JP7769563B2 - Work management support device, work management support system, and work management support method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a work management support device, a work management support system, and a work management support method, and in particular to a work management support device, a work management support system, and a work management support method that support the management of work that includes multiple processes.

Technology that utilizes ICT (Information Communication Technology) to digitize and manage work time, progress, and other data in the production of building materials and other products has already been put to practical use. For example, Patent Document 1 describes technology for managing work progress using devices such as tablet computers or smartphones.

JP 2016-184427 A

Product manufacturing generally consists of multiple processes, each of which is carried out in order to complete the product. At each process, workers refer to product drawings (e.g., blueprints or assembly drawings) and perform the tasks assigned to each process (hereinafter referred to as elemental work).

On the other hand, the drawings to be referenced vary depending on the type of product. In such cases, printing out drawings for each product requires a lot of work, and the amount of printing paper consumed increases depending on the number of drawings to be referenced.

Furthermore, during one of the multiple processes, a worker may record information about the progress of that process, such as the progress of that process or changes to the elemental work. Because this information affects subsequent processes, it needs to be recorded so that each worker can check it. However, writing it down on a designated form or the above-mentioned drawings is time-consuming, and documents containing the recorded information must be managed to prevent them from being lost.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide an apparatus, system, and method for achieving easier work management.

The above problem is solved by the work management support device of the present invention, which supports the management of work that includes multiple processes, and which includes: a display control unit that, when an identification image attached to an object handled in each process is read by the terminal, controls the terminal to display a drawing of the object identified from the identification image on the terminal or a display device corresponding to the terminal; an information acquisition unit that, when information regarding the progress of at least one process designated as a first process is input through the terminal, acquires the information; a storage unit that stores the acquired information in a storage device in association with the first process; and a processing execution unit that executes processing related to the first process or a second process corresponding to the first process based on the information stored in the storage device.

In the work management support device of the present invention configured as described above, by reading the identification image attached to the object handled in each process by a terminal, a drawing of the object identified from the identification image can be displayed on the terminal or a display device corresponding to the terminal, thereby making it easy to check the drawing to be referred to in each process.
Furthermore, in the work management support device of the present invention, when information regarding the progress of at least one process (first process) is input via a terminal, the information is recorded and processing related to the first process or a second process corresponding to the first process is executed based on the recorded information. This makes it possible to easily manage information regarding the progress of each process and to easily reflect that information in work management.

The work management support device may further include an update unit that updates the drawing data representing the drawing in response to an operation performed on the terminal on which the drawing is displayed. In this case, it is preferable that the display control unit displays, on the terminal or the display, at least one of a first drawing based on updatable drawing data and a second drawing based on non-updatable drawing data, selected by the terminal.
According to the above configuration, at least one of the first drawing and the second drawing can be selected and displayed according to the worker's selection, thereby improving convenience (ease of use) for the worker.

In addition, when each of a plurality of processes is defined as a first process and progress information regarding the progress of the first process is input for each process, the information acquisition unit may acquire the progress information for each process, and the memory unit may associate the progress information for each process with the respective process and store it in the memory device for each process.
According to the above configuration, the progress of each process can be easily managed.

The progress information may also include start information indicating the start of a process and end information indicating the end of a process. Furthermore, the second process may be performed immediately after the first process among the multiple processes. In this case, a restriction may be imposed on the input of progress information for the second process or on the display of a drawing of the object in the second process from the time the information acquisition unit acquires the start information for the first process until the time the information acquisition unit acquires the end information. Furthermore, it is preferable that, when the information acquisition unit acquires the end information for the first process, the processing execution unit executes processing to remove the restriction on the second process.
According to the above configuration, while the first process is in progress but not yet completed, the input of progress information for the second process is restricted, and the restriction is lifted when the first process is completed. This allows progress management of each process, specifically, the input of progress information, to be carried out appropriately in accordance with the order of the processes.

The progress information may include start information indicating the start of a process and end information indicating the end of the process. In this case, the processing execution unit may execute a process to measure the time required from when the information acquisition unit acquires the start information for the first process to when it acquires the end information.
According to the above configuration, the time required for each process can be measured, and more appropriate work management can be implemented.

Furthermore, in the first step, when note information indicating irregularities that have been performed in the first step is input, the information acquiring unit may acquire the note information.
According to the above configuration, if there is any irregularity (irregular response, etc.) in the element work in the first process, the information can be recorded as note information, which results in more appropriate work management.

In addition, in the first step, the annotation information may be input through a terminal displaying a drawing of the object to be handled in the first step. In this case, when acquiring the annotation information, the information acquisition unit may identify the drawing displayed on the terminal at the time the annotation information was input. In addition, the storage unit may store the annotation information in the storage device in association with the drawing displayed on the terminal at the time the annotation information was input.
According to the above configuration, annotation information can be stored in association with the drawing displayed on the terminal at the time the annotation information was input. This allows the input annotation information to be referenced in association with the drawing, improving convenience for the worker.

