JPH1196226A - Work supporting system, work carrying device and recording medium storing operation program of communication equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a work supporting system, a work carrying device and a recording medium for storing the operation program of a communication equipment, by which the information communicating quantity of a communication line is made to be min. with the superior workability of a worker. SOLUTION: Request information of parts to be loaded on a pallet truck 5 by the worker is down-loaded from a computer which is not shown in a figure to a handy terminal equipment 24 and set to an optical communication coupler 25. Then, the number of one-kind parts to be taken-out from a parts shelf 11 by the worker and its quantity are displayed in a display equipment 27 and also a position to be contain the taken-out parts is displayed in a parts containing part 4 by a lamp 9. When the worker ends work concerning the applicable parts, he operates a depression button switch 26. The handy terminal equipment 24 measures the required time of work by the operation interval of the switch.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a work support system for supporting work supply to a production line, a work transfer device, and a recording medium storing operation programs for a communication device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a production line for assembling a variety of products on a single production line, for example, in a production line for an automobile or the like, various parts used in the production line are required to maintain high production efficiency. (Work) must be supplied efficiently and accurately in an appropriate quantity. As a technique for achieving such a problem, the present applicant has disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-168911 a computer network for managing a production line, an automatic transport vehicle,
A work supply system has been proposed in which components such as a transport trolley, a component shelf, and a handy terminal are connected by communication.

[0003] In order to operate such a system efficiently, the time required to supply individual parts from a parts store to a designated location on a production line is analyzed for each process, and a worker and a machine are analyzed based on the analysis result. It is necessary to adjust the load of the work performed. However, the operation of loading components onto the transport trolley (picking operation) in the component storage is generally performed by an operator in many cases. Since human work involves many factors that vary in time, such as the level of mastery and individual differences, it is necessary to measure the time required for the same task several times in order to obtain the required time. Yes, at this time, it is necessary to minimize the burden on the workers. Also, it is not realistic for another worker to measure the time required for the work over a long period of time while the worker performs the actual work.

Therefore, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-174487
No., proximity sensors are provided at the storage positions of the component shelves to measure the time required for the operator to take out a component from the component shelf and to take out the next component. A technology for communicating with a host computer has been proposed.

[0005]

However, in the above-described conventional work supply system, the system scale must be controlled in order to realize the work support of the operator, and the communication ( The amount of wireless communication) is relatively large.

[0006] In the conventional example of measuring the time required for the above-mentioned operation, one operation (one operation of removing parts) is performed by a worker, and one communication is performed on a computer network. Therefore, when collecting data for a plurality of operations and a plurality of parts, communication traffic on a computer network is complicated, and depending on the data transmission timing, the data does not reach the host computer or a real-time process is performed. Other required information processing and device control may be delayed.

Therefore, the present invention is excellent in workability of workers,
It is another object of the present invention to provide a work support system capable of minimizing the amount of information communication of a communication line, a work transfer device, and a recording medium storing an operation program of the communication device.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, the work support system of the present invention has the following configuration.

That is, a work support system for supporting the supply of a work to a production line, comprising a portable communication means for communicating information about the work with an external device, a work to be housed, and a work to be stored in a predetermined area of the production line. Communication means for communicating with the portable communication means, wherein the work conveyance means is a communication means having a communication method different from a communication method between the external device and the portable communication means. And display means for displaying information; and control means for controlling display contents of the display means based on the information received by the communication means. As a result, work support in accordance with the operation of the worker is performed. Also,
By making the communication method between the external device and the portable communication means different from the communication method between the portable communication means and the communication means, the amount of information communication between the external device and the portable communication means can be reduced. Minimize and make the system compact.

[0010] More preferably, the work transfer means includes:
A plurality of shelves for accommodating the work, and a lamp provided on each of the plurality of shelves, wherein the control unit is configured to store, among the lamps, a shelf for accommodating the work based on information received by the communication unit. The provided lamp may be turned on.

[0011] Further, for example, the portable communication means may display one display on the display means based on information received from the external device.
In order to display information for each type of work, control information is transmitted to the communication means. With these configurations, work support with even better workability is performed.

[0012] More preferably, the portable communication means receives information transmitted by the communication means for the certain kind of work and the next kind of work, and measures a time interval as a time required for loading the certain work. A timer, and the portable communication unit measures the time required for loading a plurality of types of workpieces measured by the timer.
It is preferable that the data be transmitted to the external device in a lump. This allows
The number of times of communication between the external device and the portable communication unit is reduced.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, the work transfer device of the present invention has the following configuration.

