JP7659762B2 - Component management device, component management method, and computer program for component management processing - Google Patents

Description

Application of Article 30, Paragraph 2 of the Patent Act TwoOne Co., Ltd. unveiled the "materials management device, material management method, and computer program for material management processing" invented by Horio Junichi at the 11th Next-Generation Manufacturing Core Technology Industry Exhibition TECH Biz EXPO 2022.

The present invention relates to a parts management device, and in particular to a device that can reliably check parts without error, such as a device that can store and supply parts, tools, etc. without error, and also to a device that prevents work from being hindered by parts running out midway through the process.

When manufacturing or repairing an item, such as a vehicle, a large number of parts, tools, and other materials must be properly organized and stored, and must be properly removed and supplied. Also, if a part ran out during work, it could cause problems, such as having to stop work.

Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 03-033812 Patent No. 6948876 JP 2020-195764 A JP 2020-154722 A JP 2015-170230 A JP 2014-072443 A JP 2012-216080 A JP 2010-113672 A JP 2009-294908 A JP 2008-090453 A JP 2006-019353 A JP 2005-280943 A JP 2004-288105 A JP 2004-038414 A JP 2003-192111 A JP 2002-073746 A JP 2002-026588 A JP 2002-019930 A

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a parts management device/method/computer program that can store and supply parts accurately without error and can manage them accurately. These parts include various parts that make up a finished product (including semi-finished products, components, etc.; the same applies below) and tools that are used to attach and install these parts and do not make up a finished product (including tools, measuring instruments, etc.; the same applies below). Another object of the present invention is to provide a parts management device/method/computer program that can prevent parts from being lost in the middle of the work of making a finished product and allow smooth work.

To achieve the above object, the present invention comprises: a plurality of components constituting a finished product; a plurality of storage mechanisms that correspond one-to-one to the plurality of components and thereby store the plurality of components in a distinguished manner; a first control means that, when storing components in the storage mechanisms, allows the components to be stored in one storage mechanism corresponding to a specified component; and, when removing components from the storage mechanisms, a second control means that simultaneously specifies two or more components among the plurality of components, and when one of the two or more storage mechanisms corresponding to the specified two or more components is allowed to be removed, prohibits the removal of components from other storage mechanisms among the two or more storage mechanisms, and when removal is prohibited from all of the two or more storage mechanisms, allows the removal of components from any one of the two or more storage mechanisms.

The present invention also includes a plurality of components that constitute a finished product, a plurality of storage mechanisms that correspond one-to-one to the plurality of components and thereby store the plurality of components separately, a detection means that detects the amount of the component remaining in the storage mechanism, a component being taken out of one of the storage mechanisms and used to complete the finished product, and a notification means that prompts for refilling of the component when the remaining amount detected by the detection means is equal to or less than a predetermined amount.

This allows the finished product to be produced without mistakes in parts and with accurate parts management. It also prevents parts from running out in the storage mechanism during the process, which would cause problems with the finished product, improving the efficiency of the finished product production process.

2 shows the front of the member management device 21. The tray 23 and the lock/unlock device 27 are shown in side view. The top surfaces of the trays 23 and the locking/unlocking devices 27 are shown. 2 shows the overall circuit of the member management device 21. 2 shows a flowchart of the overall process (material management process) of the material management device 21. 13 shows a flowchart of a member registration mode process executed in step 04. 1 shows a flowchart of material storage (recall/entering/retrieving) mode processing executed in step 04. 1 shows a flowchart of the material pick-up (call/entry/retrieval) mode process executed in step 04.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1: controller 2: address/data bus line 3: input section 4: output section 5: interface section 6: information storage section 7: program/data storage section 21: member management device 22: shelf 23: tray (storage mechanism)
24: Bottom plate 25: Weight scale 26: Hook 27: Locking/unlocking device 28: Slit 31: LED (blue/red)
32...Tablet 33...Barcode reader 34...Vein authentication device 35...Camera

(1) Component management device 21
1 shows the entirety of a material management device 21. This material management device 21 is in the shape of a large box, and is divided inside the material management device 21 by a plurality of horizontal, plate-like shelves 22..., the left and right ends of which are fixed to the inner surface of the material management device 21.

On the shelves 22, multiple small box-shaped trays 23 (storage mechanisms) are installed so that they can slide along the shelves 22. The trays 23 are made of a material such as hard resin, are transparent and allow light to pass through, and the inside of the trays 23 can be seen from the outside. The height of the trays 23 is slightly smaller than the spacing between the shelves 22. As a whole, the component management device 21 has multiple stages or rows of trays 23.

The bottom plates 24 of the trays 23 are thick, and light from the rear of the bottom plates 24 of the trays 23 reaches the front by being transmitted or reflected through the bottom plates 24, making it easy to see the rear light from the front of the component management device 21. A flat weighing scale 25 is built into the top of each of the bottom plates 24 of the multiple trays 23. The top plates of the weighing scales 25 are flat and have almost no gaps against the inner surfaces of the trays 23, preventing components from getting caught or falling into the gaps.

The weighing scales 25... weigh the components in the trays 23..., detect and measure the remaining amount, detect the remaining amount (amount put in), and measure the weight of each component. In each of the multiple trays 23..., multiple components (including parts, tools, and equipment) that make up or complete a finished product are distinguished/categorised and stored/removed and supplied. A component is removed from one of the trays 23... and used to complete a finished product.

Figures 2 and 3 show side and cross-sectional views and a plan view of the trays 23. A hook 26 is fixed to the rear surface of each tray 23. The hook 26 is made of metal and is a rod bent vertically into a U-shape. The hook 26 as a whole protrudes rearward from the tray 23.

A locking/unlocking device 27 is fixed to the shelf 22 at the rear of each tray 23. A cut-like slit 28 is formed in the center of the front of the locking/unlocking device 27, and a plunger is electromagnetically inserted and retracted from the inner side of the slit 28.

The tray 23, hook 26, locking/unlocking device 27, and slit 28 are arranged so that the tray 23 slides over the shelf board 22 to close the tray 23 and the hook 26 fits into the slit 28. A sensor or switch that detects the hook 26 fitting into the slit 28 is provided in the slit 28.

In this way, the tray 23 is closed, the hook 26 enters the slit 28, the sensor or switch is activated, the plunger in the slit 28 comes out and engages with the hook 26, the tray 23 is locked, and as a result, removal of any items from the tray 23 is prohibited.

When the plunger in the slit 28 recedes, the engagement between the hook 26 and the plunger is released and the tray 23 is unlocked, the hook 26 comes out from within the slit 28, and part of the tray 23 jumps out due to the spring force and is pulled out and opened, making it possible to remove the components in the tray 23.

LEDs (light-emitting diodes) 31 are provided on the sides of the locking/unlocking devices 27. The LEDs 31 come in blue and red, and the blue LED 31 is lit while the tray 23 is unlocked.

When the number of components in the tray 23 falls below a certain number, for example, 5 or 10, the red LED 31 lights up. When component information identifying the components is input and read, and the lock/unlock device 27 and tray 23 are unlocked, the LED 31 (blue) is switched from off to on.

While the trays 23 are pulled out, only the LED 31 (blue) corresponding to the pulled out tray 23 remains lit. When the pulled out trays 23 are closed and the sensor or switch is activated to lock the lock/unlock device 27, the LED 31 (blue) is switched from lit to off.

A display device/input device/output device such as a tablet 32 is provided on the top surface of the component management device 21, and the information to be input in the flowchart described below is displayed, the information is input, the information to be output in the flowchart is displayed, and the information is output.

An input device such as a barcode reader 33 is installed next to the tablet 32, and multiple pieces of component information are input to identify the multiple components that make up the finished product. The barcode input from this barcode reader 33 is, for example, a two-dimensional QR or one-dimensional code, or information identifying other dimensions or other components, and information on one component/one type of component is input with one barcode, but information on multiple components/multiple types of components may also be input simultaneously with one barcode.

The tray 23... corresponding to the component information entered by this barcode reader 33 is unlocked, making it possible to remove/replenish/supply/store the corresponding component. This includes tools/equipment. The multiple trays 23... (storage mechanisms) correspond one-to-one to the multiple components, thereby allowing the multiple components to be stored separately. Information on the multiple components identifies the multiple components that make up the finished product, and is stored in advance in the information storage unit 6 or program/data storage unit 7.

