JP7202104B2 - Production control system, production system and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a production control system, a production system, and a program.

Various production systems have been developed as systems for producing products such as printed matter. For example, in Patent Document 1, at least one of a plurality of devices (printing device and post-processing device in Patent Document 1) used to produce a product (printed matter in Patent Document 1) includes a product discloses a production system that executes a job (print job in Patent Document 1) for producing the .

JP 2015-121948 A

In the production system of Patent Document 1, when the selected post-processing device cannot execute the post-processing, another type of post-processing is executed by another type of post-processing device. is not desired, the unexecutable print job may cause a problem that subsequent print jobs cannot be executed and other print jobs are accumulated (print jobs are congested). In other words, the production system of Patent Document 1 cannot efficiently execute jobs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a production control system, a production system, and a program that allow a plurality of devices to efficiently execute jobs.

A production control system according to a first aspect of the present invention includes:
a device identification unit that identifies, from among a plurality of devices used in the production of a product, a device capable of executing a job to be executed in the production of the product;
a distribution control unit that acquires a job executable by the device specified by the device specifying unit and distributes the acquired job to the device specified by the device specifying unit;
Prepare.

According to the above configuration, jobs are distributed to apparatuses capable of executing the jobs, so that the jobs can be efficiently executed by a plurality of apparatuses.

The distribution control unit selects a job that can be executed by the device specified by the device specifying unit from the storage unit, among the jobs that are stored in the storage unit and that are not yet executed during production of the product. Acquiring and assigning the acquired job to the device specified by the device specifying unit for execution;
You may do so.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to efficiently execute jobs on a plurality of devices.

The storage unit is provided in an MES (Manufacturing Execution System),
You may do so.

According to the above configuration, the MES can be used to allow multiple devices to efficiently execute jobs.

further comprising a gateway that, when the distribution control unit distributes the job, converts the job into a job that can be executed by a distribution destination device;
You may do so.

According to the above configuration, the job can be executed efficiently even if the distribution control unit and the device are not compatible.

A production system according to the second aspect of the present invention (for example, production system 100, etc.)
a storage unit that stores unexecuted jobs to be executed during product production;
a device identification unit that identifies a device capable of executing a job from among a plurality of devices used to produce the product;
acquiring from the storage unit, among the unexecuted jobs stored in the storage unit, jobs that can be executed by the device specified by the device specifying unit; and acquiring the acquired job specified by the device specifying unit from the storage unit. A distribution control unit that distributes to the device,
Prepare.

According to the above configuration, jobs are distributed to apparatuses capable of executing the jobs, so that the jobs can be efficiently executed by a plurality of apparatuses.

A program according to a third aspect of the present invention comprises
the computer,
a device identification unit that identifies, from among a plurality of devices used in the production of a product, a device capable of executing a job to be executed in the production of the product;
a distribution control unit that acquires a job executable by the device specified by the device specifying unit and distributes the acquired job to the device specified by the device specifying unit;
function as

According to the above configuration, jobs are distributed to apparatuses capable of executing the jobs, so that the jobs can be efficiently executed by a plurality of apparatuses.

According to the present invention, jobs can be efficiently executed by a plurality of devices.

1 is a configuration diagram of a production system in one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of jobs stored by a job server; It is a figure which shows the example of the memory content of the memory|storage part of a production control system. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between commands received by the production control computer and status information after the commands are received; 9 is a flowchart of device identification processing; 6 is a flowchart of job distribution processing and the like;

(Production system configuration, etc.)
A production system 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The production system 100 is a system for producing printed matter and three-dimensional (3D) objects.

As shown in FIG. 1, the production system 100 includes a first printer 111, a second printer 112, a third printer 113, a fourth printer 114, a first cutter 115, a second cutter 116, an ERP ( Enterprise Resource Planning) system 120 , MES (Manufacturing Execution System) 130 , and production control system 140 .

The first printer 111 and the second printer 112 are 2D printers that print two-dimensional images on media (such as paper media) by executing jobs described later. This printing produces printed matter. The first printer 111 and the second printer 112 are devices of the same kind and can be substituted for each other. That is, both can execute the same job and thereby produce the same printed matter.

