JP6532082B2 - Product registration system and method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for adding an identification symbol to a product manufactured on a production line or the like, and associating (linking) various events at the time of manufacture with the identification symbol.

In products, for example, liquid beverage products, individual products distributed in the market are accompanied by a symbol for tracing the history of the products. The said symbol is an identification symbol called a so-called "lot number", and a serial number and a time conversion printing symbol are common.
If the product does not have the identification mark attached, it is impossible to prove management information of the process (process, manufacturing device, etc.) in which the product was made, in response to an inquiry from the consumer, and the product safety Can not be secured. Therefore, at the production site, a human or identification symbol recognition device registers the occurrence information of the event and the information of the identification number in the process (process, manufacturing device, etc.) each time various events occur during product manufacture. There is a need.

When registering the occurrence information of the event and the information of the identification number, if there is no worker to confirm the occurrence of the event and the identification number, or if the monitoring device etc. can not recognize, associate the event with the product. It can not be done and it does not become enough management information about the product concerned.
Even if there is a worker who confirms the occurrence of the event and the identification number, the time when the event occurs in the process or the like can not be predicted. In addition, when a plurality of events occur simultaneously (such as, for example, an abnormal warning signal), it is impossible to confirm the identification symbol when all the events occur. Furthermore, when there is an identification mark in a place that can not be confirmed by visual inspection by the operator, the operator can not confirm the identification mark at all.
That is, when the worker confirms the occurrence of the event and the identification number, the worker can not grasp most of the information, and only the information with many missing parts (so-called "tooth loss information"). For this reason, it is general that workers check only the determined minimum information at present.

  The same applies to the case where a symbol monitoring device by a monitor is installed in the manufacturing device, and the identification symbol is added even if the monitoring device is intended to detect the identification symbols placed on products of various designs. Depending on the design of the product, different parts (parts with identification marks) will be different parts such as the top, side, and bottom of the product. Therefore, the monitoring device needs a function to monitor the entire product. And in addition to the apparatus which exhibits the original product manufacturing function, in a manufacturing apparatus, the monitoring apparatus which has a function which monitors the whole product inside must be integrated, and it is difficult as a real problem.

In the case where the product itself to be shipped to the market is not provided with an identifying symbol or the like, it is difficult to associate with the device information in all steps of the product. In other words, if the product does not have an identification symbol, it is not possible to associate (associate) any information.
Therefore, it is conceivable to place workers in as many places as possible in order to register identification information in a product, but as described above, when occurrence of an event and confirmation of an identification number are performed by a worker's visual inspection, The grasp of the information is incomplete, and only information with many missing parts (so-called “tooth loss information”) can be obtained.
Also, as described above, it is practically difficult to provide the monitoring device in the manufacturing device.

Therefore, it is possible to easily put an identification symbol on products to be shipped to the market (raw materials and semi-finished products moving on the production line), and easily associate various events in manufacturing with the identification symbol ( Although there is a need for techniques to associate, it has not been proposed yet.
As another prior art, for example, an information processing system (traceability system) having a traceability having a function of preventing input information from being rewritten to incorrect information is proposed (see Patent Document 1). ).
Although this prior art (Patent Document 1) is useful, adding an identification symbol to a product (for example, a liquid beverage product) to be shipped to the market, or associating various events during manufacturing with the identification symbol. Is not intended.

Patent No. 5436475 gazette

  The present invention has been proposed in view of the problems of the prior art described above, and it is possible to easily put an identification mark on a product (for example, liquid beverage product) to be shipped to the market, and at the time of manufacture. A product that can easily associate (associate) various events with the identification code and prove the management information of the manufacturing process (process, manufacturing device, etc.) of the product in response to an inquiry from the consumer The purpose is to provide a registration system and method.

Product registration system of the present invention, a plurality of production lines (L, L1 to L3, LN1) provided in the apparatus of the most upstream in and adding time when the product (A) is passed to the product (e.g., print, etc.) to identify A symbol attachment device (E0),
A measuring device (sensors P10 to P36) provided in each of the devices in the manufacturing line (L, L1 to L3, LN1) to measure the time when the product passes;
When the product (A) passes, the measuring device (sensors P10 to P36) has a function of detecting the passing and measuring the passing time,
It has a control device (1) to which the measurement result of the measuring device (sensors P10 to P36) is input,
The control device (1) receives a measurement signal from a measuring device (sensors P10 to P36), generates an OFF signal when the product passes, and generates an ON signal when the product does not pass ; Has a function to record the time of generating the signal ,
The control device (1), and time product (A) is passed through the measuring device (P10～P36), time and the ON signal is generated, the product is upstream when the event has not occurred All devices through which the product (A) to which the identification code is added passes from the time required to pass from the second measuring device (P10 to P36, Pn-1) to the downstream measuring device (P10 to P36, Pn) (pathway step, etc.) in terms events occurring in the (event) the time that the product (a) has passed the identification code adding device (E0) (attached string) is characterized by having a function.
Here, the "information associated with the time when the product passes" is a symbol or other information that can be converted "one-to-one" with the time, or a symbol or other information that indicates the time itself.

  In the product registration system of the present invention, the control device (1) has a function of recording the occurrence time of an event, a function of specifying a device (route, process, etc.) where the event occurred, and a device where the event occurred. The function of calculating the time (the time in the area of the sensor Pn-1) at which the product passes the apparatus immediately upstream of the time (the time in the area of the sensor Pn) when the event occurs (the time in the area of the sensor Pn) It is preferable to have a function to determine whether the device located immediately upstream is the most upstream device.

Further, the product registration method of the present invention is
An identification code addition device (E0) (product A ) which is provided (for example, printed ) at the most upstream device in a plurality of production lines (L, L1 to L3, LN1) and passes (time to product) Adding the passed time to the product as an identification symbol;
The product passes through a measuring device (sensors P10 to P36) provided in each of the devices in the identification symbol attachment device (E0) or the production line (L, L1 to L3, LN1) to measure the time when the product (A) passes. Detecting that the vehicle has passed and measuring the time of the passage;
A step of generating an OFF signal when the product passes and generating an ON signal when the product does not pass by the measurement signal from the measuring device (sensors P10 to P36) and recording the time during which the ON signal is generated and,
And time product (A) is passed through the measuring device (P10~P36), time and the ON signal is generated, the product is upstream of the measuring device when the event has not occurred (P10～P36, Events that occur in all devices (paths, processes, etc.) through which the product to which the identification symbol is added passes only from the time required to pass from Pn-1) to the downstream measuring devices (P10 to P36, Pn) (event) product (a) is converted to a time which has passed through the identification code adding device (E0) (attached string) is characterized by having a step.

The product registration method of the present invention comprises the steps of recording the occurrence time of an event and identifying a device (route, process, etc.) where the event has occurred,
The step of associating (associating) the product with the time (identification symbol) at which the product passes the identification symbol attachment device (E0) is:
When the product passes through a device located immediately upstream of the time when the event occurred (the time measured by Pn) when the device where the event occurred is not the uppermost stream device, the time when the product passes through (Pn-1 measured) Calculating at time),
It is preferable to include the step of determining whether the device located immediately upstream is the most upstream device.
In this specification, an area from a certain sensor Pn to a point immediately before the sensor Pn + 1 immediately downstream (an area where the time when a product passes through the sensor Pn is measured) is referred to as “area of Pn”, “area of Pn”, It may be written as "Pn", "sensor Pn" or the like.

