Apparatus, System, Method, and Computer-Readable Medium

Abstract

The present invention provides an apparatus, a system, a method, and a computer-readable medium. The apparatus includes: a storage unit that stores storage addresses of associated measurement data corresponding to a plurality of devices existing in a factory respectively; a detection unit that detects a target device being viewed by a user among the plurality of devices; an acquisition unit that acquires measurement data associated with the target device from the storage address corresponding to the target device; and a display unit that displays the acquisition content of the acquisition unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus, a system, a method, and a computer-readable medium. Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses "detecting the user's line of sight and controlling information communication with other communication devices".

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2016-177565 Summary of the Invention

[0004] In a first aspect of the present invention, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus may include a storage unit that stores storage addresses of associated measurement data corresponding to a plurality of devices existing in a factory. The apparatus may include a detection unit that detects an object device being viewed by a user among the plurality of devices. The apparatus may include an acquisition unit that acquires measurement data associated with the object device from the storage address corresponding to the object device. The apparatus may include a display unit that displays the acquisition content of the acquisition unit.

[0005] The storage unit may store storage addresses of respective pieces of various measurement data corresponding to at least one of the plurality of devices.

[0006] Measurement data associated with at least a part of the plurality of devices may be stored in a storage device external to the device. The storage unit may store addresses in the storage device corresponding to at least a part of the devices.

[0007] Measurement data associated with two or more of at least a part of the devices may be stored in a single storage device external to these devices. The storage unit may store different addresses in the storage device corresponding to two or more devices.

[0008] Measurement data associated with at least a part of the other devices different from at least a part of the plurality of devices may be stored in a storage device inside the device. The storage unit may store addresses in the storage device inside the device corresponding to at least a part of the other devices.

[0009] The acquisition unit may acquire measurement data from two or more storage devices via one wireless communication device provided outside the apparatus.

[0010] The plurality of measurement data associated with the plurality of devices may include measurement data of sensors provided in the devices or sensors provided in accessories of the devices.

[0011] The plurality of measurement data associated with the plurality of devices may include measurement data of sensors of the devices.

[0012] The multiple measurement data associated with multiple devices may include measurement data of sensors provided in appendages on the upstream or downstream side of a pipe as a device.

[0013] One or more of the multiple devices can set the value of at least one parameter. The storage unit may further store, corresponding to each of the one or more devices respectively, the storage address of the value of the parameter of the device. The acquisition unit may further acquire the value of the parameter of the target device from the storage address of the value of the parameter corresponding to the target device.

[0014] The storage unit may further store, according to each device existing in the factory, the storage address of a relationship diagram indicating the relationship with other devices. The acquisition unit may further acquire the relationship diagram from the storage address of the relationship diagram corresponding to the target device.

[0015] In a second aspect of the present invention, a system is provided. The system may include the device of the first aspect. The system may include at least one storage device that stores measurement data associated with at least some of the multiple devices respectively corresponding to the devices.

[0016] In a third aspect of the present invention, a method is provided. The method may include a storage stage that stores, corresponding to multiple devices existing in the factory respectively, the storage address of associated measurement data. The method may include a detection stage that detects a target device being viewed by a user among the multiple devices. The method may include an acquisition stage that acquires, from the storage address corresponding to the target device, the measurement data associated with the target device. The method may include a display stage that displays the acquisition content of the acquisition stage.

[0017] In a fourth aspect of the present invention, a computer-readable medium stores a program. A computer can function as a storage unit by executing the program, and the storage unit stores, corresponding to multiple devices existing in the factory respectively, the storage address of associated measurement data. A computer can function as a detection unit that detects a target device being viewed by a user among the multiple devices by executing the program. A computer can function as an acquisition unit that acquires, from the storage address corresponding to the target device, the measurement data associated with the target device by executing the program. A computer can function as a display unit that displays the acquisition content of the acquisition unit by executing the program.

[0018] In addition, the above summary does not list all the necessary features of the present invention. In addition, sub-combinations of these feature groups can also form an invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 Showing the maintenance management system 1 of the present embodiment.

[0020] Figure 2 Indicates the observation terminal 13.

[0021] Figure 3 Indicates the appearance of the observation terminal 13.

[0022] Figure 4 Indicates the operation of the observation terminal 13.

[0023] Figure 5 Shows an example of the computer 2200 that can implement various aspects of the present invention, either in whole or in part. Detailed implementation mode

[0024] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described through embodiments of the invention. However, the following embodiments do not limit the invention described in the claims. In addition, all combinations of the features described in the embodiments are not necessarily required for the solution means of the invention.

[0025] [1. Configuration of the maintenance management system 1]

[0026] Figure 1 Indicates the maintenance management system 1 of the present embodiment. The maintenance management system 1 performs maintenance management of a factory, including a plurality of devices 11, a maintenance terminal 12, an observation terminal 13, one or more wireless communication devices 14, an operation control device 15, an interface device 16, a resource management device 17, one or more document databases 18, and a maintenance management device 19.

[0027] Here, as the factory, in addition to industrial factories such as chemical factories, there are factories that manage and control wellheads and their surroundings in gas fields or oil fields, factories that manage and control power generation such as hydraulic, thermal, and nuclear power, factories that manage and control environmental power generation such as solar or wind power, and factories that manage and control water supply and drainage or dams, etc. Each of the devices 11, the maintenance terminal 12, the observation terminal 13, and the wireless communication device 14 can be arranged at the site where processes are executed in the factory. For example, at the site, there are pipes through which the fluid to be measured flows and flow meters installed on the pipes to measure the flow rate of the fluid. In addition, the operation control device 15, the interface device 16, and the resource management device 17 can also be arranged in management rooms, instrument rooms, etc. in the factory. The document database 18 can also be arranged outside the factory. The maintenance management device 19 can be arranged in management rooms, instrument rooms, etc. inside the factory or can also be arranged outside the factory.

