JP3361846B2 - Terminal backup system - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a production line such as an automobile and a terminal backup system in a continuous production line. 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a continuous production line of an automobile or the like, a system has been adopted in which various parts are attached to a vehicle body that flows sequentially, and shipped as a completed vehicle at the final point of the continuous production line. ing. In the continuous production line, terminals are installed at each work site in order to grasp the status of each work, and these terminals are connected by a LAN (local area network) for centralized management. [0003] In the above-described continuous production line, a management terminal that manages the production line monitors an operation of another terminal under its own control. Occupy. Therefore, when an abnormality occurs in the management terminal, the production line itself is stopped for maintenance, which causes a problem that wasteful time is consumed and efficient production cannot be performed. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a terminal backup system that can continue production without adversely affecting a production line even if an abnormality occurs in a management terminal that manages a continuous production line. It is intended to be. [0005] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to the present invention, an arrangement is made for each continuous production line.
Servers (for example, the servers 6, 7,
8) corresponding to each of the continuous production lines
And a plurality of terminal devices (for example, the communication terminal, the monitoring terminal,
And a plurality of management terminals (for example , terminal operation confirmation files 35 of the embodiment) for writing the operation status of the complete inspection terminal and the work terminal) and their own operation status in corresponding storage means (for example, the terminal operation confirmation file 35 of the embodiment). Management terminal according to the embodiment
And 13,17,29), at predetermined time intervals, said plurality of
Each of the operating states written in a predetermined storage means in the server is read, and is arranged for each of the continuous production lines.
It was of a plurality of management terminals to check the operating status, of the management terminal
If any are judged abnormal, the tube judged to be abnormal
A backup terminal that performs processing instead of a management terminal (for example,
For example, the backup terminal 40) of the embodiment is provided. [0006] [act] According to the present invention, the operating status of the plurality of terminal devices arranged in a continuous production line, together with its operational status by being arranged for each continuous production line management terminal, its
The information is written in a predetermined storage unit in the server corresponding to each management terminal . On the other hand, at a predetermined time interval, the backup terminal reads the operation status written in the predetermined storage means of the server and distributes the operation status for each continuous production line.
The operation status of the plurality of management terminals placed is confirmed. At this time, if any of the management terminals is determined to be abnormal, the processing is performed by a backup terminal instead of the management terminal. Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of one embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, a production line according to the present embodiment includes a host computer 1 at a head office and a plurality of local area networks LAN1 and LAN at a factory.
2 (hereinafter simply referred to as networks LAN1 and LAN2). The host computer 1
In addition to performing the entire production management process, it comprehensively manages the final work history in the factory. The host computer 1 transmits production information S1 indicating vehicle type information to be assembled in a predetermined period from a production management master file (not shown) to the system on the factory side. On the factory side, the production lines L1 and L2 form one network LAN1, and the production line L3 forms one network LAN1.
2 are formed. Each of the networks LAN1 and LAN2 is multiplex-managed by the file servers 6, 7, and 8. These file servers 6, 7, and 8 have a common system timer and, as shown in FIG. 2, various files for storing histories of various operations in each of the production lines L1 and L2. Next, a communication terminal (primary) 10, a communication terminal (secondary) 11, and a monitoring terminal 12 are connected to the network LAN1 as being common to the production lines L1 and L2. , The management terminal 13, the work terminals W1, W2, W3, W4, W5, W6,
A middle inspection terminal 15 and a complete inspection terminal 16 are connected, and further, a management terminal 17, a middle inspection terminal 18, work terminals W8, W9, and the like are connected to the production line L2. Similarly, the monitoring terminal 28, the management terminal 29, the middle inspection terminal 30, the complete inspection terminal 31, and the work terminal W1 are connected to the network LAN2.
0, W11, W12, W13, W14, W15, W16
Is connected. Next, each terminal described above will be described.
