JP2003036295A - Packaged article manufacture management method and manufacture management device, packaged article, and manufacture management program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To ensure correspondence between unique information inside a packaged article an unique information outside the packaged article. SOLUTION: A management device 41 is a packaged article manufacturing management device comprising a storage unit in which unique information is stored, an article/dummy determination means 411 for determining if a transferred object is an article or a dummy based on signals sent from a first article identifier 42 and a second article identifier 44, a dummy value setting means 411 for storing the count value of dummy objects in a first information formation process by counting the number of transferred dummy objects and articles, a second transferred object count measuring means 412d for finding the count value of dummy objects in a second information formation process, an identity discrimination means 418 for comparing the count value produced by the dummy value setting means 417 with the count value produced by the second transferred object count measuring means 412d, and a warning means for issuing a warning when the two counts differ.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a manufacturing management method and manufacturing management apparatus for consumable goods / consumable goods, a service management method related to the manufacturing management apparatus, and a service management apparatus, preferably a copying machine, a printer, or the like. The present invention can be applied to a consumable item / consumable item manufacturing management method and manufacturing management apparatus of the image forming apparatus, a service management method related to the manufacturing management apparatus, and a service management apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer is continuously used, it is necessary to replace consumable articles such as ink cartridges, toner cartridges and photoconductor cartridges.

Here, the consumable article means a component such as a photoconductor cartridge having a photoconductor as a consumable material, while the consumable article is a toner cartridge having a member such as toner and ink as a consumable material. , And parts such as ink cartridges. However, consumable items are also consumable items in the sense that they are replaced with new consumable items, and there are cartridge forms in which the photosensitive cartridge and the toner cartridge are formed as a single cartridge. Therefore, in particular, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the two, the consumer goods are used in the sense that both are integrated.

[0004] In such a device that is intended for exchanging consumable goods, in order to avoid an inoperative state of the device due to exhaustion of the consumable product, the device user purchases a consumable product as a spare in advance. Generally prepared.

At this time, as a matter of course, a charge is incurred. That is, the current charging service method is a system in which the right to own a consumer product is generated after the process of purchasing the consumer product, and therefore the ownership cannot be obtained without the purchasing process, and thus the backup consumer product is not available. This is because it is necessary to purchase consumer goods in order to prepare.

[0006] In a situation where budget application is difficult, it is required to suppress spending on consumer goods. One solution is to reduce the number of pre-purchased consumables, but the cycle of replenishing spare consumables will also be shortened. Work such as checking the number of spare consumer goods must be performed frequently, which increases the burden. Such work is usually performed by the device user or the administrator, but since it is performed between the original tasks, there is a high possibility that it will not be possible or will not be possible.

For these reasons, in the end, it is often the case that more than the number of consumer goods currently required is purchased as a spare.

However, when the current image forming apparatus is returned to the leasing company due to a lease expiration, or
If the device user has a consumable article for the apparatus until then, such as when the image forming apparatus is disposed of after depreciation and is discarded, the consumable article is completely wasted.

Further, even if the model is changed at the time of renewal of the lease contract, if the consumer goods for the old device and the consumer goods for the new device are not compatible with each other, the possession will be held. The consumables for the old equipment are completely wasted.

In particular, in a high-volume printing scene such as in an office, it is necessary to purchase a large amount of consumer goods in order to meet the demand, which entails a large amount of advance expenses. Therefore, if the above situation occurs, the damage will be enormous.

[0011]

As a method for solving the above problems, the present applicant has created a new sales method and a charging method service for the provision of consumer goods by Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-291264. did.

In such a newly proposed service,
An IC chip is mounted on the above-mentioned consumer product, for example, an ink cartridge, and information unique to the cartridge is stored in the IC chip. The unique information is composed of information such as a model number that can specify the type of the ink cartridge, and information that is given so that the same model number can be specified individually.

When the ink cartridge having the IC chip storing the above-mentioned unique information is mounted on the image forming apparatus, it is read by the information reading means arranged in the image forming apparatus, and the information is notified to the service provider. To be done. As a result, the service provider can individually detect the use of the consumer goods having the notified information among the consumer goods delivered in advance.

On the other hand, the service provider who provides the above-mentioned service, in order to incorporate the "first-come-first-served" mechanism, irrespective of whether or not the consumer product is actually used, the consumer product delivered to the service recipient. It is necessary to manage each one. For example, the same information as the information formed on the IC chip, that is, unique information is acquired at the time of delivery. As a result, the service provider can carry out a follow-up survey on all the consumer goods delivered to the service receiver, and can grasp the situation of the fact of delivery, detection of use, and detection of collection.

At this time, since the consumable goods at the time of delivery are packaged / packaged by the packaging material / packing material, even the service provider does not destroy the packaging material / packing material and unique information. Can't get Not all of the delivered consumer goods are used by the service recipient.

Therefore, in the above-mentioned newly proposed service, the same information as the unique information formed on the IC chip is recorded in an information recording body different from the IC chip, and the packaging material / packing material for the consumer goods is packaged. The method of attaching in advance is adopted.

In this case, after packaging / packing the consumable article on which the information peculiar to the IC chip has been formed, the information recording body recording the same information as the peculiar information is attached to the packaging / packing material. It is necessary to devise so that the same relationship of unique information between the IC chip and the information recording body is not disturbed.

In particular, a step of recording information peculiar to an IC chip of a consumer article, a step of packaging and packing a consumer article in which the unique information is recorded, and an IC chip on the consumer article that has been packaged and packed. When the step of attaching the information recording body on which the same unique information is formed is made into a line, in the step of attaching the information recording body, the I of the consumer goods flowing through the line is
The unique information recorded on the C chip must be accurately known.

For example, when the packaging / packing state of the consumer article that has been packaged / packed is defective, the defective article may be removed from the line. In addition, when the consumer goods temporarily removed from the line in the inspection of the packaging / packing state are returned to the line again, the flow order may be changed by returning them to different positions. In addition, an error that duplicates unique information or an error that skips unique information to be added does not necessarily occur in either the IC chip or the information recording medium.

Even in such a case, in order to quickly detect the change in the flow of the line and prevent the same relationship of the unique information between the IC chip and the information recording body from being disturbed, the flow on the line is simply performed. It is not necessary to count the number of consumable articles and match the numbers in the step of recording the information unique to the IC chip and the step of attaching the information recording body.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above problems, and in order to avoid inconvenience due to exhaustion of consumer goods and inconvenience caused by exhaustion of consumer goods, service recipients Among the consumables / consumables delivered to the company, only the consumables / consumables actually used will be charged, and unnecessary expenses will be suppressed without the need to use uncertain methods such as forecasting. For a distributed product that can be preferably used in the method and system capable of performing the same, an information recording body having the same content as the unique information formed in the distributed product without impairing the commercial property of the distributed product. And a method of manufacturing and managing a distribution product in which the identity of the two unique information is guaranteed.

[0022] Note that examples of the distributed products to be serviced are not limited to consumer goods used for devices requiring consumer goods, but office supplies such as recording paper, daily necessities in general households such as soap, and It is more efficient for service recipients to pay for the parts used for manufacturing products at the factory before they are delivered and used,
Any convenient article can be applied.

[0023]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the method for controlling the production of distributed products according to the present invention comprises:
A first information forming step of forming unique information for individually identifying a product, a packaging step of packaging the product into a distribution product, and removing the distribution product from the distribution product. Manufacturing management of a distribution product in a manufacturing line laid out in the order of a second information forming step of forming information having the same content as the above-mentioned unique information on an information recording body configured as possible and attaching it to the distribution product. In the method, in the first information forming step, a dummy object inputting step of inputting a dummy object mixed in a product into a manufacturing line, a product to be conveyed and a dummy object are distinguished, and the product and A first measurement step of counting the number of dummy objects in the order of conveyance, wherein the second information forming step discriminates a distributed product and a dummy object to be transferred, and transfers the number of the distributed product and the dummy object. Count in order A second measurement step, a determination step of determining the identity of the dummy object count value counted in the second measurement step, and the dummy object count value counted in the first measurement step; And a warning step of issuing a warning when a mismatch of the count values is detected in the determination step.

According to the above configuration, the manufactured product on which the unique information is formed in the first information forming step is packaged into a distribution product, and then the same unique information is formed in the second information forming step. The formed information recording body is attached to the distribution product. Therefore, if you want to manage the distribution of products while individually specifying them, such as when delivering products to customers or managing inventory after delivery, you can distribute products without opening the package. Information specific to the product can be obtained from the information recording body attached to the product.

The unique information formed on the product is
The service provider indicates the usage status on the customer side, such as whether or not the customer has opened the package and started to use the product, or has stopped using the product and replaced it with another product. Is used for the purpose of realizing a service such as "pre-purchase and post-purchase" by grasping via a network and performing charging management for used products later by utilizing IT technology.

That is, since the above-mentioned unique information is used to individually identify each product in managing the distribution of the product, the state after distribution, the billing, etc., the unique information formed in the product. And the unique information formed on the information recording body attached to the distribution product is required to completely match.

Therefore, in the first information forming step for forming information peculiar to the product, the dummy objects mixed with the product are put into the production line, and the product conveyed in the first measuring step. Also, the dummy objects are discriminated, and the numbers of the manufactured products and the dummy objects are counted in the order of conveyance. As a result, it is possible to obtain the count value (the count value integrated and counted in the measuring step, that is, the conveyance number of the dummy object) indicating how many times the dummy object is conveyed including the manufactured product.

Further, in the second information forming step installed downstream of the first information forming step through the packaging step, in the second measuring step, in the same manner as the first measuring step, It is possible to obtain a count value indicating how many times the dummy object is conveyed including the manufactured product.

After that, by judging the coincidence of the count values of the dummy object acquired in each measurement step, if the two count values match, the manufactured product and the dummy object will not be out of order, It can be determined that it is flowing through the production line. Therefore, in this case, the unique information formed on the product and the unique information formed on the information recording body attached to the distribution product are kept in perfect agreement.

On the other hand, when a discrepancy between the two count values is detected, the product and the dummy object are misaligned in the order in which they flow through the manufacturing line, and the unique information formed in the product and the distribution information are attached. An error that does not match the unique information formed on the information recording body has occurred. Therefore, by warning the occurrence of the error, the manufacturing manager can take measures to eliminate the error.

When the count values of the two do not match, the manufactured product or the distributed product is removed from the manufacturing line due to a defect or the like between the first information forming process and the second information forming process. Or, the product or distribution that was temporarily removed from the manufacturing line was returned to the manufacturing line on the way, etc., causing an excess or deficiency of the product or distribution between adjacent dummy objects. You can see that it may have occurred.

In any case, the unique information formed in the unique information holding portion such as the IC chip of the product and the unique information formed in the information recording body arranged outside the distribution product are combined. You can judge that you have not done it. in this case,
The distribution item in which the unique information does not match is located between the dummy object in which the count value match is detected in the second information forming step and the dummy object in which the count value mismatch is detected. Can also be specified.

As described above, in each of the first information forming step and the second information forming step, when the conveyed object is a dummy object, the conveying number including the manufactured object of the dummy object is counted. , It judges the identity of the count values of both parties and issues a warning if the identity is not recognized.
An important feature of the present invention is that the dummy object is used as an identifier for determining the identity.

Then, it is possible to form an information recording body having the same contents as the unique information formed on the product,
Furthermore, since the identity of the two unique information items is confirmed without impairing the commercial property of the distributed product, only the guaranteed distributed product can be manufactured and managed.

Further, since the unique information is formed on the manufacturing site of the product, it is not necessary for the service person to form the unique information on the site, and it is not necessary to perform extra work for that purpose. Further, since the issue management of the unique information can be centrally performed, it is possible to avoid the problem of duplication of the same unique information.

The formation of information peculiar to the product is performed by a method of writing the peculiar information in a non-volatile memory such as an IC chip arranged in the product, or a unique bar code format on a label attached to the product. Various methods such as a method of printing information can be adopted.

The distinction between the product and the dummy object in the method for managing production of distributed products of the present invention is characterized by detecting the difference in the length of the product and the dummy object in the conveying direction.

According to this, it is possible to construct an inexpensive and simple system as compared with the method of discriminating by an image recognition device such as a CCD camera or a TV camera.

As a specific example of the detection, for example, a transmissive optical sensor including a light emitting element and a light receiving element is used, and the cutoff time of the transmitted light generated when the sensor crosses the sensor can be measured.

According to this method, there is no problem such as erroneous recognition when the product or the dummy object is inverted, as compared with the method of detecting the height difference between the product and the dummy object, and It is possible to determine the type with fewer sensors. That is, in the case of detecting the height difference between the product and the dummy object, in the transmissive optical sensor set to the predetermined height, it is only possible to perform binary determination of whether the height is lower or higher than the predetermined height. However, in the case of detecting the length in the carrying direction, it is possible to continuously detect the carried object having an arbitrary carrying length by detecting the pulse width.

Further, even when a plurality of sensors having different installation heights are used, the detection accuracy of the height is determined by the distance between the installed sensors in the height direction, and therefore the detection accuracy has a physical limit.

Further, if this method is used, in the case of products having different lengths in the conveying direction depending on the types of products,
It is possible to determine the type of product.

As described above, even if the type of product flowing through the production line changes, it is not necessary to change the hardware configuration such as the sensor for detecting the length in the carrying direction. Can respond flexibly.

The above-mentioned dummy object in the method for managing production of distributed goods of the present invention is characterized in that the length in the carrying direction is shorter than the length in the carrying direction of the product.

According to this, compared to the case where the length in the carrying direction is longer than the length in the carrying direction of the product, there are the following merits. That is, even if the dummy object is thrown in, the occupied area on the production line is not increased so much, and the size of the dummy object may be set so as to be shorter than the length of the product as a reference. So
The length can be promptly determined regardless of the size of the packaging material or the like. In the case of a product having a rectangular shape with respect to the transport plane, the stacking angle of the product with respect to the transport direction may be changed by making the dummy object transport direction length shorter than the short side length of the product. In both cases, the length of the dummy object in the carrying direction can be always shortened.

If the dummy object has a cylindrical shape, that is, if the dummy object is isotropic with respect to the carrying plane, the length in the carrying direction detected by the stacking state of the dummy objects in the carrying direction does not change. It is not necessary to pay attention to the stacking angle of the above-mentioned dummy object with respect to the transport direction, and the load at the time of stacking can be greatly reduced.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the method for managing the production of distributed products according to the present invention includes the steps of performing the dummy object insertion step and the first measurement step, and providing unique information in the first information forming step. It is characterized in that it is carried out before the formation of the product and that the second measurement step is carried out before the formation of the information having the same content as the unique information in the information recording body in the second information forming step. .

According to this, in order to give the same unique information to the product flowing through the production line and the distribution product in which the product is packaged, it is possible to determine which product and distribution product have the same relationship. It is necessary to identify, but in the identification, if a method of judging the coincidence of the order of the products flowing through the first information forming step and the order of the flowing goods flowing through the second information forming step is adopted. , Its identification can be performed easily.

At this time, the dummy object insertion step and the first measurement step are performed before the peculiar information is formed on the product, and the second measurement step is performed on the information recording medium with the same contents as the peculiar information. Since it is performed before the formation of the information, the unique information can be formed in the product in association with the count value of the product obtained in the first measurement step.
Further, the correspondence can be used for identifying the distribution item in the second information forming step. That is, it is possible to identify that the distribution product having the count value obtained in the second measurement step and the count value of the product obtained in the first measurement step has the same relationship as the product having the unique information. Therefore, the unique information associated with the count value can be formed in the information recording body attached to the identified circulation product.

Since the count value of each measurement step can be used for identifying the product and the commercial product to which the same unique information should be added, the configuration and processing for the identification are simplified.

In the second information forming step in the method for managing production of distributed products according to the present invention, the unique information generated based on the unique information stored in the management table is further stored in the information recording body. It is characterized by including a forming step and a step of updating the management table according to the notification of the completion of the information forming.

According to this, after detecting that the formation of the unique information on the information recording body is completed by the second information forming step, the management table is updated using the unique information. That is, at the time when the formation of the unique information is completed by the second information forming step, the formation of the unique information for the product has already been completed by the first information forming step. The unique information recorded in the management table can be updated by the notification from.

In the case of updating the management table before receiving the completion notification from the second information forming step,
When the second information forming step is not normally performed,
It is necessary to read the already updated unique information stored in the management table again and then use the value as it is to instruct the second information forming step. The process at the time of such error processing is different from the normal process (generated by incrementing the read value by +1) and is a "preceding" update, which is not preferable because it complicates the process.

Further, when the device storing or managing the management table is shut off, the unique information stored in the management table is added to the first information forming process as in the normal process. , Count value (initial value = 1)
It is only necessary to give the formation value of the value generated by adding the count value. However, for the second information forming step, the count value is decremented by −1 from the unique information stored in the management table. It must be generated by adding, processing becomes complicated, the possibility of occurrence of bugs increases, and it is difficult to handle.

On the other hand, when the management table is updated after the completion notification from the second information forming step is received, the normal information generation process and the process at the time of error processing are made common (managed). Since it can be generated by incrementing the value read from the table by +1), there is no fear that a bug will occur.

The information may be updated by overwriting the old information, but for the purpose of referring to the history, the additional storage is preferable.

The warning step in the method for managing production of distributed goods according to the present invention includes the count value of the dummy objects counted in the first measuring step when the count value mismatch is detected in the determining step, Second above
It is characterized by including a step of obtaining a difference from the count value of the dummy object counted in the measurement step of.

According to this, by obtaining the difference between the count values of the dummy objects which have been obtained in the respective measurement steps and whose inconsistency has been detected, the difference between the first information forming step and the second information forming step can be obtained. It is possible to specify the number of products that have an excess or deficiency. For example, if the count value of the dummy object in the second measurement step is smaller than the count value of the dummy object in the first measurement step by n (integer of 1 or more), n pieces of products will be manufactured on the manufacturing line for some reason. , And conversely, if n is large, it can be seen that n products have been added to the production line for some reason.

As a result, the unique information was formed in the distributed material immediately before the mismatch of the count values of the dummy objects was detected in the second information forming step, with the deviation of n. From the above, it is sufficient to correct the deviation by n and restart the formation of the unique information with respect to the distributed material which is conveyed immediately after the dummy object in which the mismatch of the count values is detected and to which the unique information is not added. I understand. As a result, the correct unique information formation can be immediately restarted.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the method of manufacturing distribution management of the present invention further introduces a dummy object into the first information forming step on the upstream side of the first information forming step. It is characterized in that a dummy object input line for carrying out the process is installed, and it has a conveyed product selecting step for selecting the conveyance of the product or the dummy object.

According to this, it becomes possible to control the ratio of the number of conveyed products and dummy objects in the first information forming step by the conveyed object selecting step.

Switching of the conveyed product is performed by, for example, managing the time for flowing the manufactured product to the first information forming process, and flowing one dummy object to the first information forming process every time the specified time arrives. Is the way. This method can be used when the number of products between dummy objects need not always be constant. Further, in this case, it is possible to obtain information on the manufacturing efficiency by comparing the numbers of products manufactured between the dummy objects.