Therefore, there is a one-to-one correspondence between the identification information/barcodes of the multiple pre-stored components that identify the components and the identification information of the multiple pre-stored trays 23... that identify the trays 23..., and the identification information of these components and the identification information of the trays 23... are shared.

If the above-mentioned component can be stored in the above-mentioned trays 23..., one identification information/barcode specifies one component or one tray 23.... If the component can be removed from the trays 23..., one identification information/barcode specifies multiple components or multiple trays 23....

An input device such as a vein authentication device 34 is installed next to the tablet 32, and the vein authentication device 34 inputs and compares individual information identifying each individual material manager/material user or manager/user, that is, identifies the shape of the veins in the palm of the material manager/material user or manager/user. A camera 35 is also installed next to the tablet 32, and external image data of the above material is input from the camera 35, which is then stored in the information storage unit 6 or the program/data storage unit 7 in correspondence with the information on the above material.

(2) Overall Circuit FIG. 4 shows the overall circuitry within the material management device 21, including a data processing device for material management, a device for realizing a material management method, and a device for executing a computer program for material management, as well as the overall circuitry of the material management device 21.

This overall circuit is provided in one of the multiple material management devices 21, but may be provided in multiple or all of the material management devices 21. The overall circuit of the material management device 21 in FIG. 4 (possibly including a power supply circuit, battery, etc.) is provided on a board (not shown) that can be inserted and removed from a storage box on the back of the material management device 21.

This entire circuit is composed of a controller 1 (central processing unit, such as a CPU, ROM, and RAM) that is electrically connected by wire or wirelessly to an input section 3, an output section 4, an interface section 5, an information storage section 6, a program/data storage section 7, etc. via an address/data bus line 2 along which address signals and data signals are transmitted in both directions.

The input unit 3 is made up of the above-mentioned material management device 21, lock/unlock device 27, weighing scale 25, tablet 32, barcode reader 33, vein authentication device 34, camera 35, main setting switch, sub setting switch, various sensors, and in some cases character input devices such as a keyboard, mouse, touch panel, digitizer, tablet, etc., and the input information/data is written and stored in the information storage unit 6 or program/data storage unit 7.

From the tablet 32, in addition to text data, commands, setting and instruction data, and other information are input to process various data such as the component manager/component user or manager/user vein data, component manager/component user data, and manager/user data.

The weight data of the materials in the trays 23... from the weighing scales 25... is sent to the controller 1 via communication means such as light, laser, radio waves, sound waves, wired or wireless, and is written and stored in the information storage unit 6/program/data storage unit 7.

The barcodes/other codes corresponding to the materials stored/supplied by the material manager/material user are read from the barcode reader 33 or tablet 32 of the input unit 3 or entered via the keyboard, and are then collated by the controller 31 or written and stored in the information storage unit 6/program/data storage unit 7.

The vein authentication device 34 of the input unit 3 inputs individual information that identifies each individual material manager/material user or manager/user, that is, the shape of the veins in the palm of the material manager/material user or manager/user is identified and vein data is input, which is collated by the controller 31 and stored in the information storage unit 6. The vein data of the material manager/material user or manager/user is stored in the information storage unit 6 and collated.

The vein data thus becomes a plurality of pieces of individual information that identify each of the many individual component managers/component users pre-stored in the information storage unit 6, or individual information that identifies an individual manager/user. The vein authentication device 34 detects one individual among the many component managers/component users, or detects the individual manager/user.

The vein authentication device 34 then compares the multiple individual information with the detection information of the detected individual, or compares the individual information of the manager/user with the detection information of the detected manager/user. Only the manager/user who has been matched by this vein authentication device 34 can open and close the trays 23... of the member management device 21.

The output unit 4 is composed of the above-mentioned material management device 21, tray 23..., locking/unlocking device 27, LED 31..., tablet 32, mobile phone, display, printer, etc., and performs output processing such as displaying/printing various data such as the above-mentioned vein data, material manager/material user data, manager/user data, input screens for various information, control screens, output screens, etc. on the display screen of the tablet 32/display device.

Depending on the circumstances, vein data, various messages, various data, etc. input by the vein authentication device 34 and stored in the information storage unit 6 are output to this output unit 4. Information/data stored/read in the information storage unit 6/program/data storage unit 7 is output from the output unit 4.

The interface unit 5 is made up of transmitting and receiving circuits such as a LAN input jack and output jack, and is connected to external devices consisting of an external input device and an external output device. Other data, commands, setting and instruction data, other information, and programs are sent and received through the LAN input jack and output jack of this interface unit 5.

The program/data storage unit 7 (internal storage medium/means) is broadly composed of two types of storage devices (storage means): non-volatile memory such as flash memory, EEPROM, EPROM, CD-ROM, and other ROMs, and temporary memory such as RAM, cache memory, hard disk, magnetic card, magnetic disk, CD-RAM, DVD (digital video disk), etc.

The ROM of the program/data storage unit 7 stores programs executed by the member management device 21 (overall circuit) and general-purpose data used for various processes. These programs correspond to the flowcharts described below. The temporary storage memory of the program/data storage unit 7 is used for temporarily storing data during program processing, i.e., as a working memory or cache memory.

In addition, the information storage unit 6 (external storage auxiliary medium/means, auxiliary storage medium) is composed of mass information storage/preservation media such as magnetic disks, optical disks, flexible disks (floppy disks), magnetic drums, magnetic tapes, memory cards, CD-RAMs, CD-ROMs, DVDs, and large-scale semiconductor devices, as well as devices for writing/reading information to these media (drive devices, interface circuits, etc.).

In some cases, the member management device 21 is a dedicated device that performs a single process using a program pre-stored in the ROM of the information storage unit 6, or a general-purpose computer device in which the program stored in the information storage unit 6 is loaded into the RAM of the program/data storage unit 7 and started as appropriate. In this case, the information storage unit 6 stores various programs, including the basic software (operating software), system software, and application programs executed by the controller 1.

Then, when the power supply of the component management device 21 is turned on or when a new program is started, the program is read from the information storage unit 6, temporarily stored in the RAM of the program/data storage unit 7, and executed by the controller 1. In other words, the program executed by the component management device 21 is stored in the information storage unit 6, and is read out as appropriate and executed by the controller 1.

In this case, the change to the new program is made by replacing the program itself stored in the information storage unit 6, or by replacing (installing/transferring) the CD-ROM, magnetic disk, flexible magnetic disk, etc. on which the program is stored.

In the case of a computer device that exclusively executes a program stored in the EPROM of the program/data storage unit 7, the EPROM etc. is rewritten in response to the replacement (installation/transfer) of a CD-ROM, magnetic disk, flexible magnetic disk etc., or this is achieved by replacing the ROM itself.

In some cases, new replacement programs are sent through the interface 5 from external devices such as other computers connected via the Internet, telephone lines, public lines, or LAN lines. In other words, programs executed on the computer device (overall circuit) are exchanged directly with the information storage unit 6, or exchanged with programs sent from external devices both domestically and overseas via a communication network such as the Internet.

Therefore, in some cases, the program executed in the material management device 21 (overall circuit) is sent from an external device, both domestic and overseas, each time it is started. In other words, no application programs are stored in the information storage unit 6 of the material management device 21, and the material management device (overall circuit) of the present invention is given only the role of a terminal device that executes programs sent from external devices, both domestic and overseas. Furthermore, both the program and the data to be processed by the program are sent from external devices, both domestic and overseas, and after the data is processed by the program, the results are sent back to the external devices, both domestic and overseas.

In addition, the programs executed by a computer device may be programs executed by a general computer system in which an application program is executed based on a basic program such as an OS, or a dedicated computer system in which only one unified program including an OS is executed. Therefore, these unified programs are provided from external devices both in Japan and overseas, and only the application program or the basic program or a part of the program is sent from an external device both in Japan and overseas and executed.