[0028] [1-1. Device 11]

[0029] The multiple devices 11 are appliances, machines, or apparatuses. For example, they can be sensors that measure physical quantities such as pressure, temperature, pH, speed, flow rate, etc. during the processes in a factory, or they can be actuators such as valves, flow control valves, on-off valves, pumps, fans, electric motors, heating devices, cooling devices, etc. that control any physical quantity. They can also be audio devices such as microphones, speakers, etc. that collect abnormal noises in the factory or emit alarm sounds, etc., or they can be position detection devices that output the position information of each device. They can also be pipes that allow fluids to flow, or other devices. Each of the multiple devices 11 can be of different types, or at least two or more of the devices 11 can be of the same type.

[0030] Each device 11 can be connected to the operation control device 15 in a wired or wireless manner via the control network 100. The communication within the control network 100 can be digital communication, or it can be hybrid communication in which a digital signal is superimposed on an analog signal (such as a 4 - 20 mA signal), and the speed can be around 1000 bps to 10000 bps (as an example, 1200 bps, 2400 bps). The communication within the control network 100 can be carried out, for example, through the wireless communication protocols of ISA (International Society of Automation), and as an example, it can be carried out through ISA100, HART (Highway Addressable Remote Transducer) (registered trademark), BRAIN (registered trademark), FOUNDATION Fieldbus, PROFIBUS, etc.

[0031] In addition, at least a part of the devices 11 can perform wireless communication with at least one of the wireless communication device 14 or the observation terminal 13 according to the IEEE802.11 (so-called Wifi (registered trademark)) standard or the IEEE802.15.1 (so-called Bluetooth (registered trademark)) standard.

[0032] Each device 11 can have unique identification information (also referred to as device - specific information). The device - specific information is information used to uniquely identify the device. In the present embodiment, as an example, it can be at least one of the serial number assigned to the device 11 through a communication protocol (as an example, HART), the serial number set by the manufacturer of the device 11, and the device ID.

[0033] In addition, more than one device 11 can set the value of at least one parameter (also referred to as setting the value of a parameter). The set parameter can be any parameter. As an example, the set parameter can be an adjustment amount for zero adjustment, can represent a time constant, can represent whether initialization is required or not, can represent test conditions, or can represent the identification information or tag name of the device 11. The value of the set parameter can be stored in a storage device (not shown) inside the device 11.

[0034] In addition, at least some of the devices 11 can store measurement data associated with the device 11 in an internal storage device.

[0035] [1-1.1. Measurement data]

[0036] (Measurement data (1))

[0037] The multiple measurement data associated with the multiple devices 11 can include the measurement data of the sensors of the device 11.

[0038] For example, when the device 11 is a sensor for measuring physical quantities such as pressure, temperature, pH, speed, and flow rate, the measurement data can be data representing these physical quantities.

[0039] (Measurement data (2))

[0040] The multiple measurement data associated with the multiple devices 11 can include the measurement data of the sensors provided in the sensors of the device 11 or the attachments of the device 11.

[0041] For example, when the device 11 is an actuator and sensors are provided in the device 11 itself or the attachments of the device 11, the measurement data can be the data measured by these sensors. As an example, when the device 11 is an actuator such as a valve, flow control valve, on-off valve, pump, fan, or motor, the measurement data can be data representing physical quantities such as the speed, flow rate, pressure, temperature, and pH of the fluid controlled by the device 11. When the device 11 is an actuator such as a heating device or a cooling device, the measurement data can be data representing physical quantities such as the temperature of the object heated or cooled by the device 11.

[0042] In addition, when the device 11 is a pipe and sensors are provided in the device 11 itself or the attachments of the device 11, the measurement data can be the data measured by these sensors. As an example, the measurement data can be data representing physical quantities such as the speed, flow rate, pressure, temperature, and pH of the fluid flowing through the pipe as the device 11.

[0043] In addition, a sensor provided in the device 11 or a sensor provided in an accessory of the device 11 may itself be the device 11. In this case, the measurement data of the sensor may be measurement data associated with the device 11 that is the sensor, and may also be measurement data associated with the device 11 in which the sensor is provided (or the device 11 to which the sensor is provided in the accessory).

[0044] Furthermore, an accessory of the device 11 may be an article separate from the main body of the device 11. For example, an accessory of the device 11 may be a pipe provided with the device 11, a wall in which the device 11 is embedded, a cover of the device 11, etc.

[0045] (Measurement data (3))

[0046] The multiple measurement data associated with multiple devices 11 may include the measurement data of sensors provided in accessories on the upstream side or downstream side of a pipe that is the device 11. Accessories on the upstream side or downstream side of the pipe may be pipes upstream or downstream of the pipe, or may be actuators such as flow control valves, on-off valves, pumps, fans, motors, etc. provided upstream or downstream of the pipe. As an example, the measurement data may be data representing physical quantities such as the velocity, flow rate, pressure, temperature, pH, etc. of the fluid upstream or downstream of the pipe that is the device 11.

[0047] [1-2. Maintenance terminal 12]

[0048] The maintenance terminal 12 accesses the set parameters of the device 11 and performs operations such as referring to, setting, and changing the values of the set parameters. The maintenance terminal 12 may be a handheld terminal (HHT) carried by on-site staff (as an example, a smartphone or a tablet PC), or may be a stationary PC. When the maintenance terminal 12 is a handheld terminal, the maintenance terminal 12 can be detachably connected to the device 11. In addition, in addition to using the maintenance terminal 12 to change the set parameters, the device 11 can also be detached from and attached to the control network 100 by on-site staff and can be stopped for maintenance.

