DESCRIPTION
Title of Invention
DEVICE FOR ESTIMATING MAN-HOURS, METHOD FOR ESTIMATING
MAN-HOURS, AND PROGRAM
5
Technical Field [0001] The present disclosure relates to a device for estimating man-hours, a method for estimating man-hours, and a program.
Background Art 10 [0002] A manufacturing line of a factory runs in accordance with a manufacturing plan. The manufacturing plan is created on the basis of an accumulation of load man-hours. Thus highly accurate estimation of the load man-hours is required in order to run the manufacturing line with good efficiency. Thus the load man-hours are set on the basis of information such as a work period required for each step and a step route 15 indicating an order of execution of each step occurring in an actual manufacturing process of each production item.
[0003] However, since manufacturing results do not exist for a new production item, a responsible person in a production scheduling department sets the step route and work period for manual work by checking the knowledge of individuals or by checking with 20 the production department. However, setting on the basis of manual work and conversation with the production department imposes a large burden on the responsible person, and an excessive burden is placed on the responsible person particularly for facilities such as factories manufacturing small quantities of a large number of items. Thus various types of techniques are proposed for setting the step route and work period 25 with respect to new production items without imposing the excessive burden on the responsible person. [0004] For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses an assembly work period

estimating device that extracts from among previous production items an item
(resembling item) having a similar component configuration and component count as
those of the new production item, and that estimates an assembly work period of the new
production item on the basis of results data relating to the extracted item.
5 Citation List
Patent Literature
[0005] Patent Literature 1: Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Kokai
Publication No. H7-164267
Summary of Invention
10 Technical Problem
[0006] Even when the production item has a similar component configuration and
component count, the step route and the work period required for each step are not necessarily similar. When the step route and the work period required for each step are dissimilar from those of the new production item, even though the step route and work
15 period for the new production item are set appropriating results for the other production
item, large disparities may result in practice. Thus a disparity may occur between the
accumulated load man-hours and the actual load man-hours, and the manufacturing plan
sometimes may need to be reexamined.
[0007] In consideration of the aforementioned circumstances, an objective of the
20 present disclosure is to provide a device for estimating man-hours, a method for estimating man-hours, and a program that enable the load man-hours of the new production item to be estimated with good accuracy and low burden.
Solution to Problem
[0008] In order to attain the aforementioned objective, the device for estimating
25 man-hours of the present disclosure includes an estimation criteria information storage, a receiver, an acquirer, and an estimator. The estimation criteria information storage stores estimation criteria information including a keyword, extracted from an item name

for each production item, associated with a step route indicating, for each step occurring in a manufacturing process of each production item, an order of execution of the step and a work period required for the step. The receiver receives the item name of a new production item targeted for estimation of load man-hours. The acquirer extracts a 5 keyword from the item name received from the receiver, and acquires from estimation criteria information storing in the estimation criteria information storage the step route and the work period associated with a keyword matching the extracted keyword. The estimator estimates the load man-hours of the new production item on the basis of the acquired step route and work period.
10 Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0009] According to the present disclosure, the load man-hours of the new
production item can be estimated with good accuracy and low burden by appropriating, as the step route and the work period for the new production item, the step route and the work period for a production item having manufacturing results.
15 Brief Description of Drawings
[0010] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a load man-hours estimation system
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 2 is a flowchart of manufacturing plan preparation processing according to the embodiment;
20 FIG. 3A is a format table of read data sent to a server from a barcode reader when
starting setup work;
FIG. 3B is a format table of a work results master stored by the server; FIG. 3C is a format table of read data sent to the server from the barcode reader at a time of setup work suspension;
25 FIG. 3D is a format table of a work suspension management master stored by the
server;
FIG. 3E is a format table of read data sent to the server from the barcode reader at

a setup work restart time;
FIG. 4A is a format table of read data sent to the server from the barcode reader at a setup work completion time;
FIG. 4B is a format table of read data sent to the server from the barcode reader at 5 a work start time;
FIG. 4C is a format table of read data sent to the server from the barcode reader at the work completion time;
FIG. 4D is a format table of read data sent to the server from the barcode reader at
a work suspension time;
10 FIG. 4E is a format table of read data sent to the server from the barcode reader at
a work restart time;
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a device for estimating man-hours according to the embodiment;
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a function configuration of the device for 15 estimating man-hours according to the embodiment;
FIG. 7A is a format table of a step master stored by the device for estimating man-hours;
FIG. 7B is a format table of the step update management master stored by the
device for estimating man-hours;
20 FIG. 7C is a format table of a work period master stored by the device for
estimating man-hours;
FIG. 7D is a format table of an estimate master without summary item numbers and stored by the device for estimating man-hours;
FIG. 7E is a format table of the estimate master with summary item numbers and 25 stored by the device for estimating man-hours;
FIG. 8 is a flowchart of estimation criteria information storage processing according to the embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of load man-hours estimation processing according to the
embodiment; and
FIG. 10 is a flowchart of master correction processing according to the
embodiment.
5 Description of Embodiments
[0011] A load man-hours estimation system according to an embodiment of the
present disclosure is described hereinafter.
The load man-hours estimation system of the present embodiment estimates
step-specific and day-specific load man-hours by accumulating the load man-hours on the 10 basis of work results for each step occurring in a manufacturing process of items that are
being manufactured. The expression "load man-hours" refers to the man-hours required
for completion of work of a designated step. However, work results do not exist for a
new production item, and thus the load man-hours are found by appropriating work
results of a similar production item. However, sufficient estimation accuracy is not 15 obtained by just simply appropriating the work results of a production item that has a
component configuration and a component count similar to that of the new production
item. Thus a method of selection of the work results to be appropriated is devised per
the load man-hours estimation system of the present embodiment.
[0012] As illustrated in FIG. 1, a load man-hours estimation system 100 according
20 to the present embodiment includes a device for estimating man-hours 1, a plurality of
barcode readers 2 for use at a workplace, and a server 3 for accumulating data sent from
the barcode readers 2.
[0013] The barcode readers 2 are information processing devices for increasing
efficiency of work operations, and include devices such as handheld terminals. Each of 25 the barcode readers 2 is in the possession of a worker at the factory, reads a barcode
recorded in a work instruction slip inputted at the factory on the basis of the
manufacturing plan, and transmits to the server 3 work contents and times in association

with various types of read information. The work contents includes information such as
a work start, a work suspension, a suspension completion, and a work completion.
[0014] The server 3 is a device that accumulates the information received from the
barcode reader 2, and includes a work results master database (DB) 101, and a work 5 suspension management master DB 102. In the work results master DB 101, a
manufacturing target item, a work step, the work start time, the completion time, and a work execution period are associated and accumulated. A suspension start time, a suspension completion time, and a total suspension period of each step are accumulated in the work suspension management master DB 102.
10 [0015] The device for estimating man-hours 1 refers to the work results
accumulated item-by-item for the production items in the work results master DB 101 of
the server 3, and accumulates the load man-hours of the new production item to estimate
the load man-hours step-by-step and day-by-day.
[0016] The processing that generates in the server 3 the work results data serving as
15 the basis of the load man-hours estimation operation of the device for estimating man-hours 1 is described with reference to the work flowchart illustrated in FIG. 2. A production scheduling department prepares, on the basis of order reception information 141 indicating a delivery deadline and the production item of a firmly accepted order and unofficial information 142 indicating estimated production items and
20 estimated delivery deadlines for orders forecast to be accepted, a manufacturing plan indicating a manufacturing amount, a manufacturing period, and the like for each production item (step S1).
[0017] Upon preparation of the manufacturing plan, the production scheduling
department, on the basis of the manufacturing plan, creates the work instruction slips as
25 work input instructions (step S2). A two-dimensional barcode indicating the item number, an item name, and the like of the manufacturing target item, and a step route indicating how a machine, equipment, and the like is used during manufacturing and the