In some cases, another operating system, system program (OS), or other program may be stored in advance in this computer device, and the above program is executed together with the OS and other programs. When this program is installed in this device (computer main body) and executed, it executes the processing and functions described in the claims (claims) or in each claim of the effects of other inventions at the end, together with the other programs or alone.

In some cases, part or all of this program is stored and executed in one or more other devices, domestic or foreign, other than this device, and data to be processed/data that has already been processed/programs are sent and received between this device and the other devices via communication means, and the present invention is carried out by this device and the other devices as a whole. These communication means are, for example, an Internet communication system.

The tablet 32 in the output unit 4, the display screen of the display device, the tablet 32 in the input unit 3, the barcode reader 33, the vein authentication device 34, and the camera 35 are usually placed on the top surface of the component management device 21, and are inseparable from the component management device 21. Of course, the tablet 32, the display screen of the display device, the vein authentication device 34, and the camera 35 may be separated from the component management device 21 and can be handled separately.

The tablet 32, barcode reader 33, vein authentication device 34, camera 35, and display device can be handled separately from the component management device 21, and only the tablet 32, barcode reader 33, vein authentication device 34, camera 35, and display device can be separated from the component management device 21 and brought to the component manager/component user for authentication. Note that the tablet 32, barcode reader 33, vein authentication device 34, and camera 35 may be integral and inseparable with the component management device 21.

(3) Overall Processing Fig. 5 shows a flowchart of the overall processing (material management processing) executed by the controller 1. The processing in Fig. 5 is started by turning on the power or by a predetermined process for executing the program. First, an initialization process is executed (step 01), and error checks are performed on the information storage unit 6 and the program/data storage unit 7, and other initializations are performed.

Next, a list of all the modes to be selected is displayed (step 02). The modes to be selected are a number of modes, such as material registration mode, material storage (recall/enter/retrieve) mode, material removal (recall/enter/retrieve) mode, user registration mode, user verification mode, and maintenance mode, and the display continues to wait until one of the multiple modes is selected (steps 02, 03). When one of the multiple modes is selected by key operation, touch operation, operation of tablet 32, or the like, processing corresponding to that mode is executed (step 04).

In the component registration mode, which of the multiple trays 23 stores which of the above components is registered/changed/deleted. In this component registration mode, the name of the component, the symbol of the component, the barcode of the component, image data of the component's appearance, and other information are input.

In the material storage (recall/storage/retrieval) mode, one of the above-mentioned materials is selected, only the tray 23 corresponding to this material is unlocked, and the above-mentioned material is replenished and stored. In the material removal (recall/storage/retrieval) mode, one of the above-mentioned materials is selected, only the tray 23 corresponding to this material is unlocked, and the above-mentioned material is removed/supplied.

In the information storage unit 6 or the program/data storage unit 7, identification information of each tray 23..., such as the tray number, the name of the component stored in this tray 23..., the component symbol, the component barcode conversion code (numeric code), external image data of the component, weight data per component, remaining amount data of the component on this tray 23..., and other information are written/read/stored in one-to-one correspondence for each tray 23 identification information/tray number or for each component.

In the user registration mode, the person who uses the material management device 21 or the material is registered/changed/deleted. In this user registration mode, the user's vein data, the user's name, a photo of the user's face, and other information are input. In the user verification mode, it is verified whether the person who uses the material management device 21 is a registered user.

For each user, the user's name, a photo of the user's face, the user's vein data, and other information are written/read/stored in the information storage unit 6 or the program/data storage unit 7. The user's vein data is input from the vein authentication device 34 and stored in the information storage unit 6 or the program/data storage unit 7, or is read from the information storage unit 6 or the program/data storage unit 7 and displayed or collated. Some of this information may be omitted, or the user's name, face photo data, mobile phone number, and other information may be added.

In the maintenance mode, all trays 23... or specific trays 23... are opened, a list of users and a list of parts are displayed, stored information in the information storage unit 6 or the program/data storage unit 7 is displayed, parts are replaced, repairs are made, and other information changes are performed.

(4) Component Registration Mode Processing Fig. 6 shows a flowchart of the component registration mode processing executed in the above step 04. This component registration mode processing is executed when the component registration mode is selected on the tablet 32 in the above step 03 from the list of modes displayed on the tablet 32 in the above step 02.

In this component registration mode, the icons "List of components," "New registration," and "Back" are displayed on the tablet 32 (step 11), and when the "New registration" icon is clicked (step 12), the component input screen, the "Photograph" and "Save" icons are displayed on the tablet 32 (step 13).

When the identification information/tray number of the tray 23... and the name of the component are input from the tablet 32, and the component symbol and barcode of the component are input from the barcode reader 33 (step 14), the name of the component, the component symbol, conversion information of the component barcode, etc. are written in one-to-one correspondence with the identification information/tray number of the tray 23 to the information storage unit 6 or the program/data storage unit 7 (step 15).

After step 15, steps 51 to 58 and 61 to 68 described below may be executed to measure the weight data for each component, replenish/store the components, remove/supply the components, and measure/warn the remaining amount data of the components. Such processing is executed in the component storage mode and component removal mode described below.

In step 13, when the "Photograph" icon is clicked (step 16), the component is photographed by the camera 35, and this appearance image data is written to the information storage unit 6 or the program/data storage unit 7 in one-to-one correspondence with the identification information/tray number of the tray 23 (step 17).

In step 13, if the "Save" icon is clicked (step 18), the process returns to step 11, and a list of the components to which the newly entered components have been added and the "New Registration" and "Back" icons are displayed on tablet 32.

Furthermore, if another process is selected in step 11, such as by clicking the "List of Components" or "Back" icons (step 20), the process corresponding to the clicked icon is executed (step 21). When the "List of Components" is selected, a list of components that have already been registered is displayed, allowing the user to check which components have already been registered and preventing the user from registering components that have already been registered. When the "Back" button is selected, the process returns to step 02.

(5) Material Storage (Recall/Storage In/Out) Mode Processing Fig. 7 shows a flowchart of the material storage (recall/storage in/out) mode processing executed in the above step 04. This material storage (recall/storage in/out) mode processing is executed if the material storage (recall/storage in/out) mode is selected on the tablet 32 in the above step 03 from the list of modes displayed on the tablet 32 in the above step 02.

In the material storage (recall/storage/retrieval) mode, the text "Scan the barcode to open the tray" and the icons "Menu" and "Back" are displayed on the tablet 32 (step 31).

In response to this, when the barcode/identification information of the parts to be called and stored/removed is read one by one by the barcode reader 33 (step 32), the one-to-one corresponding tray 23 is unlocked, the LED 31 (blue) of the tray 23 is turned on (step 33), and the above-mentioned external image data of the parts is displayed if it has been stored.

In this case, the barcodes are given to the user or manager as a Kanban or the like, or the user or manager prints out a barcode list in advance and brings it with them. In this way, the tray 23... can be opened simply by inputting the identification information of the component.

In this way, when storing parts in the multiple trays 23..., when one of the multiple trays 23... (parts) is unlocked and designated in steps 32 and 33 above, allowing the storage of parts, the other parts/trays 23... (parts) remain locked and cannot be designated, and the storage of other parts is prohibited.

In addition, when all of the trays 23 (components) remain locked and undesignated, and the storage of components in all of the trays 23 (components) is prohibited, one of the trays 23 (components) can be unlocked and designated, allowing the storage of components.

Next, if the weight data of this single component and the remaining amount data of that component are not stored in the information storage unit 6/program/data storage unit 7 (step 51), the component will be replenished/stored/removed/supplied to the tray 23 for the first time.

In this case, for example, a message such as "Please place one component to be registered on the tray" is displayed on the tablet 32, and when this component is placed on the tray 23... and a switch is operated on the tablet 32 (step 52), data for this component is written to the information storage unit 6/program/data storage unit 7 in correspondence with the tray 23 in step 15 above (step 53).

Then, for example, a message such as "Please place the parts in multiple trays" is displayed on the tablet 32, and these parts are placed on the trays 23... to store/replenish the parts. When a switch is operated on the tablet 32 (step 54), data on these parts is written as remaining quantity data in the information storage unit 6/program/data storage unit 7 corresponding to the trays 23 in step 15 above (step 55).