Alternatively, it is a method of controlling the number of products to be flown to the first information forming step, and flowing one dummy object to the first information forming step every time a prescribed number of products are reached. According to this method, since the number of products manufactured between the dummies is constant, for example, when the actual number is smaller than the specified value, it can be determined that the shortage has been removed from the manufacturing line.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the method for managing the production of distributed products according to the present invention is such that the identity of the count value is affirmed on the downstream side of the dummy object for which the identity of the count value is denied. The product located between the dummy object and
It is characterized in that a conveyed product separating step for separating from other products is provided on the downstream side of the second information forming step.

According to this, since the specific product which is the object of warning is introduced into the conveyed product separating step, it is possible to separate it from other products which are not the object of warning. Therefore, for the product introduced in the conveyed product separation step,
It is possible to investigate the cause of inconsistency of unique information.

If it is not necessary to obtain the peculiar information without opening the packaging material, that is, if there is a case in which it is not necessary to attach the information recording body, in preparation for that case, the product to be conveyed is prepared. Only the unique information formed on the information recording body of the circulation product introduced in the separation step may be invalidated (for example, discarded) and separately stored.

Further, in addition to the specific product, all dummy objects may be introduced into the conveyed product separating step.

As a result, a dummy object that is effective only in the factory can be promptly recovered, and the dummy object can be efficiently reused.

The manufacturing control method of the distribution product of the present invention is as follows.
Further, it is possible to perform the step of detecting the type of the product by visual inspection.

According to this, if the appearance is different depending on the type of the product, the type of the product can be discriminated by the appearance inspection. Further, since a general-purpose appearance inspection device can be used, a low-cost system can be constructed without requiring special technical development, and high-speed processing can be performed. Further, the type of the product can be detected more accurately as compared with the method of detecting the length of the product in the conveying direction.

Therefore, it is possible to deal with the case where many kinds of products flow on the production line, and it is suitable for a multi-product small-quantity production system.

The inspection content is not limited to the contour information, since it is only necessary to extract the feature points that can specify the type of the product, and the difference in the uneven shape, the difference in color, etc. in the specific portion can be used. Good. Alternatively, the type information attached / formed on the product may be read as image information and acquired as numerical values or character data.

However, the above-described method is superior in that an expensive appearance inspection system is required for determining the product and that the type information of the product must be previously stored as data and registered in advance. .

Further, in the method of managing production of distributed products according to the present invention, the unique information stored in the management table is used as an initial value, and the number of products transported to the first unique information forming step is integrated and counted. It is preferable to generate new unique information by adding the count values obtained by the above.

According to this, for example, the ID number stored in the management table stored in the storage unit such as the hard disk is read out to the temporary storage means such as the RAM, and the RA is stored.
New unique information can be generated by adding the transport number of the transported product to the value stored in M. Therefore, after reading the initial value, there is no need to access the management table, that is, the hard disk, so that the processing related to the generation of unique information can be performed at high speed, and the load on the CPU and the like can be reduced. it can.

Further, it is preferable that the warning step is performed by notifying or displaying the count value of the dummy object whose identity is denied.

According to this, in addition to the warning that the unique information formed by the first information forming step and the unique information formed by the second information forming step are different,
Since the count value of the dummy object is notified or displayed, the corresponding dummy object can be specified. Therefore, by specifying the dummy object, the corresponding product can be specified.

The count value of the dummy object can be specified by
The value in the step of detecting the count value of the dummy object in the second information forming step can be used.

Further, the first information forming step has a storing step of storing the count values of a plurality of dummy objects in the dummy value management table in time series, and the second information forming step is the same. On the basis of the count value corresponding to the dummy object for which the number is denied, the immediately preceding count value corresponding to another dummy object stored before the count value is read from the dummy value management table, and the difference between the two count values is read. The number of products to be alerted may be notified by calculating

According to this, it is possible to specify that the product between the dummy object whose identity is denied and the dummy object located one downstream side of the dummy object is the warning object. Further, since the number of warning objects can be notified by obtaining the difference between the count values of the two dummy objects, the manufacturing manager can take a measure to immediately solve the problem or postpone it depending on the notified number. It is possible to stand.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the method for managing production of distributed products according to the present invention comprises a first information forming step of forming information unique to the product, and packaging and distributing the manufactured product. A packaging step for making a product, and forming information having the same content as the above-mentioned unique information in an information recording body configured to be removable from the distribution product, and attaching the distribution product to the distribution product. 2 information forming step, the dummy information mixed with the manufactured product flows in sequence, and the unique information formed by the first information forming step and the unique information formed by the second information forming step. A method of manufacturing management of a distribution product for determining the identity with information of the above, the step of obtaining the last issued unique information from the unique information management table storing the above unique information, and a first information forming step Transported to The first measurement step of integrating and counting the number of transported objects, the step of determining whether the transported object is a manufactured object or a dummy object, and the above acquisition when the transported object is a manufactured object. Based on the unique information, the instruction to form the unique information to the product, the step of storing the count value when the conveyed object is a dummy object, and the second information forming step are carried. A second measurement step of integrating and counting the number of transported objects, a step of determining whether the transported object is a manufactured object or a dummy object, and the above acquisition when the transported object is a manufactured object. The step of instructing formation of unique information on the information recording body configured to be removable from the product based on the unique information, and the stored count when the conveyed object is a dummy object. And, the second
It is characterized in that the programmed computer is made to execute the step of comparing with the count value of the dummy object obtained by the measuring step and the step of issuing a warning when the two count values do not match.

According to the above configuration, when the last issued peculiar information is acquired from the peculiar information management table storing the peculiar information of the product, and the product is conveyed to the first information forming step. Based on the count value of the product, new unique information is generated based on the unique information, and a formation instruction is given. On the other hand, when a distribution product is conveyed to the second information forming step, new unique information is generated for the information recording body based on the unique information based on the count value of the distribution product, Instruct formation. In other words, the product and the distribution order of the distribution products in which the products are packaged are integrated and counted by individual measurement steps, and the same unique information is added to the products and distribution products having the same count value. Will be.

Therefore, it is possible to form an information recording body having the same contents as the unique information formed on the manufactured product, and further, to make the sameness of the two unique information impair the commercial property of the distribution product. Since it is confirmed without any, it is possible to manufacture and control only the guaranteed distribution products.

Further, when the transported object to be transported is a dummy object, the transportation number including the manufactured product of the dummy object is counted and detected, and the stored transportation number is the same as the counted value. Judgment is made and a warning is issued if the identity is not recognized. The warning occurs when the above-mentioned two values that should originally match are different, and the mismatch occurs between the first information forming step and the second information forming step because the manufactured product or the distributed product is defective. Between the dummy objects that have been removed from the manufacturing line due to reasons such as the following, or because the product or distribution that was temporarily removed from the manufacturing line was returned to the manufacturing line midway. This is because it suggests that there is an excess or deficiency of the manufactured product or the distributed product. Therefore, the unique information formed in the unique information holding part such as the IC chip of the manufactured product and the distributed information are arranged outside the distributed product. It is possible to notify the manufacturing manager of a defect that the unique information formed on the information recording body does not match.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the distribution product manufacturing management apparatus of the present invention includes a first information forming step of forming information specific to the product, and packaging and distributing the product. A packaging step for making a product, and forming information having the same content as the above-mentioned unique information in an information recording body configured to be removable from the distribution product, and attaching the distribution product to the distribution product. For the production line in which the dummy objects are mixed and flow in the product, the layout is performed in the order of the information forming step 2
Discriminating means for respectively discriminating whether the conveyed object conveyed in the first information forming step and the second information forming step is a manufactured article or a dummy object, and is conveyed in the first information forming step. Dummy value setting means for storing the count value of the dummy object based on the count of the number of conveyed dummy objects and manufactured articles and the determination result of the determining means, and the dummy object conveyed in the second information forming step and the manufacturing Measuring means for detecting the count value of the dummy object based on the count of the number of conveyed objects and the determination result of the determining means, and identity determination for comparing the count value of the dummy value setting means with the count value of the measuring means. Means and a warning means for issuing a warning when the two count values are different as a result of the identity determination.

Here, the conveyed product refers to both the manufactured product and the dummy object.

According to this, the transported object transported in the first information forming step is identified by the determining means, and the count value of the identified dummy object is stored by the dummy value setting means. On the other hand, the conveyed object conveyed in the second information forming step located on the downstream side of the first information forming step is similarly identified by the determining means, and the count value of the identified dummy object is detected by the measuring means. To be done.

The identity determining means compares the above two count values and issues a warning when the identity is denied, so that the unique information formed on the product by the first information forming step is detected. It is possible to notify the administrator or the like that the product is manufactured in a state where the unique information formed on the information recording body by the second information forming step does not match.

As a result, it is possible to eliminate a state where the unique information formed on the product inside the distribution product and the unique information formed on the information recording medium attached to the outside of the distribution product do not match. Therefore, the service provider who sells the distribution product can obtain the unique information formed on the product from the information recording body without opening the distribution product.

As a result, when delivering a distributed product to a service recipient, by recording the information formed in the information recording body in association with the service recipient information, the location information of the delivered product etc. It is possible to realize a service that takes the form of "pre-purchase and post-purchase" that charges only the distributed products that have been used among the distributed products that have been delivered.

Specifically, the first information forming step and the second information forming step
In the information forming step of step 1, for example, a pulse signal output from a detector that detects passage of a conveyed object is acquired via a board such as an I / O interface, and an arithmetic processing unit such as a CPU is manufactured based on the pulse signal. Whether it is an object or a dummy object is determined, the number of pulses is counted, the count value of the dummy object is stored in a memory such as a RAM, and the memory value is compared with the count value. This can be realized by outputting the comparison result to the warning means. The warning means is, for example, a display device such as a liquid crystal display, or a voice device including a sound card, a speaker, etc., and further outputs character information by e-mail to another terminal connected to the network. Communication device.

According to this, a unique information management table that manages product-specific information is stored in a storage unit such as a hard disk, and a request for issuing product-specific information is issued via a board such as an I / O interface. Input the unique information that was issued last from the unique information management table,
Arithmetic processing for generating the latest unique information based on the last issued unique information and outputting the generated latest unique information to the first unique information forming unit and the second unique information forming unit A general-purpose computer having a unit can realize a manufacturing management apparatus that manages issuance of unique information.

The signal for requesting issuance of unique information is
A signal for detecting that the product in question has reached a predetermined position on the manufacturing line, for example, a position where unique information is formed, or a signal for detecting that the product has passed the predetermined position can be used.

In addition, the first information forming step and the second information forming step are performed based on the storage unit for storing the unique information management table for managing the unique information of the product and the unique information managed by the unique information management table. If a unique information generating means for instructing the formation of unique information in the information forming process is provided, in addition to the determination of the identity of the unique information, unique information of the same content for one product is temporally and positionally determined. Can be formed in separate situations. Therefore, it is possible to flexibly cope with a manufacturing layout in which another process such as a packaging process is interposed between the first information forming process and the second information forming process.

Further, the first information forming step and the second
When the unique information formation completion signal is received from the information forming step, the above-mentioned latest unique information is updated in the unique information management table and executed according to a program. Since it is confirmed that the peculiar information is formed in both the product and the information recording body, the issued peculiar information can be confirmed, and therefore the peculiar information management that manages the peculiar information. It is possible to update the table.

If the formation completion signal is not received from at least one of the two, it is judged as an error that the information formation instruction and the processing related thereto (transfer of unique information data, etc.) are performed again. Is more reliable, and compared to the method of issuing unique information again,
The unique information issued can be used effectively.

In the distributed product of the present invention, the product in which the unique information is formed by the above manufacturing control method and the information recording body in which the information capable of specifying the unique information are paired, Further, it is characterized in that it is packaged so that the identifiable information can be obtained from the information recording body.

According to the above configuration, when delivering to the service recipient, the information peculiar to the product formed on the product by the manufacturing control method according to the present invention can be specified from the information recording body. Can be obtained via. Therefore, the service provider manages the unique information, so that the distribution item to be delivered to the service recipient can be specified based on the unique information, and even after the delivery, the unique information is delivered from the service recipient. By acquiring the information of, the inventory management, the sales service, etc. using the unique information can be performed.

In order to obtain identifiable information from the information recording medium, various readers such as optical, magnetic, and magneto-optical readers are used, and when the information recording medium is formed by a memory, In the case of a form such as a label or tag in which information that can be specified by the information recording body is read out as an electric signal from the recording body, or in the case of a form such as a tag, collect the information recording body and manually input the numerical data into the computer. Various forms can be adopted, such as ari.

The manufacturing management program of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute each step in the manufacturing management method of the present invention.

According to the above construction, the manufacturing control method of the present invention can be provided to the manufacturer of the product by loading the manufacturing control program into the manufacturing control device. Further, the manufacturing control method of the distribution product can be carried out using a general computer.

Needless to say, a computer-readable recording medium in which a manufacturing control program for causing a computer to execute the manufacturing control method of the distributed product of the present invention is recorded is within the scope of the right of the present invention.

A distribution product manufactured by using the above manufacturing control method is a distribution product to be put on a distribution product route delivered to the service recipient. If the unique information formed on the information recording body is obtained when the distribution item is delivered to the service recipient, the distribution item placed in the hand of the service recipient can be obtained based on the information. It is possible to specify, and thereby inventory control, sales service, etc. can be performed. Since the distributed goods are managed by the service management method secondarily provided by the present invention, there is a merit that the service provider can accurately grasp the usage status, and the service recipient receives the used amount. It will be charged only, and there is an advantage that you do not have to pay extra for the reserve.

Since the distribution product is further characterized in that the unique information of the manufactured product is formed in advance, the service provider uses the unique information to inform the service provider “what service recipient and how. "Did you pre-deliver different products?" At the time of delivery.

If the device installed in the service recipient's house electronically reads the unique information and sends it to the management device of the service provider, the same distribution is performed using the unique information. The service provider can decide whether to use goods or to use new distribution by exchange, and if the detected unique information changes differently from the previously detected unique information, By detecting the change, it becomes possible to identify that the service receiver newly purchased the distribution item.

The information unique to the product is
For example, the code information that does not make sense by itself may be translated into the product name for the first time by referring to the product table prepared by the service provider side.

In this case, the unique information in the present invention is
Even if the information is leaked to a third party or decrypted, it is low-risk information for both the service provider and the service receiver, so that it is not necessary to perform advanced processing such as encryption and decryption. Therefore, the hardware and software scale can be reduced compared with the time of reading such information as a security measure, and the processing time can be shortened by not performing the decryption, so high-speed reading should be performed. You can

Further, if the service provider registers the distribution item information and the service recipient information in association with each other at the time of delivery of the distribution item, the service provider can specify the contractor only by obtaining the unique information of the distribution item. You can That is, the amount of information transmission can be reduced compared to the case where, in addition to the unique information of the distribution item, the information of the service recipient who is the user of the distribution item is obtained as a pair, the amount of information transmission can be reduced, and when using the network. Can reduce the communication load.

Further, even if a third party manufactures and sells a copy of a distribution product including the above-mentioned unique information, double detection of the same unique information and associating the unique information with the service recipient information. It is possible to discriminate an illegal imitation product by detecting a mismatch in the above. Further, unless the service provider handles the illegal distribution, the service is not targeted for the service, so that it is possible to suppress and eliminate the spread of the pirated version.

The distribution product further includes a protective material for packing or wrapping the distribution product, and an information recording medium on which information having the same content as the product-specific information is formed on the surface or inside of the protection material. It may be provided. This allows
Since the service person can obtain the information of the distribution item delivered at the time of delivery of the distribution item from the information recording body attached to the surface of the distribution item such as the packaging material, the packaging material is opened and the distribution item is distributed. There is no need to take out and obtain the unique information formed in the distribution product, and the commercial property will not be lost due to opening.

Further, the information formed on the information recording medium can be obtained by reading it with a scanner. For example, if the unique information is formed into a bar code, it can be performed easily and quickly, and the work such as delivery check at the time of delivery can be speeded up.

Further, when the information recording body is attached to the surface of the flowable product, the readability of information is excellent, so that the above-mentioned work can be speeded up.

In addition, when the information recording body is attached to the inside of the flowable product, the information recording body is not damaged or damaged as compared with the method of attaching the information recording body to the surface. Therefore, the information recording body is lost or damaged. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the situation where the information cannot be read.

If the information recording body is formed so that it can be separated from the distributed material, it is possible to judge whether the information recording body is undelivered or already delivered. Further, since it becomes possible to take the information recording medium home, it is possible to avoid the situation in which pre-registration cannot be performed even when the scanner is out of order, and the information can be read back at the service provider home. And pre-registration can be done.

The distribution item may further include an IC chip, and the unique information may be stored in the IC chip. As a result, the IC chip, which has been considered to be installed for the purpose of eliminating pirated products, can be used as it is, and the unique product of the product required in the present invention can be obtained without causing a new increase in hardware cost. Information can be stored.

Further, a plurality of distribution items may be packed into one pack, and an information recording body on which unique information is formed may be attached to the packed distribution items. In this case, it is possible to provide a service target according to the present invention not only in the case of a single distribution product but also in the case where a new product is created by combining a plurality of distribution products of the single product or another distribution product. For example, like an automobile tire, four tires,
Depending on the case, two tires (for front wheels or rear wheels), or if the temporary tire is the same as the installed tire,
When the minimum unit is 5 tires or 3 tires, a plurality of tires can be collectively treated as one service target in the present invention. Further, a new set product may be created by combining different products such as shampoo and conditioner.

Even if individual manufacturers of distributed products do not create effective combinations of distributed products, or if combined sales cannot be carried out promptly, the service provider must keep track of market trends. There is an advantage that it is possible to promptly carry out an optimal combination sale by using a distribution product by reacting sensitively to.

Further, the product is packed by the packing member, and the information recording body on which the unique information is formed is arranged inside the packing member, and the portion corresponding to the arrangement position of the information recording body in the packing member is arranged. If it is at least transparent, the contents of the packed product, that is, information such as the type and the type, can be visually recognized without opening the packaging member, so that the product can be easily confirmed. There are advantages. If the information surface of the information recording body is arranged within the range of the transparent member, the information formed on the information recording body can be detected optically or magnetically, and thus the surface of the packing member. The information recording material attached to can be omitted. This can be said to be largely related to the fact that the unique information does not have confidentiality.

Furthermore, if the information recording body is formed so as to be detachable from the distributed material, it is confirmed whether the distributed material is delivered by checking the presence or absence of the information recording body.
Alternatively, it can be distinguished whether it is before delivery.
Further, the service provider can take the information recording medium back to the service provider's house, and after delivery, the delivered product can be registered at the service provider's house. Therefore, compared to a case where the unique information of the delivered product is registered at the time of delivery, the delivered product can be confirmed more reliably. If both are used together, the certainty is improved.

Furthermore, if the information recording material is attached to a distribution item with an adhesive or the like that can be repeatedly attached,
Even if the information recording body is peeled off after the delivery, the information recording body can be re-attached without damaging the appearance of the distribution product. In such a situation, when the service receiver makes the most of the merit of the service according to the present invention and does not purchase the product even though the service recipient has once delivered it to the service receiver, the unused distribution product. This is the case when the product is collected and delivered to another service recipient.