In addition, when the information acquisition unit acquires annotation information for the first process, the processing execution unit may execute processing to display the annotation information on a terminal or display device together with a drawing of the object handled in a process that is performed after the first process among the multiple processes.
According to the above configuration, in the process following the process (first process) in which the note information was input, the note information is displayed on a terminal or display, so that the worker in charge of that process can easily check the note information.

Furthermore, the above-mentioned problem is solved by the work management support system of the present invention, which is a work management support system that supports the management of work including multiple processes, and includes a terminal capable of reading images and a device capable of communicating with the terminal, and the device includes: a display control unit that, when an identification image attached to an object handled in each process is read by the terminal, controls the terminal to display a drawing of the object identified from the identification image on the terminal or a display corresponding to the terminal; an information acquisition unit that, when information regarding the progress of at least one process is input through the terminal, designates at least one process as a first process, acquires information; a memory unit that associates the acquired information with the first process and stores it in a memory unit; and a processing execution unit that executes processing related to the first process or a second process corresponding to the first process based on the information stored in the memory unit.
According to the work management support system of the present invention, it is possible to more easily refer to drawings at each stage of work, record information regarding the progress of at least one stage (first stage), and perform processing based on that information.

Furthermore, the above-mentioned problem is solved by the work management support method of the present invention, which is a work management support method that supports the management of work that includes multiple processes, and in each process, when an identification image attached to an object handled in the process is read by a terminal, the computer controls the terminal to display a drawing of the object identified from the identification image on the terminal or a display corresponding to the terminal, and when information regarding the progress of at least one process is input through the terminal, the computer acquires the information, associates the acquired information with the first process and stores it in a memory device, and executes processing related to the first process or a second process corresponding to the first process based on the information stored in the memory device.
According to the above-mentioned work management support method, it is possible to more easily refer to drawings at each stage of work, record information regarding the progress of at least one stage (first stage), and perform processing based on that information.

The present invention provides a work management support device, a work management support system, and a work management support method that make it easier to manage work consisting of multiple steps.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a work flow. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a work line. FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a work management support system. 1 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a computer that constitutes a work management support device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a work management list. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen for work management. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an identification image assigned to an object. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displaying a drawing. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displaying annotation information. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating functions of a work management support device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a work management support flow.

One embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as this embodiment) will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that for ease of illustration, the drawings show each component in a somewhat simplified and schematic manner. Furthermore, the screen examples shown in the drawings (e.g., Figures 6, 8, and 9) are merely examples, and the screen configuration, displayed information, GUI (Graphical User Interface), etc. can be freely designed and modified according to system design specifications, user settings, etc.

In addition, the concept of "device" described in this specification includes not only a single device that performs a specific function, but also multiple devices that exist independently in a distributed manner but work together (in cooperation) to perform a specific function.

<<Outline of this embodiment>>
The present embodiment is an example of a technique for supporting work management, and relates to a work management support device, a work management support system, and a work management support method.
First, we will explain the work managed by this embodiment. The work is, for example, the work of producing (manufacturing) a target product, and includes multiple processes, each of which is carried out in order to complete the target product. Hereinafter, the target product, including the stages in its production, will be referred to as the "target object T."

In this embodiment, the object T is linked to a project. A project is a task of assembling multiple objects T, such as the construction of a custom-made property such as a house. A task is the production of building materials that make up the custom-made property, such as the production of steel frames. The following explanation will use the production of steel frames as a specific example.

As shown in Figure 1, steel frame production involves multiple processes, namely, "marking," "component processing (pre-processing)," "assembly," "primary welding," and "secondary welding," carried out in this order. In this embodiment, steel frame production is an assembly line carried out in a production factory. More specifically, as shown in Figure 2, an object T is transported along a conveyor line within the production factory, and each process is carried out while the object T is stationary at a position on the conveyor line corresponding to that process. Hereinafter, the area where each process is carried out will also be referred to as a "station."

In each process, a worker performs the work (elementary work) assigned to that process at the station for that process, and in the elemental work, a predetermined measure or processing is performed on the object T. In addition, in each process, the worker refers to a drawing of the object T, specifically a drawing that shows the contents of the elemental work, such as the assembly procedure for the object T. In addition, the drawings referred to in each process of work that handles the same type of object T are, as a general rule, the same.
After completing the element work, the worker hands over the object T to the next process.
The number of workers in charge of each process may be any number, and one worker may perform all of the multiple processes throughout one job.

The steel frame production work is repeated the same number of times as the number of steel frames required for the project, and each work cycle involves the repeated steps of marking, component processing, assembly, primary welding, and secondary welding. In principle, the procedures for each step in each work cycle, i.e., the content of the element work in each process, are the same across all processes. However, irregularities may occur if, for example, the shape or dimensions of a portion of the target object T differs, or if the position of a part attached to the target object T is misaligned. In such cases, the worker records the irregular content performed as an element work (i.e., changes to the work) as note information. The worker in the subsequent process then checks the note information and performs the element work in the process responsible for that item.