If the amount of material inserted is small and the weight data from the weighing scale 25 is less than a pre-stored amount, for example 5, 10, etc., in other words if the amount inserted data/remaining amount data is small (step 56), the LED 31 (red) is lit to notify/warn that the amount inserted/remaining amount is small (step 57).

When the remaining amount of a component detected in this way is below a predetermined amount, a notification is issued urging the user to replenish the component. Thus, this notification is issued when the component is stored. The amount inserted/remaining number can be calculated by dividing the weight data from weighing scale 25... by the weight data per component written in step 53 above. If there is a notification/warning in step 57 above, the process returns to step 54, where "Please place components in multiple trays" is displayed again, and the components are inserted/replenished/stored.

In this way, the weight of each of the components is measured, and the weight of the remaining amount of the components in the tray 23 is measured. The number of remaining components is then detected from the weight of each component and the weight of the remaining amount, and when the number of remaining components falls below a predetermined number, a notification is issued to encourage the user to replenish the components.

When the weight data of the components in the trays 23... becomes greater than a predetermined amount (step 56), the LEDs 31... (red) are turned off, and the notification/warning that the amount of components inserted/remaining is low is terminated (step 58). In this way, when the amount of components inserted is small, a notification/warning is given, preventing the remaining amount of components from becoming low or running out. Note that the processing of steps 56 to 58 above may be omitted here.

If it is not the first time in step 51 but the second or subsequent time (step 51), the unlocked tray 23 is pulled out and opened, and the member corresponding to the barcode is stored/replenished. After this, the tray 23 is closed and the sensor/switch in the slit 28 of the locking/unlocking device 27 is activated, the tray 23 is locked, and the LED 31 (blue) is turned off (steps 34, 35).

In this case, the other trays 23 remain locked. Thus, when storing a part in this tray 23, the part can be stored in one tray 23 that corresponds to the specified part, and storing/replenishing the part in a different tray 23 by mistake is prevented. Also, since only the tray 23 that can be stored is lit and all the other trays 23 are turned off, there is no risk of mistakenly selecting the tray 23 that can be stored.

When the "Back" icon is clicked (step 36), the state returns to the previous state (step 37). When the "Menu" icon is clicked (step 38), the state returns to the process of displaying the list of modes in step 02.

(6) Parts Picking (Recall/Storage/Issue) Mode Processing Fig. 8 shows a flowchart of the parts picking (recall/storage/issue) mode processing executed in the above step 04. This parts picking (recall/storage/issue) mode processing is executed if the parts picking (recall/storage/issue) mode is selected on the tablet 32 in the above step 03 from the list of modes displayed on the tablet 32 in the above step 02.

In the material removal (recall/storage/retrieval) mode, the text "Scan the barcode to open the tray" and the icons "Menu" and "Back" are displayed on the tablet 32 (step 41).

In response to this, when the barcode/identification information of the parts to be taken out and stored/unstored is read one by one by the barcode reader 33 (step 42), the one-to-one corresponding tray 23 is unlocked, the LED 31 (blue) of the tray 23 is turned on (step 43), and the above-mentioned external image data of the part is displayed if it has been stored.

In this case, the barcodes are given to the user or manager as a Kanban or the like, or the user or manager prints out a barcode list in advance and brings it with them. In this way, by simply inputting the identification information of the parts, the trays 23... can be opened and the corresponding parts can be taken out/supplied.

In this way, when removing components from the multiple trays 23..., when one of the multiple trays 23... (components) is unlocked and designated in steps 42 and 43 above, allowing the removal of the components, the other trays 23... (components) remain locked and cannot be designated, and the removal of the components is also prohibited.

In addition, when all of the trays 23 (components) remain locked and removal of components from all of the trays 23 (components) is prohibited, one or more of the trays 23 (components) (steps 49, 50) can be unlocked and designated, allowing removal of components.

The tray 23 unlocked in step 43 is pulled out and opened, and the part corresponding to the barcode is removed/supplied. In this case, the other trays 23 remain locked. In this way, when removing a part from this tray 23, the part can be removed from one tray 23 corresponding to the specified part, and removing/supplying the part by mistake from another different tray 23 is prevented. Also, since only the tray 23 that can be removed is lit and all the other trays 23 are turned off, there is no risk of removing the wrong tray 23.

Next, if the weight data of this one component and the remaining amount data of that component are not stored in the information storage unit 6/program/data storage unit 7 (step 61), this means that the weight data of this one component and the remaining amount data of that component have disappeared for some reason.

In this case, for example, a message such as "Please place one component to be registered on the tray" is displayed on the tablet 32, and when this component is placed on the tray 23... and a switch is operated on the tablet 32 (step 62), data for this component is written to the information storage unit 6/program/data storage unit 7 in correspondence with the tray 23 in step 15 above (step 63).

Then, for example, a message such as "Please place the components in multiple trays" is displayed on the tablet 32, and the multiple components are placed on the trays 23... to store/replenish the components. When a switch is operated on the tablet 32 (step 64), data on the multiple components is written as remaining quantity data in the information storage unit 6/program/data storage unit 7 corresponding to the trays 23 in step 15 above (step 65).

If the amount of material inserted is small, or if the amount of material remaining after storing/replenishing the material in step 43 above is small and the weight data from the weighing scale 25... is less than a pre-stored predetermined amount, for example 5, 10,..., in other words if the remaining amount data/input amount data is small (step 66), the LED 31... (red) is lit to notify/warn that the remaining amount/input amount is low (step 67).

When the remaining/added amount of a component detected in this way is below a predetermined amount, a notification is issued urging the user to replenish the component. Thus, this notification is issued when a component is removed. The number of remaining/added components can be found by dividing the weight data from weighing scale 25... by the weight data per component written in step 53 above. If there is a notification/warning in step 57 above, the process returns to step 54, where "Please place components in multiple trays" is displayed again, and the components are added/replenished/stored.

In this way, the weight of each of the components is measured, and the weight of the remaining amount of the components in the tray 23 is measured. The number of remaining components is then detected from the weight of each component and the weight of the remaining amount, and when the number of remaining components falls below a predetermined number, a notification is issued to encourage the user to replenish the components.

When the weight data of the components in the trays 23... becomes greater than a predetermined amount (step 66), the LEDs 31... (red) are turned off, and the notification/warning that the amount inserted/remaining is low is terminated (step 68). In this way, when the remaining amount of components is low, a notification/warning is given, preventing the remaining amount of components from becoming low or running out.

If the weight data of one component and the remaining amount data of that component are stored in step 61, the processing in steps 62 to 63 is not performed. Note that the processing in steps 61 to 63 or steps 61 to 65 may be omitted here.

The barcodes used in this material removal (recall/storage/retrieval) mode include one barcode that contains identification information for one material and is specified at the same time, and one barcode that is read and specified at the same time and contains two or more/multiple pieces of identification information. The barcodes/identification information used in the material registration mode or material storage (recall/storage/retrieval) mode above usually contain only identification information for one material and is specified at the same time. However, multiple pieces may be used.

After this, the tray 23 is closed and the sensor/switch in the slit 28 of the locking/unlocking device 27 is activated, the tray 23 is locked and the LED 31 (blue) is turned off (steps 44, 45). If the item removed from the tray 23 before steps 44, 45 (34, 35) is a tool or other equipment, the tool is returned to the tray 23.

This allows the tools to always be returned to the same tray 23... and the tools will not get lost. In this case, if a sensor or the like detects that the tool has not been returned to the tray 23..., an LED 31... (red) is lit to notify the user (steps 66, 67 (56, 57)). This notification may also be performed by an LED 31... of another color, a sound, etc.

When information on two or more components is included in one barcode that is read simultaneously in one go, and two or more components are specified at the same time and there are components that have not yet been removed (step 49), the above steps 43 to 45 (steps 66 to 68, steps 61 to 65) are repeated for the remaining components, the next component information is specified in the same barcode, the next one-to-one corresponding tray 23 is unlocked, and the LED 31 (blue) of this next tray 23 is turned on (steps 50, 43).

In this way, by simply specifying a component with a barcode, it is possible to specify only the tray 23 in which this component is stored. Also, two or more components/trays 23 can be specified at the same time with one barcode.