The function of the network LAN2 is the same as that of the above-described network LAN1, and the description is omitted. First, the communication terminals (primary) 10 and (secondary) 11
While receiving the production information S1 from the host computer 1 described above, by looking at the line number information included in the production information S1, it is determined which production line corresponds to,
Write the received file 30 of the corresponding server (any of 6, 7, 8) (see the received file of FIG. 2). The communication terminals (primary) 10 and (secondary) 11 monitor the transmission file 31, and when information is written in the transmission file 31, transmit the information (data file) to the host computer 1. These communication terminals 10, 1
1 is a duplex process, and even if one of them is stopped due to a failure, the process is performed by the other. The management terminals 13 and 17 constantly monitor the reception file 30. When the information is written, the management terminals 13 and 17 sequentially write the information in the inspection device data file 32 shown in FIG. Delete from 30. If the identification code in the production information S1 is an AF-ON code indicating that the body carried into the production lines L1 and L2 is new, the management terminals 13 and 17 store the identification code in the inspection device data file 32. Then, an inspection record for a new vehicle is created for each frame number of the vehicle body. The management terminals 13 and 17 monitor a trigger file 34 described later at predetermined time intervals, and when a frame number is written in the trigger file 34, the management terminal 13 or 17 writes the frame number in the inspection device data file 32. The work data of the frame number is read and the transmission file 3
1 is written. When the vehicle is shipped from the factory, the data corresponding to the frame number assigned to each vehicle body is moved from the inspection device data file 32 to the storage file 33 (see the storage file 33 in FIG. 2). Inspection unit data file 3
Delete from 2. Further, the management terminals 13 and 17 perform processing such as reporting on various abnormalities in the system, reporting the operation status of the work terminals, and backing up various files. Further, the management terminals 13 and 17 store the terminal operation confirmation files 35 of the terminals (work terminals, communication terminals, etc.) under their own control at one of the servers 6, 7 and 8 at regular intervals. The work status of the terminal can be written and changed. If there is no terminal operation confirmation file 35 in the servers 6, 7, and 8, the terminal operation confirmation file 35 is automatically created. The monitoring terminal 12 monitors the operation of each terminal by checking the contents of the terminal operation confirmation file 35 in the servers 6, 7, and 8, and displays the operation status of each terminal on the screen. It has become. Next, the work terminals W1 to W9 are installed at each work site, and perform predetermined processing according to an execution file read from a server. Also,
Each of the work terminals W1 to W9 is provided with a barcode reader attached to the vehicle body and the attached part, which reads a barcode for vehicle body identification. When the operator reads the bar code with the bar code reader, the work data of the frame number corresponding to the bar code is read from the inspection device data file 32, and the work history, the name of the part to be attached, and the like are displayed on the screen, When the work of mounting the parts is completed, the work result is written. Thereafter, when the operator reads the frame number of the next vehicle body, the work data of the frame number in which the work result is written is returned to the inspection device data file 32 of the server (any of the servers 6, 7, and 8). The inspection record of the newly read frame number is read. Next, the middle inspection terminals 15, 18 and the complete inspection terminal 16 are provided with bar code readers like the work terminals, and read a bar code attached to the vehicle body to assign a frame number. The work data of the frame number is read from the inspection device data file 32 and displayed on the screen. At the middle examination terminals 15 and 18, the screen is confirmed by the operator, and a success is input by a code selector. At this time, if there is no entry or NG (defective) in the work data, a message indicating that the work is not accepted is displayed. In addition, the middle examination terminals 15 and 18
The frame number of the vehicle body for which the pass / fail result is output is written into the trigger file 34, and the pass / fail result is printed. The complete inspection terminal 16 performs a final inspection of the completed vehicle, and writes the result of the inspection into the inspection device file 32. The backup terminal 40 has the same work program as the management terminals 13, 17 and 29 described above, and checks the terminal operation confirmation file 35 in the servers 6, 7, and 8 at regular intervals. are doing. If there is an error in the terminal operation confirmation file, the process of the management terminal is performed on behalf of the management terminal in which the error has occurred. In the proxy process, the status of the proxy management terminal is displayed on the screen of the backup terminal 40 in real time. The above-mentioned terminals, ie, the communication terminals (primary) 10, (secondary) 11, management terminals 13, 17, monitoring terminal 12, work terminals W1 to W9, middle inspection terminals 15, 18, complete inspection terminal 16, When the power is turned on, the backup terminal 40 performs a predetermined process according to the execution file read from the server. Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described.
