JPH086999A - Scheduling system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To expand the expression of a function and to increase the strictness of an execution result by providing a function block setting a condition that a job to be next scheduled is selected according to the attribute of an already scheduled job. CONSTITUTION:A logic construction interface part 12 has an edition function adjusting the parameter of a function block, etc., and completes the logic program of a scheduling. A logic execution part 14 evaluates the logic read from a logic preservation part 13 with an input element column to a logic, outputs an output element column and performs a control of the selection processing, etc., of the next candidate. When a working plan is prepared on this basic scheduling system, a job to be preferentially assigned and the device to be used in each process of the job are selected and the processing time can be designated, by a function block setting a condition that a job to be next scheduled is selected according to the attribute of an already scheduled job.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a scheduling system used when a computer is used to support planning work of a production process. For more details, we use the method of visual programming by computer to express the operations (selection and rearrangement) of multiple input elements by rearranging the rearrangement of blocks in two dimensions to build the scheduling logic. Regarding the system.

[0001]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, the operation plan of a plant relies on the experience and ability of a scheduler. Therefore, the plans vary from person to person, the risk of making mistakes is high, and the cost is high. In addition, as production plants and processes are becoming more complicated, there is also an increasing demand for flexible operation, so it is inevitable to put computer-based planning into practical use. However, when a user uses a computer system to make a plan, some kind of programming needs to be done, but programming is not always easy because programming is a specialized area that requires experience. A method was desired. Therefore, in order to respond to this, in order to promptly create an operation plan for operating the plant by using a computer,
The applicant of the present application has previously proposed a scheduling system (Japanese Patent Application No.
-326521).

[0002]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is to add a new function block to the scheduling system (Japanese Patent Application No. 4-326521) filed by the applicant of the present application, which is not possible in the past. Is to improve the strictness of the execution result.

[Means for Solving the Problems]

(1) Previous application, scheduling system (Japanese Patent Application No. 4
-326521) has the following configuration. Combining multiple functional blocks that specify a predetermined program operation,
By specifying the operation contents and operation order of the program by rearranging, the logic construction interface part that completes the scheduling logic, the logic saving part that saves the constructed logic, and the logic saved in the saving part are used. Each of the functional blocks on the display screen is based on the element selection (operating function) specified in the functional block with respect to the input element row that enters the left end and the top of the screen. If there is an element that matches the evaluation, it is output to another function block that is adjacent in the downward direction, and if there is no matching element, the input element string is adjacent to the other in the right direction. Output to the function block of the It was configured to set in the method of selecting and had items. And a total of 24 functional blocks are provided. In the following description, the total of 24
The part excluding each function block is called a basic scheduling system. (2) The following new functional blocks are added to the above system according to the present application in order to enable the expression of a function that could not be achieved conventionally and improve so as to increase the strictness of the execution result. The last-used job selection block 1 is a functional block that sets a condition that a job to be scheduled next is selected according to the attributes of a job that has already been scheduled. The final use job selection block 2 is a functional block that sets a condition for selecting a unit to be used in the next scheduled job according to the attributes of the already scheduled job. The allocation time selection block is a functional block that sets the condition that units are selected based on the time it takes to process a job.

[0003]

The logic construction interface section displays the functional blocks for designating a predetermined program operation in association with a unique figure such as a rectangle, and combines a plurality of these figures.
By rearranging, the operation content of the program is specified and the operation sequence is specified, the existing logic program is edited, and the editing function such as adjusting the parameters on the adjustment screen of the function block is provided, and the scheduling logic program is completed. To do. Each of the functional blocks displayed as a graphic on the display screen is, for example, a job name, an item name,
When an input element string with conditions such as work form, delivery date, etc. enters the upper part, it is evaluated based on the element selection (operation function) specified in the function block, and if there is an element that matches the evaluation. Outputs it to another functional block which is adjacent in the downward direction, and when there is no matching element, outputs the input element sequence to another functional block which is adjacent in the right direction. The logic storage unit stores the logic program configured and edited by the logic construction interface unit,
to manage. The program is passed to the logic execution part and evaluated. The logic execution unit evaluates the logic read from the storage unit together with the input element string to the logic, and outputs the output element string. It controls individual functional blocks, filters, and next candidate selection. The display controller is C
The input control unit controls the man-machine interface such as a keyboard and a pointing device for RT. The above is the outline of the operation of the basic scheduling system. When creating a work plan on this basic scheduling system, a new functional block added by the present application selects the job to be preferentially assigned and the device (unit) used in each step of the job. , Its processing time can be specified.

