JP6907634B2 - Work support equipment, work support methods, and work support programs - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a work support device, a work support method, and a work support program.

In the manufacturing industry, in addition to regular employees, dispatched laborers, contractors, part-time workers, etc. are assigned to work according to product demand, and workers are frequently replaced. In addition, with the launch of new products, new launches and changes of production lines occur each time. In such an environment, there is an urgent need to quickly start up the workers newly assigned to the work as a production force and to mature the production line to a level in line with the mass production plan at an early stage. Therefore, various systems have been devised to improve the skill level of workers at an early stage.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a method of identifying work processes that cause delays in all work processes and efficiently finding improvement points. In this method, first, the standard working time is set for each process, and the total standard working time is calculated by adding each standard working time. Next, the actual working time is measured, and the total actual working time is compared with the total standard working time to quantify the proficiency level. Here, if the total actual work time exceeds the total standard work time, it is determined that the proficiency level is low. Then, the actual work time in each process is compared with the corresponding standard work time, and it is clarified in which work process the worker exceeds the standard work time. By extracting the process that is the bottleneck in this way, the proficiency level of the worker can be efficiently improved.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-166679

However, with the technique of Patent Document 1, it was not possible to obtain information on the cause of the delay in each process. In actual work, the cause may be different even with the same delay, such as the case where the work itself is slow or the case where it takes time to understand the work procedure. The technique of Patent Document 1 could not isolate these problems.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a work support device capable of grasping the cause of work delay and obtaining useful information for improving proficiency at an early stage.

In order to solve the above problems, the work support device has a total work time calculation means and an effective operation time calculation means. The total work time calculation means calculates the total work time from the start of the work to the end of the work for the worker who performs the work of executing a certain process. The effective operation time calculation means calculates, as the effective operation time, the time during which the worker is performing an operation effective for the progress of the process in the total work time.

The effect of the present invention is to be able to provide a work support device that can obtain useful information for grasping the cause of work delay and improving the proficiency level at an early stage.

It is a block diagram which shows the work support apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the work support apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation of the work support apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the work support apparatus of 3rd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows one specific example of a 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation of the work support apparatus of 3rd Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the specific example of the effective operation start / end detection of the 3rd Embodiment. It is a graph which shows an example of the proficiency level visualization by the 3rd Embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, although the embodiments described below have technically preferable limitations for carrying out the present invention, the scope of the invention is not limited to the following. Note that similar components in each drawing may be numbered the same and description may be omitted.

(First Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a work support device according to the first embodiment. The work support device has a total work time calculation means 1 and an effective operation time calculation means 2. The total work time calculation means 1 calculates the total work time from the start of the work to the end of the work for the worker who performs the work of executing a certain process. The effective operation time calculation means 2 calculates the time during which the worker is performing an operation effective for the progress of the process as the effective operation time in the total work time.

According to the above configuration, in the work time of the worker, the time during which the effective operation is performed with respect to the progress of the process and the time spent for the invalid operation are separated, and the ratio is determined. Can be grasped.

(Second embodiment)
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a work support device according to a second embodiment. The work support device includes a total work time calculation means 100 and an effective operation time calculation means 200.

The total work time calculation means 100 includes a work start time determination means 110 and a work end time determination means 120. The total work time calculation means 100 calculates the total work time based on the difference between the work end time determined by the work end time determining means 120 and the work start time determined by the work start time determining means 110. The specific method for determining the work start time and work end time will be described later.

The effective operation time calculation means 200 includes a work status photographing means 210, an effective operation start time detecting means 220, and an effective operation end time detecting means 230.

The work status photographing means 210 photographs the work status of the worker from the work start time to the work end time. The effective operation start time detecting means 220 analyzes the image taken by the work situation photographing means 210, and detects the time when the operator starts an effective operation for the progress of the process. The effective operation end time detecting means 230 analyzes the image taken by the work situation photographing means 210, and detects the time when the operator finishes the effective operation for the progress of the process.

With the above configuration, it is possible for a worker who executes a certain process to grasp the time during which an operation is effective for the progress of the process and the time during which the operator is performing an invalid operation within the total work time. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the work support device at this time.

First, the work start time determining means 110 determines the work start time (S1). Then, shooting of the working situation is started (S2). Next, the effective operation start time detecting means 220 monitors the image of the work situation, and when it detects an image determined to be the start of the effective operation, records the time as the effective operation start time (S3). After that, the work of the worker is executed. At this time, the effective operation end time detecting means 230 monitors the image of the work situation, and when it detects an image determined to be the end of the effective operation, records the time as the effective operation end time (S4). Next, the effective operation time is calculated based on the difference between the effective operation end time and the effective operation start time (S5). Next, the work end time determining means 120 determines the work end time (S6). The total work time is calculated from the difference between the work end time and the work start time (S7). Then, from the difference between the total working time and the effective operating time, the invalid operating time during which the invalid operation does not contribute to the progress of the process is calculated (S8).