This will be described with reference to FIGS. Since almost the same operation is performed in each of the production lines L1, L2 and L3, only the production line L1 will be described here, and the other description will be omitted. Further, unless otherwise specified, a terminal in the following description is a communication terminal (correct)
10, (secondary) 11, management terminals 13, 17, monitoring terminal 1
2. Work terminals W1 to W9 and middle inspection terminals 15 and 18 are shown. First, when power is turned on at the start of work, each terminal reads an execution file (program) stored in the server 6. Thereafter, predetermined processing is performed according to the read execution file. At the time of production, first, production information S1 indicating vehicle type information to be assembled is transmitted from the host computer 1 to the system on the factory side. One of the communication terminals 10 and 11 in the operating state receives the production information S1 and
By looking at the line number information included in the production information S1, it is determined which production line it corresponds to, and the corresponding server 6
Is written to the received file 30. When the production information S1 is written in the reception file 30, the management terminal 13 sequentially writes the production information S1 in the inspection device data file 32 shown in FIG. Also, the management terminal 13
If the identification code in the production information S1 is the AF-ON code, a new vehicle inspection record is created in the inspection device data file 32 for each frame number of the vehicle body. At each work site, when the vehicle body is conveyed, the barcode is read by a barcode reader provided at the work terminals W1 to W6. Each work terminal W
1 to W9 read the inspection record of the frame number corresponding to the bar code from the inspection device data file 32, and display the work history, the name of the part to be attached, and the like on the screen.
After checking the above screen, the worker attaches predetermined parts to the vehicle body. At this time, the work status is read into the work terminal, and the work result is written in the inspection record together with the date and time. Thereafter, when the operator reads the frame number of the next vehicle body, the inspection record is returned to the inspection number data file 32 of the server 6, and the inspection record of the newly read frame number is read. Hereinafter, similarly, the parts mounting work is continued by the operator. Next, when the vehicle body after the mounting work is conveyed to the middle inspection terminal 15, the bar code attached to the vehicle body is read by the bar code reader, and the frame number is allocated. Is read from the inspection device data file 32 and displayed on the screen. The screen is confirmed by the operator, and a success is input by the code selector. At this time, if there is no entry or NG (defective) in the work data, a message indicating that the work is not accepted is displayed. Next, the middle inspection terminal 15 writes the frame number of the vehicle body for which the pass / fail result is output in the trigger file 34 and prints the pass / fail result. When the frame number is written in the trigger file, the management terminal 13 reads out the work data of the frame number written in the inspection device data file 32 and writes it in the transmission file 31. When work data is written in the transmission file 31, the work data is transmitted to the host computer 1 by the communication terminals (primary) 10 and (secondary) 11, and is stored on the host computer 1 side. Further, the management terminal 13 moves the work data corresponding to the frame number of the vehicle body shipped from the factory from the inspection device data file 32 to the storage file 33, and transfers the moved data to the inspection device data file 32.
