JP2004310601A - Product history information computerizing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To properly attach inspection information and component information suiting computerizing to each product. <P>SOLUTION: When an inspection tool 12 carries out inspection of an electric power unit 1, the inspection information is acquired by an inspection information acquiring means 31, and on the other hand, the component information regarding each component composing the electric power unit 1 is acquired by a component information acquiring means 32 from an operation input means 14. A barcode converting means 33 arranges barcode information including the inspection information and the component information on a name plate member 22 attached to the electric power unit 1 in synchronization with completion of the inspection of the electric power unit 1. By reading the barcode information attached to the name plate member 22, quality control regarding the electric power unit 1 becomes easy, and computerizing of the extracted inspection information and component information becomes easy also. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a product history information digitizing apparatus that digitizes, as product history information, inspection information of a product assembled on a production line or the like, and various information on each component constituting the product as product history information.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Generally, when a product such as a power supply device is assembled on a production line or the like, final inspection information of the product (for example, an input current, an output voltage, an operating point of overcurrent protection, and an overvoltage protection Component information such as the operating point) and the manufacturing location and lot number of the components making up the product are written in a grade table of hardware specifications (paper) attached to each product. However, when it is necessary to digitize such product history information using a personal computer at the destination of the product or the like, it is necessary to manually input the product history information while viewing the result table. Also, if a problem occurs with a product, a service person or the like must obtain inspection information and component information on the product from the viewpoint of quality control. Was.
[0003]
To deal with such a problem, for example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a readout that stores information such as a manufacturing date, a manufacturing location, and a manufacturing lot number, in addition to a barcode label indicating the classification and name of each product or product. And a writable information storage element attached to a product in a stacked state. Further, another patent document 2 discloses a bar code in which barcodes displayed on various products store information for product management by a distributor such as a product name or a producer, information on safety inspection, and the like. A method of confirming product information by code is disclosed.
[0004]
As still another conventional technique, for example, Patent Document 3 discloses that an image of an object as a product is scanned by a television camera or the like, and an electrical output signal having an optical change obtained from the television camera is processed by a computer. Thus, an image scan control device for defining characteristics such as the color and shape of an object is disclosed.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-9-153123 [Patent Document 2]
JP 2002-63389 A [Patent Document 3]
US Patent No. 5,119,190 [0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the products disclosed in the above Patent Documents 1 and 2 have to attach a barcode unique to each product to each product. It becomes difficult to correctly determine which barcode to attach. Furthermore, the one-dimensional barcodes disclosed in these documents have a limited amount of information to be stored, and it is particularly difficult to store the above-described inspection information and component information in one barcode. In order to solve such a problem, the cited document 1 provides an information storage element different from a barcode. However, a reading and writing device for the information storage element is required in addition to the barcode reader. Complaints about not being able to easily browse information and parts information. Further, in Patent Document 3, it is difficult to accurately grasp the inspection information and the component information simply by scanning an image of the appearance of a product.
[0007]
In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a product history information digitizing device that can correctly attach inspection information and part information suitable for digitization to each product without separately attaching a report table or the like. Its purpose is to:
[0008]
A second object of the present invention is to provide a product history information digitizing device that can easily read inspection information and component information on a product by tracing a single bar code reader only once.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A product history information digitizing device according to claim 1 of the present invention includes: an inspection information acquisition unit that captures inspection information of a product output from an inspection device; a component information acquisition unit that captures component information regarding components constituting the product; A bar code conversion unit for converting the product-specific inspection information and component information into bar code information, and a bar code information output from the bar code conversion unit in synchronization with the end of the product inspection are attached to each product. And a bar code entry means provided on the nameplate member to be provided.
[0010]
In this case, when the inspection apparatus performs an inspection for performance confirmation for each product, the inspection information as the inspection result is taken into the inspection information acquisition means, and the manufacturing place and lot number of each component constituting the product are determined. The indicated component information is taken into the component information acquisition means. Then, the barcode converting means arranges the barcode information including the inspection information and the component information on the nameplate member attached to the product at the end of the inspection of the product. By reading the barcode information attached to the nameplate member of each product, the quality control of the product is facilitated, and the extracted inspection information and component information are also easily digitized. Also, when the product inspection is completed, the barcode information is written on the nameplate at that point, so it is possible to fit the product just by attaching the nameplate to the product without having to separately attach a grade sheet etc. Barcode information suitable for digitization, including inspection information and component information, can be correctly attached to each product.