Furthermore, if the manufactured product has an IC chip and the above-mentioned unique information is stored in the IC chip, the IC chip, which has been conventionally considered to be mounted for the purpose of excluding pirated products, can be used as it is. Therefore, it is possible to store the unique information required in the present invention without increasing the hardware cost.

Further, the product may be a cartridge in which toner is stored. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus is generally designed on the assumption that the consumables such as the toner cartridge are replaced, and the market as an aftermarket is larger than the image forming apparatus body.
Sales are rampant. In such a situation, if the manufacturing control method according to the present invention is used, it is possible to provide a legitimate product while eliminating pirated products. In other words, since the service provider guarantees and manages all the processes of manufacturing, distribution, and sales of the product, there is no room for pirated products to be misunderstood, and it is the service provider who registers the product at the time of delivery. Therefore, only products approved by the service provider can be serviced.

Furthermore, if the product is a cartridge containing ink, the same effect can be obtained for an ink cartridge of an ink jet printer.

With these cartridges, the unique information can be formed by utilizing the conventionally provided IC chip without any special additional process. Therefore, it is possible to perform distribution management, inventory management, sales service, etc. to the user of the image forming apparatus using the manufactured product.

[0125]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION [First Embodiment] (Distributed Product) In the present embodiment, a distributed product is a product in which a bare product manufactured in a factory is packaged. Refers to. The form of the packaging includes individual packaging (packaging of each product one by one), interior (packaging in units of 10 products), and exterior (packing several interiors and packaging them in a cardboard).

Examples of manufactured products include those which form a part of the device in terms of function and whose performance can be restored or maintained by replacement. For example, when the apparatus is an image forming apparatus, a toner cartridge or a developing cartridge, a photosensitive body cartridge, a cartridge in which a developing member and a photosensitive body are integrally formed, an ink cartridge, an ink tank and a print head are integrally formed. The cartridge and the like that correspond to it correspond. In the industry, these products may be referred to as supplies.

Further, the replenishable consumable material itself such as ink or toner can be regarded as the product (and therefore the distribution product) according to the present invention.

Furthermore, daily necessities such as shampoo and detergent, cosmetics, care products for infants and the elderly, automobile parts such as tires and modularized components, office supplies, books, etc.
Information recording media such as CDs, video tapes and DVDs, food products that have a relatively long shelf life, clothing, medical products, electronic parts such as ICs, toys, electric / mechanical products, electric / mechanical parts, chemicals, propane gas cylinders , Building materials for houses, metal / plastic materials, etc. may also be included.

As described above, the commercial products targeted by the present invention are unique in that the commercial products can be individually specified so that the use of the commercial products can be detected after the commercial products are distributed. This applies to all distributions in which information is formed.

FIG. 2A shows a general example in which the product is an ink cartridge. The product in the distribution state (hereinafter, referred to as the distribution product 6) is the ink cartridge 6 that is the product.
0 is packaged and packed by the packing material 62 and the packing material 63. The packaging material 62 and the packaging material 63 are used for quality maintenance, protection, or handling,
The packaging material 62 is, for example, an aluminum pack, a resin film, or the like, and the packaging material 63 is paper or corrugated cardboard, which is not necessary in actual use of the ink cartridge 60. Therefore, although the distribution material 6 includes the packaging material 62, the packaging material 63, and the like, the distribution material 6 when the device is mounted refers to the ink cartridge 60.

The toner cartridge of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus has the same structure, an example of which is shown in FIG.

For the purpose of distribution management, inventory management, etc., there are cases in which a bar code for identifying the distribution type is printed. At this time, the same bar code is used for the same type of distributed goods in order to reduce the printing burden, printing time, management burden, and the like. Therefore, in this state, if the types are different, the barcode can be used for the determination, but if the types are the same, the types cannot be used.

Further, the ink cartridge 60 is formed with an IC chip 61 which stores unique information for identifying each ink cartridge 60.

The IC chip 61 constitutes a unique information holding section, and comprises an EEPROM, a nonvolatile memory such as a ferroelectric memory, a control circuit for controlling the memory, a communication section of a connector / antenna, and the like. In addition, the IC chip 61
Is not limited to the form formed on the surface of the ink cartridge 60, and may be a form built in. However, as shown in FIGS.
The connection part 61c for forming the information unique to the distribution item is
It must be accessible from the outside. The connection portion 61c is a terminal of the IC chip 61,
Alternatively, a connector connected to the terminal of the IC chip 61, an antenna capable of transmitting and receiving electric (magnetic) waves when contactless communication such as a non-contact IC tag is performed, and the like. As a result, the IC chip 61 itself is replaced by the ink cartridge 6
0 can be accommodated inside the IC chip 61.
Can be protected.

Next, the recorded contents of information formed on the IC chip 61 of the ink cartridge 60 will be described.
The IC chip 61 stores in advance a binary digitized 20-digit number such as 0000 0000 0000 0101 0000 as unique information for individually specifying the ink cartridge 60.
The number of digits is not limited to this. The numbers are created and managed by the service provider 10 (see FIG. 28 etc.) described later.

Next, the meaning of the above numbers will be described.

The highest four-digit number is information for specifying the type of a plurality of ink cartridges 60. In this case, 16 models from 0000 to 1111 can be distinguished. In the case of a color model, if the ink cartridge 60 of four colors of Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and Bk (black) is required, the highest two digits are color. May be assigned to information, for example

[0138]

[Table 1]

Then, up to four models can be distinguished by the remaining two digits. For example, as shown in Table 2.

[0140]

[Table 2]

Therefore, each of the above four types of ink cartridges can be provided with four types of color information. In the case of the above-mentioned ID number, the upper 4 digits are "0".
Since it is 000 ", it can be seen that it is the black ink cartridge A for SZ-2000.

Alternatively, in the case of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, as shown in Table 3, the toner cartridges A and B and the photoconductor cartridges C and D are used.

[0143]

[Table 3]

These correspondence tables are prepared as a distribution table in the management device 41, which will be described later with reference to FIG.

In the above example, the remaining 16-digit number portion is the individual number of the cartridge having the type number of 0011, and the number of 65536 from 0000 0000 0000 0000 to 1111 1111 1111 1111 is one ink cartridge. Assigned to 60 as a single and unique number. This information is also added to the distribution table in the service management device 12 on the service provider 10 side.

Incidentally, as will be described in detail later, the same information as the above contents can be obtained by the packing material 6 as shown in FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b).
It is also formed on the information recording body 7 attached to the surface of 3. The content formed on the information recording body 7 is not limited to the case of being completely the same as the content formed on the IC chip 61, and additional information may be added. Alternatively, as long as the distributed product 6 can be identified by the information, the content may be a part of the content formed on the IC chip 61. For example, the content indicating the type of the product may be omitted from the content formed on the IC chip 61. This is because the type of product can be identified artificially, and the content formed on the IC chip 61 can be reproduced by adding the identified information.

Further, the distribution 6 includes an adhesive as an auxiliary agent in various manufacturing apparatuses, an IC as a component in an electronic substrate manufacturing apparatus, a resin as a processing material in a molding processing apparatus, a cleaning agent and the like.

FIG. 3A shows a general example in which the flow product 600 corresponding to the flow product 6 is an adhesive. The adhesive 601 in the distributed state is sealed by a metal can 602, and information unique to the distributed product is formed as barcode information 603 on the surface of the metal can 602. In the figure, the open state is shown. A bar code reader is used as a reading unit of the unique information.

The bar code information 603 may be formed on the inner surface of the upper lid of the metal can 602. According to this, since the bar code information 603 cannot be obtained without opening the metal can 602, the bar code information 603.
The service provider 10 obtains the distribution item 6 (6
00) can be identified.

FIG. 3B shows a general example in which the distribution product 610 corresponding to the distribution product 6 is an IC. IC6 in circulation
11 is contained in a plastic packaging case 612, and the bar code information 61 is displayed on the surface of the packaging case 612.
The information peculiar to the distribution item is formed as 3.

Also in this case, the bar code information 613 is also used.
Is formed in the recess of the packaging case 612 into which the IC 611 is fitted, the barcode information 613 cannot be obtained unless the IC 611 is taken out. Therefore, by obtaining the barcode information 613, The service provider 10 can identify that the distribution item 6 (610) has been used.

It should be noted that such a distributed product is the minimum unit for the end user, but for the intermediate user such as the relationship of the sales company to the manufacturer,
A product obtained by collecting a plurality of the above-mentioned minimum units may be used as a commercial product. For example, ten ink cartridges 60 (actually individually packaged) shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 shows the state of the product conveyed from the assembly line. The product is the case of the ink cartridge 60, which is in a state before packaging and before packaging.

(Information recording body 7) FIG.
As shown in (a) to (c), the removable information recording body 7 is further attached to the flowable product 6. The information recording body 7 and information formed on the information recording body 7 will be described below.

The same information as the information formed on the IC chip 61 is formed on the information recording body 7, and the distributed product 6
When is delivered to the contractor 1, the content of the information recording body 7 is read as evidence at the time of delivery and recorded in the service management device 12 (described later based on FIG. 29 etc.) of the service provider 10. To be done. Further, the information recording body 7 is removed from the flowable product 6 if necessary. As a result, when a rule to remove the distribution item 6 is set when the distribution item 6 is delivered, it is possible to determine whether the distribution item 6 is an already delivered item or an undelivered item by determining the presence or absence of the information recording body 7. become able to.

As described above, the information recording body 7 having the same contents as the IC chip 61 (that is, the unique information of the distribution product 6) is separately attached to the packing material 63 of the distribution product 6, The service person can obtain the information of the distributed product 6 delivered at the time of delivery of the distributed product 6 from the information recording body 7 attached to the surface of the distributed product 6 such as the packaging material 63. Therefore, the packing material 63 and the like are opened and the distribution item 6
It is not necessary to take out and obtain the peculiar information formed in the distribution product 6, and the loss of commercial property due to opening is not caused.

The contents of the information recording body 7 are, for example, ID numbers assigned to the ink cartridges 60, but the information forming method does not have to be the same as that of the IC chip 61. That is, it may be a barcode that can be read by a barcode scanner. In the present invention, since the ID number stored in the IC chip 61 as the unique information of the distribution has no special confidentiality, a simple information forming method that does not require complicated data processing such as encryption and decryption is provided. Can be adopted.

Next, the material of the information recording body 7 is paper,
It is a film member made of resin or the like, and a sheet member having a thickness such that curling or the like hardly occurs. In the case of a hard sheet member, as shown in FIG. From the viewpoint of durability and readability of information, it is preferable to use a hard resin, but when forming unique information by using an existing image forming apparatus such as a label printer, a roll suitable for the image forming apparatus is used. Paper and label paper are preferred. Further, as will be described later, the information recording body 7 may have an adhesive layer on a part or all of the back surface thereof, or on the front surface of the information recording body 7 in a region where the barcode is not formed.

The information formed on the information recording body 7 is
For example, a barcode. For the barcode,
JAN (Japan Article Number)
Or ITF (Interleaved Two o)
f Five), and information can be read and transmitted by a handy terminal.

As described above, the information stored in the IC chip 61 and the information formed in the information recording body 7 are the same in terms of content, but they need not necessarily be formed in the same manner. .

Next, a method for producing the information recording body 7 and a method for attaching the information recording body 7 to the distribution product 6 will be described. The information recording body 7 formed as described above is managed by the management device 41 in the second information forming step (step performed in the second information forming line L4) as shown in FIG. Is created by the second unique information forming unit 45.

In addition, in the second information forming step, as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, a part 71 is adhered to the outer surface portion of the protective member such as the packaging material 63 or the packaging material 62 by an adhesive agent or bonded by a stapler or the like. The portion 72 in which the information is written is configured to be cut from the portion 71 by the cut line K.

As another method of attaching the information recording body 7, as shown in FIG. 6B, a packing material for the distribution item 6 is attached to the back surface of the information recording body 7 on which no information is formed by an adhesive or the like. The portion 72 having the information 73 attached thereto is configured to be cut off from the adhesive portion 71 by cut lines K1 and K2.

As another method for attaching the information recording body 7, as shown in FIG. 6C, the inside 64 of the lid portion of the packaging material 63 which can be opened and closed without being damaged may be used. As a result, the information recording body 7 is not deteriorated during the distribution process, so that there is no problem even if the material is paper or the like.

In the above description, since the distribution product 6 (production product in the distribution state) is packed with the packing material 63,
The location where the information recording body 7 is attached is the packaging material 63, which is the outermost surface portion.
3 is allowed without breakage, it may be inside the packing material 63 or the like as shown in FIG.

Further, a plurality of information recording bodies 7 having the same contents may be attached to the distribution item 6. As a result, even if one information recording body 7 is peeled off before delivery to the contractor 1, or if it is once delivered but not used by the contractor 1 and the service provider 10 collects it, The unique information of the distributed product 6 can be acquired from the remaining information recording body 7, and the distributed product 6 can be used again for the service management method described later.

Relatively, a single information recording body 7 may be used in which a plurality of portions 72 having the same content are formed.

As another example of the information recording body 7, a non-contact IC tag can be used. The non-contact IC
The tag is a label in the form of a seal that incorporates both a wireless IC and an antenna, and is characterized in that it is not necessary to connect a first unique information forming unit, which will be described later, for communication. The I
Although the C-tag is expensive at present, it can be reused, so if the service person collects the distribution at the time of delivering the distribution to the service receiver, it does not cause a cost increase.

(Structure of Manufacturing Line) The structure of a distribution product manufacturing management system for carrying out the product management method according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.

FIG. 1A is a block diagram showing the production line of the distribution product production management system. The assembly line L1, the first information forming line L2 according to the present invention, the packaging or / And packing line L3
(Hereinafter, collectively referred to as the packaging line L3) and the second information forming line L4.

In the assembly line L1, the ink cartridge 60 is assembled and filled with ink, and if necessary, the manufacturer name, trademark, cartridge model number, cartridge type (black ink, color ink, yellow ink,
(Etc.), a seal-shaped information recording member (see FIG. 5).
The label 64) shown in (a) is attached, and the product is completed.

Next, in the first information forming line L2, the unique information is formed in the IC chip 61 of the ink cartridge 60 which is a completed product, and in the second information forming line L4. The information recording body 7 having the same unique information as the contents formed on the IC chip 61 with respect to the packaged and / or the packaged ink cartridge 60.
Is created and affixed.

More specifically, the first information forming line L2 stores information specific to the first product identifying section 42 and the unique information holding section provided in the product, that is, the IC chip 61. And a first unique information forming section 43 for forming the second information forming line L4.
The second product identification section 44 and the second product identification section 44 which forms the same information as the unique information on the information recording body 7 as another recording medium.
The unique information forming unit 45 and the management device 41 that manages them.

A dummy object input section 46 for inputting the dummy object 70 is arranged between the assembly line L1 and the assembly line L1 and the first product identification section 42. The dummy object input unit 46 has a configuration similar to that of the first product identification unit 42 described later, counts the number of ink cartridges 60 flowing from the assembly line L1 to the first information forming line L2, and holds a fixed number. It has a charging mechanism for charging the dummy object 70 when counting. A specific example of the charging mechanism will be described in the second embodiment.

The first product identifying section 42 and the second product identifying section 44 are provided in the ink cartridge 60 flowing from the assembly line L1 (here, as shown in FIG. 3A, the packaging material 62. It has a function of detecting whether or not a distribution item that does not include the packing material 63 and the like has reached a predetermined position.
For example, it can be realized by an optical or mechanical sensor. FIG. 7 shows an example of the optical type.

As shown in FIG. 7, the first product identifying section 42 and the second product identifying section 44 are composed of transmissive optical sensors. LED (light-
A light emitting element such as an emitting diode emits light toward a light receiving element such as a photodiode (in the direction of an arrow in the figure). The light receiving element is connected to a detection circuit having functions such as current / voltage conversion, waveform shaping, and level adjustment, and outputs a voltage of 0 V or 5 V depending on the presence or absence of light reception. Hereinafter, the output when there is a shield such as a product between the light emitting element and the light receiving element is 5 V (H level), and when there is no such shielding, it is 0 V (L level). Note that the digital value depending on the presence or absence of the shield may be reversed. The output voltage value is not limited to 5V, and may be any voltage value that the management device 41 can input.

Furthermore, each of the identification sections 42 and 44 may have a function of detecting the type of product, for example, C
It consists of a CD camera, image processing means, etc., and determines the type of product by visual inspection of the product. Although details of the determination method are omitted, for example, the shape information (contour information indicating the characteristics, etc.) of all the ink cartridges 60 flowing in the first information forming line L2 is input to the image processing unit in advance, Alternatively, the shape information obtained by the CCD camera may be discriminated according to which shape information is input in advance.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example in which the unique information is formed on the IC chip 61 of the ink cartridge 60. The ink cartridge 60 is conveyed to a predetermined position by the first product identifying section 42. When it detects that
The connection terminal 61c such as the connection terminal of the IC chip 61 or the connector connected to the IC chip 61 is
The connection part 43c of the unique information forming part 43 is connected.

The first unique information forming section 43, for example,
The I / O board is a PCI (Periph) with the management device 41.
eral component interconnect) bus,
The unique information issued by the management device 41 is output according to the input / output characteristics of the IC chip 61. For example, it outputs an address signal, a data signal, an enable signal, and the like.

FIG. 19A shows the state before connection, and FIG. 19B shows the state after connection.
The connecting portion 43c is connected to the connecting portion 61c of the IC chip 61 by a driving device such as a motor (not shown). Alternatively, it may be performed artificially. The connection part 4
For accurate alignment between the 3c and the connecting portion 61c, T
A positioning device such as a V camera may be used.

As described above, the unique information is formed on the IC chip 61.

On the second information forming line L4, the information unique to the information recording body 7 is formed by the second unique information forming section 45. The unique information is the IC chip 61.
It is the same information as the peculiar information formed in step 1.

When the formation of the unique information by the first unique information forming section 43 is completed, the ink cartridge 60 is transported to the next step (packaging line L3).

Next, the packaging line L3 will be described.

In the packaging line L3, as shown in FIG. 1B, the packaging material D2 is packaged by the packaging device D1 in the ink cartridge 60 after the information forming step, and the quality of the packaging material 62 is packaged. The packing material 63 for the purpose of preventing damage in the distribution process is packed by the packing device D2,
The distribution product 6 as a distribution form is completed.

The ink cartridge 60 is the packaging line L.
When it is placed in the wrapping region 3, the wrapping device D1 wraps only the ink cartridge 60. For example, vacuum packaging is performed using an aluminum pack.

Next, when the ink cartridge 60 is placed in the packing area of the packing line L3, the packing device D2 packs the packed ink cartridge 60 in the above process.

The distribution product 6 which has been packaged by the above packaging process is conveyed to the second information forming line L4, and the information recording body 7 is generated and attached.