In the present specification, the side that supplies the raw material and the like in the production line is described as "upstream", and the side that carries it out for transport to the market is described as "downstream".
Further, the term "event" is intended to broadly encompass the stoppage of various devices and other abnormal situations.

  Furthermore, the term "product" in the present specification is used to mean not only finished products delivered to the market, but also raw materials and semi-finished products on the way of the so-called production line. ing.

According to the present invention having the above-described configuration, the time (time other than the stop time) of passing through the device (E0: a device for attaching an identification symbol to a product) disposed at the most upstream of the production device (production line) It is an identification symbol. Therefore, the product identification symbol is attached to the product as information (including the case of the passing time itself) that means the time when the product passes the most upstream device (E0). Here, since the product always passes through the uppermost stream device (E0), according to the present invention, even when the production line is changed, it is reliably added (printed) onto the product.
Further, according to the present invention, in all processes (including equipment and the like) through which the product to which the identification symbol is added passes, an event that occurs in a situation in which the product is moving is the maximum of the product for manufacturing equipment (manufacturing line). It is automatically linked with the time (identification symbol) passing through the device (E0) arranged upstream. Therefore, information on various events that occur when manufacturing the product is linked with the identification symbol of the product (to be related information) and managed with certainty. Then, in response to an inquiry from the consumer, the management information of the manufacturing process (process, manufacturing apparatus, etc.) of the product can be reliably proved.

When linking information (as related information) regarding various events that occurred when manufacturing a product with the identification symbol of the product, for example, the event may be stored in a storage device in an information processing system of a manufacturer of the product. Information about the product may be linked to the identification symbol of the product and recorded.
By recording in such a manner, when the consumer makes an inquiry, if the identification symbol is confirmed, it is possible to grasp information related to the event linked to it quickly, easily and accurately.

Further, according to the present invention, when the product with the identification mark passes, an OFF signal is generated, and when the product with the identification mark does not pass, an ON signal is generated. There is no need to process millions of units of ON signals as in conventional manufacturing lines that generate ON signals upon detection.
In the present invention, in which an OFF signal is generated when a product with an identification mark passes and an ON signal is generated when a product with an identification mark does not pass, the number of ON signals to be processed by the processing device is extremely small. There is no necessity to use a fast-processing sequencer. Therefore, it is possible to process the entire system with a general paper-work level PC.

It is a block diagram showing an outline of a production line to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing FIG. 1 in more detail and a block diagram of a production line to which the present invention is applied. It is a block diagram which shows the state in which several manufacturing lines are arrange | positioned in parallel. It is a figure for demonstrating recombination of a production line, Comprising: It is a block diagram which shows the new production line which combined two lines. It is explanatory drawing which shows the OFF signal of the state which the product with an identification mark passes, and the ON signal of the state where the product with an identification symbol does not pass. It is explanatory drawing which illustrates passage of a product, stop, and event occurrence. FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing an example of passage, stop and occurrence of a product in FIG. 2 by an ON signal and an OFF signal in FIG. 5; It is a figure which shows the aspect which has stringed the identification symbol from the event generation | occurence | production time in FIG. 2, Comprising: It is explanatory drawing illustrated by the ON signal and the OFF signal. It is a flow chart which shows the procedure which generates the OFF signal and the ON signal. It is a functional block diagram of a control device which controls generation of an OFF signal and an ON signal. It is a flowchart of the procedure which ties an identification symbol from the event generation | occurrence | production time illustrated in FIGS. 6-8. It is a functional block diagram of a control device which ties an identification symbol from event occurrence time shown in Drawing 6-Drawing 8.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
First, with reference to FIG. 1, an outline of a production line to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied will be described.
In FIG. 1, the product A (for example, including the material and material of the liquid beverage product and the semi-finished product) introduced into the production line L (for example, the production line for liquid beverage products) is first most upstream (left side in FIG. 1) Information associated with the time when the product A passes by the identification symbol attachment device E0 (identification symbol: including the case where the passage time itself is included) is added (e.g., printed). Thereafter, the product A proceeds to the apparatus E. In FIG. 1, various devices for carrying out each step (packaging, accumulation, other steps) for completing the product are collectively referred to as device E.
The product A completed as a product (shipped product) is carried out on the market after the production line L is completed (line off). . The product A (shipped product) to be shipped to the market is added with the identification code, and the identification code is a key of tracing when the product A is distributed to the market.

The production line shown in FIG. 1 is illustrated in more detail in FIG.
In FIG. 2, in the production line L to which the product A is introduced, the identification symbol adding device E0 converts the identification symbol into the product A (that is, the time when the product passes and the other information that can be converted by "one to one" , Add the symbol indicating the time itself, and other information), then carry out each step (packaging, accumulation, other steps) to complete the product with device E1, device E2, device E3, and the product (shipped product Complete as).

In FIG. 2, the left side is the upstream and the right side is the downstream. A measurement device P10 (uppermost sensor) is provided immediately downstream of the identification symbol attachment device E0, detects the passage of the product A, and measures the passage time. The passing time of the product A at the sensor P10 is equal to the passing time at the identification symbol attachment device E0.
In the illustrated embodiment, the identification symbol added to the product A by the identification symbol attachment device E0 (that is, the time when the product passes and the information that can be converted by “one to one”, or the information that indicates the time itself) The passing time of the identification symbol adding device E0 (the passing time of the sensor P10) is illustrated.

Measuring devices P11 and P12 (sensors) are provided on the inlet side and the outlet side of the device E1 located on the downstream side (right side in FIG. 2) of the identification symbol attachment device E0, and the passage of the product A is detected. Measure the passage time. Similarly, sensors P13 and P14 are provided on the inlet side and the outlet side of the device E2, respectively, to detect the passage of the product A and measure the passage time. Further, sensors P15 and P16 are provided on the inlet side and the outlet side of the device E3, respectively, and the passage of the product A is detected, and the time is measured.
In the example of FIG. 2, when the product A passes through the production line L and is carried out of the production line L as a finished product (line off), an identification code is added to the product A, and the product A is a sensor P10. The time of passing through P16 is measured.

In the example displayed in the middle row of FIG. 2 (the lower row of the manufacturing line L in which the devices E0 to E3 are interposed), the product A passes the sensor P10 and then the product A becomes the sensor of the device E1. The required time T1 to pass P11 is the time "X1".
Further, a required time T2 (a time required to move between the sensors P11 and P12) from when the product A passes the sensor P11 of the device E1 to when it passes the sensor P12 is “X2”.
Furthermore, the time required for product A to pass sensor P12 until sensor P13 is T3 is time "X3", and the time for sensor P13 to pass sensor P14 is T4 is time "X4" It is.

The identification symbol added to the product A by the identification symbol attachment device E0 and the measurement results of the sensors P10 to P16 are input to the control device 1 through each of the input signal lines ISL.
The control device 1 detects the event (event) generated in all the devices (paths, processes, etc.) through which the product A to which the identification symbol is added passes, the time when the product A passes the identification symbol attachment device E0 (ie, sensor It is a passing time of P10, and has a function to associate (associate) with the identification symbol in the illustrated example.