[0011]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, the product history information digitizing apparatus is characterized in that the barcode converting means converts the barcode information into two-dimensional barcode information.
[0012]
In this way, the nameplate member is provided with two-dimensional barcode information sufficient to store inspection information and component information, so that a single barcode reader only needs to be traced once to this two-dimensional barcode information. Thus, the inspection information and the component information on the product can be easily read.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In FIG. 1 showing the configuration of the entire apparatus, reference numeral 1 denotes a power supply device as a product during or after assembling which flows through a production line A. As is well known, the power supply device 1 converts an input voltage of, for example, 100 V AC applied to the input module 2 into one or more output voltages by independent output modules 3a, 3b, 3c,. In this embodiment, one or more output modules 3a, 3b, 3c,... Are attached to one side of the casing 4 which forms the outer periphery of the power supply device 1 in response to a request from the user. Therefore, in each power supply device 1, during the assembly process flowing through the production line A, the common input module 2 is incorporated into the other side of the casing 4, while the output modules 3a, 3b, 3c,. Selected, and it is incorporated into one side of the casing 4 alone or in a juxtaposed state.
[0014]
Reference numeral 11 denotes a control unit of a product history information digitizing device constituted by, for example, a main body of a personal computer. The control unit 11 includes an inspection tool 12, an inspection completion confirmation sensor 13, and an operation input unit 14 such as a keyboard and a mouse at input ports. In addition to being provided, the output side port is provided with a display means 15 such as a liquid crystal display, and a printing means 16 for printing and outputting a two-dimensional barcode display unit 21 described later on the nameplate member 22. Among them, the inspection tool 11 corresponding to the inspection device inspects the performance of each part during or after the assembling of the power supply device 1. Here, in addition to the input current of the input module 2, each output module 3 a, , The operating point current of the overcurrent protection (OCP), the operating point voltage of the overvoltage protection (OVP), the ripple or pulsation value of the output voltage, and the amount of change in the output voltage when the load changes. And the amount of change in the output voltage when the input fluctuates is automatically taken in as each item of the inspection information of the power supply device 1. The inspection tool 12 here has a single configuration for convenience of description, but may have a configuration in which a plurality of measurement devices are combined, such as a combination of a voltage / ammeter and an oscilloscope.
[0015]
The inspection completion confirmation sensor 13 is a means for detecting that the inspection by the inspection tool has been completed. For example, when the power supply device 1 passes through a specific point of the production line A, the inspection is detected, and the inspection completion confirmation signal is sent to the control means 11. Is output. Note that a unit in place of the inspection completion confirmation sensor 13 may be configured by software in the control unit 11. For example, when all necessary inspection information is acquired from the inspection tool 12 for the same power supply device 1, the above-described inspection end confirmation signal may be output in the control unit 11.
[0016]
Next, the configuration of software incorporated in the control unit 11 will be described. Reference numeral 31 denotes an inspection information acquisition unit that captures the inspection information of the power supply 1 output from the inspection tool 12 every time there is an output from the inspection tool 12. . The inspection information acquisition means 31 stores and manages each item of the inspection information taken in from the inspection tool 12 for each serial number of each power supply device 1. Reference numeral 32 denotes part information regarding parts (for example, the input module 2 and the output modules 3a, 3b, 3c...) Constituting the power supply device 1 which is fetched by an operation input from the operation input means 14 and is fetched. This is a component information acquisition unit that stores and manages the inspection information obtained in step 1 for each serial number of each power supply device 1. Numeral 33 denotes a bar code conversion means for converting the inspection information and component information stored and managed for each power supply device 1 into two-dimensional bar code information. Further, numeral 34 denotes an inspection end confirmation signal from the inspection end confirmation sensor 13. Is received, the two-dimensional barcode information converted and output by the barcode conversion unit 33 immediately before the barcode output is printed as a barcode display unit 21 at a predetermined position of the nameplate member 22 attached to the printing unit 16. Control means. The barcode output control means 34 and the printing means 16 provide the barcode information output from the barcode conversion means 33 on the nameplate member 22 in synchronization with the end of the inspection of the power supply device 1. Is configured.