The second unique information forming section 45 is, for example,
It is an inkjet printer that forms unique information on roll paper. When the unique information is a bar code, processing such as converting numerical data such as "0000 0000 0000 0101 0000" into image data is performed. The processing may be performed by the management device 41. Since the information recording body 7 is handled in an exposed state during the distribution process, the ink is oil-based, pigment-based, and the information recording body 7 so that the formed information will not be lost due to the adhesion of moisture, humidity and the like. A component that exhibits or improves water resistance by a chemical reaction with is preferable.

9 (a) and 9 (b), the information recording body 7 is separated from the roll paper 441 and has a structure having an adhesive layer on the back surface (the side opposite to the printing surface). Pre-cut to the size to be attached to distribution item 6 (Fig. (B))
An example of using a dotted line) is shown. Roll paper 441
Is wound by the winding roller 443 so that the adhesive surface faces the ink cartridge 60.
Is discharged from the roll paper 44 by the pressing roller 442.
The information recording body 7 is attached to the ink cartridge 60 by appropriately pressurizing 1 to a part of the ink cartridge 60. According to this method, the step of cutting the information recording body 7 is unnecessary.

It should be noted that even when the formation of the bar code information is completed, the information recording body 7 is cut by a not-shown cutting device, and the information recording body is attached to the distribution product 6 by an artificial means. Good.

As described above, the unique information is stored in the internal (I
The C product) and the flowable product 6 held outside (information recording body) are manufactured.

(Comparative Example of Manufacturing Control Method of Distribution Product) Before describing the manufacturing management method of the distribution product of the present invention in detail, as described in the section “Problems to be solved by the invention”, The IC chip 61 and the information recording body 7 can be obtained by simply counting the number of products flowing on the manufacturing line and recording the information unique to the IC chip 61 and the step of attaching the information recording body 7. Explain that and cannot successfully maintain the same relationship of unique information. This is because the features of the present invention become clearer by making this explanation.

39A and 39B, the IC chip 61 in the case where the unique information is the serial number will be described below.
Also, a method for generating unique information formed on the information recording body 7 will be described. The management device 14 in FIG.
1, the first product identifying unit 142, the first unique information forming unit 143, the second product identifying unit 144, and the second unique information forming unit 145 have already been described with reference to FIG. It corresponds to the management device 41, the first product identification unit 42, the first unique information forming unit 43, the second product identification unit 44, and the second unique information forming unit 45, respectively.

The first unique information forming unit 143 forms the information unique to the IC chip 61 of the ink cartridge 60 detected by the first product identifying unit 142 according to an instruction from the management device 141. To do.

Further, the second unique information forming section 145 is instructed by the management apparatus 141 so that the second product identifying section 1
An information recording body 7 in which the same contents as the unique information formed in the IC chip 61 are formed for the distribution product 6 (manufactured product in a distribution state by packaging / packing) detected by 44 is generated. , Paste it.

Next, a method for forming unique information will be described with reference to FIG. 11B showing an internal block diagram of the management apparatus 141.

According to the detection signal from the first product identifying section 142, the first measuring means 141a starts counting the ink cartridges 60 flowing through the first information forming line L2.

The first unique information generating means 141b, with respect to the initial value stored in the initial value setting means 141c,
Unique information is generated by adding the count value N1 counted by the first measuring means 141a. The generated unique information is output to the first unique information forming unit 143, and the unique information is formed on the IC chip 61.

The initial value setting means 141c is realized by, for example, a storage element such as a RAM and is stored in the storage means such as a hard disk.
For example, the IC chip 6 read last from 1d
The unique information (ID number) formed in 1 is temporarily stored.

On the other hand, according to the detection signal from the second product identifying section 144, the second measuring means 141e starts counting the distribution products 6 flowing through the second information forming line L4.

The second unique information generating means 141f, with respect to the initial value stored in the initial value setting means 141c,
Unique information is generated by adding the count value N2 counted by the second measuring means 141e. The generated unique information is output to the second unique information forming unit 145, and the unique information is formed on the information recording body 7.

Therefore, since the packaging line L3 is interposed between the first information forming line L2 and the second information forming line L4, the first unique information forming portion 143 and the second unique information forming portion 143
Even if there are two or more products between the unique information forming unit 145 and the unique information forming unit 145, the first information forming line L2
The second unique information forming unit 145 is already formed by the first unique information forming unit 143 as long as the products flowing through the product are packed in the same order and conveyed to the second information forming line L4. Information of the same contents as the information of
Can be given to.

In FIG. 40 (a), at a certain time t5, the values of the unique information formed by the first unique information forming section 143 and the second unique information forming section 145 are different by four. showed that. That is, the product having the unique information formed by the first unique information forming unit 143 at time t1 is conveyed to the second information forming line L2 at time t5 (> t1) after the packaging process, and the unique information is formed. Information is about to be formed by the unit 145.

As described above, if the count values of the first measuring means 141a and the second measuring means 141e are the same, the same unique information is given to the first unique information forming section 143 and the second unique information forming section. If the unique information is the serial number, the first unique information forming unit 143 manages the count value by the measuring means of another system as described above. The second unique information forming unit 145 can give the same unique information to the inside and the outside of the packaging material in the same product.

However, the product on which the unique information is formed by the first unique information forming unit 143 is removed from the manufacturing line before reaching the second unique information forming unit. There is a possibility that the specific information formed on the chip 61 and the specific information formed on the information recording body 7 do not match.

Further, in the case where the unique information is duplicated in either the first unique information forming section 143 or the second unique information forming section 145, or
It may not match even if specific information is skipped.

In FIG. 40 (b), the product given with N1 = 4 is a production line due to a defective product or the like, although the unique information is formed by the first unique information forming unit 143. The case where it is removed from above is shown. in this case,
Since the second measuring means 141e accumulates the count value in accordance with the signal from the second product identifying unit 144, the second unique information forming unit 145 actually uses N1 when N2 = 4.
The unique information corresponding to 5 must be formed.

However, the second information forming line L4
In, it is not possible to detect that the product after the unique information formation is removed, so that the same unique information as N1 = 4 removed from the production line is formed for the product having the count value N2 = 4. As a result, false unique information will be given to products with N2 = 4 or less one by one. When N1 = 4 or later and further manufactured products are removed, the unique information is shifted with the number of removed manufactured products as the maximum value.

(Distribution Manufacturing Management Method and Management Device of the Present Invention) As described above, even if the order of the products flowing through the manufacturing line changes, inside and outside the packaging material of the same product, The manufacturing management method and management device of the present invention that can be given the same unique information will be described below.

1. As shown in FIG. 10, the device configuration management device 41 stores a product / dummy determination means 411, a measurement means 412, a first unique information generation means 413, a unique information (ID) management table, and the like. 414, an initial value setting means 415, a second unique information generating means 416, a dummy value setting means 417, an identity determining means 418 and a warning means 419.

The measuring means 412 further comprises a first product count measuring means 412a and a first conveyed product count measuring means 412.
b, second product number measuring means 412c, and second conveyed product number measuring means 412d. Each means 412a
412d are the products / products based on the detection signals of the first product identifying unit 42 and the second product identifying unit 44, respectively.
With a counter having a function of counting up by the input of the first product identification signal, the first product identification signal, the second product identification signal, and the second product identification signal generated by the dummy discrimination means 411. realizable.

The initial value setting means 415 and the dummy value setting means 417 are RAM (Random Access).
Memory), and the storage unit 414 storing the ID management table and the like is a storage device such as a hard disk, an optical disk, a non-volatile memory, a product / dummy determination unit 411, a first unique information generation unit. 413, the second unique information generating means 416, the dummy value setting means 417 and the identity determining means 418 are CPU (centra).
l processing unit), the warning means 419 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display, a voice output device such as a speaker,
It can be realized by an electronic mail generation means or the like.

The product / dummy discriminating means 411 discriminates whether the product or the dummy object 70 is conveyed to a predetermined position based on the signals from the first product discriminating section 42 and the second product discriminating section 44. And outputs a first product identification signal, a first conveyed product identification signal, a first dummy identification signal, a second manufactured product identification signal, a second conveyed product identification signal, and a second dummy identification signal. To do. Hereinafter, a method of discriminating the product or the dummy object 70 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 11 shows the first product identification section 42 (second product identification section).
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between the output voltage of the first product identifying unit 42 and the positional relationship between the product identifying unit 44) and the product.

When the ink cartridge 60 has not reached the detection position of the first product identifying section 42, the output value is 0V at the L level, and the tip of the ink cartridge 60 reaches the detection position. And the output value is 0V to H
The level changes to 5V. 5V is maintained while the light emitting element-light receiving element is shielded by the ink cartridge 60, and changes from 5V to 0V when the rear end of the ink cartridge 60 passes the detection position until a new ink cartridge 60 arrives. It becomes 0V.

By detecting the movement of the ink cartridge 60 in this way, a pulse waveform as shown in FIG. 11 is generated.

At this time, if the transport speed v of the ink cartridge 60 is constant, the pulse width w of the pulse waveform has a value proportional to the transport direction length yc of the ink cartridge 60. Therefore, in this embodiment, the dummy object 70 having the transport direction length wd (where wd <wc) is thrown into the line with respect to the transport direction length wc of the ink cartridge 60 in which the unique information is to be formed. As a feature, by detecting the length of the pulse width w, it is determined whether the conveyed product is the manufactured product or the dummy object 70.

The management device 41 (specifically, the processing of the arithmetic processing unit (CPU)) for discriminating the product or the dummy object 70 will be described below with reference to FIG. 12
4 is a timing chart showing the input / output timing of various main signals processed by the management device 41.

As shown in FIG. 11, FIG.
The detection pulse signal P1 input to the product / dummy discrimination unit 411 in accordance with the detection of the ink cartridge 60 from the first product identification unit 42 is shown. As described above, the pulse width wc of the detection pulse signal P1 is determined by the ink cartridge 6
This corresponds to a transport direction length yc of 0. As a result, the product / dummy discriminating means 411 uses the rising edge of the signal as a trigger to generate a pulse having a preset pulse width wm (reference pulse signal P2), as shown in FIG.
To occur.

However, when the dummy object 70 having the transport direction length yd (<yc) crosses the first product identification section 42, the first product identification section 42 corresponds to the transport direction length yd. The detection pulse signal P11 having the pulse width wd (see FIG.
(See (a)) is output, the reference pulse signal P
The pulse width wm of 2 is preset so as to have a magnitude relation of wd <wm <wc.

When the means for generating the reference pulse signal P2 is constituted by hardware, it can be realized by a mono-multivibrator, for example.

Next, the product / dummy discriminating means 411
At the falling edge of the reference pulse signal P2, when the level of the detection pulse signal P1 is H level, the falling edge of the reference pulse signal P2 is used as a trigger to identify the first product as shown in FIG. The signal P3 is generated and output to the first product number measuring means 412a.

On the other hand, since the detection pulse signal P1 or P11 is input as the first conveyed product identification signal from the manufactured / dummy discrimination means 411 to the first conveyed product number measuring means 412b, The transported object number measuring means 412b counts up the rising edge (FIG. 12 (d) or FIG. 13 (d)) and outputs the count value to the dummy value setting means 417 described later. As a result, the number of conveyed items detected by the first product identification unit 42 can be acquired. In the case of the present embodiment, the transported items are both the manufactured item and the dummy object 70.

As described above, the detection of the conveyed object flowing through the first information forming line L2 and the ink cartridge 60
Can be determined and the number of conveyed ink cartridges 60 can be counted.

On the other hand, a case in which the shield that crosses the first product identification section 42 is the dummy object 70 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 16A shows another detection pulse signal P11 input to the product / dummy discriminating means 411 in accordance with the detection of the dummy object 70 from the first product identifying section 42. As described above, the pulse width w of the detection pulse signal P11
d corresponds to the transport direction length yd of the ink cartridge 60. As a result, the product / dummy discrimination means 41
1, the reference pulse signal P2 having the pulse width wm is generated by using the rising edge of the signal as a trigger, as shown in FIG.

By the way, the first product identification signal P3 shown in FIG. 12C is a pulse signal having a pulse width longer than the pulse width wm of the reference pulse signal P2, triggered by the fall of the reference pulse signal P2. Is generated when it is input from the first product identification unit 42. Therefore, the detection pulse signal P of FIG.
In the case of 11, the first product identification signal P3 is not generated because it is at the L level when the reference pulse signal P2 falls (FIG. 13C).

As described above, the first product identification signal P3
Is the first product identification unit 42 (the second product identification unit 4
Since the shielding object detected in 4) occurs in the case of the ink cartridge 60 which is a manufactured product and does not occur in the case of the dummy object 70, the first manufacturing process shown in FIGS. 12C and 13C. The presence or absence of the object identification signal P3 is monitored, or the first dummy identification signal P1 as shown in FIG.
By monitoring the output of 2, it is possible to discriminate between the product and the dummy object 70.

The first dummy identification signal P12 is triggered by the fall of the detection pulse signal P11 shown in (a) of the figure, and the level of the reference pulse signal P2 shown in (b) of the figure is H level. It is configured to be generated at the time of and output from the product / dummy determination means 411 to the dummy value setting means 417. The first dummy identification signal P1
2 occurs when the pulse width is wd <wm, and wm <w
In the case of c, the dummy object 70 is generated by monitoring the generation of the first dummy identification signal P12.
Can be detected.

The pulse signal P shown in FIG. 12 (g), which is a signal substantially equivalent to the first product identification signal P3.
7 may be used as the product identification signal. The pulse signal P7 can be generated by further passing the first product identification signal P3 through a mono-multivibrator circuit. The pulse width (in this case, the time length of H level) is shortened in order to suppress the influence of noise as much as possible, and an instruction signal for forming information to the first unique information forming unit 43 is provided. In order to also serve as the first product identification signal P
3 is different in that the rising edge is delayed.

Next, the processing after the product / dummy object determination will be described.

First, the case where the shield is a manufactured product will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 13D, the first conveyed object number measuring means 412b counts by detecting the rising edge of the detection pulse signal P1 shown in FIG. The count values are integrated and output to the dummy value setting means 417 as the count value Nt1.

Next, the product / dummy discriminating means 411
As shown in (e) of the figure, based on the first product identification signal P3 shown in (c) of the same figure, the conveyance means such as a belt conveyor (not shown) which conveys the ink cartridge 60 is stopped. . After the transportation means is completely stopped, the product / dummy discrimination means 411 instructs the first unique information forming section 43 to form the unique information in the IC chip 61 of the ink cartridge 60. Also, according to the instruction,
The unique information generated by the first unique information generating unit 413 is transmitted from the first unique information generating unit 413 to the first unique information forming unit 43.

The operation of the first unique information generating means 413 will be described below with reference to FIG.

I input to the initial value setting means 415
A new ID number = initial value + count value Np1 is generated based on the initial value of the D number and the count value Np1 measured by the first product number measuring means 412a. The initial value of the ID number input to the initial value setting unit 415 is a value managed by the ID management table of the storage unit 414, and is set by reading the value finally given to the ink cartridge 60. To be done.

In this way, the first unique information generating means 41
No. 3 is a product / product as shown in FIGS.
The ID number is generated based on the count value Np1 of the first product number measuring unit 412a that counts only when the dummy determining unit 411 can detect the product. Therefore, in the case of the dummy object 70, the ID
There is no risk of issuing a number.

Next, the case where the shield is the dummy object 70 will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 12C, since the first product identification signal P3 is not generated, FIGS. 12E to 12G are shown.
The signals shown in FIG. 13 do not occur as shown in FIGS. 13 (e) to 13 (g).

In this case, based on the first dummy identification signal P12 shown in FIG. 13 (h) (if the shield is a manufactured product, it is not output as shown in FIG. 12 (h)). , The count value Nt of the first conveyed object number measuring means 412b
1 is set in the dummy value setting means 417. That is, the dummy value setting means 417 is the product / dummy determination means 41.
When the first dummy identification signal P12 is input from 1, the count value Nt1 accumulated by the first conveyed object number measuring means 412b is fetched. As a result, the count value Nt1 is set in the dummy value setting means 417 as the dummy value Nd.

Here, FIG. 14A shows a first product number measuring means 412a and a first conveyed product number measuring means 412b.
The correspondence between the respective count values Np1 and Nt1 is shown. When Nt1 = 6 and Nt1 = 12, there is no corresponding count value Np1, so Nt1 = the 6th conveyed object and Nt1 = the 12th conveyed object. Is a dummy object 70
Is shown. First transported object number measuring means 41
2b counts including the dummy object 70, but since the first product count measuring means 412a does not count the dummy object 70, the count value Np1 and the count value Nt1 do not match, and the difference between the two is that of the dummy object 70. Is a number.

Therefore, in the case of the example shown in FIG. 14, the conveyed object of the count value Nt1 = 6th is the dummy object 7
It is 0, and "6" is input to the dummy value setting means 417. In this way, the dummy value Nd is set in the dummy value setting means 417 based on the value of the integrated count value Nt1 including the dummy object 70.

The dummy value setting means 417 may be composed of RAM, but for the purpose of storing the value,
As shown in FIG. 15A, a dummy value management table (electronic file) formed in a storage unit such as a hard disk
It may be a form in which "6" is input to.

The values input to the dummy value setting means 417 and the dummy value management table are updated to new values after predetermined processing. This is shown in FIG. 15 (b). Here, the predetermined process is, as will be described later, that the count value (N2 = 6 in the above example) of the dummy object 70 is recognized by the second unique information generating means 419 and the like, and if the count value is reached, a warning is issued. This is the case when the means 419 issues a warning.

In the case of the dummy value management table,
As shown in FIG. 16, a history of dummy values is stored, and an information field indicating whether or not the above-described predetermined processing has been performed (in the figure, "
Confirmation "column) is provided, and depending on whether processing is executed or not"
The form may be such that “completed” or “not yet” is input.

Further, FIG. 14B shows the count value Nt2 of the second conveyed object number measuring means 412d for counting the number of conveyed objects flowing through the second information forming line L4.
Since the second conveyed object number measuring means 412d counts conveyed objects including the dummy object 70 similarly to the first conveyed object number measuring means 412b, the count value Nt1 and the count value Nt2 originally match. Further, the count value Nt2 is input from the second conveyed object number measuring means 412d to the identity determining means 418 described later.

The second product number measuring means 412c is the first
Functioning similarly to the product number measuring means 412a of
Based on the second product identification signal inputted from the dummy discrimination means 411, the number of pulses is integrated and counted to obtain a count value N.
p2 is input to the second unique information generating means 416. The second unique information generating means 416 also includes a storage unit 414.
The initial value of the ID number is input from the initial value setting means 415 which stores the initial value of the ID number read from the ID management table of FIG.

The operation of the second unique information generating means 416 will be described below.

The second product discriminating section 44 is also constructed similarly to the first product discriminating section 42, and the product / dummy discriminating means 411 detects the detected pulse width w and the reference pulse width wm. The product / dummy object is discriminated by comparing
As a result of the determination, if the conveyed product is the manufactured product (correctly, the distributed product 6 after packing), it is obtained by counting up the second manufactured product identification signal as in the case of the first unique information generating means 413. An ID number is generated by adding the count value Np2 to the ID initial value stored in the initial value setting means 415. The product / dummy discriminating unit 411 instructs the second unique information forming unit 45 to form the generated ID number on the information recording body 7.