The third printer 113 and the fourth printer 114 are 3D printers that form (produce) three-dimensional objects by executing jobs described later. The third printer 113 and the fourth printer 114 are devices of the same kind and can be substituted for each other. In other words, both can execute the same job, thereby producing the same three-dimensional modeled object.

The first cutter 115 and the second cutter 116 are devices for cutting (cutting) the printed matter printed (produced) by the first printer 111 or the second printer 112 to a predetermined size by executing a job described later. is. Some printed materials printed (produced) by the first printer 111 or the second printer 112 require cutting, and the first cutter 115 or the second cutter 116 performs the cutting. For those that require cutting, this cutting produces the final print. It should be noted that the first cutter 115 and the second cutter 116 are devices of the same kind and can be substituted for each other. That is, both can execute the same job (details will be described later) and can execute the same cut.

Jobs will now be described. A job is information that instructs the production of a printed matter or a three-dimensional model, and is executed by one of the first printer 111 to fourth printer 114 and the first cutter 115 to second cutter 116 . A print or a three-dimensional model is produced by executing the job.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a job. Jobs are assigned job numbers and managed. The job number is a number (information) individually assigned to identify the job. A job includes device information, processing data, and quantity information. These are managed in association with each other and with job numbers.

The device information is information that designates the type of device that executes the job (here, either 2D printer, 3D printer, or cutter). Here, as the device information, "2D" specifying the 2D printer (here, the first printer 111 or the second printer 112) and 3D printer (here, the third printer 113 or the fourth printer 114) are designated. "3D" and "cutter" specifying a cutter (here, the first cutter 115 or the second cutter 116) are prepared. Note that the device information does not specify one individual device (for example, the first printer 111, etc.).

The processing data is data used (processed) by a device of the type specified by the device information (data specifying the operation details of the device) when producing a printed matter or a three-dimensional modeled object. 2D data, 3D data, and cut data are prepared as processing data. When the device information is "2D", the processing data is 2D data. 2D data is image data representing an image to be printed. When the device information is "3D", the processing data is 3D data. The 3D data is modeling data of a three-dimensional modeled object to be formed. When the device information is "cutter", the processing data is cut data. The cut data is data of a cutting method, and is data specifying, for example, a cutting method such as 4 equal parts or 8 equal parts in an appropriate format. In FIG. 2, 2D data B and the like indicate actual image data. 3D data A and the like indicate actual 3D data representing a three-dimensional modeled object. The cut data A indicates an actual cutting method (for example, quartering) for cutting the printed matter on which the image is printed.

The number information is information that designates the number of printed materials or three-dimensional models to be produced and the number of printed materials to be cut.

Returning to FIG. 1, the ERP system 120 included in the production system 100 serves as a planning layer in the production system 100, and centrally manages data related to finance, sales, production, and the like. The ERP system 120 is composed of, for example, one or more computers. The ERP system 120 can communicate with the MES 130 via the Internet or a network (not shown) such as Ethernet.

MES (Manufacturing Execution System) 130 is responsible for the execution layer in the production system 100, and general functions as MES, for example, each device used for production (first printer 111 to fourth printer 114, and The first cutter 115 to the second cutter 116 (hereinafter collectively referred to as devices) are linked via a production control system 140 to monitor and manage the above devices and workers' work. have a function. The MES 130 appropriately communicates with the ERP system 120 when performing the monitoring and management. Further, the MES 130 in this embodiment receives the above job, and the MES 130 stores and manages this job. The MES 130 includes a job management computer 131 and a job server 132 as parts that handle jobs.

The job management computer 131 is composed of a personal computer or the like, and receives and manages jobs. The job management computer 131 may have the monitoring and management function (in this case, the job management computer 131 communicates with the ERP system 120 via a network such as the Internet or Ethernet).

A job (apparatus information, processing data, number information) is input to the job management computer 131 .