[0017]
FIG. 2 is a front view of the nameplate member 22 having the barcode display unit 21. The nameplate member 22 has an adhesive layer (not shown) on the back surface, and is attached to a predetermined position on the upper surface of the cover 5 that covers the upper opening of the casing 4 as shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, the two-dimensional barcode display unit 21 capable of storing a large amount of information is provided, but any other format may be used as long as the barcode display unit 21 exhibits the same function.
[0018]
The power supply device 1 completed on the manufacturing line A is shipped to the market in a state where the nameplate member 22 having the barcode display portion 21 is attached to the outer surface of the cover 5 which forms the outer periphery of the power supply device 1 together with the casing 4. Therefore, if there is a barcode reader (not shown) that can read two-dimensional barcode information, the product history information unique to the power supply 1 can be instantaneously obtained by simply tracing the barcode display section 21 exposed outside the power supply 1. Can be obtained.
[0019]
FIG. 3 shows an example of the product history information acquired from the barcode display unit 21. The product history information is displayed on, for example, a display device provided in a barcode reader. Here, in addition to the product lot serial part 41 for displaying a lot serial number unique to the power supply 1, a serial number corresponding to the input module 2 and the output modules 3a, 3b, 3c,. Of the inspection information in the input module 2 and the output modules 3a, 3b, 3c... (Input current, output voltage, operating point current of overcurrent protection, operation of overvoltage protection) An inspection information display unit 43 for displaying the point voltage, the pulsation value of the output voltage, the amount of change in the output voltage when the load fluctuates, and the amount of change in the output voltage when the input fluctuates) is provided in a table format. Incidentally, the display here is only an example, and only necessary product history information may be displayed, and a data delimiter format for each item may be arbitrarily set.
[0020]
Next, a series of steps in the above configuration up to digitizing the product history information will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, in the production line A shown in FIG. 1, an assembling operation of the power supply device 1 in which the input module 2 and the selected output modules 3a, 3b, 3c are incorporated in the casing 4 is performed. At the time of assembling, in step S1, a lot serial number (serial number) for specifying each power supply device 1 is input using the operation input means 14, and the input module 2 and the The lot serial numbers of the output modules 3a, 3b, 3c, the manufacturing place, and the manufacturing date are input as part information. The component information acquisition unit 32 of the control unit 11 stores and manages the input component information in association with the lot serial number of the power supply 1 that is input at the same time.
[0021]
Next, in step S2, each part of the power supply device 1 during or after assembling which sequentially flows through the manufacturing line A is inspected by the inspection tool 12 in the performance inspection process. When a data transmission button (not shown) provided on the inspection tool 12 is pressed to transmit data relating to each item of the inspection information to the inspection information acquiring unit 31 of the control unit 11, the inspection information acquiring unit 31 transmits the data to the power supply device 1 Is stored and managed in association with the lot serial number.
[0022]
When all the inspections related to the power supply 1 are completed and an inspection completion confirmation signal is output from the inspection completion confirmation sensor 13 or the control unit 11, the barcode conversion unit 33 reads out each item of the inspection information related to the power supply 1. If the data of each of these items satisfies the pass values stored in the control means 11 in advance, the inspection information and the component information are converted into two-dimensional barcode information. The barcode output control unit 34 outputs a print command signal for printing the two-dimensional barcode information converted and output immediately before by the barcode conversion unit 33 as the barcode display unit 21 to the printing unit 16. In response to this, the printing unit 16 prints the barcode display unit 21 at a predetermined position on the nameplate member 22 as shown in FIG. 2 (step S3).
[0023]
The nameplate member 22 on which the two-dimensional barcode display section 21 is printed is immediately attached to the upper surface of the cover 5 of the power supply 1 that has been inspected in step S4. In this case, since the printing of the barcode display section 21 is performed in synchronization with the end of the inspection of the power supply device 1, the power supply device 1 to which the nameplate member 22 is attached can be specified as the one immediately after the inspection is completed. Even when the power supply devices 1 are flowing from the line A one after another, there is little possibility that the nameplate member 22 is erroneously attached to another power supply device 1. The power supply device 1 to which the nameplate member 22 is correctly attached in this manner is shipped outside as a product (step S5). Since the barcode display section 21 includes the contents of the component information and the inspection information of the power supply device 1, it is possible to reduce the result table and the paper resources as in the related art.