On the other hand, when the product / dummy discriminating means 411 determines that the object is the dummy object 70, the second dummy discriminating signal is generated and output to the identity discriminating means 418. The identity determining means 418, when the second dummy identification signal is input, the count value Nt2 input from the second conveyed object number measuring means 412d and the dummy value setting means 4
The identity with the dummy value Nd set to 17 is determined.

As a result, if Nt2 = Nd, the first conveyed object number measuring means 412b and the second conveyed object number measuring means 412.
When both 12d and 12d have the same count value, the dummy object 7
Since 0 is detected, the unique information formed on the IC chip 61 of the manufactured product and the unique information formed on the information recording body 7 created to be attached to the manufactured product do not match. The identity determination unit 418 determines that the security is guaranteed.

On the other hand, if Nt2 ≠ Nd, then IC
If the peculiar information formed on the chip 61 and the peculiar information formed on the information recording body 7 are different, the identity determining means 418.
The warning means 419 gives a warning.

As described above, in the manufacturing control method and apparatus according to the present invention, the unique information formed by the first unique information forming section 43 and the unique information formed by the second unique information forming section 45. In addition to the product, a dummy object 70 is put into the manufacturing line in order to judge the conformity with the information of.

For that reason, the conveyed objects (ink cartridge 60 and dummy object 70) conveyed to the first unique information forming section 43 are integrated and counted, and the count when the conveyed object is discriminated as the dummy object 70 is counted. The value is stored, and the conveyed items (the distributed item 6 in which the ink cartridge 60 is packed / packaged and the dummy object 70) conveyed to the second unique information forming unit 45 located on the further downstream side are integrated and counted. The count value when the conveyed object is discriminated as the dummy object 70 is compared with the stored count value, and when the two are different, a warning is issued, so that it is formed inside the distribution object 6. It is possible to guarantee the identity of the unique information and the unique information separately formed outside the distribution item 6.

The management device 41 can be realized by using a general-purpose computer. Therefore, the signal from the first product identifying unit 42 or the second product identifying unit 44 is an I / O connected to the PCI bus of the management apparatus 41.
It can be taken into the management device 41 via a board, and depending on the presence / absence of identification of the distributed product 6, a low level (0
It is possible to receive an input signal from each of the identification units 42 and 44 that outputs a V) signal and a High level (5 V) signal from the input port. Further, if the output port is used, the identification units 42 and 44 can be operated from the management device 41.

[0257] Further, the interval of inserting the dummy object 70 is not particularly limited, and it is necessary to remove the product temporarily or for a longer time from the production line and the production efficiency of the product. It should be set in consideration of the balance with the error rate. If the input interval is shortened, it is possible to suppress the number of inconsistencies when the inconsistency of unique information occurs inside and outside the packaging of the product, but by increasing the number of input of the dummy object 70, The production efficiency will decrease.

In order to suppress the reduction in the production efficiency of the product due to the insertion of the dummy object 70, the length yd of the dummy object 70 in the carrying direction is the length yc of the ink cartridge 60 in the carrying direction.
It is preferably shorter.

Further, the packaging line L3 is also provided with the same mechanism as the first product identification section 42, and when the dummy object 70 is detected, the packaging / packing process of the dummy object 70 is not performed. It is preferable to control.

2. Process of Management Device Next, a process flow of the management device 41 will be described with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18.

Step [1] (S1): The last issued ID number (unique information) is read from the ID management table (unique information management table) of the storage unit 414 and set as the initial value in the initial value setting means 415. To do.

For example, the distribution type is "SZ-200.
Black ink cartridge for 0 "(The code information of the distribution type at this time is" 00 "according to the rules of Tables 1 and 2.
00 "), the final value of the ID number" 000122 "is read from the unique information management table shown in FIG.
0 "is read. The ID number is" 2000 "
It can be seen that it was created on 5/20/15: 10: 10: 13 ".

Step [2] (S2): It is judged whether or not the detection signal (detection pulse signal P1 or P11) of the conveyed product (ink cartridge 60 or dummy object 70) is received from the first product identification section 42. , If detected,
The process proceeds to step [3] (hereinafter abbreviated as S3), and if not, the standby state is entered.

Step [3] (S3): Instruct the first conveyed object number measuring means 412b to count according to the detected conveyed object. The counter is an up counter and is incremented by 1 with respect to the previous value. That is, every time the detection pulse signal P1 or P11 is received, the count value Nt1 becomes Nt1 ← Nt.
It becomes 1 + 1.

Step [4] (S4): Detection pulse signal P1 or P11 detected by the first product identifying section 42.
Is caused by the product (ink cartridge 60) or the dummy object 70. As described above, it can be determined by the pulse width wc or wd of the detection pulse signal P1 or P11, and as a result, which of the first product identification signal P3 and the first dummy identification signal P12 has occurred is determined. It can be done by detecting. If it is a manufactured product, proceed to S5, and if it is a dummy object 70, S11.
Proceed to.

Step [5] (S5): When the product is detected in S4, the first unique information generating means 413 uses the initial value set in the initial value setting means 415 and the latest unique value based on the count value Np1. To generate the information. That is,
The latest ID by adding the count value Np1 to the initial value
Generate a number.

In the above case, 0001220 + Np1 Becomes

Step [6] (S6): Instruct the first unique information forming section 43 to form unique information. First, the transportation means that is transporting the product is stopped. Next, an instruction for electrical connection with the IC chip 61 is given. In addition,
When the I / O interface of the IC chip 61 is optically formed, optical connection is made. Further, when transmitting and receiving information by a high frequency signal, electromagnetic coupling connection is performed. For electrical connection, it is necessary to bring the connection portion 61c of the IC chip 61 and the connection portion 43c of the first unique information forming portion 43 into contact with each other. Since it can be done by contact, "connection" in this case means the operation of moving to a distance where light and electromagnetic waves can be transmitted and received. Next, the first unique information generating means 41
The newly generated unique information is transmitted from 3 to the first unique information forming unit 43.

Step [7] (S7): It is determined whether or not a signal of information formation completion is received from the first unique information forming section 43. If received, proceed to S8, and if not received, this step is repeated.

Step [8] (S8): Based on the detection of the information formation completion in S7, the conveyance of the product for which the formation of the unique information is completed is restarted.

Step [9] (S9): The first product number measuring means 412a is instructed to count the first product identification signal P3. The counter is an up counter and is incremented by 1 with respect to the previous value. That is, every time the first product identification signal P3 is received, the count value Np1 becomes Np1 ← = N.
It becomes p1 + 1. Unlike the counter described in S3, the counter is configured to count only when the product identified by the first product identification unit 42 is a product. Therefore, the difference between the count values Np1 and Nt1 can be said to be the number of dummy objects 70.

Step [10] (S10): It is judged whether or not the process is to be ended, and if it is to be continued, the process returns to S2.

Step [11] (S11): As a result of the determination in S4, when it is determined that the conveyed object is the dummy object 70, the dummy value setting means 417 is instructed by the first conveyed object number measuring means 412b. The current count value Nt1 is the dummy value N
stored as d.

The process relating to the formation of the second unique information will be described below with reference to FIG.

Step [21] (S21): Storage unit 41
The last issued ID number is read from the ID management table No. 4 and set as the initial value in the initial value setting means 415.

[0276] For example, the distribution type is "SZ-200.
Black ink cartridge for 0 "(The code information of the distribution type at this time is" 00 according to the rules of Table 1 and Table 2.
00 "), the final value" 0001220 "of the ID number J is read from the table of FIG. 9A. The ID number is the date and time" 2000/5/20 / "
It can be seen that it was created at 15:10:13 ".

Since this step is the same process as S1 described above, it can be omitted when S1 is performed.

Step [22] (S22): It is judged whether or not the detection pulse signal of the conveyed product (circulated product 6 or dummy object 70) is received from the second product identification section 44, and if detected, The process proceeds to S23, and if not, the standby state is set.

Step [23] (S23): If the transported object is detected in S22, the second transported object number measuring means 412.
Instruct d to count the detection pulse signals. The counter is an up counter and is incremented by 1 with respect to the previous value. That is, the count value Nt2 is received every time the detection pulse signal is received.
However, Nt2 ← Nt2 + 1.

Step [24] (S24): The detection pulse signal detected by the second product identifying section 44 is caused by the product, that is, the distributed product 6, or by the dummy object 70. To judge. As described above, it can be detected by the pulse width of the detection pulse signal. If the conveyed product is the distributed product 6, the process proceeds to S25, and if it is a dummy object, the process proceeds to S31 and thereafter.

Step [25] (S25): If the distribution product 6 is detected in S24, the second unique information generating means 41.
6 is the initial value set in the initial value setting means 415, and
The latest unique information is generated from the count value Np2 of the detection of the distribution item 6. That is, the latest ID number is generated by adding the count value Np2 to the initial value. In addition,
The count value Np2 for detecting the distributed product 6 is a count value measured by the second product number measuring means 412c by up-counting the second product identification signal.

Step [26] (S26): Instruct the second unique information forming section 45 to form unique information.
First, the transporting means that transports the flowable product 6 is stopped.
Next, the newly generated ID number is transmitted from the second unique information generating means 416 to the second unique information forming unit 45, and the unique information is formed on the information recording body 7. In addition, distributed goods 6
On the other hand, the information recording body 7 is attached to the surface or the like.

Step [27] (S27): It is determined whether or not a signal indicating that the formation or pasting of the information recording body 7 is completed is received from the second unique information forming section 45. If it has been received, the process proceeds to S28, and if not, this step is repeated.

[0284] Step [28] (S28): The ID management table of the storage unit 414 is updated in response to the completion or formation of the information recording body 7 in S27. That is, the ID number generated in S25 is recorded as the latest value of the ID management table. That is, "0001221" is added as the final ID number. In FIG. 20, the date and time information of the update is also “ID generation date / time (year /
Month / Day / Time) "information.

When updating the ID management table of the storage unit 414, the initial value setting means 415 shown in FIG. 10 is used.
And the count values of the measuring means 412 are reset. Therefore, S27 and S28 need not be performed frequently.

[29] Step [29] (S29): The conveyance of the distributed product 6 for which the formation of the unique information is completed is restarted.

Step [30] (S30): It is judged whether or not the process is to be ended, and if it is to be continued, the process returns to S22.

Step [31] (S31): If the dummy object 70 is detected in S24, the identity determining means 418 is executed.
Acquires the current count value Nt2 from the second conveyed object measuring unit 412d.

Step [32] (S32): Then, the identity determining means 418 acquires the dummy value Nd from the dummy value setting means 417.

Step [33] (S33): The identity determining means 418 determines whether the count value Nt2 and the dummy value Nd respectively obtained match. If both values Nt2 and Nd match, the process returns to S22, and if they do not match, error processing such as warning is performed using the warning means 419.

The error processing is performed by, for example, the dummy object 7
The current count value Nt2 in which 0 is detected and the dummy object 70
The fact that the unique information formed on the IC chip 61 does not match the unique information formed on the information recording body 7 with respect to the distribution 6 belonging to the count value Nt2 when the The information is displayed on a display unit such as a liquid crystal display connected to the management device 41, and is notified to the management device 41 and another terminal connected to a network (not shown) such as an intranet by e-mail or the like.

[Second Embodiment] Hereinafter, FIGS. 21 and 22 will be described.
Based on the above, there was a question about the input and recovery of the dummy object 70 to the manufacturing line, and further the consistency between the unique information formed on the IC chip 61 and the unique information formed on the information recording body 7. In this case, the collection of the corresponding distribution product 6 will be described.

FIG. 21 is a schematic view of the joining portion between the assembly line L1 and the first information forming line L2 as seen from above.

FIG. 19A shows a state in which the product 5 (ink cartridge 60) is conveyed from the assembly line L1 to the first information forming line L2, and FIG. The object 70 is the dummy object input unit 4
6 shows a state in which the dummy injection lane 6 is input.

Switching between the ON state and the OFF state is performed by the control of the switch 47. The switch 47 is
It is placed under the control of the management device 41 and n products 5 are the first
Each time the information forming line L2 is conveyed, the dummy object 7
It is controlled to input one 0. As described above, the management device 41 can count the number of conveyed product 5 based on the signal from the first product identifying unit 42.

If the value of n is too small, the proportion of the dummy objects 70 unrelated to manufacturing increases with respect to the product 5, which is not preferable from the viewpoint of production efficiency and the like. On the other hand, if it is too large, it may occur. However, the number of defects becomes large when there is a question about the consistency between the unique information formed on the IC chip 61 and the unique information formed on the information recording body 7, which is not preferable. Therefore, it may be determined in consideration of the balance between the safety factor and the production efficiency.

Next, referring to FIG. 22, a warning means 419
A warning will be issued by and the measures taken when a defect occurs will be described. The term “defective” refers to a case in which there is a doubt about the consistency between the unique information formed on the IC chip 61 and the unique information formed on the information recording body 7.

FIG. 28A shows a case where there is no defect, and the flowed product 6 discharged from the second information forming line L4 is conveyed according to a predetermined line. On the other hand, when it is determined that the product is defective, the flower 6 conveys the flowed product 6 to the NG lane 49, as shown in FIG.

The above-mentioned switch is placed under the control of the management device 41. When it is determined that the switch is defective, the switch is in the state shown in FIG. Transported to lane 49.

Next, the operation of the switch will be described.

As described above, the determination as to whether or not there is a defect is based on the dummy object 70 detected on the first information forming line L2 and the value stored in the dummy value setting means 417 and the second value.
Based on the dummy object 70 detected on the information forming line L4, the determination is made based on the coincidence with the count value Nt2 counted by the second conveyed object number measuring means 412d. That is, it is determined that all the distributed products 6 existing between the corresponding dummy object 70 and the preceding dummy object 70 have a possibility of being defective.

Therefore, the switch 48 is controlled by the management device 41 so as to guide the dummy object 70, which is one downstream side of the detected dummy object 70, to the NG lane 49 when the dummy object 70 approaches the NG lane 49. . The switch 48 holds the state of FIG. 22B until the detected dummy object 70 reaches the NG lane 49.

Alternatively, the flow-through 6 and the dummy object 70 are in the NG lane 49 until it is confirmed that no warning is issued.
The transport device on the downstream side of the second information forming line L4 may be stopped so as not to pass through.

As described above, the dummy value Nd stored in the dummy value setting means 417 and the second conveyed object number measuring means 41.
When the count values Nt2 counted by 2d match, I is calculated for all the distributed products 6 existing on the downstream side in the transport direction from the dummy object 70 for which the matching is determined.
Consistency between the unique information formed on the C chip 61 and the unique information formed on the information recording body 7 is guaranteed. Therefore, the positional relationship between the second information forming line L4 and the switching device 48, the transportation speed, and the number of products transported so that the corresponding distributed product 6 exists upstream of the switching device 48 until the guarantee is made. Etc. need to be considered.

FIG. 23 shows the management device 4 corresponding to FIG.
The example of the management table which manages the determination result of a match managed by 1 is shown.

The count values Nt2 = 6 and Nt when the dummy object 70 is detected by the second product identifying section 44.
2 = 12, Nt2 = 6 is "OK", Nt2 = 12
Is an example in which is "NG".

The switch 48 determines that Nt2 = 6.
Until the determination of "OK" is made, it is installed on the downstream side of the conveyance position of the product having the count value Nt2 = 1 located at the most downstream side. After the determination of "OK", the switch 48 is shown in FIG.
The state shown in 2 (a) is reached, and the flowed product 6 corresponding to the count values Nt2 = 1 to Nt2 = 5 passes in front of the NG lane 49.

On the other hand, when the determination is "NG" for Nt2 = 12, the count value Nt2 = 6 and Nt2.
= 6, ie, count value N existing between 12
The flowable product 6 corresponding to t2 = 7 to Nt2 = 11 is changed by the switch 48 in the state shown in FIG.
It is transported to the NG lane 49.

All the dummy objects 70 may be introduced into the NG lane 49, like the NG flow products 6. In this case, even in the case of the dummy object 70 which is judged as “OK”, the switch 48 is provided for each dummy object 70 in order to guide the dummy object 70 to the NG lane 49, as shown in FIG. Becomes

As described above, the error handling, more specifically, the error handling is performed for the distribution item 6 in which the consistency between the unique information formed on the IC chip 61 and the unique information formed on the information recording body 7 is suspected. Performs a warning by voice, display, etc., and also holds post-processing such as collection and shipping, so that no inconsistency occurs between the above two unique information.

[Modification 1] The present modification is characterized in that the management device 41 confirms the type information of the product flowing through the first information forming line L2, for example, the ink cartridge 60, and FIG. As shown in the assembly line L
A case will be described in which the type information about the ink cartridge 60 flowing through the line is acquired from the terminal 50 located on the line upstream of the first information forming line L2, such as 1.

The type information is the ink cartridge 6
It may be model-specific information of the corresponding device, such as information indicating the model of the printer in which 0 is mounted, or product-type information that distinguishes different types of products such as an ink cartridge and a toner cartridge. Therefore, in the following, the description is not limited to the ink cartridge 60, but as a manufactured product.

The management device 41 is connected to the network 33, and acquires information on the type of product flowing through the line from the terminal 50 via the network 33. The terminal 50 is a terminal that manages the assembly line L1, and a general-purpose computer having a network connection function can be used. The structure of the packaging line L3 is the same as the structure already described, as shown in FIG.

Next, the management device 41 in this embodiment.
The processing flow performed by the arithmetic processing unit (manufactured product / dummy discrimination means 411) will be described with reference to FIG.

The difference from the above embodiment is the step [1].
Instead of this, steps [12] to [14] are provided. Since the other processes are the same, the description is omitted.

Step [12] (S12): The product / dummy discriminating means 411 acquires, from the terminal 50, information regarding the type of the product flowing through the line via the network 33. The information may be generated only when the type of product changes, or the type information may be generated for each product flowing through the line. However, in order to distinguish between the case where the information on the type of the product transmitted from the terminal 50 cannot be received and the case where the type of the product has not changed due to an error of the network 33, the line flows. It is considered that a method of acquiring information on the type of the product regardless of the change of the type of the product is preferable.

Since there are a plurality of products between the assembly line L1 and the first information forming line L2,
The management device 41 needs to be able to determine which product after the product reaching the first information forming line L2 is a different product. Therefore, the terminal 50 also transmits the cumulative number information of the products that have flowed through the assembly line L1 regarding the products whose type has been changed. On the other hand, the management device 41 can identify the corresponding product unless the product is excluded from the line if the cumulative number is uniquely counted by using, for example, the first conveyed product number measuring means 412b. Becomes That is, the terminal 50
It can be recognized that the type has been changed from the manufactured product when the cumulative number received from the device and the count number in the management device 41 match. The cumulative number at this time may be reset every day. That is, the cumulative number in this case is the total number of products flowed in the operation of the production line today.