The lower part of FIG. 2 (the row in which a large number of products A are arranged) represents a state in which the products A move continuously on the manufacturing line L (manufacturing apparatus). The products A are successively introduced into the manufacturing line L, and the individual products A sequentially move from the identification code attachment device E0 to the downstream side (the right side in FIG. 2) passing the sensors P10 to P16, and finished products (shipped products) As the production line L (line off).
A large number of products A simultaneously exist on the production line L, move, and gradually move downstream.

When manufacturing a product (for example, a liquid beverage product), there are cases where a plurality of types of products are manufactured or even the same type of products is manufactured by a plurality of lines. FIG. 3 shows a state in which a plurality of production lines are arranged in parallel.
In FIG. 3, three production lines L1, L2 and L3 are arranged in parallel.
In the manufacturing line L1, from the upstream side (left side in FIG. 3), identification code addition devices E01 and devices E11, E12, E12, E13 are arranged, and on the downstream side (outlet side: right side in FIG. 3) of identification code addition device E01. A sensor P10 is arranged.
Sensors P11 and P12 are provided on the upstream side (inlet side: left side of FIG. 3) and downstream of the device E11, and sensors P13 and P14 are provided on the upstream and downstream sides of the device E12, and upstream of the device E12 The sensors P15 and P16 are provided on the downstream side.

The production lines L2 and L3 are also configured in the same manner as the line L1. That is, identification mark addition devices E02, devices E21, E22, and E23 are disposed on the manufacturing line L2, and the sensor P20 is on the outlet side of the identification symbol addition device E02, and the inlet and outlet sides of the respective devices E21 to E23. Sensors P21, P22, P23, P24, P25, P26 are provided. And, identification mark attaching device E03, devices E31, E32, E33 are arranged in production line L3, sensor P30 at the exit side of identification symbol attaching device E03, entrance side and exit side of each device E31-E33 in order Sensors P31, P32, P33, P34, P35, and P36 are provided.
The identification symbol adding devices E02 and E03 are the same as the identification symbol adding device E0 described with reference to FIG. The sensors P20 to P26 and the sensors P30 to P36 are also similar to the sensors P10 to P16 described with reference to FIG.

Products A1, A2, A3 (including materials, semi-finished products, etc.) are introduced into the manufacturing lines L1, L2, L3 to produce a plurality of types of products (finished products) in parallel.
Identification symbols are added to the products A1, A2 and A3 (finished products) manufactured and completed by the manufacturing lines L1, L2 and L3, respectively, and they are taken out of the manufacturing line (line off) and shipped to the market Ru. At that time, in addition to the identification mark being added to each of the products A1, A2 and A3 (the finished products lined off), the passing time of each sensor P10 to P36 is measured and added to the products The identification symbol and the time (passing time) of passing each sensor P10 to P36 are input to the control device (control device 1 of FIG. 2) not shown in FIG.
In some cases, the same kind of product (for example, A1) may be manufactured in a plurality of manufacturing lines (for example, manufacturing lines L1 and L2).

Here, there are cases where it is necessary to combine a plurality of production lines for some reason to produce a product on a new production line.
FIG. 4 shows such a new production line, showing that the first half of the existing production line L1 and the second half of the production line L2 are combined to form a new production line LN1.
In FIG. 4, in the existing production lines L1 and L2, areas not adopted in the new production line LN1 (the latter half of the production line L1 and the first half of the production line L2) are indicated by dotted lines.

Identification mark attachment devices E01 and devices E11, E22 and E23 are arranged in the new production line LN1 in FIG. 4, and the sensor P10 and each of the devices E11 to E23 are provided on the outlet side (downstream side: right side) of the identification mark attachment device E01. Sensors P11, P12, P23, P24, P25, and P26 are provided on the inlet side (upstream side: left side) and the outlet side, respectively.
Identification symbols are added to the products AN1 manufactured by the manufacturing line LN1. Further, the passing time at which the product AN1 during production passes by each sensor P10 to P26 is measured, and the identification symbol and the passing time of each sensor P10 to P26 are not shown in FIG. 4 (control device 1 in FIG. It is input to).

In a manufacturing line according to the prior art (not shown), when a monitoring device (a device corresponding to sensors P10 to P16 etc.) in each manufacturing device detects a product, an ON signal is generated and the ON signal is processed by the control device. The In that case, it is necessary to process several million units of ON signals in the entire production line, so a sequencer having a high processing speed is essential to the production apparatus. And, since the sequencer is essential, there are various limitations such as cost and installation space.
On the other hand, in the illustrated embodiment, the monitoring device (e.g., sensors P10 to P16) turns on and off signals so that a general personal computer (PC) at the business process level can process the entire system. The mechanism that occurs is different from conventional production lines.
In the illustrated embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, in the state where a product with an identification mark passes, a signal from a monitoring device (such as sensors P10 to P16) is treated as an "OFF signal" and an identification mark is added. Treat the signal in the state where the passed product does not pass as "ON signal".

A mechanism for processing the signals from the sensors P10 to P16 as “OFF signal” and “ON signal” in the illustrated embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 5 (1) shows a case where a product to which an identification symbol is added does not pass a specific sensor P (for example, P11), and a detection signal from the sensor P is transmitted via a control device (not shown). It is processed as an ON signal (described later with reference to FIG. 9). In FIG. 5, the horizontal axis (direction from left to right in FIG. 5) is a time axis T.
After one of the states shown in FIG. 5 (1), for example, when one product passes the sensor P at time "β-1", after time "β-1" as shown in FIG. 5 (2), The signal generated from the sensor P is processed as an OFF signal via the controller. That is, it is processed as that which generate | occur | produced the OFF signal after time "(beta) -1."

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5 (3), when the (next) product does not pass within the predetermined time T0 after the product passes at time “β-1” in FIG. 5 (2), From the time when the predetermined time T0 has elapsed, it is processed as an ON signal through the control device. In other words, after the product passes at time "β-1", if the (next) product does not pass within the predetermined time T0, an ON signal is generated.
Here, the predetermined time T0 is a time interval of products passing the sensor P continuously, and is set in consideration of a time interval between products moving continuously in the manufacturing line.
On the other hand, after the product passes at time "β-1" in FIG. 5 (2), if the next product passes at time "β-2" within predetermined time T0, for example, as shown in FIG. 5 (4) As shown, the OFF signal is continued.

In the production equipment, it is an emergency situation that some events occur and the equipment shuts down and the product with the identification mark does not pass, and the normal operation takes place during such emergency situations. There is less than time being done.
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, when a product with an identification mark passes, an OFF signal is generated, and when a product with an identification mark does not pass, an ON signal is generated. The number of ON signals to be processed (in other words, generated ON signals) is extremely small, and the entire system is processed with a general processing level PC without using a fast sequencer. Is possible.

Next, an example of passing of the product in the sensors P10, P11 and P12 of FIG. 2 and an event (stop, event) will be described with reference to FIG.
Here, the term "event" is a term that broadly includes the shutdown of various devices and other abnormal situations.
In FIG. 6, for the product A introduced to the production line, the identification code (based on the time when the product A passes the sensor P10) is provided by the identification symbol attachment device (not shown) disposed at the uppermost stream (the leftmost side in FIG. 6). (Identification symbol created) is added. It is the passing time of the sensor P10 of each product A described in the frame of each product A of the upstream sensor P10.
In the example of FIG. 6, the identification symbol of each passing product A is the time when each product A passes the sensor P10. As described above, the identification code given to the product is information that can specify the passing time at which the sensor P10 passes by "one to one", or is the passing time itself.
Described in the frame of each product A passing sequentially through the sensors P11 and P12 is the passing time of the sensors P11 and P12 of each product A (not identification symbols).