[0049] [1-3. Observation terminal 13]

[0050] The observation terminal 13 is an example of a device and is carried by a user (as an example, an observer) observing inside the factory.

[0051] The observation terminal 13 can communicate wirelessly with one or more devices 11. On this basis or in lieu thereof, the observation terminal 13 can communicate wirelessly with at least one of one or more devices 11, the operation control device 15, the interface device 16, or the resource management device 17 via the wireless communication device 14. The wireless communication of the observation terminal 13 can be based on at least one standard of Wifi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0052] The observation terminal 13 can display information associated with the device 11. In addition, the observation terminal 13 will be described in detail later.

[0053] [1-4. Wireless communication device 14]

[0054] Each wireless communication device 14 is provided outside the observation terminal 13 and communicates wirelessly with the observation terminal 13. Each wireless communication device 14 can communicate with at least one of one or more devices 11, the operation control device 15, the interface device 16, or the resource management device 17 in a wired or wireless manner. For example, the wireless communication device 14 can communicate with the operation control device 15, the interface device 16, and the resource management device 17 via the network 101.

[0055] [1-5. Operation control device 15]

[0056] The operation control device 15 communicates with each device 11 to control the process. For example, the operation control device 15 obtains a process value as measurement data from the device 11 serving as a sensor and drives the device 11 serving as an actuator. The operation control device 15 can be an example of a storage device and can store measurement data associated with the device 11 corresponding to at least a part of the devices 11. Further, the operation control device 15 can supply the process value to the interface device 16 and receive the target value of the process value from the interface device 16. In addition, in the present embodiment, as an example, it is described that one operation control device 15 is provided in the maintenance management system 1 to control all the devices 11, but a plurality of operation control devices 15 can also be provided to perform distributed control on a part of the devices 11 respectively. The operation control device 15 can be an FCS (Field Control Station) as an example.

[0057] [1-6. Interface device 16]

[0058] The interface device 16 interfaces between the manager and the factory. The interface device 16 can control the processes of the factory via the operation control device 15 according to the operations of the manager. For example, the interface device 16 can receive process values from the operation control device 15 and supply target values of the process values to the operation control device 15. In addition, the interface device 16 can change the values of the setting parameters of the device 11 via the operation control device 15. The interface device 16 can be an example of a storage device and can store measurement data associated with at least a part of the devices 11 corresponding to the devices 11. In addition, the interface device 16 can store the values of the setting parameters of the devices 11 corresponding to at least a part of the devices 11. As an example, the interface device 16 can be a HIS (Human Interface Station), and can be composed of a PC or the like.

[0059] [1-7. Resource Management Device 17]

[0060] The resource management device 17 performs online monitoring and centralized management of the factory. For example, the resource management device 17 can manage information of the device 11 (as an example, values of setting parameters, process values) obtained by the operation control device 15, etc. The resource management device 17 can be an example of a storage device and can store measurement data associated with at least a part of the devices 11 corresponding to the devices 11. In addition, the resource management device 17 can store the values of the setting parameters of the devices 11 corresponding to at least a part of the devices 11. As an example, the resource management device 17 can be composed of a PC or the like.

[0061] [1-8. Document Database 18]

[0062] Each document database 18 stores the model number of the device 11 and the electronic documents related to the device 11 in correspondence. The documents can be text files such as instruction manuals, handbooks, inspection reports of the device 11, or can also be image files. As an example, the document database 18 can be set by the manufacturer of the device 11. In addition, the document database 18 and the maintenance management device 19 can be connected to the resource management device 17 etc. via the network 101 (as an example, the Internet or a dedicated line).

[0063] [1-9. Maintenance Management Device 19]

[0064] The maintenance management device 19 supports the maintenance management of the devices. The maintenance management device 19 can have a device ledger 1900 that stores at least the device-specific information and the values of the setting parameters for each of the multiple devices 11. The device ledger 1900 can include a relationship diagram showing the relationships between the other devices 11 for each device 11 existing in the factory.

[0065] The relationship diagram can be a piping diagram or a design diagram of the factory. However, the relationship diagram can also be any other arbitrary diagram.

[0066] As an example, the maintenance management device 19 can be a Device Lifecycle Manager, which can be implemented through cloud computing or through a physical server or a PC. The maintenance management device 19 can be connected to the resource management device 17 or the like in a wired or wireless manner via the network 101.

[0067] [2. Observation terminal 13]

[0068] Figure 2 Denotes the observation terminal 13. The observation terminal 13 has a storage unit 130, a detection unit 131, an acquisition unit 132, and a display unit 133.

[0069] [2.1. Storage unit 130]

[0070] The storage unit 130 stores the storage addresses of associated measurement data and the like corresponding to the respective multiple devices 11 existing in the factory. In the present embodiment, as an example, the storage unit 130 can store the storage addresses corresponding to the device-specific information of the device 11.

[0071] The storage unit 130 can store the respective storage addresses of various measurement data corresponding to at least one of the multiple devices 11 existing in the factory. For example, in the case where a plurality of sensors are provided in at least one of the device 11 or its accessory unit, the storage unit 130 can store the storage addresses of the measurement data of these multiple sensors corresponding to the device 11 respectively. The various measurement data can be measurement data of different sensors, data representing different types of physical quantities such as speed, flow rate, pressure, temperature, pH, etc., or data representing the same physical quantity at different measurement positions.

