TITLE OF INVENTION: PART TREND INFORMATION CONTROL DEVICE, PART TREND INFORMATION CONTROL METHOD, AND DISPLAY CONTROL DEVICE FOR MAINTENANCE TERMINALS
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001]
The present invention relates to a part trend information control device, a part trend information control method, and a display control device for maintenance terminals. BACKGROUND ART
[0002]
For equipment, such as manufacturing devices, elevators, air conditioners, and power generation plant devices, maintenance is required. Therefore, it is useful to provide information about parts that constitute equipment, information about time at which maintenance is required, and so on.
[0003]
For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a maintenance part inventory planning system that is structured for the purpose of making a maintenance part inventory plan with validity without missing maintenance parts and excess of maintenance parts in maintenance part inventory planning for industrial machines. The maintenance part inventory planning system disclosed in Patent Literature 1 displays part failure probability information, failure risk information, and management standard information on a screen. The part failure probability information includes a failure probability of a part. The failure risk information includes a rank showing the degree of urgency of a related failure risk. The management standard information includes the number of days of a fixed time period showing how many days before the part replacement time inventory securing of a part must be performed. CITATION LIST PATENT LITERATURE
[0004]
Patent Literature 1: WO 2013/186874 SUMMARY OF INVENTION TECHNICAL PROBLEM

[0005]
Although the maintenance part inventory planning system disclosed in Patent Literature 1 displays part failure probability information, failure risk information, and management standard information on the screen as mentioned above, it is not configured to display priorities for maintenance or inventory securing of parts in a manner in which a comparison of the priorities can be performed among the parts by calculating the priorities on the basis of part information about the parts. Therefore, a problem is that a comparison of the priorities for the maintenance or the inventory securing of parts cannot be made among the parts, and a proper action appropriate to the priorities cannot be taken. [0006]
The present invention is made in order to solve the above problem, and it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a technique for calculating priorities for maintenance or inventory securing of parts on the basis of part information, and displaying the priorities in a manner in which a comparison of the priorities can be performed among the parts . SOLUTION TO PROBLEM [0007]
A part trend information control device according to the present invention includes: a part information storage unit to store part information about parts to be used for equipment; an index calculating unit to calculate at least one priority index that indicates a priority for maintenance or inventory securing of the parts on a basis of the part information; and an output information control unit to generate and output part trend information showing the priority for maintenance or inventory securing of the parts in a manner in which a comparison of the priority can be performed among the parts using the priority index.
ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION [0008]
According to the present invention, a comparison of the priorities for maintenance or inventory securing of parts can be made among the parts, and a proper action can be taken. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0009]
Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a part trend information control device according to Embodiment 1;
Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of part information;
Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of shaped data;
Fig. 4 is an example of a flowchart for calculating priority indexes;
Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a table showing the priority indexes;
Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a priority index graph;
Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the priority index graph;
Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the priority index graph;
Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the priority index graph;
Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the part trend information control device; and
Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of a display control device for maintenance terminals according to Embodiment 5, and peripherals for the display control device . DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS [0010]
Hereinafter, in order to explain the present invention in more detail, some embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. [0011] Embodiment 1.
In Embodiment 1, a part trend information control device for and a part trend information control method of generating and outputting part trend information will be explained. Part trend information shows a priority for an action on a part in a manner in which a comparison of the priority can be performed among parts. An action on a part is maintenance or inventory securing of the part. [0012]