Remove from. During the above-mentioned series of operations, each terminal writes its own operation status in the terminal operation confirmation file in the server 6. On the other hand, the backup terminal 40 executes the flowchart shown in FIG. 3 every predetermined time (for example, every minute). First, in step SA1, the terminal operation confirmation file 35 in the server is read. Next, the statuses of the management terminals 13, 17 and 29 are confirmed based on the terminal operation confirmation file 35. If the operation is normal, the result of the determination in step SA2 is “NO”, and the process ends. On the other hand, the management terminals 13, 17,
If it is determined that any one of the two is abnormal, the result of the determination in step SA2 is “YES”,
Proceed to step SA3. In step SA3, processing of the management terminal is performed on behalf of the corresponding management terminal. During the proxy processing, the status of the proxy management terminal may be displayed on the screen of the backup terminal 40 in real time. In addition, the management terminal where the abnormality has occurred
The worker is stopped by the operator during the proxy process of the backup terminal 40, and maintenance is performed. When the maintenance is completed, the result of the determination in step SA4 is “YE
S ”, and the process ends. Then, the management terminal is returned to the normal operation again. The backup terminal 40 that has completed the proxy processing of the management terminal again executes the flowchart of FIG.
And the operation of 29. On the other hand, the monitoring terminal 12 reads the terminal operation confirmation file 35 at predetermined time intervals, and displays
The operation status of each terminal obtained from the terminal operation confirmation file 35 is displayed. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a display example on the screen of the monitoring terminal 12. In the figure, the top line
The title T of the system, the date DATE of the unique system timer of the monitoring terminal 12, and the time TIME are displayed. On the screen, each server is displayed as a circle C1, C2, C3, and each terminal including a work terminal is displayed as a rectangular block. In this case, the illustrated AF1_SERVER corresponds to FIG.
AF2_SERVER indicates the server 7, and AF3_SERVER indicates the server 8. Each terminal is displayed on the administrative server in a tree shape, so that the configuration of the system can be easily checked. A block representing each terminal is provided with a terminal number indicating which terminal it is. The monitoring terminal 12 clearly indicates to the stopped terminal that the terminal is stopped, as indicated by a block B shown in oblique lines. In an actual screen, for example, it is displayed in red to call attention to the worker. The active terminal is displayed in blue on the actual screen. As described above, according to the present invention, the operating status of a plurality of terminal devices arranged on a continuous production line and the operating status of the terminal device are stored in a predetermined storage means in a server. a management terminal which is disposed in each continuous production line to be written to, at predetermined time intervals, reads the operating status written in the predetermined storage means, said continuous production line
To check the operating status of the plurality of management terminals disposed in each, before
In the case of any key management terminal it is determined to be abnormal, the tube
Because you like and a backup terminal to act for the process instead of the sense terminal, the continuous production of multiple continuous production line
An error has occurred in any of the multiple management terminals managed for each line
Can be produced without adversely affecting any production line.
The advantage is that production can be continued . Also, multiple
The management terminal of the continuous production line is operated by one backup terminal.
Production line system with reduced equipment costs.
It is possible to build a stem.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of various files exchanged between a server of the embodiment and each terminal. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating processing of a backup terminal in the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a display example on a screen of a monitoring terminal. [Description of Signs] 6,7,8 Servers 10,11 Communication Terminals (Terminal Devices) 13,17,29 Management Terminals 12,28 Monitoring Terminals (Terminal Devices) 15,18,30 Mid-Inspection Terminals (Terminal Devices) 16, 31 Complete inspection terminal (terminal device) 35 Terminal operation confirmation file (predetermined storage means) 40 Backup terminal L1, L2, L3 Production line W1 to W16 Work terminal (terminal device)

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04L 12/28-12/46 B23Q 41/08 G05B 19/418 H04L 1/22

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] [Claim 1] A plurality of sensors arranged for each continuous production line
Are arranged for each continuous production line corresponding to each
Rutotomoni, the operating status and its operation status of the continuous disposed production line a plurality of terminal devices, respectively
A plurality of tubes <br/> management terminal to be written in a predetermined storage means in the server for, at predetermined time intervals, reads the plurality of the operating status stored in a predetermined storage unit in the server, respectively, before
To check the operating status of the plurality of management terminals which are arranged for each serial continuous production line, when it is determined that abnormality of any of the management terminal, to act for the process instead of the management terminal determines that abnormal backup A terminal backup system comprising: a terminal;