EXAMPLES The terms used in the following description shall have the following meanings. A job is each of the orders for which the name of the product to be produced, the production quantity, the delivery date, etc. are clarified in the order table. A unit refers to one unit of an apparatus required to realize a job, and has attributes such as name, usage attribute, and capacity. A line defines which unit is used and in what order in a production process for manufacturing a product. A part refers to each of the subdivided steps in manufacturing a product. In the part, units that can be used in the part are defined in advance. (Processing in one unit corresponds to one part.) A recipe is a recipe that handles products. For example, when a certain amount of product is charged from raw materials, the processing time in each part is Whether or not it will be defined. In the scheduling system, a recipe that matches the product name of the job is searched for, and the usage time of the unit in each part is calculated according to the definition of the recipe. An element is a job for the functional block in the job selection logic and a unit for the functional block in the unit selection logic. In addition, the function block that is used acts like a filter filter, and when the job that is the target of scheduling (input element string) is poured from the top, it passes through the filter filter one by one and finally has the highest priority, It is configured so that jobs are selected. A wild card generally means that the selection is possible within a certain range by using the * symbol. For example, A * means that the product name can be selected from the product names in a predetermined range. U * indicates that a unit name within a predetermined range can be selected. In this system, the rules of experience and know-how in the planning work conventionally performed by the scheduler are broken down into small units and prepared in advance as various functional blocks. In the case of condition selection, if statements are expressed and if the scheduler Prepare an adjustment screen to complete a sentence by selecting or filling in blanks and make adjustments for each job.

The planned work performed by the scheduler is to represent the above various functional blocks in combination on a logic construction window created for each type of work such as job selection, unit selection, and processing time setting. .
By carefully selecting the operation and expression of the functional blocks, programming work can be made easier. The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of the configuration of the system of the present invention. Reference numeral 11 is a processing device using a computer. Reference numeral 12 is a logic construction interface unit. On the display screen, the function blocks that specify the specified program operation are displayed in correspondence with the unique figures such as rectangles. By combining and rearranging these figures, you can specify the operation content and operation order of the program. It has editing functions such as editing an existing logic program and adjusting the parameters of functional blocks to complete a scheduling logic program.

Reference numeral 13 is a logic storage unit. The logic program constructed and edited by the logic construction interface unit 12 is stored and managed. The program is passed to the logic execution part and evaluated. Reference numeral 14 is a logic execution unit. The logic read out from the logic storage unit 13 is evaluated together with the input element string to the logic, and the output element string is output. It controls individual functional blocks, filters, and next candidate selection. Reference numeral 15 is a display control unit.
Open a window on the CRT. Reference numeral 16 is an input control unit. Controls keyboard and pointing device input.

Reference numeral 17 is a plant data storage unit. Stores unit information such as plant equipment and lines that are incorporated into the process. Reference numeral 18 is a display unit represented by a CRT.
Reference numeral 19 is a keyboard input device. Reference numeral 20 is a pointing device such as a mouse. On the display screen, enter the character string in the blank entry method on the input element string that is the target of the schedule, the adjustment screen that sets specific conditions for the functional block, and the like. The functional block is specified by the pointing device and edited.