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a part trend information control device 100 according to Embodiment 1.
The part trend information control device 100 includes a part information storage unit 101, a data input unit 102, an index calculating unit 103, an output information control unit 104, and a communication unit 105. The part trend information control device 100 is connected to a management server 106 installed in a management department, a maintenance terminal
107 installed at a maintenance site, and a monitoring server
108 installed in a monitoring center via a network in such a way as to be able to perform communications with them.
[0013]
The part information storage unit 101 stores, as part information, basic information about parts acquired from the management server 106 and so on, maintenance information acquired from the maintenance terminal 107, the monitoring server 108 and so on, etc. Namely, the part information includes basic information and maintenance information.
The part information is information about parts of equipment that needs maintenance, such as a manufacturing device, an elevator, an air conditioner, or a power generation plant device. The basic information is, concretely, apart type, a part price, the length of a lead time required to prepare a part, a loss cost due to downtime when the part breaks down, and so on. The maintenance information is, concretely, a history of failure of a part, the age of the part, the use count of the part, a value that is a result of measuring the state of the part, and so on. [0014]
Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of the part information stored in the part information storage unit 101. The data format of the part information does not matter as long as the part information can be stored in the part information storage unit 101. Further, information other than the part information shown in Fig. 2 may be stored in the part information storage unit 101. Further, not all of the pieces of the part information shown in Fig. 2 have to be stored. Even when parts are the same type, if their information differs

depending on areas, suppliers, or the like, information about the areas, suppliers, or the like may be added to the basic information in the table, and the same parts may be made to present in multiple rows of the table. Further, the part information may be configured to have a format in which the basic information, the maintenance information, and so on are held as different tables, respectively, that are combined as needed. [0015]
Fig. 2 shows an example in which the part information includes an apparatus ID, a part ID, a part type, a part price, a lead time, a loss cost, an age, a maintenance date and time, and a failure date and time. [0016]
The data input unit 102 acquires pieces of part information needed for performance of processing in the index calculating unit 103 from the part information stored in the part information storage unit 101, and generates shaped data that is shaped into a format in which the acquired pieces of part information can be processed. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the shaped data generated by the data input unit 102. The format of the shaped data does not matter as long as necessary data is stored in the shaped data. [0017]
Fig. 3 is a table in which the part prices of parts whose apparatus ID is XI are summarized on a part-by-part basis. The data input unit 102 acquires the part IDs and the part prices of XI from the part information storage unit 101, and generates shaped data. The data input unit 102 outputs the generated shaped data to the index calculating unit 103. When it is not necessary to generate shaped data, for example, when the part IDs differ for apparatuses, respectively, the data input unit 102 acquires pieces of part information needed for the performance of the processing in the index calculating unit 103, and outputs the pieces of part information to the index calculating unit 103. [0018]
The index calculating unit 103 calculates priority indexes that are priorities for the maintenance or the inventory securing of parts on the basis of either the shaped data or the

pieces of part information acquired from the data input unit 102.
Fig. 4 is an example of a flowchart showing that the index calculating unit 103 calculates priority indexes. The index calculating unit 103 may select a process as needed from processes shown in Fig. 4 . Further, an any process may be added as needed. [0019]
The operation of the index calculating unit 103 will be explained using Fig. 4.
The index calculating unit 103 determines whether or not there is part information on which the calculation of a failure rate is to be performed (step ST401) . When determining that there is part information on which the calculation of a failure rate is to be performed (YES in step ST401), the index calculating unit 103 performs the failure rate calculating process (step ST402) . On the other hand, when determining that there is no part information on which the calculation of a failure rate is to be performed (NO in step ST401), the index calculating unit 103 proceeds to a process of step ST403. [0020]
Hereinafter, the failure rate calculating process (step ST402) will be explained.
The failure rate calculating process is performed when it is determined that the failure rates of the parts are to be used for the calculation of priority indexes. Any method may be used for the calculation of the failure rates. For example, the probability that a failure depending on the age of a part occurs is defined as the failure rate of the part. In this case, a relation between ages and the accumulated numbers of failure occurrences is calculated for parts of the same type from histories of failure of the parts in use in the commercial scene. Then, by dividing each of the accumulated numbers of failure occurrences by the number of parts of the same type, changes in the failure rate with respect to the ages are calculated, and the failure rate corresponding to the age of the part is used. Further, for example, the degree of progression of a failure may be estimated from a value that is a result of measuring a state of the part, and the degree of progression