order of such use, are indicated or printed in the work instruction slip.
[0018] A worker at the workplace identifies an initial step (first step) by referring to
the work instruction slip, and passes the work instruction slip to a worker who executes the first step (referred to hereinafter as the first step worker). After receiving the work 5 instruction slip, the first step worker starts the first step of manufacturing. This processing is work inputting (step S3).
The first step worker starts setup work required in preparation for the work (step S4). At this time, the first worker passes the barcode reader 2, which is installed at the location of execution of the first step, over the barcode displayed on the work instruction
10 slip, and the barcode reader 2 reads the printed barcode. To the item number and the item name read from the barcode, the barcode reader 2 appends a step name of the first step and a barcode scan time read from a source such as an internal timer. Here, the expression "first step name" is the name of the step that is executed first, and the first step name is recorded beforehand in association with the barcode in an internal memory of the
15 barcode reader 2.
[0019] Thereafter, the first step worker inputs to an inputter of the barcode reader 2 , a started step count that is the sum of the counts of in-progress steps and execution-completed steps among all the steps included in the step route indicated by the work instruction slip. If the started step is the first step, the started step count is 1; if the
20 started step is the second step, the started step count is 2; and so forth. The value to be input at each step is recorded in the work instruction slip.
[0020] The barcode reader 2 generates the read data and transmits the generated
read data to the server 3 via a wireless network or a wired network. As illustrated in FIG. 3A, the generated read data includes an inputted item number, the item name, a step
25 name of the first step, the started step count, and the barcode scan time (setup-start time). The server 3 receives the read data transmitted from the barcode reader 2 and records the read data as work results in the work results master DB 101 in association with an

automatically assigned number (step S5). Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 3B, the server 3 generates in the work results master DB 101 a new record that includes a row ID, the item number, the item name, the step name, the step order, the setup-start time, the setup completion time, the setup period, the work start time, the work completion time, 5 and the work period. The automatically assigned number is recorded in the row ID of the new record, the item number included in the received read data is recorded in the item number of the new record, the item name included in the received read data is recorded in the item name of the new record, the step name included in the received read data is recorded in the step name of the new record, the started step count in the received read
10 data is recorded in the step order, and the barcode scan time is recorded in the setup-start
time. Further, at this setup-start stage, the setup completion time, the setup period, the
work start time, the work completion time, and the work period are set to NULL values.
[0021] The server 3 by the aforementioned procedure records, as the work results in
the work results master DB 101, the start of the setup work occurring in the first step.
15 Further, if setup work does not exist for the work step or the production item, the server 3 does not record the work results in the work results master DB 101 until the start of the work. At this stage, the first step worker remains inputting to the barcode reader 2 that no setup work exists. In this case, the server 3 sets the setup-start time, the setup completion time, and the setup period in the records of the work results master DB 101 to
20 NULL values, for example.
[0022] Thereafter, the first step worker is assumed to suspend the setup work in
progress due to various circumstances. The period in which the work is suspended is preferably subtracted from the period incurred by the setup work. Thus the time at which the work is suspended and the time at which the work is restarted are to be
25 included as subjects for recording as the work results.
Thus upon suspending the work, the first step worker uses the barcode reader 2 to read the barcode on the work instruction slip, operates the inputter of the barcode reader 2

further, and inputs to the barcode reader 2 a setup suspension flag indicating the setup work suspension. Then the first step worker operates a transmission button with which the barcode reader 2 is equipped. In response to this series of operations, the barcode reader 2 generates the read data and sends the generated read data to the server 3 (step S6).
5 As illustrated in FIG. 3C, the generated read data includes the item number read from the barcode, the step name of the first step, the barcode scan time acquired by the internal timer (that is, the suspension start time), and the inputted setup suspension flag. [0023] The server 3 receives the data read by the barcode reader 2. The server 3 determines that the setup suspension flag is included in the received read data, and
10 records the received data in the work suspension management master DB 102. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 3D, the server 3 generates in the work suspension management master DB 102 the new work record that includes each of the following items: the row ID, the item number, the step name, the row ID of the corresponding record in the work results master DB 101, the setup suspension start time, the setup
15 suspension completion time, the setup suspension period, the work suspension start time, the work suspension completion time, and the work suspension period. The automatically assigned number is recorded in the row ID of the new record, the item number included in the received read data is recorded in the item number of the new record, the step name included in the received read data is recorded in the step name of
20 the new record, and the barcode scan time of the received read data is recorded in the setup suspension start time of the new record. Further, due to association between the record in the work results master DB 101 and the record in the work suspension management master DB 102, the row ID of the corresponding record in the work results master DB 101 is recording in the corresponding record of the "row ID of the work
25 results master" in the work suspension management master DB 102 (step S7). At this stage, the other items are set to NULL values. [0024] When the suspended work is restarted, the barcode reader 2 generates the

read data by the worker performing operations similar to those at the start of the work suspension, and transmits the generated read data to the server 3 (step S6). As illustrated in FIG. 3E, the generated read data includes the item number, the step name, the barcode scan time (suspension completion time), and the setup restart flag. The 5 server 3 records the received barcode scan time in the "setup suspension completion time" of the corresponding record in the work suspension management master DB 102 illustrated in FIG. 3D (step S7).
[0025] Upon completion of the recording of the setup suspension completion time,
the server 3 finds the suspension period of the setup work by subtracting the setup
10 suspension start time from the setup suspension completion time. Then the found
suspension period is recorded in the corresponding record of the "setup suspension
period" in the work suspension management master DB 102 illustrated in FIG. 3D (step
S7).
[0026] If suspensions are generated multiple times, the barcode reader 2 transmits
15 data indicating the suspension start and suspension completion in each case. The server
3 separately for each case records the record including the suspension start time and the
suspension completion time of the case, and records the respective suspension period in
the setup suspension period.
[0027] Due to an operation by the worker upon completion of the setup work, the
20 barcode reader 2 generates and transmits to the server 3 read data including the barcode scan time (setup work completion time) and the setup completion flag indicting setup work completion illustrated in FIG. 4A (step S8). The server 3 records in the "setup completion time" of the corresponding record in the work results master DB 101 the barcode scan time included in the received data (step S9).
25 [0028] In response to the completion of the recording of the setup completion time,
the server 3 finds a provisional setup period by subtracting the setup-start time from the setup completion time in the record recorded in the work results master DB 101

illustrated in FIG. 3B. Then a time required for the setup work is found by subtracting from the found provisional setup period the setup suspension period recorded in the corresponding record illustrated in FIG. 3D of the work suspension management master DB 102. At this time, if multiple corresponding records are recorded in the work 5 suspension management master DB 102, a time obtained by totalizing the setup
suspension periods of such records is subtracted. Thereafter, the found time is recorded
in the corresponding record of the "setup period" in the work results master DB 101 (step
S9).
[0029] Upon completion of the setup work and start of the work, the first step
10 worker performs operations similar to those when starting the setup work. Thus the barcode reader 2 transmits to the server 3 the read data illustrated in FIG. 4B that includes the work start flag indicating the start of the work (step S4). The server 3 receives the read data from the barcode reader 2, and determines whether the work start flag is included in the received read data. In response to such determination, the server 3
15 records the barcode scan time included in the read data to the corresponding record of the "work start time" in the work results master DB 101 illustrated in FIG. 3B (step S5). Further, upon completion of the work, the barcode reader 2 transmits to the server 3 the read data illustrated in FIG. 4C including the work completion flag indicating the completion of the work (step S8). The server 3 determines whether the work
20 completion flag is included in the received read data. In response to such determination,
the server 3 records the barcode scan time included in the read data in the corresponding
record of the "work completion time" in the work results master DB 101 illustrated in
FIG. 3B (step S9).
[0030] Further, when the first step worker suspends work in progress, the
25 operations are performed in a manner similar to those of the setup work suspension time. Thus the barcode reader 2 transmits to the server 3 the read data illustrated in FIG. 4D that includes the work suspension flag indicating the work suspension (step S6). When

the work suspension flag is included in the read data, the server 3 records in the "work suspension start time" of the corresponding record in the work suspension management master DB 102 illustrated in FIG. 3D the barcode scan time included in the read data (step S7). Further, when the work is restarted, the barcode reader 2 transmits to the 5 server 3 the read data illustrated in FIG. 4E including the work restart flag indicating the work restart (step S6). When the work restart flag is included in the received read data, the server 3 records in the "work suspension completion time" of the corresponding record in the work suspension management master DB 102 illustrated in FIG. 3D the barcode scan time included in the read data (step S7).
10 [0031] Upon completion of the recording of the work suspension completion time,
the server 3 finds the period of suspension of the work by subtracting the work suspension start time from the work suspension completion time. Then the server 3 uses the found period as the work suspension period to record or update the corresponding record in the work suspension management master DB 102 illustrated in FIG. 3D.
15 [0032] If multiple suspensions occur during the work, in a manner similar to that of
the setup work, the barcode reader 2 transmits data indicating the suspension start and the suspension completion in each case. The server 3 records separately the record including the suspension start time and the suspension completion time of each case, and records the respective suspension periods for the work suspension periods.
20 [0033] Further, upon completion of the recording of the work completion time, the
server 3 finds a provisional work period by subtracting the work start time from the work completion time. Then the period required for the work is found by subtracting the aforementioned work suspension period from the provisional work period. At this time, if multiple corresponding records are recorded in the work suspension management
25 master DB 102, a period is found by summing the work suspension periods of such records, and then this period is subtracted. Then the found time is recorded in the corresponding record of the "work period" in the work results master DB 101 illustrated