[0072] Here, the measurement data associated with at least a part of the multiple devices 11 existing in the factory can be stored in a storage device external to the device 11 (in the present embodiment, as an example, the operation control device 15, the interface device 16, and the resource management device 17). In this case, the storage unit 130 can store the addresses in the storage device external to the device 11 as the storage addresses of the measurement data in a manner corresponding to these at least a part of the devices 11 respectively. Further, in the case where the measurement data is stored in a storage device external to the device 11, the measurement data associated with two or more devices 11 can be stored in a single storage device external to the device 11. In this case, the storage unit 130 can store different addresses in the storage device as the storage addresses of the measurement data in a manner corresponding to these two or more devices 11 respectively.

[0073] In addition, measurement data associated with at least some of the other devices 11 among the multiple devices 11 existing in the factory can be stored in the storage device inside the device 11. In this case, the storage unit 130 can store the address in the storage device inside the device 11 as the storage address of the measurement data in a manner corresponding to each of these at least some of the other devices 11. The device 11 in which the measurement data is stored in the internal storage device can be a device 11 different from the above-mentioned device 11 in which the measurement data is stored in the external storage device.

[0074] In addition, in the case where the device 11 stores multiple types of measurement data, these multiple types of measurement data can be stored separately in the storage device inside the device 11, or can be stored in the storage device outside the device 11. Instead of this, some types of the multiple types of measurement data can be stored in the storage device inside the device 11, and the remaining types of measurement data are stored in the storage device outside the device 11. In this case, the storage unit 130 can store the address of the storage device inside the device 11 and the address in the storage device outside the device 11 as the storage addresses of the measurement data in a manner corresponding to the device 11.

[0075] [2.1.1. Storage other than measurement data]

[0076] The storage unit 130 can also store the storage address of the set parameter value of each of one or more devices 11 capable of setting the value of the set parameter in a manner corresponding to each device 11. The storage address of the set parameter can be the same as or different from the storage address of the measurement data.

[0077] The storage unit 130 can store the address in the storage device inside the device 11 as the storage address of the set parameter, or can store the address in the storage device outside the device 11 as the storage address of the set parameter. The storage device outside the device 11 can be the maintenance management device 19, or can be the maintenance terminal 12, or can also be the resource management device 17. In the case where the operation control device 15 or the interface device 16 stores the value of the set parameter, the storage device outside the device 11 can also be these devices.

[0078] The storage unit 130 can also store the storage address of a relationship diagram (such as a piping diagram, a design diagram) indicating the relationship with other devices 11 for each device 11 existing in the factory. In the present embodiment, as an example, the storage unit 130 can store the address in the maintenance management device 19 as the storage address of the relationship diagram.

[0079] [2.2. Detection unit 131]

[0080] The detection unit 131 detects the target device 11 being viewed by the user among the multiple devices 11.

[0081] The detection unit 131 may have one or more sensors 1310. For example, as one or more sensors 1310, the detection unit 131 may have at least one of a six-axis sensor, a magnetic sensor, or a positioning sensor.

[0082] The six-axis sensor may be a motion sensor (also referred to as an inertial sensor) having a three-axis acceleration sensor and a three-axis gyro (angular velocity) sensor, which can detect the movement of the user's head and thus detect the orientation of the observation terminal 13. The magnetic sensor may be, for example, a three-axis geomagnetic sensor. The positioning sensor may receive a wireless signal transmitted from a GPS satellite to detect the coordinates of the current position of the observation terminal 13.

[0083] The detection unit 131 may detect the position of the user within the factory and the line of sight or the fixation point (also referred to as the fixation position) of both eyes based on signals from these sensors. The line of sight of the user may be a straight line connecting the midpoint between the two eyes and the fixation point of the user.

[0084] The detection unit 131 may detect the target device 11 with reference to a database (not shown) in which the position coordinates of each device 11 within the factory are pre-registered. For example, the detection unit 131 may, with reference to the database, detect the device 11 located on the line of sight starting from the user's position as the target device 11, or may detect the device 11 located at the fixation point of the user's both eyes as the target device 11. The detection unit 131 may supply the device-specific information of the detected target device 11 to the acquisition unit 132.

[0085] In addition, the database may be provided in the observation terminal 13 or may be externally connected to the observation terminal 13. Furthermore, the detection unit 131 may also have a distance measurement sensor for measuring the distance from the observation terminal 13 to an object in front (as an example, the device 11). In this case, the detection unit 131 may further use the signal from the distance measurement sensor to detect the fixation point of the user.

[0086] In addition, the detection unit 131 may have a camera for photographing the user's eyeballs. In this case, the detection unit 131 may use the convergence angle calculated based on the orientations of the left and right eyeballs to determine the distance from the observation terminal 13 to the fixation point of the user. When the detection unit 131 is equipped with a camera for photographing the eyeballs, the detection unit 131 may also detect the line of sight by analyzing the image of the eyeballs without using the six-axis sensor.

[0087] [2.3. Acquisition Unit 132]

[0088] The acquisition unit 132 acquires measurement data associated with the target device 11 from the storage address corresponding to the target device 11. The acquisition unit 132 may also acquire the value of the setting parameter of the target device 11 from the storage address corresponding to the target device 11. The acquisition unit 132 may also acquire a relationship diagram from the storage address of the relationship diagram corresponding to the target device 11. The acquisition unit 132 may supply the acquired measurement data and the like to the display unit 133.

[0089] The acquisition unit 132 may refer to the storage unit 130 to detect one or more storage addresses corresponding to the device-specific information of the target device 11. The acquisition unit 132 may acquire measurement data, the value of the setting parameter, and the relationship diagram from a storage device inside the target device 11 or an external storage device (in this embodiment, for example, the operation control device 15, the interface device 16, the resource management device 17, the maintenance management device 19, the maintenance terminal 12, etc.) corresponding to the storage address through wireless communication.

