JP3063851B2 - Operation management device for production equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to an operation management apparatus for production equipment, in particular, a plurality of production equipment necessary for performing a series of production processes are connected to a network to centrally manage the production equipment. Related to the device.

[Conventional technology]

With the increase in technology, it has become necessary to operate a plurality of production devices to perform a series of production processes in order to produce one product. For example, with the advancement of printing technology, the prepress process is also performed by a series of production processes, such as text input, graphic input, image input, layout work,
Etc. are performed using separate production equipment. In this way, when performing production activities using multiple production equipment,
A given one-unit task (for example, one-page plate making process) is divided into a plurality of jobs, each job is assigned to a plurality of production devices, and each production device processes the assigned job as scheduled. Need to manage.

As described above, in order to centrally manage a plurality of production devices, a system has been proposed in which a plurality of production devices are connected to a network, and data generated by each production device is transmitted and received through the network.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

However, the conventionally proposed method of managing production equipment using a network includes a specific operation method of how to manage each production equipment and how to transmit and receive data between each production equipment. At present, the problem of efficiently operating a plurality of production devices in an organic manner has not been realized yet.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a production equipment operation management device capable of performing a management such that a plurality of production apparatuses are efficiently operated organically and a series of production processes are efficiently executed.

[Means for solving the problem]

(1) The first invention of the present application is a device for managing the operation of a plurality of production devices necessary for performing a series of production processes, a job registration unit for inputting the contents of a series of production processes and registering the contents. A job allocating unit that allocates a plurality of jobs constituting the registered processing content to a plurality of production devices; and a job queue table corresponding to each of the plurality of production devices. A process management unit for sequentially storing the data in a corresponding job queue table, a storage unit for storing material data generated by the operation of a plurality of production devices, and a data management unit for managing the transfer of material data to and from the storage unit. A process management network interconnecting a plurality of production equipment, a job registration unit, a job allocation unit, a process management unit, and a data management unit; And a data network interconnecting the production equipment, storage unit, and data management unit. Each production equipment is assigned to the production equipment from a corresponding job queue table in the process management unit via the process management network. When the first production equipment generates the first material data as a result of the first job, the first production device generates the first material data under the management of the data management unit. Material data is transmitted from the first production device to the storage unit via the data network and stored as a result of the first job, and a second production device uses the result of the first job. Requesting the data management unit for the result of the first job in order to execute the first job, the first material data is regarded as the result of the first job in the data network. The second job is taken out of the job queue table until the process management unit obtains an end notification for the first job. Is performed so as to prohibit the operation.

(2) The second invention of the present application is an application of the first invention described above to a system for making a plate, a character input station for inputting characters, a graphic input station for inputting a graphic, and an image input. In order to perform a series of plate-making processes using an image input station, an assignment station that performs assignment work, and an output station that outputs a plate after assignment, a series of plate-making processes in a device that manages the operation of each station A job registration unit for inputting the contents and registering them. The registered processing contents are divided into character input jobs, graphic input jobs, image input jobs, layout jobs, and output jobs. To the character input station, graphic input station, image input station, layout station, and output station, respectively. A job allocating unit for allocating to each of the stations, a process managing unit having a job queue table corresponding to each of the plurality of stations, and sequentially storing the jobs allocated by the job allocating unit in the corresponding job queue table. A storage unit for storing material data generated by the operation of a plurality of stations, a data management unit for managing the transfer of material data to and from the storage unit, a plurality of stations, a job registration unit, a job allocation unit,
A process management network that interconnects the process management unit and the data management unit; and a data network that interconnects a plurality of stations, storage unit, and data management unit, and each station is connected via the process management network. The job assigned to the station is taken out from the corresponding job queue table in the process management section, and the plate making operation is performed based on the job.
When the first material data is generated, the first material data is transmitted from the first station to the storage unit via the data network and stored as a result of the first job under the management of the data management unit. When the second station requests the data management unit for the result of the first job in order to execute the second job using the result of the first job, the first material data is The result of the first job is transmitted from the storage unit to the second station via the data network, and the process management unit waits until the end notification of the first job is obtained. The management is performed to prohibit the second job from being taken out of the job queue table.