of the failure may be defined as the failure rate. As a method of estimating the degree of progression of a failure, any typical method can be used.
Further, when failure rates are stored in the part information storage unit 101, the data input unit 102 may acquire failure rates from the part information storage unit 101 and output the failure rates to the index calculating unit 103. Further, failure rates calculated by the index calculating unit 103 may be stored in the part information storage unit 101 or a data storage unit prepared separately to use the failure rates for processes in step ST403 and subsequent steps. When the failure rate calculating process (step ST402) is completed, the flow proceeds to the process of step ST403. [0021]
Next, the index calculating unit 103 determines whether or not there is part information on which a converting process is to be performed (step ST403) . When determining that there is part information on which the converting process is to be performed (YES in step ST403), the index calculating unit 103 performs the converting process (stepST404). On the other hand, when determining that there is no part information on which the converting process is to be performed (NO in step ST403), the index calculating unit 103 proceeds to a process of step ST405. [0022]
Hereinafter, the converting process (stepST404) will be explained.
The converting process is performed when it is determined that it is necessary to perform conversion on the scale of part information for the calculation of priority indexes. For example, when a measured value of a state of the part is included in the part information, and sound intensity for each part is used for the calculation of priority indexes, the measured value of the state of the part is converted into a value in decibels. When it is not necessary to perform conversion on the scale of the part information, the converting process can be omitted. When the converting process (step ST404) is completed, the flow proceeds to the process of step ST405. [0023]
Next, the index calculating unit 103 determines whether

or not there is part information on which averaging is to be performed (step ST405) . When determining that there is part information on which the averaging is to be performed (YES in step ST405), the index calculating unit 103 performs the averaging process (step ST406) . On the other hand, when determining that there is no part information on which the averaging is to be performed (NO in step ST405), the index calculating unit 103 proceeds to a process of step ST407. [0024]
Hereinafter, the averaging process (step ST406) will be explained.
The averaging process is performed when it is determined that it is necessary to acquire the average of values of part information for the calculation of priority indexes. When there are multiple values in a specific item of part information about the same parts, the average of the multiple values is calculated.
For example, when there are multiple prices as the part prices of the same parts due to the reason that the price differs from area to area, or a like reason, the average of the multiple prices is calculated. When it is not necessary to calculate an average, the averaging process can be omitted. Note that, for example, when the part price for each area is used just as it is, it is enough for the parts to treat the part in each area as a part different from the part in another area even for the same parts, for example. As a method of calculating an average, a method of calculating the median or a method of calculating another kind of mean may be used. When the averaging process (step ST406) is completed, the flow proceeds to the process of step ST407. [0025]
Next, the index calculating unit 103 determines whether or not there is part information on which an approximation process is to be performed (step ST407) . When determining that there is part information on which the approximation process is to be performed (YES in step ST407), the index calculating unit 103 performs the approximation process (step ST408) . On the other hand, when determining that there is no part information on which the approximation process is to be

performed (NO in step ST407), the index calculating unit 103 proceeds to a process of step ST409. [0026]
Hereinafter, the approximation process (stepST408) will be explained.
The approximation process is performed when it is determined that it is necessary to round off the value shown in part information to be the nearest one of a finite number of predetermined value levels for the calculation of priority indexes. For example, in a case of part information showing an integer value in the range from 0 to 1000, the integer value is rounded off to be the approximate value of the nearest hundred. For example, when the value shown in part information is 180, and a finite number of predetermined value levels are 0, 100, 200, ..., and 1000, the value shown in the part information is round off to be 200. When it is not necessary to approximate the value of part information, the approximation process can be omitted. When the approximation process (step ST408) is completed, the flow proceeds to the process of step ST409. [0027]
Next, the index calculating unit 103 performs the priority index calculating process (step ST409) .
Hereinafter, the priority index calculating process (step ST409) will be explained.
The priority index calculating process is a process of calculating, for a specific item of part information, a ratio of a value of each part to an average of values of parts, and defining the ratio as a priority index. For example, when five parts whose part IDs are AA1, AA2, AA3, AA4, and AA5 have values of the specific item of the part information that are 30, 40, 50, 60, and 70, the average of 50 is calculated from the following expression: (30+40+50+60+70)/5, and the values of the part information about the five parts are divided by the average of 50, so that 0.6, 0.8, 1.0, 1.2, and 1.4 are acquired as the priority indexes for AA1, AA2, AA3, AA4, and AA5. The parts for which priority indexes are calculated may be limited. For example, when there are parts of the same part type, one part is selected from these parts of the part type, and a priority index is calculated by using the above-described method.