Step [13] (S13): It is detected whether the type of product is the same as the previous one. If different, S
Proceeding to 14, the same processing as the processing after S1 described in the above embodiment is performed. If they are the same, proceed to S2.

Step [14] (S14): The unique information management table managed for each type is read, and the last issued unique information is read from the read unique information management table. The unique information management table is not limited to a plurality of tables, but includes a single table that manages unique information by classifying each type.

As described above, when the type of the product detected this time is the same as the type detected last time, the process of S14 is omitted. Therefore, when the product of the same type flows continuously. The number of times the arithmetic processing unit accesses the storage unit 414 storing the unique information management table can be significantly reduced, and the processing speed can be increased and the processing load on the arithmetic processing unit can be reduced.

[Modification 2] The difference from Modification 1 described above is that, in terms of hardware, the first product identification unit 42 is T-type.
It is a visual inspection device such as a V camera. By having the appearance inspection function, in addition to being able to determine whether or not there is a distributed product 6 at a predetermined position on the information forming line L2, it is possible to automatically recognize the type of the distributed product 6. The image information of the distribution product 6 is transmitted from the first product identification unit 42 to the management device 41.

In the storage unit 414 of the management device 41, all the products (here, the products) flowing through the first information forming line L2 are stored.
For the ink cartridge 60), the appearance and the type information of the product corresponding to the appearance are stored as a pair. In this way, if there is a difference in the shape of the product,
It can be easily identified.

26 (a) and 26 (b) show an example of the appearance data file and the product type management table associating the appearance information with the product type information. The appearance data file and the product type management table are stored in the storage unit 414. The appearance data file is managed by the code information, and by referring to the product type management table, the product having the code information "001" is "SZ-2000 black ink cartridge". Has become.

Further, information indicating the type of the "SZ-2000 black ink cartridge" is described as additional information. The type information corresponds to the information shown in Tables 1 and 2.

The appearance here is not limited to the outline of the product, but includes the case where the shape difference / characteristic point for each type or the barcode information indicating the type is visually recognized. As a result, the product can be discriminated even when there is no difference in shape despite the difference in type.

Next, another processing flow of the management apparatus 41 will be described with reference to FIG. S15 to S17 are executed instead of S1 described above.

Step [15] (S15) Desired image processing is performed on the input image information to extract feature points. For example, in the case of the outer shape, the processing for extracting the contour is performed.

Step [16] (S16) The product type is specified from the product type management table stored in the storage unit 414. Specifically, S15
The contour image extracted in step 2 is collated with the contour image stored in the appearance data file shown in FIG. 26A, and the matched contour image is associated with the contour image by referring to the product type management table. This is performed by reading the manufactured product information (for example, the name such as "black ink cartridge for SZ-2000").

Step [17] (S17) Based on the detected product type, a unique information table managed for each type is loaded from the storage unit 414, and the finally issued unique information (ID number) is read. .

When there are many product types, it can be said that it is preferable in terms of management to create a unique information table for each type in this way, but a single table will serve the purpose. To be

As described above, since the first product identifying section 42 has the appearance inspection function, the first information forming line L2
In addition to being able to discriminate whether or not there is a product at the predetermined position, it is possible to automatically recognize the product. Therefore, even if the type of the product flowing through the first information forming line L2 changes, the administrator does not have to deal with it, and even if it changes from moment to moment, it is possible to flexibly deal with it. It can be adapted to high-mix low-volume production.

[Third Embodiment] In the following, the dummy object 7 is used.
0 will be described.

As described above, the conveyed product is a manufactured product such as the ink cartridge 60, or the dummy object 7 is used.
In order to determine whether it is 0, each product identification unit 42.4
4 detects the difference between the pulse widths of the signals detected by No. 4. Therefore, for this purpose, the pulse width due to the product and the pulse width due to the dummy object 70 need only be different. That is, it is only necessary that the transport length of the product and the dummy object 70 are different in the transport direction. Here, the length in the carrying direction is the length of the product and the dummy object 70 in the carrying direction of the manufacturing line.

However, if the length of the dummy object 70 is longer than the length of the product, there are the following problems.

First, when a dummy object 70 unrelated to the original manufacturing is put into the manufacturing line, it is difficult to put in an object larger than the product, which lowers the productivity and complicates the work involved in putting the dummy object 70. There is a problem of increased sex.

Further, the length is determined based on the detection pulse signals output from the first product identifying section 42 and the second product identifying section 44.
The length of the product is compared with the length of the dummy object 70 in the first information forming line L2, while the length of the product is compared with the length of the dummy object 70 in the second information forming line L4. It is the length of the distribution product 6 in which the product is packaged / packaged.

Therefore, in order to determine the length of the dummy object 70, the length of the flowable product 6 must be acquired. That is, when the length of the dummy object 70 is made longer than the length of the manufactured product, it should be set longer than that in consideration of the size of the packaging material or the like to be finally performed. Further, since the size of the packing material is relatively easy to change due to simplification of packing or the like, there is a case where the length of the dummy object 70 has to be changed. Further, when the packaging material is manufactured and delivered by an external manufacturer, there is also a problem that information about the packaging material cannot be obtained quickly and accurately, and the shape of the dummy object 70 cannot be determined.

Further, since the length in the carrying direction changes depending on the loading state of the products on the carrying device (belt conveyor), it is necessary to control the loading angle of the products with respect to the carrying direction to a constant level.

On the other hand, if the length of the dummy object 70 is shorter than the length of the product, the occupation area on the manufacturing line is not increased so much by inserting the dummy object 70, and Since the length may be set so as to be shorter than that, the length can be promptly determined regardless of the size of the packaging material or the like. Further, in the case of a product having a rectangular shape with respect to the transport plane, the stacking angle of the product with respect to the transport direction is changed by making the dummy object 70 shorter in the transport direction than the short side length of the product. Even if it tries, it is always a dummy object 70
It is possible to shorten the length in the carrying direction.

Next, the shape of the dummy object 70 will be described. Since the product has a complicated shape, and the length in the transport direction changes depending on the loading state due to that, the pulse width detected by each product identifying unit 42/44 also has a constant fluctuation width. Will have. The same applies to the dummy object 70. If the dummy object 70 has a shape in which the length in the transport direction changes depending on the loaded state, each product identification unit 42.
The pulse width detected by 44 also has a constant fluctuation width.

If the above two fluctuation ranges overlap with each other, it may occur that the product and the dummy object 70 cannot be discriminated from each other.

Therefore, the shape of the dummy object 70 is preferably cylindrical. In other words, the shape is isotropic with respect to the transport plane. As a result, the length of the dummy object 70 in the carrying direction, which is detected depending on the loaded state of the dummy object 70 in the carrying direction, does not change. It can be reduced significantly.

The material of the dummy object 70 is preferably a material, such as plastic, which is not easily deteriorated by repeated use, is less likely to be damaged by dropping or the like, and can be used at low cost, but is not limited to this. ,
It may be made of recycled paper, wood, ceramics, or the like.

When a transmissive optical sensor is used as a method for determining the passage of the dummy object 70, it is preferable that the material is opaque to the wavelength of the light.
When a reflection type optical sensor is used, it is preferable that at least a portion irradiated with light is composed of a member having a reflection function with respect to the wavelength of the irradiated light.

Further, it is preferable that the dummy object 70 has a weight that does not cause the dummy object 70 to fall while being conveyed by a belt conveyor or the like. Alternatively, a heavy object is arranged at the bottom so that the center of gravity becomes low. It may have a structure.

The service to which the distributed product 6 manufactured and managed according to the present invention is applied will be described below.

(Network Configuration and Device Configuration) FIG. 28
FIG. 1 shows an overall view of a network system to which the present invention is applied. The plurality of contractors 1 and the service provider 10
It is connected through a network 30 as a public network such as a telephone line.

The service provider 10 provides the contractor 1 (device user, service receiver) with a service regarding a distribution item 6 such as a toner cartridge as described in detail below.

The service provider 10 is, for example, a leasing company, a direct sales maker, or a supplies sales maker. In the case of a leasing company or the like, it may be a service for concluding a lease contract with the image forming apparatus main body.

FIG. 29 shows a general configuration on the network of the service provider 10 and the specific contractor 1. Generally, the relationship between the service provider 10 and the specific contractor 1 is one-to-many, for example, when the contractor 1 is a large-scale business establishment or the like that installs and uses a plurality of printers / copiers. Is equivalent to Further, even if the same company has a plurality of business establishments, an accounting department may be set up and managed for each business establishment. Further, the case where the contractor 1 is a plurality of different companies is also included. But,
From the service provider 10 side, it does not matter whether the plurality of contractors 1 are the same company or other companies, and are regarded as the same as the minimum unit in the contract.

Therefore, for convenience of explanation, hereinafter, FIG. 2 showing the relationship between the specific contractor 1 and the service provider 10.
The network system to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIG.

The basic form of the network system is to prepare a server 5 as a device management server or a first server for each contractor 1 surrounded by a dotted line in the figure, and the server 5 is the second server of the service provider 10. The service management apparatus 12 and the network 30 are connected to each other. The server 5 is further connected to at least one or more image forming apparatuses 21, 22, ... That belong to the contractor 1 by a local network 31. The server 5
It is preferable to install the plurality of image forming apparatuses 21, 22, ... In order to centrally manage them or to have a firewall function, but since it is not essential for carrying out this service management method, the server will be referred to as a server for convenience sake below. 5 will be omitted and the description will proceed.

When the image forming apparatuses 21, 22, ... Are printers and digital multi-function peripherals, image formation is performed via the local network 31 by a print command from the personal computer 3 similarly connected to the network. Is configured.

It should be noted that even an analog copying machine is applicable to the present invention as long as it has a communication means capable of connecting to a network.

On the other hand, FIG. 30 shows the image forming apparatuses 21 and 22.
3 is an example of a network system in which manufacturing devices 410, 420 and the like are connected to the local network 31 instead of the devices (devices). In this case, the distribution item 6 as a service target is the adhesive shown in FIG. 601 or FIG.
It is the IC 611 shown in (b).

(Structure of Image Forming Apparatus) Next, the structure of the image forming apparatus 2 on the contractor 1 side will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 2 is an analog,
A case will be described in which the printer is a printer, a copying machine, or the like, which can be connected to a network regardless of whether it is digital or a printing method such as electrophotography or ink jet.

The image forming apparatus 2 includes an image forming means (not shown), an ink cartridge 60 as a consumable component, and information formed on the ink cartridge 60 (described above).
A reading unit 214 for reading the information, a transmitting / receiving unit 215 for outputting the read information to the outside, and a reading unit 21.
4 and the controller unit 21 for controlling the transmission / reception unit 215
3 and 3.

The sensor circuit 219 comprises a sensor for detecting whether or not the ink cartridge 60 is mounted in the image forming apparatus 21 and its peripheral circuits, and may be equipped in a normal copying machine or printer. Since it is many, it is assumed to use it. However, in the absence of the sensor, alternative means can be used and are not necessary requirements. That is, the IC chip 61 may be regularly accessed, or the mounting detection of the ink cartridge 60 may be performed every time the power of the apparatus main body is turned on.

If this is performed when the power of the main assembly of the apparatus is turned on, even if the ink cartridge 60 is replaced when the power of the main assembly of the apparatus is shut off, it can be reliably detected.

When printing is performed remotely via the personal computer 3, the print server function generally collects the operating status of the output request destination printer, printing capability information, etc. If the mounting detection of the ink cartridge 60 is performed in accordance with the above, the processing flow can be simplified.

As described above, the ink cartridge 60 has its own information recorded on its surface or inside. For example, as shown in FIG.
The type number and the ID number are stored in advance in a nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM or a ferroelectric memory therein.

For the purpose of distribution management, inventory management, etc., a bar code for specifying the distribution type may be printed conventionally. At this time, the same bar code is used for the same type of distributed goods in order to reduce the printing burden, printing time, management burden, and the like. Therefore, in this state, if the types are different, the barcode can be used for determination, but if the types are the same, individual determination cannot be performed.

On the other hand, in the present invention, the bar code attached to the distribution product 6 is information unique to the distribution product 6,
This is different from the conventional bar code in that it enables the individual identification of the distribution item 6.

In the present invention, the information to be stored in the IC chip 61 is basically only the product type number and the ID number of the particular product. Normally, it is not necessary to rewrite the information. Fewer functions are required, and the software and hardware scales such as the memory controller can be greatly reduced.

Further, by providing a toner remaining amount detecting sensor as needed, the toner amount currently in use can be detected relatively accurately.

The reading section 214 differs depending on the form of information formed on the ink cartridge 60. In the case of a bar code, it is a bar code reader, and the IC
In the case of a chip, it is composed of an electric or high frequency reading means.

The transmitting / receiving unit 215 is, for example, a modem. The connection form is not limited to the telephone line,
It may be CATV or the like. In addition, the transmission form between the image forming apparatus 2 and the service management apparatus 12 does not have to be all wired, and some may be wirelessly transmitted.

The sensor circuit 219 is composed of various sensors and peripheral circuits for processing signals from the sensors. As the sensor, there are a door sensor and a cartridge sensor, and those having a principle of mechanical type, optical type or the like are used. Door sensor
The sensor for detecting the open / closed state of the door of the image forming apparatus 21, and the cartridge sensor is a sensor for detecting whether or not the ink cartridge 60 is attached to the image forming apparatus 21. The peripheral circuit includes a waveform shaping circuit for shaping the waveform of the sensor output, a filter circuit, a binarization circuit, a voltage level adjusting circuit, etc., and converts the sensor output into a digital signal having a logic level of 0-5V. .

The controller unit 213 accesses the IC chip 61 to read out ink cartridge information when the ink cartridge 60 is replaced.
It issues an instruction to the reading unit 214. The transmitting / receiving unit 215 also transmits the read information to the outside as needed.
Instruct. Also, it monitors signals from various sensors and gives a predetermined instruction according to the signal contents. In the case of an image forming apparatus that uses a CPU for controlling the entire apparatus, the CPU can be used as the controller unit 213.

(Registration Process) Next, the operation of the service system will be described.

First, the service provider 10 obtains the information of the contractor 1 as prior information. As shown as the contractor table [1] in FIG. 32A, the information is the contractor 1
Can be specified, for example, if the contractor 1 is one company, it is the company name, and even if the contractor 1 is the same company, if the contract is made for each business site, the business site name It is necessary to specify up to, so register up to the department name.

Next, in order to handle the contractor information in the service management device 12, the service provider 10 issues a contractor ID for each contractor 1. The contractor ID is unique and is a single ID such as a number such as 000125.
Is assigned to each contractor 1.

[0373] Further, the distribution 6 as the service object
Location information for delivery, and payment method for fee collection.

The above is stored in the storage unit 124 of the service management device 12 in the form of an electronic file.

Next, the service provider 10 dispatches a service person to the contractor 1 to install / set the image forming apparatus 2 and deliver the distribution item 6. The image forming apparatus 2 is connected and set so as to communicate with the external network 20, and when the communication becomes possible, in addition to the contractor ID given above, the model number and product of the image forming apparatus 2 are added. Information such as an individual ID number may be sent.

If it is only necessary to know what kind of image forming apparatus the contractor 1 has, the model number, the product number, etc. by which the model can be specified may be used.
Has a plurality of the same image forming apparatus,
When it is necessary to know the information for each image forming apparatus individually, unique information such as a manufacturing number that can identify the image forming apparatus is preferable.

In the case of a copying machine, a ten-key pad is provided for designating the number of sheets to be printed, so that the contractor ID number and / or the ID number of the image forming apparatus 2 can be displayed as an image using the input means. It can be easily input to the forming device 2.

As described above, the service management device 12
In FIG. 32, as shown in FIG. 32 (b), necessary items are entered in the contractor table [2]. For example, the contractor with ID number 000003 is SZ-2000 and AR-2.
It can be seen that the two image forming apparatuses 001 are receiving the service according to the present invention.

The contractor table [1] and the main contractor table [2] can be combined as common information for associating the ID number (contractor ID). Therefore,
Referring to FIG. 32A, the ID number 0 of FIG.
The contractor of 0003 is "C Corporation △△△ Business Division"
It turns out that

By this step, the service management apparatus 12 can automatically detect the model of the image forming apparatus 2 of the contractor 1 and can obtain the model information of the service target.

In the service management device 12 on the service provider 10 side, a service management file (the service management table) is created for each contractor 1 and is stored in the storage unit 124. An example of the case where the file is displayed on the output unit 125 of the service management apparatus 12 is shown in FIGS. 33 to 36. In this case, the in-use cartridge table ((a) in the figure) and the spare cartridge table ((b) in the figure) are prepared, but only the spare cartridge table may be used. In the initial state, the cartridge information currently used in the image forming apparatus 2 of the contractor 1 and the spare cartridge information delivered to the contractor 1 side are not included.

Next, the service provider 10 collects information about all the ink cartridges 60 to be stored in the contractor 1 side in advance, and the information is immediately or later stored in the service management device 12 of the service provider 10. store.

As a method of collecting information, when the distribution item 6 is delivered to the contractor 1 side, as shown in FIG. 6A, it is formed on the portion 72 of the information recording body 7 attached to the distribution item 6. This is done by reading the created information 73 with a scanner.

After collecting the information, the service person collects the information recording body 7 in order to confirm that the reading has been completed. In this way, if the information recording body 7 is formed so as to be separable from the circulating product 6, it is possible to determine whether the information recording body 7 is undelivered or already delivered depending on the presence or absence of the information recording body 7. Further, since it becomes possible to take the information recording body 7 home, it is possible to avoid a situation in which pre-registration cannot be performed even when the scanner is out of order, and the service provider 10
You can take it home and read the information and pre-register.

The information read by the scanner is immediately transmitted to the service management apparatus 12 on the service provider 10 side via a communication means (not shown). Alternatively, the information read by the scanner may be stored in a medium such as a floppy disk or a memory stick, and may be input to the service management device 12 on the service provider 10 side after taking it back.

In the case of immediate transmission using the communication means, the information read by the scanner and the contractor ID number are paired and transmitted to the service management apparatus 12. This allows
On the service management device 12 side, the contractor can be associated with the information on the distribution product 6 delivered to the contractor.

The operation of the service management apparatus 12 will be described in more detail. The contractor 1 is specified from the information received by the communication section 121. This can be performed by the arithmetic processing unit 122 identifying the contractor ID included in the received information. Next, the arithmetic processing unit 122 calls the service management table (FIG. 33) regarding the specified contractor 1. The management table is created for each contractor 1 when the service target becomes clear at the time of contract or the like.

Next, the arithmetic processing section 122 extracts the ID number of the ink cartridge 60 included in the received information. The ID number is data to be input in the “all information (all digits)” column of FIG.

[0389] In addition, on the spot, using a portable information terminal or the like,
The information read by the scanner and the contractor ID number are paired and stored, and when returning to the service provider 10 home,
The information stored in the mobile information terminal may be transferred to the service management device 12 by performing a wired connection or infrared communication between the service management device 12 and the mobile information terminal.