(Operation)

In the operation management apparatus for production equipment according to the present invention, each production equipment is connected to two types of networks, a process management network and a data network. Management data such as a job instruction to each production device and a job end notification from each production device is transmitted via a process management network. A job registration unit, a job assignment unit, and a process management unit are also connected to the process management network, and data relating to job registration and assignment is also transmitted through the network.

On the other hand, material data such as character data and image data generated by each production device is transmitted via a data network. Since this transmission operation is centrally managed by the data management unit, each production device need only make an access request to the data management unit.

Thus, by preparing two networks, management data and material data can be handled independently. In addition, since the management data can be centrally managed by the process management unit and the material data can be centrally managed by the data management unit, the burden on the production equipment can be reduced, and the entire system can be organically managed. It can be operated efficiently.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on the illustrated embodiments.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of a production equipment operation management device according to the present invention. In the present invention, two networks, a process management network 100 and a data network 200, are prepared. In the figure, above the process management network 100, a job registration unit 10, a job allocation unit 20,
And a process management unit 30 are connected. In the figure, the process management network 100 and the data network 200
Between the first production equipment 40A, the second production equipment 40B,
And a data management unit 50 are connected. Further, in the figure, a storage unit 60 is connected below the data network 200. As described above, the plurality of production devices are connected to both the process management network 100 and the data network 200, and the management data is stored in the process management network 100.
The data is transmitted / received to / from each production device via 100, and the material data is transmitted / received to / from each production device via the data network 200.
Here is a simple example using two production devices,
In practice, more production equipment is connected in parallel.

Here, the respective elements constituting the apparatus are shown in a block diagram, but in actuality, these respective elements are constituted by a computer or a workstation. For example, the job registration unit 10 and the job allocation unit 20 can be configured by workstations connected to a network, respectively, and the process management unit 30 and the data management unit 50 can be configured by computers connected to the network. The storage unit 60 can be constituted by a disk system for this computer. Also, in this block diagram, two networks are represented by completely different lines. However, in the present invention, it is only necessary to prepare two conceptually different networks. The configuration may be such that the connection is made with a cable.

The operation of this device is as follows. First, when a series of production processes to be processed by this system is given as an issue, an operator who performs a job input operation requires a job
Enter the processing details for 10. Job registration unit 10
Recognizes this processing content as one unit of job group, and registers this in the process management unit 30 via the process management network 100. In the process management unit 30, a job registration table for registering a job is prepared. Subsequently, the job designing operator performs a job allocating operation in the job allocating unit 20. This is an operation of allocating a plurality of jobs constituting a registered job group to each production device. Each assigned job is stored in a job queue table in the process management unit 30. A job queue table is prepared for each production device.
A and 40B read the jobs in the corresponding job queue tables via the process management network 100 and execute the jobs. The material data generated as a result is stored in the storage unit 60 via the data network 200, and this operation is performed under the control of the data management unit 50. When each production device needs the material data in the storage unit 60 to execute the assigned job, it requests the data management unit 50 for the necessary material data,
The storage unit 60 stores necessary material data under the control of the data management unit 50.
Read from

The basic operation of the apparatus shown in the block diagram of FIG. 1 has been described above, and this will be described based on a more specific embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment in which the apparatus of the present invention is applied to a plate making system for printing. In this example,
Character input station 41, figure input station 42, image input preparation station 43, image input station 44,
Six production devices, an allocation station 45 and an output station 46, are used, and first to third disk units 61 to 63 are used as storage units.

The plate making operation by this system is performed as follows. First, the operator in charge of sales registers the processing contents of the contracted print processing in the job registration unit 10. The job registration unit 10 is composed of a workstation having a keyboard and a display, and the operator inputs processing contents from the keyboard while looking at the display. Specifically, the subject name (for example, the XX page of the monthly issue of the monthly magazine "XX"), the number of originals (for example, one mount original, two photographic originals, and three character originals), For example, B5 size) is input. This content is registered in the process management unit 30.

The process management unit 30 is configured by a computer, and internally includes three tables as shown in FIG. The station function table 31 stores functions and input / output data formats for each of the stations 41 to 46 connected as production equipment. For example, information such as the image input resolution of the image input station 44 and the input / output data format of the character input station 41 is stored. In the job registration table 32, the above-described processing content input from the job registration unit 10 is registered. As shown in FIG. 4, the job queue table 33 is provided with a table only corresponding to each connected production device (in this embodiment, tables 1 to 6 are prepared corresponding to each of the six stations). ), The jobs assigned to the respective production devices are sequentially accumulated as described later.