[0090] The acquisition unit 132 may indirectly access the target device 11 corresponding to the storage address and the external storage device of the target device 11 via a communication device or the like. For example, the acquisition unit 132 may perform wireless communication through the wireless communication device 14 externally connected to the target device 11 and the wireless communication device 14 externally connected to the external storage device of the target device 11, and indirectly access the target device 11 and the external storage device of the target device 11 via the wireless communication device 14.

[0091] In this case, the acquisition unit 132 may acquire measurement data from two or more storage devices (in this embodiment, for example, the storage device inside the device 11 and the external storage device of the device 11) via one wireless communication device 14. As an example, the acquisition unit 132 may acquire various measurement data related to one target device 11 from two or more storage devices via one wireless communication device 14, or may also acquire a plurality of measurement data of the same type or different types related to a plurality of target devices 11.

[0092] In addition, the acquisition unit 132 can directly access the target device 11 and the storage device external to the target device 11 by wirelessly communicating with the communication unit built in the target device 11 and the communication unit built in the storage device external to the target device 11. As an example, when the storage address corresponding to the target device 11 is not an address accessible from the wireless communication device 14, the acquisition unit 132 can directly access the target device 11 and the storage device external to the target device 11 corresponding to the storage address. As an example, in this case, the acquisition unit 132 can perform wireless communication according to the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard. In addition, when the acquisition unit 132 directly performs wireless communication with the storage device external to the target device 11, the storage device can be arranged at the site where the process is executed in the factory.

[0093] [2.4. Display unit 133]

[0094] The display unit 133 displays the acquisition content of the acquisition unit 132. For example, the display unit 133 can display the measurement data acquired by the acquisition unit 132. In addition, the display unit 133 can also display the values of the set parameters of the target device 11 and the relational diagram.

[0095] Based on the above observation terminal 13, if the target device 11 being watched by the user among the multiple devices 11 existing in the factory is detected, the measurement data associated with the target device 11 is acquired from the storage address corresponding to the target device 11 and displayed. Therefore, by simply watching the device 11 in the factory, it is possible to confirm the measurement data associated with the device 11.

[0096] In addition, since the storage addresses for storing various measurement data are respectively corresponding to at least some of the multiple devices 11, if the target device 11 being watched by the user is detected, various measurement data associated with the target device 11 is acquired from the corresponding storage address and displayed. Therefore, by simply watching the device 11, it is possible to respectively confirm various measurement data associated with the device 11.

[0097] In addition, the measurement data associated with at least some of the multiple devices 11 is stored in the storage device external to the device 11, and the addresses in the storage device are respectively stored as the storage addresses of the measurement data corresponding to the at least some devices 11. Therefore, when the measurement data associated with the device 11 is stored outside the device 11, the user can confirm the measurement data associated with the device 11 by simply watching the device 11.

[0098] In addition, measurement data associated with at least some of the other devices 11 among the plurality of devices 11 is stored in a storage device inside the device 11, and addresses within the storage device are stored corresponding to the at least some of the other devices 11 respectively as storage addresses of the measurement data. Therefore, when the measurement data associated with the device 11 is stored inside the device 11, the user can confirm the measurement data associated with the device 11 only by looking at the device 11. Thus, regardless of whether the measurement data associated with the device 11 is stored outside or inside the device 11, the measurement data associated with the device 11 can be confirmed only by looking at the device 11.

[0099] In addition, measurement data associated with two or more devices 11 is stored in a single storage device outside the device 11, and different addresses within the storage device are stored corresponding to the two or more devices 11 respectively as storage addresses of the measurement data. Therefore, the storage devices for measurement data can be centralized, and the maintenance management system 1 can be simplified accordingly.

[0100] In addition, since measurement data associated with each of two or more devices 11 can be obtained via one wireless communication device 14 provided outside the device, the trouble of establishing a wireless connection with each device 11 separately can be saved.

[0101] In addition, the measurement data includes measurement data of sensors of the device 11, so the measurement data of the sensors can be obtained only by looking at the sensors.

[0102] In addition, the measurement data includes measurement data of sensors provided in sensors of the corresponding device 11 or attachments of the device 11, so the measurement data of the sensors provided in the device 11 and the attachments can be obtained only by looking at the device 11.

[0103] In addition, the measurement data includes measurement data of sensors provided in attachments on the upstream or downstream side of a pipe as the device 11, so the measurement data of the sensors provided in the attachments on the upstream or downstream side thereof can be obtained only by looking at the pipe.

[0104] In addition, since the values of the set parameters of the target device 11 are also obtained and displayed, the measurement data and the values of the set parameters associated with the device 11 can be confirmed only by looking at the device 11.

[0105] In addition, since a relationship diagram of the target device 11 is also obtained and displayed, the relationship diagram showing the relationship between the device 11 and other devices 11 can be confirmed only by looking at the device 11.

[0106] [Appearance of the observation terminal 13]

[0107] Figure 3 Shows the appearance of the observation terminal 13.

[0108] The observation terminal 13 can be a wearable computer worn by a user. In this embodiment, as an example, it is a so-called head-mounted display of the head-mounted type. The observation terminal 13 can include a helmet 1311 worn on the user's head, goggles 1312 covering the user's eyes, and one or more sensors 1310.

[0109] The helmet 1311 protects the user's head. Additionally, the observation terminal 13 may not include the helmet 1311.

[0110] The goggles 1312 are provided in the front part of the observation terminal 13 and cover the user's eyes. The goggles 1312 are an example of the display unit 133 and can be an optically transmissive display. The goggles 1312 can superimpose and display the display content on the user's field of view.

