WO2019039039A1

WO2019039039A1 - Apparatus management system

Info

Publication number: WO2019039039A1
Application number: PCT/JP2018/021852
Authority: WO
Inventors: 重俊八田
Original assignee: 株式会社イシダ
Priority date: 2017-08-22
Filing date: 2018-06-07
Publication date: 2019-02-28
Also published as: JP2019038550A; JP6917618B2

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide an apparatus management system that is able to automatically perform work for confirming setup before start of operation of a commodity processing apparatus. An apparatus management system (100) manages a commodity processing apparatus (102) that performs a commodity process for covering a commodity with a packaging material (103). The apparatus management system is provided with a photographing unit (121), a reading unit (123), and a control unit (125). The photographing unit photographs a first specific mark (111) given to the packaging material and a second specific mark (112) given to the commodity processing apparatus. The reading unit reads the first specific mark and the second specific mark photographed by the photographing unit. The control unit manages the commodity processing apparatus on the basis of a first read mark that is the first specific mark read by the reading unit and a second read mark that is the second specific mark read by the reading unit. The photographing unit photographs the first specific mark and the second specific mark such that the first specific mark and the second specific mark are included in the same screen.

Description

Device management system

The present invention relates to a system for managing a commodity processing apparatus that covers commodities with a packaging material.

Goods processing equipment such as a bag making and packaging machine for packaging goods with film, and a boxing device for packing goods into a cardboard box, it is necessary to confirm whether setup is properly performed before starting operation. There is. Here, the setup is, for example, an operation of setting a film or a cardboard box suitable for the product to be processed in the apparatus. For example, in the case of a bag making and packaging machine as disclosed in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-36246), whether or not a film of a model number matching the product to be packaged is set before starting operation. It is necessary to confirm. Heretofore, such a setup confirmation operation has been performed by the user of the commodity processing apparatus visually confirming the film or the cardboard box.

However, when the setup confirmation work of the commodity processing apparatus is performed visually, there is a possibility that the setup before the start of the operation may not be correctly performed due to a work mistake. Therefore, automation of the setup confirmation work is required.

An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus management system capable of automatically performing a setup confirmation operation before starting operation of a commodity processing apparatus.

An apparatus management system according to the present invention manages a commodity processing apparatus that performs commodity processing for covering a commodity with a packaging material. The device management system includes an imaging unit, a reading unit, and a control unit. The photographing unit photographs the first unique symbol given to the packaging material and the second unique symbol given to the commodity processing apparatus. The reading unit reads the first unique symbol and the second unique symbol captured by the imaging unit. The control unit manages the commodity processing apparatus based on the first read symbol which is the first unique symbol read by the reading unit and the second read symbol which is the second unique symbol read by the reading unit. The imaging unit captures the first unique symbol and the second unique symbol so that the first unique symbol and the second unique symbol fit on the same screen.

The device management system reads the first and second unique symbols attached to the packaging material set in the commodity processing device and the second unique symbols attached to the commodity processing device. Based on the unique symbol, it is determined whether the combination of the packaging material and the commodity processing apparatus is correct. Therefore, the device management system can automatically perform the setup confirmation operation before the start of operation.

Further, the device management system according to the present invention preferably further comprises a storage unit for storing collation information including a combination of the first unique symbol and the second unique symbol. In this case, when the combination of the first read symbol and the second read symbol is included in the collation information stored in the storage unit, the control unit adds the second read symbol. Permit product processing of the product processing device.

In this case, based on the correct combination of the first unique symbol and the second unique symbol stored in the storage unit, the device management system can automatically perform the setup confirmation operation before the start of operation.

In addition, the device management system according to the present invention preferably further includes a registration unit for registering processing settings related to the commodity processing of the commodity processing device. In this case, the storage unit stores collation information including a combination of the first unique symbol, the second unique symbol, and the processing setting. Further, the control unit is configured to match the combination of the first read symbol, the second read symbol, and the processing setting registered in the registration unit in the collation information stored in the storage unit. , Authorize the commodity processing of the commodity processing apparatus to which the second read symbol is attached.

In this case, the device management system can automatically perform the setup confirmation before the start of operation based on the correct combination of the first unique symbol, the second unique symbol, and the processing setting stored in the storage unit. .

Further, the commodity processing apparatus preferably has a mechanism for locking the packaging material. In this case, the control unit further permits the commodity processing of the commodity processing apparatus when the packaging material is locked.

In this case, the device management system can prevent inappropriate use of the packaging material due to the change of the packaging material immediately before the start of operation of the commodity processing device.

Further, it is preferable that the control unit prohibits the commodity processing of the commodity processing apparatus when the lock of the packaging material is released after the commodity processing of the commodity processing device is permitted.