[0034] Upon completion of the recording of the work results occurring in the first
step, the first step worker passes the work instruction slip to the second step worker.
The second step worker having received the work instruction slip, using a barcode reader 5 2 installed at the location where the second step is executed, starts to record the work
results occurring in the second step. Then the work results occurring in each step are
recorded in the work results master DB 101 for the second step, third step, and so forth
(steps S4, S6, and S8; steps S7 and S9). Upon completion of recording of the work
results occurring in all of the steps, the recording of the work results is completed for the 10 production item designated for manufacturing by the work instruction slip. Further, the
recording of work results is executed for all production items having work input
instructions on the basis of the manufacturing plan.
[0035] In this manner, the server 3 accumulates the work results of the daily work.
The device for estimating man-hours 1, on the basis of these accumulated work results, 15 estimates the load man-hours of the new item for which work results do not exist.
[0036] A hardware configuration of the device for estimating man-hours 1 is
described hereinafter with reference to FIG. 5.
[0037] The device for estimating man-hours 1 includes a read only memory (ROM)
1-1, a random access memory (RAM) 1-2, a central processing unit (CPU) 1-3, a storage 20 1-4, a communication device 1-5, and an input device 1-6.
[0038] The ROM 1-1 is a non-transitory recording medium that stores basis
operating programs executed by the CPU 1-3.
[0039] The RAM 1-2 is a temporary recording medium serving as a work area of
the CPU 1-3.
25 [0040] The CPU 1-3 reads a program recorded in the ROM 1-1 or the storage 1-4 to
the RAM 1-2, and executes various types of processing in accordance with the read
program.

[0041] The storage 1-4 is a non-transitroy recording medium such as a hard disc,
flash memory, and the like.
[0042] The communication device 1-5 includes a network interface card (NIC) and
exchanges various types of data with the server 3.
5 [0043] The input device 1-6 is an input interface such as a keyboard or mouse. By
operating the input device 1-6, the user can give an instruction to the CPU 1-3.
[0044] Next, a function configuration of the device for estimating man-hours 1 is
described with reference to FIG. 6.
[0045] The CPU 1-3, by reading and executing the program recorded in the ROM
10 1-1, causes the device for estimating man-hours 1 to function as the various functional components illustrated in FIG. 6. Specifically, the CPU 1-3 allows the device for estimating man-hours 1 to function as a work results storage 10, a step information storage 11, a work period information storage 12, an estimation criteria information storage 13, a results reflector 14, an extractor 15, a record acquirer 16, a total number
15 calculator 17, an average value calculator 18, an estimation criteria information recorder 19, a receiver 20, an acquirer 21, a step-work period recorder 22, an estimator 23, and a corrector 24. Further, the work results storage 10, the step information storage 11, the work period information storage 12, and the estimation criteria information storage 13 are built into the storage 1-4 contained in the device for estimating man-hours 1.
20 [0046] The work results storage 10 includes the work results master DB 101 and
the work suspension management master DB 102.
[0047] The step information storage 11 includes the step master DB 111 and the
step update management master DB 112. The step master DB 111 includes step route information indicating the order of execution of each step occurring in the manufacturing
25 process of the production item. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 7A, the step master DB 111 includes the item name, a summary item number, the step name, and the step order in association with the item number. Further, all the production items are

categorized according to multiple groups of production items that have common characteristics, for example, as an electric component group, a sensor group, and a display group. The summary item number indicates to which group the production item belongs. Further, the summary item number is a number obtained by removing the 5 option number from the item number, that is, for example, is the value of the upper three digits of the item number. The option number indicates minor differences between production items belonging to the same group, such as differences in versions of the production item. The step name indicates the name of the step. The step order indicates the number of the step in order of occurrence among all of the steps. As
10 illustrated in FIG. 7B, the step update management master DB 112 includes an update
history of the step name for each combination of the item number and the step order.
[0048] The work period information storage 12 stores a work period master DB
121. Hereinafter, a setup period found on the basis of the work results is taken to be a results base setup period, and a standard period found on the basis of the work results is
15 taken to be a results base standard period. Further, a setup period found by
appropriation of the work results of the other items is taken to be an appropriation setup period, and a standard period found by appropriation of the work results of the other items is taken to be an appropriation standard period. Further, a setup period corrected by the production scheduling department is taken to be a post-rating setup period, and a
20 standard period corrected by the production scheduling department is taken to be a post-rating standard period.
For each combination of the production items and the steps, the work period master DB 121 includes the results base setup period, the results base standard period, the appropriation setup period, the appropriation standard period, the post-rating setup period,
25 and the post-rating standard period.
[0049] Further, the expression "results base setup period" refers to an average value
of setup periods that include multiple records having the same production item and step

extracted from the work results master DB 101 by the results reflector 14. Further, the expression "results base standard period" refers to an average value of work periods that include multiple records having the same production item and step extracted from the work results master DB 101 by the results reflector 14. Further, the expression 5 "appropriation setup period" refers to a setup period for another production item acquired, due to work results not existing for the new production item, from the work results master DB 101 in order for the estimator 23 to appropriate as work results of the new production item. Further, the expression "appropriation standard period" refers to the work period for another production item acquired, with a similar objective, by the estimator 23 from
10 the work results master DB 101. Further, the expression "post-rating setup period" refers to the setup period in the case in which the responsible person in the production scheduling department determines a need for correction after evaluation of appropriateness of the results base setup period, the results base standard period, the appropriation setup period, the appropriation standard period, and the like; and the
15 expression "post-rating standard period" refers to the standard period in the case in which the responsible person in the production scheduling department determines a need for correction after evaluation of appropriateness of the results base setup period, the results base standard period, the appropriation setup period, the appropriation standard period, and the like.
20 [0050] The information included in the work period master DB 121 is described
below more specifically. As illustrated in FIG. 7C, the work period master DB 121 accumulates, in a form associated with the item number and the step order, the item name, the summary item number, the step name, the results base setup period, the results base standard period, the appropriation setup period, the appropriation standard period, the
25 post-rating setup period, and the post-rating standard period.
[0051] The estimation criteria information storage 13 illustrated in FIG. 6 stores an
estimation master DB (without summary item numbers) 131 and an estimation master

DB (with summary item numbers) 132. A point of commonality between the estimation master DB 131 and the estimation master DB 132 is that both databases store work results candidates appropriated in the estimation of the load man-hours of the new production item, although these databases differ in that the summary item numbers are 5 allocated to the work results in the estimation master DB (with summary item numbers) 132, and the summary item numbers are not allocated to the work results in the estimation master DB (without summary item numbers) 131. During appropriation of work results with respect to the new production item, work results are preferably appropriated for which the summary item number matches the summary item number
10 allocated to the new production item. Thus the estimation master DB (with summary item numbers) 132 is normally utilized for the used work results. However, a new production item may exist for which the summary item number is not allocated. In this case, the estimation master DB (without summary item numbers) 131 is contained in the estimation criteria information storage 13 so that such lack of allocation is not an obstacle
15 to appropriation of the work results. Further, details of the information included in the
estimation master DB 131 and the estimation master DB 132 are described below
together with a description of the estimation criteria information recorder 19.
[0052] The results reflector 14 causes reflection in the step master DB 111 and the
work period master DB 121 the newest work results recorded in the work results master
20 DB 101. Specifically, among the production items for which the work results are
recorded in the work results master DB 101, in the case of the existence of a production item that is not recorded in the step master DB 111 and the work period master DB 121, such a production item is recorded in the step master DB 111 and the work period master DB 121. Further, if there is a discrepancy between the step route recorded in the step
25 master DB 111 and the step route occurring in the newest work results, the results reflector 14 sends to the production scheduling department an alert (referred to hereinafter as the step route reexamination alert) so that the step route recorded in the step

master DB 111 is updated to the newest step route. Further, the results reflector 14 finds the results base setup period and the results base standard period on the basis of the newest work results, and updates the results base setup period and the results base standard period recorded in the work period master DB 121 to the found results base 5 setup period and results base standard period.
Specifically, in the case of attempting to update the results base setup period and the results base standard period recorded in the work period master DB 121 in association with an item number m and an n-th step, the results reflector 14 refers to the update history of the step name of the n-th step with respect to the item number m recorded in
10 the step update management master DB 112.
[0053] Then among the step names of the n-th step with respect to the item number
m included in the update history, the results reflector 14 acquires the step name s that is the step name of the n-th step from the previous update date to the present date (update processing date). Next, the results reflector 14 acquires from the work results master
15 DB 101 records including the item number m, the n-th step, and the step name s. Then in the case in which there are multiple acquired records, the results reflector 14 acquires the results base setup period and the results base standard period from the multiple records in accordance with prescribed rules. For example, the total count X (X is a positive integer) of acquired records is divided by 4, and a value is acquired that is the
20 X/4-th smallest value within the results base setup period included in the acquired records. Further, the X/4-th smallest value within the results base standard period included in the acquired records is acquired. Further, if the value of X/4 has a remainder, the value is rounded up to an integer value. The results reflector 14 updates the results base setup period and the result base standard period recorded in the work period master DB 121 in
25 association with the item number m and the n-th step, to the results base setup period and the results base standard period acquired from the work results master DB 101 using the aforementioned procedure.

