JP7315253B2 - System, server and method - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to systems, servers and methods.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a technique for determining a management schedule (for example, a product production schedule, etc.) for a user's intended management target. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses that, in a scheduling device that generates a production schedule according to an order, a production order that consumes materials given to a manufacturing process is generated as a production order corresponding to the surplus quantity of the material, and a production schedule for manufacturing by the manufacturing process is created according to the production order.

JP 2010-044549 A

In recent years, there has been known a cloud service that provides user terminals with results processed by a cloud server. Generally, a user who uses a cloud service prepares order data in a specified data format to be used for processing on the cloud server side. Since the order data is described in a prescribed data format, the processing program on the cloud server side does not need to be developed individually for each user, for example, and has high versatility. However, in production scheduling, for example, the product production process may differ depending on the user or the production factory, so it is not always easy for the user to prepare order data expressing the production process in a prescribed data format. Therefore, there is room for improvement in the technology for determining the management schedule of the management targets desired by the user.

An object of the present disclosure, which has been made in view of such circumstances, is to improve a technique for determining a management schedule for a management target desired by a user.

A system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes:
A system comprising a user terminal used by a user and a server capable of communicating with the user terminal, and determining a management schedule for a management target targeted by the user,
The user terminal is
Acquiring order data written in a domain-specific language based on an input operation on the user terminal;
transmitting the acquired order data to the server;
The server is
automatically generating source code written in a general-purpose programming language based on the order data received from the user terminal;
determining a management schedule for the managed object by executing the generated source code;
Information indicating the determined management schedule is transmitted to the user terminal.

A server according to an embodiment of the present disclosure,
A server comprising a communication unit that communicates with a user terminal used by a user, and a control unit,
The control unit
receiving order data written in a domain-specific language from the user terminal via the communication unit, which is acquired based on an input operation on the user terminal;
automatically generating source code written in a general-purpose programming language based on the order data;
By executing the generated source code, determining a management schedule for a management target targeted by the user;
Information indicating the determined management schedule is transmitted to the user terminal via the communication unit.

A method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure comprises:
A method executed by a server comprising a communication unit that communicates with a user terminal used by a user and a control unit,
The control unit
a step of receiving, from the user terminal via the communication unit, order data written in a domain-specific language, which is acquired based on an input operation on the user terminal;
automatically generating source code written in a general-purpose programming language based on the order data;
a step of determining a management schedule for a target managed by the user by executing the generated source code;
and transmitting information indicating the determined management schedule to the user terminal via the communication unit.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a technique for determining a management schedule for a managed object desired by a user is improved.

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a user terminal; FIG. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of a server. 4 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the system; FIG.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below.

(Overview of embodiment)
An overview of a system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. The system 1 is used by an end user (hereinafter simply referred to as "user") to determine a management schedule for an object to be managed. In the present embodiment, an example will be described in which the user is the manufacturer, the management target is the product produced by the manufacturer, and the management schedule is the production schedule of the product. The system 1 comprises one or more user terminals 10 and a server 20 . Each user terminal 10 and server 20 are communicably connected to a network 30 including, for example, the Internet.

A user terminal 10 is a computer used by a user. For example, a PC (Personal Computer), a general-purpose computer such as a tablet terminal or a smart phone, or a computer dedicated to the system 1 can be employed as the user terminal 10, but the user terminal 10 is not limited to these. For example, the user terminal 10 may be mounted on any device such as a self-propelled robot, or a self-propelled robot may serve as the user terminal 10 . Although three user terminals 10a to 10c are illustrated in FIG. 1, the number of user terminals 10 provided in the system 1 may be determined arbitrarily. Also, each user terminal 10 may be used by a different user.

Server 20 includes one or more server devices that can communicate with each other. When the server 20 receives the order data from the user terminal 10, the server 20 performs production scheduling to automatically determine a product production schedule according to the order data. The order data includes, for example, required specification data indicating required specifications for the product production schedule and/or constraint data indicating constraints for the product production schedule. A product production schedule is, for example, a production plan that allocates implementation dates and resources (such as equipment, machines, tools, and employees) to a series of processes required to produce a product according to order data. In this embodiment, production scheduling by the server 20 is provided to users as a cloud service.

First, an outline of the present embodiment will be described, and details will be described later. In the system 1 , the user terminal 10 acquires order data written in a domain specific language (DSL) based on an input operation to the user terminal 10 . The user terminal 10 transmits the order data to the server 20 . Based on the order data received from the user terminal 10, the server 20 automatically generates source code written in a general-purpose programming language (for example, Python (registered trademark), etc.). The server 20 determines the product production schedule by executing the source code. The server 20 then transmits information indicating the production schedule to the user terminal 10 .