In this case, the device management system should prevent the inappropriate use of the packaging material if the packaging material set in the product processing device is not guaranteed to be appropriate after completion of the setup confirmation operation. Can.

Preferably, the reading unit reads the first unique symbol from the first area in the screen and reads the second unique symbol from the second area in the screen.

In this case, since the reading unit can simultaneously read the first unique symbol and the second unique symbol, the device management system can efficiently perform the setup confirmation operation before the start of operation.

Preferably, the reading unit and the control unit are provided in a management device different from the commodity processing device.

In this case, a personal computer or the like different from the commodity processing apparatus can be used as an apparatus having a reading unit and a control unit. Therefore, the functions of the reading unit and the control unit can be easily added to the conventional commodity processing apparatus.

Preferably, the management device is connected to the commodity processing device via a network. In this case, the device management system further includes a transmission unit that transmits the first unique symbol and the second unique symbol captured by the imaging unit to the management device.

In this case, a server or the like on a network can be used as an apparatus having a reading unit and a control unit. Therefore, the functions of the reading unit and the control unit can be easily added to the conventional commodity processing apparatus.

The device management system according to the present invention can automatically perform the setup confirmation operation before the start of operation of the commodity processing device.

It is a figure showing the whole composition of apparatus control system 100 which is one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a form-fill-seal machine 1 as an example of a commodity processing apparatus 102. 5 is an example of an authentication image P acquired using the imaging device 104. 5 is an example of collation information stored in a storage unit 124. 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure of operation of the device management system 100. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an entire configuration of a device management system 100 in a modification example A. It is an example of the collation information memorized by storage part 124 in modification A. 15 is an example of a first imaging region R1 and a second imaging region R2 displayed on the display 104a of the imaging device 104 in Modification D. FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an entire configuration of a device management system 200 in a modification F. FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a procedure of operation of the device management system 200 in the modification F. FIG.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiment described below is one of the specific examples of the present invention, and does not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

(1) Configuration of Device Management System The device management system according to the present invention manages a product processing device that performs product processing for covering a product with a packaging material. This device management system has a function of automating the setup confirmation operation before starting the operation of the commodity processing device. The setup confirmation operation is an operation for confirming whether or not the type of packaging material suitable for the product to be processed is set in the product processing apparatus.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an entire configuration of a device management system 100 according to the present embodiment. The device management system 100 mainly includes a commodity processing device 102, an imaging device 104, and an analysis device 106. The commodity processing apparatus 102, the imaging apparatus 104, and the analysis apparatus 106 are connected to each other by wire or wirelessly via a network 108 such as a LAN. The device management system 100 may have a plurality of commodity processing devices 102, may have a plurality of imaging devices 104, and may have a plurality of analysis devices 106. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus management system 100 is composed of three commodity processing apparatuses 102, one imaging apparatus 104, and one analysis apparatus 106. . In each commodity processing apparatus 102, a packaging material 103 for covering the commodity which is an object of commodity processing is set.

(2) Merchandise Processing Device The merchandise processing device 102 is, for example, a device for packaging or boxing products. Next, a bag making and packaging machine which is an example of the commodity processing apparatus 102 will be described. The bag-making and packaging machine is an apparatus for packaging and bagging an object to be packaged such as food with a film.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bag making and packaging machine 1. The bag making and packaging machine 1 mainly includes a combination weighing unit 2, a bag making and packaging unit 3, a film supply unit 4, an operation switch 5, a liquid crystal display 6, and a control device (not shown). .

The combination weighing unit 2 is disposed above the bag making and packaging unit 3. The combination weighing unit 2 weighs the weights of the objects to be packaged with a plurality of weighing hoppers, and combines the weight values weighed in the respective weighing hoppers to obtain a predetermined total weight. The combination weighing unit 2 discharges the package of the combined predetermined total weight downward and supplies it to the bag making and packaging unit 3.

While forming the bag from the film supplied from the film supply unit 4, the bag making and packaging unit 3 seals the material to be packaged in the bag at the timing when the material to be packaged is supplied from the combination weighing unit 2. Pack.

The film supply unit 4 is installed adjacent to the bag making and packaging unit 3 and supplies the film for forming the bag to the bag making and packaging unit 3. In the film supply unit 4, a film roll on which a film is wound is set. The film supply unit 4 feeds the film from the film roll and supplies it to the bag making and packaging unit 3.

The operation switch 5 and the liquid crystal display 6 are attached to the front of the bag manufacturing and packaging machine 1. The liquid crystal display 6 is a touch panel type display disposed at a position where an operator of the operation switch 5 can visually recognize. The operation switch 5 and the liquid crystal display 6 function as an input device that receives an instruction for the bag making and packaging machine 1 and settings regarding the bag making and packaging machine 1. The liquid crystal display 6 functions as an output device for displaying information on the bag manufacturing and packaging machine 1.