In FIG. 6, the passage time of the product A passing the sensor P10 first is "time 00:01", and the continuous product A passes the sensor P10 sequentially every one minute. In other words, the passage time of the product A having passed the sensor P10 secondly is "time 00:02", and the passage time of the product A having passed the sensor P10 third is "time 00:03".
In the example of FIG. 6, there is no product A passing through the sensor P10 between “time 00:05 to 00:20” and “time 00:23 to 00:33”, and the production line in FIG. (Stop period ST-1, ST-2). While the production line is stopped, the product A does not pass the sensor P10.

The product A having passed the sensor P10 moves the manufacturing line downstream (right and lower) and proceeds to the downstream sensor P11. In this specification, the area from the sensor P10 to immediately before the sensor P11 (the upper area in FIG. 6) is referred to as "P10 area", "P10 area", "P10", "sensor P10", etc. There is.
The required time T1 from when the same product A passes the sensor P10 to when it passes the sensor P11 is X1. For example, the product A ("identification code 00: 01") which passes the sensor P10 at "time 00: 01" ) Passes through the sensor P11 at “time 00: 01 + X1”. Further, the product A of “identification code 00:02” passes the sensor P11 at “time 00: 02 + X1”, and the product A of “identification code 00:03” passes the sensor P11 at “time 00: 03 + X1”.
Further, the product A of “identification symbol 00:20” that has passed the sensor P10 after the stop period ST-1 passes the sensor P11 at “time 00: 20 + X1”. In FIG. 6, the passage time is generally displayed as "time XX: XX".

In the sensor P11 (middle row in FIG. 6), stop periods ST-3 and ST-4 exist. In the stop periods ST-3 and ST-4, the stop periods ST-1 and ST-2 in the sensor P10 (the row of jokes in FIG. 6) are downstream (rear side) by the required time T1 (= X1) in the sensor P11. It is something that has been generated. Details will be described later with reference to FIG.
As in the case of the sensor P10, during the stop periods ST-3 and ST-4, the product A to which the identification symbol is given does not pass through the sensor P11.
In this specification, the area from the sensor P11 to the position immediately before the sensor P12 (the middle area in FIG. 6) is described as "area of P11", "area of P11", "P11", "sensor P11", etc. There is. In the example of FIG. 6, in the sensor P11, an event EV (event) occurs at "time ZZ: Z1".

  The product A having passed through the sensor P11 sequentially proceeds downstream and passes through the sensor P12 (the lower row in FIG. 6). The required time T2 from product A passing sensor P11 to sensor P12 is X2, for example, product A with identification code “00:01” passes sensor P12 at “time 00: 01 + X 1 + X 2” . The product A of “identification symbol 00:02” passes the sensor P12 at “time 00: 02 + X1 + X2”, and the product A of “identification symbol 00:20” passes the sensor P12 at “time 00: 20 + X1 + X2”.

Also in the sensor P12, stop periods ST-5 and ST-6 exist. The stop periods ST-5 and ST-6 are generated with the stop periods ST-1 and ST-2 of the sensor P10 being shifted downstream by the required time T12 (= (X1 + X2)).
As in the case of the sensors P10 and P11, the product A does not pass the sensor P12 during the stop periods ST-5 and ST-6.
In this specification, the area from the sensor P12 to immediately before the downstream sensor P13 (not shown) (the lower area in FIG. 6) is referred to as “area P12”, “area P12”, “P12”, “sensor It may be written as "P12" etc. In the example of FIG. 6, in the sensor P12, an event EV (event) occurs at “time ZZ: Z2” and “time ZZ: Z3”.

Here, FIG. 6 shows the time when each product passes through the sensors P10, P11 and P12, but the “OFF signal” (when the product passes) described with reference to FIG. It is FIG. 7 which showed generation | occurrence | production of stop other events (event) using the signal (when the product does not pass) and abbreviate | omitting illustration of each product.
In FIG. 7, the product introduced into the production line is added with an identification mark by an identification mark addition device E0 (not shown in FIG. 7) provided at the most upstream position (identification based on the passing time of the sensor P10). Symbol is given).
In the same manner as described in FIG. 6, in FIG. 7 and thereafter, the region immediately downstream from the sensor Pn immediately before the sensor Pn + 1 is “region of Pn”, “area of Pn”, “Pn”, “sensor Pn It may be written as "etc."

The product passes through sensor P10 in periods OP1, OP2, and OP3 on the axis (the axis extending in the left and right direction in FIG. 7) displaying the time axis in FIG. It sends out "OFF signal" through.
The time when the product in the period OP1 passes the sensor P10 is the time of the start point and the end point of the period OP1 in “P10” in the upper part of FIG. 7, and is “time XX: X1 to XX: X2.” In FIG. 7, the passage time is displayed as an identification symbol.
Similarly, the time ranges of the passing products to be targeted in the periods OP2 and OP3 are “time XX: X3 to XX: X4” and “time XX: X5 to XX: X6”, respectively.

On the other hand, in the sensor P10, stop periods ST-1 ("time XX: X2 to XX: X3") and ST-2 ("time XX: X4 to XX: X5") exist, during which the sensor P10 The measurement signal is processed as an "ON signal" via the controller. In other words, in the stop period ST-1 ("time XX: X2 to XX: X3") and ST-2 ("time XX: X4 to XX: X5"), the sensor P10 transmits an "ON signal" Treat as there is.
The product A does not pass the sensor P10 in the stop periods ST-1 and ST-2. Therefore, in FIG. 7, “identification symbol XX: X1 to XX: X2”, “identification symbol XX: X3 to XX: X4”, and “identification symbol XX: X5 to XX: X6” pass through the sensor P10. It is the granted product A.

As described above with reference to FIG. 6, the products passing through the sensor P10 sequentially go downstream and pass through the sensor P11, but the time required for the product to pass through the sensor P10 to pass through the sensor P11 is T1. It is time X1. Therefore, the product passes the sensor P10 and passes the sensor P11 after the required time T1 (time X1) as long as the operation is performed smoothly without occurrence of an event.
In “sensor P11” in the middle stage of FIG. 7, the product passes sensor P11 in periods OP4, OP5, and OP6, and sensor P11 is assumed to transmit “OFF signal” via the control device during that period. It is processed.
On the other hand, in the sensor P11, the stop period ST-3 ("time XX: X7 to XX: X8") and ST-4 ("time XX: X9 to XX: X10") exist, during which the sensor P11 controls It is processed as transmitting an "ON signal" through the device. And in stop period ST-3 and ST-4, a product does not pass sensor P11.

In the row showing the occurrence of a stop or other event in the sensor PXX (arbitrary sensor on the downstream side) shown in the lower part of FIG. 7, the product passing through the immediately preceding sensor (the sensor P11 in the middle of FIG. 7) It passes sensor PXX one by one. And the required time TX from when the product passes the sensor P11 immediately before to the sensor PXX is time "XX". In other words, the product passes the sensor PXX a required time TX (time XX) after passing the sensor P11 immediately before.
In the sensor PXX, in the periods OP7, OP8, and OP9 in which the product passes the sensor PXX, the sensor PXX is processed as transmitting the "OFF signal" through the control device.
On the other hand, in the sensor PXX, in the stop period ST-5 ("time XX: XX1 to XX: XX2") and ST-6 ("time XX: XX3 to XX: XX4"), the sensor PXX It is processed as transmitting the "ON signal". And in stop period ST-5 and ST-6, a product does not pass sensor PXX. In the sensor PXX, an event EV (event) has occurred at "time ZZ: Z1".