Thus, in this embodiment, order data is written in a domain-specific language, and the server 20 automatically generates source code written in a general-purpose programming language based on the order data. A domain-specific language can employ a grammar that makes it easier for a user to express desired events than a general-purpose programming language, such as using vocabulary or usage specific to the field of production scheduling. According to the present embodiment, compared to the case where the user describes the order data in a general-purpose programming language, for example, the burden on the user who prepares the order data can be reduced, and the technology for determining the management schedule of the management target targeted by the user is improved.

Next, each configuration of the system 1 will be described in detail.

(Configuration of user terminal)
As shown in FIG. 2 , the user terminal 10 includes a communication section 11 , an output section 12 , an input section 13 , a storage section 14 and a control section 15 .

Communication unit 11 includes one or more communication interfaces that connect to network 30 . The communication interface corresponds to, for example, a wired LAN (Local Area Network) standard, a wireless LAN standard, or the like, but is not limited to these, and may correspond to any communication standard. In this embodiment, the user terminal 10 communicates with the server 20 via the communication unit 11 .

The output unit 12 includes one or more output devices for outputting information and notifying the user. The output device is, for example, a display that outputs information as video, but is not limited thereto. Alternatively, the output unit 12 may include an interface for connecting an external output device.

The input unit 13 includes one or more input devices that detect input operations by the user. The input device is, for example, a physical key, a capacitive key, a touch screen provided integrally with a display, or a microphone that receives voice input, but is not limited to these. Alternatively, the input unit 13 may include an interface for connecting an external input device.

Storage unit 14 includes one or more memories. In this embodiment, "memory" is, for example, semiconductor memory, magnetic memory, optical memory, or the like, but is not limited to these. Each memory included in the storage unit 14 may function, for example, as a main memory device, an auxiliary memory device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 14 stores arbitrary information used for the operation of the user terminal 10 . For example, the storage unit 14 may store system programs, application programs, and the like. The application programs stored in the storage unit 14 may include, for example, general-purpose application programs such as web browsers, or application programs dedicated to the system 1 . A user may be able to use a cloud service related to production scheduling via the application program.

The storage unit 14 may also store one or more data tables. Each data table contains a plurality of data that can be used in executing source code generated by server 20 based on order data. For example, the data table may contain a plurality of data regarding workers involved in the production process. Specifically, the data table includes a plurality of columns corresponding to a plurality of items such as an employee's name, team affiliation, and competence (for example, possessed skills), and each row of the data table stores data for each item of each employee. Each employee's data may be used by server 20, as described below, to determine production schedules, for example, taking into account the employee's team affiliation, competence, or a combination thereof. However, the data table stored in the storage unit 14 is not limited to this example, and the storage unit 14 may store a data table containing a plurality of data regarding arbitrary resources other than employees, such as equipment, machines, or tools used in the production process. Also, the number of data tables stored in the storage unit 14 and the items corresponding to each column of each data table can be arbitrarily designed by the user according to the production process, for example.

The storage unit 14 may also store definition data acquired based on an input operation on the user terminal 10, as will be described later. In this embodiment, the definition data is data that is written in, for example, a domain-specific language and defines the name of each column of the data table as, for example, a function name. For example, the server 20 can read arbitrary data used for executing the source code from the data table by referring to the definition data.

Control unit 15 includes one or more processors, one or more programmable circuits, one or more dedicated circuits, or combinations thereof. The processor is, for example, a general-purpose processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or a dedicated processor specialized for specific processing, but is not limited to these, and may be, for example, a quantum processor. The programmable circuit is, for example, an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), but is not limited to this. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), but is not limited to this. The control unit 15 controls the operation of the user terminal 10 as a whole. For example, the control unit 15 can execute application programs stored in the storage unit 14 .

(Server configuration)
As shown in FIG. 3, the server 20 includes a communication section 21, a storage section 22, and a control section 23.

Communication unit 21 includes one or more communication interfaces that connect to network 30 . The communication interface corresponds to, for example, a wired LAN standard or a wireless LAN standard, but is not limited to these, and may correspond to any communication standard. In this embodiment, the server 20 communicates with the user terminal 10 via the communication unit 21 .