That is, a work transfer device for storing a work and transferring the work to a predetermined area of a production line, a communication unit for communicating with an external device, a display unit for displaying information,
Control means for controlling display contents of the display means based on information received by the external device. As a result, work support in accordance with the operation of the worker is performed.

[0015] More preferably, the work transfer device includes:
A plurality of shelves for accommodating the work, and lamps respectively provided on the plurality of shelves, wherein the control means is configured to store the work on the shelves based on information received by the external device among the lamps. It is preferable to turn on a lamp provided in.

Further, for example, the control means may cause the display means to display information for each type of work based on the information received from the external device.

With these configurations, work support with even better workability is performed.

In order to achieve the above object, a recording medium storing an operation program for a communication device according to the present invention has the following configuration.

That is, the recording medium stores an operation program of a communication device that communicates with an external device and a work transfer device that supplies a work to a production line, and indicates completion of loading of the work received from the work transfer device. In response to the signal, the code of the work support process for transmitting the next work instruction information to the work transfer device based on the information received from the external device, the time interval for receiving a signal indicating completion of loading of the work, A code for a timekeeping step for measuring the time required for loading the work, and a code for a batch transmission step for collectively transmitting the time required for loading a plurality of types of workpieces measured by the timekeeping step to the external device. It is characterized by the following.

[0020]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention is applied to a work supply system in a so-called multi-product, small-flow assembly line in which many types of vehicles can be assembled on the same assembly line, and will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. explain. First, the overall configuration of a work supply system to which the present invention can be applied will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a transport vehicle and a component shelf constituting a work supply system to which the present invention can be applied. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 11 denotes a component shelf for temporarily storing various components used in an assembly line (not shown), and is installed in a component warehouse or the like remote from the assembly line. 5
Is a pallet truck that transports parts taken out of the parts shelf 11 by a picking operation by a worker to a predetermined work area (hereinafter, a station) of an assembly line (details will be described later). Reference numeral 6 denotes a towing carrier (AGV) that pulls the pallet truck 5. The towing carrier 6 is a general automatic guided vehicle that automatically travels according to a tape, an address plate, or the like laid in advance on the floor of a factory.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a communication network as one embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 20 denotes a host computer for creating a work organization based on a production plan and managing the entire factory. Reference numeral 22 denotes a production information file server (hereinafter, file server) 22 for storing a predetermined amount of the production information received from the host computer 20 for a predetermined period. A component management computer 23 reads production information from the file server 22 and manages the supply of components. These devices are L
Communication line 21 such as AN (local area network)
And can communicate with each other. In the present embodiment, the communication line 21 forms a so-called token ring, and each computer and server sends out data according to a token passed at predetermined time intervals.

The host computer 20 creates production information for production management at an automobile manufacturing plant and supplies it to a plurality of production plants and assembly lines via a communication line 21. Production information for assembling various parts to the body of the car (body number, order number, vehicle type information, various specification information, parts list of many parts to be assembled on the assembly line, assembly line for each automobile) Car body introduction timing, production order, etc.).

A wireless repeater 19 is connected to the component management computer 23 and a plurality of handy terminals 24 are connected.
Perform wireless communication with. A bar code reader (BC / R) 29 is connected to the handy terminal 24 and the parts shelf 1
By reading the bar code label indicating the number of each component previously attached to 1, it is possible to request the component management computer 23 to replenish the missing component. In addition, the handy terminal 24 can perform wireless communication with a towing carrier control unit 31 provided inside the towing carrier 6 to instruct the operation of the towing carrier 6.

An optical communication coupler 25 performs optical communication such as infrared communication with the handy terminal 24. The handy terminal 24 can be set as shown in FIG. 26
Is a trolley controller for controlling the pallet trolley 5, which controls the on / off of the lamp group 9 in the storage section and the handy terminal 2 in the operating state of the push button switch (P / B) 28.
4 and a display 2 such as a plasma display.
7 is performed (details will be described later).

Here, the hardware configuration of the component management computer 23 and the handy terminal 24 is shown in FIGS.
This will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a computer for managing parts as one embodiment of the present invention.

