Work support method, work support apparatus, work support program, and system

Abstract

To provide a work support method, a work support apparatus, a work support program and a system for improving the quality of maintenance or inspection work of a vehicle and uniformizing work quality.SOLUTION: Provided is a work support method for supporting maintenance or inspection work of a vehicle by communicating with a server for supporting the maintenance or the inspection work of the vehicle. The method includes, in the vehicle: a step of acquiring work information including a location where the maintenance or the inspection work is performed and work content; a step of transmitting the acquired work information to the server; and a step of presenting support information for guiding the maintenance or the inspection work acquired from the server and stored in advance, based on the work information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to vehicle maintenance or inspection work, and more particularly to a work assistance method, a work assistance device, a work assistance program, and a work assistance system. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, automobiles and other vehicles are required to undergo periodic inspections. Meanwhile, when an automobile breaks down, maintenance work is required to identify the fault and repair it. To ensure the safety of the vehicle, all of these maintenance and inspection work must be performed by a mechanic with specialized knowledge.

[0003] In particular, when a vehicle breakdown occurs at a location other than a maintenance facility, a mechanic is dispatched to the site, and in the presence of the vehicle user, the mechanic is briefed on the maintenance details (part replacement, adjustment, repair, etc.), understands and confirms the details of the maintenance, and then determines whether or not the maintenance is necessary.In most cases, the mechanic then actually performs the maintenance on the parts that are determined to require maintenance.Therefore, the quality of the maintenance or inspection work is largely determined by the experience of the mechanic at the work site.

[0004] However, in recent years, the number of people working as mechanics has been decreasing overall, and the number of experienced mechanics with ample work experience is even rarer. Furthermore, with the declining birthrate and aging population, the maintenance industry will have to face a labor shortage of skilled mechanics for a long time. These issues make it difficult to maintain the quality of work during vehicle maintenance or inspection. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its main objective is to make the most of the experience of the few skilled mechanics, improve the quality of vehicle maintenance or inspection work, and also standardize the quality of work. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A first aspect of the present invention provides a work support method for supporting vehicle maintenance or inspection work by communicating with a server that supports vehicle maintenance or inspection work, the method including the steps of acquiring work information on a vehicle, the work information including the location of the maintenance or inspection work and the work content, transmitting the acquired work information to the server, and presenting support information for providing guidance on the maintenance or inspection work that has been acquired from the server and stored in advance, based on the work information.

[0007] It is preferable that the work support method further includes a step of acquiring vehicle information of the vehicle and a step of transmitting the acquired vehicle information to the server, and that the step of presenting the support information includes presenting support information that provides guidance on pre-stored maintenance or inspection work, acquired from the server based on the vehicle information and the work information.

[0008] The step of acquiring the vehicle information of the vehicle preferably acquires the vehicle information based on input vehicle information of the vehicle.

[0009] The step of acquiring the vehicle information of the vehicle preferably includes acquiring identification information of the vehicle, and determining the vehicle information and work information of the vehicle from the acquired identification information.

[0010] The identification information preferably includes one or more of a specific image of the vehicle that has been photographed, a vehicle inspection certificate IC tag, or an inspection sticker.

[0011] It is preferable that the step of acquiring the work information for the vehicle identifies the work information based on the vehicle information.

[0012] The step of acquiring the vehicle work information preferably acquires the information based on input vehicle work information.

[0013] The step of acquiring the vehicle work information preferably involves acquiring the work information by an on-board fault diagnosis device that identifies the location and type of work to be performed for maintenance or inspection.

[0014] The support information preferably includes one or more pieces of pre-stored text information, image information, audio information, and video information that provide guidance on maintenance or inspection work.

[0015] The work information includes a step or a work location in a work process selected by a worker, The step of presenting the support information preferably presents a work process for providing guidance on the maintenance or inspection work in a step-by-step manner, the work process being acquired from the server based on the work information.

[0016] It is preferable that the work support method further includes a step of acquiring work results of vehicle maintenance or inspection performed in accordance with the support information, and a step of transmitting the work results to the server so that they can be selected as candidates for the support information.

[0017] Preferably, the text information includes a recommended torque value for a particular fastener when tightening the fastener, and the image information includes a photograph showing either or both of a before and after view of the area where the worker is to attach, install, or remove the fastener.

[0018] The vehicle information preferably includes one or more pieces of information of the vehicle's model, type, year, chassis number, engine type, model designation number, and classification number.