Further, when making the priority for a part having a larger value of the part information lower, the priority index may be calculated by reversing the sign of the value of the part information from plus to minus . Further, in such a case as that the part information shows characters or the like and does not show numerical values, or that the part information shows numerical values, but they are qualitative data so that there is no meaning in the magnitudes of the numerical values, the priority index calculating process is omitted. For example, in a case in which part types that are part information are characters like AA and BB, the priority index calculating process is not performed. The index calculating unit 103 outputs the calculated priority indexes to the output information control unit 104. [0028]
The output information control unit 104 generates part trend information by using the priority indexes acquired from the index calculating unit 103. The part trend information shows the priorities for the maintenance or the inventory securing of the parts in a manner in which a comparison of the priorities can be performed among the parts, as described above . The part trend information is generated as a table showing the priority indexes or a priority index graph. The output information control unit 104 outputs the part trend information to the display device 200. The display device 200 is, for example, a liquid crystal display. [0029]
Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the table showing the priority indexes.
Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the priority index graph.
When, for example, receiving a display instruction from a user, the output information control unit 104 generates part trend information and outputs it to the display device 200. Further, the timing at which the output information control unit 104 performs the processing may be set to any timing as long as the timing is after the processing by the index calculating unit 103, e.g., the output information control unit 104 performs the processing just after the processing by the index

calculating unit 103. [0030]
Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example in which the output information control unit 104 summarizes priority indexes for each apparatus and each part in one table. The output information control unit 104 may, by bringing the values of part information that are used when the index calculating unit 103 calculates the priority indexes and the values of the calculated priority indexes into correspondence with each other, summarize them in a tabular format. In that case, the output information control unit 104 generates tables in each of which the values of part information and the priority indexes for the part information are brought into correspondence with each other, the number of tables being equal to the number of items of the part information. [0031]
Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example in which the output information control unit 104 generates a priority index graph by using the priority indexes based on the failure rates shown in Fig. 5. On a side of each point, a character string that is a combination of an apparatus ID and a part ID is displayed. This display is not limited to the display of a character string, and, for example, symbols or the like may be displayed. Further character strings or the like may be displayed only for specific parts. Although the priority indexes that are calculated, as to four parts, on the basis of their failure rates are shown in Fig. 5, priority indexes are calculated also with respect to the other parts on the basis of the failure rates thereof.
In Fig. 6, the horizontal axis indicates the level of the failure rate. The horizontal axis is displayed in the logarithmic scale, and the level at its center is set to be 1 that is substantially equal to the average. In the case of Fig. 6, the priority is larger in the right side. The horizontal axis does not have to be displayed in the logarithmic scale. With respect to the vertical axis, parts whose priority index values based on failure rates are large are displayed above parts whose priority index values based on failure rates are small. However, this is not limited to this example, and any display can be allowed for the vertical axis. Although in Fig.

6 the character strings of the parts are arranged in different positions in the direction of the vertical axis in such a way as not to overlap each other, parts having the same priority index value may be displayed in the same position with respect
5 to the vertical axis direction. Further, when, for example, there are many parts to be displayed, the number of parts displayed may be limited to a fixed number. [0032]
As described above, the part trend information control
0 device 100 according to Embodiment 1 includes: the part information storage unit 101 to store part information about parts to be used for equipment; the index calculating unit 103 to calculate at least one priority index that indicates a priority for maintenance or inventory securing of the parts on
5 a basis of the part information; and the output information control unit 104 to generate and output part trend information showing the priority for maintenance or inventory securing of the parts in a manner in which a comparison of the priority can be performed among the parts using the priority index. As a
:0 result, a proper action can be taken by comparing the priorities for the maintenance or the inventory securing of the parts among the parts. For example, the levels of the priorities when a comparison of the part prices, the failure rates, or the likes are performed among the parts can be grasped, and determination
!5 such as reducing the inventory of parts whose prices are high, performing maintenance with a high frequency for parts having high failure rates, or like determination can be performed. [0033]
Further, the output information control unit 104
i0 generates a priority index graph whose horizontal axis indicates one priority index, and displays the horizontal axis in a logarithmic scale. As a result, the levels of the priority indexes with respect to the average, the priority indexes being calculated on the basis of failure rates, can be grasped
i5 intuitively, and, for example, it can be grasped that the level of a priority index is, for example, twice the average or one-half of the average. [0034] Embodiment 2 .