In order to determine the type of logic to be constructed on the first screen, one of the following types of windows is displayed by a pull-down menu, and then the required functional block is selected. (1) Job selection logic construction window A logic for selecting a priority job from a plurality of jobs is constructed. The screen corresponding to FIG. 2 below is used. (2) Unit selection logic construction window When a plurality of units that can be used are set in a part, a logic is constructed to determine which unit should be assigned first. The following FIG. 2 applies. (3) Processing time setting logic construction window Builds the logic that determines the time zone in which the job is executed. (4) Mounting unit selection logic construction window When a plurality of mounting units are set in the storage part, construct a logic that assigns which mounting unit to use with priority.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a unit selection logic construction window on the display screen. A method of operating the screen will be described in detail based on this figure. Note that the job selection logic construction window is also constructed in substantially the same manner. Reference numeral 21 is a unit selection logic display field. Specify the cursor on this display area and display the registered logic with a pull-down menu. The selected logic is displayed in the unit selection logic display field. In the figure, strategy Q
There is an example of Y.

Reference numeral 22 is a comment display field. When you select the comment edit part of the pull-down menu provided on the screen, the comment setting window opens. Comments can be entered regarding the content of logic. Reference numeral 23 is a functional block arrangement area. The pallet section displays a specific figure showing various functional blocks. Reference numeral 25 is a generation unit. When a functional block in the palette is clicked with the cursor to select it and then this generator is clicked, the functional block is set in the functional block arrangement area. The set function block can be moved.

Reference numeral 26 is an attribute changing unit. When changing the content (processing condition) of the functional block, select the functional block in the functional block arrangement area 23 and then click the attribute changing section. If the selected functional block is a basic block, a job selection basic block adjustment screen opens so that settings and changes can be made. 27 is a deletion unit. Select the functional block to delete and click Delete to delete the block. You can also confirm and cancel the work by clicking the setting section and the cancel section. The logic is constructed by repeating these operations. FIG. 3 shows the operation of the functional blocks. A functional block is a process for selecting a certain element. The processing conditions are registered in the block adjustment window. In this figure, the input element is A,
B, C, D and E are set, and the processing condition indicates that the elements to be output are B and C when the attribute a = y is selected.

Each block has an adjustment screen and registers attributes. FIG. 4 shows the rules for passing an input element to a functional block. The block is configured to operate according to the following rules. Rule 1 In the job selection logic, the order in which jobs are input to the first functional block is the same as the order registered in advance as a scheduled work job from the window. Rule 2 When the functional blocks are arranged vertically, the input element sequence is input in order from the functional block arranged above. If they are arranged side by side, they are input in order from the functional block arranged on the left. Rule 3 If there is no element output from the functional block, all the elements input to that functional block are input again to the functional block on the right side.

Rule 4 When there are a plurality of elements output from the functional block, the output element is input to the leftmost functional block below the element. Rule 5 When the number of elements that the functional block is output becomes one,
The output becomes the output of the entire logic, and the process ends. Rule 6 If the element does not correspond to any functional block or if a plurality of elements are finally output, the element at the head of the output element sequence is output and the process ends. The function block screen displayed on the job selection logic construction window and the block adjustment screen for setting the operation of the function block will be described below. The block adjustment screen is called by clicking each block in the functional block arrangement area on the job selection logic construction screen and then clicking the attribute change section.
When inputting, the characters that can be selected and the blank characters to be entered are to be selected from predefined characters.