As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to grasp the effective operation time and the invalid operation time during the total working time.

(Third Embodiment)
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a work support device according to a third embodiment. In the work support device of the present embodiment, in addition to the configuration of the second embodiment, the effective operation time calculation means 200 has the machine learning means 240. Further, it has a graph display means 300 for displaying a graph that visualizes at least one of the total working time, the effective operating time, and the invalid operating time. A specific example of this work support device will be described below.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a specific configuration example of the work support device. The new work device includes a computer 1000, a video camera 2100 installed in the work area 2000, a work start / end time input device 2200, and a work content output device.

The video camera 2100 captures the work status of the worker from the work start time to the work end time.

The work start / end time input device 2200 is a device in which an operator inputs a work start time to determine a work start time, and inputs a work end time to determine a work end time. However, various other methods can be used to determine the work start time and the work end time. For example, it may be the time when the computer 1000 transmits the work content to the work content output device 2300. Therefore, the work start / end time input device is not always necessary depending on the work start time and work end time determination method to be selected.

The work content output device 2300 receives the work content from the work content storage unit 1300 of the computer 1000, and outputs the work content to be transmitted to the operator. This output can be performed, for example, by voice or by displaying a video such as characters. Then, the output destination can be, for example, a worker terminal or a headset worn by the worker.

The computer 1000 has an image processing unit 1100, a calculation unit 1200, a work content storage unit 1300, and a display unit 1400.

The image processing unit 1100 includes an effective operation start time detection unit 1110, an effective operation end time detection unit 1120, and a machine learning unit 1130. The effective operation start time detection unit 1110 monitors the image captured by the video camera 2100, and when it detects an image determined to have started the effective operation, records the detected time as the effective operation start time. The effective operation end time detection unit 1120 monitors the image taken by the video camera 2100, and when it detects an image determined to be the end of the effective operation, records the detected time as the effective operation end time. The machine learning unit 1130 performs machine learning so as to improve the accuracy with which the effective operation start time detection unit 1110 determines the effective operation start and the accuracy with which the effective operation end time detection unit 1120 determines the effective operation end.

The calculation unit 1200 has a total work time calculation unit 1210, an effective operation time calculation unit 1220, and an invalid operation time calculation unit 1230. The total working time calculation unit 1210 calculates the total working time. In this example, the total work time is calculated from the work start time and the work end time input by the worker to the work start / end time input device 2200. Inputs for starting and ending work can be performed, for example, by voice, by pressing a button, or by having a barcode read.

The effective operation time calculation unit 1220 calculates the effective operation time from the difference between the effective operation end time and the effective operation start time detected by the image processing unit 1100. The invalid operation time calculation unit calculates the invalid operation time from the difference between the total working time and the effective operation time.

The display unit 1400 displays a graph in which at least one of the total working time, the effective operating time, and the invalid operating time is visualized with respect to an index showing the work experience of the worker. For example, it is possible to display a graph in which the effective operation time and the invalid operation time are plotted against an index showing the work experience of the worker. The information to be displayed is not limited to this, and other information may be displayed.

Next, the operation of this work support device will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing this operation.

First, the work start time is determined by accepting the input of the work start signal from the work start / end time input device (S101). When the work start time is determined, the video camera starts shooting the work situation (S102). Then, when the image processing unit detects the start of the effective operation, the time is recorded as the effective operation start time (S103). After that, when the work of the operator is executed and the image processing unit detects an image determined to be the end of the effective operation, the time is recorded as the effective operation end time (S104). Next, the effective operation time is calculated based on the difference between the effective operation end time and the effective operation start time (S105). Next, the work end time is determined by accepting the input of the work end signal from the work start / end time input device (S106). The total work time is calculated from the difference between the work end time and the work start time (S107). Then, from the difference between the total working time and the effective operating time, the invalid operating time during which the invalid operation does not contribute to the progress of the process is calculated (S108). Next, the valid time and the invalid time are displayed as a graph (S109).