As to a part trend information control device 100 according to Embodiment 2, an explanation of components having the same functions as those of the components explained in Embodiment 1 or like functions will be omitted or simplified. In Fig. 6, the example in which the output information control unit 104 generates a priority index graph by using priority indexes based on failure rates that are one item of part information is shown. In Embodiment 2, an output information control unit 104 generates a priority index graph by using priority indexes based on two items of part information.
Fig. 7 is an example of the priority index graph that the output information control unit 104 generates. Fig. 7 is an example in which the output information control unit 104 generates a priority index graph by using priority indexes based on two items of part information. The priority index graph of Fig. 7 is an example in which the horizontal axis indicates the priority index based on the failure rate shown in Fig. 5, and the vertical axis indicates the priority index based on the part price shown in Fig. 5. Although the priority indexes that are calculated, as to four parts, on the basis of their failure rates and part prices are shown in Fig. 5, the priority indexes are calculated also on the basis of the failure rates and the part prices of other parts. In Fig. 7, on a side of each point, a character string that is a combination of an apparatus ID and a part ID is displayed. This display is not limited to the display of a character string, and, for example, symbols or the like may be displayed. Further, character strings may be displayed only for specific parts.
The horizontal axis indicates the level of the failure rate, and, by displaying the horizontal axis in a logarithmic scale, the level at its center is set to be 1 that is substantially equal to an average. The vertical axis indicates the level of the part price, and, by displaying the vertical axis in a logarithmic scale, the level at its center is set to be 1 that is substantially equal to an average. The horizontal and vertical axes do not have to be displayed in a logarithmic scale. Further, when, for example, there are many parts to be displayed, the number of parts displayed may be limited to a fixed number.

[0035]
As described above, according to Embodiment 2, for example, the levels of two priority indexes based on a part price and a failure rate for each part can be grasped simultaneously. As a result, determination such as performing maintenance of parts having a high failure rate and a high part price with a high frequency or the like can be performed.
[0036]
Further, the output information control unit 104 generates a priority index graph in which the horizontal axis indicates one of the priority indexes and the vertical axis indicates the other one of the priority indexes, and displays the horizontal and vertical axes in a logarithmic scale. As a result, the levels of the priority indexes with respect to their averages, the priority indexes being calculated on the basis of failure rates and part prices, can be grasped intuitively, and, for example, it can be grasped that, for example, the level of a priority index is, for example, twice the average or one-half of the average.
[0037] Embodiment 3.
As to a part trend information control device 100 according to Embodiment 3, an explanation of components having the same functions as those of the components explained in Embodiments 1 and 2 or like functions will be omitted or simplified.
In Embodiment 2, even when parts have the same part ID like AA1, a priority index is calculated for each of the parts if their apparatuses differ. In Embodiment 3, when there are parts of the same part ID among apparatuses, an averaging process shown in Fig. 4 is performed on the values of a specific item of the part information about the parts, and a priority index is calculated using the average of the values of the item of the part information.
[0038]
When there is a part ID that is common among apparatuses, an index calculating unit 103 performs the averaging process on the values of a specific item of the part information about the part ID to calculate the average of the values of the part