When the operator in charge of sales has completed job registration in the job registration unit 10, the operator in charge of design performs job assignment work in the job assignment unit 20. This work is to divide the registered processing contents into a plurality of jobs and to assign each job to each station. The job allocating unit 20 is also configured by a workstation having a keyboard and a display, and the operator sends necessary information from the station function table 31 and the job registration table 32 in the process managing unit 30 via the process managing network 100 to the job. The data is read out to the allocating unit 20 and displayed on the display. Then, based on the information, the processing content is divided into a plurality of jobs, and an instruction to assign each job to each station is input from the keyboard. Further, if necessary, the information in the job queue table 33 can be read, the progress of the process at the present time can be confirmed, and the assignment can be changed. In the case of the specific example described above (Proposal name: XX pages of the monthly magazine "XX", the plate making using one mount original, two photographic originals, and three text originals) become. Therefore, this processing content can be divided into the following jobs, for example.

Job A: Input of mount originals Job B: Input of photo original 1 Job C: Input of photo original 2 Job D: Input of text original 1 Job E: Input of text original 2 Job F: Input of text original 3 Job G: Assignment of Photos and Characters to Mounts Job H: Output of Assignment Results In this embodiment, two production devices, namely, an image input preparation station 43 and an image input station 44 are used to input a photo original. Therefore, Jobs B and C can be further divided into jobs of Job B1: Preparation for input of photo original 1 Job B2: Input of photo original 1 Job C1: Preparation for input of photo original 2 Job C2: Input of photo original 2 it can. As described above, if the jobs can be divided into work units that can be given to one production device (station), these jobs are assigned to each production device. Job allocation unit 20
Can display the contents of the station function table 31 on the display, so that the operator can determine which job should be assigned to which production equipment while considering the function of each production equipment. it can. When the operator inputs an assignment instruction to the job assignment unit 20, the job queue table in the process management unit 30
The job assigned to 33 is stored. For example, if the jobs A to H described above are assigned to the stations 41 to 46 in FIG. 2, the job queue table 33 becomes as shown in FIG. Here, tables 1 to 6 in FIG.
Are tables corresponding to the stations 41 to 46 in FIG. 2, respectively.

When the above procedure is completed, all information necessary for actually operating each station is prepared in the process management unit 30, and each station starts operating. That is, each station retrieves a job to be executed from the corresponding job queue table in the process management unit 30 via the process management network 100, and executes this job. That is, each station operates as follows.

The character input station 41 performs job D (input of the character document 1) as a job to be executed from the table 1 in FIG.
And do this. As indicated by the arrow in FIG. 4, the assigned job is stored in the job queue table 33.
If the job is to be entered from above, the job to be executed is taken out from the bottom. That is, the jobs are executed in the order of first-in first-out. The character input station 41 is specifically composed of a character code input device such as a word processor and a typesetting device, and can input a character code and typesetting information based on a given character document. When this input operation is completed, a job completion notification is transmitted to the process management unit 30 via the process management network 100. The material data (character code and typesetting information) generated as a result of the input operation is stored in one of the disk units 61 to 63. The job of storing which disk unit at which address is managed by the data management unit 50. That is, the character input station 41 sends the data management unit 5 via the process management network 100 before starting the work.
Request is made to 0 that a storage area for storing the input result of the character document 1 should be secured. In response to this, the data management unit 50 replies to the character input station 41 with access information indicating which disk unit at which address the storage area has been secured. As a result, the material data generated as a result of the input operation by the character input station 41 is stored in the specified area of the specified disk unit.

Similarly, the graphic input station 42 takes a job A (input of a backing document) as a job to be executed from the table 2 in FIG. 4 and executes it. Graphic input station
Reference numeral 42 is specifically composed of a drawing input device, and inputs a figure drawn on a mount document as digital data. The input data is stored as material data in a predetermined area of a predetermined disk unit under the management of the data management unit 50.

The image input preparation station 43 is connected to the table 3 in FIG.
, A job B1 (preparation for inputting the photo original 1) is taken as a job to be executed and executed. The image input preparation station 43 is specifically composed of a magnification angle measuring device, and is used to prepare preparation data for image input at what magnification and at what angle the photographic original should be input. Can be obtained. This preparation data is also stored as material data in a predetermined area of a predetermined disk unit under the management of the data management unit 50.