[0111] The sensors 1310 are provided in the front part of the observation terminal 13. In this embodiment, as an example, the sensors 1310 are provided on the helmet 1311, but they can also be provided on the goggles 1312.

[0112] [4. Operation of the Observation Terminal 13]

[0113] Figure 4 Shows the operation of the observation terminal 13. The observation terminal 13 supports the maintenance management of the factory by performing the processes of steps S11 to S17.

[0114] In step S11, the storage unit 130 stores the storage addresses of the associated measurement data corresponding to the multiple devices 11 existing in the factory, respectively. The storage unit 130 can also store the values of the set parameters and the storage addresses of the relationship diagrams corresponding to the devices 11. In this embodiment, as an example, the correspondence table between the devices 11 and the storage addresses can be created by the factory manager and stored in the storage unit 130.

[0115] In addition, the process of step S11 can be performed at the start of each operation of the observation terminal 13, or can be performed at the start of each operation of the observation terminal 13 at intervals of a reference interval (as an example, one month). Instead of this, the process of step S11 can be performed only at the first operation of the observation terminal 13 and not performed in subsequent operations.

[0116] In step S13, the detection unit 131 detects the target device 11 being watched by the user among the multiple devices 11 existing in the factory. The detection unit 131 can detect the position and line of sight of the user in the factory, and detect the target device 11 with reference to a database in which the position coordinates of each device 11 in the factory are pre-registered. The detection unit 131 can detect a single device 11 as the target device 11, or can detect multiple devices 11 as the target devices 11 respectively.

[0117] In step S15, the acquisition unit 132 acquires the measurement data associated with the target device 11 from the storage address corresponding to the target device 11. The acquisition unit 132 can also acquire the value of the set parameter and the relational graph of the target device 11 from the storage address. In the case of having multiple target devices 11, the acquisition unit 132 can acquire the measurement data, etc. from the storage address for each target device 11.

[0118] In step S17, the display unit 133 displays the acquired content. In the case of having multiple target devices 11, the display unit 133 can display the measurement data, etc. for each target device 11. As an example, the display unit 133 can display the measurement data, etc. in association with each target device 11 through a pop-up box or a lead line.

[0119] [5. Modification Example]

[0120] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the goggles 1312 are described as an optically transmissive display, but the goggles 1312 can also be a video transmissive display. In this case, the goggles 1312 can have a photographing unit that photographs the front of the user, and display the image photographed by the photographing unit on the inner surface of the goggles 1312. In addition, the detection unit 131 can use the photographing unit to determine the line of sight of the user. As an example, the detection unit 131 can detect the straight line connecting the center of the goggles 1312 and the center of the field of view of the photographing unit as the line of sight of the user.

[0121] In addition, when the observation terminal 13 is provided with a photographing unit that photographs the front of the user, the detection unit 131 can also detect the device existing in the photographed image of the photographing unit as the target device 11. For example, the detection unit 131 can also refer to a database in which the photographed images are pre-registered for each device in the factory, and compare the appearance of the device 11 obtained by performing image processing such as edge extraction processing on the photographed image in the database, thereby detecting the target device 11. Instead of this, an inherent code can also be provided on the outer surface of each device 11, and the detection unit 131 analyzes the code detected in the photographed image to detect the target device 11. The code can be a bar code or a two-dimensional code (as an example, a QR code (registered trademark)), etc., and can be provided on the device 11 by at least one of pasting, printing, or engraving.

[0122] In addition, it has been described that the acquisition unit 132 acquires measurement data, values of set parameters, and graphs related to the target device 11, but it is also possible to acquire documents stored in the document database 18. In this case, in the storage unit 130, an address in the document database 18 can be stored corresponding to at least one device 11 as the storage address of the document.

[0123] In addition, it has been described that the acquisition unit 132 acquires measurement data, values of set parameters, graphs, etc. through wireless communication, but it is also possible to acquire at least a part of them through wired communication.

[0124] In addition, it has been described that the observation terminal 13 is arranged at the site where the process is executed in the factory, but as long as the detection unit 131 and the display unit 133 are arranged at the site, at least one of the storage unit 130 and the acquisition unit 132 can be arranged in the management room or the instrument room of the factory, or can also be arranged outside the factory.

[0125] In addition, the device has been described as the observation terminal 13, but it can also be the maintenance terminal 12, or can also be other fixed devices. In these cases, the detection unit 131 can be a wearable device that is separated from the storage unit 130, the acquisition unit 132, the display unit 133, etc. of the device and is worn by the user. In addition, the detection unit 131 can also detect the user's line of sight and fixation point without being worn by the user by using a camera that captures the user's eyes.

[0126] In addition, various embodiments of the present invention can be described with reference to flowcharts and block diagrams. Here, a module can represent (1) a stage of a process of performing an operation or (2) a part of a device having a function of performing an operation. A specific stage and part can be implemented by a dedicated circuit, a programmable circuit supplied together with computer-readable instructions stored on a computer-readable medium, and / or a processor supplied together with computer-readable instructions stored on a computer-readable medium. The dedicated circuit can include digital and / or analog hardware circuits, and can also include an integrated circuit (IC) and / or discrete circuits. The programmable circuit can include a reconfigurable hardware circuit, which includes memory elements such as logical AND, logical OR, logical XOR, logical NAND, logical NOR, and other logical operations, flip-flops, registers, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic arrays (PLAs), etc.