information. In that case, the index calculating unit 103 calculates a priority index (referred to as a first priority index) by using the average of the values of the part information.
[0039]
Fig. 8 is an example of a priority index graph generated by an output information control unit 104. The priority index graph of Fig. 8 is an example in which the horizontal axis indicates the priority index based on the failure rate and the vertical axis indicates the priority index based on the part price. Fig. 8 shows a case in which parts having part IDs that are AA1, AA2, and BB1 are common among apparatuses. In Fig. 8, the first priority indexes are calculated by performing the averaging process on each of the following items: the failure rates and the part prices of AA1, AA2, and BB1. It is assumed that each of the failure rates and the part prices of AA1, AA2, and BB1 has multiple values. The horizontal and vertical axes of Fig. 8 indicate the levels of the first priority indexes. A part name may be displayed at a grid point showing each of the parts. Further, although the two first priority indexes are used in Fig. 8, only either one of the two first priority indexes may be used. The display of each part ID is not limited to a character string, and, for example, each part ID may be displayed using symbols or the like. Further, character strings may be displayed only for specific parts.
[0040]
The horizontal axis indicates the level of the failure rate, and, by displaying the horizontal axis in a logarithmic scale, the level at its center is set to be 1 that is substantially equal to the average. The vertical axis indicates the level of the part prices, and, by displaying the vertical axis in a logarithmic scale, the level at its center is set to be 1 that is substantially equal to the average. The horizontal and vertical axes do not have to be displayed in a logarithmic scale. Further, when, for example, there are many parts to be displayed, the number of parts displayed may be limited to a fixed number.
[0041]
As described above, in Embodiment 3, when there is parts

that are common among apparatuses, the index calculating unit 103 calculates the average of the values of a specific item of part information about the parts, and also calculates a first priority index by using the average, and the output information control unit 104 generates part trend information by using the first priority index. As a result, when attention is paid only to parts without taking apparatuses into consideration, the levels of the priority index for the parts can be compared and a proper action can be taken. [0042] Embodiment 4 .
As to a part trend information control device 100 according to Embodiment 4, an explanation of components having the same functions as those of the components explained in Embodiments 1, 2, and 3 or like functions will be omitted or simplified. In Embodiment 3, when there is a part ID that is common among apparatuses, the averaging process is performed on the values of a specific item of the part information about the part ID to calculate a first priority index. In Embodiment 4, an index calculating unit 103 further calculates, as to each of the values of the specific item of the part information about the part ID, a priority index (referred to as a second priority index) based on the value of each part information before the performance of the averaging process. [0043]
When there is a part ID that is common among apparatuses, the index calculating unit 103 calculates the average of the values of the part information by performing the averaging process on the values of a specific item of the part information about the part ID, and calculates a first priority index by using the average, and also calculates a second priority indexes by using the respective values of the specific item of the part information about the part ID. An output information control unit 104 generates a priority index graph in which the first priority index and the second priority indexes are displayed while they are superimposed. [0044]
Fig. 9 is an example of the priority index graph generated by the output information control unit 104. The priority index

graph of Fig. 9 is an example in which the horizontal axis indicates the priority index based on the failure rate, and the vertical axis indicates the priority index based on the part price. The solid lines in Fig. 9 show first priority indexes that are calculated by calculating the averages of the failure rates and the part prices of AA1, AA2, and BB1 that are common among apparatuses and using the averages. The points in Fig. 9 show second priority indexes that are calculated using the respective values of the failure rates and the part prices of AA1, AA2, and BB1 that are common among apparatuses. In Fig. 9, not all second priority indexes are displayed, but only specific second priority indexes are displayed as points.
[0045]
A part name may be displayed at a grid point showing each part. In Fig. 9, on a side of each point, a character string that is a combination of an apparatus ID and a part ID is displayed. This display is not limited to the display of a character string, and, for example, symbols or the like may be displayed. Further, character strings may be displayed only for specific parts.
[0046]
The horizontal axis indicates the level of the failure rate, and, by displaying the horizontal axis in a logarithmic scale, the level at its center is set to be 1 that is substantially equal to the average. The vertical axis indicates the level of the part price, and, by displaying the vertical axis in a logarithmic scale, the level at its center is set to be 1 that is substantially equal to the average. The horizontal and vertical axes do not have to be displayed in a logarithmic scale. When, for example, there are many parts to be displayed, the number of parts displayed may be limited to a fixed number.
[0047]
As described above, in Embodiment 4, in addition to the configuration of Embodiment 3, when there are parts that are common among apparatuses, the index calculating unit 103 calculates priority indexes by using the respective values of a specific item of the part information about the parts, and the output information control unit 104 generates part trend

