JP2009048581A - Process management system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a process management system for specifying operators in charge for every product with simple equipment. <P>SOLUTION: Antennas 11<SB>-1</SB>-11<SB>-n</SB>are individually installed in processes 1<SB>-1</SB>-1<SB>-n</SB>where products 2 with product IC tags 3 attached thereto are received and operators 4<SB>-1</SB>-4<SB>-n</SB>wearing operator IC tags 5<SB>-1</SB>-5<SB>-n</SB>work. An antenna switch 12, a reader/writer 13 and a host device 14 are sequentially connected to the antennas 11<SB>-1</SB>-11<SB>-n</SB>. For example, when the product 2 and the operator 4<SB>-1</SB>are in the process 1<SB>-1</SB>, the host device 14 acquires a product ID from the product IC tag 3 and an operator ID from the operator IC tag 5<SB>-1</SB>. The operator ID can be acquired, even if one operator takes charge of a plurality of processes, so that the operator in charge can be specified for every product and every process. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a process management system.

  In manufacturing factories and the like, process management and product management are being automated, and recently, a management system using an IC tag has attracted attention.

For example, RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tags are attached to each of the products or parts distributed in the process, the installation location of the production system, the work facility, and the work process, and the work operator has the RFID. An information collecting method is known in which identification information of an RFID is read in a non-contact manner by an RFID reader and stored in a database (see Patent Document 1).
JP 2006-318193 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide a process management system capable of specifying an operator who is in charge of a process for each product with simple equipment.

  In order to achieve the above object, one aspect of the present invention provides the following process management system.

[1] A product IC tag provided on a product produced through a plurality of steps and holding product identification information for identifying the product, and an operator who performs the plurality of steps have the work A plurality of worker IC tags holding worker identification information for identifying a worker, a storage device for storing the product identification information and the worker identification information, and a plurality of antennas provided for each of the plurality of steps. An IC tag reading device that reads the product identification information and the worker identification information from the product IC tag and the worker IC tag for each step via the plurality of antennas and stores them in the storage device And a process management system characterized by comprising:

[2] The process management system according to [1], wherein the product IC tag and the worker IC tag use a UHF band.

  According to the process management system of claim 1, it is possible to specify an operator who is in charge of the process for each product with simple equipment.

  According to the process management system of the second aspect, it is possible to increase the reach distance of radio waves, that is, to increase the distance between the antenna and the IC tag.

[Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a process management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The process control system 100, step _{1 -1,} 1 -2, ... antenna ₁₁ -1 installed in _{1 -N,} 11 -2, and ... _{11 -N,} antenna ₁₁ -1 to 11 _- An antenna switch 12 that selects one of _N , a reader / writer device 13 that reads information from the antenna switch 12 and sends write information to the antenna switch 12, and a host device 14 connected to the reader / writer device 13. And a storage device 15 that is connected to the host device 14 and stores data.

In FIG. 1, the antennas 11 _{-1 to} 11 _-N , the antenna switch 12, the reader / writer device 13, the host device 14, and the storage device 15 constitute an IC tag reader.

The antennas 11 _{-1 to} 11 _-N have, for example, linear polarization type and circular polarization type characteristics, and radio waves in a UHF (Ultra High Frequency) band (for example, 860 to 900 MHz) are within a communication range of several meters. It transmits and receives, and is configured to be thin.

The antenna switch 12 selects one of the antennas 11 _{-1 to} 11 _-N according to an instruction from the reader / writer device 13.

  The reader / writer device 13 includes a communication processing unit and a control unit (both not shown) for the antenna switch 12. The control unit includes, for example, a radio wave output control unit, a frequency control unit, and a protocol control unit. The reader / writer device 13 having such a configuration sends high-frequency power obtained by modulating write data from the host device 14 to the antenna switcher 12, and demodulates read data from the antenna switcher 12 and outputs it to the host device 14. To do.

  As the host device 14, for example, a personal computer can be used.

  The storage device 15 is, for example, a hard disk device or server connected to the host device 14 via a LAN, USB, or the like, and has a database area 15a.

(Process structure)
Product 2, in the process of passing through the respective steps of Step 1 _-1 to 1 _-N sequentially, predetermined machining and assembly is subjected successively to the product 2.

  The product 2 is an object of production management, for example, an article such as a semi-finished device or product, and a product IC tag 3 is attached thereto. One product IC tag 3 is attached to each product 2 and holds different product IDs (product identification information).

Workers 4 ₋₁ , 4 ₋₂ ... 4- _N are individually assigned to the steps 1 ₋₁ to 1 _-N , and worker IC tags 5 (5 ₋₁₎ each serving as a worker card. , 5 ₋₂ ,..., 5- _N ). The worker IC tag 5 holds a worker ID (worker identification information) for identifying the worker. The workers 4 ₋₁ to 4 _-N are not restricted to one process, and are in a work form in which they move to another process and work as necessary. Accordingly, the operator ₄ -1 _{to 4 -N} is in has experience or familiar with working steps _{1 -1} to Step _{1 -N} of all or a plurality of steps.