Alternatively, without using a scanner in the field,
The collected information recording body 7 is brought back, and information is read using the input unit 123 such as a bar code scanner connected to the service management apparatus 12 on the service provider 10 side, or manually input using a keyboard or the like. You may make it input into the service management apparatus 12 at. Also in this case, the unique information of the distribution product 6 is input in pairs with the contractor ID information. The former method of electronically reading and transmitting information on-site is more preferable because it has immediacy and can eliminate the mistake that the contents of the delivery note and the actual delivery item are different. .

The process of inputting the unique information of the distribution item 6 in combination with the contractor ID information is performed before the service provider 1 sends the distribution item 6 from the service provider 10 to the contractor 1.
The service management device 12 on the 0 side may be manually input using a keyboard or the like.

By the above operation, the number, type, and individual number information of the unused ink cartridges 60 delivered to the contractor 1 side are accumulated in the service management device 12 on the service provider 10 side.

In the following, a case where information is electronically read and transmitted immediately on site will be described.

The service management device 12 on the service provider 10 side updates the information based on the received information. That is, FIG. 33B shows a case where two black, yellow, magenta, and cyan ink cartridges 60 are delivered, but different 20-digit code information is input for all of them. As other information, the delivery date is entered. In the description of the figure, from the viewpoint of the user interface, not only the code information but also the actual name such as “black ink” is used as an auxiliary display for the information about the type of the ink cartridge 60 or the like. There is.
At this time, the arithmetic processing unit 122 determines for each ink cartridge 60 that the information about each ink cartridge 60 is input to the spare cartridge table for the first time.
Is displayed automatically.

Therefore, at the time immediately after the delivery, FIG.
There is no change in the currently used cartridge information shown in (a).

Next, the service person opens the ink cartridge 60 necessary for operating the image forming apparatus 2,
The image forming apparatus 2 is set. The image forming apparatus 2 has already been connected and set so as to communicate with the outside and is in a communicable state. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 2 is set in the service management apparatus 12 on the service provider 10 side. Information on the ink cartridge 60 is transmitted. On the service management device 12 side, in order to determine from which contractor 1 the information is, the information is transmitted together with the contractor ID.

Regarding the case where the above operation is automatically performed,
This will be described below. The image forming apparatus 2 is generally provided with various sensors for detecting the opening / closing state of the door and the presence / absence of attachment of the ink cartridge 60.
Has a function of monitoring each sensor. When the mounting of the ink cartridge 60 is detected based on the signal from the ink cartridge sensor, the controller unit 3 instructs the reading unit 4 to IC chip 61 of the ink cartridge 60.
To read the information stored in. Further, the transmission / reception unit 5 issues a transmission command to the transmission / reception unit 5 to transmit the information.

On the side of the service provider 10, the arithmetic processing unit 122 of the service management apparatus 12, based on the information received by the communication unit 121, as shown in FIG. To update the cartridge information column currently in use. Further, as shown in FIG. 7B, the ink cartridge 60 input as the spare cartridge information.
With the above operation, for the ink cartridge 60 currently set as being used, the usage status column is
Updated from "not (spare)" to "currently in use".

Whether or not the information received by the communication unit 121 includes the unique information of the newly used ink cartridge 60 is determined by checking whether the same unique information is already recorded in the in-use cartridge table. It can be detected by checking by the arithmetic processing unit 122. In addition, in the usage status column of the spare cartridge table, the unique information of the ink cartridge 60 recorded as “not (spare)” and the unique information included in the information received by the communication unit 121 are calculated by the arithmetic processing unit 122. Also by comparing the above, it is possible to detect that the information received by the communication unit 121 includes the unique information of the newly used ink cartridge 60, for example, when the two match.

With the above, the initial setting / registration is completed.

In the above description, the image forming apparatus 2
The information such as the model number and the ID number of each product is automatically sent to the service management device 12 on the service provider side. However, the service provider 10 side registers it in the service management device 12 by the input unit 13. You may

(Replacement Process) Next, the ink cartridge 6
The operation when 0 is exchanged will be described.

The device manager or device user in the contractor 1 who has a contract with the service provider 10 is provided as a backup based on the “ink cartridge exchange” message issued from the image forming apparatus 2. The new ink cartridge 60 is replaced. In this embodiment, a case where only black ink is consumed will be described.

The used ink cartridge 60 (spare cartridge No. 1) shown in FIG. 34 (b) is taken out from the image forming apparatus 2, and an unused ink cartridge 60 (spare cartridge No. 5) is replaced therewith. Mounting. The sensor provided in the image forming apparatus 2 detects the attachment / detachment and attachment of the ink cartridge 60, reads the information unique to the attached ink cartridge 60 from the IC chip 61, and reads the read content.
0 to the service management device 12 of 0.

[0405] Service management device 1 of service provider 10
In No. 2, as shown in FIG. 1 and No. The usage status fields of 5 are updated to "used" and "currently in use", respectively. Further, as shown in (a) of the figure, in the in-use cartridge table, only the black ink cartridge information (replacement date, all information, unique information, spare cartridge correspondence) is updated.

That is, in the arithmetic processing section 122, the usage status column in the spare cartridge table is included in the unique information of the ink cartridge 60 recorded as “not (spare)” and the information received by the communication section 121. When the unique information of the ink cartridge 60 (spare cartridge No. 5) is detected by comparing the unique information with
Spare cartridge No. of the same color toner No. 1 is a spare cartridge No. We certify that it was exchanged for 5. That is, the arithmetic processing unit 122 functions as an exchange authorization unit that authorizes the contractor 1 to exchange the distribution item 6 by detecting a change in the unique information of the distribution item 6 received by the communication unit 121.

Further, the arithmetic processing section 122 determines the spare cartridge No. Update the usage status column of 5 to "currently in use". At the same time, the arithmetic processing unit 1
No. 22 detects that the newly used ink cartridge 60 (spare cartridge No. 5) is for black toner, and the ink cartridge 60 for the same black ink is used.
(Spare cartridge No. 1) was certified as used, and spare cartridge No. 1 Update the usage status column of 1 to "used". By such a determination operation of the arithmetic processing unit 122, the spare cartridge table is updated.

At this stage, since there is no spare black ink cartridge, the service provider 10 ships at least the black ink cartridge to the contractor 1. FIGS. 36 (a) and 36 (b) show this state, and in the same way as the initial setting / registration processing described above, N
o. Nine new spare cartridge information has been added.

[0409] As described above, the service provider 10
Constantly monitors the spare ink cartridge information, and at the same time as or before the spare ink cartridge 60 runs out, a new spare ink cartridge 60
Is sent to the contractor 1, so that the contractor 1 side is prevented from lacking the consumer goods.

That is, in order for the service management device 12 to electronically perform the above processing, when the number of delivered products 6 is Nf and the number of used products 6 is Nu,
As a result of the calculation of Nf-Nu by the calculation processing unit 122, if the value of Nf-Nu is 0 or less than the specified value, the calculation processing unit 122 performs the processing related to the shipping instruction. The value of Nf is stored in the storage unit 124 for each contractor 1, and the value is read from the storage unit 124 when performing the above calculation. In addition, the value is updated when a new delivery is made. The value of Nf is shown in FIG.
In (b) and the like, the maximum value of the serial number (No. in the figure) can be used.

(Inventory Management) Next, the inventory management method will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 37 (a) shows an example of the inventory information management screen, which shows the service provider 1
No. 0 terminal and / or the display unit of the image forming apparatus 2 of the contractor 1 or the server 5 of the contractor 1.

[0412] The contractor No. is displayed on the screen. Also, information for identifying the contractor such as the contractor name, contents of the contract object, inventory information, etc. are prepared.

[0413] As inventory information, for each distribution item type such as black ink cartridge, in this case, 2000 6
The stock quantity at 11:27 am on the 22nd of the month is displayed. That is, by recording the unique information in the ink cartridge 60, electronically reading the information, and transmitting the information to the service management device 12 of the service provider 10 via the network 30, the stock quantity can be confirmed in a quick time. Because you can.

From the "delivery information" column in FIG. 37 (a), the most recently replaced ink cartridge is the black ink cartridge (previous delivery date = 2.
000/6/20), and since the information is the information at 11:27 am on June 22, 2000, 2
June 20, 2000 to June 22, 2000 11 am
It can also be seen that no ink cartridge has been delivered by 27 minutes.

[0415] By clicking the "latest information" button on the right side of the time information, it is possible to inquire about the latest information at the present time and display the result. That is, when the “latest information” button is clicked, the service management device 12 causes the contractor 1 to access the network 30 via the network 30.
The corresponding image forming apparatus 2 is instructed to transmit the unique information of the currently mounted cartridge. When the image forming apparatus 2 corresponding to the contractor 1 receives the above signal at the transmitting / receiving unit 215, the controller 213 informs the reading unit 214 of the information stored in the IC chip 61 of the currently mounted ink cartridge 60. Instruct to read. When the reading is completed, the controller 213 instructs the transmission / reception unit 215 to add the contractor information and / or the ID information of the device 2 to the information and transmit the information to the service management device 12 of the service provider 10.

As described above, the service management device 12 compares the cartridge information currently sent with the cartridge information stored in the storage unit 124 based on the transmitted information, and if there is no change, Update only the current confirmation point information. That is, for example, in the current confirmation time display field, if the current date and time is 9:40 am on June 25, 2000, 11 am on June 22, 2000
The processing is performed from 27 hours to 9:40 am on June 25, 2000, and the other information is not updated.

On the other hand, the previous time stored in the storage unit 124 (here, 11:27 am on June 22, 2000).
If it is determined that the cartridge information of this time and the cartridge information of this time (here, 9:40 am on June 25, 2000) are different, the cartridge has been exchanged between the time of the last confirmation and the present. Therefore, the changed information is updated. For example, if the magenta cartridge has been replaced, the inventory quantity of the magenta cartridge is decremented, for example updated from 3 to 2. In this case as well, similar to the above, the current confirmation time point information is updated at the same time.

In the example shown in FIG. 37 (c), it can be seen that the number of black ink cartridges in stock is two, and as additional information, the delivery date of the black ink cartridge and the next delivery. The scheduled date is also displayed.

[0419] Furthermore, by clicking the "Contractor detailed information button", the screen shown in Fig. 37 (b) is displayed. In the information, in addition to the contractor ID number used to identify the contractor, the contractor name, location, contact information such as e-mail address / telephone number, contract date, payment method, etc. are described.

[0420] Also, by clicking the "contract target information button", the screen shown in Fig. 37 (d) is displayed. In the information, the device main body information in which the cartridge to be contracted is mounted is described. From the figure, SZ-
It can be seen that the service is 2000 for one image forming apparatus.

Further, an individual detailed information button is provided on the right side of the inventory quantity confirmation column. For example, when "Detailed information (B)" for the black ink cartridge is clicked, the window shown in FIG. 37 (c) is displayed. The screen shown is displayed. According to the information, it is possible to know the ID information of each of the two stock numbers, and based on the information, it is possible to confirm whether or not the cartridge is suitable for the device main body.
The ID information is the information obtained in the registration process described above.

By displaying the inventory management information screen as described above on the terminal of the service provider 10, it is possible to confirm whether inventory management is being performed reliably.

Also, by displaying or notifying the contractor 1 side, for example, it is known in advance that a large amount of printing will be performed, and if it is judged that the current stock amount cannot cover, a preset is made. It is possible to place an additional order without waiting for the usual replenishment time.

(Billing Process) Next, a billing processing method will be described. FIG. 38 is a consumer goods list (billing lists [1] to [3]) to be charged for the past three months. The charging target period is, for example, in units of one month. The consumer goods list is, for example, as shown in FIG.
Based on the spare cartridge table shown in (b), the cartridge information used from the closing day (15th day in each month in this embodiment) of the billing calculation to one month ago is extracted. The extraction method at this time is to extract those that have been used or are currently in use in the usage status column of the above spare cartridge table, and that the usage date falls within one month from the closing date of billing calculation. It is done by doing.

As described above, in the service applied to the distribution product manufactured by the present invention, the contractor 1
Is charged only for the ink cartridges 60 actually used, and not charged for unused ink cartridges 60. As a result, the contractor 1 can use the image forming apparatus 2 without holding an unnecessary inventory, without causing a lack of consumable goods, and without performing complicated management. It will be possible.

The greatest feature is that by detecting that a new ink cartridge 60 is installed,
The point is to check the number of spare cartridges.
As a result, the conventional management of the image forming apparatus 2 itself and the spare ink cartridge 60 are performed by a single management method.
Both inventory management can be realized.

The fact that the contractor 1 uses a pirated product such as a counterfeit product which is not a genuine product delivered from the service provider 10 is detected as follows.

For example, the information received by the communication unit 121 is
As a result of the arithmetic processing unit 122 collating with the information registered in the service management table shown in FIGS. 35A and 35B, etc., the same ID number as the ID number already registered as “used” or “used”. If the arithmetic processing unit 122 detects that the same individual number (unique information) as the already registered individual number (unique information) is included, it is suspected that a pirated product such as a counterfeit product is used. The arithmetic processing unit 122 performs processing (display processing, electronic mail transmission processing, etc.) for notifying the service provider 10 of that fact.

[0429] As a result, the service provider 10 confirms the facts by sending a service person to the contractor 1 suspected of using a pirated copy of a counterfeit product or the like, and distributes the pirated copy of the counterfeit product. You can take necessary measures to eliminate pirated products, such as searching for.

The information received by the communication section 121 is collated with the information registered in the all-service management tables created for all the contractors 1. Further, at the time of manufacturing or packing the distribution item 6, an ID number management file for managing the ID number assigned to each distribution item 6 is separately created and stored in a storage unit such as the storage unit 124.
The information received by 21 may be collated with all the ID numbers registered in the ID number management file. In this case, when the communication unit 121 receives the ID number or the information indicating that the ID number is not registered in the ID number management file, the arithmetic processing unit 122 can determine that it is a non-genuine product that is not actually manufactured. .

In the embodiment in which the communication section 121 always receives the contractor ID and the ID number of the distribution item 6 from the contractor 1 side, both the contractor ID and the distribution item 6 ID number are received. By comparing each with the registered information, it is possible to improve the accuracy of checking the use of pirated products such as counterfeit products.

Note that the present invention can be applied not only to a printer but also to a system composed of a plurality of devices (for example, host computer, interface device, reader, printer, etc.), and an apparatus consisting of one device (for example, It may be applied to a copying machine, a facsimile machine, etc.).

Further, the object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium having a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus, and to supply a computer (or CPU) of the system or apparatus.
Needless to say, this can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium by the (or MPU).

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As the storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a magnetic tape, a non-volatile memory card, etc. can be used.

Further, the program code may be downloaded from another computer system to the storage unit 124 of the service management apparatus 12 via a transmission medium such as a communication network.

Further, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by executing the program code read by the computer, but also the OS (operating system) running on the computer based on the instructions of the program code. It goes without saying that this also includes the case where the above) performs a part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in the memory provided in the function expansion board inserted into the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, , The CPU included in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs a part or all of the actual processing,
It goes without saying that the processing includes the case where the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized.

When the present invention is applied to the above storage medium, the storage medium stores the program code corresponding to the above-described flowchart.

The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, but various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims.

In addition, throughout the main part of the present invention,
Since the content is related to the exchange service for consumable goods, consumable goods, etc., the contract for the image forming apparatus main body is not always a prerequisite and is not essential. That is, it goes without saying that the service according to the present invention can be applied to the image forming apparatus main body that the contractor has leased, rented, or purchased through another route. However, for a person who newly leases, rents, or purchases the main body of the image forming apparatus, making a contract for the service according to the present invention at the same time as the main body contract / purchase is procedurally smooth the service management method of the present invention. Can be done.

Further, the device according to the present invention is not limited to the copying machine, the printer, etc., and all the replacement parts which are shorter than the consumption and the expiration date of the main body device can be targeted.
More preferably, if the unique information of the replacement part is formed and the information can be read by the main body device,
Removal / installation of replacement parts can be detected electronically.

[0443]

As described above, according to the manufacturing management method and the manufacturing management apparatus of the present invention, the information unique to the product and the information recorded on the distribution product in which the product is packaged and packed. Since the unique information formed on the body can be the same, unique information can be obtained from the information recording body without opening the packaging / packing when delivery control, inventory control, etc. are performed using the unique information. The product can be individually specified from the acquired unique information.

Further, since the unique information is centrally managed, inventory management, sales service, etc. can be accurately performed based on the information.

[0445] The above-mentioned unique information is notified to the management device of the service provider when the service recipient uses the manufactured product. As a result, the service provider can detect the remaining amount of the spare distribution product by comparing with the information list specific to the spare distribution product registered in the management device in advance. Therefore, if there is no spare distribution, or if it falls below the specified value, a service to deliver a new distribution to the contractor, or a distribution used without charging for the distribution It is possible to provide a service that charges only to the user.

The following is the description corresponding to the claims.

As described above, the method for managing production of distributed products according to the present invention includes the first information forming step of forming unique information for identifying a product in a product, and the product described above. A packaging step for packaging a distributed product, and for the distributed product, information having the same content as the unique information is formed on an information recording body configured to be removable from the distributed product,
The second information forming step of attaching to the distribution product, which is a manufacturing management method of the distribution product in a manufacturing line laid out in order, wherein the first information forming process includes a dummy object mixed in the product, The dummy object input step to be input to the production line and the conveyed product and dummy object are distinguished,
First to count the number of products and dummy objects in order of transportation
And a second measurement step of: counting the number of distributed products and dummy objects in the order of transfer; A determination step of determining the identity between the count value of the dummy object counted in the second measurement step and the count value of the dummy object counted in the first measurement step, and a mismatch of the count values in the determination step And a warning step for issuing a warning when is detected.

Therefore, when a mismatch between the two count values of the dummy object acquired in each measurement step is detected,
Since it can be seen that an error occurs in which the product and the dummy object flow in the manufacturing line in an incorrect order, and different unique information is given to the product and its distribution. The administrator can take measures to eliminate the error.

Therefore, it is possible to form an information recording body having the same content as the unique information formed on the distributed product, and further, the identity of the two unique information impairs the commercial property of the distributed product. Since the information is confirmed without any confirmation, it is possible to manufacture and control only the distribution product in which the identity of the two unique information is guaranteed.

Further, since the unique information is formed at the manufacturing site of the distribution product, it is not necessary for the service person to form the unique information at the site, and it is not necessary to perform extra work. Further, since the issue management of the unique information can be centrally performed, it is possible to avoid the problem of duplication of the same unique information.

Further, in the product which has passed the above-mentioned identity judging step, the information peculiar to the distribution product formed in the product and the information peculiar to the information recording body are the same in content, By reading the unique information formed on the information recording body, it becomes possible to obtain the information unique to the distribution item.
When delivering a distribution item to a service recipient, it is possible to manage the individual information of the delivered distribution item and the information of the service recipient in association with each other. Therefore, there is an effect that a service such as "first-come, first-served" can be realized by utilizing IT technology.

The distinction between the product and the dummy object in the distribution product manufacturing management method of the present invention is characterized by detecting the difference in the length of the product and the dummy object in the carrying direction.

According to this, it is possible to construct an inexpensive and simple system as compared with the method of discriminating by an image recognition device such as a CCD camera or a TV camera.

