JP2012160057A - Component information management device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow replacement components of a toll apparatus to be acquired quickly.SOLUTION: A component information management device 10 which manages information about replacement components of a road toll charging or a toll collecting apparatus is provided with: a storage part 120 for storing stock data 123 containing a stock status of components and compatible component data 122 containing information about compatible components; and a control part 130 which, in response to an inquiry about stock of replacement components, returns a result of search for the stock status of the inquired replacement components from the stock data 123, as well as a result of search in the stock data 123 for the stock status of compatible components of the inquired replacement components which are searched from the compatible component data 122.

Description

  The present invention relates to a component information management device that manages components of a fee device.

  At the toll gate on the expressway, a toll device is installed to settle the toll. The toll device here includes, for example, a toll ticket automatic issuing device for issuing a toll ticket, a toll collecting device for collecting tolls, and a road toll charging device. The fee device is composed of a large number of parts, and a fee device incorporating a large number of detachable units is also known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  Also, an ordering system that improves the efficiency of consumables ordering work is known (for example, Patent Document 2).

JP 2004-5151 A JP 2004-84414 A

  The fee apparatus is assumed to operate 24 hours a day, and if a failure occurs, it is required to take immediate action and resume operation. For this reason, it is desirable to store a sufficient number of replacement parts at the toll booth or in the vicinity thereof, but such operation is difficult due to space and cost constraints. In addition, unlike consumables, it is difficult to predict when replacement parts are needed, so it is difficult to efficiently manage orders.

  Therefore, there is a demand for a fee device that makes it possible to obtain replacement parts as soon as possible even when the replacement parts are not stored in a nearby place. The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a component information management device that enables early acquisition of replacement components.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, a parts information management apparatus according to the present invention is a parts information management apparatus that manages information related to road fee billing or replacement parts of a toll collection device, and is a replacement part. In response to a replacement part inventory query, a storage unit that stores the inventory data that holds the inventory status and the compatible part data that holds information about compatible parts, and searches the inventory status of the replacement part to be inquired from the inventory data And a control unit that responds to the result of searching from the inventory data for the inventory status of the compatible part of the replacement part to be queried searched from the compatible part data.

  In addition, as a desirable aspect of the present invention, the storage unit further stores delivery data that holds a delivery history of replacement parts, and the control unit includes, among the delivery history of the replacement part to be inquired and its compatible parts, The result of searching the delivery data for the delivery history of the customer who operates the same expressway as the inquiry source of the inquiry from the delivery data is included in the response.

  As a preferred aspect of the present invention, the control unit responds by sorting the search results from the delivery data in order from the delivery destination closer to the inquiry source of the inquiry.

  Moreover, as a desirable aspect of the present invention, the control unit responds by sorting the search results from the delivery data in ascending order of days elapsed from the delivery date.

  Further, as a desirable aspect of the present invention, the compatible part data includes information on precautions when using the compatible part, and the control unit associates the compatible part data with the compatible part included in the response corresponding to the inquiry, and Information related to precautions when using the compatible part acquired from the compatible part data is included in the response corresponding to the inquiry.

  The parts information management device according to the present invention has an effect of making it possible to obtain replacement parts for a fee device at an early stage.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an inventory management / ordering system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen provided by the component information management apparatus. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of displaying precautions for compatible parts. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the component information management apparatus. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of configuration data. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of compatible component data. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of inventory data. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of customer data. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of delivery data. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the component information management apparatus when receiving an inquiry about the inventory of components.

  Embodiments of a component information management apparatus according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments. In addition, the constituent elements in this embodiment include those that can be easily assumed by those skilled in the art, those that are substantially the same, and those in a so-called equivalent range.

  First, an inventory management / ordering system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an inventory management / ordering system 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, an inventory management / ordering system 1 includes a parts information management device 10 installed at a manufacturer of a toll device, ordering terminals 21a to 21n installed at an A highway operating company, and a B highway operation. Ordering terminals 22a to 22n installed in the company. The parts information management apparatus 10, order terminals 21a to 21n, and order terminals 22a to 22n are connected by a network 2 such as the Internet.

  The order terminals 21a to 21n are devices for ordering parts of the fee device and checking inventory. For example, one ordering terminal 21a to 21n is installed at each sales office in the vicinity of the toll booth of the A expressway by the operating company in charge of the operation of the A expressway. The order terminals 22a to 22n are devices for ordering parts of the fee device and checking inventory. For example, one ordering terminal 22a to 22n is installed at each sales office in the vicinity of the toll booth of the B Expressway by the operating company in charge of the operation of the B Expressway.