The operations of the character input station 41, the graphic input station 42, and the image input preparation station 43 can be performed simultaneously, but the operations of the image input station 44, the layout station 45, and the output station 46 are necessary. Work cannot be started until the appropriate material data is prepared. For example, the image input station 44 cannot perform an operation until the preparation data generated by the image input preparation station 43 is prepared. The image input preparation station 44 tries to get a job B2 (input of the photo original 1) as a job to be executed from the table 4 in FIG.
The unit 30 performs management so as to prohibit giving the job B2 until a job end notification for the job B1 is obtained from the image input preparation station. Therefore, the image input station 44 cannot obtain the job B2 until the job B1 ends, and enters a standby state. When the job B1 is completed and the job B2 is obtained, the input operation of the photographic original 1 is performed in the image input station 44. The image input station 44 is specifically composed of an input scanner device, which can input a photo document by scanning it as image data. When performing this input operation, material data (input magnification and input angle) generated as a result of the job B1 is required. Thus, the image input station 44 requests the data management unit 50 for material data that is the result of the job B1. In response to this, the data management unit 50 replies access information indicating in which disk unit and in which area the material data resulting from the job B1 is stored. Thus,
The image input station 44 reads material data necessary for the work from the disk unit, and performs a work of inputting a photo original. The image data thus obtained is also stored as one material data in a predetermined area of a predetermined disk unit under the management of the data management unit 50.

When the jobs A, B1, B2, C1, C2, D, E, and F are completed, the process management unit 30 permits the assignment station 45 to give the job G. At this point, input of all originals has been completed, and the input results are stored in the disk units 61 to 63 as material data. The assignment station 45 is specifically called an assignment station or a retouch station, and is a device that allows an operator to perform processing such as clipping, combining, coloring, and assigning image data while looking at a display screen. Assignment station 45 is the data management unit
When the necessary material data is requested to 50, the data management unit 50 returns access information on the material data. Therefore, based on this access information, the allocation station 45 can read necessary material data from the disk units 61 to 63. In this way, the operator in charge of the layout can operate the layout station 45 to perform the work of laying out the input characters and photos according to the layout shown on the backing document. The final image data obtained as a result of the allocation operation is also stored as one piece of material data in the disk unit under the control of the data management unit 50.

Thus, when the job G is completed, the process management unit 30
The output station 46 is allowed to give the job H. The output station 46 reads the material data (final allocated image data) obtained as a result of the job G under the control of the data management unit 50, and outputs this. The output station 46 is specifically composed of an output scanner, outputs the layout image to the film, and completes a series of plate making processes.

As described above, a series of plate making processes have been described according to specific examples.
It can be seen that this system has the following two advantages. The first advantage is that each station (production equipment)
The point is that there is no need to consider what the next job should be. When the currently given job is completed, the next job assigned to itself can be obtained from the job queue table 33 in the process management unit 30 and executed. In other words, since it is only necessary to continue the work of sequentially executing the jobs given from the job queue table 33, it is possible to operate each production device very efficiently. The second advantage is that each station (production equipment) does not consider where to obtain material data necessary for job execution and where to store material data generated as a result of job execution. It is a good point. Since the management of the material data is performed centrally by the data management unit 50,
Each station issues a request to the data management unit 50 as to what kind of material data is desired, and only receives an instruction to the data management unit 50 as to where to store the generated material data. Work may be performed. For this reason, the burden on each production device is reduced, and efficient operation can be expected.

In addition, in the block diagram shown in FIG.
Although 41 to 46 are depicted as being directly connected online to the process control network 100 and the data network 200, these devices do not necessarily need to be connected online to the network. For example, although an input scanner device is used as the image input station 44, the input scanner device does not need to be directly connected online to each network. For example, a configuration in which a personal computer connected online to a network is placed beside the input scanner device may be used. In this case, the job given from the process management unit 30 is displayed on the display of the personal computer as a message such as “Job B2: Input the photo original 1”. The operator in charge of image input sees this message and
Is set on the drum of the input scanner to perform input work.
The material data (image data) obtained as a result of this input work does not necessarily need to be flown online to the data network 200. For example, a method may be adopted in which material data is extracted from the input scanner device in the form of a floppy disk, and the floppy disk is set on a personal computer connected to the data network 200 and the material data is flowed over the data network 200. Absent. In addition, if a network is formed to connect the customer's CAD equipment etc. with a communication line, this customer's CAD equipment can be handled as one of the production equipment, and the customer can send the image to the customer. It is also possible to get it as data. Also, if the customer receives image data from a floppy disk as a medium,
A station for inputting image data from such a floppy disk may be connected as one of the production devices.