[0127] A computer-readable medium can include any tangible device capable of storing instructions executable by a suitable device. As a result, a computer-readable medium having instructions stored therein includes a product containing instructions capable of being executed for making means for performing the operations specified by a flowchart or block diagram. Examples of computer-readable media can include: electronic storage media, magnetic storage media, optical storage media, electromagnetic storage media, semiconductor storage media, etc. More specific examples of computer-readable media can include: floppy (registered trademark) disks, magnetic disks, hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), static random access memory (SRAM), compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disc (DVD), Blu-ray (RTM) disc, memory stick, integrated circuit card, etc.

[0128] Computer-readable instructions include any one of source code and object code described by any combination of one or more programming languages including assembly instructions, instruction set architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine-related instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, status setting data, or object-oriented programming languages such as Smalltalk, JAVA (registered trademark), C++, etc., and existing procedural programming languages such as the "C" programming language or the same programming language.

[0129] Computer-readable instructions can be provided to a processor or programmable circuit of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing device via a local or local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet, and computer-readable instructions are executed for making means for performing the operations specified by a flowchart or block diagram. Examples of processors include: computer processors, processing units, microprocessors, digital signal processors, controllers, microcontrollers, etc.

[0130] Figure 5 An example of a computer 2200 representing various ways in which the present invention can be implemented in whole or in part. Through a program installed in the computer 2200, the computer 2200 can function as an operation associated with the device of an embodiment of the present invention or one or more parts of the device, or execute the operation or the one or more parts, and / or the computer 2200 can execute the process of an embodiment of the present invention or a stage of the process. In order to cause the computer 2200 to execute specific operations associated with several or all of the modules of the flowcharts and block diagrams described in this specification, such a program can be executed by the CPU 2212.

[0131] The computer 2200 of this embodiment includes a CPU 2212, a RAM 2214, a graphics controller 2216, and a display device 2218, which are interconnected through a main controller 2210. The computer 2200 also includes input / output units such as a communication interface 2222, a hard disk drive 2224, a DVD-ROM drive 2226, and an IC card drive, which are connected to the main controller 2210 via an input / output controller 2220. The computer also includes a ROM 2230 and conventional input / output units such as a keyboard 2242, which are connected to the input / output controller 2220 via an input / output chip 2240.

[0132] The CPU 2212 operates in accordance with programs stored in the ROM 2230 and the RAM 2214, thereby controlling each unit. The graphics controller 2216 acquires image data generated by the CPU 2212 in a frame buffer or the like provided in the RAM 2214 or itself, and displays the image data on the display device 2218.

[0133] The communication interface 2222 can communicate with other electronic devices via a network. The hard disk drive 2224 stores programs and data used by the CPU 2212 in the computer 2200. The DVD-ROM drive 2226 reads programs or data from the DVD-ROM 2201 and provides the programs or data to the hard disk drive 2224 via the RAM 2214. The IC card drive reads programs and data from or writes programs and data to an IC card.

[0134] The ROM 2230 stores therein a boot program or the like executed by the computer 2200 at activation and / or a program dependent on the hardware of the computer 2200. The input / output chip 2240 can also connect various input / output units to the input / output controller 2220 via a parallel port, a serial port, a keyboard port, a mouse port, etc.

[0135] A program is provided by a computer-readable medium such as the DVD-ROM 2201 or an IC card. The program is read from the computer-readable medium and installed in the hard disk drive 2224, the RAM 2214, or the ROM 2230, which are also examples of computer-readable media, and is executed by the CPU 2212. The information processing described in these programs is read into the computer 2200, thereby bringing about cooperation between the programs and the above various types of hardware resources. The apparatus or method can be configured to implement the operation or processing of information by accompanying the use of the computer 2200.

[0136] For example, in the case of performing communication between the computer 2200 and an external device, the CPU 2212 may execute a communication program loaded in the RAM 2214, and direct communication processing to the communication interface 2222 based on the processing described in the communication program. Under the control of the CPU 2212, the communication interface 2222 reads transmission data stored in a transmission buffer processing area provided in a recording medium such as the RAM 2214, a hard disk drive 2224, a DVD-ROM 2201, or an IC card, transmits the read transmission data to the network, or writes the received data received from the network to a reception buffer processing area provided on the recording medium, etc.

[0137] In addition, the CPU 2212 may read all or a necessary part of a file or a database stored in an external recording medium such as the hard disk drive 2224, a DVD-ROM drive 2226 (DVD-ROM 2201), an IC card, etc. into the RAM 2214, and perform various types of processing on the data on the RAM 2214. Then, the CPU 2212 writes the processed data back to the external recording medium.

[0138] Various types of information such as various types of programs, data, tables, and databases may be stored in the recording medium and undergo information processing. The CPU 2212 performs various types of processing described throughout this disclosure on the data read from the RAM 2214 and writes the results back to the RAM 2214. The various types of processing include various types of operations, information processing, conditional judgment, conditional branch, unconditional branch, retrieval / replacement of information, etc. specified by an instruction sequence of a program. In addition, the CPU 2212 may retrieve information in a file, a database, etc. in the recording medium. For example, in the case where a plurality of entries each having an attribute value of a first attribute associated with an attribute value of a second attribute are stored in the recording medium, the CPU 2212 may retrieve an entry that matches the condition specifying the attribute value of the first attribute from the plurality of entries, and read the attribute value of the second attribute stored in the entry, thereby obtaining the attribute value of the second attribute associated with the first attribute that satisfies a predetermined condition.

[0139] The programs or software modules described above may be stored in a computer-readable medium on or near the computer 2200. In addition, a recording medium such as a hard disk or a RAM provided in a server system connected to a dedicated communication network or the Internet can be used as a computer-readable medium, whereby the program is provided to the computer 2200 via the network.