Further, as compared with the method of detecting the height difference between the product and the dummy object, for example, there is no problem such as erroneous recognition when the product or the dummy object is upside down, and with less sensors. It is possible to determine the type. That is, in the case of detecting the height difference between the product and the dummy object, whether the height is lower or higher than the predetermined height in the transmissive optical sensor set to the predetermined height.
Although only value determination can be performed, when detecting the length in the transport direction, it is possible to continuously detect a transported object having an arbitrary transport length by detecting the pulse width.

As described above, even if the type of the product flowing through the production line changes, it is not necessary to change the hardware configuration such as the sensor for detecting the length in the carrying direction. Also has the effect of being able to respond flexibly.

The above-mentioned dummy object in the method for managing production of distributed materials of the present invention is characterized in that the length in the carrying direction is shorter than the length in the carrying direction of the product.

According to this, compared to the case where the length in the carrying direction is longer than the length in the carrying direction of the product, there are the following merits. That is, even if the dummy object is thrown in, the occupied area on the production line is not increased so much, and the size of the dummy object may be set so as to be shorter than the length of the product as a reference. So
The length can be promptly determined regardless of the size of the packaging material or the like. In the case of a product having a rectangular shape with respect to the transport plane, the stacking angle of the product with respect to the transport direction may be changed by making the dummy object transport direction length shorter than the short side length of the product. In both cases, the length of the dummy object in the carrying direction can be always shortened.

As described above, the method for managing production of distributed products according to the present invention includes the step of inserting the dummy object and the first measurement step, in which the unique information is formed on the product in the first information forming step. In addition to the above, the second measurement step is performed before forming the information having the same content as the unique information in the information recording medium in the second information forming step.

According to this, the dummy object inserting step and the first measuring step are performed before the peculiar information is formed on the product, and the second measuring step is performed on the information recording body by the peculiar information. Since it is performed before the information having the same content is formed, unique information can be formed in the product by associating it with the count value of the product obtained in the first measurement step, and the association can be made by the second information. It can be used to identify a product in the information forming step. That is, it is possible to identify that the distribution product having the count value obtained in the second measurement step and the count value of the product obtained in the first measurement step has the same relationship as the product having the unique information. Therefore, the unique information associated with the count value can be formed in the information recording body attached to the identified circulation product.

Since the count value of each measurement step can be used for identifying the product and the commercial product to which the same unique information should be added, the configuration and processing for the identification can be simplified. .

In the second information forming step in the method for managing production of distributed products according to the present invention, the unique information generated based on the unique information stored in the management table is further stored in the information recording body. It is characterized by including a forming step and a step of updating the management table according to the notification of the completion of the information forming.

According to this, after detecting that the formation of the unique information on the information recording body is completed by the second information forming step, the management table is updated using the unique information. That is, at the time when the formation of the unique information is completed by the second information forming step, the formation of the unique information for the product has already been completed by the first information forming step. The unique information recorded in the management table can be updated by the notification from.

As a result, the process of generating unique information can be shared between the normal process and the process at the time of error processing (generated by incrementing the value read from the management table by +1), so that there is no possibility of causing a bug. Play.

The warning step in the method for managing production of distributed goods according to the present invention comprises: a count value of dummy objects counted in the first measuring step when a mismatch in count values is detected in the judging step; Second above
It is characterized by including a step of obtaining a difference from the count value of the dummy object counted in the measurement step of.

According to this, by obtaining the difference between the count values of the dummy objects which are obtained in the respective measurement steps and whose inconsistency is detected, the first information forming step and the second information forming step can be performed. It is possible to specify the number of products that have an excess or deficiency. As a result, it is possible to immediately restart the formation of correct unique information.

As described above, the manufacturing control method for a distributed product of the present invention further comprises a dummy for introducing a dummy object into the first information forming step on the upstream side of the first information forming step. It is characterized in that an object loading line is installed, and that it has a conveyed product selecting step for selecting the conveyance of a product or a dummy object.

According to this, it is possible to control the ratio of the number of conveyed products and dummy objects in the first information forming step by the conveyed object selecting step.

As described above, the method for managing production of distributed products according to the present invention includes the dummy object for which the sameness of the count value is denied and the dummy object for which the sameness of the count value is affirmed on the downstream side. The product separating step for separating the product located between the above and the other products is provided on the downstream side of the second information forming process.

According to this, since the specific product which has become the warning target is introduced into the conveyed product separating step, it is possible to separate it from other products which have not become the warning target. Therefore, for the product introduced in the conveyed product separation step,
This has the effect of being able to investigate the cause of a discrepancy in unique information.

As described above, the manufacturing control method of the distributed product of the present invention includes the first information forming step of forming the information unique to the manufactured product and the packaging of the manufactured product as a distributed product. Second step for forming information having the same content as the unique information in an information recording body configured to be removable from the process and the distributed product, and attaching the distributed information to the distributed product The manufacturing line is laid out in the order of process, and the dummy information is mixed with the manufactured product and flows between the unique information formed by the first information forming process and the unique information formed by the second information forming process. A method for manufacturing control of manufactured products for determining identity, comprising the step of acquiring the last issued unique information from a unique information management table storing the unique information, and carrying the first information forming process. Number of packages A first measurement step of integrating and counting, a step of determining whether the conveyed object is a manufactured object or a dummy object, and the acquired unique information when the conveyed object is a manufactured object. The step of instructing formation of information unique to the product based on the above, the step of storing the count value when the conveyed object is a dummy object, and the number of conveyed objects conveyed in the second information forming step. A second measurement step of integrating and counting, a step of determining whether the conveyed object is a manufactured object or a dummy object, and the acquired unique information when the conveyed object is a manufactured object. A step of instructing formation of information peculiar to the information recording body configured to be removable from the product based on the above, and the stored count value when the conveyed object is a dummy object, Second Performing a comparison between the count value of the dummy object obtained by the measuring step is characterized by to be executed by the two computers count value is programmed, a step of issuing a warning if they do not match.

According to the above construction, since the conveying order of the manufactured products and the distributed products is counted by the individual measuring steps, the manufactured products and distributed products having the same count value have the same unique value. Information will be added. Therefore, it is possible to form an information recording body having the same content as the unique information formed on the product.
Since the two unique information items are confirmed to be the same without deteriorating the merchandise of the distributed product, only the guaranteed distributed product can be manufactured and controlled.

When the conveyed product is a dummy object, the carrier number including the manufactured product of the dummy object is counted and detected, and the stored carrier number and the counted value are the same. And the warning is issued when the identity is not recognized, the unique information formed on the product and the unique information formed on the information recording body arranged outside the distribution product are combined. This has the effect of being able to notify the production manager of a failure to do so.

As described above, the distribution product manufacturing management apparatus of the present invention includes the first information forming step of forming the information unique to the product and the packaging for packaging the product as a distribution product. Second step for forming information having the same content as the unique information in an information recording body configured to be removable from the process and the distributed product, and attaching the distributed information to the distributed product In the manufacturing line, in which the dummy objects are mixed in the product and are laid out in the order of process, the conveyed product conveyed to the first information forming process and the second information forming process is a manufactured product or a dummy. The count value of the dummy object is determined based on the determination means for determining whether the object is an object, the count of the number of conveyed dummy objects and manufactured products conveyed in the first information forming step, and the determination result of the determination means. Dummy value setting hand to memorize And a measuring means for detecting the count value of the dummy object based on the count of the number of conveyed dummy objects and manufactured products conveyed in the second information forming step and the discrimination result of the discriminating means, and the dummy value setting means. It is characterized by including an identity determining means for comparing the count value of 1 and the count value of the measuring means, and a warning means for issuing a warning when the two count values are different as a result of the identity determination.

According to this, the identity determining means is the same as the above-mentioned 2
By comparing two count values and issuing a warning when the identities are denied, the unique information formed on the product by the first information forming step and the information recording medium by the second information forming step are recorded. It is possible to notify the administrator or the like that the manufactured product is manufactured in a state where the unique information formed in the above does not match.

As a result, it is possible to eliminate a state where the unique information formed on the product inside the distribution product and the unique information formed on the information recording medium attached to the outside of the distribution product do not match. Therefore, the service provider who sells the distribution product as the distribution product can obtain the unique information formed on the product from the information recording body without opening the distribution product.

[0476] As a result, when delivering a distributed product to a service recipient, by recording the information formed on the information recording body in association with the service recipient information, the location information of the delivered product, etc. It is possible to realize a service that takes the form of "pre-purchase and post-purchase" that charges only the distributed products that have been used among the distributed products that have been delivered.

In the distributed product of the present invention, the product in which the unique information is formed by the above manufacturing control method and the information recording body in which the information related to the unique information is formed are paired,
Further, it is characterized in that it is packaged so that the identifiable information can be obtained from the information recording body.

Therefore, when delivering the service to the service receiver, the information peculiar to the product formed on the product by the manufacturing control method according to the present invention is obtained through the acquisition of the identifiable information from the information recording body. Can be obtained. Therefore, by managing the unique information by the service provider, it is possible to specify the distribution item to be delivered to the service recipient based on the unique information, and even after the delivery, the unique information from the service recipient. By acquiring the information, there is an effect that it is possible to perform inventory management, sales service and the like using unique information.

As a result, for the service provider,
The advantage is that the usage status can be accurately grasped, and the service receiver is charged only for the amount used and does not have to pay extra for the reserve.

Further, even if a third party manufactures and sells a copy of the distribution product including the unique information of the distribution product, each unique information is centrally managed by the service provider. A pirated copy can be detected by detecting the same unique information. Therefore, it is possible to quickly take measures to eliminate pirated products.

The manufacturing control program of the present invention is characterized by being a program for causing a computer to execute each step in the manufacturing control method of the distributed product of the present invention.

According to the above arrangement, the manufacturing control method of the present invention can be provided to the manufacturer of the product by loading the manufacturing control program into the manufacturing control device. In addition, a general computer can be used to carry out the manufacturing control method of the product.

Needless to say, a computer-readable recording medium recording a manufacturing control program for causing a computer to execute the manufacturing control method of the present invention belongs to the scope of the right of the present invention.

[Brief description of drawings]

1A and 1B are explanatory views showing an example of a distribution product manufacturing management system according to the present invention.

2 (a) and 2 (b) are schematic perspective views for explaining a distribution mode of a product according to the present invention.

3 (a) and 3 (b) are schematic perspective views for explaining another distribution mode of the product according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining still another distribution mode of the product according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view for explaining a form of a product according to the present invention.

6A to 6C are views for explaining a method of attaching an information recording body to be attached to a distribution product according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of a manufacturing identification unit.

8A and 8B are principal part explanatory views for explaining an example of a first unique information forming unit.

9A and 9B are principal part explanatory diagrams for explaining an example of a second unique information forming unit.

FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of a distribution product manufacturing management device.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a method of distinguishing a manufactured product from a dummy object.

12A to 12H are timing charts showing the operation of the main part when the unique information is formed in the unique information holding unit based on the detection of the manufactured product.

13A to 13H are timing charts showing the operation of the main part when a dummy object is detected.

14A and 14B are diagrams for explaining the measurement operation of the measuring unit.

15A and 15B are explanatory diagrams showing an example of a dummy value management table for storing dummy values.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of a dummy value management table that stores dummy values.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a specific example of a first information forming step in the method for managing production of distributed products according to the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a flow chart showing a specific example of a second information forming step in the method for managing production of distributed products according to the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a unique information management table.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a state in which the unique information management table is updated.

21A and 21B are schematic plan views of a first information forming line for explaining a method of introducing a dummy object into a manufacturing line.

22 (a) and (b) are schematic plan views of a second information forming line for explaining a method of distinguishing a distribution product in which the matching of unique information is guaranteed and a distribution product in which the consistency of unique information is not guaranteed. is there.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a management table for managing the matching of unique information.

24 (a) and (b) are explanatory views showing another example of a distribution product manufacturing management system according to the present invention.

FIG. 25 is another flow chart showing the process of the method for managing production of distributed products according to the present invention.

26 (a) and 26 (b) are views for explaining another method for detecting the type of a product according to the present invention.

FIG. 27 is another flowchart showing a distribution product manufacturing management process according to the present invention.

FIG. 28 is an explanatory diagram showing a connection image of a service management network system for performing service management on a distributed product according to the present invention.

FIG. 29 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a network configuration constructed by each device of a service provider and a contractor.

FIG. 30 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a network configuration constructed by other devices of a service provider and a contractor.

FIG. 31 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a service management network system for performing service management on a distributed product according to the present invention.

32A and 32B are diagrams showing an example of a contractor information table.

33 (a) and (b) are diagrams showing an example of a distribution management table (at the time of pre-registration).

34 (a) and (b) are diagrams showing an example of a distributed product management table (when the device is mounted).

FIGS. 35 (a) and 35 (b) are diagrams showing an example of a distribution management table (at the time of cartridge replacement).

36 (a) and (b) are diagrams showing an example of a distribution product management table (at the time of distribution product replenishment).

37A to 37D are diagrams showing an example of an inventory management information screen.

FIG. 38 is a diagram for explaining a charging method.

FIGS. 39 (a) and 39 (b) are views for explaining a rudimentary method of forming two pieces of unique information while keeping the same.

FIGS. 40 (a) and 40 (b) are diagrams for explaining a defect in the case where the two unique pieces of information are not kept identical. FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 contractor 2 Image forming device 6 Distribution 7 Information recording body 10 service providers 12 Service management device 30 network 41 Management device 42 First Product Identification Part 43 First Unique Information Forming Unit 44 Second Product Identification Part 45 Second Unique Information Forming Unit 46 Dummy object input unit 49 NG lane 60 ink cartridge (manufactured product) 61 Unique information storage unit (IC chip) 70 Dummy object 411 Product / dummy discrimination means (discrimination means) 412 Measuring means 413 First unique information generation means 414 storage unit (unique information management table) 416 Second unique information generating means 417 Dummy value setting means 418 Identity discriminating means 419 Warning means L1 assembly line L2 First information formation line L3 packaging line L4 Second information formation line

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A first information forming step of forming unique information on a product so as to individually identify the product, a packaging step of packaging the product as a distribution product, and the distribution product. On the other hand, a second information forming step of forming information having the same content as the above-mentioned unique information on the information recording body configured to be removable from the distribution product and attaching it to the distribution product, is laid out in this order. In the manufacturing information management method, the first information forming step includes: a dummy object loading step of loading a dummy object mixed into the product into the manufacturing line; A first measurement step of determining a dummy object and counting the number of manufactured products and dummy objects in the order of transportation; and the second information forming step, determining a distributed material and a dummy object to be transported, Distribution items and dummy items Of the second measurement step that counts the number of sheets in the transport order, the dummy object count value that is counted in the second measurement step, and the dummy object count value that is counted in the first measurement step And a warning step that gives a warning when a mismatch of the count values is detected in the above-mentioned judgment step. 2. The manufacturing control of the distribution product according to claim 1, wherein the product and the dummy object are discriminated by detecting a difference in length of the product and the dummy object in a transport direction. Method. 3. The manufacture of a flow product according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the dummy object is formed so that its length in the carrying direction is shorter than the length in the carrying direction of the product. Management method. 4. The dummy object introducing step and the first measuring step are performed before the unique information is formed on the product in the first information forming step, and the second measuring step is performed. 4. The information forming step according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the information forming step is performed before the information having the same content as the unique information is formed on the information recording body.
The manufacturing control method of the distribution product described in the item. 5. The second information forming step further comprises a step of forming, in the information recording body, unique information generated based on the unique information stored in a management table, and the information forming step. The manufacturing management method of the distribution product according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising the step of updating the management table in accordance with the notification of completion. 6. The warning step counts dummy object count values counted in the first measurement step and the second count step counted in the first measurement step when a mismatch in count values is detected in the determination step. 6. The manufacturing management method for a distributed product according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a step of obtaining a difference from the count value of the dummy object. 7. A dummy object loading line for loading a dummy object into the first information forming step is installed on the upstream side of the first information forming step, and selection of conveyance of a product or a dummy object is provided. 7. The manufacturing control method for a distributed product according to any one of claims 1 to 6, which further comprises a carried product selection step. 8. A product located between a dummy object whose count value is not the same and a dummy object whose count value is affirmative on the downstream side thereof is separated from other products. 8. The manufacturing control method for a distributed product according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a conveyed product separating step for carrying out is provided on the downstream side of the second information forming step. 9. A first information forming step of forming information unique to a product, a packaging step of packaging the product into a distribution product, and removing the distribution product from the distribution product. A second information forming step of forming information having the same content as the above-mentioned unique information on an information recording body configured to be possible and attaching it to the distribution item is performed in this order, and dummy objects are mixed in the product. A manufacturing management method of a distribution product, which judges the identity between the unique information formed by the first information forming step and the unique information formed by the second information forming step for a flowing manufacturing line. A step of acquiring the last issued unique information from the unique information management table storing the unique information, a first measuring step of integrating and counting the number of conveyed objects conveyed in the first information forming step, Up A step of determining whether the transported object is a manufactured object or a dummy object, and, when the transported object is a manufactured object, an instruction to form the unique information of the manufactured object based on the acquired unique information. A step of storing the count value when the conveyed object is a dummy object, a second measuring step of integrating and counting the number of conveyed objects conveyed in the second information forming step, A step of determining whether the transported object is a manufactured object or a dummy object, and if the transported object is a manufactured object, based on the acquired unique information, it can be removed from the manufactured object. A step of instructing formation of information peculiar to the constituted information recording medium, the stored count value when the conveyed object is a dummy object, and the dummy object obtained by the second measuring step. Production management method in the distribution thereof, characterized in that to execute the steps for comparing the count value, a step of issuing a warning if the two count values do not match, the programmed computer. 10. A first information forming step of forming information peculiar to a product, a packaging step of packaging the product into a distribution product, and removing the distribution product from the distribution product. Secondly, the information having the same content as the above-mentioned unique information is formed on the information recording body configured so as to be attached to the distribution item.
The information forming step is laid out in this order, and the conveyed object conveyed to the first information forming step and the second information forming step is Whether the dummy object is a dummy object is determined based on the determination means for determining whether the dummy object is present or not, the count of the number of conveyed dummy objects and products conveyed in the first information forming step, and the determination result of the determination means. The count value of the dummy object is detected based on the dummy value setting means that stores the count value, the count of the number of conveyed dummy objects and manufactured products conveyed in the second information forming step, and the determination result of the determination means. Measuring means, an identity determining means for comparing the count value of the dummy value setting means with the count value of the measuring means, and a warning when the two count values are different as a result of the identity determination. Manufacturing management system of the distribution thereof, characterized in that it and a warning means for emitting. 11. A product on which unique information is formed by the manufacturing control method according to any one of claims 1 to 9 and an information recording body on which information capable of specifying the unique information is formed. Is a pair and is packaged so that the identifiable information can be obtained from the information recording medium. 12. A manufacturing management program for causing a computer to execute each step in the manufacturing management method for distributed goods according to claim 9. 13. A computer-readable recording medium in which the manufacturing control program according to claim 12 is recorded.