The control device is a computer mainly configured by a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and the like. An SSD (solid state drive) may be used instead of the HDD. The control device includes a display control circuit, an input circuit, a communication port and the like which are not shown. The display control circuit is a circuit that controls the display of the liquid crystal display 6. The input circuit is a circuit that takes in input data input through the touch panel of the liquid crystal display 6 and the operation switch 5. The communication port is a port that enables connection with an external device such as a printer and the network 108.

The control device is connected to the combination weighing unit 2, the bag making and packaging unit 3, the film supply unit 4, the operation switch 5 and the liquid crystal display 6. The control device controls the combination weighing unit 2, the bag making and packaging unit 3 and the film supply unit 4 based on the inputs from the operation switch 5 and the liquid crystal display 6, and outputs various types of information to the liquid crystal display 6.

As shown in FIG. 1, a first unique symbol 111 is given to the packaging material 103 used by the commodity processing apparatus 102 such as the bag making and packaging machine 1 or the like. The first unique symbol 111 is a symbol for uniquely identifying the type of the packaging material 103 used by the commodity processing apparatus 102. The first unique symbol 111 is, for example, a character string composed of alphanumeric characters, a barcode, and a two-dimensional code. In the present embodiment, the first unique symbol 111 is a product number and is a character string (ID number) composed of only seven numbers. The first unique symbol 111 may be printed directly on the packaging material 103, or a seal or the like on which the first unique symbol 111 is printed may be attached to the packaging material 103. When the commodity processing apparatus 102 is the form-fill-seal machine 1 shown in FIG. 2, the first unique symbol 111 is given to the film roll which is the packaging material 103 set in the film supply unit 4.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, each commodity processing apparatus 102 is provided with a second unique symbol 112. The second unique symbol 112 is a symbol for uniquely identifying the commodity processing apparatus 102. The second unique symbol 112 is, for example, a character string composed of alphanumeric characters, a barcode, and a two-dimensional code. In the present embodiment, the second unique symbol 112 is assumed to be a character string (ID number) composed of only ten numbers. The second unique symbol 112 may be printed directly on the surface of the frame of the commodity processing apparatus 102, and a seal or the like on which the second unique symbol 112 is printed may be attached to the surface of the frame of the commodity processing apparatus 102. . Each commodity processing device 102 stores its own second unique symbol 112.

(3) Imaging Device The imaging device 104 has a camera or the like for capturing an image. In the present embodiment, the imaging device 104 is assumed to be a smartphone with a camera or a smart glass with a camera. The imaging device 104 is connected to the network 108 wirelessly. The imaging device 104 has a function of transmitting the captured image to the analysis device 106. The imaging device 104 mainly includes an imaging unit 121 and a transmission unit 122. These are programs stored and executed in the storage device of the imaging device 104.

The photographing unit 121 is software or the like for photographing an image with a camera attached to the photographing device 104. The photographing unit 121 is used to photograph the first unique symbol 111 and the second unique symbol 112. In order to use the function of automating the setup confirmation operation of the device management system 100, the user of the product processing device 102 uses the photographing unit 121 to make the first unique symbol 111 and the second unique symbol 112 identical. The first unique symbol 111 and the second unique symbol 112 need to be photographed so as to fit on the screen. In other words, the user needs to operate the imaging device 104 to obtain an authentication image in which both the first unique symbol 111 and the second unique symbol 112 are shown. Therefore, the first unique symbol 111 and the second unique symbol 112 are provided at positions where the user can easily obtain an authentication image using the imaging device 104. For example, the second unique symbol 112 is provided on the surface of a frame located in the vicinity of the packaging material 103 set in the commodity processing apparatus 102. FIG. 3 is an example of the authentication image P acquired using the imaging device 104. On the right side of the authentication image P shown in FIG. 3, a character string “1110123” representing the first unique symbol 111 attached to the packaging material 103 is shown. On the left side of the authentication image of FIG. 3, a character string “1120987654” representing the second unique symbol 112 attached to the commodity processing apparatus 102 is shown.

The transmission unit 122 is a dedicated application or the like installed in the imaging device 104. The transmission unit 122 is used to transmit the authentication image acquired by the user using the function of the imaging unit 121 to the analysis device 106. The transmission unit 122 may automatically transmit the authentication image simultaneously with acquisition, or may transmit the authentication image according to a user's instruction.

(4) Analysis Device The analysis device 106 is, for example, a personal computer (server) connected to each commodity processing device 102 via a LAN cable. The analysis device 106 mainly includes a reading unit 123, a storage unit 124, and a control unit 125. These are programs stored and executed in the storage device of the analysis device 106.