In this embodiment, work time, work progress, and various information required for the work are digitized. This allows workers to proceed with the work while checking the digitized information as needed, and the work manager can understand the work progress and other information from the data. Data such as work time can be edited after collection and can be visualized and displayed, for example, using graphs. Furthermore, by accumulating actual values such as work time and/or the time required for each process for work that has been performed so far, labor productivity (production volume per unit time) for the work can be evaluated, and work procedures can be revised based on the evaluation results.

<<About the work management support system according to this embodiment>>
Next, a work management support system (hereinafter simply referred to as support system S) according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the support system S is composed of a terminal 10 used by a worker, a work management support device (hereinafter simply referred to as the support device 20), an access point 30 installed in the production factory, and a display monitor 32.

The terminal 10 is a communications terminal such as a tablet terminal, laptop computer, or smartphone, and has installed on it an application program for work management support. At each stage of the work, the worker launches the application program and operates the terminal 10, referencing drawings of the object T being handled in that stage on the display screen of the terminal 10. Furthermore, if the worker performs an irregular operation at each stage, they input the details using an input device (e.g., a touch panel) on the terminal 10.

Note that a terminal 10 may be provided to each worker, or may be provided for each process. Alternatively, workers in charge of each process may share one or several terminals 10.

In addition, in this embodiment, the terminal 10 has the function of optically reading (capturing) images; more simply, it is equipped with a camera that takes images. This function allows the worker to read the identification image (see Figure 6) described below using the terminal 10 at each process.

The support device 20 is configured by a computer equipped with a processor, such as a personal computer (PC), a workstation, or a server computer. The support device 20 may be configured by a single computer, or may be configured by multiple computers distributed in parallel.
The support device 20 may be installed within the production factory, or may be installed in a building away from the production factory (for example, the building of the company that undertakes the project).

The support device 20 is used for work management, specifically, to execute a series of information processing related to work management. The computer that constitutes the support device 20 (hereinafter referred to as the support computer) has a processor 11, memory 12, a communication interface 13, an input device 14, and an output device 15, as shown in FIG. 4.

The processor 11 is composed of, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro-Processing Unit), an MCU (Micro Controller Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), a TPU (Tensor Processing Unit), or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).
The memory 12 is configured by semiconductor memories such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory).
The communication interface 13 is configured by, for example, a network interface card or a communication interface board.
The input device 14 is configured by, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, or a touch panel.
The output device 15 is configured by, for example, a display and a speaker.

In addition, the support computer has installed software such as an operating system (OS) program and a work management application program. When these programs are executed by the processor 11, the support computer functions as a work management support device.

The support computer is also connected to a storage device 16, as shown in FIG. 4. In this embodiment, the storage device 16 is one of the components of the support device 20, and is, for example, a file server, specifically a NAS (Network Attached Storage) (see FIG. 1). However, without being limited to this, the storage device 16 may also be composed of, for example, a flash memory, an HDD (Hard Disc Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), an FD (Flexible Disc), an MO disk (Magneto-Optical disc), a CD (Compact Disc), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), an SD card (Secure Digital card), or a USB memory (Universal Serial Bus memory). The storage constituting the storage device 16 may be built into the support computer or attached externally.

The support computer and storage device 16 (NAS: Network Attached Storage) can communicate with other devices via the communication interface 13. Specifically, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) is established within the production factory, and the support computer and storage device 16 are connected via a hub to a plurality of access points 30 installed within the factory. This allows the support computer and storage device 16 to wirelessly communicate with communication devices within the factory, specifically, terminals 10 and display monitors 32, etc., via the wireless LAN.
The support computer and storage device 16, i.e., the support device 20, may be connected to the terminal 10 and the display monitor 32 by wire, that is, may communicate with these devices by wire.

The display monitors 32 are displays installed in the factory separately from the terminals 10, and multiple units are installed, for example, near the conveyance line for the target objects T. Each display monitor 32 is associated with one or more terminals 10. Specifically, each display monitor 32 can communicate with terminals 10 within a predetermined distance from its installation location via Bluetooth (registered trademark) or Wi-Fi (registered trademark). Each display monitor 32 can display information displayed on the associated terminal 10; for example, information sent by the support device 20 to the terminal 10 can be displayed on the corresponding display monitor 32.

The number of display monitors 32 installed may be any number, but it is preferable to install at least one at each station. It is also preferable that the display monitor 32 be larger than the screen of the terminal 10.

In this embodiment, the support system S configured as described above makes it possible to easily manage steel frame production work, and specifically, the support system S can be used for purposes such as managing work progress, calculating work time, referring to drawings for each process, and recording annotation information.
Below, the procedure for using the support system S for each purpose will be explained for each purpose.

(1) Work Progress Management When managing work progress, for example, a worker in charge of the first process in the work (i.e., the "marking" process) performs an input operation for starting the work on the terminal 10. When performing the input operation, for example, a work management list shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the worker's terminal 10. The work management list contains a record for each work (hereinafter referred to as a work management record). The work management record for each project is stored in the storage device 16, and includes the work status, the date the work was performed, the ID number of the steel frame produced in the work, information about the project in which the steel frame is used (property information), and the status of each process. The status of each process is information that indicates whether the process is not yet started, is being performed, or has been completed.