  The parts information management device 10 provides a screen showing the inventory status of parts of the fee device and executes order processing in response to requests from the order terminals 21a to 21n and the order terminals 22a to 22n. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen provided by the component information management apparatus 10. The inventory status screen 4 shown in FIG. 2 is created as, for example, HTML (HyperText Markup Language) data by the parts information management device 10 in response to an inquiry about parts inventory from the ordering terminal 21a and the like. Displayed on the display.

  The inventory status screen 4 shown in FIG. 2 includes an inquiry condition area 4a, an inventory information area 4b, and a delivery information area 4c. The inquiry condition area 4a is an area in which the inquiry condition transmitted from the inquiry source is displayed. The inquiry condition area 4a shown in FIG. 2 indicates that a part identified by the model number “P01-234-567” of the model identified by the identification number “M01” is designated as an object for inquiring about the stock status. ing.

  The inventory information area 4b is an area in which the inventory status of parts at the manufacturer is displayed. In the inventory information area 4b, the model number, revision (Rev), number of inventory, and procurement period are displayed for each part. The model number is an identification number of a part that can be used as a replacement part of the designated part, and the revision is a number indicating the version of the part. The number of stocks is the number of parts that the manufacturer stocks. The procurement period is a period required until the parts are delivered. In the inventory information area 4b, a link “Purchase” is provided for each part, and when the link is selected, an ordering screen for placing an order for the corresponding part is displayed.

  Looking at the inventory information area 4b, it can be seen that a part with a model number other than “P01-234-567” designated as an inquiry target is output. This is because the parts information management apparatus 10 is configured to output not only the parts designated as the inquiry target but also the stock of compatible parts of the designated parts. A compatible part is a part that functions in the same manner as the designated part even if it is used instead of the designated part. The compatible parts include, for example, parts having the same model number and old revision, and parts that are substantially the same part but are given different model numbers because the models and higher-level parts are different.

  In the inventory information area 4b of the example shown in FIG. 2, “*” is added to the head of the model number of the compatible part so that the designated part and the compatible part can be easily distinguished. Moreover, when there are some precautions in using the compatible parts as compatible parts, a link is provided in the model number of the compatible part. When a link provided in the model number of the compatible part is selected, as shown in FIG. 3, a precaution window 4d is displayed. The precautions window 4d displays precautions (for example, work instructions relating to configuration changes and restrictions) when used as compatible parts.

  The delivery information area 4c is an area in which a history of delivering a designated part or its compatible part to a sales office that operates the same expressway as the inquiry source is displayed. In the delivery information area 4c, the model number, revision (Rev), delivery destination, delivery number, and delivery date are displayed for each part. The model number is a number of a part that can be used as a replacement part for the designated part, and the revision is a number indicating the version of the part. The delivery destination indicates to which sales office of the operating company of which expressway the parts are delivered. The number of deliveries is the number of delivered parts, and the delivery date is the date of delivered parts.

  Also in the delivery information area 4c, not only the part designated as an inquiry target but also information related to the compatible part of the designated part is output. In order to easily distinguish between the designated part and the compatible part, “*” is added to the head of the model number of the compatible part. In addition, when there are some precautions when using as a compatible part, a link for displaying a precaution window 4d is provided in the model number of the compatible part.

  In this way, the parts information management apparatus 10 displays not only the inventory status of the specified parts in stock but also the delivery history of delivering the parts to the sales office operating the same expressway as the inquiry source on the inventory status screen 4. indicate. For this reason, even if the manufacturer does not have the parts in stock, the inquiry source can obtain the parts by inquiring another sales office. Here, the highway operating company's sales office is often located near the tollgate of the highway, so if you know that parts are in stock at other sales offices, Parts can be obtained in a short time by using and moving.

  Further, the parts information management apparatus 10 displays not only information on the designated part itself but also information on the compatible part on the inventory status screen 4 as the inventory status and delivery history. For this reason, when there is no stock of the specified part, the inquiry source can obtain a part that functions in the same manner as the part as an alternative. In addition, since the compatible component is selected by the component information management device 10, the inquiry source can acquire information regarding the compatible component without knowledge of the compatibility of the component.

  Next, the configuration of the component information management apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the component information management apparatus 10. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the component information management apparatus 10 includes a communication unit 110, a storage unit 120, and a control unit 130. The communication unit 110 exchanges requests and responses with the ordering terminals 21a to 21n and the ordering terminals 22a to 22n via the network 2.