In the drawing, reference numeral 122 denotes a display such as a CRT,
123 is a keyboard as input means, 124 is a ROM storing a boot program and the like, 125 is a RAM temporarily storing various processing results, and 126 is a hard disk storing a program and the like for communicating with a handy terminal 24 described later. A storage device such as a drive (HDD), 127 is a communication interface for communicating with an external device via the communication line 21, 128 is a printer for printing processing results and the like, and 129 is input / output to / from the wireless repeater 19. It is a modem that is an interface. These components are connected via an internal bus 130, and the CPU 121 controls the entire component management computer 23 according to a program stored in the storage device 126.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a handy terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, 222 is a display such as a liquid crystal display, etc., 223 is a keyboard as input means, 224 is a ROM which stores a program for communicating with a component management computer 23 described later, a boot program, and the like.
25 is a RAM for temporarily storing various processing results, 226 is a B
A bar code reader interface, which is a communication interface with the C / R 29, a wireless transmission / reception unit 227 for communication with the wireless repeater 19, and an optical communication coupler 228 for optical communication with the optical communication coupler 25 on the pallet truck 5 side 228. These components are connected via an internal bus 229, and the CPU 221 controls the entire handy terminal 23 according to a program stored in the ROM 224. Note that the handy terminal 24 is driven by a battery (not shown).

FIG. 5 is a view for explaining a pallet truck as one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the pallet truck 5 is provided with twelve component storage sections 4 in a matrix of 3 rows and 4 columns, and each component storage section 4 is provided with an indicator lamp 9.

In the twelve component storage sections 4, the upper four rows are numbered in order from the right. 1 to No. 4 and the middle four are No. 4 in order from the right. 5-No. No. 8 and the lower four are No. in order from the right. 9-No. Twelve numbers are respectively assigned.

In each of the twelve component storage sections 4, the parts of one automobile required at a station having an assembly line are stored by an operator. In addition, No. 1 to No. The twelve component storage units 4 store, in the station where the assembly line is concerned, parts of twelve automobiles which are flowed in time series from the station in the previous process in accordance with the order. The storage order in the parts storage unit 4, that is, information on the production order in the station is transmitted from the host computer 20 to the handy terminal 24 via the parts management computer 23 (details will be described later).

As shown in FIG. 1, the pallet truck 5 has an optical communication coupler 25, twelve display lamps 9, a truck controller 26, a battery 27 for supplying power to the truck controller 26, a push button switch 28, a BC / R29 is provided.

The bogie controller 26 individually controls on / off of the twelve display lamps 9 based on a command from the handy terminal 24. The cart controller 26
Transmits the state of the push button switch 28 operated by the operator to the handy terminal 24 via the optical communication coupler 25. The bogie controller 26 includes a BC / R 29
The read data is transmitted to the handy terminal 24 via the optical communication coupler 25.

Next, the support processing performed by the component management computer 23 and the handy terminal 24 in connection with the work supply operation will be described.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a component management process by the component management computer according to one embodiment of the present invention. This parts management process is always executed by the CPU 121 during the operation of the assembly line.

In the figure, in step S1, when the parts management process is started, vehicle assembly production information (for example, for 180 vehicles) is read from the production information file server 22 and stored in the storage device 126 or the like. Next, in step S2, component request information for each station is created based on the production information stored in step S1, and the created component request information is stored in the storage device 126 or the like.

FIG. 7 is a view showing station-specific component request information created by the component management computer according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the drawing, the parts request information includes a plurality of vehicles (180 vehicles B in this embodiment) supplied to each station of the assembly line.
1, B2,...), Specific information (vehicle number, order number, vehicle type, etc.) for specifying the vehicles arranged in accordance with the production order, various specifications, timing of input to the assembly line 1, Each assembling station ST1, ST2, ...
, Date and time, special notes, parts list (part name and quantity) of parts to be assembled at each of the assembling stations ST1, ST2,...

Next, in steps S3 and S4, communication processing with the handy terminal 24 described later is performed.
It is determined whether or not an information transmission command including the ID information of the pallet cart 5 has been received (step S3). If the determination is No, it is determined whether or not the component request information is equal to or less than a predetermined number (step S4). If the determination is YES, the process returns to step S1 to perform the above processing. On the other hand, if NO in step S4, the process returns to step S3.

Next, if YES in step S3, in step S5, the ID information and component request information of the handy terminal are transmitted to the handy terminal 24 which has transmitted the information transmission command via the wireless repeater 19. Send out.
Note that a general method is used for the wireless communication processing such as a method of determining the handy terminal 24 by the wireless repeater 19, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining component request information transmitted by the component management computer 23 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a diagram showing the concept of the information. As shown in the drawing, the component request information includes information on 16 types of components required by the station assigned to the pallet truck 5 specified by the ID information of the pallet truck 5 included in the received information transmission command. , 12 vehicles are grouped according to the production order to form one unit, and is constituted by information for a total of 60 vehicles. Where 12
The reason why the number of automobiles and that of the 16 types of parts are set to one unit is to match the structure of the pallet truck 5, that is, the size of the 12 component storage sections 4 and the storage sections. Said 1
The unit information of the unit indicates the necessity (1) and the necessity (0) of 16 types of parts according to the production order of 12 vehicles, and the total number of individual parts required. Has also been added. For the total number, refer to the handy terminal 24.
May be calculated, but it goes without saying that it is better to transmit the information together in order to maintain the accuracy of the information to be transmitted.