Storage unit 22 includes one or more memories. Each memory included in the storage unit 22 may function, for example, as a main memory device, an auxiliary memory device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 22 stores arbitrary information used for the operation of the server 20 . For example, the storage unit 22 may store system programs, application programs, databases, and the like.

The storage unit 22 also stores arbitrary information used to generate source code written in a general-purpose programming language based on data written in a domain-specific language. In this embodiment, the storage unit 22 stores a compiler that translates (converts) data written in a domain-specific language into source code written in a general-purpose programming language.

Control unit 23 includes one or more processors, one or more programmable circuits, one or more dedicated circuits, or combinations thereof. The control unit 23 controls the operation of the server 20 as a whole.

(System operation flow)
The operation of the system 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

Step S100: The user terminal 10 stores one or more data tables each containing multiple data.

Specifically, the control unit 15 stores one or more data tables in the storage unit 14 . As described above, each data table contains a plurality of data that can be used by server 20 to execute source code generated based on order data. Each data table stored in the storage unit 14 includes a plurality of data regarding arbitrary resources such as equipment, machines, tools, or employees used in the production process. Also, each data table stored in the storage unit 14 includes a plurality of columns respectively corresponding to a plurality of items. For example, as described above, a data table including a plurality of columns respectively corresponding to a plurality of items such as the employee's name, team affiliation, and competence may be stored in the storage unit 14, and data for each item of each employee may be stored in each row of the data table. Note that the control unit 15 may be capable of updating the data table stored in the storage unit 14 according to an input operation on the input unit 13, for example.

Step S101: The user terminal 10 acquires, based on an input operation to the user terminal 10, definition data that is written in a domain-specific language and that defines the name of each column of the data table.

Specifically, the control unit 15 acquires definition data input by the user via the input unit 13, for example.

Step S<b>102 : The user terminal 10 transmits input data including one or more data tables and definition data to the server 20 .

Specifically, the control unit 15 transmits input data including the one or more data tables stored in step S100 and the definition data acquired in step S101 to the server 20 via the communication unit 11 . The control unit 23 of the server 20 stores the received input data in the storage unit 22 . Here, each data table and definition data included in the input data may be stored in a predetermined storage destination with a predetermined file name, for example. The control unit 23 can read the data of any column in any data table by specifying the file path and file name of the save destination, and the name of the column defined by the definition data.

Step S<b>103 : The user terminal 10 acquires the order data described in the domain specific language based on the input operation to the user terminal 10 .

Specifically, the control unit 15 acquires order data input by the user via the input unit 13, for example. In this embodiment, the order data includes required specification data indicating required specifications for the product production schedule and/or constraint data indicating constraints for the product production schedule, as described above. Here, the constraint data may be described in declarative grammar, for example. A declarative grammar is, for example, a grammar that directly declares a desired object (constraint here), and is different from an imperative grammar that describes, for example, an algorithm for obtaining the object. In general, the declarative grammar is simpler than the imperative grammar, so the user can describe constraints relatively easily.

Step S<b>104 : The user terminal 10 transmits the order data to the server 20 .

Specifically, the control unit 15 transmits the order data acquired in step S103 to the server 20 via the communication unit 11 . The control unit 23 of the server 20 stores the received order data in the storage unit 22 .

Step S105: Based on the order data received from the user terminal 10, the server 20 automatically generates source code written in a general-purpose programming language.

Specifically, the control unit 23 generates the source code by translating (converting) the order data written in the domain-specific language using the compiler stored in the storage unit 22 as described above.

Step S106: The server 20 executes the generated source code to determine the management schedule of the management targets desired by the user.

In this embodiment, a product production schedule is determined. Specifically, the control unit 23 determines the production schedule so as to satisfy the required specifications and/or constraints indicated in the order data. A search algorithm, for example, is used to determine a production schedule that satisfies required specifications and/or constraints, but any algorithm can be used without being limited to this.

Step S<b>107 : The server 20 transmits information indicating the determined management schedule to the user terminal 10 .

In this embodiment, the control unit 23 transmits information indicating the production schedule of products to the user terminal 10 via the communication unit 11 . The control unit 15 of the user terminal 10 stores the received information in the storage unit 14 .

Step S108: The user terminal 10 outputs a management schedule based on the information received from the server 20. FIG.

Specifically, the control unit 15 outputs the information indicating the production schedule received from the server 20 as a video via the display of the output unit 12 . The user can recognize the generated production schedule by checking the output information.