[0054] Further, when no record exists that has the item number m, the n-th step, and
the step name s in the work results master DB 101, from the step master DB 111, a step name t is acquired that is the step name of the n-th step with respect to the item number m from the second preceding update date until the preceding update date. Further, when 5 no record exists that has the item number m, the n-th step, and the step name t in the work results master DB 101, from the step master DB 111, a step name q is acquired that is the step name of the n-th step with respect to the item number m from the third preceding update date until the second preceding update date. In this manner, the results reflector 14 attempts the acquisition of step names by going back in periods occurring in the
10 update history until the desired record can be acquired from the work results master DB 101 or until the beginning of the update history is reached so that further going back is not possible.
[0055] Further, the results reflector 14 may provide notification of the alert by
various types of methods. For example, the alert may be displayed on a screen included
15 in the device for estimating man-hours 1, or data may be transmitted from the device for estimating man-hours 1 to a printing device to cause the printing device to issue a notification on which the alert is printed.
[0056] Targeting all of the records of the step master DB 111 and the work period
master DB 121 reflecting the newest work results in accordance with the results reflector
20 14, the extractor 15 extracts summary item numbers and one or multiple keywords from
each of the records. Further, the extractor 15 extracts the keywords by executing
morphological analysis of the items names included in each of the records.
[0057] The record acquirer 16 selects one keyword from the one or multiple
keywords extracted by the extractor 15. Then the record acquirer 16 acquires from the
25 step master DB 111 as a first appropriation candidate record set a record set that includes item names that at least partially match the selected keyword. Further, the condition for acquisition may be a complete match rather than a partial match.

[0058] The total number calculator 17 calculates or counts step name-by-step name
the total count of records having the same step name as a k-th step (k is the step order
during processing, initially k = 1) among the first appropriation candidate record set.
Then (a) the total number calculator 17 acquires the step name included in the record set
5 for which the total count of records is maximum (referred to hereinafter as the first record
set). Thereafter, (b) the total number calculator 17 calculates as a probability a fraction
of the total count of records included in the first record set relative to the total count of
records included in the first appropriation candidate record set.
[0059] The average value calculator 18 acquires from the work period master DB
10 121 a record set that includes item names that at least partially match the keyword
selected by the record acquirer 16 and step names that match the step names acquired by the total number calculator 17. Then (c) the average value calculator 18 calculates an average value of the post-rating setup periods included in the acquired record set, and calculates an average value of the post-rating standard periods included in the acquired
15 record set.
[0060] As illustrated in FIG. 7D, the estimation criteria information recorder 19
records as the step name, the probability, the setup period, and the standard period in the estimation master DB (without summary item numbers) 131 the keyword selected by the record acquirer 16, and in association with the combination with the set order (k-th step)
20 in the processing, the acquired step names acquired in the processing of the
aforementioned (a) through (c), the calculated probability, and the average value of the
post-rating setup period, and the average value of the post-rating standard period,
respectively.
[0061] Here, taking the N-th step to be the maximum value of the step order
25 possessed by each of the records included in the first appropriation candidate record set, the total number calculator 17 and the average value calculator 18 execute the processing of (a) through (c), that is, execute the processing of the k-th step of acquiring the step

name and calculating the probability, the average value of the post-rating setup period, and the average value of the post-rating standard period from the first step through the N-th step. Then the estimation criteria information recorder 19 records the step names acquired for each of the steps from the first step through the N-th step, the calculated 5 probability, average value of the post-rating setup period, and average value of the
post-rating standard period in the estimation master DB (without summary item numbers)
131 in association with the step order and the keyword selected by the record acquirer 16.
[0062] Further, if unselected keywords are present in the keywords extracted by the
extractor 15, the record acquirer 16 selects one keyword from among such unselected
10 keywords. Then upon selection of a new keyword by the record acquirer 16, by a procedure similar to the above-described procedure, the first appropriation candidate record set is acquired, the step name is acquired, the probability, the average value of the post-rating setup period, and the average value of the post-rating standard period are calculated, and these values are recorded in the estimation master DB (without summary
15 item numbers) 131.
[0063] Further, the record acquirer 16 selects one each of the summary item
numbers and the keywords extracted by the extractor 15. Then the record acquirer 16 acquires from the step master DB 111 as the second appropriation candidate record set a record set that includes: a summary item number matching the selected summary item
20 number, and an item name at least partially matching the selected keyword.
[0064] The total number calculator 17 for each step name calculates a total count of
records for which the step name of the first step is the same among the second appropriation candidate record set. Thereafter, (d) the total number calculator 17 acquires a step name included in the record set having the maximum total count of
25 records (referred to hereinafter as the second record set). Next, (e) the total number calculator 17 calculates as a probability the proportion of the total count of the second record set relative to the total count of the records included in the second appropriation

candidate record set.
[0065] From the work period master DB 121, the average value calculator 18
acquires the record set that includes: the summary item number matching the summary
item number selected by the record acquirer 16, the item name at least partially matching
5 the keyword selected by the record acquirer 16, and the step name matching the acquired
step name acquired by the total number calculator 17. Thereafter, (f) the average value
calculator 18 finds the average value of the post-rating setup period included in the
acquired record set, and calculates the average value of the post-rating standard period.
[0066] The estimation criteria information recorder 19, as illustrated in FIG. 7E, in
10 a form associated with a combination of the summary item number and the keyword selected by the record acquirer 16 and the step order during processing (k-th step), records in the estimation master DB (with summary item numbers) 132 the acquired step name, the calculated probability, average value of the post-rating setup period, and average value of the post-rating standard period of the aforementioned processing of (d)
15 through (f) as the step name, probability, setup period, and standard period, respectively.
[0067] Here, assuming that the maximum value of the step order included in each
record included in the second appropriation candidate record set is an N-th step, the total number calculator 17 and the average value calculator 18 execute the aforementioned processing (d) through (f), that is, execute the processing of the k-th step of acquiring the
20 step name and calculating the probability, the average value of the post-rating setup
period, and the average value of the post-rating standard period from the first step through the N-th step. Then the estimation criteria information recorder 19 records in the estimation master DB (with summary item numbers) 132, in association with the combination of the summary item number selected by the record acquirer 16, the
25 keyword, and the step order, the acquired step name, the calculated probability, average value of the post-rating setup period, and average value of the post-rating standard period for each of the steps from the first step through N-th step.