The device information and the number information are input by the user of the production system 100 via, for example, an operation unit including a mouse, a keyboard, etc. provided in the job management computer 131 . The user knows the type of equipment used for production in the production system 100 (the job management computer 131 may display the type of the equipment on the display), and the job is executed according to the type of the equipment. Enter Of the processing data, cut data may also be input by the user via the operation unit.

Processing data (particularly 2D data and 3D data) is created in advance by a user, designer, or the like on another computer, and is input from the computer to the job management computer 131 via a network such as the Internet or Ethernet. Note that the processing data may be stored in a storage medium such as a USB memory and input to the job management computer 131 from the storage medium. Processing data may also be input from the ERP system 120 to the job management computer 131 (apparatus information and quantity information may also be input together). Note that the processing data may be input to the job management computer 131 based on the user's operation on the operation unit.

Device information, processing data, and number information are input to the job management computer 131 for each job. The job management computer 131 sequentially assigns a number each time device information, processing data, and quantity information for one job are input. The number is the job number. The job management computer 131 associates the job number with the target job to which the job number is assigned, and supplies it to the job server 132 .

The job server 132 is a server computer or the like having a storage unit such as a hard disk. The job server 132 stores the job supplied from the job management computer 131 in its own storage unit. Jobs are stored in the storage unit. FIG. 2 shows an example of a plurality of jobs accumulated in the storage unit. As shown in FIG. 2, jobs are stored in the storage unit in numerical order of job numbers. Job numbers may be assigned on the side of the job server 132 (numbers are sequentially assigned to each input job).

Returning to FIG. 1 , the production control system 140 can communicate with the MES 130 and serves as a control layer in the production system 100 . The production control system 140 supplies (assigns) jobs stored in the MES 130 to any one of the first printer 111 to the second cutter 116 and executes them, in addition to general functions as a control layer. The production control system 140 monitors the status of each of the devices, specifies devices capable of executing jobs from among these devices, and distributes jobs to the specified devices.

The production control system 140 has a production control computer 141 and a gateway 142 as components for realizing the job distribution.

The production control computer 141 is composed of a computer such as a personal computer. The production control computer 141 includes an apparatus identification section 141A, a distribution control section 141B, and a storage section 141C. 141 A of apparatus specific|specification parts and the distribution control part 141B are comprised by the part by which various processors, such as CPU of a computer, run a program, for example. The storage unit 141C includes various storage devices such as a computer hard disk, flash memory, SSD (Solid State Drive), and RAM (Random Access Memory).

The device specifying unit 141A individually monitors the status of each of the devices from the first printer 111 to the second cutter 116, and determines which of the devices is currently operable, that is, is capable of executing a new job (new job Identifies a device that can immediately run the job when supplied with

The distribution control unit 141B acquires from the MES 130, among the jobs stored in the MES 130 (job server 132), jobs that can be executed by the device (device capable of executing the job) specified by the device specifying unit 141A. feed the device. In this manner, the distribution control unit 141B distributes the jobs stored in the MES 130 to each of the first printer 111 to the second cutter 116. FIG.

The storage unit 141C stores the state of each device described above. Specifically, the storage unit 141C stores, as shown in FIG. 3, device specifying information for specifying a device, device information for specifying a type of device (same as device information included in a job), and device status. and state information indicating . The device identification information, the device information, and the state information are stored in association with each device. The state of the device specified by the state information includes "waiting", "executing job", and "abnormal". "Waiting" indicates that the device specified by the corresponding device specifying information is on standby, that is, ready to execute a new job. "Job in progress" indicates that the device identified by the corresponding device identification information is executing (operating) a job (in other words, cannot execute a new job at present). "Abnormal" indicates that an error has occurred in the device specified by the corresponding device specifying information, and the job cannot be executed.

In FIG. 3, the second printer 112 and the second cutter 116 are on standby, the first printer 111, the fourth printer 114 and the first cutter 115 are executing jobs, and the third printer 113 An error has occurred.