Next, with reference to FIG. 8, the time when a product passes sensors P10, P11, and P12, and an aspect such as an event such as a stop in the manufacturing line are linked with an identification symbol will be described. In other words, a mode in which the passing time of the sensors P11 and P12 is linked to the passing time of the sensor P10 will be described with reference to FIG.
In FIG. 8, the occurrence time of the event is shown according to FIG. 7 as “ON signal” and “OFF signal” and illustration of individual products is omitted, but in FIG. 7, it is indicated by reference numerals “XX: XX” The time of day was indicated by a specific number.
In FIG. 8, the time when the product passes through the sensor P10 disposed immediately downstream (immediately downstream) of the identification symbol attachment device (not shown) is started at "time 00:00". In sensor P10, stop period ST-1 ("time 03:00" to "time 03:05") and ST-2 ("time 06:00" to "time 06:05") exist, during which sensor P10 It is processed as what has emitted the "ON signal" via the control device, and the product does not pass the sensor P10.

The sensor P10 does not include the stop periods ST-1 and ST-2 at “time 00:00 to 03:00”, “time 03:05 to 06:00”, and “time 06:05 to 10:00”. , And is processed as transmitting an "OFF signal" through the control device. In the meantime, the product passes sensor P10.
Therefore, the product to be subjected to processing to link the passing time of the sensors P11 and P12 with the passing time of the sensor P10 is “00:00 to 03:00”, “03:05 to 06:00” for the sensor P10, It is a product that has passed from "06:05 to 10:00". In the illustrated embodiment, the identification symbols are "00:00 to 03:00", "03:05 to 06:00", and "06:05 to 10:00".

The product passing through the sensor P10 sequentially moves downstream and passes through the sensor P11, but the time required for the product to pass through the sensor P10 to pass through the sensor P11 is 10 minutes in the example of FIG. It is. Therefore, the passage of the product in the sensor P11 is started at "time 00:10".
In the sensor P11 shown in the middle part of FIG. 8, the stop period ST-3 ("time 03:10" to "time 03:15"), ST-4 ("time 06:10" to "time 06:15 '), During which time the sensor P11 is treated as emitting an "ON signal" via the control device, during which time the product does not pass (does not flow) through the sensor P11. In the stop periods ST-3 and ST-4, the stop periods ST-1 and ST-2 in the sensor P10 are shifted after the required time T1 (= 10 minutes) in the sensor P11.

In the sensor P11, events (events) EV1, EV2, and EV3 occur.
The event EV1 is, for example, a material change in the manufacturing line, and occurs at “time 00:50”.
The event EV2 is, for example, an alarm occurrence and occurs at “time 06:12”.
The event EV3 is, for example, the repair of the alarm, and occurs at "time 06:50".

The products having passed through the sensor P11 sequentially go further downstream and pass through the sensor P12. The time required for the product to pass sensor P11 until sensor P12 is 5 minutes in the example of FIG. Therefore, passage of the product A in the sensor P12 is started at "time 00:15".
In sensor P12 shown in the lower part of FIG. 8, stop period ST-5 ("time 03:15" to "time 03:20"), ST-6 ("time 06:15" to "time 06:20 "), During which the sensor P12 is being treated as sending an" ON signal "via the controller, and the product does not flow through the sensor P12. The stop periods ST-5 and ST-6 are generated when the stop periods ST-1 and ST-2 in the sensor P10 are shifted downstream by the required time T1 + T2 (= 15 minutes) in the sensor P12.
In the sensor P12, an event EV4 (event) has occurred. The event EV4 is, for example, a material change in the manufacturing line, and occurs at “time 05:16”.

The control device 1 (see FIG. 2) not shown in FIG. 8 detects an identification symbol from the identification symbol attachment device E0 and detection of product passage from each sensor P10 to P12 (P10 to P16 in FIG. 2) and measurement of passage time Upon receiving the result, it has a function to associate (associate) an event (event) generated at the sensors P10 to P12 through which the product to which the identification symbol is added passes, with the time when the product passes the sensor P10.
Here, the passage time of the product to be measured by the sensor P10 is, as described above, the time at which the identification symbol adding device E0 is to be the basis of the identification symbol creation.
Further, "information associating (associating) time when the product passes" is a symbol or other information that can be corresponded (or converted) "one-to-one" with the time concerned, or the time itself.

Taking events EV1 to EV4 shown in FIG. 8 as an example, an event (event) generated in the sensors P10 to P12 through which the product to which the identification symbol is added passes is linked with the time when the product passes the sensor P10 ) Will be described.
An event EV1 in FIG. 8 indicates that the material change is performed at “time 00:50” in a state (process) in which the product moves the sensor P11. In the illustrated embodiment, the control device 1 refers to the “time 00:50” at which the event EV1 is generated by the sensor P11 and the required time T1 from the sensor P10 to the sensor P11 = 10 minutes (constant) to the event EV1. Is linked with the time (corresponding to the identification symbol) of the sensor P10 (uppermost sensor P10) immediately upstream of the sensor P10. In the tying, “time 00:40” obtained by subtracting the required time T1 (= 10 minutes) from “time 00:50” at which the event EV1 has occurred is tied as a time at the sensor P10. And event EV1 is stringed with "identification symbol 00:40."
The event EV1 in the sensor P11 is linked with "identification symbol 00:40", and it is possible to judge whether the product is affected by the event EV1 by managing the information "identification symbol 00:40". It can.

The event EV2 in FIG. 8 is an event that an alarm occurs at “time 06:12” in the sensor P11 for some reason. In this case, the control device 1 sets “time 06:12” and the required time T1 (= 10 minutes: required time for the product to pass the sensor P10 to pass the sensor P11: constant) when the event EV2 occurs Based on this, “time 06:12” at which the event EV2 has occurred is converted to the time at the sensor P10. Specifically, “time 06: 02” obtained by subtracting the required time 10 minutes from “time 06: 12” at which event EV 2 occurred is calculated (converted) as the time at sensor P 10 (“time 06: 12” Travel time 10 minutes).
Here, in the sensor P10, "time 06: 02" is the stop time ST-1 and the product to which the identification code is attached has not moved (the sensor P10 is processed as "ON signal" via the control device).
Thus, when it corresponds to the stop time as a result of conversion, the event EV2 is “immediately before“ time 06:02 ”in the sensor P10 and the product is moving“ time 06:00 ”(sensor P10 is linked to "time 06:00" processed as "OFF signal" via the control device. Then, it can be linked with “identification symbol 06:00”.

The event EV3 in FIG. 8 is an event indicating that the cause of the alarm generated in the event EV2 is eliminated at “time 06:50” at P11, for example, and the alarm is repaired.
In linking event EV3, control device 1 subtracts the required time (T1 = 10 minutes: constant) from "time 06: 50" at which event EV3 occurred at sensor P11, and generates event EV3 occurrence time at sensor P10. It ties with "time 06:40"("time06:50"-required time 10 minutes). That is, it can be associated with "identification symbol 06: 40".