[0019] A second aspect of the present invention provides a work assistance device that assists in vehicle maintenance or inspection by communicating with a server that assists in vehicle maintenance or inspection work, the device including: a processing unit that acquires vehicle information about the vehicle and work information including locations on the vehicle where maintenance or inspection work will be performed and the work content, a transmission unit that transmits the acquired vehicle information and work information to the server, and a presentation unit that presents pre-stored support information for providing guidance on the maintenance or inspection work that has been acquired from the server based on the vehicle information and the work information.

[0020] The processing unit preferably includes an input unit for inputting the vehicle information and / or the work information of the vehicle.

[0021] The processing unit preferably includes an image capturing unit that captures identification information of the vehicle, and a determination unit that determines vehicle information and work information of the vehicle from the identification information.

[0022] The work support device preferably includes at least one sensor that identifies the location and type of maintenance or inspection work to be performed.

[0023] A third aspect of the present invention provides a work assistance program stored in a storage medium, which causes a computer to execute the steps of acquiring vehicle information about the vehicle, acquiring work information about the vehicle, including locations on the vehicle where maintenance or inspection work is to be performed and the details of the work, transmitting the acquired vehicle information and work information to the server, and presenting pre-stored assistance information for providing guidance on the maintenance or inspection work, acquired from the server, based on the vehicle information and the work information.

[0024] A fourth aspect of the present invention provides a work assistance system including a server that assists in vehicle maintenance or inspection work, and a work assistance device that supports vehicle maintenance or inspection by communicating with the server. The work assistance device includes a processing unit that acquires vehicle information about the vehicle and work information including locations on the vehicle where maintenance or inspection work will be performed and the work content, a transmission unit that transmits the acquired vehicle information and work information to the server, and a presentation unit that presents pre-stored support information for providing guidance on the maintenance or inspection work that has been acquired from the server based on the vehicle information and the work information. The server includes a storage unit that pre-stores one or more pieces of information from among text information, image information, audio information, and video information for providing guidance on the maintenance or inspection work as support information for providing guidance on the maintenance or inspection work, a receiving unit that receives the vehicle information and the work information, and a transmission unit that transmits the support information based on the received vehicle information and work information. The receiving unit of the server includes a processing unit that receives work results after vehicle maintenance or inspection has been performed and selects the work results as candidates for the support information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0025] According to the present invention, the experience of skilled mechanics can be utilized to the fullest extent, improving the quality of vehicle maintenance or inspection work and also achieving uniformity in work quality. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a vehicle operation support system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of the server 10 and the task support device 20 according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing an example of processing executed by the vehicle work assistance system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an example of using a reference image according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] Hereinafter, a detailed description of an embodiment of the present invention will be given with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the vehicle to be serviced or inspected is not limited to moving objects such as bicycles, trains, airplanes, ships, and agricultural machinery, or various industrial machines, but also includes all types of vehicles, such as two-wheeled, three-wheeled, and four-wheeled vehicles, and the drive source thereof may be an internal combustion engine such as a diesel engine or a gasoline engine, an electric motor, or a combination thereof. The electric motor operates, for example, using power generated by a generator connected to the internal combustion engine or power discharged from a secondary battery or a fuel cell. The service according to the present invention includes, for example, vehicle repair, part replacement, oil or fluid change, electrical equipment installation, cleaning, overhaul, screw tightening, setting adjustment, and aiming. The inspection according to the present invention includes, for example, vehicle maintenance, vehicle inspection, statutory periodic inspection, daily inspection, electrical equipment operation check, visual inspection, abnormal noise check, and on-board diagnostics (OBD) diagnosis.

[0028] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a vehicle work assistance system 1 according to this embodiment. The vehicle maintenance assistance system 1 illustrated in Fig. 1 includes a server 10 that assists in maintenance or inspection work for a vehicle V, and a work assistance device 20 that assists in vehicle maintenance or inspection. The server 10 and the work assistance device 20 can communicate with each other via a network N. Here, the network N includes, for example, the Internet, a wireless local area network (LAN), a telephone line, a public line, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), a wireless base station, and the like.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 2, in this embodiment, the server 10 that supports vehicle maintenance or inspection work includes a storage unit 101, a server transmitting / receiving unit 102, and a server processing unit 103.

[0030] The storage unit 101 may be realized by a storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or flash memory, or an EEPROM, ROM, RAM, etc. The storage unit 101 stores in advance one or more pieces of information selected from text information, image information, audio information, and video information that provide guidance on maintenance or inspection work, as support information for providing guidance on maintenance or inspection work.