The gateway 142 in FIG. 1 is configured by a personal computer or the like. The gateway 142 has a function of converting commands, which will be described later, supplied from each of the above-described devices into commands that can be recognized by the production control computer 141, and processing jobs supplied from the production control computer 141, as described later, to destination devices. It has a function to convert to a job that meets the specifications of

(state command)
Each device from the first printer 111 to the second cutter 116 supplies (outputs) a status command indicating its own status to the device specifying section 141A. The device identification unit 141A analyzes the supplied status command and identifies which command (to be described later) the status command is. Thereby, the device identification unit 141A can recognize the states of the first printer 111 to the second cutter 116, respectively. In other words, the device specifying unit 141A can monitor the status of each of the first printer 111 to the second cutter 116 by analyzing the status command. The status command is supplied to the device identification unit 141A via the gateway 142 (details will be described later).

As the status commands, a waiting command, a job execution command, a job completion command, and an error command shown in FIG. 4 are prepared.

The standby command indicates that the device that outputs the command (any of the first printer 111 to the second cutter 116; the same shall apply hereinafter) is in a standby state (a state in which it can operate normally and is not executing a job). ), which means that it is waiting. The waiting command is output periodically (for example, every 5 minutes) while waiting.

A job execution command indicates that the device to which the command is output executes the job. The job execution command is output at the timing of starting execution of the job, and is also output periodically (for example, every 5 minutes) during execution of the job.

The job completion command indicates that the device from which the command was output has completed execution of the job. The job completion command is output when the job is completed. Note that after the job is completed, the device that completed the job returns to the standby state.

An error command indicates that an error (for example, a paper jam in a printer, running out of ink, etc.) has occurred in the device from which the command was output. The abnormality command is output when an abnormality occurs in the device.

(update status information)
Upon receiving the status command, the device specifying unit 141A analyzes the status command and specifies whether the status command is a waiting command, a job execution command, a job completion command, or an abnormal command. The device identification unit 141A updates the state information stored in the storage unit 143C according to the identification result (the updated state information is shown in FIG. 4).

When the device specifying unit 141A specifies that the state command is a standby command, the device specifying unit 141A sets the state information associated with the device specifying information specifying the device that is the output source of the state command stored in the storage unit 143C to "standby." "medium" data (hereinafter simply referred to as "waiting") (if it is already "waiting", that state is maintained; the same applies to other states).

When the device specifying unit 141A specifies that the status command is a job execution command, the device specifying unit 141A updates the status information to "job in progress" data (hereinafter simply referred to as "job in progress").

When the device specifying unit 141A specifies that the status command is the job completion command, the device specifying unit 141A updates the status information to "waiting".

When the device specifying unit 141A specifies that the status command is an abnormal command, the device specifying unit 141A updates the status information to "abnormal" data (hereinafter simply referred to as "abnormal"). The device specifying unit 141A also updates the status information to "abnormal" when the status command cannot be received for a predetermined period (when an abnormality occurs in which the status command cannot be transmitted).

The status command is supplied from each device of the first printer 111 to the second cutter 116 via the gateway 142 to the device identification unit 141A. The gateway 142 converts the status command from each device into a command in a format recognizable by the device identification unit 141A. For example, the gateway 142 stores, for each device, a correspondence table in which a command supplied from the device and a command recognizable by the device identification unit 141A are associated with each command having the same content in the storage unit. , the gateway 142 refers to the correspondence table and executes command conversion. The standby command supplied from the first printer 111 is data 01(H), but the standby command handled by the device specifying unit 141A is data 05(H). Referring to the conversion table for the 1 printer 111, the 01(H) is converted to 05(H) and output.

(Device identification processing by device identification unit 141A)
The device identification unit 141A periodically (for example, every 5 minutes) executes device identification processing for identifying a device capable of executing a job. FIG. 5 shows device identification processing.