The event EV4 is an event indicating that the material change has been performed at “time 05:16” at P12. At the event EV4, the control device 1 converts the “time 05:16” at which the event EV4 has occurred at P12 into the time at the sensor P11 immediately upstream of the P12. Therefore, the required time T2 (= 5 minutes: the time required for the product to pass the sensor P11 until the product passes the sensor P12: constant) from the “time 05:16” at which the event EV4 occurred is reduced to “P11”. It converts with time 05:11 "(" time 05:16 "-required time 5 minutes).
Next, “time 05: 11” is converted into the time at the sensor P11 immediately upstream of P10 in the sensor P11. Specifically, the required time T1 (= 10 minutes: the time required for the product to pass the sensor P10 to the sensor P11: constant) is subtracted from “time 05:11” converted to the sensor P11 , "Time 05: 01" in the sensor P10 ("time 05: 11"-required time 10 minutes). That is, it can be linked with "identification symbol 05: 01".

As described above, the events EV1 to EV4 of which the product has occurred at the sensor P11 or P12 are all converted to the time at the sensor P10 of the most upstream product, and can be associated with the identification symbol. Then, by managing the information converted to the time in the sensor P10 and linked to the identification symbol, it can be determined whether the manufactured product is affected by the events EV1 to EV4.
Although not clearly illustrated, in the illustrated embodiment, information on various events that occur in manufacturing a product is linked to the identification symbol of the product as described above (as relevant information) At the time of management, for example, information of events EV1 to EV4 is linked to the time (identification symbol) of the sensor P10 and recorded in a storage device in an information processing system of a maker of a product. By recording in this way, when the consumer makes an inquiry, if the identification symbol of the inquired product is confirmed, it is possible to grasp the event linked with it quickly, easily and accurately. .

Next, referring to FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, as described above with reference to FIG. 5, the product in which the identification symbol is passed generates an "OFF signal" and the identification symbol is attached. Control which generates an "ON signal" in the state where it does not pass is demonstrated.
First, with reference to FIG. 9, a procedure for executing such control will be described. The control shown in FIG. 9 is a control that generates an "OFF signal" when a product with an identification mark passes and generates an "ON signal" when a product with an identification mark does not pass. Based on the detection signal of the product passage and the passage time which are input to the control device 1 from the sensors P10 to P16 (see FIG. 2), the control device 1 executes.

In FIG. 9, in step S1, it is determined based on the detection signal from the sensor P whether or not the product has passed the sensor P.
If the product does not pass ("No" at step S1), the process proceeds to step S2.
In step S2, an "ON signal" is generated, and the process returns to step S1 (a loop in which step S1 is NO: corresponding to (1) in FIG. 5).
If the product passes in step S1 ("Yes" in step S1), the process proceeds to step S3. In step S3, an "OFF signal" is generated (corresponding to (2) in FIG. 5). Then, the process proceeds to step S4. In step S4, clocking is started, and the process proceeds to step S5.

In step S5, it is determined whether or not the next product has passed the sensor P within a predetermined time T0 (see FIG. 5) from the start of clocking in step S4. If the next product does not pass the sensor P within the predetermined time T0 ("No" at step S5), the process proceeds to step S6 to generate an "ON signal" (corresponding to (3) in FIG. 5). Then, the process proceeds to step S7.
In step S7, the clocking started in step S4 is reset, and the process returns to step S1 to repeat the control.

When the next product passes sensor P10 within predetermined time T0 in Step S5 (Step S5 is "Yes"), it progresses to Step S8. In step S8, the "OFF signal" is maintained (corresponding to (4) in FIG. 5), and the process proceeds to step S9.
In step S9, the clocking started in step S4 is reset, and the process proceeds to step S10.
In step S10, it is determined whether the control shown in FIG. 9 is to be ended.
When the control of FIG. 9 is ended (step S10 is “Yes”), the process is ended. When the control of FIG. 9 is not ended (step S10 is “No”), the process returns to step S4 to start clocking and steps S4 to S10. Repeat control of.

FIG. 10 shows a functional block diagram of a control device that executes the control of FIG.
In FIG. 10, various functional blocks are disposed in the control device 1 (shown by dotted lines) in order to perform the control of FIG. 9 (control to generate the “ON signal” and the “OFF signal”). That is, the first determination block 1A, the second determination block 1B, the clocking device 1C, the ON signal generation block 1D, the OFF signal generation block 1E, and the storage device 1F.
Each of the functional blocks is described below. In FIG. 10, reference symbol ISL denotes an input signal line, and reference symbol IIF denotes an input side interface. The code OSL is an output signal line, and the code OIF is an output side interface.

A detection signal (a detection signal as to whether a product has passed through the sensor and a measurement result of a passing time) sent from the sensors P10 to P16 is input to the first determination block 1A, and based on the detection signal , It is determined whether the product has passed the sensor (sensors P10 to P16).
The first determination block 1A has a function of generating a signal instructing the ON signal generation block 1D to generate an "ON signal" when the product does not pass the sensor, and a case where the product passes the sensor Has a function of generating a signal instructing the OFF signal generation block 1E to generate an "OFF signal". Furthermore, the first determination block 1A has a function of transmitting a signal indicating that the product has passed and a signal of the measurement result of the passage time when the product passes the sensor. The first determination block 1A has a function of activating the timer 1C when the product passes through the sensor.

The second decision block 1B receives a signal from the first decision block 1A to the effect that the product has passed, and the product from the timing device 1C (activated by the signal from the first decision block 1A) passes the sensor Receive the elapsed time since then. And the second judgment block 1B has a function to judge whether or not the next product passes the sensor within the predetermined time T0 after the product passes immediately before (the next product passes the sensor) ing.
Then, the second judgment block 1B sends a signal to the OFF signal generation block 1E to maintain the "OFF signal" when the next product passes within the predetermined time T0 (after the product passes immediately before). It has a function to transmit, and has a function to transmit a signal to the ON signal generation block 1D to generate an "ON signal" when the next product has not passed within the predetermined time T0. .
In addition to that, the second determination block 1B also has a function of resetting the clocking device 1C when transmitting a control signal to the ON signal generation block 10D or the OFF signal generation block 1E.

As described above, when the product does not pass the sensor, the ON signal generation block 1D generates an “ON signal” according to the command of the first determination block 1A and the second determination block 1B. It has a function to transmit to the storage device 2 in an external information processing system.
As described above, when the product passes the sensor, the OFF signal generation block 1E generates an “OFF signal” according to the command of the first determination block 1A and the second determination block 1B. It has a function to transmit to the storage device 2 in an external information processing system.
The predetermined time T0, T1 and T2 are recorded in the storage device 1F, and the storage device 1F has a function of transmitting a necessary predetermined time at the time of determination by the second determination block 1B.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, control of linking the event occurrence time shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 with the time of the uppermost stream sensor P10 and linking the identification symbol will be described.
FIG. 11 shows the procedure of linking identification symbols from the event occurrence time shown in FIGS.
In FIG. 11, in step S11, it is determined whether an event has occurred. Although not clearly illustrated, a detection mechanism is disposed in the manufacturing line for detecting the occurrence of an event such as various abnormalities and transmitting it to the control device 1 together with the occurrence time.
If it is determined in step S11 that an event does not occur ("NO" in step S11), the process proceeds to step S12, and if it is determined that an event occurs ("YES" in step S11), the process proceeds to step S13.
In step S12, it is determined whether or not to end the control of FIG. 11. If not ("NO" in step S12), the process returns to step S11 to repeat the control.