[0068] The estimation master DB 131 and the estimation master DB 132 are used
for estimation of the load man-hours of the new production item. If the target of estimation of the load man-hours is a production item for which results of past manufacturing exist (referred to hereinafter as an existing item), the step route and the 5 standard period required for estimation of the load man-hours are recorded in the step master DB 111 and the work period master DB 121. However, such records do not exist for the new production item, and thus appropriation of the work results for an existing item similar to the new production item is required for estimating the load man-hours of the new production item. The estimation master DB 131 and the
10 estimation master DB 132 are created in consideration of such circumstances, and record the work results for candidates for appropriation.
[0069] Further, sometimes no existing item exists for which the summary item
number matches the new production item. When such an existing item is present, the work results for the existing item recorded in the estimation master DB (with summary
15 item numbers) 132 is appropriated as the work results of the new production item.
However, when no such existing item is present, the work results for the existing item
recorded in the estimation master DB (without summary item numbers) 131 are
appropriated as the work results of the new production item.
[0070] The receiver 20 receives the order reception information 141 and the
20 unofficial information 142 that are directly entered or supplied from an external device. The order reception information 141 lists, as a listing of the production item scheduled for manufacturing, information such as the item number, the item name, the manufacturing count, and the delivery deadline. The unofficial information 142 is a listing of the production item scheduled for manufacturing, and includes information such as the item
25 number, the item name, an expected manufacturing count, and an expected delivery
deadline.
[0071] From the order reception information 141 and the unofficial information 142,

the acquirer 21 acquires the item number and the item name, and determines whether the acquired item number exists in the work results master DB 101. If the item number exists in the work results master DB 101, the production item identified by the item number is an existing item. However, if the item number does not exist in the work 5 results master DB 101, the production item identified by the item number is a new production item.
[0072] The load man-hours for the new production item are not previously
estimated, and thus information such as the step route and the standard period required for estimation of the load man-hours does not exist in the step master DB 111 and the
10 work period master DB 121. Thus the acquirer 21 and the step-work period recorder 22 set the step route, the standard period, and the like with respect to the new production item.
[0073] Specifically, upon determination that the production item identified by the
item number is the new production item, the acquirer 21 acquires the summary item
15 number by removing the option number from the item number. Thereafter, the acquirer 21 executes morphological analysis of the item name and acquires one or multiple keywords.
[0074] For each combination of the keyword and the summary item number
acquired by the acquirer 21, the step-work period recorder 22 determines whether the
20 combination of the summary item number and the keyword exists in the estimation
master DB (with summary item numbers) 132. Thereafter, if the determination is that a combination exists, the step-work period recorder 22 acquires from the estimation master DB (with summary item numbers) 132 the record set that includes the summary item number and the keyword included in such a combination. Thereafter, the step-work
25 period recorder 22 acquires, for each step order from the obtained record set the record sets including the same step order, and acquires the record including the probability that is highest (probability calculated by the total number calculator 17) among each of the

record sets. Then from each record including the highest probability, the step-work period recorder 22 acquires the step name, the setup period, and the standard period. Due to the matching of the summary item number as the condition for appropriation of the work results, accuracy of estimation of the load man-hours of the new production 5 item is higher by appropriating the work results from the estimation master DB (with summary item numbers) 132 than by appropriating the work results from the estimation master DB (without summary item numbers) 131. Thus if an existing item exists for which the summary item number matches that of the new production item, work results are preferably appropriated from the estimation master DB (with summary item numbers)
10 132.
[0075] However, upon determination that the combination of the summary item
number and the keyword acquired by the acquirer 21 is not present in the estimation master DB (with summary item numbers) 132, the step-work period recorder 22 acquires from the estimation master DB (without summary item numbers) 131 the record sets
15 including such a keyword. Thereafter, from the acquired record sets, the step-work period recorder 22 acquires record sets for each step order that include the same step order, and records including the highest probability from among each of the record sets. Then the step name, the setup period, and the standard period are acquired from each of the records including the highest probability. Sometimes no existing item exists for
20 which the summary item number matches that of the new production item. In this case, the work results are appropriated from the estimation master DB (without summary item numbers) 131 in which the matching of the summary item number is not a condition for the appropriation of the work results. Even in this case, the matching of the keyword is a condition for appropriation of the work results, and thus a certain degree of estimation
25 accuracy is secured for the new production item regarding the estimation of the load
man-hour for the new production items.
[0076] Further, the step-work period recorder 22 records in the step master DB 111

the step order and the step name acquired from the estimation master DB (with summary
item number) 132 associated with the item number, the item name, and the summary item
number acquired by the acquirer 21. Further, the step order, the step name, the step
period, and the standard period acquired from the estimation master DB (with summary
5 item numbers) 132 are recorded in the work period master DB 121 in association with the
item number, the item name, and the summary item number acquired by the acquirer 21.
[0077] Further, upon determination that the production item identified by the
acquired item number is an existing item, the acquirer 21 acquires from the step master DB 111 as estimation step information the step name and the step order of the existing
10 item associated with the acquired item number. Further, the acquirer 21 determines whether values are set for the post-rating setup period and the post-rating standard period associated with the acquired item number in the work period master DB 121. Upon determination that the values are set, the acquirer 21 acquires from the work period master DB 121, as estimation work period information concerning the existing item, the
15 post-rating setup period and the post-rating standard period. However, upon
determination that the values are not set, the acquirer 21 acquires from the work period
master DB 121, as the estimation work period information concerning the existing item,
the results base setup period and the results base standard period.
[0078] The estimator 23 creates step-specific and date-specific load man-hours
20 estimation results on the basis of: the estimation step information and the estimation work
period information concerning the new production item from the acquirer 21, and the
estimation step information and the estimation work period information concerning the
existing item.
[0079] The functions of the corrector 24 are executed by cooperation between the
25 CPU 1-3 and the input device 1-6. Upon the user inputting to the corrector 24 an
instruction via the input device 1-6, the corrector 24 executes various types of processing in accordance with the inputted instruction. For example, the responsible person in the

production scheduling department receiving the step route reexamination alert inputs to the corrector 24 a master correction instruction. Upon such input, in accordance with the inputted master correction instruction, the corrector 24 corrects the contents of the step master DB 111 and the post-rating setup period and the post-rating standard period 5 recorded in the work period master DB 121.
[0080] Hereinafter, the estimation criteria information storage processing executed
by the device for estimating man-ours 1 is described with reference to FIG. 8.
[0081] Estimation Criteria Information Storage Processing
The present processing is programmed so as to be executed periodically. Upon
10 the start of the present processing, the results reflector 14 acquires one item number from the work results master DB 101 (step S100). Then the results reflector 14 determines whether the acquired item number is recorded in the step master DB 111 (step S101). Here, upon determination that the item number is recorded (YES in step S101), the results reflector 14 determines whether in the step master DB 111 there is prior recording
15 of the first step in association with the recorded item number (step S102). Then upon determination that the first step is previously recorded (YES in step S102), the results reflector 14 acquires from the work results master DB 101 the step names and the step order associated with the item number acquired in step S101. Thereafter, the results reflector 14 compares a step route indicating the acquired step names and step order with
20 a step route associated with the item number acquired in step S101 and recorded in the step master DB 111, and determines whether a difference exists between both step routes (step S103). This determination is performed in order to make clear, on the basis of whether there is a difference between both step routes, whether the step route recorded in the step master DB 111 is the newest step route. The results reflector 14 is assumed
25 here to determine that there is no difference between both step routes (YES in step S103). In this case, the step route recorded in the step master DB 111 is the newest step route and correction is not required, and thus the results reflector 14 shifts to the processing of step

S107 without implementing the correction of the step master DB 111.
[0082] Further, if the item number in step S101 is determined not to be recorded in
the step master DB 111 (NO in step S101), the results reflector 14 acquires from the work results master DB 101 the item name, the step name, and the step order associated with 5 the item number acquired in step S101. Thereafter, the results reflector 14 records the item number in the step master DB 111 (step S104). Further, the results reflector 14 records in the step master DB 111 the summary item number obtained by removing the option number from the item number, the acquired step name, and the acquired step order associated with the recorded item number (step S105).
10 [0083] Further, if the determination in step S103 is that a difference exists between
both step routes (NO in step S103), the results reflector 14 alerts the production
scheduling department (step route reexamination alert) to encourage reexamination of the
step route recorded in the step master DB 111 (step S106).
[0084] Upon the processing proceeding to step S107, the results reflector 14
15 determines whether the item number acquired in step S101 is already recorded in the work period master DB 121 (step S107). Then if the item number is determined to be already recorded (YES in step S107), the results reflector 14 acquires the step order, the setup period, and the work period associated with the item number acquired in step S101 (step 108). Further, upon determination in step S107 that the item number is not
20 recorded (NO in step S107), the results reflector 14 records in the work period master DB 121 the item number acquired in step S101 (step S109). Then the results reflector 14 executes the processing of step S108.
[0085] Thereafter, the results reflector 14 records in the work period master DB 121
the summary item number, the results base setup period, and the results base work period
25 in association with the summary item number, the setup period, and the work period, for each combination of the item number acquired in step S101 and step order acquired in step S108 (step S110). Further, the results reflector 14 determines whether a