The procedure for constructing the logic by the present scheduling system will be described in detail below. FIG. 5 shows a procedure in which the logic execution unit of the present system operates to automatically create a plan for a plant production process. (1) First, the job selection logic, the unit selection logic, and the processing time setting logic are created and registered. Method of creating job selection logic Created by appropriately arranging the block diagram of the last-used job selection block 1 of the present application in the function block arrangement area 23 on the job selection logic construction window (corresponding to FIG. 2) together with other functional block diagrams. To do. FIG. 6 shows the blocks of the last used job selection block 1 and the adjustment screen. Input the following on the adjustment screen to determine the selection operation. Call the adjustment screen (FIG. 6) of the last used job selection block 1 and select the job whose [D] is [E] if [B] of the last used job of the current step of the unit [A] is [C]. In each item of ", enter the value corresponding to the name of the unit in A (a wild card can also be entered), and in B and D, enter the" name "," addition code "or" product name " Either of them is input, and the characters corresponding to the attributes designated by B and D are input into C and E. (Wild card input is also possible) Method of creating unit selection logic In the function block arrangement area 23 on the unit selection logic construction window (FIG. 2), the last used job selection block 2 of this application and the allocation time together with other functional block diagrams It is created by appropriately arranging the block diagrams of the selected blocks. Figure 7 shows the functional block layout area 2 in the above window.
3 shows a block of the last used job selection block 2 to be arranged in No. 3 and an adjustment screen. Input the following on the adjustment screen to determine the selection operation. Call the adjustment screen of the last used job selection block 2 (FIG. 7), and the [B] of the last used job of the current step of the unit [A] is [C].
If so, enter the value corresponding to the unit name in A for each item in [D] selects the unit whose [E] is [E], and (wildcards can be entered). , "Additional code" or "Product name" is input, the character corresponding to B is input in C, and the wildcard can be input in D. "Name" or "Use" Enter one of the attributes
Enter the character as the value corresponding to D. (Wild card input is also possible) Method for creating allocation time selection logic FIG. 8 shows blocks and adjustment screens of allocation time selection blocks arranged in the functional block arrangement area 23 of the above window. Input the following on the adjustment screen to determine the selection operation. Call the adjustment screen of the allocation time selection block (Fig. 8), and in each item of "Select [B] unit at the most [A] time in the current step", A is either "early" or "late" Input either "Can start" or "Can finish" in B. The processing time in each step of the job is calculated by appropriately arranging the block diagram of the allocation time selection block of the present application on the function block arrangement area 23 of the window, and then the unit is determined based on the above rule. decide. Method of Creating Processing Time Setting Logic FIG. 9 shows a processing time setting logic adjustment screen. Input directly on this screen. A plurality of job selection logics, unit selection logics, and processing time setting logics created as described above are created based on experience, and are appropriately combined and saved and registered in the strategy window, for example, as "strategy 1" and "strategy 2". To do. FIG. 10 shows an example created by the above method and saved and registered as “strategy 1” and “strategy 2” in the strategy window. It is possible to create various strategies that combine job selection, unit selection, and processing time setting. When the logic execution unit is operated to create a schedule, the strategy to be used is specified from among the plurality of stored strategies. (2) A method of performing scheduling based on the strategy created as described above will be described. Logic execution unit 1
4 (FIG. 1) executes scheduling, for example, when the registered strategy 1 is selected for the job given in the order table, it is executed and selected according to the steps of the algorithm shown in FIG. Assign jobs to the Gantt chart. Next, the operation of each step of the algorithm shown in FIG. 5 will be described. First Stage Job Logic A When executing the strategy 1 created in (1) above, the job selection logic constituting the strategy 1 is executed first. It operates according to the rule of passing the input element to the functional block shown in FIG. 4, and selects the job to be assigned to the Gantt chart from the order table. Second Stage Unit Logic A Next, in order to select a unit to be used in each part of the job selected in the first stage, the unit selection logic constituting the strategy 1 created in (1) is executed. Similarly, it operates according to the above-mentioned operation rule and selects a unit. When selecting a unit, refer to the processing capacity of the unit that has been input in advance on the plant edit window. Stage 3 Calculate the processing time in each step of the job. Fourth stage Processing time logic B Jobs and units are selected as described above, the time required for processing is calculated, and then the job is pasted on the Gantt chart by the specified method. Next, a specific application example will be described. Figure 11 shows the case of using the allocation time selection block.