In step S13 (when an event occurs: "YES" in step S11), the area (the position of the sensor) where the event occurred and the occurrence time are recorded, and the process proceeds to step S14.
In step S14, it is determined whether an event has occurred in the area of the most upstream sensor P10.
If it is determined in step S14 that the area where the event has occurred is the area of sensor P10 ("YES" in step S14), the process proceeds to step S15, and it is determined that the area where the event has occurred is not the area of sensor P10. ("NO" at step S14) proceeds to step S16.

In step S15 (when the event occurs in the most upstream sensor P10), the occurrence time of the event (time of P10) recorded in step S13 is associated with the identification symbol of the product (corresponding to the time of sensor P10). And it returns to step S11 and repeats control.
On the other hand, in step S16 (when the event occurs in the area of the sensor other than the most upstream sensor P10), the occurrence time of the event recorded in step S13 is converted into the area (directly above area) of the sensor one upstream (string wear). For example, when an event occurs in the area of the sensor P13, the event occurrence time in the sensor P13 is converted (linked) to the time of the sensor P12. When performing such linking, as described above with reference to FIG. 8, the time required for the product to pass through the sensor P12 to pass through the sensor P13 is subtracted.
In the explanation on the steps following step S16, the time of the sensor in the directly above area (the time converted to the time of immediately above area: if the event is sensor P13, the time of sensor P12) is referred to as "corresponding time". Describe.
In step S16, when the process returns from step S19 and the processing is performed, the corresponding time obtained in the immediately preceding step S18 is further converted to (corresponding to) the corresponding time of the sensor immediately above.

After step S16, the process proceeds to step S17. In step S17, it is determined whether the corresponding time linked in step S16 is the stop period (period of the "ON signal") of the area directly above.
In step S17, when it is determined that the corresponding time is the stop period (period of “ON signal”) of the immediately above area (“YES” in step S17), the process proceeds to step S18. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S17 that the corresponding time is not the stop period (period of the "ON signal") of the immediately above area ("NO" in step S17), the process proceeds to step S19.
In step S18, the corresponding time determined to be the stop period of the immediately above area (period of the "ON signal") is the time when the "off signal" is generated immediately before the corresponding time of the immediately above area (ie, the product moves The time when the "OFF signal" is generated immediately before the corresponding time of the area immediately above is set as the corresponding time again. In other words, in step S18, in response to the determination result of step S17, when the corresponding time is the stop period of the area immediately above, the corresponding time linked in step S16 is corrected.

In step S19, it is determined whether the area immediately above is the area of the sensor P10 on the most upstream side. If it is determined in step S19 that the area directly above is the area of the sensor P10 ("YES" in step S19), the process proceeds to step S20.
On the other hand, when it is determined that the area directly above is not the sensor P10 ("NO" in step S19), the process returns to step S16.
In step S20, the corresponding time is set as the time of the sensor P10. Then, the process proceeds to step S15, and in step S15, the time of the sensor P10 is associated with the identification symbol of the product.

FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram of control device 1 that executes the control described in FIG. 11 (a control of linking the event occurrence time shown in FIGS. 6-8 with the time of sensor P10 on the most upstream side). The controller 1 is shown in dotted lines.
In FIG. 12, the control device 1 includes an event occurrence judgment block 1G, a most upstream area judgment block 1H, an area immediately above the area decision block 1I, a time immediately above area (corresponding time) decision block 1J, an identification symbol decision block 1K and storage. It has a device 1L.

Event occurrence judgment block 1G detects the occurrence of events such as various abnormalities, and is inputted from a detection mechanism (not shown) or sensors P10 to P16 which transmits it to the control device 1 with the occurrence time. It has a function to select event (event) occurrence information (area, content, time) from the measurement result and to determine the occurrence of the event. In FIG. 12, "sensors P10 to P16" also include a detection mechanism not shown.
Note that measurement information from a detection mechanism (not shown) and the sensors P10 to P16 is also input to the storage device 1L and recorded.
When the event judgment block 1G judges that an event has occurred, it sends that information and information (area, contents, time of occurrence) concerning the event to the most upstream area judgment block 1H, The information on the event is also transmitted to the storage device 1L.

The most upstream area determination block 1H receives the determination result of the event occurrence in the event occurrence determination block 1G, and the sensor P10 in which the event is the most upstream area from the information (area, content, time of occurrence) regarding the event It has a function to determine whether or not it has occurred.
When it is determined that the event has occurred in the area of the sensor P10, the most upstream area determination block 1H transmits the determination result and information on the event (the area, the content, and the time of occurrence) to the identification symbol determination block 1K. It also has a function. The event occurrence time referred to here corresponds to the identification symbol in the sensor P10 or is the identification symbol itself.
If the upstream area judgment block 1H judges that the event is not generated by the sensor P10, it transmits the judgment result and information on the event (area generated, contents, time of generation) to the area determination block 1I directly above It has a function. The most upstream area determination block 1H has a function of transmitting the determination result to the storage device 1L.

When the most upstream area determination block 1H determines that the most upstream area determination block 1H does not generate an event at the sensor P10, the determination result of the most upstream area determination block 1H and information on each area acquired from the storage device 1L And the area immediately above the area (area immediately above) where the event is occurring (the area of the sensor).
For example, if an event occurs in the area of the sensor P13, the "one upstream area (directly above area)" is the area of P12.

The time immediately above area (corresponding time) decision block 1J receives the decision result of immediately above area decision block 1I, and further from memory device 1L “the required time (the product passes the sensor Pn-1 immediately above area) The required time until passing through the sensor Pn: constant), "time of stop period of immediately above area", area information etc. are acquired, and time (correspondence time) in immediately above area corresponding to time of event occurrence is It has the function of converting (linking) and deciding. The mode of calculation (conversion) of the corresponding time in the time immediately above area (corresponding time) determination block 1J is as described above with reference to FIG.
Then, the time immediately above area (corresponding time) determination block 1J has a function of transmitting the determination result to the most upstream area determination block 1H.

From the most upstream area determination block 1 H to the immediately above area time (corresponding time) determination block 1 J, repeatedly, until it is determined that the most upstream area determination block 1 H is the most upstream area (sensor P 10). Convert (calculate, link) the time (corresponding time) of the area directly above.
By repeating the conversion (calculation, linking) of the time (corresponding time) of the area immediately above in the time (corresponding time) of the area immediately above (the corresponding time) of the area directly above to the area judgment block 1H, the uppermost stream area (P10) is finally obtained. The corresponding time in) can be determined and the corresponding identification symbol can be determined.

The identification symbol determination block 1K has a function of receiving the determination result of the most upstream area determination block 1H (an event occurred at the sensor P10 which is the most upstream area) and determining an identification symbol. That is, the identification symbol determination block 1K has a function of determining an identification symbol corresponding to an event occurrence time associated with a time at the sensor P10 in the most upstream area or a time at P10.
The most upstream area (P10) correspondence time (identification symbol or identification symbol corresponding time 1: 1) is determined and determined by the function of the most upstream area judgment block 1H to the time immediately above area (corresponding time) determination block 1J. Then, the determined corresponding time of P10 is transmitted from the most upstream area determination block 1H to the identification symbol determination block 1K. In response, the identification symbol determination block 1K determines the identification symbol of the product corresponding to the event.