[0024]
In the subsequent step S6, for example, reading (scanning) of the barcode display unit 21 using a barcode reader is performed at the customer site. By simply scanning the two-dimensional barcode display unit 21 printed on the nameplate member 22, product history information (inspection information and component information) unique to the power supply 1 is instantaneously acquired, and this is acquired, for example, as shown in FIG. Can be displayed. Here, it is possible to instantaneously extract trace (quality control) data such as inspection information and component information from the actual power supply device 1, so that it is possible to greatly reduce the time and effort required for a conventional search.
[0025]
Further, in step S7, the product history information read by the barcode reader can be digitized into an appropriate format by the barcode reader itself or a control device for controlling the barcode reader, and this can be stored and stored. Also in this case, since the substantial operation is performed only by tracing the barcode display unit 21, it is extremely easy to digitize the product history information.
[0026]
As described above, in the present embodiment, the inspection information acquisition unit 31 that captures inspection information of the power supply device 1 as a product output from the inspection tool 12 that is an inspection device, the input module 2 and the output module that configure the power supply device 1 A component information acquisition unit 32 for acquiring component information relating to components such as 3a, 3b, 3c, etc .; a barcode conversion unit 33 for converting inspection information unique to the power supply 1 and component information into barcode information; In synchronization with the end, the bar code information output from the bar code conversion means 33 is provided on the nameplate member 22 attached to each power supply device 1 and a bar code writing means 35 is provided.
[0027]
In this case, when the inspection tool 12 performs an inspection for confirming the performance of each power supply device 1, the inspection information as the inspection result is taken into the inspection information acquisition means 31, while each component constituting the power supply device 1 is The part information indicating the manufacturing site, lot number, etc. is taken into the part information obtaining means 32. Then, the barcode conversion means 33 arranges the barcode information including the inspection information and the component information on the nameplate member 22 attached to the power supply device 1 at the completion of the inspection of the power supply device 1. If the barcode information attached to the nameplate member 22 of each power supply device 1 is read, the quality control of the power supply device 1 is facilitated, and the extracted inspection information and component information are also easily digitized. Further, when the inspection of the power supply device 1 is completed, the barcode information is written on the nameplate member 22 at that time, so that the nameplate member 22 can be attached to the product without separately attaching a paper grade sheet or the like. Thus, barcode information suitable for computerization including inspection information and component information suitable for the power supply devices 1 can be correctly attached to each power supply device 1. Therefore, it is possible to correctly attach inspection information and component information suitable for computerization to each power supply device 1 without separately attaching a report table or the like. Reference numeral 33 has a configuration for converting inspection information and component information for each power supply device 1 into two-dimensional barcode information. In this case, the two-dimensional barcode information sufficient to store the inspection information and the component information is provided on the nameplate member 22 as the barcode display unit 21. On the other hand, inspection information and component information on the power supply device 1 can be easily read only by tracing the single bar code reader once.
[0028]
It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible. For example, the product and its inspection information and component information are not limited to those related to the power supply device 1 in the embodiment, and may be those corresponding to other various products.
[0029]
【The invention's effect】
According to the apparatus for digitizing product history information according to the first aspect of the present invention, inspection information and component information suitable for digitization can be correctly attached to each product without separately attaching a report sheet or the like.
[0030]
According to the apparatus for digitizing product history information according to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to easily read inspection information and component information relating to the product only by tracing a single bar code reader once.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a preferred example of a product history information digitizing apparatus according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of a nameplate member having a barcode display unit according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a front view of the display device provided in the barcode reader in a state where product history information is displayed.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a series of procedures up to digitizing product history information.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 power supply (product)
12 Inspection tool 22 Nameplate member 31 Inspection information acquisition means 32 Part information acquisition means 33 Barcode conversion means 35 Barcode entry means

Claims (2)

Inspection information acquisition means for capturing inspection information of a product output from the inspection device;
A component information acquisition unit that captures component information regarding components constituting the product;
Bar code conversion means for converting the product-specific inspection information and component information into bar code information,
A barcode entry unit for providing barcode information output from the barcode conversion unit in synchronization with the end of the inspection of the product on a nameplate member attached to each product. Device. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the barcode conversion unit converts the barcode information into two-dimensional barcode information.

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