The worker selects the work to be started from the list. The terminal 10 then sends data indicating the selection result to the support device 20. The worker in charge of each process in the work then operates the terminal 10 at the start of that process. Explaining in more detail, when the worker performs a predetermined operation on the terminal 10, for example, by using the terminal 10 to read the two-dimensional barcode Q attached to the object T, an application program for work management support is launched, and the operation window W shown in Figure 6 is displayed on the screen of the terminal 10. The operation window W displays the content and status of the process, the work that includes that process, the case (property information) linked to the work, and the planned time for the process, as well as multiple buttons for accepting operations.

The worker in charge of each process operates the terminal 10 and performs a predetermined operation (for example, pressing a start button, not shown) when the process starts. As a result, information indicating the start of the process and the time (hereinafter referred to as start information) is sent from the terminal 10 to the support device 20. The support device 20 receives the start information from the terminal 10 and stores it in the storage device 16. In addition, the support device 20 updates the work management record in conjunction with the storage of the start information; specifically, it changes the status of the started process to "in work."
The operation for starting each step may be, for example, an operation for referring to a drawing (specifically, an operation for reading an identification image), which will be described later.

Furthermore, the worker in charge of each process in progress operates the terminal 10 when the process is completed, specifically by pressing the end button in the operation window W shown in FIG. 6. As a result, information indicating the completion of the process and the time (hereinafter referred to as completion information) is sent from the terminal 10 to the support device 20. The support device 20 receives the completion information from the terminal 10 and stores it in the storage device 16. Furthermore, the support device 20 updates the work management record in conjunction with the storage of the completion information, specifically by changing the status of the completed process to "Completed."

Furthermore, each process is set up so that it cannot receive end information until it has received start information. This means that the worker in charge of each process cannot perform an end operation for that process unless they have started that process. Furthermore, each process is set up so that it cannot receive start information until it has received end information for the immediately preceding process. This means that the worker in charge of each process cannot perform an end operation for that process unless the immediately preceding process has finished.

Then, start and end information for each process is obtained, and the work is completed when end information for the last process, i.e., the "secondary welding" process, is obtained. At this point, the support device 20 updates the work status in the work management record to "completed."

(2) Calculation of Work Time When calculating work time, for example, a work manager specifies the work to be calculated (hereinafter, the target work), and the support device 20 calculates the work time based on the start information and end information acquired for each process of the specified target work. To explain in more detail, the support device 20 measures the time required for each process of the target work from acquiring the start information to acquiring the end information, and calculates the work time of the target work by adding up the required times measured for each process.
It is preferable that the calculation results of the work time be output appropriately by a specified device, and for example, data displaying the calculation results of the work time may be sent to a terminal (not shown) used by the work manager.

(3) Referring to Drawings When a worker refers to drawings in each process, the worker acquires identification information of the object T handled in that process and transmits the identification information to the support device 20. More specifically, in this embodiment, a two-dimensional barcode Q (corresponding to an identification image) shown in FIG. 7 is attached to the object T, and more precisely, a label on which the two-dimensional barcode Q is printed is attached to a predetermined position on the object T. When the worker reads the two-dimensional barcode Q using the terminal 10, the terminal 10 transmits data of the read image (i.e., data indicating a captured image of the two-dimensional barcode Q) to the support device 20. The support device 20 analyzes the data of the read image to identify the two-dimensional barcode Q attached to the object T.

The two-dimensional barcode Q is associated with the object T and the project (property information) in which the object T is used. Data indicating a drawing of the object T is associated with the project (property information) in which the object T is used and stored in the storage device 16 for each object T, and the information on the storage destination is incorporated into the two-dimensional barcode Q. The support device 20 then identifies the drawing of the object T (hereinafter referred to as the reference drawing) used in the currently ongoing process based on the two-dimensional barcode Q attached to the object T, and reads the data of the reference drawing from the storage device 16. The support device 20 then controls the terminal 10 operated by the worker in charge of the currently ongoing process based on the data of the reference drawing. As a result, the reference drawing as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the screen of the terminal 10.

In this embodiment, the reference drawing can be displayed on the display monitor 32 instead of or in addition to the terminal 10. That is, when the support device 20 controls the terminal 10 to display the reference drawing, a control signal is transmitted from the terminal 10 to the display monitor 32, causing the reference drawing to also be displayed on the display monitor 32. As a result, the worker can view the reference drawing on the display monitor 32, which has a larger screen size than the terminal 10, making it easier to check the work content using the reference drawing.

In addition, in this embodiment, two types of data representing drawings of the object T are stored in the storage device 16. One of the data is drawing data that can be updated, specifically data saved in an editable or writable format (e.g., data in PDF file format), and hereinafter, the drawing displayed based on this data will be referred to as the "first drawing." The other data is drawing data that cannot be updated, specifically data saved in an uneditable, read-only format (e.g., data with extensions such as dwx, dwg, or dxf), and hereinafter, the drawing displayed based on this data will be referred to as the "second drawing."