In this way, when a component can be stored in a tray 23, one component or one tray 23 is specified with one identification information/barcode. However, when a component can be removed from a tray 23, one identification information/barcode may specify multiple components or multiple trays 23. However, even in the case of storage, multiple components or multiple trays 23 may be specified with one identification information/barcode.

Even if two or more/multiple components/trays 23... are specified at the same time with one barcode, the trays 23... for these components are not unlocked at the same time, but are unlocked one by one in sequence, so that the two or more/multiple components are not mixed up by mistake, and the two or more/multiple components can be distinguished and removed. However, for components that are easy to distinguish even when mixed, components that are difficult to distinguish even when mixed, and other components, the trays 23... may be unlocked at the same time.

In addition, in steps 49 and 50, when two or more/multiple components/trays 23... are specified at the same time with one barcode and all of the two or more/multiple components/trays 23... are prohibited from removal, it is possible to enable removal of only the components of any one of the storage mechanisms among the two or more/multiple components/trays 23....

In this case, two or more/multiple components/trays 23... that have already been made removable are excluded from the two or more/multiple components/trays 23... that are made removable. This is because the information on multiple components/trays 23... in one barcode is read out in sequence in the order of arrangement in the barcode (step 50), unlocked in sequence (step 43), and locked in sequence (step 45), and the information on components/trays 23... that have already been read out is excluded from this reading.

In this way, for two or more trays 23... corresponding to two or more components designated at the same time, when one of the two or more trays 23... is made removable, removal of components from the other trays 23... among the two or more trays 23... is prohibited. Then, when all of the two or more trays 23... are closed and removal is prohibited, removal of components from any one of the two or more trays 23... is permitted.

In the above case, the order in which the above components are removed/trays 23... are unlocked will be the order formed in the barcodes of each component contained in a single barcode specified at the same time. However, the information converted from the barcodes of each component may be rearranged in alphabetical order, alphabetical order, numerical order, or other order based on the component names and component symbols, and the components may be unlocked in that order, and the order in which the components are removed is arbitrary.

In this way, the simultaneous designation of two or more components/trays 23... is based on the simultaneous input or reading of one barcode (identification information) (steps 49 → 50 → 43). Similarly, the designation of only one component/tray 23 is based on the simultaneous input or reading of one identification information or one barcode (identification information) (steps 49 → 41).

When the "Back" icon is clicked (step 46), the state returns to the previous state (step 47). When the "Menu" icon is clicked (step 48), the state returns to the process of displaying the list of modes in step 02.

In the part removal (call/storage/retrieval) mode processing, the two or more parts that are specified at the same time may be two or more parts that are worked on at the same time, such as bolts and nuts. Also, the two or more parts that are specified at the same time may be parts that are attached to adjacent locations of the finished product.

In the part removal (recall/storage/retrieval) mode processing, the two or more parts specified at the same time may be parts that make up the finished product, such as bolts, nuts, and spanners, or tools for attaching these parts to a semi-finished product before completion. They may also be measuring instruments that measure finished or semi-finished products, such as calipers. In this way, they may be tools or measuring instruments for completing the finished product without constructing the finished product.

The barcode/identification information itself is the same for each component/each tray 23, but in the component registration process in FIG. 6, the component storage process in FIG. 7, and the component removal process in FIG. 8, different barcode lists/identification information lists are used for each.

Furthermore, when multiple components are simultaneously specified with one barcode/identification information in the component removal process of FIG. 8, this will be different from the one barcode/identification information corresponding to one component used in the component registration process of FIG. 6 and the component storage process of FIG. 7. However, multiple components may also be simultaneously specified with one barcode/identification information in the component registration process of FIG. 6 and the component storage process of FIG. 7.

(7) Second embodiment In the second embodiment, the material storage (recall/entering/retrieving) mode process in Fig. 7 and the material removal (recall/entering/retrieving) mode process in Fig. 8 are integrated and used as the same process. The difference between the two is the process of steps 49 and 50, but since one barcode specified at the same time used in the material storage (recall/entering/retrieving) mode process contains only one piece of material information, the process of steps 49 and 50 is not actually executed in the material storage (recall/entering/retrieving) mode process.

In this case, when the tray 23 is opened in steps 33 and 43, a member may be stored or removed. Even in this case, steps 33→35 and 43→45 themselves can be said to "select either storing a member in the storage mechanism or removing a member from the storage mechanism" or "select either a mode for storing a member in the storage mechanism or a mode for removing a member from the storage mechanism", and steps 33 and 43 themselves can be said to "when storing a member in the storage mechanism" or "when the mode for storing a member in the storage mechanism is selected", or "when removing a member from the storage mechanism" or "when the mode for removing a member from the storage mechanism is selected". However, such mode selection may be omitted.

In addition, before step 33, or before steps 52 to 53, or before steps 54 to 55, or before step 43, or before steps 62 to 63, or before steps 64 to 65, it is determined whether or not the member storage mode is selected, and if the member storage mode is selected, step 33, steps 52 to 53, or further steps 54 to 55, step 43, steps 62 to 63, or further steps 64 to 65 are executed. This means that "when storing a member in a storage mechanism, the member can be stored in one storage mechanism corresponding to the specified member" or "when a mode for storing a member in a storage mechanism is selected, the member can be stored in one storage mechanism corresponding to the specified member". However, such mode selection may be omitted.

Furthermore, before steps 49-50→43, it is determined whether or not the mode is for removing a member, and if the mode is for removing the member, steps 49-50→43 are executed. This means that "when the mode for removing a member from a storage mechanism is selected, two or more members out of the plurality of members are simultaneously designated, and for two or more storage mechanisms corresponding to the designated two or more members, when one of the two or more storage mechanisms is made removable, the removal of members from the other storage mechanisms out of the two or more storage mechanisms is prohibited, and when removal of all of the two or more storage mechanisms is prohibited, the removal of members from any one of the two or more storage mechanisms is made possible." Such mode selection may be omitted.

The weighing scale 25 is provided outside the trays 23, for example, on the top surface of the material management device 21, and the weighing scale 25 inside the trays 23 is omitted. Then, each time a material is stored or removed, the trays 23 are pulled out and placed on the weighing scale 25, the weight of each material is measured, and the remaining amount is measured (steps 53, 55, 63, 65), a notification is given that the remaining amount is low (steps 56, 57, 66, 67), the material is stored or removed (steps 33, 43), and the trays 23 are returned and locked (steps 35, 45).

The other configurations, actions, and effects of this second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment described above, and the descriptions of these are also assumed to be described in this embodiment, and the contents of this embodiment are also assumed to be described in the first embodiment.

(8) Other embodiments The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and may be modified in various ways. For example, the component management device, the component management method, and the computer program for component management may be executed by devices, programs, and AI (artificial intelligence) provided in multiple countries, or distributed both domestically and overseas.

The weight measurement of one component in steps 52-53 and 62-63 and the notification of the remaining amount in steps 56-58 and 66-68 are performed by a circuit/device that collectively manages multiple component management devices 21, and is executed by a management center circuit/device similar to that shown in FIG. 4. If necessary, the data may be sent to each component management device 21 for processing and displayed on a tablet 32, etc.

The weight scale 25 may not be provided for each tray 23, but may be provided outside the trays 23 of the component management device 21, where the weight of each component is measured. This is performed in steps 15, 53, and 63 above.

The remaining amount data is measured by providing an optical sensor for each tray 23..., and in steps 56 and 66, if the amount of light reflected from the bottom plate 24... of the tray 23... becomes greater than the amount of light reflected from the components, for example, 50% or more, 25% or more, or 75% or more, and the amount of light detected by the optical sensor increases above a predetermined value, a detection signal is sent to the controller 1, the processing of steps 57 and 67 is executed, and a notification/warning/LED 31... (red) may be turned on.

The optical sensor may be a photographing device. In this case, in steps 56 and 66, the components of the trays 23... and the bottom plate 24... are photographed by the photographing device, and when the bottom plate 24... appears, or when the number of components photographed in the bottom plate 24... is counted. This optical sensor is provided inside each of the trays 23..., but it may also be provided outside the trays 23... and the remaining amount is detected through a transparent window in the side wall of the trays 23....