  The storage unit 120 includes a nonvolatile storage device such as a flash memory or a magnetic storage device, and stores a program and data for operating the component information management device 10 in the storage device. Data stored in the storage unit 120 includes configuration data 121, compatible parts data 122, inventory data 123, customer data 124, and delivery data 125.

  The configuration data 121 holds information about parts included in the fee device manufactured by the manufacturer. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration data 121. As shown in FIG. 5, the configuration data 121 has items such as model ID, model number, and revision (Rev), and data is stored for each component. The model ID is an identification number that identifies the model of the fee device in which the part is used. The model number is an identification number for identifying a part. The revision is a number indicating the latest version of the part.

  The compatible part data 122 holds information about compatible parts. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the compatible component data 122. As shown in FIG. 6, the compatible part data 122 includes items such as model ID, model number, model ID of compatible part, model number of compatible part, revision (Rev) of compatible part, and notes. The compatible component data 122 is configured to store a plurality of combinations of the model ID of the compatible component, the model number of the compatible component, the revision (Rev) of the compatible component, and the precautions for each model number.

  The model ID is an identification number that identifies the model of the fee device in which the part is used. The model number is an identification number for identifying a part. The model ID of the compatible part, the model number of the compatible part, and the revision of the compatible part are information for specifying the compatible part of the part indicated by the model number. Specifically, the model ID of the compatible part is an identification number that identifies the model of the fee device for which the compatible part is used. The model number of the compatible part is an identification number for identifying the compatible part. The revision is a number indicating the version of the compatible part. In the revision item, a value indicating the range of compatible versions such as “2-3” and a value indicating compatibility with all versions such as “*” are set. Sometimes. The precautions are precautions when using compatible parts instead of the parts indicated by the model number.

  The compatible part data 122 is updated based on, for example, knowledge possessed by a fee device designer. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the compatible part data 122 holds information on compatible parts of the latest version of the parts. However, an item for storing the revision value corresponding to the model number is provided, and the old version Information regarding compatible parts of parts may also be retained.

  The inventory data 123 holds information about the inventory status of parts in the manufacturer. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the inventory data 123. As shown in FIG. 7, the inventory data 123 has items such as model ID, model number, revision (Rev), inventory quantity, and procurement period, and data is stored for each part.

  The model ID is an identification number that identifies the model of the fee device in which the part is used. The model number is an identification number for identifying a part. The revision is a number indicating the version of the part. The number of stocks is the number of parts that the manufacturer stocks. The procurement period is a period required until the parts are delivered.

  The customer data 124 holds information about the delivery destination of the fee device. In the customer data 124, customers are managed not at the company level but at the sales office level where the fee apparatus and parts are delivered. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the customer data 124. As shown in FIG. 8, the customer data 124 has items such as a customer ID, an operation target, a customer name, and an address, and data is stored for each customer. The customer ID is an identification number for identifying the customer. The management target is a value indicating the highway operated by the customer. The customer name is the name of the customer. The address is the customer's address.

  The delivery data 125 holds information about the delivery history of parts. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the delivery data 125. As shown in FIG. 9, the delivery data 125 has items such as a customer ID, a customer name, a model ID, a model number, a revision (Rev), a delivery number, and a delivery date, and data is stored for each delivered part.

  The customer ID is an identification number for identifying the customer at the delivery destination. The customer name is the name of the customer at the delivery destination. The model ID is an identification number that identifies the model of the fee device in which the part is used. The model number is an identification number for identifying a part. The revision is a number indicating the version of the part. The number of delivered items is the number of parts delivered. The delivery date is the date when the parts are delivered.

  The control unit 130 includes an arithmetic device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory for developing programs and data, and controls each part of the component information management device 10 according to a program executed by the arithmetic device. In order to execute various types of control, the control unit 130 implements various functional units by expanding and executing a program stored in the storage unit 120 in a memory. The functional units realized by executing the program include a compatible parts search unit 131, an inventory information search unit 132, and a delivery information search unit 133.

  The compatible part search unit 131 searches the compatible part data 122 and acquires information related to the compatible part of the specified part number. The inventory information search unit 132 searches the inventory data 123 and acquires information regarding the inventory status of the specified part number and its compatible parts.

  The delivery information search unit 133 searches the delivery data 125 and acquires information related to the delivery history of the specified model number and its compatible parts. The delivery information search unit 133 extracts, from the customer data 124, a customer who operates the same highway as the inquiry source, and acquires only information related to a history of delivering parts to the extracted customer. Note that which expressway is operated by the inquiry source is specified based on, for example, the login user ID transmitted in the authentication process performed prior to the inquiry or the network address of the ordering terminal 21 or 22 of the inquiry source. can do.