Next, support processing and communication processing of the loading operation by the handy terminal 24 will be described.

In this embodiment, the handy terminal 24
The identification ID of the pallet truck 5 is registered in advance in the ROM or the like. A worker who loads the parts on the parts shelf 11 on the pallet truck 5 notices the pallet truck 5 pulled by the towing carrier 6 near the worker, and inputs the identification ID of the pallet truck 5 from the keyboard 223. This starts the processing described below. At this time, the operator operates the portable terminal 24 while holding it in his / her hand.

FIGS. 9 to 11 are flowcharts showing a loading work support process and a communication process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, in step S10, the part request information about the pallet truck 5 to which the ID information is input is stored in the RAM.
225 is determined. Step S
If the determination in Step 10 is YES, in Step S11, the ID information of the pallet truck 5 to be picked and the information transmission command are transmitted to the component management computer 23.

In step S12, the aforementioned step S
5, the component request information transmitted from the component management computer 23 is received by the wireless transmission / reception unit 227, and if the ID information included in the received information matches the ID information of the handy terminal 24, The part request information for 60 units is stored in the RAM 225. Step S
If the determination of No. 10 is No, step S11 and step S12 are skipped, and the process proceeds to step S13.

In step S13, the handy terminal 24
Is displayed on the display 27 to the effect that is connected to the optical communication coupler 25 of the pallet truck 5.

When the worker connects the handy terminal 24 to the optical communication coupler unit 25 according to the display, step S1
In step 4, component request information for 12 units is read from the RAM 227, and in step S15, the component name counter i is set to i.
= 1 is set.

In the handy terminal 24, a table for associating the part number with the number of the part storage unit 4 on a one-to-one basis is stored in the RAM 227 or the like in advance. Name (part number) Pi, the total quantity of the part, and one or more storage units No. for storing the part. Is output. In response to this information, the dolly lamp controller 2
6 displays the component name Pi on the display 27 and turns on the lamp 9 of the storage unit 4 in which the component is to be stored.

In step S17, the display 222 of the handy terminal 24 also displays the component name Pi and the quantity per unit.

In step S18, the worker places the part in the predetermined part storage section 4 of the pallet truck 5, ie, the lamp 9
The operation time counter for measuring the time required for completing the picking operation to the storage unit in which is lit is reset and started.

After confirming the display in step S17, the worker confirms the part Pi and the quantity thereof displayed on the display unit 27, takes out the necessary quantity of the part from a predetermined position of the parts shelf 11, and removes them. The parts are loaded into the parts storage unit 4 where the lamp 9 is lit. When the picking operation is completed, the push button switch 28 is operated to obtain the next operation instruction. The cart controller 26 transmits a work completion signal to the handy terminal 24 in response to the operation, so that the handy terminal 24 determines in step S19 whether or not the work completion signal has been received.

If YES in step S19, the part name counter i is incremented by 1 (step S20), and the measured time of the work time counter is stored in the RAM 227.

In step S22, the component name counter i is 1
It is determined whether or not the number is 6, and in the case of NO, the process returns to step S16 to continue the picking work support. At this time, preferably, in order to shorten the moving distance when the worker picks a part, when the part name counter i reaches a predetermined value, it is preferable to send a movement command to the control unit 31 of the towing carrier 6.

On the other hand, if YES in step S22,
An instruction to display a message indicating that the picking operation is completed on the display 27 is transmitted to the carriage controller 26.
In step S24, one or more component storage units N that should be empty so that the operator can determine whether the picking operation on the pallet cart 5 has been completed correctly.
o. Is output to the carriage controller 26. The bogie controller 26 turns on the display lamp 9 of the component storage unit 4 in accordance with the received information, so that the worker confirms that no component is stored in the component storage unit 4 that should be empty.

When the operator who has completed the checking operation operates the push button switch 28, the handy terminal 24
However, when receiving the work completion signal (step S25), the handy terminal 24 further causes the bogie controller 26 to display search information for picking part confirmation on the display 27 (step S26). The operator can confirm that there is no picking error by comparing the displayed search information with the picked component.