In the device specifying process, the device specifying unit 141A checks the storage unit 141C to determine whether the status information corresponding to the device specifying information specifying the first printer 111 is "waiting", that is, if the first printer 111 is waiting. It is determined whether it is in the middle (step S101). If it is on standby (step S101; Yes), the device specifying unit 141A stores a first printer flag (a flag that turns on when the first printer 111 is on standby) corresponding to the first printer 111. stored in the section 141C) is turned on (step S102). If the first printer flag is already on, it remains on (the same applies to other flags). The first printer flag is turned on when the first printer 111 is on standby. The first printer flag is stored in storage unit 141C (the same applies to other flags).

In step S102, or when the first printer 111 is not on standby (step S101; No), the device identification unit 141A checks the storage unit 141C for devices other than the first printer 111, and each device (the second printer 112 to the second cutter 116) is on standby, and if it is on standby, flags corresponding to the device (second printer flag, third printer flag, fourth printer flag, first cutter flag, or second cutter flag) is turned on (steps S103 to S112).

In this manner, the device identification unit 141A identifies the device that is currently on standby among the first printer 111 to the second cutter 116 (as a result, the corresponding flag is turned on during standby).

When the device information stored in the storage unit 141C has the contents of FIG. 3, the second printer flag corresponding to the second printer 112 and the second cutter flag corresponding to the second cutter 116 are set by the device specifying process. turned on.

(Job Distribution Processing by Distribution Control Unit 141B)
The distribution control unit 141B executes job distribution processing for each of the first printer 111 to the second cutter 116 following the device identification processing executed by the device identification unit 141A. FIG. 6 shows job distribution processing.

In the job distribution process, the distribution control unit 141B first determines whether the flag corresponding to the processing target device (if the processing target is the first printer 111, the first printer 111 flag) is on ( step S201). If it is ON (step S201; Yes), the distribution control unit 141B acquires the device information corresponding to the device identification information of the processing target device stored in the storage unit 141C, and executes the job having the device information. A transmission request is transmitted to the job server 132 of the MES 130 (step S202).

When receiving a job transmission request, the job server 132 determines whether the job related to the transmission request (the job having the device information) is stored, and sends a response according to the presence or absence of the job to the distribution control unit. 141B (step S301). When the job server 132 stores the job related to the transmission request, the job server 132 transmits the job together with information indicating that the job exists as the response to the distribution control unit 141B. When there are a plurality of jobs related to the transmission request, the job server 132 transmits the job with the smallest job number (oldest registered job) to the distribution control unit 141B. When the job server 132 has sent the job, it deletes the job. If the job is not stored, information indicating that there is no currently executable job is transmitted to the distribution control unit 141B as the response.

The distribution control unit 141B waits until it receives a response from the job server 132, and when there is a response, determines whether the response includes information indicating that there is a job (step S203). If information indicating that there is a job is included (Step S203; Yes), the distribution control unit 141B transfers the job included in the response (the job received together with the information indicating that there is a job) to the target apparatus of the job distribution process. Send (step S204). The job is supplied from the distribution control unit 141B through the gateway 142 to the device to be processed. Each data included in the job may be converted into a command in a predetermined format by the distribution control unit 141B. Note that the data included in the job may be appropriately converted by the distribution control unit 141B. For example, if the device information included in the job is 2D and the processing data is image data described in PostScript, PDF, XPS, or the like, the distribution control unit 141B converts the image data into raster data in a predetermined format. (which is also processed data), and send a job containing the converted raster data (this conversion may be performed by the gateway 142 or the device that receives the job. Other data and (same for conversion). Similarly, 3D data and the like may be appropriately converted into a format operable by the device. For example, 3D data may be created by 3D CAD or the like and stored in STL format, and the 3D data may be converted (developed) into slicing data by the distribution control unit 141B (or the gateway 142 or the like).

When a job is supplied from the distribution control unit 141B (the job is distributed), the processing target device executes the job.

Specifically, when the processing target device is the first printer 111 or the second printer 112, the first printer 111 or the second printer 112 prints the above-mentioned According to the processing data (raster data, etc.) included in the job, an image represented by the data is printed (produced).

When the device to be processed is the third printer 113 or the fourth printer 114, the third printer 113 or the fourth printer 114 processes the number information included in the job according to the processing data (slicing data, etc.) included in the job. Model (manufacture) a specified number of three-dimensional models (models represented by processing data).