A specific display example when affixed to the Gantt chart is shown based on the processing capacity of the unit. FIG. 12 is an example in which the allocation time selection block is used in the second stage, and shows an example in which the selected unit is assigned to the Gantt chart by referring to the difference in the processing capacity of the units. Shows the case where the unit 1 is selected without considering the ability of the unit. As a result of the allocation, the processing ends later than other units. Figure 8
On the adjustment screen of the allocation time selection block of "A",
It is a block window when it is input that it can start in "B". Is a block window when it is input that it is possible to finish early in “A” and finish in “B” on the adjustment screen of the allocation time selection block in FIG. 8. FIG. 13 is an example diagram showing a unit configuration of a plant. Processing by the unit M and then by the unit U1 or the unit U2 is shown. FIG. 14 shows products A1 (job 1) to A3.
Assuming that (Job 3) and products X1 to X3 are produced, in Part 2, the products of the A group and the X group are produced in the same unit, respectively, and processed in ascending order of the subscripts.
This is an example of the condition. FIG. 15 shows an example in which three points of job selection conditions are set by the last used job selection block 1 (FIG. 6) on the job selection logic construction window (corresponding to FIG. 2). The first block is the adjustment screen (FIG. 6) of the last used job selection block 1 where A is [U *] B is [Brand name] C is [A1] D is [Brand name] E is [A2] And set. As a result, this block is
*] [Product Name] of the last used job in the current step is [A
1] (the left part is tentatively referred to as the hypothetical part 1), the job having the [product name] [A2] is selected (the left part is tentatively referred to as the conclusion part 1), and the job with the product name A2 is selected. Here, "*" of the unit [U *] is also called a wild card, which means that any character string corresponds. In this example, U1 and U2 are compatible. Similarly for the second block, by inputting A, [U *] B, [product name] C, [A2] D, [product name] E, [A3], the job of the product name A3 is input. To be selected. Similarly for the third block, by inputting A, [U *] B, [product name] C, [A3] D, [product name] E, [A1], the job of the product name A1 To be selected. Here, an example in which selection is performed by the last used job selection block 1 will be described. FIG. 16 shows an embodiment in which jobs are scheduled as shown in the Gantt chart and jobs are registered in the order table as shown in FIG. The job selection logic is executed by using each job of this order table as an input element. As the selection operation, the first block in FIG. 16 is first evaluated. Since the product name of JOB1 which is the last used job of the unit U1 is A1, the above assumption 1 is true and the conclusion 1 of the latter half is 1
Then, selection is performed according to the condition, and JOB2, which is a job whose product name is A2, is an output element. Since there is only one output element, other blocks are not executed and the process proceeds to the selection of the next unit. In the same manner as in FIG. 18, the final use job selection block 2 (FIG. 7) is used as the unit selection logic.
Shows an example using. Here, the first block is called a "composite block", and it is a function that can combine a plurality of blocks into one.
The block 1 at the first stage in the composite block is an existing block and is called a job attribute selection block. with this,
First, take out only those whose product name is Group A. This is because it is meaningless to pass through the subsequent blocks except the group A. The second-stage block 2 is the final-use job selection block 2, where A is [U1] B is [Brand name] C is [A *] D is [Name] E is [U1] And set. As a result, this block is
[Item name] of the last used job in the current step of [1] is [A
*] (The left part is temporarily called the assumption part 2), the unit whose [Name] is [U1] is selected (the left part is temporarily called the conclusion part 2). Similarly, if A, [U2] B, [Product Name] C, [A *] D, [Name] E, and [U2] are set, the unit with the name U2 is selected. For each process (part) of JOB2,
This logic is evaluated. Part PART1, PAR
Since only one unit can be used in T3, the unit is determined without executing logic. In PART2, since there are a plurality of units (two) that can be used, the logic is evaluated. The input elements are units U1 and U2. First, the first block in the contents of the composite block is executed. Since the product name of the job JOB2 is A2, U1 and U2 are also output from this block. Move to the first block in the second stage. The product name of the last used job of the unit U1 is A1. Therefore, the assumption part 2 in the first half of this block is true, the conclusion part 2 in the latter half is evaluated, and the unit U1 is the output element. Here, since there is only one output element, the subsequent blocks are not evaluated and the process moves to the next stage (time calculation and processing time setting).