The reading unit 123 analyzes the authentication image received from the transmission unit 122 of the imaging device 104, and reads the first unique symbol 111 and the second unique symbol 112. Specifically, the reading unit 123 automatically identifies the first and second

unique symbols

111 and 112 included in the authentication image by using an optical character recognition (OCR) technique. Each of the two

unique symbols

111 and 112 is converted into a corresponding character code string. Accordingly, the analysis device 106 can perform computer processing on the first unique symbol 111 attached to the packaging material 103 and the second unique symbol 112 attached to the commodity processing device 102. Hereinafter, the first unique symbol 111 read by the reading unit 123 is referred to as a first read symbol, and the second unique symbol 112 read by the reading unit 123 is referred to as a second read symbol. The reading unit 123 acquires the first and second read symbols from the authentication image.

The storage unit 124 stores collation information including a combination of the first unique symbol 111 and the second unique symbol 112. Specifically, the matching information is a database including a record in which the first unique symbol 111 and the second unique symbol 112 are linked. The user of the device management system 100 registers the collation information in the analysis device 106 in advance and stores the collation information in the storage unit 124. FIG. 4 is an example of the collation information stored in the storage unit 124. In the table of FIG. 4, the right column represents the first unique symbol 111, and the left column represents the second unique symbol 112. The first unique symbol 111 and the second unique symbol 112 included in the same row are linked to each other. For example, the first unique symbol 111 “1110123” is linked to the second unique symbol 112 “1120987654”. This is a target of commodity processing when the packaging material 103 to which the first unique symbol 111 “1110123” is attached is set in the commodity processing apparatus 102 to which the second unique symbol 112 “1120987654” is attached. It means that a packaging material 103 of a type that matches a certain commodity is set in the commodity processing apparatus 102.

The control unit 125 permits or prohibits the start of the operation of the commodity processing apparatus 102 based on the first read symbol and the second read symbol. Specifically, the control unit 125 determines whether the combination of the first read symbol and the second read symbol acquired by the reading unit 123 from the authentication image is included in the collation information of the storage unit 124. judge. When the combination of the first read symbol and the second read symbol is included in the verification information, the control unit 125 permits the start of the operation of the commodity processing apparatus 102. On the other hand, when the combination of the first read symbol and the second read symbol is not included in the collation information, the control unit 125 prohibits the start of operation of the commodity processing apparatus 102. When the control unit 125 permits the operation start of the commodity processing apparatus 102, the user can start the operation of the commodity processing apparatus 102. For example, when the commodity processing apparatus 102 is the form-fill-seal machine 1 shown in FIG. 2, the user can activate the form-fill-seal machine 1 by pressing the operation start button included in the operation switch 5.

(5) Operation of Device Management System Next, an operation procedure of the device management system 100 will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure of operation of the device management system 100. Steps S1 to S3 can be performed in any order regarding the preliminary preparation. Steps S4 to S8 relate to the setup confirmation operation. It is assumed that the operation start of the commodity processing apparatus 102 is prohibited at the start of the process of FIG. 5. In addition, the first unique symbol 111 is given in advance to the packaging material 103 set in the commodity processing apparatus 102.

In step S1, an ID number representing the second unique symbol 112 is registered in each product processing device 102 of the device management system 100. In step S1, for example, the user of the device management system 100 operates each commodity processing device 102 to register an appropriate ID number in the control device of each commodity processing device 102.

In step S2, the second unique symbol 112 is assigned to each commodity processing device 102 of the device management system 100. In step S2, for example, the user of the device management system 100 pastes a seal or the like on which the second unique symbol 112 is printed on the frame of the commodity processing device 102. However, the user may write or print the second unique symbol 112 directly on the frame of the commodity processing apparatus 102.

In step S3, the verification information is registered in the analysis device 106. In step S3, for example, the user of the device management system 100 operates the analysis device 106 to analyze the collation information including the combination of the first unique symbol 111 and the second unique symbol 112 as shown in FIG. It is stored in the storage unit 124 of the device 106.

In step S4, the image for authentication is acquired using the imaging device 104. Specifically, the user of the commodity processing apparatus 102 operates the photographing apparatus 104 to acquire an authentication image in which both the first unique symbol 111 and the second unique symbol 112 are shown.

In step S5, the authentication image acquired in step S4 is transmitted to the analysis device 106. The transmission of the authentication image may be automatically performed by the imaging device 104.

In step S6, the analysis device 106 analyzes the authentication image to obtain a first read symbol and a second read symbol. The first and second read symbols are string data representing the first and second

unique symbols

111 and 112, respectively.