If the device to be processed is the first cutter 115 or the second cutter 116, the first cutter 115 or the second cutter 116 cuts the number of prints specified by the number information included in the job. According to data (cut data), cut (manufacture) by a cutting method indicated by the cut data.

When executing a job, the processing target device transmits a job execution command to the device specifying unit 141A. When the device specifying unit 141A receives the job execution command, the device specifying unit 141A updates the device information stored in the storage unit 141C (changes the device information corresponding to the device specifying information specifying the device to be processed from “waiting” to “job in progress”). ”), and turn off the flag corresponding to the device to be processed.

The job is supplied from the distribution control unit 141B to each device of the first printer 111 to the second cutter 116 via the gateway 142 . The gateway 142 appropriately converts the job into a job in a format that meets the specifications of each supply destination device, and supplies the job to the supply destination device. For example, when job processing data is converted into raster data, the gateway 142 converts the raster data into raster data in a format recognizable by the first printer 111 or the second printer 112 (the device to which the job is supplied). , and supplied to the first printer 111 or the second printer 112 . As described above, the gateway 142 may perform raster data conversion performed by the distribution control unit 141B. In this case, the gateway 142 appropriately converts image data described in PostScript, PDF, XPS, etc., into raster data that conforms to the specifications of the first printer 111 or the second printer 112 to which the job is supplied, and 1 printer 111 or the second printer 112 . The gateway 142 also converts the formats of 3D data, cut data, number information, commands, etc. as appropriate according to the specifications of the device to which the job is supplied (for example, the gateway 142 converts the 3D data as described above). , may be converted to slicing data).

After transmitting the job, the distribution control unit 141B ends the job distribution process. If the flag corresponding to the target device of the job distribution process is off (step S201; No), the distribution control unit 141B determines that the response from the job server 132 is information indicating no job (step S203). ;No), the distribution control unit 141B terminates the job distribution process.

If the job stored by the job server 132 has the contents shown in FIG. 2 and the device information stored in the storage unit 141C has the contents shown in FIG. , and the second cutter 116 is supplied with the job with the job number “07”.

(Effect)
In this embodiment, the device specifying unit 141A monitors each device from the first printer 111 to the second cutter 116, and specifies a waiting device capable of executing a new job among the respective devices. The distribution control unit 141B acquires a job that can be executed by the device specified by the device specifying unit 141A from among the jobs stored in the job server 132, and supplies the job to the device. In this manner, the distribution control unit 141B distributes the jobs stored in the job server 132 to the devices (standby devices) of the first printer 111 to the second cutter 116 . As a result, executable jobs can be acquired from the MES 130 and distributed to the apparatuses, and the jobs can be efficiently executed (printed matter and three-dimensional molded objects can be efficiently produced).

Moreover, the gateway 142 allows each device to operate properly even if the production control computer 141 and each device are not compatible with each other. As a result, even if a device with new specifications is introduced into the production system 100, the conversion function is added to the gateway 142 without changing the ERP system 120 to the production control computer 141 (for example, installation of device drivers is also included). ) alone can handle the introduction.

(Modification)
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Various modifications may be made to the above embodiment. Modifications are exemplified below.

(Modification 1)
When the device identification unit 141A receives a standby command from any one of the first printer 111 to the second cutter 116, it identifies that the device that sent the command is on standby. The distribution control unit 141B may perform the processes of steps S202 to S204 on the device. In addition, the identification of a standby device by the device identification unit 141A and the supply (distribution) of a job to the device may be performed continuously for each device.

(Modification 2)
In the above embodiment, the production control computer 141 and the gateway 142 are separate devices, but these functions may be integrated into one device (computer, etc.) , may implement the functions of the production control computer 141 and the gateway 142). Similarly, the job management computer 131 and the job server 132 may be formed by one device.

(Modification 3)
Known systems can be used for the ERP system 120 and MES 130 . The MES 130 may be a conventional MES modified so as to operate as in the above embodiment (the modified one is also called an MES). Other management systems other than ERP system 120 may be used. The production control computer 141 may be a PLC (Program Logic Controller) or a DCS (Distributed Control System).