[0031] The server transceiver unit 102 is configured to receive the vehicle information and work information from the work support device 20 via the network N, and the transceiver unit 102 is configured to transmit support information to the work support device 20 via the network N based on the received vehicle information and work information.

[0032] The server processing unit 103 is configured such that the transmitting / receiving unit 102 of the server 10 receives work results after vehicle maintenance or inspection and selects the work results as candidates for support information. In this embodiment, the server processing unit 103 may be realized by, for example, a hardware processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) executing a program (software). The program may be stored in the storage unit 101 in advance, or may be stored in a removable storage medium (non-transitory storage medium) such as a DVD or CD-ROM, and installed in the storage device of the server 10 by inserting the storage medium into a drive device or the like.

[0033] 2 also illustrates the functional configuration of a work assistance device 20 that assists in vehicle maintenance or inspection according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the work assistance device 20 includes a processing unit 201, a transmitting / receiving unit 202, and a presentation unit 203.

[0034] Specifically, the work assistance device 20 is a portable or stationary terminal device such as a smartphone or tablet equipped with a CPU, memory, and display, a wearable device such as AR glasses, VR glasses, or a smart watch, or a smart speaker, and performs at least the functions of a processing unit 201, a transmission / reception unit 202, and a presentation unit 203 based on a program stored in the memory.

[0035] The processing unit 201 is provided to acquire vehicle information of the vehicle and work information including the location of the vehicle where maintenance or inspection work is to be performed and the work content.

[0036] Specifically, the processing unit 201 includes an input unit 2011 for inputting vehicle information about the vehicle. The vehicle information may be acquired based on the vehicle information input by a mechanic who actually performs maintenance or inspection work or a vehicle user. Examples of the input vehicle information include one or a combination of the license plate number, chassis number, model, year, manufacturer name, and vehicle name. For example, in an embodiment for inputting identification information, the input unit 2011 may be an input means such as a touch panel or voice input. Meanwhile, the processing unit 201 includes an imaging unit 2012 that captures the vehicle's identification information and a discrimination unit 2013 that determines the vehicle information about the vehicle from the identification information. The vehicle information may be acquired by identifying the vehicle's identification information. For example, in an embodiment for inputting identification information, the imaging unit 2012 may be an imaging means such as a camera that reads the identification information attached to the vehicle. In this embodiment, the identification information includes one or more of the vehicle's specific image, vehicle inspection certificate IC tag, or inspection sticker. For example, by capturing an image of the specific image including the vehicle's license plate, inspection sticker, or vehicle inspection certificate with the photographing unit 2012, or reading the vehicle inspection certificate IC tag, the discrimination unit 2013 can identify information including one or more of the vehicle model, type, year, vehicle identification number, engine type, type designation number, and classification number registered on the license plate, vehicle inspection certificate IC, or inspection sticker as the identification information of the vehicle.

[0037] Alternatively, the vehicle work information may be acquired by identifying the work information based on acquired vehicle information. For example, the image capturing unit 2012 captures a specific image including the vehicle's license plate or an inspection sticker, or reads the vehicle inspection certificate IC tag, and the discrimination unit 2013 identifies information registered on the license plate, vehicle inspection certificate IC, or inspection sticker, including the location and work content of the maintenance or inspection work, as the vehicle's work information. Alternatively, the vehicle work information may be acquired based on vehicle information of the vehicle entered by a mechanic who actually performs the maintenance or inspection work or the vehicle user. For example, the mechanic or the vehicle user can input information including the location and work content of the maintenance or inspection work using the input unit 2011 as the vehicle's work information.

[0038] 2, the work assistance device 20 further includes at least one sensor 204 that identifies the location and type of maintenance or inspection work to be performed. The method of acquiring work information for the vehicle may be by using at least one sensor 204 that identifies the location and type of maintenance or inspection work to be performed. In this embodiment, the sensor 204 may be, for example, an on-board diagnostics (OBD) device.

[0039] In this embodiment, the presentation unit 203 is configured to present pre-stored support information for providing guidance on maintenance or inspection work, which is acquired from the server 10 based on the work information. Here, the support information includes one or more pieces of pre-stored text information, image information, audio information, and video information for providing guidance on maintenance or inspection work. For example, the text information may include a recommended torque value for tightening a specific fastener, and the image information may include a photograph showing either or both of the before and after of the work, where the worker is to perform installation, setting, or removal. In the present invention, examples of "fasteners" include screws, bolts, nuts, etc.