non-acquired item number exists in the work results master DB 101 (step S111). Upon determination that the non-acquired item number exists (YES in step S111), the results reflector 14 repeats all of the processing from step S100 to step S110 until all the item numbers are acquired from the work results master DB 101. However, upon 5 determination that no non-acquired item number exists (NO in step S111), processing by the results reflector 14 proceeds to step S112.
[0086] Due to each of the processing from step S101 to step S111, the newest work
results are reflected in the step master DB 111 and the work period master DB 121. Next, update processing starts, on the basis of the newest step master DB 111 and work
10 period master DB 121, with respect to the estimation master DB (with summary item numbers) 132 and the estimation master DB (without summary item numbers) 131 required for estimation of the load man-hours.
[0087] Firstly, targeting all records in the step master DB 111 and the work period
master DB 121, the extractor 15 extracts summary item numbers and one or multiple
15 keywords from each of the records (step S112). In the aforementioned manner,
keywords are extracted on the basis of morphological analysis with respect to the item names. The record acquirer 16 selects one keyword from among the one or multiple extracted keywords (step S113). Thereafter, the record acquirer 16 acquires from the step master DB 111 as the first appropriation candidate record set the record set that
20 includes an item name that at least partially matches the selected keyword (step S114).
[0088] The total number calculator 17 calculates for each step name a total count of
records having the same step name as an i-th (initial value of i = 1) step within the first appropriation candidate record set (step S115). Thereafter, the total number calculator 17 acquires the step names included in the record for which the total count is maximum
25 (step S116).
[0089] Thereafter, the total number calculator 17 calculates as the probability the
proportion of the total count of records including the step name acquired in step S115

within the first appropriation candidate record set relative to the total count of records
included in the first appropriation candidate record set (step S117).
[0090] The average value calculator 18 acquires from the work period master DB
121 a record set that includes an item name that at least partially matches the keyword
5 selected by the record acquirer 16 and a step name that matches the step name acquired
by the total number calculator 17. Then the average value calculator 18 calculates an
average value of the post-rating setup periods and an average value of the post-rating
standard periods included in the acquired record set (step S118).
[0091] The estimation criteria information recorder 19 records in the estimation
10 master DB (without summary item numbers) 131, in association with the combination of the step order (i-th step) and the keyword selected by the record acquirer 16, the step name, the calculated probability, the average value of the post-rating setup period, and the average value of the post-rating standard period, respectively, acquired in the various steps from step S116 to step S118 (step S119) as the step name, the probability, the setup
15 period, and the standard period.
[0092] Here, the maximum value of the step order included in each of the records
included in the first appropriation candidate record set is taken to be the N-th step, where N is a positive integer. Upon completion of the processing of step S119, the estimation criteria information recorder 19 determines whether the i-th step is prior to the N-th step
20 (step S120). Then upon determination that the i-th step is prior to the N-th step (YES in step S120), the estimation criteria information recorder 19 increments i by 1 (step S121), and repeats each of the processing steps from step S115 to step S119 until the i-th step is no longer prior to the N-th step. However, upon determination that the i-th step is not prior to the N-th step (NO in step S120), the estimation criteria information recorder 19
25 determines whether a non-selected keyword exists in the keywords extracted by the
extractor 15 (step S122).
[0093] Upon determination that a non-selected keyword exists (YES in step S122),

the estimation criteria information recorder 19 repeatedly executes each of the processing steps from step S113 to S120 until no non-selected keyword exists. However, upon determination that a non-selected keyword does not exist (NO in step S122), the processing by the estimation criteria information recorder 19 proceeds to step S123.
5 [0094] Thereafter, the record acquirer 16 selects one each of a summary item number and a keyword extracted by the extractor 15 (step S123). Then the record acquirer 16 acquires from the step master DB 111 as a second appropriation candidate record set a record set that includes a summary item number completely matching the selected summary item number and an item name that at least partially matches the
10 selected keyword (step S124).
[0095] The total number calculator 17 calculates for each step name a total count of records for which the step name of the j-th (initial value of j = 1) step is the same in the second appropriation candidate record set (step S125). Then the total number calculator 17 acquires the step names included in the record for which the total count is maximum
15 (step S126).
[0096] Thereafter, the total number calculator 17 calculates as a probability a proportion of the total count of records including the step name acquired in step S126 in the second appropriation candidate record set relative to the total count of records included in the second appropriation candidate record set (step S127).
20 [0097] The average value calculator 18 acquires from the work period master DB 121 record sets that include the summary item number that completely matches the summary item number selected by the record acquirer 16, the item name that at least partially matches the keyword selected by the record acquirer 16, and the step name that matches the step name acquired by the total number calculator 17. Then the average
25 value calculator 18 calculates the average value of the post rating setup period and the average value of the post-rating standard period included in the acquired record set (step

[0098] The estimation criteria information recorder 19 records in the estimation
master DB (with summary item numbers) 132 as the step name, the probability, the setup period, and the standard period the step name, the calculated probability, average value of the post-rating setup period, and average value of the post-rating standard period, 5 respectively, acquired in the various steps of step S126 to step S128, in association with the combination of the summary item number, the keyword, and the step order (j-th step) selected by the record acquirer 16 (step S129).
[0099] Here, the maximum value of the step order included in each record included
in the second appropriation candidate record set is assumed to be the N-th step, where N
10 is a positive integer. Upon completion of the processing of step S129, the estimation criteria information recorder 19 determines whether the j-th step is prior to the N-th step (step S130). Then upon determination that the j-th step is prior to the N-th step (YES in step S130), the estimation criteria information recorder 19, repeatedly increments j by one (step S131) and executes each of the processing steps from step S125 to step S129 until
15 the j-th step is no longer prior to the N-th step. However, upon determination that the j-th step is not prior to the N-th step (NO in step S130), the estimation criteria information recorder 19 determines whether a non-selected combination exists among the combinations of summary item numbers and the keywords extracted by the extractor 15 (step S132).
20 [0100] Upon determination that a non-selected combination exists (YES in step
S132), the estimation criteria information recorder 19 repeatedly executes each of the processing steps from step S123 to step S130 until no non-selected combination exists. However, upon determination that no non-selected combination exists (NO in step S132), the estimation criteria information recorder 19 ends the estimation criteria information
25 storage processing.
[0101] The load man-hours estimation processing executed by the device for
estimating man-hours 1 is described next with reference to FIG. 9.

[0102] Load Man-hours Estimation Processing
The present processing starts in response to the receiver 20 receiving the order reception information 141 and the unofficial information 142 supplied from the external device. When the present processing starts, the acquirer 21 acquires the item number 5 and the item name from the order reception information 141 and the unofficial
information 142 (step S200). Then the acquirer 21 determines whether the acquired item number exists in the step master DB 111 and the work period master DB 121 (step S201). Upon determination that the item number does not exist (NO in step S201), the acquirer 21 acquires the summary item number by removing the option number from the
10 item number (step S202). Next, the acquirer 21 implements morphological analysis of
the item name to acquire one or multiple keywords (step S203). The step S203
functions as an extraction step that extracts keywords from the item name of the new
production item.
[0103] For each combination of the summary item number and the keyword
15 acquired by the acquirer 21, the step-work period recorder 22 determines whether the combination of the summary item number and the keyword exists in the estimation master DB (with summary item numbers) 132 (step S204). Upon determination that the combination exists (YES in step S204), the step-work period recorder 22 acquires from the estimation master DB (with summary item numbers) 132 the record sets that include
20 the summary item number and the keyword included in such combination. Thereafter, the step-work period recorder 22 acquires for each step order the record sets including the same step order from the acquired record sets. The step-work period recorder 22 acquires the record including the highest probability (that is, probability calculated by the total number calculator 17) in the record set of each of the acquired record sets including
25 the same step order. Then the step-work recorder 22 acquires the step name, the setup period, and the standard period from the record including the highest probability (step S205).