[0014]

As described above, according to the present invention, the scheduling work can be defined by the rearrangement of the functional blocks, and the knowledge of the computer is not required and the user who has little programming experience can easily perform the scheduling work. Is now possible. In addition, the results can be reexamined and retried by reproducing the process of selecting the functional block, so that the scheduling work can be performed with less man-hours and time than before. By adding the functional block in this application, the effect of improvement can be exhibited as follows. (1) By using the final use job selection blocks 1 and 2, it is possible to easily set conditions such as selecting a specific unit based on a job processed by using a certain unit. It is used when the manufacturing order of products in a unit is fixed. (2) By using the time selection block, it is possible to easily set conditions such as selecting a unit on the basis of the time for processing a job.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a structural conceptual diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a screen showing a unit selection logic construction window.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating roles of functional blocks.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing rules for passing an input element to a functional block.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a procedure of a scheduling operation.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a finally used job selection block 1 and its adjustment screen.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a finally used job selection block 2 and an adjustment screen thereof.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an allocation time selection block and its adjustment screen.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an adjustment screen of a processing time setting logic.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a strategy in which various logics are combined.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a difference in processing capacity between units.

FIG. 12 is an example diagram of a Gantt chart of a unit selected with reference to a difference in processing capacity.

FIG. 13 is an example diagram showing a unit configuration of a plant.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing conditions of products and units to be used.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a setting example of various job selections.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of unit selection.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of an order table.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a setting example of various unit selections.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 Processor Using Computer 12 Logic Construction Interface 13 Logic Storage 14 Logic Execution 15 Display Control 16 Input Control 17 Plant Data Storage 18 Display Unit Represented by CRT 19 Keyboard Input Device 20 Pointer such as Mouse Taing device-

Claims (3)

[Claims] Claim: What is claimed is: 1. A system for assisting the planning of a production process by using a computer, wherein the operation of a program is performed by combining and rearranging a plurality of functional blocks that specify a predetermined program operation on a display screen. A function that sets the condition that a specific job is selected based on the job processed by using a unit in a scheduling system configured to complete the scheduling logic by specifying the content and operation order "Last used job selection block 1"
The configuration of the adjustment screen is as follows: "If [B] of the last used job of the current step of the unit [A] is [C], select the job whose [D] is [E]". Enter the character corresponding to the name of the unit, and you can also use wildcards. In B and D, enter one of the job attributes "name", "additional code" or "product name", and enter C and A scheduling system characterized in that the characters corresponding to the attributes designated by B and D are input to E and wild cards can be used. 2. A system for assisting a planning of a production process by using a computer, wherein the operation of a program is performed by combining and rearranging a plurality of functional blocks for designating a predetermined program operation on a display screen. A function that sets the condition that a specific unit is selected based on the job processed by using a unit in a scheduling system that is configured to specify the content and operation order and complete the scheduling logic. The block "final use job selection block 2" is provided, and the configuration of the adjustment screen is as follows: "If [B] of the last use job of the current step of the unit [A] is [C], then [D] is [E] Select a unit ", enter the letter corresponding to the unit name in A, and use a wildcard, Enter either "Name", "Additional code" or "Product name" that is the attribute of the job in B, enter the character as the value corresponding to B in C, and use the wild card. D is the unit attribute "name" or "use attribute"
, A character as a value corresponding to D is input to E, and a wild card can be used. 3. A system for assisting the planning of a production process with the aid of a computer, wherein a program operation is performed by combining and rearranging a plurality of functional blocks for designating a predetermined program operation on a display screen. In the scheduling system configured to complete the scheduling logic by specifying the content and operation order, the "allocation time selection block" is a functional block that sets the condition that the unit is selected based on the time to process the job. "Set the adjustment screen to" Select [B] unit at the most [A] time in the current step ", enter either" early "or" late "in A, and enter in B A scheduling system characterized by inputting either "startable" or "endable".