[0140] As described above, the present invention has been described by way of embodiments, but the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes or improvements can be made to the above embodiments. According to the description of the claims, the embodiments with such changes or improvements can also be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0141] In the apparatus, system, program, and method shown in the claims, the specification, and the drawings, for the actions, processes, steps, stages, and other processes, the execution order is not particularly specified as "earlier", "before", etc. In addition, it should be noted that as long as the output of the previous process is not used in the subsequent process, it can be implemented in any order. Regarding the action flow in the claims, the specification, and the drawings, even if it is described using "first," "next," etc. for the convenience of explanation, it does not mean that it must be implemented in that order.

[0142] Description of Reference Numerals

[0143] 1 Maintenance Management System

[0144] 11 Equipment

[0145] 12 Maintenance Terminal

[0146] 13 Observation Terminal

[0147] 14 Wireless Communication Device

[0148] 15 Operation Control Device

[0149] 16 Interface Device

[0150] 17 Resource Management Device

[0151] 18 Document Database

[0152] 19 Maintenance Management Device

[0153] 100 Control Network

[0154] 101 Network

[0155] 130 Storage Unit

[0156] 131 Detection Unit

[0157] 132 Acquisition Unit

[0158] 133 Display Unit

[0159] 1310 Sensor

[0160] 1311 Helmet

[0161] 1312 Goggles

[0162] 1900 Equipment ledger

[0163] 2200 Computer

[0164] 2201 DVD-ROM

[0165] 2210 Main controller

[0166] 2212 CPU

[0167] 2214 RAM

[0168] 2216 Graphics controller

[0169] 2218 Display device

[0170] 2220 Input / output controller

[0171] 2222 Communication interface

[0172] 2224 Hard disk drive

[0173] 2226 DVD-ROM drive

[0174] 2230 ROM

[0175] 2240 Input / output chip

[0176] 2242 Keyboard

Claims

1. A device characterized in that Comprising: A storage unit that stores the storage addresses of associated measurement data corresponding to multiple devices existing in a factory respectively; A detection unit that detects the target device being viewed by a user among the multiple devices; An acquisition unit that acquires the measurement data associated with the target device from the storage address corresponding to the target device; And A display unit that displays the acquisition content of the acquisition unit, The detection unit detects the position and line of sight of the user in the factory and detects the target device, The acquisition unit acquires the measurement data related to the target device according to the target devices arranged at each of multiple sites during the execution process of the user in the factory, The storage unit stores the storage address each time the device is started or each time the device is started at a reference interval.

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that The storage unit stores the respective storage addresses of various measurement data corresponding to at least one of the multiple devices respectively.

3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The measurement data associated with at least a part of the multiple devices is stored in a storage device external to the device, The storage unit stores the addresses in the storage device corresponding to the at least a part of the devices respectively.

4. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that The measurement data associated with two or more of the at least a part of the devices is stored in a single storage device external to these devices, The storage unit stores different addresses in the storage device corresponding to the two or more devices respectively.

5. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that The measurement data associated with at least a part of the other devices different from the at least a part of the multiple devices is stored in a storage device inside the device, The storage unit stores the addresses in the storage device inside the device corresponding to the at least a part of the other devices respectively.

6. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that The acquisition unit acquires measurement data from two or more storage devices via a single wireless communication device provided outside the device.

7. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The multiple measurement data associated with the multiple devices includes the measurement data of sensors provided on the devices or sensors provided on accessories of the devices.

8. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The multiple measurement data associated with the multiple devices includes the measurement data of sensors of the devices.

9. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The multiple measurement data associated with the multiple devices includes the measurement data of sensors provided on accessories on the upstream side or downstream side of the piping as the device.

10. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that One or more of the multiple devices can set the value of at least one parameter, The storage unit further stores the storage addresses of the parameter values of the device corresponding to the one or more devices respectively, The acquisition unit further acquires the parameter value of the target device from the storage address of the parameter value corresponding to the target device.

11. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The storage unit further stores the storage addresses of relationship diagrams indicating the relationships with other devices according to each device existing in the factory, The acquisition unit further acquires the relationship map from a storage address of the relationship map corresponding to the target device.

12. A system, characterized in that include: The device according to any one of claims 1 to 11; as well as At least one storage device stores measurement data associated with at least a portion of the plurality of devices, respectively corresponding to the device.

13. A method, characterized in that include: In the storage stage, storage addresses of the associated measurement data are stored corresponding to the respective devices existing in the factory; In a detection phase, detecting a target device that the user is viewing among the multiple devices; In an acquisition phase, measurement data associated with the target device is acquired from a storage address corresponding to the target device; as well as Display stage, display the content obtained in the acquisition stage, The detection phase includes detecting the position and sight line of the user in the factory and detecting the target equipment. The acquisition stage includes a stage of acquiring measurement data related to target equipment arranged at each of a plurality of sites where the user executes a process in the factory, based on the target equipment viewed at the site. The storage stage includes a stage of storing the storage address each time a device for executing the method is activated or each time the device is activated at a reference interval.

14. A computer-readable medium storing a program, characterized in that: The computer functions as a storage unit, a detection unit, an acquisition unit, and a display unit by executing the program. The storage unit stores storage addresses of measurement data associated with each of a plurality of devices existing in the factory; The detection unit detects a target device viewed by a user among the plurality of devices; The acquisition unit acquires measurement data associated with the target device from a storage address corresponding to the target device; as well as The display unit displays the content acquired by the acquisition unit, The detection unit detects the position and sight line of the user in the factory and detects the target device. The acquisition unit acquires measurement data related to target equipment based on target equipment located at each of a plurality of sites where a user executes a process in the factory. The storage unit stores the storage address every time the program is started or every time the program is started at a reference interval.

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