When the number of measured components falls below a predetermined number, the detection signal is sent to the controller 1, the above steps 57 and 67 are executed, and the notification/warning/LED 31... (red) may be turned on. In this way, it is detected whether the bottom of the tray 23... of the components is visible, and if the bottom is visible, the notification is issued and the user is prompted to replenish the components.

The optical sensor may be a photocoupler. In this case, in steps 56 and 66, the photocoupler is provided on the rear, side, or outside of the front of the tray 23..., and when the light that was detected by reflecting off the internal components is reduced and the light is no longer reflected by being transmitted through, the detection signal is sent to the controller 1, and the processing of steps 57 and 67 is executed, and the notification/warning/LED 31... (red) may be turned on.

In this case, the trays 23 are transparent, but only the area near the photocoupler may be transparent in a window-like manner. As a result, if the height of the components stored in the trays 23/storage mechanism falls below a predetermined value detected by the photocoupler, this is detected and an LED 31 (red), tablet 32, etc. is used to notify the user of the need to replenish the components. The photocoupler may be provided inside the trays 23.

The weighing scale 25 may be provided outside the tray 23, for example, under the tray 23. This also allows the remaining amount of material to be detected. The remaining amount detection and notification processes of steps 66 to 68 above may be performed anywhere, such as after steps 35 and 45, before steps 36 and 46, or before steps 38 and 48.

The LED 31 (red) may be omitted, and instead the LED 31 (blue) may flash, or the LED 31 of one color may switch between unlocking the tray 23 in steps 33-35 and 43-45, and notifying/warning that the remaining amount is low in steps 57-58 and 67-68. Conversely, other colors may be used for the LED 31 (red/blue).

A single tray 23 may be divided so that multiple components with different barcodes/identification information can be stored/removed. In this case, for example, when a component at the front of a single tray 23 is stored/removed, an LED 31 (blue/green) is lit, and when a component at the back is stored/removed, an LED 31 (yellow/red) is lit or displayed on the tablet 32.

In this case, for example, a voice message such as "Please take the component in front" or "Please take the component in the back" may be issued. The switching of LED 31... (blue/green)/(yellow/red) in this process is performed in steps 33 and 43 above according to the barcode/identification information input in steps 32 and 42.

A single component may also be stored in/removed from multiple trays 23. In this case, for example, when the first of multiple trays 23 for the same component is unlocked, the LED 31 (blue/green) is lit, and when the second tray 23 is stored or removed, the LED 31 (yellow/red) is lit or displayed on the tablet 32.

In this case, for example, a voice message such as "Please take the component from tray number XX" or "Please take the component from tray number △△" may be issued. The LED 31... (blue/green)/(yellow/red) switching in this process is performed in steps 33 and 43 above according to the number of calls stored for the barcode/identification information entered in steps 32 and 42. Also, in steps 32, 33, 42 and 43, the trays 23... containing the same components may be unlocked/locked at the same time.

The individual components can be anything, such as screws, bolts, nuts, springs, links, bearings, wire, pipes, lenses, spanners, wrenches, drivers, primers, drills, cutters, shears, tape measures, rulers, calipers, micrometers, vehicles, electrical products, communication equipment, office equipment, computers, semiconductors, office supplies, home appliances, kitchen supplies, bathing supplies, toilet supplies, furniture, doors, windows, miscellaneous goods, daily necessities, clothing, hats, footwear, food, glasses, lighting supplies, optical supplies, sporting goods, houses, buildings, etc., tools, measuring instruments, tools for attaching each part, etc.

The above notifications are made by LEDs 31 (blue and red), but may also be made by voice or display such as "Tray No. XX has opened", "Tray No. XX has closed", "The amount of material remaining in Tray No. XX is low", "There is plenty of material remaining in Tray No. XX", etc. using a tablet 32, speaker, etc. Such notifications may also be made using a portable device or cell phone carried by the user or manager.

The identification information of the above-mentioned components may be a two-dimensional barcode, a one-dimensional barcode, a three-dimensional or higher dimensional barcode using a hologram, a part number, a part symbol, a product number, a product symbol, an identification number, an identification symbol, image information of the component, or other identification information. The identification information of the component may or may not correspond one-to-one with the identification information of the tray 23... (storage mechanism).

In cases where there is no correspondence, the identification information of multiple components may correspond to one tray 23... (storage mechanism), or the identification information of one component may correspond to multiple trays 23... (storage mechanisms). In this case, one component may be large and correspond to multiple trays 23... (storage mechanisms), or one tray 23... (storage mechanism) may be large and multiple components may be stored simultaneously in one tray 23... (storage mechanism).

The tray 23 may be a rectangular parallelepiped, polyhedron, cylinder, elliptical cylinder, rectangular cylinder, semi-cylinder, semi-elliptical cylinder, semi-rectangular cylinder, truncated cone, truncated pyramid, sphere, egg, hemisphere, semi-egg, polyhedron, gourd, sawtooth, or other three-dimensional shape, or a combination of these three-dimensional shapes, and may be transparent, translucent, partially transparent, or opaque.

There may be partitions between the trays 23, each tray 23 may have a lid, or the shelves 22 may be omitted. The lid may be unlocked or locked by the locking/unlocking device 27. The width, depth, and height of the trays 23 are several centimeters to several tens of centimeters, but may be larger or smaller.

The information for distinguishing each of the trays 23... may be a tray number, a two-dimensional barcode, a one-dimensional barcode, a three- or higher-dimensional barcode using a hologram, a part number, a part symbol, a product number, a product symbol, an identification number, an identification symbol, image information of the trays 23..., or other identification/distinguishing information. The identification information of the trays 23... may or may not correspond one-to-one with the identification information of the components.

In the member storage mode of FIG. 7 or member removal mode of FIG. 8, the storage/removal barcode is read in steps 32 and 42 each time the operation/processing of FIG. 7 or FIG. 8 is performed, but multiple barcodes may be read and stored before the operation/processing of FIG. 7 or FIG. 8, and then read out sequentially to repeat the operation/processing of FIG. 7 or FIG. 8.

In this case, in steps 32 and 42, it is determined whether the barcode of the next component has been read in sequence. Even in this case, in steps 49 and 50, multiple components are sequentially removed using one barcode.

The process of removing multiple items using one barcode in steps 49 and 50 may be performed after step 35 in FIG. 7. In this case, the process of storing multiple items using one barcode is performed. The process of steps 49 and 50 is repeated for multiple items using one barcode, and the trays 23... are unlocked/locked in the order in which they appear in the barcode, but they may also be unlocked/locked simultaneously.

The multiple pieces of individual information that identify each manager/user may be the planar or three-dimensional shape of veins, as well as fingerprints, iris, irises, lips, ears, proverbs, walking style, facial images, genes, blood type, health insurance number, social security number, driver's license number, basic resident register number, name, age, date of birth, gender, telephone number, taxpayer number, height, weight, habits, a unique password for the component manager/component user, still images, and moving images.

In addition to being installed in factories, this component management device 21 can also be installed in design laboratories, prototype laboratories, car racing tracks, component facilities, nursing homes, elderly care facilities, apartment complexes, various other facilities, privately owned buildings, and the homes of component managers/users. In this case, mobile phones, mobile devices, tablets, PCs, etc. can be used as the input unit 3, output unit 4, or component management device 21.

The order of some or all of the processes in steps 14-15, 16-17, 31-32, 52-53, 54-55, 56-58, 33-34-35, 41-42, 62-63, 64-65, 66-68, and 43-44-45 may be changed or omitted.

In each of the flowcharts in Figures 5 to 8 above, the order of each process may be partially changed or partially omitted, each step may be replaced with other equivalent processes, and each step may be partially or completely replaced with hardware, circuits, or AI (artificial intelligence) that perform equivalent functions.