In step S7, the analysis device 106 determines whether or not the combination of the first read symbol and the second read symbol obtained in step S6 is included in the collation information stored in the storage unit 124. Do the processing. In the authentication process, if the combination is included in the verification information, the authentication result is OK, and if not included, the authentication result is NG. The analysis device 106 transmits the authentication result to the commodity processing device 102. The commodity processing apparatus 102 to which the authentication result is sent is the commodity processing apparatus 102 to which the second unique symbol 112 corresponding to the second read symbol used in the authentication process is attached. That is, the analysis device 106 transmits the authentication result to the commodity processing device 102 in which the second unique symbol 112 is photographed by the photographing device 104. The analysis device 106 permits or prohibits the start of operation of the commodity processing device 102 by the authentication process.

In step S8, the commodity processing apparatus 102 performs determination processing of the authentication result received from the analysis apparatus 106. In step S8, when the authentication result is OK, the operation start of the commodity processing apparatus 102 is permitted in step S9. Specifically, the commodity processing apparatus 102 allows the user to press the operation start button or the like. Thereafter, the device management system 100 ends the setup confirmation operation. On the other hand, when the authentication result is NG in step S8, the apparatus management system 100 ends the setup confirmation operation while the operation start of the commodity processing apparatus 102 is prohibited.

When the setup confirmation operation by the device management system 100 is performed again, steps S1 to S3 related to the advance preparation can be omitted. However, when the collation information registered in the analysis device 106 is updated, only step S3 needs to be re-executed.

(6) Features In the present embodiment, the user of the device management system 100 uses the photographing device 104 to apply the first unique symbol 111 attached to the packaging material 103 set in the commodity processing device 102, and the commodity The second unique symbol 112 attached to the processing device 102 is simultaneously photographed to acquire an authentication image. The analysis device 106 performs a setup confirmation operation before the start of operation of the commodity processing device 102 based on the first and second read symbols which are the first and second

unique symbols

111 and 112 read from the authentication image. Specifically, when the combination of the first read symbol and the second read symbol is registered in the analysis device 106, the analysis device 106 sends the second read symbol to the commodity processing device 102. It is determined that the appropriate packaging material 103 is set. In this case, based on the determination result of the analysis device 106, the product processing device 102 puts the user in the state where the user can press the operation start button or the like. Therefore, the device management system 100 can automatically perform the setup confirmation operation before starting the operation of the commodity processing device 102.

Also, the user of the device management system 100 can obtain an authentication image by photographing the first unique symbol 111 and the second unique symbol 112 so as to fit on the same screen, using the photographing device 104. . Therefore, the device management system 100 can efficiently perform the setup confirmation operation before the start of the operation of the commodity processing device 102.

In addition, the user of the device management system 100 performs setup confirmation work before the start of operation of the product processing device 102 using the photographing device 104 and the analysis device 106 which are devices not originally attached to the product processing device 102. Can. Therefore, the function of automation of the setup confirmation operation can be easily added simply by adding the imaging device 104 and the analysis device 106 to the configuration of the conventional commodity processing apparatus 102.

(7) Modification As mentioned above, although one embodiment of the present invention was described, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and various change is possible in the range which does not deviate from the gist of an invention. For example, at least one of the modifications described below can be applied to the present invention.

(7-1) Modification A
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the device management system 100 in the present modification. As shown in FIG. 6, each commodity processing apparatus 102 may further include a registration unit 126. The registration unit 126 is a program for registering process settings that are settings relating to product processing of the product processing apparatus 102. The process setting is, for example, a setting relating to the type of the product to be processed by the product processing apparatus 102 and the ability of the product processing apparatus 102 to process the product. The process setting registered in the item processing apparatus 102 is the process setting currently used by the item processing apparatus 102.

In the present modification, the storage unit 124 uniquely identifies the process setting by the first unique symbol 111 assigned to the packaging material 103, the second unique symbol 112 assigned to the commodity processing apparatus 102, and the like. The collation information associated with the reservation number 113 is stored. FIG. 7 is an example of the verification information stored in the storage unit 124 of the present modification. In the table of FIG. 7, the right column represents the first unique symbol 111, the middle column represents the second unique symbol 112, and the left column represents the reservation number 113. In FIG. 7, the reservation number 113 is represented by an ID number consisting of four numbers.