information in which the second priority indexes and a first priority index which is calculated using an average are displayed while they are superimposed. Therefore, the difference between a first priority index calculated using part information that is averaged on a part-by-part basis, and each of the second priority indexes calculated using the values of the part information before the averaging can be grasped. As a result, for example, it is possible to take an action to perform maintenance of a part having a large difference between the first priority index and the second priority index preferentially. [0048]
Next, an example of hardware configuration of the part trend information control device 100 will be explained.
Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the part trend information control device 100.
The communication unit 105 in the part trend information control device 100 is a transmission I/F device 1003. The part information storage unit 101 in the part trend information control device 100 is a storage 1004.
Each of the functions of the data input unit 102, the index calculating unit 103, and the output information control unit 104 in the part trend information control device 100 is implemented by a processing circuit. Namely, the part trend information control device 100 includes a processing circuit for implementing each of the above-mentioned functions. The processing circuit is a processor 1001 that executes a program stored in a memory 1002. [0049]
As shown in Fig. 10, in the case in which the processing circuit is the processor 1001, each of the functions of the data input unit 102, the index calculating unit 103, and the output information control unit 104 is implemented by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. The software or the firmware is described as a program and the program is stored in the memory 1002. The processor 1001 implements the function of each of the units by reading and executing a program stored in the memory 1002 . Namely, the part trend information control device 100 includes the memory 1002

for storing the program by which the steps shown in the flow chart of Fig. 4 are performed as a result when the program is executed by the processor 1001. Further, it can be said that this program causes a computer to perform procedures or methods that the data input unit 102, the index calculating unit 103, and the output information control unit 104 perform.
[0050]
Here, the processor 1001 is a central processing unit
(CPU), a processing device, an arithmetic device, a microprocessor, a microcomputer, or the like.
The memory 1002 may be a non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), or a flash memory, may be a magnetic disc such as a hard disc or a flexible disc, or may be an optical disc such as a compact disc (CD) or a digital versatile disc (DVD).
[0051]
A part of the functions of the data input unit 102, the index calculating unit 103, and the output information control unit 104 may be implemented by dedicated hardware, and the other part of the functions may be implemented by software or firmware. As described above, the processing circuit in the part trend information control device 100 can implement each of the above-mentioned functions by using hardware, software, firmware, or a combination of hardware, software, and firmware.
[0052] Embodiment 5.
In Embodiment 5, a display control device 300 of a maintenance terminal 107 will be explained, the display control device 300 being configured to be able to communicate with a part trend information control device 100 via a network.
Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the display control device 300 of the maintenance terminal 107 according to Embodiment 5, and peripherals for the maintenance terminal. Hereinafter, the same components as those in Fig. 1 are denoted by the same reference signs as those in Fig. 1, and a repetitive explanation of the components will be omitted.
[0053]

As shown in Fig. 11, the display control device 300 of the maintenance terminal 107 includes a communication unit 301, a part information acquiring unit 302, and a display control unit 303.
The communication unit 301 transmits and receives information to and from a communication unit 105 of the part trend information control device 100 via the network. The part information acquiring unit 302 acquires part information about parts used for equipment, and outputs the part information to the communication unit 301. The communication unit 301 transmits the part information to the part trend information control device 100. The display control unit 303 performs control regarding information to be displayed on a display unit 107a. The display unit 107a is, for example, a liquid crystal display. The display control unit 303 displays part trend information acquired from the part trend information control device 100 on the display unit 107a of the maintenance terminal 107. [0054]
The display control device 300 of the maintenance terminal 107 in Embodiment 5 displays the part trend information on the display unit 107a of the maintenance terminal 107. As a result, a proper action can be taken by comparing priorities for maintenance or inventory securing of parts among the parts. [0055]
Note that any combination of two or more of the above-mentioned embodiments can be made, various changes can be made in any component according to any of the above-mentioned embodiments, and any component according to any of the above-mentioned embodiments can be omitted within the scope of the present invention. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY [0056]
Because the part trend information control device according to the present invention makes it possible to take a proper action by comparing priorities for maintenance or inventory securing of parts among the parts, the part trend information control device is suitable for use in equipment for which maintenance or inventory securing of parts is required.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
[0057]
100 part trend information control device, 101 part information storage unit, 102 data input unit, 103 index calculating unit, 104 output information control unit, 105 communication unit, 106 management server, 107 maintenance terminal, 107a display unit, 108 monitoring server, 200 display device, 300 display control device, 301 communication unit, 302 part information acquiring unit, and 303 display control unit.