[0040] The work information may also include steps or work locations in a work process selected by a mechanic or a vehicle user. The presentation unit 203 can then present a step-by-step work process for providing guidance on maintenance or inspection work, acquired from the server 10, based on the work information.

[0041] In the present invention, a step in a work process may present multiple options, and depending on the option selected by the mechanic or vehicle user, the work process for the subsequent step may be presented.

[0042] Furthermore, the processing unit 201 of the work support device 20 may acquire work results of vehicle maintenance or inspection performed in accordance with the support information, and the transceiver unit 202 of the work support device 20 may transmit the acquired work results to the server 10 so that they can be selected as candidates for support information. Specific examples of the work results include one or more of a numerical value, whether or not a check mark is checked, a selection from multiple values, text, a photo, a video, and audio. This allows the support information to be further optimized, and the quality of vehicle maintenance or inspection work to be further improved.

[0043] Fig. 3 is a sequence diagram showing an example of work support processing executed by the vehicle work support system 1 according to the embodiment. The example in Fig. 3 is an example in which, after a breakdown occurs in a vehicle, a mechanic dispatched to the breakdown site performs repair work. Fig. 3 also shows an example of processing using the server 10 and the work support device 20.

[0044] In the example of FIG. 3, the work support device 20 acquires vehicle information about a vehicle with a malfunction (step S101). For example, a mechanic inputs information such as the vehicle model, type, and year of manufacture. The work support device 20 then acquires work information including the location of the maintenance work and the details of the work (step S102). For example, if a wiring malfunction occurs in the vehicle, the work support device 20 identifies the cause and location of the malfunction using sensors or the like installed in the vehicle. In the present invention, the vehicle information and work information can also be obtained and registered from a network other than the work support device 20. The acquired vehicle information and work information are then transmitted to the server 10 (step S103).

[0045] Next, the server 10 transmits pre-stored support information to the work support device 20 in accordance with the received vehicle information and work information (step S104). Here, the support information is also called an excellent image (reference image). For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the excellent image has text information 403 and image information 404 that provide guidance on the maintenance work based on vehicle information 401 and work information 402.

[0046] Next, the work support device 20 presents the received support information so that the mechanic can confirm the support information (step S105). Here, if the support information includes a step or work location of the work process selected by the mechanic, the work support device 20 can also present a step-by-step work process for instructing the maintenance or inspection work based on the work information.

[0047] Next, when the mechanic completes the vehicle maintenance work based on the support information, the work support device 20 acquires the work results (step S106). Furthermore, the work support device 20 transmits the work results to the server 10 (step S107). As a result, the server 10 selects support information as new candidates for supporting future work from the received work results (step S108). Specifically, the support information candidates may be selected based on the experience of an experienced mechanic, or may be automatically identified by AI (artificial intelligence) or the like. For example, when selecting based on the experience of the mechanic, multiple mechanics may vote for support information candidates, and the support information candidate with the highest score may be selected as the support information.

[0048] In the present invention, a program for causing an information processing device or other machine or device (hereinafter referred to as a computer, etc.) to realize any of the above functions can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Then, the computer, etc. can provide the function by reading and executing the program from the recording medium.

[0049] Although the present invention has been described above using embodiments, it goes without saying that the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and improvements can be made to the above embodiments. Furthermore, it is clear from the claims that such modifications and improvements can also be included within the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1. Vehicle maintenance support system 10.....server 101...Storage section 102 Server transmission / reception unit 103 Server processing unit 20. Work support device 201 Processing section 2011····Input section 2012····Photography Department 2013...Discrimination part 202 Transmitter / receiver 203...Presentation section 204 Sensor 401····Vehicle Information 402...Work Information 403...Text information 404····Image information V...Vehicle N···· Network

Claims

1. A method for assisting in vehicle maintenance or inspection work by communicating with a server that assists in vehicle maintenance or inspection work, comprising: acquiring work information including locations where maintenance or inspection work is to be performed and work contents in the vehicle; transmitting the acquired work information to the server; a step of presenting support information for providing guidance on maintenance or inspection work, which is acquired from the server and stored in advance, based on the work information; A work support method comprising:

2. The work assistance method includes: obtaining vehicle information of the vehicle; transmitting the acquired vehicle information to the server; The step of presenting the support information includes: presenting support information for providing guidance on maintenance or inspection work that has been acquired from the server based on the vehicle information and the work information; The work support method according to claim 1 , comprising:

3. The step of acquiring vehicle information of the vehicle includes: The work support method according to claim 2 , wherein the information is acquired based on input vehicle information of the vehicle.