In each process, when a worker refers to a drawing, he or she selects at least one of the first and second drawings and presses the button corresponding to the selected drawing in the operation window W. Specifically, when referring to the first drawing, the worker presses the "Editable" button, and when referring to the second drawing, the worker presses the "Uneditable" button. The support device 20 then displays on the terminal 10 or display monitor 32 the drawing selected by the worker as the reference drawing, either the first or second drawing.

(Recording of note information)
When recording annotation information, a worker, or more precisely, a worker who has performed an irregular operation in an elemental work of a certain process, inputs annotation information indicating the irregular operation into the terminal 10. More specifically, at the time of inputting the annotation information, a drawing (reference drawing) is displayed on the terminal 10, and the worker performs a predetermined editing operation on the part of the displayed drawing where the irregular operation has occurred, for example, by drawing a line around the part. The drawing displayed at this time is the first drawing described above.

When the above editing operation is performed, a note input form (not shown) is displayed on the terminal 10, and the worker enters note information in the form of free comments. Once the input of the note information is complete, the terminal 10 transmits data indicating the entered note information to the support device 20, and the support device 20 receives the data and acquires the note information. The acquired note information is stored in the storage device 16 in association with the drawing (reference drawing) displayed on the terminal 10 at the time the note information was entered.

The stored annotation information can be displayed on the terminal 10 or display monitor 32 in subsequent processes, along with a drawing of the object T handled in that process. Specifically, the worker in charge of a process subsequent to the process for which the annotation information was input performs a specified operation in that process, and, for example, presses a button for viewing the annotation information in the operation window W displayed along with the reference drawing (see FIG. 9(a)). This operation triggers the support device 20 to control the terminal 10 and display the annotation information input in the previous process on the terminal 10 or display monitor 32. At this time, the annotation information is displayed in list form, as shown in FIG. 9(b), and the list displays all annotation information input up to that point for each of the multiple processes included in the currently ongoing work.

In addition, when the worker selects one of the annotations displayed in the list, the support device 20 displays on the terminal 10 or display monitor 32 the drawing associated with the selected annotation, i.e., the drawing that was edited (written) when entering the annotation.

<<Functions of the work management support device according to this embodiment>>
Next, the configuration of the support device 20 will be explained again from a functional perspective.
10, the support device 20 has a display control unit 41, an update unit 42, an information acquisition unit 43, a storage unit 44, and a process execution unit 45. The process execution unit 45 has a note display unit 46, a restriction removal unit 47, and a measurement unit 48. These functional units are realized by cooperation between hardware devices provided in the support computer and software such as various programs installed in the support computer. Each functional unit will be described below.

(Display control unit)
When the two-dimensional barcode Q attached to the object T is read by the terminal 10 in each process during work, the display control unit 41 identifies a drawing of the object T handled in the process currently being carried out, i.e., a reference drawing, from the two-dimensional barcode Q. Then, the display control unit 41 controls the terminal 10 based on the data of the reference drawing stored in the storage device 16 to display the reference drawing on the terminal 10 or the display monitor 32.
In addition, in this embodiment, the display control unit 41 displays at least one of the first drawing based on drawing data that can be updated and the second drawing based on drawing data that cannot be updated, selected on the terminal 10, as a reference drawing on the terminal 10 or the display monitor 32.

The display control unit 41 may also display information other than drawings on the terminal 10 or display monitor 32. For example, it may separately display information related to the project, specifically the standard specifications of the object T used in the project, or supplementary information such as welding conditions specified for each project (item). This information may be displayed in response to an individual display request from the worker, rather than by reading the two-dimensional barcode Q.

(Update Department)
When an editing operation is performed on the terminal 10 displaying the reference drawing in each process, the update unit 42 updates the drawing data representing the reference drawing in accordance with the editing operation. Specifically, a worker who performs irregular content in an element task in a certain process performs an editing operation (specifically, a writing operation) on the location where the irregular content was performed in the reference drawing displayed on the terminal 10 at that time. The update unit 42 receives data representing the editing operation from the terminal 10 and updates the drawing data representing the reference drawing to reflect the editing content.

(Information acquisition department)
The information acquisition unit 43 defines at least one process in the work as a first process, and when information regarding the progress of the first process is input through the terminal 10, the information acquisition unit 43 acquires the information through communication with the terminal 10.

Specifically, in this embodiment, each of the multiple processes is defined as a first process, and progress information regarding the progress of the first process is input for each process by the worker in charge of the first process. Here, the progress information includes the above-mentioned start information and end information. The start information for each process indicates the start and time of the process, and the end information for each process indicates the end and time of the process. The information acquisition unit 43 acquires the progress status for each process, and more specifically, receives data on the start and end information from the terminal 10 used by the worker in charge of each process to input the start and end of the process.