The product IC tag 3 and the worker IC tags 5 _{-1 to} 5 _-N have, for example, a passive configuration that operates in the UHF band (for example, 860 to 960 MHz). For example, the IC chip and the IC chip A connected antenna is configured to be enclosed in a thin plate-like resin. The IC chip is a control unit that controls the entire IC tag, a memory that stores IDs, a power generation unit that rectifies radio waves from the antennas 11 _{-1 to} 11 _-N and generates DC power, and modulates data (ID) And a transmission unit that outputs the received signal, a reception unit that demodulates a reception signal obtained by receiving radio waves from the antennas 11 _{-1 to} 11 _-N, and the like.

Since the product IC tag 3 and the worker IC tags 5 _{-1 to} 5 _-N both use the passive method, no battery is built in.

(Database area configuration)
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the database area stored in the storage device.

  The database area 15a secured in the storage device 15 is tabulated as shown in FIG. 2, and the worker ID and work time of each process are recorded for the product ID attached to the product 2. Yes.

(Operation of process management system)
Next, the operation of the process management system 100 will be described. When the product 2 is carried in steps 1 _-1, instructions from the reader-writer device 13 to select an antenna 11 _-1 is issued. When radio waves from the reader-writer device 13 is radiated from the antenna 11 _-1, Seisanbutsu IC tag 3 which is attached to the product 2 generates DC power from the received radio wave, starts the operation by this to the power supply Then, the product ID stored in the memory built in the product IC tag 3 in advance is transmitted.

The radio wave radiated from the antenna _{11 -1,} the operator _{4 -1} is also received in the operator's IC tag _{5 -1} possessed. The worker IC tag _5-1 generates a DC power supply from the received radio wave in the same manner as the product IC tag 3, starts operation, and assigns the worker ID previously stored in the memory of the worker IC tag _5-1. Send.

Product IC tag 3 and the radio wave transmitted from the operator IC tag _{5 -1} is received by antenna _{11 -1} is taken into the reader-writer device 13 via the antenna switch 12. The reader / writer device 13 demodulates the received signal and outputs the demodulated signal to the host device 14. The host device 14 stores the acquired product ID and worker ID in the column of step A in the database area 15a shown in FIG. Further, host device 14 determines that the work start time with a ID acquisition time in step _{1 -1.}

When the host device 14 needs to write to the product IC tag 3 and the worker IC tag _5-1 , the host device 14 sends the write data to the reader / writer device 13. The reader / writer device 13 outputs a transmission signal to the antenna _11-1, and transmits it to the product IC tag 3 or the worker IC tag _5-1 , or both. When the product IC tag 3 and the worker IC tag _5-1 confirm that the transmission is directed to the product IC tag 3, the product IC tag 3 and the worker IC tag _5-1 write data in a memory built in the tag.

When working or work on products 2 in steps _{1 -1} is completed, the product 2 is conveyed from Step _{1 -1} to Step _{1 -2.} The movement of the product 2 is recognized by detecting the movement of a conveying member such as a carriage that conveys the product 2 with a sensor and notifying the host device 14. Alternatively, the antennas 11 _{-1 to} 11 _-N are switched at predetermined time intervals, and the antenna that has acquired the same product ID as the product ID acquired in step _1-1 from the product IC tag 3 at that time is the antenna 11 _−. if _2, it is possible to determine the movement of the step 1 _-2.

Host device 14, the product at the time the movement is confirmed from 2 steps 1 _-1 to the step 1 _-2, determines that the work time in the step 1 _-1 of the product 2, based on the operation start time Then, the work time in step _1-1 is calculated and stored in the database area 15a of the storage device 15.

Hereinafter, the upper device 14 in a similar manner, the step ₁ -2 _{to 1} product IC tag 3 and the operator IC tag _{5-2 to 5} product ID acquired from _-N in _-N, the operator ID and operation time The data is stored in the database area 15a of the storage device 15.

[Other embodiments]
In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various deformation | transformation is possible within the range which does not change the summary.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the product IC tag 3 and the worker IC tags 5 _{-1 to} 5 _-N are configured by the passive method, but are configured by the active method in which the battery is incorporated in the IC tag. May be.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a process management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the database area stored in the storage device.

Explanation of symbols

_1-1 to 1 _-N process 2 Product 3 Product tag 4 _-1 to 4 _-N worker 5 _{-1 to} 5 _-N worker tag 11 _{-1 to} 11 _-N antenna 12 Antenna switch 13 Reader / writer device 14 Host device 15 Storage device 15a Database area 100 Process management system

Claims (2)

A product IC tag which is provided in a product produced through a plurality of processes and holds product identification information for identifying the product;
A plurality of worker IC tags held by worker identification information for identifying the worker;
A storage device for storing the product identification information and the worker identification information;
It has a plurality of antennas provided for each of the plurality of processes, and the product identification information and the worker identification information from the product IC tag and the worker IC tag for each process via the plurality of antennas. An IC tag reader that reads and stores in the storage device;
A process management system characterized by comprising:   The process management system according to claim 1, wherein the product IC tag and the worker IC tag use a UHF band.

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