43  receives the “delay notification” from the analysis unit  42  due to the delay in the production (operation progress), the external communication unit  43  displays the delay notification on the display  39 . As a result, the administrator or the like may recognize the delay occurring in the production line and may take an action such as increasing the production speed, for example. 
     In the embodiment described above, the operation management table, the dynamic content, and the delay notification are displayed on the display  39  of the information processing device  2 . In some embodiments, the operation management table, the dynamic content, and the delay notification may be uploaded to a server device on a predetermined network. In this case, the administrator or the like manages the production status or the like by downloading the operation management table and the delay notification uploaded to the server device. In some embodiments, the operation management table and delay notification may be sent to a smartphone or a personal computer device used by the administrator, for example. In some embodiments, the operation management table, the dynamic content, and/or the delay notification are displayed on the display  39  of the information processing device  2 , are uploaded to a server device on a predetermined network, and/or are sent to a smartphone or a personal computer device used by the administrator, for example. 
     As described above, in the information processing system according to the present embodiment, the information processing device  2  extracts the input items of the operation management table based on the production plan information that is input via the input device  1 . The information processing device  2  increments the value of the total actual quantity in the operation management table one by one each time the sensor device  3  detects the production of one product. The external communication unit  43  displays the operation management table on the display  39 . Accordingly, the data corresponding to each input item is displayed as the operation management table generated by automatic input without burdensome work. 
     Further, the analysis unit  42  monitors the production progress of the product and generates a “delay notification” when the production is delayed. Then, the external communication unit  43  displays the “delay notification” on the display  39 . As a result, the administrator or the like may recognize the delay occurring in the production line and may take an action such as increasing the production speed, for example. 
     In a conventional information processing system, it is difficult to automatically determine a destination to input data and input the data, for each type of data acquired by a sensor. Accordingly, in such a conventional information processing system, a worker determines the destination and inputs the data to the destination after the data is acquired. Due to this, in the conventional information processing system, time and work is required to input data. 
     In addition, in order to automatically classify and manage the data, a file name of the data, which is to be transferred, is required to include a key character string. Due to this, a large number of key character strings is required to be prepared in advance, resulting in burdensome work. 
     The disclosure has been made in view of the above-described issue, and an object of an embodiment is to provide an information processing device, a method of processing information, an information processing program, and an information processing system capable of inputting data without burdensome work. 
     According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, data is input without burdensome some work. 
     Although the embodiments of the disclosure have been described and illustrated above, such description is not intended to limit the disclosure to the illustrated embodiments. Numerous additional modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the embodiments may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. For example, elements and/or features of different illustrative embodiments may be combined with each other and/or substituted for each other within the scope of this disclosure and appended claims. 
     Any one of the above-described operations may be performed in various other ways, for example, in an order different from the one described above. 
     Each of the functions of the described embodiments may be implemented by one or more processing circuits or circuitry. Processing circuitry includes a programmed processor, as a processor includes circuitry. A processing circuit also includes devices such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), DSP (digital signal processor), FPGA (field programmable gate array) and conventional circuit components arranged to perform the recited functions.