When the user of the device management system 100 captures an authentication image using the imaging device 104 and transmits it to the analysis device 106, the processing setting registered in the product processing device 102 that captured the authentication image is supported. The reservation number 113 is also transmitted to the analysis device 106. The analysis device 106 receives the authentication image and the reservation number 113 from the imaging device 104. The analysis device 106 acquires the first and second read symbols from the received authentication image. When the combination of the first read symbol, the second read symbol, and the reservation number 113 is included in the collation information, the analysis device 106 selects the product of the commodity processing device 102 to which the second read symbol is attached. Allow processing

In this modification, when performing the setup confirmation operation, in addition to the authentication process of the analysis device 106 in the embodiment, the process of checking the process settings registered in the commodity processing apparatus 102 is further performed. Therefore, even if the combination of the first read symbol and the second read symbol is appropriate but the processing setting registered in the item processing apparatus 102 is not appropriate, the analysis device 106 determines that the authentication result is NG, and the item processing is performed. The operation start of the device 102 is prohibited. This prevents the commodity processing apparatus 102 from starting the commodity processing while the inappropriate processing setting is registered in the commodity processing apparatus 102.

(7-2) Modification B
In the device management system 100, the commodity processing device 102 may further include a mechanism for locking the packaging material 103. When the packaging material 103 is locked, the packaging material 103 set in the commodity processing apparatus 102 can not be removed. Therefore, when the packaging material 103 is locked, the packaging material 103 set in the commodity processing apparatus 102 can not be replaced with another type of packaging material 103. While the product processing apparatus 102 is not performing product processing, the packaging material 103 can be unlocked.

In the present modification, the control unit 125 of the analysis device 106 may allow the commodity processing of the commodity processing device 102 when the authentication result is OK and the packaging material 103 is locked. In other words, the control unit 125 does not permit the commodity processing of the commodity processing apparatus 102 if the packaging material 103 is not locked even if the authentication result is OK. If the packaging material 103 is not locked, the packaging material 103 set in the commodity processing apparatus 102 can be replaced with another kind of packaging material 103 even if the authentication result by the analysis device 106 is OK. . If the packaging material 103 is replaced, the commodity processing apparatus 102 may not be able to properly perform commodity processing. Therefore, the device management system 100 of this modification can prevent the use of the inappropriate packaging material 103 set in the commodity processing device 102.

Further, in the present modification, even when the authentication result is OK, when the lock of the packaging material 103 is released, the control unit 125 of the analysis device 106 invalidates the authentication result, and the commodity processing of the commodity processing apparatus 102 is performed. It is preferable not to allow. Because, even if the authentication result is OK, if the lock of the packaging material 103 is released, there is a possibility that the authentication result may not be reliable. Therefore, the user of the commodity processing apparatus 102 performs step S4 in FIG. This is because it is necessary to execute the subsequent setup confirmation work again. Therefore, the apparatus management system 100 according to the present modification, when the packaging material 103 set in the commodity processing apparatus 102 is not guaranteed to be appropriate after the completion of the setup confirmation operation, the inappropriate packaging material 103 It can prevent the use of

In this modification, even if the authentication result is OK, the control unit 125 of the analysis device 106 turns on the power of the product processing device 102 again, or the process setting registered in the product processing device 102 (modification) Even when the reservation number 113) of the example A is changed, it is preferable to invalidate the authentication result and not to allow the commodity processing of the commodity processing apparatus 102. Because, even in these cases, the authentication result may not be reliable.

(7-3) Modification C
In the device management system 100 of the embodiment, the analysis device 106 analyzes the authentication image to obtain the first read symbol and the second read symbol. After that, the analysis device 106 performs an authentication process to determine whether the combination of the first read symbol and the second read symbol is included in the collation information of the storage unit 124.

At this time, when the time when the first read symbol and the second read symbol are obtained and the time when the authentication process is performed are apart from each other by a predetermined period or more, the analysis device 106 invalidates the authentication result. Preferably, the product processing of the product processing apparatus 102 is not permitted. Thereby, it is possible to prevent an unauthorized authentication process such as falsification of the first read symbol and the second read symbol.

(7-4) Modification D
In the device management system 100, the imaging device 104 may have a function of navigating so that the first and second

unique symbols

111 and 112 can fit in a predetermined area of the authentication image. For example, when the imaging device 104 is a smartphone, the display of the imaging device 104 displays a first imaging area for the first unique symbol 111 to fit in and a second imaging region for the second unique symbol 112 to fit in. It is also good. FIG. 8 is an example of the first imaging region R1 and the second imaging region R2 displayed on the display 104a of the imaging device 104 which is a smartphone. The display 104 a shown in FIG. 8 displays an instruction for the operator of the imaging device 104. The first imaging area R1 and the second imaging area R2 are rectangular areas of a part of the entire authentication image, and do not overlap each other. In FIG. 8, the first imaging area R1 is a rectangular area located on the right side of the screen of the display 104a, and the second imaging area R2 is a rectangular area located on the left side of the screen of the display 104a. When the imaging device 104 is a smart glass, for example, the first imaging area and the second imaging area may be displayed on the transmissive display using a function of augmented reality (AR).