(Modification 4)
In the above description, a printer and a cutter are exemplified as devices used for producing products (printed matter, three-dimensional modeled object) in the production system 100, but the devices may be other devices. For example, dispensers, lathes, and the like may be employed as devices used to produce products. The device used to produce the product may be a device that directly produces the product, a device that supplies materials to the device that directly produces the product, a device that controls the device that directly produces the product, and the like.

(Modification 5)
The types of devices specified (distinguished) by the device information may be distinguished according to the processing target. For example, a 2D printer capable of printing images on large-sized media and a 2D printer capable of printing images on small-sized media may be of different types.

(Modification 6)
A job may have an execution priority. For example, priority levels of high (highest priority), medium (intermediate priority), and low (low priority) are prepared, and the user sets the priority when inputting a job. For example, in the above description, jobs are executed in ascending order of job number. A number is given, and job numbers after that job number are descended. For example, if the priority of a new job is "high", when assigning a job number to the job, the job number that is one smaller than the smallest job number among the "medium" and "low" jobs is assigned to the new job. It is assigned to a job, and the number is incremented by 1 for subsequent job numbers. With such a configuration, a job with a high priority can be preferentially executed even if it is input later.

100 production system 111 first printer 112 second printer 113 third printer 114 fourth printer 115 first cutter 116 second cutter 120 ERP system 130 MES
131 job management computer 132 job server 140 production control system 141 production control computer 141A device identification unit 141B distribution control unit 141C storage unit 142 gateway

Claims (8)

a device identification unit that identifies, from among a plurality of devices used in the production of a product, a device capable of executing a job to be executed in the production of the product;
Acquiring device information associated with the device specifying information of the device specified by the device specifying unit from a storage unit that stores device specifying information specifying a device and device information specifying the type of the device in association with each other. and transmitting a job transmission request having the acquired device information to a job server, and if the job server determines that the job related to the transmission request is stored, the device specified by the device specifying unit a distribution control unit that acquires an executable job and distributes the acquired job to the device specified by the device specifying unit;
production control system with The distribution control unit selects a job that can be executed by the device specified by the device specifying unit from among unexecuted jobs that are stored in the second storage unit and that are executed during production of the product . 2 Acquiring from a storage unit, and assigning the acquired job to the device specified by the device specifying unit to execute it;
The production control system according to claim 1. The second storage unit is provided in an MES (Manufacturing Execution System),
The production control system according to claim 2. Further comprising a gateway that, when the distribution control unit distributes the job, converts the data format of the job into a data format that can be processed by a distribution destination device;
The production control system according to any one of claims 1 to 3. wherein the plurality of devices used to produce the product are devices involved in printing;
The production control system according to any one of claims 1 to 4. a second storage unit that stores unexecuted jobs to be executed during product production;
a device identification unit that identifies a device capable of executing a job from among a plurality of devices used to produce the product;
Acquiring device information associated with the device specifying information of the device specified by the device specifying unit from a storage unit that stores device specifying information specifying a device and device information specifying the type of the device in association with each other. and transmitting a request to send a job having the acquired device information to a job server, and among the unexecuted jobs stored in the second storage unit, executable by the device specified by the device specifying unit. a distribution control unit that acquires a job from the second storage unit and distributes the acquired job to the device specified by the device specifying unit;
production system with wherein the plurality of devices used to produce the product are devices involved in printing;
The production system according to claim 6. the computer,
a device identification unit that identifies, from among a plurality of devices used in the production of a product, a device capable of executing a job to be executed in the production of the product;
Acquiring device information associated with the device specifying information of the device specified by the device specifying unit from a storage unit that stores device specifying information specifying a device and device information specifying the type of the device in association with each other. transmitting a job transmission request having the acquired device information to a job server, acquiring a job executable by the device specified by the device specifying unit, and transmitting the acquired job to the device specified by the device specifying unit A distribution control unit that distributes to the device,
A program that acts as a

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