Furthermore, in the first step, when annotation information indicating irregular content performed in the first step is input, the information acquisition unit 43 acquires the input annotation information. To explain in more detail, the worker who performed the irregular content in the first step inputs the annotation information through the terminal 10 displaying a drawing (reference drawing) of the object T handled in the first step. The terminal 10 then transmits data indicating the input annotation information to the support device 20, and the information acquisition unit 43 receives the data from the terminal 10, thereby acquiring the input annotation information. At this time, the information acquisition unit 43 identifies the reference drawing displayed on the terminal 10 at the time the acquired annotation information was input (hereinafter referred to as the displayed drawing at the time the annotation information was input).

(Storage part)
The storage unit 44 stores the information acquired by the information acquisition unit 43 in the storage device 16. In the present embodiment, the information acquisition unit 43 acquires information related to the first process, and the storage unit 44 stores the acquired information in the storage device 16 in association with the first process. Specifically, the storage unit 44 stores progress information for each process (i.e., start information and end information) in association with each process in the storage device 16 for each process. For example, when progress information for the "assembly" process is acquired, the storage unit 44 stores the progress information in association with the "assembly" process in the storage device 16.

Furthermore, when the information acquisition unit 43 acquires annotation information for the first process, the storage unit 44 associates the annotation information with the first process and stores it in the storage device 16. At this time, the storage unit further associates the annotation information with the displayed drawing at the time the annotation information was input and stores it in the storage device 16.

(Processing execution unit: note display unit, restriction removal unit, and measurement unit)
The processing execution unit 45 executes processing related to the first process or a second process corresponding to the first process based on the information stored in the storage device 16, in other words, the information acquired about the first process by the information acquisition unit 43. Here, the second process is, for example, a process executed after the first process in a job that includes the first process. Furthermore, the processing related to the first process or the second process is processing executed for the purpose of managing the progress of the first process or the second process or for the purpose of smoothly progressing the second process.

The processing execution unit 45 executes three processes with different content. Specifically, the note display unit 46 executes a note display process, the restriction removal unit 47 executes a restriction removal process, and the measurement unit 48 executes a measurement process.

When the information acquisition unit 43 acquires note information for the first process, the note display unit 46 executes note display processing for the second process, specifically displaying the note information on the terminal 10 or the display monitor 32 along with a drawing of the object T handled in the second process. In this embodiment, the note display processing is triggered by a predetermined operation on the terminal 10 by the worker in charge of the second process, specifically pressing the note information display button in the operation window W.

In the restriction removal process, the restriction removal unit 47 determines whether the restriction on the second process can be removed based on the progress information acquired by the information acquisition unit 43 for the first process, and removes the restriction if it can be removed. The restriction removal unit 47 performs the restriction removal process, treating each of the multiple processes as the first process and the process performed immediately after the first process as the second process. In other words, the restriction removal process is repeatedly performed, treating each of the multiple processes except for the first process (i.e., the "scribing" process) as the second process.

To explain the restriction removal process in more detail, in this embodiment, from the time the information acquisition unit 43 acquires start information for the first process until it acquires end information, a restriction is placed on the input of progress information (more specifically, start information) for the second process and on the display of a drawing of the object T in the second process. Then, when the information acquisition unit 43 acquires end information for the first process, the restriction removal unit 47 removes the above-mentioned restriction on the second process. By removing the restriction, the input and acceptance of start information for the second process is permitted, and a drawing of the object T (reference drawing) can be displayed in the second process.

The measurement unit 48 executes a measurement process to measure the time required for the first process, specifically, the time required from when start information is acquired for the first process to when end information is acquired, based on the progress information for the first process acquired by the information acquisition unit 43. The measurement unit 48 executes the measurement process by treating each of the multiple processes as the first process, in other words, it measures the time required for each process included in the work.

<<Work management support method according to this embodiment>>
Next, the work management support flow executed in the support system S will be described with reference to Fig. 11. The work management support flow employs the work management support method of the present invention and proceeds according to the flow shown in Fig. 11. In other words, each step in the work management support flow shown in Fig. 11 corresponds to a component of the work management support method of the present invention.
The work management support flow shown in FIG. 11 is merely an example, and unnecessary steps may be deleted, new steps may be added, or the order in which steps are performed may be changed, without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Each step in the work management support flow is performed by the computer that constitutes the support device 20, i.e., the support computer. The work management support flow is triggered and starts when the worker operates the terminal 10 to input information to start work, for example, by specifying the work to be started from the work management list shown in Figure 5.

In the work management support flow, first, the worker in charge of the first process (i.e., "marking") inputs the start of the process on the terminal 10, and the support computer acquires start information for that process (S001). The acquired start information is stored in the storage device 16 in association with the work being performed and the started process.

Next, the worker in charge of the first process reads the two-dimensional barcode Q attached to the object T being handled in that process using the terminal 10, and the support computer acquires the scanned image (S002). The support computer then identifies the drawing of the object T from the two-dimensional barcode Q indicated in the scanned image (S003).