Next, in step S27, it is determined whether or not a work completion signal indicating that the worker has finished searching has been input. Then, in the case of YES in step S27, in step S28, the bogie controller 26 displays a comment indicating that the handy terminal 24 is to be removed from the optical communication coupler 25 on the front passenger seat device 27. Then, in step S29, a traveling start command is sent to the control unit 31 of the towing vehicle 6.

In step S30, the RAM 227 obtained by performing the above-described processing on 16 types of parts is obtained.
The work time information in the file is uploaded to the component management computer 23, and the process is terminated.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a data structure of work time information transmitted by the handy terminal as one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the work time information includes, for example, an ID information field 51 of the pallet cart 5, an operator ID information field 52, a lot ID field 53, and a field 54 of start and end time information of the current picking work. And 55, and a field 56 for picking operation time information of 16 types of parts.

When uploading the work time information to the component management computer 23, each handy terminal 24 competes with the communication of another handy terminal 24 by the wireless repeater 19, so that the wireless repeater 19 If a response signal cannot be received from the server, it goes without saying that the information is transmitted again after a lapse of a predetermined time determined by a random number function or the like.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an output example of work time information by the component management computer according to one embodiment of the present invention. The parts management computer 23 sequentially stores the work time information in the storage device 126 and constructs a work analysis database.

Here, the features of the pallet truck 5 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. As described above, the arrangement of the component storage units 4 of the pallet truck 5 is in the production order of twelve automobiles. on the other hand,
In manufacturing the pallet truck 5, the signal cable is connected as shown in FIG.
It is better to arrange as shown. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a conversion table as shown in FIG. 14 is stored in a memory (not shown) of the carriage controller 26 in advance, and the number of the component storage unit 4 and the lamp address (LP) included in the received lamp display command are stored. Ads), and the target display lamp 9 is turned on.

In the above embodiment, step S3
At 0, the work required time for 12 units in the component request information for 60 units received in step S12 was transmitted.
However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the required work time for 60 vehicles may be accumulated and then transmitted to the component management computer 23.

In the present embodiment, the handy terminal 24 can be installed in the area of the worker in charge of the parts shelf 11 and does not move over a long distance. Therefore, in the embodiment described above, the component management computer 2
Although a wireless line is adopted as a communication method between the handy terminal 3 and the handy terminal 24, the present invention is not limited to this, and the handy terminal 24 may be a cable connection wired method and directly connected to a communication line 21 such as a LAN or the like. A lower communication line of the line 21 may be configured and accommodated in the communication line.

<Effects of this Embodiment> (1) The parts management computer 23 and the handy terminal 2
The wireless communication system is adopted for communication with
By adopting an optical communication line as the communication system between the pallet truck 4 and the pallet truck 5 and closing the work support (indicator 27, lamp 9) for the worker in the pallet truck 5,
It is possible to both minimize the amount of information communication of the wireless communication line and to provide good work support to the worker.

(2) Handy terminal 24 and bogie controller 26 controlled by the handy terminal 24
The operator displays the number (name) and quantity of parts to be picked from now on, on the display 27 one by one, and designates the component storage unit 4 for loading picked parts by the lamp 9. Thereby, smooth work support can be performed along the flow of the work operation of the worker, and work errors of the worker can be reduced.

(3) By uploading the work time to the parts management computer 23 not in units of one part but in units of 16 types (or in units of 60 units), the wireless repeater 19 and a plurality of handy terminals can be uploaded. The number of times of transmission / reception of wireless communication performed with the device 24 can be minimized.

(4) The timing at which the handy terminal 24 operates the push button switch 28 to obtain the next work instruction at the timing for measuring the time required for the picking work of each type of component. Was used. Thus, accurate time can be measured without applying a new load for measuring the work time.

(5) The structure of the component request information received by the handy terminal 24 is configured as one unit for 16 types of components of 12 automobiles as shown in FIG. 8, and shown in FIGS. 9 to 11. Processing was performed for each unit by software. Thereby, the handy terminal 24 can be prepared in common for the plurality of pallet trucks 5 in the area of the worker in charge of the parts shelf 11, and it is not necessary to prepare the handy terminal 24 for each pallet truck 5. Therefore, the number of communication devices constituting the system can be minimized. Therefore, the amount of information communication can be reduced, and the system scale can be made compact.