  Next, the operation of the component information management apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 4 will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the component information management apparatus 10 when receiving an inquiry regarding the inventory of components. As shown in FIG. 10, the control unit 130 of the component information management apparatus 10 first acquires the model ID, model number, revision, and the like of the search target component from the inquiry request message (step S101). And the control part 130 searches the compatible component data 122 using the acquired information, and acquires the information regarding the compatible component of a search object component (step S102).

  Subsequently, the control unit 130 acquires information regarding the inventory status of the search target part from the inventory data 123 (step S103), and acquires information regarding the inventory status of the compatible part from the inventory data 123 (step S104).

  And the control part 130 acquires the information regarding the delivery to the customer who is operating the same highway as an inquiry origin from the delivery data 125 among the information regarding the delivery log | history of a search object part (step S105). In addition, the control unit 130 acquires, from the delivery data 125, information related to delivery to a customer who operates the same highway as the inquiry source among information related to delivery history of compatible parts (step S106). Here, it is only necessary that information relating to the delivery history can be obtained only about parts delivered within a predetermined period from the present. The predetermined period is preferably a period in which there is a high possibility that the parts are stored without being used.

  Then, the control unit 130 shapes the information acquired in steps S103 to S106 into data of a predetermined format and responds to the inquiry source (step S107). Here, the data in a predetermined format may be, for example, HTML for displaying a screen as shown in FIG. 2, or may be XML (Extensible Markup Language) or CSV (Comma-Separated Values). The data may be in a format suitable for data processing.

  In addition, when the information regarding the precautions when using the compatible part included in the information regarding the inventory status or the delivery history as the replacement part is acquired in step S102, the information regarding the precaution is associated with the compatible part and included in the response. .

  Note that when formatting information, the information may be rearranged so that it can be easily used by the inquiry source. For example, by rearranging information in the order of a part having the same model ID and model number, a part having the same model ID and different model number, and a part having a different model ID, the information is arranged in the order in which the identity with the search target part is easily recognized. be able to. As for the information related to the delivery history, the information can be arranged in the descending order of the possibility of not being used at the delivery destination by rearranging the information in ascending order from the delivery date. As for the information related to the delivery history, the information can be arranged in the order from the shortest time required to obtain the parts, by rearranging the information in the order of the delivery destination from the inquiry source.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the parts information management apparatus 10 responds to an inquiry about the inventory of replacement parts with information on the inventory status of compatible parts and information on delivery history of replacement parts and compatible parts. As a result, the inquiry source can obtain replacement parts early.

  In addition, the structure shown in said Example can be suitably changed in the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention. For example, the parts information management device 10 may be installed in a facility of a trading company that handles fee devices or an operating company that operates fee devices. Further, the present invention can be applied to an apparatus that manages parts of apparatuses other than the charge apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Inventory management / ordering system 2 Network 10 Parts information management apparatus 21a-21n, 22a-22n Ordering terminal 110 Communication part 120 Memory | storage part 121 Configuration data 122 Compatible parts data 123 Inventory data 124 Customer data 125 Delivery data 130 Control part 131 Compatible parts Search unit 132 Inventory information search unit 133 Delivery information search unit

Claims (5)

A parts information management device for managing information related to road charge billing or replacement parts of a toll collection device,
A storage unit for storing stock data for holding stock status of replacement parts and compatible part data for holding information about compatible parts;
In response to the inquiry about the inventory of replacement parts, together with the result of searching the inventory status of the replacement part to be queried from the inventory data, the inventory status of the compatible part of the replacement part to be queried searched from the compatible part data is stored in the inventory. A component information management apparatus comprising: a control unit that responds to a result retrieved from data. The storage unit further stores delivery data that holds a delivery history of replacement parts,
The control unit retrieves, from the delivery data, a delivery history of a customer who operates the same highway as the inquiry source of the inquiry from among the delivery history of the replacement part to be inquired and its compatible parts. The component information management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the result is included in the response.   3. The component information management apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit responds by sorting the search results from the delivery data in order from the delivery destination closer to the inquiry source of the inquiry.   3. The component information management apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit responds by sorting the search results from the delivery data in order of decreasing number of days elapsed from the delivery date. The compatible parts data includes information on precautions when using compatible parts,
The control unit associates with the compatible part included in the response corresponding to the inquiry, and includes information on the precautions when using the compatible part acquired from the compatible part data in the response corresponding to the inquiry. The component information management device according to claim 1, wherein the component information management device is a component information management device.

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