4. The step of acquiring vehicle information of the vehicle includes: acquiring identification information of the vehicle; The work support method according to claim 2 , further comprising determining vehicle information and work information of the vehicle from the acquired identification information.

5. The work support method according to claim 4 , wherein the identification information includes one or more of a specific image of the vehicle that has been photographed, a vehicle inspection certificate IC tag, and an inspection sticker.

6. The step of acquiring work information of the vehicle includes: The work support method according to claim 2 , wherein the work information is identified based on the vehicle information.

7. The step of acquiring work information of the vehicle includes:

3. The work support method according to claim 1, wherein the information is acquired based on input work information of the vehicle.

8. The step of acquiring work information of the vehicle includes:

3. The work support method according to claim 1, wherein the work information is acquired by an on-board fault diagnosis device that identifies the location and type of work to be performed.

9. 3. The work support method according to claim 1, wherein the support information includes one or more pieces of pre-stored text information, image information, audio information, and video information that provide guidance on maintenance or inspection work.

10. The work information includes a step or a work location in a work process selected by a worker, 3. The work support method according to claim 1, wherein the step of presenting support information comprises presenting a work process for providing guidance on maintenance or inspection work in a step-by-step manner, the work process being acquired from the server based on the work information.

11. The work assistance method includes: acquiring work results of vehicle maintenance or inspection performed in accordance with the support information; transmitting the work result to the server so that the work result can be selected as a candidate for the support information; The work support method according to claim 9 , further comprising:

12. the text information includes, for a particular fastener, a recommended torque value for tightening the fastener; The work support method according to claim 11 , wherein the image information includes a photograph showing either or both of a before-work and after-work state of a location where a worker is to perform attachment, installation, or removal.

13. 3. The work support method according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle information includes one or more of the vehicle model, type, year, vehicle identification number, engine model, model designation number, and classification number.

14. An apparatus for supporting vehicle maintenance or inspection by communicating with a server that supports vehicle maintenance or inspection work, a processing unit that acquires vehicle information of the vehicle and work information including locations and work contents of maintenance or inspection work on the vehicle; a transmitter / receiver that transmits the acquired vehicle information and work information to the server; a presentation unit that presents support information for providing guidance on maintenance or inspection work that has been stored in advance and that is acquired from the server by the transmission / reception unit based on the vehicle information and the work information; A work support device comprising:

15. The work assistance device according to claim 14 , wherein the processing unit includes an input unit that inputs the vehicle information and / or the work information of the vehicle.

16. The processing unit an image capturing unit that captures the vehicle identification information; The work support device according to claim 12 or 15, further comprising a determination unit that determines vehicle information and work information of the vehicle from the identification information.

17. The work support device according to any one of claims 14 to 16, further comprising at least one sensor for identifying a location where maintenance or inspection work is to be performed and the type of work to be performed.

18. It is stored on a storage medium and stored on a computer. acquiring vehicle information of the vehicle; acquiring work information including locations where maintenance or inspection work is to be performed and work contents in the vehicle; transmitting the acquired vehicle information and work information to the server; a step of presenting support information for providing guidance on maintenance or inspection work, which is acquired from the server based on the vehicle information and the work information; A work support program characterized by executing the above.

19. A work support system including a server that supports vehicle maintenance or inspection work, and a work support device that supports vehicle maintenance or inspection by communicating with the server, The work assistance device includes: a processing unit that acquires vehicle information of the vehicle and work information including locations and work contents of maintenance or inspection work on the vehicle; a transmitter / receiver that transmits the acquired vehicle information and work information to the server; a presentation unit that presents support information for providing guidance on maintenance or inspection work that has been stored in advance and that is acquired from the server by the transmission / reception unit based on the vehicle information and the work information; Including, The server a storage unit that stores in advance one or more pieces of information selected from text information, image information, audio information, and video information that provide guidance on maintenance or inspection work as support information for providing guidance on maintenance or inspection work; a server transceiver unit that receives the vehicle information and the work information, and transmits the support information based on the received vehicle information and the work information; a server processing unit configured to receive a work result after vehicle maintenance or inspection is performed and select the work result as a candidate for the support information; A work support system comprising:

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