[0071]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to provide a work support system which is excellent in workability of an operator and can minimize the amount of information communication of a communication line, a work transfer device, and a recording medium storing an operation program of the communication device.

[0072]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a transport vehicle and a component shelf that constitute a work supply system to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a communication network as one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a component management computer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a handy terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a pallet truck as one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a component management process performed by a component management computer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating station-specific component request information created by a component management computer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating component request information transmitted by the component management computer 23 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a loading work support process and a communication process as one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a loading work support process and a communication process as one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a loading work support process and a communication process as one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of work time information transmitted by a handy terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an output example of work time information by a component management computer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a conversion table included in a carriage controller as one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a route of cable wiring of a pallet truck as one embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 4 Parts storage unit, 5 Pallet truck, 6 Towing carrier, 9 Lamp, 11 Parts shelf, 19 Wireless repeater, 20 Host computer, 21 Communication line, 22 Production information file server, 23 Computer for parts management, 24 Handy terminal , 25 optical communication coupler, 26 trolley controller, 27 indicator, 28 push button switch, 29 bar code reader, 31 tow carrier control unit, 122, 222 display, 123, 223 keyboard, 124, 224 ROM, 125, 225 RAM , 126 storage device, 127 communication interface, 128 printer, 129 modem, 130, 229 internal bus, 226 barcode reader interface, 227 wireless transmission / reception unit, 228 optical communication coupler,

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Tetsuya Nakamura 3-1, Shinchi, Fuchu-cho, Aki-gun, Hiroshima Mazda Co., Ltd.

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A work support system for supporting the supply of a work to a production line, comprising: a portable portable communication means for communicating information about the work with an external device; A work transfer means for transferring, the work transfer means being a communication means having a communication method different from a communication method between the external device and the portable communication means, and a communication means for performing communication with the portable communication means. A work support system comprising: display means for displaying information; and control means for controlling display contents of the display means based on information received by the communication means. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the work transporting means includes a plurality of shelves for storing the work, and lamps provided on the plurality of shelves, respectively, and the control means includes a communication unit among the lamps. The work support system according to claim 1, wherein a lamp provided on a shelf for storing the work is turned on based on the received information. 3. The portable communication unit transmits control information to the communication unit based on information received from the external device so that the display unit displays information for each type of work. The work support system according to claim 2, wherein 4. The work transporting means further comprises: a certain type of work being displayed on the display means on a shelf at a position of a lamp lit by the control means among the plurality of shelves. Input means for inputting the completion of loading, the portable communication means, when receiving the information transmitted by the communication means in response to a signal indicating the completion of loading from the input means, received from the external device 4. The work support system according to claim 3, wherein control information is transmitted to said communication means in order to cause said display means to display information of a next type of work based on the information. 5. The portable communication means receives information transmitted by the communication means for the certain kind of work and the next kind of work, and measures a time interval as a time required for loading the certain work. Equipped with timekeeping means,
5. The work support system according to claim 4, wherein the portable communication unit collectively transmits, to the external device, a required time for loading a plurality of types of workpieces measured by the timing unit. 6. The work support system according to claim 1, wherein communication between said portable communication means and said communication means is optical communication. 7. A work transfer device for storing a work and transferring it to a predetermined area of a production line, comprising: a communication unit for communicating with an external device; a display unit for displaying information; Control means for controlling display contents of the display means based on information. 8. The work transfer device further comprises: a plurality of shelves for accommodating a work; and lamps respectively provided on the plurality of shelves, wherein the control means is configured to control the external device among the lamps. 8. The work transfer device according to claim 7, wherein a lamp provided on a shelf for storing the work is turned on based on the received information. 9. The work transfer device according to claim 8, wherein the control unit causes the display unit to display information for each type of work based on information received from the external device. 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the work transporting means is configured to display, on the shelf at the position of the lamp lit by the control means among the plurality of shelves, a certain type of workpiece displayed on the display means. 10. The work transfer device according to claim 9, further comprising input means for inputting that loading is completed. 11. A recording medium storing an operation program of a communication device that communicates with an external device and a work transfer device that supplies a work to a production line, the storage medium representing completion of loading of a work received from the work transfer device. In response to the signal, the code of the work support step to transmit the next work instruction information to the work transfer device based on the information received from the external device, the time interval for receiving a signal indicating the completion of loading of the work, A code for a timekeeping step for measuring the time required for loading the work, and a code for a batch transmission step for collectively transmitting the time required for loading a plurality of types of workpieces measured by the timekeeping step to the external device. A recording medium characterized by the above-mentioned.