Next, a specific example of detecting the effective operation start time and detecting the effective operation end time will be described. FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing an image of the work of taking out the component 12 from the component box 11 placed on the workbench 10 and assembling the component 12 to the module 13. The detection of the effective operation is performed by image recognition. In this example, first, individual elements such as the workbench 10, the parts box 11, the parts 12, the modules 13, and the hands 14 are recognized using, for example, feature points. Then, when the conditions such as the respective positions and changes in the positional relationship meet the setting conditions, it is determined as a specific operation. Here, the detection of the start of effective operation can be performed by recognizing that the hand 14 has picked up the component, for example, as shown in FIG. 7A. Further, the detection of the end of the effective operation can be performed by recognizing the image that the component 12 is assembled at the fixed position of the module 13. Then, the accuracy of these motion detections is gradually improved as the number of data increases due to the machine learning performed by the machine learning unit 1130.

Next, a specific usage example of the effective operation time and the invalid operation time will be described. FIG. 8 is a graph in which the total working time, the effective operating time, and the invalid time of a certain worker who performs the work of producing a certain product are visualized with respect to the number of production units. The look of the effective operating time, can grasp the proficiency of the work itself. That is, it is possible to total whether there is any useless movement in the movement of the worker. In addition, by visualizing the invalid operation time, it is possible to grasp the time that does not contribute to the progress of the process. This time represents, for example, the time during which the actual work is performed in order to confirm the work procedure and the contents. Therefore, if you understand the work procedure and contents and concentrate on the work, it will be as close to 0 as possible. By continuously totaling and displaying the effective operation time, the invalid operation time, and the total work time in this way, the characteristics of each worker can be totaled, and the points for skill improvement can be given in a visible form.

The scope of the present invention also includes a program for causing a computer to execute the processes of the first to fourth embodiments described above and a recording medium in which the program is stored. As the recording medium, for example, a magnetic disk, a magnetic tape, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a semiconductor memory, or the like can be used.

The present invention has been described above using the above-described embodiment as a model example. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. That is, the present invention can apply various aspects that can be understood by those skilled in the art within the scope of the present invention.

1,100 Total work time calculation means 2,200 Effective operation time calculation means 110 Work start time determination means 120 Work end time determination means 210 Work status shooting means 220 Effective operation start time detection means 230 Effective operation end time detection means 240 Machine learning Means 300 Graph display means 1000 Computer 1100 Image processing unit 1200 Calculation unit 1300 Work content storage unit 2000 Work area 2100 Video camera 2200 Work start / end time input device 2300 Work content output device

Claims (7)

A total work time calculation means for calculating the total work time from the start of the work to the end of the work for a worker who performs a certain process.
Effective operation time calculation means for calculating the time during which the worker is performing an operation effective for the progress of the process as the effective operation time among the total work time .
An invalid time calculation means for calculating an invalid operation time during which the worker is performing an invalid operation in the progress of the process based on the difference between the total work time and the effective operation time.
A display means for displaying at least one of the effective operation time and the invalid operation time and the total work time in a graph with respect to an index representing the work experience.
A work support device characterized by having. The total working time calculation means
Work start time setting means for setting the time when the work is started, and
It has a work end time setting means for setting the time when the work is completed.
The effective operating time calculation means
A work situation shooting means for shooting the work situation of the worker, and
Effective operation start time detecting means for detecting the time when the effective operation is started based on the image of the work situation, and
Based on the image of the working conditions, work support device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises an effective operation end time detecting means for detecting a time at which end the said effective operation. The work support device according to claim 2 , wherein at least one of the effective operation start time detecting means and the effective operation end time detecting means has a machine learning means for improving the detection accuracy. The computer
Calculate the total work time from the start of the work to the end of the work for the worker who performs the work to execute a certain process.
Of the total working time, the time during which the worker is performing an operation effective for the progress of the process is calculated as the effective operating time .
Based on the difference between the total working time and the effective operating time, the invalid operating time during which the worker is performing an invalid operation in the progress of the process is calculated.
A work support method characterized in that at least one of the effective operation time and the invalid operation time and the total work time are displayed as a graph with respect to an index representing work experience. The computer
Set the work start time when the work was started,
Set the work end time when the work is completed,
Take a picture of the work situation of the worker
Based on the image of the work situation, the time when the effective operation is started is detected.
The work support method according to claim 4 , wherein the time at which the effective operation is completed is detected based on the image of the work situation. The computer
The work support method according to claim 5 , wherein the accuracy of at least one of the detection of the time when the effective operation is started and the detection of the time when the effective operation is finished is improved by machine learning. A step to calculate the total work time from the start of work to the end of work for a worker who performs a certain process, and
Of the total working time, the step of calculating the time during which the worker is performing an operation effective for the progress of the process as the effective operating time , and
Based on the difference between the total working time and the effective operating time, the step of calculating the invalid operating time during which the worker is performing an invalid operation in the progress of the process, and
It is characterized in that a computer performs a step of displaying at least one of the effective operation time and the invalid operation time and the total work time in a graph with respect to an index representing the work experience. Work support program.

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