The identification symbol linked to the event determined in the identification symbol determination block 1K, together with other information (information about the event (area generated, content, time of occurrence, etc.), in the information processing system outside the control device 1 These identification symbols and information are simultaneously recorded in the storage device 10L.
Then, the information on the generated event is linked with the identification symbol of the product and recorded in the storage device 2 in the information processing system.

At the time of product registration in the illustrated embodiment, it corresponds to the time when the product passes through the uppermost stream identification code adding device E0 in the manufacturing line (the time when the product passes sensor P10 disposed immediately after the identification code adding device E0) When the product passes a measuring device (sensors P10 to P16) which is added to the product with an identification symbol (or the time itself as an identification symbol) and which is provided in each of the devices in the manufacturing line and measures the time when the product passes. , And detect the passage and measure the passage time.
Thereafter, the control device 1 generates an OFF signal when the product passes by the measurement signals from the sensors P10 to P16 and generates an ON signal when the product does not pass (control in FIGS. 9 and 10) And the event generated in all devices (sensors P10 to P16) through which the product to which the identification symbol is added passes is linked with the time (identification symbol) when the product passes the identification symbol attachment device E0 (sensor P10) Execute the process of
Here, an event is detected by a detection mechanism (not shown) and sensors P10 to P16.

Also, the process of recording the occurrence time of the event and the process of specifying the device (path, process, etc.) where the event has occurred are performed.
Then, in the step of associating (associating) the product with the time (identification symbol) at which the product passes the identification symbol attachment device E0 (sensor P10), the device (sensor P10 to P16) in which the event has occurred is not the most upstream device. Process to calculate (convert, link) the time (the time measured by the sensor Pn-1) when the product passes the device located immediately above the time (the time measured by the sensor Pn) when the event occurs The step of determining whether the device located immediately above is the most upstream device may be repeatedly performed as necessary.

According to the illustrated embodiment, the time (time other than the stop time of E0) passing through the identification symbol assignment device E0 (sensor P10) disposed at the uppermost stream of the production device (production line) is used as the identification symbol. Therefore, the product identification mark is appended to the product as information on the time when the product passes the most upstream sensor P10. Here, since the product always passes the most upstream sensor P10, according to the present invention, even when the manufacturing line is changed, it is reliably added (printed) to the product.
Further, according to the illustrated embodiment, in every process (including apparatus etc.) through which the product to which the identification symbol is added passes, an event detected by a detection mechanism (not shown) is detected by the product at the production apparatus (production line). It is automatically associated with the time (identification symbol) passing through the sensor P10 disposed upstream. Therefore, information on various events that occur when manufacturing the product is linked with the identification symbol of the product (to be related information) and managed with certainty. Then, in response to an inquiry from the consumer, the management information of the manufacturing process (process, manufacturing apparatus, etc.) of the product can be reliably proved.

When managing information related to various events generated when manufacturing a product by associating it with the identification symbol of the product (as related information), for example, the storage device 2 in the information processing system of the manufacturer of the product Information on the elephant may be linked with the identification code of the product and recorded.
By recording in such a manner, when the consumer makes an inquiry, if the identification symbol is confirmed, it is possible to grasp information related to the event linked to it quickly, easily and accurately.

Also, according to the illustrated embodiment, when the product with the identification mark passes, an OFF signal is generated, and when the product with the identification mark does not pass, an ON signal is generated ( It is not necessary to process millions of units of ON signals as in conventional manufacturing lines that generate ON signals upon product detection.
In the present invention, in which an OFF signal is generated when a product with an identification mark passes and an ON signal is generated when a product with an identification mark does not pass, the number of ON signals to be processed by the processing device is extremely small. There is no necessity to use a fast-processing sequencer. Therefore, it is possible to process the entire system with a general paper-work level PC.

  It should be noted that the illustrated embodiment is merely an example, and is not a description for the purpose of limiting the technical scope of the present invention.

1: Control device 1A: First judgment block 1B: Second judgment block 1C: Clocking device 1D: ON signal generation block 1E: OFF signal generation block 1F: Storage device 1G ... event (event) occurrence judgment block 1H ... most upstream area judgment block 1I ... directly above area decision block 1J ... time immediately above area (corresponding time) decision block 1K ... identification symbol Decision block 1 L ... Storage device 2 ... Storage device A in the information processing system ... Product E0, E01 to E03 ... Identification symbol addition device E, E01 to E33 ... Device IIF ... Input side Interface ISL: Input signal line L, L1 to L3, LN1: Production line OIF: Output side interface OSL: Output signal line P10 to P 6 ... sensor

Claims (4)

A plurality of production lines (L, L1~L3, LN1) identification code adding device for adding the time the product when and products provided in the apparatus of the most upstream (A) passes in and (E0),
A measuring device (P10 to P36) provided in each of the devices in the manufacturing line (L, L1 to L3, LN1) for measuring the time when the product passes;
When the product (A) passes, the measuring device (P10 to P36) has a function of detecting the passing and measuring the passing time,
It has a control device (1) to which the measurement result of the measuring device (P10 to P36) is input,
The control device (1) receives a measurement signal from the measuring device (P10 to P36) , generates an OFF signal when the product passes, and generates an ON signal when the product does not pass, and an ON signal Have the ability to record the time they are generating
The control device (1), and time product (A) is passed through the measuring device (P10～P36), time and the ON signal is generated, the product is upstream when the event has not occurred All devices through which the product (A) to which the identification code is added passes from the time required to pass from the second measuring device (P10 to P36, Pn-1) to the downstream measuring device (P10 to P36, Pn) product registration system the generated event product (a) is in and having a function of converting the time which has passed through the identification code adding device (E0). The control device (1) has a function of recording the occurrence time of an event, a function of identifying a device where the event occurred, and a time when the event occurred when the device where the event occurred is not the most upstream device. The product registration according to claim 1, having a function of converting a device located immediately upstream to a time when a product passes and a function of determining whether the device located immediately upstream is a most upstream device. system. Adding to the product the time of passing through the identification symbol adding device (E0) provided in the uppermost stream device in the plurality of manufacturing lines (L, L1 to L3, LN1) and adding the passing time to the product as an identification symbol;
The product passes through a measuring device ( P10 to P36 ) provided in each of the devices in the identification symbol attachment device (E0) or the production line (L, L1 to L3, LN1) to measure the time when the product (A) passes. Detecting the passage and measuring the passage time,
A step of generating an OFF signal when the product passes by the measurement signal from the measuring device ( P10 to P36 ) and generating an ON signal when the product does not pass, and recording the time during which the ON signal is generated ,
The time when the product (A) passes through the measuring device (P10 to P36), the time when the ON signal is generated, and the measuring device (P10 to P36, Pn) of the upstream when the event does not occur The product (A) identifies the events that occurred in all the devices through which the product with the identification code passes, only from the time required to pass from -1) to the downstream measuring devices (P10 to P36, Pn) A product registration method comprising the step of converting to a time when it passes through the symbol attachment device (E0) . Recording an occurrence time of the event; and identifying a device where the event occurred.
The step of converting the time when the product passes through the identification symbol attachment device is:
Converting the time when the event occurred to the time when the product passes through the device located immediately upstream if the device where the event occurs is not the most upstream device;
The product registration method according to claim 3, further comprising the step of determining whether the device located immediately upstream is the most upstream device.

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