In the present modification, when analyzing the authentication image, instead of analyzing the entire authentication image, the analysis device 106 analyzes only the image in the first imaging area to obtain the first read symbol. And, only the image in the second imaging area can be analyzed to obtain the second read symbol. Therefore, in the present modification, the analysis speed of the authentication image by the analysis device 106 is improved, so that the time required for the setup confirmation operation can be shortened.

(7-5) Modification E
In the embodiment, as an example of the commodity processing apparatus 102, the bag making and packaging machine 1 for packaging and bagging a package such as food with a film has been described. However, the commodity processing apparatus 102 may be an apparatus other than the bag making and packaging machine 1. For example, the commodity processing device 102 may be a boxing device for packing food packaged bags in a cardboard box. In this case, the first unique symbol 111 is attached to the cardboard box that is the packaging material 103.

(7-6) Modification F
In the device management system 100 of the embodiment, the reading unit 123 of the analysis device 106 analyzes the authentication image acquired by the imaging device 104 to acquire the first and second read symbols. Then, the control unit 125 of the analysis device 106 includes the combination of the first read symbol and the second read symbol acquired from the authentication image in the collation information stored in the storage unit 124 of the analysis device 106. Perform an authentication process to determine whether the That is, the analysis device 106 includes the reading unit 123, the storage unit 124, and the control unit 125.

However, the analysis device 106 may not have all the reading unit 123, the storage unit 124, and the control unit 125. In this case, part of the reading unit 123, the storage unit 124, and the control unit 125 may be incorporated into another device.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an entire configuration of a device management system 200 of the present modification. The apparatus management system 200 mainly includes three commodity processing apparatuses 202, one imaging apparatus 204, and one analysis apparatus 206. The commodity processing apparatus 202, the imaging apparatus 204, and the analysis apparatus 206 are connected to each other by wire or wirelessly via a network 208 such as a LAN. The main difference between FIG. 9 and FIG. 1 regarding the embodiment is that the analysis device 206 has only the reading unit 123, and the commodity processing device 202 has the storage unit 124 and the control unit 125. In this modification, the basic functions of the packaging material 103, the first unique symbol 111, the second unique symbol 112, the photographing unit 121, the transmitting unit 122, the reading unit 123, the storage unit 124, and the control unit 125 are implemented. It is the same as the form.

Next, an operation procedure of the device management system 200 will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of operation of the device management system 200. Steps S11 to S13 can be performed in any order regarding preparation. Steps S14 to S18 relate to setup confirmation work. It is assumed that the operation start of the commodity processing apparatus 202 is prohibited at the start of the process of FIG. In addition, the first unique symbol 111 is given in advance to the packaging material 103 set in the commodity processing apparatus 202. The imaging device 204 is a portable device with a display such as a smartphone. In the present variation, the smart glass is not used as the imaging device 204.

In step S11, an ID number representing the second unique symbol 112 is registered in each product processing device 202 of the device management system 200. In step S11, for example, the user of the device management system 200 operates each commodity processing device 202 to register an appropriate ID number in the control device of each commodity processing device 202.

In step S12, the second unique symbol 112 is assigned to each product processing device 202 of the device management system 200. In step S12, for example, the user of the device management system 200 pastes the seal or the like on which the second unique symbol 112 is printed on the frame of the commodity processing device 202. However, the user may write or print the second unique symbol 112 directly on the frame of the commodity processing apparatus 202.

In step S13, collation information is registered in the commodity processing apparatus 202. In step S13, for example, the user of the device management system 200 operates the commodity processing device 202 to collate the verification information including the combination of the first unique symbol 111 and the second unique symbol 112 as shown in FIG. It is stored in a control device or the like of the commodity processing apparatus 202.

In step S14, the image for authentication is acquired using the imaging device 204. Specifically, the user of the product processing device 202 operates the photographing device 204 to acquire an authentication image in which both the first unique symbol 111 and the second unique symbol 112 are shown.

In step S15, the authentication image acquired in step S14 is transmitted to the analysis device 206. The transmission of the authentication image may be automatically performed by the imaging device 204.

In step S16, the reading unit 123 of the analysis device 206 analyzes the authentication image to obtain the first read symbol and the second read symbol. The first and second read symbols are string data representing the first and second

unique symbols

111 and 112, respectively.

In step S17, the analysis device 206 transmits the first and second read symbols to the imaging device 204. The transmission of the first and second read symbols may be performed automatically by the analysis device 206.

In step S18, the imaging device 204 converts the first and second read symbols received from the analysis device 206 into a bar code and displays the bar code on the display of the imaging device 204.