The controller 1, address/data bus line 2, input section 3, output section 4, interface section 5, information storage section 6, program/data storage section 7, component management device 21, shelf board 22..., tray 23..., bottom board 24..., weighing scale 25..., hook 26..., locking/unlocking device 27..., slit 28..., LED 31... (blue, red), tablet 32, barcode reader 33, vein authentication device 34, camera 35, components, and each step in Figures 5 to 8 may be singular, plural, or three or more, and each of these configurations, operations, actions, steps, or functions may be omitted in part or in whole, or may be divided and separated to increase or decrease the number, and their shapes may be arbitrarily changed and replaced with equivalent other objects, or any combination of two or more of these may be used. Or three or more may be combined or integrated and used together, the orientation may be as shown in the drawings or may be inclined/changed/inverted 90 degrees, 0 degrees to 180 degrees, up and down, left and right, front and back, front and back, front and back, front and back, the relative sizes of the respective dimensions may be switched or may be the same, some or all of them may be omitted, the shape may be flat, curved, may have holes, may have irregularities, and may be a square, rectangle, square, triangle, disk, elliptical disk, polygonal plate, trapezoidal plate, semi-ellipse, parallelogram, rhombus, polygon, triangle, trapezoid, ring, semi-ring, star, sector, curved shape, cross, L-shape, H-shape, I-shape, U-shape, T-shape, C-shape, O-shape, N-shape, M-shape, X-shape, J-shape, Y-shape, E-shape, F-shape, S-shape, V-shape, etc. The shape may be a curved surface, an angular shape, a rectangular parallelepiped shape, a polyhedron shape, a cylinder, an elliptical cylinder, a square cylinder, a semi-cylinder, a semi-elliptical cylinder, a semi-rectangular cylinder, a circular truncated cone, a square truncated pyramid, a sphere, an egg shape, a hemisphere, a semi-egg shape, a polyhedron, a gourd shape, a sawtooth shape, or any other three-dimensional shape, or a combination of these three-dimensional shapes, or a shape with angular steps, a shape with rounded steps, a shape with rounded unevenness, a combination of these, a step shape, a net shape, a frame shape, a sheet shape, a mesh shape, a blind shape, a slit shape, a shape with many holes, a shape with a hole in the center of these, a composite combination of these, or the like, or may be omitted in part or in whole, and the material may be polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polycarbonate, polychlorotrifluoroethylene, urethane, uretafo It may be polymer resin, hard resin, soft resin, thermoplastic resin, thermosetting resin, etc. such as rubber, polyurethane, polyacrylamide, polymethyl acrylate, polyacrylonitrile, polyvinyl chloride, acrylic resin, PET resin, Aquajob, Shine Up, Mumack, bamboo pile, synthetic resin or natural resin, wood, bamboo, resin, metal, glass, cotton, cloth, thread, fiber, rubber, paper, ceramic, carbon, concrete, composites, mixtures, or multi-layer laminates of these, inflexible materials, flexible materials, liquids, solids, gases, sols, or gels, and may or may not have flexibility, elasticity, cushioning, moisture absorption, water absorption, breathability, antibacterial properties, far infrared effect, heat retention effect, drying effect, or moisture absorption effect.

For example, the controller 1, information storage unit 6, and program/data storage unit 7 may be combined or separated into three or more units, the input unit 3, output unit 4, and interface unit 5 may be combined or separated into three or more units, and some or all of the above-mentioned systems, processes, circuits, programs, software, and hardware may be executed by AI (artificial intelligence).

(9) Effects of Other Inventions [1] A materials management method for a plurality of storage mechanisms which correspond one-to-one to a plurality of components constituting a finished product and which thereby distinguishably store the plurality of components, the method comprising the steps of: when storing a component in the storage mechanism, allowing the component to be stored in one storage mechanism corresponding to the specified component; when removing a component from the storage mechanism, two or more components are simultaneously specified among the plurality of components, and for two or more storage mechanisms corresponding to the specified two or more components, when one of the two or more storage mechanisms is allowed to be removed, prohibiting the removal of components from other storage mechanisms among the two or more storage mechanisms, and when removal is prohibited from all of the two or more storage mechanisms, allowing the removal of components from any one of the two or more storage mechanisms.

[2] A computer program for managing parts that causes a computer to execute the following operations for storing parts that make up a finished product in a plurality of storage mechanisms that correspond one-to-one to the parts and thereby store the parts in a differentiated manner: when storing parts in the storage mechanisms, the computer allows the parts to be stored in one storage mechanism that corresponds to the specified parts; and when removing parts from the storage mechanisms, the computer simultaneously specifies two or more parts among the plurality of parts, and for two or more storage mechanisms that correspond to the specified two or more parts, when one of the two or more storage mechanisms is allowed to be removed, prohibits the removal of parts from other storage mechanisms among the two or more storage mechanisms, and when removal is prohibited from all of the two or more storage mechanisms, allows the removal of parts from any one of the two or more storage mechanisms.

[3] A material management device comprising: a plurality of components constituting a finished product; a plurality of storage mechanisms that correspond one-to-one to the plurality of components and thereby store the plurality of components in a differentiated manner; a first control means that, when storing components in the storage mechanisms, allows the components to be stored in one storage mechanism corresponding to the designated components; and, when removing components from the storage mechanisms, a second control means that simultaneously designates two or more of the plurality of components, and when one of the two or more storage mechanisms corresponding to the designated two or more components is made available for removal, prohibits the removal of components from other storage mechanisms among the two or more storage mechanisms, and when removal is prohibited from all of the two or more storage mechanisms, allows the removal of components from any one of the two or more storage mechanisms.

[4] The component management device according to claim 3, characterized in that the identification information of the multiple pre-stored components that identifies the components and the identification information of the multiple pre-stored storage mechanisms that identifies the storage mechanisms correspond one-to-one, and the identification information of the components and the identification information of the storage mechanisms are used interchangeably, and when the components can be stored in the storage mechanisms, one identification information specifies one component or one storage mechanism, and when the components can be removed from the storage mechanisms, one identification information specifies multiple components or multiple storage mechanisms. This allows the components and storage mechanisms to be specified by the identification information. Furthermore, the identification information allows the components to be properly organized without mistakes, without mistaking them for each storage mechanism.

[5] The material management device according to claim 4, characterized in that when removal from all of the two or more storage mechanisms is prohibited, in the case where removal of a material from any one of the two or more storage mechanisms is permitted, the storage mechanisms that have already been permitted to be removed are excluded from the storage mechanisms that are permitted to be removed. This allows the materials to be properly organized without mistakes, without making mistakes when placing them in the storage mechanisms.

[6] The material management device according to claim 5, further comprising a first prohibition means for prohibiting the specification of other materials when one of the plurality of materials is specified when storing materials in the storage mechanism, and for enabling the specification of one of the materials when none of the materials are specified. This prevents a material from being stored in one storage mechanism by mistake in another storage mechanism.

[7] The material management device according to claim 6, further comprising a second prohibition means for prohibiting designation of other storage mechanisms when removal of a material from one of the plurality of storage mechanisms is permitted, and for allowing designation of one or more of the storage mechanisms when removal of a material from all of the plurality of storage mechanisms is prohibited. This prevents a material from being stored in a certain storage mechanism by mistake in another storage mechanism.

[8] The component management device according to claim 7, characterized in that the simultaneous designation of the two or more components is based on a single input or reading of one piece of identification information or one barcode, and the designation of only one component is based on a single input or reading of one piece of identification information or one barcode. This allows multiple components to be designated with one piece of identification information or one barcode, and also allows one component to be designated with one piece of identification information or one barcode, and allows these to be selected.

[9] The component management device according to claim 8, characterized in that the two or more components designated simultaneously are components that are worked on simultaneously or components that are attached to adjacent locations of the finished product. This improves work efficiency.

[10] The component management device according to claim 9, characterized in that the two or more components designated at the same time are a component constituting the finished product and a tool for attaching the component to a semi-finished product before completion, or a measuring machine for measuring the finished product or semi-finished product, which are tools that do not constitute the finished product and are tools or measuring machines for completing the finished product. This allows the tools or measuring machines required for work on finished products or semi-finished products to be managed and quickly retrieved, improving work efficiency.

[11] A materials management method comprising the steps of: for a computer having multiple pre-stored component information identifying multiple components that make up a finished product, and multiple storage mechanisms that correspond one-to-one to the multiple component information and thereby distinguish and store the multiple components; detecting the amount of the component remaining in the storage mechanism, a component being taken out from one of the storage mechanisms and used to complete the finished product; and, when the amount detected by the detection means is equal to or less than a predetermined amount, issuing a notification to encourage the component to be replenished. This prevents the finished product from being hindered by remaining amounts remaining, and improves the efficiency of work on the finished product.