Then, the support computer controls the terminal 10 of the worker in charge of the first process to display the drawing identified in step S003 on that terminal 10 or the display monitor 32 corresponding to that terminal 10 (S004).

Furthermore, if irregular content is performed in the first process and the worker operates the terminal 10 to input note information (S005), the support computer acquires the input note information (S006). The acquired note information is stored in the storage device 16 in association with the process in which the note information was acquired (i.e., the process in which the irregular content was performed) and the drawing that was displayed at the time the note information was input.

Then, when the first process is completed, the worker inputs the process completion on the terminal 10, and the support computer acquires the completion information for that process (S007). The acquired completion information is associated with the work being performed and the completed process and stored in the storage device 16. The support computer then executes the measurement process and the restriction release process (S008, S009).

In the measurement process, the support computer measures the time required from obtaining start information to obtaining end information for the most recently completed process. Note that the measurement process is not limited to being performed immediately after the process being measured is completed, but may also be performed when all multiple tasks included in a single job are completed.

In the restriction removal process, the support computer removes the restriction on the next process (i.e., the second "Component Processing"). As a result, the process for which the restriction has been removed (i.e., "Component Processing") is permitted to input and accept start information, and a drawing of the object T for that process can be displayed.

Thereafter, the process moves to the second step, and the support computer acquires start information for that step in the same procedure as in step S001 (S011).
Furthermore, in a case where annotation information has been acquired in the previous process (i.e., the first process), suppose that the worker in charge of the second process performs an operation to display the annotation information on the terminal 10 (S012). In this case, the support computer executes an annotation display process to display the annotation information together with the drawing of the object T on the terminal 10 of the worker or the display monitor 32 corresponding to the terminal 10 (S013).

Then, steps S002 to S009 are performed for the second process. For the third and subsequent processes, steps S011 to S013 are performed, followed by steps S002 to S009, just like for the second process.

Then, when the final process (i.e., "secondary welding") is completed and measurement processing (S008) is performed for the final process, the work management support flow ends.
Furthermore, each time a new task is started, the above-described series of steps is repeated.

<<Effectiveness of this embodiment>>
According to this embodiment, in each process during work, it is possible to easily refer to a drawing of the object T being handled in that process. Specifically, by reading the two-dimensional barcode Q attached to the object T with the terminal 10, the drawing of the object T (reference drawing) is displayed on the terminal 10 or the display monitor 32, so that the worker can easily check the reference drawing through the terminal 10 or the display monitor 32. In addition, this eliminates the need to print out the drawing, and also reduces the number of sheets of printing paper used, promoting a paperless system.

In addition, in this embodiment, a first drawing based on data that can be updated (or, more simply, overwritten and saved) can be displayed on the terminal 10 as a reference drawing; in other words, a first drawing that can be edited and written into. This allows, for example, when entering annotation information, the relevant portion to be written into the drawing, and the written content can be stored in the storage device 16 together with the annotation information.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, it becomes easier to manage the progress of work, specifically the progress of each process. Specifically, when the worker in charge of each process performs a process start operation and a process end operation on the terminal 10, that information is stored in the storage device 16 as progress information (specifically, start information and end information). Then, because progress information is stored for each process, it is possible to appropriately manage the progress of each process during work. Furthermore, by obtaining the start information and end information, it becomes possible to measure the time required for each process, thereby making it easy to understand the work time.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, when irregular content (such as an irregular response or measure) is performed in each process, note information indicating the content can be easily recorded, and the input note information can be easily confirmed. Specifically, the worker who performed the irregular content inputs the note information at the terminal 10, and the input note information is stored in the storage device 16. Then, in a process performed after the process in which the irregular content was performed, the worker performs an operation for displaying note information at the terminal 10, thereby confirming the note information input in the previous process on the terminal 10 or the display monitor 32. This makes it easier to confirm the note information.
To explain in more detail, in the past, the content corresponding to the annotation information was written on the paper on which the drawings were printed. In such a situation, when irregular content was performed in a certain process, the worker had to check all the drawings of the related process to determine whether there was a drawing with annotation information.
In contrast to this, according to the present embodiment, the annotation information can be extracted and displayed on the terminal 10 or the display monitor 32, and furthermore, the annotation information can be displayed in list form, which makes it much easier to check the annotation information than in the past.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, input of start information for the next process and display of drawings are restricted while the previous (or more precisely, the immediately preceding) process is not yet completed. This allows each process in the work to proceed in order, and allows for appropriate management of the progress of the work.

<<Other Embodiments>>
While one embodiment of the work management support device, work management support system, and work management support method of the present invention has been described above, the above embodiment is merely an example for facilitating understanding of the present invention and does not limit the present invention. In other words, the present invention may be modified or improved without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the present invention naturally includes equivalents thereof.

In the above embodiment, a display monitor 32 is installed in addition to the terminal 10 in the production factory, and drawings and the like can be displayed on the display monitor 32 instead of or in addition to the terminal 10. However, this is not limited to this, and a display monitor 32 may not be installed in the factory, and drawings and the like may be displayed only on the terminal 10.