[0104] The step-work period recorder 22 records in the step master DB 111 the
item number, the item name, and the summary item number acquired by the acquirer 21 in a form associated with the pair of the step order and the step name acquired from the estimation master DB (with summary item numbers) 132 in step S205 (step S207). 5 Further, the step-work period recorder 22 records in the work period master DB 121 as the step order, the appropriation setup period, and the appropriation standard period the step order, the setup period, and the standard period, respectively, acquired from the estimation master DB (with summary item numbers) 132 in step S205, in association with the item number, the item name, and the summary item number acquired by the
10 acquirer 21 (step S208).
[0105] However, upon determination in step S204 that the combination of the
summary item number and the keyword acquired by the acquirer 21 does not exist in the estimation master DB (with summary item numbers) 132 (NO in step S204), the step-work period recorder 22 acquires record sets including such a keyword from the
15 estimation master DB (without summary item numbers) 131. Next, the step-work period recorder 22 acquires for each step order record sets including the same such step order from the acquired record sets. The step-work period recorder 22 acquires the record including the highest probability among a record set from each of the acquired record sets including the same step order. Thereafter, the step-work period recorder 22
20 acquires the step name, the setup period, and the standard period from the record
including the highest probability (step S206). Step S205 or step S206 functions as an acquisition step that acquires the step route and the work period associated with a keyword that matches the keyword extracted in the extraction step (step S203) from the data associating the work period of each step and the step route indicating the order of
25 execution of each step occurring in the manufacturing process of the production item
with the keyword extracted from the item name of each production item.
[0106] Thereafter, the step-work period recorder 22 records in the step master DB

111 the pair of the step order and step name acquired from the estimation master DB (without summary item numbers) 131 in step S206, in association with the item number, the item name, and the summary item number acquired by the acquirer 21 (step S207). Further, the step-work period recorder 22 records in the work period master DB 121 as 5 the step order, the appropriation setup period, and the appropriation standard period the step order, the setup period, and the standard period, respectively, acquired from the estimation master DB (without summary item numbers) 131 in step S206, in association with the item number, the item name, and the summary item number acquired by the acquirer 21 (step S208).
10 [0107] Upon completion of the recording, the step-work period recorder 22
determines whether a non-acquired item number exists in the order reception information 141 and the unofficial information 142 (step S209). Upon determination that a non-acquired item number exists (YES in step S209), the step-work period recorder 22, until all item number are acquired from the step master DB 111, executes each step of the
15 processing from step S200 to step S208.
[0108] However, in the case in which the production item identified in accordance
with the item number acquired from the order reception information 141 and the unofficial information 142 in step S200 is an existing item for which there are results of prior manufacturing, the item number acquired in step S200 is anticipated to be recorded
20 in the step master DB 111 and the work period master DB 121. Thus in this case, the acquirer 21 in step S201 determines that the item number exists in the step master DB 111 and the work period master DB 121 (YES in step S201).
[0109] Upon determination that the item number exists, the acquirer 21 acquires
from the step master DB 111 the step name and the step order recorded in association
25 with the item number (step S212). Further, for each combination of the item number and the step order acquired in step S212, the acquirer 21 determines whether the post-rating setup period and the post-rating standard period are recorded in the work

period master DB 121 (step S213). Further, for the combination for which the post-rating setup period and the post-rating standard period are determined to be recorded (YES in step S213), the acquirer 21 acquires from the work period master DB 121 as the setup period and the standard period the post-rating setup period and the post-rating 5 standard period, respectively (step S214), and processing proceeds to step S209.
However, for the combination for which the post-rating setup period and the post-rating standard period are determined not to be recorded (NO in step S213), the acquirer 21 acquires from the work period master DB 121 as the setup period and the standard period the results base setup period and the results base standard period, respectively (step S215),
10 and processing proceeds to step S209.
[0110] When processing proceeds to step S209 and the non-acquired item number
is determined not to exist (NO in step S209), the estimator 23 acquires, from a source such as an external device, a calendar master specifying operating and vacation dates of the workplace (factory) and a reference daily schedule master indicating a reference for
15 manufacturing lead times of each production item (step S210). Further, the estimator 23 estimates date-specific and step-specific load man-hours on the basis of the acquired calendar master and reference daily schedule master and the step name, the step order, the setup period, and the standard period acquired in step S205, step S206, step S214, and step S215 (step S211). Step S211 functions as an estimation step for, on the basis of the
20 step route and the work period acquired in the acquisition step (step S205 or step S206), estimating the load man-hours required for manufacturing of the new production item. Upon completion of the estimation of the load man-hours, the load man-hours estimation processing also ends. Further, the results of the estimation of the load man-hours are used by the production scheduling department to prepare the manufacturing plan.
25 Further, the load man-hours are accumulated on the basis of the days of scheduled work going backwards in time from the delivery deadline by the lead time from the input of work until shipment to the customer.

[0111] Further, upon notification via the step route examination alert of step S106,
the production scheduling department reexamines the contents recorded in the step
master DB 111 and the work period master DB 121, and investigates whether correction
is required. Then if the correction is required, a master correction instruction is inputted
5 to the corrector 24. In response to the inputting of the master correction instruction, the
corrector 24 starts the master correction processing illustrated in FIG. 10.
[0112] Master Correction Processing
Upon the start of the master correction processing, the corrector 24 determines whether a correction instruction with respect to a step is included in the master correction
10 instruction (step S301). Then upon determination that the correction instruction with
respect to a step is included in the master correction instruction (YES in step S301), the
corrector 24, in accordance with the master correction instruction, corrects the contents of
the step master DB 111 (step S302).
[0113] Thereafter, the corrector 24 determines whether a correction instruction with
15 respect to a post-rating setup period is included in the master correction instruction (step S303). Then upon determination that the correction instruction with respect to a post-rating setup period is included in the master correction instruction (YES in step S303), the corrector 24, in accordance with the master correction instruction, corrects the post-rating setup period recorded in the step master DB 121 (step S304). Thereafter, the
20 corrector 24 determines whether a correction instruction with respect to a post-rating
standard period is included in the master correction instruction (step S305). Then upon determination that the correction instruction with respect to a post-rating standard period is included in the master correction instruction (YES in step S305), the corrector 24, in accordance with the master correction instruction, corrects the post-rating standard period
25 recorded in the work period master DB 121 (step S306).
[0114] Further, upon determination in step S301 that a master correction instruction
is not included in the correction instruction with respect to the step (NO in step S301),

step S302 is skipped, and processing by the corrector 24 proceeds to step S303. Further,
upon determination in step S303 that the correction instruction with respect to the
post-rating setup period is not included in the master correction instruction (NO in step
S303), step S304 is skipped, and processing by the corrector 24 proceeds to step S305.
5 Further, upon determination that the correction instruction with respect to the post-rating
standard period is not included in the master correction instruction (NO in step S305),
step S306 is skipped, and the corrector 24 ends the master correction processing.
[0115] As described above, the device for estimating man-hours 1 appropriates as
the work results for the new production item the work results for an existing item
10 satisfying conditions, the conditions being that work results are appropriated for which the summary item number matches and the keyword matches. Thus even when appropriation is inappropriate as a determination reference concerning the applicability of appropriation of work results for which the component configuration and the component count match, the device for estimating man-hours 1 according to the embodiment, while
15 appropriating the work results concerning the new production item, can accurately
estimate the load-man hours with little imposed burden.
[0116] Modified Example
Although an embodiment of the present disclosure is described above, the above embodiment is an example, and the applicable scope of the present disclosure is not
20 limited to the above embodiment. That is to say, various types of applications are possible for embodiments of the present disclosure, and all such embodiments are included in the scope of the present disclosure.
[0117] For example, concerning the new production item, although the acquirer 21
acquires the step for appropriation from the estimation master DB (with summary item
25 numbers) 132 step-by-step from the first step to the N-th step, the acquisition of the step for appropriation may be performed batch-wise for all of the steps. This method decreases the period required for acquiring the step for appropriation and reduces the

burden placed on the CPU. Of course, although the possibility that a step appropriate for the new production item is appropriated is higher in the case of step-by-step acquisition in comparison to the case of batch-wise acquisition of all steps, the condition that at least the keyword matches for the appropriated step is included even in the case of 5 batch-wise acquisition of all steps, and thus the appropriated step does not deviate greatly from the actual step for the new production item. Thus the high accuracy of estimation of the load man-hours is maintained. Further, in order to enable all-step batch-wise acquisition by the acquirer 21 of the appropriation step with respect to the new production item by the summary item number and the keyword, the estimation master DB (with
10 summary item numbers) 132 in this case records the step name in association with each
combination of the summary item number and the keyword, rather than in association
with each combination of the summary item number, the keyword, and the step order.
[0118] Further, although item-identification information, in which the production
item is identified by the item number, is used in the present embodiment, as long as the
15 item-identification information enables identification of the production item, the item-identification information may be any combination of digits, not limited to a combination of numerals such as the item number. For example, a combination of symbols or a combination of alphabetical letters may be used. In the same manner, in the aforementioned embodiment, although the summary item number performs the role
20 of summary item identification information for identification of groups of the production items for which the summary item numbers have a common characteristic, a combination of symbols or a combination of alphabetic letters may be used, as long as identification is possible of the groups of the production items for which the summary item identification information has a common characteristic.
25 [0119] As long as the same functions can be achieved, system configuration,
program configuration, data structure, record configuration, order of processing, and the like can be freely modified.