1. A part trend information control device comprising:
a part information storage unit to store part information about parts to be used for equipment;
an index calculating unit to calculate at least one priority index that indicates a priority for maintenance or inventory securing of the parts on a basis of the part information; and
an output information control unit to generate and output part trend information showing the priority for maintenance or inventory securing of the parts in a manner in which a comparison of the priority can be performed among the parts using the priority index.
2. The part trend information control device according to
claim 1, wherein the part information includes basic
information and maintenance information,
the basic information includes: a part type of a part constituting equipment, a part price of the part, a length of a lead time required to prepare the part, and a loss cost due to downtime when the part breaks down, and
the maintenance information includes: a history of failure of the part, age of the part, a use count of the part, and a value that is a result of measuring a state of the part.
3. The part trend information control device according to claim 1, wherein the output information control unit calculates, for an item of the part information, the at least one priority index for each of the parts, and generates the part trend information by using the at least one priority index which is one priority index.
4. The part trend information control device according to claim 3, wherein the output information control unit generates a priority index graph in which the one priority index is indicated on a horizontal axis, and the horizontal axis is displayed in a logarithmic scale.

5. The part trend information control device according to
claim 1, wherein the output information control unit calculates,
for two items of the part information, two priority indexes
being the at least one priority index, respectively, for each
J of the parts, and generates the part trend information using the two priority indexes.
6. The part trend information control device according to
claim 5, wherein the output information control unit generates
) a priority index graph whose horizontal axis indicates one of the two priority indexes and vertical axis indicates another one of the two priority indexes, and displays the horizontal axis and vertical axis in a logarithmic scale.
J 7. The part trend information control device according to claim 1, wherein when there are the parts that are common among apparatuses, the index calculating unit calculates an average of values of a specific item of the part information about the parts and calculates a first priority index using the average,
) and the output information control unit generates the part trend information using the first priority index.
8 . The part trend information control device according to claim 7, wherein the output information control unit generates J a priority index graph using the first priority index, and displays an axis indicating a level of the first priority index in a logarithmic scale.
9. The part trend information control device according to
) claim 7, wherein the index calculating unit calculates second
priority indexes using respective values of specific items of the part information, and the output information control unit performs superimposed display of the second priority indexes and the first priority index which is calculated using the J average.
10. The part trend information control device according to
claim 9, wherein the output information control unit generates
a priority index graph in which the first priority index is

displayed as a solid line and the second priority indexes are displayed as points, and displays an axis showing a level of the first priority index and an axis showing a level of the second priority indexes in a logarithmic scale.
11. A part trend information control method comprising the
steps of:
by an index calculating unit, calculating at least one priority index that indicates a priority for maintenance or inventory securing of parts on a basis of the part information about parts to be used for equipment, the part information being stored in a part information storage unit; and
by an output information control unit, generating and outputting part trend information showing the priority for maintenance or inventory securing of the parts in a manner in which a comparison of the priority can be performed among the parts using the priority index.
12. A display control device for a maintenance terminal to
control information displayed on a display unit of the
maintenance terminal, the display control device comprising:
a communication unit to transmit the part information about parts to be used for equipment to the part trend information control device according to any of claims 1 to 10; and
a display control unit to display the part trend information received from the part trend information control device via the communication unit on the display unit.