[12] A computer program for managing parts that causes a computer to execute the following operations for a plurality of pre-stored parts information identifying a plurality of parts that make up a finished product, and a plurality of storage mechanisms that correspond one-to-one to the plurality of parts information and thereby store the plurality of parts in a distinguishable manner: a process for taking a part from one of the storage mechanisms and using it to complete the finished product, a process for detecting the amount of the part remaining in the storage mechanism, and a process for issuing a notification urging the user to replenish the part when the amount detected by the detection means is equal to or less than a predetermined amount. This prevents the finished product from being hindered due to a remaining amount running low, improving the efficiency of work on the finished product.

[13] A material management device comprising: a plurality of pre-stored material information identifying a plurality of material components that constitute a finished product; a plurality of storage mechanisms that correspond one-to-one to the plurality of material information and thereby distinguish and store the plurality of material components; a detection means for detecting the amount of the material remaining in the storage mechanism, in which a material is taken out from one of the storage mechanisms and used to complete the finished product; and a notification means for prompting the replenishment of the material when the remaining amount detected by the detection means is equal to or less than a predetermined amount. This prevents the remaining amount from becoming low, which would cause problems with the finished product, and improves the efficiency of the work of completing the finished product.

[14] The component management device according to claim 13, characterized in that the notification is executed when the component is removed. As a result, if a component is removed/replenished from the storage mechanism and the remaining amount falls below a predetermined value, a notification is issued, and the component does not become low or disappear.

[15] The material management device according to claim 13, characterized in that the notification is executed when the material is stored. As a result, even if a material is stored/supplied to the storage mechanism, if the amount of the stored/supplied material is less than a predetermined value, a notification is issued, and the material is prevented from suddenly becoming scarce or disappearing.

[16] The component management device according to claim 13, characterized in that the detection means measures the weight of each of the components, measures the weight of the remaining amount of the components in the storage mechanism, detects the number of remaining components from the weight of each component and the weight of the remaining amount, and when the number of remaining components falls below a predetermined number, the notification means prompts the user to replenish the components. This makes it possible to accurately grasp the amount of components stored/replenished/removed/replenished in the storage mechanism in units of units.

[17] The member management device according to claim 13, characterized in that the detection means detects whether the bottom of the member storage mechanism is visible, and if the bottom is visible, the notification means prompts the user to replenish the member. This allows easy detection from outside the storage mechanism if the storage mechanism is transparent, or allows easy detection from inside the storage mechanism.

[18] The component management device according to claim 13, characterized in that, in the detection means, if the height of the component stored in the storage mechanism falls below a predetermined value, the notification means prompts the user to replenish the component. This allows easy detection from outside the storage mechanism if the storage mechanism is transparent, or allows easy detection from inside the storage mechanism.

Parts, tools, equipment, and other materials are stored and supplied without error. Each tray 23 (storage mechanism) corresponds one-to-one to each material and is identified (steps 14, 15). When the barcode of the material to be stored is input (step 32), only the corresponding tray 23 is unlocked, the material is stored (step 33), and the tray is locked (steps 34, 35).

When the barcode of the part to be removed is entered (step 42), the corresponding tray 23 is unlocked and the part is removed (step 43). If multiple parts are to be removed with one barcode, the tray 23 for the next part is unlocked after locking (steps 44, 45), and the part is removed (steps 49, 50, 43) and locked again (steps 44, 45).

If the amount of material remaining after removal is low (step 66), a notification is issued (step 67). If sufficient material has been replenished (steps 64, 65), the notification ends (step 68). Such notifications are also issued when the amount of material replenished during storage is low (steps 56-58). The material storage process in FIG. 7 and the material removal process in FIG. 8 may be combined and used by the same program.

Claims (5)

A computer having a plurality of components constituting a finished product and a plurality of storage mechanisms that correspond one-to-one to the plurality of components and thereby store the plurality of components in a distinguishable manner,
When storing a member in the storage mechanism, a first step of enabling the member to be stored in one storage mechanism corresponding to a designated member;
a second step of simultaneously designating two or more members from among all the members;
a third step of, when removing members from the storage mechanisms, prohibiting removal of members from other storage mechanisms among the two or more storage mechanisms corresponding to two or more members simultaneously designated in the second step among the plurality of members when one of the two or more storage mechanisms is set to be removable, and allowing removal of members from any one of the two or more storage mechanisms when all of the two or more storage mechanisms are set to be removable;
a fourth step of, after making the storage mechanism that has been made removable removable, excluding the components of the storage mechanism from the simultaneously designated components, determining whether or not there are any remaining designated components after this removal, and, if there are, enabling the storage mechanism to be removed in accordance with the third step for the remaining designated components and prohibiting the removal of components of other storage mechanisms, and, if there are no remaining designated components, enabling a new removal of the storage mechanism in accordance with the third step or a storage of the storage mechanism in accordance with the first step . For a plurality of components constituting a finished product and a plurality of storage mechanisms that correspond one-to-one to the plurality of components and thereby store the plurality of components in a distinguishable manner,
a first process for enabling a specified member to be stored in one of the storage mechanisms when storing the member in the storage mechanism;
A second process of simultaneously designating two or more components from among all the components;
a third process for, when removing members from the storage mechanisms, prohibiting removal of members from other storage mechanisms among the two or more storage mechanisms corresponding to two or more members simultaneously designated in the second process among the plurality of members when one of the two or more storage mechanisms is set to be removable, and allowing removal of members from any one of the two or more storage mechanisms when all of the two or more storage mechanisms are set to be removable ;
A computer program for managing components that causes a computer to execute a fourth process of, after making the storage mechanism that has been made removable removable, excluding the components of the storage mechanism from the simultaneously specified components, determining whether or not there are any remaining specified components after this excluding, and if there are, enabling the removal of the storage mechanism by the third process for the remaining specified components and prohibiting the removal of components of other storage mechanisms, and if there are no remaining specified components, enabling a new removal of the storage mechanism by the third process or storing of the storage mechanism by the first process . a plurality of components constituting a finished product, and a plurality of storage mechanisms corresponding to the plurality of components one-to-one and thereby storing the plurality of components in a distinguishable manner;
a first control means for controlling, when storing a member in the storage mechanism, the member to be stored in one storage mechanism corresponding to a specified member;
A second control means for simultaneously designating two or more members from among all the members;
a third control means for, when removing members from the storage mechanisms, with respect to two or more storage mechanisms corresponding to two or more members simultaneously designated by the second control means among the plurality of members, when one of the two or more storage mechanisms is set to be removable, prohibiting the removal of members from other storage mechanisms among the two or more storage mechanisms, and when all of the two or more storage mechanisms are set to be removable, allowing the removal of members from any one of the two or more storage mechanisms ;
and a fourth control means for, after making the storage mechanism that has been made removable available for removal, excluding the members of that storage mechanism from the members specified at the same time, determining whether or not there are any remaining designated members after this removal, and, if there are, enabling the removal of the storage mechanism by the third control means for the remaining designated members and prohibiting the removal of members of other storage mechanisms, and, if there are no remaining designated members, enabling a new removal of the storage mechanism by the third control means or a storage of the storage mechanism by the first control means . a plurality of pre-stored identification information for identifying the above-mentioned components corresponds to a plurality of pre-stored identification information for identifying the above-mentioned storage mechanisms in a one-to-one manner, and the identification information for these components and the identification information for the storage mechanisms are used interchangeably;
When the member can be stored in the storage mechanism, one piece of identification information designates one member or one storage mechanism,
4. The material management device according to claim 3, wherein when said material is made removable from said storage mechanism, a plurality of materials or a plurality of storage mechanisms are designated by one piece of identification information. 5. A material management device according to claim 4, wherein when the second control means enables removal of materials from any one of two or more storage mechanisms corresponding to two or more simultaneously specified materials , storage mechanisms that have already been made available for removal are excluded from the storage mechanisms that are made available for removal.

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