In step S19, the user of the device management system 200 reads the barcode displayed on the display of the imaging device 204 with the barcode scanner attached to the commodity processing device 202. The commodity processing device 202 for reading the barcode is the commodity processing device 202 to which the second unique symbol 112 photographed by the user using the photographing device 204 is attached. Accordingly, the commodity processing apparatus 202 can acquire the first and second read symbols acquired by the analysis apparatus 206 via the imaging apparatus 204.

In step S20, the control unit 125 of the product processing device 202 collates the combination of the first read symbol and the second read symbol obtained in step S19 in the storage unit 124 of the product processing device 202. Perform an authentication process to determine whether or not it is included in In the authentication process, if the combination is included in the verification information, the authentication result is OK, and if not included, the authentication result is NG.

In step S21, the commodity processing apparatus 202 performs determination processing of an authentication result. In step S21, when the authentication result is OK, the operation start of the commodity processing apparatus 202 is permitted in step S22. Specifically, the commodity processing apparatus 202 puts a state where the user can press the operation start button or the like of the commodity processing apparatus 202. Thereafter, the device management system 200 ends the setup confirmation operation. On the other hand, in step S21, when the authentication result is NG, the apparatus management system 200 ends the setup confirmation work while the operation start of the commodity processing apparatus 202 is prohibited.

As described above, in the device management system 200, the analysis device 206 only analyzes the authentication image acquired by the imaging device 204. The analysis device 206 transmits the analysis result to the imaging device 204, and the commodity processing device 202 performs an authentication process based on the analysis result acquired via the imaging device 204. Therefore, as the analysis apparatus 206, an apparatus that only analyzes the authentication image and an external service can be used. For example, in the device management system 200, an external OCR analysis service can be used as the analysis device 206. In this case, it is not necessary to prepare the analysis device 206.

In the present modification, in step S18, the imaging device 204 may display the first and second read symbols received from the analysis device 206 as a two-dimensional code on the display of the imaging device 204. In this case, in step S19, the user of the device management system 200 reads the two-dimensional code displayed on the display of the imaging device 204 with a dedicated scanner attached to the commodity processing device 202.

The device management system according to the present invention is useful because it can automatically perform a setup confirmation operation before the start of operation of the commodity processing device.

100 apparatus management system 102 commodity processing apparatus 103 packaging material 106 analysis apparatus (management apparatus)
108 network 111 first unique symbol 112 second unique symbol 121 imaging unit 122 transmission unit 123 reading unit 124 storage unit 125 control unit 126 registration unit

JP, 2006-36246, A

Claims

A system for managing a product processing apparatus that performs product processing for covering products with a packaging material,
A photographing unit for photographing the first unique symbol given to the packaging material and the second unique symbol given to the commodity processing apparatus;
A reading unit that reads the first unique symbol and the second unique symbol captured by the shooting unit;
The commodity processing apparatus is managed based on a first read symbol which is the first unique symbol read by the reader and a second read symbol which is the second unique symbol which is read by the reader. A control unit,
Equipped with
The imaging unit captures the first unique symbol and the second unique symbol such that the first unique symbol and the second unique symbol fit on the same screen.
Device management system.
It further comprises a storage unit for storing collation information including a combination of the first unique symbol and the second unique symbol,
The control unit is configured to add the second read symbol when the combination of the first read symbol and the second read symbol is included in the matching information stored in the storage unit. Allow the goods processing of the goods processing device being
The device management system according to claim 1.
It further comprises a registration unit for registering processing settings related to the product processing of the product processing device,
The storage unit stores the collation information including a combination of the first unique symbol, the second unique symbol, and the process setting.
The control unit includes, in the collation information stored in the storage unit, a combination of the first read symbol, the second read symbol, and the process setting registered in the registration unit. Allow the goods processing of the goods processing apparatus to which the second read symbol is attached,
The device management system according to claim 2.
The commodity processing apparatus has a mechanism for locking the packaging material,
The control unit further permits the commodity processing of the commodity processing apparatus when the packaging material is locked.
The device management system according to claim 2 or 3.
The control unit further prohibits the commodity processing of the commodity processing device when the lock of the packaging material is released after permitting the commodity processing of the commodity processing device.
The device management system according to claim 4.
The reading unit reads the first unique symbol from a first region in the screen, and reads the second unique symbol from a second region in the screen.
The device management system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
The reading unit and the control unit are provided in a management device different from the commodity processing device.
The device management system according to any one of claims 1 to 6.
The management device is connected to the commodity processing device via a network.
It further comprises a transmitting unit for transmitting the first unique symbol and the second unique symbol photographed by the photographing unit to the management device.
The device management system according to claim 7.