[0120] Due to the ability to provide the configuration for achieving the functions of
the present disclosure as a previously equipped device for estimating man-hours 1, the program can be used to cause an existing personal computer, information terminal, and the like to function as the device for estimating man-hours of the present disclosure. 5 That is, the functions of the device for estimating man-hours 1 of the present disclosure can be achieved by use of the program for achieving each of the functional components according to the device for estimating man-hours 1 disclosed in the aforementioned embodiment, by use of the program to enable execution by a CPU controlling an existing personal computer or information terminal. Further, the method for estimating
10 man-hours of the present disclosure can be implemented by using the device for estimating man-hours 1.
[0121] The method of use of this type of program may be freely selected. The
program can be used by storage, for example, on a non-transitory computer-readable information recording medium such as a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a
15 digital versatile disc (DVD), a magneto-optical disc (MO), and the like, or alternatively, the program may be used by storage beforehand in a storage on a network such as the Internet, and then downloading and using the program.
[0122] The foregoing describes some example embodiments for explanatory
purposes. Although the foregoing discussion has presented specific embodiments,
20 persons skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. This detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the invention is defined only by the included claims, along with the full range of
25 equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
[0123] This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No.
2016-021298 filed on February 5, 2016, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by

reference herein.
Reference Signs List
[0124] 1 Device for estimating man-hours
2 Barcode reader
5 3 Server
1-1 ROM
1-2 RAM
1-3 CPU
1-4 Storage
10 1-5 Communication device
1-6 Input device
10 Work results storage
11 Step information storage
12 Work period information storage
15 13 Estimation criteria information storage
14 Results reflector
15 Extractor
16 Record acquirer
17 Total number calculator
20 18 Average value calculator
19 Estimation criteria information recorder
20 Receiver
21 Acquirer
22 Step-work period recorder
25 23 Estimator
24 Corrector
100 Load man-hours estimation system

101 Work results master DB (database)
102 Work suspension management master DB
111 Step master DB
112 Step update management master DB
5 121 Work period master DB
131 Estimation master DB (without summary item numbers)
132 Estimation master DB (with summary item numbers)

141 Order reception information
142 Unofficial information

CLAIMS
1. A device for estimating man-hours comprising:
an estimation criteria information storage to store estimation criteria information comprising a keyword extracted from an item name for a production item for each of a 5 plurality of production items, in association with (i) a step route indicating an order of execution of each step occurring in a manufacturing process of the production item, and (ii) a work period required for the step;
a receiver to receive an item name of a new production item targeted for estimation
of load man-hours required for production;
10 an acquirer to extract a keyword from the item name received from the receiver,
and acquire the step route and the work period associated with a keyword matching the extracted keyword from the estimation criteria information stored in the estimation criteria information storage; and
an estimator to estimate the load man-hours of the new production item based on 15 the acquired step route and work period.
2. The device for estimating man-hours according to claim 1, further
comprising:
a step information storage to store step information comprising records, each of 20 which comprises, for each production item, (i) item identification information of the production item, (ii) an item name of the production item, and (iii) the step route indicating the order of execution of each step occurring in the manufacturing process of the production item;
a work period information storage to, for each combination of the item 25 identification information and the step occurring in the manufacturing process of the
production item, store work period information in association with the item name and the work period;

an extractor to extract a plurality of keywords by morphological analysis from the
item name included in the work period information stored in the work period information
storage and the item name included in the step information stored in the step information
storage;
5 a record acquirer to acquire from the step information stored in the step
information storage, for each keyword extracted by the extractor, records as a first appropriation candidate record set of a plurality of first appropriation candidate record sets, each including an item name at least partially matching the keyword;
a total number calculator to calculate, for each step route, a total count of records 10 for which the step route is the same among the first appropriation candidate record set;
an average value calculator to (i) acquire the item identification information from the first appropriation candidate record sets for which the total count of the records is maximum without duplication of the acquired item identification information, (ii) acquire from the work period information stored in the work period information storage the work 15 period associated with each of the acquired item identification information, and (iii) calculate an average value of the work period for each step route; and
an estimation criteria information recorder to store in the estimation criteria information storage the estimation criteria information comprising, in association with the keyword used in acquiring the first appropriation candidate record set, (i) the step route 20 included in the first appropriation candidate record set for which the total count of records is maximum and (ii) the calculated average value.
3. The device for estimating man-hours according to claim 2, wherein the step route indicates an order of execution of each step occurring in the 25 manufacturing process of the production item from the first step to an N-th step, N being a positive integer,
the step information stored in the step information storage comprises (i) a step

name and (ii) a step order indicating the order of execution from the first step to the N-th step,
the total number calculator calculates, for each step name, the total count of records for which the step name is the same among the first appropriation candidate 5 record set,
the average value calculator (i) acquires the item identification information from the first appropriation candidate record set for which the total count of records is maximum without duplication of the acquired item identification information, (ii) acquires from the work period information stored in the work period information storage 10 the work period associated with each of the acquired item identification information, and (iii) calculates an average value of the acquired work period,
the estimation criteria information recorder stores in the estimation criteria information storage the estimation criteria information comprising, in association with the keyword used in acquiring the first appropriation candidate record set, (i) the step name 15 included in the first appropriation candidate record set for which the total count of records is maximum, (ii) the step order, and (iii) the average value calculated by the average value calculator, and
the calculation by the total number calculator, the calculation by the average value calculator, and the storage by the estimation criteria information recorder are executed for 20 each step from the first step to the N-th step.
4. The device for estimating man-hours according to claim 2, wherein
each of the production items of the step information stored in the step information
storage is classified into groups of the production items, each group having a common 25 characteristic,
the step information stored in the step information storage further comprises
summary item identification information indicating the group to which each production

item belongs,
the record acquirer acquires, for each combination of the keyword extracted by the extractor and the summary item identification information included in the step information stored in the step information storage, from the step information stored in the 5 step information storage, as a second appropriation candidate record set records
comprising (i) the summary item identification information matching such summary item identification information and (ii) the item name at least partially matching the keyword extracted by the extractor,
the total number calculator calculates, for each step route, a total count of records 10 for which the step route is the same among the second appropriation candidate record set;
the average value calculator, based on the total count of records calculated by the total number calculator, calculates the average value of the work period for each of the step routes, and
the estimation criteria information recorder stores in the estimation criteria 15 information storage as the estimation criteria information, in association with the
summary item identification information and the keyword used in acquiring the second appropriation candidate record set, (i) the step route included in the second candidate record set for which the total count of records is maximum and (ii) the average value of the work period calculated by the average value calculator. 20
5. The device for estimating man-hours according to claim 4, wherein
the step information stored in the step information storage comprises a step name and a step order indicating an order of execution from a first step to an N-th step,
the total number calculator calculates, for each step name, a total count of records 25 for which the step name is the same for the first step among the second appropriation candidate record set,
the average value calculator calculates an average value of the work period

required for the first step based on a result of the calculation of the total count of records by the total number calculator,
the estimation criteria information recorder stores in the estimation criteria information storage as the estimation criteria information, in association with the 5 summary item identification information and the keyword used in the acquiring of the second appropriation candidate record set, (i) the step name included in a record set for which the total count of records is maximum, (ii) the step order, and (iii) the average value of the work period calculated by the average value calculator, and
the calculation by the total number calculator, the calculation by the average value 10 calculator, and the storage by the estimation criteria information recorder are executed for each step from the first step to the N-th step.
6. The device for estimating man-hours according to claim 2, wherein
the receiver receives the item identification information of the new production item 15 targeted for estimation of the load man-hours;
the acquirer acquires from the step information storage and the work period information storage the work period required for each step and the step route associated with the item identification information received by the receiver, and
the estimator estimates the load man-hours of the production item based on the 20 step route and the work period acquired by the acquirer.
7. A method for estimating man-hours, comprising:
extracting a keyword from an item name of a new production item;
acquiring, from data associating (i) a keyword extracted from an item name of the 25 production item, (ii) a step route indicating an order of execution of each step occurring in a manufacturing process of the production item, and (iii) a work period of each step occurring in a manufacturing process of the production item, the step route and the work

period associated with a keyword matching the keyword extracted from the item name of the new production item; and
estimating load man-hours required for manufacturing of the new production item based on the acquired step route and work period. 5
8. A program for causing a computer to execute processing by:
extracting a keyword from an item name of a new production item;
from data associating a keyword extracted from an item name of a production item with (i) a step route indicating an order of execution of each step occurring in a 10 manufacturing process of the production item and (ii) a work period of each step occurring in the manufacturing process of the production item, acquiring the step route and the work period associated with a keyword matching the keyword extracted from the item name of the new production item; and
estimating load man-hours required for manufacturing of the new production item 15 based on the acquired step route and work period.
9. The program according to claim 8, wherein the processing is further
executed by:
acquiring a step route and a work period associated with stored item identification 20 information of the production item, and
estimating the load man-hours of the production item based on the acquired step route and work period.