The example in which the apparatus of the present invention is applied to the plate making system has been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to this plate making system, but can be applied to any production system.

〔The invention's effect〕

As described above, in the production equipment operation management apparatus according to the present invention, each production equipment is connected to the two types of networks, the process management network and the data network, and instructs a job to each production equipment and receives a command from each production equipment. Management data such as a job end notification is transmitted via a process management network, and material data such as character data and image data generated by each production device is transmitted via a data network. The centralized management is performed by the management unit, and the material data can be centrally managed by the data management unit, reducing the burden on the production equipment side and allowing the entire system to operate organically and efficiently. become able to.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of an operation management apparatus for production equipment according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment in which the operation management apparatus for production equipment according to the present invention is applied to a plate making system. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a table in the process management unit 30 in the apparatus shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a detailed view of the job queue table shown in FIG.

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-62-40460 (JP, A) JP-A-1-234143 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G05B 19/418 B23Q 41/00 G05B 15/02 G06F 17/60 G03F 1/00

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] An apparatus for managing the operation of a plurality of production devices required for performing a series of production processes, comprising: a job registration unit for inputting a series of production processes and registering the contents; A job allocating unit that allocates a plurality of jobs constituting the processed content to the plurality of production devices; and a job queue table corresponding to each of the plurality of production devices, and is allocated by the job allocating unit. A process management unit for sequentially storing jobs in corresponding job queue tables; a storage unit for storing material data generated by the operation of the plurality of production devices; and a data management for managing the transfer of material data to and from the storage unit. Unit, and interconnects the plurality of production devices, the job registration unit, the job allocation unit, the process management unit, and the data management unit. A process management network, and a data network interconnecting the plurality of production devices, the storage unit, and the data management unit. Each production device corresponds to a corresponding device in the process management unit via the process management network. When a job assigned to the production device is taken out of the job queue table and work is performed based on the job, the first production device generates first material data as a result of the first job. Under the control of a management unit, the first material data is transmitted from the first production device to the storage unit via the data network, and stored as a result of the first job; In order for the production equipment to execute the second job using the result of the first job, the result of the first job is sent to the data management unit. Request, the first
Material data is transmitted from the storage unit to the second production device via the data network as a result of the first job, and the process management unit is configured to execute the first job A management for prohibiting the second job from being taken out of the job queue table until an end notification is obtained. 2. A character input station for inputting characters, a graphic input station for inputting a graphic, an image input station for inputting an image, an allocation station for performing an allocation operation, and an output station for outputting an allocated plate. An apparatus for managing the operation of each station for performing a series of plate making processes, a job registration unit for inputting a series of plate making processes and registering the same, The job is divided into a character input job, a graphic input job, an image input job, an allocation job, and an output job, and these jobs are respectively referred to as the character input station, the graphic input station, the image input station, and the allocation station. And a job assigning unit assigned to each of the output stations. A process management unit that has a job queue table corresponding to each of the plurality of stations, and sequentially stores jobs assigned by the job assignment unit in the corresponding job queue table; A storage unit for storing material data stored therein, a data management unit for managing the transfer of material data to and from the storage unit, the plurality of stations, the job registration unit, the job allocation unit, the process management unit, and the data management. A process management network for interconnecting units, and a data network for interconnecting the plurality of stations, the storage unit, and the data management unit, wherein each station performs process management via the process management network. The corresponding job queue table in the department The first station generates a first material data as a result of the first job when the first station generates a first material data as a result of the first job. Wherein the first material data is transmitted from the first station to the storage unit via the data network and stored as a result of the first job; When a result of the first job is requested to the data management unit to execute a second job using the result of the job, the first material data is output as a result of the first job. As an object,
The second job is configured to be transmitted from the storage unit to the second station via the data network until the process management unit obtains an end notification for the first job. A management of prohibiting taking out of the job queue table from the job queue table.