In addition, in the above embodiment, when referring to the drawing of the object T in each process, the worker reads the two-dimensional barcode Q attached to the object T using the terminal 10. However, the identification image to be read is not limited to the two-dimensional barcode Q, and may be, for example, text, numerical values, or encrypted information.

In addition, in the above embodiment, when calculating the work time, the worker or work manager specifies the target work, and the work time is calculated for the specified target work. However, this is not limited to this, and the work time may be calculated automatically by the support device 20. For example, the work time for a work may be calculated automatically when the work is completed.

Furthermore, while the above embodiment has been described using the example of work to produce building materials (specifically, steel frames) used in building construction work, the present invention can also be applied to work to produce/manufacture products other than building materials. For example, the present invention may also be applied to the assembly work of equipment.

10 Terminal 11 Processor 12 Memory 13 Communication interface 14 Input device 15 Output device 16 Storage device 20 Support device (work management support device)
30 Access point 32 Display monitor (display)
41 Display control unit 42 Update unit 43 Information acquisition unit 44 Storage unit 45 Processing execution unit 46 Note display unit 47 Restriction release unit 48 Measurement unit Q Two-dimensional barcode T Object S Support system (work management support system)
W Operation Window

Claims (10)

A work management support device that supports the management of work including multiple processes,
a display control unit that controls the terminal when an identification image assigned to an object handled in each of the steps is read by the terminal, and causes the terminal or a display device corresponding to the terminal to display a drawing of the object identified from the identification image;
an information acquisition unit that acquires information regarding the progress of at least one of the processes as a first process when the information is input through the terminal;
a storage unit that stores the acquired information in a storage device in association with the first step;
a processing execution unit that executes processing related to the first process or a second process corresponding to the first process based on the information stored in the storage device. an update unit that updates drawing data representing the drawing in response to an operation performed on the terminal on which the drawing is displayed;
The work management support device of claim 1, wherein the display control unit displays at least one of a first drawing based on the drawing data that can be updated and a second drawing based on the drawing data that cannot be updated, selected at the terminal, on the terminal or the display. When each of the plurality of processes is defined as a first process and progress information regarding the progress of the first process is input for each of the processes,
the information acquisition unit acquires the progress information for each of the processes,
3. The work management support device according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit stores the progress information for each of the processes in the storage device for each of the processes in association with the process. The progress information includes start information indicating the start of a process and end information indicating the end of a process,
The second step is carried out immediately after the first step among the plurality of steps,
a restriction is imposed on input of the progress information for the second process or on display of the drawing of the object in the second process during a period from when the information acquisition unit acquires the start information for the first process to when the information acquisition unit acquires the end information;
The work management support device according to claim 3 , wherein when the information acquisition unit acquires the end information for the first process, the process execution unit executes a process to remove the restriction on the second process. The progress information includes start information indicating the start of a process and end information indicating the end of a process,
The work management support device according to claim 3 , wherein the process execution unit executes a process of measuring a required time from when the information acquisition unit acquires the start information for the first process until when the information acquisition unit acquires the end information. The work management support device described in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, in the first step, when note information indicating irregularities performed in the first step is input, the information acquisition unit acquires the note information. In the first step, when the annotation information is input through the terminal on which the drawing of the object to be handled in the first step is displayed,
When acquiring the annotation information, the information acquisition unit identifies the drawing displayed on the terminal at the time of input of the annotation information,
7. The work management support device according to claim 6, wherein the storage unit stores the annotation information in the storage device in association with the drawing displayed on the terminal at the time the annotation information is input. The work management support device of claim 7, wherein when the information acquisition unit acquires the annotation information for the first process, the processing execution unit executes processing to display the annotation information on the terminal or the display device, together with the drawing of the object handled in the process, at a process among the plurality of processes that is performed after the first process. A work management support system that supports the management of work including multiple processes,
A terminal capable of reading an image and a device capable of communicating with the terminal,
The device comprises:
a display control unit that controls the terminal when an identification image assigned to an object handled in each of the steps is read by the terminal, and causes the terminal or a display device corresponding to the terminal to display a drawing of the object identified from the identification image;
an information acquisition unit that acquires information regarding the progress of at least one of the processes as a first process when the information is input through the terminal;
a storage unit that stores the acquired information in a storage device in association with the first step;
a processing execution unit that executes processing related to the first process or a second process corresponding to the first process based on the information stored in the storage device. A work management support method for supporting the management of work including a plurality of processes, comprising:
In each of the steps, when an identification image assigned to an object handled in the step is read by a terminal, a computer controls the terminal to display a drawing of the object identified from the identification image on the terminal or a display device corresponding to the terminal;
When at least one of the steps is designated as a first step and information regarding the progress of the first step is input through the terminal, the information is acquired by a computer;
storing the acquired information in a storage device in association with the first step by a computer;
A work management support method, comprising: executing, by a computer, processing relating to the first process or a second process corresponding to the first process based on the information stored in the storage device.