As described above, in the system 1 according to this embodiment, the user terminal 10 acquires order data written in a domain-specific language based on an input operation on the user terminal 10 . The user terminal 10 transmits the order data to the server 20 . Based on the order data received from the user terminal 10, the server 20 automatically generates source code written in a general-purpose programming language. The server 20 determines the product production schedule by executing the source code. The server 20 then transmits information indicating the production schedule to the user terminal 10 .

According to such a configuration, compared to the case where the user describes the order data in a general-purpose programming language, for example, the burden on the user who prepares the order data can be reduced, and the technology for determining the management schedule of the management target targeted by the user is improved.

Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to figures and examples, it should be noted that various variations and modifications may be made by those skilled in the art based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these variations and modifications are included within the scope of this disclosure. For example, functions included in each component or each step can be rearranged so as not to be logically inconsistent, and multiple components or steps can be combined into one or divided.

For example, in the embodiment described above, the system 1 includes the user terminal 10 and the server 20, and the production scheduling by the server 20 is provided as a cloud service. However, a modification (that is, a modification that does not require the server 20) in which the user terminal 10 executes the operation of the server 20 according to the above-described embodiment is also possible. For example, the user terminal 10 may perform the operations of steps S100, S101, S103, S105, S106 and S108 shown in FIG. Even in this modified example, similarly to the above-described embodiment, the technology for determining the management schedule of the management target desired by the user is improved.

Further, for example, in the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which a production schedule for a product targeted by a maker is generated as a management schedule targeted by a user. That is, an example of applying the system 1 to the field of product production scheduling has been described. However, the system 1 is not limited to product production scheduling and can be applied to any field. For example, when the system 1 is applied to employee shift management in a store, the user may be the manager of the store, the management target may be the employee's shift, and the management schedule may be the employee's work schedule.

Also, an embodiment is possible in which, for example, a general-purpose computer functions as the user terminal 10 or the server 20 according to the above-described embodiments. Specifically, a program describing the processing content for realizing each function of the user terminal 10 or server 20 according to the above-described embodiment is stored in the memory of a general-purpose computer, and the processor reads and executes the program. Therefore, the present disclosure can also be implemented as a processor-executable program or a non-transitory computer-readable medium that stores the program.

1 system 10, 10a, 10b, 10c user terminal 11 communication unit 12 output unit 13 input unit 14 storage unit 15 control unit 20 server 21 communication unit 22 storage unit 23 control unit 30 network

Claims (5)

A system comprising a user terminal used by a user and a server capable of communicating with the user terminal, and determining a management schedule for a management target targeted by the user,
The user terminal is
store a data table containing multiple data,
Acquiring the definition data, which is defined and input by the user in a domain-specific language and defines the name of each column of the data table, based on an input operation on the user terminal;
transmitting input data including the data table and the definition data to the server;
Acquiring order data written and input by the user in a domain-specific language based on an input operation on the user terminal;
transmitting the acquired order data to the server;
The server is
automatically generating source code written in a general-purpose programming language based on the order data received from the user terminal;
determining a management schedule for the managed object by executing the source code using the data read from the data table with reference to the definition data;
A system that transmits information indicating the determined management schedule to the user terminal. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein
the order data includes constraint data indicating constraints on the management schedule of the managed object;
The system, wherein the constraint data is described in a declarative grammar. 3. A system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein
the managed object is a product manufactured by the user;
The system, wherein the management schedule is a production schedule for the product. A method executed by a user terminal comprising a control unit and a communication unit that communicates with a server ,
The control unit
storing a data table containing a plurality of data;
a step of acquiring the definition data, which is defined and input by the user in a domain-specific language and defines the name of each column of the data table, based on an input operation on the user terminal;
sending input data including the data table and the definition data to the server;
obtaining order data written and input by the user in a domain-specific language based on an input operation on the user terminal;
automatically generating source code written in a general-purpose programming language based on the order data;
a step of determining a management schedule for a management target desired by the user by executing the source code using the data read from the data table with reference to the definition data;
outputting the determined management schedule;
A method, including For user terminals that can communicate with the server ,
storing a data table containing a plurality of data;
a step of acquiring the definition data, which is defined and input by the user in a domain-specific language and defines the name of each column of the data table, based on an input operation on the user terminal;
sending input data including the data table and the definition data to the server;
obtaining order data written and input by the user in a domain-specific language based on an input operation on the user terminal;
automatically generating source code written in a general-purpose programming language based on the order data;
a step of determining a management schedule for a management target desired by the user by executing the source code using the data read from the data table with reference to the definition data;
outputting the determined management schedule;
The program that causes the to run.

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